Sign Regulations in Rutherford County, TN (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Rutherford County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
In unincorporated Rutherford County, temporary non-commercial signs, including political and campaign signs, may be posted on any residential lot at any time. On lots of five acres or less you may have up to 32 total square feet, split into up to five signs of no more than 16 square
Political Signs in Rutherford County, TN: Section 1206
Few RestrictionsRutherford County Zoning Ordinance § 1206 A
temporary non-commercial signage may be posted on any lot in a residential district at any given time... Sign area for lots of five acres or less – 32 total square feet maximum, which may be divided into a maximum of five signs, provided that no single sign may exceed 16 square feet in area.
Garage Sale Signs
Garage and yard-sale signs are temporary signs under Section 1206 of the Rutherford County Zoning Ordinance. They must be removed within 48 hours of no longer serving a purpose, cannot go in the right-of-way, and count toward the 32-square-foot temporary-sign allowance on residential lots.
Garage Sale Signs in Rutherford County, TN
Few RestrictionsRutherford County Zoning Ordinance § 1206 A
Any such signs shall be removed within 48 hours of no longer serving a purpose... Temporary signs are not allowed in the right-of-way and shall meet the setback and placement guidelines located in Subsection 1203 C.
Digital Billboards
In unincorporated Rutherford County, electronic message signs are regulated as automatic changeable copy under Zoning Ordinance Section 1205 G, not banned outright. The county requires a fail-safe freeze on malfunction, automatic dimming for ambient light, and a fixed display of at least 8 seconds for time or temperature and 30 seconds for any other message, with instant transitions only.
Digital Sign Rules in Rutherford County, TN
Some RestrictionsRutherford County Zoning Ordinance § 1205 G
G. Changeable Copy 1. Signs containing automatic changeable copy must be designed and equipped to freeze the device in one position if a malfunction occurs. The displays must also be equipped with a means to immediately discontinue the display if it malfunctions and the sign owner must immediately stop the display when notified by the County that it is not complying with the standards of this ...
Window Signs
Window signs in unincorporated Rutherford County don't need a sign permit, but Zoning Ordinance Section 1205 A.7 caps their total area at 25 percent of the window or glass door they're posted on. The cap applies in every zoning district, alongside the same no-permit allowance for small nameplates and other listed signs allowed in all districts.
Window Sign Limits in Rutherford County, TN
Light RestrictionsRutherford County Zoning Ordinance § 1205 A.7
A. Signs Allowed in All Zoning Districts – No Permit Required The following signs are allowed in all zoning districts and do not require a permit. ... 7. Window Signs in which the total area of signage does not exceed 25 percent of the area of the window or any glass door to which they are visible;
Freeway-Facing Signs
Ground signs facing I-24 in unincorporated Rutherford County get their own category under Zoning Ordinance Section 1205 B.3.g: one Interstate On-Site Ground Sign per lot, up to 200 square feet and 120 feet tall, internally lit, with changeable copy allowed on the entire face. The sign must sit within 2,000 feet of the I-24 interchange and at least 300 feet from any residential zone.
Freeway-Facing Sign Rules in Rutherford County
Some RestrictionsRutherford County Zoning Ordinance § 1205 B.3.g
g. Interstate On-Site Ground Sign i. Number – 1 per lot maximum ii. Sign Area – Shall not exceed 200 square feet iii. Height – Shall not exceed 120 feet iv. Illumination – Internal lighting only v. Changeable Copy – 100% of the sign area may contain changeable copy messages vi. Additional Standards – All Interstate Ground Signs must adhere to the following conditions: (1) Sign shall be lo...
Sign Regulations by City in Rutherford County
1 cities in Rutherford County have their own sign regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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