# Sign Regulations in Clanton, Alabama

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

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

## At a glance

Clanton, Alabama regulates 26 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Pole-Mounted Signs in the B-1 Central Business District zoning district are capped at 30 ft tall and 100 sq ft, with a 15 ft from pavement edge. setback (Sec. Sec. 6.0.a.1). Most commercial signs in Clanton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 4 sq ft within 25 ft of intersection (50 ft if arterial highway) | — |
| Residential Zone Districts | 7 | — | 42 sq ft | — |
| B-1 Central Business District | 8 | 65 ft | 672 sq ft (14 ft x 48 ft typical) | — |
| B-2 General Business District | 8 | 65 ft | 672 sq ft (14 ft x 48 ft typical) | — |
| B-3 Neighborhood Business District | 8 | 65 ft | 672 sq ft (14 ft x 48 ft typical) | — |
| O-1 Office Building District, Unified Business Centers (Office Parks) | 6 | 65 ft | 672 sq ft | — |
| M-1 Light Industrial District, M-2 Heavy Industrial District, Unified Business Centers (Industrial Parks) | 6 | 65 ft | 672 sq ft | — |
| AG Agriculture District | 2 | — | As per residential zone standards | — |
| MR Municipal District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Arts and Entertainment District | 1 | — | 100 sq ft or 10% of building facade (whichever is less) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### B-1 Central Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Pole-Mounted Sign | 30 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 15 ft from pavement edge. | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage per lot. | — | Sec. 6.0.a.1 |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | — | 48 sq ft | — | 15 ft from pavement edge. | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage per lot. | — | Sec. 6.0.a.2 |
| Wall/Fascia Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage wall; additional for rear entrance (non-illuminated, 10 sq ft max) | On building wall; may also be allowed on rear entrance. | — | Sec. 6.0.b |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per wall | On building wall. | — | Sec. 6.0.c |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Within selected signable area on the roof. | — | Sec. 6.0.d |
| Shopping Center/Unified Business Center Identification Sign | Pole sign: 30 ft | Pole sign: 100 sq ft; Ground sign: 48 sq ft | — | 15 ft from pavement edge. | 1 per street frontage | One per shopping center or unified business center street frontage. | — | Sec. 6.0.e |
| Billboard | 65 ft | 672 sq ft (14 ft x 48 ft typical) | 48 ft | 200 ft from dwelling/residential district, 500 ft from next billboard. | — | Along Interstate Highway 65. | — | Sec. 6.0.f, Sec. 13.0 |
| Portable Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft from pavement edge; not within 35 ft of intersection. | 1 per street frontage | At least 10 ft from pavement edge, not within 35 ft of intersection; not in ROW. | — | Sec. 6.0.g; Sec. 14.0 (esp. c/d/f) |

### B-2 General Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Pole-Mounted Sign | 40 ft | 150 sq ft | — | 15 ft from pavement/roadway edge. | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage per lot. | — | Sec. 7.0.a.1 |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | — | 48 sq ft | — | 15 ft from pavement edge. | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage per lot. | — | Sec. 7.0.a.2 |
| Wall/Fascia Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage per wall; 1 at rear | On building wall. | — | Sec. 7.0.b |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per wall | On building wall. | — | Sec. 7.0.c |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Within a selected signable roof area. | — | Sec. 7.0.d |
| Shopping Center/Unified Business Center Identification Sign | Pole sign: 40 ft | Pole sign: 150 sq ft; Ground sign: 48 sq ft | — | 15 ft from pavement edge. | 1 per street frontage | One per shopping center or unified business center street frontage. | — | Sec. 7.0.e |
| Billboard | 65 ft | 672 sq ft (14 ft x 48 ft typical) | 48 ft | 200 ft from dwelling/residential district, 500 ft from next billboard. | — | Along Interstate Highway 65. | — | Sec. 7.0.f, Sec. 13.0 |
| Portable Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft from pavement edge; 35 ft from intersection. | 1 per street frontage | Not in ROW, at least 10 ft from pavement edge, not within 35 ft of intersection. | — | Sec. 7.0.g; Sec. 14.0 |

### B-3 Neighborhood Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Pole-Mounted Sign | 30 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 15 ft from pavement edge. | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage per lot. | — | Sec. 8.0.a.1 |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | — | 48 sq ft | — | 15 ft from pavement edge. | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage per lot. | — | Sec. 8.0.a.2 |
| Wall/Fascia Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per wall; rear additional | On building wall. | — | Sec. 8.0.b |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per wall | On building wall. | — | Sec. 8.0.c |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Within signable roof area. | — | Sec. 8.0.d |
| Shopping Center/Unified Business Center Identification Sign | Pole sign: 30 ft | Pole sign: 100 sq ft; Ground sign: 48 sq ft | — | 15 ft from pavement edge. | 1 per street frontage | One per business center street frontage. | — | Sec. 8.0.e (ref. 7.0.e) |
| Billboard | 65 ft | 672 sq ft (14 ft x 48 ft typical) | 48 ft | 200 ft from dwelling/residential district, 500 ft from next billboard. | — | Along Interstate Highway 65. | — | Sec. 8.0.f, Sec. 13.0 |
| Portable Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft from pavement edge; 35 ft from intersection. | 1 per street frontage | Not in ROW; at least 10 ft from pavement edge; not within 35 ft of intersection. | — | Sec. 8.0.g; Sec. 14.0 |

