Show All Answers

1. What is a Visibility Obstruction Triangle and how does it affect my sign?

The placement of a sign has great impact on the ability of drivers to see oncoming traffic and pedestrians.  The visibility obstruction triangle is also referred to as: "clear vision area" or "the sight triangle".  This triangular-shaped area is a geometric calculation of the ability of drivers or pedestrians to tell if they can safely enter the traffic flow or cross the street. 

Signs, fences, landscaping and other obstructions within this area are limited to a specific height above the elevation of the curb or street centerline so that drivers stopped at an intersection can see oncoming traffic.  For design standards of visibility obstruction triangles see our standard drawing STD-401(Visibility Obstruction Triangle, Missoula Municipal Code 12.28.020).

All ground, sidewalk and other signs, as determined by Development Services staff, require the Visibility Obstruction Triangle to be shown on the site plan required with the application documentation. 

Engineering Division approval must be in place before a sign permit is issued final approval. 

2. When is a sign permit required?

Permits are required whenever applicants are erecting, altering or relocating signs, except for the exceptions listed in 20.75.040.  For additional information please contact us at 406-552-6625 or send us an email.

Link to Sign Page

3. When do signs require electrical permits?

Electrical fires pose one of the more disastrous dangers involved in property ownership management. Fires caused by faulty or malfunctioning wiring can quickly get out of control, and can be difficult to extinguish as they often begin hidden behind walls. Is the electrical wiring of your sign adequate? Signs requiring electrical service also require electrical permitting. All signs that require electrical service shall comply with the 2012 ICC Electrical Code. For additional information please contact Development Services at 406-552-6630.

4. Where can I see the status of my sign permit?

All permit applications (including sign permit applications) progress can be found in our Permitting and Licensing Portal. For additional information please contact us at 406-552-6630.

5. Outdoor lighting of signs and electrical permits

All external lighting, including fixtures that illuminate signs, require compliance with the Missoula Outdoor Lighting Ordinance.  Illumination shall maintain intensities and uniformity ratios as outlined in chapter 8.64of the Missoula Municipal Code.

All illuminated signs require an electrical permit, photometric drawing(s) and information regarding the type of lighting and light fixtures.

For additional information please contact Development Services at 406-552-6630.

6. When is a building permit required for my sign?

The addition of a sign to the exterior of a building creates a structural alteration.  Signs must be designed, constructed and mounted to comply with all provisions of all adopted life, health and safety codes and standards.  Building permits will be required on an individual basis as determined by the Building Official.  Each property owner is responsible for proper permitting, installation, and maintenance of all signs on their property.

The Missoula Municipal Code requires building permits for all ground signs over 7 feet in height (20.75.020).  Construction and erection of all signs and supporting structures must comply with the International Building Code.  A building permit ensures the work on the property conforms to current safety codes.

For additional building permit requirements and information please contact Development Services at 406-552-6630.

7. How is the height of a sign determined?

The height of a sign is the vertical distance measured from the adjacent street grade or upper surface of the nearest street curb, but not an elevated roadway, to the highest point of the sign (20.100 Sign Height).

8. When is an engineering review required for my sign?

An engineering review is required for any signs as determined by Development Services staff, including all ground and sidewalk signs as well as any signs that are placed in and over the Right-of-Way (12.12.090). Engineering Division approval must be in place before a sign permit is issued final approval. For additional engineering requirements and information please contact Engineering Plan Review at 406-552-6636.

9. What clearances affect my signs?

The Missoula Municipal Code requires sidewalk signs to have a minimum clearance of 6 feet of clear pedestrian pathway.  (20.75.070.I)

Signs that are allowed above sidewalks and other pedestrian areas must maintain a vertical clearance of 9 feet from the ground.  (20.75.020)

10. What are the application requirements for a sign permit?

As part of the application process, applicants must submit materials in addition to the application form. The required materials/documentation are listed in the Sign Permit Applicationand Checklist.

When applying for a sign permit, applicants will have to indicate the zoning for the property where the sign will be posted or built. Each zoning district has different restrictions and regulations regarding each type of sign, size and illumination. (20.75.050--20.75.60)

When planning any sign, applicants will have to calculate the sign area. Separate measuring rules apply to each type of sign (i.e. ground, wall, etc.) See 20.75.170 for information on measurement rules and how to calculate the area of a sign.

11. What are the required documents for a sign permit?

The required materials/documentation are listed in the Sign Permit Application and Checklist.

12. What is a frontage and how does it affect my sign?

There are two different types of frontages that affect signs: building frontage and property frontage.  Wall signs are affected by the building's frontage, whereas ground signs are determined based on the property's frontage.  For more detailed descriptions and guidelines please see 20.75.170.D.

For additional information or questions please contact us at 406-552-6625 or send us an email.

13. When and where are political signs allowed?

It is important that we keep Missoula safe and attractive, and ensure that political signs are displayed in conformance with state and local regulations.  Development Services staff has prepared a summary of the requirements for political campaign signs in the City of Missoula. If you intend to display campaign signs within city limits please see the City of Missoula's Political Campaign Sign Regulations below. 

Political Campaign Sign Regulations

The following is a summary of the requirements for political campaign signs in the City of Missoula.

• Political signs are allowed without a sign permit.
• Political signs must be located on private property with the consent of the property owner.
• Political signs are limited to a maximum 20 square feet in size. There is no limit on the number of signs that may be displayed on one property.
• Political signs may be displayed without time limitation prior to the election but as a courtesy should be removed promptly after the election.
• Political signs are not permitted on any City rights-of-way, including the areas between the sidewalk and curb (boulevard areas) and within medians or traffic circles.
• Political signs may not be illuminated.
• Political Signs cannot be located within 100 feet of any entrance to a building in which a polling place is located.

Improperly placed signs including signs that pose a traffic hazard are subject to removal without notice by city employees, including but not limited to those of the Development Services, Public Works and Police Departments. 

State regulations on Political Signs are contained in ARM 18.6.246 POLITICAL SIGNS.

City regulations are contained in Section 20.75.040 of the Missoula Municipal Code.

For additional information, please contact us at 406-552-6625 or send us an email.

14. What is Fire Premise Identification?

There's an old saying in the fire service, "we can't help you if we can't find you."  Proper addressing an identification is essential to fire and rescue services.

The International Fire Code requires that new and existing buildings have approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property.

For additional information on requirements, standards, sizes and types of numbering and lettering please contact the Fire Departmentat 406-552-6210.

15. How is Street Addressing handled under Missoula Municpal Code?

The addressing of a lot or structure must be clearly displayed.  In addition to the International Fire Code, the Missoula Municipal Code has specific requirements regarding addressing.  Please see 12.52.020 for a specific requirements and guidelines. 

Addressing on all buildings are allowed without a sign permit provided such signs are not internally illuminated, cause glare, or cast light onto adjacent property (20.75.040B).

For additional information please contact Development Services at 406-552-6625.