# Sign Regulations in St. Louis, Missouri

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

- **Jurisdiction:** St. Louis, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/st-louis
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/mo/st._louis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT26ZO_CH26.68COSICORE)

## At a glance

St. Louis, Missouri regulates 15 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Zone District F zoning district are capped at 30 feet above grade tall and 75 sq ft per face (2 faces); 150 sq ft total (more than 2 faces), with a At least 3 feet from every boundary line setback (Sec. 26.68.090). Most commercial signs in St. Louis require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| Historic Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Zone District A, Zone District B, Zone District C, Zone District D, Zone District E | 3 | 6 feet above grade | 30 sq ft (hotel/motel: one sign); 30 sq ft total (other uses) | — |
| Zone District F | 6 | 50% of building height, but max 5 ft above roof line or parapet wall if higher. Clear space of at least 4 ft under sign if over 100 sq ft; if such clearance is necessary, sign max 9 ft above roof line/parapet. If sign <100 sq ft, no clearance required. | 200 sq ft (hotel/motel, one sign); Other uses: computed by formula | — |
| Zone District G, Zone District H | 8 | 50% of building height, max 10 ft above roof line/parapet. If sign over 100 sq ft, min 4 ft clearance under. Max 14 ft above roof/parapet if clearance required. No clearance if sign <100 sq ft. | 100 sq ft per face (2 faces); 200 sq ft total (>2 faces) | — |
| Zone District J, Zone District K | 7 | 50 ft above grade | 125 sq ft per face (two faces); 150 sq ft total (>2 faces) | — |
| Zone District I, Zone District L | 4 | Top no higher than building height or 40 ft above grade, min 10 ft above grade, support not above cornice | 30 sq ft per face (max 2 faces) | — |
| Signage Plan Overlay Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Chapter 353 Development Plan Areas | 1 | — | — | — |
| Kiel Center Arena Special Provisions | 1 | 65 ft above grade on Clark Ave to bottom of device | Length: max 200 ft; Height: max 10 ft | — |

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

### Zone District F

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Roof line of the building | 200 sq ft (hotel/motel, one sign); Other uses: computed by formula | — | Set as building; wall signs may project into required setback permitted depth. | — | Set in as building; wall signs may project into the required setback the permitted depth. | — | 26.68.090 |
| Window Sign | Roof line of the building | 200 sq ft (hotel/motel, one sign); Other uses: computed by formula | — | Set as building. | — | Set in as building. | — | 26.68.090 |
| Ground Sign | 30 feet above grade | 75 sq ft per face (2 faces); 150 sq ft total (more than 2 faces) | — | At least 3 feet from every boundary line | 1; or 2 if premises has ≥200 ft front line | Set in at least 3 feet from every boundary line of the premises. | — | 26.68.090 |
| Marquee Sign | As defined - see section 26.68.020(12); shall not exceed 7 ft height or project below the face of marquee or lower than 10 ft above sidewalk. | — | — | — | — | On or attached to a permanent overhanging shelter (marquee) | — | 26.68.090, 26.68.020(12) |
| Roof Sign | 50% of building height, but max 5 ft above roof line or parapet wall if higher. Clear space of at least 4 ft under sign if over 100 sq ft; if such clearance is necessary, sign max 9 ft above roof line/parapet. If sign <100 sq ft, no clearance required. | — | — | — | — | On or projecting above the roof line | — | 26.68.090 |
| Projecting Sign | Top no higher than higher of building height or 40 ft above grade; min 10 ft above grade; support not above cornice line | — | — | — | One per entrance | Attached at angle to building; conditions per 26.68.020(15)(a-e) | — | 26.68.090, 26.68.020(15) |

### Zone District G, Zone District H

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Roof line of the building | Hotel/motel: max one sign, area as above; all other uses: formula | — | Projecting may enter setback permitted depth. | — | Wall sign may project into required setback. | — | 26.68.100 |
| Window Sign | Roof line of the building | Hotel/motel: as above; other uses: formula | — | — | — | Set as Wall Sign | — | 26.68.100 |
| Ground Sign | 30 ft above grade | 100 sq ft per face (2 faces); 200 sq ft total (>2 faces) | — | At least 3 ft from every boundary line. | One; or two if front line ≥200 ft | Set in at least 3 ft from every boundary line of the premises. | — | 26.68.100 |
| Marquee Sign | Per definition: max 7 ft above marquee; bottom at least 10 ft above sidewalk | — | — | — | — | On or attached to a permanent overhanging shelter (marquee) | — | 26.68.100, 26.68.020(12) |
| Roof Sign | 50% of building height, max 10 ft above roof line/parapet. If sign over 100 sq ft, min 4 ft clearance under. Max 14 ft above roof/parapet if clearance required. No clearance if sign <100 sq ft. | — | — | — | — | On or above the roof line | — | 26.68.100 |
| Projecting Sign | Top no higher than building height or 40 ft above grade, min 10 ft from grade, support not above cornice | — | — | — | One per entrance | At angle to building; see 26.68.020(15)(a-e) | — | 26.68.100, 26.68.020(15) |
| Joint Identification Sign - Wall | 35 ft above grade | 100 sq ft or 2 sq ft/sign frontage; max 200 sq ft per frontage (all signs together) | — | At least 3 ft from every boundary line | One per front line | Set in at least 3 ft from every boundary line | — | 26.68.100(I) |
| Joint Identification Sign - Ground | 35 ft above grade | 100 sq ft or 2 sq ft/sign frontage; max 200 sq ft per frontage (all signs together) | — | At least 3 ft from every boundary line | One per front line | Set in at least 3 ft from every boundary line | — | 26.68.100(I) |

