# Sign Regulations in Nashville, Tennessee

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Nashville, Tennessee (TN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/tennessee/nashville
- **Data last verified:** 2026-05-04
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/tn/metro_government_of_nashville_and_davidson_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CD_TIT17ZO_CH17.32SIRE)

## At a glance

Nashville, Tennessee regulates 124 sign types across 18 zoning districts. Ground Sign – CN/SCN (Frontage < 50 ft)s in the Commercial Neighborhood (CN, CN-A, CN-NS, CN-A-NS) and Shopping Center Neighborhood (SCN, SCN-NS) zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 32 sq ft max per sign; 32 sq ft max total all signs, with a min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) setback (Sec. Table 17.32.110 (CN, CN-A, CN-NS, CN-A-NS, SCN, SCN-NS)). Most commercial signs in Nashville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (18 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | Wall signs may not extend above the top of the wall or parapet more than 25% of the height of the sign, to a max of 18 inches for solid panel signs, or 50% of the height of letters for individually mounted letters | Up to 32 sq ft per eligible frontage | — |
| Agricultural Districts (AG, AR2a) | 2 | Single-family/duplex/triplex/quadruplex: max 6 ft; All other uses: max 10 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| Single-Family (RS, RS-A) Districts | 6 | 8 ft (ground sign) | Up to 32 sq ft on one sign face | — |
| One and Two-Family (R, R-A) Districts | 4 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft (one face) | — |
| Multifamily (RM, RM-NS, RM-A, RM-A-NS) Districts | 5 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft (one face) | — |
| Mobile Home Park (MHP) District | 3 | 8 ft | 6 sq ft (3–15 units); 32 sq ft per entry (16+ units; options for double-sided perpendicular, single-sided parallel, or flared wall with two 16 sq ft signs) | — |
| Mixed-Use Neighborhood (MUN, MUN-A, MUN-NS, MUN-A-NS) and Mixed-Use Limited (MUL, MUL-A, MUL-NS, MUL-A-NS) | 11 | 20 ft | 192 sq ft | — |
| Office Neighborhood (ON), Office Limited (OL), Office General (OG, OG-NS), Office/Residential (OR20, OR20-A, OR20-NS, OR20-A-NS), Office/Residential (OR40, OR40-A, OR40-NS, OR40-A-NS) | 11 | 20 ft | 192 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Neighborhood (CN, CN-A, CN-NS, CN-A-NS) and Shopping Center Neighborhood (SCN, SCN-NS) | 11 | 20 ft | 192 sq ft max per sign; 192 sq ft max total all signs | — |
| Commercial Limited (CL, CL-A, CL-NS, CL-A-NS) Districts | 21 | Up to 50 ft | 480 sq ft max per sign; 480 sq ft max total all signs | — |
| Commercial Service (CS, CS-A, CS-NS, CS-A-NS) Districts | 20 | 50 ft above average grade of sign foundation, or 30 ft above finished elevation of nearest highway travel lane, whichever is greater | 480 sq ft max per sign; 480 sq ft max total all signs | — |
| Commercial Attraction (CA, CA-NS) | 9 | 80 ft above average grade of sign foundation, or 60 ft above finished elevation of nearest highway travel lane, whichever is greater | Max area per sign 900 sq ft; max total area of all signs 2,000 sq ft (CA district) | — |
| Commercial Core Frame (CF, CF-NS) | 9 | 50 ft above average grade, or 30 ft above nearest highway travel lane, whichever greater | 480 sq ft max per sign; 480 sq ft max total all signs | — |
| Shopping Center Community (SCC, SCC-NS) | 8 | 40 ft | 480 sq ft max per sign; 480 sq ft max total all signs | — |
| Shopping Center Regional (SCR, SCR-NS) | 9 | 50 ft above average grade, or 30 ft above nearest highway travel lane, whichever greater | 480 sq ft max per sign; 480 sq ft max total all signs | — |
| Industrial Warehousing/Distribution (IWD), Industrial Restrictive (IR), Industrial General (IG) | 11 | 50 ft above average grade, or 30 ft above nearest highway travel lane, whichever greater | 480 sq ft max per sign; 480 sq ft max total all signs | — |
| Mixed-Use General (MUG, MUG-A, MUG-NS, MUG-A-NS), Mixed-Use Intensive (MUI, MUI-A, MUI-NS, MUI-A-NS), Office/Residential Intensive (ORI, ORI-A, ORI-NS, ORI-A-NS) | 10 | 20 ft | 288 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Code (DTC) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 18 zones)

