# Sign Regulations in Oakland, Tennessee

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Oakland, Tennessee (TN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/tennessee/oakland
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://oaklandtennessee.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Design-Review-Guidelines.pdf#page=30)

## At a glance

Oakland, Tennessee regulates 55 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Real Estate Sign (General – All Districts)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at ≤ 8 ft tall and Residential districts: 20 sq ft; Commercial/Industrial districts: 32 sq ft, with a General setbacks apply; may not be in or over the right‑of‑way. setback (Sec. §11-801(F)(1)-(3); §11-801(C)(7)). Most commercial signs in Oakland require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 34 | Top of sign ≤ 20 ft above grade (except for ground, exempted, real estate, temporary, or as otherwise specified) | ≤ 64 sq ft | — |
| R-1; R-2; R-3; PD/R | 5 | ≤ 8 ft | Building: ≤20% of wall face; Ground: ≤36 sq ft; Off‑premises directional: ≤6 sq ft each | — |
| B-3 | 6 | Lowest portion ≥ 8 ft above ground | ≤ 100 sq ft | — |
| B-1; B-2; M-1; M-2; Planned Development-Commercial (PD-C); Planned Industrial (PD-I); Planned Development Commercial/Industrial (PD-C/I); Planned Development - Mixed (PD-M) | 10 | Design Guidelines state pole type ground signs cannot exceed 20 ft height (DRC approval required) | ≤ 200 sq ft | — |
| B-1 (Office and Medical Parks); B-2 (Office and Medical Parks); M-1 (Office and Medical Parks); M-2 (Office and Medical Parks); Planned Development-Commercial (PD-C) (Office and Medical Parks); Planned Industrial (PD-I) (Office and Medical Parks); Planned Development Commercial/Industrial (PD-C/I) (Office and Medical Parks); Planned Development - Mixed (PD-M) (Office and Medical Parks) | 2 | — | 3 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Public / Semi-Public Sign – Building Sign | — | 20% of wall face | — | Must not be located on or over public right-of-way; general setbacks apply. | 1 building sign | Building-mounted on public/semi-public uses (e.g., government buildings, churches, schools, non-profits) in all districts | — | §11-801(E)(2) |
| Public / Semi-Public Sign – Ground Sign | — | 36 sq ft total (all faces) | — | Minimum 10 ft from edge of any highway/street/road; minimum 3 ft from sidewalk; not on or over right‑of‑way. | 1 ground sign | Ground-mounted on public/semi-public sites | — | §11-801(E)(3) |
| Public / Semi-Public Sign – Off-Premises Directional | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | Must not be located on or over public right‑of‑way; general setbacks apply. | 2 signs max | Off‑premises directional locations as needed for public/semi‑public uses | — | §11-801(E)(4) |
| Real Estate Sign (General – All Districts) | ≤ 8 ft | Residential districts: 20 sq ft; Commercial/Industrial districts: 32 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply; may not be in or over the right‑of‑way. | 1 per frontage road (on-site) | On the lot being offered/advertised; off-site real estate signs limited by prohibition on ‘more than two off-site real estate signs’ | — | §11-801(F)(1)-(3); §11-801(C)(7) |
| Temporary Sign – Construction Sign | ≤ 10 ft | ≤ 64 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply. | — | On construction site | — | §11-801(H)(5); §11-801(H) (permit exceptions) |
| Temporary Sign – Yard/Garage Sale | — | ≤ 5 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply; not in right‑of‑way. | On-site plus one off-site (for community/subdivision annual sales) | On the premises of the yard/garage sale and one off‑site sign (for certain community/subdivision events) | — | §11-801(H)(6); §11-801(H) (permit exceptions) |
| Temporary Sign – Residential Development Sign | — | On-site: ≤16 sq ft (one face). Off-site: ≤10 sq ft per face (two faces allowed) | — | General setbacks apply; off‑site not in right‑of‑way. | 1 on-site; 1 off-site | On-site and one off-site location for residential development | — | §11-801(H)(7) |
| Temporary Sign – Model Home Sales | — | ≤ 16 sq ft (one face) | — | General setbacks apply. | 1 | On the model home sales site | — | §11-801(H)(8) |

### B-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (B‑3) | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft (cap) | — | General setbacks apply; not in or over right‑of‑way. | — | Ground-mounted on B‑3 sites | — | §11-801(G)(2)(b) |
| Business Sign – Attached or Painted (B‑3) | Shall not extend above the roof line | ≤ 100 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 per eligible building face; max 2 total | On building face(s) that face a public street | — | §11-801(G)(2)(c); see also Design Criteria §2(a)(2) |
| Awnings and Canopies (B‑3) | Lowest portion ≥ 8 ft above ground | Included in attached sign area limits | — | — | — | Mounted on building over doors/windows | — | §11-801(G)(2)(d); Design Guidelines §6(d) |
| Public / Semi-Public Signs (B‑3) | — | Building: ≤20% of wall face; Ground: ≤36 sq ft; Off‑premises directional: ≤6 sq ft each | — | General setbacks apply; not in or over right‑of‑way. | Per §11-801(E) | On public/semi‑public sites in B‑3 | — | §11-801(G)(2)(e) referencing §11-801(E) |
| Temporary Signs (B‑3) | — | Varies by temporary sign type | — | General setbacks apply; not in or over right‑of‑way. | — | As applicable in B‑3 district | — | §11-801(G)(2)(1) [Temporary Signs]; §11-801(H) |
| Other signage approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals (Use on Appeal) | — | — | — | As approved by BZA | — | As approved by BZA | — | §11-801(G)(2)(2) |

