# Sign Regulations in Cedartown, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cedartown, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/cedartown
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Cedartown/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH70STSIOTPUPL_ARTIIIHONUSTSI)

## At a glance

Cedartown, Georgia regulates 26 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Weekend Directional Sign (WEDS)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 3 ft tall and 4 sq ft, with a Minimum 1 ft from ROW setback (Sec. Sec. 94-703(b)(16)). Most commercial signs in Cedartown require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 35 ft above crown of adjacent roadway | 378 sq ft | — |
| C-1 Zoning District, C-2 Zoning District | 7 | 25 ft (standard); 15 ft (outparcels) | 200 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts | 4 | 10 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential Zoning Districts | 2 | 35 ft above adjacent roadway | 378 sq ft | — |
| Historic District, Downtown Business District | 7 | No higher than wall; max 24 in. height (excludes window signs); side wall on corner bldg: max 4x8 ft | 200 sq ft per frontage | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Weekend Directional Sign (WEDS) | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | Minimum 1 ft from ROW | 2 WEDS per event per 300 ft frontage | Mounted on single or double pole, not affixed to trees, streetlights, or other signs/structures; must be on private property with owner's permission; minimum 1 ft from ROW | — | Sec. 94-703(b)(16) |
| Sandwich Board/Sidewalk Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business entrance | At main entrance to the business | — | Sec. 94-703(b)(17) |
| Banner (Non-Downtown locations) | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Securely attached to the facade of a building | — | Sec. 94-703(b)(3) |
| Streamers or Pennants | 25 ft | — | — | 25 ft from street edge or out of ROW | — | At least 25 ft from street edge or out of ROW, whichever is farthest | — | Sec. 94-703(b)(4) |
| Construction Sign (Residential Zoning Districts) | 10 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On site of construction/alteration/sale | — | Sec. 94-703(b)(5) |
| Construction Sign (Nonresidential Zoning Districts) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On site of construction/alteration/sale | — | Sec. 94-703(b)(5) |
| Vertical Pole Banner | 8 ft (banner); 25 ft (display height from ground) | 30 sq ft | 2.5 ft | — | Max 2 per pole | Attached to existing permanent light/utility pole | — | Sec. 94-703(b)(18) |
| Billboard Sign | 35 ft above crown of adjacent roadway | 378 sq ft | — | Pole: 10 ft from ROW | Max 3 new billboards permitted citywide | Nonresidential zones: Adjacent to Highway 27 (north of North Main St); Adjacent to North Main St between John Hand Rd and East Ave | — | Sec. 94-708 |

### C-1 Zoning District, C-2 Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft (standard); 15 ft (outparcels) | 120 sq ft (standard); 50 sq ft (outparcels) | — | Minimum 5 ft from all property lines | 1 per property frontage | On each property frontage | — | Sec. 94-704, Table 1 |
| Wall Sign | Not higher than the vertical wall; If projecting >4in: at least 8 ft above finished grade at bottom extremity | 200 sq ft | — | 18 in. from adjacent property line | See 'each business' limitations under Historic/Downtown if applicable | Building facade, not closer than 18 inches to adjacent property line, not installed over party wall | — | Sec. 94-705, 94-706(a)(1)-(5) |
| Canopy Sign / Awning Sign | — | Included in wall sign max | — | — | Counts toward max for wall signs | Affixed to canopy/awning on building facade | — | Sec. 94-700 (Def); 94-705; 94-706(a)(1) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 6 sq ft | 3 ft (horizontal) | — | 1 projecting sign per business facade | Facade facing public ROW; min 8 ft above sidewalk, min 13 ft over street/driveway | — | Sec. 94-706(a)(8) |
| Window Sign (Ground Level) | — | — | — | — | No limit specified; coverage % controls | Ground floor, windows facing street | — | Sec. 94-706(a)(6)a |
| Window Sign (Second Floor) | — | — | — | — | — | Second floor, facing street | — | Sec. 94-706(a)(6)b |
| Freestanding Sign (Ground Sign Option) | 3 ft | 12 sq ft (per side); identifying/professional signs only | — | 3 ft from ROW | 1 per business (in lieu of freestanding sign) | In lieu of standard freestanding sign, 3 ft setback from ROW | — | Sec. 94-706(a)(14) |

