# Sign Regulations in Austell, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Austell, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/austell
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Austell/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH34SIAD)

## At a glance

Austell, Georgia regulates 9 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Satellite Antenna/Receiving Antennas in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 20 ft (ground-based) or as needed to get usable signals (if approved); radio antennas: 35 ft without special approval tall and 12 ft diameter (in noncommercial or single-family); no max in commercial/industrial/multifamily, with a Subject to same as accessory building setbacks setback (Sec. Sec. 48-200). Most commercial signs in Austell require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-80, RR, R-40, R-30, R-20, R-15, R-10, PUD, RD, RA-6, RM-8, FST, RM-12, MHP, RSL | 2 | 35 ft, 2 stories when within setbacks or at least 100ft from property line; otherwise 1 story or 15 ft in RSL | Accessory buildings/structures allowed up to 1000 sq ft (R-80, RR), up to 650 sq ft (R-40, PUD), up to 400 sq ft (R-20, R-15, R-10, RA-6, RM-8, FST, RM-12, RD, MHP, RSL) | — |
| O&I, OS, NS, PSC, CBD, GC, LI, HI | 4 | 50 ft, no more than 4 stories; 2 stories for accessory garage (varies by zone) | Accessory structure over 400 sq ft must be at least 40 ft from any residential property line (O&I, OS, NS, PSC, CBD, GC); 100 ft in LI, HI | — |
| MUOD | 1 | Freestanding: 20 ft | Freestanding: 100 sq ft max; Wall: 100 sq ft max | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | No maximum, but must meet setback requirements from property lines/residences; additional requirements for towers over 70 ft, and over 100 ft in residential areas. | 12 ft diameter (in noncommercial or single-family); no max in commercial/industrial/multifamily | — |

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

### R-80, RR, R-40, R-30, R-20, R-15, R-10, PUD, RD, RA-6, RM-8, FST, RM-12, MHP, RSL

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Accessory Structure Sign | 35 ft, 2 stories when within setbacks or at least 100ft from property line; otherwise 1 story or 15 ft in RSL | Accessory buildings/structures allowed up to 1000 sq ft (R-80, RR), up to 650 sq ft (R-40, PUD), up to 400 sq ft (R-20, R-15, R-10, RA-6, RM-8, FST, RM-12, RD, MHP, RSL) | — | Accessory buildings/structures (over size threshold): at least 100 ft (R-80, RR, R-40, PUD), 50 ft (R-20, R-15, R-10, RA-6, RM-8, FST, RM-12, RD, MHP, RSL) from property line; otherwise 5 ft side/rear for smaller structures | — | Rear of principal structure; not closer than 5 ft to side/rear lot line or within required buffer | — | Sec. 48-137, Sec. 48-138, Sec. 48-139, Sec. 48-140, Sec. 48-141, Sec. 48-142, Sec. 48-143, Sec. 48-144, Sec. 48-145, Sec. 48-146, Sec. 48-147, Sec. 48-148, Sec. 48-149, Sec. 48-150, Sec. 48-151 |
| Temporary Use Sign (e.g. for temporary permitted uses such as fairs, church events, etc.) | — | — | — | — | — | Allowed as part of a temporary use as defined by the code | — | Sec. 48-137.2(m), Sec. 48-138.2(u), Sec. 48-139.2(l), etc. |

### O&I, OS, NS, PSC, CBD, GC, LI, HI

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Accessory Structure Sign (Accessory Storage/Parking Structure) | 2 stories, not to exceed 35 ft for most zones; up to 50 ft for parking garages/freestanding garages | Accessory structure over 400 sq ft must be at least 40 ft from any residential property line (O&I, OS, NS, PSC, CBD, GC); 100 ft in LI, HI | — | 40 ft from residential property line; 5 ft to side/rear lot in nonresidential districts; no required buffer violation | — | Rear of principal building; not in front yard; 5 ft from side/rear for nonresidential zones; not within required buffer when abuts residential | — | Sec. 48-152.11, Sec. 48-153.11, Sec. 48-154.11, Sec. 48-155.k, Sec. 48-156.11, Sec. 48-157.11, Sec. 48-158.12, Sec. 48-159.12 |
| Freestanding Parking Garage | 50 ft, no more than 4 stories; 2 stories for accessory garage (varies by zone) | — | — | Not within buffer when abutting residential; 5 ft side/rear for nonresidential adjacencies | — | Not within required buffer if abuts residential; rear of principal structure | — | Sec. 48-152.11.d, Sec. 48-153.11.c, Sec. 48-154.11.c, Sec. 48-155.k.4, Sec. 48-156.11.c, Sec. 48-157.11.d |
| Heating and Air Conditioning Unit Enclosure/Sign | 35 ft (ground-based); on roof, not to exceed height limits, and must be hidden from front or side view | — | — | See above | — | Not within required buffer when abutting residential | — | Sec. 48-152.11.e, Sec. 48-153.11.d, Sec. 48-154.11.d, etc. |
| Temporary Use Sign (as part of Temporary Use) | — | — | — | — | — | As authorized by temporary use permit | — | Sec. 48-152.2(x), Sec. 48-153.2.cc, Sec. 48-154.2.ss, etc. |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Satellite Antenna/Receiving Antenna | 20 ft (ground-based) or as needed to get usable signals (if approved); radio antennas: 35 ft without special approval | 12 ft diameter (in noncommercial or single-family); no max in commercial/industrial/multifamily | — | Subject to same as accessory building setbacks | No explicit limit | Behind principal structure (in residential); may be on side - or with further permit in front or on roof (if required for signals); anywhere in commercial/industrial zones | — | Sec. 48-200 |
| Television, Land Mobile, Communication, Radio Transmission Antenna/Tower (over 35 ft) | No maximum, but must meet setback requirements from property lines/residences; additional requirements for towers over 70 ft, and over 100 ft in residential areas. | — | — | Setback equal to height for >70ft; 1/2 tower height from ROWs for <3 acres; must not be within fall zone of residences. 1500ft separation if >100ft in residential areas. | No explicit limit | Where permitted by SLUP and site plan; see setbacks. | — | Sec. 48-199 |

