# Sign Regulations in Middletown, Kentucky

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Middletown, Kentucky (KY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kentucky/middletown
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-29
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/middletownky/latest/middletown_ky/0-0-0-6909)

## At a glance

Middletown, Kentucky regulates 79 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Community Facility Identification Sign (Residential/Office Zones without Larger Business Sign Allowance)s in the R-R Rural Residential District, R-E Residential Estate District, R-1 Residential Single Family District, R-2 Residential Single Family District, R-3 Residential Single Family District, R-4 Residential Single Family District, R-5 Residential Single Family District, R-5B Residential Two-Family District zoning district are capped at 10 ft (general community facility sign); height limit also must comply with sight triangle rules of §152.006(I) tall and 60 sq ft (freestanding); 12 sq ft in zones/form districts where business signs not otherwise allowed for public utility service facilities, with a Must comply with 30-ft sight triangle; otherwise follow general setback rules (no encroachment into required yards/right-of-way). setback (Sec. §152.022). Most commercial signs in Middletown require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 15 ft above ground | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-R Rural Residential District, R-E Residential Estate District, R-1 Residential Single Family District, R-2 Residential Single Family District, R-3 Residential Single Family District, R-4 Residential Single Family District, R-5 Residential Single Family District, R-5B Residential Two-Family District | 10 | 15 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| U-N Urban Neighborhood District, TNZD Traditional Neighborhood Zoning District, Neighborhood Form District, Traditional Neighborhood Form District, Village Form District, Town Center Form District | 23 | 12 ft | 88 sq ft | — |
| R-5A Residential Multi-Family District, R-6 Residential Multi-Family District, R-7 Residential Multi-Family District, R-8A Residential Multi-Family District | 5 | Institution freestanding: 10 ft; community facility: 10 ft; club freestanding: 6 ft | As in Residential zones above (institution 32–50 sq ft; community facility 60 sq ft; club 6 sq ft) | — |
| OR Office/Residential District, OR-1 Office/Residential District, OR-2 Office/Residential District, OR-3 Office/Residential District, OTF Office/Tourist Facility, W-1 Waterfront District, W-2 Waterfront District | 6 | Top not higher than 20 ft | 100 sq ft per facade | — |
| C-N Neighborhood Commercial District, C-R Commercial/Residential District, C-1 Commercial District, C-2 Commercial District, C-3 Commercial District, CM Commercial Manufacturing, EZ-1 Enterprise Zone District, M-1 Industrial District, M-2 Industrial District, M-3 Industrial District, PRO Planned Research/Office Center District, PEC Planned Employment Center District, Regional Center Form District, Suburban Workplace Form District, Suburban Marketplace Corridor Form District, Traditional Marketplace Corridor Form District, Traditional Workplace Form District, Campus Form District, Suburban Workplace Form District (duplicate in table clarified), Suburban Marketplace Corridor Form District (duplicate in table clarified) | 16 | 24 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Form District | 2 | — | Not numerically specified; must still comply with applicable district/table limits if any | — |
| Preservation Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| City Historic District | 6 | Total height (obstruction + sign) ≤8 ft above normal ground level if placed on abutment/mound/wall to overcome obscured view. | Max side length 31 inches; total area implied by that dimension but not explicitly in sq ft | — |
| DRO Development Review Overlay, W-3 Waterfront District, WRO Waterfront Development Review Overlay District, PDD Planned Development District, PVD Planned Village Development District, PTD Planned Transit Development District, PRD Planned Residential Development District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### R-R Rural Residential District, R-E Residential Estate District, R-1 Residential Single Family District, R-2 Residential Single Family District, R-3 Residential Single Family District, R-4 Residential Single Family District, R-5 Residential Single Family District, R-5B Residential Two-Family District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-Family Residential Occupant Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per residence | Anywhere on the premises of each single-family residence. | — | §152.020 |
| Subdivision Identification Sign (Construction/Marketing Phase) | 15 ft | 64 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dedicated street entrance during construction/marketing phase | Within building lines at each dedicated street entrance to subdivision. | — | §152.021 (first sentence) |
| Subdivision Identification Sign (Permanent) | 6 ft for freestanding sign | 15 sq ft per freestanding sign; 15 sq ft per attached sign in signature entrance alternative | — | — | 1 freestanding per entrance; or up to 2 attached signature entrance signs per entrance (Option 1 vs Option 2) | Within building lines at each dedicated street entrance. Signature entrance signs attached to walls/fences at development entrance as permitted by §4.4.3. | — | §152.021 (second & third sentences) |
| Community Facility Identification Sign (Residential/Office Zones without Larger Business Sign Allowance) | 10 ft (general community facility sign); height limit also must comply with sight triangle rules of §152.006(I) | 60 sq ft (freestanding); 12 sq ft in zones/form districts where business signs not otherwise allowed for public utility service facilities | — | Must comply with 30-ft sight triangle; otherwise follow general setback rules (no encroachment into required yards/right-of-way). | 1 per major entrance | At major entrances to the site. | — | §152.022 |
| Club Identification Sign (Exceptional Residential Use / Club / Lodge / Fraternity / Sorority) | 6 ft (if freestanding) | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per bordering street | On each site on which an exceptional residential use or club, lodge, fraternity or sorority is located, facing each bordering street. | — | §152.023 |
| Institution Identification Sign (In Residential Zones) | 10 ft for freestanding sign | 32 sq ft per sign (standard); up to larger business sign size where that is allowed by district (not typical in strictly residential districts) | — | Must comply with §152.006(B) and (I) sight triangle rules. | Standard: 1 per street; long frontage: Option 1 – 2 freestanding per street; Option 2 – 1 larger sign | On premises of any community center, church, private school, library, museum or similar institution; signs may face each bordering street. | — | §152.024 |
| Rent/Sale Sign (Residential District Version) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per site per abutting street | On site being sold or leased. | — | §152.006(J) (general rule applicable in residential districts) |
| Special Event Sign (Institutional Uses Located in Residential Zones) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face; 2 faces max | — | — | 1 large special event sign per calendar year; multiple small signs allowed | On property of the institutional use; not within public right-of-way or public easement. | — | §152.061 |

