# Sign Regulations in London, Kentucky

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

- **Jurisdiction:** London, Kentucky (KY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kentucky/london
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-02
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.londonky.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CITY-OF-LONDON-CODE-OF-ORDINANCES.pdf#page=556)

## At a glance

London, Kentucky regulates 13 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - General Standards in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 40 ft maximum height (except commercial areas abutting the interstate highway right-of-way: 60 ft). tall and 250 sq ft maximum surface area (except commercial areas abutting the interstate highway right-of-way: 300 sq ft)., with a Conform to district setbacks; if none apply, minimum 15 ft from the street pavement edge. At intersections of major collector or arterial streets, minimum 20 ft from the right-of-way line. setback (Sec. § 80.579(A); § 80.580(B); § 80.581(B)-(C); § 80.584(B)). Most commercial signs in London require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 40 ft maximum height (except commercial areas abutting the interstate highway right-of-way: 60 ft). | Where two street frontages are involved, the total area of wall signs shall not exceed 250 sq ft (commercial and industrial zones). | — |
| Residential Districts | 1 | — | 4 sq ft maximum area. | — |
| C-1 Central Business District | 5 | 40 ft maximum height. | Total wall sign area across two street frontages may not exceed 250 sq ft. | — |
| C-2 General Business District | 4 | 40 ft maximum height. | Total wall sign area across two street frontages may not exceed 250 sq ft. | — |
| C-3 Neighborhood Business District | 5 | 40 ft maximum height. | Total wall sign area across two street frontages may not exceed 250 sq ft. | — |
| I-1 | 4 | 40 ft maximum height. | Total wall sign area across two street frontages may not exceed 250 sq ft. | — |
| I-2 | 4 | 40 ft maximum height. | Total wall sign area across two street frontages may not exceed 250 sq ft. | — |
| Commercial zones (Abutting the interstate highway right-of-way) | 4 | 60 ft maximum height (interstate-abutting commercial areas). | 300 sq ft maximum surface area (interstate-abutting commercial areas). | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Facade Sign - General Standards | — | Where two street frontages are involved, the total area of wall signs shall not exceed 250 sq ft (commercial and industrial zones). | — | — | 1 wall sign per street frontage per individual business. | Affixed to building facade where signage is permitted by district. | — | § 80.579(F); § 80.580(C); § 80.581(A); § 80.584(B), (C), (G) |
| Freestanding Sign - General Standards | 40 ft maximum height (except commercial areas abutting the interstate highway right-of-way: 60 ft). | 250 sq ft maximum surface area (except commercial areas abutting the interstate highway right-of-way: 300 sq ft). | — | Conform to district setbacks; if none apply, minimum 15 ft from the street pavement edge. At intersections of major collector or arterial streets, minimum 20 ft from the right-of-way line. | Per parcel: 1 freestanding sign per street frontage; shopping center main parcel limited to 1 per street frontage; shopping center outlots may each have a separate freestanding sign. | On-premise, freestanding (pole or frame) sign. | — | § 80.579(A); § 80.580(B); § 80.581(B)-(C); § 80.584(B) |
| Temporary Sign - General Standards (Non-exempt) | — | 50 sq ft maximum display area. | — | — | — | On the lot where the temporary circumstance/event applies. | — | § 80.579(E); § 80.583(A)-(B); § 80.577 |
| Mobile/Portable Sign (Temporary) - General Standards | Not to extend higher than 8 ft above the surface on which located. | Subject to the 50 sq ft maximum for temporary signs. | — | Minimum 15 ft from pavement edge. | Maximum 1 mobile sign per individual business or parcel. | On-premise; must not impede traffic flow or create a safety hazard. | — | § 80.583(C)(1)-(6); § 80.583(B) |
| Canopy (Commercial Areas) | Underside clearance: at least 8 ft above the sidewalk. | — | — | No closer than 8 inches to pavement edge. | — | Commercial areas only; canopy may extend toward the street but must not come closer than 8 inches to the pavement edge. | — | § 80.584(I); § 80.584(C) |

### C-1 Central Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Facade Sign | — | Total wall sign area across two street frontages may not exceed 250 sq ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage per business. | Building facade. | — | § 80.579(F); § 80.580(C); § 80.581(A); § 80.584(B), (C) |
| Freestanding Sign | 40 ft maximum height. | 250 sq ft maximum surface area. | — | If no district yard requirement, minimum 15 ft from pavement edge; at intersections of major collector or arterial streets, minimum 20 ft from right-of-way line. | 1 per street frontage; shopping center main parcel: 1 per street frontage; outlot: 1 separate freestanding sign. | On-premise freestanding sign. | — | § 80.579(A); § 80.580(B); § 80.581(B)-(C); § 80.582; § 80.584(B) |
| Temporary Sign (General) | — | 50 sq ft maximum display area. | — | — | — | On-premise where the temporary circumstance applies. | — | § 80.583(A)-(B); § 80.577 |
| Mobile/Portable Sign (Temporary) | Not higher than 8 ft above the surface. | Subject to 50 sq ft maximum for temporary signs. | — | Minimum 15 ft from pavement edge. | 1 per business or parcel. | On-premise; must not impede traffic or create a safety hazard. | — | § 80.583(C)(1)-(6) |
| Canopy | Clearance at least 8 ft above the sidewalk. | — | — | No closer than 8 inches to pavement edge. | — | Commercial area canopy over sidewalk/entrance. | — | § 80.584(I), (C) |

