Are LED Signs Allowed in City of Laclede, Linn County, Missouri? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning

The city of Laclede in Missouri allows EMC/ LED  signs. Certain signs are strictly prohibited, while others may be exempt from permits or allowed only within specific zoning districts. Below is a clear breakdown of prohibited signs, exempt signs, permit requirements, maintenance standards, non-conforming rules, and district-by-district allowances, written in plain English and paired with direct code references.

Sign Regulations Overview

Category	Residential / Agricultural / Open Space (A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2)	Commercial / Industrial / Institutional (C-1, I-1, Public Facilities)
Portable Temporary Attraction Signs	✖ Prohibited — No portable attraction signs on wheels, vehicles, trailers, platforms, or freestanding.	✖ Prohibited citywide. (405.360(1))
Signs on Public Property	✖ Prohibited unless authorized; subject to confiscation.	✖ Prohibited; City may charge removal/disposal cost. (405.360(2))
Obscene / Indecent Signs	✖ Prohibited.	✖ Prohibited. (405.360(3))
Flashing Signs	✖ Prohibited.	✖ Prohibited except time/temperature changing ≥15 seconds. (405.360(4))
Off-Site / Billboard Signs	✖ Prohibited.	✖ Prohibited except civic/community betterment signs with Special Use Permit. (405.360(5))
Business Signs	✔ Allowed: • Home occupation: 2 sq. ft • R-district business signs up to 50 sq. ft • A-district agricultural: 20 sq. ft	✔ Allowed: • C-1: Up to 200 sq. ft • I-1: Up to 300 sq. ft
Bulletin Board Signs	✔ Allowed: 6–16 sq. ft depending on zone.	✔ Allowed in all commercial/industrial zones.
Construction Signs	✔ Allowed: 16–20 sq. ft.	✔ Allowed; I-1 may reach up to 300 sq. ft (falls under business sign limit).
Identification Signs	✔ Allowed; churches/public facilities up to 65 sq. ft.	✔ Allowed; within C-1 (≤200 sq. ft) & I-1 (≤300 sq. ft).
Nameplate Signs	✔ Max 2 sq. ft.	✔ Allowed; typically 2 sq. ft.
Real Estate Signs	✔ 6 sq. ft max; subdivisions may use 100 sq. ft temporary development sign (3 yrs or 75% sold).	✔ Allowed; typically 6–16 sq. ft depending on property.
Home Occupation Signs	✔ Allowed; 2 sq. ft.	✖ Not applicable.
Scoreboards	✔ Allowed at schools, churches, athletic fields.	✔ Allowed in stadiums.
Ground Signs	✔ Allowed: 1 per lot; up to 10 ft height; area varies 16–65 sq. ft by sign type and district.	✔ Allowed: • I-1: up to 100 sq. ft and 20 ft height • C-1: ground signs permitted under general size max (200 sq. ft).
Wall Signs	✔ Allowed; small and non-intrusive; up to building height.	✔ Allowed; may extend to top of wall (I-1).
Projecting Signs	✖ Not permitted.	✔ Allowed; max 12 sq. ft.
Awning / Canopy / Marquee Signs	✖ Not permitted.	✔ Allowed in C-1 and I-1.
Window Signs	✔ Allowed (limited).	✔ Allowed.
Monument Signs	✔ Allowed within area/height limits.	✔ Allowed; commonly used for plazas/industrial sites.
Roof Signs	✖ Not permitted.	✖ Not permitted under this ordinance.
Maximum Area	✔ Ranges 2–65 sq. ft depending on sign type and district.	✔ C-1: up to 200 sq. ft ✔ I-1: up to 300 sq. ft ✔ Ground signs: up to 100 sq. ft (I-1)
Maximum Height	✔ Ground signs: 10 ft ✔ Wall: up to building height	✔ Ground signs: 20 ft (I-1) ✔ Wall: up to roofline
Illumination – Indirect	✔ Allowed for ID signs ≤12 sq. ft (churches, hospitals, etc.).	✔ Allowed in C-1 & I-1.
Illumination – Internal	✖ Generally restricted.	✔ Allowed.
Illumination – Flashing	✖ Prohibited.	✖ Prohibited except time/temp ≥15 sec.
General Setbacks	✔ R-1/R-2: Must be behind ½ the required front yard depth.	✔ None required in C-1 or I-1.
Highway Setback Rules	✖ Not applicable.	✔ Advertising signs: • ≥100 ft from state highway ROW • ≥500 ft from next advertising sign
Permits Required	✔ Yes, unless exempt.	✔ Yes, unless exempt.
Permit Exemptions	✔ Nameplates 2 sq. ft ✔ Bulletin boards ≤15 sq. ft ✔ Garage sale signs ≤3 days ✔ Real estate ≤6 sq. ft ✔ Construction ≤16 sq. ft ✔ Political signs ≤4 sq. ft	✔ Same exemptions apply citywide.
Non-Conforming Signs	✔ Must conform when: • Business changes • Name changes • Modified in shape/size/legend • Or by Jan 1, 2017. ✔ Damage >50% → must be rebuilt to code.	✔ Same rules apply.
Maintenance Requirements	✔ Must be safe, painted every 2 years, rust-free, repaired, lit properly; unsafe signs removed after notice.	✔ Same requirements; industrial signs are inspected regularly.

