# Sign Regulations in Springfield, Missouri

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Springfield, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/springfield
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MO/Springfield/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH106TRVE_ARTIVTRCOSISIDE_S106-154SIREENCERE)

## At a glance

Springfield, Missouri regulates 15 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Detached Sign (Nonresidential, Multifamily, or Legal Nonconforming Use)s in the Residential Districts, R-SF, R-TH, R-LD, R-MD, R-HD, R-MHC, PD, Planned development districts, Manufactured home community district (R-MHC) zoning district are capped at 25 ft above street grade tall and 100 sq ft on local and collector streets; 200 sq ft on secondary arterials; 250 sq ft on primary arterials/frontage streets, with a 25 ft from adjacent property line setback (Sec. Sec. 36-454(16)(b); Sec. 36-454(8)(a)). Most commercial signs in Springfield require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential Districts, R-SF, R-TH, R-LD, R-MD, R-HD, R-MHC, PD, Planned development districts, Manufactured home community district (R-MHC) | 5 | 25 ft above street grade | 100 sq ft on local and collector streets; 200 sq ft on secondary arterials; 250 sq ft on primary arterials/frontage streets | — |
| Nonresidential zoning districts, General retail zoning district, Office and limited business districts, Business area, GR, HC, CS, GI, CC, COM, LI, GM, HM, IC, COM1, COM-1, COM-2, LB, Center city district (CC), Commercial Street (COM1) | 7 | 40 ft above street grade (except as modified in special districts below) | 400 sq ft | — |
| Freeway commercial sign district | 1 | 70 ft above street grade | 600 sq ft | — |
| Scenic corridor overlay district | 1 | 20 ft above highest paved ROW adjacent to property | 128 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential Districts, R-SF, R-TH, R-LD, R-MD, R-HD, R-MHC, PD, Planned development districts, Manufactured home community district (R-MHC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential, Multifamily, or Legal Nonconforming Use) | — | See formula (either 2 or 1 sq ft per lineal foot of wall) | — | — | One wall sign per wall | On any wall facing street(s) upon which the business fronts. | — | Sec. 36-454(16)(c); Sec. 36-454(16)(a)2 |
| Detached Sign (Nonresidential, Multifamily, or Legal Nonconforming Use) | 25 ft above street grade | 100 sq ft on local and collector streets; 200 sq ft on secondary arterials; 250 sq ft on primary arterials/frontage streets | — | 25 ft from adjacent property line | 1 (2 if >425 ft frontage by church/school on single street) | 25 ft setback from adjacent property line; min. 300 ft separation (radial) between signs. Premises with >425 ft frontage along a single street may have one additional detached sign. | — | Sec. 36-454(16)(b); Sec. 36-454(8)(a) |
| Non-business Area Political Sign | — | 6 sq ft (up to 34 sq ft for premises over 250 ft frontage or over 5 acres) | — | — | — | Not in city's right-of-way; not within sight triangles. | — | Sec. 36-454(4)(a) |
| Temporary Sign (Non-business Area) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per premises, twice per calendar year | — | — | Sec. 36-454(5)(a) |
| Neighborhood Identification Sign | 5 ft (except if sign is on retaining wall, height may exceed 5 ft) | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | May only be located in R-SF and R-TH zoning districts. | — | Sec. 36-454(13) |

### Nonresidential zoning districts, General retail zoning district, Office and limited business districts, Business area, GR, HC, CS, GI, CC, COM, LI, GM, HM, IC, COM1, COM-1, COM-2, LB, Center city district (CC), Commercial Street (COM1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Detached Sign (Local/Collector/Secondary Arterial) | 25 ft above street grade (except as modified in special districts below) | 250 sq ft | — | 25 ft from property line; 300 ft radially from other detached signs. | 1 plus one additional per 425 ft of frontage on primary arterial/expressway/freeway; must meet separation. | On-premises, on frontage for which allowed, 25 ft minimum setback from adjacent property line, at least 300 ft apart from any other detached sign on same premises. | — | Sec. 36-454(17)(b)1,2,4,6,7 |
| Detached Sign (Primary Arterial, Expressway, or Freeway) | 40 ft above street grade (except as modified in special districts below) | 400 sq ft | — | 25 ft from property line; 300 ft radially from other detached signs. | 1 per frontage, plus additional signs based on 425 ft of frontage. | On-premises, on frontage for which allowed, 25 ft minimum setback from adjacent property line, at least 300 ft apart from any other detached sign on same premises. | — | Sec. 36-454(17)(b)2,4,6,7 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | No explicit maximum | On any wall of business; if no street frontage, allowed as if it fronts a local street. | — | Sec. 36-454(17)(c) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 20 sq ft (or up to 30 sq ft if one business on ground floor with direct exterior access in CC/COM1 districts) | — | — | Dependent on number of allowed detached signs | Min. clearance 10 ft above ground; in CC and Commercial Street districts, max 10 sq ft per business (if multiple businesses/direct access); | — | Sec. 36-454(17)(a)8, (c)6 |
| Roof Sign | — | Same as detached sign area determination | — | — | 1 per premises, only if no detached/projecting sign | Erected upon, against, or above a roof; only if no detached or projecting signs present. | — | Sec. 36-454(17)(c)5 |
| Suspended Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to undersides of lintel, arch, or overhead feature above walkway/porch. | — | Sec. 36-454(17)(d) |
| Temporary Sign (Business Area) | — | Banner sign: 4 sq ft (no permit, 30 days/year); Temporary sign: 35 sq ft (permit required, 15/30 days per permit, max 6 permits/year) | — | — | One at a time; 6 permits/year | Attached to building or to structure supporting permanent sign. | — | Sec. 36-454(5)(b) |

