# Sign Regulations in Abbeville, Louisiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Abbeville, Louisiana (LA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/louisiana/abbeville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/LA/Abbeville/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCOOR_CH5BU_ARTIXSI)

## At a glance

Abbeville, Louisiana regulates 10 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Billboard (Standard)s in the Abbeville Corridor No. 1 zoning district are capped at 45 ft above grade tall and 480 sq ft, with a 25 ft from all property lines; 25 ft from any building. setback (Sec. Sec. 5-304, 5-305, 5-306, 5-307). Most commercial signs in Abbeville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Main Street District, Abbeville Cultural and Heritage Districts, historic districts, Community and Historic Preservation District, Residential Historic District | 3 | — | — | — |
| Abbeville Corridor No. 1 | 3 | 45 ft above grade | 480 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 8 ft (freestanding); attached: below eaves | 300 sq ft per occupancy frontage; see formula for more. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Main Street District, Abbeville Cultural and Heritage Districts, historic districts, Community and Historic Preservation District, Residential Historic District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Programmable Electronic Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 5-236(7) |
| Billboard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 5-305(a)(1) |
| Signs Attached to Historic Building | — | — | — | — | — | Must be attached in a manner that does not irreversibly damage the visible building surface. | — | Sec. 5-237 |

### Abbeville Corridor No. 1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard (Standard) | 45 ft above grade | 480 sq ft | — | 25 ft from all property lines; 25 ft from any building. | Separation of at least 2,640 ft between billboards, except 2 may be arranged back-to-back. | Permitted only along highways belonging to the state or federal systems (see Sec. 5-305). Not within 25 ft of any building. | — | Sec. 5-304, 5-305, 5-306, 5-307 |
| Billboard (Junior) | 20 ft above grade | 200 sq ft | — | 25 ft from all property lines; 25 ft from any building. | Separation of at least 2,640 ft between billboards, except 2 may be arranged back-to-back. | Same locations as standard billboard along permitted highways. | — | Sec. 5-304, 5-305 |
| Other Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 5-241(d) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attached Signs (Wall Signs, Projecting Signs, Canopy Signs, Awning Signs, Window Signs, Arcade Signs, Fin Signs, Vertical Projecting Signs, Marquees, Murals) | No higher than the finished floor elevation of 3rd floor of a building (except specific sign types, e.g., vertical projecting signs may project above parapet up to 10 ft). | 300 sq ft per occupancy frontage; see formula for more. | — | See above (30 ft from residential, 10 ft from nonres). | See formula; typically 1 per frontage; multiples for larger occupancies. | On building wall, canopy, awning, windows as specified. | — | Sec. 5-272 (a)-(f), 5-236, 5-250, 5-245, 5-239, 5-240, 5-274 |
| Freestanding Sign | Area/4 (in ft), not to exceed 20 ft. | 120 sq ft max per sign | — | Front setback: 4 ft (height ≤6 ft), 6 ft (>6ft, <10 ft), 10 ft (≥10 ft); from property line. | 1 per street frontage, up to 3 per parcel with large frontage. | On parcel, not in public right-of-way. Within landscaped area, at least 4 ft landscape on all sides from sign edge. | — | Sec. 5-273 |
| Election Sign (Temporary Sign) | 8 ft (freestanding); attached: below eaves | 32 sq ft or less for normal display; max 8 ft high and 8 ft wide (for freestanding); attached: below eaves | 8 ft | — | N/A | On private property with owner's authorization. Prohibited on public property. | — | Sec. 5-264, 5-276, 5-277, 5-280, 5-281, 5-278, 5-279 |
| Billboard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 5-305 |
| Temporary Promotional Sign | — | no single sign >27 sq ft | — | — | Unlimited, subject to area and spacing limits. | On private property, not in public right of way or sight triangle. | — | Sec. 5-287 |

## Prohibited signs in Abbeville

- Animated signs are prohibited unless otherwise expressly allowed.
- Bus stop benches and any sign attached thereto are prohibited unless otherwise expressly allowed.
- Inflatable or balloon signs are prohibited unless otherwise expressly allowed.
- Mechanical movement signs are prohibited unless otherwise expressly allowed.
- Portable signs are prohibited unless otherwise expressly allowed.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Skyline signs are prohibited.
- Flat roof-top signs are prohibited.
- Signs placed on trees, rocks or other natural formations, except for identification of the natural formation, are prohibited.
- Signs placed on trucks, buses, cars or other motorized vehicles are prohibited unless (a) the vehicle is operating and registered, (b) the sign is permanently attached, and (c) the primary use is not stationary display. This restriction does not apply to temporary signs in vehicle windows.
- Off-site commercial speech signs are prohibited, except billboards as governed by Article X.
- Displays used in conjunction with signs, such as balloons or high intensity beam lights, are prohibited unless expressly allowed.
- Illegal signs and supporting structures in the public right-of-way may be removed by the city without notice.
- No person shall erect, maintain, or cause any sign except in strict conformity with the ordinance.
- Signs may not create traffic safety hazards.
- Styrofoam is prohibited as a background or support material for signs.
- Wood or plywood is prohibited as a background or support material for signs in Abbeville Corridor No. 1.
- Window signs shall not be animated.
- Programmable electronic signs with audio messages, flashing lights, or flashing text are prohibited.
- Programmable electronic signs are prohibited in the Main Street District, Abbeville Cultural and Heritage Districts, historic districts, and other such districts as designated by the city council.
- Election signs are prohibited on public property.

## Signs exempt from permit in Abbeville

- Street numbers required by Sec. 5-14 are not considered signs.
- Any sign required by federal, state, or other law does not require city permitting.
- Safety or directional signs of four square feet or less are exempt from permit requirements.
- Safety or directional signs, regardless of size, if erected by a public entity or public utility, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs erected by the city or the redevelopment agency are exempt from permit requirements.
- Election signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Window signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- U.S. flags and any other flags displayed on flagpoles erected in conformance with all applicable laws are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signage for residential uses where there are four or fewer residential occupancy units on the parcel is exempt from permit requirements.
- Barber poles located at barber shops or similar establishments are not considered signs and are not regulated by this article.
- Stock-in-trade normally stocked in the course of business, and not within 12 inches of a window, is not considered a sign.
- Historic and landmark signs may be approved by the planning commission and city council for erection or relocation even if not otherwise allowed under this article.
- Temporary signs are exempt from sign permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign program (sign plan) is required for all multiple-occupancy buildings or sites.
- An approved master sign program becomes part of all permits for the subject property and is binding on all property owners and occupants.
- A master sign program may be revised by application.
- Signs and supporting structures are subject to design approval by the planning commission.
- No sign shall be erected or altered except pursuant to approval in accordance with the article unless exempt.
- A sign may be approved in conjunction with any building permit issued pursuant to chapter 5; no separate application required.
- Applications for sign permits must include plans, site plans, building elevations, photographs, and other required information.
- Sign permits shall be reviewed by the director of revenue, regulatory codes, and permits, and referred to the planning commission for decision.
- An investigation fee is assessed if a sign is erected without first obtaining a permit, in addition to the permit fee.
- Variances from sign ordinance provisions (sign variance) may be requested and must meet specific findings.
- Permit adjustments are not subject to appeal, but a planning commission decision on a building permit application or amendment may be appealed to the city council.
- Promotional signs require an annual permit, to be applied for at least thirty (30) days prior to initial display.

## Full detail

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

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