### Historic District, Downtown Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | No higher than wall; max 24 in. height (excludes window signs); side wall on corner bldg: max 4x8 ft | 200 sq ft per frontage | — | 18 in from property line; not over party wall. | 2 per business (plus an extra for corner bldg on side/rear wall, plus one 2 sq ft on-prem ID sign) | Front facade or side (corner bldg.); minimum 18 in from property line | — | Sec. 94-706(a)(1)-(5),(10)-(11),(16) |
| Window Sign (Ground Level) | — | — | — | — | — | Ground floor window facing street | — | Sec. 94-706(a)(6)a |
| Window Sign (Second Floor) | — | — | — | — | — | Second floor window facing street | — | Sec. 94-706(a)(6)b |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 3 ft from ROW | 1 per property frontage | Each property frontage; 3 ft minimum setback from ROW | — | Sec. 94-706(a)(7) |
| Ground Sign | 3 ft | 12 sq ft per side | — | 3 ft from ROW | 1 per business (in lieu of freestanding sign) | In lieu of freestanding sign; 3 ft setback from ROW | — | Sec. 94-706(a)(14) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 6 sq ft | 3 ft horizontal | — | 1 per business facade | Building facade facing ROW; min. 8 ft above sidewalk (13 ft over street/driveway); 6 in max from wall | — | Sec. 94-706(a)(8) |
| On-premise Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Painted on windows, hung under canopy/awning, or on valance/skirt of awning | — | Sec. 94-706(a)(13) |

## Prohibited signs in Cedartown

- Banners except as specifically allowed under this article.
- Signs which produce noise or sounds capable of being heard even though the sounds produced are not understandable sounds. This provision does not prohibit radio transmissions used in conjunction with any sign.
- Signs which emit visible smoke, vapor, particles or odors.
- Signs which are erected or maintained upon trees, utility poles or painted or drawn upon rocks or other natural features.
- Inflatable advertising devices except as specifically allowed under this article.
- Signs which depict nudity, sexual conduct, obscene or pornographic material as defined by the laws of the United States and/or Georgia interpreting and regulating sexually explicit depictions.
- Roof signs except as otherwise allowed herein.
- Rotating signs (excludes barber pole signs).
- Signs which advertise an activity which is illegal under the laws of Georgia, federal laws or regulations, or any city ordinance.
- Vehicle signs or advertising devices attached to any vehicle or trailer parked so as to be visible from the public right-of-way and being used for the purpose of providing advertisements of products, services, or events; or directing people to a business or activity; except for a common carrier or other vehicle which is used for daily transportation with a valid license plate. Any vehicle having a sign attached thereto as a part of the operational structure of the vehicle is to be parked in a parking space belonging to the business or on the property to which the sign makes reference. No trailer and/or portable non-motorized vehicle signs shall be permitted, except as otherwise allowed and regulated by this article.
- Signs in disrepair, not in good repair, specifically including any sign currently in a state of disassembly, any sign which has its internal lighting exposed to view, or signs which have not been properly maintained and are a potential danger or nuisance in their current condition.
- Twirling, curb-type, and portable display signs, shall be prohibited except as otherwise allowed herein.
- No signs other than those belonging to local or state governments, public service agencies, railroads or similar agencies shall be located in a public right-of-way.
- Trailer and/or portable signs. Changeable copy signs designed to be transported periodically from place to place or designed to be supported on wheels, whether or not such wheels have been removed, are prohibited except as specifically allowed under this article.
- No sign or other obstruction of vision with a height greater than three feet shall be permitted within any block out zone as defined herein.
- No sign or illumination shall be used, constructed, maintained, or located at any location where it may interfere with or obstruct the view of an authorized traffic control device, or be confused with an authorized traffic control device or emergency vehicle device or markings.
- All signs shall comply with all federal, state, and city laws, ordinances, codes, and rules.
- All signs shall be built in compliance with all applicable building and electrical codes of the city.
- Any sign within this article must meet the city building inspection safety, electrical and structural code requirements.
- Signs shall not be closer than specified clearances to power lines: not less than eight feet horizontally or 13 feet vertically from overhead electrical conductors energized in excess of 750 volts, and minimum 36 inches from any electrical conductor or public utility guy wire.
- No freestanding sign shall be set back less than five feet from all property lines unless additional setbacks are required by other provisions.
- Permanent signs attached to a building shall comply with wall sign regulations.
- Changeable copy signs (manual) shall only be allowed as an addition to or in conjunction with a permitted freestanding sign and must be permanently affixed - not allowed to stand-alone.
- Signs which are not maintained in a safe, presentable, and good structural material condition shall be subject to removal.
- No person shall erect or permit to be erected any sign which does not comply with the provisions of this Code.
- Any sign located in or projecting over a public right-of-way at the time of the effective date of this code which was subject to removal or relocation at the owner's expense, pursuant to a permit or other ordinance of the city, shall be removed or altered at the owner's expense.
- Roof signs are prohibited except as otherwise allowed.
- Signs that advertise an activity, business product or services no longer being conducted or available on the premises must be removed upon order.
- Painted signs directly onto roofs, retaining walls, fences, or building facades or walls are prohibited (subject to historic exemptions).
- Projecting signs and signs hanging over public right-of-way are prohibited.
- Temporary signs (external) not listed under the section for historic districts are prohibited except for DDA-sponsored or non-commercial events.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cedartown

