# Sign Regulations in Watford City, North Dakota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Watford City, North Dakota (ND)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-dakota/watford-city
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/ND/Watford_City/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CHXVZOORWANODA_ARTXXISIRE)

## At a glance

Watford City, North Dakota regulates 10 sign types across 3 zoning districts. For Sale/For Rent Signs in the R-1, R-2, R-2M, R-3, R-4, M-H, R-P zoning district are capped at 10 ft when affixed to a building; 3 ft when ground sign tall and 4 sq ft, with a 5 ft from any property line setback (Sec. Section 2, 1(a)-(e)). Most commercial signs in Watford City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-2, R-2M, R-3, R-4, M-H, R-P | 3 | 10 ft when affixed to a building; 3 ft when ground sign | 24 sq ft | — |
| C-1, C-2, C-B, C-F, A-1, A-2, H-I, I-P | 6 | 35 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### R-1, R-2, R-2M, R-3, R-4, M-H, R-P

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign | 10 ft when affixed to a building; 3 ft when ground sign | 4 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any property line | 1 per lot | No closer than 5 feet from any property line; must not obstruct traffic | — | Section 2, 1(a)-(e) |
| Bulletin Board/Church or Public Institution Sign | 6 ft for ground signs; 10 ft if affixed to a building | 24 sq ft | — | 8 ft from any side or rear; 1/2 front yard for front yard installation | 1 per street side | One per street side on the same site as the principal building. If in front yard, no closer to street line than 1/2 the front yard setback; not closer than 8 ft from any side or rear property line | — | Section 2, 2(a)-(i) |
| Identification Sign (Pre-existing Buildings on Property Line) | — | — | — | — | 1 per such building | On building constructed on property line prior to effective date. | — | Section 2, 2(h) |

### C-1, C-2, C-B, C-F, A-1, A-2, H-I, I-P

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign (General) | — | 3 × lineal feet of frontage; 400 sq ft per face maximum | — | Not projecting over alley right-of-way. If in unified center with ≥25 ft setback, sign may be in required front yard but not overhanging right-of-way. | 2 per business/profession (1 per facade with road frontage) | Not projecting over any alley right-of-way line | — | Section 3, items 1-6, 9, 10, 14, 15; Section 5 |
| Business Sign - Option 2 (Unified Shopping Center Main ID) | 35 ft | — | 16 ft | — | 1 per unified shopping center (additional) | On site; may be freestanding or building-attached | — | Section 3, item 7(a) |
| Directional Sign (Unified Shopping Center) | 2 ft; max height above grade 5 ft to top of sign | 6 sq ft | 3 ft | — | — | Common parking lots, locations not creating traffic hazard | — | Section 3, item 7(b) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Permanently affixed to the surface on which it sits | — | Section 3, item 11 |
| Wall Sign (Building on Property Line) | — | 3 × lineal feet of frontage (or linear feet of lot frontage in CB for perpendicular signs); 400 sq ft per face | — | If perpendicular and projecting in CB: 3 ft from front face of curb to outer sign edge; min 7.5 ft height clearance over sidewalk | — | Affixed flat against face or front edge of marquee. In CB: may mount perpendicular and overhang sidewalk (min 3 ft from curb), min 7.5 ft clearance above sidewalk. | — | Section 3, item 12(a)-(g) |
| Freestanding Sign (25 ft or more Setback) | — | — | — | Must not overhang right-of-way; location requirements as above | 1 per street frontage | Erected in required front yard for buildings set back 25 ft or more, provided sign is permanently affixed and does not overhang sidewalk/street/right-of-way | — | Section 3, item 13, 14, 15 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard (Nonconforming - Grandfathered) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Section 4 |

## Prohibited signs in Watford City

- Prohibition of signs of a commercial nature in districts where commercial activities are not permitted.
- No sign shall be located in a manner to constitute a traffic hazard.
- No sign shall project over any alley right-of-way line.
- No sign shall be permitted in the road or highway right-of-way.
- Billboards, defined as off-site signs not related to the property where the sign is located and not in compliance with Sections 2 and 3, are not allowed within the City limits or the ETA.
- Lighted signs in direct vision of a traffic signal shall not use red, green, or amber illumination.
- No sign shall obstruct traffic or obstruct the view of traffic approaching a street intersection.

## Signs exempt from permit in Watford City

- Clocks and/or thermometers installed for public convenience and information are exempt from time limitation requirements for illuminated signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All sign permit applications must include sufficient information and plans, including building elevations, photographs, proposed sign locations on the building, sign design layout (number, types, dimensions of all signs), and a site plan showing the proposed location of all signs.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Watford City, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Watford+City+ND&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-watford-city

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