Sign Regulations in Madison, South Dakota
Madison, South Dakota has specific sign regulations covering 12 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Ground Sign, Parking Signs. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Madison, South Dakota
Sample Sign Requirements in Madison
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign (Religious, Institutional, Non-Residential, or Residential Development Use) | 15 ft | 32 sq. ft. | 0' from right-of-way, 5' from lot lines |
| Wall Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Parking Sign | — | 1 sq. ft. | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
12
- Wall Sign
- Ground Sign
- Parking Signs
- Ground Sign (Religious, Institutional, Non-Residential, or Residential Development Use)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
7
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Madison
Other Cities in South Dakota
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Madison vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Madison, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Madison, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Ground Sign, Parking Signs, Ground Sign (Religious, Institutional, Non-Residential, or Residential Development Use), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Madison vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Madison are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Madison has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Madison, South Dakota Sign Rules at a Glance
Madison, South Dakota regulates 12 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Religious, Institutional, Non-Residential, or Residential Development Use)s in the R-Districts zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 32 sq. ft., with a 0' from right-of-way, 5' from lot lines setback (Sec. Sec. 17.34.03 Table 1, Sec. 17.34.04 Table 2). Most commercial signs in Madison require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Madison, South Dakota
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Madison (7 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-Districts | 4 | 40 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| CB, GB, NB, MU-R, HB, ML, MH | 8 | HB: 40 ft, ML/MH: 30 ft (If adjacent to State/Federal Hwy in ML/MH: 40 ft) | 700 sq. ft. | — |
| AG | 1 | — | 1 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential Districts | 3 | 15 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial Districts | 4 | — | 1 sq. ft. | — |
| Industrial Districts | 5 | ML: 30 ft, MH: 30 ft; If adjacent to State/Federal Hwy: 40 ft | 700 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Madison(sample of 3 of 7 zones)
R-Districts
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign (Religious, Institutional, Non-Residential, or Residential Development Use) | 15 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | 0' from right-of-way, 5' from lot lines | 1 | From right-of-way: 0 ft; From lot lines: 5 ft | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03 Table 1, Sec. 17.34.04 Table 2 |
| Wall Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 | On building wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03 Table 1, Sec. 17.34.04 Table 2 |
| Parking Sign | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On parking area | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03 Table 1, Table 2 |
| Off-premise Sign (Religious, Institutional, Non-Residential) | 40 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | 20' from ROW; 400'/700' from other off-premises signs | — | Min setback 20' from right-of-way; separation 400'/700' between off-premise signs; not permitted on roof | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03 Table 1, Sec. 17.34.04 Table 2, Sec. 17.34.09 |
CB, GB, NB, MU-R, HB, ML, MH
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign | GB: 30 ft, NB: 20 ft, HB: 40 ft, ML/MH: 30 ft | GB: Not stated; NB: Not stated; HB: Not stated; ML/MH: Not stated | — | 0' from right-of-way, 5' from lot lines | GB: 1; NB: 1; HB: 2; ML, MH: 1 | Minimum 0' from right-of-way, 5' from lot lines | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03 Table 1, Sec. 17.34.04 Table 2 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | GB: 4; NB: 2; HB: 4; ML: 4; MH: 4 | On building wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03, 17.34.04 Tables |
| Roof Sign (HB only) | 15 ft above roof line | — | — | — | — | HB district on roof | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03, Table 1; Table 2 |
| Projecting Sign (HB only) | — | — | — | — | 1 | On building projecting | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03 Table 1, Table 2; 17.34.06 |
| Parking Signs | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Parking area | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03 Table 1, Table 2 |
| Off-premise Sign | HB: 40 ft, ML/MH: 30 ft (If adjacent to State/Federal Hwy in ML/MH: 40 ft) | 700 sq. ft. | — | 20' from ROW, 100' from special uses, 400'/700' separation | — | Ground sign; not on roof | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03, 17.34.04, 17.34.09 |
| Development Sign | 15 ft | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Ground sign for development | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03 Table 1, 17.34.04 Table 2, 17.34.11 |
| Temporary Signs | — | — | — | Same as ground sign in district | — | On-premises | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03 Table 1, Sec. 17.34.10 |
Industrial Districts
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03 Table 1, 17.34.04 Table 2 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03 Table 1, 17.34.04 Table 2 |
| Parking Signs | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Parking area | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03 Table 1, Table 2 |
| Off-premise Sign | ML: 30 ft, MH: 30 ft; If adjacent to State/Federal Hwy: 40 ft | 700 sq. ft. | — | 20' from ROW, 100' from certain uses, 400'/700' separation | — | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03, 17.34.04, 17.34.09 |
| Development Sign | 15 ft | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Ground sign | — | Unlock | Sec. 17.34.03 Table 1; Table 2, 17.34.11 |
PermitPal covers all 7 zoning districts in Madison — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 7 zones for Madison — start freeProhibited Signs in Madison
- No sign shall be erected, re-erected, or altered unless a permit has been obtained unless no permit is required pursuant to Section 17.3704.4.
