# Sign Regulations in Hinesville, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hinesville, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/hinesville
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-21
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://thelcpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/UDO-Effective-2024-01-16-3.pdf#page=76)

## At a glance

Hinesville, Georgia regulates 25 sign types across 15 zoning districts. Common Development Entrance Sign (Permanent)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft (columns up to 8 ft allowed) tall and 12 sq ft, with a Outside of public ROW setback (Sec. Sec. 303-6.G; Table 303.9 (Common Development Entrance Signs)). Most commercial signs in Hinesville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (15 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 8 ft (columns up to 8 ft allowed) | Banner ≤ 60 sq ft; Quill flag ≤ 24 sq ft | — |
| Central Business (C-1), Office Institutional (OI), Downtown Development (DD) | 5 | ≤12 ft | ≤40 sq ft per business; for 3+ businesses on multi-tenant sign: total ≤100 sq ft | — |
| General Commercial (C-2) | 4 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft per business (single-tenant); 200 sq ft total for 2 or more businesses (multi-tenant) | — |
| General Commercial (C-2) (Flemington) | 3 | 16 ft (Flemington-specific) | 100 sq ft per business (single-tenant); 200 sq ft total for 2 or more businesses (multi-tenant) | — |
| Highway Commercial (C-3) | 4 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft per business (single-tenant); 200 sq ft total for 2 or more businesses (multi-tenant) | — |
| Highway Commercial (C-3) (Flemington) | 4 | 16 ft (Flemington-specific) | 100 sq ft per business (single-tenant); 200 sq ft total for 2 or more businesses (multi-tenant) | — |
| Light Industrial (LI), Industrial (I-1) | 4 | 20 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Industrial (I-1) (Flemington) | 4 | 20 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Interstate Corridor (IC) | 1 | Interstate: ≥10 ft above highest point of pavement and ≤70 ft above centerline of interstate; Non-interstate highways: ≤32 ft above roadway | Interstate: 12 ft x 50 ft (per face); Non-interstate: ≤378 sq ft (one face); two-faced ≤600 sq ft | — |
| Interstate Corridor (IC) (Midway) | 2 | Interstate: ≥10 ft above highest point of pavement and ≤70 ft above centerline of interstate; Non-interstate highways: ≤32 ft above roadway | Interstate: 12 ft x 50 ft (per face); Non-interstate: ≤378 sq ft (one face); two-faced ≤600 sq ft | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) (Flemington and Hinesville) | 1 | Same as the most analogous use district | Same as the most analogous use district | — |
| OC-1 District (Flemington) | 1 | Subject to Mayor and Council review | Subject to Mayor and Council review for height and sign area compliance | — |
| Downtown Redevelopment Overlay District (Hinesville) | 2 | Per underlying zoning district | Per general electronic sign rules if on allowed corridors | — |
| Agricultural (A-1), Agricultural Residential (AR-1) | 1 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural Residential (AR-1), Single-family Residential-20 (R-20), Single-family Residential-12 (R-12), Single-family Residential-8 (R-8), Attached Residential (ATR), Multi-family Residential (MFR), Manufactured Home Park (MHP), Single-family Manufactured Home (SFMH) | 3 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 15 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electronic Message Sign | — | 50 sq ft OR 25% of existing allowable sign area | — | — | — | May be located on stanchion or monument signs; may also be on billboards (subject to billboard rules) | — | Sec. 303-6.C(1)-(11) |
| Freestanding Sign - General Standards | — | — | — | Min 10 ft from public right-of-way; maintain clear sight triangles (streets: 25 ft x 25 ft; driveways/alleys: 15 ft x 15 ft) | — | Outside public right-of-way; outside sight distance triangles at intersections and driveways | — | Sec. 303-6.D; Sec. 303-4.B(1)-(3); Sec. 303-4.A(3) |
| Projecting Sign - General Standards | — | — | — | At least 1 ft inside curb line | 1 per establishment | Extends from building; must maintain required clearances | — | Sec. 303-6.E(1)-(4) |
| Awning Sign - General Standards | — | Included in wall sign area allowance | — | ≥2 ft horizontal from curb line | — | On awning | — | Sec. 303-6.A(1)-(5) |
| Canopy Sign - General Standards | — | 10% of largest vertical surface of canopy | — | — | — | On permanent roof-like structure projecting from building | — | Sec. 303-6.B(1)-(2) |
| Gas Station/Fuel Center Canopy Sign | — | 9 sq ft max per side and ≤10% of fascia | — | — | 1 per canopy side | On gas station canopy fascia | — | Sec. 303-6.F(1)-(2); Sec. 303-6.L |
| Common Development Entrance Sign (Permanent) | 8 ft (columns up to 8 ft allowed) | 12 sq ft | — | Outside of public ROW | Max 2 per entrance | At development entrances; outside right-of-way within easements | — | Sec. 303-6.G; Table 303.9 (Common Development Entrance Signs) |
| Temporary Sign - Windblown/Banner (General) | Temporary stanchion ≤ 6 ft; Quill flag pole ≤ 8 ft | Banner ≤ 60 sq ft; Quill flag ≤ 24 sq ft | — | Quill flag ≥10 ft from ROW/property line | Quill flag: 1 per business/tenant; Temporary stanchion: 1 per parcel | On-site in commercial/industrial districts | — | Sec. 303-6.K; Sec. 303-8; Table 303.9 (Temporary Signs) |

