[1]
Cross Reference: As to penalty, § 400.1890.
[Ord. No. 25-056, 7-1-2025[1]
A. 
This Article establishes a comprehensive and balanced system to regulate the location, type, size, height, number, duration of display, design, construction, installation, maintenance, and removal of signs to:
1. 
Encourage the effective and efficient use of signs as a communication tool;
2. 
Create an appealing Cityscape that is free of overly distracting visual clutter and nuisance signs;
3. 
Enhance traffic safety and protect the public health, safety, and welfare; and
4. 
Protect State and Federal constitutional rights to free speech.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Article XVI, Sign Regulations, containing Sections 400.1370 through 400.1860, was repealed by Ord. No. 25-056, 7-1-2025. Prior history includes: R.O. 2009 §§ 156.610 — 156.670, 156.701 — 156.707, 156.709 — 156.716, 156.719 — 156.724, 156.726 — 156.728, 156.730, 156.732, 156.740 — 156.743, 156.750, 156.752, 156.754, 156.760, 156.762, 156.765, 156.770, 156.772, 156.774; R.O. 2011 §§ 400.1370 — 400.1580, 400.1600 — 400.1650, 400.1670 — 400.1690, 400.1720 — 400.1860; Ord. No. 02-172; Ord. No. 02-276; Ord. No. 05-46; Ord. No. 05-101; Ord. No. 05-236; Ord. No. 06-191; Ord. No. 06-341; Ord. No. 07-162; Ord. No. 08-95; Ord. No. 08-191; Ord. No. 09-42; Ord. No. 09-76; Ord. No. 09-211; Ord. No. 10-142; Ord. No. 10-244; Ord. No. 11-01; Ord. No. 11-42; Ord. No. 11-099; Ord. No. 11-100; Ord. No. 11-223; Ord. No. 11-252; Ord. No. 14-221; Ord. No. 15-178; Ord. No. 16-245; Ord. No. 17-262; Ord. No. 19-253; Ord. No. 20-102; Ord. No. 20-106; Ord. No. 21-065; and Ord. No. 22-160.
[Ord. No. 25-056, 7-1-2025]
A. 
This Article applies to all new and existing signs located in the City unless they are exempted by this Article or by Federal or State law.
B. 
Permit Required. Except as otherwise provided in this Article, no sign shall be erected, enlarged, altered (except for normal maintenance), replaced, or relocated without obtaining a sign permit.
C. 
Prohibited Signs. No sign shall be constructed, installed, operated, displayed, or otherwise used in a time, place, or manner that this Article prohibits.
D. 
General Districts. Section 400.1450 provides general on-premises sign standards for all General Districts in the City, listed in Division 1 of Article II of the Zoning Ordinance.
E. 
Superimposed Districts.
1. 
Division 3 of this Article provides specific design standards and allowances for the City's Superimposed Districts listed in Division 2 of Article II of the Zoning Ordinance to preserve the unique and historical character of these areas.
2. 
The standards of Division 3 of this Article control over any standards in Section 400.1450 for the same sign type. If Division 3 of this Article does not provide an applicable standard, then the general standard for the sign type for the General District controls.
F. 
Planned Developments. The City Council may vary the standards of this Article in the ordinance adopting a Planned Development District or in the approved regulating plan or SmartCode for the development. The sign standards of the ordinance, plan, or SmartCode take precedence over the standards of this Article.
[Ord. No. 25-056, 7-1-2025]
When used in this Article, the following terms have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BALLOON
A non-porous object of light material that is filled with air or a gas lighter than air so that the object floats in the atmosphere at the end of a cable, wire, or rope. A balloon does not include an inflatable sign.
BILLBOARD
A permanent, off-premises sign or sign structure on which a person places copy on a poster or panel mounted on a pole or metal structure. Typically, a billboard has one (1) of the following configurations: (1) wood posts or pole supports with dimensional lumber as the secondary support (A-frame) with a wood or metal catwalk with display panels; (2) steel A-frame constructed with angle iron or steel supports with metal framing, catwalk, with display panels; (3) multi-mast structure constructed with steel poles, I-beam, or equivalent member as the primary support, with a catwalk, and display panels; or (4) monopole structure constructed with tubular steel support, tubular steel framing, metal catwalk and display panels with a concrete foundation.
