# Sign Regulations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Baton Rouge, Louisiana (LA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/louisiana/baton-rouge
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.brla.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2258/Chapter-16---Signs-PDF)

## At a glance

Baton Rouge, Louisiana regulates 75 sign types across 21 zoning districts. Billboards in the Commercial Districts (LC1, LC2, LC3, HC1, HC2, C5) zoning district are capped at Max 50 ft including embellishments; minimum 10 ft from grade to bottom (including embellishments) tall, Surface area per face: min 72 sq ft; max 672 sq ft (excluding embellishments), and Max face length per side: 52 ft; max face height per side: 25 ft (including embellishments) wide, with a Per Table 16.G; ≥10 ft from ROW; yard requirements of zoning district; utility clearances per codes setback (Sec. Sections 16.7.2.A-M; 16.7.3.A-B; 16.7.4; 16.7.5). Most commercial signs in Baton Rouge require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (21 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 8 ft | 200 sq ft (message area) | — |
| Residential Districts (RE/A3, RE/A1, A1, A2, A2.7, A2.1, A2.9, A2.6, A2.5, A3.1, A3.2, A3.3, A4, A5) | 14 | Message area ≤8 ft; clearance ≥7 ft 6 in | 200 sq ft (message area) | — |
| Rural District (R) | 7 | Clearance ≥7 ft 6 in; other height limits per each type | Awning: 50% of awning; Canopy: 50% of canopy face (2 ft sign height max unless approved); Marquee: 200 sq ft max (message area), ≤8 ft message height; Projecting: 48 sq ft; Suspended: 3 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Districts (NO, NC, NC-AB) | 7 | Clearance ≥7 ft 6 in; marquee message area ≤8 ft | ≤80% of sign area | — |
| Office Districts (GOL, GOH) | 8 | 10 ft, or 20 ft if set back at least 20 ft from any road right-of-way or servitude of passage | Up to 150 sq ft (and ≤1 sq ft per linear ft of building frontage) | — |
| Commercial Districts (LC1, LC2, LC3, HC1, HC2, C5) | 12 | Up to 50 ft (exemption) | 200 sq ft | — |
| Warehousing Districts (CW1, CW3) | 9 | 40 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Districts (M1, M2) | 10 | Max 50 ft including embellishments; minimum 10 ft from grade to bottom (including embellishments) | 200 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Character Area | 6 | Clearance ≥7 ft 6 in; marquee message height ≤8 ft | Awning ≤50%; Canopy ≤50% (2 ft sign height max unless approved); Marquee 200 sq ft; Suspended 3 sq ft | — |
| Urban/Walkable Character Areas | 2 | Clearance ≥7 ft 6 in; marquee message height ≤8 ft | Awning ≤50%; Canopy ≤50% (2 ft sign height max unless approved); Marquee 200 sq ft; Suspended 3 sq ft; Projecting 48 sq ft | — |
| Central Business District | 4 | 4 ft | Up to 600 sq ft or 15% of largest wall area (whichever is smaller) | — |
| Regional Centers | 2 | 35 ft (≤500 ft frontage); 40 ft (501+ ft); up to 50 ft with highway proximity exemption | Up to 600 sq ft or 15% of largest wall area (whichever is smaller) | — |
| Employment Centers | 2 | 35 ft (≤500 ft frontage); 40 ft (501+ ft); up to 50 ft with highway proximity exemption | Up to 600 sq ft or 15% of largest wall area (whichever is smaller) | — |
| Florida Boulevard Overlay | 1 | Per general billboard standards | Per general billboard standards | — |
| Government Street Overlay | 1 | — | — | — |
| Old Hammond Highway Overlay | 1 | — | — | — |
| Nicholson Drive Overlay (West McKinley Street and Garner Street) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Nicholson Drive Overlay (West Chimes to West McKinley) | 1 | Per general billboard standards | Per general billboard standards | — |
| Bluebonnet Boulevard Overlay | 1 | — | — | — |
| Regional Centers - General (applies also within Commercial/Industrial base districts located in designated centers) | 1 | As above (including clearances) | As above | — |
| Employment Centers - General (applies also within Commercial/Industrial base districts located in designated centers) | 1 | As above (including clearances) | As above | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 21 zones)

