# Sign Regulations in Ocean Springs, Mississippi

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ocean Springs, Mississippi (MS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/mississippi/ocean-springs
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MS/Ocean_Springs/codes/Code_of_Ordinances,_Zoning_and_Subdivisions_?nodeId=APXCUNDECO_CH8SIOUADST)

## At a glance

Ocean Springs, Mississippi regulates 11 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Gazebo Sign (if applicable)s in the R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential (R-1), R-2 Low-Medium Density Residential (R-2), R-10 Medium Density Residential (R-10), R-3 Medium Density Residential (R-3), R-6 Residential (R-6), R-D Two Family Residential (R-D), RMH Mobile Home Parks (RMH), R-1A Special Apartment Use District (R-1A), RM-2 Multi-family Dwellings (RM-2) zoning district are capped at 15 ft (structure) tall and N/A for sign — but gazebo structure max 144 sq ft or 12 ft across (if circular), with a 40 ft from front or rear property lines, 10 ft from side property lines (structure) setback (Sec. 3.8.6(9)). Most commercial signs in Ocean Springs require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential (R-1), R-2 Low-Medium Density Residential (R-2), R-10 Medium Density Residential (R-10), R-3 Medium Density Residential (R-3), R-6 Residential (R-6), R-D Two Family Residential (R-D), RMH Mobile Home Parks (RMH), R-1A Special Apartment Use District (R-1A), RM-2 Multi-family Dwellings (RM-2) | 4 | 15 ft (structure) | N/A for sign — but gazebo structure max 144 sq ft or 12 ft across (if circular) | — |
| CMX-1 Neighborhood Commercial/Mixed Use (CMX-1), CMX-2 Community Commercial/Mixed Use (CMX-2), C-H Regional Commercial (C-H), M-1 Manufacturing, Warehousing and Service (M-1), C-P Commercial - Public and Civic Facilities (C-P), P Public District (P), C-M Commercial Marina (C-M) | 5 | — | — | — |
| Downtown Overlay | 5 | — | — | — |
| Porter Avenue Overlay | 4 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

_2 additional zoning districts are covered in PermitPal (free account)._

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

### R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential (R-1), R-2 Low-Medium Density Residential (R-2), R-10 Medium Density Residential (R-10), R-3 Medium Density Residential (R-3), R-6 Residential (R-6), R-D Two Family Residential (R-D), RMH Mobile Home Parks (RMH), R-1A Special Apartment Use District (R-1A), RM-2 Multi-family Dwellings (RM-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Sale or For Rent Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | Not less than one-half the front yard depth from the street line | 1 per lot | On the lot being sold or rented, not less than one-half the front yard depth from the street line | — | 3.8.6(7) and Table 3.5, Footnote 7 for R-1; same custom for other residential zones unless stated otherwise. |
| Customary Residential Sign (Mailbox/Address/Housename) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | Per entrance/numbered mailbox | Mailbox, near house entrance, or on the house | — | 3.8.6(8) and Table 3.5, Footnote 8 for R-1; same custom for other residential zones unless stated otherwise. |
| Bed and Breakfast Sign | — | Not specified; subject to residential sign rules | — | Subject to residential sign setback | 1 per B&B | On the property | — | 3.8.6(8) and Table 3.5, Footnote 8; see general signage language on B&B signs |
| Gazebo Sign (if applicable) | 15 ft (structure) | N/A for sign — but gazebo structure max 144 sq ft or 12 ft across (if circular) | — | 40 ft from front or rear property lines, 10 ft from side property lines (structure) | 1 (if nameplate desired; follows customary sign rules) | Within lot, subject to yard setbacks | — | 3.8.6(9) |

