# Sign Regulations in Sedalia, Missouri

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Sedalia, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/sedalia
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MO/Sedalia/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_CH64ZO_ARTVIISI)

## At a glance

Sedalia, Missouri regulates 35 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding/Pole Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 35 ft tall and Max 700 sq ft, with a Min 1 ft from property line abutting street or interior property line setback (Sec. Sec. 64-211). Most commercial signs in Sedalia require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 35 ft | Max 700 sq ft | — |
| Residential and Agricultural Districts (R-1 through R-3, RS, A) | 15 | 10 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts (C-O through C-3) | 9 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| C-O through C-3, M-1, M-2 or PUD districts contiguous to U.S. highways | 3 | 35 ft | 480 sq ft/face | — |
| Central Business and Cultural District | 1 | 7 ft | 24 in x 24 in (4 sq ft) | — |
| Historic Sign Park Districts (C-O, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, M-2, PUD) | 2 | — | — | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial Districts (M-1, M-2) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | 8 ft (C-3, M-1, M-2, PUD) | C-3, M-1, M-2, PUD: 48 sq ft/face; C-1, C-2: 6 sq ft/face | — | — | 2 per entry/exit, or 1 per side if median | Must not obstruct view of motorists | — | Sec. 64-209(1) |
| Real Estate/Garage Sale/Auction Sign | — | 32 sq ft/face | — | Must not be placed within 15 ft of street curb if no sidewalk | — | Not between sidewalk and street/curb; not posted/affixed to public structures or utility poles; not on right-of-way | — | Sec. 64-209(3), Sec. 64-214(6) |
| Special Display Sign (Temporary for Special Events) | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 64-209(4) |
| Subdivision Real Estate Sign | — | 64 sq ft/face | — | — | 1 per subdivision entrance plus 1 off-premise | 1 per subdivision entrance; 1 off-premises allowed within 1000 ft of subdivision boundary | — | Sec. 64-209(5) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | — | Per ground/monument sign limits | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 64-209(6) |
| Ground/Monument Sign | 10 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building fronting public street | Must not obstruct vision at intersection/vehicular entry or exit | — | Sec. 64-210 |
| Freestanding/Pole Sign | 35 ft | Max 700 sq ft | — | Min 1 ft from property line abutting street or interior property line | 1 per building fronting public street | Must not project beyond 1-ft setback from property line abutting street or closer than 1 ft from interior property line | — | Sec. 64-211 |
| On-site Informational Sign | 10 ft | 6 sq ft/face | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 64-212 |

### Residential and Agricultural Districts (R-1 through R-3, RS, A)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Church Bulletin Board | 7 ft | 36 sq ft | — | — | 1 per road frontage | On church property | — | Sec. 64-206(1), 64-209(2) |
| Construction Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 64-201 (definition), 64-206(2) |
| Institutional/Governmental Sign | 7 ft | 36 sq ft | — | — | 1 per road frontage | On institutional/governmental property | — | Sec. 64-206(4), 64-209(2) |
| Memorial/Tablet Sign | 7 ft | 36 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 64-206(5), 64-209(2) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 32 sq ft/face | — | Must not be within 15 ft of curb if no sidewalk | — | Not between sidewalk and curb/right-of-way | — | Sec. 64-206(7), 64-209(3), 64-214(6) |
| Special Display | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 64-206(8), 64-209(4) |
| Subdivision Real Estate Sign | — | 64 sq ft/face | — | — | 1 per entrance, 1 off-premises | 1 per entrance, 1 off-premises allowed within 1000 ft | — | Sec. 64-206(9), 64-209(5) |
| On-site Informational Sign | 10 ft | 6 sq ft/face | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 64-206(11), 64-212 |

### Commercial Districts (C-O through C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs Allowed in Residential and Agricultural Districts | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 64-207(a)(1) |
| Monument/Ground Sign | 10 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building fronting public street | Shall not obstruct vision | — | Sec. 64-207(a)(2), 64-210 |
| Awning Canopy or Umbrella Sign | First and/or second story only; may not project above, below, or beyond building wall/element | Max coverage: 1/2 of awning/canopy face | — | — | — | Attached to main structure, first and/or second story elevations | — | Sec. 64-207(a)(3) |
| Occupational/Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 64-207(a)(4) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Must be attached parallel to building wall, not more than 1 ft from wall | — | Sec. 64-207(a)(5) |
| Neon Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 64-207(a)(6), 64-207(b) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 sq ft | 5 ft max projection | — | — | On vertical surface of building, C-2 and PUD districts only | — | Sec. 64-207(a)(7), 64-207(b) |
| Portable Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | Can be displayed temporarily | — | Sec. 64-207(a)(9) |

## Prohibited signs in Sedalia

- Attention-attracting devices are prohibited.
- Fluttering signs are prohibited except for banners, pennants, and streamers secured to a permanent structure on private property up to 36 square feet; flags permitted under section 64-207; and flags of the United States, state, and city.
- Paper, cardboard, or similar nonpermanent material signs located outside a building are prohibited except for signs not requiring a permit.
- Signs on parking lot light standards are prohibited except for on-site informational and directional signs as provided in section 64-206.
- Notices, posters or other papers or devices calculated to attract public attention are prohibited when posted to lampposts, utility poles, shade trees on the public right-of-way, or upon any public structure or building except as authorized or required by law.
- Any sign located between the sidewalk and the street, or (if no sidewalk is present) within 15 feet of the street curb or where the street surface ends is prohibited.
- No sign or advertising structure shall be erected so as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at locations where its position, shape, or color may interfere with, obstruct, or be confused with authorized traffic signage.
- No sign shall use the words 'stop,’ 'look,’ 'drive-in,’ 'danger,’ or similar language as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- Illuminated signs shall not cast light onto residential properties.
- All signs must be weather-resistant and maintained in good repair (e.g., no rust, peeling, flaking, or fading; broken panels, missing letters, flaking or peeling paint to be repaired within 45 days of notice).

## Signs exempt from permit in Sedalia

- Crosses or other religious symbols on religious buildings or sites are not considered signs.
- Existing church bulletin boards and signs, institutional or governmental signs, memorial signs or tablet signs are not affected by the division until they are removed, replaced, or substantially altered, at which point they must conform to the ordinance.
- The following signs do not require a permit: real estate signs; political signs; flags; no trespassing signs; auction signs; garage sale signs; birth announcement signs; birthday signs; banners; pennants; streamers; feather flags/signs; balloon signs and air-activated graphics; inflatable devices.
- Historic sign parks (when permitted) are exempt from all other sign regulations contained in chapter 64, article VII.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign plan application may be approved for multiple uses on a single property, building groups with multiple uses on compact/contiguous properties, or large tracts with a single use and multiple services.
- Master sign plans are reviewed and approved, amended, or denied by the planning and zoning commission; all applications must be filed at least 45 days prior to a public meeting where they are reviewed.
- Master sign plan applications require detailed submittals including site plans, sign locations, criteria addressing review standards, and statements of consistency.
- After approval of a master sign plan, no sign may be erected, reconstructed, altered, or relocated unless in conformance with the approved plan.
- Approval of a master sign plan allows for the preparation, filing, and processing of needed permits for individual signs, which must each secure a separate permit.
- Master sign plan may be amended by filing a new application conforming to the division's requirements.
- Roof signs in C-O through C-3, M-1, M-2, or PUD districts are allowed only as part of a master sign plan.
- Variances and appeals concerning signs (including sign plans) are handled by the zoning board of adjustment.
- Master sign plan applications must address eight criteria related to safety, appropriateness, compatibility, and public welfare as outlined in section 64-334.

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

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