# Sign Regulations in Kingsport, Tennessee

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Kingsport, Tennessee (TN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/tennessee/kingsport
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TN/Kingsport/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH82SI)

## At a glance

Kingsport, Tennessee regulates 27 sign types across 18 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Multifamilys in the High Density Apartment District (R-5) zoning district are capped at 12 ft tall and 30 sq ft, with a 20 ft from front property line setback (Sec. Sec. 114-188(f)(1)). Most commercial signs in Kingsport require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (18 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural District (A-1), Residential District (R-1A, R-1B, R-1C), Two-Family Residential District (R-2), Urban Agricultural Estate District (UAE) | 5 | 5 ft above ground | 30 sq ft | — |
| Low Density Apartment District (R-3), Medium Density Apartment District (R-4) | 4 | 12 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| High Density Apartment District (R-5) | 5 | 12 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| Mobile Home Park District (R-1MP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Professional Offices District (P-1) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Tourist Accommodation District (TA, TA/C) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (B-1) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Central Business District (B-2) | 3 | 8 ft | 100 sq ft (max); up to 50 sq ft for buildings <5,000 sq ft | — |
| Central Business Edge District (B-2E) | 3 | 8 ft | 150 sq ft (max); up to 50 sq ft for buildings <5,000 sq ft | — |
| Highway Oriented Business District (B-3), Planned Business District (B-4P), Light Manufacturing District (M-1), Light Manufacturing Restricted District (M-1R), General Manufacturing District (M-2) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Mixed-Use District (MX) | 4 | 50 ft | 300 sq ft per side; 2-side max | — |
| Business Conference Center District (BC) | 4 | 35 ft (min 12 ft) | Primary: 150 sq ft per side (300 sq ft total); Secondary: 100 sq ft per side (200 sq ft total) | — |
| Planned Village District (PVD), Planned Development District (PD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Golf Course Community District (GC) | 4 | 5 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Historic District Overlay (H-1O, H-2O) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Gateway District Overlay (GDO) | 1 | — | 50% of underlying district allowance | — |
| Conservation District Overlay (CDO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 18 zones)

### High Density Apartment District (R-5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name/Address Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On property | — | Sec. 114-188(f)(1) |
| Residential Development Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per major entrance | At each major entrance | — | Sec. 114-188(f)(1) |
| Identification Sign (Other Permitted Uses) | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per permitted use | For permitted uses not otherwise covered | — | Sec. 114-188(f)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign - Multifamily | 12 ft | 30 sq ft | — | 20 ft from front property line | 1 per multifamily dwelling | Set back at least 20 ft from front property line | — | Sec. 114-188(f)(1) |
| Business Identification Sign (Nonresidential in R-5) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business establishment | Mounted on face of building | — | Sec. 114-188(f)(2) |

### Business Conference Center District (BC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Complex Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | Primary: 150 sq ft per side (300 sq ft total); Secondary: 100 sq ft per side (200 sq ft total) | — | ≥10 ft from public street/easement | One per parcel on interstate | Along interstate right-of-way | — | Sec. 114-385(9)(b) |
| Business Identification Monument Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side (64 sq ft total) | — | ≥10 ft from public street | 1 per business | Within setbacks, on same parcel as business | — | Sec. 114-385(9)(c) |
| Wall-Mounted Sign | — | Variable; up to 40 sq ft for small buildings | — | — | — | On building | — | Sec. 114-385(9)(d) |
| Freestanding Electronic Message Board | 35 ft (min 12 ft) | 150 sq ft per side (300 sq ft total) | — | — | 1 per complex sign | Along interstate, as part of complex freestanding sign | — | Sec. 114-385(9)(e) |

### Golf Course Community District (GC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential) | 5 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | ≥15 ft from street/easement | 1 per ingress/egress | Main ingress/egress only | — | Sec. 114-201(h)(1) |
| Residential Home Occupation Sign | — | 3 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per home occupation | On property | — | Sec. 114-201(h)(2)a |
| Residential Temporary Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On residential lot | — | Sec. 114-201(h)(2)b |
| Subdivision Identification Sign (Residential) | 5 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | ≥20 ft from property line unless otherwise approved | 1 per major access | At each major street access; minimum 20 ft setback from property line unless in grassed median with PW Director's approval | — | Sec. 114-201(h)(2)c |

## Prohibited signs in Kingsport

- No sign or signage system shall be permitted unless it conforms to the requirements of the applicable zoning district and, where applicable, overlay district regulations.
- Within the Gateway District Overlay, permanent signs will be reduced by 50 percent of the square footage allowed in the underlying zoning district, and are limited to one freestanding sign and two wall mounted signs.
- Prohibited signs in the Gateway District Overlay include: A-frame signs; roof-mounted signs or portico-mounted signs; bench signs; off-premises signage; captive balloon signs; inflatable signs; portable signs and portable signs converted to permanent locations; lollipop signs; paper, cloth, plastic streamers and canvas; painted signs on primary walls; pendants; traffic sign replicas; high-rise signs; permanent come-on signs (sale today, stop, look, etc.); and strings with continuous flags.
- The use of any portion of a communication tower for signs or advertising purposes, including banners, streamers, etc., is prohibited. Warning signs or identification signs will be permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Kingsport

- In the A-1 district, one name and address identification sign not to exceed two square feet for a property owner or occupant is permitted and no permit is required.
- Sites in the Gateway District Overlay may be exempted from the landscaped area requirement for communication facilities if the zoning administrator finds that the vegetation or topography of the site provides a natural buffer.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Tourist accommodation districts (TA/C) require submittal of a zoning development plan for planning commission approval. The planning commission may add other dimensional requirements or restrictions related to signs.
- No building permit for a B-3 district shall be issued by the zoning administrator until a final zoning development plan, including sign information, has been approved by the city planning department.
- No building permit for a B-4P planned business district use shall be issued until a preliminary zoning development plan for the entire district, and a final zoning development plan, have been approved. These must conform to all applicable provisions, including those relating to signs.
- The planning commission must grant approval of a master plan before establishment of the mixed-use district (MX); the plan must include signage and conceptual layout of land uses.
- Within the Gateway District Overlay, all signage systems must be reviewed as part of the certificate of appropriateness process. Applications for permits for signage in the Gateway District must be reviewed and approved by the Gateway Review Commission.
- In the Business Conference Center District (BC), all signs within the district shall be reviewed by the planning commission as part of the site plan approval process.
- For the GC Golf Course Community District, signs other than residential signs or signs as allowed in section 114-528, within the district shall be reviewed by the planning commission as part of the site plan approval process.
- In the Conservation District Overlay (CO), design standards and guidelines for new construction, rehabilitation, additions or alterations of existing buildings or structures, including signage and public art, are part of the area land use plan review process.
- For the Planned Village District (PVD), signage is not expressly regulated at the ordinance level; signage would be required to conform to the master plan and planning commission approval.

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

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