# Sign Regulations in Gulfport, Mississippi

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Gulfport, Mississippi (MS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/mississippi/gulfport
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MS/Gulfport/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH9PLDE_ARTIVSI)

## At a glance

Gulfport, Mississippi regulates 21 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Ground Signs in the R-B, R-O zoning district are capped at 60 sq ft, with a 10 ft (front), 5 ft (side/rear) setback (Sec. Sec. 9-90 (c), (h)).

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-1-15, R-1-10, R-1-7.5, R-1-5, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-E | 7 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-B, R-O | 12 | 6 ft | 600 sq ft (total), 300 sq ft per face | — |
| B-1, B-2, B-4, I-1, I-2, I-3 | 12 | 75 ft above terrain or highway level | 1,344 sq ft (collective) within 300 ft of I-10, US 49, Airport Rd; 672 sq ft per face; 600 sq ft collective / 300 sq ft per face elsewhere | — |
| B-3 | 10 | — | 200 sq ft | — |
| Sand Beach District | 1 | — | — | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### R-B, R-O

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | 10 ft (front), 5 ft (side/rear) | One per developed parcel | Abutting public right-of-way | — | Sec. 9-90 (c), (h) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per occupancy; one per frontage if on corner | On building wall | — | Sec. 9-90 (d) |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | One per occupancy with canopy | Under building canopy | — | Sec. 9-90 (d) |
| Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per occupancy | Mounted on dwelling/unit | — | Sec. 9-90 (a)(5) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per home occupation | Mounted flat against the building | — | Sec. 9-90 (a)(2) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 50 sq ft | Height:width or width:height ratio max 2:1 | — | One per parcel abutting street | On lot abutting street | — | Sec. 9-90 (e) |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per construction project | On construction site | — | Sec. 9-106 (a) |
| Political Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per lot/parcel side facing street | On private property, not on public property or right-of-way | — | Sec. 9-106 (r) |

### B-1, B-2, B-4, I-1, I-2, I-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | — | 200 sq ft | — | 10 ft (street), 5 ft (side/rear) | One per 100 ft frontage | On street frontage | — | Sec. 9-91 (b) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per occupancy | On wall of building | — | Sec. 9-91 (c) |
| Roof Sign | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | One per parcel | On roof above parapet | — | Sec. 9-91 (d) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | One per street frontage; two if frontage >= 135 ft | On public right-of-way | — | Sec. 9-91 (e) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | Meet general setbacks (10/5/5 ft) | One per site | On site | — | Sec. 9-91 (i) |
| Directional Sign | 12 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | Two per driveway per street frontage | On site | — | Sec. 9-91 (j)(2) |
| Incidental Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign; 12 sq ft total | — | — | Two per parcel | Attached to ground sign structure or building wall (not perpendicular) | — | Sec. 9-91 (j)(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | — | 64 sq ft | — | — | One per abutting street | On each street abutting parcel | — | Sec. 9-91 (j)(4) |

### B-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | From property line | One per parcel | On street frontage | — | Sec. 9-92 (b) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per occupancy; one per frontage if corner | On wall of building | — | Sec. 9-92 (c) |
| Roof Sign | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | One per parcel | On roof above parapet | — | Sec. 9-92 (e) |
| Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per occupancy | Mounted on dwelling/unit | — | Sec. 9-92 (a)(4) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | Refer to 9-90(e) (max 50 sq ft, min 10 sq ft, 1 sq ft per 5 ft of frontage) | — | — | One per parcel abutting street | On lot abutting street | — | Sec. 9-92 (d) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per home occupation | Mounted flat against the building | — | Sec. 9-92 (a)(2) |
| Political Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per lot/parcel side facing street | On private property, not on public property or right-of-way | — | Sec. 9-106 (r) |
| Construction Sign | — | 64 sq ft | — | — | One per construction project | On construction site | — | Sec. 9-106 (a) |

