# Sign Regulations in Lexington, Kentucky

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lexington, Kentucky (KY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kentucky/lexington
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-24
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/lexingtonfayettecoky/latest/lexingtonfayettecoky_zone/0-0-0-17211)

## At a glance

Lexington, Kentucky regulates 152 sign types across 19 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Per Buildings in the Professional Office Zone (P-1), Mixed Use 1: Neighborhood Node Zone (MU-1) zoning district are capped at ≤ 10 ft tall and ≤ 40 sq ft, with a Minimum 10 ft setback (Sec. Sec. 17-11(e)(1)). Most commercial signs in Lexington require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (19 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | ≤ 10 ft | ≤ 32 sq ft (up to 64 sq ft if building ≥100,000 sq ft or site ≥2 acres) | — |
| Agricultural Zones (A-R, A-U, A-B, A-N) | 9 | Freestanding: ≤ 10 ft | ≤ 32 sq ft | — |
| Mobile Home Park Zone (M-1P) | 2 | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 32 sq ft | — |
| Low Density Residential Zones (R-1 [A—E], R-1T, R-2) | 9 | ≤ 8 ft (if freestanding) | ≤ 32 sq ft | — |
| Planned Neighborhood Residential, Medium Density Residential & High Density Residential Zones (R-3, R-4, R-5), Expansion Area Residential (EAR-1, EAR-2, EAR-3) | 7 | Additional wall sign mounted at minimum height of 75 ft | ≤ 32 sq ft | — |
| Professional Office Zone (P-1), Mixed Use 1: Neighborhood Node Zone (MU-1) | 16 | ≤ 20 ft (collector/arterial frontage) or ≤ 15 ft (collector/arterial & local intersection) | ≤ 150 sq ft (collector/arterial frontage) or ≤ 75 sq ft (collector/arterial & local intersection) | — |
| Neighborhood Business Zone (B-1) | 14 | Freestanding: ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft per sign | — |
| Corridor Business, Corridor Node, Warehouse/Wholesale, and Industrial Zones (B-3, CN, B-4, I-1, I-2) | 13 | ≤ 40 ft (freestanding billboard general cap); specific freestanding billboard height cap 40 ft | ≤ 400 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Business Zones (B-2, B-2A) | 15 | Located < 50 ft on building | ≤ 80 sq ft | — |
| Lexington Center Business Zone (B-2B) | 7 | ≤ 48 inches | Two signs ≤ 200 sq ft each; Two signs ≤ 50 sq ft each; One sign ≤ 800 sq ft | — |
| Interchange Service Business Zone (B-5P) | 7 | ≤ 90 ft; minimum height 75 ft | ≤ 356 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Center Zone (B-6P) | 8 | ≤ 30 ft | ≤ 150 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Planned Unit Development Zones (PUD) | 1 | As determined by underlying zone | As determined by sign requirements of the zone in which the proposed or existing use is first permitted | — |
| University Research Campus Zone (P-2) | 5 | Freestanding ≤ 10 ft (except hospital campus regs); others per P-1 | ≤ 50 sq ft (non-rigid); ≤ 32 sq ft (rigid) | — |
| Mixed Use 2: Neighborhood Corridor Zone (MU-2) | 11 | ≤ 10 ft | ≤ 75 sq ft per sign | — |
| Mixed Use 3: Mixed-Use Community Zone (MU-3) | 8 | ≤ 48 inches | Primary: ≤ 150 sq ft per sign; Secondary: ≤ 40 sq ft per sign | — |
| Conservation District (CD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Community Center (CC) Zone | 3 | Freestanding: ≤ 20 ft | Per B-1 allowances | — |
| Economic Development (ED) Zone | 4 | ≤ 90 ft; minimum 75 ft | ≤ 356 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 19 zones)

### Professional Office Zone (P-1), Mixed Use 1: Neighborhood Node Zone (MU-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Per Building | ≤ 10 ft | ≤ 40 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft | One per building | On lot; setback required. | — | Sec. 17-11(e)(1) |
| Wall Sign - Per Tenant/Lessee | — | ≤ 2 sq ft | — | — | One per tenant/lessee | On tenant space. | — | Sec. 17-11(e)(5) |
| Traffic Directional Signs | ≤ 3 ft (if freestanding) | — | — | — | ≤ 2 per entrance | At entrances. | — | Sec. 17-11(e)(6) |
| Attraction Board | — | Included in maximum permitted sign area | — | — | One | On building or attached to freestanding sign. | — | Sec. 17-11(e)(7) |
| Pole-Mounted Banner Signs | Minimum vertical clearance 8 ft | Max size 2 ft x 4 ft per banner | — | — | Total limited by area of parking/plaza: 1 per 3,000 sq ft | On light fixtures in parking lots/pedestrian plazas outside the public right-of-way; may not encroach into right-of-way. | — | Sec. 17-11(e)(9) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign (Professional Office Project) | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 32 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per entrance | May be in right-of-way (median or each side) with authorization; must not be in sight triangle. | — | Sec. 17-11(e)(10)(c) |
| Hospital/Regional Medical Campus - Campus Signs (Collector/Arterial frontages) | ≤ 20 ft (collector/arterial frontage) or ≤ 15 ft (collector/arterial & local intersection) | ≤ 150 sq ft (collector/arterial frontage) or ≤ 75 sq ft (collector/arterial & local intersection) | — | — | Max 3 per campus | Along streets classified as collector/arterial; at intersection of collector/arterial and local street. | — | Sec. 17-11(e)(11)(a) |
| Hospital/Regional Medical Campus - Subdivision Entrance Signs | ≤ 10 ft | ≤ 100 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per entrance; max 2 entrances identified | At campus entrances along collector/arterial streets. | — | Sec. 17-11(e)(11)(b) |

