Sign Regulations in West Memphis, Arkansas
West Memphis, Arkansas has specific sign regulations covering 25 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Joint Identification Sign (Construction), Identification Sign or Joint Identification Sign (Wall-mounted), Incidental Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 6, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for West Memphis, Arkansas
Sample Sign Requirements in West Memphis
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Bulletin Board | — | Maximum 75 sq ft; set back 15 feet for up to 10 sq ft, plus 1 ft additional setback for each 2 sq ft above 10 sq ft | 15 feet minimum from right-of-way; additional 1 foot for each 2 sq ft over 10 sq ft |
| Residential Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — |
| Joint Identification Sign (Construction) | — | 8 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
25
- Joint Identification Sign (Construction)
- Identification Sign or Joint Identification Sign (Wall-mounted)
- Incidental Sign
- Freestanding Bulletin Board
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for West Memphis
Other Cities in Arkansas
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in West Memphis vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in West Memphis, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In West Memphis, regulated sign types include Joint Identification Sign (Construction), Identification Sign or Joint Identification Sign (Wall-mounted), Incidental Sign, Freestanding Bulletin Board, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In West Memphis, monument signs typically require a 15 feet minimum from right-of-way; additional 1 foot for each 2 sq ft over 10 sq ft setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in West Memphis are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. West Memphis has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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West Memphis, Arkansas Sign Rules at a Glance
West Memphis, Arkansas regulates 25 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (O-1 District only)s in the Office District (O districts, O-1) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 4 sq ft, with a 15 ft (right-of-way), 25 ft (R district), 10 ft (adjoining property) setback (Sec. Sec. 111-14(1)). Most commercial signs in West Memphis require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for West Memphis, Arkansas
Sign Rules by Zoning District in West Memphis (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential District (R districts) | 5 | — | Maximum 75 sq ft; set back 15 feet for up to 10 sq ft, plus 1 ft additional setback for each 2 sq ft above 10 sq ft | — |
| Office District (O districts, O-1) | 7 | 6 ft | Up to 75 sq ft as set forth in Sec. 111-10(12) | — |
| Commercial District (C districts) | 9 | 80 ft | 200 sq ft base, 400 sq ft with qualifying building | — |
| Industrial District (I districts) | 9 | 80 ft | 200 sq ft base, 400 sq ft with qualifying building | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 216 sq in (each) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in West Memphis(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
Office District (O districts, O-1)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (O-1 District only) | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 15 ft (right-of-way), 25 ft (R district), 10 ft (adjoining property) | 1 per lot | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-14(1) |
| Wall Sign (O Districts) | — | 16 sq ft per sign, max 4 signs per building | — | — | Maximum 4 per building, 1 per tenant | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-16(b) |
| Freestanding Bulletin Board | — | Up to 75 sq ft as set forth in Sec. 111-10(12) | — | As for Residential | 1 per lot | Min 15 ft from right-of-way; see bulletin board requirements | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-14(1), Sec. 111-10(12) |
| Identification Sign or Joint Identification Sign (Wall-mounted) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Flat on wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-10(1) |
| Joint Identification Sign (Construction) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-10(2) |
| Residential Sign (for residential use in Office zone) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-10(3) |
| Incidental Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-10(4) |
Commercial District (C districts)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (C Districts, 15-39 ft setback) | Max 30 ft (reduced by 0.5 ft for each foot of setback less than 40 ft) | Up to 75 sq ft | — | Min 15 ft from right-of-way | 1 per lot | Min 1 ft from adjoining property; min 25 ft from boundary of R or O district | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-14(2)b.1(i)-(iii), (2)b.2 |
| Freestanding Sign (C Districts, At Controlled Access Hwy, 15 ft min setback) | Max 30 ft (see general limit); reduced if within 40 ft of right-of-way | 75 sq ft | — | 15 ft min | 1 per lot | Abuts controlled access highway, min 15 ft from right-of-way | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-14(2)b.1(iv) |
| Freestanding Sign (C Districts, Interstate, 800 ft of main lane, 15 ft+ setback) | 80 ft | 200 sq ft base, 400 sq ft with qualifying building | — | 15 ft min | 1 per lot | Within 800 ft of interstate, min 15 ft from right-of-way | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-14(2)b.1(v) |
| Wall Sign (C Districts) | — | 150 sq ft or 20% wall area, whichever is greater | — | — | — | On wall or mansard roof, parallel to surface, not above wall or beyond end | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-16(a) |
| Projecting Sign (C Districts) | No higher than eave or rafter line; must clear 8 ft from grade | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On vertical face of building; projections as above | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-15(a)-(c) |
| Area Identification Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | At entrance(s) to area; subject to traffic sight line approval | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-17 |
