Sign Regulations in Bardstown, Kentucky

Bardstown, Kentucky has specific sign regulations covering 35 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Address Sign, Ground-Mounted Sign, Canopy Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.

Data last verified: January 23, 2025

Sign Regulation Overview for Bardstown, Kentucky

Sample Sign Requirements in Bardstown

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaSetback
Address Sign4 square feet
Canopy Sign8 square feet per canopy elevation
Changeable Copy SignOne-half the sign area of the permitted freestanding sign

* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.

PermitPal Coverage for BardstownFull Coverage

Sign Types Covered

35

  • Address Sign
  • Ground-Mounted Sign
  • Canopy Sign
  • Changeable Copy Sign
  • +2 more types

Zoning Districts

3

Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations

Data Includes

  • Permit requirements
  • Height restrictions
  • Illumination rules

Official Resources for Bardstown

City WebsiteMunicipal Code2 permit application links available

Frequently Asked Questions

Sign height limits in Bardstown 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 Bardstown, 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 Bardstown, regulated sign types include Address Sign, Ground-Mounted Sign, Canopy Sign, Changeable Copy Sign, 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 Bardstown 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 Bardstown are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Bardstown has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.

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Bardstown, Kentucky Sign Rules at a Glance

Bardstown, Kentucky regulates 35 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Less than 10,000 sq ft, <200 ft frontage)s in the Commercial and Industrial Areas zoning district are capped at 7 ft or 20 ft tall and 50 sq ft (7 ft height) or 30 sq ft (20 ft height), with a 10 ft from rear and side property lines setback (Sec. § 98.11(C)(2)(b)1.a). Most commercial signs in Bardstown require a permit.

Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Bardstown, Kentucky

Sign Rules by Zoning District in Bardstown (3 zones)

Zoning DistrictSign Types RegulatedMax HeightMax AreaPermit Required
Commercial and Industrial Areas1725 feet75 sq ft (7 ft height) or 45 sq ft (20 ft height)Yes
Residential Areas720 feet50 square feet for 7 feet height; 30 square feet for 20 feet heightYes
General Regulations For All Zones1325 feet50 square feet

Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Bardstown

Commercial and Industrial Areas

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Banner7 feet40 square feetOne sign per principal useGround-mounted or building-mountedYesUnlock§ 98.11 SIGNS REQUIRING PERMITS (C)(1)
Construction Sign7 feet8 square feet for lots less than two acres; 32 square feet for lots greater than two acresOne per contractor and one per financial institutionOn the site of the construction projectNoUnlock§ 98.08 SIGNS NOT REQUIRING PERMITS (G)
Freestanding Sign (Less than 10,000 sq ft, <200 ft frontage)7 ft or 20 ft50 sq ft (7 ft height) or 30 sq ft (20 ft height)10 ft from rear and side property lines1Minimum 10 ft setback from rear and side property linesYesUnlock§ 98.11(C)(2)(b)1.a
Freestanding Sign (Less than 10,000 sq ft, >200 ft frontage)7 ft or 20 ft50 sq ft (7 ft height) or 30 sq ft (20 ft height)10 ft from rear and side property lines2Minimum 10 ft setback from rear and side property linesYesUnlock§ 98.11(C)(2)(b)1.b
Freestanding Sign (More than 10,000 sq ft, <200 ft frontage)7 ft or 20 ft75 sq ft (7 ft height) or 45 sq ft (20 ft height)10 ft from rear and side property lines1Minimum 10 ft setback from rear and side property linesYesUnlock§ 98.11(C)(2)(b)1.c
Freestanding Sign (More than 10,000 sq ft, >200 ft frontage)7 ft or 20 ft75 sq ft (7 ft height) or 45 sq ft (20 ft height)10 ft from rear and side property lines2Minimum 10 ft setback from rear and side property linesYesUnlock§ 98.11(C)(2)(b)1.d
Ground-Mounted Sign20 feet50 square feet for 7 feet height; 30 square feet for 20 feet height10 feet from rear and side property linesOne per development with less than 10,000 square feet and less than 200 feet of frontageGround-mountedYesUnlock§ 98.11 SIGNS REQUIRING PERMITS (C)(2)(b)(1)
Pole Sign20 feet50 square feet for 7 feet height; 30 square feet for 20 feet height10 feet from rear and side property linesOne per development with less than 10,000 square feet and less than 200 feet of frontageGround-mountedYesUnlock§ 98.11 SIGNS REQUIRING PERMITS (C)(2)(b)(1)