### CMX-1 Neighborhood Commercial/Mixed Use (CMX-1), CMX-2 Community Commercial/Mixed Use (CMX-2), C-H Regional Commercial (C-H), M-1 Manufacturing, Warehousing and Service (M-1), C-P Commercial - Public and Civic Facilities (C-P), P Public District (P), C-M Commercial Marina (C-M)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | As permitted by sign ordinance and building frontages | On primary building façade(s) | — | 3.9.4 Porter Avenue Overlay H, 3.9.5 Downtown Overlay Table 3.9, CMX-1/2/C-H as principal mixed-use/commercial districts allow wall signs per underlying sign ordinance. |
| Monument Sign | — | — | — | — | As allowed by sign ordinance | Front yard or at building entrance as permitted by sign ordinance/overlay | — | 3.9.4 Porter Avenue Overlay H, 3.9.5 Downtown Overlay Table 3.9 |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | As permitted | On a canopy projecting over building entrance or sidewalk | — | 3.9.4 Porter Avenue Overlay H, 3.9.5 Downtown Overlay Table 3.9 |
| Projection Sign | — | — | — | — | As permitted | Projecting perpendicular from building façade, max extension as per sign code | — | 3.9.5 Table 3.9 |
| Exempt Sign | — | — | — | — | As permitted | Locations as specified in adopted sign regulations — typically includes temporary signs, safety signs, etc. | — | 3.9.4 Porter Avenue Overlay H, 3.9.5 Downtown Overlay Table 3.9 |

### Downtown Overlay

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | As permitted | Primary building façade | — | 3.9.5 Table 3.9 |
| Projection Sign | — | — | — | — | As permitted | Projected from the building in accordance with overlay/design standards | — | 3.9.5 Table 3.9 |
| Monument Sign (Neighborhood Transition only) | — | — | — | — | As permitted | At ground level in front yard, within Neighborhood Transition overlay | — | 3.9.5 Table 3.9 |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | As permitted | On awning/canopy at entrance | — | 3.9.5 Table 3.9 |
| Exempt Sign | — | — | — | — | As permitted | As defined in sign ordinance | — | 3.9.5 Table 3.9 |

## Prohibited signs in Ocean Springs

- No land shall be used or occupied, and no structures shall be designed, built, altered, used, or occupied except in conformity with all of the regulations, design standards, and conditions attached to any special variance, appeal, or master site plan approved pursuant to this chapter.
- No person, firm, or corporation and no officer or employee (either as owner or as participating principal, agent, servant, or employee of such owner) shall sell, rent, or lease, or offer or attempt to sell, rent, or lease, any land or structure upon the representation, falsely made and known to be false, that such land or structure may be used or occupied in a manner or for a use prohibited by this chapter.
- No building shall be built, reconstructed, altered or enlarged nor shall any building or land be used for any purpose other than is permitted in the district in which such building or land is located.
- No building shall be built, reconstructed, altered or enlarged to exceed the height or bulk limit established for the district in which such building is located.
- No lot area shall be reduced or diminished so that the open spaces preserved are smaller than prescribed by this ordinance, nor shall the population density be increased in any manner except in conformity with the area regulations herein established.
- No yard or other open space provided about any building for the purpose of complying with the provisions of these regulations shall be considered as providing a yard or open space for any other building; provided further that no yard or open space on any adjoining property shall be considered as providing a yard or open space on a lot whereon a building is to be built.
- Every building hereafter built shall be located on a lot as defined in the ordinance. In no case shall there be more than one primary building on a single lot, except as permitted by the Zoning and Adjustment Board.
- A use not specifically mentioned or described by category in the use matrix is prohibited.
- No development approval shall be issued unless the proposed development conforms to the design regulations prescribed within the applicable zoning district.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ocean Springs

- Uses that are required to be permitted in any zoning district by state statute may be permitted in accordance with state law whether or not the use is included in the use matrix.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No land or structures may be used or occupied except in conformity with the regulations and conditions attached to any master site plan approved pursuant to this chapter.
- No development approval shall be issued unless the proposed development conforms to regulations, including those prescribed in the applicable zoning district and any special variance, appeal, or master site plan.
- Where a development requires a variance, appeal, or master site plan, such approval must be obtained and adhered to for compliance.
- In Conservation Subdivisions, after the Conservation Subdivision (CS) district zoning is granted, a master site plan shall be submitted to and approved by the Planning Commission prior to approval of any plats or the issuance of any development approvals or certificates of occupancy. The master site plan shall incorporate any conditions imposed with the granting of the 'CS' district zoning.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/mississippi/ocean-springs