# Sign Regulations in Millersville, Tennessee

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Millersville, Tennessee (TN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/tennessee/millersville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TN/Millersville/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_CH90ZO_ARTXIIISIST)

## At a glance

Millersville, Tennessee regulates 26 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Temporary Ground Sign - Noncommercials in the All R (RR, ER, SR-1, SR-2, WR, THR) zoning district are capped at 4 ft. tall and 9 sq. ft., with a At least 12 ft. from edge of pavement, not in right-of-way or blocking motorist visibility setback (Sec. Sec. 90-193(2)(j)2, 90-193(2)(j)3). Most commercial signs in Millersville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All R (RR, ER, SR-1, SR-2, WR, THR) | 13 | 35 ft. (flagpole); flagpoles on buildings not more than 15 ft. above roof | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| MFR | 11 | 35 ft. (flagpole); not to exceed 15 ft. above roof (on building) | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| O | 13 | 35 ft. (flagpole); flagpoles on buildings not more than 15 ft. above roof | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| NC | 13 | 35 ft. (flagpole); flagpoles on buildings not more than 15 ft. above roof | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| GC | 13 | 35 ft. (flagpole); flagpoles on buildings not more than 15 ft. above roof | 60 sq. ft. (or 80 sq. ft. for multi-tenant and 1.5+ acre lot) | — |
| MXC | 13 | 35 ft. (flagpole); flagpoles on buildings not more than 15 ft. above roof | 60 sq. ft. (or 80 sq. ft. for multi-tenant and 1.5+ acre lot) | — |
| HC | 13 | 35 ft. (flagpole); flagpoles on buildings not more than 15 ft. above roof | 60 sq. ft. (or 80 sq. ft. for multi-tenant and 1.5+ acre lot) | — |
| I | 13 | 35 ft. (flagpole); flagpoles on buildings not more than 15 ft. above roof | 60 sq. ft. (or 80 sq. ft. for multi-tenant and 1.5+ acre lot) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 25 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### All R (RR, ER, SR-1, SR-2, WR, THR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Institutional Ground Sign | 4 ft. plus 2 ft. for each 5 ft. of setback beyond minimum, up to max 8 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | Off right-of-way; at least 12 ft. from edge of pavement | — | Same site as place of worship, school, hospital, amenity center, or residential clubhouse, which is a permitted use | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(e) |
| Temporary Ground Sign - Noncommercial | 4 ft. | 9 sq. ft. | — | At least 12 ft. from edge of pavement, not in right-of-way or blocking motorist visibility | 1 per lot (multiple on corner/double frontage for election signs) | On private property | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(j)2, 90-193(2)(j)3 |
| Temporary Ground Sign - Commercial Message | 4 ft. | 9 sq. ft. | — | At least 12 ft. from edge of pavement | 1 per lot | On private property | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(j)2 |
| Temporary Ground Sign - Election | 4 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | At least 12 ft. from edge of pavement | One per candidate or issue (per lot); one on each frontage on corner/double lots. | On private property | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(j)3.A |
| Temporary Ground Sign - Real Estate For Sale/Rent | 4 ft. | 9 sq. ft. | — | At least 12 ft. from edge of pavement | One per frontage on corner/double lots | On property for sale/lease/auction | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(j)3.B |
| Temporary Ground Sign - Subdivision/Development | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | At least 30 ft. from edge of street | One per subdivision or development | Accessory to approved subdivision/site plan | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(j)3.C |
| Building Marker (Residential) | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building | Affixed to or part of the building | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(b) |
| Institutional Wall Sign - Residential | — | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | One per wall | On wall of institution | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(e)2 |

### O

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directory Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | Away from public right-of-way | 1 per principal entrance | Near principal entrance to parking area | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(c)2 |
| Institutional Ground Sign | 8 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | At least 12 ft. from edge of pavement | — | On site of place of worship, education facility, etc. | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(e) |
| Principal Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | 12 ft. from edge of pavement | 1 per 200 ft. frontage, max 2 | Off right-of-way; at least 12 ft. from edge of pavement | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(g), Table 17 |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | At least 12 ft. from edge of pavement | 1 per lot | On private property | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(j)2 |
| Building Marker | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building | Affixed to building | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(b) |
| Directory Building Sign | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per principal entrance | Near main building entrance or as per master plan | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(c)2 |
| Institutional Building Sign | — | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | One per wall | On wall | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(e)2 |
| Wall Sign | — | Varies by formula, up to 2 sq. ft. per linear foot | — | — | 2 | On building wall | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(k) |

