# Sign Regulations in Platte City, Missouri

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Platte City, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/platte-city
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-16
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/28549235)

## At a glance

Platte City, Missouri regulates 32 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Off-Premises Outdoor Advertising Sign (Interstate Proximity; Citywide)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Sign structure height ≤ 75 ft above ground; individual face height ≤ 30 ft tall, 800 sq ft per face (inclusive of copy area and background, border and trim; excluding base, supports, structural members), and ≤ 72 ft per face wide, with a Must not be within public right-of-way or easements; comply with site triangle standards for visibility setback (Sec. Section 405.590(Q)–(R)). Most commercial signs in Platte City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | Sign structure height ≤ 75 ft above ground; individual face height ≤ 30 ft | 800 sq ft per face (inclusive of copy area and background, border and trim; excluding base, supports, structural members) | — |
| Agriculture District (A-1); Low Density Single-Family Residential District (R1-40); Medium Density Single-Family Residential District (R1-16); High Density Single-Family Residential District (R1-8); Two-Family Residential District (R-2); Multi-Family Residential District with Between Three and Eight Units (R-3); Multi-Family Residential District with Greater than Eight Units (R-4); Residential Conservation District (RCD) | 10 | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 100 sq ft per side; max 2 sides | — |
| Central Business District (C-1); Commercial Conservation District (CCD); General Commercial District (C-2); Light Industrial District (M-1); General Industrial District (M-2) | 11 | ≤ 75 ft overall height | ≤ 800 sq ft per face (inclusive of copy area and background; excluding base/supports) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Banner | — | 70 sq ft (may exceed if approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission) | — | Meet principal building setbacks in the applicable zoning district | One temporary banner at any one time per business (multiple banners may be approved by Planning and Zoning Commission) | All zoning districts; on private property and meeting district setbacks | — | Section 405.605(A)(1)–(4) |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On, attached to, or constructed in a marquee | — | Section 405.590(C) |
| Off-Premises Outdoor Advertising Sign (Interstate Proximity; Citywide) | Sign structure height ≤ 75 ft above ground; individual face height ≤ 30 ft | 800 sq ft per face (inclusive of copy area and background, border and trim; excluding base, supports, structural members) | ≤ 72 ft per face | Must not be within public right-of-way or easements; comply with site triangle standards for visibility | Spacing: at least 1,500 ft from any other off-premises outdoor advertising sign | Within 100 ft of interstate highway system right-of-way; faces directed toward interstate traffic | — | Section 405.590(Q)–(R) |
| Real Estate Sign (General Permit Exemption) | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 25 sq ft per side; max 2 sides | — | ≥ 10 ft from any property line | Not specified (commonly one per premises) | On the premises being offered for sale/rental/lease | — | Section 405.580(D)(6)(a–f) |
| Construction Sign (General Permit Exemption) | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 25 sq ft per side; max 2 sides | — | ≥ 10 ft from any property line | One per building | On the premises of a building under construction, alteration or repair | — | Section 405.580(D)(8) (incorporates 405.580(D)(6)(a–f)) |
| Civic Sign (General Permit Exemption) | — | ≤ 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property (unless specifically approved by Board of Aldermen) | — | Section 405.580(D)(9) |
| Political Sign (General Permit Exemption) | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 25 sq ft per side; max 2 sides | — | ≥ 10 ft from any property line | — | On private property | — | Section 405.580(D)(10) and 405.580(D)(6)(a–d), (F) |
| Commemorative Sign (General Permit Exemption) | — | — | — | — | — | Built into or attached to a building wall | — | Section 405.580(D)(7) |

### Agriculture District (A-1); Low Density Single-Family Residential District (R1-40); Medium Density Single-Family Residential District (R1-16); High Density Single-Family Residential District (R1-8); Two-Family Residential District (R-2); Multi-Family Residential District with Between Three and Eight Units (R-3); Multi-Family Residential District with Greater than Eight Units (R-4); Residential Conservation District (RCD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Resident Sign (Name Plate) | — | ≤ 2 sq ft | — | — | One per residence | On the residence building | — | Section 405.595(A)(1); Section 405.580(D)(3) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Districts) | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 25 sq ft per side; max 2 sides | — | ≥ 10 ft from any property line | One per premises | On the premises being offered for sale/rental | — | Section 405.595(A)(2) referencing 405.580(D)(6)(a–f) |
| Religious Institution Monument Sign | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 100 sq ft per side; max 2 sides | — | ≥ 10 ft from any property line | One monument sign per church | On church property; typically at entrance | — | Section 405.595(A)(3) referencing 405.600(2) |
| Construction Sign (Residential Districts) | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 25 sq ft per side; max 2 sides | — | ≥ 10 ft from any property line | One per building | On premises of a building being constructed | — | Section 405.595(A)(4) referencing 405.580(D)(8) and 405.580(D)(6)(a–f) |
| Subdivision or Development Entrance Monument Sign | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 100 sq ft per side; max 2 sides | — | ≥ 10 ft from any property line | Up to two monument signs at the primary entrance(s) | At primary entrance(s) of the subdivision or development on private property | — | Section 405.595(A)(6) referencing 405.600(2) |
| Apartment Development Entrance Monument Sign | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 100 sq ft per side; max 2 sides | — | ≥ 10 ft from any property line | One per apartment development | On private property at the apartment development entrance | — | Section 405.595(A)(7) referencing 405.600(2) |
| Apartment Rental Ground Sign | — | ≤ 4 sq ft per sign | — | General right-of-way/easement prohibitions apply | Not more than two | On private property of the apartment premises | — | Section 405.595(A)(8) |
| Temporary Banner (Residential Districts) | — | 70 sq ft (may exceed if approved by Planning and Zoning Commission) | — | Meet principal building setbacks | One at a time unless multiple banners approved | On private property in residential districts | — | Section 405.595(A)(9) referencing 405.605 |

