# Sign Regulations in Henderson, Kentucky

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Henderson, Kentucky (KY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kentucky/henderson
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/KY/Henderson/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=ZO_APXAZO_ARTXSIOUADDI)

## At a glance

Henderson, Kentucky regulates 17 sign types across 22 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Signs in the CBD, Central business district (CBD) zoning district are capped at 72 in. tall, 30 in. wide x 72 in. high max, and 30 in. wide (Sec. Sec. 10.08). Most commercial signs in Henderson require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (22 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 4 sq. ft. | — |
| R-1, Low density residential district (R-1), R-2, Medium density residential district (R-2), R-3, Medium to high density residential district (R-3), R-4, Multi-family residential district (R-4), R-5, Medium density residential district (R-5), R-PUD, PUD, Planned unit development district (PUD), R-MH, Residential mobile home district (R-MH), R-O, Residential/office district (R-O), AG, Agricultural district (AG), R-SMH, Residential Subdivided Manufactured Home District (R-SMH), ARD, Audubon residential district (ARD) | 3 | R-O: 10 ft; R-MH: 5 ft; AG: 8 ft (for stand); 5 ft for usual locations | R-O: 16 sq. ft.; R-MH: 10 sq. ft.; ARD: 4 sq. ft.; Home occupation in all R: 4 sq. ft. (unlighted). | — |
| NB, Neighborhood business district (NB) | 3 | 20 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| GB, General business district (GB) | 4 | 25 ft. | Shopping center 50,000 sq. ft. & up: 650 sq. ft. (250 sq. ft. 'Center Name', 400 sq. ft. flexible); Shopping center <50,000 sq. ft.: 400 sq. ft.; Strip mall w/ up to 2 tenants (5,000 to 10,000 sq. ft.): 200 sq. ft. | — |
| CBD, Central business district (CBD) | 5 | 72 in. | 75 sq. ft. | — |
| HC, Highway commercial district (H-C), H-C, Highway Commercial District (HC) | 4 | 30 ft. | 672 sq. ft. per face (max 2 faces, total 1,344 sq. ft.); embellishments max 10% of face (67.2 sq. ft.) | — |
| M-1, Light industrial district (M-1), M-2, Heavy industrial district (M-2) | 3 | 40 ft | 672 sq. ft. per face (max 1,344 sq. ft.) | — |
| RF-1, Riverfront zone - Recreation, active and passive (RF-1) | 1 | 6 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — |
| RF-2, Riverfront zone - Light commercial (RF-2) | 2 | 16 ft (or to bottom of 2nd floor window, whichever is less) | 16 sq. ft. | — |
| RF-3, Riverfront zone - Green space (RF-3) | 1 | — | — | — |
| RF-4, Riverfront residential district (RF-4) | 1 | — | 4 sq. ft. (home identification); larger sign must be approved as per code | — |
| ARD, Audubon residential district (ARD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| ACD, Audubon commercial district (ACD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| GDZ, Gateway district zone #1 (GDZ) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Henderson Innovative Planning District | 2 | — | — | — |
| Gateway district zone #1 (GDZ) | 2 | — | — | — |
| Riverfront zone - Recreation, active and passive (RF-1) | 1 | 6 ft | 25 sq. ft. | — |
| Riverfront zone - Light commercial (RF-2) | 2 | 16 ft (or top of 2nd floor window/wall, whichever is less) | 16 sq. ft. | — |
| Riverfront zone - Green space (RF-3) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Riverfront residential district (RF-4) | 1 | — | 4 sq. ft. | — |
| Audubon residential district (ARD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Audubon commercial district (ACD) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 22 zones)

### GB, General business district (GB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Freestanding Sign | 25 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street | On lot, not in right-of-way | — | Exhibit A, 10.16(a) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Building wall | — | Exhibit A, 10.16(b) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from pavement edge | 2 per lot | On private property | — | Sec. 10.12 |
| Shopping Center Sign (Consolidated Commercial Center Sign) | — | Shopping center 50,000 sq. ft. & up: 650 sq. ft. (250 sq. ft. 'Center Name', 400 sq. ft. flexible); Shopping center <50,000 sq. ft.: 400 sq. ft.; Strip mall w/ up to 2 tenants (5,000 to 10,000 sq. ft.): 200 sq. ft. | — | — | Consolidated sign for all tenants | On premises; at shopping center site | — | Exhibit A, 10.16(a) footnotes (2)-(4) |

### CBD, Central business district (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Freestanding Sign | 25 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street | On property; not in right-of-way | — | Exhibit A, 10.16(a) |
| Wall Sign | — | No specific limit, but consistent with wall sign regulations | — | — | — | On building wall | — | Article X, 10.16(b), 10.14 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per business front | Extends over right-of-way; securely attached to building | — | Article X, 10.14 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from pavement edge | 2 per lot | On property, not public right-of-way unless permitted (e.g. sandwich boards per 10.08) | — | Sec. 10.12 |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 72 in. | 30 in. wide x 72 in. high max | 30 in. | — | 1 per business facade | On sidewalk, must leave at least 5 ft of contiguous sidewalk, only where sidewalk is ≥8 ft wide | — | Sec. 10.08 |

