# Sign Regulations in Scottsbluff, Nebraska

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

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

## At a glance

Scottsbluff, Nebraska regulates 28 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Church, school & public/semi-public facility)s in the R District, R-1, R-1a, R-1b, R-4, R-6, AR, Residential District zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 40 sq ft, with a Not closer than half the distance from property line to front setback line (for interior lot); not within triangular area bounded by lot lines 30 ft from corner (for corner lots). setback (Sec. § 25-6-3, § 25-6-10). Most commercial signs in Scottsbluff require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R District, R-1, R-1a, R-1b, R-4, R-6, AR, Residential District | 12 | 4 ft | Up to 120 sq ft (set by Planning Commission based on location) | — |
| A District, Agricultural District (A) | 3 | 5 ft | 30 sq ft each | — |
| O-P District | 5 | 8 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| PBC District, Planned Business Center District (PBC) | 8 | 45 ft above road | 288 sq ft | — |
| C-1, C-2, C-3, Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3) | 8 | 45 ft above road (C-3) or ground (see code) | 288 sq ft | — |
| M-1, M-2, Industrial District (M-1, M-2) | 8 | 45 ft above ground | 288 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 10 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential zoning districts | 1 | — | Up to 25% of the area of any window or door | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### R District, R-1, R-1a, R-1b, R-4, R-6, AR, Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate (Single-family dwelling or duplex) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Placed flat against the building | — | § 25-6-2(A) |
| Nameplate (Apartment or boarding house) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Placed flat against the building | — | § 25-6-2(B) |
| Nameplate (Non-residential building) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Placed flat against the building | — | § 25-6-2(C) |
| Freestanding Sign (Church, school & public/semi-public facility) | 4 ft | 40 sq ft | — | For front setback: Not closer than half the distance from property line to front setback line (for interior lot); not within triangular area bounded by lot lines 30 ft from corner (for corner lots). | 1 | Erected on premises in a residential zone with eligible use | — | § 25-6-3, § 25-6-10 |
| Nameplate (Subdivision ID) | 3 ft | 35 sq ft (aggregate) | — | See code for triangle area restriction within 20 ft of intersection. | 1 or 2 per entrance | At each collector or arterial street entrance to subdivision | — | § 25-6-9 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per message per lot | Placed on premises being advertised | — | §§ 25-6-12, 25-6-13 |
| Electronic Changeable Copy Sign (Church/School only) | — | Up to 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | For church or public/private school only | — | § 25-6-1.4(F) |
| Political Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises or within R District where permitted | — | § 25-6-19, § 25-6-17 through § 25-6-24 |

### C-1, C-2, C-3, Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Attached) | — | As allowed per facade per § 25-6-1.4(C); max 25 sq ft if abutting a residential district or on side facing local/collector street across from residential; otherwise, up to 500 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | On business facade, not above roof/parapet | — | Sign Table, § 25-6-1.4(C) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 100 sq ft standard (25 sq ft if abutting residential or facing local/collector street with residential zoning across) | — | — | — | In lieu of one freestanding sign | — | Sign Table, § 25-6-1.4(D) |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | Not above roof/parapet | — | Sign Table |
| Directional Sign | 5 ft | — | — | — | — | Front yard setback area (see § 25-6-8(A)-(C)) | — | § 25-6-11 |
| Temporary Detached Sign (2-year) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | See code for limited number | — | — | Sign Table, § 25-6-8.1 |
| Political Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 25-6-19 |
| Electronic Changeable Copy Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 25-6-1.4(F) |
| Billboard | 45 ft above road (C-3) or ground (see code) | 288 sq ft | — | — | — | Where permitted by § 25-6-16.1 | — | Sign Table, § 25-6-16.2, § 25-6-16.1 |

### M-1, M-2, Industrial District (M-1, M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Attached) | — | Not specified; may not exceed roof/parapet line | — | — | — | On facade | — | Sign Table, § 25-6-7 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 100 sq ft standard (25 sq ft if abutting residential or facing local/collector across from residential) | — | — | — | In lieu of one freestanding sign | — | Sign Table, § 25-6-1.4(D) |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | Not above roof/parapet | — | Sign Table |
| Directional Sign | 5 ft | — | — | — | — | Front yard setback area (see § 25-6-8(A)-(C)) | — | § 25-6-11 |
| Temporary Detached Sign (2-year) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | See code for limited number | — | — | Sign Table, § 25-6-8.1 |
| Political Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 25-6-19 |
| Electronic Changeable Copy Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 25-6-1.4(F) |
| Billboard | 45 ft above ground | 288 sq ft | — | — | — | Where permitted by § 25-6-16.1 | — | Sign Table, § 25-6-16.2, § 25-6-16.1 |

