# Sign Regulations in Joplin, Missouri

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Joplin, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/joplin
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MO/Joplin/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH6AD_ARTIISI)

## At a glance

Joplin, Missouri regulates 13 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Detached Signs in the Business area (C-O, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, M-2, planned district overlay zones), C-O, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, M-2, Planned district overlay zones zoning district are capped at 45 ft tall and 200 sq ft, with a 5 ft from property/street line if ≥10 ft to bottom; 10 ft if <10 ft to bottom; 10 ft from power line; 10 ft from adjacent/side lot line; 25 ft from adjacent sign. setback (Sec. Sec. 6-39(b)). Most commercial signs in Joplin require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business area (C-O, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, M-2, planned district overlay zones), C-O, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, M-2, Planned district overlay zones | 6 | 45 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| C-2 (downtown business district) | 1 | 4 ft | 8 sq ft (2 ft wide x 4 ft high) | — |
| Nonbusiness area (AG, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, planned district overlay zones), AG, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, Planned district overlay zones | 3 | 25 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 45 ft | 400 sq ft (672 sq ft on I-44) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Business area (C-O, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, M-2, planned district overlay zones), C-O, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, M-2, Planned district overlay zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Detached Sign | 45 ft | 200 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property/street line if ≥10 ft to bottom; 10 ft if <10 ft to bottom; 10 ft from power line; 10 ft from adjacent/side lot line; 25 ft from adjacent sign. | One per 150 ft frontage, plus one for corner lots; one off-premises sign per premises; one permanent detached sign per street frontage. | Minimum 5 ft setback from property/street line if sign bottom is at least 10 ft above grade; Minimum 10 ft setback if less than 10 ft above grade. Not less than 10 ft to adjacent or side lot line, not less than 25 ft to adjacent sign. At least 10 ft from power line. Front yard setback per above. Directory boards must be at least 10 ft from street line or adjacent property lines. | — | Sec. 6-39(b) |
| Attached Sign (Wall Sign) | — | As calculated per formula | — | — | One per wall with street frontage; see also one per public entrance where >1 activity. | On wall, awning, canopy, marquee, parapet, sunshield, window, door, or similar item. Not within or outside of windows. | — | Sec. 6-39(c)(1)-(2), (5) |
| Roof Sign | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | In lieu of detached or projecting sign. | On or above roof, set back min 4 ft from outside walls. | — | Sec. 6-39(c)(3) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 30 sq ft | — | ≤6 in inside curb; min 10 ft above ground | One per qualifying case based on facade/entrances/setback | On building set back less than 3 ft from property line; projects from surface of building. | — | Sec. 6-39(c)(4) |
| Portable Sign | 8 ft | 48 sq ft | — | 10 ft from side lot lines; 20 ft from curb/edge of pavement. | One per commercial location | Set back min 10 ft from side lot lines, min 20 ft from curb/edge of paved surface of public roadway. | — | Sec. 6-38 |
| Banner (in lieu of Portable Sign) | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | One per commercial location | Affixed on building at a commercial location. | — | Sec. 6-38(a) |

### Nonbusiness area (AG, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, planned district overlay zones), AG, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, Planned district overlay zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Detached Sign (Multifamily Use) | 25 ft | 50 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft (or 20 ft if sign ≥35 sq ft or ≥15 ft high) from street line. | One per premises; two if >750 ft frontage and >300 ft separation | Set back at least 10 ft from street line; if sign is 35 sq ft or 15 ft in height, must be set back 20 ft from street. | — | Sec. 6-40(b)(1)-(2) |
| Detached Sign (Church Use) | 25 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per church | — | — | Sec. 6-40(b)(3) |
| Nonbusiness Sign - Residential Use | — | — | — | — | See Sec. 6-32 allowed sign exemptions | — | — | Sec. 6-40(a)(1) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard and Off-Premises Sign | 45 ft | 400 sq ft (672 sq ft on I-44) | — | See above; front yard as in C-3/M-1/M-2 detached signs. | — | Zoning C-3, M-1, M-2 only. Min 1,500 ft to another billboard/off-premises sign; min 300 ft to R-1 to R-4 boundary; min 300 ft to church, school, or park; min 10 ft from structure/building; min 17 ft from power line; not affixed to any building/roof. | — | Sec. 6-42 |
| Directional Sign (Sight Triangle) | 36 in (if in sight triangle), else 10 ft clearance if permanent | — | — | — | — | Within sight triangle at driveways/entrances (see zoning code). | — | Sec. 6-37(8) |
| Ideological and Noncommercial Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | Permitted in any location where commercial signs are permitted. | — | Sec. 6-37(9) |

