Sign Information and Applications

Any person engaged in the business of installing signage will be required to have a Sign Hangers license. Sign Hangar licenses are monitored through the Administrative Services Department. A brief application form must be completed and must have liability insurance on file in the amount of $100,000.00. Renewals are done by mail with a $100.00 initial fee and a $50.00 renewal fee.

Signs on the exterior of all buildings require a permit, this includes permanent signs and temporary signs. To obtain a permit, submit a completed sign permit application. Sign permit fees can be found within the Sign Ordinance.

Should your sign not comply with the requirements of Ordinance requirements, a variance would be required. To apply for a variance, you must complete and submit a Sign Variance Application. Submit the completed Sign Variance Application to the Code Enforcement Division with a $50.00 (non-refundable) fee payable to the City of Lawrence. To obtain the submittal cut-off date contact Barry Walthall, Building Safety Manager at (785) 832-3101. After a completed variance request is filed, the Sign Code Board of Appeals will determine if the variance will be granted.

Sign, Political. A sign which makes known the name of and information about a person running for an office or any other information concerning a political campaign or election issue of any nature.

• No political sign shall be placed or erected in or on any private property with the express permission of the owner or occupant of such property. No political sign shall exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area. (Section 5-705, Letter I)

• No temporary sign shall exceed sixty (60) square feet in area. If the sign is to be located on a tract or lot having a front footage in excess of one hundred (100) and is the only sign to be located on the tract, additional square footage may be allowed on each side of the sign equal to thirty percent (30%) of the front footage in excess of the first one hundred (100) feet up to a maximum of ninety (90) square feet. A sign in excess of sixty (60) square feet shall be made or rigid materials approved by the Building Inspector. (Section 5-733, Letter A)
• Real estate signs not exceeding eight (8) square feet in area which advertise only the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which such signs are located.
• No political, temporary, or real estate sign shall be placed in or on the public right of way.

Temporary Directional Yard Signs in Residential Districts

No private signage shall be placed or maintained on public right-of-way or easements. In addition to other allowed signage, one (1) temporary directional sign may be placed on private property in residentially zoned districts, with the consent of the property owner, provided that: (Ord. 7372)

(A) such sign shall not exceed four square feet in area per side and forty-two (42) inches in height; and

(B) such sign shall remain in place only from 5 p.m. Friday until 5 p.m. Sunday; and

(C) such sign directs traffic to property in the residentially zoned district.

Sign Permit Application

Sign Variance Application

Sign Ordinance

Sign Hangers License Application

Typical Sign Restriction Diagram