### Zone District J, Zone District K

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Roof line of the building | — | — | Set back as structure | — | Set back from the boundary lines as for a conforming structure. Wall signs may project into required setback permitted depth. | — | 26.68.110 |
| Window Sign | Roof line of the building | — | — | Set back as structure. | — | Set back as structure. | — | 26.68.110 |
| Ground Sign | 50 ft above grade | 125 sq ft per face (two faces); 150 sq ft total (>2 faces) | — | At least 3 ft from any boundary line. | One; or two if premise front line ≥250 ft | At least 3 ft from any boundary line. | — | 26.68.110 |
| Roof Sign | 50% of building height, max 35 ft above roof line or parapet wall (if higher). 4 ft clearance under sign if over 100 sq ft (else, max 39 ft above roof/parapet); no clearance required if sign <100 sq ft. | — | — | — | One per building (see above) | On or projecting above roof line. | — | 26.68.110 |
| Marquee Sign | See 26.68.020(12): Max 7 ft height, bottom at least 10 ft above sidewalk, not projecting below face of marquee. | — | — | — | — | On or attached to a permanent overhanging shelter (marquee) | — | 26.68.110, 26.68.020(12) |
| Projecting Sign | Top no higher than building or 40 ft above grade, min 10 ft above grade, support not above cornice | — | — | — | One per entrance | Attached at angle to building; see 26.68.020(15)(a-e) | — | 26.68.110, 26.68.020(15) |
| Electronic Message Center | — | 10 sq ft per side (EMC portion only); no more than 2 faces | No letter/number >10 in x 14 in | — | One per premises | Not within 500 ft of any residential or dwelling use or zone | — | 26.68.110(C) |

## Prohibited signs in St. Louis

- No sign shall be erected, remodeled, enlarged, moved, operated, or maintained that does not comply with the provisions of all applicable ordinances and regulations.
- It is prohibited to place any sign on a vacant or unoccupied building or structure owned by the City or Land Reutilization Authority, on any traffic control device or signal, or on any utility pole.
- No person shall erect a sign without first obtaining a building permit from the Building Commissioner, except as specifically described otherwise.
- No sign shall be erected within a historic district unless it meets the requirements of the applicable historic district ordinance and development plan.
- The erection and maintenance of outdoor general advertising devices are prohibited in all districts except as may be allowed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
- No sign shall be allowed to fall into non-use by failing to display a message or public information message for a period of sixty days or more.
- No sign that emits any odor, noise, amplified sound, radio frequencies, or visible matter (other than light) is allowed.
- No sign is permitted except as specifically allowed under this chapter—any sign not specifically permitted is prohibited.
- Stencil or similar application of any words, letters, numbers, or graphic advertising designs on board-up plywood/material on occupied or vacant buildings is prohibited, except by the City or Land Reutilization Authority.
- No prohibited sign as defined in Chapter 26.68 may be placed within or on a public right-of-way or public easement.
- No revolving or rotating beam or beacon of light that simulates an emergency light or device is permitted as part of any sign.
- No flashing, intermittent, or moving light or lights will be permitted, except certain public service displays as provided.
- No sign or device may have message surfaces made entirely or partly of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or similar lighting technology, except as provided; existing permitted LED signs are nonconforming.
- No sign or device may use interactive technology that allows electronic communication with viewers except for repair communication.
- No sign or device may be so illuminated that it interferes with or obscures an official traffic sign, device, or signal.
- No sign or device may be so located as to obstruct or physically interfere with official traffic signs, signals, or devices, or a motorist's view.
- No sign may emit scent, odor, amplified sound, noise, radio frequencies, or visible matter (except light).
- No sign shall be located on the roof of a building or non-sign structure (as regards general advertising devices).

## Signs exempt from permit in St. Louis

- All on-premises signs are exempt from the provisions relating to outdoor general advertising device restrictions.
- Notice of any judicial or public proceeding posted by public officers or employees in the performance of their duties pursuant to laws, ordinances, orders of the court, regulations, policies, and procedures are exempt.
- Signs required or specifically authorized for a public purpose by law, statute, regulation, or ordinance are exempt.
- Signs of government, public utility, public service, railroad companies, or their contractors which aid safety, indicate installations or repairs, or which show the location of underground facilities are exempt.
- Devices that encroach upon the public right-of-way that have been lawfully erected are exempt.
- The City of St. Louis and the Land Reutilization Authority are exempt from the board-up signage prohibition.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A building permit is required for the erection of a sign, and the applicant must submit specified materials (e.g., photographs, information) for the Commissioner's review; if the sign does not comply with all rules, a permit will not be issued.
- Any urban redevelopment corporation ('developer') with a Board-approved development plan under Chapter 353 may promulgate uniform sign standards for its redevelopment area, upon review and recommendation by the Planning Commission and approval by the Board of Aldermen.
- A 'Signage Plan Overlay District' may be created by ordinance to set uniform sign standards for a specific district, subject to Planning Commission recommendation and Board of Aldermen approval.
- Redevelopment project areas established pursuant to Ordinance No. 65668 are deemed Signage Plan Overlay Districts, provided the designated developer promulgates uniform sign standards approved by Board resolution.

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

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