# Sign Regulations in North Kansas City, Missouri

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

- **Jurisdiction:** North Kansas City, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/north-kansas-city
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MO/North_Kansas_City/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT15BUCO_CH15.44SIBIAWSTCL)

## At a glance

North Kansas City, Missouri regulates 29 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Roof Signs in the Manufacturing District zoning district are capped at 15 ft above highest part of roof tall and 200 sq ft, with a 5 ft plus half sign height to wall setback (Sec. 15.44.240, Table 15-5). Most commercial signs in North Kansas City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Armour Road District | 8 | 30 feet | Max individual: 250 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Business District | 8 | 30 feet | 150 sq ft per sign | — |
| General Business District (CIO, C-1, C-2, C-3, G-1) | 8 | 20 ft above highest part of roof | Max 250 sq ft per sign | — |
| Manufacturing District | 9 | 30 ft | 750 sq ft per face | — |
| South Burlington Corridor District | 8 | 30 ft | 250 sq ft per sign | — |
| Hospital Campus District | 7 | 30 ft | 250 sq ft per sign | — |
| Redevelopment Area District | 10 | 30 ft from adjacent highway grade | Greater than 1,000 sq ft | — |
| Residential District | 1 | — | — | — |
| PUD District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 30 ft | Residential: 40 sq ft; All other: 96 sq ft; >1 acre: 216 sq ft; American flags: no limit. | — |

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

### Manufacturing District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (West of I-35/29) | 30 ft | 150 sq ft per sign | — | — | 3 per wall or 1 per tenant/entrance | Exterior wall or tenant space | — | 15.44.240, Table 15-5 |
| Wall Sign (East of I-35/29) | 30 ft | 450 sq ft or 25% of wall, whichever is less | — | — | 3 per wall or 1 per tenant/entrance | Exterior wall or tenant space | — | 15.44.240, Table 15-5 |
| Roof Sign | 15 ft above highest part of roof | 200 sq ft | — | 5 ft plus half sign height to wall | 1 per building | Roof | — | 15.44.240, Table 15-5 |
| Ground Sign | Pole sign: 30 ft (min 12 ft clearance). Monument: 6 ft. | 250 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per acre plus 1/additional acre | Ground-mounted | — | 15.44.240, Table 15-5 |
| Reader Board | 7 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | Freestanding: 20 ft from property line | Up to 2 per drive-in service location | Freestanding: 20 ft from property line; building mounted: building setback | — | 15.44.240, Table 15-5 |
| Pedestrian Sign | — | 8 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per entrance, 1 per 50' | Entrance/building frontage | — | 15.44.240, Table 15-5 |
| Directional Sign | — | 12 sq ft per entrance (up to 2 signs, e.g., 2 @ 6 sq ft or 1 @ 12 sq ft) | — | — | 2 per entrance | Lot entrances | — | 15.44.240, Table 15-5 |
| Off-Premise Commercial Signs (M-210 and I-35 Abutting) | 30 ft above adjacent highway grade | 750 sq ft per face | — | — | Max 1 per 1500 ft of highway per side | Portions adjacent to and abutting Highway M-210 and I-35 | — | 15.44.240, Table 15-5 |

### Redevelopment Area District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 175 sq ft per sign | — | — | 3 per wall or 1 per tenant | Exterior wall or tenant space | — | 15.44.257, Table 15-8 |
| Window Sign | — | 20% (first story), 15% (upper story) | — | — | — | Windows | — | 15.44.257, Table 15-8 |
| Ground Sign | 8 ft; base max 12 in above grade; top width max 120% base width | 100 sq ft per ground sign | — | — | 1 per acre plus 1/additional acre | Ground-mounted | — | 15.44.257, Table 15-8 |
| Reader Board | 7 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | Freestanding: 20 ft from property line | 2 per drive-in service location | Freestanding: 20 ft from property line; building mounted: follow building setback | — | 15.44.257, Table 15-8 |
| Pedestrian Sign | — | 8 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per entrance; 1 per 50' frontage | Entrance/frontage | — | 15.44.257, Table 15-8 |
| Directional Sign | — | 12 sq ft per entrance (up to 2 signs) | — | — | Up to 2 per entrance | Lot entrance | — | 15.44.257, Table 15-8 |
| Off-Premise Commercial Sign (Interstate 35 Abutting) | 30 ft from adjacent highway grade | Interstate 35: 800 sq ft; M-210 or intersecting streets: 100 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 abutting I-35, 1 abutting M-210/intersecting streets | Abutting I-35 or M-210 or intersecting streets | — | 15.44.257, Table 15-8 |
| Development Sign | 8 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per intersection | Abutting intersection of two or more public streets | — | 15.44.257, Table 15-8 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Nonresidential) | Ground-mounted: 6 ft; affixed to building: 30 ft max. | Exempt: 24 sq ft (48 sq ft for lots with >150 ft frontage). With permit: 64 sq ft. | — | — | Max 2 exempt; 3 with permit per year | Ground mounted, affixed to building, or in window. | — | 15.44.290(A) |
| Temporary Sign (Downtown District Sandwich/Portable) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per occupational license | On sidewalk within 25 ft of principal entrance | — | 15.44.290(B) |
| Temporary Sign (Residential) | Exempt: 4 ft (ground), 30 ft (building). Permit: 6 ft (ground), 30 ft (building). | Exempt: 8 sq ft; with permit: 50 sq ft | — | — | 3 exempt; 3 with permit per year | Ground mounted or affixed to building | — | 15.44.290(C) |
| Address Sign (Exempt) | Building: 4-9 ft; Ground: 3.5 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per address | Building or ground mounted | — | 15.44.280(A) |
| Building Name Plate (Exempt) | — | 3 sq ft (regular); 24 sq ft (integrated) | — | — | 1 per building | On the building | — | 15.44.280(B) |
| Flag (Exempt) | 30 ft | Residential: 40 sq ft; All other: 96 sq ft; >1 acre: 216 sq ft; American flags: no limit. | — | — | — | On building (removable pole/mount) or freestanding pole | — | 15.44.280(C) |
| Institutional Signs (Exempt in Residential) | Monument: 4 ft | Monument: 40 sq ft; Wall: 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 monument per street frontage, 1 wall per street facade | Monument: at street frontage; Wall: street-facing facade | — | 15.44.280(D) |
| Street Clock | 15-20 ft (if at corner); 15 ft (if post mounted) | — | 5 ft projection from wall | — | 1 per business location | On corner of building or on ornamental post | — | 15.44.410-.460 |

