Sign Regulations in Franklin, Kentucky
Franklin, Kentucky has specific sign regulations covering 53 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign (Religious/Educational), Freestanding Sign (Religious/Educational), Bulletin Board (Religious/Educational). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: January 21, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for Franklin, Kentucky
Sample Sign Requirements in Franklin
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projecting Sign (General Clearance) | — | — | May not be placed in or project into the right-of-way except where expressly permitted. |
| General Right-of-Way and Sight Triangle Restrictions | — | — | Sight triangle protection applies; no encroachment into right-of-way unless expressly allowed. |
| Wall Sign (Residence) | — | 1 square foot | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for FranklinFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
53
- Wall Sign (Religious/Educational)
- Freestanding Sign (Religious/Educational)
- Bulletin Board (Religious/Educational)
- Incidental Signs (Religious/Educational)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
10
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Franklin
Other Cities in Kentucky
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Franklin 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 Franklin, 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 Franklin, regulated sign types include Wall Sign (Religious/Educational), Freestanding Sign (Religious/Educational), Bulletin Board (Religious/Educational), Incidental Signs (Religious/Educational), 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 Franklin 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 Franklin are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Franklin has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Franklin, Kentucky Sign Rules at a Glance
Franklin, Kentucky regulates 53 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Multi-Family Residence/Conditional Uses)s in the High-Density Residential Zones (R1-S, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 32 square feet, with a 20 feet setback (Sec. §5.10.3(b)(i)). Most commercial signs in Franklin require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Franklin, Kentucky
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Franklin (10 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | — | — | — |
| Agricultural Zones (AG & RV) | 11 | Post sign up to 48 inches high | 36 square inches (0.25 sq ft) | — |
| Low-Density Residential Zones (R-1, R1-S) | 12 | Post sign up to 48 inches high | 36 square inches (0.25 sq ft) | — |
| High-Density Residential Zones (R1-S, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) | 11 | Post sign up to 48 inches high | 36 square inches (0.25 sq ft) | — |
| Professional, Commercial and Industrial Zones (B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5, O-P, I-1, I-2) | 13 | 25 feet | 75 square feet (or up to 110 square feet when combining two permitted signs into one) | — |
| Central Business Zone (B-1) | 2 | 3 feet | 6 square feet per face | — |
| Highway Business Zone (B-4) | 3 | 90 feet | 250 square feet per sign face | — |
| General Business, Light Industrial, and Heavy Industrial Zones (B-2, I-1, I-2) | 4 | 90 feet | 720 square feet (sign face area) | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (B-3) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Interstate Interchange District (B-5) | 2 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Franklin(sample of 3 of 10 zones)
Low-Density Residential Zones (R-1, R1-S)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Residence - Nameplate) | — | 1 square foot | — | — | One | On a residence. | — | Unlock | §5.10.2(a) |
| Wall Sign (Residence) | — | 1 square foot | — | — | One | On a residence. | — | Unlock | §5.10.2(a) |
| Parcel Sign (36 sq in) - Mailbox/Building/Post | Post sign up to 48 inches high | 36 square inches (0.25 sq ft) | Post up to 4 inches wide | — | One per parcel | On the front of a building/residence/structure; on each side of a USPS-approved mailbox; or on one post (≤48 inches high, ≤4 inches wide). | — | Unlock | §5.10.2(a)(i)-(iii) |
| Wall Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 3 square feet | — | — | One | On a dwelling where a home occupation is established. | — | Unlock | §5.10.2(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Subdivision Entrance) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One per entrance | At each subdivision entrance. | — | Unlock | §5.10.2(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Religious/Educational) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One | On properties used for religious or educational activities in R-1/R1-S. | — | Unlock | §5.10.2(d)(i) |
