# Sign Regulations in Summerset, South Dakota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Summerset, South Dakota (SD)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/south-dakota/summerset
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Summerset, South Dakota regulates 22 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Home Occupation Sign - Freestandings in the Residential District, Residential zoning districts zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 6 sq ft, with a At least 5 ft from property line setback (Sec. § 115.03(B)(15), § 155.275(D)(1)(f)). Most commercial signs in Summerset require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District, Residential zoning districts | 9 | 5 ft | 75 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District, Industrial District, Commercial or industrial district, Commercial or industrial zoning district | 15 | 30 ft | Variable, see formula; max 250 sq ft per sign | — |
| Central Commercial District (C-1) | 4 | 30 ft | Variable; max 250 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | 40 ft | 250 sq ft per face (2+ lane highway); 400 sq ft per face (Interstate) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential District, Residential zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign - Wall | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per approved home occupation | Affixed to the residence exterior wall | — | § 115.03(B)(15); § 155.275(D)(1)(f) |
| Home Occupation Sign - Freestanding | 5 ft | 6 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft from property line | 1 per approved home occupation | On-premises, minimum 5 ft from the property line | — | § 115.03(B)(15), § 155.275(D)(1)(f) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | — | 75 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft from property line | 1 per entrance | At subdivision entrance; set back at least 5 ft from property line | — | § 115.03(B)(16); § 155.275(D)(1)(d) |
| Temporary Event Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 115.03(B)(14); § 155.275(D)(1)(e) |
| Real Estate Sale, Political, or Noncommercial Speech Sign | 5 ft (if freestanding) | 9 sq ft | — | If freestanding, at least 5 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage | On the property; not in right-of-way; at least 5 ft from property line (if freestanding) | — | § 115.03(B)(17)(a); § 155.275(D)(2)(a) |
| Business Working Sign (Contractor etc.) | 5 ft (if freestanding) | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage per lot | On the lot under service; must be removed immediately when work party leaves | — | § 115.03(B)(17)(b); § 155.275(D)(2)(b) |
| Under Construction Signs | — | Combined total 70 sq ft (for up to 3 signs) | — | — | Up to 3 | On property where construction is active | — | § 115.03(B)(17)(c); § 155.275(D)(2)(e) |
| E-911 Locator Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Building or designated location | — | § 155.275(D)(2)(f) |

### Commercial District, Industrial District, Commercial or industrial district, Commercial or industrial zoning district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Variable, see formula; absolute max per formula | — | — | Maximum combination total for all wall, roof, canopy, projecting per premises (see formula) | Affixed to exterior wall of building | — | § 155.275(C)(2)(a), § 155.275(C)(5), § 115.03(12); § 155.277(B) |
| Freestanding (Ground/Pole) Sign | 30 ft | Variable, see formula; max 250 sq ft per sign | — | Min. 5 ft from property line (front); side/rear per zoning | 1 per street frontage (or 2 if frontage 250'+, with spacing) | On-premises, in compliance with setbacks | — | § 155.275(C)(2)(b), (C)(3), (C)(7); § 115.03(B)(12); § 155.277(B) |
| Projecting Wall Sign | — | 32 sq ft (per sign face) | 6 ft vertical dimension | — | 1 per premises, or 1 per frontage if multiple entrances/corner | Attached to and supported by building wall; in C-1 may project over state highway with permission. | — | § 155.275(C)(4) |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | 4 ft from all outside walls of building | 1 per premises | On/over building roof; set back at least 4 ft from all outside walls | — | § 155.275(C)(6) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | — | 75 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft from property line | 1 per entrance | At subdivision entrance, set back 5 ft from property line | — | § 155.275(D)(1)(d) |
| For Sale or For Rent Sign | 5 ft | 9 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft from property line | 1 per premises | On-premises, at least 5 ft from property line | — | § 155.275(D)(2)(d), § 115.03(B)(18)(b) |
| Under Construction Signs | — | Combined total 70 sq ft (max 3 signs) | — | — | Up to 3 | On premises with active construction | — | § 155.275(D)(2)(e) |
| Political Campaign Sign | 5 ft | 9 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft from property line | — | On-premises; at least 5 ft from property line | — | § 155.275(D)(2)(e) |

