# Sign Regulations in Bristol, Tennessee

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bristol, Tennessee (TN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/tennessee/bristol
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TN/Bristol/codes/Zoning-Subdivision?nodeId=ZOORSUREBRTE_CH2GEPRREZO_SZ-216BISIRE)

## At a glance

Bristol, Tennessee regulates 19 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the B-1A Districts (Limited Business/Institutional), B-1B Districts (Neighborhood Shopping and Service), PRD Districts (Planned Residential) zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and 75 sq ft, with a 5 ft (10 ft at corner lots) setback (Sec. Sec. Z-216.F (Freestanding Sign Chart), Z-216.e). Most commercial signs in Bristol require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-M Districts (Mountainous Residential), R-1A Districts (Low Density Single Family Residential), R-1B Districts (Medium Density Single Family Residential), R-2 Districts (Single Family and Duplex), R-3 Districts (Multifamily), R-4 Districts (High Density Multifamily), R-5 Districts (High Density Multifamily), MH Districts (Mobile Home Park), PRD Districts (Planned Residential) | 1 | 25 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-E Districts (Established Residential Neighborhood), O-S Districts (Open Space and Reserved) | 1 | 10 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| R-O Districts (Residential Office) | 2 | 6 ft | 12 sq ft (6 sq ft per face, double-faced) | — |
| B-1A Districts (Limited Business/Institutional), B-1B Districts (Neighborhood Shopping and Service), PRD Districts (Planned Residential) | 4 | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| B-2 Districts (Central Business), B-2E Districts (Central Business Expansion) | 4 | 25 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| B-3 Districts (General Business), PBD Districts (Planned Business District) | 4 | 30 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| M-1 Districts (Light Industrial/Business), M-2 Districts (General Industrial), M-3 Districts (Heavy Industrial) | 4 | 30 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| F-1 Districts (Flood Plain) | 1 | 25 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Border Region Retail Tourism Development District (Border Retail District) | 5 | 60 ft | 800 sq ft | — |
| Regional Entertainment Facility | 1 | 45 ft | 1000 sq ft total advertising area; up to 550 sq ft (55%) may be electronic messaging | — |
| Recreational Vehicle Developments (RVDs) | 1 | — | 120 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | Varies; e.g., 4 ft residential/6 ft nonresidential | 50% of window area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### B-1A Districts (Limited Business/Institutional), B-1B Districts (Neighborhood Shopping and Service), PRD Districts (Planned Residential)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | 75 sq ft | — | 5 ft (10 ft at corner lots) | One per lot or parcel; additional per Subsection D.3.d | 5 ft min setback; 10 ft corner lot; not within ROW | — | Sec. Z-216.F (Freestanding Sign Chart), Z-216.e |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 5 ft | — | 5 ft min setback | — | Sec. Z-216.F, Z-216.e |
| Complex Sign - Freestanding | 25 ft | 150 sq ft | — | 5 ft | — | 5 ft min setback | — | Sec. Z-216.F, Z-216.e |
| Complex Sign - Monument | 10 ft | 200 sq ft | — | 5 ft | — | 5 ft min setback | — | Sec. Z-216.F, Z-216.e |

### B-2 Districts (Central Business), B-2E Districts (Central Business Expansion)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 5 ft | One per lot or parcel; additional per D.3.d | 5 ft min setback | — | Sec. Z-216.F, Z-216.f |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | 125 sq ft | — | 5 ft | — | 5 ft min setback | — | Sec. Z-216.F, Z-216.f |
| Complex Sign - Freestanding | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — | 5 ft | — | 5 ft min setback | — | Sec. Z-216.F, Z-216.f |
| Complex Sign - Monument | 10 ft | 250 sq ft | — | 5 ft | — | 5 ft min setback | — | Sec. Z-216.F, Z-216.f |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Signs (General, No Permit) | Varies; e.g., 4 ft residential/6 ft nonresidential | Varies; e.g., construction site: 6 sq ft residential/32 sq ft nonresidential | — | — | Varies by sign type | On private property per type | — | Sec. Z-216.B |
| Wall Sign | Not above roofline or canopy | — | — | — | — | Attached to building wall (may be on wall not parallel to ROW, but area allowed is determined by wall(s) parallel to ROW) | — | Sec. Z-216.D.4 |
| Projecting Sign | — | Included in wall sign calculation | — | — | — | Attached to wall. Within B-2/B-2E, may project above ROW with approval. | — | Sec. Z-216.D.4.d |
| Window Sign (General) | — | 50% of window area | — | — | — | Inside or upon window pane, visible from exterior | — | Sec. Z-216.B.8 |
| Electronic Message Board | Per freestanding sign for district | Varies (see use); e.g. for residential districts, B-2, B-1A, B-1B: max 50 sq ft per side as part of freestanding/wall sign; for other nonresidential: sign area per district standards | — | Per district | See additional_requirements | Part of freestanding or wall sign only (cannot be both) | — | Sec. Z-216.D.5 |
| Outdoor Advertising Structure | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. Z-216.E |

