# Sign Regulations in Auburn, Alabama

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Auburn, Alabama (AL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/alabama/auburn
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://static.auburnalabama.org/media/apps/www/planning/development-services/zoning-ordinance/2025-March-ZO.pdf)

## At a glance

Auburn, Alabama regulates 61 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - General Business (≤16 ft height)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 16 ft (combined height of base and sign) tall and 100 sq ft (one sign); 130 sq ft combined (two signs, when allowed), with a 10 ft from side lot lines and 10 ft from front/street property line setback (Sec. Sec. 605.01(A); Sec. 604(N); Sec. 607.03(A); Sec. 608.01(B)(5)). Most commercial signs in Auburn require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | 60 ft | Up to 1,000 sq ft total; up to 1,250 sq ft on corner/double frontage; no individual sign larger than 500 sq ft | — |
| Urban Core District (UC) | 8 | 8 ft | Max 75 sq ft | — |
| College Edge Overlay District (CEOD) | 7 | ≤4 ft | Max 75 sq ft | — |
| Urban Neighborhood East District (UN-E), Urban Neighborhood West District (UN-W), Urban Neighborhood South District (UN-S) | 8 | 8 ft | Max 75 sq ft | — |
| Corridor Redevelopment District – East (CRD-E) | 2 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Corridor Redevelopment District – West (CRD-W) (east of North Donahue Drive) | 2 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Corridor Redevelopment District - Urban (CRD-U), Corridor Redevelopment District – Suburban (CRD-S) | 3 | 20/20/30/35/35/45 ft per category | Per category: 120/200/350/500/750/1000 sq ft; corner/double frontage combined limits apply | — |
| South College Corridor District (SCCD) | 3 | 60 ft (within 1,000 ft) OR 30 ft (within 1 mile and abutting) | 250 sq ft (within 1,000 ft of interchange) OR 130 sq ft (within 1 mile and abutting interstate ROW) | — |
| Interstate Commercial District (ICD) | 3 | 60 ft (within 1,000 ft) OR 30 ft (within 1 mile and abutting) | 250 sq ft (within 1,000 ft of interchange) OR 130 sq ft (within 1 mile and abutting interstate ROW) | — |
| Comprehensive Development District (CDD) | 3 | 20/20/30/35/35/45 ft per category | Per category: 120/200/350/500/750/1000 sq ft; corner/double frontage combined limits apply | — |
| Limited Development District (LDD) | 3 | 20/20/30/35/35/45 ft per category | Per category: 120/200/350/500/750/1000 sq ft; corner/double frontage combined limits apply | — |
| Planned Development District (PDD) | 3 | 20/20/30/35/35/45 ft per category | Per category: 120/200/350/500/750/1000 sq ft; corner/double frontage combined limits apply | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - General Business (≤16 ft height) | 16 ft (combined height of base and sign) | 100 sq ft (one sign); 130 sq ft combined (two signs, when allowed) | — | 10 ft from side lot lines and 10 ft from front/street property line | One per parcel unless otherwise allowed; two signs permitted on corner or double frontage lots (see area limits) | On any individual development site; no portion may project into the public right-of-way | — | Sec. 605.01(A); Sec. 604(N); Sec. 607.03(A); Sec. 608.01(B)(5) |
| Freestanding Sign - General Business (≤12 ft height) | 12 ft (combined height of base and sign) | 120 sq ft (one sign); 150 sq ft combined total (two signs on corner or double frontage lots) | — | 10 ft from side lot lines and 10 ft from front/street property line | One per parcel unless otherwise allowed; two signs permitted on corner/double frontage lots (combined area 150 sq ft) | On any individual development site; no projection into public right-of-way | — | Sec. 605.01(A) |
| Shopping Center Sign - Strip Mall Shopping Center (15,000–29,999 sq ft GBA) | 20 ft (combined base and sign) | 120 sq ft (one sign); 150 sq ft combined (two signs on corner/double frontage) | — | 10 ft side; 10 ft front/street property line | One sign; two permitted on corner/double frontage lots (combined area limits apply) | Shopping center sites | — | Sec. 605.01(B) |
| Shopping Center Sign - Neighborhood Shopping Center (small) (30,000–64,999 sq ft GBA) | 20 ft | 200 sq ft (one sign); 250 sq ft combined (two signs on corner/double frontage) | — | 10 ft side; 10 ft front/street property line | One sign; two permitted on corner/double frontage lots (combined area limits apply) | Shopping center sites | — | Sec. 605.01(B) |
| Shopping Center Sign - Neighborhood Shopping Center (65,000–99,999 sq ft GBA) | 30 ft | 350 sq ft (one sign); 450 sq ft combined (two signs on corner/double frontage) | — | 10 ft side; 10 ft front/street property line | One sign; two permitted on corner/double frontage lots (combined area limits apply) | Shopping center sites | — | Sec. 605.01(B) |
| Shopping Center Sign - Community Shopping Center (100,000–499,999 sq ft GBA) | 35 ft | 500 sq ft (one sign); 625 sq ft combined (two signs on corner/double frontage) | — | 10 ft side; 10 ft front/street property line | One sign; two permitted on corner/double frontage lots (combined area limits apply) | Shopping center sites | — | Sec. 605.01(B) |
| Shopping Center Sign - Regional Shopping Center (500,000–999,999 sq ft GBA) | 35 ft | Up to 750 sq ft total; up to 950 sq ft on corner/double frontage; no individual sign larger than 400 sq ft | — | 10 ft side; 10 ft front/street property line | Up to three signs total (individual sign ≤400 sq ft) | Shopping center sites | — | Sec. 605.01(B) |
| Shopping Center Sign - Super Regional Shopping Center or Mall (≥1,000,000 sq ft GBA) | 45 ft | Up to 1,000 sq ft total; up to 1,250 sq ft on corner/double frontage; no individual sign larger than 500 sq ft | — | 10 ft side; 10 ft front/street property line | Up to four signs total (individual sign ≤500 sq ft) | Shopping center sites | — | Sec. 605.01(B) |

