# Sign Regulations in Sevierville, Tennessee

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Sevierville, Tennessee (TN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/tennessee/sevierville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-05
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.seviervilletn.org/index.php/planning-development/28-zoning-ordinance/file.html#page=112)

## At a glance

Sevierville, Tennessee regulates 30 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Promotional Signage (On-premise Temporary)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and 10% of allowable attached signage, with a 15 ft from ROW, 40 ft from other property lines setback (Sec. 6.5.2). Most commercial signs in Sevierville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural Residential / AR (A-R), Low Density Residential / LDR (R-1), Medium Density Residential / MDR (R-2), High Density Residential / HDR (R-3) | 4 | n/a (Non-residential); per wall for subdivision not projecting above wall; monument sign allowed per entrance) | 25 sq ft (Non-residential); 32 sq ft (Subdivision) | — |
| Town Center (TC) | 3 | 20 ft or roofline, whichever is lower | 20 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial / NC (C-2), Intermediate Commercial / IC (C-3), Arterial Commercial / AC (C-4) | 9 | 25 ft | 40% of awning/canopy | — |
| Industrial / IN (M-1) | 4 | — | 20% of window pane | — |
| Historic Residential/Office (HRO) | 3 | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| Tourist Commercial / TCL (C-5) | 3 | 25 ft | 500 sq ft | — |
| Visitor Accommodation / VA (V-1) | 2 | — | 100 sq ft; 150 sq ft if on Major Collector or higher | — |
| Interstate Impact Overlay District (II-1) | 1 | Bottom of sign at least 75 ft above grade; Top of sign not to exceed 100 ft above grade (or 100 ft above Interstate ROW elevation if within 50 ft of ROW) | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 25 ft | 50 sq ft OR 25% of sign area (whichever less) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Agricultural Residential / AR (A-R), Low Density Residential / LDR (R-1), Medium Density Residential / MDR (R-2), High Density Residential / HDR (R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Residential Use) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Affixed to house, mailbox, or freestanding on private property | — | 6.2.3.1; 6.9.1.a |
| Monument Sign (Residential Use - Subdivision, Non-residential, or Multi-family) | n/a (Non-residential); per wall for subdivision not projecting above wall; monument sign allowed per entrance) | 25 sq ft (Non-residential); 32 sq ft (Subdivision) | — | — | 1 monument or 2 attached per entrance | Entrance or street frontage | — | 6.9.1.b; 6.4.2.9 |
| Wall Sign (Non-residential Use) | — | — | — | — | — | Building wall | — | 6.9.1.c; 6.4.1 |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of window pane | — | — | — | Affixed to window | — | 6.4.1.3 |

### Neighborhood Commercial / NC (C-2), Intermediate Commercial / IC (C-3), Arterial Commercial / AC (C-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Frontage < 49 ft) | — | — | — | — | — | Building wall | — | 6.4.1; Allowable Attached Sign Area Chart |
| Wall Sign (Frontage 50-100 ft) | — | — | — | — | — | Building wall | — | 6.4.1; Allowable Attached Sign Area Chart |
| Canopy Sign | — | 40% of awning/canopy | — | — | — | Awning or canopy attached to building | — | 6.4.1.4 |
| Structural Canopy Sign | — | 20 sq ft on any one side | — | — | — | Sides facing road frontage on fuel island canopy | — | 6.4.1.5 |
| Projecting Sign | 20 ft or roofline, whichever is lower | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building face | Attached and projects from building wall; not extended >1 ft behind curb; min 8 ft above ground | — | 6.4.1.6 |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of window pane | — | — | — | On window | — | 6.4.1.3 |
| Pole Sign (See breakdown by road classification and development size) | 25 ft | 25 ft max height; see chart for max area | — | — | See code for exceptions | Frontage as per code; see Allowable Detached Sign Area table | — | 6.4.2.1; Allowable Detached Sign Area Chart |
| Monument Sign (See breakdown by road class and development size) | 20 ft | 20 ft max height; see chart for max area | — | — | See code for exceptions | Frontage as per code; see Allowable Detached Sign Area table | — | 6.4.2.2; Allowable Detached Sign Area Chart |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame Sign (On-premise Temporary) | 3 ft | — | 3 ft | — | 1 per tenant | On sidewalk or property frontage, must not impede pedestrian flow | — | 6.5.1 |
| Promotional Signage (On-premise Temporary) | 25 ft | 10% of allowable attached signage | — | 15 ft from ROW, 40 ft from other property lines | — | On property; not in right-of-way, not blocking traffic visibility | — | 6.5.2 |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | 20% of window pane | — | — | — | Window | — | 6.4.1.3 |
| Off-Premise Directional Sign (Non-commercial) | — | — | — | — | — | As directed/per agreement with City or approved | — | Table 6.1; 6.11 (TODS) |
| Campaign Sign (off-premise, temporary) | — | — | — | 5 ft from ROW | 1 per candidate per property | Private property, min 5 ft from ROW | — | 6.7.1 |
| Auction Sign (off-premise, temporary) | — | 32 sq ft for primary, 8 sq ft for each additional | — | 5 ft from ROW | Multiple (see code) | Outside public ROW, min 5 ft from ROW | — | 6.7.2 |
| Electronic Message Board (Monument sign) | — | 50 sq ft OR 25% of sign area (whichever less) | — | — | — | Lower two thirds of monument sign on Major/Minor Arterial in Commercial zone | — | 6.8 |