### B-1; B-2; M-1; M-2; Planned Development-Commercial (PD-C); Planned Industrial (PD-I); Planned Development Commercial/Industrial (PD-C/I); Planned Development - Mixed (PD-M)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign – Big Box Permanent Tenant Identification | Shall not extend above the roof line (by general attached sign standards) | — | — | — | 1 per qualifying street frontage | One wall sign per street frontage where the property fronts on a major road, arterial, or collector street; must be on a building wall having at least 350 linear feet where the sign is to be erected. | — | §11-801(G)(3)(a) |
| Business Sign – Attached or Painted | Shall not extend above the roof line | ≤ 200 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 per eligible building face; max 2 total | On building face(s) that face a public street | — | §11-801(G)(3)(d) |
| Ground Mounted Sign – Ground Sign (Option 1) | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft (cap) | — | Minimum 10 ft from edge of any adjacent street right‑of‑way | 1 per street-facing side (subject to overall max 2) | Ground-mounted along each particular street frontage | — | §11-801(G)(3)(f)(a) and lead‑in to (f) |
| Ground Mounted Sign – Grouping Sign (Option 2) | — | ≤ 200 sq ft (cap) | — | General setbacks apply; maintain visibility at intersections (§3.12 referenced) | 1 per street-facing side (subject to overall max 2) | Ground-mounted along each particular street frontage | — | §11-801(G)(3)(f)(b) |
| Ground Mounted Sign – Pole Sign (Option 3) | Design Guidelines state pole type ground signs cannot exceed 20 ft height (DRC approval required) | ≤ 125 sq ft (cap) | — | General setbacks apply; maintain visibility at entrances/exits/intersections. | 1 per street-facing side (subject to overall max 2); up to 2 signs on same pole (combined area limit applies) | Pole‑mounted along each particular street frontage | — | §11-801(G)(3)(f)(c); Design Guidelines §2(b)(6) |
| Ground Mounted Sign – Industrial Grouping Sign (Option 4) | — | ≤ 200 sq ft (cap) | — | Maintain visibility at intersections; general setbacks apply. | 1 per business per entrance | At the entrance to an industrial park or industrial subdivision | — | §11-801(G)(3)(d) (Industrial Grouping Signs) |
| Public / Semi-Public Signs (B‑1/B‑2/M‑1/M‑2/PD) | — | Building: ≤20% of wall face; Ground: ≤36 sq ft; Off‑premises directional: ≤6 sq ft each | — | General setbacks apply; not in or over right‑of‑way. | Per §11-801(E) | On public/semi‑public sites within these zones | — | §11-801(G)(3)(5) referencing §11-801(E) |
| Real Estate Signs (B‑1/B‑2/M‑1/M‑2/PD) | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 32 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply; not in or over right‑of‑way. | 1 per frontage road | On lot being sold/leased | — | §11-801(G)(3)(c) (allows real estate signs); §11-801(F)(1)-(3); §11-801(C)(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Oakland

- No sign may be located on or extend over the public right-of-way, or interfere with traffic or pedestrian safety or vision.
- Signs on public property are prohibited except for public signs in conjunction with Town, state, and federal government uses, and temporary signs permitted by the public authority having jurisdiction.
- Signs erected at intersections or in locations that obstruct clear vision or could be confused with authorized traffic signs, signals, or devices (including use of words such as STOP, GO SLOW, CAUTION) are prohibited.
- No signs are allowed between a height of 2.5 feet and 10 feet at the front property line to prevent obstruction of vision.
- Signs that blend with or can be confused with traffic signals are prohibited.
- Signs containing reflective materials that present a hazard to traffic or the public are prohibited.
- Structurally unsound signs or signs made structurally sound by guy wires are prohibited.
- Signs displaying obscene, indecent, or immoral matter are prohibited.
- More than two off-site real estate signs are prohibited.
- Any sign not specifically allowed by the Zoning Ordinance is prohibited.
- Inflatable animated characters, lighter-than-air devices, or similar balloon-type devices are prohibited.
- Hand-held signs in the public right-of-way or on private property are prohibited, except for church, nonprofit, governmental, school, or charitable organizations for events not exceeding 48 consecutive hours.
- Off-premises advertising (signs advertising an activity, business, product, or service not conducted on the premises) is prohibited.
- Street banners, pennants, ribbons, balloons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, or similar attention-attracting devices are prohibited unless allowed by special permit from the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
- Signs attached to, suspended from, or painted on vehicles that are regularly parked with the purpose of advertising are prohibited (common business logos on vehicles engaged in regular business use are excepted).
- Existing supports such as utility poles or traffic control sign supports may not be used for any sign.
- Signs may not be suspended by chains or other devices that allow them to swing due to wind.
- Artificial lighting for signs may not be directed or reflected in a manner that illuminates structures or constitutes a hazard to vehicle operation.
- Flashing signs or flashing/moving lights on signs, and reflective pennants are prohibited, except for signs displaying time/temperature/date and search lights permitted by the Building Inspector.
- Electrical wiring, extension cords, or other power means may not be laid on the ground or in parking areas.
- No sign may have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights, or other devices that change light intensity, brightness, or color.
- Beacon lights are prohibited.
- Canopies and awnings may not have backlighting; canopy signs may not be illuminated.
- Exposed bulbs, LEDs, and neon may not be used on the exterior of signs or buildings without approval from the Design Review Committee (DRC).
- Plywood, canvas, hand-painted, or stenciled signs are not permitted as permanent signs (they may be used only as temporary signage if professionally produced and approved by the DRC).

