Sign Regulations in Knoxville, TN (2026)

Knoxville Code of Ordinances § 16-234 (Code 1962, § 24-172)

(1)Two (2) signs of not more than four (4) square feet shall be permitted to be displayed on the property of the residence or nonresidential site where the garage sale is being conducted.(2)Two (2) directional signs of not more than two (2) square feet each are permitted, provided that the premises on which the garage sale is conducted is not on a major thoroughfare and that written permission ...

Knoxville City Code, Appendix B (Zoning Code), Art. 10, § 10.2.C

C. Exceptions to Lighting Standards. 1. Luminaires used for public roadway illumination or installed by a utility to light public rights-of-way are not controlled by this Code. 2. All temporary emergency lighting required by public safety agencies, other emergency services, or construction are exempt from the requirements of this Code. [...] 4. Holiday and seasonal lighting designs are exempt f...

Knoxville City Code, Appendix B (Zoning Code), Art. 13, Sec. 13.6.F, "Electronic Message Centers (EMC)" (Ord. No. O-97-2022, § 1, 7-26-22)

Electronic message centers (EMC) are permitted only in commercial and industrial districts... Each display on an EMC must hold constant for a minimum of 60 seconds... Brightness...cannot exceed the following standards: a. Daytime maximum brightness: 3,000 nits b. Nighttime maximum brightness: 750 nits c. Maximum brightness at the property line: 0.2 footcandles d. Maximum bulb wattage for incand...

Knoxville City Code, Appendix B (Zoning Code), Art. 13, § 13.3(DD) (Ord. No. O-109-2020, § 1, 6-30-20)

13.3 - SIGNS AND OTHER ITEMS EXEMPT FROM SIGN REGULATIONS The following signs and other items, unless prohibited elsewhere in these regulations, are exempt from the regulations of this Article, but may be subject to other applicable laws and regulations: ... CC.Signs contained on or affixed to vendor push carts.DD.Window signs. (Ord. No. O-109-2020, § 1, 6-30-20)

Knoxville City Code, Appendix B (Zoning Code), Art. 13, Sec. 13.9.F.3, Table 13-2 (Ord. No. O-38-2020, § 1, 2-25-20; Ord. No. O-161-2020, § 1, 11-3-20; Ord. No. O-87-2021, § 1, 6-29-21)

Table 13-2: Roadway Type and Maximum Sign Height. Roadway Type / Maximum Allowable Sign Height: Property within 500 feet of interstate interchange area / 35 feet; Property adjacent to interstate right-of-way / 30 feet; Property fronting on federally designated highways / 20 feet; All other roadway classifications / 10 feet.