### Commercial Neighborhood (CN, CN-A, CN-NS, CN-A-NS) and Shopping Center Neighborhood (SCN, SCN-NS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign – CN/SCN (Frontage < 50 ft) | 20 ft | 32 sq ft max per sign; 32 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 1 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.110 (CN, CN-A, CN-NS, CN-A-NS, SCN, SCN-NS) |
| Ground Sign – CN/SCN (Frontage 50–99 ft) | 20 ft | 40 sq ft max per sign; 40 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 1 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.110 (CN, CN-A, CN-NS, CN-A-NS, SCN, SCN-NS) |
| Ground Sign – CN/SCN (Frontage 100–199 ft) | 20 ft | 48 sq ft max per sign; 48 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 1 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.110 (CN, CN-A, CN-NS, CN-A-NS, SCN, SCN-NS) |
| Ground Sign – CN/SCN (Frontage 200–299 ft) | 20 ft | 64 sq ft max per sign; 64 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 1 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.110 (CN, CN-A, CN-NS, CN-A-NS, SCN, SCN-NS) |
| Ground Sign – CN/SCN (Frontage 300–399 ft) | 20 ft | 96 sq ft max per sign; 96 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 2 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.110 (CN, CN-A, CN-NS, CN-A-NS, SCN, SCN-NS) |
| Ground Sign – CN/SCN (Frontage 400–499 ft) | 20 ft | 128 sq ft max per sign; 128 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 3 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.110 (CN, CN-A, CN-NS, CN-A-NS, SCN, SCN-NS) |
| Ground Sign – CN/SCN (Frontage 500–599 ft) | 20 ft | 160 sq ft max per sign; 160 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 3 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.110 (CN, CN-A, CN-NS, CN-A-NS, SCN, SCN-NS) |
| Ground Sign – CN/SCN (Frontage ≥600 ft) | 20 ft | 192 sq ft max per sign; 192 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 3 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.110 (CN, CN-A, CN-NS, CN-A-NS, SCN, SCN-NS) |

### Commercial Limited (CL, CL-A, CL-NS, CL-A-NS) Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign – CL/CL-NS (Frontage < 50 ft) | 40 ft | 150 sq ft max per sign; 150 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 1 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.130D (CL, CL-NS) |
| Ground Sign – CL/CL-NS (Frontage 50–99 ft) | 40 ft | 198 sq ft max per sign; 198 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 1 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.130D (CL, CL-NS) |
| Ground Sign – CL/CL-NS (Frontage 100–199 ft) | 40 ft | 288 sq ft max per sign; 288 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 1 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.130D (CL, CL-NS) |
| Ground Sign – CL/CL-NS (Frontage 200–299 ft) | 40 ft | 288 sq ft max per sign; 288 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 2 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.130D (CL, CL-NS) |
| Ground Sign – CL/CL-NS (Frontage 300–399 ft) | 40 ft | 384 sq ft max per sign; 384 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 2 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.130D (CL, CL-NS) |
| Ground Sign – CL/CL-NS (Frontage 400–499 ft) | 40 ft | 480 sq ft max per sign; 480 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 3 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.130D (CL, CL-NS) |
| Ground Sign – CL/CL-NS (Frontage ≥500 ft) | 40 ft | 480 sq ft max per sign; 576 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 3 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.130D (CL, CL-NS) |
| Ground Sign – CL-A/CL-A-NS (Frontage < 50 ft) | 20 ft | 32 sq ft max per sign; 32 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 1 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.110 (CL-A, CL-A-NS) |

