# Sign Regulations in Bismarck, North Dakota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bismarck, North Dakota (ND)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-dakota/bismarck
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-15
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.bismarcknd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1962/Title-14---Zoning?bidId=#page=123)

## At a glance

Bismarck, North Dakota regulates 32 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Residential Subdivision/Complex/MHP Entrance Identification)s in the Residential Zoning District (R5, R10, RM, RMH, RR, RR5) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 60 sq ft (per sign), with a Subject to general placement restrictions; not subject to additional setback beyond 14-03.1-05 setback (Sec. Residential Zoning District Standards (4)(a)-(h)). Most commercial signs in Bismarck require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | Height measured from top of nearest curb to highest point of sign face | Up to 5 sq ft per electronic component; maximum 3 components per sign | — |
| Agricultural Zoning District (A) | 2 | 8 ft (including supports) | 60 sq ft (face) | — |
| Residential Zoning District (R5, R10, RM, RMH, RR, RR5) | 7 | 20 ft | 60 sq ft (per sign) | — |
| Commercial Zoning District (CA, HM, RT) | 6 | Up to 80 ft (with SUP) | 60 sq ft (face) | — |
| Commercial Zoning District (CG), Industrial Zoning District (MA, MB) | 10 | Up to 80 ft (with SUP) | Per face ≤672 sq ft; height of face ≤16 ft; width ≤50 ft; minimum per face area ≥200 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Core (DC) | 6 | ≤20 ft | Subject to total allowable area formula above | — |
| Downtown Fringe (DF) | 6 | ≤20 ft | Subject to total allowable area formula above | — |

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

### Residential Zoning District (R5, R10, RM, RMH, RR, RR5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Residential Subdivision/Complex/MHP Entrance Identification) | 8 ft | 60 sq ft (per sign) | — | Subject to general placement restrictions; not subject to additional setback beyond 14-03.1-05 | Max 2 per entrance/complex/park | At entrances to residential subdivisions (including staged phases sharing a name), multifamily complexes, or manufactured home parks | — | Residential Zoning District Standards (4)(a)-(h) |
| Freestanding Sign (Non-Residential Uses on Residentially Zoned Property) | 20 ft | Per formula (no separate cap stated) | — | Pole signs: ≥ sign height from front property line; Monument: per general rules | 1 per frontage; max 2 total | On parcels with non-residential uses (e.g., schools, religious institutions), not for home occupations | — | Residential Zoning District Standards (5)(a)-(b) |
| Wall Sign (Non-Residential Uses on Residentially Zoned Property) | — | Per formula; small lot exception allows up to 20 sq ft | — | None beyond general rules | 1 per frontage; max 4 total | Affixed only to principal building (not accessory buildings) | — | Residential Zoning District Standards (5)(a)(i); (5)(c)(ii)-(iv) |
| Electronic Message Center Sign (Residential Districts) | — | EMC portion ≤32 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 EMC per parcel | On-premise; within residential districts or within 150 ft of a residential district (then residential EMC standards apply) | — | Residential Zoning District Standards (5)(d)-(f) |
| Portable Sign (by Special Use Permit) | 8 ft (including supports) | 60 sq ft (face) | — | — | — | On private property; residential zoning districts | — | Residential Zoning District Standards (3)(b); (6)(a)-(b); 14-03.1-08(5) |
| Wall Sign (Home Occupation - Minor) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Attached to a primary or accessory structure on the lot | — | Residential Zoning District Standards (7)(a) |
| On-Premise Sign (Home Occupation - Major) | — | Per formula | — | — | 1 | On the property | — | Residential Zoning District Standards (7)(b)-(c) |

