# Sign Regulations in Cornelia, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cornelia, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/cornelia
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Cornelia/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH42ZO_ARTVIIISI)

## At a glance

Cornelia, Georgia regulates 14 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Principal Use Ground Sign (Non-Residential Use Only)s in the TND zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 12 sq ft, with a 4 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 42-151, Table 11.1; Sec. 42-150; Sec. 42-149.1, 42-151.1, 42-151.4). Most commercial signs in Cornelia require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-1, R-1, R-1A, R-1B | 8 | 10 ft | 36 sq ft | — |
| R-2 | 8 | 10 ft | 36 sq ft | — |
| TND | 9 | 10 ft | 36 sq ft | — |
| O-P | 10 | 10 ft | 36 sq ft | — |
| B-1 | 10 | 30 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| B-2 | 10 | 30 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| CBD | 9 | 10 ft | 36 sq ft | — |
| HB, LI, HI | 9 | 30 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | Max written/graphic message: 50% width of building/tenant facade AND <= 10% of facade area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### TND

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Principal Use Ground Sign (Non-Residential Use Only) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 1 | On lot containing a non-residential principal permitted use | — | Sec. 42-151, Table 11.1; Sec. 42-150; Sec. 42-149.1, 42-151.1, 42-151.4 |
| Accessory Ground Sign (Single-Family Residential Lot) | 10 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 1 | Single-family residential lot | — | Sec. 42-151, Table 11.1; Sec. 42-151.1, 42-146.4 |
| Accessory Ground Sign (Non-Residential or Multi-Family Use; Option 1) | 10 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 2 | Lot containing a non-residential or multi-family permitted principal use | — | Sec. 42-151, Table 11.1; Sec. 42-151.1, 42-146.4 |
| Wall Sign (Non-Residential Permitted Use Only) | No higher than building | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On building containing non-residential permitted principal use | — | Sec. 42-151, Table 11.1; Sec. 42-149.3, 42-151.4 |
| Temporary Ground Sign (For Sale/Rent/Lease/Construction) | 10 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 1 | On property during time when space, unit, building or land is for sale, rent, lease, or under construction | — | Sec. 42-151, Table 11.1 |
| Temporary Wall or Window Sign (For Sale/Rent/Lease/Construction) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On building/within window 2 feet of glass during time when unit is for sale, rent, lease, or under construction | — | Sec. 42-151, Table 11.1 |
| Multi-Tenant Occupancy Ground Sign (Non-Residential or Multi-Family Use Only, Option 2) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 1 | Lot containing multi-family or non-residential permitted use | — | Sec. 42-151, Table 11.1 |
| Subdivision or Multi-Use Ground Sign (Entrances) | 10 ft | 36 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 2 per entrance | At entrance to subdivision or permitted multi-use site | — | Sec. 42-151, Table 11.1 |

### O-P

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Principal Use Ground Sign (Non-Residential Use Only) | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 1 | On lot containing a non-residential principal permitted use | — | Table 11.2; Sec. 42-150; 42-149.1, 42-152.1 |
| Accessory Ground Sign (Single-Family Residential Lot) | 10 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 1 | Single-family residential lot | — | Table 11.2; 42-146.4 |
| Accessory Ground Sign (Non-Residential or Multi-Family Use; Option 1) | 10 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 2 | Lot containing a non-residential or multi-family permitted principal use | — | Table 11.2 |
| Wall Sign (Non-Residential Permitted Use Only) | No higher than building | — | — | — | 2 per establishment | Building with non-residential permitted principal use | — | Table 11.2; 42-149.3 |
| Temporary Ground Sign (For Sale/Rent/Lease/Construction) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | — | On property during time when space, unit, building or land is for sale, rent, lease, or under construction | — | Table 11.2 |
| Temporary Wall or Window Sign (For Sale/Rent/Lease/Construction) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On building/within window 2 feet of glass during time when unit is for sale, rent, lease, or under construction | — | Table 11.2 |
| Multi-Tenant Occupancy Ground Sign (Option 2) | 10 ft | — | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 1 per frontage | Lot with non-residential or multi-family use | — | Table 11.2 |
| Subdivision or Multi-Use Ground Sign (Entrances) | 10 ft | 36 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 2 per entrance | At entrance to subdivision or permitted multi-use site | — | Table 11.2 |

