# Sign Regulations in Dawsonville, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Dawsonville, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/dawsonville
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-05
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Dawsonville/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=SPBLADERE_CH105SI)

## At a glance

Dawsonville, Georgia regulates 23 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Billboards in the Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts (NB, HB, CBD, INST, O, LI, CIR) zoning district are capped at 40 feet tall, 480 square feet per face, and 32 feet wide, with a Fall zone setbacks setback (Sec. Sec. 105-40(c)). Most commercial signs in Dawsonville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 5 feet | 120 square feet (4 ft x 30 ft) | — |
| Residential Zoning District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-6, R3R, RMHT) | 5 | 6 feet | 15 square feet | — |
| Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts (NB, HB, CBD, INST, O, LI, CIR) | 6 | 40 feet | 480 square feet per face | — |
| Dawsonville Historical District, Urban Redevelopment Plan Area | 13 | 5 feet | 32 square feet (64 sq ft combined for multiple entrances) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (90 Days) | — | Not specified (general temporary limits apply) | — | 10 feet from public right-of-way | 1 per type per lot | Set back at least 10 feet from public right-of-way | — | Sec. 105-34 |
| Weekend Sign | — | 15 square feet | — | Not in public right-of-way | 1 per lot | Private property, not in public right-of-way | — | Sec. 105-35 |
| Temporary Sign | 5 feet | 5 square feet | — | 20 feet from curb/edge of pavement | 1 per parcel | 20 feet from curb/edge of pavement; parallel to street; in front of building facade or centered on vacant lot | — | Sec. 105-41 |
| Banner (Over Public Property) | — | 120 square feet (4 ft x 30 ft) | 30 feet | Over right-of-way with approval | Site-specific | Over public thoroughfares, approved sites | — | Sec. 105-42 |
| Banner (On Private Property) | — | — | — | 10 feet from public right-of-way | 1 permit per banner | Private property, set back 10 feet from right-of-way | — | Sec. 105-44 |

### Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts (NB, HB, CBD, INST, O, LI, CIR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Expression Sign | 15 feet (freestanding) | 50 square feet | — | 20 feet from public right-of-way for >3 ft height | Unlimited if different messages | Private property, not in public right-of-way | — | Sec. 105-40(a)(1) |
| For Sale/Lease Sign | 15 feet (freestanding) | 40 square feet | — | 20 feet from public right-of-way for >3 ft height | 1 | Private property, not in public right-of-way | — | Sec. 105-40(a)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 feet | 100 square feet | — | 20 feet from public right-of-way for >3 ft height | 1 per lot | On lot | — | Sec. 105-40(b)(1) |
| Monument Sign | 10 feet | 25 square feet per side (max 2 sides) | — | 20 feet from public right-of-way for >3 ft height | 1 per lot | On lot | — | Sec. 105-40(b)(3) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | N/A | 1 per separate use/business | On building wall, ≤24 inches projection | — | Sec. 105-40(b)(4); Def. Sec. 105-3 |
| Billboard | 40 feet | 480 square feet per face | 32 feet | Fall zone setbacks | Site-specific with separation | LI district only | — | Sec. 105-40(c) |

### Dawsonville Historical District, Urban Redevelopment Plan Area

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Low-Profile/Monument) | 5 feet | 32 square feet (64 sq ft combined for multiple entrances) | — | City requirements | 1 per business/parcel (up to 2 for multiple entrances ≥100 ft apart) | Approved locations; toward pedestrians/vehicles | — | Sec. 105-73(1) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 18 square feet | — | ≥8 ft ground clearance | Part of aggregate | Attached to building; ≥8 ft clearance | — | Sec. 105-73(4) |
| Awning Sign | — | 20% of one face | — | ≥8 ft ground clearance | 1 per facade | Above doors/windows | — | Sec. 105-73(6) |
| Directory Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | N/A | 1 per project | Common area; toward pedestrian path/parking | — | Sec. 105-73(9) |
| Menu Display | — | 3 square feet | — | N/A | 1 per restaurant | Restaurant windows or wall | — | Sec. 105-73(10) |
| Temporary Sign | 5 feet | 5 square feet | — | 20 feet from curb | 1 per parcel | 20 feet from curb | — | Sec. 105-73(12); 105-41 |
| Expression Sign | — | 10 square feet (permit if larger) | — | Not in ROW | ≤2 same message | Private property, not in public right-of-way | — | Sec. 105-73(13) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | N/A | 1 | On building | — | Sec. 105-73(14) |

## Prohibited signs in Dawsonville

- Signs creating traffic hazards by obstructing vision or interfering with traffic signs
- Hazardous signs that threaten health, safety, or welfare due to structural weakness or design defect
- Signs resembling official traffic signs or signals
- A-frame signs (portable signs forming a triangular cross-section)
- Mobile or portable signs not permanently attached (except public necessity signs and temporary signs as allowed)
- Vehicle signs parked or stored within 50 feet of public right-of-way (exceptions for active use vehicles not visible from right-of-way)
- Flashing signs that distract motorists or create safety risks
- Balloons or non-durable materials for permanent signs (except temporary banners with permit)
- Portable signs not permanently affixed (unless permitted as temporary or banner)
- Roof signs extending more than 25 feet above the roof
- Streamers or pennants (except with special permit)
- Signs within public right-of-way (except official government or utility signs)
- Signs attached to trees
- Bench signs on courtesy benches or trashcans (except ownership or dedication signage)
- Trailer signs parked or stored within 50 feet of public right-of-way (similar exceptions as vehicle signs)
- Multi-faced signs with more than two sides

## Signs exempt from permit in Dawsonville

- One 'no solicitors' sign not exceeding 1 square foot per major entrance
- Flags (maximum two flag poles per lot)
- Traffic safety and directional signs installed per city, state, or federal requirements
- Street address numbers attached to buildings (maximum 12 inches letter height)
- Signs erected by public officers (e.g., public notices, restrooms, no parking, street names, safety signs)
- Signs not visible from a public street
- Business hours or service condition signs (including credit card stickers) up to 1 square foot per lot
- Trespassing and security signs not exceeding 1 square foot (may be on doors, windows, entrances, fences; non-illuminated)
- Expression signs compliant with zoning district size requirements (no permit needed)
- For sale or lease signs compliant with zoning district size requirements (no permit needed)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Signage plans are required for buildings or clusters of buildings with more than one tenant or use in the historical district and urban redevelopment plan area; must establish common theme, similar construction, compatible colors, lettering, etc., and be approved by the director of planning and zoning prior to sign erection
- Variances to performance standards may be granted by the mayor and council for cases of extreme and unusual hardship (e.g., extraordinary property conditions, no deprivation of rights enjoyed by others, harmony with ordinance intent); limited to adding up to 10 feet to sign height; requested via application with fee, considered with permitting procedures

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

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