# Sign Regulations in Homewood, Alabama

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Homewood, Alabama (AL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/alabama/homewood
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-14
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/al/homewood/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH5BUCOREAC_ARTVSI)

## At a glance

Homewood, Alabama regulates 48 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Mall Structure context)s in the Brookwood Mall zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall, 72 sq ft total (36 sq ft per side if double-sided), and 6 ft wide, with a General freestanding setbacks apply. setback (Sec. Sec. 5-155(2)g). Most commercial signs in Homewood require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | If on a ground sign within 50 ft of a traffic signal: 8 ft max; may increase 1 ft per 12 ft of additional setback from the traffic signal up to the district maximum in Table 2. | 32 sq ft (per Table 2 for residential entry monument; see residential zone entry) | — |
| Residential zoning districts (NPD, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, R-7, PR-1, PR-2) | 2 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Non-residential zoning districts (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-4(a), C-4(b), C-5, PCD-1, PCD-2, M-1, PI, I-1, I-2, I-3, PMUD, MXD, GURD, EURD, WHD, LPD) | 11 | 40 ft (measured above the centerline elevation of I-65; see note) | 672 sq ft | — |
| EURD Edgewood Urban Renewal District | 10 | 6 ft (Shopping center bonus: 9 ft) | As calculated; cap at 90% of storefront width | — |
| Brookwood Mall | 11 | 35 ft | 450 sq ft total (225 sq ft per side) | — |
| Wildwood Centre | 13 | 45 ft | 450 sq ft total (225 sq ft per side) | — |
| Downtown Sign District 1 | 7 | — | As calculated; cap at 90% of storefront width | — |
| Downtown Sign District 2 | 8 | — | As calculated; cap at 90% of storefront width | — |
| Downtown Sign District 3 | 8 | — | As calculated; cap at 90% of storefront width | — |
| GURD Greensprings Urban Renewal District | 1 | 40 ft (measured above the centerline of I-65) | 672 sq ft | — |
| WHD West Homewood District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### Non-residential zoning districts (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-4(a), C-4(b), C-5, PCD-1, PCD-2, M-1, PI, I-1, I-2, I-3, PMUD, MXD, GURD, EURD, WHD, LPD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 15 ft (Shopping center bonus: 22.5 ft) | 150 sq ft (Shopping center bonus: 225 sq ft) | — | General visibility triangle/setback rules per Sec. 5-152(1)(e) apply. | 1 per frontage | On-premises at ground level; monument base fully attached to ground. | — | Table 2 (Nonresidential zoning districts - Monument; Shopping center bonus); Sec. 5-153(2)a |
| Off-Premise Sign (Billboard) | 40 ft (measured above the centerline elevation of I-65; see note) | 672 sq ft | — | Height measured above I-65 centerline at a perpendicular; location within 75 ft of I-65 ROW for C-3 and GURD; adjacency to I-65 ROW for M-1 and within 3,000 ft of I-65/Oxmoor centerpoint. | 1 | Permitted only on: (i) C-3 and GURD, within an area no more than 75 ft from the Interstate 65 ROW; and (ii) M-1 lots adjoining the ROW of I-65 and within 3,000 ft of the centerpoint of the intersection of I-65 with Oxmoor Road. | — | Table 2 (Nonresidential zoning districts - Off-premise) notes 1 and 2; Sec. 5-153(3)a–d; Sec. 5-159(b)(2) |
| Roof Sign | — | 3 sq ft per linear foot of building | — | — | 1 per building | Affixed to the roof or extending above the roof line. | — | Table 2 (Nonresidential - Roof); Note 3; Sec. 5-154(2)a–b |
| Awning Sign | — | Up to 75% of sloping panel; up to 85% of valence | — | — | 1 sloping panel + 1 valence per awning | Mounted to awnings of cloth/canvas/vinyl or similar; material should be same/similar as awning. | — | Table 2 (Nonresidential - Awning); Sec. 5-160(1)a |
| Canopy/Marquee Sign | — | 2 sq ft per linear foot of storefront | — | Clearances: 8 ft over sidewalks; 14 ft over vehicular areas per general standards. | 1 per canopy or marquee | Affixed parallel to canopy or marquee projecting from a building. | — | Table 2 (Nonresidential - Canopy or marquee); Sec. 5-160(1)b |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | Affixed to building; leading edge extends >12 in beyond wall; may be perpendicular to wall or under a canopy. | — | Table 2 (Nonresidential - Projecting); Sec. 5-160(1)c; Sec. 5-152(1)(a) |
| Sculptural Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | Attached sculptural element sign. | — | Table 2 (Nonresidential - Sculptural) |
| Temporary Sign (Non-residential zoning districts) | 4 ft (freestanding temporary signs) | 12 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from property line. | 1 per tenant | On private property; not within public ROW; not within visibility triangle. | — | Table 1 (Temporary Sign Restrictions - Non-residential zoning districts); Sec. 5-152(1)l.1-3 |