### B-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Principal Use Ground Sign (Non-Residential Use Only) | 30 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 1 | On lot containing a non-residential principal permitted use | — | Table 11.2; 42-150; 42-149.1, 42-152.1 |
| Accessory Ground Sign (Single-Family Residential Lot) | 30 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 1 | Single-family residential lot | — | Table 11.2 |
| Accessory Ground Sign (Non-Residential or Multi-Family Use; Option 1) | 30 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 2 | Lot containing a non-residential or multi-family permitted principal use | — | Table 11.2 |
| Wall Sign (Non-Residential Permitted Use Only) | No higher than building | — | — | — | 2 per establishment | Building with non-residential permitted principal use | — | Table 11.2; 42-149.3 |
| Temporary Ground Sign (For Sale/Rent/Lease/Construction) | 30 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | — | On property during time when space, unit, building or land is for sale, rent, lease, or under construction | — | Table 11.2 |
| Temporary Wall or Window Sign (For Sale/Rent/Lease/Construction) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On building/within window 2 feet of glass during time when unit is for sale, rent, lease, or under construction | — | Table 11.2 |
| Multi-Tenant Occupancy Ground Sign (Option 2) | 30 ft | — | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 1 per frontage | Lot with non-residential or multi-family use | — | Table 11.2 |
| Subdivision or Multi-Use Ground Sign (Entrances) | 30 ft | 48 sq ft | — | 4 ft from right-of-way | 2 per entrance | At entrance to subdivision or permitted multi-use site | — | Table 11.2 |

## Prohibited signs in Cornelia

- Abandoned signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Animated signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Inflatable signs are prohibited except as specifically provided by this article.
- Portable signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Sidewalk signs are prohibited.
- Any sign illuminated at intensity or brightness that reasonably interferes with the peace, comfort, convenience, and general welfare of adjacent residents or creates a hazard to vehicle operators is prohibited.
- Pennants, streamers, and wind-blown devices are prohibited.
- Signs which imitate an official traffic sign or signal, including those with colored lights or shapes similar to traffic safety signs, or used in manner to be confused with traffic control devices are prohibited.
- Signs within the right-of-way, including those attached to traffic signs, utility poles, or guy wires, are prohibited unless permitted by state law.
- Signs attached to trees are prohibited.
- Advertising displayed on benches, trash cans, telephone booths, and similar devices is prohibited.
- Trailer signs are prohibited.
- Strobe lights are prohibited.
- Any sign placed so as to obstruct vision of pedestrians or traffic in a public right-of-way or the entrance of a private street or driveway to a public right-of-way is prohibited.
- Any sign not specifically permitted in a zoning district as provided under this article is prohibited in that district, unless specifically otherwise provided for under this article.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cornelia

- Any sign that is specifically exempted from the requirements of this article is exempt from the requirement to obtain a sign permit.
- Window signs are exempt from a sign permit.
- All signs four square feet or less in area are exempt from a sign permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master signage plan is required and must be approved as part of a conditional use permit for 'other signs' as noted in residential and non-residential sign allowance tables.
- Application for a sign permit and a building permit shall be made simultaneously, and unless otherwise specified on the sign permit, approval of a building permit shall constitute issuance of any required sign permit.
- Variances to the sign ordinance may be sought before the board of adjustment or, for concurrent variances, before the governing body.
- Murals (original art or limited message) require a permitting process that includes review and approval by the planning board and city commission; a permanent plan for maintenance and exact repainting must be submitted with mural applications.

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

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