| Identification Sign or Joint Identification Sign (Wall-mounted) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Flat on wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-10(1) |
| Joint Identification Sign (Construction) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-10(2) |
Industrial District (I districts)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (I Districts, 15-39 ft setback) | Max 30 ft (reduced by 0.5 ft for each foot less than 40 ft) | Up to 75 sq ft | — | Min 15 ft from right-of-way | 1 per lot | Min 1 ft from adjoining property; min 25 ft from boundary of R or O district | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-14(3)b.1(i)-(iii), (3)b.2 |
| Freestanding Sign (I Districts, At Controlled Access Hwy, 15 ft min setback) | Max 30 ft (see above) | 75 sq ft | — | 15 ft min | 1 per lot | Abuts controlled access highway, min 15 ft from right-of-way | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-14(3)b.1(iv) |
| Freestanding Sign (I Districts, Interstate, 800 ft of main lane, 15 ft+ setback) | 80 ft | 200 sq ft base, 400 sq ft with qualifying building | — | 15 ft min | 1 per lot | Within 800 ft of interstate, min 15 ft from right-of-way | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-14(3)b.1(v) |
| Wall Sign (I Districts) | — | 150 sq ft or 20% wall surface | — | — | — | On wall or mansard roof, parallel to surface, not above wall or beyond end | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-16(a) |
| Projecting Sign (I Districts) | No higher than eave or rafter line; must clear 8 ft from grade | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On vertical face of building; projections as above | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-15(a)-(c) |
| Area Identification Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | At entrance(s) to area; subject to traffic sight line approval | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-17 |
| Identification Sign or Joint Identification Sign (Wall-mounted) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Flat on wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-10(1) |
| Joint Identification Sign (Construction) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 111-10(2) |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in West Memphis — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 5 zones for West Memphis — start freeProhibited Signs in West Memphis
- No sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created or maintained except in conformance with this chapter.
- All signs not permitted by this chapter are prohibited.
- It is unlawful to erect, repair, alter, relocate or keep any sign without a sign permit unless exempted.
- Violation of this chapter constitutes a misdemeanor, with fines and possible removal at owner's expense.
- No sign shall be erected or continued to be displayed at street intersections so as to obstruct clear vision or interfere with traffic signs and signals.
- No signs shall be allowed on public property except permitted public and temporary noncommercial signs per standards.
- No sign shall be placed on any private property without the owner's consent.
- No sign shall be placed or painted on any tree or rock.
- No sign shall be placed on any utility pole except for utility identification or similar purposes.
- Direct illumination by incandescent bulbs is restricted to bulbs rated at 25 watts or less.
- It is unlawful to operate or erect any sign or attraction device containing a beacon or spotlight providing direct illumination to the public.
- Signs that move, flash, or simulate movement are prohibited except and only as specified under section 111-12(f).
- It is unlawful to display or erect any portable sign in the city.
- It is unlawful to use a vehicle or trailer as a sign in circumvention of this chapter.
- It is unlawful to erect any sign the exterior of which revolves, rotates, or otherwise moves.
- Freestanding signs are not permitted in R and O districts (except specific bulletin boards and as otherwise provided in O-1).
Exempt Signs in West Memphis
- Identification signs and joint identification signs erected flat on the wall of a building and not exceeding four square feet of display surface area are exempt from permit.
- One joint identification sign (for construction participants) not exceeding eight square feet in R zones or 32 square feet in other zones is exempt from permit.
- One unanimated, non-illuminated residential sign not exceeding eight square feet is exempt from permit.
- Incidental signs not exceeding four square feet are exempt from permit.
- Building markers are exempt from permit.
- Posting bills on signs, repainting of signs, or changing letters/numbers on changeable letter signs is exempt from permit.
- Election campaign signs are exempt from permit (with special time and size/location rules).
- Banners firmly affixed to building sides and within allowable size, or banners announcing a specific event for up to 10 days prior and 72 hours after the event, are exempt from permit.
- Signs located within a building and not visible to the public outside are exempt from permit.
- Signs painted on or affixed to glass windows/doors pertaining to the business inside are exempt from permit.
- One temporary subdivision sign per subdivision (up to 50 square feet, limited duration) is exempt from permit.
- Freestanding bulletin boards are exempt from permit, provided setback and size limits are met.
- Fuel price informational signs mounted on pumps (one per pump, up to 216 square inches, affixed and stationary) are exempt from permit.
- Public signs are exempt from all requirements of this chapter.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for West Memphis
- There is no explicit mention of a requirement for a master sign plan, sign plan, or blanket requirement for such a plan in this text.
- Variances for new signs or roof signs require an appeal and hearing before the design review commission, which may impose conditions if granting a variance.
Source: municode municipal code