Yes, in most cases. Inside Knoxville city limits, the zoning code says no sign may go up until the city issues a written permit unless that sign type is specifically exempt, and Knox County has a similar permit requirement for properties outside the city.
The details depend on where your property sits, what zoning district it is in, and what kind of sign you want. This guide walks through what the codes actually say in plain language, so you know what to expect before you apply for a sign permit in Knoxville.
Who issues sign permits in Knoxville?
It depends on the address. If your business is inside Knoxville city limits, signs are regulated by Article 13 of the City of Knoxville Zoning Ordinance and permitted through the city’s Plans Review and Inspections office. If you are in unincorporated Knox County, the county’s zoning ordinance applies and permits go through Knox County Codes Administration, which takes applications through the Knox Permit Portal.
Farragut, Maryville, Alcoa and Oak Ridge are separate municipalities with their own sign rules. A business on Kingston Pike in West Knoxville and a business a few miles west in Farragut can face different requirements, so always start by confirming which jurisdiction you are in. You can look up a parcel’s zoning on KGIS, the Knoxville and Knox County mapping site.
What does a sign permit application require?
Section 16.11 of the City of Knoxville Zoning Ordinance says complete plans and specifications have to be submitted, showing how the sign is built, how it is supported and what materials are used. The application also needs:
- A scaled site plan showing existing and proposed freestanding signs, buildings, parking areas and driveway entrances
- The total square footage of existing and proposed signage on the parcel
- The location of existing ground signs nearby, where spacing rules apply
The city code states that applications are processed within ten working days of receipt of all required documents. Knox County’s ordinance (Section 3.90.17) lists similar requirements, including the property owner’s consent where applicable, and says county applications are processed within ten working days whenever possible.
Which signs are exempt from a permit?
The city code has two separate lists. Section 13.3 covers signs exempt from the sign regulations entirely, and Section 13.4 covers signs that skip the permit but still have to follow the rules. A few that matter to most businesses:
- Window signs. Section 13.3 lists window signs among the items exempt from the sign regulations. Some zoning districts set their own window limits, so check yours.
- Signs inside the building that are not visible or legible from the public right-of-way or from neighboring property.
- Small restaurant menu displays within ten feet of the main entrance, up to four square feet.
- Construction and real estate signs within size and timing limits set out in Section 13.4.
Exempt does not mean unregulated. The code also prohibits some sign types in every district, including portable signs, roof signs and signs in the public right-of-way.
Do temporary signs and banners need a permit in Knoxville?
Often, yes. Section 13.6.B of the city code covers temporary signs that are subject to permit requirements. Each business may post one attached and one detached temporary on-premise sign on no more than four occasions per calendar year, with each display lasting no more than 15 days. Temporary signs cannot exceed 48 square feet unless the code allows otherwise, and they cannot be attached to anything in the street right-of-way.
The county works differently. Knox County’s ordinance (Section 3.90.05) allows a temporary sign on two occasions per calendar year, up to 30 days each, with a 150 square foot maximum. If a banner needs to stay up longer than that, it has to meet the rules for a permanent sign. Our banners and temporary signage page covers the products themselves.
What rules apply to freestanding signs?
Ground signs like post and panel signs get the most scrutiny. Under Section 13.5 of the city code, detached signs have to be set back at least ten feet from the street right-of-way or 15 feet from the edge of pavement, whichever is greater, and at least five feet from side and rear property lines. They need a landscaped area around the base of at least half the sign area, they cannot sit in the sight triangle at a driveway, and round posts have to be covered or finished in a shape that is not round. Section 13.10 also requires at least one permanent on-premise sign on the lot to show the street number.
Allowed size and height depend on your zoning district and the road your property faces, so the same sign can be fine on one lot and too big on another.
What happens if you put up a sign without a permit?
The city and county can require changes or removal of a sign that does not comply. Knox County’s ordinance is specific on one point: if construction begins on a sign before a valid permit is secured, the permit fee is doubled. It is cheaper and faster to get the paperwork right first.
How Sign Pros helps with sign permits
Every exterior sign we build starts with a site visit. We measure the wall or the ground location, look at sightlines from the road, and check what the local ordinance allows before design starts. We prepare the drawings and site details the permit office asks for and can help you through the submittal. Rules change and every property is different, so the final word always comes from the city or county permit office. Confirm your specific requirements with them before you commit to a design, and we will build to what they approve.
This article summarizes the City of Knoxville Zoning Ordinance as published by Knoxville-Knox County Planning and the Knox County Zoning Ordinance. It is not legal advice.
Talk to Sign Pros of Knoxville
Planning a new sign and not sure where to start with the permit? Send us the details through our contact page or call or text (865) 291-0369. Our shop is at 3110 Henson Road, Suite 10, Knoxville, TN 37921.