## Prohibited signs in Sevierville

- It is unlawful to erect, locate, or establish any sign except in conformity with the ordinance unless otherwise exempt.
- Signs not listed in Table 6.1, Sign Types Established, are prohibited including but not limited to off-premises signs except as provided, roof signs, drone signs, mobile off-premises signs/billboards, digital off-premises signs/billboards, distracting/interfering/confusing signs, animated or moving signs, signs that cause odor or sound emission, moving billboard signs, wind signs, flutter flags (unless otherwise allowed), portable and temporary digital signs, video display or digital signs used as temporary signage.
- Signs may not be located in the right-of-way or on public property without city approval, nor closer than 5 feet to any property line.
- Signs may not be placed on private property without the consent of the owner or authorized agent.
- Signs may not be located in or overhanging a utility easement.
- Signs may not be placed within a clear sight triangle.
- Signs may not be attached to utility poles, public infrastructure or equipment, or wireless communication facilities.
- Minimum separation of detached signage is 75 feet; if not possible, signage must be placed as remotely as possible from other detached signage.
- Signs may not create conflict with traffic control signs/signals, obstruct driver vision, obscure or interfere with traffic control devices, or resemble such devices.
- Signs may not create a danger to the public during inclement weather or high winds due to their location or how they are placed.
- Signs may not create hazards due to collapse, fire, collision, decay, abandonment, or similar safety considerations.
- Signs may not obstruct firefighting or fixed police surveillance (photographic or video technology).
- Signs may not be improperly mounted or installed (e.g., attached to a standpipe, unbraced parapet wall, or fire escape) unless safety is verified in writing by a licensed structural engineer.
- No sign shall be approved or disapproved based on the content or message except that certain unlawful content is prohibited (see below).
- Text or graphics harmful to minors as defined by state or federal law are prohibited.
- Text or graphics that are obscene, fighting words, defamation, incitement to imminent lawless action, or true threats are prohibited.
- Text or graphics that present a clear and present danger by potential confusion with traffic control signs are prohibited.
- Signs that provide false information related to public safety (e.g., misusing 'stop', 'caution' etc. in a confusing manner) are prohibited.
- Text or graphics providing false or misleading information in violation of the code are prohibited.
- Signs are considered abandoned and must be removed if unused for six months or advertise a business/enterprise no longer operating for six months.
- All signs must be maintained in safe condition and good repair and be clearly legible.
- No new billboards, digital billboards, or conversion to digital billboards are permitted.
- No easement shall be permitted exclusively for the use of signage.

## Signs exempt from permit in Sevierville

- Residential use signs not exceeding 2 square feet in area and not of a commercial nature (e.g., address signs, mailbox signs, non-commercial private parking/trespassing/danger signs) are exempt from permitting.
- Signs associated with public bodies, public and private universities and schools (e.g., governmental body signs, legal notices, identification/informational/traffic/directional/regulatory signs, temporary governmental promotional signs/lighting/decorations, official noncommercial public utility signs, flags/pennants/insignia of governmental or nonprofit organizations not used for commercial promotion/advertising) are exempt from permitting.
- Signs designating historic resources are exempt from permitting.
- Vehicle signs painted on or attached to currently licensed, street-legal motor vehicles that are not primarily used as signs, are not parked adjacent to the street on a regular basis, and have signs affixed, are exempt from permitting.
- Temporary real estate signs located on the premises for sale or rent and no larger than 32 sq ft (commercial zones), 16 sq ft (residential, 1 acre+), or 3 sq ft (residential, <1 acre) are exempt from permitting.
- Temporary displays/lighting in connection with the observance of holidays per the adopted holiday calendar are exempt from permitting.
- Campaign signs (see Section 6.7.1 for details) are exempt from permitting.
- Construction signs associated with land development or building construction no larger than 32 sq ft, max height 8 ft, no more than two per project, displayed no sooner than 60 days before start of construction and removed within 10 days after, are exempt from permitting.
- Carport, garage, and yard sale signs not exceeding 4 sq ft in size or 4 ft in height, located on the site, placed not more than 3 days in advance of the sale and removed within 1 day after, are exempt from permitting.
- Signage coordinated with the City as part of the overall wayfinding program is exempt from counting as directional signage and may be installed as per agreement with the City.
- Public art or murals not containing a commercial message and approved through the public art process are exempt.
- Employment signs are exempt from permitting.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Sign Plan is required/allowed for a unified plan of development greater than 10 acres, developed from the outset or where all parties agree to such after development. The plan requires all parties (City, landowners, tenants) to agree, and must be approved by the Planning Commission.
- Prior to invoking and submitting a master sign plan for approval, consultation with the Director of Development is required.
- All master sign plans must call for the location, size, and design of all detached signage, and may include modifications to attached signage.
- Once a master sign plan is approved, it is binding until all parties agree to dissolve it; signage may be placed according to the master plan without regard for property ownership.
- Plans and locations for community service signage (section 6.6.1) must be approved by the Planning Commission before issuance of a sign permit.
- Signage for traffic flow inside a property may need approval by the Development Director (e.g., Private Directory Signs, directional signage).
- Site landscape plan or revised sign landscaping plan may be required for landscape changes affecting signage visibility.
- Certain digital/unique sign types (such as in TCL - Tourist Commercial/Lifestyle zone) require staff review and Planning Commission approval.
- A survey prepared by a licensed surveyor may be required as part of the site plan for Interstate Impact Overlay District (IIO) monopole sign proposals.
- Permit applications must be submitted for most signs not exempt, including application, fee, and required documentation before 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 9 zoning districts in Sevierville — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Sevierville+TN&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-sevierville

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