### Central Business District (C-1); Commercial Conservation District (CCD); General Commercial District (C-2); 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pole Sign (Within 300 ft of Interstate 29) | ≤ 75 ft overall height | ≤ 200 sq ft (per sign; max 2 sides) | — | Must not project over property lines or into right-of-way; comply with site triangle standards | One per qualifying platted lot (see shopping center exception) | On the same platted lot where the sign is displayed; may direct attention to businesses/commodities/services/entertainment/attractions on that lot | — | Section 405.600(1)(a) |
| Pole Sign (Beyond 300 ft of Interstate 29) | No greater than the maximum allowed height of the zoning district | ≤ 150 sq ft (per sign; max 2 sides) | — | Must not be within right-of-way or public easement; comply with site triangle standards | One per qualifying platted lot (see shopping center exception) | On the same platted lot where the sign is displayed | — | Section 405.600(1)(b) |
| Pole Sign - Shopping Center (Lot > 15 acres) (Within 300 ft of I-29) | ≤ 75 ft | ≤ 200 sq ft (per sign; max 2 sides) | — | Must comply with right-of-way/easement restrictions | Up to two pole signs for shopping centers > 15 acres | On same shopping center lot | — | Section 405.600(1)(c) (applying 405.600(1)(a) limits) |
| Pole Sign - Shopping Center (Lot > 15 acres) (Beyond 300 ft of I-29) | No greater than district’s maximum height | ≤ 150 sq ft (per sign; max 2 sides) | — | Must comply with right-of-way/easement restrictions | Up to two pole signs for shopping centers > 15 acres | On same shopping center lot | — | Section 405.600(1)(c) (applying 405.600(1)(b) limits) |
| Monument Sign (In Lieu of Pole Sign) | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 100 sq ft per side; max 2 sides | — | ≥ 10 ft from any property line | One per qualifying lot (unless shopping center qualifies for two) | On same platted lot where a pole sign would be permissible | — | Section 405.600(2) |
| Ground Sign (Per Entrance) | — | ≤ 10 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft behind the right-of-way line | Not more than two ground signs per entrance on each platted lot | On private property of the platted lot | — | Section 405.600(3)(a), (c) |
| Wall Sign | May project above top of wall/fascia up to 25% of the vertical dimension of the sign or 3 ft (whichever is less) | 10% of the area of each wall (zone-specific); background area of wall signs also limited to ≤ 30% of facade or 4 sq ft per lineal foot of the elevation, whichever is greater (general limit) | — | Projection must not extend beyond legal setback line greater than allowed in projection table | Permitted on each side of a building (per wall) | On the wall or fascia (including mansard) of each side of a building; on the same platted lot | — | Section 405.600(4)(a)–(b); Section 405.590(F), (I); Section 405.020 |
| Off-Premises Outdoor Advertising Sign (Interstate Proximity) | Sign structure height ≤ 75 ft; individual face height ≤ 30 ft | ≤ 800 sq ft per face (inclusive of copy area and background; excluding base/supports) | ≤ 72 ft per face | Must not be within right-of-way or easements; comply with site triangle | Spacing ≥ 1,500 ft from any existing off-premises sign | Near interstate as specified | — | Section 405.600(6) referencing 405.590(Q)–(R) |

