# Sign Regulations in Phenix City, Alabama

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Phenix City, Alabama (AL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/alabama/phenix-city
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-04
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/al/phenix_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_APXAZO_ART9SIRE)

## At a glance

Phenix City, Alabama regulates 36 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Digital Reader Board (General Standards)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Subject to the height limits of the host sign and district; off-premises conversions max 45 ft or district height limit (more restrictive applies) tall and If part of a building or freestanding sign: digital portion ≤75% of entire sign face, with a ≥50 ft from residential district boundary or from nearest dwelling if located in a residential district setback (Sec. §9.05.02(a)–(b); §9.07.01(b); §9.10.01(g)). Most commercial signs in Phenix City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | Subject to the height limits of the host sign and district; off-premises conversions max 45 ft or district height limit (more restrictive applies) | ≤800 sq ft sign face (inclusive of border/trim; excluding base/apron/supports) | — |
| R-1: Low Density Residential District (Includes R-1A and R-1B); R-2: Medium Density Residential District; R-3: High Density Residential District | 9 | 8 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| C-1: Core Commercial District | 9 | 25 ft | Per host sign area limits; digital portion cap 75% | — |
| MX-1: Limited Mixed Use District (formerly A-O District); C-2: General Commercial District; C-3: Neighborhood Commercial District; C-4: Highway Commercial District; M-1: General Manufacturing District; M-2: Heavy Manufacturing District; INST: Institutional District; MED: Medical District | 8 | 25 ft | Per host sign area limits; digital portion cap 75% | — |
| A-1: Low Density Residential and General Agricultural District | 5 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| C-O: Corridor Overlay District | 2 | Per §9.06 and underlying district | Per §9.06 and underlying district | — |
| PD: Planned Development District | 2 | Per §9.06 and PD plan/underlying district | Per §9.06 and PD plan/underlying district | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Signs (General Program) | Varies by district | Varies by district and situation (see district-specific sections); permit-exempt temporary/window signs must each be ≤6 sq ft if using permit exemption | — | — | — | All districts (subject to district-specific standards) | — | §9.06; §9.03.03; §9.03.04; §9.05.06 |
| Flagpoles and Stanchions | Up to 1.5× allowed building height for the district, max 50 ft | — | — | — | Residential: 1 flagpole; Nonresidential: up to 3 flagpoles depending on lot size; up to 2 stanchions per principal structure | All districts (on developed premises) | — | §9.06.02 |
| Driveway Sign (Ingress/Egress) | 3 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per driveway (each point of ingress and egress) | At each point of ingress and egress to a permitted nonresidential premises | — | §9.06.03 |
| Freestanding Signs - General Standards | — | — | — | Minimum 10 ft from the public right-of-way; may not extend into or over the right-of-way | Per district-specific allowances | All districts where freestanding signs are allowed by district | — | §9.05.03 |
| Projecting Sign (Right-of-Way Encroachment) | — | — | — | If over ROW, must maintain at least 8 ft vertical clearance from grade to bottom edge per §9.04.05(a) | — | Affixed to and extending from a building; if projecting over public right-of-way, subject to approvals | — | §9.05.05; §9.02.19 |
| Window Sign | — | No specific sq ft cap, but limited to 50% of glass area | — | — | No numerical limit; constrained by area limit (≤50% of glass on street-facing façade) | Applied to/attached to/within first-floor windows on street-facing façades | — | §9.05.07; §9.03.04(b) |
| Digital Reader Board (General Standards) | Subject to the height limits of the host sign and district; off-premises conversions max 45 ft or district height limit (more restrictive applies) | If part of a building or freestanding sign: digital portion ≤75% of entire sign face | — | ≥50 ft from residential district boundary or from nearest dwelling if located in a residential district | Per host sign allowances | As part of permitted building or freestanding signs; additional conditions for off-premises conversions | — | §9.05.02(a)–(b); §9.07.01(b); §9.10.01(g) |
| Off-Premises Sign (Digital Replacement/Conversion of Existing Only) | ≤45 ft or district height limit, whichever is more restrictive | ≤800 sq ft sign face (inclusive of border/trim; excluding base/apron/supports) | — | Meet applicable district minimum front setback; no encroachment into ROW | Limited by removal requirement and 1,000 ft spacing | Lots with frontage on arterial roads; not permitted in residential districts | — | §9.10.01(a)–(g) |