### Residential Districts (RE/A3, RE/A1, A1, A2, A2.7, A2.1, A2.9, A2.6, A2.5, A3.1, A3.2, A3.3, A4, A5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Multifamily Uses in Residential Districts) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One freestanding sign per street frontage | Freestanding monument sign on private property | — | Section 16.5.5.B.1-2; Table 16.B (Multifamily uses in residential districts) |
| Monument Sign (Nonresidential Uses in Residential Districts) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | Freestanding monument sign on private property | — | Section 16.5.5.B.1-2; Table 16.B (Nonresidential uses in residential districts) |
| Awning Sign (Multifamily Use or Nonresidential Use in Residential District) | — | 50% of awning face | — | ≥2 ft from curb | One per door/window | On awning; may extend into ROW up to 5 ft with license; ≥2 ft from curb | — | Section 16.5.2.B; Section 16.4.1.A |
| Canopy Sign (Multifamily Use or Nonresidential Use in Residential District) | 2 ft (unless approved larger) | 50% of canopy face | — | — | — | On canopy; may be in ROW with license | — | Section 16.5.3.B.1-4; Section 16.4.1.A |
| Marquee Sign (Multifamily Use in Residential Districts) | Message area ≤8 ft; clearance ≥7 ft 6 in | 200 sq ft (message area) | — | ≥2 ft from curb | One per establishment | On marquee; ≥2 ft from curb; may be in ROW with license | — | Section 16.5.6.B |
| Projecting Sign (Multifamily or Nonresidential Use in Residential District) | — | 48 sq ft | — | ≤6 ft into front yard; ≤4 ft 6 in into ROW unless licensed | One per establishment | Attached to building; may extend ≤6 ft into required front yard or ≤4 ft 6 in into ROW (license needed beyond) | — | Section 16.5.7.B |
| Suspended Sign (Multifamily or Nonresidential Use in Residential District) | — | 3 sq ft | — | ≥2 ft from curb | One per establishment or per exterior wall | Suspended under horizontal plane; ≥2 ft from curb; may be in ROW with license | — | Section 16.5.9.B |
| Temporary Sign (Residential Use in Residential Districts) | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | Maximum two per lot | On private property | — | Section 16.5.11.B.1-5; Table 16.F (Residential uses in residential districts) |

### Commercial Districts (LC1, LC2, LC3, HC1, HC2, C5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Commercial Districts) | 10 ft, or 20 ft if set back at least 20 ft from any road right-of-way or servitude of passage | 64 sq ft | — | 20 ft setback from ROW required to use 20 ft height | One per street frontage | Freestanding monument sign | — | Section 16.5.5.B.2; Table 16.B (All other districts) |
| Pylon Sign (0–200 ft Frontage) | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — | If sign area ≤32 sq ft: ≥5 ft from all property lines; ≥12 ft from abutting residentially zoned properties. If sign area >32 sq ft: ≥10 ft from all property lines; ≥20 ft from abutting residentially zoned properties | One per street frontage (unless expressly permitted otherwise) | Freestanding pylon sign | — | Section 16.5.5.C.2; Table 16.D (Frontage 0–200 ft) |
| Pylon Sign (201–500 ft Frontage) | 35 ft | 150 sq ft | — | If sign area ≤32 sq ft: ≥5 ft from property lines (≥12 ft from abutting residential zones); If >32 sq ft: ≥10 ft (≥20 ft from abutting residential zones) | One per street frontage | Freestanding pylon sign | — | Section 16.5.5.C.2; Table 16.D (Frontage 201–500 ft) |
| Pylon Sign (501+ ft Frontage) | 40 ft | 200 sq ft | — | If sign area ≤32 sq ft: ≥5 ft from property lines (≥12 ft from abutting residential zones); If >32 sq ft: ≥10 ft (≥20 ft from abutting residential zones) | One per street frontage | Freestanding pylon sign | — | Section 16.5.5.C.2; Table 16.D (Frontage 501+ ft) |
| Pylon Sign (Height Exemption - Highway Proximity) | Up to 50 ft (exemption) | Per applicable frontage category | — | Setbacks per sign area thresholds still apply | One per street frontage | On property within 400 ft of the ROW of a controlled access highway; adjacent to or within 150 ft of an interchange providing access; and ≥200 ft from a residential district | — | Section 16.5.5.C.2.c(1)-(3) |
| Roof Sign (On Roof, No Projection Above Roofline) | — | Up to 150 sq ft (and ≤1 sq ft per linear ft of building frontage) | — | ≥2 ft from roof edge (horizontal) | One per establishment | On roof (not projecting above roofline) | — | Section 16.5.8 (second occurrence) B.1-6 |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee/Projecting/Suspended Signs (Commercial Districts) | Clearance ≥7 ft 6 in; marquee message height ≤8 ft | Awning: ≤50% of awning; Canopy: ≤50% of canopy face (2 ft sign height max unless approved); Marquee: 200 sq ft max; Projecting: 48 sq ft; Suspended: 3 sq ft | — | Awning/Marquee/Suspended ≥2 ft from curb; Projecting extension limits as specified | Per-type limits apply | On building/awning/canopy/marquee; ROW placement subject to license | — | Sections 16.5.2.B; 16.5.3.B; 16.5.6.B; 16.5.7.B; 16.5.9.B; Section 16.4.1.A |
| Billboard | Max 50 ft including embellishments; minimum 10 ft from grade to bottom (including embellishments) | Surface area per face: min 72 sq ft; max 672 sq ft (excluding embellishments) | Max face length per side: 52 ft; max face height per side: 25 ft (including embellishments) | Per Table 16.G; ≥10 ft from ROW; yard requirements of zoning district; utility clearances per codes | Max two faces per billboard structure; structure spacing per standards | Permitted only along thoroughfares, interstates, or arterials designated as a major street on the Major Street Plan; not within listed prohibited areas/roads/waterways/overlays (see additional requirements) | — | Sections 16.7.2.A-M; 16.7.3.A-B; 16.7.4; 16.7.5 |

### Industrial Districts (M1, M2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Industrial Districts) | — | 30% of wall area; minimum 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On building wall/window/door/parapet/lower roof slopes | — | Section 16.5.10.B.1; Table 16.E (All other districts) |
| Monument Sign (Industrial Districts) | 10 ft, or 20 ft if set back ≥20 ft from any road ROW/servitude of passage | 64 sq ft | — | ≥20 ft from ROW to use 20 ft height | One per street frontage | Freestanding monument sign | — | Section 16.5.5.B.2; Table 16.B (All other districts) |
| Pylon Sign (0–200 ft Frontage) | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — | If area ≤32 sq ft: ≥5 ft property lines (≥12 ft from abutting residential); If >32 sq ft: ≥10 ft property lines (≥20 ft from abutting residential) | One per street frontage | Freestanding pylon sign | — | Section 16.5.5.C.2; Table 16.D |
| Pylon Sign (201–500 ft Frontage) | 35 ft | 150 sq ft | — | If area ≤32 sq ft: ≥5 ft property lines (≥12 ft from abutting residential); If >32 sq ft: ≥10 ft property lines (≥20 ft from abutting residential) | One per street frontage | Freestanding pylon sign | — | Section 16.5.5.C.2; Table 16.D |
| Pylon Sign (501+ ft Frontage) | 40 ft | 200 sq ft | — | If area ≤32 sq ft: ≥5 ft property lines (≥12 ft from abutting residential); If >32 sq ft: ≥10 ft property lines (≥20 ft from abutting residential) | One per street frontage | Freestanding pylon sign | — | Section 16.5.5.C.2; Table 16.D; Section 16.5.5.C.2.c |
| Roof Sign (On Roof, No Projection Above Roofline) | — | Up to 150 sq ft | — | ≥2 ft from roof edge | One per establishment | On roof (not projecting above roofline) | — | Section 16.5.8 (second occurrence) B.1-6 |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee/Projecting/Suspended Signs (Industrial Districts) | Clearance ≥7 ft 6 in; marquee message height ≤8 ft | Awning ≤50%; Canopy ≤50% (2 ft sign height max unless approved); Marquee 200 sq ft; Projecting 48 sq ft; Suspended 3 sq ft | — | Awning/Marquee/Suspended ≥2 ft from curb; Projecting extension limits as specified | Per-type limits apply | On building; ROW placement subject to license | — | Sections 16.5.2.B; 16.5.3.B; 16.5.6.B; 16.5.7.B; 16.5.9.B; Section 16.4.1.A |
| Billboard | Max 50 ft including embellishments; minimum 10 ft from grade to bottom (including embellishments) | Surface area per face: min 72 sq ft; max 672 sq ft | Max face length per side: 52 ft; max face height per side: 25 ft | Per Table 16.G; ≥10 ft from ROW; zoning yard requirements; utility clearances | Max two faces per structure; spacing per standards | Permitted along thoroughfares, interstates, or arterials designated as major streets; not within prohibited areas/overlays/roads/waterways | — | Sections 16.7.2; 16.7.3; 16.7.4; 16.7.5 |

## Prohibited signs in Baton Rouge

- It is unlawful to display, erect, place, establish, paint, or maintain a sign except in conformance with this chapter.
- Signs shall not be illuminated by moving lights, flickering lights, or strings of lights placed around the sign, unless otherwise permitted within the ordinance.
- Signs shall not be located so as to block sight distance triangles, windows, doors, or other means of ingress and egress.
- Rotating or revolving signs with rotating or moving parts exceeding seven revolutions per minute are prohibited.
- Fluttering, spinning, windblown, or inflated devices (including balloons, feather flags, pennants, and propeller discs) are prohibited unless allowed as a temporary sign under Section 16.5.11.
- Portable signs not permanently attached to the ground or a permanent structure (including signs with or without wheels, converted A- or T-frame signs, and A-frame sandwich boards) are prohibited, except as allowed for moveable sidewalk signs under Section 16.4.2.
- Obsolete sign structures not allowed under this chapter are prohibited unless associated with a legal nonconforming sign.
- Dilapidated or damaged signs (including missing or broken panels, damaged supports or frames, inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, or abandonment) are prohibited.
- Signs that constitute a traffic hazard, including those located within sight distance triangles, are prohibited.
- Signs located in the public right-of-way or attached/affixed/painted on utility poles, light standards, utility boxes or pedestals, trees, rocks, or other natural objects on public property are prohibited, except as expressly allowed in Section 16.4 or as expressly permitted by the Development Director.
- All signs not expressly permitted under this chapter are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Baton Rouge

- Public signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental entity are allowed within the public right-of-way in all zoning districts, subject to applicable requirements.
- Emergency warning signs erected by a government agency, utility company, or a contractor doing work in a public right-of-way are allowed within the public right-of-way in all zoning districts.
- Awning, marquee, projecting, and suspended signs may be allowed within the public right-of-way in all zoning districts (per Section 16.4.1 and subject to requirements; permanent signs require a license agreement).
- Signs erected pursuant to a temporary use permit issued by the Development Director may be allowed within the public right-of-way in all zoning districts.
- Painting on a wall is not considered a sign.
- Lawful nonconforming signs may be maintained as nonconforming signs; nonconforming sign structures may remain so long as a sign is maintained in good condition (with removal required if the property is vacant longer than 24 months).
- For temporary signs: if the owner consents and the property is being offered for sale or lease, one sign is allowed per street frontage from the start of the listing until 15 days after the act of sale or lease, regardless of district.
- Signs containing noncommercial speech are permitted anywhere that advertising or business signs are permitted, subject to the same regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required to erect, substantially modify, or relocate any sign; applications must be submitted to the Building Official with required information.
- Sign companies must be licensed; it is unlawful to erect, substantially modify, or relocate specified signs without the appropriate license.
- Electrical plans from a licensed electrician are required for any new electronic message center (EMC) or illuminated sign.
- Permanent signs within the public right-of-way require a license agreement approved by the Development Director.
- Signs may be erected in the public right-of-way pursuant to a temporary use permit issued by the Development Director.
- Roof signs in the Central Business District and in Regional Centers and Employment Centers require a conditional use permit.
- The Development Director may approve canopy signs with heights greater than two feet.
- Non-residential subdivision entry signs must be for a unified development, demonstrated through an approved recorded nonresidential subdivision, a development plan, or approved site plan(s).
- Billboards require a permit from the Development Director and an engineering drawing; each must comply with applicable building and electrical codes.

## 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 21 zoning districts in Baton Rouge — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Baton+Rouge+LA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-baton-rouge

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