Chattanooga's Sign Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles sign regulations a little differently. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Holiday Displays

Chattanooga's on-premise Sign Code exempts holiday decorations from its Article XIX character-area sign rules: displays with lighting that are clearly incidental to, and customarily associated with, a national, state, local, or religious holiday need no sign permit and don't count toward a property's sign-area cap. The same exemption clears governmental signs, civic/political flags, and memorial plaques citywide.

Key details: Governing section: Chattanooga City Code § 3-174(2)(d). What's exempt: Holiday decorations incidental/customary to a holiday. Permit needed: None for qualifying holiday decorations. Also exempt: Government signs, civic/religious flags, memorial plaques. Loses exemption if: Permanent, flashing, or advertises a product.

Because holiday decorations sit outside Article XIX's sign standards, there's no violation for putting them up without a permit as long as they're genuinely seasonal and incidental. A permanent, year-round installation dressed up as a 'holiday' display, or a light show that flashes, blinks, or simulates movement, loses the exemption and becomes an ordinary sign: violating the Sign Code (Chapter 3B) is a misdemeanor under Sec. 3-202, punishable by a $25 to $50 fine per day, enforced by the Land Development Office's Director and heard by the City's Administrative Hearing Officer.

The rules around holiday displays in Chattanooga lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Digital Billboards

Chattanooga's off-premise sign code caps digital billboards to static images with automatic dimming: daytime brightness at 90% max and nighttime cut to 30%, with every LED permit reviewed by the City Traffic Engineer.

Key details: Static hold time: minimum 10 seconds. Daytime brightness cap: 90% of max intensity. Nighttime brightness cap: 30% of max intensity. Transitions: 2-second fade only, no scrolling. Permit reviewer: City Traffic Engineer.

Off-premise sign violations are misdemeanors under Sec. 3-12, $25 to $50 per day, with noncompliant signs subject to Building Official abatement and removal.

Freeway-Facing Signs

Chattanooga regulates off-premise signs facing interstates and other controlled-access highways within a 660-foot-wide sign control district, capping their setback, height, size, and spacing.

Key details: Sign control district width: 660 ft each side of ROW. Off-premise sign setback: 20 ft minimum from ROW. Maximum sign height: 50 ft above the roadway. Maximum sign area: 675 sq ft. Sign spacing: 1,000 ft apart, same side.

Violating Chapter 3's sign rules is a misdemeanor: $25 to $50 per day the violation continues, plus city abatement, a property lien, and permit revocation for repeat offenders.

Garage Sale Signs

Chattanooga limits garage sale yard signs to 32 square feet, displayed no more than 15 days before and 30 days after the sale.

Key details: Display window: 15 days before, 30 days after. Max sign size: 32 sq ft. Curb setback: 5 ft, or 10 ft if tall. Corner setback: 25 ft from intersections. Attachment ban: no trees, fences, or poles.

Noncompliant yard signs are a misdemeanor under Chapter 3B: $25 to $50 per day, and the Building Official or Chattanooga Department of Transportation can order a hazardous sign removed or relocated.

Window Signs

Window and door signs in Chattanooga can cover no more than 25% of the glass or door area they're mounted on, per Chattanooga City Code §§ 3-185, 3-185.1. The sign can't rise above the top of the window, can't be internally or externally illuminated, and must stay clean, orderly, and clear enough that people can still see through the glass for safety.

Key details: Governing sections: Chattanooga City Code §§ 3-185, 3-185.1. Max coverage: 25% of the window or door area. Height limit: Cannot exceed the height of the window. Illumination: None permitted for window/door signs. Permit fee: $70 non-electric on-premise sign (Sec. 3-192).

A window sign that covers more than a quarter of the glass, is illuminated, blocks sightlines through the storefront, or was installed without a permit violates Chattanooga's Sign Code. Under Sec. 3-202, that's a misdemeanor punishable by $25 to $50 per day of violation, with each day counted as a separate offense. The Director of the Land Development Office can issue a notice of violation and order removal, and unresolved cases go to the City's Administrative Hearing Officer.

Political Signs

Chattanooga exempts political yard signs from its temporary sign permit, but requires them removed within 15 days after the election they refer to.

Key details: Permit required: none for political signs. Removal deadline: 15 days after the election. Primary-election signs: may carry to general election. Max sign size: 32 sq ft. Curb setback: 5-10 ft depending on height.

Signs left up past the removal deadline are a Chapter 3B violation: a misdemeanor fine of $25 to $50 per day, with the Land Development Office empowered to abate and lien the property.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Chattanooga gives residents more flexibility on political signs.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Chattanooga gives residents more room on sign regulations. 2 of the 6 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Chattanooga can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.