# Sign Regulations in Somerset, Kentucky

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Somerset, Kentucky (KY)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kentucky/somerset
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.cityofsomerset.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/05-16-sign-ord.pdf)

## At a glance

Somerset, Kentucky regulates 20 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Standard Premises in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 30 ft from finished grade tall and 100 sq ft (computed by multiplying vertical and horizontal dimensions of the frame; structural members not used for advertising excluded), with a not less than 50 ft from ROW of each. setback from the right-of-way (Sec. Sections 1120.10, 1120.14, 1120.15, 1120.16, 1120.20, 1120.21, 1120.22, 1120.25, 1150, 1171). Most commercial signs in Somerset require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 18 | 30 ft from finished grade | 100 sq ft (computed by multiplying vertical and horizontal dimensions of the frame; structural members not used for advertising excluded) | — |
| Single Family Residential (R-1), Single Family Residential - Small Lot (R-1A), Single Family Residential/Duplex Low Moderate (R-2), Medium-High Density Residential (R-3) | 3 | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| Central Business District (B-1), Highway Oriented Commercial (B-2), Neighborhood Commercial (B-3), Light Industrial (I-1), Heavy Industrial (I-2), Public and Semi-Public (P), Agriculture, Conservation, Flood Plain District, Historic Overlay, Planned Unit Development | 1 | 30 ft (general maximum) | 100 sq ft (general maximum unless a specific sign type sets a smaller cap) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Standard Premise | 30 ft from finished grade | 100 sq ft (computed by multiplying vertical and horizontal dimensions of the frame; structural members not used for advertising excluded) | — | Minimum setback from established right-of-way: at least five (5) ft (text reads “five (50) feet”; interpreted as five (5) ft). For every sq ft above 50 sq ft of sign area, increase setback by 0.5 ft, not to exceed 50 ft. At intersections of any state or federal highway with an arterial or collector street: not less than 50 ft from ROW of each. | Max two (2) per premise. | On the same premises as the business; not in public right-of-way; not within sight triangle that impedes vision between 2.5 ft and 12 ft above street centerline; not in easements. | — | Sections 1120.10, 1120.14, 1120.15, 1120.16, 1120.20, 1120.21, 1120.22, 1120.25, 1150, 1171 |
| Freestanding Sign - Corner Business | 30 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Base setback at least five (5) ft from ROW; add 0.5 ft per sq ft above 50 sq ft, capped at 50 ft; 50 ft minimum at specified highway intersections. | One (1) per street face (corner businesses). | On the same premises; one per street face for corner businesses; comply with sight triangle and easement rules. | — | Sections 1120.20, 1120.21, 1120.22, 1120.25, 1150, 1160, 1171 |
| Wall Mounted Sign | 30 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | One (1) per business. | Affixed to building; may not be attached to fire escapes or doors/windows giving access to fire escapes. | — | Sections 1120.16, 1120.19, 1120.20, 1120.21, 1120.25, 1150 |
| Mobile (Portable) Sign | 30 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Base 5 ft from ROW; increased setbacks for area over 50 sq ft; 50 ft minimum at specified highway intersections. | — | On premises; not in public right-of-way or easements; must comply with sight triangle rules. | — | Sections 1105.7, 1120.11, 1120.12, 1120.21, 1120.22, 1120.25, 1150, 1160, 1171, 1180 |
| Temporary Sign - Announcement | 15 ft above ground | 50 sq ft (non-portable) | — | Not within 5 ft of dedicated ROW; not within 50 ft of intersection street ROW. | No more than two (2) temporary signs per premise. | On the premises to which the advertisement relates; not within 5 ft of dedicated rights-of-way nor within 50 ft of intersection street rights-of-way; must meet other zone setback requirements. | — | Sections 1140.16-1, 1140.16-2, 1140.16-3, 1140.16-4, 1140.16-5, 1140.16-6, 1140.16-7, 1140.16-8(a) |
| Temporary Sign - Commercial Announcement | 15 ft above ground | 50 sq ft (non-portable) | — | Not within 5 ft of dedicated ROW; not within 50 ft of intersection ROW. | No more than two (2) temporary signs per premise. | On premises to which the message relates; not within 5 ft of ROW; not within 50 ft of intersection ROW; meet zone setback requirements. | — | Sections 1140.16-1, 1140.16-2, 1140.16-3, 1140.16-4, 1140.16-5, 1140.16-6, 1140.16-7, 1140.16-8(b) |
| Temporary Sign - Construction | 15 ft above ground | 50 sq ft (non-portable) | — | Not within 5 ft of dedicated ROW; not within 50 ft of intersection ROW. | No more than two (2) temporary signs per premise. | On premises; not within 5 ft of ROW; not within 50 ft of intersection ROW; meet zone setback requirements. | — | Sections 1140.16-1, 1140.16-2, 1140.16-3, 1140.16-4, 1140.16-5, 1140.16-6, 1140.16-7, 1140.16-8(c) |
| Real Estate Sign - Non-Residential Districts | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | One (1) per premises. | On the premises upon which the sign is located. | — | Section 1140.10 |

