Sign Regulations in Clarksville, TN: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Clarksville or are thinking about moving there, sign regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Clarksville has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of sign regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Political Signs

The Tennessee Freedom of Speech Act bars Clarksville from regulating the shape or quantity of campaign signs on private property during the election window. The city's zoning ordinance contains no political sign category at all.

Key details: Governing statute: Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-7-143. Window: 60 days before voting begins. Residential size cap allowed: Sixteen square feet. Quantity floor: One sign per candidate. City sign code: No political sign category.

Zoning sign violations carry a civil fine up to $50 per day under Section 11.9, but § 2-7-143 suspends shape and quantity limits during the statutory election window.

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

Garage Sale Signs

Clarksville requires yard sale holders to register with the building official and confines all advertising to temporary signs inside the yard where the sale is held. Signs on utility poles or at neighborhood entrances are unlawful.

Key details: Off-site sale signs: Prohibited citywide. Sales per year: Two, three days each. Registration: Required with building official. Residential sign size: Six square feet maximum. Utility poles: No sale advertisements.

Sign violations are cited to Clarksville Municipal Court under Zoning Ordinance Section 11.9, civil fine up to $50 per violation, each day a separate offense.

This is one of the stricter rules in Clarksville's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Holiday Displays

Clarksville's sign chapter expressly exempts holiday signs and decorations carrying no commercial message. Lights and yard displays on private property are not regulated as signs, and the code sets no takedown date.

Key details: Holiday displays: Exempt from sign chapter. Commercial message: Removes the exemption. Takedown deadline: None in city code. Public right-of-way: Obstruction prohibited. Downtown projections: Eight feet minimum clearance.

Obstructing a public way violates Section 12-111. The city may remove the obstruction under Section 12-113 and charge the reasonable cost to the property owner.

Clarksville is more permissive than most cities when it comes to holiday displays. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Clarksville gives residents more room on sign regulations. 2 of the 3 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.

These rules come from Clarksville's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.