# Sign Regulations in North Platte, Nebraska

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

- **Jurisdiction:** North Platte, Nebraska (NE)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/nebraska/north-platte
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

North Platte, Nebraska regulates 21 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Canopys in the B1, B2 zoning district are capped at 12 ft above grade tall, 5 sq ft, and 5 ft wide, with a 10 ft from adjacent sign or 5'6" from adjacent property setback (Sec. § 154.060; Note 2). Most commercial signs in North Platte require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A1 | 10 | 35 ft | 300 sq ft per side | — |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, F1 (Consolidated - identical requirements) | 7 | 35 ft (unless conditional uses noted below) | 150 sq ft (all types combined except as noted below) | — |
| H1 | 9 | 35 ft | 150 sq ft (all types combined) | — |
| B1, B2 | 15 | 135 ft | 1300 sq ft | — |
| B3 | 13 | Primary: 100 ft near I-80; Secondary: 35 ft near I-80 | 300 sq ft per side | — |
| I-1, I-2 | 14 | 135 ft | 1300 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 20 ft | Construction signs: 32 sq ft or up to 50 sq ft for single advertiser, 100 sq ft multi-advertiser; Political signs: no limitation but must post deposit; For Sale/Lease: 7 sq ft residential, 50 sq ft commercial/industrial | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### B1, B2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Digital Display | 35 ft | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per site | On-site only | — | § 154.060; Note 1(b,c,d) |
| Canopy | 12 ft above grade | 5 sq ft | 5 ft | 10 ft from adjacent sign or 5'6" from adjacent property | 1 per building entrance | — | — | § 154.060; Note 2 |
| Billboard | — | 300 sq ft per side | — | Principal structure setbacks, 100 ft from intersection | — | — | — | § 154.060; Note 3 |
| Bulletin Board | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | § 154.060; Note 6 |
| Freestanding | B1: 35 ft; B2: Up to 100 ft primary sign near I-80 | B1: 150 sq ft; B2: see Note 8 (including special provisions near I-80) | — | — | 2 per site (+additional for shopping centers/I-80 provisions) | On-site | — | § 154.060; Note 8 |
| I-80 Highrise Sign | 135 ft | 1300 sq ft | — | — | 1 highrise + 1 freestanding (subject to restrictions) | On property within 1000 ft of I-80 right-of-way | — | § 154.060; Note 18 |
| Portable | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On-site | — | § 154.060; Note 12 |
| Roof | 20 ft above attached surface | 15% of building footprint at ground level | — | — | 1 per structure | Roof, for business/services within building; Not within 500 ft of residential zone | — | § 154.060; Note 14 |

### B3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy | 12 ft above grade | 5 sq ft | 5 ft | 10 ft from adjacent sign or 5'6" from adjacent property | 1 per building entrance | Can project over the right-of-way | — | § 154.060; Note 2g |
| Billboard | — | 300 sq ft per side | — | Principal structure setbacks, 100 ft from intersection | — | — | — | § 154.060; Note 3 |
| Bulletin Board | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | § 154.060; Note 6 |
| Freestanding | Primary: 100 ft near I-80; Secondary: 35 ft near I-80 | See Note 8 (including I-80 provisions) | — | — | Primary 1/site; Secondary per street frontage (see Note 8) | On-site | — | § 154.060; Note 8 |
| Painted | — | ≤45% of the side of the building | — | — | — | On exterior surface of business, service or major product premises | — | § 154.060; Note 11 |
| Portable | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On-site | — | § 154.060; Note 12 |
| Projecting | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | — | Affixed to building | — | § 154.060; Note 13e |
| Roof | 20 ft above attached surface | 15% of building footprint at ground level | — | — | 1 per structure | Roof, for business/services within building; Not within 500 ft of residential zone | — | § 154.060; Note 14 |

### I-1, I-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy | 12 ft above grade | 5 sq ft | 5 ft | 10 ft from adjacent sign or 5'6" from adjacent property | 1 per building entrance | — | — | § 154.060; Note 2 |
| Billboard | — | 300 sq ft per side | — | Principal structure setbacks, 100 ft from intersection | — | — | — | § 154.060; Note 3 |
| Bulletin Board | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | § 154.060; Note 6 |
| Freestanding | Primary: 100 ft near I-80; Secondary: 35 ft near I-80 | See Note 8 (including I-80 provisions) | — | — | Primary 1/site; Secondary per street frontage (see Note 8) | On-site | — | § 154.060; Note 8 |
| I-80 Highrise Sign | 135 ft | 1300 sq ft | — | — | 1 highrise + 1 freestanding (subject to restrictions) | On property within 1000 ft of I-80 right-of-way | — | § 154.060; Note 18 |
| Painted | — | ≤45% of the side of the building | — | — | — | On exterior surface of business, service or major product premises | — | § 154.060; Note 11 |
| Portable | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On-site | — | § 154.060; Note 12 |
| Roof | 20 ft above attached surface | 15% of building footprint at ground level | — | — | 1 per structure | Roof, for business/services within building; Not within 500 ft of residential zone | — | § 154.060; Note 14 |