### U-N Urban Neighborhood District, TNZD Traditional Neighborhood Zoning District, Neighborhood Form District, Traditional Neighborhood Form District, Village Form District, Town Center Form District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Business Sign - General Neighborhood/Traditional Neighborhood/Town Center/Village | Base heights per zoning district in Table 1; specific form districts near parkways use Table 2 heights (e.g., Traditional Neighborhood locals: 4–8 ft; Neighborhood locals: 6–10 ft, etc.). | Base maximum area per zoning district is in Table 1 (not reproduced here); where parcel fronts on designated parkways or is within certain form districts, see Table 2. For Traditional Neighborhood and Neighborhood form districts along parkways, see Table 2 values. | — | No encroachment into right-of-way or required yards; no minimum setback otherwise, but must respect 30-ft sight triangle and 60-ft separation between multiple freestanding signs on same site. | Per frontage rules above | On lots with qualifying nonresidential uses and sufficient frontage. Must not be in/right-over right-of-way or adjoining property. | — | §152.042(A)-(J); §152.075 (Table 2); §152.006(B),(I) |
| Freestanding Business Sign (Traditional Neighborhood Form District along Parkway) - Single Business (Local Street) | 4 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | Per general freestanding count rules | Traditional Neighborhood Form District along a Local street that is a designated parkway. | — | §152.075, Table 2 – Traditional Neighborhood / Local / Single Business |
| Freestanding Business Sign (Traditional Neighborhood Form District along Parkway) - Shared 2–3 Businesses (Local Street) | 6 ft | 48 sq ft | — | — | Per frontage rules; one shared sign in lieu of multiple separate signs | Traditional Neighborhood Form District along Local designated parkway. | — | §152.075, Table 2 – Traditional Neighborhood / Local / Shared 2–3 |
| Freestanding Business Sign (Traditional Neighborhood Form District along Parkway) - Shared 4+ Businesses (Local Street) | 8 ft | 64 sq ft | — | — | Per frontage rules | Traditional Neighborhood Form District along Local designated parkway. | — | §152.075, Table 2 – Traditional Neighborhood / Local / Shared 4+ |
| Multi-Family Identification Sign (R-5A, R-6, R-7, R-8A, TNZD, OR-1) - Freestanding Option | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Must not extend into required yard. | 1 per street bordering site | Facing each street bordering the site; outside required yards. | — | §152.025(C) |
| Projecting Sign (Nonresidential Uses within TNZD/Traditional Neighborhood Form District) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Lower edge at least 9 ft above ground; horizontal clearance of at least 2 ft from roadway. | 1 projecting sign per building lacking freestanding sign; in multi-tenant, 1 per business | Perpendicularly from building façade (not roof), typically over sidewalk or entry. | — | §152.045 |
| Freestanding Directional Sign (All Form Districts, including TNZD/Neighborhood) | 3 ft (directional); menu board height not specified | 5 sq ft per sign; single-faced menu board up to 40 sq ft | — | May be within form district setbacks/yards; must not obstruct sight lines per §152.006(B). | No explicit numeric cap; site design discretion | On premises, within yards/setbacks. | — | §152.043 |
| Attached Directional Sign | 10 ft above grade | 5 sq ft per sign | — | — | No explicit numeric cap | Attached to building or structure on the lot. | — | §152.044 |

