# Sign Regulations in Dothan, Alabama

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Dothan, Alabama (AL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/alabama/dothan
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/al/dothan/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH114ZO_ARTXIISIBI)

## At a glance

Dothan, Alabama regulates 57 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Residential Developments - Entrance Options)s in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall, Option: Two separate structures flanking entrance, each face ≤32 sq ft; or one double-faced structure, each face ≤48 sq ft, and Monument signs (including embellishments) ≤12 ft width wide, with a General setbacks apply setback (Sec. Sec. 114-217(a)-(b); Table 1; Sec. 114-216(f) (monument size cap)). Most commercial signs in Dothan require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | 65 ft (top of highest attached component); lowest portion ≥16 ft above adjacent road grade | 675 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 6 | 8 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| Office and Institutional Districts (O-I, O-2, O-3) | 6 | 12 ft (office parks/multiple occupancy) | ≤42 sq ft and ≤10% of façade | — |
| Commercial or Industrial Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3, L-I, H-I) | 31 | 42 ft | 378 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Overlay District (E Subdistrict, HC/G Subdistrict) | 1 | — | ≤10 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent On-Premise Signs - General | — | — | — | Minimum 3 ft from right-of-way or property line | — | Must be wholly on the site to which the message refers; no portion closer than 3 ft to the nearest right-of-way or property line; must not create traffic or visual obstructions (Dothan Code §98-10); multiple signs on same parcel frontage must be at least 300 ft apart | — | Sec. 114-213; Sec. 114-214(a)-(j) |
| Off-Premise Sign (Billboard) - Inside Ross Clark Circle (≥500 ft inside) | 65 ft (top of highest attached component); lowest portion ≥16 ft above adjacent road grade | 400 sq ft | — | 10 ft (edge of board to property/right-of-way line); ≥100 ft from residential districts | Spacing ≥500 ft on same side of street; no stacked or side-by-side billboards | Allowed in certain zoning districts (see Table of Uses); must be ≥100 ft from any residentially zoned district; setback 10 ft from edge of board to any property line/right-of-way; spacing ≥500 ft between off-premise signs on same side of street; structures not above/below or side-by-side | — | Sec. 114-215(1)-(10) |
| Off-Premise Sign (Billboard) - Elsewhere in the City | 65 ft (top of highest attached component); lowest portion ≥16 ft above adjacent road grade | 675 sq ft | — | 10 ft (edge of board to property/right-of-way line); ≥100 ft from residential districts | Spacing ≥500 ft on same side of street; no stacked or side-by-side billboards | See Table of Uses; ≥100 ft from any residentially zoned district; setback 10 ft from edge of board to any property line/right-of-way; spacing ≥500 ft on same side of street; structures not above/below or side-by-side | — | Sec. 114-215(1)-(10) |
| Temporary Sign - Banner | — | — | — | Comply with general setback/sight distance rules | Max 1 per address | On-premise only; not in public right-of-way; not in sight triangle; not attached to natural objects, utility appurtenances, or traffic control devices | — | Sec. 114-220(f); Sec. 114-213(f) |
| Temporary Sign - Wind Sign | — | — | — | Comply with general setback/sight distance rules | Max 1 per address | On-premise only; not in public right-of-way; not in sight triangle; not attached to natural objects, utility appurtenances, or traffic control devices | — | Sec. 114-220(f) |
| Temporary Sign - Portable Sign | — | — | — | Comply with general setback/sight distance rules | — | Allowed at locations approved in Table of Permitted Uses; on-premise; not in public right-of-way; not in required parking spaces | — | Sec. 114-220(g); Sec. 114-213(f) |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) - General | — | May occupy portion or all of area allowed for corresponding freestanding or building sign | — | As applicable to the host sign type | — | Permitted in office, commercial and industrial districts (special exception required if sign is for a non-residential use located in a residential district) | — | Sec. 114-221; Sec. 114-222 |
| Directory Sign (Permit-Exempt) | — | ≤20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On-premise; listing businesses/tenants/activities within a building or group of buildings | — | Sec. 114-211(7) |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding or Wall Sign (Individual Residential Properties) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | ≥3 ft from right-of-way/property line | 1 per street front | 1 per street front | — | Sec. 114-217 Table 1 |
| Monument Sign (Residential Developments - Entrance Options) | 8 ft | Option: Two separate structures flanking entrance, each face ≤32 sq ft; or one double-faced structure, each face ≤48 sq ft | Monument signs (including embellishments) ≤12 ft width | General setbacks apply | 1 per street front | 1 per street front (development entrances) | — | Sec. 114-217(a)-(b); Table 1; Sec. 114-216(f) (monument size cap) |
| Wall Sign (Residential Developments) | — | 5% of façade area | — | — | 1 per façade | 1 per façade | — | Sec. 114-217 Table 1 |
| Incidental or Directional Sign (Residential Districts) | — | — | — | — | — | On-premise | — | Sec. 114-217 Table 1 |
| Monument Sign (Permitted Non-Residential Uses in Residential Districts) | 8 ft | 48 sq ft | Monument signs ≤12 ft width (including embellishments) | General setbacks apply | 1 per street front | 1 per street front; separation distance of 300 ft between signs for non-residential uses in residential districts | — | Sec. 114-217(c); Table 1; Sec. 114-216(f) |
| Wall Sign (Permitted Non-Residential Uses in Residential Districts) | — | 5% of façade area | — | — | 1 per façade | 1 per façade | — | Sec. 114-217(c); Table 1 |

