# Sign Regulations in New Hope, Alabama

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

- **Jurisdiction:** New Hope, Alabama (AL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/alabama/new-hope
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/AL/New_Hope/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH24PASTOTPUPR_ARTVSI)

## At a glance

New Hope, Alabama regulates 30 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Construction Sign (Subdivision Entrance)s in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a Not within 20 ft of public pavement or curb setback (Sec. Sec. 24-115(e)(1)a). Most commercial signs in New Hope require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 11 | Must not extend more than 9 in above mailbox or 1 ft below | 80 sq ft total, signage max 36 sq ft | — |
| Business and Commercial Districts, B-1, B-2 | 11 | 20 ft or not above parapet, whichever is less | 250 sq ft maximum | — |
| Industrial Districts, M-1 | 3 | 8 ft | 300 sq ft | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electronic Display Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On-site, must be part of permanent sign structure. | — | Sec. 24-114(b) (Ord. No. 429, § 2.01, 9-19-2022) |
| Electronic Message Center Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On-site, part of permanent sign. | — | Sec. 24-114(b) (Ord. No. 429, § 2.01, 9-19-2022) |
| Political Sign (Residential Districts) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from road/curb or min 1 ft from right-of-way line | — | Min 5 ft from edge of road/curb or min 1 ft from R.O.W. on private property | — | Sec. 24-114(c)(1) (Ord. No. 429, § 2.01, 9-19-2022) |
| Political Sign (Other Districts) | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from road/curb or min 1 ft from right-of-way line | — | Min 5 ft from edge of road/curb or min 1 ft from R.O.W. on private property | — | Sec. 24-114(c)(1) (Ord. No. 429, § 2.01, 9-19-2022) |
| Community Function/Special Event Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | As per council-approved plan | — | Sec. 24-114(c)(2) (Ord. No. 429, § 2.01, 9-19-2022) |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Family Complex ID Marker) | 5 ft | 32 sq ft (including sign and supports) | — | — | 1 | On-site at apartment complex or manufactured home community | — | Sec. 24-115(d)(1) |
| Mailbox Sign / Street Number Sign | Must not extend more than 9 in above mailbox or 1 ft below | — | Equivalent to mailbox length | — | 1 per mailbox | Attached to mailbox | — | Sec. 24-115(d)(2) |
| Construction Sign (Subdivision Entrance) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Not within 20 ft of public pavement or curb | 2 | Up to two signs at primary subdivision entrance, on-site | — | Sec. 24-115(e)(1)a |
| Construction Sign (Home Sites in New Subdivisions) | 3 ft | 2 sq ft per sign | — | Not closer than 15 ft to pavement/curb | 6 per lot | On-site at each lot | — | Sec. 24-115(e)(1)b |
| Repair Sign (Residential) | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from edge of pavement/curb | 1 per lot | On-site per lot | — | Sec. 24-115(e)(2) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from edge of pavement/curb | 1 (interior), 2 (corner) | On property for sale/rent | — | Sec. 24-115(e)(3) |
| Yard Sale Sign (On-premise) | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Yard of premises where sale is being held | — | Sec. 24-115(e)(4) |
| Freestanding Sign (Subdivision Identification Marker) | 4 ft | 80 sq ft total, signage max 36 sq ft | — | — | 1 double-face or 2 single-face | At subdivision | — | Sec. 24-115(e)(5) |

### Business and Commercial Districts, B-1, B-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (One Entrance) | 20 ft or not above parapet, whichever is less | — | — | — | 1 per use/tenant | On building wall with primary entrance | — | Sec. 24-116(b)(1),(4),(5) |
| Wall Sign - Option Additional (Multiple Frontages) | 20 ft or not above parapet, whichever is less | — | — | — | 1 additional (if eligible) | On secondary building face | — | Sec. 24-116(b)(2) |
| Freestanding Monument or Ground-Mounted Sign (Primary) | 20 ft max; see setback/height table | 250 sq ft maximum | — | 10 ft for up to 10 ft high; 10 ft plus 1 ft/additional foot above 10 ft in height | 1 per development | On site, not in sight triangles, complying with setbacks | — | Sec. 24-116(c)(2),(4),(5),(7) |
| Freestanding Monument or Ground-Mounted Sign (Secondary Sign, Through Lot) | 20 ft max; subject to setback/height rules | 20 sq ft if within 75 ft of residential, otherwise 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per through frontage eligible | Second frontage of through lot, in landscaped area of ≥50 sq ft | — | Sec. 24-116(c)(3) |
| Freestanding Pole Sign | 20 ft max; setback/height as monument type | — | — | Same as monument/ground-mount | 1 per development | On site | — | Sec. 24-116(c)(2),(4),(5) |
| Repair Sign (Commercial Business) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Min 15 ft from edge of curb/pavement/right-of-way | 1 per lot/building | On-site per lot/building | — | Sec. 24-116(d)(1)b |
| Real Estate Sign (Commercial) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Min 15 ft from edge of curb/pavement/right-of-way | 1 or 2 | On property for sale or lease | — | Sec. 24-116(d)(2)b |
| Temporary Sign (Other Temporary) | 10 ft (if not attached to building) | 32 sq ft | — | Min 15 ft from edge of curb/pavement/right-of-way (if freestanding) | — | On property for max 10 consecutive days per month | — | Sec. 24-116(d)(3)b |