BILLBOARD, ELECTRONIC
A billboard upon which alphanumeric characters, graphics, or symbols defined by a small number of matrix elements using different combinations of light emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optics, light bulbs, or other illumination devices within the display area, including computer programmable, microprocessor controlled electronic displays and projected images or messages with these characteristics.
DIRECTOR
Director of Community Development or their designee.
FLAG
A piece of durable fabric or other flexible material with distinctive colors and patterns mounted by attaching one (1) side to a freestanding or attached pole so that the wind causes the full display of the flag.
Figure 1: Flag
HLPARB
The Historic Landmarks Preservation and Architectural Review Board of the City of Saint Charles, Missouri.
ILLUMINATION, INDIRECT
The partial or complete illumination of a sign at any time by a light source shielded from a viewer on the ground.
ILLUMINATION, INTERNAL
The illumination of a sign with a light source located inside or behind the sign face that transmits light through a translucent sign face or surface surrounding the sign face.
MULTI-TENANT DEVELOPMENT
A non-residential or mixed-use development that includes two (2) or more businesses, places, organizations, or persons on one (1) common development site. Examples include a commercial center, an office park, or a multi-story multi-tenant building.
MURAL
A decorative hand-produced sign where paint or tile is applied to the exterior wall of a building or structure.
Figure 2: Mural
PERSON
Any person or persons or entity, including, but not limited to, a corporation, limited liability corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, or joint venture.
SEARCHLIGHT
A powerful light or lights equipped with a reflector to produce a bright beam or beams that are directed into the sky and that may rotate.
SIGN
A visual display of an object, device, or structure that includes elements such as colors, lights, motion, symbols, images, icons, letters, numerals, figures, characters, or combines any of those elements, that a person intends to communicate, advertise, identify, announce, direct, inform, or attract attention. The term "sign" includes a structure used to support or display a sign.
SIGN, A-FRAME
A temporary, portable, freestanding sign in the shape of the letter "A" when viewed from the side with back-to-back sign faces, an easel, or a similar configuration. Commonly referred to as a sandwich board sign.
Figure 3. A-Frame Sign
SIGN, AWNING
A permanent, on-premises sign that is printed, painted, or affixed to an awning.
Figure 4 Awning Sign
SIGN, BANNER
A sign painted, printed, or permanently affixed on cloth or other lightweight, flexible material.
Figure 5: Banner Sign
SIGN, BUILDING-MOUNTED
A permanent, on-premises sign that is directly attached to the facade or face of a building. Types of building-mounted signs include wall signs, projecting signs, awning signs, window signs, and freestanding canopy signs.
SIGN, CHANGEABLE COPY
A freestanding or attached sign that includes a manually changeable readerboard to display changeable letters, text, or copy.
SIGN, DOUBLE-FACED
A sign with two (2) surfaces placed back-to-back or V-shaped with a common angle not greater than ninety degrees (90°).
SIGN, ELECTRONIC MESSAGE
A sign or billboard that incorporates a digital screen to display characters, letters, or illustrations that can be electronically changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign.
SIGN, FEATHER
A banner in the shape of a feather, quill, sail, blade, or teardrop that is mounted on one (1) side to a curved solid or flexible pole that displays the sign regardless of wind conditions. These are also known as "quill signs" or "sail banners."
SIGN, FREESTANDING
An on-premises sign erected or mounted on its own self-supporting, permanent structure or base detached from any supporting elements of a building.
SIGN, FREESTANDING CANOPY
A permanent, on-premises sign that is affixed to the exterior facing surface of a freestanding canopy.
Figure 6: Freestanding Canopy Sign
SIGN, ILLUMINATED
Any sign whose design or installation incorporates artificial light, including indirect illumination and internal illumination.
