# Sign Regulations in Muscle Shoals, Alabama

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Muscle Shoals, Alabama (AL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/alabama/muscle-shoals
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/AL/Muscle_Shoals/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH6AD_ARTIISI)

## At a glance

Muscle Shoals, Alabama regulates 17 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Condominium/Apartment Identification Sign (Detached)s in the Residence Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, RMF-1, M-H, PRD) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 40 sq ft (if 10+ ft from right-of-way), 50 sq ft (if 10+ ft from right-of-way as specified), with a 10 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 6-37(n)). Most commercial signs in Muscle Shoals require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residence Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, RMF-1, M-H, PRD) | 8 | 6 ft | 40 sq ft (if 10+ ft from right-of-way), 50 sq ft (if 10+ ft from right-of-way as specified) | — |
| Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-2A) | 6 | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Manufacturing Districts (M-1, M-2) | 5 | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 30 inches (within 10 ft of ROW), 3.5 ft (setback area, but ≥10 ft from ROW), 20 ft (not in setback) | Up to 50% of total allowable sign area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residence Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, RMF-1, M-H, PRD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Identification Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 6-38(1)(a) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 6-38(1)(b) |
| Institutional Sign (Detached) | — | 36 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | Sec. 6-38(1)(c) |
| Institutional Sign (Attached) | — | 36 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | Sec. 6-38(1)(c) |
| Condominium/Apartment Identification Sign (Attached) | — | Total 36 sq ft per development/complex | — | — | Any number, subject to total area | — | — | Sec. 6-37(m) |
| Condominium/Apartment Identification Sign (Detached) | 6 ft | 40 sq ft (if 10+ ft from right-of-way), 50 sq ft (if 10+ ft from right-of-way as specified) | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per public street frontage | One per public street frontage | — | Sec. 6-37(n) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | 6 ft | — | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance to a residential subdivision | — | Sec. 6-37(l) |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate, Construction, Political, Special Event, Yard Sale, Award) | 6 ft (for award/historical signs), others not specified | 8 sq ft | — | May be in setback up to the public right-of-way | Typically 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Sec. 6-35(a); Sec. 6-39(b) |

### Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-2A)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Attached On-Premises Sign) | Not to extend above the height of the building | 100 sq ft per wall face | — | Shall not extend more than 14 inches over any setback | Any number, subject to area per wall face | Building wall; attached | — | Sec. 6-38(2)(a); Sec. 6-37(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Detached On-Premises Sign) | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — | Must not extend into/within 25 ft of right-of-way (Sec. 6-39(c)); up to 10 ft from ROW if max 3.5 ft high and 25 sq ft area | 1 per 250 ft of frontage; 1 additional for other frontages >100 ft | Lot with tenant, occupant, or enterprise | — | Sec. 6-38(2)(b), (2)(c) |
| Marquee Sign | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — | Supports must be at least 5 ft from public ROW, sign must not extend into ROW | One per lot or tract | Multi-tenant business center or theater | — | Sec. 6-38(2)(c) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | 56 inches length, 12 inches width | — | — | On awning; projects maximum 8 ft from building face | — | Sec. 6-38(2)(f) |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate, Construction, Political, Special Event, Award) | For award/historical signs: 6 ft; otherwise not specified | 32 sq ft | — | No sign within 10 ft of public ROW; must be between 3.5 ft and 8 ft in height | Typically 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Sec. 6-35(a); Sec. 6-39(a) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | As in general regulations (see Sec. 6-37) | — | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance | — | Sec. 6-38(2)(d) |

### Manufacturing Districts (M-1, M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Attached On-Premises Sign) | Not to extend above the height of the building | 100 sq ft per wall face | — | Shall not extend more than 14 inches over any setback | Any number, subject to area per wall face | Building wall; attached | — | Sec. 6-38(2)(a); Sec. 6-37(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Detached On-Premises Sign) | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — | Must not extend into/within 25 ft of right-of-way (Sec. 6-39(c)); up to 10 ft from ROW if max 3.5 ft high and 25 sq ft area | 1 per 250 ft of frontage; 1 additional for other frontages >100 ft | Lot with tenant, occupant, or enterprise | — | Sec. 6-38(2)(b), (2)(c) |
| Marquee Sign | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — | Supports must be at least 5 ft from public ROW, sign must not extend into ROW | One per lot or tract | Multi-tenant business center or theater | — | Sec. 6-38(2)(c) |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate, Construction, Political, Special Event, Award) | For award/historical signs: 6 ft; otherwise not specified | 32 sq ft | — | No sign within 10 ft of public ROW; must be between 3.5 ft and 8 ft in height | Typically 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Sec. 6-35(a); Sec. 6-39(a) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | As in general regulations (see Sec. 6-37) | — | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance | — | Sec. 6-38(2)(d) |

