# Sign Regulations in Colquitt, Georgia

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

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

## At a glance

Colquitt, Georgia regulates 12 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Wall Signs in the C-2 Central Business District (C-2) zoning district are capped at 5 feet vertical dimension (wall/canopy signs, 1-2 story bldgs) tall and 150 sq ft or 10% of building facade area, whichever is less (single- or two-story buildings), with a At least 24 inches from adjacent property lines setback (Sec. Art. XVIII, Sec. 18.09, 18.10, 18.11). Most commercial signs in Colquitt 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 | 5 | 40 ft | 400 sq ft per face | — |
| R-1 Single-Family Residential District (R-1), R-2 Single-Family, Two-Family and Multiple-Family Residential District (R-2), R-PUD Residential Planned Unit Development District (R-PUD), AG Agricultural District (AG) | 2 | — | 10 sq ft | — |
| R-OI Restricted Office-Institutional District (R-OI) | 2 | 35 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1), C-3 Highway Commercial District (C-3), C-PUD Commercial Planned Unit Development District (C-PUD), I Industrial District (I) | 4 | 40 ft | 400 sq ft per face | — |
| C-2 Central Business District (C-2) | 4 | 5 feet vertical dimension (wall/canopy signs, 1-2 story bldgs) | 150 sq ft or 10% of building facade area, whichever is less (single- or two-story buildings) | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | 35 ft | 150 sq ft (general); 2 sq ft (CBD, see C-2 for full CBD rules) | — | — | — | On premises; CBD restrictions per C-2 | — | Art. XVIII, Sec. 18.01, 18.02, 18.03, 18.04, 18.05, 18.06, 18.08 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 10 sq ft (residential zones), 32 sq ft (all other zones) | — | — | — | On property for sale or lease | — | Art. XVIII, Sec. 18.05(6) |
| Construction Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | On construction site | — | Art. XVIII, Sec. 18.05(10) |
| Off-Premises Billboard | 40 ft | 400 sq ft per face | — | — | One per structure, one per direction | Only on designated federal and state highways, 2000 ft spacing between billboards (same side of road) | — | Art. XVIII, Sec. 18.07(1) |
| General Off-Premises Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | — | On all city streets and state highways | — | Art. XVIII, Sec. 18.07(2) |

### C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1), C-3 Highway Commercial District (C-3), C-PUD Commercial Planned Unit Development District (C-PUD), I Industrial District (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | 35 ft | 150 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | Art. XVIII, Sec. 18.06, 18.08 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On property for sale or lease | — | Art. XVIII, Sec. 18.05(6) |
| Billboard / Off-Premises Sign | 40 ft | 400 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per structure per direction | Federal/state highways only (C-3, I) | — | Art. XVIII, Sec. 18.07(1) |
| General Off-Premises Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | — | On city streets and state highways | — | Art. XVIII, Sec. 18.07(2) |

### C-2 Central Business District (C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 5 feet vertical dimension (wall/canopy signs, 1-2 story bldgs) | 150 sq ft or 10% of building facade area, whichever is less (single- or two-story buildings) | — | At least 24 inches from adjacent property lines | 2 per business (corner: +1 on side/rear per rules above) | On primary facade as per sign types (see Section 18.11) | — | Art. XVIII, Sec. 18.09, 18.10, 18.11 |
| Ground Sign | 3 ft | 12 sq ft (on one side only) | — | — | — | On site of business | — | Art. XVIII, Sec. 18.11(4) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Inside or on window glazing facing street | — | Art. XVIII, Sec. 18.11(3) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | Perpendicularly from building within allowed sign location zones | — | Art. XVIII, Sec. 18.09(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Colquitt

