# Sign Regulations in Laurel, Montana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Laurel, Montana (MT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/montana/laurel
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MT/Laurel/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.42SICO)

## At a glance

Laurel, Montana regulates 27 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Highway Commercial District (HC) zoning district are capped at Up to 24 ft (non-interstate), 40 ft (interstate) tall and Up to 150 sq.ft. (non-interstate), 350 sq.ft. (interstate), with a 10 ft minimum for leading edge setback (Sec. Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.H, I, J). Most commercial signs in Laurel require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (13 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural District (AG) | 7 | Cannot exceed roofline | 20% of wall area | — |
| Residential Protection District (RP) | 11 | 6 ft for permit-exempt directional | 20% of wall area | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District (NC) | 12 | 6 ft for permit-exempt directional | 20% of wall area | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) | 16 | 10 ft minimum clearance above road for Computer Controlled Variable Message sign | Up to 30% of window area | — |
| Community Commercial District (CC) | 16 | 10 ft minimum clearance above road for Computer Controlled Variable Message sign | Up to 30% of window area | — |
| Highway Commercial District (HC) | 21 | Up to 24 ft (non-interstate), 40 ft (interstate) | Up to 150 sq.ft. (non-interstate), 350 sq.ft. (interstate) | — |
| Light Industrial District (LI), Heavy Industrial District (HI) | 19 | Up to 24 ft (non-interstate), 40 ft (interstate) | Up to 150 sq.ft. (non-interstate), 350 sq.ft. (interstate) | — |
| Public District (P) | 9 | 6 ft for permit-exempt directional | Not to exceed wall sign allowance | — |
| Entryway Zoning District (EZD), Overlay District | 17 | Up to 24 ft (non-interstate), 40 ft (interstate) | Up to 150 sq.ft. (non-interstate), 350 sq.ft. (interstate) | — |
| All Residential Districts | 2 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 48 sq. ft. | — |

_2 additional zoning districts are covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 13 zones)

### Highway Commercial District (HC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard - On Premise | — | — | — | — | — | On premises addressing interstate | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.H |
| Canopy Sign | — | 20% of wall area | — | — | — | Attached to canopy or awning | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.040 |
| Direction/Information Sign | 6 ft for permit-exempt directional | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.070(H) |
| Freestanding Sign | Up to 24 ft (non-interstate), 40 ft (interstate) | Up to 150 sq.ft. (non-interstate), 350 sq.ft. (interstate) | — | 10 ft minimum for leading edge | — | Freestanding, on premises | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.H, I, J |
| Projecting Sign | — | Not to exceed wall sign allowance | — | — | — | Attached to building, projecting outward | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.N |
| Roof Sign, Integral | Cannot exceed roofline | 20% of wall area | — | — | — | On roof; must not exceed height of roof | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.M |
| Wall Sign | — | 20% of wall area | — | — | — | Mounted flat on building walls | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.L |
| Window Sign | — | Up to 30% of window area | — | — | — | Inside or upon window | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.O |

### Light Industrial District (LI), Heavy Industrial District (HI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Marker | — | — | — | — | — | Building mounted | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.040 |
| Canopy Sign | — | 20% of wall area | — | — | — | Attached to canopy or awning | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.040 |
| Direction/Information Sign | 6 ft for permit-exempt directional | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.070(H) |
| Freestanding Sign | Up to 24 ft (non-interstate), 40 ft (interstate) | Up to 150 sq.ft. (non-interstate), 350 sq.ft. (interstate) | — | 10 ft minimum for leading edge | — | Freestanding, on premises | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.H, I, J |
| Projecting Sign | — | Not to exceed wall sign allowance | — | — | — | Attached to building, projecting outward | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.N |
| Roof Sign, Integral | Cannot exceed roofline | 20% of wall area | — | — | — | On roof; must not exceed height of roof | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.M |
| Wall Sign | — | 20% of wall area | — | — | — | Mounted flat on building walls | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.L |
| Window Sign | — | Up to 30% of window area | — | — | — | Inside or upon window | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.O |

