Sign Regulations in Commerce, Georgia
Commerce, Georgia has specific sign regulations covering 16 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Principal Freestanding Sign—One Use on Property, Wall, Awning, Under-Canopy, Projecting & Window Sign, Project Entrance Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 7, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Commerce, Georgia
Sample Sign Requirements in Commerce
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Freestanding Sign—One Use on Property | 6 feet | 16 square feet | No sign on a property shall be located in the public right-of-way; at least 10 feet from the back of the curb or edge of pavement on streets with no curbing (Sec. 4.10.005.504) |
| Wall, Awning, Under-Canopy, Projecting & Window Sign | — | 1 square foot | — |
| Project Entrance Sign | 8 feet | 64 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
16
- Principal Freestanding Sign—One Use on Property
- Wall, Awning, Under-Canopy, Projecting & Window Sign
- Project Entrance Sign
- Principal Freestanding Sign—Planned Center
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Commerce
Other Cities in Georgia
Frequently Asked Questions
In Commerce, monument signs are limited to 6 feet. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Commerce, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Commerce, regulated sign types include Principal Freestanding Sign—One Use on Property, Wall, Awning, Under-Canopy, Projecting & Window Sign, Project Entrance Sign, Principal Freestanding Sign—Planned Center, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Commerce, monument signs typically require a No sign on a property shall be located in the public right-of-way; at least 10 feet from the back of the curb or edge of pavement on streets with no curbing (Sec. 4.10.005.504) setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Commerce are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Commerce has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Commerce, Georgia Sign Rules at a Glance
Commerce, Georgia regulates 16 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Interstate Sign - Freestanding Sign (Commercial, Industrial along Interstate/441 only)s in the Commercial, Industrial zoning district are capped at Pole signs: 70 feet; Other types: 35 feet; Must be minimum 10 feet above adjacent interstate pavement tall, Up to 14 feet in height and 48 feet in length, and 48 feet wide, with a No less than 12 feet from any property or right-of-way line, and at least 75 feet from all buildings/structures setback (Sec. Sec. 4.10.007.710). Most commercial signs in Commerce require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Commerce, Georgia
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Commerce (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural | 2 | 6 feet | 16 square feet | — |
| Residential (Single- and Two-Family), Residential (Multi-Family) | 5 | 8 feet | 64 square feet | — |
| Commercial, Industrial | 6 | Pole signs: 70 feet; Other types: 35 feet; Must be minimum 10 feet above adjacent interstate pavement | 240 square feet (Commercial), 300 square feet (Industrial) | — |
| Central Business District | 4 | 8 feet | 100 square feet (standard); 150 square feet (tenant 25,000–50,000 sq ft); 200 square feet (tenant >50,000 sq ft) | — |
| Non-residential zoning districts | 1 | Flagpoles not to exceed 25 feet in height | 40 square feet (for flags on lot, max 3 per lot without permit); engineering required for any flag over 40 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 6 feet | 36 square feet | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Commerce(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
Residential (Single- and Two-Family), Residential (Multi-Family)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Freestanding Sign—One Use on Property | 5 feet | 6 square feet | — | At least 10 feet from back of curb or edge of pavement (Sec. 4.10.005.504) | 1 per lot (N/A for Multi-Family) | 1 per lot (not allowed in Multi-Family) | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.007 Table 1; Sec. 4.10.005.508 |
| Project Entrance Sign | 8 feet | 64 square feet | — | — | Max 2 per project street front | 1 per project entrance; up to two permitted per project street front | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.007 Table 1 note 2; Sec. 4.10.005.508 |
| Wall, Awning, Under-Canopy, Projecting & Window Sign | — | 1 square foot for Single-/Two-Family; 4 square feet for Multi-Family | — | — | 1 per building | On building | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.007 Table 2; Sec. 4.10.005.508 |
| Standard Informational Signs | 3 feet | 4.5 square feet per sign; not exceeding 22.5 square feet aggregate | — | — | 5 | On lot | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.007.706 |
| Conditional Use Permanent Freestanding Sign | 6 feet | 16 square feet | — | — | 1 | One per lot, only allowed for lots with conditional uses | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.007.706 |
Commercial, Industrial
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Freestanding Sign—One Use on Property | 15 feet (other streets); 25 feet (other state highways); 70 feet (Interstate/4-lane U.S./State highway) | 64 square feet (Commercial), 100 square feet (Industrial) | — | At least 10 feet from back of curb or edge of pavement (Sec. 4.10.005.504) | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.007 Table 1 note 1; Sec. 4.10.005.508 |
| Principal Freestanding Sign—Planned Center | 35 feet | 240 square feet (Commercial), 300 square feet (Industrial) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.007 Table 1 |
| Project Entrance Sign | 15 feet | 240 square feet (Commercial), 300 square feet (Industrial) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.007 Table 1 |
| Wall, Awning, Under-Canopy, Projecting & Window Sign | — | 100 square feet (standard); 150 square feet (if tenant 50,000–100,000 sq ft); 200 square feet (if tenant >100,000 sq ft) | — | — | No maximum | On building; no maximum number | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.007 Table 2 |
| Window Sign | — | Up to 25% of the area of the window | — | — | — | Installed on or within two feet of exterior window or door | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.007.705.B |
| Interstate Sign - Freestanding Sign (Commercial, Industrial along Interstate/441 only) | Pole signs: 70 feet; Other types: 35 feet; Must be minimum 10 feet above adjacent interstate pavement | Up to 14 feet in height and 48 feet in length | 48 feet | No less than 12 feet from any property or right-of-way line, and at least 75 feet from all buildings/structures | Up to 3 per quadrant of interchange | Within 660 feet of I-85 or US 441; 3 per quadrant per interchange | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.007.710 |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Marker | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | Permanently affixed to building | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.003.302.F |
| Street Address/ID Number | — | 6 inches height in residential; 12 inches height in non-residential | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.003.302.B |
| Handicapped Parking Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As required by law | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.003.302.K |
| Traffic Safety/Directional (Governmental or Private) | — | 4 square feet (private); must meet MUTCD for governmental | — | — | — | Within ROW (government); along private streets/driveways (private); off-street parking lots. | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.003.302.G and H |
| Drive-through Display Board | 6 feet | 36 square feet | — | — | — | Drive-through lanes | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.003.302.D |
| Incidental Sign | — | 1 square foot per sign; aggregate up to 12 sq ft per property | — | — | — | On doors, windows, gas pumps, generally not visible from public ROW | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.10.003.302.M |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Commerce — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Commerce — start freeProhibited Signs in Commerce
- Signs attached to trees or utility poles or boxes; signs painted on or attached to rocks or other natural objects; signs, other than government-placed, located within the public street right-of-way or within ten feet from the back of the curb/edge of pavement.
