# Sign Regulations in Cody, Wyoming

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cody, Wyoming (WY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/wyoming/cody
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Cody, Wyoming regulates 29 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Residential Identification Sign (Attached Wall)s in the Sign District A, Sign District B, Sign District C, Sign District T zoning district are capped at 5 ft. tall, 12 sq. ft., and 6 sq. ft. per face wide (Sec. 10-15-8, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (A, B, C, T: Residential identification sign)). Most commercial signs in Cody require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 6 ft. | 48 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential Sign Districts (AA, A, B, C, F-1, F-2, T, RR) | 3 | — | 300 sq. in. | — |
| Sign District AA, Sign District RR | 3 | — | 300 sq. in. | — |
| Sign District A, Sign District B, Sign District C, Sign District T | 6 | 6 ft. | 300 sq. in. | — |
| Sign District F-1, Sign District F-2, F-1/F-2 Mobile Home/Mobile Home Park | 3 | 6 ft. | 300 sq. in. | — |
| D-1 Limited Business Sign District (D-1) | 6 | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per face, 50 sq. ft. total per lot | — |
| D-2 General Business Sign District (D-2) | 5 | 25 ft. | 300 sq. ft. per face, 600 sq. ft. per lot | — |
| D-3 Open Business/Light Industrial Sign District (D-3), D-4 High Tech/Data Processing/Light Manufacturing Sign District (D-4), E Industrial Sign District (E) | 7 | 25 ft. | 300 sq. ft. per face, 600 sq. ft. per lot (D-3, D-4); 550 sq. ft. per face, 700 sq. ft. per lot (E) | — |
| Planned Unit Development Sign District (PUD) | 2 | 6 ft. | 48 sq. ft. per sign | — |
| Downtown Business Sign District | 6 | 25 ft. | 240 sq. ft. per face, 480 sq. ft. per lot | — |
| Hospital-Urgent Care Clinics Sign District | 3 | — | — | — |
| Churches, Museums, And Libraries Sign Districts | 3 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### Sign District A, Sign District B, Sign District C, Sign District T

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Identification Sign (Attached Wall) | 5 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | 6 sq. ft. per face | — | 1 per premises | 1 per premises | — | 10-15-8, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (A, B, C, T: Residential identification sign) |
| Residential Complex Identification Sign (Attached Wall or Freestanding) | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | 16 sq. ft. per face | — | 1 per primary street access | 1 per primary street access | — | 10-15-8, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (A, B, C, T: Residential complex identification) |
| Home Occupation Sign (Attached Wall) | — | 300 sq. in. | 150 sq. in. | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot | — | 10-15-8, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (A, B, C, T: Home occupation) |
| Construction Sign (Freestanding) | 6 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | 32 sq. ft. per face | — | 2 per premises | 2 per premises | — | 10-15-8, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (A, B, C, T: Construction sign), note (e) |
| Nonresidential Sign (Freestanding) | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per premises | 1 per premises | — | 10-15-8, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (A, B, C, T: Nonresidential sign), note (e) |
| Group Daycare Home/Center, Preschool, Group Home Sign (Attached Wall) | — | 32 sq. ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot | — | 10-15-8, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (A, B, C, T: Group daycare home, group daycare center, preschools and group homes) |

### D-1 Limited Business Sign District (D-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Freestanding) | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per face, 50 sq. ft. total per lot | — | — | 1 per street frontage, 1 maximum | 1 per street frontage; 1 maximum | — | 10-15-9, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (D-1 Limited Business: Identification freestanding sign), notes (c)(e)(f)(k) |
| Business Sign (Attached Wall) | — | 32 sq. ft. per face, 32 sq. ft. total per sign | — | — | 1 per face of storefront, 1 per street frontage, not to exceed 2 per establishment | 1 per face of storefront, 1 per street frontage, not to exceed 2 signs per establishment. | — | 10-15-9, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (D-1 Limited Business: Business attached wall sign), notes (a)(b)(d)(e)(f)(g)(j)(k) |
| Projecting, Marquee, Awning, Suspended Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. per face, 32 sq. ft. total per sign | — | Projecting signs: not less than 8 ft. from travelway to bottom of sign and 2 ft. back from curb | Maximum 2 additional hanging panels per projecting sign | Maximum 2 additional hanging panels per projecting sign; minimum 8 ft. clearance from travelway, projecting edge at least 2 ft. from curb | — | 10-15-9, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (D-1 Limited Business: Projecting, marquee, awning, suspended), notes (e)(f)(g) |
| Construction Sign (Freestanding) | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per face, 32 sq. ft. zone lot | — | — | 1 per premises | 1 per premises | — | 10-15-9, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (D-1 Limited Business: Construction sign), notes (e)(f)(g) |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. (residential lots), 32 sq. ft. (subdivision) | 6 sq. ft. (residential lots), 16 sq. ft. (per face, residential) | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | 10-15-9, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (D-1 Limited Business: Real Estate sign), note (i) |
| Temporary/Banner Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | — | — | — | 10-15-9.A(5), Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (D-1 Limited Business: Temporary signs/banners) |

