# Sign Regulations in Liberty, Missouri

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Liberty, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/liberty
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MO/Liberty/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=THCOLIMI_CH30UNDEOR_ARTXIVSI)

## At a glance

Liberty, Missouri regulates 25 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Non-Retail Business District (CO) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 6 sq ft (Sec. Sec. 30-87.3). Most commercial signs in Liberty require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agriculture District (A), Suburban Residential District (R-1A), Low-Density Single-Family Residential District (R-1B), Rural Conservation Residential District (RC), Standard Single-Family Residential District (R-1C), Neighborhood Conservation Residential District (RNC), Neighborhood Residential District (RN), Two-Family Residential District (R-2), Single-Family Cluster Residential District (R-3), Townhouse District (R-4), Garden Apartment District (R-5), Low-Rise Apartment District (R-6), High-Rise Apartment District (R-7), Mobile Home Park District (RMP) | 2 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Planned Development District (PD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Non-Retail Business District (CO) | 5 | 10 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| Mixed-Use District (MU), Central Business District (CBD) | 7 | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (C-1), Central Business Service District (CBS), General Business District (C-2), Highway Business District (C-3), Business Park District (BP), Light Industrial District (M-1), General Industrial District (M-2) | 10 | 25 ft | 672 sq ft | — |
| Historic Preservation District Overlay (HP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned Development Flex District (PD-FLEX) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Floodway Buffer District (FW) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Floodway Fringe Buffer District (FF) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 8 ft | 64 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Non-Retail Business District (CO)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per building face | On building face | — | Sec. 30-87.3 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 total per office building (choose types) | Projecting from building | — | Sec. 30-87.3 |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 total per office building (choose types) | Within 20 ft of main entrance | — | Sec. 30-87.3 |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | 2 total per office building (choose types) | On ground floor awning | — | Sec. 30-87.3 |
| Monument Sign (Office Park Identifier) | 10 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 (per office park) | Office park with 3+ buildings | — | Sec. 30-87.3 |

### Mixed-Use District (MU), Central Business District (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per building face | On building face | — | Sec. 30-87.4 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 total per freestanding commercial building (choose types) | Projecting from building | — | Sec. 30-87.4 |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 total per freestanding commercial building (choose types) | Within 20 ft of main entrance | — | Sec. 30-87.4 |
| Facade Sign | 2.5 ft | — | Width of building | — | — | On building facade | — | Sec. 30-87.4 |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On awning, ground floor | — | Sec. 30-87.4 |
| Wall Directory Sign (Multi-story/multi-tenant buildings) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per multi-story/multi-tenant building | Next to main entrance | — | Sec. 30-87.4(2) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | 5 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | Within 4 ft of main entrance | — | Sec. 30-87.4(3) |

### Neighborhood Business District (C-1), Central Business Service District (CBS), General Business District (C-2), Highway Business District (C-3), Business Park District (BP), Light Industrial District (M-1), General Industrial District (M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per building face + 1 of items a, b, or c | Per building face | — | Sec. 30-87.5 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Projecting from building | — | Sec. 30-87.5 |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | — | — | Sec. 30-87.5 |
| Monument Sign (Shopping/Business Center ID) | 8 ft | 72 sq ft | — | — | 1 per shopping center or business park | Per business park or shopping center with more than one business | — | Sec. 30-87.5 |
| Menu Board Sign (Drive-thru or Walk-up) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per drive-thru/walk-up service lane | Along sides or rear of building; per service lane | — | Sec. 30-87.5(4) |
| Billboard | 14 ft (excluding base) | 672 sq ft | — | — | Subject to spacing | Within 660 ft of Interstate 35 on a tract contiguous to highway ROW | — | Sec. 30-87.5(5) |
| Pole Sign (In lieu of monument sign) | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | Within 300 ft of Interstate 35 ROW (C-2/C-3 only); at least 500 ft from another pole sign | — | Sec. 30-87.5(6) |
| Wall Electronic Message Board (Option) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building/lot/parcel | Wall signage, in lieu of one face's wall sign | — | Sec. 30-87.5(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Liberty

- Attention-attracting devices are prohibited signs in all zoning districts, unless specifically provided for herein.
- Balloons and other inflatable devices are prohibited signs in all zoning districts, unless specifically provided for herein.
- Hazardous signs are prohibited in all zoning districts, unless specifically provided for herein.
- Portable signs are prohibited in all zoning districts, unless specifically provided for herein.
- Roof signs are prohibited in all zoning districts. Mansards having a pitch that is less steep than three (3) feet vertical over one foot horizontal shall be considered a part of the roof.
- Off-site commercial signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Electronic message boards are prohibited in all zoning districts, except when incorporated into the design of a monument sign in districts C-2 and C-3, school zoning districts, and as time and/or temperature instruments, and may only be used under the strict provisions set out in the ordinance.
- Signs containing any indecent or offensive material are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- No sign shall be located or placed to obstruct views of pedestrian or vehicle traffic or interfere with other signage.
- All signs must be maintained in good repair and have a clean and neat appearance.
- All permanent monument signs must be located at least ten (10) feet from all property lines.
- All permanent monument signs must be located in a landscaped area of at least three (3) feet on each side of the base of the sign.
- All wall signs must be located so that no portion of the sign extends beyond the height of the wall to which it is attached.
- No commercial advertising copy is allowed on temporary on-site signs.
- All temporary signs must be placed on private property, with the consent of the property owner, and may not be located within a public right-of-way.
- All temporary signs must be kept in good condition and not be allowed to deteriorate; violations may result in removal at the owner's expense.
- Legal non-conforming signs may not be enlarged.

## Signs exempt from permit in Liberty

- Signs that are essential and necessary for the safety and welfare of the public.
- Historical markers on premises officially recognized by the city, county, state, or federal government and which are not advertising or promotional in nature.
- Signs erected by, or on behalf of, or pursuant to the authorization of, a governmental body, including legal notices, identification and informational signs and traffic, directional or regulatory signs.
- Signs on or adjacent to rear doors of commercial or industrial buildings displaying information such as the names and address of the occupant, the hours of operation, or instructions for deliveries, provided they do not exceed four (4) square feet in area, do not contain letters exceeding six (6) inches in height, and are not illuminated. Where multiple tenants share the same rear door, the sign may display the names and address of each tenant.
- Signs that are exempt according to the signage provisions as set forth within Article XIV, Section 30-91.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs, except exempt signs as set forth in this article, shall be permitted by the director and constructed in accordance with plans submitted in support of a sign permit.
- All permanent signs within a PD (Planned Development) district shall be allowed in accordance with the approved final development plan.
- Signage for a use operating under a special use permit must follow that of the zoning district in which it is located, except as specifically provided in this UDO or approved as a part of the special use permit.
- Each shopping center or business park with more than one business or building shall be allowed one monument sign to identify the center or park, guidelines for such signs apply.
- Within the HP (Historic Preservation) overlay district, all signs must obtain a certificate of appropriateness in accordance with Article VIII prior to installation.
- Application for a sign permit must include construction plans unless the sign qualifies for exemption.
- Electronic message boards as signage require compliance with detailed design, operation, and location standards as set out in Sec. 30-87.5 and Sec. 30-90(7).
- Billboards are only permitted within six hundred sixty (660) linear feet of Interstate 35 and subject to additional spacing and design requirements.
- All wall signs, monument signs, and other permanent signage are subject to specific area and height limitations and must be included as part of the overall signage plan for the development as reviewed by the city.

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

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