SIGN, INCIDENTAL
A small permanent on-premises sign that is freestanding or attached to a building that is in addition to the primary sign types for the property, such as wall signs and freestanding signs, and that has a height and scale that is subordinate to the primary sign types allowed for the property. Examples of typical incidental signs include house numbers, occupant directories, directional signs, flags, and parking signs. The list of examples is provided to clarify the regulations and does not limit the content of incidental signs.
SIGN, INFLATABLE
An object where flexible fabric is inflated with air. These objects are designed in various shapes and may include a portable blower motor that provides a constant flow of air into the device.
Figure 7: Inflatable Sign
SIGN, INTERIOR INCIDENTAL
A sign allowed within a lot and not allowed within the applicable sign setback. This Code provides for two (2) types of interior signs: small and large interior signs.
Figure 8: Interior Incidental Sign
SIGN, MONUMENT
A permanent freestanding sign with a low profile and a base and support structure with a solid appearance that is at least as wide as the width of the widest part of the sign's face.
Figure 9: Monument Sign
SIGN, OFF-PREMISES/OFF-SITE
A sign that directs attention to a business, organization, product, commodity, service, entertainment, or attraction sold, offered, or existing elsewhere than upon the same lot where such sign is displayed. "Off-premises/off-site sign" includes a billboard on which space is leased, rented, or donated by the owner to others to convey a commercial or non-commercial message.
SIGN, ON-PREMISES/ON-SITE
A sign that directs attention to a business, organization, product, commodity, service, entertainment, or attraction sold, offered, or existing upon the same lot where such sign is displayed.
SIGN, PERIMETER INCIDENTAL
A sign allowed between the property line and the applicable sign setback. Examples of typical perimeter incidental signs include directional and entry/exit signs. The list of examples is provided to clarify the regulations and does not limit the content of incidental signs. The City will not review the content of incidental signs.
Figure 10: Perimeter Incidental Sign
SIGN, PERMANENT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
A permanent freestanding sign located in a landscaped area adjacent to the entrance drive or road to a residential development, including recorded subdivisions, multi-family dwellings, and mobile home and trailer parks. An example of a residential development sign is one (1) that identifies the name or phase of development, sometimes incorporating architectural or landscape features. The example is provided to clarify the regulations and does not limit the content of residential development signs.
Figure 11: Residential Development Sign
SIGN, POLE
A permanent freestanding sign supported by one (1) or more poles or vertical members that are less wide than the width of the widest part of the sign's face.
Figure 12: Pole Sign
SIGN, PORTABLE
Any sign not permanently affixed to any structure on a site, permanently ground-mounted, or firmly implanted in the ground. Examples of portable signs include A-frame signs and roadside signs.
SIGN, PROJECTING
A permanent, on-premises sign attached to or erected against the wall of a building that projects at least twelve (12) inches from the wall and has faces perpendicular to the plane of the wall.
Figure 13: Projecting Sign
SIGN, ROADSIDE
A portable sign where the sign support structure consists of legs, wheels, or a trailer. This sign type includes a metal cabinet with a readerboard and is generally internally illuminated. These signs sometimes include an illuminated, flashing arrow above the sign face. Also commonly referred to as a flashing arrow sign.
SIGN, ROOF-MOUNTED
A sign that projects above the highest point of the roof line or parapet of a building.
SIGN, TEMPORARY
A sign constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wood, wallboard, metal, or other light materials, with or without frames, and displayed for a limited time only. Temporary signs include banners, feather signs, inflatable devices, stake signs, and post signs. Examples of common temporary signs include political signs, public demonstration signs, yard sale signs, grand opening signs, contractor signs, real estate signs, and signs that announce a special event. The list of examples does not limit the content of temporary signs.
SIGN, UNAUTHORIZED
A sign located in the City right-of-way or on City property without City permission.
SIGN, VEHICLE
A sign attached to, suspended from, or painted on any vehicle, such as motor vehicles, boats, and trailers that are regularly parked on private property or any street and where the primary purpose in parking the vehicle in the location is to display, demonstrate, and advertise or attract the attention of the public.
SIGN, WALL
A permanent, on-premises sign attached to or erected against the wall of a building with the exposed face of the sign in a parallel plane to the plane of the wall.
