# Sign Regulations in College Park, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** College Park, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/college-park
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/College_Park/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH5BUCOREMA_ARTXSI)

## At a glance

College Park, Georgia regulates 25 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the C-1, C-2 zoning district are capped at 20 feet tall, 50 square feet, and 15 feet wide, with a 10 feet from ROW; 10 feet from power lines; 25 feet from I-85/I-285/US 29/Camp Creek Parkway setback (Sec. Sec 9.8.C). Most commercial signs in College Park require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 | 4 | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| MF | 5 | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| C-1, C-2 | 9 | 20 feet | 400 square feet (up to 672 sq ft and 75 ft height for digital billboards on interstate) | — |
| M-1, M-2 | 8 | 20 feet | 400 sq ft (static); 672 sq ft (digital, interstate only) | — |
| BP, OP | 8 | 20 feet | 400 sq ft (static), 672 sq ft (digital, interstate parcels only) | — |
| DB | 5 | 12 feet | 200 sq ft (primary façade), 50 sq ft (secondary façade) | — |
| HC | 5 | 10 feet | 50% of awning area | — |
| Planned Development District (PD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Mixed-Use District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial Districts (M-1, M-2) | 2 | — | 150 square feet | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 3 | 20 feet (flagpole) | 3 x 5 feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 24 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### C-1, C-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 20 feet | 50 square feet | 15 feet | 10 feet from ROW; 10 feet from power lines; 25 feet from I-85/I-285/US 29/Camp Creek Parkway | 1 per street frontage, max 2 per parcel | Private property, not within 10 ft of ROW except as noted; 25 ft setback from specified highways | — | Sec 9.8.C |
| Projecting Sign (Primary Façade) | — | 50 square feet | 10 feet | N/A (for attached signs) | 1 per tenant (primary & secondary façade) | Perpendicular to primary façade | — | Sec 9.8.C; Sec. 9.7.D |
| Wall Sign (Primary Façade) | — | 200 square feet | — | — | 1 per tenant per façade | Primary and secondary facades; must not extend above wall; not cover or project beyond ends/top of wall | — | Sec 9.8.C; 9.5.A; 9.7.C.2 |
| Temporary Sign | 4 feet | 32 square feet | 8 feet | 10 feet from right-of-way | 1 | As permitted, and must comply with temporary sign rules (Sec. 9.5.D and 9.5.L for banners) | — | Sec. 9.8.C; 9.5.D; 9.5.L |
| Roof Sign | 10 feet above eave or building width | 200 square feet | Building width | — | 1 per façade | On roof, properly attached and within all limits | — | Sec. 9.8.C; Sec. 9.5.B |
| Entrance Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet | 8 feet | 10 ft from ROW and power lines; 25 ft from I-85/I-285/US 29/Camp Creek Pkwy | 1/entrance | At entrance on private property or median with HOA responsibility | — | Sec. 9.8.C; 9.5.E |
| Billboard | 20 feet (up to 75 ft for digital billboards on interstate) | 400 square feet (up to 672 sq ft and 75 ft height for digital billboards on interstate) | 15 feet (up to 48 ft for digital billboards on interstate) | 25 ft from ROW; 10 ft from power lines; spacing and location reqs for digital billboards | Max 3 ground signs and billboards combined | Private property, 25 ft from highway ROW | — | Sec. 9.8.C; 9.5.H; 9.5.I |
| Awning Sign | — | 50% of surface area of awning | — | — | 1 per tenant space | On awning of structure | — | Sec. 9.8.C; 9.5.E |