### D-3 Open Business/Light Industrial Sign District (D-3), D-4 High Tech/Data Processing/Light Manufacturing Sign District (D-4), E Industrial Sign District (E)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Freestanding) | 25 ft. | 300 sq. ft. per face, 600 sq. ft. per lot (D-3, D-4); 550 sq. ft. per face, 700 sq. ft. per lot (E) | — | — | — | — | — | 10-15-9, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT |
| Billboard Sign | 25 ft. | 300 sq. ft. per face, 600 sq. ft. per lot | — | — | — | Freestanding. Only in D-3 and E. Not allowed in D-4. | — | 10-15-9.C(2), Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (Billboards) |
| Business Sign (Attached Wall) | — | 150 sq. ft. per face, 300 sq. ft. per lot | — | — | — | — | — | 10-15-9, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT |
| Projecting, Marquee, Awning, Suspended Sign | 25 ft. | 25 sq. ft. per face, 50 sq. ft. per lot | — | 8 ft. minimum above grade, 2 ft. setback from curb for projecting signs. | — | Projecting signs minimum 8 ft. from grade to bottom, edge at least 2 ft. from curb. | — | 10-15-9, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT |
| Joint Directory Sign | 8 ft. | 40 sq. ft. per face, 80 sq. ft. per lot | — | — | 2 per project, group, or shopping center | 2 per project, group of businesses or shopping center | — | 10-15-9, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (Joint directory signs) |
| Inflatable/Flag (Temporary) | 20 ft. | 150 sq. ft. per lot | — | Ground mounted: 10 ft. from property lines and driveways; tethered: 20 ft. maximum height; see section. | — | — | — | 10-15-9, Table: SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY SIGN DISTRICT (Inflatable/flags) |
| Electronic Message Board/Animated Sign | — | — | — | 100 ft. minimum from residential districts. | Not more than one per lot | — | — | 10-15-3.B.10 |

## Prohibited signs in Cody

- Any sign not specifically authorized in accordance with the provisions of this chapter is prohibited.
- Mechanical signs, including signs containing moving, swinging, or rotating parts, unless specifically permissible as part of the allowable signage, are prohibited.
- Signs which create a safety hazard by obstructing clear view of pedestrian or vehicular traffic are prohibited.
- Signs placed on vehicles, a truck, bus, car, boat, trailer or other authorized vehicle and equipment which are parked on a public right of way, public property or private property so as to be visible from a public right of way where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property are not permitted.
- No person shall install or maintain or cause to be installed or maintained any sign which mimics, simulates or imitates in size, color, lettering or design any traffic sign or signal, or which makes use of the words 'stop', 'look', 'danger' or any other words, phrases, symbols, or character in such a manner to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- No sign shall be installed, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape, except those signs as required by other codes or ordinances.
- No sign plan shall be approved for any sign, and no sign shall be constructed or maintained, which has less horizontal or vertical clearance from authorized communication or energized electrical power lines than that prescribed by the laws of the state of Wyoming, the ordinance of the city, or other applicable rules, regulations and codes.
- Signs on public property including streets, medians, islands, parkways, sidewalks, traffic control signposts, utility poles, and trees are prohibited. No person except a public officer in performance of a public duty shall affix any form of sign on public property or within the public right of way.
- Signs will not be located on publicly owned property unless permission has been granted by the governing body.
- No sign shall be attached to a building at a height above the third story unless the business which the sign advertises is located above the third story.
- In no event shall a roof sign be permitted.
- Signs which produce audible noise or sounds are prohibited.
- Signs which emit visible smoke, vapor, particles or odor are prohibited.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Rotating signs or signs utilizing a strobe light(s) are prohibited.
- No sign shall be placed as to impede the sight distance and vision of motorists.
- No sign, awning or other obstruction shall be suspended from any building into or over any sidewalk, street or alley so as to obstruct or interfere with pedestrian or vehicle traffic, nor suspended in or over any portion of the street beyond the sidewalk.
- A sign with blinking, chasing, flashing or moving effects, or a sign displaying intermittent or flashing lights similar to those used in governmental traffic signals or by emergency vehicles are prohibited.
- Signs must not violate setback or utility easement requirements as specified in the city zoning code.
- Billboards are allowed only in certain zoning districts (D-3 and E) and prohibited elsewhere.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cody

