# Sign Regulations in Denham Springs, Louisiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Denham Springs, Louisiana (LA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/louisiana/denham-springs
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/LA/Denham_Springs/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH82SI)

## At a glance

Denham Springs, Louisiana regulates 26 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Temporary Real Estate Open House Sign (Residential)s in the Residential districts zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall, 192 sq in (8x24 in per face; 2 faces per sign), and 24 in (2 ft) wide, with a Outside right-of-way setback (Sec. 19.01.2(8d)). Most commercial signs in Denham Springs require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | — | 50% of window or door area | — |
| Residential districts | 7 | 10 ft (detached) or no higher than roofline if attached | 192 sq in (8x24 in per face; 2 faces per sign) | — |
| Commercial districts | 7 | 35 ft | 200-600 sq ft (see formula) | — |
| Industrial zoning districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Recreational zoning districts | 2 | — | 100 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Painted, Under 32 sq ft, Under 200 sq ft total on wall) | — | 32 sq ft (per sign); Wall cannot have more than 200 sq ft signage total | — | — | — | On wall of building (not on side or rear facing & within 100 ft of residential zoning district) | — | 19.01.2(7), 19.03.2(2), 19.04(2) |
| Window Sign (Exempt) | — | 50% of window or door area | — | — | — | On windows or glass doors | — | 19.01.2(2) |
| Farm Products/Seasonal Business Sign (Exempt) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot/tract | On premises where products are grown or sold | — | 19.01.2(3) |
| Directory Sign (Exempt) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Building wall | — | 19.01.2(6) |
| Painted Wall Sign (Exempt, Under 32 sq ft) | — | 32 sq ft (per sign); total less than 200 sq ft per wall | — | — | — | On wall of building (not within 100 ft and facing residential) | — | 19.01.2(7) |
| Banner Sign (Temporary, Exempt) | — | 32 sq ft (each) | — | — | Up to 4 per occasion | On building only; must hang parallel to building | — | 19.01.2(8b) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (A-frame) | — | 12 sq ft per face | — | — | — | Wherever not blocking traffic | — | 19.01.2(19) |
| Political/Campaign Sign | — | 32 sq ft (general); 5 sq ft for 'yard signs'. Up to 2 faces, back-to-back. | — | Outside right-of-way | — | Not in right-of-way, servitude, median, or attached to trees/utility poles/public property. | — | 19.01.2(20) |

### Residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Dwelling/Home Occupation) | — | 2 sq ft | — | Outside right-of-way | 1 per premises | On dwelling | — | 19.05.1(a) |
| Subdivision Entrance Identification Monument | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Outside right-of-way | 1 per subdivision entrance | At subdivision entrance | — | 19.05.1(b) |
| Identification Sign/Bulletin Board (Religious, School, Public/Semi-public) - Primary Sign | 10 ft (detached) or no higher than roofline if attached | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per street front | Allowed attached/detached on premises | — | 19.05.1(c)(i) |
| Identification Sign (Child care/school in church) - Secondary Sign | 10 ft (detached) or no higher than roofline if attached | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per child care/school within church | Allowed attached/detached on premises | — | 19.05.1(c)(i) |
| Identification Sign (Golf/Country/Rec/Tennis Club) | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | On premises | — | 19.05.1(c)(ii) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential Property) | 5 ft | 6 sq ft per face (max 2 faces, back-to-back) | — | Outside right-of-way | 1 per street front | On property for sale/lease | — | 19.01.2(8e) |
| Temporary Real Estate Open House Sign (Residential) | 5 ft | 192 sq in (8x24 in per face; 2 faces per sign) | 24 in (2 ft) | Outside right-of-way | 6 per open house | Outside right-of-way, residential property open for showing | — | 19.01.2(8d) |

### Commercial districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Business, Non-shopping Center) | 35 ft | 100-200 sq ft (see formula) | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per street (max 2 structures per lot) | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way | — | 19.05.2(a) |
| Identification Sign (Shopping Center / Multi-tenant) | 35-50 ft (see formula) | 200-600 sq ft (see formula) | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per structure per street (max 4 sides per structure) | Min 10 ft from street/right-of-way | — | 19.05.2(b) |
| Monument Sign (Out Parcel) | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 2 per lot (max 1 per street front) | On out parcel, commercial property | — | 19.05.2(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (General Commercial) | 35 ft | — | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | See Identification Sign limits | Min 10 ft from right-of-way. Not in sight triangle. | — | 19.04.5, 19.05.2(a) |
| Wall Sign (General Commercial) | — | 200 sq ft per wall, max 30% of wall area. | — | — | 1 per permitted type per street frontage | On building wall, not within 100 ft and facing residential district | — | 19.04(2), 19.03.3, 19.05.2 |
| Changeable Copy Sign (Integral to On-premises Sign) | — | As per sign area of sign type | — | — | — | On-site sign structure | — | 19.04(1) |
| Projecting Sign (Option for Freestanding) | Not above eaves by more than 4 ft or above parapet; minimum 9 ft above grade | 48 sq ft | Projects max 8 ft from wall | — | — | Building facade | — | 19.04(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Denham Springs

