Sign Regulations in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee has specific sign regulations covering 15 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Window and Door Sign, Monument Sign, Awning Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: August 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Chattanooga, Tennessee
Sample Sign Requirements in Chattanooga
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awning Sign | — | 75% of valance area, 25% of sloping portion area | May extend over sidewalk/right-of-way, but not over any public street |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | Same as awning sign; may extend over sidewalk/right-of-way but not any public street |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | May extend over sidewalk/right-of-way, but not over any public street |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for ChattanoogaFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
15
- Window and Door Sign
- Monument Sign
- Awning Sign
- Canopy Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
10
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Chattanooga
Other Cities in Tennessee
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga, regulated sign types include Window and Door Sign, Monument Sign, Awning Sign, Canopy Sign, 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Chattanooga has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Chattanooga, Tennessee Sign Rules at a Glance
Chattanooga, Tennessee regulates 15 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General Character Area zoning district are capped at 5' setback: 20'. Each foot beyond adds 1' up to 30' tall and 175 SF, with a Depends on sign area; see additional_requirements setback (Sec. Sec. 3-186, Article XX). Most commercial signs in Chattanooga require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Chattanooga, Tennessee
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Chattanooga (10 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brainerd Overlay | 7 | 6’ | 75% of valance area, 25% of sloping portion area | — |
| General Character Area | 8 | 5' setback: 20'. Each foot beyond adds 1' up to 30' | 175 SF per sign face (2 faces allowed) | — |
| Highway Commercial Corridors | 8 | 5' setback: 20'. Each additional ft increases by 1’ up to 30’ | 175 SF | — |
| Lovell Field Gateway Overlay | 7 | 6’ | 75% valance, 25% sloping portion | — |
| Residential Character Area | 2 | <8ac or 30 lots: 5’; >8ac or 30 lots: 10’ | <8ac or 30 lots: 40 SF; >8ac or 30 lots: 100 SF | — |
| Scenic Corridors and Areas, Scenic Area, Scenic Corridor | 8 | 6’ | 75% valance, 25% sloping portion | — |
| Veterans Bridge, Veterans Bridge Sign-Control District | 8 | Max 20’ above grade (south side); north side: not above bridge road level or 20’ above grade | 75% valance, 25% sloping portion | — |
| Major Advertising Zones | 2 | 14’; Support structure up to 50’ above grade | 675 SF; Temporary embellishments: up to 750 SF | — |
| Controlled Access Facility Sign Control District | 1 | 14’; support up to 50’ above roadway | 675 SF, or up to 750 SF with embellishments | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 36" | 40 SF | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Chattanooga(sample of 3 of 10 zones)
General Character Area
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awning Sign | — | 75% of valance area, 25% of sloping portion area | Cannot exceed width of tenant space or building wall | May extend over sidewalk/right-of-way, not over street | 1 per entrance/suite | 1 per building at main pedestrian entrance; or 1 per tenant suite with exterior pedestrian entrance, if applicable | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-180, Article XX |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | May extend over sidewalk/right-of-way, not over street | 1 per entrance/suite | Affixed above or on front face of canopy | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-181, Article XX |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | May extend over sidewalk/right-of-way, not over street | 1 per entrance | 1 per building at main pedestrian entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-182, Article XX |
| Projecting Sign | — | 175 SF per sign face (2 faces allowed) | — | May project max 4’ from wall, may extend over sidewalk/ROW but not over public street | 1 per ROW/tenant suite | 1 for each public ROW, or 1 per building/tenant suite | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-183, Article XX |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Unlimited, within sign area limit | Building wall (attached) | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-184, Article XX |
| Window and Door Sign | Cannot exceed window height | — | — | — | — | Window/door, attached | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-185, Article XX |
| Freestanding Sign | 5' setback: 20'. Each foot beyond adds 1' up to 30' | 175 SF | — | Depends on sign area; see additional_requirements | 1 per R-O-W | 1 per public R-O-W | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-186, Article XX |
| Monument Sign | 5' setback: 20'. Each foot beyond adds 1' up to 30' | 100 SF | — | Area <40 SF: 5' from ROW; >40 SF: 10'; >100 SF: 15' | 1 per R-O-W; additional for 25+ acre developments with signalized entrance | 1 per ROW; see special notes for retail centers | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-187, Article XX |
Highway Commercial Corridors
