# Sign Regulations in North Little Rock, Arkansas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** North Little Rock, Arkansas (AR)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/arkansas/north-little-rock
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-06
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/AR/North_Little_Rock/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=MUCO_CH83SI)

## At a glance

North Little Rock, Arkansas regulates 25 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Ground Mounted Signs in the C-1, C-2 zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 64 sq ft, with a 5 ft from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 83-25(a)(2), (b), (c), (h), (i)). Most commercial signs in North Little Rock require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 4 ft | 16 sq ft per face (residential) / 64 sq ft (other zones) | — |
| R-0, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-6, RT-1 | 4 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| R-4, R-5 | 6 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| I-1, I-2, I-3 | 6 | 30 ft (see h for alternative measurement on expressway/freeway) | 64 sq ft | — |
| C-1, C-2 | 9 | 36 ft | 120 sq ft | — |
| C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6 | 9 | 36 ft | 120 sq ft | — |
| C-4, I-1, I-2, I-3, Cons-1 (Off-premise Billboards Only) | 1 | 45 ft above grade or above highway within 200 ft of highway | 800 sq ft | — |
| Cons-1 | 2 | 45 ft above grade or up to 45 ft above level of highway (if within 200 ft of highway) | 800 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 16 sq ft per face (residential) / 64 sq ft (other zones) | — | — | One per street frontage | On lot under construction; one sign per street frontage; not within sight triangle. | — | Sec. 83-2, 'Construction sign'; Sec. 83-21(2); Sec. 83-16(b)(1) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per lot or premises | On premises being advertised; not within sight triangle. | — | Sec. 83-2, 'Real estate sign'; Sec. 83-21(3); Sec. 83-16(b)(6) |
| Nameplate Sign | — | — | — | — | One attached per premises | Attached to premises. | — | Sec. 83-2, 'Nameplate'; Sec. 83-21(4); Sec. 83-16(b)(3) |
| Political Sign | — | 16 sq ft per face (in residential zones) | — | — | — | Not within sight triangle or within 8 feet of curb/edge of pavement unless mounted flush to building. | — | Sec. 83-2, 'Political sign'; Sec. 83-21(5); Sec. 83-16(b)(4) |
| Directional/Information Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft (2 ft x 2 ft) | 2 ft | — | Two per lot | On premises; not within sight triangle. | — | Sec. 83-2, 'Directional/information sign'; Sec. 83-21(6); Sec. 83-16(b)(2) |
| Company or Organizational Flag | — | — | — | — | One per premises | Displayed from permanently mounted flag pole. | — | Sec. 83-21(7) |
| Governmental Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As authorized by city, county, state, or federal government. | — | Sec. 83-2, 'Government sign'; Sec. 83-21(8); Sec. 83-16(b)(8) |

### C-1, C-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All signs as permitted in section 83-21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 83-25(a)(1) |
| Ground Mounted Sign | 6 ft | 64 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | One per premises, add'l per 150 ft | Minimum 5 ft setback from property line; not in sight triangle. | — | Sec. 83-25(a)(2), (b), (c), (h), (i) |
| Freestanding Sign | 36 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | One per premises, add'l per 150 ft | Minimum 5 ft setback from property line, clearance 13 ft vehicle / 9 ft pedestrian, not in sight triangle. | — | Sec. 83-25(a)(2), (b), (j) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per premises, add'l for corner lots | Must face required street frontage unless no alternative. | — | Sec. 83-25(a)(3)(a), (d), (b) |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | One per premises, add'l for corner | Min clearance 13 ft vehicular / 9 ft pedestrian | — | Sec. 83-25(a)(3)(b), (f), (b) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | One per premises, add'l for corner | Min clearance 13 ft vehicular / 9 ft pedestrian | — | Sec. 83-25(a)(3)(c), (g), (b) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | One per premises, add'l for corner | Min clearance 13 ft vehicular / 9 ft pedestrian | — | Sec. 83-25(a)(3)(d), (e), (b) |
| Incidental Sign | — | 5 sq ft aggregate sign area per occupancy | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 83-25(a)(4); Sec. 83-2, 'Incidental sign' |