- All signs erected in a public right of way by a public agency controlling or directing traffic and information signs.
- Official flags of the United States, state of Wyoming, other states, counties, municipalities, and recognized foreign nations, provided they are kept in good repair and meet stated size and height limits.
- Other flags (e.g. of schools, sports teams, churches, nonprofit organizations) with a maximum size of twenty four (24) square feet.
- Signs grouped together at city entrances representing clubs, organizations, and institutions.
- Any sign inside a building or inside a window, except flashing, animated or rotating signs intended to be visible from outside the building. 'Open' and 'Closed' signs are exempt under certain limitations.
- Political signs, so long as they are removed within ten (10) days after the election and are located entirely on private property.
- Owner identification, occupant identification, private warning signs, and for sale or for rent signs not exceeding size restrictions (six (6) square feet on one face or twelve (12) square feet on two faces).
- Signs on vehicles and equipment, provided the primary purpose of the vehicle is not sign display, the sign is integrated, vehicle is operable and registered, and it's actively used by the business.
- Public, charitable, and religious institution bulletin boards not more than sixteen (16) square feet and on-premises.
- Menu signs at drive-through and drive-in restaurants that are not designed to attract attention from the public right-of-way.
- Decorative signs incident to recognized holidays, limited to thirty (30) square feet and maximum height of fifteen feet (15), unless approved for greater height.
- Prohibited activities signs for trespassing, hunting, etc., not over three (3) square feet and properly spaced.
- Door and window 'open', 'closed', and hours signs not exceeding four (4) square feet, one each per business entrance.
- Vacancy and no vacancy signs not exceeding three and one-half (3.5) square feet, one per business.
- Wall murals that do not contain advertising.
- Building inscriptions (names/dates) when etched into masonry, one per premises, letter height and area limited, and one historical plaque per street frontage (one square foot) if designated historic.
- Public signs posted by governmental entities within parks, trails, and school property, such as street and traffic signs, interpretive signs, identification signs, scoreboards, etc.
- Existing signs (as of the date of passage), provided such signs are in conformance with previous municipal code requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, reconstruct, alter, paint or change the use of any sign without first applying for a sign plan review and receiving approval from the City.
- Sign plan review is not required for routine maintenance, repair, repainting, or for exact size/dimension/shape replacement of sign face, provided requirements are met.
- No building permit required for signs listed as exempt in this chapter.
- Sign plan review requires submission of owner, site plan, elevations, construction details, and, if electrical, electrical plans.
- All submitted sign plan reviews must comply with all provisions of this chapter, or a special exemption must be obtained.
- Upon approval of the sign plan review, the owner or contractor must obtain a building permit prior to installation (except for exempt signs).
- Electrical permits are required for any sign powered or lit with electricity.
- Appeal process is defined if a sign plan review is denied by the Planning Department, with appeal to the Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board.
- A master sign program is required for joint directory signage (three or more businesses sharing a sign) in D-2, D-3, D-4, and E districts.
- In situations where interpretation or application of the code is uncertain, application is referred to the planning, zoning and adjustment board.
- Deviation or variance from the sign code requires applying for a special exemption pursuant to section 10-14-2.
- Hospitals, urgent care clinics, churches, museums, libraries, fraternal organizations, and certain residential/daycare/commercial signs require approval by the planning, zoning and adjustment board as indicated.
- Sponsor signs on property owned by the City require City Council approval.
- Billboard permits require a legal lease and bond for removal, and must meet specific criteria.
- Sign plan review approvals expire after 180 days if no building permit is issued, unless an extension is granted.

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

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