## Prohibited signs in Platte City

- Roof signs that exceed 10% of the building height are prohibited (Section 405.590(A)).
- Animated signs are prohibited (Section 405.590(B)).
- No temporary sign or banner may be used or erected except as specifically permitted by the Chapter (Section 405.590(D)).
- Electrically energized signs must comply with the National Electrical Code (Section 405.590(E)).
- Copy area on a building face shall not exceed 40% of the background face; multi-copy signs also limited to 40% (principal identification signs exempt from this specific copy-area limit) (Section 405.590(F)).
- Freestanding signs may not project over property lines (Section 405.590(G)).
- Revolving signs shall not exceed four revolutions per minute (Section 405.590(H)).
- Background area of wall signs shall not exceed 30% of the building facade or 4 square feet per lineal foot of the elevation, whichever is greater (Section 405.590(I)).
- No sign may be erected or maintained if it constitutes a nuisance (e.g., glare, flashing); the City may direct removal (Section 405.590(J)).
- No private sign or its supports may interfere with motorists’ line of vision within the site triangle at intersections (Section 405.590(K)).
- No private sign may display flashing or intermittent lights resembling emergency vehicles or traffic signals, or use wording that could be misconstrued as a public safety warning (Section 405.590(L)).
- No permit shall be issued for signs on Federal or State highways that violate Federal or State statutes or regulations (Section 405.590(M)).
- No sign of any type shall be located within City, State, or Federal road rights-of-way unless specifically allowed elsewhere in the Chapter (Section 405.590(N)).
- No sign shall be located within a public easement (Section 405.590(O)).
- Any sign that no longer advertises a bona fide business or product must be removed within 30 days of business closure or product sale; failure allows City removal at owner’s expense (Section 405.590(P) and 405.580(E)(5)).
- Off-premises outdoor advertising signs are only permitted within 100 feet of the interstate right-of-way, must be at least 1,500 feet from any existing off-premises outdoor advertising sign, must face interstate traffic, and must meet size/height/clearance limits (up to 800 sq ft per side, max 30 ft height or 72 ft width per face, max 75 ft overall height, min 15 ft bottom clearance; max two sides) (Sections 405.590(Q)–(R)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Platte City

- Painting, repainting, or cleaning of an advertising structure or changing copy/messages without structural changes does not require a permit (Section 405.580(D)).
- Inside signs and vehicle signs (signs placed or painted inside a building or on vehicles) do not require a permit (Section 405.580(D)(1)).
- Ownership/lessee signs painted or lettered directly on a building wall or on windows/doors do not require a permit (Section 405.580(D)(2)).
- Name plates and professional signs attached directly to a wall do not require a permit (Section 405.580(D)(3)).
- Public information signs (municipal signs, legal notices, trespassing signs, safety signs) do not require a permit (Section 405.580(D)(4)).
- Information or direction signs with no advertising copy do not require a permit (Section 405.580(D)(5)).
- Real estate signs on the premises for sale/rent/lease are permit-exempt if they meet all conditions: max 25 sq ft per side (max two sides), only indirect non-colored illumination, at least 10 ft from property lines, max 8 ft height, removed within 30 days after sale/rental, professional appearance subject to zoning enforcement person’s judgment (Section 405.580(D)(6)(a–f)).
- Commemorative tablets (bronze, brass, stone, other incombustible materials) bearing only owner/building name/use or commemorative text are permit-exempt (Section 405.580(D)(7)).
- Construction signs announcing project professionals/purpose are permit-exempt if they meet the same conditions as real estate signs in Section 405.580(D)(6)(a–f) (Section 405.580(D)(8)).
- Civic signs for public/civic/charitable enterprises up to 6 sq ft placed on private property (unless specifically approved by the Board of Aldermen otherwise) are permit-exempt (Section 405.580(D)(9)).
- Political signs related to elections/ballot questions/non-commercial political messages are permit-exempt and must comply with real estate sign conditions in Section 405.580(D)(6)(a–d) and the general provisions in 405.580(F) (Section 405.580(D)(10)).
- Temporary event signs (garage/yard/moving sale, auction signs, direction signs for parties/reunions/weddings/sale promotions, etc.) do not have to comply with temporary banner provisions on number, size measurement, and setback if they: are on private property, pose no health/safety hazard, are not erected more than 3 days prior to the event, are removed within 3 days after the event, and do not exceed 9 sq ft per side with max two sides (Section 405.605(4)(a–e)).
- Municipal signs advertising a City-related function are not considered temporary banners (Section 405.605(6)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is specified in the provided text; individual sign permits are required for all signs unless exempt (Section 405.580(A), (D)).
- Light pole signs must be included in the lighting site plan (Section 405.600(5)).
- Temporary banners require a permit; two permit options exist (up to 120 days or up to 240 days per calendar year with respective fees). Only one banner may be displayed at a time unless the Planning and Zoning Commission approves multiple banners; banners over 70 sq ft or the use of balloons/stringers/flagpoles/streamers as passive elements also require Planning and Zoning Commission approval (Section 405.605(2)(a)–(b), (d), (g)).
- Temporary banner permits may be granted at the discretion of the zoning enforcement person upon application and fee payment (Section 405.605(3)).
- Subdivision or development monument signs in residential districts require Planning Commission approval (Section 405.595(A)(6)).
- Appeals of enforcement decisions go to the Board of Aldermen (Section 405.610); the Board of Aldermen also has authority to revoke sign permits (Section 405.580(E)).

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Platte City, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Platte+City+MO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-platte-city

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