# Sign Regulations in Moab, Utah

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Moab, Utah (UT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/utah/moab
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-29
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://moab.municipal.codes/Code/17.93)

## At a glance

Moab, Utah regulates 37 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Fronting Highway)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 28 ft tall and Per sign face: 160 sq ft, with a Set back at least the building setback for the zone (see zone-specific chapters); maintain clear view triangle (under 2.5 ft tall or >8 ft to bottom within 25-ft triangle). setback (Sec. MMC 17.93.040(A); 17.93.070; 17.93.075; 17.93.110–.140; 17.93.150; 17.93.160; 17.93.250). Most commercial signs in Moab require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 28 ft (for signs fronting a highway) | Per lot: 256 sq ft; Per sign face: 160 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RA-1, MH/RV-1) | 10 | Freestanding signs: max 5 ft high (residential freestanding limit) | 50 sq ft per frontage | — |
| Commercial Zones (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, RC, SAR) | 14 | Flag poles that display government flags shall not exceed 35 ft in height in commercial zones | Per lot: 256 sq ft; Per sign face: 160 sq ft | — |
| General Commercial Zone (C-4) | 6 | 28 ft | Per sign face: 160 sq ft | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Fronting Highway) | 28 ft (for signs fronting a highway) | Per lot: 256 sq ft; Per sign face: 160 sq ft | — | Set back from public streets at least the building setback required in the applicable zone; maintain clear view triangle (under 2.5 ft tall or >8 ft clearance to bottom within 25-ft triangle at corners). | — | Fronts on a highway (on-premises signs unless otherwise permitted by zone) | — | MMC 17.93.040(A)(1)-(2); 17.93.070; 17.93.075; 17.93.110–17.93.140; 17.93.180; 17.93.250 |
| Wall Sign (Fronting Off-Highway) | 20 ft (for signs not fronting a highway) | Per lot: 160 sq ft; Per sign face: 160 sq ft | — | Set back at least the building setback for the zone; maintain clear view triangle. | — | Does not front on a highway | — | MMC 17.93.040(B)(1)-(2); 17.93.070; 17.93.075; 17.93.110–17.93.140; 17.93.250 |
| Freestanding Sign (Fronting Highway) | 28 ft | Per sign face: 160 sq ft | — | Set back at least the building setback for the zone (see zone-specific chapters); maintain clear view triangle (under 2.5 ft tall or >8 ft to bottom within 25-ft triangle). | Primary frontage: 1 per lot; +1 additional if frontage >200 ft (second sign ≤50% of allowed height; 100 ft separation). Secondary frontage: 1 freestanding sign allowed per additional frontage (≤50% of allowed height; 100 ft separation). | Fronts on a highway; on private property (not in public ROW) | — | MMC 17.93.040(A); 17.93.070; 17.93.075; 17.93.110–.140; 17.93.150; 17.93.160; 17.93.250 |
| Freestanding Sign (Fronting Off-Highway) | 20 ft | Per sign face: 160 sq ft | — | At least the building setback for the zone; maintain clear view triangle. | Primary frontage: 1 per lot; +1 additional if frontage >200 ft (second sign ≤50% height; 100 ft separation). Secondary frontage: 1 per additional frontage (≤50% height; 100 ft separation). | Does not front on a highway; on private property | — | MMC 17.93.040(B); 17.93.070; 17.93.075; 17.93.110–.140; 17.93.150; 17.93.160; 17.93.250 |
| Roof Sign (Fronting Highway) | May not exceed 4 ft above the wall line/top of exterior wall; if roof peak is over 4 ft above wall line, roof sign may not exceed the peak; overall height also limited to 28 ft for highway-fronting signs (per height computation). | Per sign face: 160 sq ft (also subject to lot maximums) | — | Sign structure must comply with zone building setbacks if classified as freestanding; otherwise mounted to building. | — | Mounted on or above roof; fronting a highway | — | MMC 17.93.040(A); 17.93.060(A)-(C); 17.93.070; 17.93.075; 17.93.110–.120; 17.93.150; 17.93.250 |
| Roof Sign (Fronting Off-Highway) | May not exceed 4 ft above the wall line/top of exterior wall; if roof peak is over 4 ft above wall line, roof sign may not exceed the peak; overall height also limited to 20 ft for off-highway signs (per height computation). | Per sign face: 160 sq ft (also subject to lot maximums) | — | If classified as freestanding, must meet freestanding setbacks. | — | Mounted on or above roof; not fronting a highway | — | MMC 17.93.040(B); 17.93.060(A)-(C); 17.93.070; 17.93.075; 17.93.110–.120; 17.93.150; 17.93.250 |
| Projecting Sign | Max 28 ft or the height of the wall of the building, whichever is lower | 36 sq ft per sign face | — | — | — | Affixed to building, projecting from wall; may project over public ROW only with insurance | — | MMC 17.93.050(A)-(C); 17.93.070; 17.93.075; 17.93.250 |
| Suspended Sign | Max 28 ft or height of wall, whichever is lower | 36 sq ft per sign face | — | — | — | Suspended from underside of a horizontal plane surface | — | MMC 17.93.050(A)-(B); 17.93.070; 17.93.075; 17.93.250; 17.93.390(B)(23) |

