# Sign Regulations in Bowling Green, Kentucky

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bowling Green, Kentucky (KY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kentucky/bowling-green
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-06
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dDSBAIvby9IPSjO5FfQsPeXsZfqjqyqJ/view)

## At a glance

Bowling Green, Kentucky regulates 9 sign types across 17 zoning districts. Billboard Advertising Sign - Interstates in the Highway Business District (HB) zoning district are capped at 60 feet above ground level tall, 1,600 square feet inclusive of border/trim, and 40 feet wide, with a Meet district dimensional requirements (frontage, width, setbacks). setback (Sec. SEC. 4.6.8.F.11). Most commercial signs in Bowling Green require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (17 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 10 feet | 60 sq. ft. total | — |
| Agriculture District (AG) | 2 | 5 feet | 50 s.f. total | — |
| Single Family Residential Districts (R-E, RR, RS-1A, RS-1B, RS-1C, RS-1D) | 2 | 5 feet | 20 s.f. | — |
| Multi-Family Residential Districts (RM-2, RM-3, RM-4) | 2 | 5 feet | 60 s.f. | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (NB) | 2 | 5 feet | 32 s.f. | — |
| General Business District (GB) | 2 | 30 feet | 150 s.f. | — |
| Central Business District (CB) | 2 | 15 feet | 50 s.f. | — |
| Highway Business District (HB) | 5 | 100 feet (Exit 22/28) or 85 feet (Exit 38) | 1,600 square feet inclusive of border/trim | — |
| Office and Professional - Residential (OP-R) | 2 | 5 feet | 32 s.f. | — |
| Office and Professional - Commercial (OP-C) | 2 | 20 feet | 100 s.f. | — |
| Public District (P) | 2 | 20 feet | 100 s.f. | — |
| Light Industrial District (LI, LI/BE) | 5 | 100 feet (Exit 22/28) or 85 feet (Exit 38) | 1,600 square feet inclusive of border/trim | — |
| Heavy Industrial District (HI, HI/BE) | 5 | 100 feet (Exit 22/28) or 85 feet (Exit 38) | 1,600 square feet inclusive of border/trim | — |
| Planned Unit Development District (PUD) | 2 | — | — | — |
| Urban Growth Overlay District (UG) | 2 | See Sec. 4.9.3 | See Sec. 4.9.3 | — |
| Historic Overlay District (HD) | 2 | As per underlying district | As per underlying district | — |
| University District (UD) | 2 | — | 12 s.f. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 17 zones)

### Highway Business District (HB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 feet | 150 s.f. | — | Minimum 20 feet from edge of pavement. If structure <20 ft from pavement, affix to building. Not within 50 feet of abutting residential district. Not obstructing vision. | 1 (up to 2 with high-rise option) | On private property or public ROW with permission. | — | Sign Standards Summary Table |
| High-Rise Freestanding Sign | 100 feet (Exit 22/28) or 85 feet (Exit 38) | 250 s.f. (Exit 22/28) or 200 s.f. (Exit 38) | — | Minimum 20 feet from edge of pavement. Not obstructing vision. | 1 (in addition to standard) | Property in HB within vicinity of Scottsville Rd/I-65 (Exit 22), Louisville Rd/I-65 (Exit 28), or Smiths Grove/I-65 (Exit 38) interchanges, per Exhibits A1-A3. | — | SEC. 4.6.8.F.5.d |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | Not applicable; on building. | As needed within total area | On building facade. | — | Sign Standards Summary Table |
| Billboard Advertising Sign - Interstate | 60 feet above ground level | 1,600 square feet inclusive of border/trim | 40 feet | Meet district dimensional requirements (frontage, width, setbacks). | Per spacing and max structures | Portions of I-65 and William H. Natcher Parkway in HB districts, per Exhibit B1. On individual lot min 5,000 sf. | — | SEC. 4.6.8.F.11 |
| Billboard Advertising Sign - Urban | 40 feet above ground level | 600 square feet inclusive of border/trim per face | 50 feet | Meet district dimensional requirements. | Per spacing and max structures | Portions of US 31-W, 231, 68, KY 80, 880, 185 in HB within Bowling Green/Warren County Urbanized Area, per Exhibit B2. On individual lot min 5,000 sf. | — | SEC. 4.6.8.F.11 |

### Light Industrial District (LI, LI/BE)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 feet | 100 s.f. | — | Minimum 20 feet from edge of pavement. If structure <20 ft from pavement, affix to building. Not obstructing vision. | 1 (up to 2 with high-rise option) | On private property or public ROW with permission. | — | Sign Standards Summary Table and SEC. 4.7.3.F |
| High-Rise Freestanding Sign | 100 feet (Exit 22/28) or 85 feet (Exit 38) | 250 s.f. (Exit 22/28) or 200 s.f. (Exit 38) | — | Minimum 20 feet from edge of pavement. Not obstructing vision. | 1 (in addition to standard) | Property in LI within vicinity of specified interchanges, per Exhibits A1-A3. | — | SEC. 4.6.8.F.5.d |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | Not applicable; on building. | As needed within total area | On building facade. | — | Sign Standards Summary Table and SEC. 4.7.3.F |
| Billboard Advertising Sign - Interstate | 60 feet above ground level | 1,600 square feet inclusive of border/trim | 40 feet | Meet district dimensional requirements. | Per spacing and max structures | Portions of I-65 and William H. Natcher Parkway in LI districts, per Exhibit B1. On individual lot min 5,000 sf. | — | SEC. 4.6.8.F.11 |
| Billboard Advertising Sign - Urban | 40 feet above ground level | 600 square feet inclusive of border/trim per face | 50 feet | Meet district dimensional requirements. | Per spacing and max structures | Portions of specified highways in LI within Urbanized Area, per Exhibit B2. On individual lot min 5,000 sf. | — | SEC. 4.6.8.F.11 |