## Prohibited signs in Gulfport

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, move or convert any sign in the city without first obtaining a sign permit for each such sign from the building inspector unless otherwise provided.
- Signs animated by means of flashing, scintillating, blinking, or traveling lights are not permitted.
- No sign shall have effects of movement, animation, scrolling, flashing, scintillation or similar effects. Digital display signs must display only static images.
- Tacking, pasting, or otherwise affixing signs of a miscellaneous character visible from a public way on buildings, barns, sheds, trees, poles, posts, fences or other structures is prohibited unless otherwise permitted.
- Business signs that advertise an activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted or available on the premises are prohibited.
- No person shall park a vehicle or trailer with a sign or advertising device for the sole purpose of advertising so as to be visible from a public right-of-way or property.
- No sign or person carrying or exhibiting signage or wearing costume designed to advertise shall be placed on public property or over/across any street or thoroughfare except as may otherwise be expressly authorized.
- Banners, searchlights, twirling signs, balloons, or gas-filled figures shall not be used on a permanent basis.
- A-frame or sandwich board, sidewalk or curb signs are prohibited.
- Signs bearing statements, words, or pictures of an obscene or pornographic character, or with misleading/untruthful advertising, are prohibited.
- Signs imitating or resembling official traffic signs/signals or bearing words such as "Stop", "Go Slow", "Caution", "Warning", or resembling official city/police/fire logos are prohibited.
- Signs with flashing lights containing colors red, blue, white, or yellow that imitate or resemble emergency vehicles are prohibited.
- No sign shall be located, erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, or door opening used as a means of egress.
- No sign shall be attached in any way that interferes with an opening required for ventilation, except over transom windows when not in violation of building/fire codes.
- No sign shall be suspended by rope, string, or wire.
- No person shall maintain on premises any sign which is in a dangerous or defective condition.
- No person shall allow erection of any sign which does not comply with the provisions of the article, or applicable state or federal regulations.
- Abandoned nonconforming signs or those pertaining to a time/event/purpose which no longer applies must be removed and are prohibited.
- No sign projecting over a public right-of-way that does not comply with ordinance provisions after street improvement shall remain.
- All signs must comply with the building code and additional construction standards.

## Signs exempt from permit in Gulfport

- Changing advertising copy/message on an existing approved painted or printed sign, marquee, changeable copy sign or similar approved sign specifically designed for replaceable copy does not require a permit.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign not involving structural changes or replacement of the plastic face (unless due to breakage/deterioration, but not for new advertisers) does not require a permit.
- Changes in the content of show window displays and permitted temporary signs do not require a permit.
- Construction signs: one per construction project, within area limits, no more than 30 days prior to construction and removed within 30 days after completion.
- Directional/instructional nonelectrical signs (on property, not exceeding 4 sq. ft.), including restrooms, telephones, walkways, parking lot directions and similar, are exempt.
- Governmental signs are exempt from city sign regulations if erected by public officers/for public purpose or posted on government property exempt from police power, with some permitting.
- Holiday decorations of a primarily decorative nature associated with any national, local, or religious holidays are exempt.
- House numbers and nameplates not exceeding 2 sq. ft. are exempt.
- Interior signs within buildings, stadiums, lobbies, courts, or theatres are exempt (but must comply with material and electrical code).
- Memorial signs/tablets, names of buildings, date of erection when cut into masonry, inlaid, or constructed of bronze/incombustible material are exempt.
- Notice bulletin boards not over 32 sq. ft. for medical, public, charitable, or religious institutions on their premises are exempt.
- No Trespassing/No Dumping signs not exceeding 1.5 sq. ft. and no more than four per lot are exempt (more with inspector's permission).
- One occupant sign per dwelling unit not exceeding 2 sq. ft. is exempt.
- Plaques/nameplate signs not more than 4 sq. ft. fastened to the building are exempt.
- Official public notices posted by public officers/employees in the performance of their duties are exempt.
- Public signs required or authorized by law/statute/ordinance are exempt.
- Religious or historical symbols, plaques, or insignia not exceeding 4 sq. ft. and placed flat against the building are exempt.
- Temporary signs (max 4 sq. ft.) for civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious drives/events, posted during the drive/event, up to 30 days before and removed within 15 days after, are exempt.
- Warning signs warning of danger (with no advertising), to be removed upon cessation of danger, are exempt.
- Neighborhood identification signs with only the neighborhood or tract name, placed within landscaped area, are exempt.
- One political campaign sign per side of a lot (not exceeding 6 sq. ft.), placed on private property with owner/tenant consent, not on public property, not attached to trees, poles, fences, boulders, etc., is exempt, subject to removal after election.
- One real estate sign per lot/parcel, not directly illuminated, not exceeding 6 sq. ft., removed within 7 days after sale/rental/lease is accomplished, is exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All sign permit applications for freestanding on-premises and off-premises signs to be constructed must contain architectural façade plans, to be reviewed and approved or denied by the architectural review committee in accordance with section 9-85 upon receipt of a permit application.
- If a party wishes to construct or install an on-premises sign other than as permitted in the article, a hearing before the zoning board of adjustment is required (variance process applies).
- Permit applications must be accompanied by clear, legible drawings (with descriptions and nominal dimensions) showing the location of the sign and all other existing signs requiring permits on the same premises.
- In certain cases (e.g., signs 40 feet or more in height), signs must be submitted to the Gulfport-Biloxi Airport Authority for review and comments.
- The building inspector may issue special permits for temporary subdivision development signs, which are not covered under permit exemptions and must meet additional requirements.
- All new freestanding sign structures must comply with city building code and may require submission of construction details and/or plans consistent with building code permitting.
- Appeals and variance requests are heard by the zoning board of adjustment and appeals under comprehensive zoning ordinance procedures.
- Signs declared unlawful, or denial of permits may be appealed to the appropriate board or authority as provided by ordinance.

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

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