## Prohibited signs in Bristol

- Signs which imitate or resemble official traffic signs or signals, or may be confused with traffic control devices, or contain words such as 'Stop', 'Go', 'Slow', 'Danger', 'Caution', 'Warning', and 'Yield', with the exception of funeral signs within certain size and number limits.
- Any sign that obscures from view a traffic control device or sign, or blocks or obstructs the line of sight at intersections or driveways.
- Signs in any public right-of-way except official signs and other signs authorized by the City Manager pursuant to Section 62-10 of the Code of Ordinances.
- A sign erected after the adoption of this section which is not in conformance with the provisions of this section.
- Signs or inflatable objects, with or without blowers for added movement.
- Snipe signs (signs painted, pasted, or attached to utility poles, fences, retaining walls, public property or natural structures), except that official signs may be attached to utility poles with appropriate utility approval.
- Flashing signs (signs having blinking, flashing, or alternating lights of any kind).
- Signs that use lighting which causes glare, disorientation, or otherwise is distracting to motorists and creates a traffic hazard.
- Portable signs after January 1, 2010.
- Outdoor advertising structures (billboards) are not permitted, except those existing prior to March 20, 2020, which may be maintained, improved, or replaced in their current locations only as specified.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bristol

- Official signs used by a federal, state, county, or city government, or by public agencies, that are directional, regulatory, or informational in nature.
- Special purpose signs related to new home construction or improvement, subdivision projects, non-residentially zoned construction sites, garage/rummage/yard sales, property for sale or lease, property for auction, open house, non-profit special event, and now hiring, within specified number, size, and timing limits and must be removed after the event or action is complete.
- Political signs advertising political candidates or issues pertaining to an upcoming public election, displayed on private property, provided they do not obstruct line of sight at intersections or driveways and are removed within 10 days after the election.
- Private traffic direction signs (not exceeding 10 square feet and 4 feet in height).
- Seasonal decorations displayed during the season to which they pertain that do not display any form of advertising.
- Federal, state, or corporate flags.
- Tourist or boarding house signs in residential districts not exceeding 2 square feet and not illuminated.
- Window signs not exceeding 50% of the total window area and which provide adequate visibility for security and public safety.
- Pennants and streamers used by outdoor sales establishments in the B-3 zoning district, under specified requirements.
- Certain banners and vertically-oriented pole banners that comply with detailed subsections of the ordinance (see Z-216.D.2.b and D.2.c).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No person shall erect, construct, affix, paint to create a new sign, alter, or relocate a sign until an application has been submitted in the form required by the City Manager, accompanied by the appropriate permit fee, and after a sign permit is issued in accordance with this section. Normal maintenance and repair shall not require a permit. This provision shall not apply to signs which are allowed without a permit under subsection B.
- Shopping centers, office complexes, and other groups of buildings that include two or more businesses or buildings and are part of a cohesive development approved with an overall site plan, shall be permitted one shared complex sign for each street frontage in lieu of individual freestanding signs.
- For complexes or planned developments, combined/complex signage is only permitted if an overall site plan is approved.
- Site plan approval is required for off-site parking, off-site parking leases, and is part of the approval process for wireless transmission facilities and complex sign structures.
- Special use permits, special adaptive reuse permits, or special exceptions—which may involve signage—require submission of site plans or special use site plans that detail existing and proposed site signage.
- Wireless transmission facilities require submission of a site plan showing proposed signage (if any).
- Recreational vehicle developments (RVDs) require submission of a unified site development plan and a landscaping and buffering plan as part of the approval; sign locations may be included.
- For any modifications of the Special Use Site Plan (including signage), approval is required by the Planning Commission.
- Deviation from standard setback or area limits for signs may require appeal to the Planning Commission or Board of Zoning Appeals.

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

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