# Sign Regulations in Huron, South Dakota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Huron, South Dakota (SD)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/south-dakota/huron
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/SD/Huron/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=TIT23ZO_CH23.40SI)

## At a glance

Huron, South Dakota regulates 28 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Temporary Commercial Yard Signs in the R districts zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 6 sq ft, with a Not in visibility triangles or public ROW. setback (Sec. 23.40.220(3)). Most commercial signs in Huron require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | Roof-mounted: up to 30 ft. | 100 sq ft per business location exempt; banners exceeding 100 sq ft counted toward zone sign area limit. | — |
| R districts | 9 | 4 ft | 108 sq ft (aggregate of all on-site signs) | — |
| B-1 Limited Business District | 3 | 4 ft | 250 sq ft (for any one sign; total area of signage must not exceed 250 sq ft) | — |
| B-2 Central Business District, MF Medical Facilities district | 4 | 35 ft | 250 sq ft (for any one sign; total area of signage must not exceed 250 sq ft) | — |
| B-3 General Business District | 5 | 35 ft | 800 sq ft (for any one sign; total area of signage must not exceed 800 sq ft) | — |
| I districts, I-1, I-2 | 3 | 4 ft | 800 sq ft (any one sign or combination total) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | Not closer than 1 foot from front and side property line in B, I, MF zones; 12 ft from sideline of street; see intersection/driveway safety zone. | — | Must be placed in or upon private property and not within the public right-of-way except as authorized for governmental signs. | — | 23.40.110(2); 23.40.130(3-4); 23.40.150(4-5); 23.40.160(2); 23.40.110(8) |
| Monument Sign | Monument sign face located within 4 feet from the ground. | — | — | — | — | Freestanding, supported by a base of at least 75% of the sign width. | — | 23.40.030(27) |
| Electronic Message Center Sign | — | — | — | Must meet all other setback regulations. | — | Must be attached to marquee, freestanding, or wall sign (not perpendicular). | — | 23.40.200, 23.40.220(13), 23.40.235(12), 23.40.240(9), 23.40.250(6) |
| Temporary Commercial Sign | 8 ft for construction/realty signs. | Signs for real estate or construction 32 sq ft max; others see zone specifics. | — | — | — | On same site as advertised property or project; not on public ROW. | — | 23.40.080(4), 23.40.180 |
| Banner Sign | — | 100 sq ft per business location exempt; banners exceeding 100 sq ft counted toward zone sign area limit. | — | — | — | On building or freestanding sign in B-2; freestanding signs, building walls, steel/wood posts or parking lot lights in B-1, B-3, and I districts. | — | 23.40.180(5)(c) |
| Portable Inflatable Sign | Roof-mounted: up to 30 ft. | Ground-mounted: 15 ft x 30 ft; roof-mounted: 25 ft x 30 ft; high-flying: 500 cu ft. | Roof-mounted: up to 25 ft. | — | No more than two per business location at a time. | Cannot interfere with utility lines, antennas, or towers; not in airport approach zone. No cabling/tether lines on or across public property. | — | 23.40.080(7), 23.40.180(4) |
| Portable Sign (Non-inflatable) | — | 32 sq ft per sign. | — | — | Up to 2 per business, if of equal duration and run concurrently. | Commercial and industrial zoning districts only. | — | 23.40.180(3), 23.40.180(5)(a-b) |
| Nameplate Sign | — | Up to 3 sq ft as integral sign; otherwise see zone-specific restrictions. | — | — | — | Building, integral to structure or as allowed in respective zones. | — | 23.40.080(5), 23.40.220 |

### R districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (Single-family, Home Occupation, Child Care Facility) | — | 2 sq ft | — | See (3)(a-b) and must be at least 1 foot from property line. | One per property | On the property; may indicate occupant name/address. | — | 23.40.220(1), 23.40.150(3)(a-b) |
| Nameplate Sign (Multifamily, Directory/Complex) | — | 6 sq ft per face (dual or single faced) | — | — | One per apartment complex | On property. | — | 23.40.220(2) |
| Temporary Commercial Yard Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Not in visibility triangles or public ROW. | One per residential property | On private property—must be removed upon sale/rental/lease closing; not on public ROW. | — | 23.40.220(3) |
| Temporary Non-Commercial Yard Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Not in visibility triangles or public ROW. | Two per residential property | On private property (not public ROW). | — | 23.40.220(4) |
| Permanent Commercial Yard Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On property of home occupation. | — | 23.40.220(5) |
| Residential Development Area Sign | — | 100 sq ft (aggregate for development) | — | — | One per project site | On project site | — | 23.40.220(8) |
| Church/Religious Institution Sign | — | 108 sq ft (aggregate of all on-site signs) | — | — | — | On site | — | 23.40.220(10) |
| Commercial Business Sign | — | 32 sq ft (aggregate for all signage) | — | — | — | On property | — | 23.40.220(11) |

