# Sign Regulations in Clinton, Tennessee

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Clinton, Tennessee (TN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/tennessee/clinton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-02
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4230/Clinton/6003663/ZONING_CODE__30Aug2025.pdf#page25)

## At a glance

Clinton, Tennessee regulates 29 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Wall Signs in the Central Business District (B-1); Neighborhood Business District (B-3) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 200 sq ft, with a Minimum 5 ft from any street right-of-way or property line for freestanding; clearance rules apply if above walkway/driveway. setback (Sec. Table 5.d (Commercial B1, B3: Wall); Section 2.9.2.d; Section 2.9.3.a). Most commercial signs in Clinton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Low Density Residential (R-1); Medium Density Residential (R-2) | 4 | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Central Business District (B-1); Neighborhood Business District (B-3) | 6 | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| General Business District (B-2) | 6 | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Interstate Business District (B-4) | 7 | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial District (M-1); Heavy Industrial District (M-2) | 7 | 25 ft | 200 sq ft (per sign, Table 5.d) but total area of all wall + ground signs per establishment ≤150 sq ft. | — |
| Park District (P1) | 6 | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | ≤3 ft above driveway grade (when at edge of right-of-way) | 32 sq ft total; 48 sq ft total for businesses with over 2 acres | — |

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

### Central Business District (B-1); Neighborhood Business District (B-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 8 ft | 200 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from any street right-of-way or property line for freestanding; clearance rules apply if above walkway/driveway. | Per business: generally 2; corner/through lots up to 3 (see Section 2.9.2.d). | On-building wall. | — | Table 5.d (Commercial B1, B3: Wall); Section 2.9.2.d; Section 2.9.3.a |
| Ground Sign - Individual | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from any street right-of-way or adjoining property line. | Counts toward general sign limit per Section 2.9.2.d. | On-premises freestanding ground sign. | — | Table 5.d (Commercial B1, B3: Ground - Individual); Section 2.9.2.c; Section 2.9.3.a |
| Ground Sign (General) | 25 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from any street right-of-way or adjoining property line. | Counts toward general sign limit per Section 2.9.2.d. | On-premises freestanding ground sign. | — | Table 5.d (Commercial B1, B3: Ground 50 sq ft); Section 2.9.2.c; Section 2.9.3.a |
| Pole Sign | Minimum 10 ft clearance; 15 ft over traffic; maximum 20 ft below roof (vertical portion of roof façade overhangs not considered roof). | 25 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from any street right-of-way or adjoining property line. | Counts toward general sign limit per Section 2.9.2.d. | On-premises freestanding pole sign. | — | Table 5.d (Commercial B1, B3: Pole); Section 2.9.2.b; Section 2.9.2.c; Section 2.9.3.a |
| Projecting Sign | 25 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | Counts toward general sign limit per Section 2.9.2.d. | Projecting from building face. | — | Table 5.d (Commercial B1, B3: Projecting); Section 2.9.2.b; Section 2.9.3.a |
| Major Directory Sign (PUD/Shopping Center/Mall) | 25 ft | 150 sq ft | — | No part of any on-premises freestanding sign closer than 5 ft to any street right-of-way. | One Major Directory Sign per shopping center/mall/PUD. | On-premises for shopping centers/malls/PUDs. | — | Table 5.d (Commercial B1, B3: Ground - Major Directory for PUD); Section 2.9.d.1-4 |

