# Sign Regulations in Hartwell, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hartwell, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/hartwell
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Hartwell/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH26SIOR)

## At a glance

Hartwell, Georgia regulates 32 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Announcement Signs in the B1, B2, M1 AND M2 zoning district are capped at 2' for traffic guidance signs tall and 3 sf (Sec. Table 3; sections 26-3 & 26-10). Most commercial signs in Hartwell require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sign District I | 9 | 10' | 64 sf | — |
| Sign District II | 9 | 10' | 64 sf | — |
| R1, R1A, R1B, R2, MHP | 9 | 10' | 64 sf | — |
| Nonresidential Uses Allowed in R-Zone | 14 | 12' | 128 sf | — |
| B1, B2, M1 AND M2 | 15 | 18' | 128 sf | — |
| O-I | 15 | 18' | 128 sf | — |
| Shopping Centers | 15 | 18' | 300 sf | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | — | 3 sf per sign face | — |

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

### B1, B2, M1 AND M2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Announcement Sign | 2' for traffic guidance signs | 3 sf | — | — | 1 per entrance; 1 traffic | 1 per building entrance; 1 per parking entrance (traffic guidance) | — | Table 3; sections 26-3 & 26-10 |
| Construction Sign | 12' | 128 sf | — | — | 1 per job site | On job/construction site | — | Table 3; sections 26-3 & 26-7(3) |
| Contractor Sign | 4' | 4 sf | — | — | 1 per contractor | On property where work is performed | — | Table 3; sections 26-3 & 26-7(4) |
| Monument Sign | 6' | 48 sf | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Table 3; sections 26-3 & 26-10 |
| Political Sign | 4' (I); 5' (II) | 4 sf (I); 20 sf (II) | — | — | 1 per candidate or issue per street frontage | On private property, not public right of way | — | Table 3; sections 26-3 & 26-7(1) |
| Project Sign | 12' | 128 sf | — | — | 1 per job site | On job/construction site | — | Table 3; sections 26-3 & 26-7(5) |
| Projecting Sign (PBW or SBW) | Shall not extend above bldg height | 12 sf | — | — | 1 per PBW; 1 per SBW | 1 per PBW; 1 per SBW | — | Table 3; sections 26-3, 26-9(c) & 26-10 |
| Pylon Sign | 18' | 100 sf (District II only) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | District II only; per street frontage | — | Table 3; sections 26-3 & 26-10 |

### O-I

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Announcement Sign | 2' for traffic guidance signs | 3 sf | — | — | 1 per entrance; 1 traffic | 1 per building entrance; 1 per parking entrance (traffic guidance) | — | Table 4; sections 26-3 & 26-10 |
| Construction Sign | 12' | 128 sf | — | — | 1 per construction site | On job/construction site | — | Table 4; sections 26-3 & 26-7(3) |
| Contractor Sign | 4' | 4 sf | — | — | 1 per contractor | On property where work is performed | — | Table 4; sections 26-3 & 26-7(4) |
| Monument Sign | 6' | 48 sf | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Table 4; sections 26-3 & 26-10 |
| Political Sign | 4' (I); 5' (II) | 4 sf (I); 20 sf (II) | — | — | 1 per candidate or issue per street frontage | On private property, not public right of way | — | Table 4; sections 26-3 & 26-7(1) |
| Project Sign | 12' | 128 sf | — | — | 1 per job site | On job/construction site | — | Table 4; sections 26-3 & 26-7(5) |
| Projecting Sign (PBW or SBW) | Shall not extend above bldg height | 12 sf | — | — | 1 per PBW; 1 per SBW | 1 per PBW; 1 per SBW | — | Table 4; sections 26-3, 26-9(c) & 26-10 |
| Pylon Sign | 18' | 100 sf (District II only) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | District II only; per street frontage | — | Table 4; sections 26-3 & 26-10 |