### Urban Core District (UC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign - Single-story Primary Facade (UC) | — | Max 50 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to any building facade; must be mounted between the first and second story line, or between the second and third story line, or near the top of the wall; may not be mounted higher than the building | — | Sec. 605.04(A) (Urban Core); Electronic reader board prohibition: Sec. 605.04(A) |
| Building Sign - Single-story Other Facades (UC) | — | Max 50 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to building; mounting location rules apply | — | Sec. 605.04(A) |
| Building Sign - Multi-story Primary Facade (UC) | — | Max 75 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to building; mounting location rules apply | — | Sec. 605.04(A) |
| Building Sign - Multi-story Other Facades (UC) | — | Max 75 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to building; mounting location rules apply | — | Sec. 605.04(A) |
| Building Sign - Ground Story Nonresidential Facade (UC) | — | Max 75 sq ft | — | — | — | On ground-story facades that face a public street | — | Sec. 605.04(A) |
| Blade Sign (UC) | — | ≤6 sq ft | — | — | One blade sign per applicable facade | Ornamental rod extending perpendicular from building; bottom of blade sign at least 9 ft above sidewalk level | — | Sec. 605.04(A) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (UC) | ≤4 ft | ≤8 sq ft per side | — | — | One per business frontage, subject to spacing | Placed in front of the building or leased space during business hours only | — | Sec. 603.16; Sec. 605.04(A) |
| Freestanding Sign (Legacy Only) - UC | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from side lot lines and 10 ft from front/street property line | — | On development site; no portion may project into the public right-of-way | — | Sec. 605.01(D); Sec. 605.04(A) (reader board prohibition); Sec. 607.03(A) |

### Urban Neighborhood East District (UN-E), Urban Neighborhood West District (UN-W), Urban Neighborhood South District (UN-S)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign - Single-story Primary Facade (UN districts) | — | Max 50 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to building; must be mounted between first and second story line, or between second and third story line, or near top of wall; not higher than the building | — | Sec. 605.04(A) (Urban Neighborhood districts); UN-W cross-reference: Sec. 509.03 (Signage references Sec. 605.04(A)) |
| Building Sign - Single-story Other Facades (UN districts) | — | Max 50 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to building; mounting location rules apply | — | Sec. 605.04(A) |
| Building Sign - Multi-story Primary Facade (UN districts) | — | Max 75 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to building; mounting location rules apply | — | Sec. 605.04(A) |
| Building Sign - Multi-story Other Facades (UN districts) | — | Max 75 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to building; mounting location rules apply | — | Sec. 605.04(A) |
| Building Sign - Ground Story Nonresidential Facade (UN districts) | — | Max 75 sq ft | — | — | — | On ground-story facades that face a public street | — | Sec. 605.04(A) |
| Blade Sign (UN districts) | — | ≤6 sq ft | — | — | One blade sign per applicable facade | Ornamental rod extending perpendicular from building; bottom of blade sign at least 9 ft above sidewalk | — | Sec. 605.04(A) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (UN districts) | ≤4 ft | ≤8 sq ft per side | — | — | One per business frontage, subject to spacing | Placed in front of the building or leased space during business hours only | — | Sec. 605.04(A); Sec. 603.16 (exemption text applies to UC/CEOD) |
| Freestanding Sign (Restricted) - UN districts | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from side lot lines and 10 ft from front/street property line | — | On development site; no projection into public right-of-way | — | Sec. 605.01(D); Electronic reader board prohibition: Sec. 605.04(A) |

