# Sign Regulations in Auburn, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Auburn, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/auburn
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Auburn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.120SI)

## At a glance

Auburn, Georgia regulates 23 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Banners in the O-I, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, M-2, PUD (nonresidential) zoning district are capped at 5 ft. tall, 32 sq. ft. per face, and 10 ft. wide, with a 10 ft. setback (Sec. 17.120.040(B) and 17.120.070(A)). Most commercial signs in Auburn require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-MD, MH, RM-8, AG, R-100, R-100CZP, PUD Residential | 3 | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| R-1, R-2 | 3 | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| O-I, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, M-2, PUD (nonresidential) | 18 | 30 ft. overall, 12 ft. face height, 25 ft. face length | 600 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial zoning districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Office zoning districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial zoning districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 30 ft. | 300 sq. ft. | — |

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

### R-MD, MH, RM-8, AG, R-100, R-100CZP, PUD Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Sale/For Lease Sign | — | — | — | Out of right-of-way or at least 10 ft from back of curb/edge of pavement; 15 ft at corner lots (see general setback regulations) | — | On property where premises is for sale or lease; must comply with general setback requirements. | — | 17.120.040(A) and 17.120.050 |
| Subdivision Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | Two per entrance | Per entrance to subdivision | — | 17.120.040(A) and 17.120.060 Table Row 9 |
| Directory Sign | Free standing: 5 ft.; Wall sign: not higher than wall | Free standing sign: 4 sq. ft.; Wall sign: 16 sq. ft. | — | Free standing: 3 ft. | One per road frontage | On premises | — | 17.120.040(A) and 17.120.060 Table Row 8 |

### R-1, R-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Sale/For Lease Sign | — | — | — | Out of right-of-way or at least 10 ft from back of curb/edge of pavement; 15 ft at corner lots (see general setback regulations) | — | On property where premises is for sale or lease; must comply with general setback requirements. | — | 17.120.040(B) |
| Subdivision Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | Two per entrance | Per entrance to subdivision | — | 17.120.040(B) and 17.120.060 Table Row 9 |
| Directory Sign | Free standing: 5 ft.; Wall sign: not higher than wall | Free standing sign: 4 sq. ft.; Wall sign: 16 sq. ft. | — | Free standing: 3 ft. | One per road frontage | On premises | — | 17.120.040(B) and 17.120.060 Table Row 8 |

### O-I, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, M-2, PUD (nonresidential)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Subdivision Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | Two per entrance | Per entrance to subdivision | — | 17.120.040(B) and 17.120.060 Table Row 9 |
| Directory Sign | Free standing: 5 ft.; Wall sign: not higher than wall | Free standing sign: 4 sq. ft.; Wall sign: 16 sq. ft. | — | Free standing: 3 ft. | One per road frontage | On premises | — | 17.120.040(B) and 17.120.060 Table Row 8 |
| Banner | 5 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per face | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | One per public walk-in entrance | Must be set back at least 10 ft. from property line/right-of-way; not in parking spaces required for premises. | — | 17.120.040(B) and 17.120.070(A) |
| Temporary Sign | 5 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per face | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | One per public walk-in entrance | At least 10 ft. from property line/right-of-way; not in parking spaces required for premises. | — | 17.120.040(B), 17.120.070(A) |
| Freestanding Sign (individual use/lot or planned center) | 5, 10, 15, or 20 ft. | 150 sq. ft. | — | 5, 10, or 20 ft. depending on sign height | One per road frontage; no more than two per frontage | On premises, meets setback requirements | — | 17.120.060 Table Row A1a |
| Monument Sign (individual use/lot or planned center) | 5, 10, 15, or 20 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — | 5, 10, or 20 ft. depending on sign height | One per road frontage; no more than two per frontage | On premises, meets setback requirements | — | 17.120.060 Table Row A1b |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign (lot without road frontage) | 5, 10, 15, or 20 ft. | Freestanding 150 sq. ft., Monument 200 sq. ft. | — | 5—10 ft., 10—20 ft., or 20+ ft. depending on sign height | 1 sign allowed | Lot without road frontage | — | 17.120.060 Table Row A1c |
| Directory Sign (for buildings in planned commercial/retail, office, industrial) | 8 ft. | 100 sq. ft.; 10 sq. ft. for park name. | — | 10 ft.; 100 ft. from entrance | One per entrance | At entrance, at least 100 ft from entrance | — | 17.120.060 Table Row 6 |

## Prohibited signs in Auburn

- Flashing signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Portable signs are prohibited in all zoning districts except as allowed in Section 17.120.070.
- Roof signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Signs attached to any street sign or marker, traffic control sign or device, or attached to or painted on any utility pole, post, tree, rock, shrub, plant, or other natural object or feature are prohibited.
- Motor vehicle signs as defined are prohibited.
- Signs on public right-of-way are prohibited.
- Temporary signs are prohibited except as allowed in Section 17.120.070.
- Affixing signs in any manner to trees, street or utility poles, or other signs and sign structures is prohibited.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Dangerous or defective signs are prohibited.
- Placement of temporary signs in required parking spaces or public right-of-way is prohibited.
- Animation on all temporary signs is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Auburn

- All permanent signs in place outside road right-of-way as of January 16, 2003 are exempt (unless otherwise prohibited), provided they meet height and setback requirements and do not require a permit.
- Construction signs with a maximum area not to exceed thirty-two square feet are exempt (unless otherwise prohibited), provided they meet height and setback requirements and do not require a permit.
- Directory signs are exempt (unless otherwise prohibited), provided they meet height and setback requirements and do not require a permit.
- Window signs and door signs are exempt (unless otherwise prohibited), provided they meet height and setback requirements and do not require a permit.
- Signs not visible from public thoroughfares are exempt (unless otherwise prohibited), provided they meet height and setback requirements and do not require a permit.
- Signs within a business, office, mall or totally enclosed area are exempt (unless otherwise prohibited), provided they meet height and setback requirements and do not require a permit.
- Flags or pennants are exempt (unless otherwise prohibited), provided they meet height and setback requirements and do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A fully dimensioned site plan showing lot frontage, building frontage, parking areas, and location of all existing and proposed signs is required for sign permit applications (except for temporary signs).
- For ground signs, the sign plan must show the distance from the right-of-way and edge of pavement, and street corner visibility calculations.
- A summary table listing location, type, and area of any existing and proposed signs must be provided with the application (except for temporary signs).
- A fully dimensioned elevation drawing of any proposed sign, showing sign type, height, and copy area, must be submitted.
- For facade signs, an elevation of the building showing sign placement must be provided.
- A site plan is specifically required to show designated driveway access point for billboards.
- Variance or zoning board approval is required for some sign types or locations (e.g., free standing/monument sign for a lot without road frontage).

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

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