# Sign Regulations in Olive Branch, Mississippi

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Olive Branch, Mississippi (MS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/mississippi/olive-branch
- **Data last verified:** 2025-08-14
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MS/Olive_Branch/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_APXAZOOR_ARTVIIISIRE)

## At a glance

Olive Branch, Mississippi regulates 35 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Off-Premise Subdivision Directional Sign (Temporary)s in the Residential districts (AR, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, PUD) zoning district are capped at 12 ft tall and 48 sq ft per face, with a At least 1 ft from public right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 10.C.2-4.d). Most commercial signs in Olive Branch require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural district (A) | 2 | 35 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| Residential districts (AR, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, PUD) | 8 | 20 ft | 48 sq ft per face | — |
| Office district (O), Neighborhood Commercial district (C-1) | 5 | 15 ft | 50 sq ft per sign (see formula) | — |
| Commercial district (C-2, C-3, C-4) | 6 | Max height overall 25 ft; wall signs may not project more than 12 inches from building surface; marquee signs: not less than 11 ft above ground at lowest point | Up to 125 sq ft; may increase with setback. See formula. | — |
| Old Towne District (C-5) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial districts (M-1, M-2) | 2 | 35 ft | 400 sq ft | — |
| Industrial district (M-3) | 2 | 6 ft for ground mount banners (wall banners cannot exceed roof line) | 50 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 12 ft | 48 sq ft per face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Residential districts (AR, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, PUD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Subdivision Identification Sign (Ground Mounted) | 6 ft | 25 sq ft per face | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way | — | Subdivision entrances, minimum 10 ft setback from right-of-way | — | Sec. 2.B.1.a, 2.a, 3.a, 3.c.i |
| Permitted/Conditional Facility Sign | 15 ft | 35 sq ft per face | — | Minimum 1 ft from right-of-way | — | On property of facility, minimum 1 ft setback from right-of-way | — | Sec. 2.B.1.b, 2.b, 3.b, 3.c.ii |
| Off-Premise Subdivision Directional Sign (Temporary) | 12 ft | 48 sq ft per face | — | At least 1 ft from public right-of-way | One per subdivision per property; more allowed for different subdivisions | Vacant properties only; No closer than 1 ft from right-of-way; signs separated by 500 ft for same subdivision, 100 ft for different subdivisions, 250 ft for joint sign structure | — | Sec. 10.C.2-4.d |
| Subdivision Promotional Sign (Temporary) | 12 ft | 48 sq ft per face | — | At least 1 ft from public right-of-way | One per development per street frontage | On private property, written permission required, no closer than 1 ft to right-of-way | — | Sec. 10.B |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 12 ft | 48 sq ft per face | — | At least 1 ft from public right-of-way | One per development | On site of development, private property, written permission, no closer than 1 ft to right-of-way | — | Sec. 10.E |
| Model Center Signage - Ground Mounted | 7 ft | 20 sq ft per face | — | At least 10 ft from public right-of-way | One per model center | On model center property, no closer than 10 ft to right-of-way | — | Sec. 10.D.2.a, 3.a, 4.a |
| Model Center Signage - Awning Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per model center | Face mounted on building wall, over entrance/window on primary facade, not projecting above parapet | — | Sec. 10.D.2.b, 3.b, 4.b |
| Model Center Signage - Flags | 20 ft | 15 sq ft per flag | — | At least 10 ft from public right-of-way | Three per model center | On model center property, no closer than 10 ft to right-of-way | — | Sec. 10.D.2.c, 3.c, 4.c |

### Commercial district (C-2, C-3, C-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall / Roof / Marquee / Awning Signs - Single Tenant | Max height overall 25 ft; wall signs may not project more than 12 inches from building surface; marquee signs: not less than 11 ft above ground at lowest point | Up to 125 sq ft; may increase with setback. See formula. | — | — | One per wall with street frontage; second allowable with restriction | On building wall with street frontage | — | Sec. 2.D.2.a.i, 3.a-b, 4.a |
| Wall / Roof / Marquee / Awning / Projecting Signs - Multi-Tenant | Max height overall 25 ft; wall signs may not project more than 12 inches from building surface | Up to 125 sq ft; may increase with setback. See formula. | — | — | One per tenant; two for corner tenants | On tenant's building wall with street frontage | — | Sec. 2.D.2.b.i, 3.a-b, 4.a |
| Projecting Sign | Min 8 ft above pavement; cannot extend more than 5 ft from building into front yard | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | On building, maximum 5 ft into front yard | — | Sec. 2.D.3.e, 4.b, 5.a |
| Ground Mounted/Bench Signs/Directories/Post Signs | Max height overall 25 ft; bench signs max 12 sq ft area and must be 1 ft from right-of-way | 100 sq ft | — | Min 1 ft from right-of-way; outside sight visibility triangle | One per street frontage; two for street frontages >1200 ft | At least 1 ft from right-of-way and outside sight visibility triangle; Minimum separation 100 ft between signs. | — | Sec. 2.D.2.a.ii, 2.D.3.c-d |
| Marquee Sign | Not less than 11 ft above ground; may extend up to 8 ft into front yard. Sign may extend up to 3 ft above and 1 ft below marquee. | See wall/roof sign formula for area | — | — | — | Affixed to marquee over entrance to building | — | Sec. 2.D.4.e |
| Temporary Sign (including banners) | — | — | — | — | — | As per banner and exempt sign provisions | — | Sec. 2.D.1.j, Sec. 3, Sec. 10.F |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Traffic Directional Sign (Exempt) | — | 6 sq ft | — | 1 ft from right-of-way | — | At least 1 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 3.D |
| Historical Marker (Exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 3.B |
| Name Plate (Exempt) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | Mounted on building or mailbox | — | Sec. 3.C |
| Window Sign (Exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | In/on commercial windows | — | Sec. 3.E |
| "A" Frame Sign (Exempt for certain uses) | 3 ft | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | Cannot create pedestrian/traffic hazard | — | Sec. 3.H |
| Non-Commercial Sign (Exempt) | — | 4 sq ft | — | 1 ft from right-of-way | — | At least 1 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 3.G |
| Off-Premise Subdivision Directional Sign (See each zone, summarized) | 12 ft | 48 sq ft per face | — | Minimum setbacks as listed per zone | One per subdivision per property; separated by 500 ft same subdivision, 100 ft different subdivision, 250 ft next joint structure | As per zone and general subdivision sign rules | — | Sec. 10.C |
| Subdivision Promotional Sign (See each zone, summarized) | 12 ft | 48 sq ft per face | — | 1 ft from ROW | Per rules above | On private property, no closer than 1 ft to public ROW | — | Sec. 10.B |

