# Sign Regulations in Columbia, Mississippi

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Columbia, Mississippi (MS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/mississippi/columbia
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-21
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KgAz_advcDvGI5TxSCFvCuM_J_8Oj7lX/view?usp=drive_link)

## At a glance

Columbia, Mississippi regulates 17 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Projecting Sign – Generals in the R – 100 Single family Residential District, R – 80 Two family residential District, R – 70 Multi family Residential District, MH Mobile homes Park District, B – 1 Neighborhood Commercial District, B - 2 Central Business District, B - 3 General Commercial District, M - 1 Light industrial District, M – 2 General Industrial District zoning district are capped at Generally may not project above roof or cornice; narrow signs (≤ 18 in width perpendicular to wall) may extend up to 2 ft above roof or cornice (H112.4). tall, If > 30 sq ft in one facial area, requires at least two support chains/guys/rods on each side not more than 8 ft apart (H112.1). No explicit absolute area cap., and For the special case that may extend above roof, horizontal width perpendicular to wall must not exceed 18 in (457 mm) (H112.4). wide, with a Height limitation relative to roof/cornice per H112.4; projection vs thickness limits per TABLE 4‑B. setback (Sec. H102.1 definition PROJECTING SIGN; H112.1–H112.5; TABLE 4‑B; H106.1–H106.2; H105.2). Most commercial signs in Columbia require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R – 100 Single family Residential District, R – 80 Two family residential District, R – 70 Multi family Residential District, MH Mobile homes Park District, B – 1 Neighborhood Commercial District, B - 2 Central Business District, B - 3 General Commercial District, M - 1 Light industrial District, M – 2 General Industrial District | 15 | Up to 75 ft above roof on Type I or II construction; up to 40 ft above roof on Types III, IV, or V, provided uniform open area is ≥ 40% of total gross area. | Internally illuminated sign faces of wood or approved plastic limited to 120 sq ft per facing section, except for certain flexible sign face plastics meeting NFPA 701/other test (H106.1.1). Individual plastic facings of electric signs shall not exceed 200 sq ft (H107.1.2). Plastic area on display surface limited as described in H107.1.3 (max 1,100 sq ft). | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### R – 100 Single family Residential District, R – 80 Two family residential District, R – 70 Multi family Residential District, MH Mobile homes Park District, B – 1 Neighborhood Commercial District, B - 2 Central Business District, B - 3 General Commercial District, M - 1 Light industrial District, M – 2 General Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign (≤ 2.5 sq ft) – Exempt | — | 2.5 square feet (0.23 m²) facial area | — | — | — | Projecting from a wall of a building or structure (definition H102.1). Must not project above roof or cornice beyond limits in H112.4. | — | H101.2(4); H102.1 definition of PROJECTING SIGN; H112.1; H112.4; H101.1; H103.1 |
| Ground Sign | 35 ft maximum if structural frame of combustible materials; 100 ft maximum if entirely noncombustible; greater height allowed only if specifically approved and not hazardous. | — | — | Minimum 3 ft vertical clearance between bottom of sign and ground or street (H109.2). | — | Supported by uprights, poles or braces in or upon the ground. Must maintain minimum bottom clearance of 3 ft above ground or street level. | — | H102.1 definition of GROUND SIGN; H109.1–H109.3; H105.1–H105.5; H106.1–H106.2; H101.1; H103.1; Ordinance 460 §3 |
| Roof Sign – Open Type | Up to 75 ft above roof on Type I or II construction; up to 40 ft above roof on Types III, IV, or V, provided uniform open area is ≥ 40% of total gross area. | — | — | Minimum 6 ft clear vertical space from roof to lowest part of sign; minimum 5 ft between vertical supports (H110.1). | — | On or above a roof or parapet of a building or structure; must leave at least 6 ft clear space between roof level and lowest part of sign; at least 5 ft clearance between vertical supports; no portion may project beyond any exterior wall. | — | H102.1 definition ROOF SIGN; H110.1; H110.4; H106.1–H106.2; H105.2 |
| Roof Sign – Solid Surface (Closed Type) | Solid surface roof sign: maximum 24 ft in height measured from roof surface (H110.3). Closed roof sign: max 50 ft above roof on Type I or II construction; max 35 ft above roof on Type III, IV or V (H110.5). | — | — | Same as H110.1: ≥ 6 ft clear from roof to lowest part; ≥ 5 ft between supports. | — | On or above roof or parapet with same clearance rules as other roof signs. | — | H110.1; H110.3; H110.5; H106.1–H106.2; H105.2 |
| Wall Sign | — | If wall sign area exceeds 40 sq ft, it must be constructed of metal or other approved noncombustible material (H111.1). No explicit overall area cap given in the text provided. | — | — | — | Attached to or erected against a wall of a building or structure with exposed face parallel to wall (H102.1 definition of WALL SIGN). Must not be supported by anchorages secured to unbraced parapet wall (H111.2). | — | H102.1 definition WALL SIGN; H111.1–H111.3; H106.1–H106.2; H101.1; H103.1; H105.2 |
| Projecting Sign – General | Generally may not project above roof or cornice; narrow signs (≤ 18 in width perpendicular to wall) may extend up to 2 ft above roof or cornice (H112.4). | If > 30 sq ft in one facial area, requires at least two support chains/guys/rods on each side not more than 8 ft apart (H112.1). No explicit absolute area cap. | For the special case that may extend above roof, horizontal width perpendicular to wall must not exceed 18 in (457 mm) (H112.4). | Height limitation relative to roof/cornice per H112.4; projection vs thickness limits per TABLE 4‑B. | — | Projects from and is supported by a wall of a building or structure (H102.1 definition of PROJECTING SIGN). Must not be attached to unbraced parapet walls (H112.3). | — | H102.1 definition PROJECTING SIGN; H112.1–H112.5; TABLE 4‑B; H106.1–H106.2; H105.2 |
| Marquee Sign | Shall not extend more than 6 ft above the marquee and not more than 1 ft below it; total vertical dimension of sign(s) not greater than 8 ft. | — | — | Cannot project beyond perimeter of marquee (H113.3); vertical location limited to 6 ft above and 1 ft below marquee (H113.4). | — | Attached to an approved marquee constructed per Section 3106; may be on front or side of marquee but cannot project beyond perimeter of marquee (H113.2–H113.3). | — | H113.1–H113.4; H106.1–H106.2; H105.2 |
| Electric Sign (General) | — | Internally illuminated sign faces of wood or approved plastic limited to 120 sq ft per facing section, except for certain flexible sign face plastics meeting NFPA 701/other test (H106.1.1). Individual plastic facings of electric signs shall not exceed 200 sq ft (H107.1.2). Plastic area on display surface limited as described in H107.1.3 (max 1,100 sq ft). | — | — | — | Any sign containing electrical wiring, including ground, wall, roof, projecting, marquee, or portable signs (H102.1 definition ELECTRIC SIGN). | — | H102.1 definition ELECTRIC SIGN; H106.1–H106.2; H106.1.1; H107.1.1–H107.1.3; TABLE H115 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs – General Safety, Location, Maintenance | — | — | — | — | — | Any zone; any sign type covered by Appendix H located such that it is visible outdoors. | — | H101.1–H101.2; H103.1; H104.1; Ordinance 460 §1, §3 |
| Outdoor Advertising Device – General (Regulatory Category) | — | — | — | — | — | Any outdoor location within city where any part of sign is visible from streets, roads or highways. | — | Ordinance 460 §1–§5 |

