# Sign Regulations in Alabaster, Alabama

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Alabaster, Alabama, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Alabaster, Alabama (AL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/alabama/alabaster
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/AL/Alabaster/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIILADEOR_CH111ZOGE_ARTVIISIRE)

## At a glance

Alabaster, Alabama regulates 30 sign types across 24 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Interstate Highway 65 abutting lots, building on at least 5 acres)s in the M-1 Light Industrial District, M-2 Heavy Industrial District zoning district are capped at 35 ft tall and 240 sq ft, with a At least 100 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 111-227(4)). Most commercial signs in Alabaster require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (24 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A Agriculture District, E Single-Family Estate Residential District, R-1 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Single-Family Residential District, R-3 Single-Family Residential District, R-4 Residential Patio/Garden Home District, R-5 Two-Family Residential District, R-7 Townhouse District, R-8 Manufactured and Mobile Home Residential District | 4 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-6 Multifamily District | 1 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| MHD Manufactured and Mobile Home Park and Subdivision District | 1 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| I Institution District, B-1 Office District | 6 | 4 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| I Institution District, B-1 Office District (Multiple Buildings) | 1 | 4 ft | 32 sq ft (internally illuminated); 48 sq ft (nonilluminated/indirect); 48 sq ft (internally illuminated for >500,000 sq ft campus); 72 sq ft (nonilluminated/indirect for >500,000 sq ft campus) | — |
| B-2 Neighborhood Business District, B-4 General Business District | 5 | 20 ft (main sign), 10 ft (additional corner sign) | 120 sq ft (main sign), 48 sq ft (additional corner sign - monument style) | — |
| B-3 Community Business District | 8 | 40 ft (under 30,000 sq ft); 45 ft (over 30,000 sq ft); Top of building wall for wall/canopy | 200 sq ft (total for Option 2 per lot) | — |
| B-5 Central Business District | 3 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| M-1 Light Industrial District, M-2 Heavy Industrial District | 8 | 50 ft | 400 sq ft | — |
| PDD Planned Development District | 1 | 12 ft or maximum permitted by subject district, whichever is less (for freestanding signs) | — | — |
| MXD Mixed Use District | 1 | — | — | — |
| PCD-1 Planned Neighborhood Commercial District | 1 | Per B-2 Neighborhood Business District | Per B-2 Neighborhood Business District | — |
| PCD-2 Planned Commercial District | 1 | Per B-3 Community Business District | Per B-3 Community Business District | — |
| POD Planned Office and Institution District | 1 | Per I Institution and B-1 Office District sign regulations | Per I Institution and B-1 Office District sign regulations | — |
| PRD-1 Planned Single-Family Residential District | 1 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| PRD-2 Planned Attached Residential District | 1 | See R-5, R-6, R-7, as applicable per project | See R-5, R-6, R-7, as applicable per project | — |
| PID Planned Industrial District | 1 | Per M-1 district regulations | Per M-1 district regulations | — |
| MR Municipal Reserve District | 1 | — | — | — |
| MOD Mountain Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| PCO Peavine Creek Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Medical Mile Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| State Route 119 Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| CO Conditional Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Aria at Siluria Active Adult Community MXD District | 1 | — | Not specified; subject to MXD review | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 24 zones)

### I Institution District, B-1 Office District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (under 20,000 sq ft building) | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | In front of building | — | Sec. 111-224(a)(1) |
| Wall Sign or Canopy Sign (under 20,000 sq ft building) | — | 20 sq ft per visible street front | — | — | One per visible street front | Each visible street front | — | Sec. 111-224(a)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (20,000 to <100,000 sq ft building) | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | In front of building | — | Sec. 111-224(a)(2) |
| Wall Sign or Canopy Sign (20,000 to <100,000 sq ft building) | — | 30 sq ft per visible street front | — | — | One per visible street front | Each visible street front | — | Sec. 111-224(a)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (100,000 sq ft or greater building) | 4 ft | 48 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | In front of building | — | Sec. 111-224(a)(3) |
| Wall Sign or Canopy Sign (100,000 sq ft or greater building) | — | 40 sq ft per visible street front | — | — | One per visible street front | Each visible street front | — | Sec. 111-224(a)(3) |

### B-3 Community Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 1 | 20 ft | 48 sq ft | — | — | One per qualifying lot | Lot or parcel w/150 ft of continuous frontage | — | Sec. 111-225(b)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 2 (Monument Sign) | 10 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | One per qualifying lot | Lot or parcel w/150 ft of continuous frontage | — | Sec. 111-225(b)(2) |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft (total for Option 2 per lot) | — | — | One per facing street | Each facing street | — | Sec. 111-225(b)(2) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Identification Sign | 30 ft (main sign), 10 ft (corner sign), 70 ft (I-65) | 120 sq ft/main sign, 48 sq ft/corner monument sign, or 240 sq ft if facing I-65 | — | — | See above | As described | — | Sec. 111-225(b)(4) |
| Shopping Center Tenant Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per street wall | Each establishment in shopping center | — | Sec. 111-225(b)(3) |
| Gas Station Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | Two sides per canopy | On gas station canopy | — | Sec. 111-225(b)(5)a |
| Gas Station Pump Island Sign | — | 12 sq ft per pump island (spandrels) | — | — | Per pump island | On pump island spandrel | — | Sec. 111-225(b)(5)b |
| Auto Dealership Signs (B-3 district, see table) | 40 ft (under 30,000 sq ft); 45 ft (over 30,000 sq ft); Top of building wall for wall/canopy | Building wall/canopy sign: 100 sq ft (both under and over 30,000 sq ft floor area); Freestanding sign: 220 sq ft (under 30,000 sq ft), 380 sq ft (over 30,000 sq ft) *see restrictions; max allowed on freestanding sign = 260 sq ft | — | — | Freestanding sign: 3 allowed; see restrictions for additional franchises | On building wall/canopy or as freestanding sign | — | Sec. 111-225(b)(6) |

