Sign Regulations in Morristown, Tennessee
Morristown, Tennessee has specific sign regulations covering 48 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Temporary Freestanding Sign, Wall Sign, Freestanding Gasoline Trade 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 13, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Morristown, Tennessee
Sample Sign Requirements in Morristown
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Street/Road Name Sign | — | 2 sq ft per face | — |
| Incidental Sign | — | 2 sq ft per face | — |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | 25% of window or glass door area | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for MorristownFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
48
- Temporary Freestanding Sign
- Wall Sign
- Freestanding Gasoline Trade Sign
- Menu Board (Drive-through Restaurant)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Morristown
Other Cities in Tennessee
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Morristown 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 Morristown, 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 Morristown, regulated sign types include Temporary Freestanding Sign, Wall Sign, Freestanding Gasoline Trade Sign, Menu Board (Drive-through Restaurant), 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 Morristown 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 Morristown are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Morristown has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Morristown, Tennessee Sign Rules at a Glance
Morristown, Tennessee regulates 48 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Signs in the Central Business District (CB) zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall, Max 6 sq ft per sign face (max 2 faces), and 30 in wide, with a Min 5 ft from building front setback (Sec. 14-2906(d)(10)). Most commercial signs in Morristown require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Morristown, Tennessee
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Morristown (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | Flagpole: 30 ft | 60 sq ft per face | — |
| Residential District (R-1, RP-1, RD-1, R-2, R-3, MHP) | 8 | 6 ft | 80 sq ft per entrance (max, not more than 2 faces, no single face >40 sq ft) | — |
| Office, Medical Professional-Restricted (OMP-R), Office Medical and Professional (OMP), Local Business (LB), Mixed Use District (MUD) | 8 | 6 ft | 400 sq ft per frontage (max 3 signs) | — |
| Central Business District (CB) | 12 | 6 ft | 400 sq ft per frontage (max 3 signs) | — |
| Intermediate Business District (IB), Planned Commercial District (PCD), Light Industrial (LI), Airport Light Industrial (ALI), Heavy Industrial District (HID) | 10 | Flagpole: 30 ft | Shopping center sign: 300 sq ft per face; Parcel monument sign: 48 sq ft per face. | — |
| Tourist Accommodation (TA) District | 7 | 125 ft | 400 sq ft per sign face (max 2 faces), EMC max 50% of sign face | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Morristown(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Street/Road Name Sign | — | 2 sq ft per face | — | — | — | At an intersection. | — | Unlock | 14-2906(a)(3) |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | 25% of window or glass door area | — | — | — | On window or glass door | — | Unlock | 14-2906(a)(5) |
| Permanent Window Sign | — | 10% of window or glass door area | — | — | — | On window or glass door | — | Unlock | 14-2906(a)(6) |
| Historic Property Sign | 6 ft | 3 sq ft per face | — | — | — | Not permitted in public right-of-ways | — | Unlock | 14-2906(a)(7) |
| Non-commercial/government/civic flag | Flagpole: 30 ft | 60 sq ft per face | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | 14-2906(a)(8) |
| Decorative Flag | Flagpole: 30 ft | — | — | — | 1 per lot | One decorative flag per lot. | — | Unlock | 14-2906(a)(9) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | As Temporary Sign limit | — | — | — | Private property | — | Unlock | 14-2906(a)(13) |
| Athletic Field Sign (Temporary) | — | 60 sq ft each | — | — | — | Mounted to interior athletic field fence | — | Unlock | 14-2906(a)(14) |
Central Business District (CB)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Freestanding Monument/Ground Sign | 6 ft | 40 sq ft per face (max 2 faces) | — | — | 1 | — | — | Unlock | 14-2906(d)(3) |
| Permanent Freestanding Monument/Ground Sign (EMC - Parcels >3 acres) | 6 ft | 40 sq ft per face (max 2 faces), EMC max 20 sq ft of area | — | — | 1 | — | — | Unlock | 14-2906(d)(3) |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft (max 2 faces) | — | — | 2 per lot | — | — | Unlock | 14-2906(d)(5) |
| Wall Sign | — | 40 sq ft per sign (max 3 per frontage) | — | — | 3 per frontage | Mounted in a flat fashion; per road frontage | — | Unlock | 14-2906(d)(6) |
