# Sign Regulations in Independence, Missouri

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Independence, Missouri, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Independence, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/independence
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MO/Independence/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH4BUPLELIN_ART8SICO)

## At a glance

Independence, Missouri regulates 24 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the DFD, Drumm Farm District (DFD) zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall and 32 sq. ft., with a Exterior setback 15 ft setback (Sec. 14-911-07-D/Table: Signs Allowed). Most commercial signs in Independence require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| HSQ, Historic Square district (HSQ) | 1 | — | — | — |
| /PUD, Planned Unit Development overlay district (/PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| /U, Underground overlay district (/U) | 1 | — | — | — |
| /SC, Special Sign Character Overlay district (/SC) | 1 | — | — | — |
| /PED, Pedestrian Street Overlay district (/PED) | 1 | — | — | — |
| /CD, Conservation Overlay District (/CD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| /HD, Historic Overlay District (/HD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| /HL, Historic Landmark Overlay District (/HL) | 1 | — | — | — |
| /PW, Parkway Overlay district (/PW) | 1 | — | — | — |
| ARTS district | 9 | 5 ft | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| DFD, Drumm Farm District (DFD) | 7 | 8 feet | 60 sq. ft. | — |
| WCIOD, West Central Independence Overlay District (WCIOD) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### /PW, Parkway Overlay district (/PW)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Within 250 feet of parkway right-of-way | — | 14-909-03-G.1 |

### ARTS district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame (Sandwich Board) | 5 ft | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Single tenant/multi-tenant building | — | 14-910-03/Table 910-2 |
| Awning Sign | — | 18 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Awning | — | 14-910-03/Table 910-2 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Projecting from building | — | 14-910-03/Table 910-2 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 | Facade | — | 14-910-03/Table 910-2 |
| Over Canopy/Under Canopy | 3 foot letters | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Over or under canopy | — | 14-910-03/Table 910-2 |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 20% of window surface area | — | — | — | Window | — | 14-910-03/Table 910-2 |
| Banner (Temporary) | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | — | — | 14-910-03/Table 910-2 |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | 20% of window surface area | — | — | — | Window | — | 14-910-03/Table 910-2 |

### DFD, Drumm Farm District (DFD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per building | Facade | — | 14-911-07-D/Table: Signs Allowed |
| Canopy or Projecting Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building in lieu of wall sign | In lieu of wall sign | — | 14-911-07-D/Table: Signs Allowed |
| Monument Sign | 6 feet | 32 sq. ft. | — | Exterior setback 15 ft | 2 per public street frontage; 2 for Farmer's Market | Per public street frontage, Farmer's Market | — | 14-911-07-D/Table: Signs Allowed |
| Directional Sign | 5 feet | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per drive intersection | 1 per drive intersection at public right-of-way | — | 14-911-07-D/Table: Signs Allowed |
| Interior Directional Sign | 5 feet | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | Not restricted | — | — | 14-911-07-D/Table: Signs Allowed |
| Temporary Banner | 6 feet | 60 sq. ft. | — | 20 ft from public ROW | 3 | — | — | 14-911-07-D/Table: Signs Allowed; 14-911-07-D-2 |
| Construction Sign | 8 feet | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 | — | — | 14-911-07-D/Table: Signs Allowed |

## Prohibited signs in Independence

- Electronic message signs are expressly prohibited in the ARTS district.
- Portable signs are expressly prohibited in the ARTS district.
- Signs on trees and benches are expressly prohibited in the ARTS district.
- Inflatable signs are expressly prohibited in the ARTS district.
- Billboards and free-standing signs, except for ground or monument signs, are not allowed within 250 feet of a Parkway right-of-way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Independence

- Signs or murals used as art that are not used as advertisement, are structurally safe, meet all other applicable codes, do not block windows or entranceways nor obstruct pedestrian circulation or create traffic/pedestrian 'blind' spots, and are in good repair (and fully functioning if including lights/animation), are exempt from ARTS district sign requirements.
- Ordinary maintenance and repairs may be undertaken without a certificate of appropriateness in historic districts or conservation districts, provided this work does not change the exterior appearance of the landmark or the building or structure.
- Existing buildings in the Drumm Farm District (DFD) are exempt from new building standards; only new buildings and development within the district are subject to those standards.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- In /SC, Special Sign Character Overlay districts, a 'graphics plan' for street graphics must be approved by the Planning Commission. No sign permit may be issued except in conformity with the special regulations of the /SC district and the approved Street Graphics Plan.
- The Planning Commission may approve a Master Street Graphics Plan with elements exceeding base district height, area, number, or other limits, upon certain findings.
- In the ARTS district, as an alternative to sign requirements in Table 910-2, a property owner may seek approval of any sign regulated by this section in accordance with Section 14-904-06 (graphics plan procedure for /SC districts).
- In /HD, Historic Overlay District and /HL, Historic Landmark Overlay District, erection or placement of any permanent sign on an individually designated site or within a designated historic district requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Manager or Heritage Commission.
- In /HD and /HL overlays, applications for certain work, including permanent signs, must be accompanied by plans (e.g., site plan, elevations, etc.) and may require a meeting with the Historic Preservation staff.
- In the Drumm Farm District (DFD), unless otherwise specified, signs must conform to Section 14-504 for applicable standards.
- Any sign or signage alternative in the ARTS district may be approved through a 'graphics plan' per Section 14-904-06 (Street Graphics Plan procedure), which may allow for unique or creative signage not otherwise permitted.
- Master Street Graphics Plan (for /SC districts) and any amendments must be approved by the Planning Commission.
- In /HD and /HL overlays, no sign permits for permanent signs may be issued without a Certificate of Appropriateness.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 12 zoning districts in Independence — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Independence+MO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-independence

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