# Sign Regulations in Columbus, Mississippi

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Columbus, Mississippi (MS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/mississippi/columbus
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-25
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/ms/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH27_1-4SI)

## At a glance

Columbus, Mississippi regulates 39 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Wall Sign (Buildings < 10,000 sq ft)s in the C-1, C-1-R zoning district are capped at 12 ft tall and 32 sq ft (Sec. Sec. 27¼-3(c)(1)). Most commercial signs in Columbus require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (A-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) | 3 | 5 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — |
| C-1, C-1-R | 7 | 20 ft or at roofline, whichever is lower | 50 sq ft per face | — |
| C-2, C-3, C-3-R, I-1, I-2, I-3, Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts, Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 12 | 35 ft or not to exceed the height of the front parapet wall | 210 sq ft per face | — |
| Shopping Centers | 4 | 25 ft or roof line, whichever is less | 300 sq ft | — |
| Historic District | 8 | — | 100 sq ft | — |
| Highway 82 Commercial Sign District | 1 | 60 ft above centerline elevation of Highway 82 | 300 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 40 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### C-1, C-1-R

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Buildings < 10,000 sq ft) | 12 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per facing public street | On wall of building | — | Sec. 27¼-3(c)(1) |
| Projecting Sign (Buildings < 10,000 sq ft) | 12 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per facing public street | Projecting up to 18 inches from wall | — | Sec. 27¼-3(c)(1) |
| Ground Sign (Buildings < 10,000 sq ft) | 5 ft | 32 sq ft on each face | — | — | One per facing public street | On ground | — | Sec. 27¼-3(c)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Buildings ≥ 10,001 sq ft) | 20 ft or at roofline, whichever is lower | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per facing public street | On wall of building | — | Sec. 27¼-3(c)(2) |
| Projecting Sign (Buildings ≥ 10,001 sq ft) | 20 ft or at roofline, whichever is lower | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per facing public street | Projecting from wall | — | Sec. 27¼-3(c)(2) |
| Locator (Ground Sign) (Buildings ≥ 10,001 sq ft) | 9 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — | — | One per facing public street | On ground | — | Sec. 27¼-3(c)(2) |
| Parking Lot Identification Sign | 5 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | At parking lot | — | Sec. 27¼-3(c)(3) |

### C-2, C-3, C-3-R, I-1, I-2, I-3, Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts, Planned Unit Development (PUD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant Free Standing Structure - <2,900 sq ft) | 35 ft or not to exceed the height of the front parapet wall | 200 sq ft | — | — | Two per facing public street | On wall of building | — | Sec. 27¼-3(e)(1) |
| Ground Sign (Single Tenant Free Standing Structure - <2,900 sq ft) | 35 ft | 180 sq ft per face | — | — | Two per 500 ft of frontage | On ground | — | Sec. 27¼-3(e)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant Free Standing Structure - 2,901 to 15,000 sq ft) | 35 ft or not to exceed the height of the front parapet wall | 200 sq ft | — | — | Two per facing public street | On wall | — | Sec. 27¼-3(e)(1) |
| Ground Sign (Single Tenant Free Standing Structure - 2,901 to 15,000 sq ft) | 35 ft | 190 sq ft per face | — | — | Two per 500 ft of frontage | On ground | — | Sec. 27¼-3(e)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant Free Standing Structure - 15,001 to 30,000 sq ft) | 35 ft or not to exceed the height of the front parapet wall | 200 sq ft | — | — | Two per facing public street | On wall | — | Sec. 27¼-3(e)(1) |
| Ground Sign (Single Tenant Free Standing Structure - 15,001 to 30,000 sq ft) | 35 ft | 200 sq ft per face | — | — | Two per 500 ft of frontage | On ground | — | Sec. 27¼-3(e)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant Free Standing Structure - 30,001 to 100,000 sq ft) | 35 ft or not to exceed the height of the front parapet wall | 200 sq ft | — | — | Two per facing public street | On wall | — | Sec. 27¼-3(e)(1) |
| Ground Sign (Single Tenant Free Standing Structure - 30,001 to 100,000 sq ft) | 35 ft | 210 sq ft per face | — | — | Two per 500 ft of frontage | On ground | — | Sec. 27¼-3(e)(1) |

