# Sign Regulations in Ponchatoula, Louisiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ponchatoula, Louisiana (LA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/louisiana/ponchatoula
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/LA/Ponchatoula/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH78SI)

## At a glance

Ponchatoula, Louisiana regulates 41 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Identification Signs in the Commercial districts, Industrial districts zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall, Varies; up to 120 sq ft per face, 240 sq ft aggregate or 48/80 sq ft for <80ft frontage, and 20 ft max, unless monument sign wide, with a 15 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 78-42(b)(1)). Most commercial signs in Ponchatoula require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential zoning districts | 9 | 7 ft | 96 sq ft aggregate | — |
| Commercial districts, Industrial districts | 9 | 15 ft | 144 sq ft (if 120 sq ft max for freestanding) | — |
| Nonresidential or combined use district | 1 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 22 | 7 ft | Up to 50% of window area (aggregate) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Wall of building to which the sign is attached | — | Sec. 78-41(8) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Main) | 5 ft if freestanding | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 main sign; 1 additional if multiple frontages | — | — | Sec. 78-41(11)a.1 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Auxiliary) | — | 1 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 2 | — | — | Sec. 78-41(11)a.2 |
| Temporary Yard/Garage Sale Sign (On-Premises) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 on-premises, 2 off-premises (with permission) | On the premises at which the sale is conducted | — | Sec. 78-41(12) |
| Subdivision/Multihousing Development Sign | 7 ft | 48 sq ft (one sided) / 96 sq ft (two sided) | — | 15 ft from right-of-way | — | At entrances of approved development | — | Sec. 78-42(a)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Structure) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises containing permitted nonresidential structures | — | Sec. 78-42(a)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Churches, Schools, Public Buildings) | 7 ft | 96 sq ft aggregate | — | 15 ft from right-of-way | — | On premises of churches, schools, or public buildings | — | Sec. 78-42(a)(3) |
| Construction Sign (Residential) | — | 16 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from property line | 1 | On premises being developed | — | Sec. 78-71(e)(2) |

### Commercial districts, Industrial districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Identification Sign | 15 ft | Varies; up to 120 sq ft per face, 240 sq ft aggregate or 48/80 sq ft for <80ft frontage | 20 ft max, unless monument sign | 15 ft from right-of-way | 1 primary; 2 if nonintersecting street frontages | At least 15 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 78-42(b)(1) |
| Monument Sign | 7 ft above ground (plus berm of up to 3 ft per lot grade); total includes berm | 144 sq ft (if 120 sq ft max for freestanding) | — | — | In lieu of standard Freestanding Sign | — | — | Sec. 78-42(b)(2) |
| Changeable Message/Public Service Signs (on Monument Sign) | — | Counted within max monument sign area | — | — | — | Attached to monument sign structure | — | Sec. 78-42(b)(2) |
| Attached Storefront Sign | — | Varies, up to 1.25 sq ft per frontage ft; max 32 sq ft if storefront <23 ft | — | — | 1 per occupant (front), 1 additional (corner, 30ft apart), 1 rear | Attached to leaseholder's storefront or permitted exterior wall | — | Sec. 78-42(b)(3) |
| Attached Sign (Interior Occupant without Storefront) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 | At entrance nearest occupant's space | — | Sec. 78-42(b)(4) |
| Amplifying Signs | — | Combined with identification signs; total sign area not to exceed maximum for premises | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 78-42(b)(5) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 7 ft if freestanding | 32 sq ft per sign; double-faced allowed (max 16 sq ft per face, 32 sq ft total) | — | — | 1 per frontage (max 2 if dual frontages) | — | — | Sec. 78-41(11)b |
| Construction Sign (Nonresidential/Combined Use) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from property line | 1 | On premises being developed | — | Sec. 78-71(e)(3) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing Sign (Fuel) | 5 ft if freestanding | 12 sq ft per sign; 24 sq ft aggregate | — | — | 1 per frontage, max 2 | — | — | Sec. 78-41(10)d |
| Temporary Yard/Garage Sale Sign (Off-Premises) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 off-premises | Off-premises (private property) | — | Sec. 78-41(12) |
| Nonresidential Address Sign | 2 ft from ground | 6 sq ft (2 ft by 3 ft) | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per premises | — | — | Sec. 78-41(15) |
| Roadside Vendor Sign | — | 16 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per side | One facing each side | — | Sec. 78-41(17) |
| Street Banner Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft for temporary public service signs in ROW; 15 ft min clearance for banner across street | 32 sq ft per face | — | 15 ft minimum clearance for banners over ROW | No more than 3 at once in ROW | Public street right-of-way (with permit) | — | Sec. 78-71(a), (b), (b)(4) |
| Political Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | Unlimited with permit | On private property | — | Sec. 78-71(d) |
| Proposed Project Sign (Temporary) | — | 50 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 | On premises proposed for project (setback at least 10 ft) | — | Sec. 78-71(f) |
| Temporary Sign Preceding Permanent Sign (Business ID) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Attached | — | Sec. 78-71(g) |

