# Sign Regulations in Bremen, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bremen, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/bremen
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Bremen/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIIILADECO_CH116SI)

## At a glance

Bremen, Georgia regulates 30 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Individual Residential Unit)s in the Residential District zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 4 sq ft (single unit); 1.5 sq ft (multi-family), with a 15 ft from side lot line (10 ft if lot < 60 ft wide) setback (Sec. Sec. 116-24(1)(c)). Most commercial signs in Bremen 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 | 8 | Not more than 4 feet above the parapet, eaves, or building facade. Clear height of 8 feet above ground level over pedestrian walkways or driveways, 14 feet over truck service access. | 75 sq ft or 2 sq ft per linear foot of the wall, whichever is greater | — |
| Residential District | 7 | 5 ft | 20 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Non-residential zoning districts | 11 | 110 ft | 300 sq ft (600 sq ft for two-sided) | — |
| Community Medical Facility, Planned Industrial Park, Planned Shopping Development | 2 | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District, Manufacturing District, Industrial District, O/I District | 2 | 20 ft (including 3 ft brick base) | 40 sq ft | — |
| Central Business District, Downtown Development Area | 1 | — | 20 sq ft (total, both faces) | — |
| Agricultural District | 1 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not more than 4 feet above the parapet, eaves, or building facade. Clear height of 8 feet above ground level over pedestrian walkways or driveways, 14 feet over truck service access. | 75 sq ft or 2 sq ft per linear foot of the wall, whichever is greater | — | — | Maximum four wall signs, only one per wall. | Attached to or painted on the exterior of the wall; not projecting more than 6 inches from the wall. | — | Sec. 116-2 (definition of Wall Sign); Sec. 116-23; Sec. 116-80 |
| Projecting Sign | Same as Wall Sign—cannot exceed 4 feet above main roofline. | — | — | — | — | Extends more than six inches beyond the wall. | — | Sec. 116-2 (Projecting Sign); Sec. 116-23 |
| Instructional Sign | 4 ft if freestanding | 6 sq ft | — | — | Limited to one at each vehicular entrance; not within 50 ft of another such sign on the same property. | Adjacent to but not within public right-of-way; limited to one at each vehicular entrance and no closer than 50 ft to another on same property | — | Sec. 116-25(4); Sec. 116-30 |
| Window Sign - Interior | — | <= 50% of individual window | — | — | — | On interior face of window | — | Sec. 116-83(9) |
| Banner (Temporary On-Premises Advertising Device) | — | 24 sq ft in the aggregate | — | Not closer than 20 ft to pavement or in right-of-way | — | Not closer than 20 feet to pavement or in public right-of-way | — | Sec. 116-25(5),(10); Sec. 116-27 |
| Temporary Issue Political Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | No more than two per lot | Off public rights-of-way; up to two signs per lot | — | Sec. 116-27 |
| Political Campaign Sign (Residential Districts) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Wholly on private property, not on ROW, not on trees/rocks/natural features | — | Sec. 116-83(5) |
| Political Campaign Sign (All Other Districts) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Wholly on private property, not on ROW, not on trees/rocks/natural features | — | Sec. 116-83(5) |

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Subdivision Entrance) | 5 ft | 20 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 2 per entrance | At each entrance to subdivision or project | — | Sec. 116-24(1)(a); Sec. 116-24(2)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Residential Subdivision Entrance) | 5 ft | 20 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 2 per entrance | At each entrance to subdivision or project | — | Sec. 116-24(1)(a); Sec. 116-24(2)(a) |
| Real Estate Sale Sign | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per single-family lot | On lot for sale | — | Sec. 116-24(1)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Individual Residential Unit) | 5 ft | 4 sq ft (single unit); 1.5 sq ft (multi-family) | — | 15 ft from side lot line (10 ft if lot < 60 ft wide) | One per lot or one per unit (multi-family) | On lot | — | Sec. 116-24(1)(c) |
| Wall Sign (Individual Residential Unit) | 5 ft | 4 sq ft (single unit); 1.5 sq ft (multi-family) | — | 15 ft from side lot line (10 ft if lot < 60 ft wide) | One per lot or one per unit (multi-family) | On lot | — | Sec. 116-24(1)(c) |
| Yard Sale Sign | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per lot; one directional sign allowed (see above) | On the residential lot of sale | — | Sec. 116-24(1)(d) |
| Yard Sale Sign (Directional) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per sale | Intersection of secondary and primary/major street, not in right-of-way | — | Sec. 116-24(1)(d)2 |

### Non-residential zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Front Sign, Not Adjacent to I-20) | 35 ft | 80 sq ft (160 sq ft for two-sided) | — | 10 ft from right-of-way or 5 ft from sidewalk edge | One per lot | Perpendicular to street on property; contains street ID number | — | Sec. 116-25(1)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign (Front Sign, Adjacent to I-20) | 35 ft | 80 sq ft (160 sq ft for two-sided) | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | One per lot | Adjacent to the public road with vehicular access to the lot | — | Sec. 116-25(1)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Rear Lot Sign, Adjacent to I-20) | 110 ft | 300 sq ft (600 sq ft for two-sided) | — | 10 ft from I-20 ROW, no more than 50 ft from ROW, 20 ft from adjoining property | Max two per lot (front + rear); one rear per qualifying lot | Rear or back of the lot, within 50 ft of I-20 right-of-way | — | Sec. 116-25(1)(b),(c) |
| Wall Sign | — | 75 sq ft or 2 sq ft per linear foot of wall | — | — | Two per structure (opposing walls), one per wall | On opposing walls of structure | — | Sec. 116-25(2) |
| Canopy Sign | Not above front wall or, if multi-storied, top of second floor. | 75 sq ft or 2 sq ft per linear foot of wall | — | — | — | Flush or hanging from canopy | — | Sec. 116-25(3) |
| Instructional Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per vehicular entrance, 50 ft apart | Adjacent to, but not within, ROW; one at each vehicular entrance, min 50 ft from another on the same property | — | Sec. 116-25(4), 116-30 |
| Temporary On-Premises Advertising Device | — | 24 sq ft aggregate per sign face | — | 20 ft from pavement/ROW | — | Not less than 20 ft from pavement/ROW | — | Sec. 116-25(5), (10) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Two per project or one per entrance | On project or at project entrance | — | Sec. 116-25(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Bremen

- No sign shall be erected which blocks from view any traffic or street sign, signal or public service sign as viewed from the right-of-way, or which simulates an official traffic control or warning sign or hides from view any traffic or street sign, signal or public service sign, or otherwise interferes with road or highway visibility or obstructs or otherwise interferes with the safe and orderly movement of traffic.
- No sign shall obstruct any fire escape, any means of egress or ventilation, or prevent free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof; nor shall any sign be attached in any form, shape, or manner to a fire escape.
- No sign shall be erected, painted, or drawn on any tree, rock, or other natural surface.
- No sign shall be located on any building, fence or other property belonging to another person without the express written consent of the owner.
- No sign shall be located on utility poles or within the right-of-way of any street or public roadway.
- No sign shall emit or utilize in any manner any sound capable of being detected on any adjacent roadway or highway by a person with normal hearing.
- No sign shall give off light which glares, blinds, or has any other such adverse effect on traffic. The light from an illuminated sign shall be established in such a way that adjacent properties and roadways are not adversely illuminated or affected.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Commercial signs in residential districts except as otherwise allowed within this chapter are prohibited.
- Signs on public rights-of-way except signs exempt under other provisions of this chapter are prohibited.
- Signs which contain or are in imitation of an official traffic sign or signal and are not erected pursuant to the governing authority, excepting construction signs and barricades, are prohibited.
- Permanent wind-actuated, air- or gas-filled devices (such as balloons or streamers) containing a commercial message, except as a temporary special event sign, are prohibited.
- Searchlights, except as approved and permitted for special events, are prohibited.
- Any non-instructional sign attached to a bench or a trash can is prohibited.
- Pennants (not to include state or national flags or streamers), except as may be permitted as a temporary special event sign, are prohibited.
- Permanent signs which are placed on canvas, cloth or other similar materials (excluding signs on awnings) are prohibited.
- Permanent or temporary signs which have: missing or damaged lens, exposed lighting/electrical materials or otherwise damaged (including rust) support structures/sign cabinets, are prohibited.
- No sign may display any expression defined as obscene by O.C.G.A. § 16-12-80.
- No sign may display any message or communication intended to support an activity or product prohibited, or otherwise declared to be illegal, by the laws or regulations of the United States, the State of Georgia, Haralson County, or the City of Bremen.
- All signs, not otherwise exempted from the provisions of this chapter, located on public rights-of-way are declared litter and may be removed and disposed of by any city employee.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bremen

- Flags and insignia of any government are exempt from regulation.
- Signs erected on behalf of a governmental authority in the exercise of its proper jurisdiction (including public sign trees, safety signs, traffic signs, street signs, signs advertising city-sponsored events, and official warning and regulatory signs) are exempt from regulations.
- Seasonal displays and decorations that do not contain commercial messages are exempt from the limitations of this chapter.
- Noncommercial announcements (including birthday announcements, new births, anniversaries) that do not contain commercial messages are exempt.
- Interior window signs provided the sign area does not exceed 50 percent of the individual window pane do not require a permit.
- Professional nameplates not exceeding two square feet in area (where allowed in the land development code) do not require a permit.
- Residential nameplates not exceeding one square foot in area and bearing only property numbers, post office box numbers, names of occupants or owners do not require a permit.
- Signs which appear on vending machines or similar devices, as long as the sign refers to the product contained within or on the device, do not require a permit.
- Signs on public transportation vehicles do not require a permit.
- Signs attached to or part of automatic teller machines (ATM) do not require a permit.
- Gasoline pump signs providing required information to the public (not to exceed three square feet per face or six square feet per pump) do not require a permit.
- Internal signs upon a building or private drive that are generally not visible from the public right-of-way (e.g., mall interior signs, shopping cart signs, directories) do not require a permit.
- Historic markers or signs describing the historic nature of a property, where such property has been designated as historic and the sign face does not exceed nine square feet, do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Engineering plans for on-premises freestanding signs in non-residential districts must be submitted to the community development department for approval prior to erection.
- If a sign permit is denied by the building official, the contractor, billboard company, or property owner may apply to the hearings board for a variance by filing a form with the codes enforcement department. The development appeals board may review variances for issues such as sign setback, height, placement, and/or type.
- Signs located in planned developments (e.g. for billboards) may be approved by the mayor and commission following a recommendation from the planning commission.
- Sign lighting plans must be reviewed and approved by the codes enforcement officer charged with approval of sign permits.
- A sign permit is required before most signs (except those exempted) may be erected, altered, or enlarged.
- Engineering drawings signed and sealed by a professional engineer licensed in Georgia are required for all signs in excess of ten feet in height (as part of permit application).

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/bremen