Sign Regulations in Millington, Tennessee
Millington, Tennessee has specific sign regulations covering 36 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Ground Sign, Real Estate Sign, Wall Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: August 6, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Millington, Tennessee
Sample Sign Requirements in Millington
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq. ft. (unless exceptions apply per setback or occupancy type) | — |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Entrances) | — | Not to exceed 30 sq. ft. over the original business's max & total allowed as explained. | — |
| Wall Sign (Secondary/Third Floor w/ Ground Entrance) | — | 4 sq. ft. | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for MillingtonFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
36
- Ground Sign
- Real Estate Sign
- Wall Sign
- Wall Sign (Multiple Entrances)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
8
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Millington
Other Cities in Tennessee
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Millington 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 Millington, 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 Millington, regulated sign types include Ground Sign, Real Estate Sign, Wall Sign, Wall Sign (Multiple Entrances), 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 Millington 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 Millington are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Millington has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Millington, Tennessee Sign Rules at a Glance
Millington, Tennessee regulates 36 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Project Signs in the B-1, B-2, O, M-1, M-2, M-3, PC, MUPD zoning district are capped at Up to 20 ft. tall, For project: Max 120 sq. ft. for all tenant signs., and 10 ft. wide, with a Min 15 ft. from ROW. setback (Sec. § 14-2405(1)(e)). Most commercial signs in Millington require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Millington, Tennessee
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Millington (8 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-1, B-2, O, M-1, M-2, M-3, PC, MUPD | 20 | 25 ft. | Max 300 sq. ft. for all signs | — |
| Old Town District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Special Sign Corridor - U. S. Highway 51 | 1 | 20 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Special Sign Corridor - Navy Road | 1 | 8 ft. (structure incl. base), sign face max 6 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| Special Sign Corridor - Babe Howard Avenue | 1 | — | 30 sq. ft. (generally, per 14-2410(4)(a)); event banners for stadium events as per 14-2410(4)(g) | — |
| AG residential district | 2 | 12 ft. | 50 sq. ft. per face; 150 sq. ft. total for property | — |
| All residential zoning districts | 8 | 6 ft. | 100 sq. ft. for churches; 48 sq. ft. for civic/club organizations | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Millington(sample of 3 of 8 zones)
B-1, B-2, O, M-1, M-2, M-3, PC, MUPD
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign | 6 ft. (structure incl. base), sign face max 4 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. from pavement/curb or outside ROW. | See business sign rules (typically 1 per street frontage, subject to allocation). | At least 15 ft. from pavement edge or outside right-of-way, whichever is further. | — | Unlock | § 14-2405(1)(ix)(B) |
| Ground Sign (M-1/M-2/M-3) | 10 ft. (structure incl. base), sign face max 8 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. | — | At least 15 ft. from pavement edge or outside right-of-way, whichever further. | — | Unlock | § 14-2405(1)(ix)(C) |
| Pylon Sign (Service Station - Highway 51 Special Sign Corridor) | 20 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. | 1 per building | At least 15 ft. from pavement edge or outside right-of-way, whichever is further. | — | Unlock | § 14-2405(1)(ix), 14-2405(1)(g)(ii)(table) |
| Ground Sign (Service Station - Navy Road Special Sign Corridor) | 8 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. | 1 per building | At least 15 ft. from pavement edge or outside right-of-way, whichever is further. | — | Unlock | § 14-2405(1)(ix), 14-2405(1)(g)(ii)(table) |
| Pump Sign (Service Station) | 3 ft. above ground | 1 sq. ft. per pump | — | — | Per pump | On gasoline pump sides | — | Unlock | § 14-2405(1)(g)(iv)(B) |
| Directory Sign (Exterior) | 6 ft. | 12 sq. ft. per face / 24 sq. ft. total for signs within 75 ft. of ROW; 25 sq. ft. per face / 50 sq. ft. total for signs >75 ft. from ROW | — | Behind main building line or ≥75 ft. from ROW | 1 per main entrance | Behind main building line or min 75 ft. from any public ROW | — | Unlock | § 14-2405(1)(d)(ii)-(iv) |
| Project Sign | Up to 20 ft. | For project: Max 120 sq. ft. for all tenant signs. | 10 ft. | Min 15 ft. from ROW. | 1 per qualifying project | Set back min 15 ft. from street ROW. | — | Unlock | § 14-2405(1)(e) |