### Heavy Industrial District (HI, HI/BE)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 feet | 100 s.f. | — | Minimum 20 feet from edge of pavement. If structure <20 ft from pavement, affix to building. Not obstructing vision. | 1 (up to 2 with high-rise option) | On private property or public ROW with permission. | — | Sign Standards Summary Table and SEC. 4.7.3.F |
| High-Rise Freestanding Sign | 100 feet (Exit 22/28) or 85 feet (Exit 38) | 250 s.f. (Exit 22/28) or 200 s.f. (Exit 38) | — | Minimum 20 feet from edge of pavement. Not obstructing vision. | 1 (in addition to standard) | Property in HI within vicinity of specified interchanges, per Exhibits A1-A3. | — | SEC. 4.6.8.F.5.d |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | Not applicable; on building. | As needed within total area | On building facade. | — | Sign Standards Summary Table and SEC. 4.7.3.F |
| Billboard Advertising Sign - Interstate | 60 feet above ground level | 1,600 square feet inclusive of border/trim | 40 feet | Meet district dimensional requirements. | Per spacing and max structures | Portions of I-65 and William H. Natcher Parkway in HI districts, per Exhibit B1. On individual lot min 5,000 sf. | — | SEC. 4.6.8.F.11 |
| Billboard Advertising Sign - Urban | 40 feet above ground level | 600 square feet inclusive of border/trim per face | 50 feet | Meet district dimensional requirements. | Per spacing and max structures | Portions of specified highways in HI within Urbanized Area, per Exhibit B2. On individual lot min 5,000 sf. | — | SEC. 4.6.8.F.11 |

## Prohibited signs in Bowling Green

- Signs erected, maintained, or continued which cause any interference to sight distance
- Portable Signs
- Banners, posters, pennants, large fixed balloons, or similar devices affixed to any independent support, fence, awning, pump canopy, curbstone, utility pole, hydrant, bridge, culvert, public drinking fountain, public trash container, rest station building, tree, or in or on any portion of any public sidewalk, street
- Signs with externally moving parts or messages (official signs for safety purposes exempt)
- Signs which are obscene, indecent, or immoral
- Signs that are made of paper or cardboard erected outside a completely enclosed building
- Roof Signs unless the top of the sign face is located below the highest point of the tallest roofline on the building
- Signs located in any publicly maintained right-of-way unless exempted
- Signs overhanging or infringing upon the right-of-way of any public street, road, or way, except in the CB district or specified areas
- Signs so located as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape
- Signs that emit any sound, visible or invisible gases, or odor as part of any message
- Snipe Signs
- Vehicle Signs (delivery and service vehicles or trailers used daily in conjunction with an on-site business exempt if parked appropriately)
- Off-premise advertising signs, except as specifically permitted
- Inflatable Signs
- No sign shall be erected to obstruct free and clear vision of an intersection and/or traffic signals
- No sign may be placed in or extended over a public right-of-way or utility easement without express written consent
- All freestanding signs shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from the edge of pavement (or affixed to building if structure closer)
- No on-premise sign shall be erected within 50 feet of an abutting residential district
- No on-premise signs shall exceed illumination of 0.5 foot candles above ambient light, no flashing lights resembling emergency or traffic lights
- No on-premise sign shall contain commercial advertising unrelated to the existing use of the property

## Signs exempt from permit in Bowling Green

- Signs erected, maintained or otherwise posted, owned or leased by the Federal Government, State of Kentucky, Warren County, or cities of Bowling Green, Oakland, Plum Springs, Smiths Grove and Woodburn
- Safety signs; signs of historical significance; clocks; and temporary signs (no permit required, but comply with visibility and right-of-way provisions)
- Flags with no commercial reference (excluding the flag pole)
- Signs required by federal, state or local law to warn of danger or prohibit access (no larger than 2 sq ft if not specified)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For Consolidated Development Signage, no building permit may be issued without an approved agreement between affected property owners for maintenance, construction standards, and sign location plan, recorded and running with the land, amendable only with Planning Commission approval
- For Shared Signage, no building permit may be issued without an approved agreement between affected property owners for maintenance, construction standards, and sign location plan, recorded and running with the land, amendable only with Planning Commission approval
- In PUD districts, signage is per approved development plan
- In Local Historic Districts, signs require a Certificate of Appropriateness approved by the Historic Preservation Board
- For Campus-Style Signage, easement required for multiple tenants or properties, including provisions for maintenance, landscaping, and removal
- All signs require a permit unless otherwise stated, approved by Planning Commission staff for compliance with Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, and any recorded plat or development plan

## 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 17 zoning districts in Bowling Green — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bowling+Green+KY&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bowling-green

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