- Changing the advertising copy or message on an approved painted sign, billboard, theater marquee, or similar-type approved sign which is specifically designed for replaceable copy does not require a permit.
- Changing of the tenant panels on a freestanding multi-use tenant board does not require a permit.
- Normal maintenance or repair of an approved sign or structure does not require a permit.
- Official government signs including traffic signals, regulatory devices, official flags, emblems, notices, and historic interest signs are exempt from permitting.
- Entrance/exit signs for direction or instruction (max three feet in height and two square feet in area, not closer than one foot from right-of-way) are exempt from permitting.
- Banners attached to buildings (one per business, max 30 sq ft, with duration limits in downtown district) are exempt from permitting.
- Streamers or pennants (meeting setback and height restrictions) are exempt from permitting.
- Construction-related signs (subject to size, height and removal time limits) are exempt from permitting.
- Noncommercial signs (subject to size/height/location/number regulations) are exempt from permitting.
- Special event or seasonal signs (for up to 30 days/year, or 60 days Thanksgiving-New Year) are exempt from permitting.
- Official flags or insignias of the United States, State of Georgia, other nations/states, and nonprofit organizations (in compliance with flag law) are exempt from permitting.
- Nonofficial flags (subject to height, setback, and content limits) are exempt from permitting.
- Integral decorative or architectural features are exempt from permitting.
- Memorial signs/tablets and building corner-stones (name, date, historical data) are exempt from permitting.
- Scoreboards on athletic fields, including advertising on school athletic fields, fences or walls are exempt from permitting.
- Signs forming an integral part of a gasoline pump, service appliance, or vending machine are exempt from permitting.
- Interior signs intended to be viewed from the interior of the building are not regulated or permitted.
- Political signs (subject to various district-specific regulations, size and removal requirements) are exempt from permitting.
- Weekend directional signs (WEDS) for events/sales (subject to time, size, location, material limits) are exempt from permitting.
- One sandwich board/sidewalk sign per business entrance (max six sq ft, not interfering with circulation) is exempt from permitting.
- Up to two vertical pole banners attached to light/utility poles for institutional/nonprofit/special events (subject to size/height/approval) are exempt from permitting.
- Real estate signs advertising the purchase, sale, and/or financing of the property where placed are exempt from permitting.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All applications for new sign permits require submission of a site plan, which will be reviewed in a sign plan review with associated fee (Sec. 94-714).
- Permit application must include site plans showing the location of structures and signs, plans/specifications and structural details, and may require sealed drawings from a registered professional (Sec. 94-712(b)).
- No specific mention of a 'master sign plan' or comprehensive sign plan for multi-tenant developments is made in the ordinance.
- Variance requests (such as for sign location, size, design, or denial of permit) require a public hearing before the planning commission (Sec. 94-713).
- For any sign within an historic district, the applicant must obtain both a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission and a sign permit (Sec. 94-706(a)(9)).

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

---

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