Sign Regulations in Alexandria, Kentucky
Alexandria, Kentucky has specific sign regulations covering 38 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Nameplate (Residence or Permitted Use), Home Occupation Identification, Subdivision Entrance Identification. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: December 10, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Alexandria, Kentucky
Sample Sign Requirements in Alexandria
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Sign | — | No size limit | — |
| Political Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 16 sq ft on commercially zoned property abutting U.S. 27; 32 sq ft on properties abutting the AA Highway; 8 sq ft in all other areas and zones | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for AlexandriaFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
38
- Nameplate (Residence or Permitted Use)
- Home Occupation Identification
- Subdivision Entrance Identification
- Monument Business Sign (Individual Business, not in cluster)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
10
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Alexandria
Other Cities in Kentucky
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Alexandria 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 Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, regulated sign types include Nameplate (Residence or Permitted Use), Home Occupation Identification, Subdivision Entrance Identification, Monument Business Sign (Individual Business, not in cluster), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Alexandria vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Alexandria are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Alexandria has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Alexandria, Kentucky Sign Rules at a Glance
Alexandria, Kentucky regulates 38 sign types across 10 zoning districts. A-Frame/Sandwich Boards in the Old Town Business Zone (B-1) zoning district are capped at 48 inches tall, 8 sq ft per panel, and 24 inches wide (Sec. § 9.8(F)(4); § 9.2(B) A-Frame/Sandwich Board definition). Most commercial signs in Alexandria require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Alexandria, Kentucky
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Alexandria (10 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | — | 100 sq ft per use where non-rigid materials are used; 32 sq ft per use where rigid materials are used | — |
| Conservation Zone (CO); Residential Rural Estate and Agricultural Zone (R-RE) | 9 | 8 ft (if monument) | One sign up to 50 sq ft OR two signs up to 25 sq ft each | — |
| Low Density Residential Zones (R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-1D, R-1V) | 7 | 8 ft (if monument) | One sign up to 50 sq ft OR two signs up to 25 sq ft each | — |
| High Density Residential Zones (RMHP, R-2, R-3) | 5 | ID sign monument: 8 ft; Bulletin board: 8 ft | One sign up to 50 sq ft OR two signs up to 25 sq ft each | — |
| Professional Office Building Zone (PO); Public Facilities (PF); Continuing Care Retirement Communities Zone (CCRC) | 7 | Height of canopy signs shall not exceed 20 ft; min clearance for under-awning signs is 8 ft (general rule for under-awning signs) | 150 sq ft max (based on frontage formula) | — |
| Neighborhood Shopping Center Zone (NSC); Highway Commercial Zone (HC); Industrial Park Zone (IP) | 10 | 20 ft (freestanding sign limit) | 150 sq ft max (based on frontage formula) | — |
| Old Town Business Zone (B-1) | 9 | 48 inches | 150 sq ft max (based on frontage formula) | — |
| Industrial Park Zone (IP) – Additional Sign Restriction | 1 | — | — | — |
| Corridor Transition Overlay Zone (CT) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned Unit Development District (PUD) | 2 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Alexandria(sample of 3 of 10 zones)
Conservation Zone (CO); Residential Rural Estate and Agricultural Zone (R-RE)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nameplate (Residence or Permitted Use) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per residence or permitted use | Wall-mounted or monument | — | Unlock | § 9.8(A)(1); § 9.5(B) |
| Home Occupation Identification | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Wall-mounted | — | Unlock | § 9.8(A)(2) |
| Farm or Estate Identification (Parcel > 5 acres) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Monument or wall-mounted | — | Unlock | § 9.8(A)(3) |
| Identification Sign (Kindergarten/Nursery/Day Care/Child Care) | Mounted not more than 7 ft above ground level (wall) | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Wall-mounted | — | Unlock | § 9.8(A)(4) |
| Identification Sign (Church or School) | 8 ft (if monument) | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 identification sign; plus 1 bulletin board | Monument or wall-mounted | — | Unlock | § 9.8(A)(5) |
