Sign Regulations in St. Joseph, Missouri
St. Joseph, Missouri has specific sign regulations covering 6 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Billboard, Freestanding Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for St. Joseph, Missouri
Sample Sign Requirements in St. Joseph
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | 20 feet | 10% of the facade | — |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 feet | 100 square feet | Minimum one foot from property line |
| Monument Sign | — | 20 square feet | Leading edge not closer than one foot from property line |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
6
- Wall Sign
- Billboard
- Freestanding Sign
- Monument Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
7
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Other Cities in Missouri
Frequently Asked Questions
In St. Joseph, wall signs can be up to 20 feet and monument signs are limited to 30 feet. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in St. Joseph, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In St. Joseph, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Billboard, Freestanding Sign, Monument Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In St. Joseph, monument signs typically require a Minimum one foot from property line setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in St. Joseph are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. St. Joseph has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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St. Joseph, Missouri Sign Rules at a Glance
St. Joseph, Missouri regulates 6 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 30 feet tall and 100 square feet, with a Minimum one foot from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 31-130(c)(2)). Most commercial signs in St. Joseph require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for St. Joseph, Missouri
Sign Rules by Zoning District in St. Joseph (7 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 30 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts | 1 | — | 20 square feet | — |
| Non-residential Zoning Districts | 2 | 30 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| P-1 Downtown Precise Plan District | 3 | 20 feet | 10% of the facade | — |
| C-3 | 1 | 60 feet | 725 square feet per side | — |
| M-1 | 1 | 60 feet | 725 square feet per side | — |
| M-2 | 1 | 60 feet | 725 square feet per side | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in St. Joseph(sample of 3 of 7 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | 20 feet | 10% of the facade | — | — | — | On the building facade | — | Unlock | Sec. 31-130(c)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 feet | 100 square feet | — | Minimum one foot from property line | One per parcel with up to 100 feet of frontage; two for parcels with more than 100 feet of frontage | On the parcel | — | Unlock | Sec. 31-130(c)(2) |
Non-residential Zoning Districts
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | 20 feet | 10% of the facade | — | — | — | On the building facade | — | Unlock | Sec. 31-130(c)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 feet | 100 square feet | — | Minimum one foot from property line | One per parcel with up to 100 feet of frontage; two for parcels with more than 100 feet of frontage | On the parcel | — | Unlock | Sec. 31-130(c)(2) |
P-1 Downtown Precise Plan District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | 20 feet | 10% of the facade | — | — | — | On the building facade | — | Unlock | Sec. 31-130(d)(7) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | On the building | — | Unlock | Sec. 31-130(d)(6) |
| Banner | — | 5 feet by 2.5 feet | — | — | — | Attached to the building | — | Unlock | Sec. 31-130(d)(1) |
PermitPal covers all 7 zoning districts in St. Joseph — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 7 zones for St. Joseph — start freeProhibited Signs in St. Joseph
- Signs that interfere with free use of building entrances and exits, including emergency exits, or which obstruct doors or windows or impede light and ventilation otherwise required by city ordinance, code or regulation.
- Signs in a public right-of-way other than those permitted in this article.
- Signs within a driveway or street intersection sight visibility triangle which are between three feet and ten feet in height.
- Vehicle signs which are signs on vehicles or trailers that are parked or located so that they can be seen from a street right-of-way and for the primary purpose of displaying the sign.
- Inflatable displays.
- Strobe lights, animated or moving signs, attention attracting devices and beacons.
- Signs painted directly onto structures.
- Obsolete signs or any sign or sign structure determined by the city to be structurally unsafe or a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or abandonment.
- Obscene sign.
- Portable sign.
- Roof sign.
Exempt Signs in St. Joseph
- Advertising and identifying signs located on currently licensed vehicles such as taxicabs, buses and trucks as well as on bus benches, except for those vehicle signs prohibited under Section 31-114.
- Any legal or public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance.
- Temporary signs in all zoning districts, no greater than nine square feet in area within a residential zoning district or 32 square feet in a nonresidential district.
- Holiday and seasonal lights and decorations which would not otherwise meet the definition of any type of sign set forth herein.
- Signs advertising temporary activity on the property such as sale, rent or lease of the property; construction; grand openings; garage and yard sales; and special events.
- Hard balloons, streamers, pennants.
- Historical markers.
- Government flags.
- Signs carried by a person.
- Warning signs placed on private property which contain no commercial message of any sort and are a maximum of three square feet in area.
- Window signs which shall be limited to obscuring a maximum of 25% of transparent or translucent surfaces.
- Signs preempted from regulation by state or federal law.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for St. Joseph
- Exceptions to this sign ordinance shall be made only by issuance of an exception permit as provided for in Sections 31-090 and 31-093 of the zoning ordinance.
- In the case of sign exceptions relating to historic districts and properties, the landmark commission shall have the power to grant an exception permit.
- In all other cases of sign exceptions, the zoning board of adjustment shall have the power to grant an exception permit.