# Sign Regulations in Bowdon, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bowdon, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/bowdon
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Bowdon/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH26SI)

## At a glance

Bowdon, Georgia regulates 25 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Stake Signs in the Residential zoning districts zoning district are capped at 6 ft or 5 ft per stake sign during election season tall and 20 sq ft or 5 sq ft per stake sign during election season, with a 15 ft from each property line setback (Sec. Sec. 26-4(a)(1)). Most commercial signs in Bowdon require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential zoning districts | 10 | 10 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Commercial zoning districts, Downtown district, Industrial zoning districts | 9 | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 15 sq ft or less | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Stake Sign | 6 ft or 5 ft per stake sign during election season | 20 sq ft or 5 sq ft per stake sign during election season | — | 15 ft from each property line | One; or up to four additional stakes in election period | On one lot or parcel of land | — | Sec. 26-4(a)(1) |
| Monument Sign (Subdivision) | 8 ft | — | — | — | 2 per entrance | Per subdivision entrance | — | Sec. 26-4(a)(2) |
| Monument Sign (Public Uses) | 8 ft | — | — | 25 ft from each property line | 1 | For permitted public uses (schools, churches, etc.) | — | Sec. 26-4(a)(3) |
| Pole Sign (Public Uses) | 10 ft | 40 sq ft | — | 25 ft from each property line | 1 | For permitted public uses (schools, churches, etc.) | — | Sec. 26-4(a)(3) |
| Wall Sign (Public Uses) | — | 20 sq ft | — | 25 ft from each property line | 1 | For permitted public uses (schools, churches, etc.) | — | Sec. 26-4(a)(3) |
| Monument Sign (Clubs) | 8 ft | — | — | 25 ft from each property line | 1 | For clubs (private/public, golf, country clubs, etc.) | — | Sec. 26-4(a)(4) |
| Pole Sign (Clubs) | 10 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 25 ft from each property line | 1 | For clubs (private/public, golf, country clubs, etc.) | — | Sec. 26-4(a)(4) |
| Wall Sign (Clubs) | — | 10 sq ft | — | 25 ft from each property line | 1 | For clubs (private/public, golf, country clubs, etc.) | — | Sec. 26-4(a)(4) |

### Commercial zoning districts, Downtown district, Industrial zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | Counted toward max three permanent signs/site | Building facade | — | Sec. 26-4(b)(2)a, (3), (4), (5)a-b |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | 10 ft from each property line | 1 per site (included in 3 permanent sign maximum) | Freestanding, set back 10 feet or more from each property line | — | Sec. 26-4(b)(2)b.1, (3), (6) |
| Post and Arm Sign | 15 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 25 ft from each property line | 1 per site (included in 3 permanent sign maximum) | Freestanding, set back 25 feet or more from each property line | — | Sec. 26-4(b)(2)b.2, (3), (6) |
| Pole Sign | 15 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 25 ft from each property line | 1 per site (included in 3 permanent sign maximum) | Freestanding, set back 25 feet or more from each property line | — | Sec. 26-4(b)(2)b.3, (3), (6) |
| Permanent Marquee Sign | 15 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 25 ft from each property line | 1 per site (included in 3 permanent sign maximum) | Freestanding, set back 25 feet or more from each property line | — | Sec. 26-4(b)(2)b.4, (3), (6) |
| Awning Sign | — | Lettering: 6 inch height, max 8 ft width or 50% of valance width (whichever is less) | 8 ft or 50% of valance width | — | — | On awning valance only, minimum 10 ft clearance from ground | — | Sec. 26-4(b)(2)d |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 10 sq ft | — | 15 ft from each property line | 1 per site | On parcel, set back 15 ft or more from each property line | — | Sec. 26-4(b)(2)e, (3) |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft (each, up to 2 allowed) | — | 15 ft from each property line | 2 | Site with land disturbing permit; set back 15 ft or more from property line | — | Sec. 26-4(b)(2)f |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property for sale, rent or lease | — | Sec. 26-3 (definition), Sec. 26-6 |
| Traffic Control Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 26-6(1) |
| House Address/Family Name/Decorative Flag/No Trespassing | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 26-6(2) |
| Signs on Vehicles (Business Use) | — | — | — | — | — | On vehicles regularly in business use | — | Sec. 26-6(3); Sec. 26-5(c)(4) |
| Governmental Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Placed by a governmental entity | — | Sec. 26-6(4) |
| Flag | — | 15 sq ft or less | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 26-6(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Bowdon

