# Sign Regulations in Nicholasville, Kentucky

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Nicholasville, Kentucky (KY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kentucky/nicholasville
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-26
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://nicholasville.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ZONING-ORDINANCE-MANUAL_-Rev-08-29-25.pdf#page=127)

## At a glance

Nicholasville, Kentucky regulates 15 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Temporary Real Estate Signs in the Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-3T) zoning district are capped at 10 square feet, with a At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line if not flat against building (1070); no closer than 50 feet to side or rear lot line (1071) setback (Sec. 1020.14). Most commercial signs in Nicholasville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | — | 60 square feet combined | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-3T) | 11 | — | 60 square feet combined | — |
| Business Districts (P-1, DB, B-1, B-2, B-3) | 14 | — | 200 square feet | — |
| Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2) | 14 | — | 200 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-3T)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line of any street or highway (1070), with modifications for size (1070.10, 1070.11); no closer than 50 feet to side or rear lot line (1071) | — | On the construction site | — | 1020.10 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 10 square feet | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line if not flat against building (1070); no closer than 50 feet to side or rear lot line (1071) | 2 | Flat against the building or set back from the street not less than 5 feet | — | 1020.14 |
| Occupant Identification Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line of any street or highway (1070), with modifications for size (1070.10, 1070.11); no closer than 50 feet to side or rear lot line (1071) | 1 | On the premises | — | 1020.15 |
| Private Directional Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | Not within right-of-way; at least 5 feet from established right-of-way line (1070); no closer than 50 feet to side or rear lot line (1071) | — | On private property, not within the right-of-way of any street | — | 1020.16 |
| Political Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line of any street or highway (1070), with modifications for size (1070.10, 1070.11); no closer than 50 feet to side or rear lot line (1071) | — | On private property with owner consent (1040.13), not destructive to public property (1030.16) | — | 1020.17 |
| Church Wall Identification Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | Attached to building, not extend >12 inches (1030.17) | 1 | Wall mounted on church building | — | 1020.18 |
| Church Freestanding Sign | — | 60 square feet combined | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line of any street or highway (1070), with modifications for size (1070.10, 1070.11); no closer than 50 feet to side or rear lot line (1071) | 2 | Free-standing on church premises | — | 1020.18 |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | Attached to building, not extend >12 inches (1030.17); no closer than 50 feet to side or rear lot line if applicable (1071) | 1 | Mounted flat against the principal building | — | 1082.13 |

### Business Districts (P-1, DB, B-1, B-2, B-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line of any street or highway (1070), with modifications for size (1070.10, 1070.11); average setback for freestanding if existing nearby are less (1030.25) | — | On the construction site | — | 1020.10 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 10 square feet | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line if not flat against building (1070) | 2 | Flat against the building or set back from the street not less than 5 feet | — | 1020.14 |
| Occupant Identification Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line of any street or highway (1070), with modifications for size (1070.10, 1070.11) | 1 | On the premises | — | 1020.15 |
| Private Directional Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | Not within right-of-way; at least 5 feet from established right-of-way line (1070) | — | On private property, not within the right-of-way of any street | — | 1020.16 |
| Church Wall Identification Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | Attached to building, not extend >12 inches (1030.17) | 1 | Wall mounted on church building | — | 1020.18 |
| Church Freestanding Sign | — | 60 square feet combined | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line of any street or highway (1070), with modifications for size (1070.10, 1070.11) | 2 | Free-standing on church premises | — | 1020.18 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 200 square feet | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line (1070), increased 1 foot per sq ft over 50 up to 50 feet max (1070.10); for >=100 sq ft, min 50 feet (1070.11); average setback if existing nearby < required (1030.25) | 1 per street frontage per building | Free-standing on premises | — | 1030.18, 1030.26 |
| Banner | — | 50 square feet combined | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line of any street or highway (1070), with modifications for size (1070.10, 1070.11) | 2 | On business property | — | 1030.27 |

### Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line of any street or highway (1070), with modifications for size (1070.10, 1070.11) | — | On the construction site | — | 1020.10 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 10 square feet | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line if not flat against building (1070) | 2 | Flat against the building or set back from the street not less than 5 feet | — | 1020.14 |
| Occupant Identification Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line of any street or highway (1070), with modifications for size (1070.10, 1070.11) | 1 | On the premises | — | 1020.15 |
| Private Directional Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | Not within right-of-way; at least 5 feet from established right-of-way line (1070) | — | On private property, not within the right-of-way of any street | — | 1020.16 |
| Church Wall Identification Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | Attached to building, not extend >12 inches (1030.17) | 1 | Wall mounted on church building | — | 1020.18 |
| Church Freestanding Sign | — | 60 square feet combined | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line of any street or highway (1070), with modifications for size (1070.10, 1070.11) | 2 | Free-standing on church premises | — | 1020.18 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 200 square feet | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line (1070), increased 1 foot per sq ft over 50 up to 50 feet max (1070.10); for >=100 sq ft, min 50 feet (1070.11); average setback if existing nearby < required (1030.25) | 1 per street frontage per building | Free-standing on premises | — | 1030.18, 1030.26 |
| Banner | — | 50 square feet combined | — | At least 5 feet from established right-of-way line of any street or highway (1070), with modifications for size (1070.10, 1070.11) | 2 | On business property | — | 1030.27 |