## Prohibited signs in Austell

- No adult entertainment uses are permitted in any residential or nonresidential zoning districts unless specifically allowed by special land use permit or special exception.
- No sale of goods or products shall be permitted, except if accessory to a customary home occupation, land use permit, special land use permit or special exception use.
- No materials, equipment or business vehicles may be stored or parked on the premises in residential zones, except as specified for one business vehicle used exclusively by the resident.
- No outside storage is permitted, except for firewood and lawn furnishings, unless specifically allowed.
- No uses that emit noxious odors, fumes, or sounds are permitted.
- No structures or buildings, including accessory buildings or decks, may be constructed before the principal building is commenced.
- No garage or accessory building, structure, use or deck less than 144 gross square feet shall be located closer than five feet to a side or rear lot line or within any required buffers, unless otherwise defined.
- No parking of tractor trailers, heavy equipment, recreational vehicles, trailers, or boats beyond the front building line or in front yards in residential zones; they must be on a hardened surface.
- No refuse or designated recycling collection facilities may be located outside completely enclosed facilities.
- No loading docks or facilities may be located in the front of any primary structure.
- No drive-in eating or drinking establishments are permitted in many nonresidential zones unless specifically permitted.
- No use that is specifically prohibited by the ordinance may be permitted via the special exception or special use determination process.
- No outside runs are permitted with any veterinary office use in specified districts.
- No temporary buildings/tents are to be utilized for emission or automotive inspection stations after specified dates.
- No structure or dwelling shall be closer than five feet to any property line in certain districts.
- No adult entertainment, tattoo parlors, pawnshops, automobile title pawns, or similar uses may be closer than a specified minimum distance to similar businesses or to residential, school, or church properties, as further detailed in special exceptions.
- No property zoned for single-family use may have more than one gas meter and one electric meter per lot, except by variance.
- No display of merchandise is permitted outside required setbacks, in required buffers, or blocking pedestrian/ADA access, per numerous district standards.
- No use shall create unabated noise creating a nuisance as defined under state law.
- No nonresidential access shall cross residentially zoned property unless part of an approved mixed use project/site plan.

## Signs exempt from permit in Austell

- All federal, state, county, and municipal government agencies and board of authority owned, operated, and leased facilities, as well as facilities on city-owned or leased land with permission, are exempt from the provisions of the chapter unless otherwise provided by law or ordinance.
- Any entity entitled to exercise the power of eminent domain is exempt for facilities reasonably necessary for their purpose, but not for unrelated facilities, even if on the same site.
- A single antenna under 36 feet in height owned and operated by a federally licensed amateur radio station operator is exempt.
- Flagpoles displaying the American flag, basketball goals, gaslight poles, and permanent recreational facilities (home use) such as volleyball, badminton, and trampoline equipment are exempted from requirements pertaining to accessory uses.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any modifications to required landscaped buffers, setbacks, or the inclusion of utilities/access drives through landscaped buffers must be approved pursuant to an original site plan or site plan modification.
- All PUD (Planned Unit Development) and PSC (Planned Shopping Center) developments shall be zoned and subject to a specific site plan.
- Vacant properties zoned PSC (Planned Shopping Center) must have a site plan approved by the mayor and council.
- Any neighborhood recreation centers, amenities, or swimming pools require approval of a detailed site/landscape plan by the building official or his designee, as part of the plan review process.
- All residential, mixed use, and relevant commercial developments must submit a site plan for approval by the appropriate city staff or official, as specified in the applicable zoning district.
- Development in the Mixed Use Overlay District (MUOD) requires the submission of a site plan with architectural rendering, subject to two public hearings.
- On any rezoning conditioned on a site plan or stipulations, minor modifications may be approved by the building official with mayor and council approval; more significant changes require advertising and rezoning.
- For any site where a buffer greater than the required setback is needed, or any site plan modification involving buffers, such as for the passage of utilities or drives, approval is required via the original site plan or site plan modification process.
- For commercial (“shopping center”) developments, a master architecture plan is required to promote consistency; this must be filed and approved prior to building placement.
- Accessory buildings or structures in excess of defined square footage thresholds require plan review approval through the community affairs department or approval from the director of community affairs or his designee.
- For conservation subdivisions, an open space management plan and a site analysis map/plan are required prior to issuance of a land disturbance permit.
- On any rezoning, if site plan or stipulation amendments are required, these are subject to additional approval and/or advertising process.

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

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