### Commercial or Industrial Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3, L-I, H-I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (B-1) (Speed >25 mph) | 14 ft | 24 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | See separation rules; generally 1 per frontage | On-premise along B-1 frontage | — | Sec. 114-219(a)-(b) Table 3 (B-1) |
| Freestanding Sign (B-1) (Speed 30 mph) | 16 ft | 28 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | — | On-premise along B-1 frontage | — | Sec. 114-219(b) Table 3 (B-1) |
| Freestanding Sign (B-1) (Speed 35 mph) | 18 ft | 32 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | — | On-premise along B-1 frontage | — | Sec. 114-219(b) Table 3 (B-1) |
| Freestanding Sign (B-2) (Speed >25 mph) | 26 ft | 78 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | — | On B-2 frontage | — | Sec. 114-219(b) Table 3 (B-2) |
| Freestanding Sign (B-2) (Speed 30 mph) | 30 ft | 112 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | — | On B-2 frontage | — | Sec. 114-219(b) Table 3 (B-2) |
| Freestanding Sign (B-2) (Speed 35 mph) | 36 ft | 153 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | — | On B-2 frontage | — | Sec. 114-219(b) Table 3 (B-2) |
| Freestanding Sign (B-2) (Speed 40 mph) | 42 ft | 200 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | — | On B-2 frontage | — | Sec. 114-219(b) Table 3 (B-2) |
| Freestanding Sign (B-2) (Speed 45 mph) | 42 ft | 253 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | — | On B-2 frontage | — | Sec. 114-219(b) Table 3 (B-2) |

## Prohibited signs in Dothan

- It is unlawful to erect, maintain, or cause to be maintained any sign not expressly authorized by or exempted from these regulations citywide.
- Signs erected without a permit.
- Window signs exceeding 25 percent of the glass area (pane) to which they are applied.
- Signs attached or affixed to any tree, building, or other structure other than a supporting frame for which the sign was designed.
- Abandoned signs: any sign or sign structure identifying a previous use or activity that has not occupied the site for more than 60 days, does not maintain a current business license, or pertains to a time, event, or purpose which no longer applies.
- Signs in violation of the city’s adopted building or electrical code.
- Beacons or strobe lights.
- Searchlights in operation exceeding three consecutive days per year.
- Any sign that, in the opinion of the administrative official, does or will constitute a safety hazard.
- Signs with visibly moving, revolving, or rotating parts; any visible mechanical/electrical movement; signs that emit audible sounds, vapor, smoke, steam; or signs involving live animals.
- Signs consisting of moving, rotating, or flashing lights or that otherwise contain animated displays by mechanical or electronic means.
- Freestanding signs that project into the public right-of-way, except as otherwise permitted for projecting or under-canopy/awning signs in the B-1 district.
- Any signs in the public right-of-way (subject to removal without notice).
- Signs of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair vision of motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians, or that illuminate adjacent residential areas.
- Signs mounted to the structure of the roof that project above the roof line.
- Signs placed, painted, or displayed on a motor vehicle or trailer parked or towed with the primary purpose of advertising a product, service, business, or activity not established at that location.
- Posters or handbills affixed to any structure or natural object in the right-of-way.
- Temporary signs such as portable signs, A-frame signs, wind signs, captive balloons, or banners except as permitted under the temporary sign provisions.
- Signs, markers, and advertising on the rights-of-way of state-controlled highways except official signs or markers placed by or under authority of the State Department of Transportation.

