Kingsport, TN Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)

Section 114-532 governs every sign that advertises products or services for a business or organization not connected with the site where it stands. Before a building permit issues, the regional planning commission must give zoning development plan approval. Signs are permitted in Highway Oriented Business Districts (B-3), Light Manufacturing Districts (M-1), Light Manufacturing Restricted Districts (M-1R), and General Manufacturing Districts adjacent to interstate highways (M-2).

The location rule ties the sign to the interstate: within 760 feet of an interstate highway, measured from the center of the sign base to the interstate right-of-way line, and never within a 2,640-foot radius of an interstate interchange as measured under the state department of transportation definition of primary point of intersection. The sign must be the principal use of its lot with a minimum 15-foot setback from all property lines, measured from the sign area. Height tops out at 15 feet above the average road level, measured within a 1,320-foot radius of the sign base from the interstate the sign faces. Surfaces run one per side, at 100 square feet per side or 200 square feet for all sides, and reflective materials on the sign face are prohibited.

Separation rules stack on top. A sign stays 500 feet from any residential district and 1,000 feet from any historical district or National Register site. Signs are prohibited within the Gateway District and within 1,000 feet of the city greenbelt. No off-premises sign can sit closer than 1,000 linear feet to another on the same side of the street, or within 500 feet by radius. State department of transportation rules apply too, and the most restrictive regulation controls.

A different rule covers the Tourist Accommodation/Commerce district. There an interstate identity sign gets up to 700 square feet per side on two sides and 75 feet of height, with 1,500 feet minimum spacing and no more than three such signs (§ 114-533). Roof mounted signs are prohibited (§ 114-529), and electronic message boards cannot carry off-premises advertising (§ 114-535).