| Wall Sign (Parcels >3 acres) | — | 400 sq ft per frontage (max 3 signs) | — | — | 3 per public street frontage | Mounted in a flat fashion; per public street frontage | — | Unlock | 14-2906(d)(6) |
| Menu Board (Drive-through Restaurant) | 6 ft | 6 ft height and 30 sq ft total size (max 2 boards) | — | — | Max 2 (drive-through); 1 per bay (curb-side) | Contained within buildable area on approved site plan | — | Unlock | 14-2906(d)(8) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 ft | Max 6 sq ft per sign face (max 2 faces) | 30 in | Min 5 ft from building front | 1 per front facade | Per front facade, minimum 5 ft from building to allow ADA passage | — | Unlock | 14-2906(d)(10) |
| Secondary Access Sign (Parcels >3 acres) | 6 ft | Max 40 sq ft | — | Within 25 ft of entrance, min 50 ft from intersection | 1 per >3 acre parcel | Within 25 ft of driveway entrance, at least 50 ft from intersection | — | Unlock | 14-2906(d)(12) |
Intermediate Business District (IB), Planned Commercial District (PCD), Light Industrial (LI), Airport Light Industrial (ALI), Heavy Industrial District (HID)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Development Complex Sign (Primary Entrances) | 6 ft | 40 sq ft per face (max 2 faces) | — | Within 25 ft of driveway, min 50 ft from intersection | Max 3 per complex | Within 25 ft of driveway access, at least 50 ft from intersection | — | Unlock | 14-2906(e)(4)(a) |
| Freestanding Pole Sign (Non-shopping centers) | 25 ft | Max 200 sq ft per face (max 2 faces) | — | — | 1 per use | — | — | Unlock | 14-2906(e)(4)(b)1 |
| Freestanding Monument/Ground Sign | 6 ft | 48 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per use | — | — | Unlock | 14-2906(e)(4)(b)2, 14-2906(e)(5) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign Arrangement - Option 1 (Freestanding sign up to 300 sq ft + 1 monument sign per parcel) | Shopping center sign: 25 ft; Parcel monument sign: 6 ft. | Shopping center sign: 300 sq ft per face; Parcel monument sign: 48 sq ft per face. | — | — | 1 shopping center sign + 1 monument sign per parcel | Shopping center sign on property/common open space; parcel monument sign on parcel. | — | Unlock | 14-2906(e)(4)(c)1 |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign Arrangement - Option 2 (Monument signs at each entrance + 1 monument sign per parcel) | 6 ft | 48 sq ft/face (monument signs) | — | Monument signs within 25 ft of entrance, at least 50 ft from intersection | One per entrance + one per parcel | Monument sign at entrance and on each parcel. | — | Unlock | 14-2906(e)(4)(c)2 |
| Secondary Access Sign | 6 ft | 48 sq ft per face | — | Within 25 ft of entrance, min 50 ft from intersection | — | Within 25 ft of driveway entrance, 50 ft from intersection; may be in joint access easement if approved | — | Unlock | 14-2906(e)(6) |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign | 6 ft (except feather flag signs: 10 ft) | 32 sq ft per sign (max 2 faces except feather flag signs, which max 10 ft height) | — | — | 5 per lot | — | — | Unlock | 14-2906(e)(7) |
| Directory Sign | 6 ft | 48 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property, for orientation in planned residential, development complex, shopping center, mixed use development or medical park. | — | Unlock | 14-2906(e)(10) |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Morristown — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Morristown — start freeProhibited Signs in Morristown
- Abandoned or dilapidated signs.
- Projecting signs extending more than 12 inches from the surface of the structure, including the roof line, or extending beyond the property line, unless specifically permitted by provisions herein.
- Roof signs.
- Portable signs.
- Any internally illuminated sign, unless allowed within a commercial district.
- Any commercial sign located in a residential district not otherwise provided for in this article.
- Any sign that obstructs free ingress or egress through a required door, window, fire escape or other required exit way.
- Any sign which, by reason of its location, position, size, shape or color, may obstruct, impair or otherwise interfere with the view of, or be confused with, any traffic control sign or signal erected by a public authority; including use of words such as 'slow', 'stop', 'caution', 'yield', 'danger', 'warning' or 'go' in a misleading, confusing, or distracting manner.
- Any sign which, by reason of its location, position, size, shape, materials or other physical characteristics, poses a safety hazard to drivers, pedestrians or residents.
- Any sign that exhibits statements, words or pictures of an obscene nature, as defined by the United States Supreme Court.
- Any other sign not specified in this chapter which is not a lawful nonconforming sign.
