# Sign Regulations in Mount Pleasant, Tennessee

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Mount Pleasant, Tennessee (TN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/tennessee/mount-pleasant
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TN/Mount_Pleasant/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT15MOVETRPA_CH5STYI_S15-504ATSTSI)

## At a glance

Mount Pleasant, Tennessee regulates 23 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Institutional Sign (Option 1 - Institutional type)s in the CN zoning district are capped at Ground: 4 ft + 2 ft/5 ft setback (max 8 ft) tall and 40 sq ft (ground); 40 sq ft (wall), with a See Table 13, 13.3.A.3.c setback (Sec. 13.3.B.5.a,b; Table 12.). Most commercial signs in Mount Pleasant require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R1 & R2 | 7 | 35 ft (pole) or 15 ft above highest roof point | 40 sq ft | — |
| MHP & R3 | 10 | 35 ft (pole) / 15 ft above highest roof point | 40 sq ft | — |
| CN | 14 | 35 ft | 40 sq ft (ground); 40 sq ft (wall) | — |
| CDT | 15 | 35 ft | 40 sq ft (ground); 40 sq ft (wall) | — |
| CH | 14 | 35 ft | 40 sq ft (ground); 40 sq ft (wall) | — |
| IL & IH | 14 | 35 ft | 60 sq ft (80 sq ft for 3+ tenants, 1.5+ acres) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### CN

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Marker | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On principal building | — | 13.3.B.2; Table 12. |
| Directory Sign | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 50 ft from public right-of-way | — | Near entrance to parking area, at least 50 ft from right-of-way or at principal intersections >50 ft from right-of-way | — | 13.3.B.3; Table 12. |
| Institutional Sign (Option 1 - Institutional type) | Ground: 4 ft + 2 ft/5 ft setback (max 8 ft) | 40 sq ft (ground); 40 sq ft (wall) | — | See Table 13, 13.3.A.3.c | 1 | On site of institutional use | — | 13.3.B.5.a,b; Table 12. |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft (12 ft for 3+ tenants, 1.5+ acres) | 40 sq ft (80 sq ft for 3+ tenants, 1.5+ acres) | — | See 13.3.A.3.c (off right-of-way; 12 ft from pavement); | 2 (1 if frontage <400 ft, otherwise 2 w/200 ft separation) | Off right-of-way; at least 12 ft from pavement edge | — | Table 13, 13.3.B.7; Table 12. |
| Projecting Sign | 25 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | Building facade | — | 13.3.B.8; Table 12. |
| Suspended Sign | — | 4 sq ft (per face) | — | — | 1 per entrance | Under canopy attached to building entrance, min 10 ft above sidewalk, parking lot, driveway, or pedestrian way | — | 13.3.B.9; Table 12. |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | See 13.3.A.3.c | 1 | On lot | — | 13.3.B.10.b; Table 12. |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — | See 13.3.A.3.c | 1 (2 on double/corner frontage) | On property for sale/lease/rent | — | 13.3.B.11.b; Table 12. |

### CDT

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Marker | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On principal building | — | 13.3.B.2; Table 12. |
| Directory Sign | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | ≥ 50 ft from right-of-way | — | Near entrance to parking area/major intersection, ≥ 50 ft from right-of-way | — | 13.3.B.3; Table 12. |
| Institutional Sign (Option 1 - Institutional type) | Ground: 4 ft + 2 ft/5 ft setback (max 8 ft) | 40 sq ft (ground); 40 sq ft (wall) | — | See Table 13, 13.3.A.3.c | 1 | On site of institutional use | — | 13.3.B.5.a,b; Table 12. |
| Projecting Sign | 25 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | Building façade | — | 13.3.B.8; Table 12. |
| Suspended Sign | — | 4 sq ft (per face) | — | — | 1 per entrance | Under canopy at entrance, min 10 ft above walk/parking | — | 13.3.B.9; Table 12. |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | See 13.3.A.3.c | 1 | On zone lot | — | 13.3.B.10.b; Table 12. |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — | See 13.3.A.3.c | 1 (2 on double/corner) | On property for sale/lease/rent | — | 13.3.B.11.b; Table 12. |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) | 5 ft | 10 sq ft | — | Must conform to setback req's. | 1 | Within 10 ft of front of building | — | Sec. 12.6.C.12 |

