Murfreesboro sign permit requirements
What the Murfreesboro sign code and sign ordinance allow, summarised from Chapter 25.2 - SIGNS. Every figure below shows the ordinance's own wording, so you can check it rather than take our word for it.
Is a permit required?
Sec. 25.2-20 (A)A sign permit is required for permanent signs. No permit needed for certain small/exempt signs such as convenience signs (≤3 sq ft), enter/exit signs (≤5 sq ft), flag signs ≤24 sq ft not on a flagpole, window signs conforming to (C), governmental signs, and temporary signs (with limited exceptions).
“Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to prepare, erect, reconstruct, alter, relocate or keep within the City any sign, as defined in this Chapter, on a lot of record, without first obtaining a sign permit from the Building & Codes Department and paying the fee required by this section.”
Wall sign — maximum area
Sec. 25.2-26 (C)(4)(b)[2]In CH, H-I, L-I, CF (single tenant): no single attached sign exceeds 2 sq ft per linear foot of building frontage, not to exceed 75% of building frontage or 150 sq ft, whichever is less; unless within 42 ft of ROW, then max 100 sq ft. Total aggregate of all attached signs ranges 100–300 sq ft based on distance from ROW (up to 450 sq ft under stated conditions). Max 3 attached signs per building.
“Size - No single attached sign shall exceed 2 sq. ft. per linear foot of building frontage, not to exceed 75% of said building frontage or 150 sq. ft. whichever is less, unless the sign is located within 42 ft. of the street ROW in which case the maximum allowable area is 100 sq. ft.”
Freestanding sign — setback
Sec. 25.2-26 (C)(4)(b)[1]5 ft from ROW, 8 ft minimum from power lines (for ground signs in CH, H-I, L-I, CF and most commercial districts).
“Setback - 5 ft. ROW, 8 ft. minimum from power lines.”
Projecting sign — clearance
Sec. 25.2-2 (A)Bottom edge must be at least 10 feet above the surface below the sign; inner edge may not extend more than 1 foot and outer edge not more than 6 feet from the surface to which it is attached; must be set back at least 10 feet from power lines.
“The inner edge of a projecting sign may not extend more than one foot from the surface to which it is attached and the outer edge of a projecting sign may not extend more than six feet from the surface to which it is attached. The bottom edge of a projecting sign must be at least ten feet above the surface below the projecting sign. A projecting sign must be setback at least ten feet from power lines”
Window signs — maximum coverage
Sec. 25.2-23 (C)(1)(a)In all non-residential zones, ground/basement level: total window signage shall not cover more than 25% of the total window surface of any façade (excluding doors). On floors above ground level: not more than 15% of the surface of any window.
“On ground or basement level floors, total window signage, whether or not installed pursuant to a sign permit, shall not cover more than 25% of the total window surface of any façade, excluding doors on the façade.”
Illumination
Sec. 25.2-24 (A)(2)Illumination varies by sign type/district; generally push-thru style or indirect only for many signs. Flashing signs prohibited in commercial/industrial/multifamily zones. Signs causing direct glare into other buildings prohibited. Message on changeable signs may not change more often than once per hour.
“A sign or illumination that causes any direct glare into any building other than the building to which the sign may be accessory.”
Digital / electronic message centres
Sec. 25.2-26 (C)(9)(c)[2]Electronic graphic display and video display signs are prohibited in all zoning districts, except limited use at points of sale/drive-thru/ECTP and on MU lots via planned sign overlay. Automated changeable copy signs allowed in non-residential zones but may not change more often than once every 1 hour and must have single constant-color background. Multi-vision signs prohibited in all districts.
“The copy or other message displayed may not be changed more often than once every 1 hour.”
Which zoning district this describes
Sec. 25.2-26 (C)(4)The code varies materially by zoning district. Values reported here focus on general commercial districts, especially CH, H-I, L-I and CF (commercial highway/industrial). Other commercial districts (OG, CM, CL, CU, CBD) have different, generally smaller limits, and PCD/PID/PUD/GDO overlays have separate detailed schedules.
“SIGNS PERMITTED IN CH, H-I, L-I, AND CF DISTRICTS:”
Set out in a table in the ordinance
These limits depend on street type, lot size or building frontage, and the ordinance expresses them as a table. We'd rather send you to the real table than reproduce it wrongly.
- • Freestanding sign — maximum area Sec. 25.2-26 (C)(4)(b)[1]
- • Freestanding sign — maximum height Sec. 25.2-26 (C)(4)(b)[1]
Not covered in the sign chapter we read: wall sign — % of facade, projecting sign — maximum area, prohibited sign types. That doesn't mean the city has no rule — it may sit elsewhere in the code.
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Tell us — corrections from local sign shops are how this stays accurate.
Common questions
- Do you need a permit for a sign in Murfreesboro, TN?
- A sign permit is required for permanent signs. No permit needed for certain small/exempt signs such as convenience signs (≤3 sq ft), enter/exit signs (≤5 sq ft), flag signs ≤24 sq ft not on a flagpole, window signs conforming to (C), governmental signs, and temporary signs (with limited exceptions).
- How big can a wall sign be in Murfreesboro, TN?
- In CH, H-I, L-I, CF (single tenant): no single attached sign exceeds 2 sq ft per linear foot of building frontage, not to exceed 75% of building frontage or 150 sq ft, whichever is less; unless within 42 ft of ROW, then max 100 sq ft. Total aggregate of all attached signs ranges 100–300 sq ft based on distance from ROW (up to 450 sq ft under stated conditions). Max 3 attached signs per building.
- How far back from the road must a sign sit in Murfreesboro, TN?
- 5 ft from ROW, 8 ft minimum from power lines (for ground signs in CH, H-I, L-I, CF and most commercial districts).
- How much clearance does a projecting sign need in Murfreesboro, TN?
- Bottom edge must be at least 10 feet above the surface below the sign; inner edge may not extend more than 1 foot and outer edge not more than 6 feet from the surface to which it is attached; must be set back at least 10 feet from power lines.
- How much of a window can be covered by signs in Murfreesboro, TN?
- In all non-residential zones, ground/basement level: total window signage shall not cover more than 25% of the total window surface of any façade (excluding doors). On floors above ground level: not more than 15% of the surface of any window.
- Can a sign be illuminated in Murfreesboro, TN?
- Illumination varies by sign type/district; generally push-thru style or indirect only for many signs. Flashing signs prohibited in commercial/industrial/multifamily zones. Signs causing direct glare into other buildings prohibited. Message on changeable signs may not change more often than once per hour.
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