# Sign Regulations in Starkville, Mississippi

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Starkville, Mississippi (MS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/mississippi/starkville
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-14
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://starkville.municipalcodeonline.com/book?type=development#name=14.7_Signs)

## At a glance

Starkville, Mississippi regulates 42 sign types across 19 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at ≤ 8 ft tall, ≤ 80 sq ft, and ≤ 12 ft wide, with a ≥ 5 ft from street right-of-way setback (Sec. 14.7.9.A(1)-(4)). Most commercial signs in Starkville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (19 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 20 | ≤ 42 in | ≤ 200 sq ft sign area; copy area ≤ 60% of sign area | — |
| Form-based District (T-4) | 6 | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 80 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Form-based District (T-5D) | 6 | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 60 sq ft | — |
| Corridor Form-based District (T-5C) | 7 | Per copy area ≤ 12 in | ≤ 60 sq ft | — |
| University Form-based District (T-5U) | 7 | Per copy area ≤ 12 in | ≤ 60 sq ft | — |
| Traditional Neighborhood-New (TN-N) | 6 | ≤ 42 in | Sloping plane ≤ 25 sq ft; Valance ≤ 75% area | — |
| Traditional Neighborhood-Existing (TN-E) | 5 | ≤ 4 ft | Sloping plane ≤ 25 sq ft; Valance ≤ 75% area | — |
| Multi-dwelling Unit (MU-9) | 3 | ≤ 12 ft | ≤ 100 sq ft | — |
| Multi-dwelling Unit (MU-20) | 3 | ≤ 12 ft | ≤ 100 sq ft | — |
| Rural Neighborhood (RN), O-E | 9 | ≤ 24 in | ≤ 100 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Neighborhood (CN), Commercial Rural (CR) | 4 | Per copy area ≤ 12 in | ≤ 100 sq ft | — |
| Commercial (C), Industrial (I), Optional-Commercial Use District, Optional-Industrial Use District | 4 | ≤ 12 ft (or ≤ 16 ft if US Hwy 82/25 at ≥60 mph) | ≤ 100 sq ft (or ≤ 190 sq ft if US Hwy 82/25 at ≥60 mph) | — |
| Industrial (I) | 3 | ≤ 8 ft (or ≤ 16 ft if US Hwy 82/25 at ≥60 mph) | ≤ 80 sq ft (or ≤ 160 sq ft if US Hwy 82/25 at ≥60 mph) | — |
| Optional-Commercial Use District | 3 | ≤ 8 ft (or ≤ 16 ft if US Hwy 82/25 at ≥60 mph) | ≤ 80 sq ft (or ≤ 160 sq ft if US Hwy 82/25 at ≥60 mph) | — |
| Optional-Industrial Use District | 3 | ≤ 8 ft (or ≤ 16 ft if US Hwy 82/25 at ≥60 mph) | ≤ 80 sq ft (or ≤ 160 sq ft if US Hwy 82/25 at ≥60 mph) | — |
| Special-Institutional (SI) | 3 | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 80 sq ft | — |
| Special-Educational (SE) | 3 | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 80 sq ft | — |
| Residential districts | 4 | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 16 sq ft | — |
| Non-residential and Mixed-Use Districts | 4 | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 19 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign | ≤ 4 ft | ≤ 6 sq ft | ≤ 4 ft | — | Max 1 per tenant per street frontage | Mounted at right angle to facade; bottom of sign ≥ 8 ft above walkway/sidewalk. | — | 14.7.8.B(A)-(D) |
| Suspended Sign | ≤ 4 ft | ≤ 6 sq ft | ≤ 4 ft | — | Max 1 per tenant per street frontage | Mounted under beams/ceilings of porch, gallery, arcade, breezeway; bottom of sign ≥ 8 ft above walkway/sidewalk. | — | 14.7.8.C(A)-(D) |
| Nameplate Sign | ≤ 24 in | ≤ 3 sq ft | ≤ 24 in | — | Max 1 per address | On wall adjacent to entrance at 4–7 ft above walkway. | — | 14.7.8.G(A)-(D) |
| Address Sign | ≤ 12 in | ≤ 2 sq ft | ≤ 24 in | — | Max 1 per address | Placed 4–8 ft above walkway if on building; may be part of permitted freestanding sign. | — | 14.7.8.H(A)-(C) |
| Outdoor Display Case | ≤ 40 in | ≤ 8 sq ft | ≤ 40 in | — | Max 1 per address | Mounted 4–8 ft above walkway on wall or freestanding support. | — | 14.7.8.I(A)-(D) |
| Monument Sign | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 80 sq ft | ≤ 12 ft | ≥ 5 ft from street right-of-way | Max 1 per 330 ft of frontage; ≥ 200 ft separation | Freestanding on permanent foundation/decorative base; not on poles; not within sight triangle. | — | 14.7.9.A(1)-(4) |
| Monument Sign (US Hwy 82/25, 60 mph+) | ≤ 16 ft | ≤ 160 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft from street right-of-way; not within sight triangle | Max 1 per 330 ft of frontage; ≥ 200 ft separation | Adjacent to US Hwy 82 or US Hwy 25 where posted speed ≥ 60 mph; only in districts where monument signs are permitted. | — | 14.7.9.A(4)(f) |
| Multi-Tenant Sign | ≤ 12 ft | ≤ 100 sq ft | ≤ 18 ft | ≥ 5 ft from street right-of-way | Max 1 per 330 ft of frontage; ≥ 200 ft separation | Freestanding on permanent foundation/decorative base; not within sight triangle. | — | 14.7.9.B(1)-(4) |