- Dilapidated signs or signs that create a hazard, nuisance, are unsafe, or fail to comply with the city building code.
- Signs attached to traffic signs, governmental signs, public rights-of-way or other public property, utility poles, or guy wires, except those erected with permission of the authority for a public purpose.
- Strings of ribbons, tinsel, small flags, pennants, streamers, pinwheels, or similar windblown devices ('festoons'), except as provided for temporary signage.
- Obscene signs, as defined by Georgia law (O.C.G.A. Section 16-12-80 (b)).
- Signs obstructing any fire escape, window, door, or other opening for fire prevention or suppression, or preventing free passage on roofs.
- Signs extending above a parapet wall, affixed to a fire escape or interfering with any opening required for ventilation.
- Signs located to obstruct vision of pedestrians or traffic in public rights-of-way, the entrance of private streets or driveways to public rights-of-way, or interfere with official traffic control signs or signals.
- Portable signs (designed to be transported or easily relocated and not permanently attached), except as specified for temporary signage.
- Roof signs, painted or adhered on roofs, except on the fascia of a mansard roof or parapet wall not extending above the roof/wall.
- Signs displaying lights resembling those used in traffic signals or emergency vehicles, or signs using words/shapes/colors similar to such signs.
- Signs emitting sound, smoke, vapor, or odors detectable from roads/highways.
- Signs advertising illegal activities under Georgia or federal law.
- Signs placed on unlicensed motor vehicles, freight, flat-bed or storage trailers intended to be viewed from public rights-of-way.
- Inflatable signs, except as specifically permitted as a special event sign.
- Signs erected without the permission of the property owner.
- Vehicular signs are not allowed.
Exempt Signs in Commerce
- Flags, as many as three per lot, not exceeding 40 square feet, with height and proximity limits on poles.
- Street address identifiers and building identification numbers meeting specified height limits in residential and other districts.
- Signs not oriented or intended to be legible from a public right-of-way, private road/driveway, or adjacent property.
- Signs designed to be read only from close range (within five feet), if attached more than 25 feet from the right-of-way, not exceeding one square foot; drive-through lanes may have larger display boards (max. six feet high or 36 square feet).
- Signs erected more than two feet inside a building.
- Building markers no greater than six square feet in area.
- Traffic safety and traffic directional signs within public street right-of-way under government authority, meeting traffic standards.
- Traffic safety and directional signs on private streets/driveways or in parking lots, per city planning director's requirements, not exceeding four square feet each.
- Shared signs, per chapter definition, not exceeding four square feet nor six feet in height.
- Signs erected by or on the order of a governmental entity or public officer in the performance of duty.
- Handicapped parking signs, when required by state law.
- A-frame or sandwich board signs in commercial or CBD districts, within specified size, location, and placement restrictions (otherwise, permit required).
- Incidental signs (as defined), no more than one square foot each, with a total aggregate not exceeding 12 square feet per property.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Commerce
- Any property containing multiple uses, buildings, or tenants but constructed or managed as a single development may establish a master signage plan setting parameters for size, location, design, and color of signs ('master signage plan').
- For any freestanding sign with a sign face greater than 240 square feet, plans shall be certified or prepared by a qualified structural engineer or professional to ensure code conformance prior to permitting.
- For any sign requiring a sign permit, sign review by the city planning director is required prior to issuance of permit and an application with a keyed scaled site plan showing existing and proposed signs must be submitted.
- Sign plan applications must include itemized lists and scaled site plans of all existing and proposed signs, drawings, specification, cost estimates, and indemnification agreements.
- No new sign shall be permitted to be erected on a property with an abandoned/discontinued sign until the discontinued sign (and supports) has been removed or converted to a conforming sign.
- If appeals or variances are required, the ordinance provides for a formal appeals process, including public meetings and decisions by the planning commission and city council.
Source: municode municipal code