### Shopping Centers

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Announcement Sign | 2' for traffic guidance signs | 3 sf | — | — | 1 per entrance; 1 traffic | 1 per building entrance; 1 per parking entrance (traffic guidance) | — | Table 5; sections 26-3 & 26-10 |
| Construction Sign | 12' | 128 sf | — | — | 1 per construction site | On job/construction site | — | Table 5; sections 26-3 & 26-7(3) |
| Contractor Sign | 4' | 4 sf | — | — | 1 per contractor | On property where work is performed | — | Table 5; sections 26-3 & 26-7(4) |
| Monument Sign (Listing of Businesses/Tenants) | 18' | 300 sf | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Table 5; sections 26-3 & 26-10 |
| Monument Sign (Name of Facility Only) | 18' | 100 sf | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Table 5; sections 26-3 & 26-10 |
| Political Sign | 4' (I); 5' (II) | 4 sf (I); 20 sf (II) | — | — | 1 per candidate or issue per street frontage | On private property, not public right of way | — | Table 5; sections 26-3 & 26-7(1) |
| Project Sign | 12' | 128 sf | — | — | 1 per job site | On job/construction site | — | Table 5; sections 26-3 & 26-7(5) |
| Projecting Sign (PBW or SBW) | Shall not extend above top of wall where attached | 12 sf | — | — | 1 per PBW; 1 per SBW | 1 per PBW; 1 per SBW | — | Table 5; 26-3, 26-9(c) & 26-10 |

## Prohibited signs in Hartwell

- Alcoholic beverage signs displaying specific alcohol brands or prices on outside signs or signs in windows are prohibited, except sandwich boards which are exempt.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited, except 'OPEN' and 'CLOSED' signs as allowed.
- Bandit signs are prohibited, except for certain types (contractor signs, political campaign signs, real estate signs, yard sale signs, and personal interest signs) as specifically allowed.
- Bench signs are prohibited.
- Billboards or poster panels are prohibited.
- Dilapidated signs are prohibited.
- Misleading signs (imitating official traffic signs/signals or misleading/confusing drivers) are prohibited.
- Off-site or off-premises signs are prohibited, except where specifically allowed.
- Over-the-street signs are prohibited.
- Permanent inflatable signs are prohibited.
- Pennant strings are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited.
- Revolving or moving signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Sidewalk signs are prohibited, except sandwich boards as allowed.
- Signs employing motion that obstruct/interfere with a driver's view or safe vehicle operation are prohibited.
- Signs painted on or attached to trees, rocks, or other natural features are prohibited.
- Signs painted on or attached to utility poles or other structures not intended for signs are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs or trailer signs are prohibited.
- Signs utilizing lights that flash, strobe, pulsate, blink, twinkle, or create a sense of movement by scrolling, rolling, expanding/contracting messages or simulated video images are prohibited, except for 'OPEN' and 'CLOSED' signs as allowed.
- Lighted, neon, or luminous signs that cause glare, blindness, or any adverse effect on traffic are prohibited.
- Signs with flashing, intermittent, or animated illumination are prohibited, except signs for time and weather information and official warning, traffic, or regulatory signs.
- Automated changeable copy signs are prohibited if the copy changes more frequently than once every ten seconds, except for date, time, temperature, and brief public service announcements.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hartwell

- Official signs, including traffic, directional, warning, and informational signs owned or displayed by GADOT or the City of Hartwell in public rights-of-way or adjacent property.
- Official notices issued or required to be posted by federal, state, county, or municipal government.
- Signs not exceeding one square foot in area bearing only property address, names of owners/occupants, or identification of premises (no commercial message), located on the identified property.
- Government flags, except when displayed for commercial promotion.
- Indoor signs not observable from outside the building.
- Nonpermanent window signs and window paintings.
- Signs affixed on gasoline or motor fuel dispensers (with certain size, purpose, and placement limitations).
- Outdoor menu ordering boards.
- Tag signs hanging from city banners advertising special events (one per banner, up to 30 days per event).
- Historic or memorial plaques and signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Unless specifically exempted in section 26-6 (general exemptions) and section 26-7 (signs that require no permit), a sign permit must be obtained prior to the erection, installation, display, alteration, or change of any sign (Sec. 26-9).
- Permit applications must include a site plan showing the location of the existing/proposed sign(s), photographs or detailed sketches, dimensions, structural details, lighting details, and other info as required by the building official.
- In sign district I, a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the City of Hartwell Historic Preservation Commission (HHPC) is required before issuance of a sign permit.
- All permanent and temporary banners and displays (not exempt) require a permit, including a deposit for banners/displays per Sec. 26-8.
- If a permit is required, failure to obtain it before erecting, installing, or altering a sign will result in doubling the usual permit fee.
- Signs which are not listed as exempt or permit not required must go through the standard sign permit review process with the building official.
- Appeals of building official decisions must be made to the board of appeals (per Sec. 26-14).
- No reference in the ordinance is made to a required master sign plan or sign package for multi-tenant or large-scale developments, only that a site plan and other details are required for each permit application.
- For locations in historic districts (District I), detailed plans and sketches are needed to obtain the Certificate of Appropriateness prior to the sign permit.

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

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