## Prohibited signs in Columbia

- A sign shall not be erected in a manner that would confuse or obstruct the view of, or interfere with, exit signs required by Chapter 10 or with official traffic signs, signals or devices (H101.1).
- Signs and sign support structures, together with their supports, braces, guys and anchors, must be kept in repair and in a proper state of preservation; the display surfaces of signs must be kept neatly painted or posted at all times (H101.1).
- Signs shall not be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape or any window or door or opening used as a means of egress, or so as to prevent free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof (H103.1).
- A sign shall not be attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire escape (H103.1).
- A sign shall not be placed in such manner as to interfere with any opening required for ventilation (H103.1).
- A sign shall not be illuminated by other than electrical means; any open spark or flame shall not be used for display purposes unless specifically approved (H106.1).
- All permanent outdoor advertising devices which do not conform to the provisions of Ordinance No. 460 within 30 days of its adoption are declared a public nuisance (Ord. 460, Section 1).
- All portable outdoor advertising devices whatsoever are declared a public nuisance (Ord. 460, Section 1).
- No outdoor advertising device may be erected without first obtaining a permit from the Building Inspector, except as otherwise exempted (Ord. 460, Section 3).
- No outdoor advertising device may be maintained for longer than 30 days after adoption of Ordinance No. 460 without first obtaining a permit, except as otherwise exempted (Ord. 460, Section 3).
- Any outdoor advertising device hereafter erected or maintained for longer than 30 days after adoption of Ordinance No. 460 that does not conform to the ordinance is subject to removal after notice (Ord. 460, Section 5).

## Signs exempt from permit in Columbia

- Painted nonilluminated signs are exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit before erection (H101.2(1)).
- Temporary signs announcing the sale or rent of property are exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit before erection (H101.2(2)).
- Signs erected by transportation authorities are exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit before erection (H101.2(3)).
- Projecting signs not exceeding 2.5 square feet (0.23 m²) are exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit before erection (H101.2(4)).
- Changing of movable parts of an approved sign designed for such changes, or repainting or repositioning of display matter, is not deemed an alteration and is exempt from permit requirements (H101.2(5)).
- Directional and other official signs and notices pertaining to historic attractions are excluded from the definition of "outdoor advertising device" in Ordinance No. 460 and thus from its permit and nuisance provisions (Ord. 460, Section 2(a)).
- Signs authorized or required by law are excluded from the definition of "outdoor advertising device" in Ordinance No. 460 and thus from its permit and nuisance provisions (Ord. 460, Section 2(b)).
- Signs, displays and devices that locate, identify, mark or warn of the presence of pipelines, utility lines or rail lines and appurtenances thereto (including markers used in maintenance, operation, observation and safety) are excluded from the definition of "outdoor advertising device" in Ordinance No. 460 and thus from its permit and nuisance provisions (Ord. 460, Section 2(c)).
- Signs, displays and devices (except portable signs) advertising the sale or lease of the property upon which they are located are excluded from the definition of "outdoor advertising device" in Ordinance No. 460 and thus from its permit and nuisance provisions (Ord. 460, Section 2(d)).
- Signs, displays and devices (except portable signs) advertising the principal activities conducted on the property upon which they are located are excluded from the definition of "outdoor advertising device" in Ordinance No. 460 and thus from its permit and nuisance provisions (Ord. 460, Section 2(e)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan, comprehensive sign plan, or similar coordinated sign plan requirement is stated anywhere in the provided text.
- No requirement is stated for a variance hearing, special meeting, or similar discretionary review specifically for signs, beyond standard permitting and Board of Adjustment approvals noted generally for land uses.
- Where a sign permit is required under the building code, construction documents showing dimensions, materials, and construction details must be submitted (H105.2), but this is on a per‑sign basis and not characterized as a sign plan.
- Under Ordinance No. 460, each non‑exempt outdoor advertising device requires an individual permit from the Building Inspector; the ordinance does not reference a master or unified sign plan process (Ord. 460, Section 3).

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Columbia, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Columbia+MS&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-columbia

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