### C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All signs as permitted in section 83-21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 83-26(a)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign | 36 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | One per premises; add'l per 150 ft | Minimum 5 ft setback from property line, clearance 13 ft vehicle / 9 ft pedestrian, not in sight triangle. | — | Sec. 83-26(a)(2), (b), (c), (i), (j) |
| Ground Mounted Sign | 6 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | One per premises; add'l per 150 ft | Minimum 5 ft setback from property line; not in sight triangle. | — | Sec. 83-26(a)(2), (b), (d), (i), (j) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per premises, add'l for corner lots | Must face required street frontage unless no alternative. | — | Sec. 83-26(a)(3)(a), (e), (b) |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | One per premises, add'l for multiple frontages | Min clearance 13 ft vehicular / 9 ft pedestrian | — | Sec. 83-26(a)(3)(b), (g), (b) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | One per premises, add'l for multiple frontages | Min clearance 13 ft vehicular / 9 ft pedestrian | — | Sec. 83-26(a)(3)(c), (h), (b) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | One per premises, add'l for multiple frontages | Min clearance 13 ft vehicular / 9 ft pedestrian | — | Sec. 83-26(a)(3)(d), (f), (b) |
| Incidental Sign | — | 5 sq ft aggregate sign area per occupancy | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 83-26(a)(4); Sec. 83-2, 'Incidental sign' |

## Prohibited signs in North Little Rock

- No sign shall be permitted as a main or accessory use except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
- No person shall erect, place or maintain a sign in the city except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
- No person shall engage in the business of installing, erecting, or maintaining any sign, nor contract for the performance of such service, without a business license to do so.
- No person shall engage in the business of installing, erecting, or maintaining any sign or medium of display within the city until filing a required bond or certificate of insurance.
- The following type signs are prohibited in all districts unless otherwise noted: Abandoned signs, pennants, festoons, searchlights, signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs or signals, snipe signs, vehicular signs, trailer signs, roof signs, bench signs, flashing signs, animated signs, rotating signs, balloons.
- No sign shall be suspended by non-rigid attachments that will allow the sign to swing in a wind.
- No signs shall be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window or door opening used as a means of egress.
- No sign shall be attached in any form, shape or manner which will interfere with any opening required for ventilation, except as specifically provided for transom windows.
- No sign shall be installed closer than 24 inches horizontally or vertically from any conductor or public utility guy wire.
- No sign may be installed or maintained in violation of the traffic codes of the city, or in a way that restricts the safe and efficient movement of traffic.
- Sign heights, illumination, clearances, setbacks, and other design specifications must be adhered to as per applicable sections.
- No new off-premises or billboard signs shall be erected within the city limits, as well as the city's extra-territorial planning jurisdiction, except as specifically provided.
- No special event banner or device may be tied, secured, mounted or affixed in any manner to a tree, landscaping, screening wall or fence.
- Banners or devices shall not be placed in a sight triangle.
- Signs shall not be placed within a sight triangle.
- No sign regulated by this chapter may utilize: an exposed incandescent lamp with an external reflector and without a sunscreen or comparable diffusion; any exposed incandescent lamp in excess of 300 watts; any revolving beacon light; any device that allows oscillating, rotating or flashing lights; animation manifesting either kinetic or illusionary motion; the illusion of movement by means of a preprogrammed switching action in which illuminated elements are visually simulated to move.

## Signs exempt from permit in North Little Rock

- This chapter does not relate to building design.
- This chapter does not regulate official traffic or government signs.
- This chapter does not regulate the copy and message of signs.
- This chapter does not regulate product dispensers.
- This chapter does not regulate scoreboards on athletic fields.
- This chapter does not regulate flags of any nation, government, or non-commercial organization.
- This chapter does not regulate gravestones.
- This chapter does not regulate religious symbols.
- This chapter does not regulate commemorative plaques.
- This chapter does not regulate the display of street numbers.
- This chapter does not regulate any display or construction not defined as a sign.
- The following signs are exempted from permit requirements but must be in conformance with all other requirements of this chapter: construction signs, directional/information signs, nameplates, political signs, public signs or notices, real estate signs, incidental signs, governmental signs, any sign relating to an emergency.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No explicit master sign plan, sign plan, or variance meeting is generally required for all zones.
- The administrator may review requests for variances from the literal provisions of this chapter in cases where strict enforcement would cause undue hardship; a deviation up to 15% of height and area requirements may be allowed. Requests for variances greater than 15% must be made to the housing and building board of adjustments.
- Application for a permit for the erection, alteration or relocation of a sign, when allowed by this chapter, must include detailed information and drawings as described in Sec. 83-16.
- Special event banners or devices require a special events permit and must be submitted for review and approval as set forth in Sec. 83-16 (permit application and review process).
- Permits and annual renewals are required for most signs, with exceptions outlined above. Absence of a permit or expired permit renders the sign illegal and subject to removal.
- No general mention is made of a master sign plan required for multi-tenant or complex developments; requirements are handled via permit submission and drawing review.

## 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 8 zoning districts in North Little Rock — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=North+Little+Rock+AR&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-north-little-rock

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