### CH

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Marker | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On principal building | — | 13.3.B.2; Table 12. |
| Directory Sign | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | ≥ 50 ft from right-of-way | — | Near entrance to parking area/major intersection, ≥ 50 ft from right-of-way | — | 13.3.B.3; Table 12. |
| Institutional Sign (Option 1 - Institutional type) | Ground: 4 ft + 2 ft/5 ft setback (max 8 ft) | 40 sq ft (ground); 40 sq ft (wall) | — | See Table 13, 13.3.A.3.c | 1 | On site of institutional use | — | 13.3.B.5.a,b; Table 12. |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft (12 ft for same as before) | 40 sq ft (80 sq ft for 3+ tenants, 1.5+ acres) | — | off right-of-way, at least 12 ft from pavement; separation applies | 2 (if 400+ ft frontage; otherwise 1), separation 200 ft | Off right-of-way; at least 12 ft from pavement edge; must be monument style | — | Table 13, 13.3.B.7; Table 12. |
| Projecting Sign | 25 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | Building façade | — | 13.3.B.8; Table 12. |
| Suspended Sign | — | 4 sq ft (per face) | — | — | 1 per entrance | Under canopy at entrance, min 10 ft above walk/parking | — | 13.3.B.9; Table 12. |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | See 13.3.A.3.c | 1 | On lot | — | 13.3.B.10.b; Table 12. |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — | See 13.3.A.3.c | 1 (2 for corner/double lots) | On property for sale, rent, lease | — | 13.3.B.11.b; Table 12. |

## Prohibited signs in Mount Pleasant

- All signs not expressly permitted under this ordinance or exempt from regulation are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Beacons are prohibited.
- Flashing signs (including flashing signs inside windows if visible from the street) are prohibited.
- Pennants are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Streamers are prohibited.
- Blade banners, feather flags, swooper flags, teardrop flags, and similar devices are prohibited.
- Strings of lights are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs including inflated characters, lighter-than-air devices, and other balloon-type devices are prohibited.
- Other attention-attracting devices are prohibited except if they fully conform to permitted sign standards.
- Abandoned or obsolete signs are prohibited and must be removed.
- Vehicle signs are prohibited.
- Signs on natural features such as trees, vegetation, and rocks are prohibited.
- Signs on utility poles, fences, and benches are prohibited.
- Signs on the public right-of-way are prohibited except for specified exemptions (public/governmental signs, bus stop signs by transit companies, utility informational signs, signs permitted under franchise/lease, and emergency warning signs by public authorities).
- Signs shall not be erected nor illuminated in a way that creates traffic hazards, obstructs signals, or causes distractions to drivers.

## Signs exempt from permit in Mount Pleasant

- Any public notice or warning required by valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.
- Traffic control signs such as stop, yield, and similar signs that conform to Department of Transportation standards.
- Any sign not legible from a street (public or private), including drive-in and drive-through menu board signs and signs within buildings at least ten feet back from a window.

## 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 has been submitted to and approved by the planning department.
- A master signage plan must include a plot plan, locations of site features (buildings, parking, driveways, landscaping), sign area/height/number computations, proposed permanent sign locations, detailed drawings, and signatures of owners or agents.
- Any sign design guide or master signage plan previously submitted and approved with a site plan may be accepted if deemed sufficient by the planning department.
- The master signage plan requirement may be waived by the planning department for buildings with three or fewer tenants or when the master signage plan is not necessary for its intended purpose.
- After approval, no sign shall be erected, placed, painted, or maintained except in accordance with the master signage plan.

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

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