# Sign Regulations in Creola, Alabama

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Creola, Alabama (AL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/alabama/creola
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/AL/Creola/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH38ZO_ARTIVSPPR_DIV3SI)

## At a glance

Creola, Alabama regulates 14 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall and 6 sq. ft. (Sec. Sec. 38-195. Schedule of permitted sign requirements (Table: R-1 through R-5)). Most commercial signs in Creola require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 | 5 | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| B-1 | 6 | 10 ft. | ≤300 sq. ft. or ≤20% of wall area | — |
| B-2, M-1, M-2 | 6 | 21 ft. | ≤300 sq. ft. or ≤20% of wall area | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 21 ft. | 50 sq. ft. per face; 2 faces max | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per premises | On the premises | — | Sec. 38-195. Schedule of permitted sign requirements (Table: R-1 through R-5) |
| Wall Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 1.5 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per home occupation | Principal building only | — | Sec. 38-129(b)(9) |
| Political Sign (Residential) | 4 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Private property in any residential district | — | Sec. 38-190(8)(e)-(i) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 6.5 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On property advertised | — | Sec. 38-190(6) |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises during construction | — | Sec. 38-190(3) |

### B-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft. | 35 sq. ft. per premises | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On the premises | — | Sec. 38-195. Schedule of permitted sign requirements (Table: B-1) |
| Wall Sign (Shopping Center / Additional Wall Sign Option) | — | ≤300 sq. ft. or ≤20% of wall area | — | — | 1 per establishment | Wall, front or side | — | Sec. 38-195 Note (2) |
| Temporary Advertising Sign | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | From the ground within development | — | Sec. 38-195 Note (3) |
| Temporary Grand Opening/decorative Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 38-195 Note (5) |
| Gasoline Pricing Sign | — | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Business/industrial districts on the premises where fuel is sold | — | Sec. 38-194(3) |
| Political Sign (Business/Industrial) | 8 ft. | 15 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Private property in business/commercial/industrial districts | — | Sec. 38-190(8)(f)-(i) |

### B-2, M-1, M-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 21 ft. | 75 sq. ft. per premises | — | — | 1 per street frontage; 2 if frontage > 1,000 ft (B-2) | On premises | — | Sec. 38-195. Schedule of permitted sign requirements (Table: B-2, M-1, M-2) |
| Wall Sign (Shopping Center / Additional Wall Sign Option) | — | ≤300 sq. ft. or ≤20% of wall area | — | — | 1 per establishment | Wall, front or side | — | Sec. 38-195 Note (2) |
| Temporary Advertising Sign | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | From ground within development | — | Sec. 38-195 Note (3) |
| Temporary Grand Opening/decorative Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 38-195 Note (5) |
| Gasoline Pricing Sign | — | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Business/industrial districts on the premises where fuel is sold | — | Sec. 38-194(3) |
| Political Sign (Business/Industrial) | 8 ft. | 15 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Private property in business/commercial/industrial districts | — | Sec. 38-190(8)(f)-(i) |

## Prohibited signs in Creola

- No sign shall be erected, constructed, posted, painted, altered, maintained, or relocated, until a permit has been issued by the building inspector, unless excepted.
- No outdoor advertising sign or sign structure shall be placed upon any street or highway right-of-way except as otherwise provided.
- No outdoor advertising sign or sign structure shall be located in such a manner as to materially impede the view of any street or highway intersection.
- No outdoor advertising 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 outdoor advertising sign shall be less than eight feet above a sidewalk or pedestrian thoroughfare, nor less than 15 feet above a public driveway, alley, or street.
- No sign shall be larger than 75 square feet, except where the name of a building or firm is attached across the front of a building.
- Any sign erected or painted upon a fence, tree, standpipe, fire escape, or utility pole is prohibited (except ID plates of specific size).
- Any sign which uses the word 'stop' or 'danger' prominently, or which imitates official traffic control signs, is prohibited (except as part of attraction titles).
- Flashing or intermittent illumination signs are prohibited, except as required for traffic control.
- Portable signs, snipe signs, sandwich signs, or ladder type signs are prohibited.
- Permanent signs that produce sound or noise, cause interference with communication, emit visual effects (motion pictures, smoke, vapor, particles, odor), are animated, or produce rotation/motion/movement are prohibited.
- Billboards and off-premises signs are prohibited.
- All signs must be maintained in good condition and appearance. Neglected, dilapidated, abandoned, or dysfunctional signs may be removed after notice.
- Signs associated with vacated premises must be removed or altered within three months to not display messages about former activities.
- No signage, symbols, or advertisements may be attached to poles, towers, or antennas for wireless telecommunications facilities.
- The erection or maintenance of any sign in violation of the chapter is a misdemeanor.
- No new off-premises signs or billboards will be permitted in any zone.
- No permit for an on-premises sign will be issued for premises with an existing grandfathered off-premises sign or billboard unless the off-premises sign is first removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Creola

- Official traffic signs or sign structures, or municipal information signs and provisional warning signs erected by a governmental agency.
- Changing the copy on a bulletin board, poster board, display encasement, marquee, or changeable copy type sign.
- Temporary non-illuminated signs (not more than 32 sq. ft.) for new construction work, during construction, one per street frontage; must be removed upon completion.
- Signs on vehicles used in the normal course of business for transportation, excluding vehicles offered for sale.
- Weather flags providing information on weather conditions, one set per premises.
- Non-illuminated real estate signs (up to 6.5 sq. ft.), advertising real estate for sale, lease, or rent, or announcing contemplated improvements; one per street frontage.
- Temporary decorative flags, bunting, banners, pennants, streamers, and signs for holidays, conventions, grand openings, and city-wide commemorative occasions authorized by the building inspector.
- Political signs (with controls): Exempt from permit requirements, subject to placement, size, and display time regulations.
- National flags, flags of political subdivisions, and flags of bona fide civic, charitable, fraternal, and welfare organizations (one per premises, not for commercial promotion).
- Non-advertising directional signs or symbols (entrance, exit, caution, etc.) not exceeding two sq. ft., located on and pertaining to private property.
- One identification sign (with or without bulletin board) for public, charitable, educational, or religious institutions, located on the premises, not exceeding 75 sq. ft., one per street frontage.
- Memorial signs and historical markers of incombustible material, after authentication and location approval.
- One professional, announcement, or occupational sign, non-directly illuminated and flat wall-mounted, or one outdoor advertising sign for premises/businesses without a permitted sign, combined area not to exceed five sq. ft.
- Noncommercial yard or garage sale temporary signs (up to eight sq. ft.), displaying dates and address; must be removed after the sale.
- Signs attached to machinery or equipment advertising only the product/service dispensed, such as vending machines, provided the area does not exceed eight sq. ft.
- Window signs identifying or advertising activities, services, goods, or products available within the building.
- One business or professional identification sign mounted to extend below a marquee/canopy (up to six sq. ft.), with regulation on clearance.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for any sign unless specifically exempted. The permit is issued by the building inspector.
- Permits for temporary advertising signs for developments are valid for one year and may be renewed for one additional year if the promotion is active and the sign is maintained.
- A sign permit becomes null and void if the sign is not completed and erected within six months from the date of permit issuance.
- No permits for additional signs shall be issued for premises with nonconforming signs.
- For shopping centers or certain business districts, individual businesses may acquire an additional permit for a wall-mounted sign (subject to area limitations).

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

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