# Sign Regulations in Ellijay, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ellijay, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/ellijay
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Ellijay/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_APXAZO_ART12SI)

## At a glance

Ellijay, Georgia regulates 14 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Billboards in the General Commercial (GC), Light Industry (I-1), General Industry (I-2) zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall, 100 sq ft, and 15 ft wide, with a Edge of display area min. 10 ft from property or right-of-way line; min. 10 ft above street level to bottom of sign setback (Sec. Sec. 12.4(2)c). Most commercial signs in Ellijay require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Low-Density Single-Family Residential (R-1), Medium-Density Multifamily Residential (R-2), High-Density Multifamily Residential (R-3), Mobile Home Park (MHP), Planned Unit Development—Residential (PUD-R) | 3 | 3 ft (if free-standing); wall signs not specified but must be reasonable and not over roof line | 6 sq ft | — |
| Office/Restricted Commercial (O/RC), General Commercial (GC), Central Business District (CBD), Planned Unit Development—Commercial (PUD-C) | 3 | 3 ft | 200 sq ft per sign or less; aggregate area up to 10% of visible facades | — |
| General Commercial (GC), Light Industry (I-1), General Industry (I-2) | 7 | 25 ft | 200 sq ft per sign or less; 10% aggregate of visible facades | — |
| Light Industry (I-1), General Industry (I-2) | 3 | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 30 inches (standard information), 3 ft (new business temp signs), | Standard informational sign: not over 480 sq in (3.33 sq ft); Banner: up to 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Low-Density Single-Family Residential (R-1), Medium-Density Multifamily Residential (R-2), High-Density Multifamily Residential (R-3), Mobile Home Park (MHP), Planned Unit Development—Residential (PUD-R)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 3 ft (if free-standing); wall signs not specified but must be reasonable and not over roof line | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per developed residential property/parcel | Affixed to principal building | — | Sec. 12.4(2)a.9, Sec. 12.4(2)b, Sec. 12.7 |
| Free-standing Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Min. 5 ft from property line | 1 per developed residential property/parcel | On property, not in right-of-way | — | Sec. 12.4(2)a.9; Sec. 12.7 |
| Bed and Breakfast Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | On building exterior | — | Table 6.5 (B&B Home/Inn), Sec. 12.7 |

### General Commercial (GC), Light Industry (I-1), General Industry (I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Free-Standing Sign - Pole Sign (Commercial Parcels <1 ac) | 20 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Support structure min 10 ft from right-of-way unless all display area is 10 ft above ground, then may abut ROW | 1 per parcel per street frontage (2 if corner lot, same size) | On parcel, facing street right-of-way, not in right-of-way | — | Sec. 12.4(2)a.1 |
| Free-Standing Sign - Pole Sign (Commercial Parcels ≥1 ac and <3 ac, single business) | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Same as above | 1 per parcel per street frontage | On parcel, facing street right-of-way | — | Sec. 12.4(2)a.2 |
| Shared Sign (Commercial Parcels <1 ac) | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Same as above | 1 per parcel per street frontage | On parcel, facing street right-of-way | — | Sec. 12.4(2)a.3 |
| Shared Sign (Commercial Parcels ≥1 ac, <3 ac) | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Same as above | 1 per parcel per street frontage | On parcel, facing street right-of-way | — | Sec. 12.4(2)a.4 |
| Shared Sign (Commercial Parcels ≥3 ac) | 25 ft | 62 sq ft | — | Same as above | 1 per parcel per street frontage | On parcel, facing street right-of-way | — | Sec. 12.4(2)a.5 |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft per sign or less; 10% aggregate of visible facades | — | — | 2 per visible facade | Visible wall of building facing right-of-way | — | Sec. 12.4(2)b |
| Billboard | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | 15 ft | Edge of display area min. 10 ft from property or right-of-way line; min. 10 ft above street level to bottom of sign | 1 location per 1000 ft measured on same road side | On commercial/industrial parcel fronting state/fed highway | — | Sec. 12.4(2)c |

### Light Industry (I-1), General Industry (I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | 2 signs per non-front facade visible from right-of-way | On any visible wall | — | Sec. 12.4(2)b |
| Free-standing Sign - Pole Sign or Shared Sign | 20–25 ft (see parcel size) | 24–62 sq ft depending on parcel/business type | — | Support structure min 10 ft from ROW unless display area ≥10 ft above ground, then may abut | 1 per street frontage | On parcel facing street right-of-way | — | Sec. 12.4(2)a(1–5); 12.7 |
| Billboard | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | 15 ft | Edge of display area min. 10 ft from property or right-of-way | 1 per 1000 linear feet per side of highway | On state/federal highway frontage, not in prohibited overlay or adjacent to residential | — | Sec. 12.4(2)c |

