Sign-code due diligence
Start your sign-code research with an address.
A sign code check is a lookup of your municipality's sign ordinance — the local rules that govern what signs you can install, how tall, how large, how lit, and whether you need a permit.
Enter a U.S. address to identify the likely governing authority. Sign in for a free research report where coverage is available, with source details, labeled planning assumptions, and gaps to confirm.
How it works
From the library
Sign code guides
Coverage
Do we cover your city?
FreeCodeChecks is new, and it's free. We're working to capture every municipal sign code in the country, and coverage grows every week. If something is missing or looks wrong, tell us — your feedback helps us improve.
Plans
Free vs Professional
Free
Automated sign-code lookup, free for everyone.
- Instant automated lookup
- 11,600+ U.S. cities and counties with sign rules on file
- Available sources, assumptions, and gaps
- Printable report
- Ad-supported
Professional
Human research for the sign-code questions your project still needs to resolve.
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Request research for U.S. jurisdictions missing from our data
- Performed by experienced code checkers
- Response target: within 48 business hours
- Scope, deliverable, and schedule agreed in your quote
- Direct researcher correspondence
The response target is not a report-delivery deadline. Research does not guarantee permit approval.
Have questions about the Professional service? Contact us →
Frequently asked questions
Is FreeCodeChecks really free?
Yes. The automated sign-code lookup is free for any U.S. address we cover, supported by ads. You can run as many checks as you need without a credit card.
How accurate are the automated results?
Automated extraction can misread a value or miss its zoning and sign-type scope. Check the cited source material, distinguish labelled planning assumptions from local requirements, and confirm the current rules with the responsible authority before relying on a report.
What is the difference between Free and Professional?
Free lets you search for available automated reports and review their sources, planning assumptions, and gaps. Professional offers research by experienced code checkers and direct correspondence with the researcher. Every job is scoped before it is priced; confirm the deliverable and schedule in your quote. Our response target is within 48 business hours, not a report-delivery or permit-approval deadline.
Which cities and counties have sign rules on file?
We have 11,600+ U.S. cities and counties with sign rules on file. We are always adding more. You can request a jurisdiction if its sign rules are not on file yet.
Can I use a report for a permit application?
Reports are research aids. Review the sources, assumptions, and gaps before using one to prepare an application. A Professional research request can help investigate unresolved questions, but it does not replace required drawings, professional certifications, or the permitting authority’s review. Confirm the required documents with that authority.