### Interstate Business District (B-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 8 ft | 200 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way or property line for freestanding; clearance rules apply if above walkway/driveway. | Per business: generally 2; corner/through lots up to 3 (see Section 2.9.2.d). | On-building wall. | — | Table 5.d (Commercial B4: Wall); Section 2.9.2.d; Section 2.9.3.a |
| Ground Sign - Individual | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from any street right-of-way or adjoining property line. | One ground sign per establishment. | On-premises freestanding ground sign. | — | Section 2.9.b.2 (Business Districts – B-4); Table 5.d (Commercial B4: Ground - Individual 100 sq ft) – text in Section 2.9.b.2 governs at 200 sq ft. |
| Major Directory Sign (Shopping Center/Mall/Commercial PUD – B-4) | 25 ft | 150 sq ft | — | No part of any on-premises freestanding sign closer than 5 ft to any street right-of-way. | One Major Directory Sign per shopping center/mall/commercial PUD. | On-premises at shopping center/mall/Commercial PUD. | — | Section 2.9.b.2; Section 2.9.d.1-4 |
| Wall Sign (Shopping Center Tenant – Building Frontage Formula) | — | — | — | — | Each business within the development limited to one wall sign by this formula. | On-building wall for each business within a B-4 shopping center/mall/commercial PUD. | — | Section 2.9.b.2 |
| Pole Sign | Minimum 10 ft clearance; 15 ft over traffic; maximum 20 ft below roof (vertical portion of roof façade overhangs not considered roof). | 25 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from any street right-of-way or adjoining property line. | Counts toward general sign limit per Section 2.9.2.d. | On-premises freestanding pole sign. | — | Table 5.d (Commercial B4: Pole); Section 2.9.2.b; Section 2.9.2.c; Section 2.9.3.a |
| Projecting Sign | 25 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | Counts toward general sign limit per Section 2.9.2.d. | Projecting from building face. | — | Table 5.d (Commercial B4: Projecting); Section 2.9.2.b; Section 2.9.3.a |
| Electronic Message Center / Dynamic Sign (On-Premises Only) | — | Dynamic portion ≤25 sq ft; overall sign size per district limitations. | — | General setbacks apply (5 ft from right-of-way/property line). | — | On-premises only within B-4; oriented away from residential neighborhoods. | — | Section 2.9.e.1-11; Section 2.9.2.j |

### Light Industrial District (M-1); Heavy Industrial District (M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Outside PUD) | 25 ft | 200 sq ft (per sign, Table 5.d) but total area of all wall + ground signs per establishment ≤150 sq ft. | — | Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way/property line for freestanding signs. | General: No more than two signs per business/industry (not two of the same type); corner/through lots may have three (Section 2.9.2.d). | On-building wall for separate establishments outside a PUD. | — | Table 5.d (Industrial M1, M2: Wall 200 sq ft/25 ft); Section 2.9.c.1 |
| Ground Sign - Individual (Outside PUD) | 25 ft | 150 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from any street right-of-way or adjoining property line. | Counts toward general sign limit per Section 2.9.2.d. | On-premises freestanding ground sign for separate establishments outside a PUD. | — | Table 5.d (Industrial M1, M2: Ground - Individual 150 sq ft/25 ft); Section 2.9.c.1; Section 2.9.2.c |
| Projecting Sign | 25 ft | 150 sq ft | — | — | Counts toward general sign limit per Section 2.9.2.d. | Projecting from building face. | — | Table 5.d (Industrial M1, M2: Projecting 150 sq ft/25 ft); Section 2.9.2.b; Section 2.9.3.a |
| Major Directory Sign (Industrial PUD) | 25 ft | 150 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from any street right-of-way or adjoining property line. | Per industrial PUD entrance: one major directory sign. | On-premises for industrial PUDs. | — | Table 5.d (Industrial M1, M2: Ground - Major Directory for PUD 150 sq ft/25 ft); Section 2.9.c.2 |
| Industrial Park Entrance Major Directory Sign | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from any street right-of-way or adjoining property line. | One major directory sign at Industrial Park entrance. | Entrance to Industrial Park. | — | Section 2.9.c.3 |
| Ground Sign (Industrial PUD – Per Establishment) | 25 ft | 75 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from any street right-of-way or adjoining property line. | One ground sign per establishment within an industrial PUD. | On-premises for each establishment within an industrial PUD or multi-tenant building. | — | Section 2.9.c.2 |
| Electronic Message Center / Dynamic Sign (On-Premises Only) | — | Dynamic portion ≤25 sq ft; overall sign size per district limitations. | — | General setbacks apply (5 ft from right-of-way/property line). | — | On-premises only within M-1/M-2; oriented away from residential neighborhoods. | — | Section 2.9.e.1-11; Section 2.9.2.j |