## Prohibited signs in Auburn

- Any freestanding sign larger than the maximum face area allowed for that site by Section 605.01.A (oversized freestanding signs are prohibited, except shopping center signs per their standards).
- Signs that violate the City’s adopted building or electrical codes.
- Portable signs are prohibited except those specifically permitted as exemptions (Section 603).
- Beacons and searchlights are prohibited.
- Off-premise signs are prohibited.
- Flags on commercial property other than official flags are prohibited.
- Wind signs (flags, pennants, ribbons, spinners, streamers, captive balloons, or similar wind-activated objects) are prohibited, excluding holiday or community decorations.
- Inflatable signs, tethered balloons, and objects animated by forced air are prohibited.
- Any sign deemed a safety hazard by the Planning Director or Chief Codes Inspector is prohibited.
- Signs that imitate or resemble traffic signs/signals or use words/symbols likely to mislead traffic (including use of words like “stop” or “danger”) are prohibited.
- Signs within any public right-of-way (other than official traffic/government signs) are prohibited; signs that obstruct required sight-distance triangles are prohibited.
- Freestanding signs projecting into the public right-of-way are prohibited.
- Signs with moving, rotating, flashing, or otherwise animated lights are prohibited, except: time and temperature displays, traditional barber poles, and electronic reader boards whose messages are static, change no more often than every 30 seconds, and do not scroll, flash, or move; reader board content must relate to the on-premises business.
- Nonconforming abandoned sign structures must be altered to comply with current standards or removed.
- Strips or strings of lights outlining property lines, sales areas, rooflines, doors, windows, wall edges, or architectural features are prohibited (holiday/community decorations excepted; neon lighting allowed but counts toward signage if it depicts wording/logos).
- Signs on public land are prohibited unless erected by or with permission of a public authority.
- Signs that emit audible sound, odor, smoke, steam, or involve live animals are prohibited.
- Signs that interfere with any fire escape, emergency exit, standpipes, or that obstruct windows so as to reduce required light/ventilation below code are prohibited.
- Signs of such intensity or brilliance that they cause glare or impair vision of motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians are prohibited.
- Signs with lighting/control mechanisms that cause unreasonable interference with radio, television, or other communication signals are prohibited.
- Signs placed on light poles, benches, bus shelters, waste receptacles, or shopping cart corrals are prohibited, except identification of the object’s use (e.g., “Cart Return,” “Bus Stop”); on‑premise identification on cart corrals is allowed but counts toward maximum sign area.
- Signs on public utility poles are prohibited unless erected by a public authority.
- Signs painted on or attached to trees, rocks, or other natural features are prohibited (except historical markers or signs identifying a natural feature).
- Any sign mounted to or applied on a structural roof (including painted roof signs) is prohibited.
- Signs projecting above a building’s roof or parapet line are prohibited.
- Signs so deteriorated or damaged that reconstruction/restoration would exceed 50% of replacement value (exclusive of foundations) are prohibited.
- Signs lettered in a crude or amateurish fashion are prohibited.
- Signs on broadcasting/telecommunications towers or antennas are prohibited, other than appropriate hazard/warning signs.
- Signs identifying a home-based business (home occupation) are prohibited.
- Vehicles or trailers that contain advertising and are not used in the daily conduct of the advertised business are prohibited; parking such vehicles/trailers on the perimeter of a lot next to a public street is considered advertising and is prohibited.
- Abandoned signs (e.g., sign identifying a previous use not occupying the site for more than 60 days, no current business license, or referring to a past time/event/purpose) are prohibited and must be removed within 60 days.
- Interior signs displayed so they are visible from a public right-of-way or adjoining properties are prohibited.
- Freestanding signs may not project into the public right-of-way and must meet required setbacks; no placement in public drainage/utility easements without required written permission.
- Sign illumination may not be designed or located to cause confusion with traffic signals, nor cast direct light into the eyes of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists.

