Tupelo Code of Ordinances § 3-21 Short title.
Sec. 3-21. - Short title.
The short title of this article shall be the "Tupelo Sign Ordinance."
(Ord. of 11-15-88, § 1.1)
GENERALLY
Tupelo Code of Ordinances ch. 3, art. II, div. 1
in effectTupelo Code of Ordinances § 3-22 Purpose.
Sec. 3-22. - Purpose.
(a) The purpose of this article is to establish standards and limitations for the fabrication, erection, use and maintenance of signs, symbols, markings, and advertising devices within the city. These regulations are designed to safeguard and enhance property values; to protect public and private investments in buildings, open spaces and property; to preserve and improve the appearance of the city as a place in which to live and to work; to preserve and enhance the attractiveness of the city to nonresidents who come to the city to visit or to trade; to reduce public safety hazards caused by signs which are improperly constructed or maintained; or which impair visibility or otherwise distract the attention of motorists; and, in general, to promote the health, safety and welfare of the general public.
(b) It is also intended that this article aid in the development and promotion of business and industry by providing regulations that encourage aesthetic values, creativity, effectiveness and flexibility in the design and use of signs without creating effects detrimental to the general public. While recognizing the need for adequate business and noncommercial identification, advertising and communication, this article requires that signs:
(1) Be compatible with their surroundings and in compliance with proper design and zoning regulations;
(2) Be designed, installed and maintained to meet the needs of sign users while promoting the environment desired by the general public;
(3) Be designed, constructed, installed and maintained in a manner that will not endanger the public safety or create traffic hazards;
(4) Be legible and readable in the circumstances in which they are utilized; and
(5) Be respectful of the reasonable rights of other advertisers whose messages are displayed.
(Ord. of 11-15-88, § 1.2)
Tupelo Code of Ordinances § 3-23 Scope.
Sec. 3-23. - Scope.
(a) This article is enacted pursuant to authority granted to the city by MCA 1972, §§ 21-17-1 and 17-1-3. It shall apply to all signs erected after the effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived and to existing signs as specified in division 7 of this article.
(b) This article applies to signs which are intended to be viewed from a public right-of-way, such as freeways, highways, roads, streets and alleys, and to signs which are intended to be viewed from outdoor areas of public and private property used for public pedestrian purposes or vehicular access to such property.
(c) This article prescribes definitions, regulations and standards, administration and procedures, permits and payment of fees, and provides for penalties for violations. It regulates height, area, illumination and other similar aspects of signs and sign structures.
(d) This article does not regulate the use of materials such as noncommercial holiday signs and decorations; signs on products, product containers or dispensers; public information and safety signs; any signs required by local, state or federal law; or building design exclusive of any commercial message.
(Ord. of 11-15-88, § 1.3)
Tupelo Code of Ordinances § 3-24 Relationship to zoning ordinance and other regulations.
Sec. 3-24. - Relationship to zoning ordinance and other regulations.
(a) The regulations contained in this article are supplemental to any other applicable federal, state or local regulations which may be construed as pertaining to the erection and maintenance of signs and sign structures. This specifically includes the zoning ordinance and all building and other construction codes adopted by the city.
(b) Words and phrases contained in this article not specifically defined are to be construed in the context of such other regulations. In the event of any conflict between these regulations and other such regulations, the more stringent rule shall apply.
(c) All references in this article to zones, with regard to permitted uses or any other regulations in this article, refer to the zones established by the zoning ordinance, as amended, and the zoning map, as amended and on file at the city hall. Should any zoning classifications be added or changed, the regulations of the most similar existing classification, as determined by the board of aldermen upon consideration of the recommendations of the planning committee, shall apply until such time as this article may be amended.
(Ord. of 11-15-88, § 1.4)
Tupelo Code of Ordinances § 3-25 Jurisdiction.
Sec. 3-25. - Jurisdiction.
This article shall apply to all areas within the corporate boundaries of the city as prescribed by the ordinances of the city. Should these corporate boundaries be expanded, this article shall apply immediately to any annexed area. The city may, at its discretion, adopt a temporary land use plan for any area so annexed to provide for the establishment of use zones to which this article shall apply.
(Ord. of 11-15-88, § 1.5)
Tupelo Code of Ordinances § 3-26 Definitions.
Sec. 3-26. - Definitions.
The following words and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them:
Awning means a structure made of cloth, metal or other material affixed to a building in such a manner that the structure may be raised or retracted to a position against the building.
Banner and streamer means any sign intended to be hung from an existing structure, either with or without frames, possessing characters, letters, illustrations, ornamentation or bright colors, and displayed on fabric or other flexible materials.
Building frontage means the length in feet of that portion of a building which faces a public street.
Building sign means a sign attached to, supported by or painted on a building or other structure, including wall signs, roof signs, awnings, canopy and marquee signs, hanging signs and projecting signs.
Canopy means a structure other than an awning made of cloth, metal or other material with frames affixed to a building or carried by a frame which is supported by the ground.
Construction sign means a sign identifying individuals or companies involved in design, construction, wrecking, financing or development when placed upon the premises where work is under construction during allowable periods.
Directional or instructional sign means a sign, providing no advertising of any kind, which provides direction or instruction to guide persons to facilities intended to serve the public, including but not specifically limited to those signs identifying rest rooms, public telephones, public walkways, parking areas, and other similar facilities.