### C-N Neighborhood Commercial District, C-R Commercial/Residential District, C-1 Commercial District, C-2 Commercial District, C-3 Commercial District, CM Commercial Manufacturing, EZ-1 Enterprise Zone District, M-1 Industrial District, M-2 Industrial District, M-3 Industrial District, PRO Planned Research/Office Center District, PEC Planned Employment Center District, Regional Center Form District, Suburban Workplace Form District, Suburban Marketplace Corridor Form District, Traditional Marketplace Corridor Form District, Traditional Workplace Form District, Campus Form District, Suburban Workplace Form District (duplicate in table clarified), Suburban Marketplace Corridor Form District (duplicate in table clarified)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign - Attached / Awning / Canopy / Marquee | — | Per façade as above; Traditional Marketplace Corridor & Traditional Workplace: attached sign size for office uses capped at 64 sq ft in certain office ID context. | — | — | Up to 3 per façade (plus first-floor awning/canopy/marquee); more on multi-tenant façades where each business may have one. | On commercial/industrial/office buildings in listed zoning districts and PD nonresidential uses. | — | §152.040; §152.041(A)-(D) |
| Freestanding Business Sign - General Commercial/Industrial | Per Table 1 or Table 2; e.g., Neighborhood/Traditional Neighborhood/Traditional Marketplace/Regional Center/Traditional Workplace values as specified. | Per zoning district Table 1 (not reproduced); for sites along designated parkways within certain form districts, use Table 2 values. | — | No encroachment into right-of-way or required yards; 30-ft sight triangle at intersections; 60-ft separation between freestanding signs on multi-frontage sites. | Per frontage rules | On commercial/industrial/office lots with principal use buildings; not in right-of-way or on adjoining property. | — | §152.042(A)-(K); §152.075; §152.006(I),(M) |
| Freestanding Business Sign (Neighborhood Form District along Parkway) - All Commercial Districts in Neighborhood FD | Local: 6/8/10 ft; Collector: 8/10/12 ft; Arterial ≤4 lanes: 10/12/14 ft; Arterial >4 lanes: 12/14/16 ft. | Local: Single 40 sf, Shared 2–3 60 sf, Shared 4+ 80 sf; Collector: Single 60 sf, Shared 2–3 80 sf, Shared 4+ 100 sf; Arterial 4 lanes or less: Single 80 sf, Shared 2–3 100 sf, Shared 4+ 120 sf; Arterial >4 lanes: Single 80 sf, Shared 2–3 100 sf, Shared 4+ 120 sf. | — | — | Per general freestanding rules | Neighborhood Form District along designated parkways servicing listed commercial/industrial uses. | — | §152.075, Table 2 – Neighborhood |
| Campus Form District Freestanding Business Sign (by reference to Neighborhood FD) | Same as Neighborhood FD. | Same as Neighborhood FD values for given functional class and number-of-business category. | — | — | Per frontage plus one campus overall ID sign for developments with >5 lots and arterial access | Campus Form District along designated parkways. | — | §152.042(J)(3); §152.075, Table 2 – Campus: see Neighborhood |
| Suburban Workplace Form District Overall Development Identification Sign | 24 ft | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per qualifying development | Adjacent to primary entrance to development. | — | §152.042(J)(2); §152.075 |
| Regional Center Overall Identification Sign | 24 ft | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per qualifying regional center development | Adjacent to primary entrance. | — | §152.042(J)(6); §152.075 |
| Special Event Sign (Business/Institutional in Commercial/Industrial Districts) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face (2 faces max) | — | — | 1 large special event sign/year; multiple small signs allowed | On premises; none in public right-of-way or public easements. | — | §152.061 |
| Directional Signs (Freestanding/Attached) | Freestanding directional: 3 ft; Attached directional: 10 ft above grade | Freestanding: 5 sq ft; Attached: 5 sq ft; Menu board: 40 sq ft | — | — | No explicit numeric cap | On commercial/industrial/office premises. | — | §152.043; §152.044 |