- Signs which may be confused with traffic control signs or signals, or which hide from view any traffic or street signal or device or the light of any emergency or road equipment vehicle. Signs shall not use the words 'Stop,' 'Slow,' 'Caution,' 'Yield,' 'Danger,' 'Warning,' or 'Go,' or hide from view any traffic or street sign, signal, or device.
- Any sign that emits sound, odor, illumination or visible matter that serves as a distraction to persons within the public right-of-way and could present a public safety hazard.
- Signs placed or erected at any intersection, road, right-of-way, or in any manner so as to obstruct clear and free vision with respect to view of traffic or to other signs already in place.
- Portable, mobile, skid mounted signs or other trailer signs, including those that are attached to a parked truck, bus, or other vehicle, trailer, or storage container to which signs are attached or painted or those that are converted to any other type sign such as a detached sign (pole or mounted), wall sign, or projecting sign.
- Fluttering, rotating, or moving signs in residential or historical districts other than signs that are exclusively time/date/temperature signs. (Not including the hands of a clock or a weather vane.)
- Signs extending into or placed within the public right-of-way, other than those signs specifically allowed.
- Any sign that does not comply with the 'illumination' section of this ordinance.
- Any sign that projects beyond a lot line unless otherwise specifically allowed in this ordinance.
- All advertising media, including commercial banners and commercial benches, which are located on or within a public right-of-way. Commercial banners are not allowed as permanent on-premises signs and shall be regulated by the temporary sign provisions of this ordinance.
- Any sign placed so that it obstructs any opening or access intended for light, air, ingress in and egress from any building.
- Any sign that is attached to a tree, whether on public or private property.
- Any sign that is attached to a utility pole, curb, sidewalk, lamppost, hydrant, bridge, highway marker, highway regulatory sign or mailbox, on public property, except official notice or announcements.
- Any sign or sign structure located in an intersection sight triangle.
- Any sign that contains statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral character that will offend public morals or decency.
- Off-premises signs (signs advertising events or products on a site other than where the event shall occur or the product is sold), except as provided within section 19.06 (Temporary signs).
- Parasite signs (signs attached to the structure of a primary sign and not an integral part of the primary sign).
- Inoperative vehicles used as signs.
- Billboards.

## Signs exempt from permit in Denham Springs

- Public service signs.
- Window signs with a total copy area not exceeding 50 percent of the window or glass door onto which the sign(s) are located.
- Farm products signs and seasonal business signs provided they are located on the premises where the products are grown or sold, do not exceed 32 square feet in area, only one sign per lot/tract, and removed within seven days of the termination of sales activities.
- Copy changes—the changing of advertising copy on a printed or painted sign, or sign specifically designed for the use of changeable copy, except for changing the name of the owner of a business advertised.
- Motor fuel pump signs showing information pertaining to volume, octane rating and type of fuel dispensed, or displaying the trade name or association of the business, and do not exceed three square feet per sign face and an aggregate of six square feet per pump.
- Directory signs that do not exceed six square feet, are non-electric or non-illuminated, and are wall mounted on the building.
- Any sign painted on the wall of a building if less than 32 square feet, located on a wall with less than 200 square feet of signage, is non-electric/non-illuminated, and does not extend above the parapet, mansard, or eaves.
- On-premises temporary signs including: Decorative flag and bunting for city-wide celebrations/conventions (when authorized), banner signs (meeting specific requirements for number, size, location, and duration), holiday lights and decorations (up to 90 days), real estate open house signs (with dimensional, number, and time limits), real estate signs for residential and non-residential property (with specific size, face, height, duration, and location requirements).
- Official signs, signals, or sign structures, and provisional warning signs or sign structures, when erected or required by a governmental agency, and temporary signs indicating danger.
- Changing copy on a bulletin board, poster board, display encasement, or marquee and the painting and routine maintenance of sign structures and supports, provided no increase in area or structural improvements/alterations/replacements are made.
- Integral sign, cornerstone or tablet of bronze, brass, or other non-combustible material when built into or attached to the wall of a building or structure, which states only the name of the building, its use, date of erection, name of owner(s), architect, municipal number, public officials, or commemorates a person/event.
- Sign on a truck, bus, or other vehicle, trailer, or storage container while in use in the normal course of business. (Not to be interpreted to permit parking/placement for display purposes to which signs are attached or painted, which practices are prohibited.)
- Identification signs, directional signs, pennants, or streamers erected by a proper public body.
- Signs not visible from a public sidewalk, street, highway, alley, or property.
- Temporary or permanent public utility and safety signs allowed by law.
- Official notices or advertisements posted by or under the direction of any public or court officer in the performance of official duties, with removal within ten days after the required display period.
- Flags of any country, state, or unit of local government that do not present any type of pedestrian or traffic hazard.
- Warning signs on private property to warn the public of danger or prohibiting or limiting access to the premises (if not located in the sight triangle areas and do not exceed six square feet)
- Historical markers by public authority or historical society/organization identifying sites, buildings, or structures of recognized historical value (and not located in the sight triangle; does not exceed six square feet unless otherwise specified).
- Directional signs solely for identifying/giving directions for phone booths, restrooms, parking areas, providing direction to motorists within parking lots/structures, or aiding/directing movement of pedestrians (does not exceed six square feet unless otherwise specified).
- A-frame or sandwich signs not exceeding 12 square feet per face and must not interfere with pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
- Campaign, political, and election signs, provided they meet specific area, number, location, timing, and removal requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No general requirement for a master sign plan or variance hearing is specified for all signs across all zones.
- Section 19.02.2(1) requires an application with drawings/specs for every sign permit, including site plan and elevation drawings, but not a formal 'master sign plan.'
- Shopping centers and multi-tenant properties (Sec. 19.05, 2.b) are required to use a common sign structure/monument for detached identification signs.
- In residential districts, prior to the issuance of any subdivision identification sign permit, the sign location and construction details must be approved by appropriate governmental authorities.
- Section 19.02.1(1) specifies that, except as otherwise provided, no sign shall be erected, constructed, posted, painted, substantially altered, maintained, or relocated unless a sign permit has been issued by the building official and is in effect.
- A permit is required for any sign unless specifically exempted by the general exemptions; permit applications must contain site plan and elevation details.

## 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 5 zoning districts in Denham Springs — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Denham+Springs+LA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-denham-springs

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