Ground sign means an on-premises sign that is supported totally or partially by ground.
Lot means a parcel of land under separate ownership from adjoining property. Boundaries of parcels or lots shall be assumed to coincide with those shown on the tax assessment rolls and maps of the city or of the county, unless conclusive evidence to the contrary is presented.
Marquee means a permanent roof-like structure extending from part of the wall of a building, but not supported by the ground, and constructed of durable material such as metal or glass.
Nonconforming sign means a sign which was in existence prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived and which does not comply with all of the terms of this article.
Off-premises sign or billboard means a sign which relates to a product, service, place, activity, person, institution or solicitation conducted or located on premises other than those on which the sign is located.
On-premises sign means a sign which relates to a product, service, place, activity, person, institution or solicitation conducted or located on the same premises on which the sign is located.
Permanent sign means an on-premises sign which indicates an intended use as a permanent fixture.
Political sign means a temporary sign identifying a political candidate, issue or party.
Portable or trailer sign means a sign not permanently affixed to the ground, a building or other structure, whether mounted on a frame, chassis, trailer or other movable structure that is not anchored to a permanent foundation or structure. For purposes of this article, a portable or trailer sign is classified as a ground sign.
Projecting sign means a sign which is affixed to a building or wall and which extends beyond the line of such building or wall or beyond the surface of that portion of the building or wall to which it is affixed by more than sixteen (16) inches.
Real estate sign means a sign which is used to offer for sale, lease or rent the premises upon which such sign is placed.
Roof sign means a sign erected or maintained in whole or in part upon, against, or directly above the roof or parapet line of a building or other structure.
Sign means any identification, description, illustration or device, illuminated or nonilluminated, which is visible from any public place or which is located on private property and exposed to the public and which directs attention to a product, service, place, activity, person, institution or solicitation, including any permanently installed or situated merchandise, or any emblem, banner, pennant, painting or placard designed to advertise, identify or convey information visually. For the purpose of removal, signs shall also include all sign structures.
Sign area or size means the total area of the space enclosed by one (1) continuous line, connecting the extreme points or edges of a sign. This does not include the main supporting sign structure, but does include all other ornamental attachments, inner connecting links and general background. Sign area for a double-faced sign shall consist of only the area of one (1) face.
Sign structure means any structure which supports, has supported or is capable of supporting a sign, including decorative cover.
Street frontage means the length in feet of that portion of a lot which borders on a public street or alley and includes the length of frontage of both streets for corner lots.
Temporary sign means a nonpermanent sign which is erected, affixed or maintained on a premises for a specified period of time, usually of relatively short duration.
Wall sign means a sign attached directly to, placed upon, or painted upon an exterior wall of a building or other structure or dependent upon a building or other structure for support with the exposed face of the sign located in a place substantially parallel to such exterior building wall to which the sign is attached or supported by.
Window sign means a sign attached to, placed upon or painted on the interior of a window or door of a building or in close proximity to such a window or door, which is intended for viewing from the exterior of such building.
(Ord. of 11-15-88, § 2)
Tupelo Code of Ordinances § 3-27 Exempt signs.
Sec. 3-27. - Exempt signs.
The following types of signs are exempted from all provisions of this article:
(1) Public signs. Signs erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of his public duty, such as safety signs, danger signs, traffic and other regulatory signs, and other informational signs.
(2) Historical markers. Historical markers or memorials as approved and recognized pursuant to the lawful act of any local, state or federal authorities.
(Ord. of 11-15-88, § 7)
Tupelo Code of Ordinances § 3-28 Prohibited signs.
Sec. 3-28. - Prohibited signs.
The following types of signs are prohibited under the provisions of this article:
(1) Flashing lights or other distracting illumination.
a. No sign shall consist of or display, in whole or in part, any flashing lights or other illuminating devices which change in intensity, brightness or color.
b. The light for or from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded, shielded, or directed that the light intensity shall not be objectionable to surrounding areas and shall not cause unnecessary glare to be directed toward traffic lanes.
(2) Resemblance to traffic signs. No sign shall resemble or conflict with any traffic-control device or sign, or contain the words "stop," "caution," "go slow," "danger," "warning" or any similar words or phrases that may be construed to misdirect or confuse traffic flow.
(3) Vehicle signs. No sign shall be attached to, suspended from or painted upon any vehicle or trailer which is regularly parked on any street, or on any private property which is visible from any street, which is designed to serve the purposes of a sign as defined in this article. This prohibition shall not apply to vehicles or trailers utilized on a regular basis for deliveries, maintenance and related business purposes, or to a single sign not exceeding two (2) square feet displayed on or within a vehicle advertising the availability of the vehicle for sale.
(4) Flags. Decorative flags, emblems and insignia utilized for the purposes of a sign as defined by this article are prohibited.
(5) Prohibited locations. No signs otherwise permitted by this article shall be placed on any public property, including, but not limited to, utility poles, fences or trees, or within any street or other public right-of-way.
(6) General prohibited signs. All other signs not specifically allowed by this article are prohibited, unless a special exception for their use can be secured in accordance with section 3-48 of this article.
(Ord. of 11-15-88, § 8)
Source: City of Tupelo, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances and Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/tupelo/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH3AD_ARTIISICO_DIV1GEFetched: 11/1/2026