## Prohibited signs in Ponchatoula

- Billboards may not be erected or displayed on any vehicle.
- No political sign shall be erected or displayed in any public right-of-way.
- No sign shall be placed in such a manner as to impede vehicular visibility at any intersection or driveway.
- No public service sign shall have a sign face greater than 32 square feet in area, and no more than one sign face shall be visible from any one direction of travel.
- No public service sign shall be greater than four feet in height from grade.
- No public service sign shall have more than two supporting members.
- No more than three public service signs shall be erected in the public right-of-way at any one time.
- Public service signs shall not include commercial advertisement.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ponchatoula

- Public directional signs may be erected and displayed without a permit.
- Official notices duly issued by any court, public agency or officer may be erected and displayed without a permit.
- Resident identification signs not exceeding three square feet in sign area may be erected and displayed without a permit.
- Flags and insignia of any government except when displayed in connection with a commercial promotion may be erected and displayed without a permit.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, other than letters, trademarks, logos or any feature containing moving parts or moving or flashing lights, may be erected and displayed without a permit.
- Indoor signs not visible from any street right-of-way may be erected and displayed without a permit.
- Private directional signs not exceeding five square feet in sign area per sign may be erected and displayed without a permit.
- Home occupation signs not exceeding two square feet in sign area which are nonilluminated, and mounted flat against and parallel to the plane of the wall of the building may be erected and displayed without a permit.
- Temporary window signs displayed on the inside of windows and intended for the purpose of disseminating information about special sales or promotional campaigns shall not, in aggregate, cover more than 50 percent of the area of any window in which displayed and may be erected and displayed without a permit.
- Fuel service station pump signs, oil rack signs, tire rack signs, and pricing signs (when meeting specified size and display requirements) may be erected and displayed without a permit.
- Temporary real estate signs (subject to detailed size, number, and placement requirements) may be erected and displayed without a permit.
- Temporary yard or garage sale signs (limited in number, size, duration, and location) may be erected and displayed without a permit.
- Menu boards for drive-through facilities not exceeding 48 square feet in sign area and not visible from the primary access street right-of-way may be erected and displayed without a permit.
- Vehicle signs may be displayed on any vehicle operated in the daily conduct of any business enterprise without necessity of a permit so long as specified content, use, and operational limitations are met.
- A nonresidential address sign for each premises meeting stated size, setback, and height limitations may be erected and displayed without a permit.
- Signs which convey a nonadvertising or noncommercial idea or message not exceeding eight square feet in total sign area and seven feet in height may be erected and displayed without a permit.
- One roadside vendor sign per side, not exceeding 16 square feet per side, may be erected and displayed without a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For temporary signs preceding permanent sign approval, a temporary attached identification sign may be permitted for 30 days subsequent to the filing of a complete application for sign approval and approval of the tree board and building inspector.
- A 60 day extension for temporary signs preceding permanent sign approval may be requested in writing after filing a complete application for a sign variance.
- No mention of master sign plan, sign plan, or similar required across all zones in this portion of the code.

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

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