# Sign Regulations in Calhoun, Georgia

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

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

## At a glance

Calhoun, Georgia regulates 14 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (General, excl. DBD & HD, see street variations)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft (32 sq ft sign); 15 ft (75 sq ft sign); 25 ft (120 sq ft sign) tall and 32 sq ft for typical street frontage; 75 sq ft on specified industrial/commercial streets; 120 sq ft for certain highways, with a 10 ft from property lines or 20 ft from edge of pavement if private street setback (Sec. Sec. 10.7(a)-(f)). Most commercial signs in Calhoun 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 | 4 | 8 ft (32 sq ft sign); 15 ft (75 sq ft sign); 25 ft (120 sq ft sign) | 180 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Business District (DBD, C-1, C-2, Central Business District) | 5 | 5 ft (1-2 story); 10 ft (3+ story) | 180 sq ft, see also vertical limits (1-2 story: 5 ft; 3+ story: 10 ft) | — |
| Historic District (HD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Highway Interstate Exchange (HIE) | 1 | 100 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-2A, R-3, O-I) | 1 | 6 ft (8 sq ft sign); 8 ft (32 sq ft sign on special streets) | 8 sq ft (regular streets); 32 sq ft on industrial/commercial/state routes as per 10.7(e) | — |
| Commercial District | 2 | 25 ft; up to 70 ft in extended I-75 quadrant | 672 sq ft standard; in I-75 extended quadrant: see below | — |
| Industrial District | 2 | 25 ft; up to 70 ft in extended I-75 quadrant | 672 sq ft standard; in I-75 extended quadrant: see below | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (General, excl. DBD & HD, see street variations) | 8 ft (32 sq ft sign); 15 ft (75 sq ft sign); 25 ft (120 sq ft sign) | 32 sq ft for typical street frontage; 75 sq ft on specified industrial/commercial streets; 120 sq ft for certain highways | — | 10 ft from property lines or 20 ft from edge of pavement if private street | One per street frontage | Each street frontage; not closer to intersection than half the distance of the frontage | — | Sec. 10.7(a)-(f) |
| Wall Sign / Canopy Sign / Awning Sign | — | 180 sq ft | — | — | — | Building wall facing street; project ≤ 24 inches from surface | — | Sec. 10.8(1)-(5) |
| Temporary Advertising Device (Banner, Balloon, Inflatable, Feather Banner, Streamer) | — | 32 sq ft for banners, portable signs; Inflatable max footprint 200 sq ft | — | 5 ft from right-of-way | Max 6 temporary devices per business per 12 months | Private property; setback min. 5 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 10.9 |
| Electronic Sign with Electronically Changeable Copy (not in DBD or HD) | — | Not primary sign, and not >40% of face area | — | — | — | Permitted in all zones except DBD and HD | — | Sec. 10.13 |

### Downtown Business District (DBD, C-1, C-2, Central Business District)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign / Awning Sign / Canopy Sign (Ground Floor) | 5 ft (1-2 story); 10 ft (3+ story) | 180 sq ft, see also vertical limits (1-2 story: 5 ft; 3+ story: 10 ft) | — | — | 2 per business (ground floor), 1 extra for corner business; upper: 1 per upper business | Within area above storefront, between ground floor and second floor windows, or ≤2 ft tall, whichever is less; may not extend over property line or party wall | — | Sec. 10.10.0(b)-(g), 10.10.2(b) |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding, Ground-Based) | 4 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | — | Min. 10 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec.10.10.2(f) |
| Window Sign | — | No more than 30% coverage of any single window; full glass area may be counted as one allowed sign | — | — | Within overall sign count | On or behind ground-level window, or on/above upper story window for ID/instructions | — | 10.10.2(a) |
| Owner/Business/Organizational ID Sign (Small) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business/owner/org | On premise, may be painted on door/window/valance/awning skirt | — | 10.10.2(c) |
| Instructional Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | As needed for instruction | — | 10.10.2(d) |

### Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard | 25 ft; up to 70 ft in extended I-75 quadrant | 672 sq ft standard; in I-75 extended quadrant: see below | — | 100 ft from right-of-way, 25 ft from property lines/buildings | — | Freestanding only. Minimum 100 ft from right-of-way, 25 ft from property lines/buildings, 500 ft from residential zones | — | Sec. 10.14(1)-(10) |
| Electronic Billboard | — | — | — | See billboard requirements | — | Must comply with billboard setbacks. No closer than 5,000 ft to another electronic billboard. | — | Sec. 10.15(a)-(j) |

## Prohibited signs in Calhoun

- It is unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, move, alter or convert any sign except in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance.
- Any sign not specifically identified in this article as a permitted sign is prohibited.
- Temporary advertising devices except as specifically allowed under this ordinance are prohibited.
- Signs that produce noise or sounds capable of being heard are prohibited.
- Signs that emit visible smoke, vapor, particles or odors are prohibited.
- Signs erected or maintained upon trees, utility poles, or painted or drawn upon rocks or other natural features are prohibited.
- Inflatable advertising devices except as specifically allowed under this ordinance are prohibited.
- Signs imitating or resembling official signs or traffic signs are prohibited.
- Roadside bench, covered shelter or bus-shelter advertising signs are prohibited.
- Animated or flashing signs are prohibited.
- Search lights, beacons or similar devices are prohibited.
- Signs or advertising structures containing obscene or indecent material are prohibited.
- Roof signs except as otherwise allowed herein are prohibited.
- Rotating signs (excluding barber pole signs) are prohibited.
- Signs advertising illegal activities are prohibited.
- Signs or advertising devices attached to vehicles or trailers parked to be visible from a public right-of-way for advertising purposes, except as otherwise allowed, are prohibited.
- Signs placed in parking spaces required to meet the minimum parking requirements are prohibited.
- Signs not in good repair, including those in disassembly or with exposed internal lighting, are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs, which advertise defunct businesses, products, or services, are prohibited.
- Sign copy on litter receptacles, vending machines or similar structures except to indicate products dispensed from within are prohibited.
- Twirling, sandwich-type, sidewalk or curb-type signs, and portable display signs are prohibited.
- No signs other than those belonging to governments, public service agencies, railroads, etc. are allowed in a public right-of-way.
- Trailer signs as described are prohibited except as specifically allowed.
- No person shall maintain or permit any dangerous or defective sign.
- No person shall erect or permit any sign not complying with the ordinance.
- Signs in or projecting over public rights-of-way are generally prohibited unless specifically excepted.
- No sign or illumination shall be used, constructed, maintained, or located where it may interfere with, or be confused with, an authorized traffic control device or emergency vehicle device.
- No obscenity or illegal activity may be advertised.
- No sign shall be used, constructed, maintained, or located in violation of any other federal, state, or local law.

## Signs exempt from permit in Calhoun

- Numerals for identifying property location not exceeding eight inches in height do not require a permit.
- Flags do not require a permit.
- Window signs contained within the interior of a location do not require a permit.
- Political campaign signs placed on private property with proper authorization, following size, location, and removal requirements, do not require a permit.
- Benches or similar structures containing ancillary messages, entirely on private property and not adjacent to any street right-of-way, do not require a permit.
- Non-commercial speech signs: Any sign or structure used solely for displaying protected non-commercial speech is exempt from all aspects of this ordinance except building codes, zoning requirements, and other relevant laws.
- Protected non-commercial speech may be displayed anywhere a commercial sign is allowed; any sign permitted in any zoning district may contain non-commercial messages.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for any sign unless specifically exempted; the permit application may require submission of site plans, plans, specifications and structural details, and visual representation of the sign.
- Application for a sign permit may require signature and seal of a registered land surveyor, professional engineer, architect, or land planner.
- A variance from the sign ordinance may only be granted by the mayor and city council under the standards and procedures applicable to zoning variances.
- If a new zoning district is created, signs will not be permitted until the ordinance is amended to include that district.
- For certain signs, such as roof signs, permit applications must be accompanied by a site plan stamped by a registered engineer or architect.
- Signs in the Historic District (HD) require a certificate of appropriateness from the Calhoun Historic Preservation Commission before any material change or new sign is made.

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

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