Sign Regulations in Madison, Mississippi
Madison, Mississippi has specific sign regulations covering 37 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Ground Mounted Identification Sign, Traffic/Intra-Site Directional Sign, Temporary Sign Announcing Openings. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: January 12, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for Madison, Mississippi
Sample Sign Requirements in Madison
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Station - Brand Identification Sign (Wall) | — | 40 sq ft total (subject to formula and 20 sq ft minimum) | — |
| Service Station - Brand Identification Sign (Ground Mounted) | 6 ft (measured from surrounding grade) | 45 sq ft per face; total 90 sq ft; no more than 50% of face may be devoted to price information | ≥ 1/2 building setback of district |
| Service Station - Price Sign | — | 16 sq ft total; no more than 8 sq ft per face when affixed to end of pump island | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for MadisonFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
37
- Ground Mounted Identification Sign
- Traffic/Intra-Site Directional Sign
- Temporary Sign Announcing Openings
- Wall Sign (Main Entrance/Storefront Wall)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
8
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Madison
Other Cities in Mississippi
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Madison vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Madison, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Madison, regulated sign types include Ground Mounted Identification Sign, Traffic/Intra-Site Directional Sign, Temporary Sign Announcing Openings, Wall Sign (Main Entrance/Storefront Wall), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Madison vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Madison are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Madison has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Madison, Mississippi Sign Rules at a Glance
Madison, Mississippi regulates 37 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Ground Mounted Identification Signs in the Old Madison Station District (O-M) (Non-Depot Sub-District) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 40 sq ft per face; 80 sq ft total (all faces), with a ≥ 1/2 building setback setback (Sec. Section 304.B.2, 304.C.2, 304.D.2–3; Section 301.E; Article VIII.I). Most commercial signs in Madison require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Madison, Mississippi
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Madison (8 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 6 ft (measured from surrounding grade) | 160 sq inches per sign | — |
| Agricultural (A-1); Low and Moderate Density Residential District (R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 3 | — | 32 sq ft per face; total sign area not to exceed 64 sq ft (all faces) | — |
| Multi-Family Residential (R-5); Mobile Home Park District (R-M); Retirement Village District (S-1); Planned Unit Development District (PUD) (applicable residential areas) | 4 | 31 inches above existing grade | 216 sq inches per face (12"x18"); max two faces per sign; total not to exceed 432 sq inches. Intra-site directional signs: max 26"x15" per face; two faces allowed; letters/numbers/graphics ≤ 2 inches height; ≤ 40% blank area. 'Enter'/'Exit' letter height ≤ 3.5 inches | — |
| Restricted Commercial District (C-1); General Commercial District (C-2); Major Thoroughfare Commercial District (C-3); Adult Entertainment District (C-4); Intensive Commercial District (C-5); Limited Industrial District (I-1); Heavy Industrial District (I-2); Commercial Planned Unit Development District (C-PUD) | 10 | 31 inches above existing grade | As allowed for wall signs per 304.C.1 | — |
| Old Madison Station District (O-M) (Non-Depot Sub-District) | 12 | 31 inches | As allowed for wall signs per 304.C.1 | — |
| Old Madison Station District (O-M) (Depot Sub-District) | 10 | 31 inches above existing grade | As allowed for wall signs per 304.C.1 | — |
| Agricultural (A-1); Residential Districts (R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5); Mobile Home Park District (R-M); Old Madison Station District (O-M) (Non-Depot Sub-District); Retirement Village District (S-1); Planned Unit Development District (PUD) (applicable areas) - Temporary Signs | 11 | 6 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — |
| Airport Special Use District (S-2) | 5 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Madison(sample of 3 of 8 zones)
Old Madison Station District (O-M) (Non-Depot Sub-District)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Main Entrance/Storefront Wall) | — | 40 sq ft total (subject to formula and 20 sq ft minimum) | — | — | Per entrance; multiple allowed if multiple entrances | Face-mounted on building wall containing main entrance/storefront; additional walls allowed per 304.B.1 | — | Unlock | Section 304.B.1, 304.C.1, 304.D.1; Article VIII.I |
| Ground Mounted Identification Sign | 6 ft | 40 sq ft per face; 80 sq ft total (all faces) | — | ≥ 1/2 building setback | Max one per street frontage | Setback = one-half the distance required for buildings in the district | — | Unlock | Section 304.B.2, 304.C.2, 304.D.2–3; Section 301.E; Article VIII.I |
| Permanent Project Sign | 6 ft | 50 sq ft per face per street frontage; total ≤ 200 sq ft | — | ≥ 1/2 building setback | Per street frontage | Setback = one-half the distance required for buildings | — | Unlock | Section 304.B.3, 304.C.4, 304.D.4; Article VIII.I |
