# Sign Regulations in Clarksdale, Mississippi

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Clarksdale, Mississippi (MS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/mississippi/clarksdale
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MS/Clarksdale/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_APXAZO_ARTIXSIOUAD)

## At a glance

Clarksdale, Mississippi regulates 9 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the C-1 Neighborhood Business District, C-2 Highway Commercial District, C-4 Planned Commercial District, M-1 Light Industrial District, M-2 Heavy Industrial District, Environmental Overlay District, Planned Unit Development District zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 50 sq ft (if <200 ft frontage); 75 sq ft (200–399 ft); 100 sq ft (≥400 ft), with a Setback required—must observe front/side yard setbacks of district; Sec. 910.1; not over traveled ROW setback (Sec. Sec. 907, 908, 911). Most commercial signs in Clarksdale require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-1 Agricultural District, R-12 Low Density Residential District, R-10 Low Density Residential District, R-8 Medium Density Residential District, R-6 Medium Density Residential District, RM-6 High Density Residential District, RD-1 Residential Redevelopment District, Manufactured Home Overlay District | 3 | — | 16 sq ft per side; 32 sq ft total at entrance | — |
| C-1 Neighborhood Business District, C-2 Highway Commercial District, C-4 Planned Commercial District, M-1 Light Industrial District, M-2 Heavy Industrial District, Environmental Overlay District, Planned Unit Development District | 4 | 15 ft | 50 sq ft (if <200 ft frontage); 75 sq ft (200–399 ft); 100 sq ft (≥400 ft) | — |
| C-3 Central Business District | 4 | 30 ft | 250 sq ft per side | — |
| Historic Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 4 sq ft (residential use identification, mailboxes, warnings, etc.) | — |

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

### A-1 Agricultural District, R-12 Low Density Residential District, R-10 Low Density Residential District, R-8 Medium Density Residential District, R-6 Medium Density Residential District, RM-6 High Density Residential District, RD-1 Residential Redevelopment District, Manufactured Home Overlay District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Wall Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Mounted flat against the wall of the principal building | — | Sec. 701.4 |
| Subdivision or Multi-Family Entrance Sign | — | 16 sq ft per side; 32 sq ft total at entrance | — | — | 2 per entrance | At entrance to the subdivision or development | — | Sec. 909 |
| Real Estate, Campaign, or Temporary Event Sign | — | Per event type: Real estate 4 sq ft; Campaign 16 sq ft; Temporary up to 3 sq ft (campaign or other types noted in exceptions) | — | — | See sign_size_restrictions | On lot being advertised or as specified | — | Sec. 903 |

### C-1 Neighborhood Business District, C-2 Highway Commercial District, C-4 Planned Commercial District, M-1 Light Industrial District, M-2 Heavy Industrial District, Environmental Overlay District, Planned Unit Development District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 50 sq ft (if <200 ft frontage); 75 sq ft (200–399 ft); 100 sq ft (≥400 ft) | — | Setback required—must observe front/side yard setbacks of district; Sec. 910.1; not over traveled ROW | 1 per street frontage (up to 2 if corner/double frontage lot) | On-premises, not in or over traveled portion of ROW; must comply with setback requirements | — | Sec. 907, 908, 911 |
| Wall Sign | — | N/A per sign—total for all signs up to calculated limit (see formula) | — | — | No max—subject to total sign area cap | Wall of building; cannot project more than 12 inches from wall | — | Sec. 906, 910, 911 |
| Off-Premises Sign (Billboard) | 15 ft (Except C-3/M-1/M-2: 30 ft; see next zone) | 50 sq ft (<200 ft frontage); 75 sq ft (200–399 ft); 100 sq ft (≥400 ft) | — | Setback from ROW as for other signs in district | See freestanding sign rules (Sec. 908) | On-premises in C-2, M-1, or M-2 only; prohibited in all other districts | — | Sec. 912 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 3 sq ft (general); Event, campaign, real estate as per Sec. 903 | — | — | See additional_requirements | On-premises | — | Sec. 903 |

### C-3 Central Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 ft | 250 sq ft per side | — | Observe all front/side yard requirements (none required in C-3 for structures per Sec. 501) | 1 per street frontage | On-premises, not in or above ROW; observe setback requirements | — | Sec. 907.3 and 910, 911 |
| Wall Sign | — | Determined by formula; wall sign cannot exceed 50% of wall area | — | — | No max—subject to total area cap | Attached to wall | — | Sec. 906, 910, 911 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 3 sq ft (general); Real estate/campaign/event as per Sec. 903 | — | — | See additional_requirements | On-premises | — | Sec. 903 |
| Subdivision or Multi-Family Entrance Sign | — | 16 sq ft per side; max 32 sq ft per entrance | — | — | 2 per entrance | At entrance | — | Sec. 909 |

