Are LED Signs Allowed in Gillette, Campbell County, Wyoming? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning EMC Sign Allowed?

EMC Signs Allowed?

Yes. Electronic Message Center (EMC) signs, referred to as Electronic Billboards in the Gillette zoning code, are permitted in certain zoning districts under strict regulations.

🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Gillette Sign Code, Signs

🔗 Zoning & GIS Map – City of Gillette Zoning & GIS Map

EMC Sign Summary Table

Feature	Answer
Zoning districts that allow EMCs	Commercial & Industrial (see billboard rules)
EMC sign styles allowed	Free-standing pole signs, monument signs, and electronic billboards
Off-premise EMCs allowed	Yes (if approved, with restrictions)
EMCs in ROW allowed	❌No
Minimum setback required	5 ft from the property line; additional buffers apply for billboards
Use restrictions	Commercial/Industrial only; not within 500 ft of residential; not within 50 ft of intersections

Zoning District Overview

Gillette’s sign code applies citywide, with specific provisions based on Agricultural, Residential, Commercial, and Industrial districts.

Commercial Districts: Allow EMCs, pole signs, monument signs, center ID signs, electronic billboards, and inflatables.
Industrial Districts: Allow EMCs, pole signs, billboards, and bulletin boards.
Residential Districts: Prohibit EMCs, except limited bulletin signs for nonprofits (501c3).
Agricultural: Certain billboards and bulletin signs permitted.

🔎 Zoning information and parcel maps can be accessed through the City of Gillette EnerGov Portal.

Commercial & Industrial EMC Standards

Electronic Billboards

Requirement	Rule
Distance from residential	Not within 500 ft
Distance from intersections	Not within 50 ft of signalized intersections
Separation from other EMCs	Minimum 2,000 ft
Maximum size	340 sq. ft. per face
Maximum height	30 ft
Message dwell time	6 seconds minimum
Animation/scrolling	Prohibited
Brightness	Must auto-dim; max 0.3 candles over ambient light at 100 ft
Audio	❌Prohibited
Malfunction	Must freeze/blank on error, repaired within 24 hrs
Permit/fees	$2,500 application + $250 annual license fee
Emergency use	City dispatch agencies may use EMCs for alerts (8% of time reserved)

Free-Standing EMC Signs

Pole signs: Up to 50 ft high, 350 sq. ft. area, up to 50% electronic copy.
Monument signs: Up to 10 ft high, 100 sq. ft. area, setback at least 5 ft.
One free-standing pole sign allowed per business.

Building Signs with EMC

Up to 250 sq. ft. total signage per business.
May include manual or electronic changeable copy (max 50%).

Permit Filing Requirements

Required forms: Sign Permit Application via EnerGov Self Service
Scaled drawing required: Must include height, width, square footage, and property location.
Engineering: Billboard structures must be certified by a Wyoming Professional Engineer.
Permit fees:
- Standard sign permits vary.
- Electronic billboards: $2,500 application + $250 annual license.
Maintenance: Signs must remain in good repair; damaged signs must be fixed or removed within 30 days.

Full Ordinance Text (Excerpt)

“Electronic billboards… must not utilize colors or displays that create confusion with traffic lights or emergency vehicles… Multi-frame messages, blinking, scrolling, or animated transitions are prohibited… All electronic graphic display signs must be programmed so that the message changes no more than once every six (6) seconds.”

📖 See Gillette Zoning Code §20.08.15 and related sign ordinances.