## Prohibited signs in Ellijay

- It is unlawful to erect or place any sign which does not conform to the requirements of the sign ordinance.
- It is unlawful to erect or place any sign that is visible from a street, public right-of-way, or property in public ownership, regardless of zoning district, that does not comply with the ordinance.
- It is unlawful to post any sign or advertisement on any building, fence, or property belonging to another without written consent of the owner.
- No sign may contain neon or fluorescent colors.
- No sign may be placed within any street or road right-of-way (other than publicly owned/maintained signs).
- No sign may be erected or maintained which obstructs any fire escape, means of ingress/egress or ventilation, or prevents free passage between parts of a roof, or attached to a fire escape.
- It is unlawful to erect or maintain any sign that simulates an official traffic control/warning sign, hides a traffic sign, or interferes with traffic movement.
- It is unlawful to erect or maintain any sign emitting sound detectable on a traveled road or highway.
- It is unlawful to erect or maintain any sign by nailing, fastening, painting, or affixing the sign to a tree, fence post, guard rail, mailbox, safety rail, curb, utility pole/box, rock, retaining wall, or fence, or other natural/man-made support.
- No sign may advertise any activity, service, or product prohibited by law or ordinance.
- No sign or sign structure may be unsafe, constitute a hazard by inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or abandonment, or be likely to cause electrical shock.
- Animated or rotating signs are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited (except during grand openings for up to four weeks).
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited in the Central Business District (CBD), Office/Restricted Commercial District, Downtown Historic District, and the transportation/signage overlay district.
- No sign may be erected that contains or is illuminated by any flashing, intermittent, or moving light or lights, except an electronic message board.
- No illuminated signs shall be constructed or maintained within 50 feet of any dwelling within a residential district.
- No sign may be erected that is not professionally lettered and constructed on sturdy/weather-resistant materials.
- Abandoned signs (including sign structures) must be removed.
- No sign shall obstruct vision within the area of a corner lot between intersecting street lines and a straight line connecting them 25 feet distant from the intersection.
- Corner visibility clearance: No sign or sign structure above four feet high may be maintained within 15 feet of the intersection of right-of-way lines of two streets (exceptions allowed for certain sign supports higher than ten feet).
- No new signs are permitted in new zoning districts until the ordinance is amended to include such zone.
- Failure to remove, maintain, or repair signs as required may result in fines and city removal at owner's expense.
- No sign may obstruct free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof.
- All signs must be kept in constant repair, free of rust, damage, and structural failure.
- Extrusions beyond the face of any billboard, except aprons, are prohibited.
- No sign may be illuminated by lighting that adversely affects adjacent properties and roadways or casts direct light on them.
- No sign (except as otherwise allowed) shall extend over, or be placed on, a property line, required buffer, or over a public right-of-way.
- No sign may display words, pictures, or statements which are obscene as defined by O.C.G.A. § 16-12-80.
- No sign may be constructed or placed unless a sign permit is first obtained, unless exempted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ellijay

- Permanent free-standing signs having a sign area of less than four square feet each, setback five feet from the public right-of-way, not blocking vehicle sight visibility, and not exceeding three feet in height, up to six such signs per property/parcel.
- Seasonal displays, located outside of the public right-of-way, erected for a maximum period of 60 days, not more than twice a year.
- Non-illuminated wall signs not larger than two square feet.
- Temporary signs related to a newly opened business are allowed for 30 days with display area limited to three feet high and 45 square feet.
- Flagpoles in residentially zoned districts, so long as they do not exceed 25 feet in height or the height of the primary structure, with flag size limits; in commercial or industrial zones, flagpoles may be up to 60 feet with similar flag area limits.
- Changing the face of a sign or ordinary servicing, repainting, or cleaning of an existing sign message does not require a permit or fee.
- Temporary portable signs may be used for a grand opening for a period not to exceed four weeks.
- Publicly owned or maintained signs are exempt from right-of-way placement restrictions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required before any permanent or temporary/special event sign may be erected, attached, suspended, or supported on a building or structure, or before an existing sign may be enlarged, relocated or materially improved.
- Applications for a sign permit must be accompanied by plans or information, including property lines, building/location/address, sign details/drawing (size/height), and square footage of each facade and proposed aggregate sign area.
- Standardized sign plans may be filed with the building inspector/enforcement officer, but a site plan to determine sign location must be filed with each application.
- The building inspector/enforcement officer will process the application and grant or deny it within 30 business days; lack of action is deemed a grant.
- Sign permit applications require an indemnification agreement for damages arising from the sign.
- A sign permit expires if the sign is not erected within six months of issuance.
- Proceedings for variances or appeals relating to the sign ordinance shall be conducted by the zoning board of appeals, requiring written notice and public hearing posted/legal notice (see Section 12.6).
- Denial of a permit must be in writing with stated reasons, and may be appealed to the zoning board of appeals.
- A sign permit is not required for exempt signs noted above.
- No development involving commercial cryptocurrency or data mining operations may be permitted without site plan review and verification by the city that all requirements (including signage) are met.

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

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