# Sign Regulations in Goshen, Arkansas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Goshen, Arkansas (AR)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/arkansas/goshen
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-06
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://www.cityofgoshenar.net/planning-building-department)

## At a glance

Goshen, Arkansas regulates 24 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Church or School Bulletin Board (Manual Copy Change)s in the Non-residential districts zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 12 sq ft (Sec. 7.36.08(A)(1)). Most commercial signs in Goshen require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| Non-residential districts | 5 | 8 ft | 30 sq ft maximum | — |
| Residential districts | 1 | 6 ft | — | — |
| Commercial districts | 6 | 4 ft | 40% of window area | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flag (U.S., State, Municipal, or Corporate) | — | — | — | — | — | Anywhere except as otherwise regulated. | — | 7.36.06(A) |
| Historic Marker - Freestanding | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 7.36.06(B) |
| Historic Marker - Wall | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 7.36.06(B) |
| Incidental or Directional Sign | 4 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 7.36.06(E) |
| Non-Profit Announcement (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | — | — | 7.36.06(F) |
| Non-Profit Announcement (Non-Residential) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | — | — | 7.36.06(F) |
| Public Park Sign | 8 ft | — | — | — | — | Public parks | — | 7.36.06(H) |
| Election Sign | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property with landlord consent; not in public right-of-way. | — | 7.36.06(J) |

### Non-residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Church or School Bulletin Board (Manual Copy Change) | 8 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | One per institution | One per institution | — | 7.36.08(A)(1) |
| Awning Sign | — | Counts toward total sign area allowed per wall sign limits | — | Not closer than 5 ft from curb line; 8 ft above public right-of-way or front yard. | — | Flat against surface of awning; at least 8 ft above public right-of-way or front yard; not closer than 5 ft from curb line of any street; must not extend into right-of-way. | — | 7.36.08(A)(2) |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | — | 8 ft (length) | Not closer than 20 ft to right-of-way or property line; required landscaped area at base. | — | Freestanding, attached to ground; permitted in buffer or landscaped area, not closer than 20 ft to right-of-way or property line. | — | 7.36.08(A)(5-7) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Extending from the building, supported by the building. | — | 7.36.08(A)(8) |
| Wall Sign | — | 30 sq ft maximum | — | — | — | On primary entry facade of building only; cannot extend beyond wall. | — | 7.36.08(A)(10) |

### Commercial districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Freestanding) | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | Freestanding, one per street frontage. | — | 7.36.06(L)(3)(a) |
| Real Estate Sign (Wall - Whole Building) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per building facade | Wall, if entire building is for sale or lease; one per building facade. | — | 7.36.06(L)(3)(b)[1] |
| Real Estate Sign (Wall - Partial Building) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per lease space | Wall, if portion of building is for sale or lease; one per lease space. | — | 7.36.06(L)(3)(b)[2] |
| Window Sign (Commercial) | — | 40% of window area | — | — | — | On or inside window glass, visible from exterior. | — | 7.36.06(N) |
| Construction Site Sign (On-site) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On-site only | — | 7.36.06(O) |
| Vending Machine/ATM/Gas Pump Display | — | 18 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On vending machine, ATM, or gas pump. | — | 7.36.06(M) |

