# Sign Regulations in Boulder City, Nevada

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Boulder City, Nevada (NV)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/nevada/boulder-city
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NV/Boulder_City/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT11ZOSU_CH24AREPUSI)

## At a glance

Boulder City, Nevada regulates 47 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (General)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 ft (for temporary banners on road construction) tall and 32 sq ft (banner in road construction, holiday promo, etc.), with a setback at least 7 ft from public right of way setback (Sec. §11-24-13A-D). Most commercial signs in Boulder City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (14 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | Res: 25 ft pole; Nonres: up to building height limit | 64 sq ft | — |
| Historic Business Sign District | 9 | 6 ft above sidewalk | — | — |
| Motel Sign District | 7 | — | — | — |
| Nevada Highway Sign District | 7 | — | — | — |
| Industrial Sign District | 7 | 15 ft | — | — |
| R1, R2, R3, MP, ME | 5 | — | 64 sq ft | — |
| CC | 2 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| C2, CM | 6 | — | 100 sq ft per structure | — |
| BC | 2 | Bottom edge max 4 ft above grade | Max 1 sq ft per 600 sq ft site area overall; max individual sign face 100 sq ft. | — |
| H | 4 | 6 ft above grade (or 9 ft above curb) | 48 sq ft | — |
| CO | 1 | — | 2 sq ft per corral lot | — |
| A1, RV | 1 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| C1 | 1 | — | See formula | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 14 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (General) | 5 ft (for temporary banners on road construction) | 32 sq ft (banner in road construction, holiday promo, etc.) | — | Banners/temps: setback at least 7 ft from public right of way | 1 per elevation (special event) or up to limits in §11-24-13 | On site, attached to building or lease space, or landscape abutting row | — | §11-24-13A-D |
| Banner Sign (Permanent or Temporary) | 5 ft (road construction limit) | 32 sq ft (common for temporary) | — | 7 ft from public ROW | See temporary sign rules | Attached to building, on site | — | §11-24-13C,D |
| Noncommercial Message Sign (Residential) | 4 ft (if freestanding) | 6 sq ft per sign (outside election season); 14 sq ft per sign (election period) | — | — | Unlimited (unclear—applies per sign vs. aggregate) | Any zone (residential) | — | §11-24-9C2,3 |
| Flags (Government) | Res: 25 ft pole; Nonres: up to building height limit | Residential: 24 sq ft per flag (1 pole); Non-res/Ag: up to 64 sq ft aggregate, no single flag >48 sq ft, 3 poles max | — | — | Res: 1; Nonres/ag: 3 | On site | — | §11-24-9D |
| Temporary Real Estate Transaction Sign (On Site) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per parcel | On site, private property | — | §11-24-13E1 |
| Temporary Real Estate Transaction Sign (Off Site) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft per sign | — | — | 3 per parcel | Off site, private property | — | §11-24-13E2 |
| Temporary Nonresidential Real Estate Development Sign | 12 ft | 64 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On site (nonresidential) | — | §11-24-10A |
| Temporary Residential Real Estate Development Sign | 12 ft (main sign); 4 ft (small signs) | 64 sq ft (main sign); 16 sq ft (small signs) | — | — | 1 main, 4 small signs | On site | — | §11-24-10B |

### R1, R2, R3, MP, ME

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | On residential unit | — | §11-24-11E1a |
| Neighborhood Entry Sign (Permanent Wall Mounted) | — | 64 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entry | At primary entrances to subdivision | — | §11-24-11E1c |
| Advertising Structure (Legal Nonresidential Use) | — | 32 sq ft (aggregate with ad signs) | — | — | 1 structure, 2 signs (all < 32 sq ft) | On site, for legal nonresidential use | — | §11-24-11E1d |
| Condominium/Apartment Building Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On building | — | §11-24-11E1e |
| Mobile Home Park Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per park | On mobile home park premises | — | §11-24-11E1f |

### C2, CM

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Advertising Structure (Non Shopping Center) | — | 100 sq ft per structure | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | §11-24-11E3a1 |
| Wall Sign (Non Shopping Center) | — | See formula | — | — | See wall sign formula | Primary/secondary wall | — | §11-24-11E3a2, F1, F2 |
| Advertising Structure (Shopping Center) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per center | At shopping center | — | §11-24-11E3b1A-C |
| Change Panel | — | — | — | — | 1 per establishment | Shopping center establishment wall | — | §11-24-11E3b2 |
| Wall Sign (Shopping Center) | — | See formula | — | — | See formula | Wall facing principal parking lot (primary), others secondary | — | §11-24-11E3b3, F2, F3a |
| R3 Development Sign (by CUP in C2 zone) | — | — | — | — | Per R3 rules | As permitted in R3 | — | §11-24-11E3c |