## Prohibited signs in Nicholasville

- No sign shall be permitted to obstruct the view of traffic (1030.10).
- All wiring, fittings, and materials for electrically illuminated signs shall comply with the National Electric Code (1030.11).
- Temporary signs shall be prohibited in any zone except as permitted by these regulations (1030.12).
- No sign shall be attached to any tree or utility pole except as provided by Section 1030.16 (1030.13).
- No sign shall be placed in any public right-of-way except public owned signs such as traffic control and directional signs, except as provided by Section 1030.16 (1030.14).
- No sign shall be installed, erected, or attached to a fire escape or any door or window giving access to fire escapes (1030.15).
- No political sign shall be posted in any manner destructive to public property; must be removed within three weeks following election day (1030.16).
- Signs attached to buildings shall not extend more than twelve inches from the building surface, except for mansard roofs (1030.17).
- Not more than one free-standing sign per street frontage, two wall-mounted signs per face of principal building, and four gasoline price signs on canopy, unless waived by Planning Commission (1030.18).
- Illuminated signs shall use constant intensity light; no intermittent, rotating, or moving lights except by Conditional Use Permit in Downtown Business District; no glare or resemblance to traffic signals (1030.19).
- Streamers, tag signs, banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, spinners or similar devices shall not be added to any sign (1030.20).
- Neon lighting may only be used on permitted signs, not to outline buildings or structures (1030.21).
- Signs in the site triangle shall not impede vision between 2.5 and 12 feet above street grade (1030.22).
- Non-conforming signs shall not be moved, enlarged, or replaced unless compliant with this ordinance (1030.23).
- All sign permit applications shall include drawings of dimensions and location (1030.24).
- In business zones, free-standing sign setbacks shall be at least the average of existing signs within 100 feet if less than required (1030.25).
- No free-standing sign shall exceed 200 square feet, except for planned shopping centers or industrial parks per Article 7, Section 720 (1030.26).
- Businesses may have up to two banners with combined area not exceeding 50 square feet (1030.27).
- All real estate and tract signs shall be removed within 10 days after sales activities end (1040.10).
- All temporary signs shall be removed within 10 days after advertised activity ends; surety may be required (1040.12).
- All signs on private property must have owner consent (1040.13).
- Signs and structures shall be set back at least 5 feet from right-of-way; increased by 1 foot per sq ft over 50 sq ft, up to 50 feet max; signs 100 sq ft or larger at least 50 feet from right-of-way (1070, 1070.10, 1070.11).
- No sign or structure closer than 50 feet to side or rear lot line in residential districts unless permission from Planning Commission (1071).
- Business signs no longer advertising bona fide business must be removed (1050.10).
- Outdoor advertising structures must be maintained; if not, must be removed (1050.11).

## Signs exempt from permit in Nicholasville

- Governmental signs erected for governmental functions or required by law are excluded from this ordinance (1010).
- Temporary signs for construction sites not exceeding 50 sq ft, for 60 days plus construction period (1020.10).
- Temporary signs for civic, philanthropic, educational or religious sales/events, with permit, max 60 days per year (1020.11).
- Official signs, informational/directional signs, or historic markers by public agency (1020.12).
- Identification signs for civic organizations (1020.13).
- Up to two temporary real estate sales/rental signs, max 10 sq ft each, flat against building or 5 ft setback (1020.14).
- One sign for name and address of occupants, max 2 sq ft (1020.15).
- Traffic and parking directional signs on private property, max 2 sq ft, no advertising, not in right-of-way (1020.16).
- Political signs max 50 sq ft, complying with 1030.16 and other regulations (1020.17).
- Churches: one wall-mounted identification sign max 50 sq ft, two free-standing max combined 60 sq ft (1020.18).
- Signs not requiring permit: occupant name/address max 2 sq ft (1082.10); real estate signs max 10 sq ft, flat or 5 ft setback (1082.11); governmental and traffic safety signs (1082.12); home occupation sign max 4 sq ft non-illuminated flat on building (1082.13); political max 50 sq ft (1082.14); permitted banners per 1030.27 (1082.15).
- All signs require building permit except wall-mounted under 12 sq ft and those exempted by 1080 (1030).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Planning Commission may waive requirements for number of signs per 1030.18.
- Free-standing signs for planned shopping centers or industrial parks may exceed 200 sq ft as set forth in Article 7, Section 720 (1030.26).
- Conditional Use Permit may permit intermittent, rotating, or moving lights in Downtown Business District (1030.19).
- Prior permission from Planning Commission required for signs closer than 50 feet to side/rear lot lines in residential districts (1071).

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

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