## Prohibited signs in Joplin

- All signs are prohibited except as allowed by this article.
- No sign other than government signs shall be allowed which is located within or projects over any public property, including the right-of-way, except where the building is located on or within three feet of the property line.
- In no instance shall a sign project beyond a vertical plane six inches inside the curbline from any building.
- No sign shall occupy a parking space necessary to satisfy minimum off-street parking requirements.
- Signs that concern unlawful activity are prohibited.
- Signs that employ any searchlights or strobe lights without specific permission from the city council are prohibited.
- Signs that may be confused with or construed as a traffic control sign, signal or device, or the light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle, by reason of their size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination are prohibited.
- Signs that hide from the view of those to whom the device is directed any traffic or street sign or signal or similar device are prohibited.
- Signs that are temporary, except as specifically allowed in this article, are prohibited.
- Banners are prohibited except as permitted in a manner allowed in section 6-38 portable signs.
- No person shall maintain or allow to be maintained on any premises owned or controlled by that person any dangerous or defective sign.
- All signs shall be erected or affixed and maintained in compliance with the current building codes of the city.
- No person shall place any sign upon the property of another without first having received permission therefor.

## Signs exempt from permit in Joplin

- The provisions of this article shall not apply to: (1) Temporary decorations or displays located on private property celebrating the occasion of traditionally accepted patriotic or religious holidays.
- The provisions of this article shall not apply to: (2) Signs of a truck, bus, trailer or other vehicle while operated in the normal course of a business which is not primarily the display of such signs.
- The provisions of this article shall not apply to: (3) Window displays and temporary on-premises signs placed in the windows of any commercial or industrial building.
- The provisions of this article shall not apply to: (4) Scoreboard structures in athletic stadiums.
- The provisions of this article shall not apply to: (5) Advertising placed within athletic stadiums.
- The provisions of this article shall not apply to: (6) Signs permitted by a special use permit issued by the city council or any special signs or requirements as allowed by the planning and zoning commission in reviewing the plans for the construction of buildings and improvements of grounds in a legally zoned planned district as defined in the zoning ordinance of the city.
- The provisions of this article shall not apply to: (7) Any sign erected or maintained by or for any agency of government pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental function or required to be erected as authorized by law, ordinance, or governmental regulation.
- Permits or permit fees are NOT required for: (1) Temporary nonilluminated real estate signs, not more than 12 square feet in area, advertising the sale, lease or rental of the premises on which the sign is located.
- Permits or permit fees are NOT required for: (2) Political signs not exceeding eight square feet in area, not more than five feet in height, and not located closer to the street than specified setbacks from the street or sidewalk (not on the public right-of-way).
- Permits or permit fees are NOT required for: (3) Nameplate signs, not exceeding two square feet in area, accessory to a dwelling.
- Permits or permit fees are NOT required for: (4) Temporary on-premises signs in conjunction with licensed miscellaneous sales, not exceeding two square feet, and located on private property.
- Permits or permit fees are NOT required for: (5) Directional on-premises signs, not exceeding three square feet, located within the property lines of the premises and not exceeding 36 inches in height above the adjacent street grade.
- Permits or permit fees are NOT required for: (6) Identification and nameplate signs, not exceeding three square feet, that are painted on or attached to the windows, doors or walls of a building.
- Changing the copy describing products or services on an existing permitted sign designed for changeable copy, including billboard panels and posters, but not including structural or location changes, does not require a permit.
- Maintenance, including repainting, refurbishing, cleaning, or normal repair of a sign not involving structural changes, does not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Every applicant for a sign permit shall file with the application a plan showing the height of the sign from the street grade to the top of the sign, the height of the bottom of the sign from street grade, a view of the sign showing the total effective area and copy, the setbacks from all street lines and property lines, and the type and size of all support structures.
- Application for a permit shall be accompanied by plans and specifications for the sign as required by this article, and a description of the location of the sign, as necessary to fully advise the chief building official of the construction of the sign.
- Signs permitted by a special use permit issued by the city council or any special signs or requirements as allowed by the planning and zoning commission in reviewing the plans for the construction of buildings and improvements of grounds in a legally zoned planned district as defined in the zoning ordinance of the city are exempt from the article.

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

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