### R-1: Low Density Residential District (Includes R-1A and R-1B); R-2: Medium Density Residential District; R-3: High Density Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign - Multifamily Building (Attached) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per multifamily building | On a multifamily building; only on street-facing façade or a façade with a public entrance | — | §9.07.02(a); §9.05.01; §9.05.04 |
| Building Sign - Nonresidential Premises (Primary Façade) | — | Up to 80 sq ft but may be less per formula | — | — | 1 attached sign on primary façade | Principal nonresidential building; on elevation containing the main entrance; only on street-facing façade or façade with public entrance | — | §9.07.02(b); §9.05.01; §9.05.04 |
| Building Sign - Nonresidential Premises (Secondary Street Façade) | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 additional attached sign if applicable | Secondary façade that adjoins a public street; only on street-facing façade | — | §9.07.02(b); §9.05.01; §9.05.04 |
| Freestanding Sign - Subdivision Entrance | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from ROW per §9.05.03; may not extend into/over ROW; spacing not applicable unless multiple signs | 1 per street entrance | At each street entrance to a subdivision; not within any public right-of-way | — | §9.07.03(a); §9.05.04 |
| Freestanding Sign - Multifamily Developments/Manufactured Home Parks/Nonresidential Premises | 8 ft | 100 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from ROW; may not extend into/over ROW; spacing 50 ft between bases if more than one is permitted per §9.05.03 | 1 per development/premises | On the development or nonresidential premises | — | §9.07.03(b) |
| Digital Reader Board (Residential Districts - Special Exception Only) | Per host sign height limits | Per host sign limits; digital portion cap 75% | — | ≥50 ft from lot lines of the nearest dwelling | Per host sign allowances | Only on permitted nonresidential premises within residential districts | — | §9.07.01(b); §9.05.02(a)–(b) |
| Temporary Signs - During Construction (Residential/Nonresidential Developments) | 6 ft | 18 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 2 per development during construction | At the primary entrance to the development | — | §9.07.04(a)(1); §9.03.04 |
| Temporary Signs - Post-Construction (Per Premises) | 4 ft for each sign | Combined 20 sq ft at any time; no individual sign >9 sq ft | — | — | Up to 3 at any time | On individual premises | — | §9.07.04(b)(1)–(2); §9.05.06 |

### C-1: Core Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign - Ground Floor Tenant (Primary Building Sign) | — | Capped by 1 sq ft per linear ft (aggregate) | — | — | 1 per street-facing façade per ground floor tenant | Street-facing façades or façades with a public entrance | — | §9.08.02(b)(1); §9.05.01; §9.05.04 |
| Canopy/Awning Sign (Counts Toward Building Sign Area) | — | No separate cap; included in aggregate cap | — | — | Up to 2 per premises or tenant in addition to primary building sign | On canopy or awning of the building | — | §9.08.02(b)(2); §9.05.04 |
| Freestanding Sign (Major Street 4+ Travel Lanes) | 25 ft | Per formula (aggregate for all freestanding signs on the development) | — | ≥10 ft from ROW; may not extend into/over ROW; ≥50 ft between sign bases if more than one on the lot (§9.05.03) | 1 per street frontage (≤300 ft); +1 additional on same frontage if >300 ft with ≥200 ft spacing | Fronting a major street with 4 or more travel lanes | — | §9.08.03(a)(1)–(3) and Table 9‑1; §9.05.04 |
| Freestanding Sign (Major Street <4 Travel Lanes) | 20 ft | Per formula (aggregate) | — | ≥10 ft from ROW; ≥50 ft between sign bases if more than one | 1 per street frontage (≤300 ft); +1 additional on same frontage if >300 ft with ≥200 ft spacing | Fronting a major street with fewer than 4 travel lanes | — | §9.08.03(a)(1)–(3) and Table 9‑1 |
| Freestanding Sign (All Other Locations) | 15 ft | Per formula (aggregate) | — | ≥10 ft from ROW; ≥50 ft between sign bases if more than one | 1 per street frontage (≤300 ft); +1 additional on same frontage if >300 ft with ≥200 ft spacing | All other street classifications/locations | — | §9.08.03(a)(1)–(3) and Table 9‑1 |
| Digital Reader Board (as part of Building or Freestanding Sign) | Per host sign/district height limits | Per host sign area limits; digital portion cap 75% | — | ≥50 ft from residential district boundary | Per host sign allowances | On permitted building or freestanding signs | — | §9.05.02(a)–(b) |
| Temporary Signs - During Construction (Nonres/Mixed-Use) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 2 per development during construction | At the primary entrance to the development | — | §9.08.04(a)(1); §9.03.04 |
| A-Frame / T-Frame (Sidewalk) Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | Maintain ≥5 ft clear sidewalk width; placed only directly in front of the property within the ROW | Not specified; typically one at point of entry | At point of entry of a nonresidential use, including along the public sidewalk, but only within the portion of the ROW directly in front of the property occupied by the use placing the sign; must maintain a clear 5 ft wide pedestrian path | — | §9.08.04(b)(1)–(3); §9.04.04(c) |