## Prohibited signs in Middletown

- It is unlawful to erect, repair, alter, relocate, or keep any sign or advertising device within the city without first obtaining a city sign permit and paying all required city fees and taxes, unless the sign is specifically exempted in this chapter (§152.006(A), §152.006(Z)).
- No sign may be placed in a manner visible from any public street, alley, right-of-way, sidewalk, or other public easement except as allowed by this chapter (§152.006(B)).
- No sign may be placed in or extend over a street, right-of-way, roadway, sidewalk, public or private utility or access easement, or alley except as provided in this chapter and, for public streets, only with approval of the Director of Public Works (§152.006(B)).
- All signs must be constructed and placed so as not to obstruct sight lines for persons using streets, pedestrian rights-of-way, and driveways; a 30‑foot sight triangle is required at all intersections (§152.006(B), §152.006(I)(2)).
- No sign illumination is allowed except as expressly provided in the chapter (§152.006(C)).
- Illuminated signs that cause glare or otherwise interfere with the vision of persons operating motor vehicles are prohibited (§152.006(C)).
- All illuminated signs must be non‑flashing and constant in intensity and color, except time/temperature and changeable copy signs as specifically allowed (§152.006(C), §152.006(N)).
- Signs that are constructed or designed in a manner that may be confused with a traffic sign or other traffic control device are prohibited (§152.006(D)).
- Outdoor advertising signs (off‑premises billboards) are prohibited (§152.006(M)).
- Outdoor advertising signs, portable signs, mechanical reader boards, small freestanding signs, and temporary freestanding signs are prohibited within the city (§152.006(F)).
- Roof signs are prohibited; any sign mounted on any roof or on an extension above the face of a parapet wall is considered a roof sign and is therefore prohibited (§152.002 "ROOF SIGN", §152.006(C), §152.006(X), §152.041(C)).
- Signs which flash, revolve, rotate, or move in any manner are prohibited in all districts, except limited monument‑type changing image signs as specifically allowed (§152.006(I)(1)).
- Signs utilizing pennants, streamers, or balloons as signs are prohibited (§152.006(Y)).
- Changing image signs with a rate of change exceeding the specified limits, or any sign with a video display, are not allowed without Planning Commission design approval (§152.006(N)(1)–(3)).
- No sign shall have more than four faces; multi‑faced signs must comply with reduced allowable area per face per the calculation method in §152.006(H).
- Window signs on any facade may not exceed 25% of the total window area on that facade (§152.006(T)); within certain business districts, ground‑floor window signs are similarly limited to 25% of total window area (§152.041(D)).
- Any sign that encroaches into a required yard is prohibited (§152.042(G)).
- No freestanding sign may be located in, or project over or into, the right‑of‑way or into any adjoining property (§152.042(B)).
- No freestanding business sign is allowed on a lot frontage unless the building on that lot is set back at least 15 feet from the street right‑of‑way, except in specified form districts that are exempt from this setback requirement (§152.042(F)).
- Freestanding signs on a development site with multiple frontages must be separated from each other by at least 60 linear feet when more than one freestanding sign is used (§152.042(H)).
- No special event sign is allowed within the public right‑of‑way or public easement (§152.061(E)).
- Special event signs may not be constructed or placed so as to interfere with vehicular traffic by obstructing sight lines for streets, pedestrian rights‑of‑way, or driveways (§152.061(F)).
- Special event signs may not be illuminated or contain any electrical component unless UL‑approved and connected to a ground‑fault interrupter; all illumination must be non‑flashing and constant in intensity and color (§152.061(D)).
- All special event signs must be kept in good repair and in a proper state of preservation, and the premises around them must be maintained in a clean and inoffensive condition (§152.061(H)–(I)).
- Nonconforming freestanding signs that are more than 20% nonconforming in area or height must be brought into 100% compliance before a second freestanding sign can be permitted on the same development site; similarly, additional attached signs are prohibited where an existing attached sign is more than 20% nonconforming (§152.004(A)).
- When any structural element of a nonconforming sign is replaced, the sign must be brought into compliance with current regulations, subject to the limited replacement exception in §152.004(B).
- Abandoned nonconforming signs (where the advertised business has ceased operation or the sign use has been discontinued for 360 days) must be removed; failure to remove after notice is a violation (§152.005(A)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Middletown