## Signs exempt from permit in Oakland

- Signs ≤2 sq. ft. identifying street numbers, owner/occupant/professional names.
- Official national, state, or municipal flags properly displayed.
- Signs identifying merchandise/manufacturer on dispensing or vending machines, or on windows.
- Signs wholly within buildings or windows.
- Public signs erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of duty (safety signs, danger signs, legal notices, and temporary/emergency/non-advertising signs approved by the Building Inspector).
- Historical markers required by local, state, or federal authorities.
- Primary decorative signs incidental to national, local, or religious holidays.
- No trespassing or no dumping signs.
- Memorial signs/tablets, names of buildings and date of erection cut into masonry or on noncombustible material.
- Public signs or signs authorized for public purposes by law/statute/ordinance (any type, number, area, height, location, illumination, or animation as required), including signs on public property erected by order of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen subject to sight/distance/safety considerations.
- Warning signs indicating danger, containing no advertising, sized as necessary, to be removed when the danger subsides.
- Private property directional signs such as 'no parking', 'exit', 'parking', etc., not exceeding 5 sq. ft.
- Menu boards for restaurants utilizing drive-through or curbside service.
- Service station signs: one non-illuminated permanent price sign per street frontage ≤2 sq. ft. on pump island nearest the street or on the building; two non-illuminated self/full-service signs per pump island ≤2 sq. ft. and ≤8 ft. high; required stamps/octane/no smoking/other regulatory signs with total ≤2 sq. ft. per pump island.
- Other signs and stamps required by state and federal law (no greater than minimum legal size), with design/size/lighting approved by the Building Department.
- Convenience signs for direction, safety, and public convenience (e.g., address/name plaques, rest rooms, parking entrances/exits, freight entrances/exits), which may require location/size evaluation by the Building Department.
- Signs notifying residences of HOA/Neighborhood/Subdivision Association meetings (allowed up to 7 days prior and 1 day after the meeting).
- Real estate signs are permitted in all districts and do not require a sign permit.
- Temporary signs: vehicle signs, construction signs, posters, and garage/yard sale signs do not require a temporary sign permit (all other temporary signs do).
- On-building advertising banners do not require a permit (subject to total signage not exceeding 25% of the building face).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A comprehensive Sign Policy is required for developments of two or more tenants, outlining proposed colors, type, illumination, size, and location of all development signage.
- Design Review Committee (DRC) approval is required for box/cabinet wall signs on new construction or new tenant signage (face replacements in existing box/cabinet signs require DRC approval; an exception may be requested for industrial areas).
- Plastic or glass-faced box/cabinet ground signs require DRC approval.
- Exposed bulbs, LEDs, and neon on the exterior of any sign or building require DRC approval.
- Pole-type ground signs require DRC approval and must not exceed 20 feet in height.
- Street banners, pennants, ribbons, balloons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, or similar attention devices may be allowed only by special permit from the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
- Street banners/festoons across public streets require a temporary sign permit; allowed only for official, civic, or philanthropic festivals/parades for up to 14 days and must be removed within 3 days after the event.
- Off-building advertising banners require a temporary sign permit (allowed up to 7 days per calendar quarter, only in commercial/industrial districts, max 24 sq. ft.); on-building banners do not require a permit but count toward maximum building face signage.
- Political/campaign signs require a general sign permit for the candidate’s signs (no charge).
- Appeals and variances: Applicants may appeal removal orders or permit refusals to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). The BZA may grant variances for height/setback, removal periods for nonconforming signs, maximum sign area, maximum number of signs, removal of prohibited signs, and similar standards upon specific findings.
- General permits: No sign may be erected, altered, or relocated without a building permit unless exempt; required electrical permits must be obtained prior to submitting for the building permit.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/tennessee/oakland