### Commercial Zoning District (CA, HM, RT)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Pole or Monument) | 30 ft | No maximum allowable sign area in these districts | — | Per general placement rules | 1 per frontage; add 1 per additional 350 ft frontage | On-premise | — | 14-03.1-08(3)(a)(i)-(iv)a; (3)(a)(iii); (3)(a)(iv)iv |
| Freestanding Sign (Interstate-Oriented - Special Use Permit) | Up to 80 ft (with SUP) | No maximum for total sign area stated; EMC above 50 ft prohibited | — | — | — | Within 660 ft of, and oriented toward, an Interstate | — | 14-03.1-08(3)(a)(v)a-d |
| Wall Sign | No height limit for wall signs | No maximum allowable wall sign area | — | No setbacks required | No limit | On principal building only | — | 14-03.1-08(3)(b)(i)-(vi) |
| Projecting Sign (includes signs on awnings) | No height limit for projecting signs | No maximum allowable projecting sign area | — | May extend into required setbacks; not considered part of a structure for setback determination | No limit | On-building | — | 14-03.1-08(3)(c)(i)-(vi) |
| Electronic Message Center Sign - Area Limits by Roadway Class and Zone (CA, HM, RT) | — | Varies by roadway class and zone (see Additional Requirements) | — | — | Max 1 EMC per street frontage per parcel | On-premise; Commercial (CA, HM, RT) | — | 14-03.1-08(3)(d)(i)-(vi); EMC area table; 14-03.1-08(3)(d) preface re: 150 ft residential proximity |
| Portable Sign | 8 ft (including supports) | 60 sq ft (face) | — | — | — | On-premise (unless for community-wide event) | — | 14-03.1-08(5)(a)-(g); 14-03.1-04(4) |

### Commercial Zoning District (CG), Industrial Zoning District (MA, MB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Pole or Monument) | 50 ft | No maximum allowable sign area in these districts | — | Per general placement rules | 1 per frontage; add 1 per additional 350 ft frontage | On-premise | — | 14-03.1-08(3)(a)(i)-(iv)b; (3)(a)(iii); (3)(a)(iv)iv |
| Freestanding Sign (Interstate-Oriented - Special Use Permit) | Up to 80 ft (with SUP) | No maximum for total sign area stated; EMC above 50 ft prohibited | — | — | — | Within 660 ft of, and oriented toward, an Interstate | — | 14-03.1-08(3)(a)(v)a-d |
| Wall Sign | No height limit for wall signs | No maximum allowable wall sign area | — | No setbacks required | No limit | On principal building only | — | 14-03.1-08(3)(b)(i)-(vi) |
| Projecting Sign (includes signs on awnings) | No height limit for projecting signs | No maximum allowable projecting sign area | — | May extend into required setbacks; not considered part of a structure for setback determination | No limit | On-building | — | 14-03.1-08(3)(c)(i)-(vi) |
| Off-Premise Advertising Sign (Other Arterials) | ≤50 ft overall; clearance of sign face ≥10 ft | Per face ≤300 sq ft; height of face ≤16 ft; width ≤30 ft; minimum per face area ≥200 sq ft | ≤30 ft (per face) | Front yard setback ≥15 ft (except I-94 oriented signs); other spacing/setback rules above | — | Adjacent only to a minor or principal arterial roadway (including adjacent local/frontage roadways within arterial ROW) | — | 14-03.1-08(4)(a)-(k) (general); (c)-(d), (e) first clause, (g)-(j) |
| Off-Premise Advertising Sign (Interstate 94 or Bismarck Expressway east of Airport Rd) | ≤50 ft overall; clearance of sign face ≥10 ft | Per face ≤672 sq ft; height of face ≤16 ft; width ≤50 ft; minimum per face area ≥200 sq ft | ≤50 ft (per face) | Front yard setback exemption applies; other spacing/setbacks per ordinance | — | Oriented toward Interstate 94 (not business loop) or Bismarck Expressway east of intersection with Airport Rd | — | 14-03.1-08(4)(e) second clause; (4)(c) exception; (4)(d), (4)(g)-(j) |
| Digital Off-Premise Advertising Sign (Other Arterials) | ≤50 ft overall; clearance of sign face ≥10 ft | Same as corresponding static off-premise sign area limits for location | Same as corresponding static off-premise sign width limits for location | Front yard setback ≥15 ft (except I-94 oriented signs); other spacing/setback rules apply | — | Adjacent only to a minor or principal arterial roadway (including adjacent local/frontage roadways within arterial ROW) | — | 14-03.1-08(4)(l)(i)-(iv); (4)(i) last sentence (1,200 ft digital spacing); plus (4)(a)-(k) as applicable |
| Digital Off-Premise Advertising Sign (Interstate 94 or Bismarck Expressway east of Airport Rd) | ≤50 ft overall; clearance of sign face ≥10 ft | Per face ≤672 sq ft; height of face ≤16 ft; width ≤50 ft; minimum per face area ≥200 sq ft | ≤50 ft (per face) | Front yard setback exemption applies; other spacing/setback rules apply | — | Oriented toward Interstate 94 (not business loop) or Bismarck Expressway east of intersection with Airport Rd | — | 14-03.1-08(4)(e) second clause; (4)(l)(i)-(iv); (4)(i) digital spacing; (4)(a)-(k) as applicable |