- Signs that by reason of position, shape or color, would interfere with the proper function of a traffic sign, signal or be misleading to vehicular traffic are prohibited.
- Signs within a public right-of-way or easement, except for signs installed by governmental subdivisions, are prohibited.
- Signs that resemble any official marker erected by a governmental agency or that display such words as "stop" or "danger," which are not erected by legal authority, are prohibited.
- Signs attached to trees or utility poles are prohibited.
- Signs with rotating beam or flashing illumination are prohibited.
- Signs which project over any public right-of-way are prohibited.
- Signs advertising by letters, words, or figures painted upon any sidewalk within the City are prohibited.
- Advertising signs painted on any exterior building surface are prohibited; such signs must be on a separate frame and not extend beyond 18 inches from the wall surface.
- Trademark signs in excess of two persons per business are prohibited.
- Projecting signs in the CB District are prohibited, except signs projecting over public alleys, which must not be less than 15 feet above the alley surface.
- Signs which project over in public right-of-way are prohibited, except for canopy or awning signs (minimum 7 feet clearance over sidewalk) and wall signs in the CB District.
- Rotating signs are prohibited.
- Signs painted or attached to vehicles where the vehicle is parked on a property and not intended to be moved are prohibited.
- Electronic message signs with sudden movement, including but not limited to blinking and flashing, are prohibited.
- Signs which obstruct the clear view triangle of any required egress from a building or structure are prohibited at all locations except those with zero yard space setback requirements.
- Where otherwise allowed in the setback, no ground sign or sign structure taller than three feet shall be located within a clear view triangle area.
- All signs shall be maintained by the owner in a safe condition.
- On-premise signs shall be removed within 30 days after termination of the use for which it was intended.
- Any sign found to be unsafe, a detriment to the public, not maintained, or in violation of the section may be subject to removal by the City if the owner fails to comply after written notice.
Exempt Signs in Madison
- Pedestrian, vehicular-traffic, and parking directional signs in parking lots, provided such signs are less than eight square feet in area and six feet in height.
- Public signs, street signs, warning signs, railroad crossing signs, or signs of public service companies for the purpose of safety.
- Signs denoting the architect, engineer, contractor, or owners, when placed upon a work site, provided they are removed within ten days after completion of construction.
- Signs designating candidates seeking public political office, provided the sign does not exceed eight square feet, is located on private property, and does not obstruct lines of sight.
- Signs or posters attached or painted on the inside of a display window, including illuminated signs (but not flashing signs).
- Flags, badges, or insignia of any government, governmental agency, or any civic, religious, or similar organization.
- Emergency signs required by any governmental agency.
- Temporary real estate signs pertaining only to the sale, rental or development of the lot upon which displayed; not to exceed six square feet for residential property or 24 square feet for other property; one sign per lot and removed within ten days following sale, lease, or development.
- Banners placed on private property for advertising a special sales event or grand opening, provided they contain no advertising.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into or attached to masonry surfaces or incombustible material.
- Home occupation signs, non-illuminated, attached to the wall of a dwelling, and not exceeding two square feet.
- Temporary real estate development signs pertaining to the sale, rental, or development of the premises on which displayed, with one sign per development and subject to the size limitations specified (32, 150, or 300/500 sq ft depending on acreage and use).
- Signs shall be properly maintained and removed when 80 percent of the project is sold, rented, or developed.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Madison
- Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing on forms furnished by the Administrative Official; plans or other pertinent information may be required to ensure compliance with the Building Code.
- Clustered or planned developments located on a single lot in GB, HB and ML Districts shall be permitted one ground (joint identification) sign identifying the name of the development and/or businesses within the development and one wall sign per business. Area of all signs shall not exceed the total allowable signage for the lot.
- Permanent sports or recreational structures or facilities, such as tennis courts, swimming pools, barbecue pits, and similar improvements require a site plan for such facility to be approved in residential districts.
- Non-commercial greenhouses over 120 square feet in floor area must have an approved site plan.
- Development signs: one ground sign identifying the permanent name of the development or joint identification sign; not to exceed 100 square feet.
- Signs must comply with the International Building Code, as amended from time to time.
- Electronic message signs may be included as a component of total sign area for any permitted sign type.
Source: municode municipal code