Political Sign Regulations
Prepared for Candidates and Supporters of candidates in the
Non-Incorporated areas of Rutherford County.
Political Signs a Narrative Summary of Regulations
All signs erected within the non-incorporated areas of Rutherford County, including political signs pertaining to a specific election, are regulated by the Rutherford County Zoning Resolution, Article XX. A summary of Section 20.06, Temporary Signs, states the following:
Temporary signs containing noncommercial reference to political parties or candidates for election may be erected or displayed and maintained given the following conditions:
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The size of any such sign is not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet.
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The signs shall not be erected more than sixty (60) days prior to the Election Day, including early voting, and shall be removed not later than seven (7) days after the election.
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No political sign shall be placed on county property, state property or any portion of platted or dedicated streets or alleys, public utility poles, vegetative material or traffic-control sign standards.
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This section shall not be deemed to grant the right to install political signs where such signs are prohibited by subdivision restrictions or prohibitions imposed by deed, contract, or state statute.
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Signs meeting the above criteria do not require permits from the Codes Department.
Signs placed upon a vehicle are also allowed, provided that any vehicle with a sign face over two square feet is not conspicuously or continually parked in such a manner so as to constitute a sign. The vehicle must be used for legitimate vehicular purposes.
Portable trailer signs shall require a temporary sign permit and are valid for fourteen (14) days, four (4) times a year. Permits for portable signs shall not be issued for consecutive time periods. Portable trailer signs are prohibited along designated Scenic Highways or Scenic Parkways.
No signs shall be placed in the public right-of-way including street medians, street islands, between the sidewalk and the street, on utility poles or trees. In addition, signs should not encroach upon the clear sight triangle at street intersections. Signs placed on buildings may not extend above the roofline.
Removal of Certain Signs
The Zoning Enforcement Office may cause the removal of unauthorized advertising signs from the public right-of-way. Such signs may be impounded as evidence. A penalty fee of fifty dollars ($50) shall be charged for the sign to be returned to the owner.
Disposal of Signs
Any sign removed by the Zoning Enforcement Office pursuant with the provisions of the Zoning Resolution shall become property of the County and may be disposed of in any manner deemed appropriate by the County. Cost of removal of the sign by the County shall be considered a debt owed to the County by the owner of the sign and the owner of the property, and may be recovered in an appropriate court action by the County or by assessment against the property as hereafter provided. The cost of abatement or removal shall include any and all incidental expenses incurred by the County in connection with the sign abatement or removal.
Any questions regarding these regulations should be brought to the immediate attention of the Zoning Enforcement Office at (615) 898-7734.
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