### Central Commercial District (C-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Variable; see formula | — | — | Combined total for all wall, roof, canopy, projecting per premises (see formula) | Affixed to exterior wall of building | — | § 155.275(C)(2)(a), (C)(5) |
| Freestanding (Ground/Pole) Sign | 30 ft | Variable; max 250 sq ft | — | Min. 5 ft from property line (front) | 1 per street frontage (or 2 if 250'+ frontage, with proper spacing) | On-premises | — | § 155.275(C)(2)(b), (C)(3), (C)(7) |
| Projecting Wall Sign (C-1) | — | 32 sq ft per face | 6 ft vertical dimension | — | 1 per premises (may be 1 per frontage for corner/multi-entrance) | Attached to building; may project over state highway in C-1 with permission | — | § 155.275(C)(4) |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | 4 ft from outer walls | 1 per premises | On/over roof; set back 4 ft from all outside walls | — | § 155.275(C)(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Summerset

- Signs attached or applied to trees, utility poles, vending machines, boxes, benches, and other unapproved supporting structures.
- Signs encroaching on a public right-of-way or extending beyond a property line except as allowed by this chapter.
- Illuminated signs containing flashing, intermittent, or moving light that interferes with the public’s enjoyment of property or the traveled way of streets or obscures traffic signs or devices.
- Signs that constitute pedestrian or vehicular traffic hazards or which could be confused with any governmental regulatory, directional, or warning sign.
- Signs attached to any public property, including but not limited to power poles, street light poles, traffic signs, fire hydrants, or any public building.
- Signs that interfere with traffic signs or signals.
- Signs that have vulgar pictures or wording.
- Signs that cause a visibility problem or interfere with traffic in any way.
- No off-premises or on-premises sign shall be constructed which resembles any official marker erected by a governmental entity or which by reason of position, shape, or color would conflict with the proper functioning of any official traffic control device, sign, or marker.
- No sign (including political signs) is allowed to be located in any public right-of-way or public or private access easement (except for city-issued signs for public notice of proposed land use changes).
- No sign shall exceed two sides; signs shall have no more than one frontal face and one back face as viewed from one static position.
- No sign shall be constructed, placed, or erected at or near any intersection such that it would violate required sight triangles or visibility requirements.
- No sign shall be constructed which does not comply with adopted Building Code and Electric Code.
- No debris from the construction or maintenance of a sign shall be left at the location or vicinity of a sign.
- Signs not expressly permitted by the ordinance are prohibited.
- Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said signs.
- Moving signs.
- Tethered, airborne devices advertising a business, product, or service.
- Searchlights, pennants, spinners, and streamers except for specified occasions.
- Flags displaying an advertising message, except for specified governmental or organizational flags.
- Wall or protruding signs that project above the wall upon which they are attached.
- Off-premises advertising signs painted on building structures.
- Signs not complying with illumination and shielding requirements.
- It shall be unlawful to willfully deface, injure, move, obstruct, or interfere with any official traffic sign or signal.

## Signs exempt from permit in Summerset

- Changing the sign face or the copy or message on signs specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning, or minor maintenance of a sign provided no structural alteration is made.
- Window signs, real estate signs, and like signs of a temporary nature.
- Governmental regulatory, directional, informational, and warning signs; governmental agency flags, emblems, and insignia; and temporary signs placed for the purpose of public safety.
- Commemorative plaques placed by recognized historical agencies and commissions.
- Signs which can be viewed only from within the confines of a structure or other clearly defined space.
- Instructional or identification signs less than two square feet, such as parking information.
- Political election signs not exceeding specified square footage and removed within one week after the election.
- City-issued signs for public notice of proposed land use changes.
- Vehicles or trailers whose primary use is other than outdoor advertising.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for a sign permit must include a site plan showing the location and setbacks on the property where the sign is to be located.
- The city may require the applicant to file a site and/or sign plan drawn to scale showing the location and size of all structures and signs upon the lot, including the location of off-street parking.
- Sign and sign structure design must be reviewed and inspected for compliance with the applicable Building Code and Electric Code, which may require plan submission.
- A sign posting requirement exists in connection with variance applications (variance signs must be no smaller than 18 inches by 18 inches).

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

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