## Prohibited signs in Olive Branch

- Portable signs that are not otherwise permitted as temporary or exempt signage, such as balloons, pennants, banners, flags, streamers, pinwheels or other wind-animated devices, inflatable statuaries, and 'A' frame signs, except as exempted.
- Signs or devices which by color, location, or design resemble or conflict with traffic control signs or devices.
- Signs attached to, suspended from or painted on any vehicle which is regularly parked on any street or private property to display, demonstrate, advertise or attract the attention of the public.
- Signs which contain pulsating lights or strobe lights.
- The use of LED 'rope lights,' Christmas string lights, or any other similar type of stringed lights or illuminating device, whether pulsating, blinking, flashing, or otherwise or in a steady, constant, non-fluctuating manner, whether attached to or suspended from any commercial or industrial building or structure, or portion thereof, whether outside or inside and visible from the outside, or attached to any sign as an element of that sign or attached to the sign structure; Exception: Non-LED string lights allowed for decorative purposes November 15 - January 2.
- Signs attached to trees or utility poles.
- Abandoned or dilapidated signs.
- Signs with blinking, flashing or other illuminating devices that change light intensity, brightness, or color; beacon lights are not permitted.
- Signs using colored lights in any manner that may be confused with or construed as traffic control devices.
- Signs with direct or reflected light that creates a traffic hazard for operators of motor vehicles.
- Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct official traffic signs, signals, or devices, or obstruct a motor vehicle operator’s view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic.
- Signs containing extensions or embellishments beyond the border or face; flashing signs, including electronic message centers; moving, swinging, or fluttering signs, pinwheels, streamers, or banners; beacon or strobe lights; signs that flash, blink, revolve, move, vary in intensity, or appear to be in motion; signs containing material or device that intensifies reflected light (e.g., scotch light, day glow, glass beads, luminous paint); airborne signs; or signs with obscene, prurient, or immoral character statements.

## Signs exempt from permit in Olive Branch

- Signs erected by, or on the order of, a public officer in the performance of public duty, such as safety signs, danger signs, and traffic signs.
- Historical markers as recognized by local, state, or federal authorities.
- Name plates mounted on buildings or mailboxes not exceeding one square foot in size.
- Traffic directional signs not exceeding six square feet in size located at least one foot from the right-of-way within the property where the project or development is located.
- Signs in or on windows not exceeding 20 percent of the window area.
- Signs advertising sale or lease of real estate, subject to stated area limits and setback requirements.
- Non-commercial signs not exceeding four square feet in size located at least one foot from the right-of-way.
- ‘A’ frame signs used for menu boards or authorized sidewalk sales, not larger than 5 square feet in size and 3 feet in height, must be removed at closing and cannot be placed to create a pedestrian or traffic hazard.
- Signs for home occupations as allowed in Article V, section 1(a)(10)(c).
- Portable signs (balloons, pennants, banners, flags, streamers, pinwheels, inflatable statuaries, portable reader boards, searchlights) if used in conjunction with a single day ribbon-cutting or similar special event, provided they are removed within 24 hours of delivery or set-up.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permanent signs (except those specifically exempt) require a permit before erection.
- Ground signs for multi-tenant shopping centers may be located on an outparcel within an easement; approval of a variance by the board of adjustment is required for off-premise ground sign location.
- Nonconforming signs may not be enlarged or altered to increase nonconformity; restoration after damage greater than 50% is only allowed if compliant.
- Annual permit renewal is required for subdivision development signs, with scale drawings and photos required for any changes.
- Banner installations require a permit; multiple banners may be processed in one application with a schedule for installation; new businesses get one exempt banner permit for grand opening.
- In cases of dispute or interpretation, applicants may appeal to the board of adjustment.
- Permits for signs within state right-of-way require both state and City approval.

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

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