- Traffic signs, public notices, or warnings required by applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance are exempt from regulation under this chapter (§152.003(A)).
- Holiday lights and decorations on residential lots with no commercial message are exempt (§152.003(B)).
- Retail store window displays of merchandise, freestanding three‑dimensional promotional items (with or without proprietary words or symbols solely describing merchandise sold in the store), and display fixtures or backdrops not affixed to windowpanes or glass are exempt (§152.003(B)).
- Traffic control signs on private property (e.g., stop, yield, similar signs) with no commercial message are exempt (§152.003(C)).
- Signs within a ballpark, field, or diamond that indicate sponsorship of teams or activities and cannot be seen from a public street or adjacent properties are exempt (§152.003(D)).
- Directional signs that assist the public in locating community facilities or health care facilities, when approved by the Director of Works and Planning Director and meeting their size, design, illumination, and location requirements (including placement in the right‑of‑way with permission), are exempt (§152.003(E)).
- Monumental commemorative sculpture and/or graphic art permanently attached to and incorporated into the design of community centers, churches, schools, libraries, museums, hospitals, or similar not‑for‑profit or civic structures, depicting noncommercial themes and inscribed dedications or quotations, are exempt (§152.003(F)).
- Signs placed by a public utility for the safety, welfare, or convenience of the public (e.g., high voltage, public telephone, underground cables) are exempt (§152.003(G)).
- Non‑illuminated names of buildings, dates of erection, monument statues, commemorative tablets and similar items carved into or made an integral part of a permanent structure, or made flush to the ground, are exempt (§152.003(H)).
- Non‑illuminated signs identifying a non‑registered historic property and/or permanently preserved open space, erected by a not‑for‑profit organization or government agency, with no commercial messages, constructed of permanent materials, permanently anchored, and not exceeding five square feet in area and six feet in height, are exempt (§152.003(I)).
- Signs used to identify local landmark or national register historic sites are exempt (§152.003(J)).
- No trespassing signs not exceeding two square feet in area are exempt (§152.003(K)).
- Signs upon a vehicle are exempt provided that any vehicle with a sign face over two square feet is not conspicuously parked so as to constitute a sign; bona fide delivery and vehicular uses remain allowed (§152.003(L)).
- Animating features such as public art or murals of a noncommercial nature, as approved by the Planning Director, are exempt (§152.003(M)).
- Address signs no greater than five square feet in area are exempt; those larger than five square feet are treated as attached business signs (§152.003(N)).
- Signs required by law by a duly constituted governmental body are exempt (§152.003(O)).
- Signs in any City Historic District that are regulated by §§152.090 and 152.091 are exempt from the regulations of §§152.001–152.006, 152.020–152.026, 152.040–152.046, 152.060, 152.061, and 152.075 (§152.003(P), §152.090, §152.091).
- Public art (sculpture, murals/painting, film, light, or other creative expression) that contains no commercial or advertising content and is determined by the City Commission to meet the definition of public art is exempt from all sign regulations; if deemed not public art, it must comply as a sign (§152.080(A)).
- Small special event signs not exceeding four square feet in area each, containing no electrical or mechanical components, and removed within three days after the completion of the advertised event, are allowed without a permit (§152.061(J)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A "SIGN PLAN" is defined as a coordinated plan for developing signs for an individual building or a group of buildings (§152.002 "SIGN PLAN").
- For Planned Development Districts, sign standards (including how signs will be handled for that PD) are to be established by the city at the time the master plan for the planned development district is developed and approved by the Planning Commission (§152.006(Q)); these master plan approvals effectively function as a sign plan for the PD.
- For Campus Form Districts with multiple lots, the base, side, and frame of freestanding signs must be uniform in design, materials, and color, indicating that a coordinated campus‑wide sign plan is expected (§152.042(J)(3)(a)).
- Suburban Workplace and Campus Form Districts, as well as Regional Center developments, are each allowed one overall development identification sign at the primary entrance to developments having more than five lots and an access from an arterial street (§152.042(J)(2), (3)(b), (6)), implying the need for a coordinated multi‑lot signage approach in such master‑planned developments.
- In the Downtown Form District, all new signs within the designated Downtown Form Special Districts must be reviewed and approved under the DDRO guidelines and procedures; the DDRO may allow signs not otherwise permitted and follows Land Development Code waiver procedures (§152.006(W)), which typically requires a coordinated submittal similar to a sign plan.
- Changing image signs with a rate of change exceeding the stated limits or with video display must be approved by the Planning Commission for design after review of specified context factors (adjacent street characteristics, proximity to other changing image signs, dimensions, lines of text, proximity to residences, and legibility) (§152.006(N)(3)); such requests will usually require a specific sign proposal/plan to be submitted.
- Specific provisions in the sign regulations that are not eligible for a variance under KRS 100.111 may be waived only in accordance with Chapter 11, Part 8 (§152.006(R)), so applicants seeking such waivers should be prepared to present detailed sign information similar to a master or site‑specific sign plan.
- Variances for dimensional requirements including area and height of signs may be obtained from a Board of Adjustments (§152.006(U)(2), §152.006(V)(2)), which generally requires presentation of the proposed sign layout as part of a variance request, functioning as a project‑specific sign plan.

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

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