Figure 14: Wall Sign
SIGN, WINDOW
A permanent, on-premises sign placed, posted, painted, or affixed in a window or glass door. Window signs include any printed wraps or opaque or semi-opaque treatments applied directly to the windows. A window sign includes any sign that is located inside a building, that is one (1) foot or less from a window or glass door, and that is clearly visible from outside the building.
Figure 15: Window Sign
[Ord. No. 25-056, 7-1-2025]
A. 
The following types of signs are exempt from the permitting and allowance limitations of this Article but are subject to the maintenance, abandonment, and enforcement regulations:
1. 
Government Signs. Signs erected by or on the order of the Federal, State, County, or City Government;
2. 
Traffic Control Devices. Official traffic control devices on public or private property required or allowed by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices or other officially recognized manual on traffic signs adopted in this State or by the City of St. Charles;
3. 
Required Signs. Any sign or device that the Federal, State, County, or City Government requires to be erected, maintained, or displayed;
4. 
Signs Up To One (1) Square Foot. Signs with an area of up to one (1) square foot. A person shall not place these signs in the right-of-way of any public street. Multiple small signs that effectively function together as a larger sign must comply with the standards of this Article.
5. 
Indoor Signs. Signs located within a building or structure and at least one (1) foot inside a window for the building or structure.
[Ord. No. 25-056, 7-1-2025]
A. 
Signs that this Article does not specifically authorize are prohibited. The following signs are expressly prohibited:
1. 
Non-governmental signs in the public right-of-way or on public property, except as otherwise provided and except for approved banner signs installed pursuant to the City's banner program guidelines;
2. 
Roof-mounted signs;
3. 
Signs with intermittent or flashing illumination, animated or moving parts, or signs that emit sound, except for electronic message signs permitted under this Article;
4. 
Devices that project text, images, or patterns onto a surface, such as projectors and other light sources;
5. 
Freestanding changeable copy signs, except as otherwise provided;
6. 
Banners, pennants, streamers, balloons, flags, searchlights, strobe lights, beacons, feather signs, inflatable signs, and perimeter window lighting, except as otherwise provided;
7. 
Banners and other signs mounted on service bay doors or garage doors;
8. 
Any sign that obscures an official traffic control sign or device;
9. 
Signs mounted on or attached to trees, utility poles, rocks, or City-owned property, except as otherwise provided;
10. 
Signs placed on private property without the property owner's written approval;
11. 
Off-premises/off-site signs, except as allowed in this Article;
12. 
Portable signs, except as allowed in this Article;
13. 
Painted plywood signs; and
14. 
Vehicle signs, where signs are placed on or affixed to vehicles or trailers parked on private property and that are visible from a public right-of-way, where the primary purpose of the vehicle is to display the sign.
a. 
The prohibition of vehicle signs does not limit or prohibit signs placed on or affixed to the exterior or the windows of vehicles and trailers, where the sign is incidental to the primary use of the vehicle or trailer for transportation by the vehicle owner or business.
b. 
While other factors may also establish a violation, a vehicle presumptively violates this provision if the first three (3) criteria below are met and there is no compelling reason to justify the presence of the vehicle at the location as provided in the fourth criterion below. For the purposes of this prohibition, a vehicle is considered to function primarily as a sign when:
(1) 
The vehicle is parked at a prominent location on the lot;
(2) 
The sign is easily read by a person in the right-of-way;
(3) 
The vehicle is parked at the same or similar locations for several hours during the same day or for several days during the same week; and
(4) 
There are no stated or apparent reasons, other than its function as a sign, that justify the presence of the vehicle at that location.
[Ord. No. 25-056, 7-1-2025]
A. 
Content Neutrality.
1. 
Despite any other provision of this Article, the content of a sign's message does not limit its permissibility under this Article.
2. 
However, location-based standards, such as on- and off-premises sign regulations, do apply. Off-premises signs are not allowed unless specifically authorized in this Code.
B. 
Substitution Allowed. Any sign allowed to display a commercial message may contain any non-commercial message. Any sign allowed to display a non-commercial message may contain any other non-commercial message.