### C-3 Neighborhood Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Facade Sign | — | Total wall sign area across two street frontages may not exceed 250 sq ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage per business. | Building facade. | — | § 80.579(F); § 80.580(C); § 80.581(A); § 80.584(B), (C) |
| Freestanding Sign | 40 ft maximum height. | 250 sq ft maximum surface area. | — | If no district yard requirement, minimum 15 ft from pavement edge; at intersections of major collector or arterial streets, minimum 20 ft from right-of-way line. | 1 per street frontage; shopping center main parcel: 1 per street frontage; outlot: 1 separate freestanding sign. | On-premise freestanding sign. | — | § 80.579(A); § 80.580(B); § 80.581(B)-(C); § 80.582; § 80.584(B) |
| Temporary Sign (General) | — | 50 sq ft maximum display area. | — | — | — | On-premise where the temporary circumstance applies. | — | § 80.583(A)-(B); § 80.577 |
| Mobile/Portable Sign (Temporary) | Not higher than 8 ft above the surface. | Subject to 50 sq ft maximum for temporary signs. | — | Minimum 15 ft from pavement edge. | 1 per business or parcel. | On-premise; must not impede traffic or create a safety hazard. | — | § 80.583(C)(1)-(6) |
| Canopy | Clearance at least 8 ft above the sidewalk. | — | — | No closer than 8 inches to pavement edge. | — | Commercial area canopy over sidewalk/entrance. | — | § 80.584(I), (C) |

## Prohibited signs in London

- No sign may be constructed, erected, moved, enlarged, illuminated, or substantially altered except in accordance with the provisions of the sign article (§ 80.576).
- Illuminated signs must emit light of a constant intensity; variable or changeable electronic copy is allowed only by waiver/approval (otherwise prohibited) (§ 80.584(B)).
- No projecting sign may extend more than 1 foot from the front or face of a building; no sign may be placed on a roof so as to project beyond the front or face of the building (§ 80.584(C)).
- No sign or part of a sign may consist of banners, ribbons, streamers, spinners, or similar moving devices; blinking lights used for holidays must not create a safety or traffic hazard (§ 80.584(D)).
- No sign may be installed, erected, or attached to a fire escape or door so as to interfere with access (§ 80.584(E)).
- No temporary sign may exceed 50 square feet in display area (§ 80.583(B)).
- No off-premises signs may be placed within the city; existing off-premises signs may not be enlarged or expanded and, if removed, fallen, or destroyed, may not be replaced (§ 80.585(A)-(B)).
- Non-conforming signs may not be enlarged or expanded; once removed, fallen, or destroyed, they must be replaced only with conforming signs (§ 80.584(J)).

## Signs exempt from permit in London

- Residential-use signs not exceeding 4 square feet (e.g., property identification, mailbox, private parking, trespassing) (§ 80.577(A)).
- Signs erected by or authorized by a governmental body, including legal notices and informational signs (§ 80.577(B)).
- Official noncommercial signs erected by public utilities (§ 80.577(C)).
- Flags, pennants, or insignia of governmental or non-profit organizations when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or as an advertising device (§ 80.577(D)).
- Integral decorative or architectural features or works of art that do not contain letters, trademarks, moving parts, or lights (§ 80.577(E)).
- Church bulletin boards or identification signs, limited to one per abutting street, maximum 16 square feet, and not internally illuminated (§ 80.577(F)).
- Signs painted on or permanently attached to currently licensed motor vehicles that are not primarily used as signs (§ 80.577(G)).
- Non-commercial message signs (religious, political, etc.), limited to one per abutting street, maximum 16 square feet, and not internally illuminated (§ 80.577(H)).
- Real estate signs indicating property for sale, rent, or lease, maximum 4 square feet, removed immediately after the transaction is completed (§ 80.577(I)).
- Construction site identification signs: maximum one per site, not exceeding 32 square feet; not erected prior to issuance of a building permit; removed within 10 days after occupancy (§ 80.577(J)).
- Holiday displays (including lighting) removed within 10 days following the holidays (§ 80.577(K)).
- Election or political campaign signs removed within 3 days following the election or conclusion of the campaign; maximum 16 square feet (§ 80.577(L)).
- Special event signs (e.g., grand opening, fair, carnival, festival) on the lot where the event occurs, maximum 32 square feet; may not be erected sooner than 2 weeks before the event and must be removed no later than 3 days after (§ 80.577(M)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Waivers for illuminated signs that change copy electronically may be granted; the Planning Commission determines suitability of future sign technology and design not presently covered (§ 80.584(B)).

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

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