- No sign shall be erected or continued that obstructs the sign distance along a public right-of-way.
- No sign shall be erected or continued that would tend by its location, color or nature, to be confused with or obstruct the view of traffic signs or signals, or to be confused with a flashing light of an emergency vehicle.
- No sign shall be erected or continued that would by its nature or moving parts tend to confuse motorists or create any potential hazard to motorists.
- No sign shall be erected or continued that uses admonitions such as 'stop', 'go', 'slow', 'danger', etc., which might be confused with traffic directional signals.
- No sign shall be attached to or painted on any utility pole or light pole, or any tree, rock or other natural object.
- No signs other than those erected by public governmental agencies or required by law shall be placed so as to overhang any portion of public right-of-ways or other public properties by more than six (6) inches.
- Illumination devices (such as flood or spot lights) for signs must be so placed and shielded as to prevent rays or beams of illumination from being cast into neighboring dwellings and/or approaching vehicles.
- Signs may not utilize the colors red, green, blue and yellow in any way which might be confused with traffic, safety, or emergency signals.
- No revolving or rotating beam or beacon of light that resembles or simulates any emergency device shall be permitted as part of any sign.
- Flashing devices other than those that indicate customary public information (such as time, date, temperature) shall not be permitted upon a sign.
- Signs shall have a maximum height of thirty five (35) feet.
- Non-conforming point of business signs, incidental use signs, and identification signs shall be removed or made to conform within one (1) year of effective date of this Ordinance.
- No flashing billboard shall be permitted and all billboard lighting shall be indirect.
- Within one hundred (100) feet of a residential zone lot line, sign illumination must be diffused or indirect to prevent direct rays of light from shining into those adjoining zones.
- So-called 'portable signs on wheels or designed for wheels and other apparatuses designed to allow for illumination and the changing of lettering' are not permitted.
- Off-premises advertisement signs (billboards) are not permitted in the CBD.
- No sign shall be erected or painted on the roof of any building.
- No changing signs (such as a time and temperature sign, rotating sentence, etc.) shall be permitted in the CBD.
- Signs that advertise an activity, business product or service no longer being conducted or available on the premises on which the sign is located must be removed upon the order of the City Clerk.
- Enclosed lamp plastic signs and backlit fluorescent signs are not allowed in the Central Business District.
- Plastic signs, neon or reflective or foam lettering, posters, and cardboard are not allowed as sign materials in the CBD.
- Historically inappropriate signs (e.g. 'Colonial Era' or 'Williamsburg' signage) are not allowed in the CBD.
- Sign materials in the CBD must be compatible with the period and style of the property building or site and certain materials (metal slats, rigid plastic, aluminum canopies, cedar or plastic shakes, glossy or leatherette finished vinyl) are not allowable for awnings in the CBD.
- No sign may be closer than twenty-four (24) inches to the adjacent property lines in the CBD to avoid sign messages from running together.

## Signs exempt from permit in Colquitt

- Signs to regulate traffic.
- Signs required by law.
- Warning signs and no trespassing signs.
- Signs established by governmental agencies.
- Signs not exceeding ten (10) square feet giving information concerning the location of accessory off-street parking facilities or loading and unloading facilities.
- Temporary real estate signs on residentially zoned property limited to a maximum of ten (10) square feet and temporary real estate signs in any zones other than residential to a maximum of thirty two (32) square feet.
- Any sign not exceeding ten (10) square feet other than advertising, separate use, or signs requiring electrical wiring.
- Temporary signs on private land or for religious, charitable, civic, fraternal, political, or similar organizations.
- A temporary sign for a non-conforming business not exceeding a maximum of thirty two (32) square feet.
- Construction signs and temporary subdivision signs not exceeding a maximum of fifty (50) square feet.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs within Colquitt must be erected, constructed, or maintained in accordance with applicable sections of the Colquitt Building Code and only those signs permitted by these regulations.
- Property owners within the Central Business District (CBD) must comply with the provisions of the City of Colquitt Historic Preservation Ordinance regarding signs.
- In the CBD, the City Clerk may consult with the Southwest Georgia Regional Development Center's Historic Preservation Planner when interpreting sign regulations.
- Sign installation in the CBD must not irreparably damage any cornice, ornament, or similar architectural detail and shall be the least damaging method feasible.
- Signs in the CBD must be compatible with the size, scale, and design of the property, building, or site upon which they are to be located.
- No billboard or off-site advertising sign may be installed without meeting strict state and federal guidelines in addition to these city requirements.
- Sign illumination within one hundred (100) feet of a residential zone lot line must be diffused or indirect; owners must comply within thirty (30) days from the effective date of this Ordinance.
- Owners of signs are responsible for meeting codes, such as the National Electrical Code, regarding placement and/or height when and where there is a conflict or potential conflict with City utilities.
- Permits are NOT required for exempted signs as listed in Section 18.05. All other signs require compliance with sign ordinance and City Building Code.

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

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