# Sign Regulations in Livingston, Montana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Livingston, Montana (MT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/montana/livingston
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MT/Livingston/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH9TRVE_ARTVISISIMA)

## At a glance

Livingston, Montana regulates 28 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Commercial District, Industrial District zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 100 sq ft, with a At least 5 ft inside property lines setback (Sec. Sec. 30.50.G.3.a, Sec. 30.50.G.4.b). Most commercial signs in Livingston require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District, R-II District, R-III District, Residential Mobile Home (RMO) District, R-II (MH) District | 12 | — | 16 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District, Industrial District | 11 | 30 ft | 300 sq ft total for all wall/window/roof-mounted signs | — |
| Central Business District | 8 | 40 in | 250 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Historic District, Historic Preservation District | 1 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 6 sq ft (single temporary sign, in window) | — |

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

### Residential District, R-II District, R-III District, Residential Mobile Home (RMO) District, R-II (MH) District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate, Sale, Lease, Rental) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On premises only | — | Sec. 30.50.E.1 |
| Name/Address Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 30.50.E.2 |
| Flag or Insignia (non-commercial) | — | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 30.50.E.3 |
| Decorative/Architectural Feature (building-integral) | — | — | — | — | — | On building | — | Sec. 30.50.E.5 |
| Private Traffic/Parking Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Private property | — | Sec. 30.50.E.6 |
| Detached Bulletin Board (Nonprofit) | — | 15 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from right-of-way | — | Not less than 10 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 30.50.E.7 |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | At residence, site of home occupation | — | Sec. 30.50.E.9, Sec. 30.55 |
| Commercial Use Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line adjacent to street (not for temporary signs) | 1 per business | On premises of business | — | Sec. 30.50.F.2 |

### Commercial District, Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 300 sq ft total for all wall/window/roof-mounted signs | — | — | Up to 3 combined wall, roof, and window signs per use | On wall, parallel to building | — | Sec. 30.50.G.3.a, Sec. 30.50.G.4.a.i, Sec. 30.50.G.4.d |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | Up to 3 combined wall, roof, and window signs per use | In window, visible from outside | — | Sec. 30.50.G.3.a, Sec. 30.50.G.4.a.i |
| Roof-mounted Sign | 24 in above roof, not higher than roof line | Max 24 in height, included in wall sign area (see Wall Sign cap of 300 sq ft) | — | — | Included in combined total | On roof of building | — | Sec. 30.50.G.4.d |
| Awning Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | Attached to or printed on awning | — | Sec. 30.50.G.3.a, Sec. 30.50.G.4.g |
| Projecting Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | Min 8 ft above grade | 1 per use | Perpendicular or angled from wall | — | Sec. 30.50.G.3.a, Sec. 30.50.G.4.f |
| Monument Sign | 5 ft | 100 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft inside property lines | 1 per building | On ground, flush with grade | — | Sec. 30.50.G.3.a, Sec. 30.50.G.4.b |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 ft | 150 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft inside property lines | 1 per building | Supported by columns/upstands, permanently fixed in ground | — | Sec. 30.50.G.3.a, Sec. 30.50.G.4.c |
| Off-premises Sign | — | 150 sq ft (combined for all off-premises signs) | — | — | Up to 4 | Off actual business premises | — | Sec. 30.50.G.5 |