## Prohibited signs in Clarksdale

- No sign may be constructed, erected, moved, enlarged, illuminated or substantially altered except in accordance with the provisions of the ordinance (i.e., a permit is required unless exempt).
- No off-premises signs, except those exempted from regulation or from permit requirements, may be located in any district other than a C-2, M-1, or M-2 district.
- No sign may be located so that it substantially interferes with the view necessary for motorists to proceed safely through intersections or to enter onto or exit from public streets or private roads.
- Signs that revolve or are animated or that utilize movement or apparent movement to attract the attention of the public are prohibited. Banners, streamers, animated display boards, pennants, and propellers are prohibited.
- No sign may be erected so that by its location, color, size, shape, nature, or message it would tend to obstruct the view of or be confused with official traffic signs or other signs erected by governmental agencies.
- Freestanding signs shall be securely fastened to the ground or to some other substantial supportive structure so that there is virtually no danger that either the sign or the supportive structure may be moved by the wind or other forces of nature and cause injury to persons or property.
- No sign may extend above any parapet or be placed upon any roof surface, except as described for certain roof angles or holiday lighting on residential structures.
- No sign attached to a building may project more than 12 inches from the building wall.
- No sign or supporting structure may be located in or over the traveled portion of any public right-of-way unless attached to a structural element of a building and an encroachment permit has been obtained.
- No part of a freestanding sign may exceed a height, measured from ground level, of 30 feet in the C-3, M-1, and M-2 districts and 15 feet in all other districts.
- No sign within 150 feet of a residential zone may be illuminated between midnight and 6 a.m., unless the impact of such lighting beyond the boundaries of the lot is entirely inconsequential.
- No person may, for the purpose of increasing or enhancing the visibility of any sign, damage, trim, destroy or remove any trees, shrubs, or other vegetation within the right-of-way, on other people's property, or where required to remain under a permit.
- No person may engage in any activity that causes an increase in the extent of nonconformity of a nonconforming sign, including enlargement, alteration aggravating the nonconforming condition, or adding illumination to a nonconforming sign.
- A nonconforming sign may not be moved or replaced except to bring it into conformity with the ordinance.
- If a nonconforming sign is destroyed by natural causes, it may not be repaired, reconstructed, or replaced except in conformity with the ordinance, and remnants must be cleared.
- Temporary and portable signs, and banners, that are nonconforming must be removed within 12 months after the effective date of the article.
- If a sign (other than a billboard) advertises a business no longer operating, it must be removed within 30 days of abandonment.
- If the message portion of a sign is removed, leaving only supporting structure, the owner must replace the message or remove the structure within 30 days.
- If a nonconforming billboard remains blank for 180 days, it is considered abandoned and must be altered or removed within 30 days.

## Signs exempt from permit in Clarksdale

- Signs not exceeding four square feet in area that are customarily associated with residential use and are not of a commercial nature, such as property identification names or numbers, names of occupants, mailbox or newspaper tube signs, private parking or warning signs, or danger from animals.
- Signs erected by or pursuant to the authorization of a governmental body, including legal notices, identification, informational signs, and traffic, directional, or regulatory signs.
- Official signs of a noncommercial nature erected by public utilities.
- Flags, pennants, or insignia of any governmental or nonprofit organization when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or as an advertising device.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings or works of art, as long as they do not contain letters, trademarks, moving parts, or lights.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic on private property that do not exceed four square feet each and bear no advertising matter.
- Church bulletin boards, church identification signs, and church directional signs (not more than one per abutting street, max. 16 square feet each, not internally illuminated).
- Signs painted on or otherwise permanently attached to currently licensed motor vehicles that are not primarily used as signs.
- Signs proclaiming religious, political, or other noncommercial messages, unless otherwise regulated.
- Temporary real estate signs indicating property for sale, lease, or rent (subject to size and location limits).
- Construction site identification signs (subject to size and timing restrictions).
- Temporary signs inside building windows/doors (covering no more than 75% of the transparent surface, removed within 30 days).
- Displays (including lighting) erected in connection with the observance of holidays (removed within 10 days after holiday).
- Temporary election or political campaign signs (removed within 3 days post-election, size limit 16 sq ft).
- Temporary signs for special events (may be erected within two weeks of event and must be removed within three days after event).
- Other temporary signs as specified (one per lot, no more than 3 sq ft, not displayed longer than 3 consecutive days nor more than 10 days out of any 365 day period).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs, except as otherwise specified (signs excluded from regulation and certain temporary signs), require a permit in conformance with the sign regulations.
- Mere repainting or changing the message of a sign does not require a permit, unless it is a substantial alteration.
- If plans submitted for a building permit include sign plans with sufficient detail for compliance review, issuance of the building permit constitutes approval of the proposed signs.
- Signs not approved as part of a building permit or specifically exempted require a separate sign permit issued by the administrator.
- For lots with multiple business enterprises (e.g., shopping centers), sign permits are issued in the name of the lot owner or agent (not the individual tenant). The City may suggest allocation formulas, but is not responsible for enforcing private restrictions.
- No sign may be constructed, erected, enlarged, moved, illuminated or substantially altered without first being reviewed and permitted.
- A variance may be sought from sign regulations by presenting an application to the Planning Commission and following the variance/conditional use process described for all zoning matters.

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

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