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

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

Political Signs

Campaign signs in Hendersonville are governed by the Tennessee Freedom of Speech Act (TCA 2-7-143, enacted by Public Chapter 294 in 2017 with amendments in 2022), which preempts local governments and HOAs from restricting the shape or quantity of political signs on private residential property more than 100 feet from a polling place. The City's published Campaign Sign Regulations apply Section 13 of the Zoning Ordinance: signs must be out of the public right-of-way and at least 12 feet back from the edge of street pavement; one sign per candidate/issue per lot (or per street frontage on corner lots); residential maximum 16 sq ft and 4 ft height; commercial maximum 32 sq ft and 6 ft height. Display window is 60 days before early voting through 5 days after the official election day. No permit required. Signs displayed in violation will be immediately removed by City Staff.

Key details: State Statute: TCA 2-7-143 (Tennessee Freedom of Speech Act); TN Public Chap. 294 (2017) + 2022 amendments. Local Code: Hendersonville Zoning Ordinance, Section 13 (temporary signs). Residential Cap: 16 sq ft size; 4 ft height. Commercial Cap: 32 sq ft size; 6 ft height. Setback: 12 ft from edge of street pavement; out of public right-of-way.

Signs in the public right-of-way, within 12 feet of street pavement, exceeding size caps (16 sq ft residential / 32 sq ft commercial), exceeding height caps (4 ft residential / 6 ft commercial), banner-style signs, or signs outside the display window (60 days before early voting to 5 days after election) are immediately removed by City Staff. Fines may be assessed per sign. Report: Planning Department 615-264-5316.

The rules around political signs in Hendersonville lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Holiday Displays

Hendersonville's Sign Ordinance (Chapter 13 of the Zoning Ordinance) does not impose a calendar take-down date for residential holiday lights, wreaths, garlands, or seasonal decorations that carry only a generic holiday/seasonal message — they are not regulated as 'signs' under Chapter 13. Strings of lights are listed as Prohibited Signs (with the exception of high-quality lighting for approved outdoor seating for restaurants), and inflatable signs and pennants are likewise prohibited as signage. Practical limits come from the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (adopted 7/1/2025 under Hendersonville's Adopted Codes) and right-of-way prohibitions. HOA covenants commonly impose their own take-down deadlines.

Key details: Permit Required: No — generic holiday decorations are not 'signs' under Chapter 13. Take-down Deadline: None in city code. Prohibited Lighting/Decor as Signs: Strings of lights (except approved restaurant outdoor seating); inflatables; pennants; streamers; animated; flashing; beacons. Property Maintenance: 2021 IPMC (adopted 7/1/2025). Right-of-Way: Decorations/signs prohibited in public ROW.

No automatic citation for residential holiday decorations themselves. Citations apply when a display crosses into prohibited signage (strings of lights at a non-restaurant business, pennants, streamers, flashing signs, animated signs, inflatables), is placed in the public right-of-way, blocks traffic-signal visibility, or creates a Property Maintenance Code nuisance. Traffic-hazard signs not removed within 10 days of notice are removed by the Planning Department; cost becomes a lien.

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

Garage Sale Signs

Hendersonville treats garage/yard sale signs as temporary signs under Chapter 13 of the Zoning Ordinance. Residential temporary ground signs (no banners) are limited to 30 days per calendar year, one sign per lot/road frontage, maximum 9 sq ft and 4 ft height in residential zones, located out of the public right-of-way and at least 12 feet from the edge of pavement, with property owner permission. The City's Prohibited Signs guidance bans all signs in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, on fences, and on benches — violating signs will be removed by City Staff with possible per-sign fines. The City does not publish a separate yard-sale permit program; sales themselves follow the Peddlers Ordinance (Title 9, Chapter 1) only when conducted by non-residents or food trucks staying under one hour.

Key details: Code Section: Hendersonville Zoning Ordinance Chapter 13.3.2.10 (Temporary Signs). Residential Temporary Sign Cap: 30 days per calendar year (no banners). Number: 1 sign per lot/road frontage. Max Size (Residential): 9 sq ft. Max Height (Residential): 4 ft.

Off-premise signs in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, on fences, or on benches are removed by City Staff with a possible per-sign fine. Signs exceeding 9 sq ft in residential zones, exceeding 4 ft height, posted longer than 30 days per calendar year, or without property-owner permission are temporary-sign violations subject to removal and fines. Traffic-hazard signs not removed within 10 days of notice are removed by the Planning Department with cost becoming a lien against the property.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Hendersonville 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.

All of the above reflects Hendersonville's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.