# Sign Regulations in Crittenden, Kentucky

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Crittenden, Kentucky (KY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kentucky/crittenden
- **Data last verified:** 2025-07-01
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://cityofcrittendenky.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Zoning-Ordinance-320-2024-Zoning-Book.pdf#page=76)

## At a glance

Crittenden, Kentucky regulates 19 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Class 3 Sign (Flat, Ground, or Pole Sign; Parking Areas)s in the A1 zoning district are capped at 12 ft tall and 6 sq ft, with a No closer than 5 ft from property line setback (Sec. Section 14.6.C, Section 14.7). Most commercial signs in Crittenden require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A1 | 6 | Individual letters: 36 in letter height; Ground sign: 10 ft (Class 8) | 12 sq ft for single sign; Max 35 sq ft on developed premises; Max 75 sq ft on undeveloped premises | — |
| R1, R2, R3, R4 | 4 | 36 in letters; 10 ft (Class 8) | 12 sq ft (single); 35 sq ft developed; 75 sq ft undeveloped | — |
| NCS, NC | 6 | 36 in (letters, Class 5) | 200 sq ft | — |
| HC | 7 | 36 in (Class 5); Not above wall (Class 6) | 200 sq ft | — |
| I-1, I-2 | 7 | 36 in letter height (Class 5); 10 ft (Class 8) | 200 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 100 ft | 350 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### A1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Class 1 Sign (Flat or Window Sign - Single Face Only) | Attached directly to building, parallel to wall face | 1 sq ft | — | — | One per separate permitted use | On building | — | Section 14.6.A, Section 14.7 |
| Class 2 Sign (Flat, Window, or Projecting Sign - Single or Double Face) | Attached to building, projects max 18 in from wall | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per separate permitted use | On building | — | Section 14.6.B, Section 14.7 |
| Class 4 Sign (Flat, Window, or Ground Sign - Single or Double Face) | 20 ft | 12 sq ft for single sign; Max 35 sq ft on developed premises; Max 75 sq ft on undeveloped premises | — | No ground sign closer than 5 ft from property line | — | On premises of property being referred to | — | Section 14.6.D, Section 14.7 |
| Class 3 Sign (Flat, Ground, or Pole Sign; Parking Areas) | 12 ft | 6 sq ft | — | No closer than 5 ft from property line | One per curb cut and as approved for off-street parking areas | Off-street parking areas | — | Section 14.6.C, Section 14.7 |
| Class 5 or 8 Sign (Individual Letters or Ground Sign) | Individual letters: 36 in letter height; Ground sign: 10 ft (Class 8) | 1 sq ft per horizontal linear foot of building wall (Class 5); 25 sq ft (Class 8) | — | 5 ft from property line (Class 8) | One per street frontage or major entrance (Class 8) | On building (Class 5); On ground (Class 8) | — | Section 14.6.E, 14.6.H, Section 14.7 |
| Class 6 or 8 Sign (Flat Sign or Ground Sign) | Not above building wall; 10 ft (Class 8) | 1 sq ft per linear foot of building wall (Class 6); 25 sq ft (Class 8) | — | 5 ft from property line (Class 8) | See above | On building (Class 6); On ground (Class 8) | — | Section 14.6.F, 14.6.H, Section 14.7 |

### HC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Class 1 Sign (Flat or Window Sign - Single Face Only) | Attached to building | 1 sq ft | — | — | One per permitted use | On building | — | Section 14.6.A, 14.7 |
| Class 2 Sign (Flat, Window, or Projecting Sign - Single or Double Face) | Attached to building, max 18-in projection | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per permitted use | On building | — | Section 14.6.B, 14.7 |
| Class 4 Sign (Flat, Window, or Ground Sign - Single or Double Face) | 20 ft | 12 sq ft (single sign); 35 sq ft (developed); 75 sq ft (undeveloped) | — | 5 ft from property line | — | On-premises | — | Section 14.6.D, 14.7 |
| Class 3 Sign (Parking Area Sign) | 12 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | One per curb cut, more as approved | Off-street parking areas | — | Section 14.6.C, 14.7 |
| Class 5 or 6 Sign (Non-Shopping Complex Use) | 36 in (Class 5); Not above wall (Class 6) | 1 sq ft per linear foot of building wall | — | — | One per street frontage or separate business | On building | — | Section 14.6.E,14.6.F,14.7 |
| Class 7 Sign (Freestanding Pole or Ground Sign) | 20 ft (pole); 10 ft (ground) | 60 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | One per street frontage | Freestanding | — | Section 14.6.G,14.7 |
| Class 9 Sign (Shopping Complex Identification) | 30 ft (pole) | 200 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | See above | At major/arterial street for shopping complex (3+ businesses in unified/attached group) | — | Section 14.6.I,14.7 |

### I-1, I-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Class 1 Sign (Flat or Window Sign - Single Face Only) | Attached to wall | 1 sq ft | — | — | One per permitted use | On building | — | Section 14.6.A, 14.7 |
| Class 2 Sign (Flat, Window, or Projecting Sign - Single or Double Face) | Attached to wall; projects up to 18 in | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per permitted use | On building | — | Section 14.6.B, 14.7 |
| Class 4 Sign (Flat, Window, or Ground Sign - Single or Double Face) | 20 ft | 12 sq ft (single sign); 35 sq ft (developed); 75 sq ft (undeveloped) | — | 5 ft from property line (ground) | — | On property referred to | — | Section 14.6.D, 14.7 |
| Class 3 Sign (Parking Area Sign) | 12 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | One per curb cut, more as approved | Parking areas | — | Section 14.6.C, 14.7 |
| Class 5 or 8 Sign (Identification/Business Use) | 36 in letter height (Class 5); 10 ft (Class 8) | 1 sq ft per linear foot building wall (Class 5); 25 sq ft (Class 8) | — | 5 ft from property line (Class 8) | See above | On building (Class 5); On ground (Class 8) | — | Section 14.6.E, 14.6.H, 14.7 |
| Class 6 or 8 Sign | Building wall (Class 6); 10 ft (Class 8) | 1 sq ft per linear foot building wall (Class 6); 25 sq ft (Class 8) | — | 5 ft from property line (Class 8) | — | On building (Class 6); On ground (Class 8) | — | Section 14.6.F, 14.6.H, 14.7 |
| Class 9 Sign (Industrial Development/Park Identification) | 30 ft (pole) | 200 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | One per each abutting arterial street entrance | Along each abutting arterial street entrance to Industrial Zone | — | Section 14.6.I, 14.7 |