- Electronic Message Center display signs as defined herein, except as provided for in the Central Business District (CBD), Intermediate Business (IB), Planned Commercial District (PCD), Light Industrial (LI), Airpark Light Industrial (ALI), Heavy Industrial (HI), and in the Tourist Accommodation (TA) District.
- Signs posted on elevated walkways in the City.
- Marquee signs.
- Signs in the median of any public right-of-way.
Exempt Signs in Morristown
- Official sign or notice issued or required to be displayed on private property by any court, governmental entity, or public office, whether permanent or temporary.
- Traffic and directional, warning or information signs authorized by a governmental entity, whether permanent or temporary.
- A private street or road name sign located at an intersection that does not exceed two square feet per face and does not advertise any commercial name, message or logo.
- Incidental signs not exceeding two square feet in area per face. Such signs proclaiming 'no trespassing', 'no hunting', 'no parking', 'entrance', 'exit', 'loading only', 'phone', 'ATM', and the like are considered incidental to the use of property.
- Temporary window signs that do not exceed 25 percent of the area of the window or any glass door to which they are attached. All window signs must comply with applicable safety and electrical codes.
- Permanent window signs that do not exceed ten percent (10%) of the area of the window or any glass door to which they are attached. All window graphic signs must comply with applicable safety and electrical codes.
- Signs denoting a property as historic, authorized by a recognized historical agency, not exceeding three (3) square feet per face nor six (6) feet in height, not permitted in public right of ways.
- Non-commercial flags/government flags/civic flags, limited to 60 square feet per face, displayed in a non-commercial manner, with planning commission approval required for supporting flag poles erected on commercial or service-institution property and for flag poles exceeding 30 feet in height in any zoning district.
- One decorative non-commercial flag per lot, temporary or permanent, that does not contain any commercial message, logo or symbol. No flag pole to exceed 30 feet in height.
- Permanent building marker, limited to four square feet of sign face and composed of materials compatible to the identified building.
- Temporary or seasonal or holiday displays up to 60 days, no commercial message or logo, and must not create a sight visibility hazard.
- Outdoor non-commercial art, mural, sculpture, provided it contains no commercial message or logo and does not create a sight visibility hazard. Where outdoor art is part of a site subject to planning commission jurisdiction, it shall be considered part of the development subject to planning commission's review and approval.
- Freestanding real estate signs, subject to total allowable area for temporary signs and other applicable size and height restrictions, not located in public right-of-way, and must not create sight visibility hazard.
- Temporary athletic field signs (not visible from a public road, up to 60 sq ft, mounted to interior field fence, erected at the beginning of the season, removed within 7 days of season end).
- Scoreboards associated with athletic fields.
- Temporary signs permitted in the right-of-way by the Chief Building Official under city council’s current temporary sign policy. Such signs must be at least 10 feet from the back of the street curb, edge of pavement, or stabilized shoulder (unless a greater distance is required), and not within any median in a public right-of-way.
- Banners, pennants, festoons and balloons provided the height does not exceed 10 feet and each balloon is individually labeled and affixed.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Morristown
- A sign permit is required for all types of signs unless otherwise provided by this chapter.
- Applicants must submit a completed sign application and required application fee prior to commencing any work on installation of a new or replacement sign.
- The sign location must meet all zoning setbacks and not infringe upon utility lines or easements; responsibility to relocate is on the sign applicant/owner if found otherwise.
- Sign permit fees are in addition to application fees, and all work must be completed within time limits or permit becomes void and partially completed sign structures must be removed if not renewed.
- Certificate of Completion is issued upon final inspection and approval of the sign by the sign administrator.
- For Permanent Multi-Family or Planned Residential Development Signs and Subdivision Temporary Development Signs, signs must be located as identified on a final site development plan approved by the planning commission.
- Menu boards and certain permanent signs used in conjunction with restaurants must be included in the development site plan as approved by the planning commission and be contained within the buildable area of the site.
- Outdoor art that is part of a site subject to planning commission’s jurisdiction is considered part of the development requiring planning commission's review and approval.
- Supporting flag poles for non-commercial/civic/government flags erected on commercial or service-institution property or exceeding 30 feet in height in any district require planning commission approval.
- Secondary Access Signs (in Central Business District and specified commercial districts) located in a joint user access easement or private platted sign easement abutting the nearest public road must be specifically approved by the Planning Commission prior to construction.
- All monument sign structures including Electronic Message Centers must be reviewed by the building codes official and the applicant advised of conformance prior to construction.
Source: other municipal code