## Prohibited signs in Bismarck

- Private signs that resemble or conflict with public signs or traffic control devices
- Roof signs that project above the parapet, eave line, or deck line of a building roof
- High-intensity outward lighting devices such as strobe lights, searchlights, laser lights, or beacons (unless part of a temporary lighting display exempted)
- Signs using mechanical motion (rotating, revolving, pivoting, swinging), except rotating barber poles
- Signs painted on or affixed to vegetation (trees or other organic matter)
- Signs that use live animals
- Signs using pyrotechnics (open flames, sparks, explosions, or non-electrical illumination), except compliant fireworks displays
- Signs that emit sound through speakers or other devices, including audible advertising for on-premise activities
- Use of parked vehicles as signs unless the vehicle is used in normal business conduct or as an example of products sold on premises, is operable and properly registered, and is lawfully parked
- Illumination of temporary and portable signs is not permitted
- No sign, or any part, within or above a public right-of-way without an approved encroachment agreement (or as specifically permitted for sidewalk signs in downtown districts)
- No wall or projecting signs within sight triangles (except where exempted in downtown zoning districts); no freestanding sign may obstruct the vertical space between 3 and 10 feet above grade in sight triangles except a pole/base ≤ 8 inches in diameter/longest cross-section
- No part of any sign or its supports may project across or over any property line
- No sign (other than temporary types) within or above utility, access, stormwater/drainage, or other easements unless waived in writing by the City Engineer and/or easement owners
- No sign may obstruct required means of egress from windows or doors per building/fire code
- Content that may be reasonably confused with traffic control/public safety devices (e.g., 'stop', 'caution', 'danger') is prohibited
- Obscene content lacking serious value is prohibited
- Unlawful content under local, state or federal law (e.g., slander, defamation, incitement to imminent lawless action, true threats) is prohibited
- Signs may not resemble or interfere with the effectiveness or visibility of traffic control devices or motorists’ view of traffic at intersections

