# Sign Regulations in Emerson, Georgia

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

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

## At a glance

Emerson, Georgia regulates 26 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Marquee Signs in the C-1, Neighborhood Retail Commercial, C-2, Community Retail Commercial zoning district are capped at 5 ft (horizontal marquee); vertical up to 10 ft above roofline tall, 250 sq ft (horizontal), and Max width: building frontage wide, with a Clearance 10-12 ft required setback (Sec. Sec. 8.814.D). Most commercial signs in Emerson require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-7.5, Single-Family Residential, R-10, Single-Family Residential, R-15, Single-Family Residential, R-20, Single-Family Residential, R-40, Single-Family Residential, R-80, Single-Family Residential | 7 | 25 ft pole | 64 sq ft per entrance | — |
| RA-12, Single-Family Residential Attached | 7 | 25 ft pole | 64 sq ft per entrance | — |
| RC - Residential Conservation Planned Unit Development | 7 | 25 ft pole | 64 sq ft per entrance | — |
| RM-6, Multifamily Residential (six units/acre), RM-12, Multifamily Residential (12 units/acre) | 7 | 25 ft pole (if residential primary use); 40 ft if non-residential use applies (see note) | 64 sq ft (up to 3 acres); 120 sq ft (3+ acres) | — |
| C-1, Neighborhood Retail Commercial, C-2, Community Retail Commercial | 15 | 75 ft | 672 sq ft | — |
| LI, Light Industrial, HI, Heavy Industrial | 8 | 75 ft | 672 sq ft | — |
| MU, Mixed Use Development, MU-2, Mixed Use - Lakepoint | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 42 in | 50 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### RM-6, Multifamily Residential (six units/acre), RM-12, Multifamily Residential (12 units/acre)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Standard Informational Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per sign; 12 sq ft aggregate per lot | — | — | Aggregate area limited to 12 sq ft except for election period | On private property | — | Sec. 8.815.B, Sec. 8.810.A.1 |
| Warning/No Trespassing Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property | — | Sec. 8.804.3, Sec. 8.810.A.2 |
| Flag | 25 ft pole (if residential primary use); 40 ft if non-residential use applies (see note) | 24 sq ft per flag, max 2 flags per lot | — | — | 2 per lot | One flagpole per lot | — | Sec. 8.816 |
| Address Numerals | — | — | 8 in (non-residential primary use) | — | — | — | — | Sec. 8.804.10 |
| Project Entrance Sign (multifamily/condo entrance) | 7 ft (multifamily/institutional); 10 ft (project entrance) | 64 sq ft (up to 3 acres); 120 sq ft (3+ acres) | — | — | One per entrance | At entrance to multifamily, condo, townhouse, planned center, etc. | — | Sec. 8.810.A.6, Sec. 8.813.D, E |
| Banner (Temporary) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | One banner at a time | On building | — | Sec. 8.815.C.1-3, Sec. 8.814.G |
| Monument Sign (Non-residential Uses in RM Zones) | 7 ft | 64 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | On property | — | Sec. 8.811.2, Sec. 8.813.D, E |

### C-1, Neighborhood Retail Commercial, C-2, Community Retail Commercial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 5 ft vertical limit; 12 in min letter height | 200 sq ft (primary façade >80 ft); 80 sq ft (≤80 ft); auxiliary 80 sq ft/facade | Storefront width, max | — | Up to 3 building sign types (e.g. wall, awning, suspended) per entity first floor | Attached to building façade | — | Sec. 8.814.B |
| Monument Sign | 7 ft (single tenant); 10 ft (multi-tenant); 10 ft (project entrance) | 64 sq ft (single tenant); 120 sq ft (multi-tenant) | — | 10 ft from ROW | One per street frontage; additional if >500 ft frontage | 10 ft from right-of-way; no part of sign within 20 ft of intersection of ROW or within 20 ft of ROW/driveway edge | — | Sec. 8.813.B, D, E, G |
| Pole Sign | 24 ft (single); 30 ft (multi-tenant) | 64 sq ft (single tenant); 120 sq ft (multi-tenant) | — | 10 ft from ROW; clearance zone at intersections | Subject to frontage rules | 10 ft from ROW | — | Sec. 8.813.D, E, G |
| Project Entrance Sign | 10 ft | 64 sq ft (up to 3 acres); 120 sq ft (3+ acres) | — | 10 ft from ROW | One per entrance | At entrance to planned center, subdivision, etc. | — | Sec. 8.813.D, E |
| Marquee Sign | 5 ft (horizontal marquee); vertical up to 10 ft above roofline | 250 sq ft (horizontal) | Max width: building frontage | Clearance 10-12 ft required | One | On building at entry | — | Sec. 8.814.D |
| Projecting Sign | 36 in (vertical); 48 in width; 4 in thick | 6 sq ft | 48 in | — | One per façade | Perpendicular to building, pedestrian scale | — | Sec. 8.814.E |
| Suspended Sign | 36 in | 6 sq ft | 36 in | — | One per façade | Mounted under beam or ceiling at entrance | — | Sec. 8.814.F |
| Billboard | 75 ft | 672 sq ft | 48 ft | 10 ft from ROW; additional buffer rules | Per spacing and location limits | Only on parcels abutting I-75 and zoned commercial/industrial | — | Sec. 8.813.H |

