Memphis sign permit requirements

Permit required for all signs; no size threshold exemption stated. DRB approval also required.

“No sign shall be erected, altered or relocated within the central business improvement district without a permit, except as provided herein.”

No more than 40 percent of the signable area of the building; one wall sign per public right-of-way frontage

“The size of an individual wall sign will be no more than 40 percent of the signable area of any building.”

40 percent of the signable area

“The size of an individual wall sign will be no more than 40 percent of the signable area of any building.”

Pole sign cabinet max 45 sq ft; monument sign max 35 sq ft (only where activity is set back at least 35 ft from street)

“The size of the sign cabinet on top of the pole shall not exceed 45 square feet.”

Pole signs no taller than 20 feet; monument signs no taller than 6 feet

“Pole signs shall be no taller than 20 feet and shall be no closer than 300 feet from any other pole sign.”

Activity must be set back from street/right-of-way by at least 35 feet to display a ground sign

“Any activity that is set back from the street or public right-of-way by at least 35 feet may display one ground sign within the allowable size limits set forth below:”

Per Table 1 by frontage: <30' = 20 sq ft; 30'-49'11" = 30; 50'-69'11" = 40; 70'-99'11" = 50; 100'+ = 60 sq ft. Vertical axis ≤25% of building height (≤75 ft tall) or ≤20 ft (>75 ft)

“Less than 30′ 20 30′ to 49′ 11″ 30 50′ to 69′ 11″ 40 70′ to 99′ 11″ 50 100′ and greater 60”

Must clear sidewalk by at least 8 feet; project no more than 4 feet from building face or one-third of sidewalk width, whichever is less

“Projecting signs must clear the sidewalk by at least eight feet and shall project no more than four feet from the building face or one-third of the sidewalk width (whichever is less).”

Permanent window signs limited to 25 percent of window area; temporary window signs limited to 15 percent

“Permanent window signs shall be affixed to the window and limited to 25 percent of the total area of the window in which they are displayed. Temporary window signs shall be limited to 15 percent of the total window area.”

Signs may be internally or externally illuminated; internal illumination with darker background than graphics encouraged; exterior lighting must not shine onto adjoining property or into eyes of motorists/pedestrians; neon considered external and has no limits; marquee/bare bulb signs restricted near residential; no exposed fluorescent tubes

“Internally illuminated signs in which the background color is darker than the color of the graphics is encouraged. Exterior illumination, such as floodlights or spotlights, shall be positioned so that none of the light shines onto an adjoining property or in the eyes of motorists or pedestrians.”

Changeable copy signs of any type are not allowed, including cabinets as part of a pole sign or portable readerboard signs

“Changeable copy signs of any type are not allowed. This includes individual cabinets as part of a pole sign or portable readerboard signs.”

Temporary signs allowed for a DRB-approved predetermined length of time. Building banners only within downtown core; street banners for nonprofit/government only. Event banners may be installed 30 days prior to events of one week or longer and must be removed within 14 days of the event's conclusion.

“For events lasting one week or longer, banners may be installed 30 days prior to the event. All banners must be removed within 14 days of the conclusion of the event.”

Changeable copy signs and portable readerboards prohibited; rooftop signs (above highest roof projection) prohibited except in Ballpark and Peabody Place districts; off-premises signs limited to wall-painted and sponsored artwork only

“Signs above the highest projection of the roof are not allowed except as outlined in the standards for the ballpark district and Peabody Place entertainment district.”

This is a district-wide sign code for the Central Business Improvement District (CBID), not conventional commercial zoning. General CBID standards apply, but 12 sub-districts (downtown core, Main Street Mall, Beale Street, etc.) modify them, some more restrictively. Figures reported are the general CBID standards.

“All signs in the CBID shall adhere to the following guidelines and size limitations except in cases where outstandingly creative design solutions are offered.”