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Chattanooga, TN Sign Regulations: Garage Sale Signs (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Display window
15 days before, 30 days after
Max sign size
32 sq ft
Curb setback
5 ft, or 10 ft if tall
Corner setback
25 ft from intersections
Attachment ban
no trees, fences, or poles

Summary

Chattanooga limits garage sale yard signs to 32 square feet, displayed no more than 15 days before and 30 days after the sale.

Yard Signs. All yard signs including but not limited to garage sales, construction or real estate purposes, and sports leagues and excluding political signs shall be limited to fifteen (15) days before and no more than thirty (30) days following the event. Yard signs shall have a sign area of thirty-two (32) square feet or less and shall be subject to the following restrictions:(a)No such yard sign less than thirty-six (36) inches in height may be placed closer than five (5) feet or ten (10) feet if greater that thirty-six (36) inches to the closest edge of the pavement or curb of any public or private street.(b)No such yard sign may be placed closer than twenty-five (25) feet to the closet edge of the pavement or curb of two (2) public or private streets.(c)No person shall paste, paint, print, rope, bill, nail or pin any sign or any advertisement or notice of any kind whatsoever or' cause the same to be done, on any curbstone, or in any portion of part of any sidewalk or street, tree, lamppost, telephone or telegraph pole, awning, porch or balcony or upon any other structure in the limits of any street or public right-of-way in the City including but not limited to any divided roadway median, traffic island and/or traffic circle/roundabout, except such as may be required by this Code or other City ordinance.(d)No such yard sign may be placed upon or attached in any way to any tree, fence, fence post, utility pole, light pole or rock.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

Chattanooga treats garage sale signs as a type of 'yard sign' alongside real estate, construction, and sports-league signs. They're capped at 15 days before the sale and no more than 30 days after it, limited to 32 square feet, and must be set back at least 5 feet from the curb (10 feet if taller than 36 inches) and 25 feet from a street corner. They cannot be nailed, taped, or otherwise attached to a tree, fence, fence post, utility pole, or light pole.

Violations & Fines

Noncompliant yard signs are a misdemeanor under Chapter 3B: $25 to $50 per day, and the Building Official or Chattanooga Department of Transportation can order a hazardous sign removed or relocated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I display a garage sale sign in Chattanooga?
No more than 15 days before your sale and no more than 30 days after it, under City Code § 3-146(3).
How close to the curb can a garage sale sign be?
At least 5 feet if it's under 36 inches tall, or 10 feet if taller; signs also can't sit within 25 feet of a street corner.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Chattanooga

All Chattanooga rules

Compare Chattanooga to another location·View the Tennessee sign regulations overview

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