| Bulletin Board (Church/School) | 8 ft (if freestanding/monument) | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Freestanding, monument, or wall-mounted | — | Unlock | § 9.8(A)(5) |
| Identification Sign (Other Permitted Use) | 8 ft (if monument) | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Monument or wall-mounted | — | Unlock | § 9.8(A)(6) |
| Subdivision Entrance Identification | 6 ft (if monument) | One sign up to 50 sq ft OR two signs up to 25 sq ft each | — | — | Max 2 per entrance; max 2 entrances identified | Entrance(s) to subdivision; monument or wall-mounted | — | Unlock | § 9.8(A)(8) |
Neighborhood Shopping Center Zone (NSC); Highway Commercial Zone (HC); Industrial Park Zone (IP)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Business Sign (Individual Business, not in cluster) | 10 ft (monument limit) | 64 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 1 per street frontage; max 2 total | Street frontage | — | Unlock | § 9.8(E)(1)(a) |
| Monument Business Sign (Clustered Uses: ≥3 businesses incl. outlots) | 10 ft (monument limit) | 150 sq ft max (based on frontage formula) | — | — | Max 1 per street frontage; max 2 total | Per street frontage | — | Unlock | § 9.8(E)(1)(b) (monument portion) |
| Freestanding Business Sign (Clustered Uses: ≥3 businesses incl. outlots) | 20 ft (freestanding sign limit) | 100 sq ft max (based on frontage formula) | — | — | Max 1 per street frontage; max 2 total | Per street frontage | — | Unlock | § 9.8(E)(1)(b) (freestanding portion) |
| Canopy/Awning Sign; Under-Awning/Under-Canopy Identification Sign | Height of canopy signs shall not exceed 20 ft; min clearance for under-awning is 8 ft | Under-awning/under-canopy: max 4 sq ft; canopy face vertical dimension counted up to 3 ft; sign cabinet vertical max 3 ft | — | — | — | On/suspended from awning/canopy | — | Unlock | § 9.8(E)(1)(f); § 9.4(M); § 9.2(C)(b) |
| Marquee (Indoor Theater) | — | 24 sq ft per theater | — | — | 1 marquee per theater; 1 attraction board/EMDS per theater attached to freestanding sign | Attached to theater building | — | Unlock | § 9.8(E)(2) |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per entrance (if freestanding) | Entrances/internal circulation | — | Unlock | § 9.8(E)(3); § 9.2(B) Directional Sign |
| Nameplate (Tenant/Lessee) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant/lessee | Wall-mounted | — | Unlock | § 9.8(E)(4); § 9.5(B) |
| Menu Board (Restaurant) | 8 ft (if freestanding) | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per restaurant use | Freestanding or wall-mounted at drive-through/order area | — | Unlock | § 9.8(E)(5) |
Old Town Business Zone (B-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Business Sign (Individual Business, not in cluster) | 10 ft (monument limit) | 64 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 1 per street frontage; max 2 total | Street frontage | — | Unlock | § 9.8(F)(1)(a) |
| Monument Business Sign (Clustered Uses: ≥3 businesses incl. outlots) | 10 ft (monument limit) | 150 sq ft max (based on frontage formula) | — | — | Max 1 per street frontage; max 2 total | Per street frontage of the development | — | Unlock | § 9.8(F)(1)(b) |
| Wall-Mounted Business Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per wall | Building elevation(s) per restrictions | — | Unlock | § 9.8(F)(1)(c) |
| Canopy/Awning Sign; Under-Awning/Under-Canopy Identification Sign | Height of canopy signs shall not exceed 20 ft; min clearance for under-awning is 8 ft | Under-awning/under-canopy: max 4 sq ft; canopy face vertical dimension counted up to 3 ft; sign cabinet vertical max 3 ft | — | — | — | On/suspended from awning/canopy | — | Unlock | § 9.8(F)(1)(e); § 9.4(M); § 9.2(C)(b) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Per business as allowed | Attached to building; projects outward | — | Unlock | § 9.8(F)(1)(f); exception to prohibition § 9.6(E) |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per entrance (if freestanding) | Entrances/internal circulation | — | Unlock | § 9.8(F)(2); § 9.2(B) Directional Sign |
| Nameplate (Tenant/Lessee) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant/lessee | Wall-mounted | — | Unlock | § 9.8(F)(3); § 9.5(B) |
| A-Frame/Sandwich Board | 48 inches | 8 sq ft per panel | 24 inches | — | 1 per business | Sidewalk/pedestrian way in front of business | — | Unlock | § 9.8(F)(4); § 9.2(B) A-Frame/Sandwich Board definition |
PermitPal covers all 10 zoning districts in Alexandria — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 10 zones for Alexandria — start freeProhibited Signs in Alexandria
- Mobile signs are prohibited in all zones
- Any sign attached to or placed on a parked vehicle or trailer for display purposes is prohibited; vehicles whose primary purpose is the display of signs are considered mobile signs and are prohibited