### Neighborhood Business Zone (B-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding or Wall Signs - General (B-1) | Freestanding: ≤ 20 ft | — | — | Freestanding minimum 10 ft from street | Freestanding: one per street frontage, max two | On property; one freestanding sign per street frontage. | — | Sec. 17-11(f) (intro); (1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(d)-(f) |
| Freestanding Sign (B-1) | ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft per sign | — | Minimum 10 ft | Max two; one per street frontage | On lot per street frontage. | — | Sec. 17-11(f)(1)(b) |
| Projecting Sign (Infill & Redevelopment Area; building ≤10 ft from front property line) | ≤ 12 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft | — | — | One projecting sign (replaces freestanding signs) | On existing principal structure located ≤10 ft from front property line within defined Infill and Redevelopment Area. | — | Sec. 17-11(f)(1)(c) |
| Marquee - Indoor Theater | Minimum clearance 8 ft; projections ≤ 8 ft from building face | ≤ 24 sq ft per theater | — | — | One marquee per theater (second allowed if no attraction board on freestanding sign) | Attached to building serving indoor theater. | — | Sec. 17-11(f)(2) |
| Attraction Board (B-1) | — | Included in max permitted sign area | — | — | One | On wall or freestanding sign. | — | Sec. 17-11(f)(3) |
| Traffic Directional Signs (B-1) | ≤ 3 ft (if freestanding) | ≤ 3 sq ft | — | — | ≤ 2 per entrance | At entrances. | — | Sec. 17-11(f)(4) |
| Menu Board (B-1) | ≤ 8 ft (if freestanding) | ≤ 45 sq ft | — | — | One per restaurant use OR one per drive-through lane | Free-standing near drive-thru or walk-up/drive-up service areas. | — | Sec. 17-11(f)(6); Sec. 17-18(cc) |
| Pole-Mounted Banner Signs (B-1) | Minimum clearance 8 ft | Max size 2 ft x 4 ft per banner | — | — | Limited by area of parking/plaza: 1 per 3,000 sq ft | On light fixtures in parking lots and pedestrian plazas outside public right-of-way; may not encroach into right-of-way. | — | Sec. 17-11(f)(8); Sec. 17-4(g) |

### Downtown Business Zones (B-2, B-2A)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (B-2/B-2A) | ≤ 20 ft | ≤ 40 sq ft | — | — | Max two; one per street frontage | On lot; may project into right-of-way up to 12 inches. | — | Sec. 17-11(h)(1)(a) |
| Wall Sign - Additional per building face (located <50 ft on building) | Located < 50 ft on building | Letter height/vertical cabinet dimension ≤ 2.5 ft | — | — | One additional per building face | On building face. | — | Sec. 17-11(h)(1)(c) |
| Wall Sign - Per establishment (separate/direct entrance) | Mounted between 10 ft and 30 ft high | ≤ 80 sq ft | — | — | One per street building face per establishment | On building face for establishment with separate and direct entrance. | — | Sec. 17-11(h)(1)(d) |
| Projecting Sign (Per establishment with separate/direct entrance) | Height limit of 30 ft as attached; minimum vertical clearance 10 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft | — | — | One per establishment per street building face | Mounted on building of establishment. | — | Sec. 17-11(h)(1)(e); Sec. 17-8(d) |
| Wall Sign - Small Identification (per establishment with separate entrance) | Located ≤ 10 ft high on building face | ≤ 5 sq ft | — | — | One per establishment | On face of building. | — | Sec. 17-11(h)(2) |
| Traffic Directional Signs (B-2/B-2A) | Per B-1: ≤ 3 ft | Per B-1: ≤ 3 sq ft | — | — | ≤ 2 per entrance | At entrances. | — | Sec. 17-11(h)(3); Sec. 17-11(f)(4) |
| Menu Board/Menu Box (B-2/B-2A) | Menu Board: ≤8 ft (if freestanding) | Menu Board: ≤45 sq ft; Menu Box: ≤4 sq ft | — | — | Per B-1 allowances | On premises. | — | Sec. 17-11(h)(3); Sec. 17-11(f)(6)-(7) |
| A-Frame/Sandwich Board | ≤ 48 inches | ≤ 8 sq ft per panel | ≤ 24 inches | — | One per street front; max two | On sidewalk/pedestrian way; must allow 4 clear feet of sidewalk width; not over curb line; not restricting egress from parked cars. | — | Sec. 17-11(h)(6); Sec. 17-18(a) |