### Freeway commercial sign district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Detached Sign (Freeway Commercial District) | 70 ft above street grade | 600 sq ft | — | — | One per premises, two if specifically permitted by location. | See district boundaries at I-44/Kansas Expwy, Kearney/US 65, Sunshine/US 65, Chestnut Expwy/US 65, I-44/Mulroy, and Glenstone area as described. | — | Sec. 36-454(19) |

## Prohibited signs in Springfield

- All signs are prohibited except as allowed by this article.
- No sign other than a government sign or a neighborhood identification sign reviewed and approved by the director of public works shall be allowed within or over public property or right-of-way.
- No sign is allowed in the right-of-way of any thoroughfare designated as a part of the Federal Aid Urban (FAU) system.
- No detached sign shall occupy a parking space necessary to satisfy the minimum off-street parking requirements nor shall it project over the rooftop or wall of a building.
- Signs are prohibited which concern unlawful activity.
- Signs are prohibited which operate or employ any motion picture projection in conjunction with any advertisements.
- Signs are prohibited which employ any searchlights or strobe lights.
- Signs are prohibited which 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.
- Signs are prohibited which hide from the view of those to whom the device is directed, any traffic or street sign or signal or similar device.
- Signs which are temporary, except as specifically allowed in this Code, are prohibited.
- All signs shall be erected or affixed and maintained in compliance with the building codes and this article. In case of conflict, the more restrictive article or code shall apply.
- Streamers are prohibited regardless of color, design, or script displayed on the streamers.
- All detached signs shall be located no closer to the centerline of a street than that allowed by the right-of-way line established by the major thoroughfare plan.
- A detached sign cannot be located in or above a utility easement unless permission is granted by director of public works or board of public utilities or the utility owning the easement.
- Flashing lights and animation are not allowed in non-business areas.
- No sign shall advertise the presence or conduct of a home occupation.
- Roof signs shall be prohibited in non-business areas.
- Signs shall not be located within the required sight triangles at street intersections or driveways unless at least 10 feet above grade and meeting all support restrictions.
- Any sign permitted in this article may contain ideological or noncommercial copy in lieu of any other copy (i.e., content substitution is allowed but still subject to all standards).

## Signs exempt from permit in Springfield

- Political signs in accordance with specified size and placement standards, not illuminated and not in right-of-way.
- Directional signs not exceeding five square feet in effective area and four feet in height.
- Flags, provided they are not displayed for advertising or to attract attention to a particular site.
- Government signs erected or maintained by or for any agency for governmental function or required or authorized by law, ordinance, or governmental regulation.
- Internal signs not legible from a street right-of-way or adjoining residential property, excluding certain mall signs.
- Temporary, non-illuminated real estate sale, lessee, and construction signs, subject to maximum size and removal requirements.
- "Now hiring" signs not exceeding six square feet.
- Vehicular signs (with restrictions regarding lights and animation, must not increase the size of the vehicle or alter its shape, except small roof signs allowed).
- Machinery and equipment signs necessary or customary to the business, provided they do not increase the size or alter the shape of the equipment, and relate to on-premises products.
- Parking lot light pole banners meeting placement, size, and height restrictions.
- City park signs on facilities providing information incidental to sponsored activity (scoreboards, time clocks, benches, concession stand signs).
- Special event temporary signs (10 sq ft in residential, 34 sq ft in commercial) for civic, philanthropic, educational, religious, political or similar events, posted only during the event and for no more than 30 days per year, removed within 24 hours after event.
- Attached, incidental signs not exceeding four square feet in effective area per business.
- Window signs stating days and times a business is open.
- The following operations do not require a sign permit: Changing of the copy on an existing permitted sign designed for changeable copy, as well as maintenance, including repainting, cleaning or other normal repair, not involving structural changes.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign plan is required (and may be approved by the planning and zoning commission) for multiple uses on a single property; a building group of a single use or multiple uses that may involve multiple properties; or a large tract that contains a single use with multiple services (typically, sites containing two or more commercial, office, or industrial uses; identifiable building groups such as campuses or shopping centers; or any site containing at least five acres of land area).
- A site plan is required for detached, directional signs in excess of five square feet of effective area prior to issuance of a sign permit.
- A master sign plan prescribes the size, number, and types of signage permitted for the site, and no other signs shall be permitted, except exempt signs.
- A master sign plan shall comply with all provisions of the article, except for permitted variations from spacing and number allowed per the approved master sign plan.
- All applications for a master sign plan must be filed at least 31 days prior to a regularly scheduled, public meeting of the planning and zoning commission.
- A master sign plan must be reviewed and approved via a public process, with criteria including consistency with the comprehensive plan, safety, relationships to traffic control, compatibility with neighboring properties, and other factors.
- Once approved, all future signs on the property must comply with the master sign plan.
- If a new sign involves an expansion of a master sign plan to include additional property, the plan must first be amended.
- In case of conflict between a master sign plan and other provisions of the article, the article prevails.
- No sign permit will be issued unless the sign complies with all appropriate laws and regulations, and a separate permit is required for each sign.
- No review of a master sign plan shall be done by the planning and zoning commission unless certification of application completeness is given by the director of planning and development.
- Approval of a master sign plan does not itself constitute approval or issuance of sign permits—separate permits must be acquired.
- Additional plans (site plan, building/site plan, or sign plan) are specifically required for certain types of signs, such as detached, directional, instructional signs exceeding certain size, and for farmers’ markets, temporary vendors, and temporary promotional activities (often as a condition of the activity, not the general sign regulations).

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

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