# Sign Regulations in Belgrade, Montana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Belgrade, Montana (MT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/montana/belgrade
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Belgrade, Montana regulates 18 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the R, N, MU, CL, CC, DD, FE, I, EI, ID zoning district are capped at Limited to height of building, except multi-tenant properties may have up to 8 feet in height tall and 40 sq. ft. maximum, with a 5 feet from all rights-of-way setback (Sec. 10-5-10.B Table: Freestanding Sign; 10-6-13: Sign Permit Required). Most commercial signs in Belgrade require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R, N, MU, CL, CC, DD, FE, I, EI, ID | 6 | Limited to height of building, except multi-tenant properties may have up to 8 feet in height | 40 sq. ft. maximum | — |
| R | 4 | 8 ft. | 30 sq. ft. (subdivision entrance) | — |
| MU, CL, CC, FE, I, EI, ID | 1 | Limited to building height (8 ft. for multi-tenant properties) | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| DD | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 6 ft. | See sign type and zone regulations, but EMC portion cannot exceed 50% of sign area | — |

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

### R, N, MU, CL, CC, DD, FE, I, EI, ID

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | DD: 1 building sign per storefront, plus 1 per street frontage for corner lots; Other districts: 2 per street frontage (total, including building and freestanding signs); Multi-tenant properties: 1 per tenant | On awning attached to building | — | 10-5-10.B Table: Sign Standards by Sign Type, Awning Sign; 10-6-13: Sign Permit Required |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | DD: 1 building sign per storefront, plus 1 per street frontage for corner lots; Other: 2 per street frontage (total, including building and freestanding signs); Multi-tenant properties: 1 per tenant | On canopy attached to building | — | 10-5-10.B Table: Sign Standards by Sign Type, Canopy Sign; 10-6-13: Sign Permit Required |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | DD: 1 building sign per storefront, plus 1 per street frontage for corner lots; Other: 2 per street frontage (total, including building and freestanding signs); Multi-tenant properties: 1 per tenant | Above entrance; attached to building | — | 10-5-10.B Table: Sign Standards by Sign Type, Marquee Sign; 10-6-13: Sign Permit Required |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq. ft. per sign face | — | — | DD: 1 building sign per storefront, plus 1 per street frontage for corner lots; Other: 2 per street frontage (total, including building and freestanding signs); Multi-tenant properties: 1 per tenant | Attached to building wall; projects up to 4 feet from building wall | — | 10-5-10.B Table: Sign Standards by Sign Type, Projecting Sign; 10-6-13: Sign Permit Required |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | DD: 1 building sign per storefront, plus 1 per street frontage for corner lots; Other: 2 per street frontage (total, including building and freestanding signs); Multi-tenant properties: 1 per tenant | On wall of building | — | 10-5-10.B Table: Wall Sign; 10-6-13: Sign Permit Required |
| Freestanding Sign | Limited to height of building, except multi-tenant properties may have up to 8 feet in height | 40 sq. ft. maximum | — | 5 feet from all rights-of-way | 1 per street frontage; in multi-tenant properties, one building sign per tenant and one freestanding sign per street frontage for the entire property | Ground-mounted on freestanding base | — | 10-5-10.B Table: Freestanding Sign; 10-6-13: Sign Permit Required |

### R

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Individual Dwellings) | — | 1.5 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Principal dwelling façade | — | 10-5-9: Table for Signs for Individual Dwellings |
| Ground-Mounted Sign or Window Sign (Individual Dwellings) | 3 ft. (if ground mounted) | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Ground or window | — | 10-5-9: Table for Signs for Individual Dwellings |
| Wall Sign (Residential Subdivision or Multi-Unit Building) | — | 30 sq. ft. (subdivision entrance) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Building or wall at subdivision entrance | — | 10-5-9: Table, Wall Sign for Multi-Unit and Subdivisions |
| Monument Sign (Residential Subdivision or Multi-Unit Building) | 8 ft. | 30 sq. ft. | — | At least 5 ft. from right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | At subdivision or multi-unit entrance | — | 10-5-9: Table, Monument Sign for Multi-Unit and Subdivisions |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Small Yard Sign - Residential Property) | 4 ft. | 8 sq. ft. per sign; 24 sq. ft. total area on property | — | — | — | On residential property | — | 10-5-11.A Table: Temporary Signs on Residential Property |
| Temporary Sign (Large Yard Sign - Residential Property) | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On property larger than one acre | — | 10-5-11.A Table: Temporary Signs on Residential Property |
| Temporary Sign (Small Yard Sign - Non-Residential or Mixed Use Property) | 4 ft. | 8 sq. ft. per sign; max sum on site 32 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On non-residential or mixed use property | — | 10-5-11.B Table: Temporary Signs on Non-Residential/Mixed Use |
| Temporary Sign (A-Frame or T-Frame Sidewalk Sign) | 4 ft. | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Non-residential districts only, on sidewalk during hours of operation | — | 10-5-11.B Table: Temporary Signs on Non-Residential/Mixed Use |
| Temporary Sign (Banner - New Establishment) | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Affixed to building | — | 10-5-2.A.6; 10-5-11.B Table - Banner Signs |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) or Changeable Copy Sign | — | See sign type and zone regulations, but EMC portion cannot exceed 50% of sign area | — | — | — | — | — | 10-5-7 |