| Bulletin Board (Religious/Educational) | 8 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | One | On properties used for religious or educational activities. | — | Unlock | §5.10.2(d)(iii), §5.17(6) |
| Freestanding Sign (All other Conditional Uses) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One | For permitted or conditional uses not otherwise noted. | — | Unlock | §5.10.2(e)(i) |
High-Density Residential Zones (R1-S, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Single-Family Residence) | — | 1 square foot | — | — | One | On a single-family residence. | — | Unlock | §5.10.3(a), §5.10.2(a) |
| Parcel Sign (36 sq in) - Mailbox/Building/Post (Single-Family) | Post sign up to 48 inches high | 36 square inches (0.25 sq ft) | Post up to 4 inches wide | — | One per parcel | Front of building/residence; each side of USPS mailbox; or on one post (≤48 inches high, ≤4 inches wide). | — | Unlock | §5.10.3(a), §5.10.2(a)(i)-(iii) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-Family Residence/Conditional Uses) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | Front yard setback: 20 feet | One | At multi-family residential buildings and conditional uses. | — | Unlock | §5.10.3(b)(i) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Family Residence/Conditional Uses) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | One | On multi-family residential buildings and conditional uses. | — | Unlock | §5.10.3(b)(ii) |
| Freestanding Sign (Religious/Educational) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One | On properties used for religious or educational activities. | — | Unlock | §5.10.3(c)(i) |
| Wall Sign (Religious/Educational) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | One per building | On buildings used for religious or educational activities. | — | Unlock | §5.10.3(c)(ii) |
| Bulletin Board (Religious/Educational) | 8 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | One | On properties used for religious or educational activities. | — | Unlock | §5.10.3(c)(iii), §5.17(6) |
| Freestanding Sign (Mobile Home Park/Subdivision Entrance) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | Minimum 20 feet from any street | One per park entrance | At mobile home park entrance. | — | Unlock | §5.10.3(d)(i) |
Professional, Commercial and Industrial Zones (B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5, O-P, I-1, I-2)
| 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 (Per Street Frontage) | 25 feet | 75 square feet (or up to 110 square feet when combining two permitted signs into one) | — | Minimum 10 feet | One per street frontage; maximum two per lot | Per street frontage; maximum two signs per lot. | — | Unlock | §5.10.4(a)(i), §5.10.4(j), §5.4(c) |
| Monument Sign (Per Street Frontage) | 8 feet | 60 square feet | — | Minimum 10 feet | One per street frontage; maximum two per lot (shared with freestanding signs) | Per street frontage; maximum two signs per lot (shared category with freestanding signs). | — | Unlock | §5.10.4(a)(ii), §5.10.4(j), §5.4(c) |
| Attraction Board | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One | Attached to a wall or attached to a permitted freestanding sign. | — | Unlock | §5.10.4(d), §5.17(2) |
| Menu Board | 8 feet | 55 square feet | — | — | One per qualifying property | Properties with a drive-thru lane, walk-up window, or drive-up curbside. | — | Unlock | §5.10.4(e), §5.17(20) |
| Temporary Signs (Non-rigid materials) | — | 50 square feet per sign | — | No placement in right-of-way or sight triangle | One per street frontage | Per street frontage; within permitted properties in these zones. | — | Unlock | §5.10.4(f)(i), (iii)-(vi), §5.3(e)-(f) |
| Temporary Signs (Rigid materials) | — | 32 square feet per sign | — | No placement in right-of-way or sight triangle | One per street frontage | Per street frontage; within permitted properties in these zones. | — | Unlock | §5.10.4(f)(ii)-(vi) |
| Bulletin Board (Religious/Educational) - 32 sq ft | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One | On properties used for religious or educational activities in these zones. | — | Unlock | §5.10.4(i)(i) |
| Wall Sign (Religious/Educational) | 8 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | One | On religious or educational buildings. | — | Unlock | §5.10.4(i)(ii) |
PermitPal covers all 10 zoning districts in Franklin — 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 Franklin — start freeProhibited Signs in Franklin
- Illumination may not cast direct rays of light beyond the property lines of the lot on which the sign is located
- No sign or advertising device may imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal, or device or use words/symbols implying danger or the need to stop or maneuver a vehicle
