# Sign Regulations in Yankton, South Dakota

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Yankton, South Dakota (SD)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/south-dakota/yankton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/SD/Yankton/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH27ZO_ARTIIISI)

## At a glance

Yankton, South Dakota regulates 10 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Fan/Booster Signs in the Residential Zones, Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 4 sq ft per occupant, with a 10 ft from structure setback (Sec. Sec. 27-81(6)). Most commercial signs in Yankton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| I-Industrial District, B-2 Highway Business District | 1 | — | 400 sq ft in I-Industrial; 50 sq ft in B-2 Highway Business District | — |
| Business Zones, Industrial Zones, B-2 Zoning District, B-3 Zoning District, Commercial Districts, Commercial or Industrial Districts | 6 | 12 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zones, Residential Districts | 4 | 8 ft above grade | 32 sq ft per parcel | — |
| Agricultural Zones, Agricultural Districts | 2 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | No sign shall exceed the maximum height of structures in zoning ordinance | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Business Zones, Industrial Zones, B-2 Zoning District, B-3 Zoning District, Commercial Districts, Commercial or Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | 12 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property; must be removed within 7 days after purpose is completed | — | Sec. 27-80(2) |
| Banner Sign | — | 48 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 44 ft of street frontage | Parallel to and within 2 ft of principal permitted structure wall. | — | Sec. 27-80(4) |
| A-frame, T-frame or Sandwich Board Sign | — | Less than 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per adjacent parcel frontage | On public sidewalk in B-2 and B-3 zoning districts only if building fronts are located on the property line. Must allow minimum 5-ft clear walkway. | — | Sec. 27-80(5) |
| Fan/Booster Sign | 12 ft above grade | 32 sq ft per parcel | — | — | — | Must be located on private property. | — | Sec. 27-80(6) |
| Projection Sign | — | — | — | 4 ft from curb line minimum | — | — | — | Sec. 27-80(7) |
| Electronic Message Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 27-80(8) |

### Residential Zones, Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | 8 ft above grade | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property | — | Sec. 27-81(3)-(4) |
| Identification Sign (Multi-Family/Residential Areas w/ Multiple Units) | — | 32 sq ft per parcel | — | — | 1 per multifamily parcel or subdivision | On private property | — | Sec. 27-81(3) |
| Fan/Booster Sign | — | 4 sq ft per occupant | — | 10 ft from structure | 1 per occupant | Must be within 10 ft of principal permitted structure on private property. | — | Sec. 27-81(6) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Associated with Nonresidential Use) | — | — | — | — | — | Only where permitted nonresidential uses exist | — | Sec. 27-81(8) |

### Agricultural Zones, Agricultural Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On private property | — | Sec. 27-82(b) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Associated with Nonresidential Use) | — | — | — | — | — | Where permitted nonresidential uses exist | — | Sec. 27-82(c) |

## Prohibited signs in Yankton

- No sign shall contain obscenity or child pornography.
- No sign shall contain false, deceptive, or misleading commercial expression.
- No sign shall contain defamation.
- No sign shall contain threats.
- No sign shall contain messages furthering illegal activity.
- Banners located more than two (2) feet from a principal permitted structure wall are prohibited.
- Beacon signs are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Gas pump bollard signs are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs are prohibited.
- Search light signs are prohibited.
- Streamer signs are prohibited.
- Trailer or vehicle signs are prohibited.
- No sign or sign structure shall resemble, imitate, simulate, or conflict with traffic control signs or devices.
- No sign or sign structure shall mislead or confuse persons traveling on public streets if a traffic hazard is caused.
- No sign shall be placed in any location which creates a safety hazard by obstructing the clear view of pedestrians or vehicles.
- No sign shall be placed in any location which obscures a government sign or signal.
- No sign or sign structure shall be placed in any location which obstructs any required egress from a building or structure.
- No sign shall be attached to organic or inorganic natural matter (such as a tree), utility pole, public bench, street light, or a street sign.
- No sign shall be placed on any public property or public right-of-way.
- Trailer or vehicle signs which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying the sign are prohibited.
- All signs which are not expressly permitted by the ordinance are prohibited.
- All signs must comply with applicable building and electric codes at all times.
- All signs must be maintained in safe and legible condition; non-maintained signs must be removed or brought into compliance.
- All illuminated signs must not adversely affect surrounding premises or vision of vehicle operators.
- No sign shall exceed the maximum height for structures in the city zoning ordinance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Yankton

- A-frame, T-frame, and sandwich board signs do not require a permit.
- Banner signs do not require a permit.
- Construction contractor's signs do not require a permit.
- Fan/booster signs do not require a permit.
- Flags do not require a permit.
- Identification signs do not require a permit.
- Incidental signs do not require a permit.
- Government signs do not require a permit.
- Gas pump topper signs do not require a permit.
- All signs excluded from the definition of "sign" (non-visible, display signs, figurines, government signs, integrated signs, nameplate signs) do not require a permit.
- Ordinary maintenance and repairs of any sign do not require a permit.
- Temporary signs do not require a permit.
- Signs erected by an owner on their own premises are exempt from the sign contractor licensing requirement.
- Grandfathered, lawfully existing signs (subject to specific provisions) are exempt from the permit requirement unless use is changed, discontinued, or sign is abandoned.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All applications for a permanent sign or modification of an existing permanent sign must be accompanied by a detailed site plan, elevation drawings, sign dimensions, design features, type of illumination, size and type of existing signs, and other applicable data as required by the city.
- All applications for an impermanent sign or modification of an existing impermanent sign must be accompanied by a site plan, drawings, illumination type, and other data as required.
- The city has enacted licensing and permit requirements for signs, except where stated exemptions apply.
- Variances from the provisions of the sign ordinance may be granted by the board of city commissioners when unnecessary hardship exists.

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

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