Sign Regulations in Johns Creek, Georgia
Johns Creek, Georgia has specific sign regulations covering 52 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Flag, Banner, Window Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: September 24, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Johns Creek, Georgia
Sample Sign Requirements in Johns Creek
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign - Non-residential Use | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | At least 10 ft from right-of-way or 20 ft from edge of pavement if private street; min. 25 ft from intersection; min. 35 ft from other freestanding signs |
| Freestanding Sign - Subdivision Entrance | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. for single sign, or two single-faced signs at 16 sq. ft. each | See general setback in Sec. 33.22 |
| Window Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. aggregate per lot | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Johns CreekFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
52
- Flag
- Banner
- Window Sign
- Construction Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
8
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Johns Creek
Other Cities in Georgia
Frequently Asked Questions
In Johns Creek, monument signs are limited to 6 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 Johns Creek, 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 Johns Creek, regulated sign types include Flag, Banner, Window Sign, Construction Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Johns Creek, monument signs typically require a At least 10 ft from right-of-way or 20 ft from edge of pavement if private street; min. 25 ft from intersection; min. 35 ft from other freestanding signs setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Johns Creek are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Johns Creek has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Johns Creek, Georgia Sign Rules at a Glance
Johns Creek, Georgia regulates 52 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Standard Informational Signs in the Commercial District (C-2), Community Business District (C-1), Mixed Use District (MIX), Town Center Business District (TC-B) zoning district are capped at 8 ft (above street level) or 4 ft above ground, whichever greater tall and One sign up to 16 sq. ft. or four aggregate of 16 sq. ft., with a At least 10 ft from private road curb setback (Sec. Sec. 33.17.5; Definitions). Most commercial signs in Johns Creek require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Johns Creek, Georgia
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Johns Creek (8 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural District (AG-1) | 8 | 20 ft. (flagpole) | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Single-Family Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-3A, R-4A, R-4, R-5, R-5A, R-6), Townhouse Residential District (TR), Neighborhood Unit Plan District (NUP), Community Unit Plan District (CUP), Mobile Home Park District (MHP) | 9 | 20 ft. (pole) | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Apartment District (A), Apartment Limited Dwelling District (A-L), Town Center Residential District (TC-R) | 7 | 20 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Office and Institutional District (O-I) | 14 | 30 ft. flagpole | 100 sq. ft. per sign | — |
| Commercial District (C-2), Community Business District (C-1), Mixed Use District (MIX), Town Center Business District (TC-B) | 19 | 30 ft. flagpole | 250 sq. ft. aggregate | — |
| Light Industrial District (M-1), Industrial Park District (M-1A) | 18 | 30 ft. flagpole | 672 sq. ft. | — |
| Town Center Mixed Use District (TC-X) | 18 | 30 ft. flagpole | 150 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 8 ft (above street level) or 4 ft above ground, whichever greater | 32 sq. ft. | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Johns Creek(sample of 3 of 8 zones)
Commercial District (C-2), Community Business District (C-1), Mixed Use District (MIX), Town Center Business District (TC-B)
| 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 (<15 Acres) | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | One per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.E.1.a,c |
| Freestanding Sign (Primary Frontage >15 Acres) | 8 ft. (if sign is ≤64 sq. ft.) | 64 sq. ft. | — | — | One per frontage | Primary/secondary frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.E.1.b,c |
| Construction Sign | 8 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | One per site | On site during construction period | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.E.6 |
| Flag | 30 ft. flagpole | 40 sq. ft. per flag | — | — | Up to 3 | On lot | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.E.8 |
| Standard Informational Sign | 8 ft (above street level) or 4 ft above ground, whichever greater | One sign up to 16 sq. ft. or four aggregate of 16 sq. ft. | — | At least 10 ft from private road curb | One or four | Not in right-of-way; at least 10 ft from back of curb of private road | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.17.5; Definitions |