## Prohibited signs in North Platte

- No sign shall be erected, established or maintained on a corner lot within a triangular area bounded by the lot lines and a line connecting points on each lot line 25 feet from the intersection of the lot lines, with exceptions for signs under 36 inches or sufficient bottom clearance; does not apply in B-3 zones.
- Any illuminated sign that is erected in such a location that a traffic signal light is in a direct line between the sign and oncoming traffic is prohibited.
- Any sign employing a lighting or control mechanism which causes radio, radar or television interference is prohibited.
- Any sign erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct or be attached to any fire escape, window, door or opening used as a means of egress or ingress or for firefighting purposes, or that interferes with any opening required for light or ventilation, is prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- It is unlawful to display any sign which is obscene, as defined in the ordinance.
- Unsafe signs are prohibited.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected in such a manner that any portion of its surface or supports will interfere in any way with the free use of any fire escape, exit or standpipe.
- No sign may be erected in violation of state law governing federal aid highways, I-80, or state highways; state permits may be required (de facto prohibition without state compliance).
- No wooden blocks or plugs or anchors with wood used in connection with screws or nails shall be considered proper anchorage for sign, except in the case of signs attached to wood framing.
- All signs, other than public signs, located on public property must be removed immediately.

## Signs exempt from permit in North Platte

- Flags, badges, insignia, or similar devices of any governmental agency or civic, charitable, religious, patriotic, political, fraternal, or similar non-profit organization, when located on its own premises or displayed during a parade or fundraising drive.
- Signs required by regulation or statute of federal, state, or city government or a department, board or commission.
- Not more than 3 directional signs pertaining to the same activity and facing the same direction of travel may be erected along a single route approaching the activity, subject to specified size and locational limits.
- Residential and non-residential real estate signs as specified.
- Sign advertising individual rooms for rent within a roominghouse, subject to size and setback limits.
- Wall sign on a residence building stating the name and profession or occupation of the occupant, provided the area does not exceed 2 square feet.
- Up to two temporary construction signs advertising the proposed new use or necessary for safety may be placed on premises or on protective fencing, each not exceeding 32 square feet.
- Temporary signs attached to a door or window announcing special sales and features, displayed for up to 2 weeks in advance and during such sales.
- Any sign located inside of a building may be displayed even if visible outdoors, and signs advertising temporary uses within residential districts (e.g. rummage and garage sales).
- Construction signs, political campaign signs, and street banners and pennants displayed in accordance with applicable provisions.
- Banners, as provided in Note 16(d) (banners up to 64 square feet per frontage posted on buildings or attached to a permanent structure on site advertising relevant products/services).
- Signs erected on behalf of any government, nonprofit agency, or service organization for the purpose of announcing sponsors or special events when located on its own premises, if not otherwise prohibited.
- Portable signs (subject to size, location, and use limits) per Note 12.
- Temporary signs as specified in Note 15 (includes construction, off-premise for businesses during street construction, political campaign signs within defined timelines and removal, for sale or lease signs within size and lighting limits, banners within specified size, etc.).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for all signs displayed out-of-doors unless exempt under §154.061.
- Each application for a sign permit must be accompanied by a scale drawing of the sign and all required details.
- No specific section regarding a master sign plan or sign plan for multiple tenants/complexes, but § 154.002(B) expresses an intent that all signs within a complex be coordinated harmoniously with architecture; in commercial and industrial areas, overall sign appearance is to be coordinated.
- For signs 30 feet or higher, a set of drawings with loads and structural calculations stamped by a registered professional engineer must be submitted with the permit application (§154.041).
- No variance or master sign plan procedure is detailed in this excerpt; however, exceptions, additional signs, or sizes on a campus may be approved by City Council (§154.070).

## 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 7 zoning districts in North Platte — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=North+Platte+NE&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-north-platte

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