## Prohibited signs in Crittenden

- No sign shall be erected, maintained, or continued unless it is in full compliance with the regulations for the zone in which it is located, all applicable provisions and regulations of this ordinance or any other applicable laws, codes, or ordinances.
- No sign shall be erected, maintained, replaced, relocated, repaired, or restored within a distance of 660 feet of the right-of-way of any interstate highways, limited access highway or turnpike, except as herein provided.
- No sign shall be erected, maintained, or continued in any zone which constitutes a nuisance because of light, glare, focus, noise, animation, flashing, intensity of illumination as to unduly disturb the use of surrounding properties or to cause a traffic hazard.
- No radio, phonograph, tape recorder, whistle, bell, gong, siren, or other sound or noise-making or transmitting device or instrument shall be allowed, permitted, or continued in connection with any sign or separately for advertising purposes in any zone.
- No sign shall be erected, maintained, or continued which constricts the flow of air through any window or door.
- No sign shall be erected, maintained, or continued which is misleading, fraudulent, obscene, immoral, indecent, or unsightly in character, as determined by the zoning administrator or designee.
- No advertising sign (except government signs) shall be erected, maintained, or continued unless the owner or company name is plainly displayed thereon (effective 90 days after adoption).
- No sign shall be erected, maintained, or continued over or into any street, public way, or alley right-of-way, unless specifically provided for within this ordinance.
- It is unlawful to fasten, place, paint, or attach any sign, handbill, poster, advertisement, or notice of any kind, on or upon any curbstone, lamp post, telephone pole, telegraph pole, electric light or power pole, hydrant, bridge, culvert, public drinking fountain, public trash container, courtesy benches, rest station building, tree, public sidewalk, street or sign, except as specifically permitted within this ordinance.
- No sign shall be erected, maintained, or continued upon the inside of a curve of a street which causes any interference to sight distance.
- No sign shall be erected, maintained, or continued displaying flashing or intermittent lights, or lights of changing degrees of intensity with changes alternating on less than a five second cycle.
- No sign shall be erected, maintained, or continued in any zone which does not comply fully with Section 13.0 of this ordinance, except as specifically permitted.
- Except as herein provided, signs shall be permanently attached to the ground or on the building which the sign is to serve. Signs located on portable type vehicles are not permitted or continued in any zone, except for temporary signs advertising public, semi-public, charitable or religious fund-raising programs (permitted for specific time limits only).
- No sign shall be erected, maintained, or continued in any zone except as provided in Section 14.1, D, unless it advertises a permitted use in the zone or certain limited nonconforming uses and is clearly incidental to the operation of the use being advertised, under the same ownership, on the premises, and limited in subject matter as specified.
- When any sign becomes defective or dangerous as determined by the building department, and is not repaired in the stipulated time, the zoning administrator may remove it at owner or agent's cost.
- Any sign not in compliance with the ordinance that collapses, burns, or is removed (except for normal maintenance) shall not be replaced or reconstructed except in full compliance.
- Signs may be removed by the zoning administrator if determined to be a traffic hazard, with cost borne by owner/agent if not remedied after written notice.
- Signs must conform to building code and are subject to inspection and approval by the building inspector.

## Signs exempt from permit in Crittenden

- Professional name plates not exceeding one (1) square foot, single or double-faced, not animated and not illuminated.
- Bulletin boards not over 12 square feet, single or double faced, maximum height 8 feet, for public, charitable, or religious institutions on the premises. Not animated; may be illuminated by concealed lighting until 10:00 PM.
- Construction signs not over 20 square feet; single or double faced, maximum height 8 feet, denoting person/firm/architect/engineer/contractor on premises where construction is performed. Remove within 10 days after project completion.
- Memorial signs or tablets containing the building name and date of erection, built into building walls and made of incombustible materials.
- Traffic signs designed and located according to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (U.S. DOT, FHWA).
- Temporary signs as permitted or required by the zoning administrator to fulfill requirements of this ordinance or other governmental resolutions or regulations.
- Repainting or cleaning of advertising structure or change of copy/message, unless a structural change is made.
- Signs inside a building (not including signs in open malls or open courts).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign shall be erected until a permit has been issued after required fees are paid, except as specifically exempted.
- Permit application must include plans and specifications (dimensions, materials, construction details) and comply with all ordinance provisions.
- Any alteration or enlargement of any sign requires a permit as if for a new sign.
- When applying for a sign permit, full and accurate information must be submitted; omission or misrepresentation voids the permit.
- If any required information is omitted or misrepresented on a sign permit application, the permit may be denied or become null and void.
- A conditional use must be obtained for any Class 10 sign.
- Signs that become non-conforming due to this ordinance must be registered with the zoning administrator within 6 months of the effective date.
- Signs not erected as represented on the application (upon which the permit was issued) are violations and must be removed or corrected within two weeks after notice.
- No permit shall be granted until application with plans and specifications is filed and all ordinance provisions are met.

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

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