### Single Family Residential (R-1), Single Family Residential - Small Lot (R-1A), Single Family Residential/Duplex Low Moderate (R-2), Medium-High Density Residential (R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Sign Types (Residential Districts) | — | — | — | Minimum 50 ft from side and rear lot lines for all signs and advertising structures in residential districts. | — | On premises; must conform to district side and rear yard requirements. | — | Section 1170 |
| Real Estate Sign - Residential Districts | — | 6 sq ft | — | Subject to residential 50 ft side/rear yard minimum. | One (1) per premises. | On the premises. | — | Section 1140.10 |
| Home Occupation Business Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | Subject to residential 50 ft side/rear yard minimum. | One (1). | On the premises of the home occupation. | — | Section 1140.15 |

### Central Business District (B-1), Highway Oriented Commercial (B-2), Neighborhood Commercial (B-3), Light Industrial (I-1), Heavy Industrial (I-2), Public and Semi-Public (P), Agriculture, Conservation, Flood Plain District, Historic Overlay, Planned Unit Development

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Sign Types (Non-Residential Districts) | 30 ft (general maximum) | 100 sq ft (general maximum unless a specific sign type sets a smaller cap) | — | Base 5 ft from ROW; plus 0.5 ft per sq ft over 50 sq ft (max 50 ft); 50 ft minimum at specified highway intersections. | Freestanding signs: max two per premise (except corner business: one per street face). Wall signs: one per business. | On premises; not in ROW; not in easements; must comply with sight triangle restrictions. | — | Sections 1120.10, 1120.11, 1120.14, 1120.15, 1120.20, 1120.21, 1120.22, 1120.25, 1150, 1160, 1171 |

## Prohibited signs in Somerset

- Signs may not obstruct the view of traffic.
- Off-premises signs (billboards) are prohibited in all zones.
- No sign may be attached to any tree or utility pole.
- No sign may be placed in any public right-of-way except publicly owned signs (e.g., traffic control and directional signs).
- No sign may be installed, erected, or attached to a fire escape or any door or window giving access to a fire escape.
- Window signs visible from a public or private street or highway may not occupy more than 20% of the window surface.
- Political signs may not be posted in any place or manner that is destructive to public property.
- Building-attached signs may not extend more than 24 inches from the building surface; signs attached to a mansard roof may not extend more than 12 inches above the parapet line or beyond the outermost horizontal point of the roof.
- No more than two freestanding signs are allowed per premise (corner businesses may have one per street face); no more than one wall-mounted sign per business on the building.
- Illuminated signs or lighting devices may not be directed/beamed onto public streets, highways, sidewalks, or adjacent premises to cause glare or reflection; signs may not use lighting or motion resembling traffic/directional signals or warnings or display words such as "stop" or "danger".
- Signs within a sight triangle may not materially impede vision between heights of 2.5 and 12 feet above street centerline grade.
- Mobile or portable signs may be used for no more than 60 days per calendar year.
- Signs may not be located within any easement.
- Signs may not exceed 100 square feet in area.
- Signs may not exceed 30 feet in height from finished grade.
- Signs are prohibited within required setbacks from the established right-of-way (minimum 5 feet; increased setbacks for signs over 50 square feet; at intersections of state or federal highways with arterial or collector streets, minimum setback is 50 feet).
- A legal nonconforming sign may not be changed to another nonconforming sign.
- A legal nonconforming sign may not be structurally altered (except to meet safety requirements) so as to prolong the life of the sign.
- A legal nonconforming sign may not be altered to increase the degree of nonconformity.
- A legal nonconforming sign may not be expanded or enlarged.
- A legal nonconforming sign may not be re-established after its discontinuance of 15 days.
- A legal nonconforming sign may not be continued in use after creation or change of the business or activity to which the sign pertains.
- A legal nonconforming sign may not be moved to a new location on the building or lot.
- A legal nonconforming sign may not be re-established after substantial damage or destruction except by an act of God or vandalism (and in those cases re-establishment must be reviewed by the Planning Commission).

## Signs exempt from permit in Somerset

- Governmental signs (erected and maintained in discharge of a governmental function or required by law) are excluded from the definition of "sign" and not regulated by this ordinance.
- One on-premises sign advertising the sale, lease, or rental of the premises (max 12 sq ft; max 6 sq ft in residential districts).
- One sign denoting the name and address of the occupants (max 2 sq ft), or for a farm, estate, or residential community (max 32 sq ft).
- Official signs, information or direction signs, or historic markers erected by a public agency.
- Identification sign containing the names of various civic organizations.
- Private-property traffic and parking directional signs (max 2 sq ft), bearing no advertising matter, and not within the street right-of-way.
- One non-illuminated business sign for a permitted home occupation (max 6 sq ft); professional name plates (max 6 sq ft).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All sign permit applications must include a drawing indicating sign dimensions and its location on the building or premises.
- Temporary on-premises signs require a temporary sign permit and fee; the owner must notify the Enforcement Office of the date of construction, the Enforcement Officer maintains records, and the owner must remove the sign within 10 days of the end of the display period.
- Re-establishment of a substantially damaged or destroyed legal nonconforming sign due to an act of God or vandalism must be reviewed by the Planning Commission.
- All signs require a building permit except those listed in Sections 1140.10 through 1140.15.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Somerset, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Somerset+KY&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-somerset

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