### M-1 Light Industrial District, M-2 Heavy Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (building < 20,000 sq ft) | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per building | In front of building | — | Sec. 111-227(1) |
| Wall Sign | — | 150 sq ft (total wall signage for < 20,000 sq ft bld) | — | — | — | Building wall | — | Sec. 111-227(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (20,000 to <100,000 sq ft bld) | 6 ft | 48 sq ft | — | — | One per building | In front of building | — | Sec. 111-227(2) |
| Wall Sign (20,000 to <100,000 sq ft bld) | — | 200 sq ft (total) | — | — | — | Building wall | — | Sec. 111-227(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (100,000 sq ft or greater bld) | 6 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | One per building | In front of building | — | Sec. 111-227(3) |
| Wall Sign (100,000 sq ft or greater bld) | — | 300 sq ft (total) | — | — | — | Building wall | — | Sec. 111-227(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Interstate Highway 65 abutting lots, building on at least 5 acres) | 35 ft | 240 sq ft | — | At least 100 ft from right-of-way | One per qualifying lot | On lots abutting Interstate Highway 65, bld on ≥5 acres | — | Sec. 111-227(4) |
| Industrial Park Freestanding Sign (abutting Interstate Highway 65) | 50 ft | 400 sq ft | — | — | One per qualifying park | Industrial park abutting I-65 | — | Sec. 111-227(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Alabaster

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, move, alter or convert any sign in the city, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a building permit for each sign from the building official, except as otherwise provided.
- Portable signs and any other signs which are not permanently attached to the ground or a building are prohibited, except for those expressly permitted as 'temporary signs' under section 111-233(c).
- Signs located in the public right-of-way are prohibited, except those specifically permitted in accordance with section 111-230.
- Signs attached to trees, utility poles or other structures located in the public right-of-way are prohibited, except for instructional signs posted by the owner of a pole or other structure.
- Except as permitted under section 111-235, animated signs, including signs which move, revolve, rotate or appear animated by mechanical, electronic or other means, are prohibited.
- Except as permitted under section 111-235, signs with flashing, blinking, moving or intermittent light or with light which varies in intensity or color, except time and temperature signs, are prohibited.
- Strings of light bulbs, inflatable signs and signs which emit noise, odor or visible matter such as smoke or steam are prohibited.
- Banners are prohibited except as permitted in section 111-233(c) of this article.
- Wind-driven signs including pennants, ribbons, spinners, streamers, captive balloons and similar devices are prohibited; this restriction does not apply to flags permitted in accordance with section 111-233(b)(1).
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited, except as permitted in section 111-230.
- Signs which do not comply with the adopted building, electrical or fire codes are prohibited.
- Any sign which constitutes a safety hazard, including signs which obstruct visibility at intersections, are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Alabaster

- Changing of the advertising copy of a message on an existing approved sign or marquee specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy is permitted and exempt from permit requirements.
- Painting, cleaning or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign not involving structural, electronic, or electrical changes is permitted and exempt from permit requirements.
- Construction signs, instructional signs, the American flag, governmental signs, holiday decorations, interior signs, plaques, public notices, symbols or insignias, for sale or lease signs located on the premises, warning signs, and signs awarded by the city beautification board are exempt signs.
- Directional signs which do not exceed four square feet of sign face area, nor three feet in height and are placed and removed within 24 hours of the event are exempt signs. Directional signs are not permitted in the right-of-way.
- Signs which are incorporated into vending machines by a manufacturer or distributor, which identify or advertise only the product or service dispensed by the machine, are exempt signs.
- Political campaign signs, subject to listed restrictions, are exempt signs.
- Temporary signs as set out in section 111-233(c)(7) and (8) are permitted.
- Routine maintenance of signs, as specified, does not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for the erection, construction, enlargement, moving, alteration or conversion of any sign, unless explicitly exempted.
- Sign permit applications must include specific information, including engineered drawings for certain sizes/heights, and are subject to denial with written explanation.
- Appeals of permit denials may be taken to the board of zoning adjustment.
- In the MXD Mixed Use District, requirements for signs shall be established for each mixed use development as part of the development plan review process, and this article does not apply.
- For special exception uses, a site plan is required that must show locations of exterior lighting and signs.
- A master sign plan or similar is not explicitly referenced as required city-wide; however, individual development types or districts such as Planned Development Districts and Mixed Use Developments require a signage plan or establish sign standards as part of their development/development plan approval process.
- Sign variance requests follow the standard board of zoning adjustment process, requiring an application and review at variance meetings.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 24 zoning districts in Alabaster — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Alabaster+AL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-alabaster

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