### Brookwood Mall

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Common to all locations) | 4 ft 6 in | — | 25 ft | — | Tenants may choose up to 3 sign types (see Sec. 5-155(2)); for freestanding structures up to 3 sign types (Sec. 5-155(3)) | On main mall structure or freestanding structures per tenant selection. | — | Sec. 5-155(1)a; Sec. 5-155(2)a; Sec. 5-155(4)a |
| Roof Sign (Common to all locations) | 4 ft 6 in; may project max 5 ft above parapet | — | 25 ft | — | Counts toward tenant’s choice of any three sign types | On mall structure roof or on freestanding structures per tenant selection. | — | Sec. 5-155(1)b; Sec. 5-155(2)b; Sec. 5-155(4)a |
| Banner Sign (Common to all locations) | — | — | Max length 14 ft; max width 3 ft | — | Counts toward tenant’s choice of any three sign types | On building wall at mall structure or freestanding structures per tenant selection. | — | Sec. 5-155(1)d; Sec. 5-155(2)d; Sec. 5-155(3)d; Sec. 5-155(4)a |
| Awning Sign (Common to all locations) | — | Graphics on awnings are exempt from area and height restrictions | — | — | Counts toward tenant’s choice of any three sign types | On awnings. | — | Sec. 5-155(1)e; Sec. 5-155(2)e; Sec. 5-155(3)e; Sec. 5-155(4)a |
| Monument Sign (Mall Structure context) | 6 ft | 72 sq ft total (36 sq ft per side if double-sided) | 6 ft | General freestanding setbacks apply. | 1 | Utilized with mall structure signage. | — | Sec. 5-155(2)g |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding structure lots <100 ft frontage) | 3.5 ft | 25 sq ft per side; 50 sq ft total | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage. | — | Sec. 5-155(3)g.1 |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding structure lots ≥100 ft frontage) | 6 ft | 30 sq ft per side; 60 sq ft total | — | 12 ft minimum from street ROW. | 2 per frontage when frontage >100 ft (with spacing conditions) | Up to two per street frontage when frontage >100 ft. | — | Sec. 5-155(3)g.2 |
| Monument Sign (Multi-business per parcel) | 35 ft | 450 sq ft total (225 sq ft per side) | 30 ft | — | 1 per parcel | One per parcel for multiple businesses. | — | Sec. 5-155(3)g.3 |