### M-1, M-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 20 feet | 50 square feet | 15 feet | 10 ft from ROW, 10 ft from power lines, 25 ft from highways | 1 per street frontage, max 2 | On private property with 10 ft setback from ROW, 25 ft from highways | — | Sec. 9.8.D |
| Projecting Sign (Tenant Space) | — | 50 square feet | 10 feet | 10 ft from power lines | 1 per tenant space | — | — | Sec. 9.8.D |
| Wall Sign (Primary Façade) | — | Not stated in table, see 9.7.R for limits: 150 sq ft(max) facing interstate/public ROW, 50 sq ft facing residential property | — | — | 1 per tenant per façade | Primary/secondary façade | — | Sec. 9.8.D; 9.7.R |
| Temporary Sign | 4 feet | 32 square feet | 8 feet | 10 ft from ROW | 1 | — | — | Sec. 9.8.D; 9.5.D; 9.12 |
| Roof Sign | 10 feet above eave or building width | 200 square feet | Building width | — | 1 per façade | Roof | — | Sec. 9.8.D; 9.5.B |
| Entrance Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet | 8 feet | 10 ft from ROW/power lines; 25 ft from highway ROW | 1/entrance | At entrance; must be on private property or, in the case of a median, must satisfy HOA maintenance and indemnity | — | Sec. 9.8.D; 9.5.E; 9.5.F |
| Window Sign | — | 10% of façade window space | — | — | — | Window or glass door | — | Sec. 9.8.D; 9.8.H |
| Billboard | 20 ft (static); 75 ft (digital interstate) | 400 sq ft (static); 672 sq ft (digital, interstate only) | 15 ft (static); 48 ft (digital interstate) | 25 ft from highway ROW; 10 ft from power lines | Max 3 ground signs/billboards combined | Private property | — | Sec. 9.8.D; 9.5.H & 9.5.I |

### BP, OP

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 20 feet | 50 square feet | 20 feet | 10 ft from ROW/power lines; 10 ft from highways | 1 ground sign (<10 acres); 1 per street frontage, max 2 (>10 acres) | Private property; 10 ft from ROW; 10 ft from power lines; 10 ft from I-85, I-285, U.S. 29, Camp Creek Pkwy as required by GDOT | — | Sec. 9.8.E |
| Projecting Sign | — | 50 sq ft | 10 feet | 10 ft from power lines | 1 per tenant space | Building façade | — | Sec. 9.8.E |
| Wall Sign (Primary Façade) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | For each tenant space: 1 per façade | Primary/secondary façade | — | Sec. 9.8.E |
| Temporary Sign | 4 feet | 32 square feet | 8 feet | 10 ft from ROW | 1 | — | — | Sec. 9.8.E; 9.5.D; 9.12 |
| Entrance Sign | 4 feet | 32 square feet | 8 feet | 10 ft from right-of-way; 10 ft from power lines | 1/entrance | At entrance, private property | — | Sec. 9.8.E; 9.5.E |
| Window Sign | — | 10% of façade window space | — | — | — | Window, exterior or glass door | — | Sec. 9.8.E; 9.7.O; 9.8.H |
| Billboard | 20 ft (static); 75 ft (digital, interstate only) | 400 sq ft (static), 672 sq ft (digital, interstate parcels only) | 20 ft (static); 48 ft (digital, interstate only) | 25 ft from highway ROW; 10 ft from power lines | Max 2 ground/billboard signs per 10 acres | 25 ft from highway ROW, private property | — | Sec. 9.8.E; 9.5.H; 9.5.I |
| LED Sign | — | 20 sq ft per LED panel, max 2 panels per face | — | 150 ft from SF resident/zone | No more than 2 LED panels per sign face | BP, OP only, 150 ft from residential property | — | Sec. 9.5.I |

