Sign Regulations in Dickson, Tennessee
Dickson, Tennessee has specific sign regulations covering 15 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Under-Canopy Sign, Wall Sign or 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: January 6, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Dickson, Tennessee
Sample Sign Requirements in Dickson
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Sign | — | 32 square feet | — |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 32 square feet | — |
| Nameplate | — | 2 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
15
- Freestanding Sign
- Under-Canopy Sign
- Wall Sign or Awning Sign
- Construction Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
9
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Dickson
Other Cities in Tennessee
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Dickson 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 Dickson, 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 Dickson, regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Under-Canopy Sign, Wall Sign or Awning Sign, Construction 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 Dickson 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 Dickson are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Dickson has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Dickson, Tennessee Sign Rules at a Glance
Dickson, Tennessee regulates 15 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Directional/Informational Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 3 feet tall and 6 square feet (Sec. Section 5.01 (6)). Most commercial signs in Dickson require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Dickson, Tennessee
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Dickson (9 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 3 feet | 32 square feet | No |
| Residential Zones (A-1, R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3, and R-3A, RPUD) | 3 | 10 feet | 32 square feet | Yes |
| B-1, Office Medical Professional Zones | 3 | 20 feet | 32 square feet | Yes |
| Commercial B-2 District, Downtown Commercial | 4 | 20 feet | 60 square feet | Yes |
| B-3, Highway Commercial | 3 | 40 feet | 200 square feet | Yes |
| B-4, Heavy Commercial | 3 | 40 feet | 200 square feet | Yes |
| M-1, Light Industry | 3 | 40 feet | 200 square feet | Yes |
| M-2, Heavy Industry | 3 | 40 feet | 200 square feet | Yes |
| B-5 Planned Commercial Centers | 3 | 40 feet | 200 square feet | Yes |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Dickson(sample of 3 of 9 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | One per street frontage | Each street frontage of a construction project | No | Unlock | Section 5.01 (2) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | One per street frontage | Per street frontage | No | Unlock | Section 5.01 (3) |
| Nameplate | — | 2 square feet | — | — | One per occupancy | Attached per occupancy | No | Unlock | Section 5.01 (4) |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Private property | No | Unlock | Section 5.01 (5) |
| Directional/Informational Sign | 3 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | Two per entrance | Per entrance | No | Unlock | Section 5.01 (6) |
| Temporary Special Events Sign | — | — | — | — | Two per premises | Per premises | No | Unlock | Section 5.01 (7) |
| Temporary Advertising Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | Two per premises | Per premises | No | Unlock | Section 5.01 (8) |
Residential Zones (A-1, R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3, and R-3A, RPUD)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood/Subdivision Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | One per principal entrance | Principal entrance into a neighborhood, subdivision, or development | Yes | Unlock | Section 5.02 (2) |
| Identification Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | One per complex | Per apartment or condominium complex | Yes | Unlock | Section 5.02 (3) |
| Freestanding Sign - Nonresidential Uses | 10 feet | 16 square feet | — | — | One per nonresidential use | Per nonresidential use | Yes | Unlock | Section 5.02 (4) |
Commercial B-2 District, Downtown Commercial
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet | 60 square feet | — | — | One per premises | Per premises | Yes | Unlock | Section 5.04 (2) |
| Wall Sign or Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | One per occupancy | Per occupancy | Yes | Unlock | Section 5.04 (3) |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 5 square feet | — | — | One per occupancy | Per occupancy | Yes | Unlock | Section 5.04 (5) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 30 square feet | — | — | One per occupancy | Instead of wall or freestanding sign | Yes | Unlock | Section 5.04 (8) |
PermitPal covers all 9 zoning districts in Dickson — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 9 zones for Dickson — start freeProhibited Signs in Dickson
- Abandoned signs
- Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs or signals
- Snipe signs or signs attached to trees, utility poles, street lights, or placed on any public property or any other sign not specifically allowed by this ordinance
- Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said sign for more than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours
- Signs with flashing or chasing lights, search lights or flashing or chasing lights on buildings
- Any sign in a public right-of-way not on a sidewalk and within any sight distance triangle at an intersection with a public street, unless erected and maintained by a governmental entity as a government sign for traffic direction, or otherwise permitted by this Ordinance
- Animated signs
- String-type LED lights placed on existing signs, or on buildings as door and window trim outside of the Holiday season
- Festoons
Exempt Signs in Dickson
- Construction signs of thirty-two (32) square feet or less
- Directional/Information signs of three (3) square feet or less
- Holiday decorations provided they do not contain a commercial message or logo, flags, pennants, or emblems of a philanthropic, fraternal, educational, sports, or religious organization, or memorial plaques or tablets, if erected on private property
- Nameplates of two (2) square feet or less each occupancy
- Political signs not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet
- Public signs or notices, or any sign relating to an emergency
- Auction signs not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet per sign with one (1) sign being permitted to face each road that adjoins the property
- Incidental signs
- Flags: American flag, state flag and/or two company logo flags or specialty flags when attached to a flag pole will be permitted and not counted as part of the sign package. Company logo signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in size
- Temporary signs such as real estate, auction, county fairs, etc., as defined in Section 3, of this ordinance. Signs may not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in size
- A peddler licensed by the City of Dickson shall be allowed no more than two (2) temporary or portable signs not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in size each. Such signs shall be located at the location of the peddler's sales area and only when such peddler is open for business
- Temporary or permanent signs located on the inside of a window of a structure not to exceed fifty (50) percent of the window or door in which they are located
- Gasoline trade signs affixed to the pump or dispensers which shows required legal information, the brand name, and the type of product being dispensed
- Government signs, as defined
Source: other municipal code