Jackson County, MO Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Yes, from the Director
- Setback from parks/schools/homes
- 500 feet
- Spacing from other signs
- 500 feet
- Max face area
- 1,200 sq ft
- Applies in Kansas City
- No: separate city code
Summary
Off-premise signs and billboards along Interstate 70, I-435 and other freeways in unincorporated Jackson County face strict size, spacing and permit rules under the Unified Development Code.
c. Interstate Highway and State Freeway and Non-Freeway Primary Systems Sign or
Billboard Standards.
1. A sign or billboard shall not be erected within 500 linear feet of a public park,
school, library or structure zoned for residential purposes on the same side of the
highway/freeway as the sign or billboard.
2. The gross area of all signs or billboards on any premises shall not exceed one (1')
square foot for each one foot (1') of highway/freeway frontage adjoining the
property. The maximum gross area of each face or side of any one sign or
billboard shall be 1,200 square feet; the minimum gross area of any one sign or
billboard shall be 32 square feet. Signs or billboards placed back-to-back, double
faced, or of V-type construction are considered as one sign.
3. A sign or billboard shall not be erected within 500 linear feet of an existing sign
or billboard located on the same side of the highway/freeway as the sign or
billboard.
4. A sign or billboard shall not be erected within 500 linear feet of an interchange,
intersection at grade or safety rest area located on the same side of the
highway/freeway as the sign or billboard. Distance shall be measured from the
beginning or ending of the pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the
main traveled way.
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated Jackson County, off-premise signs and billboards facing the Interstate Highway and State Freeway Primary System need a permit from the Director before erection and must sit at least 500 feet from parks, schools, libraries or residential-zoned land and 500 feet from another sign on the same side of the road. Total sign area on a parcel is capped at 1 square foot per linear foot of freeway frontage, with a 1,200-square-foot maximum face and a 32-square-foot minimum. This does not apply inside Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Raytown or Grandview, which regulate signs under their own municipal codes.
Violations & Fines
Improperly maintained or unpermitted signs get formal notice to correct within 30 days; failure to comply means immediate revocation of the sign permit and county removal of the sign at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these freeway sign rules apply inside Kansas City?
How close can a billboard be to a freeway interchange?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jackson County
Compare Jackson County to another location·View the Missouri sign regulations overview
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