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awning Sign | — | 75% valance, 25% sloping portion | Cannot exceed tenant/building width | May project over sidewalk/ROW, not over street | 1 per entrance/suite | 1 per main entrance/tenant suite | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-180, Article XX |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | May project over sidewalk/R-O-W, not over street | 1 per entrance/suite | Affixed, 1 per entrance/tenant suite | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-181, Article XX |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | See above | 1 per main entrance | 1 per main entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-182, Article XX |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 SF per sign face (2 faces allowed) | — | Extend over sidewalk/ROW, not public street | 1 per building/tenant suite | 1 per building/tenant suite | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-183, Article XX |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Unlimited, within sign area | Building wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-184, Article XX |
| Window and Door Sign | Cannot exceed window height | — | — | — | — | Window/door, attached | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-185, Article XX |
| Freestanding Sign | 5' setback: 20'. Each additional ft increases by 1’ up to 30’ | 175 SF | — | See additional_requirements | 1 per R-O-W | 1 per ROW | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-186, Article XX |
| Monument Sign | 5' setback: 20’. Additional 1' in height per foot setback, max 30' | 100 SF | — | See Freestanding/Monument section | 1 per ROW; retail centers >25 acres get 1 per signalized entrance | 1 per ROW; special provision for large retail centers | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-187, Article XX |
Scenic Corridors and Areas, Scenic Area, Scenic Corridor
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awning Sign | — | 75% valance, 25% sloping portion | Cannot exceed wall or tenant width | — | 1 per entrance/suite | 1 per building/tenant suite | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-180, Article XX |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per entrance/suite | 1 per main entrance/tenant suite | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-181, Article XX |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per main entrance | 1 per main entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-182, Article XX |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 SF per face (2 sides max) | — | — | 1 per building/tenant suite | 1 per building/tenant suite | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-183, Article XX |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Unlimited, within sign area restriction | Building wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-184, Article XX |
| Window and Door Sign | Cannot exceed window height | — | — | — | — | Window/Door | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-185, Article XX |
| Freestanding Sign | 6’ | 60 SF | — | — | 1 per R-O-W | 1 per ROW | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-186, Article XX |
| Monument Sign | 6’ | 60 SF | 10’ | — | 1 per R-O-W | 1 per ROW | — | Unlock | Sec. 3-187, Article XX |
PermitPal covers all 10 zoning districts in Chattanooga — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 10 zones for Chattanooga — start freeProhibited Signs in Chattanooga
- Signs that by color, location, and/or design resemble or conflict with traffic control signs or signals.
- Signs attached or otherwise affixed to trees or other living vegetation, lampposts, and/or utility poles.
- Vehicle signs parked on or utilizing public right-of-way, public property, or on private property so as to be visible from the street right-of-way for advertisement and not regularly used in business.
- Abandoned or dilapidated signs.
- Banners greater than forty (40) square feet in sign area, except where specifically permitted for authorized temporary use.
- Signs placed in a right-of-way (including roadway median, traffic island and/or traffic circle/roundabout), except as required by governmental authority or otherwise stated.
- Signs with lighting or control mechanism that causes unreasonable interference with radio, television, or other communication signals.
- Sign display areas with varying light illumination and/or intensity, blinking, bursting, dissolving, distorting, fading, flashing, oscillating, rotating, scrolling, sequencing, shimmering, sparkling, streaming, traveling, tracing, twinkling, simulated movement, or illusion of movement.
- Signs of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair vision of motorist, cyclist or pedestrian using or entering a public way.
- Signs emitting audible sound, odor, or visible matter such as smoke or steam.
- Signs with moving parts.
- Roof signs and signs painted on a roof.
- Balloon signs except when permitted as a temporary sign for special events.
- Snipe signs.
- Inflatable signs.
- Animated signs.
- Signs distracting to motor vehicle operators (e.g. distracting, hazardous location near entrances/exits or confluence of traffic).
- Signs that resemble any regulatory or warning traffic control device as found in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Off-premise signs with moving parts, picture tubes, lights/illumination that vary in intensity, flash/change color outside permitted intervals.
- Signs exceeding maximum height, width, or area limitations specified in the code.
- Stacked signs (one sign atop or beneath another on the same structure/building/rooftop).
- Signs located where prohibited by applicable zoning ordinance.
- Signs on top of any building or rooftop.