## Signs exempt from permit in Dothan

- Signs that cannot be seen from the public roadway and are located entirely on private property (scope exemption).
- Signs located in any existing or future overlay district or planned unit development are governed by the requirements or restrictions of those ordinances (scope exemption).
- Any sign required to be maintained or posted by law or governmental order, rule, or regulation.
- Public warning signs indicating a dangerous or hazardous condition or trespass warning, provided they do not contain logos or text advertising a commercial product or activity.
- Address numbers complying with section 114-185.
- Flags or insignia of any government, religion, association, fraternal order, charitable organization, academic, corporate, sporting, or civic organization, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotions; U.S. flags must follow congressional protocol.
- Normal servicing of previously permitted sign structures, including change of copy for billboards and panel changes in structures designed to allow changeable copy.
- Memorial signs or tablets, historical markers, building name and date signs when cut into masonry or constructed of durable, noncombustible materials and attached to the building.
- Directory signs listing the businesses, tenants, or activities within a building or group of buildings (maximum 20 square feet; limited to one per building).
- Window signs not exceeding 25 percent of the glass area (pane) to which applied; such window signs are counted toward total allowable sign area.
- Changing the copy, announcement, or message on a manual reader board.
- Cleaning, painting, or maintaining a sign that does not alter the size or height of the sign.
- Murals or other forms of public artwork, provided any sponsorship information or logo does not exceed 1.5 square feet.
- Time and temperature signs on non-residential parcels (numerical time/temperature only; must be kept accurate); may be freestanding or building-mounted; not counted toward the occupant’s allowable sign area; subject to other applicable regulations.
- Vehicle signs attached to a vehicle or trailer used in the normal day-to-day operation of the business and serving a transportation function; prohibited if the vehicle/trailer is parked at a location other than the registered place of business.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Signage Plan (MSP) is required before any sign permits are issued within a proposed MSP-designated area or phase; an MSP must be submitted to and approved by the Planning Commission as conforming with Sec. 114-225.
- MSP applicability criteria: the development area must be at least 10 acres; the use must be a campus, industrial park, office park, amusement park, shopping center, mixed-use development, planned residential community, public or semi-public use (or a phase thereof); and the premises must have at least 200 feet of lot frontage along a public thoroughfare.
- MSP submission must include a plot plan showing buildings, parking lots, driveways, landscaped areas; the proposed location of each present and future sign (including signs not requiring a permit unless exempted by the Planning Commission); and computations of total sign area, individual sign areas, sign heights, and building façades for mounting (including district-permitted signs and any additional area requested through the MSP).
- MSP review: may be submitted with a site plan, PUD plan, or other official plan; processed simultaneously; an MSP is required for each site or premises upon development in multi-phase projects; existing qualifying developments may apply for an MSP.
- Special Exception approval is required for illumination (including EMC signs) of signs for non-residential uses located in residential districts; EMCs in office/institutional districts located in a residential district also require Special Exception per the tables.
- Variances to the sign provisions may be granted only in cases of hardship connected to the physical features of the site (Sec. 114-224).
- A placement permit is required for temporary signs (no fee); permits establish display start/end dates and are valid for 30 days prior to installation (Secs. 114-213(f) and 114-220(a)).

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

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