# Sign Regulations in Jennings, Missouri

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Jennings, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/jennings
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MO/Jennings/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_APXAZO_ART21SIRE)

## At a glance

Jennings, Missouri regulates 32 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Political Sign - Freestanding (4×4 ft, Option 1)s in the Shopping and Service Commercial District (C-2), Special Shopping and Service Commercial District (C-2S) zoning district are capped at 4 ft. maximum above ground tall and 16 sq. ft., with a 10 feet beyond the easement setback (Sec. Sec. 21.10.5, 21.10.6). Most commercial signs in Jennings require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Public areas | 4 | — | 1 sq. ft. | — |
| R-1 Single-Family Residential District (R-1), R-2 One and Two-Family Residential District (R-2), R-3 Multiple-Family Residential District (R-3), Planned Unit Developments | 9 | 25 ft above grade (no lettering above 15 ft) | 20 sq. ft. | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1) | 1 | Not higher than the lowest elevation of the roof | 30 sq. ft. | — |
| Shopping and Service Commercial District (C-2), Special Shopping and Service Commercial District (C-2S) | 9 | 8 ft. | Up to 300 sq. ft. but not more than 5% of wall area | — |
| Regional Commercial District (C-3) | 10 | 30 ft above elevation of adjacent street or building | 400 sq. ft. per facing (1 per district), more if multiple rights-of-way. | — |
| Light Industrial District (L-1) | 9 | 8 ft. | Up to 300 sq. ft. or 10% of wall area (if >300 ft from roadway) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | 15 ft. above adjacent street | 50 sq. ft. per facing | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Shopping and Service Commercial District (C-2), Special Shopping and Service Commercial District (C-2S)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Business Sign | — | 50 sq. ft. per facing (C-2), Not permitted in C-2S | — | — | 1 per roadway frontage | Each roadway frontage | — | Section 21.10.1(b)(1)-(2) |
| Wall Sign | — | Up to 300 sq. ft. but not more than 5% of wall area | — | — | 1 per wall, max 3 for corner/double frontage | Exterior wall of business | — | Section 21.10.2(a)-(b) |
| Menu Sign (Freestanding or Wall) - Restaurant Drive-through | 8 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | — | 1 (either freestanding or wall) | On premises of restaurant with drive-up/through facility | — | Section 21.10.1(b)(5); 21.10.2(b)(6) |
| Sign - ATM Facility (Freestanding or Wall) | 8 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | — | 1 (either freestanding or wall) | At or for ATM facility at financial institution | — | Section 21.10.1(b)(6); 21.10.2(b)(8) |
| Price Sign - Gasoline Station (Freestanding, Below Main Sign) | — | 20 sq. ft. per facing | — | — | 1 per lot | Attached below permitted freestanding business sign on lot | — | Section 21.10.1(b)(8) |
| Political Sign - Freestanding (2×3 ft) | 4 ft. maximum above ground | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 (unless 4×4 or 4×8 sign is used) | Private commercial lot | — | Sec. 21.10.3; Sec. 21.10.4(b); 21.10.5 |
| Political Sign - Freestanding (4×4 ft, Option 1) | 4 ft. maximum above ground | 16 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet beyond the easement | 1 per lot | Private commercial lot | — | Sec. 21.10.5, 21.10.6 |
| Political Sign - Freestanding (4×8 ft, Option 2) | 4 ft. maximum above ground | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet beyond the easement | 1 per lot | Private commercial lot | — | Sec. 21.10.5, 21.10.6 |

