Louisville, KY Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Billboard setback
- 2,000 ft from Snyder Freeway ROW
- Freestanding sign no-build zone
- 200 ft from Snyder Freeway ROW
- Height/size cap, 200-500 ft
- 20 ft tall, 80 sq ft
- Building sign cap near freeway
- 80 sq ft per visible facade
- First-offense fine
- $100 civil penalty
Summary
Louisville Metro bans billboards within 2,000 feet of the Gene Snyder Freeway and caps freestanding business signs near it at 20 feet and 80 square feet.
No outdoor advertising signs (billboards) shall be located within 2,000 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way line of the Snyder Freeway. (B) No freestanding business sign shall be located within 200 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way line of the Snyder Freeway. Any free-standing sign between 200 feet and 500 feet from the nearest right-of-way of the Snyder Freeway shall not exceed 20 feet in height, and the face of any such sign shall not exceed 80 square feet in area
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-47: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Louisville Metro Code § 155.31 bars outdoor advertising signs (billboards) within 2,000 feet of the Gene Snyder Freeway right-of-way. Freestanding business signs can't stand within 200 feet of the freeway right-of-way; between 200 and 500 feet they're capped at 20 feet in height and 80 square feet in face area, on top of the underlying zoning district's own sign limits. Building-mounted signs within 200 feet of the freeway are capped at 80 square feet on any facade visible from the freeway. The rules track the 1988 Gene Snyder Freeway right-of-way map on file with the Louisville Metro Planning Commission.
Violations & Fines
Civil penalty of $100 for a first offense and $200 for each repeat; each day a violation continues after notice is a separate offense. Metro can also pursue criminal charges under § 155.99, up to $250 (individual) or $500 (corporation), or up to 50 days in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put up a billboard near the Gene Snyder Freeway in Louisville?
How big can a business sign be near the Snyder Freeway?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Louisville
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