Hendersonville, TN Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Hendersonville campaign signage operates under a layered state-and-local framework. (1) State preemption — TCA 2-7-143 (Tennessee Freedom of Speech Act, enacted by 2017 Public Chapter 294 with amendments in 2022) prohibits any local government or HOA from regulating the shape or quantity of political campaign signs placed on private residential property by the owner or lawful resident, provided the signs are more than 100 feet from a polling place. Local governments may limit size — Hendersonville caps residential signs at 16 sq ft (4 ft height) and commercial signs at 32 sq ft (6 ft height). Property owners or legal residents may place campaign signs on their own private property starting 60 days prior to early voting through 5 days after the official election day. Candidates who win a primary and remain on the ballot for an additional election may re-erect their signs or leave them in place for an additional sixty-one (61) day period. (2) Local Hendersonville rules — the City classifies and regulates election signs as temporary signs in Section 13 of the Zoning Ordinance, with city-published Campaign Sign Regulations for each election cycle: signs must obtain permission from the property owner; must be located out of the public right-of-way and at least 12 feet back from the edge of street pavement (not measured from the curb or unpaved shoulder); one sign per candidate/issue per lot (corner lots get one per street frontage); signs must be flat and rigid (no banners); a collage of smaller signs on one backing is not allowed; must be located on private property with the owner's consent; no permit is required. (3) Polling places — signs held by supporters at polling places are NOT regulated by the City; sign regulations are not waived for early voting or on Election Day. (4) Vehicle signs are separately prohibited by the City Sign Ordinance (defined as signs on any vehicle regularly parked within 50 feet of any street more than half the business day when one of the results of locating the vehicle is to advertise). (5) Enforcement — signs displayed in violation will immediately be removed by City Staff. Planning Department: 615-264-5316; planning@hvilletn.org.