# Sign Regulations in Thomasville, Alabama

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Thomasville, Alabama (AL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/alabama/thomasville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-26
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://cdn.website-editor.net/s/94a2053da8a04ccaacf6a98bdce2c109/files/uploaded/Zoning%2520Ordinance%2520%25281%2529.pdf?Expires=1766601692&Signature=BgUdxzuWR48KKQ5y-AIN2703IJ~8Z3x8sF0RgYE5eGnVPWnsdrHgN7zHJ8L19BsSdmVOA2NxhiS24i6kdxUzb2NG4bkW9WfnGd7f-ePkcRritlZGvP9d2ya4P4RxwxgNbT8I7IY8L6C0YqztIRlGcjMOtsdGlQjkHatF7HpvyOiNREUYORse3O14yypVc4iOa289KhU1~cJoRva439VN3rUe6~ieTcCB3EL~I3hAx9ZlsgsrbsvU2YAqcPCDIU6bkg8fhMLzG7iwhpTpm-2TNQRch5Jtg0FWvQ45axBFbTQ61K8GYnCCDkruVAHawVZ2Lgvuf~ZjItK9WbDwTc1ctw__&Key-Pair-Id=K2NXBXLF010TJW#page=76)

## At a glance

Thomasville, Alabama regulates 14 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Residential/Business Complex Identification Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 21 ft tall and 75 sq ft per face (two faces allowed) (Sec. Section 11.1.G.2; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 82). Most commercial signs in Thomasville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 21 ft | 400 sq ft total (including cut-out extensions) | — |
| Historic Preservation District | 2 | — | — | — |
| Agricultural District (AG-1) | 1 | 35 ft | 75 sq ft | — |
| R-1 Residential | 1 | 8 ft | 6.5 sq ft | — |
| R-2, RMH, RCP, RTH | 1 | 8 ft | 6.5 sq ft | — |
| R-3 Residential | 1 | 21 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Local Business (B-1), General Business (B-2), Multi-Use (MU) | 7 | 35 ft | ≤300 sq ft or ≤20% of facade area, whichever is less | — |
| Medical Use (B-3) | 4 | 10 ft | ≤300 sq ft or ≤20% of facade area, whichever is less | — |
| Industrial (I-1, I-2) | 4 | 21 ft | ≤300 sq ft or ≤20% of facade area, whichever is less | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential/Business Complex Identification Sign | 21 ft | 75 sq ft per face (two faces allowed) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On-premises for any fixed dwelling, mobile home subdivision/park, apartment, townhouse, condominium, or other residential or business complex; and for any use permitted by right, Planning Commission approval or special exception in any residential district | — | Section 11.1.G.2; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 82 |
| Off-Premises Billboard/Sign | — | 400 sq ft total (including cut-out extensions) | — | Spacing: ≥500 ft from other off-premises signs | — | Only along US Highway 5 and US Highway 43; must be ≥500 ft from any existing off-premises sign and ≥500 ft from any other off-premises sign | — | Section 11.1.I; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 83 |
| Temporary Advertising Sign (Development) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Mounted from the ground within the confines of the development | — | Section 11.1.J.3; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 87 |
| Temporary Business Sign (New Business without Permanent Sign) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Mounted from the ground on the premises | — | Section 11.1.J.4; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 87 |
| Temporary Decorative Signs/Flags/Banners/Pennants/Streamers/Bunting/Tethered Inflatable | — | — | — | — | — | On-premises | — | Section 11.1.J.5; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 87 |
| General Design/Installation Rules | — | General maximum 75 sq ft unless otherwise provided in ordinance or approved by Planning Commission | — | — | — | Not on public right-of-way unless otherwise provided; must not obstruct traffic visibility; must not block ingress/egress from doors, windows, or fire escapes | — | Section 11.1.A (1–15); Land Use and Development Ordinance - 76–81 |

### Local Business (B-1), General Business (B-2), Multi-Use (MU)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft | 160 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On-premises | — | Business/Industrial Sign Table Notes; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 85 |
| Wall Sign (Building Front) | — | 160 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On building facade | — | Business/Industrial Sign Table (B-1; B-2; MU) and Notes; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 85 |
| Wall Sign (Additional Permit per J.2) | — | ≤300 sq ft or ≤20% of facade area, whichever is less | — | — | 1 additional wall sign permit per establishment | Front or side wall; mansards, marquees, and awnings are deemed wall signs | — | Section 11.1.J.2; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 87 |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Tenant Directory Sign | — | Tenant panel ≤35 sq ft per side (directory sign comprises multiple tenant panels) | — | — | 1 per shopping center | On shopping center property | — | Section 11.1.H (Shopping Center Signs); Land Use and Development Ordinance - 85 |
| Shopping Center/Office Park Locator Sign (Under 25,000 SF) | 35 ft | — | — | — | 1 | On shopping center or office park site | — | Permitted Shopping Center and Office Park Locator Signs table; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 86 |
| Shopping Center/Office Park Locator Sign (160 sq ft) | 35 ft | 160 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On shopping center or office park site | — | Permitted Shopping Center and Office Park Locator Signs table; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 86 |
| Fuel Pricing Sign | — | ≤75 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises in business districts | — | Section 11.1.G.4; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 82 |