### Residential Zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RA-1, MH/RV-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate | — | 4 sq ft (residential signs generally limited to 4 sq ft) | — | Set back at least the building setback for the zone; maintain clear view triangle. | — | On the residence/property | — | MMC 17.93.080(A)-(C); 17.93.210(E); 17.93.250 |
| Property Sign (For Sale/Lease of Residential Property) | — | 4 sq ft | — | At least the building setback for the zone; maintain clear view triangle. | — | On the property offered for sale/lease; not in public ROW | — | MMC 17.93.080(A)-(C); 17.93.250 |
| Apartment/Guest Apartment Sign (More than 4 units) | Freestanding signs: max 5 ft high (residential freestanding limit) | Up to 16 sq ft of signage | — | At least the building setback; maintain clear view triangle. | — | On the premises; freestanding or wall-mounted as applicable | — | MMC 17.93.080(D), (F); 17.93.075; 17.93.250 |
| Apartment/Guest Apartment Sign (Two-household, Triplex, Four-plex) | Freestanding signs: max 5 ft high | Up to 8 sq ft of signage | — | At least the building setback; maintain clear view triangle. | — | On the premises | — | MMC 17.93.080(D), (F); 17.93.075; 17.93.250 |
| Residential Sign (General cap for single-household and most residential signs) | Freestanding: 5 ft max height | 4 sq ft (apartments/public/religious institutional signs have higher allowances per code) | — | At least the building setback; maintain clear view triangle. | — | On the premises; not in public ROW | — | MMC 17.93.080(B)-(F); 17.93.250 |
| Institutional Wall Sign (Public/Educational/Religious) | Shall not project above the roof line | 50 sq ft per frontage | — | Mounted to building; otherwise general setbacks apply. | — | Entirely upon the premises of the institution | — | MMC 17.93.090(A)-(B); 17.93.075; 17.93.250 |
| Institutional Ground Sign (Public/Educational/Religious) | Top no more than 5 ft above ground level | 50 sq ft per frontage | — | At least the building setback; maintain clear view triangle. | — | Entirely upon the premises of the institution | — | MMC 17.93.090(A)-(B); 17.93.075; 17.93.250 |
| Institutional Sign (Nonprofit/Charitable/Private) in Residential | Freestanding signs: 5 ft max height | 4 sq ft | — | At least the building setback; maintain clear view triangle. | — | On the premises | — | MMC 17.93.090(C); 17.93.080(B), (F); 17.93.250 |