### Central Business (C-1), Office Institutional (OI), Downtown Development (DD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 10% of building front area (aggregate; max two signs) | — | — | Max 2 per establishment | On building front | — | Table 303.9 (Wall Signs); Sec. 303-6.H; Sec. 303-6.E; Sec. 303-6.A; Sec. 303-6.I; Sec. 303-6.J |
| Freestanding Sign - Stanchion | ≤12 ft | ≤40 sq ft per business; for 3+ businesses on multi-tenant sign: total ≤100 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from ROW; maintain sight triangles | 1 stanchion per parcel | On parcel, outside ROW | — | Table 303.9 (Monument and Stanchion Signs) for C-1/OI/DD; Sec. 303-6.D.1; Sec. 303-4.B |
| Freestanding Sign - Monument | ≤5 ft (incorporated columns may be up to 8 ft) | Same as stanchion (≤40 sq ft per business; total ≤100 sq ft for 3+ businesses) | — | ≥10 ft from ROW; maintain sight triangles | 1 monument per parcel | On parcel, outside ROW | — | Table 303.9 (Monument and Stanchion Signs) for C-1/OI/DD; Sec. 303-6.D.2; Sec. 303-4.B |
| Projecting Sign | — | Counts toward wall sign area cap (10% of building front) | — | ≥1 ft from curb line | 1 per establishment | On building front | — | Sec. 303-6.E; Table 303.9 (Wall Signs - DD/C-1/OI linkage) |
| Awning/Canopy/Mansard/Parapet Signs | — | Awning sign area included in wall cap; Canopy ≤10% canopy surface | — | — | Counts within wall sign max of two | On awning/canopy/mansard/parapet | — | Sec. 303-6.A; Sec. 303-6.B; Sec. 303-6.H/I/J; Table 303.9 |

### Highway Commercial (C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 15% of building front area (aggregate) | — | — | Max 4 per establishment | On building front | — | Table 303.9 (Wall Signs) |
| Freestanding Sign - Stanchion | 20 ft | 100 sq ft per business (single-tenant); 200 sq ft total for 2 or more businesses (multi-tenant) | — | ≥10 ft from ROW; maintain sight triangles | Max 1 per primary frontage + 1 per qualifying secondary frontage | On parcel fronting primary and qualifying secondary street(s); outside ROW | — | Table 303.9 (Monument and Stanchion Signs) for C-2/C-3; Sec. 303-6.D.1 |
| Freestanding Sign - Monument | 20 ft | Same as stanchion (100 sq ft single-tenant; 200 sq ft multi-tenant) | — | ≥10 ft from ROW; maintain sight triangles | Max 1 per primary frontage + 1 per qualifying secondary frontage | On parcel fronting primary/secondary street(s); outside ROW | — | Table 303.9 (Monument and Stanchion Signs) for C-2/C-3; Sec. 303-6.D.2 |
| Billboard | Interstate: ≥10 ft above highest point of pavement and ≤70 ft above centerline of interstate; Non-interstate highways: ≤32 ft above roadway | Interstate: 12 ft x 50 ft (per face); Non-interstate: ≤378 sq ft (one face); two-faced ≤600 sq ft | Interstate: ≤50 ft length (per face) | ≥10 ft from public ROW | — | Only on undeveloped property; only along interstate and state highway system; not within 10 ft of ROW; not in/over public property/easements/utility poles/natural features | — | Sec. 303-6.D.3(a)-(m); Table 303.9 (Billboards allowed on undeveloped properties in C-3, LI, IC, I-1) |