### Entryway Zoning District (EZD), Overlay District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Marker | — | — | — | — | — | Building mounted | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.040 |
| Canopy Sign | — | 20% of wall area | — | — | — | Attached to canopy or awning | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.040 |
| Fixed Message Electronic Variable Message Sign | 10 ft minimum clearance above road for Computer Controlled Variable Message sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.120 |
| Direction/Information Sign | 6 ft for permit-exempt directional | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.070(H) |
| Freestanding Sign | Up to 24 ft (non-interstate), 40 ft (interstate) | Up to 150 sq.ft. (non-interstate), 350 sq.ft. (interstate) | — | 10 ft minimum for leading edge | — | Freestanding, on premises | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.H, I, J |
| Projecting Sign | — | Not to exceed wall sign allowance | — | — | — | Attached to building, projecting outward | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.N |
| Wall Sign | — | 20% of wall area | — | — | — | Mounted flat on building walls | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.L |
| Window Sign | — | Up to 30% of window area | — | — | — | Inside or upon window | — | Table - Signs by Zoning District; 17.42.130.O |

## Prohibited signs in Laurel

- All signs not expressly permitted under this section or exempt from regulation hereunder are prohibited.
- Beacons are prohibited.
- Strings of lights not permanently mounted to a rigid background, except those exempt under the exemptions section, are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Above-peak roof signs are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Pictographic changeable copy signs which depict motion of any kind, including flashing, blinking, scrolling text, or other special effects, are prohibited.
- Snipe signs or bandit signs are prohibited.
- Signs placed on vehicles or trailers, which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying such signs, are prohibited (does not apply to signs or lettering on buses, taxis, or vehicles operating during the normal course of business).

## Signs exempt from permit in Laurel

- Official traffic or government signs are not regulated;
- The copy and message of signs are not regulated;
- Signs not intended to be viewed from a public right-of-way are not regulated;
- Window displays are not regulated;
- Product dispensers and point of purchase displays are not regulated;
- Scoreboards on athletic fields are not regulated;
- Flags of any nation, government, or fraternal organization are not regulated;
- Gravestones are not regulated;
- Barber poles are not regulated;
- Religious symbols are not regulated;
- Any display or construction not defined in this chapter as a sign is not regulated;
- Construction signs of sixteen square feet or less are exempt from permit requirements, but must comply with other regulations;
- Special event or holiday lights or decorations are exempt from permit requirements, but must comply with other regulations;
- Nameplates of two square feet or less are exempt from permit requirements, but must comply with other regulations;
- Public signs or notices, or any sign relating to an emergency are exempt from permit requirements, but must comply with other regulations;
- Real estate signs are exempt from permit requirements, but must comply with other regulations;
- Political signs are exempt from permit requirements, but must comply with other regulations;
- Interior signs not visible from the exterior of the building are exempt from permit requirements, but must comply with other regulations;
- Directional signs not to exceed twelve square feet in area or six feet in height are exempt from permit requirements, but must comply with other regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A common signage plan may be filed by owners of two or more contiguous or adjacent lots or by the owner of a single lot with more than one building or multiple use buildings; a 25% increase in maximum total sign area is allowed for properties under such a plan.
- The common signage plan must be included in any development plan, site plan, planned development, or other official plan required by the city for the proposed development and shall be processed simultaneously with such other plan.
- After approval, no sign shall be erected, placed, painted, or maintained except in conformance with the common signage plan.
- If a new or amended common signage plan is filed for a property with existing signs, it must include a schedule for bringing all nonconforming signs into conformance.
- If signatories wish to dissolve a common signage plan, written notice must be submitted and all signs must be brought into individual conformance within 30 days.
- Plans and specifications for all signs (including those in entryway zoning) must be submitted to the city building department prior to construction, and must receive a construction permit.
- A new construction permit and fee is required for any change in sign construction or face, excluding changeable copy as defined in the chapter.

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

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