Sign Regulations in Hiawassee, Georgia
Hiawassee, Georgia has specific sign regulations covering 18 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include General Signage, Subdivision Entrance Monument Sign, Monument Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Hiawassee, Georgia
Sample Sign Requirements in Hiawassee
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Signage | 5 ft | 15 sq ft aggregate; 6 sq ft per sign | — |
| Subdivision Entrance Monument Sign | 5 ft | 25 sq ft | — |
| Freestanding Sign (excluding stanchion/marquee) | 20 ft | Varies by aggregate limits (see below) | Minimum 30 ft from intersection of street right-of-way lines extended |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
18
- General Signage
- Subdivision Entrance Monument Sign
- Monument Sign
- Freestanding Sign (excluding stanchion/marquee)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
4
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Hiawassee
Other Cities in Georgia
Frequently Asked Questions
In Hiawassee, monument signs are limited to 5 ft. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Hiawassee, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Hiawassee, regulated sign types include General Signage, Subdivision Entrance Monument Sign, Monument Sign, Freestanding Sign (excluding stanchion/marquee), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Hiawassee vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Hiawassee are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Hiawassee has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Hiawassee, Georgia Sign Rules at a Glance
Hiawassee, Georgia regulates 18 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (excluding stanchion/marquee)s in the Non-residential area, Commercial area, Industrial area zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and Varies by aggregate limits (see below), with a Minimum 30 ft from intersection of street right-of-way lines extended setback (Sec. Sec. 28-12(b); Sec. 28-13(a), (h)). Most commercial signs in Hiawassee require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Hiawassee, Georgia
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Hiawassee (4 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential area | 2 | 5 ft | 25 sq ft | — |
| Platted residential subdivisions | 2 | 5 ft | 25 sq ft | — |
| Non-residential area, Commercial area, Industrial area | 12 | 30 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | Flagpole: 25 ft or building height (residential); 60 ft (nonresidential) | 30% of window area | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Hiawassee(sample of 3 of 4 zones)
Residential area
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Signage | 5 ft | 15 sq ft aggregate; 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | On the property | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-10; Sec. 28-19 |
| Subdivision Entrance Monument Sign | 5 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each public entrance to subdivision | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-11; Sec. 28-19 |
Non-residential area, Commercial area, Industrial area
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (excluding stanchion/marquee) | 20 ft | Varies by aggregate limits (see below) | — | Minimum 30 ft from intersection of street right-of-way lines extended | Varies by parcel size, see aggregate area | No closer than 30 ft to intersection of street right-of-way lines extended | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-12(b); Sec. 28-13(a), (h) |
| Stanchion Sign (over 3 acres) | 30 ft | 300 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel per street frontage | On property; per street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-12(a); Sec. 28-13(c)(1), (4) |
| Stanchion Sign (≥30,000 sq ft and <3 acres) | 30 ft | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel per street frontage | On property; per street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-12(a); Sec. 28-13(c)(2), (4) |
| Stanchion Sign (<30,000 sq ft) | 30 ft | 70 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel per street frontage | On property; per street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-12(a); Sec. 28-13(c)(3), (4) |
| Monument Sign | 12 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel per street frontage | On property; one per parcel per street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-12(c); Sec. 28-13(d) |
| Wall Sign | 10 ft | 300 sq ft or 10% of wall face (lesser) | — | — | 1 per tenant per street facing wall | On wall of premises; only in commercial, industrial or non-residential areas; per street facing wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-13(e), (i) |
| Awning Sign | 10 ft | 300 sq ft or 10% of wall face (lesser) | — | — | 1 per tenant per street facing wall | On awning, per street facing wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-13(e), (i) |
| Monument Sign | 12 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel per street frontage | On property; one per parcel per street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-12(c); Sec. 28-13(d) |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Window Sign | — | 30% of window area | — | — | — | Installed flush with or on a window, viewed from outside | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-18(a)(1) |
| Numerals for property identification | 4 in (residential), 10 in (nonresidential) | — | — | — | — | On property/building for address | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-18(a)(2) |
| Seasonal Display | — | — | — | — | — | Outside public right-of-way | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-18(a)(3) |
| Lawn Sign (general; all businesses) | — | 6 sq ft | 36 in | — | 2 per business | On property (not public right-of-way) | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-18(a)(4) |
| Flag | Flagpole: 25 ft or building height (residential); 60 ft (nonresidential) | — | — | — | 2 per parcel | On property; flagpole requirements per zone | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-18(b) |
PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in Hiawassee — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 4 zones for Hiawassee — start freeProhibited Signs in Hiawassee
- Abandoned, dilapidated or neglected signs, including those presenting a non-neat or disorderly appearance such as rust, holes, broken, missing, loose or bent parts, faded or flaking paint, non-operative or partially non-operative illuminating or mechanical devices, or missing letters.
- Animated signs.
- Beacon signs.
- Billboard signs exceeding 300 square feet and permitted by the department of transportation digital signs.
- Flashing signs.
- Obscene signs containing nudity or depicting sexual conduct as defined by O.C.G.A. § 32-6-52 or as thereafter amended.
- Roof signs extending above the immediately adjacent roof line of the building.
- Signs on public rights-of-way other than publicly owned or maintained signs.
- Signs which simulate an official traffic control or warning sign or hide from view any traffic or street sign, signal or public service sign.
- Signs which emit or utilize any sound detectable on any traveled road or highway by a person with normal hearing.
- Signs which interfere with road or highway visibility or obstruct or otherwise interfere with the safe and orderly movement of traffic.
- Signs erected by nailing, fastening, or affixing the sign in any manner to any tree, post, curve, utility pole, or other structure except as set forth in the ordinance.
- Signs that have movement within the actual sign, i.e., rotating or components, excluding changeable copy sign(s).
- Snipe signs (a stake sign or sign posted on a tree, utility pole or other structure in the public right-of-way).
- Window signs that exceed 30 percent of the window area.
Exempt Signs in Hiawassee
- Window sign(s) with a combined maximum aggregate sign area not to exceed 30 percent of the available window space are exempt from permit requirements and do not count toward maximum aggregate sign area.
- Numerals displayed for purposes of identifying property location and not exceeding four inches in height in residential areas and ten inches in height in nonresidential areas are exempt from permit requirements and do not count toward maximum aggregate sign area.
- Seasonal displays located outside of the public right-of-way that are erected for a maximum period of 30 days no more than twice a year are exempt from permit requirements and do not count toward maximum aggregate sign area.
- Lawn signs, not to exceed two per business and not to exceed 24 inches × 36 inches in size, are exempt from permit requirements and do not count toward maximum aggregate sign area.
- Parcels may display no more than two flags that shall not count toward maximum aggregate sign area limits and do not require a permit (flagpoles subject to height limitations).
- Signs meeting residential subdivision sign area and height limits are exempt from permitting requirements (per Sec. 28-10).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Hiawassee
- The ordinance does not specifically require a master sign plan or sign plan, but all signs allowed by this chapter (except those exempted) require a permit issued by the city prior to posting, displaying, substantially changing, or erecting a sign (Sec. 28-3).
- Variance applications for relief from sign regulations must be submitted to the city council and heard under the same timeframes and rules governing an appeal under this chapter (Sec. 28-17).
Source: municode municipal code