## Prohibited signs in Scottsbluff

- No sign shall be erected or maintained in a required yard except as otherwise provided, or encroach upon or overhang any adjacent property or public right-of-way.
- No sign shall be erected upon or against a roof or on top of the parapet of a building.
- No sign shall exceed the maximum height permitted for buildings in the zoning district in which the sign is located.
- Every sign shall be permanently attached to the ground or to a building or structure which is permanently attached to the ground, except for mobile signs and temporary signs.
- No sign shall be painted on or attached to rocks, trees, or any other natural object.
- No sign shall be erected, placed, or maintained in a location that violates the site obstruction requirements for street intersections or entrances/exits from private property.
- All freestanding signs must be spaced a minimum of 50 feet apart.
- No sign shall be erected, placed, or maintained in any location in violation of the zoning regulations of the city.
- No person shall place, construct, or erect any sign which, by reason of its size, location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination, may be confused with or construed as a traffic-control sign, signal, or device, or the light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle.
- No person shall place, construct, or erect any sign which hides from view any traffic-control sign, signal, or device.
- No sign shall move, rotate, revolve, or simulate animation by means of spinning, fluttering, or reflective devices or lighting, except a sign may rotate or revolve at a rate not to exceed six revolutions per minute.
- It is unlawful to post, print, paint, or place any placard, sign, advertisement, or similar matter on any sidewalk, crosswalk, or pavement in any street or alley, unless permitted by a Planning and Development Official.
- It is unlawful to throw, cast, drop, or leave any handbill, poster, or advertising matter in any street, alley, sidewalk, parking, or public place.
- No person shall carry any banner, placard, or advertisement for display in any street, sidewalk, or public place; exception for banners/ads by non-profit organizations.
- It is unlawful to erect or install any sign, signpost, or other support, or any part thereof, on or projecting over the right-of-way of any street or avenue or alley, or to permit any such sign to remain, except as specifically provided.
- It is unlawful to remove, deface, or injure any street sign, name, or number.
- It is unlawful for any person to display or expose the sign 'plumbing' or 'plumber,' or similar, unless duly licensed by the city.
- No signs, notices, or advertisements shall be erected or placed in a city cemetery, except for regulatory or informational signs by the city.
- It is unlawful to have signs, posters, or non-transparent materials on a vehicle windshield or windows, except as required by law.
- It is unlawful for any person to willfully deface, injure, remove, obstruct, or interfere with any official traffic sign or signal.

## Signs exempt from permit in Scottsbluff

- Signs required by law may be erected without securing a special permit.
- Restrictions and requirements do not apply to any political sign placed inside a building or enclosed structure.
- Subject to certain conditions, banners, placards, or advertisements advertising goods or services offered by a non-profit organization are exempt from the prohibition on carrying such items in public places.
- Limitations on definition of sign: Government flags or insignia, legal notices, governmental identification, information or direction signs, mailbox numbers or names, and sculpture are exempted from the sign definition.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A subdivision identification sign in a residence zone requires a special permit from the Planning Commission, which may impose reasonable conditions and require a bond.
- A permit from the City Planner is required to erect, remodel, or replace any sign that will extend over a street, avenue, sidewalk, or sidewalk area; application must include full information and drawings.
- A written permit and application with full information must be filed with the City Planner before erecting, remodeling, or replacing a sign extending over the public right-of-way.
- Billboard permit applicants must submit structural details and a location review letter from the Nebraska Department of Roads.
- To erect a mural, a permit must be obtained from the Development Services Director.
- Temporary detached signs (except certain types, such as political or garage sale signs) require a permit from the City Planner in certain districts.
- Planned unit developments must provide signage that illustrates the site plan, names of streets, and addresses, subject to approval by the Development Services Director.

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

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