Memphis, TN Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Removal deadline
- 7 days after election/event ends
- Applies in
- All zoning districts, city and unincorporated county
- Size cap
- 5-8 ft tall depending on district
- Setback
- 10-15 ft from ROW and lot lines
- Permit needed
- No, noncommercial message is exempt
- Governing law
- Joint Memphis/Shelby County UDC §§ 4.9.9-4.9.10
Summary
The joint Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code lets any temporary sign carry a lawful noncommercial message, including a political or election message, without a commercial-sign permit. Once an election or special event ends, section 4.9.9.B.5 requires the sign to come down within seven days, on top of the normal district size and setback limits.
Any such sign may contain any message other than a commercial message. If a message relates to an election or special event, such sign shall be removed within seven (7) days following the conclusion of such election or other event.
Noncommercial Messages Always Permitted Any sign allowed under this Chapter may contain, in lieu of any other message or copy, any lawful noncommercial message that does not direct attention to a business operated for profit, or to a product, commodity or service for sale or lease, or to any other commercial interest or activity, so long as said sign complies with the size, height, area and other requirements of this Chapter.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Political and election-related yard signs fall under the Unified Development Code's temporary sign rules rather than a separate ordinance category. 9 carry, in lieu of any other message, a lawful noncommercial message that does not direct attention to a business operated for profit, provided the sign still meets the chapter's size, height, area and other standards; that is what authorizes a candidate or ballot-measure yard sign on private property in every zoning district covering Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County. c, while the CA, RU-3, RU-4, RU-5, RW, mixed-use (OG, MU, CMU-1 through CMU-3, CBD, CMP-1, CMP-2) and industrial (EMP, WD, IH) districts allow eight feet and 16 square feet, each subject to a 10-to-15-foot right-of-way and lot-line setback.
5 repeats the identical seven-day deadline. Political signs do not need the permit otherwise required for a commercial temporary sign because they carry a noncommercial message, but they still have to meet the underlying dimensional and setback standards for whichever zoning district the property sits in. This is a joint Memphis/Shelby County zoning rule, so it applies the same way inside Memphis city limits as it does in the unincorporated county.
Violations & Fines
A political sign still standing more than seven days after the election is a violation under UDC section 4.9.11, which makes failing to remove a noncompliant sign a violation and treats each additional day it remains as a separate violation. The city or county can pursue an injunction or other proceeding to compel removal, and any penalty available under the joint zoning ordinance/resolution of Memphis and Shelby County can apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon do I have to take down my political yard sign after an election?
How big can a political sign be on my Memphis property?
Do I need a permit to put up a political sign?
What happens if I leave my political sign up too long?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Memphis
Compare Memphis to another location·View the Tennessee sign regulations overview
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