# Sign Regulations in Bessemer, Alabama

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Bessemer, Alabama, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Bessemer, Alabama (AL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/alabama/bessemer
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/AL/Bessemer/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_APXBZO_S11SIRE)

## At a glance

Bessemer, Alabama regulates 28 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Off-Premises Sign/Billboards in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 40 ft tall, 672 sq ft per face, 1 face per pole/structure, and 48 ft wide, with a No part within setback setback (Sec. Sec. 11.15, 11.16(1)). Most commercial signs in Bessemer require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District | 10 | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Planned Residential District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Central Business District | 6 | Per general sign regulations (usually 18') | 150 sq ft per wall face | — |
| Business District, Office District, Specialty District | 6 | 18 ft (exceptions: 24' for hotels/hospitals/planned developments w/planning approval) | 150 sq ft per side per 250' frontage | — |
| Business District-Industrial | 5 | 18 ft (exceptions: 24' for hotels/hospitals/planned developments w/planning approval) | 150 sq ft per side per 250' frontage | — |
| Institutional District, Specialty District | 4 | 18 ft (exceptions: 24' for hotels/hospitals/planned developments w/planning approval) | 200 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 40 ft | 672 sq ft per face, 1 face per pole/structure | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | 20' from right-of-way if ground sign | 1 per street frontage | Flush to principal building or as ground sign not closer than 20' to right-of-way | — | Sec. 11.10(1), 11.8(27) |
| Identification Sign (Multiple-Family/Group Dwellings) | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Flush to principal building | — | Sec. 11.10(2) |
| Institutional Sign (Churches, Schools, Public Buildings) | — | 20 sq ft | — | At least 1/2 required setback | 1 per street frontage | Not closer than 1/2 required setback | — | Sec. 11.10(3) |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | In front, rear, or side yard up to the right-of-way | — | Sec. 11.6(a), 11.16(3) |
| Temporary Sign (Election/Political) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | In front, rear, or side yard up to the right-of-way | — | Sec. 11.6(d), 11.16(3) |
| Temporary Sign (Special Event) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | In front, rear, or side yard up to the right-of-way | — | Sec. 11.6(e), 11.16(3) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | 20' from right-of-way (if ground sign) | 1 per street frontage | Wall or ground, not closer than 20' to right-of-way | — | Sec. 11.8(27) |
| Subdivision/Apartment Identification Sign (Detached) | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | — | 10' from right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | 10'+ from public right-of-way per frontage | — | Sec. 11.8(14) |

### Business District, Office District, Specialty District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attached Wall Sign (Single-Tenant) | Not above roof/building line | 100 sq ft (200 sq ft if frontage >100') | — | Not to extend >14" over any setback (Sec. 11.16(5)) | Any number (subject to area cap) | On wall of occupant/tenant | — | Sec. 11.12(1), 11.8(29) |
| Attached Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant) | Not above building | 100 sq ft per tenant (200 sq ft if frontage >100') | — | Not to extend >14" over setback | Any number per tenant (subject to area cap) | On wall of occupant/tenant | — | Sec. 11.12(2) |
| Detached Sign (Single-Tenant) | 18 ft (exceptions: 24' for hotels/hospitals/planned developments w/planning approval) | 100 sq ft per side per 250' frontage | — | At least 10' from right-of-way; 5' from all side/rear property lines | 1 per 250' frontage (additional per qualifying street) | Per street frontage | — | Sec. 11.12(3), 11.8(1), 11.8(29), 11.8(24) |
| Detached Business Center Sign (Multi-Tenant) | 18 ft (exceptions: 24' for hotels/hospitals/planned developments w/planning approval) | 150 sq ft per side per 250' frontage | — | At least 10' from right-of-way; 5' from side/rear property lines | 1 per 250' frontage (additional per qualifying street) | Per street frontage | — | Sec. 11.12(4), 11.8(1), 11.8(29) |
| Subdivision/Apartment/Condominium Identification Signs | Wall: N/A; Detached: 6 ft | See general sign regulations (Sec. 11.8(13)-(14)): Wall: 36 sq ft total/development; Detached: 40 sq ft, 6 ft high, per frontage | — | See general sign regs | — | Per general sign regulations | — | Sec. 11.12(5), 11.8(13)-(14) |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | See above | 1 per event type per frontage | Not within 10' of right-of-way | — | Sec. 11.12(7), 11.6, 11.16(2) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Permanent) | 30 inches (within 10' of ROW); 3.5 ft (>10' from ROW/in setback); 6 ft (not in setback) | 4 sq ft | — | See above | — | On-premises; see location & height | — | Sec. 11.5(b), 11.8(2) |
| Directional Sign (Temporary Parking Area Exit/Entrance) | — | 4 sq ft (entrance/exit); 12 sq ft (conditions) | — | — | 1 per entrance/exit | At parking areas >4 cars | — | Sec. 11.9(1) |
| For Sale/For Rent (General, not temp) | — | Up to 200 sq ft max | — | 20' from street line | — | Ground or wall, not closer than 20' to street line | — | Sec. 11.9(2) |
| Subdivision Sale Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | Not in required yard | 1 | On portion of subdivision for sale | — | Sec. 11.9(3) |
| Construction/Development Sign | — | 12 sq ft per contractor or 100 sq ft all names | — | — | 1 per contractor or 1 aggregate | On property under construction | — | Sec. 11.9(4) |
| Agricultural Sale Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | Sec. 11.9(5) |
| Special Event Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft typical | 6 sq ft (residential); 32 sq ft (other districts) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises, removed within time limits | — | Sec. 11.9(7), 11.6(e) |
| Off-Premises Sign/Billboard | 40 ft | 672 sq ft per face, 1 face per pole/structure | 48 ft | No part within setback | 1 per pole/support | Business districts where permitted use only; must not be on parcel with other commercial use | — | Sec. 11.15, 11.16(1) |