## Prohibited signs in New Hope

- Any sign that emulates traffic signs by using words such as 'stop' or 'caution' and emulates the shape and/or color in a manner to copy or imitate a traffic control sign.
- Any sign or sign structure placed in any public right-of-way including sidewalks or on any public land except informational and directional signs placed by an appropriate public entity or at the direction of the city.
- Signs that flash (brief, sudden bursts of bright light), or are animated to change physical position by movement or rotation, except for date, time, temperature and electronic bulletin board type signs.
- Signs that emit any detectable smoke, vapor, odor, particles or that include any lighting or control mechanism that interfere with radio, television or electronic means of communication.
- Any sign painted on or attached to an object and placed less than five feet from the edge of the pavement or placed on a public right-of-way or public land for the purpose of advertising.
- No banners, pennants, streamers or other types of temporary signs shall be hung over, or placed within, the public rights-of-way.
- Signs attached to or painted on trees, fences, fire escapes, elevated water storage tanks (stand pipes), utility poles, or traffic sign standards.
- Signs painted on a sloping roof or wall of a building unless specifically approved by the zoning officer or designee, and is consistent with limitations of special provisions of the zoning district.
- Tethered inflatable signs of all types.
- Roof signs.
- Portable signs in any zoning district.
- Billboards in any zoning district except in the area located at the southern most point of the New Hope city limits located on US Hwy 431. This district extends north for a distance of 4,000 feet and pertains to all property located on the western side of US Hwy 431.
- Signs that emit any noise, music or other sounds.
- Signs that cast light beams in the direction of oncoming motorists.
- Signs that block, impede or obstruct the view of motorists.

## Signs exempt from permit in New Hope

- Any sign not exceeding two square feet in area and bearing only property numbers, names of occupants, or business and professional signs not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Temporary real estate signs, such as 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' signs, not exceeding four square feet in area and non-illuminated may be placed on the premises.
- Directional or informational signs of a public or quasi-public nature, not exceeding eight square feet in area, such as a community's name, place of worship, meeting place of civic body, or event of public interest. Signs identifying public telephones, trash receptacles, first aid facilities, and shopping cart corrals are considered directional signs.
- Signs for churches or public buildings to include bulletin boards, lighted or unlighted, not exceeding 32 square feet in area.
- Temporary signs advertising agricultural products for sale, which were produced on the premises, may not exceed ten square feet in area.
- Legal notices, identification, informational or direction signs required by governmental bodies.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic to parking areas on private property but bearing no advertising matter.
- Other outdoor advertising devices including but not limited to plaques, banners, pennants, streamers, or posters, are permitted for a period of not more than two weeks after the opening of a new business.
- Any on-site business identification sign in a B-1, B-2, or M-1 district, not exceeding 32 square feet in area.
- Flags and insignias of governmental, religious, charitable or fraternal organizations with an area of less than 50 square feet and mounted on a single pole.
- Decorative flags and bunting as authorized by the council for town-wide celebrations, commemorations or conventions.
- Memorial signs, tablets or cornerstones, names of buildings and dates of erection when included as an integral part of the building and constructed of bronze or other durable material or cut into masonry surfaces.
- One monument identification sign, with bulletin/reader board, per site for public, educational, charitable and religious buildings that shall be located on-site, the combined area of which is not to exceed 32 square feet in area or five feet in height and be located a minimum of ten feet from the right-of-way.
- Temporary holiday lights, displays and decorations during customary holiday periods.
- Decorative flags not to exceed 15 square feet in area in residential districts.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Prior to requesting approval by the council for community function or special event temporary signs, the sponsor of the event shall meet with a designated representative of the office of the zoning official and develop a plan for locating the signs and preparing a description of the signs. Special event signs must be placed or erected in conformance with the plan approved by the council or their designated representative.
- A written application for a sign permit shall be made to the city clerk and must be supplemented by a location map, site map, and a complete description of materials and the structural details of the sign.

## 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 New Hope — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=New+Hope+AL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-new-hope

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