- Signs placed over or suspended over/across any street or sidewalk unless specifically allowed elsewhere in the code.
- Off-premise signs in Scenic Areas or Corridors.
- Any sign constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, window, door, or opening used as egress or to prevent free passage on a roof or interfere with openings required for legal ventilation.
- Signs with LED/LCD illumination or capable of remote message change must only display static images (flashing/scrolling/animated images/audible prohibited), conform brightness/dimming controls, and meet review/approval standards as specified.
- Temporary signs must not be placed in any handicapped parking space, required parking space, or block driveways, utility poles, trees, traffic devices, or vision clearance areas.
- No sign shall be pasted, painted, printed, roped, billed, nailed or pinned to any curbstone, sidewalk, street, tree, lamppost, telephone/telegraph pole, awning, porch, balcony, or other structure in a street or right-of-way except when required by law/ordinance.
- No person shall scatter, daub or leave glue, paste or similar adhesive on any street/sidewalk or scatter/throw old signs or waste material on public/private property.
- Obscene displays or advertisement on signs (as defined by law) visible from streets/public places.
- Signs larger than permitted for specific sign types or placed contrary to regulations for setback, height, illumination, or materials.
Exempt Signs in Chattanooga
- Banners forty (40) square feet or less in sign area (one per business).
- Building entry and building identification signs.
- Entrance and exit signs regulated by the International Building Code.
- Feather signs (except in Residential Character Area).
- Incidental signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in sign area.
- Landmark signs (historic, vintage, replica as described).
- Signs/devices erected, posted, or established by any governmental agency regulating traffic, public purpose/safety, or any notice/warning required by law.
- Sandwich board signs (subject to location, accessibility and removal requirements; not permitted in Residential Character Area).
- Yard signs (political, contractor, real estate, sports leagues, garage sale, etc.).
- Works of art, including murals, that do not contain business name/logo/trademark (i.e., non-commercial art).
- Flags or emblems of a political, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization.
- Memorial plaques or tablets.
- Holiday decorations/seasonal displays clearly incidental to/associated with holidays.
- Legal notices required by law.
- Signs or flags erected, provided, owned, authorized or required by a duly constituted governmental body (includes traffic/regulatory/legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings).
- Signs located inside a building.
- Gravestones.
- Inside faces of scoreboard fences or walls on athletic fields.
- Historical site plaques.
- Display of street numbers.
- Messages on clothing/motor vehicles unless otherwise prohibited.
- Seasonal displays/decorations not advertising a product, service, or entertainment.
- Signs approved by the Board of Sign Appeals and donated/erected by or under the supervision of the city for designation of public areas/rights-of-way adopted by private entities for landscaping/maintenance/litter control programs.
- Any living display on the ground of flowers/plants conveying a message.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Chattanooga
- A Master Sign Plan (MSP) is required for single-use developments exceeding 100,000 SF of gross floor area or multi-tenant developments exceeding 150,000 SF of gross floor area.
- MSP application must include all proposed signs and sign locations for the entire non-residential development (wall sign spaces, ground signs, directional signs, etc.).
- Deviations from the rules for number, dimensions, location or design characteristics of attached and detached signs within the MSP area may be authorized when design/quality components exceed standards elsewhere.
- MSP is pre-approval of designs/elements, which allows for more efficient subsequent individual sign permit reviews.
- Existing non-conforming signs must be eliminated or brought into conformance before any new signs are installed under an approved MSP.
- MSP applications require payment of an application fee and filing on city forms with required submittals.
- An amendment to a valid MSP is allowed for design/material/location/specification changes, up to 10% increase in sign area.
- Approved MSP permits expire two years from the date of approval unless progress towards completion is made.
- Any premises with frontage along a public road/right-of-way over 350 linear feet and more than two occupants is subject to general sign area and location standards; Master Sign Plan may be necessary per site specifics.
- For any sign requiring a variance, the Board of Zoning Appeals holds public hearings, and a site plan/sign plan and notifications (mailed, published) are required for review.
- Permit applications for new signs require accompanying plans, drawings, and in some cases certified surveys and elevation drawings/engineering plans.
- Major modifications, variances, and special permits require public meetings/hearings, a formal application process, and evaluation per hardship criteria defined in ordinance.
- Master Sign Plan fee is $500 + $3 per SF of signage.
Source: municode municipal code