- It is unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any person to erect, construct, paint, alter, relocate, reconstruct, display, or maintain or cause to be erected, constructed, displayed or maintained within the incorporated limits of the city any sign, unless otherwise exempt, without first having obtained a permit from the city.
- No sign shall be erected in any zoning district under the following conditions: in the public right-of-way, except for those placed by an authorized governmental agency; at any location where, by reason of position, shape, wording or color, it interferes with or obstructs the view of pedestrian or vehicular traffic; above the roofline, except where otherwise authorized in this chapter; which project from a building over a public way; signs commonly referred to as wind signs, consisting of one or more pennants, ribbons, spinners, streamers, of captive balloons, or other objects or material fastened in such a manner as to move upon being subjected to pressure by wind.
- Signs attached to any tree, utility pole, light pole, fixture or other support not primarily intended to be used as a support for signage, or painted upon or otherwise directly affixed to any rock, ledge or other natural feature, are prohibited.
- Projection signs or signs with optical illusion of movement by means of a design that presents a pattern capable of giving the illusion of motion or changing of copy are prohibited.
- Signs with visible moving, revolving, or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement of any description or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic, or mechanical means, except for traditional barber poles, are prohibited.
- Signs with illumination that flash, blink, flicker, or vary in intensity or color, except for time-temperature-date signs, are prohibited.
- Signs on a vehicle not regularly used in the conduct of the business advertised on the vehicle are prohibited.
- Signs posted or painted on roofs, dormers, and balconies are prohibited.
- Portable signs unless used as an authorized temporary sign are prohibited.
- Advertising devices are prohibited.
- No sign shall be relocated in sites listed in either the state register of historic places or the National Register of Historic Places or on sites designated as county landmarks or community landmarks.
- No sign shall be relocated in greenspace lands and scenic resource sites identified in a final subdivision plat adopted through the city subdivision ordinance, and county greenspace plan.
- New construction of outdoor advertising signs shall be prohibited in designated special designation areas.
- All signs shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with good engineering and design principles, in compliance with all building administrative codes and other building codes of the city and county, and in conformance with this Code, at all times.
- Except for banners, flags, and temporary signs, all signs shall be constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame, or structure.
- It is unlawful to erect, expand, move or place any sign which does not conform to the requirements of this chapter.
- A nonconforming sign which is discontinued for 180 days or more shall not be re-established except in compliance with this chapter.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bowdon

- Traffic control signs are exempt and do not require permits but must meet other requirements of the chapter.
- House addresses, family name signs, decorative flags, no trespassing and similar signs are exempt and do not require permits but must meet other requirements of the chapter.
- Signs on vehicles regularly and customarily used to transport persons or property for the business are exempt and do not require permits but must meet other requirements of the chapter.
- Directional signs put in place by a governmental entity are exempt and do not require permits but must meet other requirements of the chapter.
- All flags (15 square feet or less) are exempt and do not require permits but must meet other requirements of the chapter.
- Real estate signs are exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for any sign unless otherwise exempted by this chapter.
- Permits are required for all signs except those specifically excluded, such as those listed under exemptions.
- Applications for sign permits must be filed with the city clerk and must include specified information as listed in Sec. 26-11.
- Permit applications must be processed within 30 business days of receipt of completed application and fee.
- If a permit application meets the standards of the chapter, a permit will be issued; denial and revocation procedures are defined.
- No explicit mention of a 'master sign plan' or comprehensive sign plan submittal for multi-tenant or large developments is made in the ordinance text provided.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Bowdon, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bowdon+GA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bowdon

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