# Sign Regulations in Paris, Tennessee

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Paris, Tennessee (TN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/tennessee/paris
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Paris, Tennessee regulates 16 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Yard Sale Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 sq. ft. (on-site); 2 sq. ft. (directional), with a 15 ft. from edge of pavement or back of curb for all yard sale signs. setback (Sec. 11-1307.7; 5-1407). Most commercial signs in Paris 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 | 2 | — | 4 sq. ft. (on-site); 2 sq. ft. (directional) | — |
| Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts | 12 | Height of roof | 1,080 sq. in. per face | — |
| Residential Districts | 2 | — | — | — |
| B-2 (Central Business) District | 2 | — | 150 sq. ft. | — |
| R-MH District, P-M District, F-P District, H-D District, E-D District | 2 | — | — | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Official Government Use) | — | — | — | — | — | Allowed in all districts, subject to general ordinance provisions | — | 11-1302; 11-1302.1 |
| Yard Sale Sign | — | 4 sq. ft. (on-site); 2 sq. ft. (directional) | — | 15 ft. from edge of pavement or back of curb for all yard sale signs. | Max 2 on-site signs; directional signs allowed subject to above rules. | On-site; off-site directional only if not located on major thoroughfare | — | 11-1307.7; 5-1407 |

### Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Varies by width (see formula) | — | — | 1 per street frontage per occupancy | Affixed to exterior wall facing street frontage. 1 per street frontage per occupancy. | — | 11-1306.1 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 225 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On property, one per street frontage. | — | 11-1306.2 |
| On-Site Directional Sign (Freestanding) | — | 4 sq. ft. per sign face | — | — | — | On-site, at entrances, exits, parking areas | — | 11-1306.3.1 |
| On-Site Directional Sign (Wall) | — | 18 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On building, must give directional info. | — | 11-1306.3.2 |
| Projecting Sign | Height of roof | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per occupancy per street frontage | Projecting from building, in lieu of freestanding signage | — | 11-1306.8 |
| Under Canopy Sign | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per public entrance | Attached to underside of canopy/marquee at public entrance(s) | — | 11-1306.9 |
| Billboard | — | 600 sq. ft. (total); 300 sq. ft. per face | — | 10 ft from right-of-way; 10 ft from property lines; 1000 ft separation between billboards | — | State Routes only | — | 11-1306.5 |
| Off-Site Directional Sign | — | 1,080 sq. in. per face | — | — | One per qualifying business | As installed by the City at designated intersections (see requirements) | — | 11-1306.4 |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Non-residential Use) | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On building wall—non-residential use only | — | 11-1306.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Non-residential Use) | — | — | — | — | — | On site, per street frontage | — | 11-1306.2 |

## Prohibited signs in Paris

- No sign other than an official traffic sign or similar sign shall be permitted within any public easement or right-of-way including signs attached to traffic signs or utility poles, unless specifically authorized by ordinance or code official.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, nor at any location where by its position, shape or color it may interfere with or obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- No non-conforming sign shall be changed to another non-conforming sign.
- No non-conforming sign shall have any changes in the words, logo, or symbols which are part of a message.
- No non-conforming sign shall be structurally altered so as to prolong the life of the sign, or change it in size, shape, type, or design.
- No non-conforming sign shall be re-established after damage or destruction if the estimated expense of construction exceeds 50% of the value of the original structure.
- No non-conforming sign shall be re-established after the activity or name of the business or ownership has changed requiring a change in the sign name or advertisement itself.
- It is prohibited to erect or maintain signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device, or obstruct or interfere with a driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.
- Except as provided elsewhere in the code, signs encroaching upon or overhanging public right-of-way are prohibited. No sign shall be attached to any utility pole, light standard, street tree, or other public facility within the public right-of-way.
- Signs which blink, flash, or are animated by lighting in any fashion that would cause such signs to have the appearance of traffic safety signs and lights, or municipal vehicle warning from a distance are prohibited.
- It is unlawful to erect or maintain signs which resemble an official traffic or safety sign and/or display the words 'Stop', 'Go Slow', 'Caution', 'Danger', 'Warning', or other words commonly used to draw attention to traffic or roadway hazards by government or construction signs.
- Temporary signs are prohibited except as provided in 11-1307.
- Portable signs, portable reader board or trailer signs are prohibited.
- Signs painted directly on the wall surface of a building are prohibited if such sign includes the name of the business or industry or in any way displays a logo, symbol, or promotional information regarding such business or industry.
- Moving, rotating, or flapping signs are prohibited.
- Any sign advertising business, goods, or services placed on public right-of-way, or for business, goods, or services not offered on the premises where the sign is located is illegal and subject to immediate confiscation.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- A sign illegally erected, abandoned, or not conforming to an approved application, or any damaged or improperly maintained sign, must be removed or repaired within 14 days of notice.
- All signs must conform to the provisions of this ordinance, the International Building Code, and any other ordinance or regulation within the jurisdiction.
- Signs may not be placed in such a way as to obstruct required traffic visibility zones (e.g., between 2.5 and 9.5 feet in height in a site triangle, or must be a minimum of 10 feet from the curb line).

## Signs exempt from permit in Paris

- Official notices authorized by a court, public body, or public safety official.
- Directional, warning, or information signs authorized by federal, state, or municipal governments.
- Memorial or historical plaques, building identification signs, and building cornerstones when cut or carved into a masonry surface or when made of noncombustible material and made an integral part of the building or structure.
- Gravestones.
- Flags of a government or noncommercial institution, such as a school.
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate public holiday season.
- Works of fine art displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise where the enterprise does not receive direct commercial gain.
- Street address signs and combination name plates and street address signs that contain no advertising copy and which do not exceed 4 square feet in area.
- Signs less than two square feet identifying merchandise or manufacturer, offered for sale if on a dispensing or vending machine or inside premises or on windows or on fuel dispensing pumps.
- Signs wholly within buildings.
- Advertising signs attached to taxicabs, commercial buses, or limousines.
- Signs attached to the face of benches placed immediately outside businesses for the use of the general public.
- Signs on the walls or fences of athletic fields that are rented for advertising as a fundraiser for the teams or leagues using the athletic field.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A site plan and/or building elevation drawn to scale showing the location of the proposed sign(s) on the lot and/or building is required as part of a sign permit application.
- Such site plan and/or building elevation shall also show all other existing or required permits when such signs are on the same premises.
- The scale drawing of proposed sign(s) must show dimensions, type of construction, method of illumination, support sizes, materials, method of attachment, mounting, or erecting, and structural members to which the sign(s) shall be attached.
- All permit applications must be reviewed by the city manager, the city manager's designee, or, as applicable, the Municipal Regional Planning Commission.
- Off-site directional signs require an application to the city manager or designee and approval based on specific criteria prior to installation.

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

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