- Advertising signs (off-premises signs) are prohibited
- Projecting signs are prohibited except as expressly allowed in the Old Town Business Zone (B-1)
- Roof signs are prohibited
- Flashing or blinking signs, and signs with motion, shimmering, graphics, photographic images, or animation are prohibited
- Rotating or moving signs are prohibited
- Abandoned signs are prohibited
- Streamers, pennants, tag signs, or similar devices made of wood, plastic, metal or similar material (other than cloth), except when attached to a permitted temporary sign, are prohibited
- Any sign that emits noise, odor, or visible matter to attract attention is prohibited; devices emitting noise for advertising are prohibited
- Any freestanding sign that overhangs any part of a building is prohibited
- Signs that constitute a nuisance due to light, glare, focus, noise, animation, flashing, or intensity that unduly disturb surrounding properties or cause a traffic hazard are prohibited
- Signs that are misleading, fraudulent, obscene, immoral, indecent, or unsightly are prohibited
- No sign may imitate or resemble official traffic signs, signals, or devices, or use words/phrases implying danger or the need to stop or maneuver
- No sign may be attached to or painted on trees, utility poles, street light standards, or dilapidated structures
- No sign may be located within required sight triangles or within/projecting into public or private street rights-of-way, except government signs or as otherwise specifically permitted
- Neon/exposed light sources may not be used to outline buildings, structures, or ornamental features
- Incidental signs may not be attached to freestanding or monument advertising, business, identification, or directional signs
- No signs are allowed within 660 feet of the right-of-way of any interstate highway, limited access highway, or turnpike except as allowed under KRS 177.830–177.890 with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet approval
Exempt Signs in Alexandria
- Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or from any public thoroughfare/right-of-way are exempt from the article’s provisions
- Official governmental notices and government traffic/regulatory signs are exempt from the article’s provisions (identification/bulletin board signs accessory to government buildings are not exempt)
- Flags, pennants, or insignia of nations, states, counties, cities, religious/civic/fraternal organizations, or educational institutions are exempt when not used for commercial promotion or advertising
- Works of fine art that do not depict, identify, or advertise a product or business are exempt
- Temporary decorations or displays associated with national/local/religious holidays or celebrations are exempt
- Temporary or permanent utility or construction company danger/hazard signs (e.g., underground cable/gas line) are exempt
- Merchandise, pictures, or models incorporated as an integral part of a window display are exempt
- Signs on vehicles operated in the normal course of business (magnetic/decals/painted integral to the vehicle, not breaking the silhouette) are exempt when incidental to bona fide business use and appropriately parked; signs on inoperable/unlicensed vehicles must be covered
- Political signs are exempt from permit requirements
- Nameplates are exempt from permit requirements
- Government signs are exempt from permit requirements
- Real estate signs are exempt from permit requirements
- Incidental signs are exempt from permit requirements
- Window signs are exempt from permit requirements
- Changing copy on billboards, attraction boards, marquees, informational signs, or electronic message display systems is exempt from permit requirements
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Alexandria
- Sign permit applications must include a site plan and/or building elevation showing sign location and setbacks, detailed sign construction/illumination/dimensions/copy/mounting information, and owner consent; signs must be installed in compliance with the approved permit (Article 9 § 9.3)
- Corridor Transition (CT) Overlay: Stage I development plan must show the location of signs, indicating orientation and approximate size and height; Stage II development plan must include the location of signs with orientation, size, and height (Article 4 § 4.21(D)(1)(a)13 and § 4.21(E)(1)(a)5)
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC): Signs proposed for a continuing care retirement community must be included in the development and/or site plans and are reviewed and approved as part of the development (Article 4 § 4.25(C)(3)
- Planned Unit Development (PUD): Design standards require a consistent signage theme; building-mounted signs should predominate; freestanding signs should be monument style and limited; signage design guidelines are required for multi-phased projects (Article 4 § 4.24(I)(14)
Source: amlegal municipal code