## Signs exempt from permit in Auburn

- Address numbers for E‑911 identification (not part of another sign); if included on a non‑residential building/wall sign, counts toward display area; incidental residential name/number signs are also exempt.
- Community event displays: temporary decorations or non‑commercial signs associated with citywide events (e.g., school activities, City‑sponsored events) displayed no earlier than 10 days before and removed within 3 days after the event.
- Construction signs identifying contractors, financial institutions, or developers on sites under construction/modification: up to 3 signs per site, 32 sq ft each; remove within 14 days after Certificate of Occupancy; for minor work not requiring a CO, max 6 sq ft and 14‑day display; routine lawn/landscape maintenance is not construction.
- Development signs at subdivision/office park entrances indicating lots for sale and developer/partners: max 32 sq ft, one per entrance; remove within 7 days after all lots in the development/phase are sold; excludes rent/lease signs (except for condo conversions).
- Directional signs for on‑site traffic/pedestrian direction (no advertising other than a logo), including identification for public telephones, trash receptacles, first aid, shopping cart corrals; max 5 sq ft.
- Directory signs: wall‑mounted, not legible from streets/adjoining property, listing businesses/tenants/activities within a building/group of buildings; one per building; max 20 sq ft.
- Hazard/Prohibition/Warning signs (e.g., construction, excavation warnings; “No Trespassing,” “No Parking”) that do not include commercial logos/advertising.
- Help Wanted signs for on‑site employment opportunities: one per business; max 6 sq ft.
- Holiday decorations used to celebrate a single holiday or season.
- Internal signs not intended to be viewed from and not visible from public right‑of‑way or adjacent properties (e.g., interior mall/shopping center signs; signs within ball parks/stadiums).
- Nameplates on non‑residential property identifying only the occupant’s name and occupation/profession; non‑electrical; max 2 sq ft.
- Official signs: federal, state, or local government traffic/directional/informational signs and notices; signs erected by government agencies for identification at public sites.
- Official flags (federal/state/local), emblems/historical markers, and flags/insignia of religious, charitable, fraternal, academic, or civic organizations; plus one corporate flag per lot of record; must follow U.S. Congressional protocol; flagpole locations shown on site plan; flagpoles max 30 ft high.
- Political signs (regulated by Auburn Municipal Code Section 8‑5).
- Real estate signs on the property for sale/lease/rent: one per street frontage; Residential—max 6 sq ft for one sign or 12 sq ft total for multiple signs; Non‑residential—max 32 sq ft. Model home/open house: one sign per property, max 6 sq ft, removed when model reverts; total number of real estate + model/open house signs per property may not exceed three; all must be on the subject property. Real estate/property management offices may use permitted reader boards/banners/wall signs; property notices must be generic (no specific off‑premise addresses/names).
- Vehicle signs on vehicles/trailers used in the normal day‑to‑day operation of the business (vehicle must serve a transportation function); vehicles/trailers must be parked at loading area, employee entrance, or main entrance of the business; vehicles parked on lot perimeters adjacent to public streets are considered advertising and are prohibited.
- Window signs with on‑premises messages visible from the street or adjoining properties.
- Subdivision amenity signs: Temporary—up to 4 signs per subdivision, max 2 sq ft each, max 3 ft height, located on private property (not within ROW), no off‑subdivision advertising, constructed per materials standards, removed when 90% of lots are developed or after 5 years (whichever first). Permanent—up to 3 signs per subdivision, max 4 sq ft each, max 4 ft height, permanently ground‑mounted on private property (not within ROW or buildings), constructed per materials standards.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Signage Plan is optional and may be submitted for shopping centers, multi‑tenant commercial/retail developments, business parks, industrial parks, or mixed‑use developments located in the following districts: ICD, SCCD, CRD‑U, CRD‑S, CDD, LDD (Neighborhood Shopping Centers only), and PDD (Section 606.02).
- Master Signage Plan applications must be submitted in writing to the Planning Department and require approval by the Planning Commission; if complete, they are scheduled for the next Planning Commission meeting occurring at least 14 days after submission (Section 606.03).
- Submissions must include a site plan; scaled signage design plan; locations of buildings/parking/driveways/landscaping; computations of maximum sign area/height/number of detached signs (including any incentives); materials list; style and color palette; accurate locations of present and future permitted signs; and signatures of all owners/authorized agents (Section 606.04).
- Amendments to a Master Signage Plan require filing a new plan conforming to current requirements and Planning Commission approval (Section 606.05).
- For properties with existing signs, the Master Signage Plan must include a schedule to bring all signs into conformance by a specified date; this schedule becomes a condition of approval (Section 606.06).
- Incentives for an approved Master Signage Plan: all signs within the plan area are considered on‑premises for off‑premise determinations; freestanding (non‑monument) sign size/area may be increased up to 120% of what Article VI otherwise allows; monument sign size/area may be increased up to 130% (Section 606.07).
- Citywide prohibited sign provisions apply unless an exception is approved through a Master Signage Plan (Section 604 preface: prohibited in all zoning districts unless approved in a Master Signage Plan).

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/alabama/auburn