## Prohibited signs in Lexington

- Illuminated signs may not cast direct rays of light beyond the property lines of the lot on which the sign is located (Sec. 17-8(a)).
- No light, sign, or advertising device may imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal, or device, or use words/phrases/symbols implying danger or the need to stop or maneuver a vehicle (Sec. 17-8(b)).
- No sign may be attached to or painted on any tree, utility pole, or street light (Sec. 17-8(c)).
- No sign, except government signs, may be located within the sight triangle of any intersection (Sec. 17-8(f)).
- No sign may be placed in or project into the public or private street right-of-way, except where specifically permitted by this Article (Sec. 17-8(g)).
- Mobile signs are prohibited (Sec. 17-9(a)).
- Roof signs that extend higher than the top edge of the roof are prohibited (Sec. 17-9(b)).
- Rotating or moving signs are prohibited (Sec. 17-9(c)).
- Abandoned signs are prohibited (Sec. 17-9(d)).
- Streamers, pennants, tag signs, or similar devices are prohibited except when attached to a permitted temporary sign (Sec. 17-9(e)).
- Any sign which emits noise, odor, or visible matter is prohibited (Sec. 17-9(f)).
- Free-standing signs that overhang any part of a building are prohibited (Sec. 17-9(g)).
- Flashing or blinking signs are prohibited (Sec. 17-9(h)).
- Any sign not specifically permitted by the ordinance is prohibited (Sec. 17-11, lead-in).

## Signs exempt from permit in Lexington

- Signs not legible beyond the boundaries of the property on which they are located and/or from any public thoroughfare or right-of-way are exempt from the provisions of this Article and from permitting (Sec. 17-3(a)).
- Government signs placed by government officers in the performance of their duties are exempt from the provisions of this Article and from permitting (Sec. 17-3(b)).
- Temporary or permanent signs erected by public utility companies or construction companies in the performance of their professional duties are exempt from the provisions of this Article and from permitting (Sec. 17-3(c)).
- Vehicle signage painted directly on a vehicle or attached magnetically is exempt from the provisions of this Article and from permitting (Sec. 17-3(d)).
- Incidental signs do not require a permit (may be subject to other provisions) (Sec. 17-4(a)).
- Historic markers do not require a permit (may be subject to other provisions) (Sec. 17-4(b)).
- Construction signs do not require a permit (may be subject to other provisions) (Sec. 17-4(c)).
- Change of copy where the framework or structural elements are not altered does not require a permit (Sec. 17-4(d)).
- Limited duration signs (one per street frontage; size/height and illumination limits based on property use) do not require a permit (Sec. 17-4(e)).
- Window signs do not require a permit (may be subject to other provisions) (Sec. 17-4(f)).
- Pole banners do not require a permit (may be subject to other provisions) (Sec. 17-4(g)).
- Temporary signs related to events sponsored by neighborhood or owners' associations within the neighborhood right-of-way (subject to number, size, height, timing, and sight triangle limits) do not require a permit (Sec. 17-4(h)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for any sign unless specifically exempt; applications must include a completed form, a site plan and/or building elevation showing sign location and setbacks, detailed sign construction/illumination/mounting information, owner consent, and the permit fee (Sec. 17-7).
- Variances to signage dimensional requirements require a hearing before the Board of Adjustment; the Board may also approve transfers of unused signage square footage between the same signage type along the same street frontage; the Board may not increase the number of permitted signs, allow a sign type or feature not permitted in the zone, or increase the maximum total permitted sign area on a lot/building (Sec. 17-10).
- Landmark and district identification signs require approval from the Commissioner of Environmental Quality & Public Works (or designee) and a four-member sign review committee; such signs must meet applicable Kentucky Building and Fire Safety Codes and are evaluated against stated criteria (Sec. 17-13).
- Subdivision entrance signs located in the right-of-way (where allowed) require written authorization of the Commissioner of Public Works, proof of permanent maintenance, and an encroachment permit prior to issuance of a sign permit; and must not be located within the sight triangle or create a traffic hazard (appears in multiple zone provisions, e.g., Sec. 17-11(a)(1)(a), 17-11(c)(1)(a), 17-11(e)(10)(c), 17-11(o)(4)).
- Certain subdivision signs in B-3/CN/B-4/I-1/I-2 zones are allowed only for projects governed by a unified development plan and exceeding four acres (Sec. 17-11(g)(9)).
- Article 17 does not specify a master sign plan requirement; approvals are processed via the standard sign permit, Board of Adjustment variance process, and specialized review (e.g., landmark/district identification signs).

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

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