## Prohibited signs in Phenix City

- Any sign that constitutes a traffic hazard or may be confused with a traffic control device due to site, location, content, color, or type of illumination
- Any sign located within a public right-of-way (except where otherwise expressly permitted)
- Portable signs
- Any moving, swinging, rotating, flashing, strobing, blinking, scintillating, fluctuating or otherwise animated sign, including streamers, pennants, string lights, and other wind-moved attention-getting devices (exceptions: flags on flagpoles or stanchions per §9.06, inflatable signs permitted under §9.05.06, and Digital Reader Boards as allowed)
- Signs that emit detectable noise, smoke, vapor, odor, particles, or include lighting/control mechanisms that interfere with radio, television, or electronic communications
- Signs constructed of mirrors or other surfaces that reflect light
- Signs installed on the roof of any building or that extend more than 12 inches above the parapet or eave against which they are installed
- Signs attached to utility poles, meter posts, fences, fence posts, or street lights, and signs painted or drawn upon rocks, trees, or other natural features
- Signs or sign structures that obstruct openings required for ventilation or means of egress, including fire escapes, windows, doors, stairways, exits, walkways, utility access, or Fire Department connections

## Signs exempt from permit in Phenix City

- Signs not legible from any public right-of-way, public space, or another property (excluded from regulation and no sign permit required)
- Any permanent sign with a sign area of one square foot or less (excluded from regulation and no sign permit required)
- Signs of a governmental body, public authority, or public utility, including traffic and similar regulatory devices, legal devices, railroad crossing warnings, governmental survey or boundary markers, transit facility signs, notices of water lines or buried cables, and signs displayed on public property authorized by the City (excluded from regulation and no sign permit required)
- Publicly owned memorials and signs (excluded from regulation and no sign permit required)
- Signs required by law or governmental order, rule, or regulation (excluded from regulation and no sign permit required)
- Signs inside a building other than window signs (excluded from regulation and no sign permit required)
- Seasonal decorations containing no commercial message (excluded from regulation and no sign permit required)
- Signs on an operable vehicle used in the normal course of business (excluded from regulation and no sign permit required), except vehicles or trailers repeatedly kept on premises oriented toward and legible to passing motorists are treated as freestanding signs
- Banners, flags, pennants, and similar signs displayed temporarily on the premises of and during a special event sponsored or approved by the City (excluded from regulation and no sign permit required)
- Permit exemptions applicable citywide: Temporary signs (except inflatable), window signs, and painting/repainting/cleaning/repair/copy changes that do not alter sign face, structure, area, height, or illumination do not require a sign permit; they must not be illuminated and must have a total sign area of six square feet or less, and must otherwise comply with this Article

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan or sign plan requirement is referenced in the provided text
- Digital Reader Boards in residential districts require approval by special exception (§9.07.01.b)
- Projecting signs that project over the public right-of-way require safety review by the Engineering and Building Inspections Department and City Council approval of the right-of-way encroachment (§9.05.05)
- All signs require a sign permit unless specifically exempted; applications must include location, nearby right-of-way/easements, type, size, height, foundation, electrical and illumination details (§9.03.01–§9.03.02)

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

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