Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Sullivan County

Sullivan County, TN Sign Regulations: Window Signs (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing section
Zoning Resolution § 9-111.6
Exempt content
Letters, numerals, symbols only
Permit required
No, if exempt
Location
Interior window signs only
Coverage limit set
None stated in section
Non-exempt signs
Follow Article 9 general rules

Summary

Sullivan County exempts interior window signs from the Zoning Resolution's sign permit process, but only if the sign consists entirely of letters, numerals, and symbols. Section 9-111.6 places the exemption inside the broader list of no-permit signs in Section 9-111, and it applies only to signs mounted inside the building looking out.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Sullivan County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

9-111. Exempt Signs The following signs shall be allowed in any zoning district without a permit so long as they are located on private property and outside of any governmental rights-of-way: ... 9-111.6 Interior window signs which consist entirely of letters, numerals, and symbols.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Section 9-111 lists the categories of signage the Zoning Resolution allows in any zoning district without a sign permit, as long as the sign sits on private property and outside any government right-of-way. ' A window display built from pictures, logos, or other graphic images falls outside that description and is not automatically exempt. The window-sign exemption sits among seven other no-permit categories in the same section: small directional signs capped at four square feet, flags of a nation, government, or nonprofit, government signs, temporary real estate signs advertising the property they sit on, memorial and cornerstone signs, political signs, and seasonal holiday displays.

6 does not set a coverage percentage or square-footage cap the way some jurisdictions' window-sign rules do, a text-and-numeral window sign in Sullivan County has no separate area limit under this resolution; it is simply outside the permit system altogether. 1, which limits wall signage to one square foot of area per linear foot of the building's exterior wall.

Violations & Fines

A window sign that is exempt under Section 9-111.6 needs no permit and carries no penalty on its own. A sign that goes beyond letters, numerals, and symbols, or any other sign erected without a required permit, is enforced the same as any other unpermitted sign under Section 12-107.2: a misdemeanor with a civil penalty up to $500 per offense, with each day of continued display charged separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a sign in my store window?
Not if it consists entirely of letters, numerals, and symbols. Section 9-111.6 exempts that kind of interior window sign from the county's sign permit requirement, along with several other no-permit categories listed in Section 9-111.
Is there a size limit on exempt window signs?
No. Section 9-111.6 does not set a square-footage or percentage-of-window cap for an exempt window sign; the only condition is that the sign be made up entirely of letters, numerals, and symbols.
What if my window sign has a picture or logo on it?
It falls outside the Section 9-111.6 exemption, which covers only letters, numerals, and symbols. A pictorial window sign would need to be evaluated under Article 9's general sign standards rather than treated as automatically permit-free.
What happens if I put up a non-exempt sign without a permit?
It is enforced like any other zoning violation. Section 12-107.2 makes an unpermitted sign a misdemeanor with a civil penalty up to $500 per offense, and each day it stays up counts as a separate offense.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Sullivan County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsHoliday DisplaysFew RestrictionsDigital BillboardsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesLight Restrictions

All Sullivan County rules

Compare Sullivan County to another location·View the Tennessee sign regulations overview

Get notified when Window Signs in Sullivan County, TN changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.