### Commercial Service (CS, CS-A, CS-NS, CS-A-NS) Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign – CS/CS-NS (Frontage < 50 ft) | 40 ft | 150 sq ft max per sign; 150 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 1 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.130D (CS, CS-NS) §17.32.130.D |
| Ground Sign – CS/CS-NS (Frontage 50–99 ft) | 40 ft | 198 sq ft max per sign; 198 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 1 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.130D (CS, CS-NS) §17.32.130.D |
| Ground Sign – CS/CS-NS (Frontage 100–199 ft) | 40 ft | 288 sq ft max per sign; 288 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 1 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.130D (CS, CS-NS) §17.32.130.D |
| Ground Sign – CS/CS-NS (Frontage 200–299 ft) | 40 ft | 288 sq ft max per sign; 288 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 2 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.130D (CS, CS-NS) §17.32.130.D |
| Ground Sign – CS/CS-NS (Frontage 300–399 ft) | 40 ft | 384 sq ft max per sign; 384 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 2 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.130D (CS, CS-NS) §17.32.130.D |
| Ground Sign – CS/CS-NS (Frontage 400–499 ft) | 40 ft | 480 sq ft max per sign; 480 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 3 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.130D (CS, CS-NS) §17.32.130.D |
| Ground Sign – CS/CS-NS (Frontage ≥500 ft) | 40 ft | 480 sq ft max per sign; 576 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 3 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.130D (CS, CS-NS) §17.32.130.D |
| Ground Sign – CS-A/CS-A-NS (Frontage < 50 ft) | 20 ft | 32 sq ft max per sign; 32 sq ft max total all signs | — | Front: min 10 ft for signs >10 ft ground clearance; min 15 ft for signs 2.5–10 ft ground clearance (Figure 17.32.070) | Max 1 | On eligible frontage(s) | — | Table 17.32.110 (CS-A, CS-A-NS) §17.32.110.C |

## Prohibited signs in Nashville

- It is unlawful to erect, maintain, or cause to be maintained any sign not expressly authorized by, or exempted from, the code (17.32.050).
- Signs that violate any other code adopted by the metropolitan government (17.32.050.A).
- Signs or sign structures that interfere with any fire escape, emergency exit, or standpipe, or that obstruct any window so that required light or ventilation is reduced (17.32.050.B).
- Signs that resemble or conflict with official traffic signs/signals, or by position, shape, color, movement, content, or illumination could be confused with or conceal a traffic-control device (17.32.050.C).
- Signs with lighting or control mechanisms that cause unreasonable interference with radio, television, or other communication signals (17.32.050.D).
- Signs placed upon benches, bus shelters, or waste receptacles, except as authorized by Metropolitan Code 12.48.090 (17.32.050.E).
- Signs erected on public property, or on private property located on public property (such as private utility poles), other than by public authority for public purposes or as otherwise authorized by the metropolitan council (17.32.050.F).
- Signs with copy, graphics, or digital displays that change messages by electronic or mechanical means where the display does not remain fixed, static, motionless, and non-flashing for at least eight seconds with instantaneous changes and no special effects (17.32.050.G.1).
- Sign displays with varying light illumination or intensity, or effects such as blinking, bursting, dissolving, distorting, fading, flashing, oscillating, rotating, scrolling, sequencing, shimmering, sparkling, streaming, traveling, tracing, twinkling, simulated movement, or conveying the illusion of movement (17.32.050.G.3).
- Video, continuous scrolling messages, and animation signs are prohibited (except in CA and CA-NS districts) (17.32.050.H.1).
- Signs that incorporate projected images, emit any sound intended to attract attention, or involve the use of live animals (17.32.050.I).
- Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter such as smoke or steam (17.32.050.J).
- Signs within ten feet of a public right-of-way or within one hundred feet of traffic-control lights that contain red or green lights that might be confused with traffic-control lights (17.32.050.K).
- Signs of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair the vision of motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians using or entering a public way (17.32.050.L).
- Blank on-premises temporary signs (17.32.050.M).
- Wind signs consisting of non-exempt flags, pennants, ribbons, spinners, streamers, or captive balloons under ten feet in their greatest dimension, or other objects fastened to move in the wind (17.32.050.O).
- Signs painted, pasted, or printed on any curbstone, flagstone, pavement, sidewalk, or street, except house numbers and traffic-control signs (17.32.050.P).
- Signs displaying copy harmful to minors as defined by the code (17.32.050.R).
- Portable signs as defined by the code (17.32.050.S).