### Central Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Street Side) | — | 100 sq ft per street side | — | — | Up to 2 wall signs | On facade facing street | — | Sec. 30.50.G.3.b, Sec. 30.50.G.4.a.ii, Sec. 30.50.G.2.b |
| Wall Sign (Non-street Side) | — | 250 sq ft | — | — | — | Exposed side not facing street | — | Sec. 30.50.G.4.a.ii |
| Projecting Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | 8 ft above grade clearance | 1 per use | Perpendicular or oblique to wall | — | Sec. 30.50.G.3.b, Sec. 30.50.G.4.f |
| Awning Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | On or attached to awning | — | Sec. 30.50.G.3.b, Sec. 30.50.G.4.g, Sec. 30.50.G.2.b |
| Window Sign | — | 30% of total window area | — | — | Unlimited | On or inside window, visible from exterior | — | Sec. 30.50.G.3.b, Sec. 30.50.G.4.a.ii |
| Door Sign | — | — | — | — | Unlimited | On entrance doors | — | Sec. 30.50.G.3.b, Sec. 30.50.G.4.a.ii |
| Sidewalk Sign | 40 in | — | 30 in | — | 1 per use | On sidewalk directly in front of business, restrictions on placement related to sidewalk width | — | Sec. 30.50.G.4.e |
| Marquee Sign (Movie Theater use only) | — | — | — | — | 1 per theater | Theater buildings only | — | Sec. 30.50.G.3.b |

## Prohibited signs in Livingston

- No animated signs shall be erected in any zoning district, except time and temperature signs in the Central Business District and certain existing lighted signs in the Downtown Historic Preservation District per conditions.
- No revolving sign may be permitted in any district.
- No billboard sign shall be erected in any zoning district.
- No free standing sign shall be erected or maintained upon any spire, chimney, cupola, water tank, water tower, radio aerial or television antenna.
- No sign shall be erected on any property without the express permission of the occupant, owner, lessee or any authorized agent thereof.
- No sign shall be erected in such a manner that a portion of the sign or their supports are attached to or will interfere with the free use of any fire escape, exit, or standpipe, or obstruct any required stairway, door, ventilator or window.
- No sign shall be attached to any tree.
- Menu boards are not permitted on any property other than that occupied by a restaurant-type business.
- No portable and/or trailer-mounted signs shall be allowed.
- No structure of any kind over three (3) feet in height shall be erected or maintained within the defined clear vision zone at street corners, alleys, and driveway approaches (visibility at corners, see D.5).
- All signs must be maintained and kept in good repair, and the area around signs must be kept clear of weeds, rubbish and flammable waste material.
- All signs must be designed and constructed in accordance with the Uniform Sign Code.
- Signs not in use by reason of change of occupancy or use by vacation of the building must be removed within thirty (30) days.
- No illuminated sign or lighting device may be placed or directed so the beams constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance (per lighting standards).

## Signs exempt from permit in Livingston

- Signs required by law, including legal notices and advertisements prescribed by law or posted by any lawful officer or agent.
- Signs advertising the sale, lease or rental of the premises upon which the sign is located (subject to area limits: max. twelve (12) sq. ft. or six (6) sq. ft. in residential districts, two per property).
- Signs bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, names of occupants of premises or other identification of premises not having commercial promotion.
- Flags and insignia of the 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, but bearing no advertising matter.
- Detached bulletin boards, provided such sign is no greater than fifteen (15) square feet and located not less than ten (10) feet from the right-of-way and does not obstruct traffic visibility.
- Construction information signs, provided signs are removed after completion of construction.
- Non-illuminated home occupation signs on any residence which is the site of a home occupation, not exceeding two (2) square feet.
- Signs advertising a candidate for political office, not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet and removed within seven (7) days after any election.
- Signs advertising yard/garage sales, not exceeding two (2) square feet and removed within forty-eight (48) hours of completion of sale.
- Temporary signs (with conditions: must not exceed six (6) square feet per sign, and total of all such temporary signs must not exceed fifty percent of the transparency of the window in which they are visible).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All buildings with more than one (1) business occupant must submit to the Zoning Coordinator a master signage plan which identifies the number and location of all potential signs on the property before any sign permits may be issued.
- For properties located in the Downtown Historic District, the master sign plan will be submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission.
- Any deviation from an approved master plan must be approved by the appropriate body prior to permit issuance.
- Pre-existing multi-occupant buildings will not be issued any new sign permits until a master plan is approved by the appropriate body.
- Any sign variance issued to multi-occupant property shall constitute an amendment to that property's signage master plan.

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

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