| Traffic/Intra-Site Directional Sign | 31 inches | Enter/Exit: 216 sq inches per face (12"x18"), two faces max; total ≤ 432 sq inches. Intra-site: ≤ 26"x15" per face; two faces allowed; letters/numbers/graphics ≤ 2 inches high; ≤ 40% blank area. 'Enter'/'Exit' letter height ≤ 3.5 inches | — | ≥ 1 ft from ROW | Two allowed at each vehicular entrance | Min 1 ft from ROW | — | Unlock | Section 304.B.4, 304.C.5, 304.D.5 |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | ≥ 20 ft from property line; ≥ 50 ft from intersection ROW lines | One per project | Min 20 ft from property line; not within 50 ft of intersection; oriented parallel to public street | — | Unlock | Section 402.B.1.a, 402.C.1, 402.D.1 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face; total ≤ 64 sq ft | — | ≥ 20 ft; ≥ 50 ft from intersections | One per street frontage (or two side-by-side within area limits) | Min 20 ft from property line; ≥ 50 ft from intersection ROW lines | — | Unlock | Section 402.B.1.b, 402.C.2, 402.D.2 |
| Temporary Sign Announcing Openings | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face; total ≤ 64 sq ft | — | ≥ 20 ft; ≥ 50 ft from intersections | One per street frontage | Min 20 ft from face of curb or edge of pavement; ≥ 50 ft from intersection ROW lines | — | Unlock | Section 402.B.1.d, 402.C.4, 402.D.4, 402.F.4 |
| Seasonal or Special Occasion Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 8 sq ft per face; total ≤ 16 sq ft | — | ≥ 20 ft; ≥ 50 ft from intersections | — | Min 20 ft from face of curb or edge of pavement; ≥ 50 ft from intersection ROW lines | — | Unlock | Section 402.B.2.b, 402.C.6, 402.D.6, 402.F.6 |
Old Madison Station District (O-M) (Depot Sub-District)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Main Entrance/Storefront Wall) | — | 40 sq ft total (subject to formula and 20 sq ft minimum) | — | — | Per entrance; multiple allowed if multiple entrances | Face-mounted on building wall containing main entrance/storefront; additional walls allowed per 304.B.1 | — | Unlock | Section 304.B.1, 304.C.1, 304.D.1; Article VIII.I |
| Ground Mounted Identification Sign | 6 ft | 40 sq ft per face; 80 sq ft total (all faces) | — | ≥ 1/2 building setback | Max one per street frontage | Setback = one-half the distance required for buildings in the district | — | Unlock | Section 304.B.2, 304.C.2, 304.D.2–3; Section 301.E; Article VIII.I |
| Permanent Project Sign | 6 ft | 50 sq ft per face per street frontage; total ≤ 200 sq ft | — | ≥ 1/2 building setback | Per street frontage | Setback = one-half the distance required for buildings in the district | — | Unlock | Section 304.B.3, 304.C.4, 304.D.4; Article VIII.I |
| Traffic/Intra-Site Directional Sign | 31 inches above existing grade | Enter/Exit: 216 sq inches per face (12"x18"), two faces max; total ≤ 432 sq inches. Intra-site: ≤ 26"x15" per face; two faces allowed; letters/numbers/graphics ≤ 2 inches high; ≤ 40% blank area. 'Enter'/'Exit' letter height ≤ 3.5 inches | — | ≥ 1 ft from ROW | Two allowed at each vehicular entrance | Min 1 ft from ROW | — | Unlock | Section 304.B.4, 304.C.5, 304.D.5 |
| Commemorative Wall Mounted Sign (Non-illuminated) | — | 192 sq inches | — | — | Max one per building or per lot | Wall mounted | — | Unlock | Section 304.B.9, 304.C.8, 304.D.9 |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | ≥ 20 ft; ≥ 50 ft from intersections | One per project | Min 20 ft from property line; not within 50 ft of intersection; oriented parallel to public street | — | Unlock | Section 402.B.1.a, 402.C.1, 402.D.1 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face; total ≤ 64 sq ft | — | ≥ 20 ft; ≥ 50 ft from intersections | One per street frontage (or two side-by-side within area limits) | Min 20 ft from property line; ≥ 50 ft from intersection ROW lines | — | Unlock | Section 402.B.1.b, 402.C.2, 402.D.2 |
| Temporary Sign Announcing Openings | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face; total ≤ 64 sq ft | — | ≥ 20 ft; ≥ 50 ft from intersections | One per street frontage | Min 20 ft from face of curb or edge of pavement; ≥ 50 ft from intersection ROW lines | — | Unlock | Section 402.B.1.d, 402.C.4, 402.D.4 |
Agricultural (A-1); Residential Districts (R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5); Mobile Home Park District (R-M); Old Madison Station District (O-M) (Non-Depot Sub-District); Retirement Village District (S-1); Planned Unit Development District (PUD) (applicable areas) - Temporary Signs
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Construction Sign (Single-/Two-Family Residence) | 4 ft | 9 sq ft per face; total ≤ 18 sq ft | — | — | — | May be located anywhere on the property | — | Unlock | Section 401.B.2.a, 401.C.1, 401.D.1 |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Multi-Family project of 5 units or more) | 6 ft | 25 sq ft per face; total ≤ 50 sq ft | — | ≥ 20 ft | — | Setback ≥ 20 ft from property line | — | Unlock | Section 401.B.1.a (by implication), 401.C.1, 401.D.1 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Single-/Two-Family or Multi-Family Developed Lots) | 4 ft | 9 sq ft per face; total ≤ 18 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | May be located anywhere on the property | — | Unlock | Section 401.B.2.b, 401.C.2.a, 401.D.2 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Undeveloped tracts ≥ 3 acres - lots for sale) | — | 50 sq ft per face | — | — | One per street frontage | May be located anywhere on the property; height ≤ 4 ft per 401.D.2 (general real estate signs height) | — | Unlock | Section 401.B.1.b (permit class), 401.C.2.b, 401.D.2 |