## Prohibited signs in Hinesville

- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Vehicular signs used primarily for advertising at a fixed location are prohibited; electronic signs on vehicles are prohibited (exceptions exist for vehicles actively used in business operations, parked inconspicuously, or used for on-site construction storage with valid permits).
- Fluctuating, animated, or motion signs (including flashing, blinking, scrolling, running lights, or color-changing effects) are prohibited.
- Rotating or revolving signs are prohibited.
- Signs emitting sound are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs larger than 5 feet in height or 4 feet in width are prohibited.
- Dilapidated or damaged signs are prohibited.
- Signs that constitute traffic hazards are prohibited, including signs within required sight distance triangles and signs that imitate, resemble, or closely approximate official traffic signals, signs, or devices.
- Obscene signs are prohibited (per O.C.G.A. § 16-12-80).
- Portable signs are prohibited, including mobile signs, trailer signs, and A-frame/sandwich boards; one A-frame/sandwich board per business is allowed only if ≤4 ft in height, does not hinder sidewalks, and is removed during inclement weather and when the business is closed.
- Private signs on public property or within public rights-of-way are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hinesville

- The following are not considered signs and are not regulated: seasonal and holiday decorations; window displays of goods available within a business; address numerals; building design and color associated with an establishment that convey no message.
- Allowed without a permit in all jurisdictions: vending machine, ATM, and gasoline pump kiosk signs (integral to the equipment and ≤32 sq. ft.).
- Allowed without a permit in all jurisdictions: one quill flag banner per business (≤24 sq. ft., pole ≤8 ft in height, ≥10 ft from right-of-way/property line, maintained in good condition).
- Allowed without a permit in all jurisdictions: signs attached to a vehicle or trailer used in the normal day-to-day operation of the business (vehicles primarily used for advertising are not exempt).
- Allowed without a permit in all jurisdictions: window signs attached to or within 12 inches of the window, legible from outside, not exceeding 10% of the window area on each façade, and counted toward the building’s overall maximum sign area.
- Allowed without a permit in all jurisdictions except Flemington and Hinesville: temporary signs on construction sites.
- Allowed without a permit in Flemington and Hinesville only: temporary signs not included in Sec. 303-6(K).
- Allowed without a permit in Flemington and Hinesville only: identification plates for doors not exceeding 4 in. x 18 in.
- Allowed without a permit in Flemington and Hinesville only: alarm company signs/logos not exceeding 1 sq. ft.
- Allowed without a permit in Flemington and Hinesville only: street address numbers (≤6 in. in height on residential properties; ≤12 in. in height on non-residential properties).
- Allowed without a permit in Flemington and Hinesville only: directional signs (max area 4 sq. ft.; max height 2 ft.; max lettering height 6 in.; no more than 2 per street entrance; no commercial logos/messages).
- Lighting restriction for exempt signs: except vending machines/ATMs/gas pump kiosk signs, no signs allowed without a permit may be illuminated.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- In any master planned industrial development (LI and I-1), the types and sizes of all signs must be approved by the Planning Commission and the governing authority.
- In Flemington’s OC-1 District, the Mayor and Council review each sign application for height, area, aesthetics, and compatibility with the building architecture.
- Sign variances are limited to specific hardship situations; hearings are noticed using the same time frames and notice requirements as for zoning variances; variances must be the minimum relief necessary and cannot increase the number of signs.
- Hinesville has a Citizens Sign Appeals Board for appeals of sign permit denials or revocations; the Board makes recommendations and the Mayor and City Council issue the final decision.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/hinesville