# Sign Regulations in Millington, Tennessee

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Millington, Tennessee (TN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/tennessee/millington
- **Data last verified:** 2025-08-06
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/system/files/codes/Millington-t14.pdf#page=232)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 | 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. | — | § 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. | — | § 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. | — | § 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. | — | § 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 | — | § 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 | — | § 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. | — | § 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 | — | § 14-2405(1)(f) |

### All residential zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | 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 | — | § 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 | — | § 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 | — | § 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 | — | § 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. | — | § 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. | — | § 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 | — | § 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. | — | § 14-2406(1)(f) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | 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 | — | § 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) | — | § 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). | — | § 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 | — | § 14-2410(7) |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

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

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