## Prohibited signs in Boulder City

- No billboard construction, erection, or use is permitted, except for those legally existing or with valid, unexpired permits as of the date of adoption.
- No sign may be displayed without the consent of the legal property owner.
- No commercial mascots are permitted.
- No A-frame or similar portable freestanding signs are allowed.
- No advertising structures are permitted on a building roof, top, mansard, parapet, or marquee (for new signs).
- Signs shall not be attached or painted on a roof surface.
- No sign or advertising structure shall rotate, gyrate, blink, flash, move, or be audible in any animated fashion.
- No sign shall be located on publicly owned land or inside street rights of way, except those owned or erected by permission of a public agency.
- No sign shall have lighting or color that imitates or resembles official traffic control devices, railroad signs, or signals.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained with less horizontal or vertical clearance from communication lines and energized electrical power lines than prescribed by law.
- No sign or any part may interfere with fire escapes, exits, stairways, doors, ventilators, or windows.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall be erected which in any manner may be confused with an official traffic sign or signal or as a traffic control device.
- No sign may impair vision or distract drivers so as to create a public nuisance.
- No sign may be mounted or displayed within the sight visibility zone as defined in city drawings.
- High profile and low profile signs must be set back from side property lines at least a distance equal to their height.
- High profile and low profile signs must be set back at least 3 feet from the back of sidewalk or right of way and driveways.
- Banners or temporary signs must be set back at least 7 feet from the public right of way.
- No sign or portion may occupy any area at an elevation less than 8 feet 6 inches above the grade of any pedestrian walk.
- All permanent signs must be built of durable and permanent materials; no part of a sign nor support may be made of wood.
- All signs, including electrical, must be erected by a licensed and bonded sign or electrical contractor.
- Permanent sign power sources must be concealed or within the sign structure/building.
- No new signs are allowed in the S zone.
- No sign permit shall be issued nor sign installed on property with outstanding zoning compliance issues.
- Temporary signs may not flash, blink, be illuminated, spin, rotate, block traffic visibility, constitute a traffic hazard, or cause a public nuisance; may not be attached to utility poles, fences, or trees.
- All rules concerning the noncommunicative aspects of signs (location, size, height, illumination, spacing, etc.) are enforceable independently of any permit or approval process.

## Signs exempt from permit in Boulder City

- Interior signs visible only from within enclosed structures or to persons within such structures; interior stadium signs in unroofed but enclosed structures are excluded from the definition of sign.
- Decorative or architectural features of buildings, excluding lettering, trademarks, or moving parts. Symbols permanently embedded in architecture for noncommercial organizations or concepts are exempt.
- Items or devices of personal apparel, decoration, or appearance (e.g., clothing, tattoos, costumes, masks), excluding commercial mascots.
- Manufacturers' marks on tangible products identifying the maker or provider, which customarily remain after sale, are exempt.
- Floor mats and doormats.
- Legal use of fireworks, candles, and artificial lighting not otherwise regulated.
- Painting schemes, license plates, registration insignia, noncommercial stickers, and 'for sale' indications on street legal vehicles and properly licensed watercraft (commercial messages are not exempt).
- Gravestones and grave markers.
- Newsracks and newsstands.
- Traffic signals, and signs giving notice of traffic rules.
- Any notice required by another law to be posted in public view.
- Signs within windows and on doors (but not on overhead or rollup doors).
- Historical markers.
- Official notices issued by a public officer or legal notices.
- Signs providing direction, warning, and functional information installed and maintained by an official body.
- Noncommercial message signs displayed at any time in any zone (subject to size, height, and illumination restrictions depending on zone).
- Government flags meeting specified standards for number, maximum pole height, and area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign programs, voluntarily proposed for specific developments as well as special sign districts or special sign overlay zones, when approved by the planning commission, may modify the rules for noncommunicative aspects of signs but may not modify basic policies; these provisions automatically apply to any approved sign program.
- When a proposed sign does not qualify as a structure or is not expressly allowed or prohibited, regulatory interpretation will be based on the most similar sign type regulated by the chapter.
- All sign permit applications must demonstrate compliance with any applicable sign plan, sign program, or redevelopment plan.
- Special use permits and variances for signs require review and approval by the planning commission after a public hearing.
- Variance requests cannot be used to allow off site commercial message signs.
- A variance is required to deviate from requirements such as landscaping for permanent freestanding or monument signs, with a public hearing and satisfaction of variance qualifications before the planning commission.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/nevada/boulder-city