### Corridor Form-based District (T-5C)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Sign area ≤ 3 ft height and ≤ 90% of facade width; and overall ≤ 50% of facade face and ≤ 150 sq ft | — | — | — | Not above parapet/eave; bottom ≥ 8 ft. | — | 14.7.8.A(2)(b), (3), (4)(a)-(b) |
| Projecting Sign | ≤ 4 ft | ≤ 6 sq ft | ≤ 4 ft | — | Max 1 per tenant per street frontage | Bottom ≥ 8 ft; max 1 per tenant per street frontage. | — | 14.7.8.B(B)-(D) |
| Suspended Sign | ≤ 4 ft | ≤ 6 sq ft | ≤ 4 ft | — | Max 1 per tenant per street frontage | Bottom ≥ 8 ft; max 1 per tenant per street frontage. | — | 14.7.8.C(B)-(D) |
| Awning Sign | — | Sloping plane ≤ 25 sq ft; Valance ≤ 75% area | — | — | Max 1 sloping-plane per facade face per tenant | Must not extend beyond awning nor above wall height. | — | 14.7.8.D(B)-(C) |
| Marquee Sign | ≤ 3 ft above parapet; not beyond eaves | — | ≤ 24 in | — | Max 1 per building; max 1 per block face | Corner lot; oriented to street; bottom ≥ 8 ft; max 1 per building; max 1 per block face. | — | 14.7.8.E(B)-(D) |
| Monument Sign (T-5C conditions) | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 60 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft from ROW; not within sight triangle | Max 1 per 330 ft frontage; ≥ 200 ft separation | Only allowed on lots where existing building exceeds maximum setback for T-5C; corner lots not eligible unless approved as a Use Exception. | — | 14.7.9.A(4)(i) |
| Electronic Message Center (T-5C) | Per copy area ≤ 12 in | Total per facade face ≤ 6 sq ft (sum of copy areas) | Per copy area ≤ 36 in | — | Max 1 EMC per street-facing facade | Only on site signage approved as part of a special exception or on the facade of a pump island canopy (convenience store/gas station); max one EMC per street-facing facade. | — | 14.7.11.C(C)(1)-(2), (E) |

### Rural Neighborhood (RN), O-E

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | ≤ 50% of facade face and ≤ 150 sq ft (general); if TN/MU limits not applicable | — | — | — | On building wall. | — | 14.7.8.A(1)-(4)(e) |
| Projecting Sign | ≤ 4 ft | ≤ 6 sq ft | ≤ 4 ft | — | Max 1 per tenant per street frontage | Bottom ≥ 8 ft; max 1 per tenant per street frontage. | — | 14.7.8.B(D)(2) |
| Suspended Sign | ≤ 4 ft | ≤ 6 sq ft | ≤ 4 ft | — | Max 1 per tenant per street frontage | Bottom ≥ 8 ft; max 1 per tenant per street frontage. | — | 14.7.8.C(D)(2) |
| Awning Sign | — | Sloping plane ≤ 25 sq ft; Valance ≤ 75% area | — | — | Max 1 sloping-plane per facade face per tenant | Must not extend beyond awning nor above wall height. | — | 14.7.8.D(C)(3) |
| Marquee Sign | ≤ 3 ft above parapet; not beyond eaves | — | ≤ 24 in | — | Max 1 per building; max 1 per block face | Corner lot; oriented to street; bottom ≥ 8 ft; max 1 per building; max 1 per block face. | — | 14.7.8.E(D)(6) |
| Nameplate Sign | ≤ 24 in | ≤ 3 sq ft | ≤ 24 in | — | Max 1 per address | On wall adjacent to entrance, 4–7 ft above walkway. | — | 14.7.8.G(D)(1) |
| Monument Sign | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 80 sq ft | ≤ 12 ft | ≥ 5 ft from ROW | Max 1 per 330 ft; ≥ 200 ft separation | ≥ 5 ft from ROW; not within sight triangle. | — | 14.7.9.A(4)(h) |
| Multi-Tenant Sign | ≤ 12 ft | ≤ 100 sq ft | ≤ 18 ft | ≥ 5 ft from ROW | Max 1 per 330 ft; ≥ 200 ft separation | ≥ 5 ft from ROW; not within sight triangle. | — | 14.7.9.B(4)(g) |

