# Sign Regulations in Arab, Alabama

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

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

## At a glance

Arab, Alabama regulates 9 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial (GB, OI, NC) zoning district are capped at 45' (min 25'), or monument sign max 8' tall and 300 sq ft (per tax lot), with a 15' from right-of-way setback (Sec. Table 7-1; Article VII. Sections 700, 701, 702.). Most commercial signs in Arab require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial (GB, OI, NC) | 4 | 45' (min 25'), or monument sign max 8' | 300 sq ft (per tax lot) | — |
| Industrial (M-1, M-2) | 3 | 45' (min 25') | 300 sq ft (per tax lot) | — |
| Residential Multi-Family | 2 | 25' (or monument sign max 8') | 49 sq ft (per tax lot) | — |
| Residential Single Family | 2 | 15' (or monument sign max 8') | 49 sq ft (per tax lot) | — |
| Agricultural (Ag) | 2 | 25' | 49 sq ft (per tax lot) | — |
| Urban Mix (HD) | 2 | 15' (or monument sign max 8') | 49 sq ft (per tax lot) | — |
| Historic District | 3 | 40 inches | 49 sq ft (per tax lot) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Commercial (GB, OI, NC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 45' (min 25'), or monument sign max 8' | 300 sq ft (per tax lot) | — | 15' from right-of-way | 1 per tax lot (2 for corner lots) | Minimum setback 15' from public street right-of-way; not in right-of-way. | — | Table 7-1; Article VII. Sections 700, 701, 702. |
| Building Mounted Sign | Top of constructed roofline (not above roof deck or eave) | — | — | — | — | Attached to building; below eave/roof deck. | — | Table 7-1; Article VII. Section 700(7). |
| Electronic Changing Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | As for freestanding/building mounted sign; 200' from off-site residential; 150' from other electronic signs. | 1 per tax lot | Allowed ONLY along HWY 231 and Old Huntsville HWY corridors. Must be a component of an allowable sign. | — | Section 702. |
| Complex Sign | — | Over 49 sq ft (no stated upper limit but likely up to 300 sq ft per tax lot rule/other sign area maximums) | — | — | — | On property part of the commercial complex. | — | Section 703. |

### Industrial (M-1, M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 45' (min 25') | 300 sq ft (per tax lot) | — | 15' from right-of-way | 1 per tax lot (2 for corner lots) | Minimum 15' from right-of-way | — | Table 7-1 |
| Building Mounted Sign | Constructed roofline / below eave or roof deck | — | — | — | — | On the building, below eave or roof deck. | — | Table 7-1 |
| Electronic Changing Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | As for base sign, plus 200' from any off-site residential. | 1 per tax lot | ONLY along HWY 231 or Old Huntsville HWY corridor. | — | Section 702. |

### Historic District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 15' or monument sign max 8' | 49 sq ft (per tax lot) | — | 15' from right-of-way | 1 per tax lot (2 for corner lots) | 15' from public right-of-way. | — | Table 7-1 |
| Building Mounted Sign | Constructed roofline / below eave or roof deck | — | — | — | — | On building, below eave/roof deck. | — | Table 7-1 |
| A-Frame Sign | 40 inches | 5.6 sq ft (approx.) | 20 inches | — | 1 per building | Sidewalks. Must NOT be within landscaping, must observe ADA sidewalk rules. | — | Section 701. 6. |

## Prohibited signs in Arab

- Signs or lighting of signs placed in such a position as to endanger vehicular or pedestrian traffic by interfering with vision, by obscuring a clear view or by confusion with official street signs or signal, by glare or by flashing light, or by other means.
- Signs attached to trees, rocks, or other parts of a natural landscape, utility poles, fences, guardrails or other highway delineators are not permitted.
- Signs that contain vulgar, threatening, hate speech, lewd or indecent content are not permitted.
- Signs that may project over a public right-of-way or sidewalk unless the building is closer than five feet from the public way/sidewalk and the sign is at an adequate height so as not to interfere with pedestrians or vehicular traffic.
- Flashing signs, signs that flash, have motion, are animated, create an illusion of movement, or are internally illuminated are not permitted in any district except as allowed in the electronic sign section.
- Signs larger than 300 square feet are not permitted.
- Portable signs are not permitted. Portable signs include any sign not attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported. Includes signs on wheels, A-frame or T-frame signs.
- Signs for off-site uses are not permitted with the exception of permitted temporary or complex signs.
- Any sign not otherwise authorized by this Ordinance or a legal nonconforming sign in place before adoption of this Ordinance.
- No more than one free-standing sign per tax lot. Corner lots may be permitted two free-standing signs.
- Signs shall not be attached to trees, utility poles, or placed in any public right-of-way.
- No detached sign shall be located within 15 feet of any public street right-of-way.
- Illuminated signs must use steady, non-flashing, white light shielded from abutters and traffic.
- Signs for a non-residential use that has not operated within the previous 90 days shall be removed within 30 days.
- Signs must be constructed of permanent materials and attached properly except for temporary signs.
- Pre-existing nonconforming signs shall not be expanded and, if replaced, must meet all requirements of this Ordinance.
- No nonconforming sign shall be repaired or reestablished after damage or destruction if the estimated expense exceeds 50% of original construction cost or requires repair to more than 50% of the sign.
- No nonconforming sign shall be changed to another nonconforming sign.
- No nonconforming sign shall be replaced with another nonconforming sign if it deteriorates due to age/use and requires replacement.
- A nonconforming sign may not be repainted, refaced or modified to serve another business, advertisement or event.

## Signs exempt from permit in Arab

- Signs erected by governmental units, required by federal, state or local law or public school systems are not subject to regulation by this ordinance.
- Signs erected on the interior of a building that cannot be viewed from outside of the building are not subject to regulation by this ordinance.
- Traffic control devices erected per a government permit requirement are not subject to regulation by this ordinance.
- Street numbers associated with private residential homes.
- Warning signs marking hazards on private property.
- A-Frame signs (no larger than approximately 20" x 40") allowed in the historic district zone on sidewalks during store business hours only (with ADA rules observed and limited to one sign per building).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A completed sign permit application and fee must be submitted and a permit secured prior to erecting, re-erecting, altering, relocating, enlarging, making structural repairs or changes, and/or changing the lighting, size or height of signs (except for temporary signs). Permit is not required for content changes.
- A new sign construction permit is required if a use is sold, even if sign specifications do not change, to verify compliance.
- Denied sign permits may be appealed to the City Council by written notice within 14 days.
- Electronic changing sign permit applications must include manufacturer specifications regarding maximum brightness and a sworn affidavit from landowner, applicant, and sign installer that all requirements are met.
- Sign permits are not required for temporary signs (yard signs, banner signs, wind signs, vehicle signs).

## 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 8 zoning districts in Arab — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Arab+AL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-arab

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