# Sign Regulations in Jacksonville, Alabama

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Jacksonville, Alabama (AL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/alabama/jacksonville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/AL/Jacksonville/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH24ZO_ARTVIISI)

## At a glance

Jacksonville, Alabama regulates 42 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Yard Sale Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 4 sq ft, with a See 24-562(3) setback (Sec. Sec. 24-563(18)). Most commercial signs in Jacksonville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 23 | 35 ft permanent pole, 10 ft temporary staff | 48 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts | 5 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Business Zoning Districts, Manufacturing Zoning Districts | 8 | 30 ft to highest tip; in certain areas, max 25 ft above main traveled way | 300 sq ft (max height of sign area 10 ft, max length 30 ft, extensions up to 15% additional area) | — |
| Non-residential Zoning Districts | 1 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| RIP Business District | 2 | — | 16 sq ft | — |
| B-1 Local Shopping Business District, B-2 General Business District | 3 | 25 ft | 150 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| First Amendment Message Sign (Residential Use) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per household/business | On-premises. | — | Sec. 24-563(9) |
| First Amendment Message Sign (Non-Residential Use) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per household/business | On-premises. | — | Sec. 24-563(9) |
| No Trespassing/Soliciting/Warning Sign | 4 ft | 1 sq ft | — | — | Minimum necessary | On-premises. | — | Sec. 24-563(10) |
| For Sale or Rent Real Estate Sign (Residential Use) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On-premises; one per street frontage. | — | Sec. 24-563(11) |
| For Sale or Rent Real Estate Sign (Non-Residential Use) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On-premises; one per street frontage. | — | Sec. 24-563(11) |
| Construction/Land Development Project Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per project | On-premises; one per project. | — | Sec. 24-563(12) |
| Yard Sale Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | See 24-562(3) | 1 per street frontage | On-premises. | — | Sec. 24-563(18) |
| Wind Sign for Special Event | 12 ft | 20 sq ft | — | Not in front setback. | 2 per event | On-premises, within 10 ft of main structure. | — | Sec. 24-563(25) |

### Residential Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional/Informational Sign (Quasi-Public Use) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | No closer than 1/2 setback from property line. | — | On-premises. | — | Sec. 24-565(1) |
| Bulletin Board/Identification Sign (Public Assembly, Institutional Use) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | No closer than 1/2 setback from property line. | — | On-premises. | — | Sec. 24-565(2) |
| Nursery/Kindergarten/Day Care Identification Sign | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | No closer than 1/2 setback from property line. | — | On-premises. | — | Sec. 24-565(3) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Attached to wall adjacent to front door, not higher than top of door. | — | Sec. 24-565(4) |
| Subdivision/Multi-Family Development Identification Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | On-premises at each primary entrance to public street, in area designated on plans/plats. | — | Sec. 24-565(5) |

### Business Zoning Districts, Manufacturing Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard | 30 ft to highest tip; in certain areas, max 25 ft above main traveled way | 300 sq ft (max height of sign area 10 ft, max length 30 ft, extensions up to 15% additional area) | 30 ft | 15 ft front, 10 ft side, see restrictions above. | — | Minimum 15 ft front, 10 ft side setback. Not on public right-of-way. | — | Sec. 24-564(1) |
| Digital Sign | — | — | — | — | — | May be integrated as freestanding, wall, monument, window, or projection sign. | — | Sec. 24-564(2) |
| Freestanding Sign | Up to 20 ft or max roofline (whichever lower) | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises (except different for shopping centers) | On-premises | — | Sec. 24-564(3) |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft (8 ft if enhanced with architectural material/design) | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises (except different for shopping centers) | On-premises | — | Sec. 24-564(4) |
| Projection Sign | Bottom at least 10 ft from sidewalk/ground; top not above wall | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building (per facade) | On building facade facing ROW. | — | Sec. 24-564(5) |
| Roof Sign | Top not above highest roofline. | 60 sq ft (max); or 20% of roof area with pitch >= 45° | — | — | 1 per building | On roof. | — | Sec. 24-564(6) |
| Subdivision Identification Sign (Business/Manufacturing Use) | 8 ft (including structure) | 48 sq ft | — | Not in right-of-way or alley. | 1 per entrance | On-premises at primary entrance, in area on plat. | — | Sec. 24-564(7) |
| Wall Sign | Top not above top of wall. | 20% of wall area (excluding doors/windows) | — | — | 1 per facade meeting criteria | On building facade with main entrance, facade oriented to ROW, or to customer lot. | — | Sec. 24-564(8) |

## Prohibited signs in Jacksonville

- No sign shall be erected or maintained at any location where by reason of its position, working, illumination, shape, symbol, color, form or character it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or may be confused with any authorized traffic control sign, signal or device, or interfere with, mislead, confuse, or disrupt vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
- No sign shall be erected in or otherwise fixed to any object within a public right-of-way, alley, easement, or located such that it obstructs or physically interferes with the driver's view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic.
- A portable/mobile sign shall only be non-illuminated.
- The wattage of sign lighting should not exceed 60 watts per bulb, and no lights shall be permitted to flash, blink, or shimmer (except as set forth in the section for digital signs).
- No sign shall be permitted to rotate, oscillate or otherwise move and signs incorporating any noisy mechanical device (whistles, horns, sirens, or other noisy audible devices) are prohibited.
- No sign or any foundation or support thereof shall be erected on or overhanging any public right-of-way or alley, except signs owned by public/government agencies.
- No strings of light outlining property lines, sales area, rooflines, doors, windows, wall edges or other architectural features of a building shall be allowed, except when used as temporary community decorations, holiday decorations, or a promotional display.
- Only non-illuminated signs shall be allowed in and within 100 feet of any residential zoning district, except as set forth for residential zoning districts.
- No sign shall be suspended across public streets, except signs owned by public/government agencies.
- No sign or any foundation or support thereof shall be located in a right-of-way, alley, or easement.
- Banners are prohibited to be used as a permanent sign.
- Wind signs that are mechanically operated or inflated are prohibited.
- No sign containing messages of obscenity, defamation, and libel is allowed as permitted by law.

## Signs exempt from permit in Jacksonville

- Regulatory, directional, informational, and construction signage installed by any government agency or quasi-public agency.
- Signs listed in Sec. 24-563 (Signs allowed without a sign permit), including traffic/pedestrian regulatory signs, construction signs, street name signs, signs for public utilities and public transportation, address numbers, one non-illuminated First Amendment sign per household/business, no trespassing/warning signs, real estate for sale/rent signs, construction/contractor signs, employment opportunity signs, flags and flagpoles (per limitations), menu boards (with conditions), yard sale signs, window signs, political signs, certain signs for special events, and other specifically enumerated exempt signs.
- Changing the copy, announcement or message on a sign does not require a permit.
- Cleaning, painting, or comparable maintenance of a sign that does not alter sign area, image, or message does not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A written sign permit application must be submitted and approved, including plans and specifications (if required by the enforcing officer); plans may include a site plan of the development showing location of any temporary or permanent sign(s), building facade dimensions, sign elevations and dimensions, supporting structures/footings, height from grade, type and placement of illumination (if illuminated), and electrical plans.
- Sign permit requests are incomplete until all submittal requirements, including plans and documentation, are provided to the enforcing officer.
- Subdivision identification signs must be located in an area designated on a subdivision plat.
- Subdivision and multi-family dwelling development identification signs in residential areas must be located in an area designated on the plans or subdivision plat.

## 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 6 zoning districts in Jacksonville — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Jacksonville+AL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-jacksonville

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/alabama/jacksonville