### Medical Use (B-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On-premises | — | Business/Industrial Sign Table (B-3) and Notes; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 85 |
| Wall Sign (Building Front) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On building facade | — | Business/Industrial Sign Table (B-3) and Notes; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 85 |
| Wall Sign (Additional Permit per J.2) | — | ≤300 sq ft or ≤20% of facade area, whichever is less | — | — | 1 additional wall sign permit per establishment | Front or side wall; mansards, marquees, and awnings are deemed wall signs | — | Section 11.1.J.2; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 87 |
| Fuel Pricing Sign | — | ≤75 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises in business districts | — | Section 11.1.G.4; Land Use and Development Ordinance - 82 |

## Prohibited signs in Thomasville

- No sign may be erected, constructed, posted, painted, altered, maintained, or relocated without a permit unless specifically exempted.
- No outdoor advertising sign or sign structure may be placed within any street or highway right-of-way, except as otherwise provided in the ordinance.
- No outdoor advertising sign or sign structure may be placed at an intersection or location that obstructs the view of intersecting traffic.
- No outdoor advertising sign may be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- No portion of any outdoor advertising sign may be lower than 8 feet above a sidewalk or pedestrian thoroughfare, or lower than 15 feet above a public driveway, alley, or street.
- No sign may exceed 75 square feet in area, except when the name of a building or firm is attached across the front of a building, or as otherwise provided or approved by the Planning Commission.
- No sign face that is not covered with advertising may be left blank; such faces must be covered with attractive displays or coverings.
- Any sign erected or painted upon a fence, tree, standpipe, fire escape, or utility pole is prohibited (except a manufacturer/installer ID plate up to 5x8 inches).
- Any sign that prominently uses the words “Stop” or “Danger,” or imitates official traffic control signs, is prohibited (except where such words are part of an attraction title for a theater or similar event).
- Signs with flashing or intermittent illumination, or electronically changeable copy signs, are prohibited except as required for traffic control; customary changeable copy showing time, date, temperature or similar public information is not considered flashing.
- Portable signs, snipe signs, sandwich signs, and ladder type signs are prohibited.
- Permanent signs that produce sound or noise; interfere with radio, telephone, or other communications; produce or reflect motion pictures; emit visible smoke, vapor, particles, or odor; are animated; or produce rotation, motion, or movement are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Thomasville

- Official traffic signs, county or municipal information signs, and provisional warning signs erected or required by a governmental agency.
- Changing the copy on bulletin boards, poster boards, display encasements, marquees, or changeable copy type signs.
- Temporary, non-illuminated construction signs up to 32 square feet, one per street frontage (max 10 feet in height), displayed only while construction is in progress and removed upon completion.
- Signs on trucks, buses, or other vehicles used in the normal course of business for transportation (not for the sole purpose of advertising), except vehicles offered for sale.
- Weather flags providing information on weather conditions; one set per premises.
- Temporary, non-illuminated real estate signs up to 6.5 square feet advertising property 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 commemorative occasions; must be removed when the occasion ends and may not remain beyond 30 days.
- Political signs (permit-exempt) subject to controls: not on public rights-of-way or attached to public markers/utility structures; not attached to existing business identification/pricing signs; not obstructing traffic views or ingress/egress; allowed on private property in any district (height max 8 feet); up to 4 square feet on private/commercial vehicles; may be placed only after candidate qualification and must be removed within 5 days after the election.
- National flags; flags of political subdivisions of the United States; and flags of bona fide civic, charitable, fraternal, and welfare organizations, when displayed from one flagstaff per premises in accord with U.S. flag display law (except when used for commercial promotion).
- Non-advertising directional signs or symbols (e.g., entrance, exit, caution, slow, no trespassing) located on and pertaining to private property.
- One identification sign per street frontage for public, charitable, educational, or religious institutions, located on the premises, not exceeding 75 square feet.
- Memorial signs and historical markers constructed of bronze, stone, or other incombustible material, after historical authentication and location approval by the City Council.
- One professional, announcement, or occupational sign, non-directly illuminated and flat wall-mounted, at a premises or business location without a permitted sign; combined area not to exceed 5 square feet for up to two such signs.
- Temporary non-commercial yard or garage sale signs up to 8 square feet on private property, displaying the sale dates and address; must be removed when the sale concludes.
- Signs attached to machinery or equipment advertising only the product or service dispensed (e.g., vending machines, newspaper racks, telephone booths, gasoline pumps); combined area not to exceed 8 square feet.
- Window signs identifying or advertising activities, services, goods, or products available within the building.
- One business or professional identification sign mounted vertically below a marquee or canopy; area up to 6 square feet; not wider than the marquee/canopy; minimum 9 feet clearance above sidewalks/pedestrian areas.
- A V-sign with two non-parallel faces forming an angle not greater than 30 degrees; each face up to 3 feet square; displayed only during business hours.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is specified in the ordinance.
- A sign permit is required for all signs unless specifically exempted.
- Illuminated signs (neon or other electrical illumination) require an electrical inspection.
- Planning Commission approval may allow signs larger than 75 square feet; the ordinance expressly permits exceptions as approved by the Planning Commission.
- For retail establishments over 25,000 square feet, signage parameters are to be determined by the Planning Commission and/or City Council (per notes in the sign tables and shopping center/office park locator sign section).
- Zoning Board of Adjustment may grant permission for signs not in conformance with the ordinance in special cases due to unique hardship not caused by the applicant; the Board may require a bond to protect the City.
- No permits for additional signs may be issued for any premises that have non-conforming signs.
- City Council authorization is required for certain directional route signs (up to 6 square feet) to public places or events on private or public property.
- Shopping center signage must be coordinated: the developer/owner shall provide a single permanent freestanding sign for tenant identification/advertising; tenants may not erect other outdoor signs on shopping center property except on the shared freestanding sign; only one freestanding sign is allowed for the center.

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

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