### NC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Principal Ground Sign | 5 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | 12 ft. from edge of pavement | 1 per 200 ft. frontage, max 2 | Off right-of-way; at least 12 ft. from edge of pavement | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(g), Table 17 |
| Directory Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | Away from public right-of-way | 1 per principal entrance | Near principal entrance to parking area | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(c)2 |
| Institutional Ground Sign | 8 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | At least 12 ft. from edge of pavement | — | On site of place of worship, education facility, etc. | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(e) |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | At least 12 ft. from edge of pavement | 1 per lot | On private property | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(j)2 |
| Building Marker | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building | Affixed to building | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(b) |
| Directory Building Sign | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per principal entrance | Near main building entrance | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(c)2 |
| Institutional Building Sign | — | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | One per wall | On wall | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(e)2 |
| Wall Sign | — | Varies by formula, up to 2 sq. ft. per linear foot | — | — | 2 | On building wall | — | Sec. 90-193(2)(k) |

## Prohibited signs in Millersville

- All signs not expressly permitted under this article or exempt from regulation hereunder in accordance with previous articles are prohibited.
- Abandoned or obsolete signs, including all frames, supporting structure, posts, and appurtenances, must be removed by the property owner or user.
- Animated (including video signs) are prohibited.
- Beacons are prohibited.
- Blade banners, feather flags, swooper flags, teardrop flags, and similar devices are prohibited.
- Flashing signs, including flashing signs inside the window if visible from the street, are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs including inflated characters, lighter-than-air devices, and other balloon type devices are prohibited.
- Obscene signs are prohibited.
- Other attention-attracting devices, unless they fully conform to all applicable standards for permitted signs, are prohibited.
- Pennants are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs that constitute a traffic hazard (e.g., those that obstruct, confuse with, or distract from authorized traffic signals, controls or emergency lights, or that otherwise create hazards for drivers) 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 specific government or public utility signs, bus stop signs, emergency warning signs, or by franchise/lease agreement.
- Signs on utility poles, fences, and benches are prohibited.
- Streamers are prohibited.
- Strings of lights are prohibited (except high-quality lighting for approved outdoor seating for restaurants).
- Vehicle signs are prohibited.
- Wall murals are prohibited from containing a logo or trademarked symbol (except for official government seals), commercial text, or products displaying or mimicking a specific brand; and are further prohibited if they are applied unlawfully, create a traffic hazard, obscure significant architectural features, compromise function or public safety, conflict with setbacks, exceed height limits, incorporate hate symbols, are obscene/harmful to minors, or are reproductions or mass-produced visual art.

## Signs exempt from permit in Millersville

- Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.
- Traffic control signs such as stop, yield, and similar signs, conforming to Department of Transportation standards and containing no commercial message.
- Any sign not legible from a street (public or private), including drive-in and drive-through menu board signs and signs within buildings, provided that such signs are at least ten feet back from window.
- Works of art (not including wall murals) that do not include or are otherwise associated with a commercial message, brand, service, or product.
- Any sign placed upon City of Millersville owned property at the direction of the City of Millersville, provided it is not placed closer than 12 feet to the edge of pavement or in a location that blocks visibility of motorists.
- Any special event signage directly associated with a city sponsored event (event having a passed resolution from the City Commission), provided such signs are not closer than 12 feet to the edge of pavement or block visibility of motorists.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No permit shall be issued for a principal ground sign or wall sign for a new multi-tenant commercial building unless and until a master signage plan for the zone lot on which the sign will be erected has been submitted and approved by the planning department.
- Directory signs at office buildings, business parks, or multifamily projects must be located as shown on an approved master signage plan.
- Any sign design guide or master signage plan submitted and approved with any planned development or site plan may be accepted as fulfilling the master signage plan requirement if it meets the intent of the article.
- The master signage plan requirement may be waived by the planning department for buildings with three or fewer tenants or if the department determines it will not serve its intended purpose.
- After approval of a master signage plan, no sign shall be erected, placed, painted, or maintained except in accordance with the plan.
- Variances are not permitted; neither the board of zoning appeals nor any other administrative body has authority to vary the express terms of the article (including sign height, setback, number of signs, size, lighting, placement, etc.).

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

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