### Wildwood Centre

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attached Sign (Single Tenant - Building Facade Length Limit) | — | — | No sign on a building facade may exceed 80 ft in length | — | Single tenants: any two sign types allowed | On building facades. | — | Sec. 5-156(1)a; Sec. 5-156(3) |
| Monument Sign (Single Tenant - frontage <100 ft) | 3.5 ft | 25 sq ft per side (50 sq ft total) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage for lots <100 ft frontage. | — | Sec. 5-156(1)b.1; Sec. 5-156(3) |
| Monument Sign (Single Tenant - frontage ≥100 ft) | 6 ft | 30 sq ft per side (60 sq ft total) | — | 12 ft from street ROW. | 2 per street frontage | 2 monument signs per street frontage when frontage ≥100 ft. | — | Sec. 5-156(1)b.2; Sec. 5-156(3) |
| Monument Sign (Single Parcel - Multi-business) | 35 ft | 450 sq ft total (225 sq ft per side) | 30 ft | — | 1 per parcel | One per parcel for multiple businesses. | — | Sec. 5-156(1)b.3; Sec. 5-156(3) |
| Monument Sign (Multiple Tenant buildings/campuses - per frontage) | 45 ft | Up to 200 sq ft per side for each monument sign | — | — | 1 per frontage (2 if frontage >500 ft) + 1 per vehicular entrance | One monument sign per frontage; second permitted if frontage >500 ft. | — | Sec. 5-156(2)a.1-2; Sec. 5-156(3) |
| Wall Sign (Wildwood Centre - per Table 2) | Per Sec. 5-156 (not numerically specified in text provided) | 20% of first floor facade area | — | — | 1 per tenant | On first floor facade. | — | Table 2 (Wildwood Centre - Wall); Sec. 5-156(3) |
| Projecting Sign (Wildwood Centre) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 2 per tenant | Projecting from building; per tenant. | — | Table 2 (Wildwood Centre - Projecting); Sec. 5-156(2)b.3 |
| Roof Sign (Wildwood Centre) | Per Sec. 5-156 | Per Sec. 5-156 | — | — | 1 per building | On roof. | — | Table 2 (Wildwood Centre - Roof); Sec. 5-156(3); Sec. 5-154(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Homewood

- Animated signs are prohibited (Sec. 5-151(1))
- Signs supported by guy wires or similar insubstantial supports are prohibited (Sec. 5-151(2))
- Inflatable signs (e.g., balloons, gas-inflated signs) are prohibited (Sec. 5-151(3))
- Moving or flashing signs, including searchlights, streamers, and spinners, are prohibited (Sec. 5-151(4))
- Off-premise signs are prohibited, except for lots fronting Interstate 65 (Sec. 5-151(5))
- Pole signs are prohibited (Sec. 5-151(6))
- Portable signs, including A-frame signs, are prohibited unless specifically permitted elsewhere in the article (Sec. 5-151(7))
- Signs attached or painted on trees, utility poles, rocks, or natural features are prohibited (Sec. 5-151(8))
- Signs incorporating noisy mechanical devices or emitting smoke or steam are prohibited (Sec. 5-151(9))
- Signs in the public right-of-way are prohibited, except attached signs projecting over a public sidewalk, unless specifically permitted elsewhere (Sec. 5-151(10))
- Signs that pose a traffic hazard (obstruct or may be confused with official traffic control devices; display lights resembling emergency/danger lights; use words like “stop,” “warning,” “danger,” “turn” that may confuse drivers; or obstruct motorists’ view) are prohibited (Sec. 5-151(11) a–d; Sec. 5-152(f))
- LED signs are prohibited (Sec. 5-151(12))
- Flags, banners, and streamers are prohibited (Sec. 5-151(13))
- Snipe or bandit signs are prohibited (Sec. 5-151(14))
- Vehicle-mounted signs are regulated as ground signs and signs on a trailer chassis are considered portable ground signs, which are prohibited, except as otherwise provided (Sec. 5-151(15))
- Unsafe signs are prohibited (Sec. 5-151(16))
- No sign may emit sound (Sec. 5-152(g))
- Prohibited illumination types: no metal halide lights exceeding 75 watts; no high- or low-pressure sodium light bulbs; and no mercury vapor light sources for direct or internal illumination, for either permanent or temporary signs (Sec. 5-152(d)(6))
- No vegetation within the public right-of-way may be damaged, pruned, or removed to provide greater visibility of any sign; and no person may damage, trim, destroy, or remove vegetation within a right-of-way or in required landscaped areas (Sec. 5-152(i)(2); Sec. 5-152(j)(2))
- No permanent or temporary sign exceeding 4 square feet is permitted within 20 feet of an intersection street right-of-way line (40 feet if the intersecting street is an arterial) or within 10 feet of the front lot line or a private drive, unless visibility clearance is maintained as determined by the code enforcement officer; in any event, no sign may extend into any right-of-way except attached signs projecting over a public sidewalk (Sec. 5-152(e))