## Prohibited signs in Goshen

- All signs must not create hazards due to collapse, fire, collision, decay, abandonment, storms, or other safety considerations.
- Signs may not obstruct firefighting or police operations.
- Signs may not create traffic hazards by confusing or distracting motorists.
- Signs may not impair a driver's ability to see pedestrians, obstacles, other vehicles, or read traffic signs and signals.
- Signs may not interfere with or detract from safety of persons or property.
- Signs may not interfere with scenic views.
- Signs may not create a nuisance to persons using the public rights-of-way.
- Signs may not constitute a nuisance or safety hazard by their brightness, size, height or movement.
- Signs may not be detrimental to land or property values.
- Signs may not overwhelm people by the number of messages presented or interfere with the exercise of freedom of choice to observe or ignore messages.
- Signs may not create or worsen visual clutter or visual blight.
- All signs must comply with ICC Building Code and National Electrical Code.
- Except for certain listed signs, all signs must be constructed of permanent materials and affixed permanently to ground or building.
- No sign, including supports, frames, or embellishments, may be located within a public right-of-way or attached to or painted on any utility pole, light standard, utility box or pedestal, tree, rock, or other natural object in the public right-of-way or on public property except where specifically permitted.
- No sign shall block entrances or exits to buildings, including windows, doors, and fire escapes.
- No sign shall be located within the intersection sight triangle between 30 and 60 inches in height.
- Sign illumination must not interfere with traffic safety and must conform to the city lighting ordinance.
- Signs shall not be illuminated by a string of lights or other extraneous lighting around the sign.
- Electronically changeable copy signs are prohibited.
- Obsolete, nonconforming, or unpermitted signs must be removed or brought into compliance when replaced, substantially changed, with a change of use, or site abandonment exceeding 60 days.
- Off-site signs are prohibited.
- Billboards (signs larger than allowed size) are prohibited.
- Portable signs (not permanently attached) are prohibited except as allowed in commercial districts.
- Hand-held commercial signs or people in costumes advertising businesses in or along the street right-of-way are prohibited.
- Signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked or placed for the purpose of advertising and viewable from the right-of-way are prohibited.
- Rotating, revolving signs and signs with any movement of lights or structure are prohibited.
- Windblown, fluttering, spinning, windblown or inflated devices including pennants, propeller discs, and balloons are prohibited (with a limited exception for balloons for grand openings, commercial districts only).
- Signs with moving images are prohibited.
- Murals are prohibited unless approved by the City.
- Pole signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs (on or above a roof) are not allowed in any zoning district.

## Signs exempt from permit in Goshen

- Flags of the United States, state, municipal, or corporate nature flown consistent with the federal flag code are exempt.
- Historic or memorial markers erected by a governmental agency or private nonprofit historic preservation or educational organization are exempt, provided they meet uniform standards and commemorate a significant person, building, place, or event.
- Temporary holiday decorations and lighting (non-commercial, not illuminated before November 1 or after January 15, and not located in the right-of-way) are exempt.
- Customary identification signs such as building numbers, addresses, private parking, no trespassing, or dangerous animal signs not exceeding 3 square feet per sign are exempt.
- Incidental or directional signs for public convenience (e.g., entrance, exit, no admittance, telephone, or parking) not exceeding 3 square feet in area and 4 feet in height, and not containing logos, are exempt.
- Announcements by public or nonprofit organizations (excluding election signs) for fundraising, special events, or activities of public interest (within set size limits and timeframes) are exempt.
- Public notices or warnings required by law are exempt.
- Noncommercial public park signs erected by a government agency (not exceeding 8 feet in height) are exempt.
- Official traffic control or public signs by federal, state, or local government are exempt.
- Election signs within size, time, and placement limitations (and not illuminated) are exempt.
- Residential real estate signs within size, location, and removal limits are exempt.
- Commercial real estate signs within size, height, and placement limits are exempt.
- Displays on vending machines, ATMs, or gas pumps (integral to the machine and not exceeding 18 square feet per side) are exempt.
- Window signs in commercial properties not exceeding 40% of window area are exempt.
- On-site construction site signs within defined area and time limits are exempt.
- Emergency warning signs erected by a government agency, utility company, or contractor in the right-of-way are exempt.
- Public signs erected by City, County, State, or federal governments in the right-of-way are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs, whether permanent or temporary, require a sign permit except those listed in Sections 7.36.07 and 7.36.08.
- A scaled site plan showing the sign location, street right-of-way, and property lines is required as part of the sign permit application.
- A list of sign construction materials and a scaled drawing of the sign, including area and dimensions, are required for a sign permit.
- All non-residential freestanding signs require a defined landscaped area at the base, and a landscaping plan with details must be included as part of the sign permit application.
- Minor alterations in sign locations due to site conditions must be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission.
- Administrative interpretations of sign regulations can be appealed to the Planning Commission, which may consider alternatives if overall compliance with landscaping and commercial design standards is demonstrated.
- A certificate of compliance inspection is required after installation of permanent signs.
- A new sign permit is required if the business name or logo changes.
- For institutional buildings, manual changeable copy signs are allowed but must comply with Section 7.36.09.
- Murals are prohibited unless approved beforehand by the City (which may require a variance or approval meeting).

## 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 Goshen — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Goshen+AR&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-goshen

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