## Prohibited signs in College Park

- It is unlawful to erect, repair, alter, relocate or maintain any sign without a permit, except for exempt signs.
- It is unlawful to erect any sign not expressly permitted by the ordinance.
- No sign may be placed on the right-of-way unless otherwise provided.
- No sign may be placed on any lot that does not meet the minimum requirements of the zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations.
- No sign may be placed upon any lot that has road frontage only on an interstate or intrastate highway.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to inhibit safe and free ingress and egress of any door, window, emergency exit, or fire escape; nor be attached to any standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign shall be erected at intersections so as to obstruct vision or where its location, position, shape, color, size, height, and/or lighting would appear to be an imitation of or confused with an official traffic control device or signal.
- No sign shall be tacked, painted, posted, marked or otherwise affixed on trees, utility poles, rocks, the ground itself or other natural features.
- No message may be displayed on any portion of the structural supports of any sign.
- No sign shall be allowed on any lot where that lot is in non-compliance with any provision of the city Code.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Aerial view signs are prohibited.
- Digital signs, including but not limited to LED, LCD or similar, are prohibited unless specifically authorized.
- Signs with obscene words, pictures, or statements (as defined by O.C.G.A. § 16-12-80) are prohibited.
- Signs that visually simulate official traffic control devices or obscure such devices are prohibited.
- Signs that interfere with road/highway visibility or pose a traffic hazard are prohibited.
- Signs erected by nailing, fastening or affixing to any tree, curb, utility pole, natural feature, fence, street sign or other structure (except where permitted) are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct any fire escape, means of egress or ventilation, or prevent passage on the roof are prohibited.
- Signs that are structurally unsound or hazardous to traffic or pedestrians are prohibited.
- Displaying a permit that has been tampered with, altered or mutilated, or displaying a sign without a permit is prohibited.
- All signs must be constructed of non-combustible material where a permit is required.
- No message may be displayed on the structural supports of a sign.

## Signs exempt from permit in College Park

- Wall signs one (1) square foot and smaller are exempt from permitting, unless two or more are grouped to form a discernible message.
- Each lot is entitled to one (1) sign less than thirty-six (36) square inches in area, placed on the front of a building/unit/residence/structure, on each side of an authorized mailbox, or on one post (not exceeding 48 inches high by 4 inches wide, not in right-of-way).
- Standard informational signs not exceeding three (3) square feet, supported by braces/uprights into the ground, located in R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RA, MF, MFL, are exempt from permitting.
- During active development with an active building permit, one (1) standard informational sign (≤12 sq ft, ≤6 ft high, not in right-of-way) is exempt from permitting, to be removed upon completion/expiration.
- For lots listed for sale or rent, one (1) standard informational sign (≤12 sq ft, ≤6 ft high, not in right-of-way) is exempt from permitting, to be removed once listing ends.
- During the 45 days before and 5 days after an election or referendum, a maximum of four (4) standard informational signs not exceeding four (4) square feet may be placed on any lot, and may be in the right-of-way.
- Signs placed in the right-of-way under election exemption must not impair vision/safety. Signs creating a public safety risk must be moved or removed upon notice.
- Interior window signs located at least 24 inches inside a window, not impeding visibility or creating a safety hazard, are exempt from window sign area limits.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Ground signs in the Downtown Business District require review and approval by the Main Street Advisory Board based on submitted sign plans.
- In commercial districts, hotels/hospitality uses, and any district where site plan approval is required prior to development, a uniform design scheme for all signs must be established for the development and/or each building.
- Plans for development must include detailed descriptions of all signs (size, height, location, type, colors, materials, lighting, and ownership responsibility).
- Plans for signs must undergo the same review and approval as other development aspects; no modifications may authorize signs otherwise prohibited.
- All signs must be designed, erected, and maintained according to an approved sign plan.
- For Hospitality Campus District and certain planned developments, a uniform sign design scheme and detailed sign plans must be submitted and approved by the chief building inspector.
- Industrial wall signs require a design review to consider relationship to other wall signs on the building, sign separation, sign height, maximum distance from wall, and distance from top of building wall.
- Planned Developments (PD) must follow sign regulations as found in the Planned Development District and those of the most closely associated zoning district, with the most restrictive provisions enforced.
- Variances for signs (such as height, setbacks, topographic limitations) may be considered by the Board of Zoning Appeals, but not for number, total area, or spacing of signs.

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

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