### Regional Commercial District (C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Business Sign | — | 400 sq. ft. per facing (1 per district), more if multiple rights-of-way. | — | 200 ft minimum between signs | One per public right-of-way | Facing each public right-of-way if multiple roadways | — | Section 21.10.1(b)(3) |
| Freestanding Business Sign - Out Parcel | 30 ft above elevation of adjacent street or building | 100 sq. ft. per facing | 15 ft. | — | 1, or 2 if 750-ft frontage | Out-parcel in regional commercial of >=45 acres | — | Section 21.10.1(c)(1)-(2) |
| Wall Sign | — | Up to 300 sq. ft. but not more than 5% of wall area | — | — | 1 per wall, max 3 for corner/double frontage | Exterior wall of business | — | Section 21.10.2(a)-(b) |
| Menu Sign (Freestanding or Wall) - Restaurant Drive-through | 8 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | — | 1 (either freestanding or wall) | On premises of restaurant with drive-up/through facility | — | Section 21.10.1(b)(5); 21.10.2(b)(6) |
| Sign - ATM Facility (Freestanding or Wall) | 8 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | — | 1 (either freestanding or wall) | At or for ATM facility at financial institution | — | Section 21.10.1(b)(6); 21.10.2(b)(8) |
| Political Sign - Freestanding (2×3 ft) | 4 ft. maximum above ground | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 (unless 4×4 or 4×8 sign is used) | Private commercial lot | — | Sec. 21.10.3; Sec. 21.10.4(b); 21.10.5 |
| Political Sign - Freestanding (4×4 ft, Option 1) | 4 ft. maximum above ground | 16 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet beyond the easement | 1 per lot | Private commercial lot | — | Sec. 21.10.5, 21.10.6 |
| Political Sign - Freestanding (4×8 ft, Option 2) | 4 ft. maximum above ground | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet beyond the easement | 1 per lot | Private commercial lot | — | Sec. 21.10.5, 21.10.6 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Exempted) | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Attached to structure or freestanding | — | Section 21.4(b) |
| Grand Opening Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per location per 12 months | Business location; must be mounted flat on building | — | Section 21.7(c) |
| Incidental Sign | — | 4 sq. ft. (total for all) | — | — | 4 per business | Storefront, window, door | — | Section 21.7(a) |
| Parking Direction Sign | 3 ft. | — | — | Cannot extend into public right-of-way | 1 per driveway/direction | At each commercial district driveway (not in right-of-way) | — | Section 21.8(a) |
| Directional Sign (Special Purpose on Large Sites) | 10 ft. | 12 sq. ft. (total for all such signs) | — | Min 50 ft from right-of-way | — | Project/site/development >20 acres; not closer than 50 ft to public or private right-of-way | — | Section 21.8(b) |
| Parking Regulation Sign | 10 ft. | 5 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per 20 spaces | Commercial/public parking lots | — | Section 21.8(b), Part 3 |
| Construction Sign (On-Site, Temporary) | — | 32 sq. ft. per face, max 2 faces | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Each street frontage of commercial lot | — | Section 21.8(e) |
| Subdivision Informational Sign (10+ lot subdivision) | 15 ft. above adjacent street | 50 sq. ft. per facing | 15 ft. | — | One per main entrance | Main entrance(s) to subdivision; on platted/common ground or designated areas | — | Section 21.10.2(b)(10) |

## Prohibited signs in Jennings

- Signs visible from a public right-of-way that imitate, blend or conflict with, or may be confused with traffic signs, including imitations of 'stop', 'go', 'caution', 'danger', or 'warning' signs.
- Signs that are of a size, location, movement or illumination as may be construed as a traffic control device or obstruct traffic or street signs or signals.
- Signs advertising an activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted on the premises.
- Signs on public property unless erected at the direction of or with permission from an appropriate public authority.
- Portable signs not securely affixed to the ground or to an approved supporting structure, or located on a trailer, vehicle or other movable device parked on private property but within public view, unless meeting specific exceptions for business identification.
- Strips or strings of lights (excluding holiday lights) used to outline or call attention to property lines, display areas, parking areas, sales areas, roof lines, doors, windows, wall edges or other architectural features.
- Moving signs, including any sign or part that moves or appears to move, and devices such as banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, and rotating signs.
- Illuminated signs not compliant with section 21.5.
- Unkept or unsightly signs, including those not securely affixed or that are crudely/carelessly constructed or lettered.
- Advertising signs painted on, affixed to, or located in a way that obstructs window or door visibility, except temporary signs not exceeding 15% of individual window area.
- Hand lettered signs.
- Advertising signs on bus shelters.
- Signs projecting beyond a property line or into the public right-of-way, except authorized traffic control signs or city council approved public information signs.
- Signs not complying with all applicable Municipal Codes and Ordinances of the City of Jennings.
- Signs and related structures not maintained in good repair, or that are unsafe, unattractive, or endanger life/property.
- Signs erected, displayed or maintained to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window or door used for egress, or any other means of egress required by code.
- Signs erected, displayed or maintained in a manner that interferes with openings required for ventilation under the City of Jennings Building Code.

## Signs exempt from permit in Jennings

- Government and official signs including public notices and official notices posted or authorized by government officials in the performance of their duties.
- Signs for the control or dedication of traffic and other public purposes.
- 'No Parking' and 'No Trespassing' signs not larger than one square foot in gross sign area.
- Identification signs not exceeding one square foot in gross sign area, including name plates to identify occupants or advertise professional services, building/manager information, or residential address numbers.
- Signs painted in windows in commercial and industrial districts not exceeding one square foot in gross sign area for each business location on the ground floor.
- Residential address numbers located on a sign not more than one square foot in outline area per facing.
- Political signs not over six square feet in area that are placed in the R-1, R-2, R-3, and planned unit development districts only and removed within five calendar days after the election; not placed on any easement or public right-of-way.
- Memorial or historical plaques.
- Flags of any nation.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Marquee signs for theaters, cinemas, exhibition centers, and similar uses are permitted only upon specific authorization by the city council, with a recommendation by the city plan commission, subject to restrictions and conditions after review of a site development plan under the provisions of Articles 14 and 15.
- Subdivision informational signs may also be located on any un-platted portion of the subdivision identified as part of a particular development on an approved preliminary subdivision plat or site development concept plan, or site development plan.
- No mention of a 'master sign plan' or sign variance meeting is found in the provided text; instead, special permits or approvals (such as by city council or plan commission) are required for certain signs (e.g., marquee signs, larger interstate signs in regional commercial districts).

## 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 7 zoning districts in Jennings — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Jennings+MO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-jennings

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