### Historic District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Front Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On or parallel to front of principal use side of building | — | Sec. 27¼-4(b)(1)a |
| Rear Entrance Wall Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | At point of business rear entrance | — | Sec. 27¼-4(b)(1)b |
| Point of Business Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building wall | — | Sec. 27¼-4(b)(1)c |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Awning | — | Sec. 27¼-4(b)(1)d |
| Projecting Sign | — | 40 sq ft per sign | Maximum projecting length 5 feet | — | One per property frontage | Perpendicular or at 45 degrees to building front | — | Sec. 27¼-4(b)(1)e |
| Painted Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On wall (each side of building allowed) | — | Sec. 27¼-4(b)(1)f |
| Monument Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 27¼-4(b)(1)g |
| Sandwich Board | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | — | At principal building | — | Sec. 27¼-4(b)(1)h |

## Prohibited signs in Columbus

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, move, alter or convert any sign without first obtaining a building permit from the building official, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
- Every sign in the city shall be maintained in good structural condition; signs that are dilapidated, abandoned or constitute a hazard to public safety may be ordered to be painted, repaired, altered, or removed by the building official.
- All signs shall be on premises, except as specifically permitted within this chapter.
- Signs may not be located within the vision clearance areas (the triangular shaped area at the intersection of streets, alleys, or driveways) or in such a manner as to limit or obstruct the sight distance of motorists entering or leaving the intersection.
- No sign may extend beyond the property lines of the property on which the sign is located nor interfere with any public right-of-way or public easement.
- No sign shall be located so as to cause a public hazard, obstruct or impair motorists’ vision, diminish safe ingress and egress to or from any property, or impede pedestrian or vehicular circulation in parking areas, sidewalks, or public roads.
- No sign shall be permitted after the date of the adoption, enrollment and publication of this chapter that does not conform in all respects to the requirements and provisions of this chapter.
- Signs are prohibited in public areas or right-of-ways, except for public signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental body, informational signs of a public utility, and certain awnings/projecting/suspended signs which conform to these regulations.
- Portable signs, as defined, are prohibited, including any sign that is not permanently attached, designed to be transported (by wheels, A or T frames, menu boards, sandwich boards, balloons, umbrellas for advertising, signs attached or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the right-of-way unless vehicle is used in normal business operations, flashing arrow signs or similar signs).
- No portable sign may become permanent by being affixed to the ground; no permit shall be issued to convert portable signs into permanent signs.
- Suspended signs above right-of-ways are prohibited.
- No outdoor off-premise advertising may be constructed or erected (moratorium).
- Signs shall not be permitted in public easements and public rights-of-way.
- No sign shall be erected so as to cause a safety hazard or visual obstruction to traffic, or to cause any other hazard to safety.
- Inflatable displays may not be placed on a roof structure.
- Banners are illegal unless permitted by the city building inspection department.

## Signs exempt from permit in Columbus

- Construction signs, instructional signs, name plates, official and unofficial flags, governmental signs, holiday decorations, interior signs, plaques, public notices, and warning signs are exempt from both the permitting requirements and other regulations in this chapter.
- Official traffic signs or sign structures, or municipal information signs and provisional warning signs or sign structures, when erected or required to be erected by a governmental agency, are exempt.
- Temporary signs that do not require a permit: Real estate signs (that meet criteria for placement and removal), construction signs (non-illuminated, <40 sq ft, only during construction activity), and election signs (subject to timing, size, and removal limits).
- Alteration of advertising copy or message on an existing approved sign or marquee specifically designed for replacement copy does not require a permit.
- Painting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign not involving structural changes does not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for a sign permit require submission of drawings showing the location, dimensions, construction, and method of support for the sign.
- Plan drawings for ground signs (except ground signs and locator signs in areas zoned C-1 and C-1-R) must bear the stamp/seal and signature of a licensed engineer or architect indicating that the sign conforms to the provisions of the adopted building codes.
- Signs must be designed and constructed to meet wind loads of 70 miles per hour.
- Shopping center and multi-tenant commercial center signage is regulated by their own dimensional requirements, but submission of a site signage plan is not explicitly described in the ordinance.
- In the historic district, all sign applications must be submitted to the historic commission and must include a sketch showing dimensions, position relative to buildings and other signs, and photos of the proposed sign location.
- All signs in the historic district require a certificate of appropriateness prior to obtaining a sign permit.

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

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