[Ord. No. 25-056, 7-1-2025]
A. 
Sign Districts. This Article generally regulates sign characteristics by district. Since many of the City's zoning districts have common characteristics for the purposes of sign regulations, this Section combines the City's zoning districts into common sign districts to simplify the regulations. Table Section 400.1430.1: Sign Districts designates the zoning districts included in each sign district.
Table Section 400.1430.1: Sign Districts
Sign District
Zoning Districts
Residential
"A" Agricultural District
"R-1C," "R-1D" and "R-1E" Single-Family Residential Districts
"R-2" Two-Family Residential District
Multi-Tenant Residential
"R-3A" Multiple-Family Residential District
"R-M" Manufactured/Modular Residential District
Mixed Use-Commercial
"O-I" Office Institutional District
"C-1" Neighborhood Business District
"CBD" Central Business District
"CRD" Central Residential District
"FD" Frenchtown District
General Commercial
"C-2" General Business District
"C-3" Highway Business District
Industrial
"I-1" Light Industrial District
"I-2" Heavy Industrial District
B. 
Superimposed Districts. Division 3 provides specific design standards and allowances for the City's Superimposed Districts to preserve the unique and/or historical character of these areas.
1. 
The standards of Division 3 supersede any standards in Section 400.1450.
2. 
The Superimposed Districts regulated by Division 3 are:
a. 
South Main Preservation District "SMPD;"
b. 
Extended Historic Preservation District "EHP;"
c. 
Historic Downtown District "HDD;"
d. 
Frenchtown Preservation District "FPD;" and
e. 
Landmark Preservation District "LMPD."
C. 
Planned Development Districts. This Subsection applies to determine what standards apply to a Planned Development District if the City Council does not adopt specific standards in the authorizing ordinance.
1. 
A Planned Development District in which the majority of the parcel by area is allocated to residential use must comply with the standards of the Mixed-Use Residential ("MU-R") sign district.
2. 
A Planned Development District in which the majority of the parcel by area is allocated to non-residential use must comply with the standards of the Mixed-Use Commercial ("MU-C") sign district.
D. 
Interpretation Of Tables. This Article presents the allowed specifications for signs in a series of tables. The tables include the allowance standards described in Table Section 400.1430.2: Interpretation of Tables.
Table Section 400.1430.2: Interpretation of Tables
Standard in Tables
Description of Standard
Allowed
States whether the sign type is allowed in the sign district.
Permit Required
States whether this Section requires a permit for the sign type and sign district.
Number
The maximum number signs allowed sign on a parcel for the sign district.
Sign Area Allowance
The maximum area allowed for a sign in the sign district, in square feet.
Height
The maximum height allowed for sign for the sign district, in linear feet.
Illumination
States whether and what type of illumination is allowed for the sign type and district.
Changeable
States whether a manually changeable readerboard is allowed for the sign type and district and the percentage of sign area allowed for this feature.
EMS
States whether electronic message signs are allowed for the sign type and district, and the percentage of sign area allowed for this feature.
[Ord. No. 25-056, 7-1-2025]
A. 
Changeable Copy Signs.
1. 
A sign can include changeable copy features if the allowance table for the district allows the feature.
2. 
Changeable copy is limited in size as a percentage of the area of the sign face.
B. 
Sign Illumination.
1. 
Illuminated signs are allowed if the district allowance table allows the feature.
2. 
If applicable, sign illumination must comply with the following standards:
a. 
Externally illuminated, building-mounted signs may use either ground-mounted lights or building-mounted light bars. The light source requires full shielding so that the light is only directed at the sign's face;
b. 
Externally illuminated, freestanding signs may use ground-mounted lights. The light source requires full shielding so that the light is only directed at the sign's face;
c. 
The light source for internally illuminated freestanding and building-mounted signs shall not be directly visible through the sign's face; and
d. 
Flashing and intermittent illumination are prohibited.
C. 
Electronic Message Signs.
1. 
Duration Of Message. The electronic message display shall have a static image displayed for a minimum duration of at least ten (10) seconds. The display shall not flash, scroll, twirl, change color, imitate movement, or include video.