## Signs exempt from permit in Bismarck

- Address numbers (street address markings) except where the address is also part of a business/organization name on the sign
- Air-blown signs (temporary) with conditions: max 7-day display; up to 2 non-consecutive periods per calendar year separated by at least 30 days; prohibited in downtown districts
- Architectural features integral to building design using permanent materials common to the building
- Beacon transmissions (location-based wireless like Bluetooth) on private property in compliance with law
- Bulletin boards (e.g., menu boards, event listings) intended for close reading; may only be illuminated externally toward the board
- Carried/worn signs by persons, provided all traffic safety laws are met
- Construction fence signs: must be flush to fence and within fence area; must be removed within 30 days after certificate of occupancy or cessation of fenced activity
- Electronic Message Center (EMC) demonstration: temporary display ≤ 24 hours, used as on-premise with no off-premise content
- Feather flag signs (temporary) with conditions: max 60-day display; up to 2 non-consecutive periods per calendar year separated by at least 30 days; prohibited in downtown districts
- Flags or pennants of nations, political subdivisions, corporations, or other entities
- Grave markers in cemeteries
- Identification plaques (small permanent wall signs) with conditions: max 1 per parcel; max 1.5 sq ft in residential districts; max 3 sq ft in commercial/industrial/downtown/agricultural districts; non-illuminated; may be freestanding in agricultural districts
- Inwardly-oriented signs: located indoors; inside stadium/venue and oriented to patrons; interior site/parking direction/info signs; or any sign not intended to be visible from public ROW or adjoining property
- Public art (non-commercial content) with additional conditions in downtown districts (DC/DF) including following Downtown Design Review; not on sides directly adjacent to public ROW (excluding alleys); not on vacant buildings/lots unless under permit/improvement; not on original façades of listed contributing historic structures unless on removable panels and compliant with design review
- Public utilitarian signs: non-commercial signs by political subdivisions or public utilities for traffic control, wayfinding, public safety, legal notice, identifying public facilities or historic landmarks
- Sidewalk signs (portable A-frame) with conditions: max width 2 ft 6 in; max height 4 ft; may be in public ROW only in downtown per Section 14-03.1-09(11); otherwise must be on private property unless encroachment agreement granted
- Site signs (temporary on-premise commercial): permitted for properties for sale or rent in specified districts and RM residential (1 per frontage, +1 on frontages >200 ft; max 64 sq ft, 10 ft height; remove within 30 days of sale/lease/occupancy); for development/construction in any district (≤3 at each entrance; cumulative ≤144 sq ft; ≤10 ft height; display until 30 days after all lots sold or certificate of occupancy); prohibited otherwise; permitted in addition to other signs; non-illuminated
- Small-scale freestanding signs (permanent on-premise ancillary): ≤6 sq ft and ≤3 ft height; ≤2 per street frontage per parcel, in addition to permitted freestanding signs
- Temporary banners with conditions: display ≤300 days per calendar year per business/organization; no off-premise commercial content; must be attached and flush to permanent structure; max 32 sq ft in downtown and residential districts; not on residential properties of 4 units or less; non-illuminated except when affixed to permitted permanent sign structures during occupant transitions
- Temporary lighting displays (low-wattage) for holidays or events, standard effects (flashing/fading) allowed if no public nuisance or traffic hazard
- Vending machine signs integral to legally operating machines
- Window signs with conditions: no off-premise commercial content; in downtown, paper/cardboard/solid surface signs not allowed on second floor or above; in downtown, total window sign coverage per window/door ≤25% of transparent surface unless approved for screening by Downtown Design Review; partially transparent letters/design counted as 50% coverage
- Yard signs (temporary): no off-premise commercial content; on-premise commercial activity signs allowed for duration of activity and removed within 30 days after completion; non-commercial yard signs permitted, unlimited number/duration; not permitted for home occupations under Section 14-03-06(2); each yard sign ≤8 sq ft (one non-commercial sign may exceed for ≤24 hours once per year unless content changes); may be freestanding or attached to fence/deck/garage door (not building wall or vegetation); non-illuminated
- Permit-exempt activities: routine maintenance (painting, cleaning, replacing parts, small repairs; temporary removal/replacement in same location/orientation permitted; enlargement/structural alteration/technology upgrades/relocation not maintenance); change of message on off-premise advertising, changeable copy, and EMC signs (replacing/altering face of other permanent signs is not exempt); removal of any permanent or temporary sign including exclusive supporting structures

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Special Use Permit required for Electronic Message Center (EMC) signs in residential zoning districts or within 150 feet of any residential zoning district
- Special Use Permit required for portable signs in residential zoning districts (term not to exceed two years)
- Special Use Permit required for Interstate-oriented freestanding signs installed above normal height limits (up to 80 feet), with additional submittals similar to off-premise signs and restrictions (no EMC above 50 feet)
- Downtown Design Review required for all signs in DC and DF districts; Committee may waive or impose additional requirements and may delegate review to the Building Official; appeals allowed
- Encroachment agreement required for any sign located within or above a public right-of-way (City Engineer may approve for signs extending above ROW; sidewalk signs in downtown governed by specific standards)
- Permit submittal must include an elevation or photographic visualization with dimensions for most signs (except portable), and a site exhibit for pole, monument, and off-premise advertising signs (may be waived if shown on approved site plan)
- Street visualizations (renderings at 100 ft, 300 ft, 500 ft from each visible approach) required for new EMC and off-premise advertising signs unless waived by the City Engineer
- Operational narrative required for EMC and digital off-premise advertising signs (brightness levels, operating times, transition effects, relevant features)
- State DOT permit required for off-premise advertising signs where applicable under NDCC Chapter 24-17
- Sign Installation License (and liability insurance) required for engaging in the business of erecting/placing signs; license revocable for noncompliance; portable sign reporting required if using license-based placement without individual permits

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

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