# Sign Regulations in Forsyth, Montana

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

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

## At a glance

Forsyth, Montana regulates 14 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (On-site)s in the Business District, Industrial District zoning district are capped at 75 ft tall and Combined with wall sign: See formula, with a Not in required yards; min 50 ft from abutting residential side/rear lot line setback (Sec. 12-2-9(C)(1),(2),(4),(5)).

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | — | 12 sq ft (general); 6 sq ft (in all residential districts) | — |
| Residential District | 2 | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| Business District, Industrial District | 5 | 75 ft | Total for all signs: 100 sq ft; Area per sign not specified | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Sale/Lease/Rent Sign | — | 12 sq ft (general); 6 sq ft (in all residential districts) | — | — | — | On the premises being advertised | — | 12-2-9(B)(1) |
| Identification Sign (Name/Number) | — | — | — | — | — | On the premises | — | 12-2-9(B)(2) |
| Flag/Insignia Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12-2-9(B)(3) |
| Governmental Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Where required by governmental authority | — | 12-2-9(B)(4) |
| Integral Decorative/Architectural Feature | — | — | — | — | — | On building | — | 12-2-9(B)(5) |
| Traffic/Parking Directional Sign (On Private Property) | — | — | — | — | — | On private property | — | 12-2-9(B)(6) |
| Bulletin Board (Church, School, Public, Religious, Educational) | — | — | — | 10 ft from right-of-way line | — | Minimum 10 feet from right-of-way line | — | 12-2-9(B)(7) |
| Political/Campaign Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12-2-9(B)(8) |

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Sale/Lease/Rent Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises being advertised | — | 12-2-9(B)(1) |
| Signs permitted in all districts without a permit | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12-2-9(B) |

### Business District, Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Total for all signs: 100 sq ft; Area per sign not specified | — | — | 1 wall sign per use | On wall of business/industrial building | — | 12-2-9(C)(4),(5) |
| Freestanding Sign (On-site) | 75 ft | Combined with wall sign: See formula | — | Not in required yards; min 50 ft from abutting residential side/rear lot line | 1 per building | On property; not within required front, side or rear yard for the district | — | 12-2-9(C)(1),(2),(4),(5) |
| On-site Sign (Accessory Use) | Sign clearance 8 ft if over sidewalk or walkway; height as per sign type | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | On-site, accessory to business/industrial use | — | 12-2-9(C)(3),(5) |
| Off-site Freestanding Sign | 35 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Not in required yards; min 50 ft from abutting residential side/rear lot line | — | Off-site | — | 12-2-9(D)(2)-(4) |
| Signs permitted in all districts without a permit | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12-2-9(B) |

## Prohibited signs in Forsyth

- It is a violation to maintain an unsafe, dangerous, or abandoned sign.
- Failure to maintain any sign in an operable and safe condition constitutes a violation.
- No sign may be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving lights.
- No illuminated sign or lighting device may be placed or directed so the beams and illumination cause glare or reflection constituting a traffic hazard or nuisance.
- No sign may overhang or project over public rights of way in a manner that presents a traffic hazard.
- Abandoned signs must be removed within thirty (30) days after they become abandoned.
- Signs cannot be located where they obstruct traffic visibility at street or highway intersections.

## Signs exempt from permit in Forsyth

- Signs advertising the sale, lease or rental of the premises upon which the sign is located, not exceeding specified area limits (twelve square feet, or six in residential districts).
- Signs bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, names of occupants, or other identification of premises without commercial connotations.
- Flags and insignia of any government except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- Legal notices, identification, information or directional signs erected or required by governmental bodies.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts, or moving lights.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property, bearing no advertising matter.
- Bulletin boards for churches, schools, or other public, religious or educational institution, located at least 10 feet from the right-of-way and not obstructing traffic visibility.
- Political or campaign signs erected temporarily, provided they are removed no later than 15 days following the election.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No mention is made of a master sign plan, formal sign plan requirement, or variance meeting requirement in the provided ordinance text.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Forsyth, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Forsyth+MT&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-forsyth

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