### LI, Light Industrial, HI, Heavy Industrial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 5 ft vertical; min 12 in letter height | 200 sq ft (primary >80ft); 80 sq ft (≤80ft); auxiliary 80 sq ft/facade | Storefront width max | — | Up to 3 sign types/entity | Building façade | — | Sec. 8.814.B |
| Monument Sign | 7 ft (single tenant); 10 ft (multi-tenant) | 64 sq ft (single tenant); 120 sq ft (multi-tenant) | — | 10 ft minimum | One per street frontage | 10 ft from ROW minimum | — | Sec. 8.813.D, E, G |
| Pole Sign | 24 ft (single), 30 ft (multi-tenant) | 64 sq ft (single); 120 sq ft (multi-tenant) | — | 10 ft from ROW | Per code | 10 ft from ROW minimum | — | Sec. 8.813.D, E, G |
| Project Entrance Sign/Planned Center/Industrial Park | 10 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 10 ft min | — | Entrance to planned center or industrial park | — | Sec. 8.813.D, E |
| Banner (Temporary) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | One at a time | On building/solid structure, not poles | — | Sec. 8.815.C |
| Directional Sign | 2.5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per driveway/4 per lot | On private property, near driveways or parking | — | Sec. 8.813.F |
| Flag | 40 ft pole | 60 sq ft per flag | — | — | Two per lot | One flagpole per lot | — | Sec. 8.816 |
| Billboard | 75 ft | 672 sq ft | 48 ft | 10 ft from right-of-way; see buffer rules | — | Only on parcels abutting I-75 and zoned appropriately | — | Sec. 8.813.H |

## Prohibited signs in Emerson

- Roof signs are prohibited in all zoning districts, except for certain historic exceptions (Sec. 8.805).
- Animated signs are prohibited in all zoning districts (Sec. 8.805).
- Signs on public rights-of-way are prohibited except signs erected by the jurisdiction controlling the right-of-way (Sec. 8.805).
- Signs obstructing doors, windows, fire escapes or exit ways are prohibited (Sec. 8.805).
- Signs that pose a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, including those obstructing sight distance or resembling official traffic signs or emergency vehicle lights, are prohibited (Sec. 8.805).
- Signs attached to or painted on any telephone, light, or telegraph pole (unless required for identification/access by the owner) are prohibited (Sec. 8.805).
- Signs attached to or painted on trees, rocks, or other natural objects are prohibited (Sec. 8.805).
- Signs containing obscenity or advertising unlawful activity under federal or Georgia law are prohibited (Sec. 8.805).
- Signs mounted, attached or painted on a trailer, boat, or motor vehicle when parked or stored conspicuously for advertising or business identification purposes (unless vehicle is actively used for business and regularly driven) are prohibited (Sec. 8.805).
- Feather flags are prohibited (Sec. 8.805).
- Tri-vision signs are prohibited except where permitted as billboards fronting I-75 (Sec. 8.805).
- Inflatable signs are prohibited (Sec. 8.805).
- Any temporary sign exceeding the standards of Sec. 8.815 is prohibited (Sec. 8.805).
- New technology (LED/digital) signs are prohibited except as a portion of a freestanding sign not exceeding 33% of the sign face or as permitted for billboards on I-75 (Sec. 8.805).
- No sign shall have blinking, flashing, scrolling, fading, or fluctuating lights or illuminating devices with changing light intensity, brightness, color, or form (Sec. 8.808).
- No revolving or rotating beam or beacon of light, including searchlights, shall be used as part of any sign (Sec. 8.808).
- No sign with exposed neon tubes or other exposed luminescent gas tubes is allowed outside a building (Sec. 8.808).
- Signs may not display false statements or mislead the public as to anything sold, services performed, or information disseminated (Sec. 8.806).
- Signs may not be displayed or maintained as a public nuisance (Sec. 8.806).

## Signs exempt from permit in Emerson

- Traffic control devices and other public safety signs on public streets and highways conforming to the Uniform Manual for Traffic Control Devices (Sec. 8.804).
- Directional signs on private property, limited to two per driveway, max four square feet each, max height 2.5 feet (Sec. 8.804).
- Warning and no trespassing signs not exceeding four square feet (Sec. 8.804).
- Standard informational signs per Sec. 8.815 (Sec. 8.804).
- Signs not visible from public thoroughfares that would otherwise require a permit (Sec. 8.804).
- Signs inside enclosed businesses, offices, malls, or other enclosed areas not posted within 12 inches of a window or not readable from public right-of-way or any adjoining sidewalk (Sec. 8.804).
- Signs painted on or applied to window/door not obscuring more than 50% of glazing; glazing must be visibly transparent (Sec. 8.804).
- Stationary window signs in commercial entities not exceeding three square feet (Sec. 8.804).
- Flags, subject to section 8.816 limits (Sec. 8.804).
- Address numerals not exceeding four inches (residential) or eight inches (non-residential) (Sec. 8.804).
- Historical markers, monuments, or signs as recognized by local, state, or federal authorities (Sec. 8.804).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit (sign plan) is required for all new signs unless specifically exempted in Sec. 8.804; see Sec. 8.803.
- Multi-tenant signs require that the property owner secure a permit for the structure and for removal of panels when uses change (Sec. 8.803.E).
- All permit applications must include a site drawing, sign details, and information as specified in Sec. 8.803.C.
- Banners as streetscape improvements (permanent banner systems as part of a development of 20 acres or more) require application to the city for approval as a streetscape system (Sec. 8.815.D).
- Temporary banners require a permit for each display period (Sec. 8.815.C.5).
- Sign permits are issued only to the property owner or tenant (Sec. 8.803.B).
- For requested variances from dimensional standards, a variance application must be submitted to the zoning administrator; further appeal is available (Sec. 8.820).
- Conditional Use Permits may require a public hearing with notice as per procedures in Article XIV/Div 2 (Sec. 8.2012), and a site plan may be required if specified in the zoning district or by the administrator.

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

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