### Commercial Zones (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, RC, SAR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Fronting Highway) | 28 ft | Per lot: 256 sq ft; Per sign face: 160 sq ft | — | Set back per zone building setback; see C-4 special setbacks in C-4 zone entry. | — | Fronting a highway | — | MMC 17.93.040(A); 17.93.070; 17.93.075; 17.93.250 |
| Wall Sign (Fronting Off-Highway) | 20 ft | Per lot: 160 sq ft; Per sign face: 160 sq ft | — | Set back per zone building setback. | — | Not fronting a highway | — | MMC 17.93.040(B); 17.93.070; 17.93.075; 17.93.250 |
| Freestanding Sign (Fronting Highway) | 28 ft | Per sign face: 160 sq ft | — | Set back per zone building setback; maintain clear view triangle. | Primary frontage: 1 per lot; +1 if frontage >200 ft (second ≤50% height; 100 ft separation). Secondary frontage: 1 per additional frontage (≤50% height; 100 ft separation). | Fronting a highway; on private property | — | MMC 17.93.040(A); 17.93.150; 17.93.070; 17.93.075; 17.93.250 |
| Freestanding Sign (Fronting Off-Highway) | 20 ft | Per sign face: 160 sq ft | — | Set back per zone building setback; maintain clear view triangle. | Primary frontage: 1 per lot; +1 if frontage >200 ft (second ≤50% height; 100 ft separation). Secondary frontage: 1 per additional frontage (≤50% height; 100 ft separation). | Not fronting a highway | — | MMC 17.93.040(B); 17.93.150; 17.93.070; 17.93.075; 17.93.250 |
| Roof Sign (Commercial - General) | No more than 4 ft above wall line/top of exterior wall; not above roof peak; overall height cap: 28 ft (highway) or 20 ft (off-highway), per location | Per sign face: 160 sq ft | — | If classified as freestanding, must meet freestanding setbacks. | — | Mounted on/above roof | — | MMC 17.93.060(A)-(C); 17.93.040; 17.93.070; 17.93.075; 17.93.150; 17.93.250 |
| Projecting Sign (Commercial) | Max 28 ft or wall height, whichever is lower | 36 sq ft per face | — | — | — | Affixed to building; may project over public ROW only with insurance | — | MMC 17.93.050(A)-(C); 17.93.070; 17.93.075; 17.93.250 |
| Suspended Sign (Commercial) | Max 28 ft or wall height, whichever is lower | 36 sq ft per face | — | — | — | Suspended under horizontal plane | — | MMC 17.93.050(A)-(B); 17.93.075; 17.93.250 |
| Shopping Center/Office Complex Group Freestanding Sign | Per applicable frontage height limit (28 ft highway; 20 ft off-highway) | Up to total lot allowance | — | Set back per zone building setback; maintain clear view triangle. | 1 group freestanding sign per center/complex per lot | On the lot of record containing the shopping center/office complex | — | MMC 17.93.170; 17.93.040; 17.93.150; 17.93.075; 17.93.250 |

## Prohibited signs in Moab

- Lighted signs that flash, blink, create the appearance of movement, have moving light elements, or otherwise change brightness, color, or lighting intensity (including time/temperature signs) are prohibited.
- Electronic variable message signs (EVMS) and electronic/digital display technologies (LED, LCD, etc.) used as signs are prohibited.
- Real-time video projected on outdoor display screens, outdoor video projection screens, and outdoor LED or other display screens used as signs, including in windows, are prohibited.
- Parked vehicles with signs used primarily to direct attention to a business are prohibited (vehicles used regularly in daily business operations are excluded).
- No private sign may be placed on public rights-of-way.
- No private sign may be attached to public property or public utility poles.
- Signs are not permitted on benches or other public service fixtures, except bicycle racks; signs on bicycle racks may not exceed 1 square foot.
- Feather-type signs are prohibited unless secured to a permitted display apparatus.
- Signs may not block traffic visibility.
- External sign lighting that is unshielded is not allowed; sign lighting may not be directed beyond the sign face or be visible beyond property boundaries; all illuminated signs must have stationary, constant lighting and comply with permitted lighting hours.
- Internally illuminated signs may illuminate only sign text and logos; transparent or clear materials for sign text/logos are not allowed; nontext portions must be opaque.
- Illuminated window signs must be turned off when the business is closed.
- Nonconforming signs may not be moved to a new location, structurally altered, enlarged, or replaced unless brought into compliance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Moab