Residential Areas

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Address Sign4 square feetOne sign per buildingAttached to the referenced buildingNoUnlock§ 98.08 SIGNS NOT REQUIRING PERMITS (A)
Subdivision Identification Sign8 feet20 square feetOne sign per each side of a subdivision entrance.One sign per each side of a subdivision entrance.YesUnlock§ 98.11(A)(1)
Home Occupation Sign6 square feetOne sign per home occupation.Attached to the building.YesUnlock§ 98.11(A)(5)
Freestanding Sign20 feet50 square feet for 7 feet height; 30 square feet for 20 feet height10 feet from rear and side property linesOne per development with less than 10,000 square feet and less than 200 feet of frontageGround-mountedYesUnlock§ 98.11 SIGNS REQUIRING PERMITS (C)(2)(b)(1)
Ground-Mounted Sign20 feet50 square feet for 7 feet height; 30 square feet for 20 feet height10 feet from rear and side property linesOne per development with less than 10,000 square feet and less than 200 feet of frontageGround-mountedYesUnlock§ 98.11 SIGNS REQUIRING PERMITS (C)(2)(b)(1)
Incidental Sign4 square feetNot specifiedOn-siteNoUnlock§ 98.08 SIGNS NOT REQUIRING PERMITS (K)
Monument Sign20 feet50 square feet for 7 feet height; 30 square feet for 20 feet height10 feet from rear and side property linesOne per development with less than 10,000 square feet and less than 200 feet of frontageGround-mountedYesUnlock§ 98.11 SIGNS REQUIRING PERMITS (C)(2)(b)(1)

General Regulations For All Zones

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
House or Building Identification Signs4 square feetOneAttached to the buildingUnlock§ 98.08(A)
National, State, Local, and Corporation Flags25 feet25 square feet (residential) or 60 square feet (commercial/industrial)OnePrincipal building of the facilityUnlock§ 98.08(C)
Civic, Philanthropic, Educational, or Religious Organizational Event Signs7 feet40 square feetOneSite of the campaign, drive, or eventUnlock§ 98.08(D)
Real Estate Signs7 feet8 square feet (≤5 acres) or 32 square feet (>5 acres)OnePremises being sold or rentedUnlock§ 98.08(E)
Auction Signs7 feet32 square feetOnePremises of the auctionUnlock§ 98.08(F)
Construction Signs7 feet8 square feet (<2 acres) or 32 square feet (>2 acres)One per contractor and one per financial institutionSite of the construction projectUnlock§ 98.08(G)
Community or Identification Signs7 feet50 square feetCommercial or industrial district within ¼ mile of Bardstown corporate limitsUnlock§ 98.08(I)
Subdivision or Development Signs7 feet32 square feetOne per subdivision entranceSubdivision entranceUnlock§ 98.08(L)

Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Bardstown are available with a free PermitPal account.

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Prohibited Signs in Bardstown

  • No sign shall be placed in a manner visible from any public street, alley, right-of-way, sidewalk, or other public easement, except as provided herein, nor shall any sign be placed in or extend over street, right-of-way, roadway, sidewalk, public or private utility or access or other easement, or alley, except as provided herein and with the approval of the appropriate agency or utility.
  • All signs shall be constructed and placed so as not to obstruct the vision of the public at any street, alley, or driveway.
  • No sign shall be allowed to be illuminated, except as expressly provided herein.
  • No sign shall be allowed to revolve, rotate, or move, unless otherwise expressly provided herein.
  • No sign shall be allowed if the Sign Administrator finds that the sign is constructed or designed in a manner which may cause the sign to be confused with a traffic sign or other traffic control device.
  • Visual elements, as defined in § 98.05, are prohibited in all circumstances, whether added to a sign or simply displayed on a property, unless otherwise allowed in this chapter.

Exempt Signs in Bardstown

  • Traffic signs, public notices or warnings required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.
  • Holiday lights and decorations on residential lots with no commercial message, logo, or symbol.
  • Traffic control signs on private property, such as stop, yield, and similar signs, and which contain no commercial message, logo, or symbol.
  • Temporary civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizational event signs within a public right-of-way provided they meet certain conditions.
  • Public or semi-public athletic field signs which indicate sponsorship of the teams or announce or relate to activities that occur therein provided they meet certain conditions.
  • Interior window signs which are not permanently painted or otherwise permanently affixed to the window.

Source: other municipal code