### B-3 General Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Commercial Sign | — | 800 sq ft (for any one sign; total area of signage must not exceed 800 sq ft) | — | — | — | On property. | — | 23.40.240(1-2,8) |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 10% of authorized aggregate sign area | — | — | One per lot | On lot, pertains to authorized use. | — | 23.40.240(4) |
| Temporary Commercial or Non-Commercial Yard Sign | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | Two per commercial property | On property (not on public right-of-way). | — | 23.40.240(7) |
| Freestanding Area Identification Sign (Shopping Center) | 35 ft | 250 sq ft | — | — | One per shopping center property | Shopping center property. | — | 23.40.240(6) |
| Electronic Message Center or Digital Display Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23.40.240(9) |

## Prohibited signs in Huron

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish, equip, use or maintain any sign or sign structure contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this code.
- 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.
- Signs shall not project within two feet of the curb line.
- No signs or sign structures shall be placed below a height of twelve feet above the grade unless allowed in specific sections.
- Signs shall not be erected in a manner that would confuse or obstruct the view or interpretation of any official traffic sign, signal or device.
- No sign shall obstruct any openings (windows, etc.) of onsite buildings or buildings on adjacent lots, to such an extent that light or ventilation is reduced below building code requirements.
- Any sign that obstructs the viewing angles or otherwise affects the Intersection and Driveway Safety Zone is prohibited.
- No sign may be located in the public right-of-way except for authorized governmental signs.
- No sign shall be placed within the sight triangle zone as defined (typically 35 feet on each curb line forming the triangle at intersections, 2.5 to 10 feet above curb grade).
- No sign structure may be constructed in utility easement areas along front, side or rear property lines.
- No sign or sign structure shall project into any public alley below a height of 14 feet above grade, with additional projection restrictions for various sign heights.
- Signs and sign structures shall not be attached to or project above the roof of a building.
- It is unlawful to maintain any electric sign that interferes with the reception of radio or television broadcasts.
- A sign shall not be erected or maintained so as to interfere with, or be placed less than twelve feet from, high voltage (above 750 volts) overhead conductors.
- Any sign that is not maintained, is unsafe, or abandoned may be ordered removed.
- No sign shall emit light so that it shines on any part of an existing residence, into a residential district, or into the eyes of the driving public on adjacent public streets.
- Prohibited display elements for electronic signs include: animation unrelated to the message, flashing red/amber/blue colors, spinning motion, and simulation of traffic control devices.
- Billboard advertising signs are prohibited within residential 'R', 'B-1', 'B-2', 'B-3', 'MF', and 'I' districts inside city limits.
- Rooftop signs and signs extending beyond the rooftop are prohibited.
- Flashing or illuminated flashing signs are generally prohibited in 'R' and 'B-1' districts; when allowed, flashing or rotating lights may not be red, yellow (amber), or blue.
- Portable signs are not authorized within residential zoning districts unless otherwise specified.

## Signs exempt from permit in Huron

- Governmental signs: directional signs, street name signs, or other signs authorized and erected by a governmental body.
- Maintenance painting or cleaning of an advertising structure or the advertising copy/message (unless structural change is made). Changes from change in ownership or name are not exempt.
- Political signs or banners with limited placement time (not to exceed 75 days before an event, must be removed within seven days after the event).
- Temporary commercial signs that notify of real property for sale, rental, lease, auctions, or identify builders/contractors working on a project on the same site (with additional requirements specified in code).
- Integral signs: Names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets, and the like, of permanent-type construction and made an integral part of the building structure, up to three square feet.
- Pennants made of cloth, fabric or other lightweight material may be displayed for up to 60 days per calendar year at any one business location.
- Portable inflatable signs (high-flying, helium, and ground inflatable signs) up to specified size/volume and for up to 60 days per calendar year at any one business location. High-flying inflatables not to be located in airport approach zones or interfere with utility lines.
- Private, on-site, traffic direction signs meeting specified size, height, and usage requirements.
- Home occupation: Two square feet wall mounted sign.
- Signs advertising special events within city parks, limited in type and duration, and approved by the Director of Parks and Recreation (not on public ROW).
- Window signs (as previously defined).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Application for a sign permit must include a sketch or drawing showing the location and dimensions of the sign on the lot and building. The building official or zoning administrator may require the filing of plans or other pertinent information where in their opinion such information is necessary to ensure compliance with this code.
- Standard plans may be filed with the building official or zoning administrator.
- If a proposed sign will exceed allowed square footage, a variance must be obtained prior to installing the sign.
- For permanent signs, if conversion of a temporary sign to a permanent sign is desired after 60 days, an application for a permanent sign must be submitted for approval by the Planning Director or Building Official.
- Electronic message centers or digital display signs in residential zoning districts require a conditional use permit.
- Master sign plan requirements are not specifically mentioned by name but submittal of plans and/or additional information may be required at the discretion of the building official or zoning administrator.

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

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