## Prohibited signs in Muscle Shoals

- No detached sign of any type or kind which exceeds 40 feet in height shall be located, erected or maintained in any district.
- No off-premises sign shall be located, erected, or maintained in any district.
- Signs must only advertise businesses at that specific location.
- All signs, and all components, supporting structure, and appurtenances thereof, shall be maintained in good repair, free of rust, peeling, flaking, fading, broken or cracked panels, and broken or missing letters, presenting a clean and finished appearance.
- The area within ten feet in all directions of any part of a detached sign shall be kept clear of debris and trash, and grass and other undergrowth in said area shall not exceed five inches in height, measured from ground level.
- Exposed backs of all signs shall be painted a single color and shall present a clean and finished appearance.
- No sign shall display rotating, or moving lights, or lights of changing degrees of intensity which imitate emergency vehicle lights, which are visible from the right-of-way of a public street or highway, or from any other vehicular travel way open to the public.
- No sign shall revolve or be animated, or utilize movement or apparent movement in order to attract the attention of the public, which is visible from the right-of-way of a public street or highway, or from any other vehicular travel way open to the public.
- The following signs, which are hereby declared a public nuisance, are prohibited and shall not be given nonconforming status: (a) Signs which copy, imitate, or approximate an official traffic sign or device for commercial purposes; (b) Signs which hide or interfere with any official traffic sign or public information sign; (c) Signs which permit focused light, such as beams or rays, to be directed onto public ways or adjacent properties causing glare or a traffic hazard; (d) Signs on public property attached to or maintained upon trees, or painted/drawn upon rocks or other natural features; (e) Signs incorporating noisy mechanical devices emitting sound audible to motorists; (f) Signs failing to meet applicable building or electrical codes; (g) Signs/parts that obstruct doors, fire escapes, ventilation, or other ingress/egress; (h) Signs interfering with necessary views for vehicle or pedestrian traffic safety; (i) Signs violating this article and not nonconforming; (j) Portable signs are not allowed, except for new businesses for up to 60 days with a permit.
- Signs which fail to meet the standards set out by the Standard Building Code, National Electrical Code, or any other applicable codes enforced by the City of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, including wind load and electrical requirements.
- Signs, or any parts or appurtenances or supporting members thereof, which obstruct or interfere with any door, fire escape, ventilation opening, or other means of ingress and egress or ventilation.
- Signs which interfere with the view necessary for vehicular or pedestrian traffic to proceed safely or to enter onto or exit from public or private streets, roads, or highways.
- Signs which violate one or more provisions of this article and are not legally nonconforming signs.
- No sign permit shall be issued for any premises where there exists an unsafe or obsolete sign until such sign is removed or brought into conformance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Muscle Shoals

- Signs not exceeding two square feet in area, which denote the name, address, or business hours only of the occupant of the premises.
- On-premises directional signs, provided they do not exceed four square feet in area, meet specific height and setback requirements, and are noncommercial in nature.
- Signs fully located within the interior of any building or stadium or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building.
- Publicly owned memorial tablets or signs.
- Signs painted on or otherwise attached to currently licensed motor vehicles, provided the primary function of such vehicle is transportation and not solely advertising.
- Signs proclaiming religious, political, or other noncommercial messages (other than those regulated by section 6-35), not exceeding one per abutting street, or 16 square feet in area, and not internally illuminated.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings or works of art, provided they do not contain moving parts or moving or flashing lights.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign, unless exempt under sections 6-34 and 6-35, shall be located, constructed, erected, posted, attached, altered, or repaired until a building permit has been issued by the building director.
- Plans and specifications for awnings must be submitted to and approved by the building director prior to installation.

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

---

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