### HC, Highway commercial district (H-C), H-C, Highway Commercial District (HC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Freestanding Sign | 30 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street | On lot; not within right-of-way | — | Exhibit A, 10.16(a) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On wall | — | Exhibit A, 10.16(b) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from pavement edge | 2 per lot | On private property | — | Sec. 10.12 |
| Billboard | Min 15 ft above grade (bottom); max 40 ft above grade (top) | 672 sq. ft. per face (max 2 faces, total 1,344 sq. ft.); embellishments max 10% of face (67.2 sq. ft.) | — | 50 ft from property line; 15 ft from any structure; 10 ft side/back setback (M-2) | — | On-premises or off-premises, meets setback and area limits | — | Section 10.11 |

## Prohibited signs in Henderson

- No signs shall be allowed or permitted in the public right-of-way except for official signs, emergency warning signs by a governmental agency, banners for civic/public events (with permit), and sandwich board signs in the Central Business District as specifically regulated.
- All signs not expressly permitted under Article X or exempt from regulation are prohibited and shall be removed within thirty (30) days of the effective date of the article.
- Abandoned signs must be removed within thirty (30) days of abandonment.
- Beacons and emergency or flashing lights (used for attracting attention) are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited (except as specially allowed in Highway Commercial zone and in compliance with special standards in Appendix 4).
- Portable signs are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited, except in the Highway Commercial zone.
- Snipe signs are prohibited (signs tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise attached to trees, poles, fences, or other objects).
- No person shall fasten, place, paint, or attach any sign, handbill, poster, advertisement, or notice of any kind on public curbstone, lamp post, pole, hydrant, bridge, public drinking fountain, trash container, benches, rest stations, trees, or public sidewalk/street/signs unless specifically permitted.
- All signs placed upon private property must have the written consent of the owner or his agent.
- No permanent sign (except banners, flags, temporary signs, window signs) shall be constructed with non-permanent materials or be non-permanently attached.
- No signs shall be erected, placed, painted, or maintained except in conformance with an approved signage site plan, when required.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed, or modified on any lot without obtaining and complying with a sign permit under Article X, unless exempted.
- No sign shall be placed on the public right-of-way except as specifically authorized; signs on public property in violation are subject to confiscation.
- Any sign in a dilapidated or unsafe condition, or a sign in a condition of disrepair, is a nuisance and is prohibited.
- No sign (including nonconforming signs) may be left on a property after inactivity, abandonment, or business closure (for nonconforming off-premises signs, after the purpose ends, within 30 days).
- No sign shall obstruct vision in the defined vision sight triangle at intersections.
- No billboards except in Highway Commercial or Heavy Industrial districts and in compliance with setback, spacing, area, and height restrictions.
- All signs not consistent with Article X and not expressly permitted or exempt are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Henderson

- Any public notice or warning required by valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.
- Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door, and not legible from more than three (3) feet beyond the lot line.
- Appurtenance signs that are an integral part of essential appurtenances (e.g., menu boards, gas pumps).
- Holiday lights and holiday decorations with no commercial message.
- Historic signs, as officially designated.
- Traffic control signs on private property, meeting DOT standards with no commercial message.
- Flags as defined (national, state, municipal, or official institutional/business flags).
- Window signs not exceeding fifty percent (50%) of the total area of the window and which provide adequate visibility for security and public safety.
- Temporary signs placed on/after April 15 and removed by May 31, or placed on/after October 1 and removed by November 15 each year, provided they are not located on public rights-of-way or in the vision sight triangle.
- Signs displayed on vehicles, such as trucks, buses, trailers, or other vehicles, as long as they are being operated in the normal course of a bona fide business or transportation service.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No permit shall be issued for an individual sign requiring a permit unless and until a signage site plan for the lot has been submitted and approved as conforming (Sec. 10.07).
- A signage site plan is included in any development plan, site plan, PUD plan, or other official plan required by the city for proposed development, and is processed simultaneously with the other plan.
- For consolidated commercial centers and shopping centers, a master signage plan must be presented as part of the overall development plan (see Section 4.39, shopping centers procedure).
- Site plans for new non-single family development or change of use, or creation of new commercial or multi-family lots must identify proposed and existing signs and provide a signage plan component.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained except in conformance with the approved signage site plan, which becomes binding after approval.
- Applications for sign permits or signage site plans must be submitted, and no sign permit shall be issued unless consistent with the requirements of Article X (Sec. 10.05, 10.17, 10.18).

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

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