## Signs exempt from permit in Homewood

- West Homewood signs are exempt from this article (regulated separately) (Sec. 5-150(1)(a))
- Traffic signs and all other signs erected or maintained by a governmental body are exempt (Sec. 5-150(1)(b))
- Signs located entirely inside a building or enclosed space, other than window signs, are exempt (Sec. 5-150(1)(c))
- Signs protected by state statute are exempt (Sec. 5-150(1)(d))
- Signs not visible from public streets or from one property to another do not require a permit (Sec. 5-159(c)(1))
- Flags or insignia of any organization (no more than 2 flags per flagpole; max 30 sq ft per flag; only one side counted) do not require a permit (Sec. 5-159(c)(2))
- Tablets, grave markers, headstones, statuary, and noncommercial remembrances; memorials or cornerstones; or the name, date of erection and use of building when built into its walls do not require a permit (Sec. 5-159(c)(3))
- Works of fine art not displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise and from which no enterprise receives direct commercial gain do not require a permit (Sec. 5-159(c)(4))
- Temporary decorations or displays celebrating traditionally accepted holidays do not require a permit (Sec. 5-159(c)(5))
- Temporary construction site signs (max one per street frontage; max 32 sq ft; only while building is in progress under a current building permit; must be removed before certificate of occupancy) do not require a permit (Sec. 5-159(c)(6))
- Signs on vehicles/equipment meeting all conditions (primary purpose not display; integral graphics; operable/registered/actively used; not static displays/storage; not parked with signs displayed during inactivity over 48 hours, except for active construction) do not require a permit (Sec. 5-159(c)(7))
- Residential nameplates/street address/combination signs up to 4 sq ft (one per street front per use) do not require a permit (Sec. 5-159(c)(8))
- Nonresidential street address/nameplate/combination wall-mounted signs up to 6 sq ft do not require a permit (Sec. 5-159(c)(9))
- Changing copy on a legal sign; maintenance without structural changes; changing interchangeable letters; and repainting do not require a permit (Sec. 5-159(c)(10))
- Temporary, nonilluminated signs per Sec. 5-152 do not require a permit; banners require permits (Sec. 5-159(c)(11))
- Directional signs indicating bus stops, taxi stands, off-street parking or loading facilities and other directional information up to 4 sq ft do not require a permit (Sec. 5-159(c)(12))
- Official signs including legal notices required by law, warning signs, signs directed by a governmental agency or public utility, and historical markers do not require a permit (Sec. 5-159(c)(13))

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No explicit master sign plan requirement is stated in the provided sections
- Sign permit applications must include owner/agent/contractor information; property address; zoning and principal land use; complete sign description (number, type, freestanding or attached, illumination method, on/off-premises, setbacks); a dimensioned sketch; a plot plan showing sign locations and dimensional characteristics; other details as needed (e.g., building elevation, survey); and fees (Sec. 5-159(b)(4))
- For electronic message displays located within 50 feet of a traffic signal, the distance to the signal must be demonstrated on a site plan or survey submitted with the sign permit application (Sec. 5-152(k)(6))
- Variances to sign regulations require a written request filed with the city clerk and a public hearing before the City Council; the council may deny, grant, or grant with conditions; the council’s decision is final (Sec. 5-159(f))
- Wildwood Centre signage must comply with signage rules and regulations approved in the final development plan; the Wildwood Centre architectural review committee may reject any sign presentation (Sec. 5-153(1); Sec. 5-156(4))
- Brookwood Mall signage is regulated by a separate section with its own standards; the property owner may reject sign presentations (Sec. 5-155; Sec. 5-155(4)(b))
- West Homewood signs are regulated separately by appendix A, article IV, section EE (Sec. 5-157(1))
- Downtown signs are governed by mapped downtown sign districts with their own standards; no master sign plan requirement is stated (Sec. 5-158)

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

---

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