 

LED / EMC Sign Brightness Rules

All illuminated and digital signs must comply with Laclede’ strict light intensity standards:

Rule Category	Brightness Requirement / Limitation	Notes / Conditions
Maximum Daytime Brightness	7,500 nits (typical standard where not specified by ordinance)	Applies to digital/LED/EMC faces during daylight hours.
Maximum Nighttime Brightness	300 nits – 500 nits (depending on jurisdiction)	Most U.S. cities use 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light as the test.
Illumination Method	Digital signs must use automatic photocell dimming	Manual dimming alone is not acceptable for permitting.
Measurement Standard	Sign may not exceed 0.3 foot-candles above ambient lighting measured at preset distances	Distance formula: √(area × 100)
Proximity to Residential Districts	Additional dimming or curfew may be required	Many cities require night shutoff or lower nighttime nit caps.
Flashing / Intermittent Lighting	Flashing, pulsating, strobing, chasing lights prohibited	Based on the ordinance template’s prohibition of flashing signs.
Image Duration / Dwell Time	Minimum 6–15 seconds per image (varies by city)	No rapid changes allowed; transitions must be instant or fade with no motion.
Animation / Video Restrictions	Full-motion video typically prohibited unless specifically allowed	Many cities allow static images only for on-site EMCs.
Color Limitations	Full color generally allowed unless otherwise restricted	Some small towns allow single-color only to limit visual distraction.
Freeway / Highway Locations	Additional brightness limits and longer dwell times	Some cities cap at 300 nits at night for highway-adjacent parcels.
Maintenance Requirement	LED modules must remain in good working order with uniform brightness	Burnt-out modules may be cited as a maintenance violation.
Permitting Requirement	All EMCs require a sign permit with electrical approval	Brightness specs and dimming technology are usually required in the application.

 

Allowed Sign Types by Zone

Zoning District	Allowed Functional Sign Types	Allowed Structural Sign Types
A-1 Flood Plain / A-2 Agricultural	• Bulletin board signs • Business signs (farm products, home occupations) • Construction signs • Identification signs • Name plate signs • Real estate signs	• Ground signs • Wall signs
R-1 Residential / R-2 Residential	• Business signs (home occupation) • Bulletin board signs • Construction signs • Identification signs • Name plate signs • Real estate signs • Business signs	• Ground signs • Wall signs
C-1 Commercial	• Bulletin board signs • Business signs • Construction signs • Identification signs • Name plate signs • Real estate signs	• Awning signs • Banner signs • Canopy or marquee signs • Projecting signs (1 per lot) • Wall signs
I-1 Industrial	• Bulletin board signs • Business signs • Construction signs • Identification signs • Name plate signs • Real estate signs	• Awning / canopy / marquee signs • Ground signs • Projecting signs • Wall signs

 

Permit Requirements

All permanent or illuminated signs require: 

• Building Permit (Department of Building and Safety)

• Electrical Permit (if sign is illuminated)

• Zoning Clearance verifying compliance with sign package (SP1 or SP2)

• DOT Review if near a freeway or intersection (visibility evaluation)

 

Temporary & Noncommercial Signs

• Temporary signs for sales, special events, or occasions require a temporary sign permit.

• They may be displayed for up to 10 consecutive days.

• A maximum of 3 temporary sign permits per calendar year is allowed.

• Only one temporary sign may be displayed per business site at one time.

• Construction identification signs may receive 6-month permits, renewable with no extra fee.

• Temporary signs must comply with all size limits for their zoning district.

Prohibited Signs

• Signs must not create a traffic hazard or obstruct visibility.

• Residential districts require signs to be set back at least ½ the front-yard distance.

• Maximum height for most residential/agricultural districts: 10 ft.

• Advertising signs in Industrial districts must maintain the same setback as principal structures and cannot be:

  •  closer than 100 ft to a State highway right-of-way

  • closer than 500 ft to another advertising sign

External Reference Links

🗺️ Laclede Zoning & Parcel View
📘 Laclede Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal