# Sign Regulations in Covington, Louisiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Covington, Louisiana (LA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/louisiana/covington
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/LA/Covington/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_APXBCOZOOR2010_PT6COSIRE)

## At a glance

Covington, Louisiana regulates 11 sign types across 21 zoning districts. Wall Signs in the ML Light industrial/manufacturing district (ML) zoning district are capped at As per general sign regulations for industrial or commercial districts., with a Side yard 25 ft; rear yard 25 ft if abutting non-ML districts. setback (Sec. Sec. 3.2204, Sec. 6.105). Most commercial signs in Covington require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (21 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| RSL Single-family residential – existing small lots district (RSL) | 2 | 2 to 3 ft (typical in residential districts) | 6 sq ft (typical for yard signs for residential per city code, unless otherwise specified) | — |
| RS-1 Single-family residential district (RS-1) | 2 | 2 to 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| RS-2 Single-family residential district (RS-2) | 2 | 2 to 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| RLL Single-family residential – existing large lots district (RLL) | 2 | 2 to 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| RS-3 Two-family residential district (RS-3) | 2 | 2 to 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| RM-1 Three- and four-family residential district (RM-1) | 2 | 2 to 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| RM-2 Multifamily residential district (RM-2) | 2 | 2 to 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| CO Commercial, service and professional office district (CO) | 2 | — | Residential: 6 sq ft (typical, for home occupation signs); Commercial: Not specified directly here, see general sign ordinance for commercial districts. | — |
| CN Neighborhood commercial district (CN) | 2 | — | As permitted by general sign regulations for nonresidential uses. | — |
| CBD Community business district (CBD) | 3 | — | 16 sq ft (both sides combined) | — |
| CR Regional commercial district (CR) | 2 | — | As per general sign regulations for commercial districts. | — |
| ID Institutional district (ID) | 2 | — | 6 sq ft at lot line; up to 36 sq ft (with setback) | — |
| IH Medical service district (IH) | 2 | — | 6 sq ft at lot line, up to 36 sq ft with increased setback | — |
| OS Open space/recreation district (OS) | 1 | — | 6 sq ft (typical for city code) | — |
| ML Light industrial/manufacturing district (ML) | 2 | — | As per general sign regulations for industrial or commercial districts. | — |
| MUOD Mixed use overlay district (MUOD) | 2 | — | As allowed by underlying district or as modified in overlay approval. | — |
| HDC-MUOD Historic Downtown Covington mixed-use overlay district (HDC-MUOD) | 3 | — | 16 sq ft (sum of both sides) | — |
| PD Planned development overlay district (PD) | 1 | — | As per underlying district or as approved in planned development plan. | — |
| F Floodplain overlay district (F) | 1 | — | As per underlying district. | — |
| LA Highway 21 Planned Corridor overlay zoning district | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | Varies | Varies (generally 6 sq ft for residential, up to 32 sq ft for construction or sale signs, check city code) | — |

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

### CBD Community business district (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | As permitted by general sign regulations for nonresidential uses. For HDC-MUOD within CBD, 1 sq ft per 5 ft of frontage (see HDC-MUOD). | — | No side/rear yard for nonresidential unless abutting residential, then 5 ft. | — | On building wall facing street right-of-way. | — | Sec. 3.1705, Sec. 3.3111 (if HDC-MUOD), Sec. 6.105 |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument Sign) | — | 12 sq ft (if in HDC-MUOD, per Sec. 3.3111.2.iv), otherwise as permitted. | — | — | — | On lot, facing street right-of-way. | — | Sec. 3.3111.2.iv, Sec. 3.1705, Sec. 6.105 |
| Suspended Sign (HDC-MUOD) | — | 16 sq ft (both sides combined) | — | — | One per business per right-of-way frontage or as approved. | Suspended perpendicularly from a wall, typically above entrance. | — | Sec. 3.3111.2.ii |

### ML Light industrial/manufacturing district (ML)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | As per general sign regulations for industrial or commercial districts. | — | Side yard 25 ft; rear yard 25 ft if abutting non-ML districts. | As per city code, generally one per street frontage or as approved. | On industrial buildings, facing public street. | — | Sec. 3.2204, Sec. 6.105 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | 25 ft side/rear yards. | — | On lot, facing public right-of-way. | — | Sec. 3.2204, Sec. 6.105 |

### HDC-MUOD Historic Downtown Covington mixed-use overlay district (HDC-MUOD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (HDC-MUOD) | — | 12 sq ft (18 sq ft for multiple businesses at same location) | — | — | One primary sign per store/shop per frontage. | Single-faced attached flat against wall or painted wall sign. | — | Sec. 3.3111.2.b.i |
| Suspended Sign (HDC-MUOD) | — | 16 sq ft (sum of both sides) | — | — | One per storefront per frontage. | Suspended by brackets/arms perpendicular to wall of building. | — | Sec. 3.3111.2.b.ii |
| Monument Sign (HDC-MUOD) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On property, subject to CHDC approval. | — | Sec. 3.3111.2.b.iv |

## Prohibited signs in Covington

- All uses not specifically permitted or authorized shall be prohibited within each zoning district, including, but not limited to, those uses listed as prohibited under district regulations.
- No structure or land shall hereafter be located, altered, or have its use changed without full compliance with the ordinance and other applicable regulations.
- No building, structure, or land shall hereafter be used or occupied and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered unless in conformity with all of the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located.
- No commercial, industrial, or mobile home uses are permitted in residential districts unless specifically authorized.
- Prohibition on the parking of vehicles designed or intended for the storage or transport of hazardous or flammable materials in commercial and some overlay zones.
- No industrial or manufacturing activities are permitted in non-industrial zones unless specifically permitted.
- Signs in ID and IH districts may not be flashing or internally illuminated, and are subject to area restrictions.
- In ML (light industrial/manufacturing) districts, outdoor speakers are restricted/prohibited near residential zones.
- In the HDC-MUOD, no sign may disfigure or conceal any significant architectural feature of a building.
- All signs displayed within the HDC-MUOD historic district must advertise a bona fide business conducted on the premises and only up to 50% of sign area may advertise specific products/commodities sold on-site.
- Inflatable signs, internally illuminated signs, and pole or post-mounted signs are prohibited in HDC-MUOD unless approved.
- No signs may be hung less than ten feet above sidewalks (unless above a marquee or as an integral part thereof).
- No building or structure in residential and most commercial/institutional districts may exceed the specified height limits above finished grade or base flood elevation.

## Signs exempt from permit in Covington

- The mixed use overlay district (MUOD) allows flexibility in standards set by base zoning classifications, but only where expressly permitted through the overlay procedures.
- Certain non-use changes such as change of tenants, occupants, activities, or messages on ground signs do not require a new sign permit in the HDC-MUOD.
- Repair of a sign does not require a new sign permit in the HDC-MUOD.
- Variances may be issued for historic structures (as in floodplain overlay district for National or State Register buildings) regardless of some procedural requirements.
- In residential and historic districts, modifications to requirements may be allowed via overlay, special permit, or historic district review if approved through the relevant commission or board.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Site and structure plans are required for conditional use applications, which must include proposed signs and lighting, including types, dimensions, and character (Sec. 3.7.703.3.d).
- For conditional uses in any district, approval follows the plan approval process in Section 3.7, which includes site and development plans showing proposed signage.
- In the ID (Institutional) and IH (Medical Service) districts, site plan approval is required for any new building or addition of 20,000 or more gross square feet of floor area, and plans must include proposed signs and lighting, type, dimensions and character (Sec. 3.1906 and 3.2006).
- All applications for permits to display, replace or continue signs in the HDC-MUOD historic district must be submitted to and approved by the historic district commission before issuance of a permit by the city building official; architectural and signage review is required (Sec. 3.3110, 3.3111.4.c).
- For HDC-MUOD, a sign plan or permit application must include sketches/drawings of design, location, size, materials, coloring, lighting, and foundation; owner and contractor contact information; and a description of all existing signage.
- A certificate of appropriateness is required for signage in the HDC-MUOD, issued administratively if all requirements are met or by historic district commission after public hearing if not (Sec. 3.3111.4.b, c).
- Planned Unit Development (PD) overlay zoning and mixed use overlay districts require submission and approval of site and/or master sign plans as part of the overall plan approval process.
- For the LA Highway 21 Planned Corridor overlay district, schematic or site plan review is required for signage as part of the corridor site plan approval process.

## 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 Covington — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Covington+LA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-covington

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/louisiana/covington