# Sign Regulations in Chamblee, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Chamblee, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/chamblee
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Chamblee/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_APXAUNDEOR_TIT2LAUSZO_CH260SIRE)

## At a glance

Chamblee, Georgia regulates 30 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Ground Sign for Multi-Unit Development/Entrance)s in the NR-1, Neighborhood Residential 1 District, NR-2, Neighborhood Residential 2 District, NR-3, Neighborhood Infill District, VR, Village Residential District zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 40 sq ft, with a Sign shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from back of curb/edge of pavement or 1 foot onto private property, whichever is greater. Minimum 5 feet from property lines if not adjacent to street. setback (Sec. Section 260-8(a)(1), 260-9(f)). Most commercial signs in Chamblee require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| NR-1, Neighborhood Residential 1 District, NR-2, Neighborhood Residential 2 District, NR-3, Neighborhood Infill District, VR, Village Residential District | 4 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| NC-1, Neighborhood Commercial 1 District, NC-2, Neighborhood Commercial 2 District, CC, Corridor Commercial District, CVC, Corridor Village Commercial District, VC, Village Commercial District, TOD, Transit Oriented Development District, MU-BC, Mixed-use Business Center District, IT, Industrial Transitional District, I, Light Industrial District, PUD, Planned Unit Development District | 15 | No taller than building height limit for zone; flagpole >20 ft subject to building permit. | 200 sq ft per facade (max); formula applies | — |
| A, Airport District | 3 | 15 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Rail Trail Overlay district | 2 | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) Overlay district | 1 | Not to exceed 10 feet below approach-departure clearance surface, max 35 ft | — | — |
| Neighborhood Preservation Overlay district | 1 | — | — | — |
| DeKalb County-Annexed zoning district (DC-A) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 4 ft | 50% of window area (exempt from permit) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### NR-1, Neighborhood Residential 1 District, NR-2, Neighborhood Residential 2 District, NR-3, Neighborhood Infill District, VR, Village Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Ground Sign for Multi-Unit Development/Entrance) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | Sign shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from back of curb/edge of pavement or 1 foot onto private property, whichever is greater. Minimum 5 feet from property lines if not adjacent to street. | Max two single-sided or one double-sided per entrance. | At subdivision or development entrances only; not permitted on individual residential lots. | — | Section 260-8(a)(1), 260-9(f) |
| Flag | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 flagpole per lot | On private property | — | Section 260-8(a)(2), 260-9(j) |
| Property Address Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building or mailbox | — | Section 260-8(a)(3), 260-9(l) |
| Standard Informational Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft | 10 sq ft per lot (aggregate) | — | — | No max; aggregate area governs | On private property | — | Section 260-8(a)(4), 260-10(a) |

### NC-1, Neighborhood Commercial 1 District, NC-2, Neighborhood Commercial 2 District, CC, Corridor Commercial District, CVC, Corridor Village Commercial District, VC, Village Commercial District, TOD, Transit Oriented Development District, MU-BC, Mixed-use Business Center District, IT, Industrial Transitional District, I, Light Industrial District, PUD, Planned Unit Development District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Occupant Building) | — | 200 sq ft per facade (max); formula applies | — | — | Max one per facade <200ft; two if >200ft; max two facades. | On exterior wall of building; must be parallel to wall. | — | Section 260-9(a)(1)-(3), 260-9(a)(6) |
| Wall Sign (Planned Centers and Mixed-Use Buildings with separate entrances) | — | 200 sq ft per tenant/facade (max); formula applies | — | — | Max one per facade <100ft; two if >100ft; max two facades per tenant. | Tenant exterior wall. | — | Section 260-9(a)(4) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant Buildings, Shared Space/Common Entrances) | — | 200 sq ft per building; formula applies | — | — | Max one per facade <200ft; two if >200ft; max two facades. | On building wall. | — | Section 260-9(a)(5)-(6) |
| Monument Sign (All Other Uses) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft (buildings under 200ft frontage); 64 sq ft (200ft+ frontage) | — | Sign shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from back of curb/edge of pavement or 1 foot onto private property, whichever is greater. Minimum 5 feet from property lines if not adjacent to street. | 1 per frontage per parcel; 1 additional per 500 ft. | Per street frontage per parcel; additional sign if frontage >500 ft. | — | Section 260-9(f) |
| Monument Sign (Residential and Multifamily) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | 10 ft from curb/edge of pavement or 1 ft onto private property, whichever is greater. | Max two single-sided or one double-sided per entrance. | At entrance to multi-unit development. | — | Section 260-9(f)(1)a |
| Projecting Sign | — | Per wall sign formula for building/tenant | Project up to 48 inches from wall. | — | Per wall sign requirements. | Perpendicular to building face/corner. | — | Section 260-9(b) |
| Miscellaneous Ground Sign | 3 ft | 3 sq ft per sign copy | — | — | 2 per driveway; 3 additional for planned centers. | Within 3 ft of driveways providing access into/within property; must be on private property. | — | Section 260-9(i) |
| Flag | No taller than building height limit for zone; flagpole >20 ft subject to building permit. | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 flagpole per lot | On private property | — | Section 260-9(j) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sandwich Board Sign (General) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | Supplemental zone or within 10 feet of tenant entrance. | — | Section 260-4(13); 260-10(c) |
| Banner (Temporary) | — | 32 sq ft per banner | — | — | One at a time per tenant/lot | On building, poles, fences, etc. | — | Section 260-10(d) |
| Standard Informational Sign (Temporary, General) | 4 ft | 10 sq ft per lot (aggregate) | — | — | No limit; aggregate area controls | On private property | — | Section 260-4(5), 260-10(a) |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | 50% of window area (exempt from permit) | — | — | — | On or behind windowpane or glass door | — | Section 260-4(8) |
| Incidental Sign | — | 1 sq ft per sign; max aggregate 16 sq ft per property unless greater required by law | — | — | — | On doors, windows, or structure; generally not visible from street. | — | Section 260-4(3), 260-9(k) |