- Public signs of a noncommercial nature erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of official duties (e.g., safety, danger, trespassing, traffic signs, memorial plaques, historical/informational signs).
- Integral signs (names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets, etc.) carved into stone, concrete, metal or similar permanent materials and made an integral part of the structure.
- Private traffic direction signs not exceeding 2 square feet per sign; horizontal directional signs flush with paved areas are exempt; only one exempt directional sign is allowed per frontage per lot.
- Service signs incidental to a lawful use (e.g., directions to parking, restrooms, entrances/exits) not exceeding 2 square feet.
- Name plates containing only the name and address of a resident.
- Temporary decorations or displays associated with national or local holiday celebrations for up to 90 days per year per lot.
- Nonbusiness temporary signs not more than 30 days per year and not exceeding 6 square feet (e.g., garage sale, puppies-for-sale, agricultural produce sales).
- Rear entrance signs associated with pedestrian walk-through buildings, flush-mounted, identifying only the establishment name and directional information, not exceeding 16 square feet.
- Menu signs at drive-in restaurants that are not readable from the nearest public right-of-way; signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or from any public right-of-way are exempt.
- Private warning or instructional signs (e.g., “No Soliciting,” “No Trespassing,” “Beware of Dog”) not exceeding 2 square feet per sign.
- Murals painted on or attached to building walls are exempt, except the lettering and logo portions of the mural.
- Pennants, window dressings, and window banners are exempt.
- Political campaign signs do not require a permit (subject to restrictions on display period, proximity to polling places, size limits by zone, and removal after election).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for the placement, construction, erection, or alteration of all signs unless the sign qualifies as an exempt sign or an identified temporary sign.
- Regardless of cost, no sign may be erected or placed without first obtaining a building permit, except temporary window and political posters, temporary signs pertaining to the sale of adjacent property, and nameplates for identification of an approved home occupation or professional office.
- Applications must include a comprehensive sign plan for the lot: detailed scaled drawings of all existing and proposed signs; the height of all signs; the square footage of each sign and the total combined square footage; a site plan showing street frontage, locations of buildings, parking lots, driveways, landscaped areas, and all existing and proposed signs (including wall, projecting, suspended, roof, freestanding, window signs, murals, flags, etc.); overall dimensions, design, structure, materials, proposed copy, and illumination specifications; and photographs of the lot.
- One application and permit may include multiple signs on the same lot.
- Sign owners must designate areas where temporary signs will be displayed; temporary signs displayed outside designated areas require a permit.
- Signs located within 660 feet of a federally designated highway must also conform to Utah State standards and regulations for such signs.
- Permit processing timelines: completeness review within 5 days of submittal and permit issuance within 15 days upon receipt of a complete, compliant application; inspections are required and permits become binding upon final inspection until changes are made or ownership changes.
- Renewal and registration: permits are intended to renew annually with business license renewal (automatic if no changes); all signs must be registered with the City within two years of adoption; nonconforming signs are recorded and subject to compliance limits.
- Appeal/variance: Any denial, conditions on a permit, notice of violation, or interpretation may be appealed or a variance sought before the appeal authority by filing within 30 calendar days; variances are limited to minor departures where extreme or unreasonable hardship or special site circumstances are shown, may not expand a nonconforming use, may carry conditions, run with the property, and lapse after 6 months of nonuse; the appeal authority renders a decision within 30 days.

## 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 Moab — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Moab+UT&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-moab

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