# Sign Regulations in Red Lodge, Montana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Red Lodge, Montana (MT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/montana/red-lodge
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/42581661#42581661)

## At a glance

Red Lodge, Montana regulates 10 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Neon and Illuminated Signs in the Downtown Historic Overlay District zoning district are capped at 22 sq ft (Sec. §12.4.6.80, §12.4.6.81-§12.4.6.82). Most commercial signs in Red Lodge require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Downtown Historic Overlay District | 1 | — | 22 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial Districts, Commercially Zoned Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 45 ft | 16 sq ft (banners spanning streets may be 96 sq ft) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Downtown Historic Overlay District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Neon and Illuminated Sign | — | 22 sq ft | — | — | — | In appropriate 'sign areas' defined by building architecture. Not covering architectural elements such as columns or pilasters. | — | §12.4.6.80, §12.4.6.81-§12.4.6.82 |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Sign Types – Illumination | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §12.4.6.73 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Against exterior walls. | — | §8-6-5, §8-6-4 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | May project from building face over public space but not beyond line two feet inside curb. | — | §8-6-6, §8-6-4C |
| Ground Sign | 45 ft | — | — | — | — | Ground mounted. | — | §8-6-7 |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Placed above or affixed atop building. | — | §8-6-8 |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Placed on windows. | — | §8-6-4C |
| Temporary Sign (General) | — | 16 sq ft (banners spanning streets may be 96 sq ft) | — | — | — | — | — | §12.4.6.120 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | For tracts >2 acres: >6 sq ft but ≤32 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §12.4.6.120 |

## Prohibited signs in Red Lodge

- No sign shall be erected without a permit issued by the building inspector.
- No display sign shall be erected, attached to, suspended from, or supported by/on a building or structure without a permit.
- No display sign shall be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended or relocated except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
- No wall sign shall extend beyond the top or ends of the wall surface on which it is placed.
- No wall sign shall be entirely supported by an unbraced parapet wall.
- No projecting sign shall project over a street, alley or public space beyond a line two feet inside the curb line.
- A clear space of at least seven and one-half feet (7.5') must be maintained below all parts of projecting signs.
- No nails or staples shall be used to secure any projecting sign; only bolts, anchors, chains or rods are permitted.
- No signs shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with an exit way or any exterior wall opening needed for Fire Department access.
- No encroachments (including signs) shall hinder safety on public highways and rights-of-way; overhangs within two feet of curb and less than seven and one-half feet (7.5') above sidewalk are prohibited.
- No supports or similar structures shall be placed on curbs or sidewalks.
- Abandoned signs, as defined, are prohibited and subject to removal at the owner’s expense.
- Flashing, blinking, fluttering, rotating or otherwise moving signs, including pennants, rotating lights, inflatable devices, holograms, and balloons, are prohibited.
- Strings, banks, or rows of lights including LED used to outline or highlight a building or create an advertising symbol (except exempted holiday displays) are prohibited; upcast lights are prohibited.
- Digital, electronic graphic display signs that display moving or electronic images are prohibited.
- Off-site or off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Neon and illuminated signs are prohibited outside the Downtown Historic Overlay District except under Design Review.
- Internally illuminated signs are prohibited in the Downtown Historic Overlay District and Residential Districts; they are only permitted elsewhere by Design Review.
- No sign shall cover the entire width of any façade.
- No nonconforming sign shall be moved, altered, re-erected, relocated, or replaced unless brought into compliance.
- Any sign not structurally sound or no longer serving to inform or attract attention, including illegible or abandoned-use signs, must be removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Red Lodge

- Existing signs as now constructed are exempt from this chapter, except when deemed unsafe by the building inspector.
- A projecting sign not exceeding 2.5 square feet of display surface does not require a permit.
- Signs on windows or exterior walls which do not project do not require a permit, although they must be erected and maintained in a safe condition.
- Temporary signs advertising non-commercial special events and short-term activities, approved by the Zoning Administrator for up to 30 days, are exempt from standard permitting requirements.
- Temporary real estate signs greater than six square feet but not more than 32 square feet for tracts of land greater than two acres may be approved for up to six months and renewed.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign shall be erected without a permit issued by the building inspector; permit applications must be submitted for approval.
- Applicants dissatisfied with the building inspector’s sign decision may submit their plans for reconsideration to the board of adjustment, whose decision is final.
- All neon and illuminated signs in the Downtown Historic Overlay District require Design Review approval and must comply with design, placement, material, and size standards.
- Internally illuminated signs in commercial districts (except the Downtown Historic Overlay District) require Design Review and use the same application as non-illuminated signs.
- Nonconforming signs cannot be altered, moved, or replaced unless brought into compliance with standards.

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

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