## Signs exempt from permit in Nashville

- Exempt signs are exempt only if they do not violate visibility requirements in 17.20.180 and do not create hazards by obstructing vision (17.32.040).
- Regulatory, statutory, traffic control, or directional signs erected on public property with appropriate governmental permission (17.32.040.B).
- Legal notices and official instruments (17.32.040.C).
- Holiday lights and decorations (17.32.040.D).
- Works of art that do not constitute advertising (17.32.040.F).
- Signs carried by a person when the person does not receive financial compensation (17.32.040.G).
- Temporary signs up to 12 square feet, up to 120 days prior to an election, removed within 7 days after the election (17.32.040.J).
- Flags and bunting displayed up to 30 days prior to and removed within 7 days following a celebration, convention, or commemoration event (17.32.040.K).
- Temporary displays and signs behind storefront windows, not permanently affixed, non-illuminated, covering no more than 25% of the storefront window area (17.32.040.L).
- Memorial signs or tablets cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials and attached to a building surface (17.32.040.M).
- Signs incorporated into machinery or equipment by a manufacturer or distributor (e.g., vending machines, newspaper racks, telephone booths, fee collection boxes, gasoline pumps) (17.32.040.N).
- Temporary or permanent signs identifying safety or traffic-control measures on private property that meet MUTCD standards and do not exceed 6 square feet per sign (17.32.040.P).
- Temporary signs not exceeding 6 square feet, limited to one per lot, erected no sooner than 4 days before a yard sale and removed within 2 days after (17.32.040.Q).
- Temporary signs for events held by a public or nonprofit organization: less than 32 square feet, limited to one on the site, erected no sooner than 14 days before the event and removed within 7 days after (17.32.040.V).
- On-premises ground or building signs oriented toward a drive-through lane: total sign area not exceeding 60 square feet, maximum height 10 feet, located within 30 feet of the order point (17.32.040.W).
- Signs located within a building not oriented to be viewed from outside; and signs on a ten-acre lot not visually oriented toward a public right-of-way (17.32.040.X).
- Signs located on athletic fields, if oriented toward the field of play (17.32.040.Y).
- Temporary auction signs: allowed no longer than 17 days prior to an auction and removed within 24 hours after; maximum size 24 square feet in residential districts and 32 square feet in all other districts (17.32.040.Z).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permanent on-premises signs are subject to the common signage plan requirements (17.32.070.D.2).
- All on-premises ground and on-premises building signs must be approved under an overall signage plan in the following districts: MUN/MUN-NS/MUN-A/MUN-A-NS, MUL/MUL-NS/MUL-A/MUL-A-NS, ON, OL, OG/OG-NS, OR20/OR20-NS/OR20-A/OR20-A-NS, OR40/OR40-NS/OR40-A/OR40-A-NS, CN/CN-NS/CN-A/CN-A-NS, CL-A/CL-A-NS, CS-A/CS-A-NS, SCN/SCN-NS (17.32.110.B).
- All on-premises ground and on-premises building signs must be approved under an overall signage plan in the ORI/ORI-NS/ORI-A/ORI-A-NS, MUG/MUG-NS/MUG-A/MUG-A-NS, and MUI/MUI-NS/MUI-A/MUI-A-NS districts (17.32.120.B).
- All on-premises ground and on-premises building signs must be approved under an overall signage plan in the CL/CL-NS, CS/CS-NS, CA/CA-NS, CF/CF-NS, SCC/SCC-NS, SCR/SCR-NS, IWD, IR, and IG districts (17.32.130.C).
- For large sites (improved area of 5 acres or more), informational signs must be shown on the property's common signage plan (17.32.100.B).
- A single-tenant or multitenant sign may be considered an on-premises sign when located within the boundaries of the same approved master development plan or unified plat of subdivision (17.32.070.D.6).

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

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