Little Rock sign permit requirements

Permit required for permanent signs; no permit for maintenance or copy change. Exempt signs include construction, directional, nameplates, political, real estate, and incidental signs.

“Unless otherwise provided by this chapter, all signs shall require permits and payment of fees as described in this section. No permit is required for the maintenance of a sign or for a change of copy on painted, printed or manual changeable copy signs.”

Wall or mansard signs not to exceed 10% in aggregate sign area of that occupancy's facade area (in lieu of one alternative sign type; freestanding sign also allowed)

“Wall or mansard signs not to exceed ten (10) percent in aggregate sign area for that occupancy's facade area.”

10% of occupancy's facade area

“Wall or mansard signs not to exceed ten (10) percent in aggregate sign area for that occupancy's facade area.”

2 sq ft per linear foot of main street frontage, up to 160 sq ft max

“One (1) freestanding sign per premises, not to exceed two (2) square feet in sign area for each linear foot of main street frontage up to a maximum of one hundred sixty (160) square feet.”

36 feet

“Such sign shall not exceed a height of thirty-six (36) feet.”

Minimum 5 feet from any property line and vehicular public right-of-way, measured from closest edge of sign

“All freestanding, projecting, awning, marquee and under-canopy signs shall have a minimum setback of five (5) feet from any property line and vehicular public right-of-way, measured from the closest edge of the sign”

One under-canopy or projecting sign per occupancy, not to exceed 15 sq ft

“One (1) under-canopy or projecting sign per occupancy, not to exceed fifteen (15) square feet in sign area.”

Minimum clearance 13 feet over vehicular use area, 9 feet over pedestrian use area

“and a minimum clearance of thirteen (13) feet over any vehicular use area, and nine (9) feet over any pedestrian use area.”

Signs may be illuminated but not greater than 300 footlamberts of luminance in commercial zones; no revolving beacons, flashing/oscillating lights, exposed incandescent lamps over 300 watts, or animation

“Illumination is allowed but not greater than three hundred (300) footlamberts of luminance.”

Changeable copy signs (manual or electrically activated) allowed, but may not produce illusion of movement or animation; automatic/digital not specifically detailed for general commercial (digital format addressed only for billboards in specific scenic corridor segments)

“Unless otherwise specified by this chapter a sign may use changeable copy, limited to:”

One temporary special event building-mounted banner per street frontage; max 24 weeks (168 days) per year; each permit max 6 weeks (42 days); max size 5 ft vertical x 20 ft horizontal; one additional freestanding banner per street frontage also allowed

“Temporary special event on-premises banners or devices may be erected for a maximum of twenty-four (24) weeks (one hundred sixty-eight (168) days) per year. A special event permit will be issued for a maximum of six (6) weeks (forty-two (42) days) per permit.”

Abandoned signs; banners/pennants/festoons/searchlights (except as allowed); signs imitating traffic/government signs; snipe signs; vehicular signs; trailer or temporary signs not meeting freestanding standards; roof signs or signs not mounted on a vertical surface; rotating signs; off-premises signs except as permitted

“The following type signs are prohibited in all districts unless otherwise noted:”

Values are for commercial zones (Sec. 36-555). Code varies materially by district: institutional/office max 64 sq ft freestanding at 6 ft; industrial 72 sq ft at 30 ft; commercial 160 sq ft at 36 ft.

“The following signs are permitted in commercial zones:”