## Prohibited signs in Belgrade

- It is unlawful to erect, place, relocate, expand, modify, maintain, or otherwise alter a sign in the City except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
- Signs within the right-of-way are prohibited except for warning or traffic safety signs required by public utility providers or by a public transit or transportation agency.
- Dilapidated or insecure signs, including sign structures, are prohibited.
- Signs not conforming to City or State building, fire, or electrical codes are prohibited.
- Signs or advertising on trees, rocks, or other natural features are prohibited.
- Signs or devices that attempt or appear to attempt to direct the movement of traffic or which interfere with, imitate, or resemble official signs, signals, or devices are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs viewed from a public road with the primary purpose of providing signage not otherwise allowed by this code are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer that is parked continuously in one location to be used primarily as additional signage are prohibited, except vehicles at a driver's residence and used as the primary means of transportation.
- Signs applied to trees, bus shelters, utility poles, benches, trash receptacles, newspaper vending machines or boxes, or any other unapproved supporting structure, or otherwise placed in the public right-of-way, are prohibited.
- Signs not securely affixed to the ground or otherwise affixed in a permanent manner to an approved supporting structure (unless specifically permitted as a temporary sign) are prohibited.
- Signs attached to a fire escape or that obstruct any fire escape, any means of egress, or ventilation are prohibited.
- Signs that contain words, pictures, or obscene statements as defined by Section 45-8-201 of the Montana Code Annotated are prohibited.
- Signs employing revolving, rotating, whirling, spinning, or otherwise moving parts to attract attention are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Beacons and searchlights are prohibited except for emergency purposes.
- No sign (except for identification signs on agricultural buildings) or billboard shall be painted or erected directly on the roof of any building or structure.
- No sign or sign structure shall be placed on private or public property without the written consent of the owner or agent.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected where it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No sign shall obstruct or interfere with fire ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, nor obstruct or interfere with traffic or traffic visibility, or resemble or imitate signs or signals erected by the City or other governmental agency for regulation of traffic or parking.
- No part of a sign shall have animation, moving parts, flashing lights, or changing colors unless specified in Section 10-5-6 (Sign Illumination).
- All signs must be secured to prevent swinging or other significant noticeable movement, not including movement related to electronic message centers.
- Signs, sign posts, or sign mounting hardware which are no longer functional or are abandoned must be removed within 90 days.
- No temporary sign shall be mounted, attached, affixed, installed, or otherwise secured in a manner that will make the sign a permanent sign.
- No temporary sign shall be mounted, attached, affixed, installed, or otherwise secured so that it protrudes above the roofline of a structure.
- Unless otherwise stated, temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
- No temporary sign shall require a foundation, support, wiring, fittings, or elements that would require a building permit or electrical permit.
- No streamers, spinning, flashing, or similarly moving devices allowed as part of or attachments to temporary signs unless approved through a special event permit.
- Mobile signs on wheels, runners, casters, parked trailers, parked vehicles, or other temporary or movable signs are not permitted unless otherwise stated.
- Any sign erected, altered, moved, or structurally modified without a permit or in violation of this chapter must be removed at the owner’s expense or brought into compliance within specified timeframes.
- Violations of or failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter are declared unlawful.

## Signs exempt from permit in Belgrade

- Signs located entirely within buildings or other structures and/or not visible from a public right-of-way or adjacent property.
- Cornerstone inscriptions or other signs that are part of masonry facades of older buildings.
- Signs of less than one (1) square foot each in area, such as religious symbols, security stickers, store hours, credit card emblems, association seals, etc.
- Bulletin boards and bulletin board signs, as defined.
- Signs and/or notices issued by any court, officer, or person in the performance of a public duty.
- For safety and emergency access, signs indicating the street number of a building or structure (not exceeding 3 sq. ft.) are permitted without a zoning permit.
- Any sign on a truck, bus or another vehicle used in the normal course of business for transportation.
- Any holiday lighting, signs, or related decorations.
- Painted signs, decals, or other signs located directly inside or on the window or door of the ground floor of commercial use, if less than 30% of the area of a windowpane.
- Door signs if less than three (3) square feet in total area and not more than one sign per door.
- Government-mandated signs in compliance with the manual of uniform traffic control devices placed/required by a government entity.
- Menu signs/ordering kiosks at a commercial drive-thru (max 4 per property, 50 sq. ft. for ground-mounted, 9 sq. ft. for wall-mounted).
- Yard Signs - Small, as defined.
- One wall sign per individual lot used for residential purposes (max 1 sq. ft., mounted flush to the principal dwelling).
- Signs for home occupations (no permit required, but subject to standards).
- Flags of any fabric or bunting displaying colors, patterns, or symbols, attached to a flagpole, building, or roof as allowed.
- A-frame or T-frame sign.
- Temporary banner sign for identification of a new business for up to 90 days after opening (after which a permanent sign is required).
- One neon (or LED tube or rope lighting resembling neon) window sign, max 3 sq. ft. per tenant suite. No blinking allowed.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning permit is required for all signs unless otherwise provided by the chapter (Section 10-5-1.B).
- Applications for sign permits must include a scaled and dimensioned site plan showing all buildings, existing signs, and proposed sign(s) (Section 10-6-13.A.2.a).
- The site plan is required for all sign permit applications and must show location, size, and type of all buildings and signs on the property.
- For signs encroaching on right-of-way, additional documentation is required (Section 10-6-13.B).
- Variances from sign regulations are processed through the zoning variance procedures (Section 10-6-17).
- No explicit mention is made of a master sign plan requirement or a required variance meeting for all signs across all zones; variances and site plans are handled as part of permit or variance processes.

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

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