| Real Estate Sign | 5 ft. (if ground sign) | 20 sq. ft. | — | Min 15 ft. from curb or edge of pavement | 1 per property | On property for sale; ground or wall | — | Unlock | § 14-2405(1)(f) |
All residential zoning districts
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-premise Sign (Church/School/Club/Non-profit) | 6 ft. | 100 sq. ft. for churches; 48 sq. ft. for civic/club organizations | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Facing each street the property fronts | — | Unlock | § 14-2406(1)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Church) | 6 ft. | Part of 100 sq. ft. maximum | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Facing each street the church fronts | — | Unlock | § 14-2406(1)(a)(ii) |
| Directional Sign (Off-premise, Church/School/Club/Non-profit) | 6 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | Max 2 per entity | Off-premises, indicating direction and name only | — | Unlock | § 14-2406(1)(a)(iii) |
| Construction Sign (Single Family/Duplex) | 4 ft. | 9 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | 1 per site | At least 10 ft behind curb or edge of pavement | — | Unlock | § 14-2406(1)(b)(ii) |
| Construction/Development Off-premises Sign | 6 ft. (for single 32 sq. ft. sign) | 16 sq. ft. (if two signs), 32 sq. ft. (if one sign) | — | — | Max two (if both used); one permitted at larger size. | Off-premises, giving only name/directions. | — | Unlock | § 14-2406(1)(b)(iii) |
| Project Identification Sign (Multi-family/Mobile Home Park) | 6 ft. | 36 sq. ft. | — | See above. | 1 per entrance | At entrance. If <40 ft. bldg set back: within 10 ft. of bldg; if >40 ft. set back: at least 30 ft. from ROW. | — | Unlock | § 14-2406(1)(d) |
| Real Estate Sign | 3 ft. | 6 sq. ft. per face (max 2 faces) | 2 ft. x 3 ft. | 5 ft. | 1 per lot | At least 5 ft. from curb or pavement edge | — | Unlock | § 14-2406(1)(e) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | 3 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | 20 ft. | 1 per entrance | At intersection of subdivision and arterial/collector; at least 20 ft. from pavement/curb. | — | Unlock | § 14-2406(1)(f) |
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 (During construction-commercial/industrial) | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. | 1 per premise | At least 15 ft. from curb/pavement edge on premises where construction is occurring | — | Unlock | § 14-2405(1)(c)(ii) |
| Temporary Banner/Sign (Opening/New Product/Service - Commercial) | 6 ft. (ground sign) | 30 sq. ft. (stand-alone); 15 sq. ft. (strip centers) | 3 ft. x 10 ft. (stand-alone); 3 ft. x 5 ft. (strip) | 15 ft. from ROW for banners, 30 ft. for ground signs | 1 per street frontage | On-site (not off-site); at least 15 ft. behind established ROW (banners) | — | Unlock | § 14-2410(3)(a)-(b), (4)(a)-(e) |
| Temporary Banner/Sign (Opening/New Product/Service - Residential/AG) | — | As regulated by the applicable residential/AG sign requirements. | — | — | Per event, see respective residential/AG provisions. | As permitted in zone (see Residential/AG rules). | — | Unlock | § 14-2410(3)(a)-(b), (4)(a)-(e) |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | Combined permanent and temporary window signs not to exceed 25% of total window openings or 50% of any individual window. | — | — | — | Window of business | — | Unlock | § 14-2410(7) |
PermitPal covers all 8 zoning districts in Millington — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 8 zones for Millington — start freeProhibited Signs in Millington
- Animated signs, except for signs showing only the name of the sponsor of the sign, time and temperature, or signs operated by a governmental entity.
- Flashing signs.
- Strips or strings of lights outlining property lines, sales areas, rooflines, doors, window, wall edges or other architectural features of a building except as permitted in § 14-2407(15) (holiday lighting between Halloween and New Year's Day).
- Signs on public property or rights-of-way, other than those erected at the direction or with the permission of a public authority having jurisdiction of such property.
- Signs which are not securely affixed to the ground, or otherwise affixed in a permanent manner to an approved supporting structure, including but not limited to portable signs and awning signs; provided however, that temporary signs specifically allowed under this chapter shall be exempt from this prohibition.
- Signs being carried, worn or otherwise displayed by pedestrians representing a business; except non-profit/civic events on private property and brand-specific costumes not carrying signs.
- Signs with moving parts or flashing or blinking lights.
- Video signs.
- Balloon or streamers.
- Signs, except as expressly allowed, on public property except for bench signs, traffic control or life safety signs.