## Prohibited signs in Starkville

- It is unlawful to erect, place, relocate, expand, modify, illuminate, maintain, or otherwise alter a sign except in accordance with Section 14.7 standards.
- Signs shall not be placed within a sight distance triangle of a street or driveway.
- Any sign not expressly permitted by Section 14.7 is prohibited.
- No sign shall be placed in the public right-of-way (including on curbs, sidewalks, posts, poles, hydrants, bridges, trees, or other public surfaces) unless authorized by the Board of Aldermen or specifically allowed in the code; official traffic control signs excepted.
- Non-seasonal decorative lighting intended to attract the attention of pedestrians or motorists that is not part of a seasonal display or outdoor gathering space is not permitted.
- Mechanically moving signs are prohibited.
- Roof-mounted signs are prohibited unless specifically allowed by a zoning district or use-specific standards.
- Searchlights are prohibited except for airport operations.
- Pennants, balloons, and streamers are prohibited.
- No sign may be erected in a manner that obstructs or could be confused with official traffic signs or other governmental signs (by location, color, size, shape, nature, or message).
- Removing, damaging, or trimming trees or shrubs within the public right-of-way to enhance sign visibility is prohibited unless approved by the Board of Aldermen after a determination of danger to public safety.
- Vehicle signs (moving or stationary) are prohibited unless the vehicle is actively engaged in deliveries, pick-ups, or otherwise actively in use and its primary purpose is something other than advertising; allowed vehicle signs must be stored screened from view from the right-of-way when not in use; this does not apply to work vehicles parked at a residence or at the primary place of business during non-operating hours.
- Electronic message center signs located inside a building and visible from any public street are not permitted.
- Off-premise signage is prohibited in all zoning districts, except outdoor advertising signs as defined in Section 14.7.11(D).
- Temporary signs may not be installed or secured in a way that makes them permanent.
- Temporary signs shall not protrude above the roofline of a structure.
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
- Temporary signs shall not require foundations, supports, wiring, fittings, or elements that would require a building or electrical permit.
- No streamers, spinning, flashing, or similarly moving devices may be part of or attached to a temporary sign.
- All temporary signs must be secured to prevent swinging or significant movement from wind that could pose a danger.
- Mobile or movable temporary signs (on wheels, runners, casters, parked trailers, or parked vehicles) are not permitted unless specifically allowed elsewhere in the chapter.
- Temporary signs that deteriorate must be removed or replaced when determined by the Code Enforcement Officer.

## Signs exempt from permit in Starkville

- Signs containing noncommercial speech are permitted anywhere that advertising or business signs are permitted.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is stated in the provided text.
- Variance requests regarding dimensional requirements are reviewed by the Board of Adjustments and Appeals at a public hearing (Section 14.7.7.A).
- Use exceptions from this section are reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission at a public hearing (Section 14.7.7.B).
- Signs approved via a variance or use exception apply only to the specific applicant; re-approval is required to reuse the sign (Section 14.7.7.C).
- Placement of any sign in the public right-of-way requires authorization by the Board of Aldermen or an encroachment agreement; entrance signs specifically note encroachment agreements (Sections 14.7.3.B, 14.7.11.A.C.2, 14.7.11.B.C.2).
- Banner signs spanning a public street require Board of Aldermen approval as part of a Special Event application (Section 14.7.10.C.A.3).
- Fence screen signs and construction signs require both an active building permit and a sign permit; fence screens may block walkways/streets only with Development Review Committee approval as part of site plan approval (Sections 14.7.10.E.A.2, 14.7.10.E.C.2, 14.7.10.F.A.2).
- Electronic message centers require a sign permit unless included within a new wall, monument, or multi-tenant sign permit (Section 14.7.11.C.A.5).
- Residential subdivisions and non-residential master planned developments must provide space for entrance signs during design approval to be eligible for right-of-way encroachment agreements after certificate of occupancy (Sections 14.7.11.A.C.3, 14.7.11.B.C.3).

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

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