## Prohibited signs in Bessemer

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, move, alter or convert any sign in the city without first obtaining a building permit for each sign, unless otherwise provided in the ordinance.
- No detached sign exceeding permitted height limits shall be located, erected, or maintained in any district.
- Roof-mounted signs are not permitted unless reviewed and approved by the zoning board of adjustments.
- Attached signs shall not extend above the height of the building to which they are attached.
- All signs, components, and supporting structures must be maintained in good repair and present a clean and finished appearance.
- No sign, nor any part thereof, shall be erected or located in or project over any public right-of-way, except as otherwise provided by this article.
- No sign shall display flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving lights, or lights of changing degrees of intensity, visible from any public right-of-way, unless approved as an exception.
- No sign shall revolve, be animated, or utilize movement or apparent movement in order to attract attention from the right-of-way.
- Signs that copy, imitate, or approximate official traffic signs/devices with the intent to draw attention to a business/service/product are prohibited.
- Signs that interfere with the view of street traffic or with official traffic signage are prohibited.
- Signs which permit focused light onto a public street, highway, or another property in a manner that causes glare, impairment of vision, or constitutes a hazard are prohibited.
- Signs on public property that are attached to or maintained upon trees, or painted/drawn upon rocks or other natural features are prohibited.
- Signs incorporating noisy mechanical devices which emit sound audible over normal road noise to motorists are prohibited.
- Signs failing to meet the standards of applicable building, electrical, wind load, or other relevant safety codes are prohibited.
- Signs or supporting structures that obstruct or interfere with any door, escape, ventilation opening, or ingress/egress are prohibited.
- Signs interfering with the necessary view for vehicular or pedestrian safety (e.g., blocking sight triangles) are prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained in a location where, by reason of its position, wording, illumination, size, shape, or color, it may be confused with or obscure an authorized traffic control device.
- No sign shall use any light, word, phrase, symbol, or design that would mislead or confuse traffic.
- No sign with flashing, intermittent, or animated illumination is permitted within 300 feet of residential property unless not visible from such property.
- No illuminated sign is permitted within 50 feet of residential property unless designed so that illumination does not shine or reflect on such property.
- No business or advertising ground sign shall exceed 50 feet in length.
- All outdoor advertising structures, including billboards, must conform to district side/rear yard requirements and be set back at least 100 feet from residential districts.
- No sign shall be placed in a public right-of-way, except publicly owned signs.
- Trailer (portable) signs may not be installed on premises, except by board of zoning adjustments approval for temporary purposes and limited duration.
- No sign shall be erected/maintained if it fails to meet the Standard Building Code, National Electrical Code, or other codes enforced by the city.
- No person shall place or erect a temporary sign within a street right-of-way, or attach it to any utility pole, nor place or erect any sign upon another's property without consent.
- No person may enlarge or alter a conforming sign to cause a nonconforming condition, nor add illumination to a conforming sign.
- Nonconforming signs may not be increased in nonconformity, structurally altered to prolong life, moved, replaced, re-established after abandonment/destruction beyond set thresholds, or have message altered unless permitted.
- No new detached sign may be erected where an existing nonconforming detached sign remains, unless the latter is removed or brought into conformance except for certain off-premise signs.
- No sign permit shall be issued for any premises where an unsafe or obsolete sign exists until such sign is removed or brought into compliance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bessemer

- Signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area denoting name, address, or business hours of occupant.
- On-premises directional signs not exceeding four (4) square feet and meeting specified height/setback conditions.
- Signs fully located within the interior of any building or stadium or within an enclosed lobby/court.
- Publicly owned memorial tablets or signs.
- Signs painted on or attached to currently licensed motor vehicles, provided the primary function of the vehicle is transport and not advertising.
- Signs proclaiming religious, political, or other non-commercial messages (other than those regulated by section 11.6), not exceeding one per abutting street, not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet, and not internally illuminated.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings or works of art, provided they do not contain moving/flashing parts or lights.
- Small changeable signs over gasoline pump islands illustrating current gasoline pricing.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Roof-mounted signs require review and approval by the zoning board of adjustments.
- Electronic message signs (flashing/intermittent illumination) may be allowed in non-residential districts upon approval by the zoning board of adjustments.
- Changeable message signs (manual or electronic) may be permitted in non-residential districts as a special exception.
- Trailer (portable) signs may only be installed for temporary purposes (up to 90 days, with possible 60 day extension) upon review and approval by the board of zoning adjustments, with additional restrictions.
- Externally illuminated signs may be allowed in a residential district as an exception by the zoning board of adjustment.
- Additional sign area for hotels, hospitals, and planned developments may be allowed in accordance with a development plan approved by the planning and zoning commission.
- Signs permitted in planned residential districts will be determined as part of the development plan review process.
- Appeals of permit denial may be taken to the board of adjustment.
- No specific master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan is explicitly referenced, but various exceptions, variances, and additional sign area allowances are tied to review/approval by zoning board of adjustment or planning and zoning commission.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 7 zoning districts in Bessemer — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bessemer+AL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bessemer

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