Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Signage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County clarifies sign types, proposes electronic‑message timing and brightness limits
Summary
Article 15 was reorganized to define sign types, set size and placement by district, require master sign plans for large multi‑tenant sites, limit electronic-message centers to a 60‑second hold time and set day/night brightness caps; several sign types would be prohibited outright.
Knox County planning staff reorganized the signage article to improve clarity on sign types, allowable districts and design standards.
Staff said the draft defines sign types (monument, pole, full sign) and ties size, height and placement limits to zoning districts. Electronic message centers would be required to hold a message a minimum of 60 seconds; staff said timing and brightness are calibrated to traffic speed and driver reading time and that daylight brightness allowances would be higher with reduced brightness at night. The draft also clarifies which incidental or functional signs — such as address numbers or real-estate signs — do not count toward maximum sign area totals.
The presenter listed categories of prohibited signs, including rotating signs, inflatable advertising and trailer‑mounted billboards. Political and other temporary signs would be treated as temporary signage consistent with state law.
Staff said master sign plans will be required for multi‑tenant sites over a square‑foot threshold (staff cited 25,000 square feet as an example) to coordinate tenant signage and maintain aesthetic consistency. Final numeric thresholds and illustrations will be provided in the published article for review.
