# Sign Regulations in Hendersonville, Tennessee

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hendersonville, Tennessee (TN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/tennessee/hendersonville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-12
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.hvilletn.org/DocumentCenter/View/439/2024-Zoning-Ordinance-2023-26-PDF?bidId=#page=254)

## At a glance

Hendersonville, Tennessee regulates 24 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Temporary Ground Sign (Residential Non-Commercial)s in the Rural Residential (RR), Estate Residential (ER), Suburban Residential, Low Density (SR-1), Suburban Residential, Medium Density (SR-2), Suburban Residential, Preservation District (SR-3), Townhouse Residential (THR), Waterfront Residential (WR) zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 9 sq ft, with a Not within 12 ft of pavement edge setback (Sec. 13.3.2.11.B, Table 16). Most commercial signs in Hendersonville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rural Residential (RR), Estate Residential (ER), Suburban Residential, Low Density (SR-1), Suburban Residential, Medium Density (SR-2), Suburban Residential, Preservation District (SR-3), Townhouse Residential (THR), Waterfront Residential (WR) | 10 | 35 ft per flagpole (pole), 15 ft above highest roof point for flags on building | 40 sq ft | — |
| Multi-Family Residential (MFR) | 10 | 35 ft per flagpole (pole), 15 ft above highest roof point for flags on building | 32 sq ft | — |
| Dockside Neighborhood (DN) | 6 | 35 ft per flagpole (pole), 15 ft above highest roof point for flags on building | 40 sq ft | — |
| Mixed Residential (MXR) | 3 | 35 ft per flagpole (pole), 15 ft above highest roof point for flags on building | 9 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Office (O), Mixed Commercial (MXC), General Commercial (GC), Heavy Commercial (HC), Industrial (I) | 15 | 35 ft per flagpole (pole), 15 ft above highest roof point for flags on building | 60 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Rural Residential (RR), Estate Residential (ER), Suburban Residential, Low Density (SR-1), Suburban Residential, Medium Density (SR-2), Suburban Residential, Preservation District (SR-3), Townhouse Residential (THR), Waterfront Residential (WR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Marker Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Affixed to building | — | 13.3.2.2, Table 16 |
| Flag | 35 ft per flagpole (pole), 15 ft above highest roof point for flags on building | — | — | — | Up to 6 flags per principal building | On principal building/zone lot | — | 13.3.2.6, Table 16 |
| Institutional Ground Sign (Residential) | 4 ft + 2 ft/each additional 5ft setback beyond minimum (max 8 ft) | 40 sq ft | — | Off right-of-way; min 12 ft from pavement | — | Place of Worship, Educational Facility, hospital etc. on same site | — | 13.3.2.5.A, Table 16, Table 17 |
| Institutional Wall Sign (Residential) | — | 40 sq ft per wall | — | — | 1 per wall | Place of Worship, Educational Facility, hospital etc. on same site | — | 13.3.2.5.B, Table 16 |
| Temporary Ground Sign (Residential Non-Commercial) | 4 ft | 9 sq ft | — | Not within 12 ft of pavement edge | 1 per lot | On private property | — | 13.3.2.11.B, Table 16 |
| Temporary Election Ground Sign (Residential) | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Not within 12 ft of pavement edge | — | On private property with owner permission | — | 13.3.2.11.C.1, Table 16 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential) | 4 ft | 9 sq ft | — | Not within 12 ft of pavement edge | 1 (or 2 if corner/double frontage) | On private property for sale/lease | — | 13.3.2.11.C.2, Table 16 |
| Temporary Real Estate Development Sign (Residential) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Min 30 ft from edge of street | 1 per subdivision or development | New subdivision or residential development | — | 13.3.2.11.C.3, Table 16 |

### Multi-Family Residential (MFR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Marker Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Affixed to building | — | 13.3.2.2, Table 16 |
| Flag | 35 ft per flagpole (pole), 15 ft above highest roof point for flags on building | — | — | — | Up to 6 flags per principal building | On principal building/zone lot | — | 13.3.2.6, Table 16 |
| Directory Sign (Ground) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parking entrance | Near parking entrance; away from public right-of-way | — | 13.3.2.3, Table 16 |
| Principal Ground Sign | 5 ft | 30 sq ft | — | Off right-of-way; at least 12 ft from pavement; see separation rules | Up to 2 (with frontage/spacing requirements) | On-site | — | 13.3.2.7, Table 16, Table 17 |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 4 ft | 9 sq ft | — | Not within 12 ft of pavement edge | 1 per lot | On private property | — | 13.3.2.11.B, Table 16 |
| Temporary Election Ground Sign (Residential) | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Not within 12 ft of pavement edge | — | On private property with owner permission | — | 13.3.2.11.C.1, Table 16 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential) | 4 ft | 9 sq ft | — | Not within 12 ft of pavement edge | 1 (or 2 if corner/double frontage) | On private property for sale/lease | — | 13.3.2.11.C.2, Table 16 |
| Temporary Real Estate Development Sign (Residential) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Min 30 ft from edge of street | 1 per subdivision or development | New subdivision or residential development | — | 13.3.2.11.C.3, Table 16 |

### Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Office (O), Mixed Commercial (MXC), General Commercial (GC), Heavy Commercial (HC), Industrial (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Marker Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Affixed to building | — | 13.3.2.2, Table 16 |
| Flag | 35 ft per flagpole (pole), 15 ft above highest roof point for flags on building | — | — | — | Up to 6 flags per principal building | On principal building/zone lot | — | 13.3.2.6, Table 16 |
| Principal Ground Sign (Single Tenant) | 8 ft | 60 sq ft | — | Off right-of-way; min 12 ft from pavement | Up to 2 (with frontage/spacing requirements) | On-site | — | 13.3.2.7, Table 17, Table 18 |
| Directory Sign (Ground) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parking entrance | Near parking entrance; away from public right-of-way | — | 13.3.2.3, Table 16 |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Not within 12 ft of pavement edge | 1 per lot | On private property | — | 13.3.2.11.B, Table 16 |
| Temporary Banner (Wall) | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | On wall of principal building only, securely attached | — | 13.3.2.11.A, Table 16 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — | Not within 12 ft of pavement edge | 1 (or 2 if corner/double frontage) | On private property for sale/lease | — | 13.3.2.11.C.2, Table 16 |
| Temporary Real Estate Development Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Min 30 ft from edge of street | 1 per development | New development | — | 13.3.2.11.C.3, Table 16 |

## Prohibited signs in Hendersonville

- All signs not expressly permitted under this Chapter or exempt from regulation hereunder in accordance with the previous Chapter are prohibited.
- Abandoned or obsolete signs must be removed; tarps, banners, or similar temporary measures may not cover an obsolete business name or text.
- Animated signs (including video signs) are prohibited.
- Beacons are prohibited.
- Blade banners, feather flags, swooper flags, teardrop flags, and similar devices are prohibited.
- Flashing signs, including those visible from the street even if inside a window, are prohibited (except barber poles as specified).
- Inflatable signs, including inflated characters, lighter-than-air devices, and balloon-type devices, are prohibited.
- Obscene signs are prohibited.
- Other attention-attracting devices, unless conforming to all applicable standards for a sign in the same location, are prohibited.
- Pennants are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs constituting a traffic hazard, such as those obstructing view or causing confusion with traffic signals, notices, or emergency vehicles, or creating distractions, are prohibited.
- Signs on natural features such as trees, vegetation, and rocks are prohibited.
- Signs in the public right-of-way are prohibited except for enumerated public, utility, emergency, and informational signs, and signs appurtenant to a permitted use of public property.
- Signs on utility poles, fences, and benches are prohibited.
- Streamers are prohibited.
- Strings of lights are prohibited, except for high-quality lighting for approved restaurant outdoor seating.
- Vehicle signs are prohibited.
- Wall murals: All criteria not expressly permitted by Chapter 13.10.1 are prohibited, including application to unlawfully established surfaces, creation of traffic hazard, obscuring architectural features or having adverse property effects, compromising safety or building function, installation in nonconforming locations or heights, containing logos/trademarks (except official government seals), including commercial text/products mimicking/symbolizing a specific brand, incorporating recognized signs of hatred/discrimination, being obscene/harmful to minors, or being reproduction/mass-produced art.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hendersonville

- Any public notice or warning required by federal, State, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.
- Traffic control signs that meet Department of Transportation standards and contain no commercial message.
- Any sign not legible from a street (public or private), including drive-in/drive-through menu boards and signs set at least 10 feet back from windows.
- Works of art (not including wall murals), provided they do not contain or relate to a commercial message, brand, service, or product.
- Any sign placed upon City property at the direction of the City, not placed closer than 12 feet from edge of pavement or in a location that blocks motorists’ visibility.
- Special event signage for City-sponsored events (with Board of Mayor and Aldermen resolution); not placed closer than 12 feet from edge of pavement or in a location that blocks motorists’ visibility.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Signage Plan is required before issuing permits for a principal ground sign or wall sign for a new multi-tenant commercial building.
- The Master Signage Plan must show all permanent signs (except incidental signs), the maximum area/height/number allowed, locations, detailed drawings/renderings, and be signed by property owners or their agents.
- An approved sign design guide and/or Master Sign Plan from a Planned Development or Site Plan for the proposed development may satisfy the requirement if deemed sufficient by the Planning Department.
- The Master Signage Plan requirement can be waived by the Planning Department for buildings with three or fewer tenants, or if deemed unnecessary.
- A Master Signage Plan may be amended by filing a new plan that conforms to all requirements.
- After approval, all signs must comply with the Master Signage Plan. Conflicts between a Master Signage Plan and City ordinances are resolved in favor of the ordinances.
- For major regional retail developments seeking artistic signature signage in a Planned Development, a Master Sign Plan submission is required.
- Design review for permanent signs (including replacements for which a permit is required) is required to confirm conformance with design standards prior to permit issuance.

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

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