| Internal Freestanding Sign (Internal Entrance Drive) | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | At least 50 ft from exterior ROW | One per entrance drive | Next to internal entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.E.14 |
| Interior Project Directional Sign | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | Setback from ROW is zero ft. | Two per intersection | Internal intersection (not arterial or state routes) within project | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.E.15 |
| Accessory Freestanding Sign | 3 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | At least 10 ft from ROW | Up to four | On lot | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.E.16 |
Light Industrial District (M-1), Industrial Park District (M-1A)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard | 20 ft. | 672 sq. ft. | — | 35 ft from ROW; 500 ft from residential/other billboards | See spacing requirements | State primary/national highway, within industrial district | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.F.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (≤500 ft. frontage) | 8 ft. (may be 10 ft. on arterial streets) | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | One per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.F.2.a,c |
| Freestanding Sign (501-1000 ft. frontage) | 8 ft. (may be 10 ft. on arterial streets) | 64 sq. ft. | — | — | One per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.F.2.b,c |
| Freestanding Sign (>1000 ft. frontage; not spin/outparcel) | 8 ft. (may be 10 ft. on arterial streets) | 72 sq. ft. | — | — | One per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.F.2.c |
| Standard Informational Sign | 8 ft (above street level) or 4 ft above ground, whichever greater | One sign up to 16 sq. ft. or four aggregate of 16 sq. ft. | — | At least 10 ft from private road curb | One or four | Not in right-of-way; at least 10 ft from back of curb of private road | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.17.5; Definitions |
| Internal Freestanding Sign (Internal Entrance Drive) | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | At least 50 ft from exterior ROW | One per entrance drive | Adjacent to internal entrance drive(s) | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.F.14 |
| Interior Project Directional Sign | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | Setback from ROW is zero ft. | Two per intersection | Internal intersection (not arterial or state routes) within project | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.F.15 |
| Accessory Freestanding Sign | 3 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | At least 10 ft from ROW | Up to four | On lot | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.F.16 |
Town Center Mixed Use District (TC-X)
| 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 | 8 ft. | 42 sq. ft. (regular); 64 sq. ft. (primary entrance with 500 ft+ frontage); 48 sq. ft. if on brick/stone wall ≥30 ft. | — | Conform with City sight distance; see Article XI Section 113-128.(6) | 2-5, depending on structure size | Per street frontage; up to two for master planned development | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.G.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Outparcel) | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | One per outparcel/frontage | Each outparcel | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.G.1.e |
| Projecting Sign | Min 7 ft, max 12 ft above sidewalk | 10 sq. ft. | — | — | One per ground floor tenant; two for corner tenant | At ground floor or corner tenant; on building | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.G.4 |
| Flag | 30 ft. flagpole | 40 sq. ft. per flag | — | — | Up to 4 | On lot | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.G.10 |
| Construction Sign | 8 ft. | 42 sq. ft. | — | — | One per road frontage (project) | Confined to construction site | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.G.11 |
| Standard Informational Sign | 8 ft (above street level) or 4 ft above ground, whichever greater | One sign up to 16 sq. ft. or four aggregate of 16 sq. ft. | — | At least 10 ft from private road curb | One or four | Not in right-of-way; at least 10 ft from back of curb of private road | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.17.5; Definitions |
| Street Pole Banner | Pole max 20 ft.; lowest edge at least 8 ft above grade | 12.5 sq. ft. | 3 ft. | — | Max two per pole | On street pole (not in ROW; not on traffic/pedestrian signal pole); only for overall development branding | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.G.14 |
| Directory Sign (Master Planned Development) | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | One per frontage | Per road frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 33.26.G.15 |
PermitPal covers all 8 zoning districts in Johns Creek — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 8 zones for Johns Creek — start freeProhibited Signs in Johns Creek
- Balloons (except as explicitly allowed), pennants, streamers, feather signs, or air or gas filled figures.
- