# Sign Regulations in Carrollton, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Carrollton, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/carrollton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Carrollton/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIIICOOR_CH66OFMIPR_S66-5POSIETUTPO)

## At a glance

Carrollton, Georgia regulates 28 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Individual Non-Residential Lot)s in the Non-Residential Zoning Districts, General Commercial District (C-2), Commercial District (C-3), Industrial District (M-1), Industrial District (M-2), Planned Development District (PD), Office-Institutional District (O-I) zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 100 sq ft, with a 10 ft from property line setback (Sec. 5.04.04(A)(1)). Most commercial signs in Carrollton 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 | 7 | — | 100 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts, Estate Residential District (E-R, ER-1, ER-3, R-8, R-10, R-15, R-20), Mobile Home Park District (M-H-P), Residential Townhouse District (R-T), Multi-Family Residential District (R-M), Multi-Family Residential District (R-M-10), Multi-Family Residential District (R-M-15) | 3 | 8 ft | 75 sq ft per sign | — |
| Non-Residential Zoning Districts, General Commercial District (C-2), Commercial District (C-3), Industrial District (M-1), Industrial District (M-2), Planned Development District (PD), Office-Institutional District (O-I) | 9 | 30 ft | 700 sq ft (inclusive of trim, excluding base/apron/supports) | — |
| Residential-Office-Institutional District (R-O-I) | 1 | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| Lake Carroll Village Overlay | 8 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Maple Street Overlay | 8 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Central Business District (C-1) | 10 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |

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

### Non-Residential Zoning Districts, General Commercial District (C-2), Commercial District (C-3), Industrial District (M-1), Industrial District (M-2), Planned Development District (PD), Office-Institutional District (O-I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Individual Non-Residential Lot) | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per lot | On individual non-residential lot | — | 5.04.04(A)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Planned Commercial/Office/Industrial Development, 2 Establishments) | 30 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per lot | On planned development lot with 2 tenants | — | 5.04.04(A)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Planned Commercial/Office/Industrial Development, 4 Establishments) | 30 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per lot | On planned development lot with 4 tenants | — | 5.04.04(A)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Planned Commercial/Office/Industrial Development, 6 or more Establishments) | 30 ft | 150 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per lot | On planned development lot with 6 or more tenants | — | 5.04.04(A)(2) |
| Wall Sign | — | 75 sq ft per sign, max 4 signs | — | — | Max 4 per building | On exterior wall of building | — | 5.04.04(A)(3) |
| Canopy Sign | — | Same as wall sign (75 sq ft per sign) | — | — | — | On canopy above pedestrian walkways or vehicle access | — | 5.04.04(A)(4) |
| Instructional Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Adjacent to, but not within, right-of-way | — | 5.04.04(A)(5) |
| Electronic Reader Board | — | 24 sq ft (as portion of freestanding sign) | — | — | — | As part of a freestanding sign | — | 5.04.04(A)(9) |

### Lake Carroll Village Overlay

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per lot, plus 1 per street frontage | One per lot, additional per street frontage if on corner/multi-frontage lot | — | 5.04.04.1(B)(1) |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq ft | 66% of the linear width of the facade | — | 1 per elevation/tenant | One per elevation with public entrance or facing public right-of-way; one per tenant for multi-tenant buildings | — | 5.04.04.1(B)(2) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On shed portion or valance flap of awning above door/window | — | 5.04.04.1(B)(5) |
| Instructional Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Adjacent to, but not within, right-of-way | — | 5.04.04.1(B)(6) |
| Hanging Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Suspended below marquee/canopy; first floor for all businesses, upper floors with covered entries/porches/balconies | — | 5.04.04.1(B)(7) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of total transparent glass area of windows parallel to street | — | — | 1 per window pane | Painted or attached to inside of window facing street | — | 5.04.04.1(B)(8) |
| Plaque Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Wall surface adjacent to entry | — | 5.04.04.1(B)(9) |
| Banner Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Mounted perpendicular to building face; used in lieu of wall sign (not both) | — | 5.04.04.1(B)(10) |

### Central Business District (C-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per lot, plus 1 per street frontage | One per lot, additional per street frontage for corner/multi-frontage lot | — | 5.04.04.3(B)(1) |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq ft | 66% of the linear width of the façade | — | 1 per elevation/tenant | One per elevation with public entrance or facing public right-of-way; one per tenant for multi-tenant buildings | — | 5.04.04.3(B)(2) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On shed portion or valance flap of awning above door/window | — | 5.04.04.3(B)(5) |
| Instructional Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Adjacent to, but not within, right-of-way | — | 5.04.04.3(B)(6) |
| Hanging Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Suspended below marquee/canopy; first floor for all businesses, upper floors with covered entries/porches/balconies | — | 5.04.04.3(B)(7) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of total transparent glass area of windows parallel to street | — | — | 1 per window pane | Painted or attached to inside of window facing street | — | 5.04.04.3(B)(8) |
| Plaque Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Wall surface adjacent to entry | — | 5.04.04.3(B)(9) |
| Mural | — | — | — | — | Generally 1 per structure | As regulated by 5.04.04(A)(10); must comply with city procedures and standards | — | 5.04.04.3(B)(11) |