## Prohibited signs in Chamblee

- Inflatable signs that exceed three cubic feet per device.
- Animated signs.
- Flashing signs (except certain government traffic/safety signage).
- Feather flags.
- Abandoned or dilapidated signs.
- Roof signs.
- Pole signs.
- Festoons.
- LED light strips.
- Signs that are painted on or attached to trees, curbs, utility poles, or rocks or other natural features.
- It is unlawful to display false statements upon signs or other public places calculated to mislead the public.
- Obscene signs (as defined by O.C.G.A. § 16-12-80(b)).
- No sign shall obstruct any fire escape, window, door, or opening usable for fire prevention or suppression, or prevent free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof.
- No sign shall extend above a parapet wall, be affixed to a fire escape, or interfere with any opening required for ventilation.
- Signs placed on public property (including on utility poles and public rights-of-way), except those placed or approved by agencies of the federal, state, or local government.
- Search lights and similar devices as signs.
- Signs imitating public warning or traffic devices or using prohibited words/colors that could mislead drivers.
- Vehicular signs (signs placed on or in vehicles or trailers used as signs, except when actively used for transport or loading/unloading).

## Signs exempt from permit in Chamblee

- Official signs placed by or at the direction of a governmental body, agency, board of education, or public authority.
- Property address signs.
- Incidental signs (e.g., small door/window decals).
- Transit signs (signs placed on bus benches and shelters by or with approval of non-profit transportation authorities).
- Standard informational signs (short-term use, no reflecting elements, mounted on post/stake/frame, or facade-mounted for business).
- Directional signs.
- Window displays of goods utilizing no more than 50% of the available window area.
- Signs on products that are an integral part of the product, product's original packaging, and product dispensers.
- A building design, color, or motif that conveys no message.
- Signs installed in conjunction with EV charging stations (up to two square feet in area per EV parking space).
- Flags.
- Sandwich board signs.
- Window signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit must be obtained prior to installation, relocation, expansion, construction, or structural alteration of any sign regulated under this chapter, except for signs specifically exempted under Section 260-4.
- Applications for sign permits must include specific information as outlined in Section 260-13, including type, location, area, owner info, sketches/plans, contractor info, site plan/elevation drawing, and conformance to building codes.
- Sign plans require certification (e.g., structural engineer, wind load, UL listing for illuminated signs), contractor licensing, and proof of insurance.
- Sign review is required before installation, relocation, renovation, expansion, construction, panel exchange, or reconstruction of any regulated sign.
- Approval or denial of a complete sign permit application must be provided by the city within 30 days, or the application is considered approved (though such approval does not authorize violation of city ordinances).
- Adjustment to sign standards may only be administratively granted up to 10% dimensional deviation, and only under specified hardship circumstances (Section 260-13(7)).
- Appeals of sign permit denials or revocations can be made to the Mayor and Council, then by certiorari to Superior Court.
- Master Signage Plans from previously approved DCIs and PUDs do not preclude installation of signage otherwise allowed by this UDO.
- Most new signs and major modifications, except those exempted, require city sign permit review prior to installation.

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

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