## Prohibited signs in Clinton

- Off-premises signs (including billboards) are prohibited, except for political campaign/free speech signs and temporary special event signs allowed under 2.9.4.a–b.
- Attention-getting devices with motion or moving parts (from mechanical or wind sources), including spinners, pinwheels, reflectors, streamers, fringe, pennants, balloons, and feather banners, are prohibited.
- Signs with flashing, rotating, intermittent, pulsing, or scrolling lights are prohibited; exception for signs that display only time/temperature or public service announcements without advertising, as allowed elsewhere in the code.
- Portable signs (including bench, A-frame, and sidewalk signs) are prohibited, except where expressly permitted in Section 2.9.4.
- Roof signs (mounted on the roof portion of any building or structure) are prohibited.
- Signs on public rights-of-way or public property, including utility poles, are prohibited, except official signs erected by an authorized public entity.
- Signs that interfere with the view of traffic or could be confused with or obstruct any authorized traffic control sign, signal, or device are prohibited.
- Signs not securely affixed to the ground or mounted in a frame or attached to a rigid backing that prevents sagging and wind movement are prohibited.
- Vehicle-mounted signs parked on public or private property solely for the purpose of displaying advertising are prohibited (vehicles used and driven in the normal course of business are excepted).
- Signs placed on private property without the permission of the property owner are prohibited.
- Signs that emit sound are prohibited.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Graffiti (not otherwise defined as Supergraphic) and clutter signage (more signs than necessary) are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Any sign not expressly permitted by this code or other city ordinances is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Clinton

- Political campaign/free speech or expression signs up to a maximum total area of 16 sq ft per parcel; removal within 7 days after the related election/event; no permit required.
- Temporary special event signs and feather banners announcing a noncommercial event: up to 16 sq ft per parcel in residential zones and 48 sq ft per parcel in commercial/industrial zones; may be erected no more than 14 days prior and must be removed within 30 days (and within 5 days after the event); no permit required.
- Directional signs internal to parking areas with no advertising, max 3 sq ft each; no permit required.
- Construction site signs: one per site, max 16 sq ft in residential and 32 sq ft in commercial/industrial; allowed only until project completion and removed before Certificate of Occupancy; no permit required.
- Property address numerals (to identify the address) on the principal building and, if needed, on curb/mailbox/other device; no permit required.
- Real estate signs (sales, rentals, leases, auctions, including subdivision real estate signs) per Table 5.d; no permit required.
- Signs on private property that prohibit trespassing, hunting, or fishing; no permit required.
- Signs or banners temporarily displayed at sporting or recreational functions at city-owned facilities and parks accessible to the public; no permit required.
- Temporary advertising signs or banners (excluding changeable copy signs): total max area 32 sq ft (48 sq ft for businesses over two acres); only on commercially zoned property where the advertised activity/business/product/service is conducted; must not violate 2.9.2.c or 2.9.3.a; no permit required.
- Supergraphics are exempt.
- Items not considered signs (and therefore generally exempt from sign code): festival or holiday decorations; the noncommercial use of flags, emblems, insignia of any nation or political subdivision; traffic, safety, or similar regulatory devices; legal notices; signs/tablets that are primarily memorials; emblems of religious institutions attached to buildings; flags or similar emblems of political, civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizations.
- Temporary signs placed on the interior of a window for viewing from the exterior are not counted as a sign.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Plans are required for any sign that requires a permit: applicants must submit owner and property information, a scaled diagram/elevation with dimensions and estimated cost, a scaled property drawing showing sign location and site features, and sign contractor information (2.9.2.a).
- Office Parks must submit a Common Signage Plan for the entire development, including overall layout with sign and building locations, parking, existing streets, sign sizes, and allocation for multiple tenants; multiple directory signs may be permitted upon approval of the Common Signage Plan (2.9.d.5).
- Site plans are required for new or redevelopment of commercial, multi-family, public, and semi-public uses and must be approved by the planning commission (and CHZC in historic districts) before grading/building permits; site plans must show the location of all existing and proposed structures (including signs) and include plans for circulation, utilities, landscaping/open space, signs, parking, and stormwater (Section 2.10).
- Permits are required for all types of signs unless otherwise provided; it is unlawful to erect, structurally repair (other than normal maintenance), replace, alter, relocate, or change panels/establishment on a sign without first obtaining a permit (2.9.8).
- Appeals/variances: The Board of Zoning Appeals hears appeals and may authorize variances to relieve hardships; variances cannot allow right-of-way encroachment, larger signs, or signs/banners otherwise not permitted (2.9.11).

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

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