## Prohibited signs in Clanton

- No sign shall be erected or maintained at any location where by reason of its position, wording, 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.
- Signs incorporating any noisy mechanical device (whistles, horns, sirens, or any other noisy audible devices) are expressly prohibited.
- No sign of any type or foundation or support thereof shall be placed in a public street or highway right-of-way.
- No sign having flashing, traveling or animated illumination shall be permitted in any zone district of the City, except for permanent signs located in Commercial Zone Districts, giving public service information such as, but not limited to, the time, date, temperature, news or weather.
- No permanent or temporary sign exceeding four square feet in area shall be permitted within 25 feet of an intersection street right-of-way line (50 feet if the intersecting street is an arterial highway), within fifteen (15) feet from the front lot line, or within ten (10) feet from a private drive, unless waiver is granted by the Building Inspector.
- No sign, regardless of size, height, or design shall extend into any right-of-way, except for attached signs projecting over a public sidewalk or as otherwise expressly authorized.
- No illuminated sign, other than a permanent subdivision identification sign shall be permitted within fifty (50) feet of any residential zone district of the City.
- Signs shall not be attached to or painted onto a vehicle parked on a public street or thoroughfare for the sole purpose of advertising.
- Snipe signs shall not be in any district, except as may be authorized by City Ordinance.
- All signs shall conform with the Southern Standard Building Code, Chapter XXIII, including wind loads, vibration resistance, seismic loads, acceptable supports, allowable stresses, materials, and electrical wiring.
- All abandoned signs are prohibited and shall be removed by the owner of the sign or owner of the premises after notification; abandoned is defined as signs on property vacant, unsafe, or unoccupied for six (6) months or more, or signs pertaining to a specific time, event, or purpose which no longer applies.
- Any existing or new sign which contains language or imagery determined by the Planning Commission to be offensive or obscene by contemporary community standards, is prohibited.
- Only one (1) business shall be allowed to advertise on an on-premises pole or ground sign unless it is located in a shopping mall or unified business center.
- All signs (new and replacement) must be approved by the Planning Commission of the City of Clanton, Alabama.

## Signs exempt from permit in Clanton

- Permanent or temporary signs required to be posted by law.
- Permanent or temporary warning signs and no trespassing signs.
- Permanent or temporary signs established by, or by order of any governmental agency or body.
- Signs indicating bus stops, taxi stands, and similar transportation facilities.
- Signs giving information concerning the location or use of accessory off-street parking facilities or loading or unloading facilities.
- Permanent or temporary signs required for the control of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
- Temporary holiday signs, banners, displays and decorations, subject to established City Policy.
- Routine sign maintenance and repair, including the changing of copy on changeable copy signs.
- Decorative flags and bunting for a Citywide celebration, conventions, and commemorations when authorized by the City for prescribed time periods.
- One construction sign per street frontage located on property where building is actually in progress under a current building permit, not to exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area, non-illuminated, to be removed before certificate of occupancy.
- Flags, banners or insignias of a governmental, religious, charitable or fraternal organization subject to established City Policy.
- Window signs located in commercial zone districts, which identify or advertise activities, services, goods or products available within the building, and which collectively cover twenty (20) percent or less of the window glass surface area.
- Temporary non-illuminated political signs and campaign posters, provided they conform with Sections 3.0(e) and (i), and are removed within forty-eight (48) hours after the election.
- Signs which advertise garage or yard sales and the sale of personal property subject to the provisions of Section 3.0(i), and removed within twenty-four (24) hours after the end of the event; not to be illuminated.
- Temporary non-illuminated signs, located in residential and agricultural districts, pertaining to agricultural products raised on the premises. (Subject to Sections 3.0(e) and (i)).
- Temporary non-illuminated real estate signs which are used to offer for sale, lease, or rent the property upon which said signs are located.
- Fuel price informational signs, in any district in which gasoline sales are permitted, including logos and advertising signs attached to, or painted onto, the fuel dispensers themselves.
- Directory signs located inside the building giving the names and locations of the occupants therein.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs (new and replacement) must be approved by the Planning Commission of the City of Clanton, Alabama.
- Where architectural harmony and unity of signs within a shopping center or unified business center is required, sign type, color scheme, size, and illumination must be coordinated and compatible with the architecture of the center.
- For signs in the Arts and Entertainment District, all signs must be approved by the City of Clanton Architectural and Beautification Committee(s) and the City of Clanton Planning Commission.
- All tenants in the Arts and Entertainment District must obtain approval by the owner/landlord of the building prior to installation of any/all signage.
- Permanent signage in the Arts and Entertainment District must be installed within 90 calendar days following the issuance of a signage permit by the City of Clanton Building Department.
- Applications for sign permits require a dimensioned sketch, plot plan, and other details sufficient for the Building Inspector to determine code compliance; approval and permit issuance is required unless otherwise exempt.
- A written request for a variance from sign regulations must be filed with the Zoning Board of Adjustment in accordance with their rules for any exception/variance from the ordinance.

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

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