- No sign may be attached to or painted on any tree, utility pole, or streetlight
- Neon or other lighted tubing is not permitted except behind solid lettering to produce a halo effect or used indirectly; neon lighting may not outline buildings, structures, or ornamental features
- No sign (except government signs) may be located within the sight triangle of any intersection
- No sign may be placed in or project into the public or private street right-of-way, except where specifically permitted elsewhere in the ordinance
- Only one electronic message/changeable copy (EMC) sign is allowed per zoning parcel
- EMC signs may not imitate or be similar in operation to emergency response vehicle lights or traffic lights
- The electronic message portion of an EMC sign may not exceed 50% of the sign area
- Any sign not specifically permitted is prohibited
- Mobile signs are prohibited
- Roof signs that extend higher than the top of the roof are prohibited
- Rotating or moving signs are prohibited
- Abandoned signs are prohibited
- Streamers, pennants, tag signs, or similar devices are prohibited except when attached to a permitted temporary sign
- Any sign that emits noise or odor is prohibited
- Freestanding signs that overhang any part of a building are prohibited
- Flashing or blinking signs are prohibited
- Billboards with an electronic message display system are prohibited
- Signs in a public right-of-way are prohibited
- Handbills are prohibited
- Signs specifically attached to a vehicle or trailer for use as a moveable sign are prohibited (except company vehicles accompanying workers to a job site that are not left unattended)
- Nonconforming signs may not be changed to another nonconforming sign (except face/copy changes), structurally altered to increase nonconformity, expanded or enlarged, reestablished after removal, or moved to a new location on the building or lot
Exempt Signs in Franklin
- Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the property on which they are located (exempt from all provisions and permit requirements)
- Government signs placed by government officers in the performance of their professional/elected duties (exempt from all provisions and permit requirements)
- Temporary or permanent signs erected by public utility or construction companies in the performance of their professional duties (exempt from all provisions and permit requirements)
- Vehicle signage painted directly on a vehicle or attached magnetically (exempt from all provisions and permit requirements)
- Temporary signage 3 square feet or smaller placed on or after April 15 and removed by May 31, and placed on or after October 1 and removed by November 15 (exempt from all provisions and permit requirements)
- Temporary signs for a new business for up to 30 consecutive days from the first day of business, displayed only on the property where the new business is located (exempt from all provisions and permit requirements)
- Signage placed by realtors in the performance of their professional duties (exempt from all provisions and permit requirements)
- Window signage (exempt from all provisions and permit requirements)
- Signs erected by entities within the City of Franklin corporate limits, within 150 feet of the I-65 right-of-way, where the entity is licensed under KRS Chapter 230 (Kentucky Horse Racing Facilities) (exempt from all provisions and permit requirements)
- Incidental signs not exceeding two square feet (exempt from permit requirements)
- Historic markers (exempt from permit requirements)
- Change of copy on any sign where the framework or structural elements are not altered (exempt from permit requirements)
- Substitution of noncommercial speech for any other speech on an otherwise allowed sign may be made without additional approval or permitting
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Franklin
- Sign permits are required for all signs regulated by the ordinance unless specifically exempt; applications must be submitted to the Franklin-Simpson County Planning Commission
- Erection/construction must comply with the approved permit; building permits are required for the footer of freestanding and monument signs; electrical permits are required for signs needing electrical service; 24-hour notice is required for final inspections
- Signs painted directly on a building require a Conditional Use Permit in all zones
- Only the Board of Zoning Adjustments may approve sign variances or Conditional Use Permits for signs, unless the request is made to the Planning Commission in conjunction with a Development Plan
- No master sign plan requirement is specified in the provided text; where Development Plans are required for certain projects, sign approvals may be processed in conjunction with that Development Plan
Source: other municipal code