How Lehi Handles Sign Regulations: A Practical Guide

Lehi maintains 115 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with sign regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Lehi falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Holiday Displays

Lehi's sign ordinance exempts holiday decorations and illuminated building accents from sign-permit requirements entirely, so residents and businesses can hang lights, wreaths, and seasonal displays without applying to the Zoning Administrator, unlike temporary banners and event signs that need permits and are capped at 30 days at a time.

Key details: Holiday decorations: Permit-exempt (§23.070.E). Illuminated building accents: Also exempt (§23.070.F). Streamer/bunting ban: Exempted for holidays (§23.120.E). Hazardous displays: Removable under §23.050.I. Chapter last amended: 06/11/24.

The exemption removes any permit charge, but Section 23.050.I still lets Lehi order the removal of any sign, including a holiday display, that poses an immediate public safety hazard, such as one blocking sightlines at an intersection. A wider Development Code violation is a class C misdemeanor under Section 34.010.D, with each ten-day period of continued noncompliance charged as a separate offense.

The rules around holiday displays in Lehi lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Political Signs

Political signs in Lehi need no sign permit at all: Section 23.070.J of the Development Code lists political signs among the exemptions from Chapter 23's permitting regulations, so campaign signage can go up on private property without a Zoning Administrator review or a filing fee.

Key details: Political signs: No permit required (§23.070.J). Placement: Must be on private property (§23.050.J). Right-of-way: Banned except public signs (§23.050.C). Clear-view triangle: 3-ft height cap (§23.050.E). Chapter last amended: 06/11/24.

A political sign in the right-of-way, blocking a clear-view triangle, or posted without the owner's permission can be removed under the City's general sign-hazard authority in Section 23.050.I even though no permit was ever required. A broader Development Code violation is a class C misdemeanor under Section 34.010.D, each ten-day period of continued noncompliance a separate offense.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Lehi gives residents more flexibility on political signs.

Garage Sale Signs

A garage-sale sign under four square feet needs no permit under Lehi's Development Code, Section 23.070.R, but it still has to sit entirely on private property with the owner's written consent, stay out of the public right-of-way and park strips, and can be pulled by the City on the spot if it blocks a driver's sightline.

Key details: Signs 4 sq ft or under: No permit needed (§23.070.R). Private-property rule: Owner's written OK required (§23.050.J). Right-of-way/park strip: Banned (§23.050.C). Clear-view triangle: 3-ft height cap (§23.050.E). Unlawful placement: Removed on the spot (§23.100.A.5).

Placing a garage-sale sign in the public right-of-way, a median, or a park strip lets Lehi remove it immediately under Section 23.100.A.5, no notice or hearing required. Beyond removal, Section 34.010.D of the Development Code makes any violation of the Code a class C misdemeanor, with each ten-day period of continued noncompliance charged as a separate offense.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Lehi gives residents more flexibility on garage sale signs.

Digital Billboards

Lehi allows zero new billboards anywhere in the City: Section 23.110.C bans permits for new construction outright. Existing off-premises signs can convert to electronic displays only inside the Off-Premises Electronic Display Sign Overlay Zone, capped at 675 square feet, and only with a conditional-use permit from the Planning Commission.

Key details: New billboards: Banned citywide (§23.110.C). Conversion location: Overlay Zone only (§23.190.D.2.b). EDS size cap: 675 sq ft (§23.190.D.2.c). Message change: Every 8 sec, 1/4-sec transition. I-15 spacing: 1,000 ft (750 ft w/ sign removal).

Any billboard erected without the required conditional use permit, or any conversion that exceeds the 675-square-foot cap or sits outside the mapped Overlay Zone, is an illegal sign under Chapter 23. Any Development Code violation is also a class C misdemeanor under Section 34.010.D, with each ten-day period of continued noncompliance charged as a separate offense, and approvals can be reconsidered or revoked under Section 34.040.

This is one of the stricter rules in Lehi's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Freeway-Facing Signs

Lehi lets small commercial lots near I-15 put up a pylon sign, normally reserved for three-acre-plus parcels, if the site sits within 300 feet of the freeway right-of-way, within 1,000 feet of an interchange, is oriented for freeway viewing, and belongs to a hotel, gas station, or restaurant, with height running up to 70 feet near overpasses.

Key details: Normal pylon threshold: 3-acre lot (§23.090.I.1). Freeway exception lots: Under 3 acres near I-15 (§23.090.I.2). Proximity rule: Within 300 ft of I-15 ROW (§23.090.I.2.a). Standard height cap: 25 ft (§23.090.I.4.a). Overpass height ceiling: 70 ft absolute (§23.090.I.4.b).

A pylon sign built taller than the approved height, placed without the required freeway-proximity showing, or erected without Planning Commission conditional-use approval is an illegal sign subject to removal, and any Development Code violation is a class C misdemeanor under Section 34.010.D, with each ten-day period of continued noncompliance a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Lehi gives residents more room on sign regulations. 3 of the 5 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

This guide is based on Lehi's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.