| Temporary Sign Announcing Openings | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face; total ≤ 64 sq ft | — | ≥ 20 ft | One per street frontage | Setback ≥ 20 ft from face of curb or edge of pavement | — | Unlock | Section 401.B.1.c, 401.C.3, 401.D.3, 401.F.3 |
| Temporary Subdivision Identification Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face; total ≤ 64 sq ft | — | ≥ 20 ft | One per street frontage | Setback ≥ 20 ft from face of curb or edge of pavement | — | Unlock | Section 401.B.1.d, 401.C.4, 401.D.4 |
| Temporary Political Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per face; total ≤ 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On occupied lots only; may be located anywhere on property | — | Unlock | Section 401.B.2.c, 401.C.5, 401.D.5, 401.F.5 |
| Temporary Private Sale Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft per face; total ≤ 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On occupied lots only; may be located anywhere on property | — | Unlock | Section 401.B.2.d, 401.C.6, 401.D.6, 401.F.6 |
PermitPal covers all 8 zoning districts in Madison — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 8 zones for Madison — start freeProhibited Signs in Madison
- Signs depicting human figures or animals (except approved logos), or showing pictures of food; and signs containing characters, cartoons, or obscene, indecent, or immoral statements, words, or pictures
- Signs that imitate official traffic signs or signals or use words such as "stop", "go slow", "caution", "danger", "warning", or similar
- Signs whose size, location, movement, content, coloring, or illumination may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or that hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal
- Changeable copy signs with interchangeable letters (allowed only for schools and churches)
- Off-premises signs advertising an activity, business, product, or service not conducted on the premises (excluding churches and schools)
- Signs with any moving parts
- Signs consisting of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, or related items, except when allowed by special permit
- Interior-lighted translucent signs with translucent background and opaque letters
- Signs that contain reflective-type bulbs, pulsating lights, or strobe lights
- Signs made structurally sound by guide wires or unsightly bracing
- Neon signs
- Any sign not expressly permitted by the Ordinance
- Illuminated signs must have lighting shaded, shielded, or directed so light intensity is not objectionable to surrounding areas
- No blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices with changing light intensity, brightness, or color; beacon lights are not permitted
- No colored lights may be used in a manner that could be confused with traffic control devices
- Direct or reflected light from sign illumination must not create a traffic hazard to motor vehicle operators
- Exposed bulbs shall not be used on the exterior surface of any sign
Exempt Signs in Madison
- Regulatory signs placed or required by federal, state, county, or city government (permit not required; generally permitted)
- Utility company standard markers or warning signs (permit not required)
- Normal maintenance (repainting, cleaning, and other maintenance to prolong life of an approved sign) does not require a permit
- Decals, numerals, names, addresses, hours, credit information, etc., attached to doors or windows with a total area of one square foot or less are excluded from the Ordinance
- Decorative devices or emblems displayed at residential doors, windows, or mailboxes, and yard or building decorations associated with legal holidays, provided no business logo, name, or advertising message is displayed, are not considered signs
- Non-regulated signs: signs not visible from a street right-of-way are not regulated by this Ordinance
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Madison
- Permit applications must include the sign's location, zoning district, sign type, owner and erector information, and drawings showing design, location, materials, and finishes; a separate application is required for each sign
- All permanent signs require permits (except certain temporary signs in single-family districts); temporary signs requiring permits may be approved by the Sign Enforcement Official
- Commercial retail centers (shopping centers, malls, offices, complexes) must submit an application/fee for the overall development and separate applications for each tenant who desires to erect a sign
- Street banners advertising public events require approval (by the Board or Sign Official, as applicable)
- Variances may be granted by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen for sign locations only
- Appeals of Sign Enforcement Official decisions go to the Sign Review Appeal Board, with further appeal to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen
- Non-conforming signs require applications and permits; the Board may allow signs less than three years old to remain until they become four years old upon sufficient proof
- No explicit master sign plan requirement is stated in this Ordinance
Source: other municipal code