2. 
Transition Of Message. When the electronic message sign's image or text changes, the change sequence requires instantaneous re-pixelization and shall not include fade, scroll, or other animation.
3. 
Video Display Prohibited. Electronic message signs shall not change their messages or backgrounds by simulating motion or the illusion of moving objects, moving patterns or bands of light, or expanding or contracting shapes.
4. 
Brightness And Illumination.
a. 
Brightness.
(1) 
Electronic message signs and billboards shall not operate at brightness levels that project more than 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light conditions at the property line, as measured using a foot-candle meter.
(2) 
Illumination levels are measured in foot candles with a foot-candle meter in a horizontal position at the property line at an approximate height of three (3) feet above grade.
b. 
Dimmer Control. Electronic message signs require an automatic dimmer control to regulate the proper illumination level from sundown to sunrise.
5. 
Audio. Electronic message signs shall not include audio speakers.
6. 
Malfunction. Electronic message signs must freeze the display in one (1) message or image or cease operation if a malfunction occurs.
[Ord. No. 25-056, 7-1-2025]
A. 
Road Frontage. Where this Article calculates a sign allowance based on frontage or road frontage, the measurement is the total length of the property line where the lot is adjacent to the right-of-way of a public street or private street, expressed in linear feet.
B. 
Building Facade. For the purposes of this Article, a building facade is a building elevation that contains the front of the building as viewed from the right-of-way or an elevation that is oriented to the parking lot and contains the main entrance.
C. 
Facade Width. Where this Article calculates a sign area allowance based on the width of a building's facade, the width of the facade is:
1. 
The horizontal distance of the facade at grade on the side of the building facing a public street or with a public entrance for single-user lots; or
2. 
The horizontal distance of the portion of the facade between party walls or tenant separation partitions for the particular occupant at grade on the side of the building facing a public street or with a public entrance for multi-tenant developments with separate public entrances for each tenant.
Figure 16: Building Facade Width Measurement
D. 
Facade Area. Where this Article calculates a sign area allowance based on the facade area of the building's principal elevation, the facade area is the facade width multiplied by the average height above grade for the first story of the facade as measured from an elevation perspective.
E. 
Freestanding Sign Height. Freestanding sign height is the distance from the top of the sign structure to the top of the curb or crown of the roadway where no curb exists. The height of any monument base or other structure erected to support or ornament the sign is measured as part of the sign height.
Figure 17: Sign Height Measurement
F. 
Sign Area Measurement.
1. 
The sign area for copy mounted or painted on a background panel or area distinctively painted, textured, or constructed as a background for the sign copy is measured as the area contained within the outside dimensions of the background panel or surface.
Figure 18: Sign Area Measurement
2. 
Where there are two (2) or more faces, the sign area is measured as follows.
a. 
Two (2) Faces.
(1) 
If the interior angle between the two (2) faces is forty-five degrees (45°) or less, the sign area is calculated as the area of one (1) face only;
(2) 
If the angle between the two (2) sign faces is greater than forty-five degrees (45°), the sign area is calculated as the sum of the areas of the two (2) faces.
b. 
Three (3) Or More Faces. The sign area of signs with three (3) or more faces is the sum of the areas of each of the faces.
Figure 19: Face Area Measurement for Multi-Sided Signs
3. 
Spherical, Free-Form, Sculptural, and Other Non-Planar Signs. Sign area is calculated as the sum of the areas using only the four (4) vertical sides of the smallest rectangular prism that will encompass the sign, as illustrated in Figure 20.
Figure 20: Face Area Measurement for Non-Planar Signs
4. 
Building-Mounted Sign Area.
a. 
Sign area for Building-Mounted Signs is the width multiplied by the height of a single rectangle, parallel with the ground, that contains all sign copy, illuminated cabinets, background panels, or contrasting colors, but does not include architectural elements.
b. 
The sign area includes all related sign elements on the same exterior wall or structure. Related sign elements have similar construction and are no more than five (5) feet apart, measured horizontally or vertically.