## Prohibited signs in North Kansas City

- No person shall display upon any sign or other advertising structure any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
- No sign or associated structure shall be erected at the intersections of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision as determined by the codes official.
- No sign or associated structure shall be erected where, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- No signs may be illuminated in a manner that interferes with (including glaring or blinding), misleads or confuses traffic.
- No sign may be erected using words and symbols that mimic traffic control symbols, emergency vehicle lights or otherwise interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- Flashing, blinking, oscillating, scintillating, rotating or intermittent turning on and off of any illuminating device is prohibited (except as otherwise specifically permitted for digital signs).
- No sign shall be erected on or above any public property except as specified in the ordinance.
- Mobile signs are prohibited in all districts.
- No awning or canopy shall be permitted to extend beyond a point two feet inside the curb line.
- No advertising shall be placed on any awning or canopy, except as specified for business/owner name.
- No street clock shall project over public property.
- No person shall be permitted to erect more than one street clock for any place of business at any one location.
- No signs shall be permitted in the Residential District except by the exemptions provided in Section 15.44.280.
- Temporary signs may not be roof-mounted.
- Temporary signs shall not be used for off-premise commercial signs.
- Temporary signs shall not be erected over any wall openings, or in any manner that could prevent free ingress to or egress from doors, windows, fire escapes, and shall not be attached to any stand pipe or fire escape.
- Any sign including structural framing which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, or product sold, shall be removed by the owner within ten (10) days after notification by the enforcement agency.
- All signs must be maintained in safe condition and free from becoming a visual detriment.
- Use of digital signs is prohibited in residential sign districts except for institutional uses (i.e., church or school).

## Signs exempt from permit in North Kansas City

- One address sign per address up to two square feet; address signs on buildings shall be between four feet and nine feet high; ground-mounted address signs shall be no more than three and one-half feet high.
- One building name plate sign up to three square feet per building. Name plate sign integrated into the architecture may be up to twenty-four square feet.
- Flags are exempt as follows: Residential District—flags up to forty (40) square feet and mounted on a building by a removable pole and mounting system, or on a permanent free-standing pole not to exceed thirty (30) feet; all other districts—flags up to ninety-six (96) square feet and mounted in similar fashion; on lots over one acre, one flag up to 216 square feet. American flags are not subject to the above size limits. Flags exceeding exemption require sign permit.
- Institutional uses in residential sign districts are allowed signs without permits, subject to: one monument sign per street frontage up to 40 sq ft and 4 ft high, one wall sign per street-facing facade up to 30 sq ft, illumination and digital sign limitations, and submission of drawings/specifications to the city.
- Bicycle sharing facility signs as allowed by valid operating agreement with the City; signs are not illuminated and may not have flashing, moving, digital, or electronic changeable copy features.
- Incidental signs—nonresidential: allowed without limitation as to quantity and exempt from permits (in Armour, General Business, Downtown, Manufacturing, and South Burlington districts), up to 3 square feet per sign, for notices such as operating hours, warnings, hazards, etc.
- Incidental signs—residential: each lot permitted up to three incidental signs (e.g. warnings, hazards) not exceeding two square feet each.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permits are required for the erection, repair, structural alteration, relocation, or maintenance of any sign unless the sign is specifically exempted by Section 15.44.280 or otherwise specified.
- Temporary signs generally require a permit unless qualifying for the specific permit exemptions listed; permit limited to 3 per year per lot, each for up to 30 days.
- Applicants for deviations from underlying sign district standards in a PUD District must demonstrate compliance with criteria and seek approval through the PUD process.
- Signs larger than 150 square feet in area in the Hospital Campus District require review and approval by the Planning Commission.
- Variances from the chapter are considered by the board of zoning adjustment, require a written application with complete plans, fee, and a public hearing.
- Any alteration of existing signs requires a permit, even for nonconforming signs, and no sign altered more than 50% of its replacement cost may be reconstructed except in conformity with current ordinance.
- Each permit application must include blueprints or drawings showing plans, specifications, and construction method for review by enforcement agency.
- Institutional sign exemptions require submission of drawings and specifications to the city for compliance.
- An iconic display or certain development signs in specific districts require approval through a Conditional Use Permit or similar process.
- Changes in painted or printed copy only are allowed without a permit as long as no structural change occurs.

## 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 North Kansas City — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=North+Kansas+City+MO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-north-kansas-city

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