- Signs visible from a public right-of-way that use the word 'stop' or 'danger' or otherwise imply traffic control or caution.
- Signs that may be confused with traffic signals.
- Signs containing reflective materials.
- Signs that exhibit more than two faces; double face signs not allowed if the distance between the backs of faces exceeds 12 inches.
- Billboard signs.
- Signs that contain words or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral character which could offend public morals or decency.
- Beacon lights.
- Structurally unsound signs or signs rendered sound by guy wires or unapproved bracing.
- Signs obstructing ingress or egress through required doors, windows, fire escapes, or other exit ways.
- Signs (interior or exterior) on or in vehicles or trailers, visible from public places, for display/advertising purposes, except as allowed for normal business identification; also exception for personal vehicle 'for sale' signs if not a business.
- Pole and post signs (general prohibition).
- Signs installed, erected, enlarged or structurally altered in violation of the provisions of this chapter.
- Roof signs.
- Changeable copy signs (manual and automatic), except as defined in § 14-2403.
- All signs not expressly permitted by, or are made illegal by, this chapter or any other city ordinance.
- Canopies with backlighting.
- Signs or advertising structures advertising a product or business not directly related to the commercial location, except as expressly permitted elsewhere in the chapter.
- Portable signs held by or attached to clothing or costumes.
- Non-sign displays such as figurines, symbols or logos identified with products sold or used to gain public attention, including inflatables.
- Use of portable and/or flashing signs is declared a public nuisance and is therefore prohibited.
Exempt Signs in Millington
- Official public notices and notices posted by public officers in the course of their duties.
- Governmental signs for the control or direction of traffic and other regulatory purposes.
- Flags or emblems of the United States, the State of Tennessee, Shelby County, the City of Millington, or U.S. military organizations located within the city.
- Temporary on-site signs (maximum 30 days, no more than 6 sq. ft. total area per lot) for campaigns, drives or events of non-profit civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations, public or private schools located within the city.
- Permanent memorial plaques, cornerstones, historical tables etc. installed by the United States, the State of Tennessee, Shelby County, the City of Millington, U.S. military organizations, or 501(c)(3) tax exempt organizations.
- Signs not visible from off the lot upon which they are situated.
- Signs posted in conjunction with door bells or mailboxes, none exceeding 36 square inches in area.
- Small, non-illuminated instructional signs, not exceeding 1.5 sq. ft., with messages such as 'entrance', 'exit', 'watch your step', etc.
- Address signs (maximum one per street frontage per principal use, not exceeding 72 square inches in area, showing only the numerical address).
- Decals, numerals, names, addresses, hours, credit information, etc., attached to doors or windows, occupying a total area of 1 sq. ft. or less.
- Yard sale signs displayed no more than 5 days, removed within 1 day of the sale's end.
- Political signs, provided they comply with setback, size, and display time restrictions, and subject to location/placement limitations.
- Works of art with no commercial message.
- Signs painted on or affixed to bodies of vehicles/trailers and not prohibited by § 14-2409.
- Holiday lighting, including light strips or strings on architectural features, displayed between Halloween and New Year's Day.
- Under canopy signs on buildings with 3 or more businesses (containing only the business name, above 8 ft. from sidewalk, max 5 sq. ft., matching building sign color, perpendicular to frontage).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Millington
- All signs (except those expressly exempted) require a sign permit, and if applicable, an electrical permit.
- In non-residential and residential districts, review and approval of signs as part of a proposed development by the planning commission is required, including when a new sign is installed or an existing sign is changed (see § 14-2405(3) and § 14-2406(3)).
- In all relevant districts, the planning commission/appropriate body must review landscape plans for ground, pylon and other signs not located in/on buildings.
- All project signs (for developments with five or more businesses/tenants) require planning commission approval prior to issuance of a sign permit; signs are also subject to all general requirements.
- Sign changes involving only replacement of sign faces (not structural changes) may be approved administratively (director of economic development and planning).
- Old Town District: All signs (except exempt signs) require review and approval (certificate of appropriateness) from the Old Town District Commission/Design Review Committee or, for certain relocations, director administrative approval.
- Variances for signs (e.g., larger sign area, unique conditions) must be sought before the board of zoning appeals. Findings and hardship must be shown.
- Site plan review process referenced for approval of exceptions such as elevation by berms/landscaping.
- Applications/permits require submittal of location, design, colors, materials, finishes, etc., as well as any other information needed to determine compliance with regulations.
Source: other municipal code