## Prohibited signs in Carrollton

- 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 interfere with road or highway visibility or obstruct or otherwise interfere with the safe and orderly movement of traffic.
- 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 consent of the owner.
- No sign shall contain statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral character such as will offend public morals.
- No sign shall advertise any activity, service, or product prohibited by the laws and regulations of the United States or the State of Georgia or by the ordinances or resolutions of the City of Carrollton, Georgia.
- No sign shall be permitted unless it is structurally safe, clean, and in good repair; or emit or utilize in any manner any sound capable of being detected on any traveled road or highway by a person with normal hearing.
- No sign, sign structure, or advertising device shall be located on utility poles or within the right-of-way of any street or public roadway.
- Banners, pennants, streamers, or other multi-colored triangle shaped or irregular shaped displays attached by ropes, strings, wires, or other devices are not permitted except as temporary special event signs.
- Gas filled figures are not permitted except as temporary special event signs.
- Portable displays are not permitted except as temporary special event signs.
- Search lights, beacons, or other advertising novelties are not permitted except as temporary special event signs.
- No mobile or wheeled signs are permitted except as temporary special event signs.
- No dilapidated or neglected signs shall be permitted.
- Any inactive sign, including a non-conforming sign, is prohibited and shall be removed from the premises within sixty (60) days of being deemed inactive.
- No sign constructed of non-durable material (including but not limited to paper, cardboard, or flexible plastic) may be displayed for more than sixty (60) days (does not apply to temporary signs as governed elsewhere).
- No portable, trailer, sidewalk, sandwich, curb, or 'A'-type signs shall be permitted except as temporary special event signs or in the Downtown District if allowed and regulated by the Main Street Program.
- No sign or sign structure above a height of three (3) feet shall be maintained within twenty (20) feet of the intersection of right-of-way lines of two streets or of a street intersection with a railroad right-of-way.
- Multi-faced signs, rotating signs, and animated signs (including but not limited to those involving motion, flashing, blinking, or varying light intensity) are prohibited.
- No sign that is not in compliance with the ordinance is permitted (other than non-conforming signs as per 5.04.06).
- Signs located on public rights-of-way are prohibited and declared litter – subject to removal.
- No sign may be maintained in violation of any provision of the ordinance.
- No signs are permitted on utility poles or within the right-of-way, except as specifically permitted.
- No sign shall emit or utilize sound that can be detected on any traveled road or highway by a person with normal hearing.
- No sign shall be permitted that is structurally unsafe.
- No sign constructed of non-durable material (e.g., paper, cardboard, flexible plastic) may be displayed more than sixty days.
- Roof signs are prohibited in the City of Carrollton.
- All prohibited signs 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 Carrollton

- Political signs do not require a permit and are permitted in all zoning districts for a period of not more than six weeks before an election and must be removed within ten (10) days after the election or defeat.
- Construction signs, real estate signs, and real estate directional signs do not require a permit (see permit fee schedule).
- Information relating to pricing, discounts, financing, or incentives for automobile/truck sales displayed temporarily on vehicles or storefronts of dealerships is not considered a special event sign and is exempt from sign regulations.
- Signs on property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the City may be exempt if a license or lease authorizing such use has been approved by the City (see 5.05.02A- wireless communication).
- Any other exemptions as specified under applicable state law (O.C.G.A. § 36-66C-6(e)-(f)) for small wireless facilities activities, though such activities may still require other permits.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required before a sign may be erected or materially improved upon, unless specifically exempted by the ordinance.
- Applications for sign permits must include a site plan of the property with the scaled and labeled proposed location of the sign, the aggregate area and copy area for all signs on the parcel, and other details required in section 5.04.10.
- Except as specifically exempted, it is unlawful to post, display, substantially change, or erect a sign without a permit.
- For murals, a formal application with a scaled color rendering, maintenance plan, and photograph of the building location is required.
- Murals are subject to review and approval by the Carrollton Arts Commission and, within the central business district, also the Main Street Board, with final approval by the Mayor and City Council.
- Signs in designated local historic districts must be approved by the Historic Preservation Commission.
- All signs, including their supports and installation details, must be included in the permit application process.
- Failure to obtain a required permit or to comply with permit conditions is a violation subject to citation and penalty.
- A minimum fee of $25 is charged for each sign permit (plus electrical permits, if required).
- Variances from sign ordinance provisions may be approved administratively by the City Manager, not exceeding twenty percent of otherwise applicable limits.
- Sign permits become null and void if the sign is not completed within six (6) months of issuance.
- A change in sign copy only does not constitute a substantial change requiring a new permit.

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

---

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