Sign Regulations in Atmore, Alabama
Atmore, Alabama has specific sign regulations covering 10 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Detached Sign, Changeable Copy Sign. Height restrictions apply. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: March 31, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Atmore, Alabama
Sample Sign Requirements in Atmore
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 2 square feet | — |
| Permanent Ground Sign | 5 feet | 6.5 square feet | — |
| Temporary Subdivision Sign | — | 32 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
10
- Wall Sign
- Detached Sign
- Changeable Copy Sign
- Temporary Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
4
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Atmore
Other Cities in Alabama
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Atmore vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Atmore, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Atmore, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Detached Sign, Changeable Copy Sign, Temporary Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Atmore vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Atmore are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Atmore has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Atmore, Alabama Sign Rules at a Glance
Atmore, Alabama regulates 10 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Permanent Ground Signs in the Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3) zoning district are capped at 5 feet tall and 6.5 square feet (Sec. 9.5812).
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Atmore, Alabama
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Atmore (4 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 5 | 5 feet | 75 square feet | — |
| Business Districts (B-1, B-2) | 5 | 21 feet | 300 square feet | — |
| Industrial Districts (M-1, M-2) | 4 | 21 feet | 300 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | 20 feet in Residential, 30 feet in Business and Industrial | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Atmore(sample of 3 of 4 zones)
Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | One per dwelling unit | Each dwelling unit | — | Unlock | 9.5811 |
| Permanent Ground Sign | 5 feet | 6.5 square feet | — | — | One permanent ground sign and unlimited temporary ground signs | Each occupied lot | — | Unlock | 9.5812 |
| Temporary Subdivision Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | One for subdivisions with 50 or fewer lots, two for larger subdivisions | At each principal entrance to the subdivision | — | Unlock | 9.5813 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 75 square feet | — | 10 feet from pavement edge | Two per institutional use | For schools, houses of worship, recreation centers, or other institutional uses | — | Unlock | 9.5814 |
| Wall Sign (Institutional Use) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | One per public entrance | Each public entrance to the institutional use | — | Unlock | 9.5814 |
Business Districts (B-1, B-2)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached Sign | 21 feet | 75 square feet | — | — | One per premises, plus one additional in B-2 | Per premises | — | Unlock | 9.5821 |
| Wall Sign | — | 300 square feet | — | — | Varies by building type | On one wall for sole occupant buildings; on the wall with an exterior entrance for multi-tenant buildings | — | Unlock | 9.5822 |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On permitted signs larger than 50 square feet | — | Unlock | 9.5823 |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On first floor windows | — | Unlock | 9.5824 |
| Temporary Sign | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One per premises | On premises for new businesses or businesses starting in a new location | — | Unlock | 9.5825 |
Industrial Districts (M-1, M-2)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached Sign | 21 feet | 75 square feet | — | — | One per premises | Per premises | — | Unlock | 9.5821 |
| Wall Sign | — | 300 square feet | — | — | Varies by building type | On one wall for sole occupant buildings; on the wall with an exterior entrance for multi-tenant buildings | — | Unlock | 9.5822 |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On permitted signs larger than 50 square feet | — | Unlock | 9.5823 |
| Temporary Sign | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One per premises | On premises for new businesses or businesses starting in a new location | — | Unlock | 9.5825 |
PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in Atmore. Run a code check for your exact address to get the zone that applies to your property and its full sign requirements — illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
Run a code check for your exact address — freeProhibited Signs in Atmore
- It shall be unlawful for any person to erect or maintain upon any public street, avenue, alley, park or other public place within the city any sign or device advertising beer, ale or other malt liquors.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to paint or print any type of signs on any water tower within the city or its police jurisdiction.
- No sign of any kind, such as a 'for sale' sign, shall be allowed in the cemetery.
- No person shall change the position of, damage, deface, destroy, injure or remove any street marker or sign erected by the city.
- No sign or sign structure shall be placed upon any street or highway right-of-way except as otherwise provided herein.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained at any location where by reason of its position, working, illumination, shape, symbol, color, form or character it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or may be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device, or interfere with, mislead, confuse, or disrupt traffic safety or flow.
- No portion of a sign shall obscure visibility between a height of three (3) and ten (10) feet within an area defined by a triangle extending from a street intersection by a distance of 25 feet from the corner along the curbline of each street, with the third side formed by connecting the other two legs of the triangle.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- No portion of any projecting sign shall be less than eight (8) feet above the level of a sidewalk or other pedestrian thoroughfare, nor shall be less than fifteen (15) feet above the level of a public driveway, alley or street.
- Any sign erected or painted upon a fence, tree, standpipe, fire escape or utility pole, except the manufacturer's or installer's ID plate which shall not be legible from a distance of more than three feet.
- Any sign which is a copy or imitation of an official traffic control sign.
- Signs which contain flashing or intermittent illuminations, except as required for traffic control.
- Portable signs, snipe signs, sandwich signs, or ladder-type signs.
- Permanent signs that produce sound or noise; cause interference with radio, telephone, television or other communication transmissions; produce or reflect motion pictures; emit visible smoke, vapor, particles, or odor; are animated or produce any rotation, motion or movement.
- New off-premises signs or billboards in any zoning district.
Exempt Signs in Atmore
- Any sign located entirely inside a building and not visible from the public right-of-way or from private property other than the property on which such sign is located.
- Any sign on a truck, bus or other vehicle that is used in the normal course of a business for transportation.
- Signs conforming with the Alabama Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and bearing no commercial message.
- Signs bearing no commercial message and installed by employees or officials of a state or federal agency in the course of their governmental duties.
- Signs required by a state or federal statute.
- Signs required by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
- Signs installed by public utilities in their rights-of-way or on their facilities and bearing no commercial message other than such message is necessary to identify the user.
- Signs installed by a transit company with a franchise or other right to operate in the City of Atmore, where such signs are installed along its routes and relate to schedules or other information about the transit route.
- Signs installed by City employees or officials of the City of Atmore and not falling under one of the broader exemptions of Section 9.542.
- Detached signs smaller than two square feet in area and less than four feet in height, and containing no commercial message.
- Wall signs smaller than two square feet in area and containing no commercial message.
- Window signs permitted by this Ordinance, where such signs are not illuminated or otherwise electrified.
- Permanent signs smaller than seven square feet and permitted in single-family residential districts.
- Any sign not legible from a public way or from private property other than the lot on which the sign is located.
- Routine maintenance of any sign, not involving structural changes to the sign.
- Changes of message, either manually or electronically, on a message board or reader board, subject to limitations in this Article on the frequency of changes of message.
- Changes of sign panels or letters that do not involve structural changes to the sign.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Atmore
- The Board of Adjustment may, in special cases and for good reason, and where, owing to conditions peculiar to the property and not the result of the actions of the applicant, a literal enforcement of the Ordinance would result in unnecessary or unique hardship, permit the erection of a sign not in conformance with the requirements of this Ordinance, and at its discretion, may require the posting of a bond in sufficient amount to protect the City against all liabilities that may result from the erection and use of such sign.
Source: municode municipal code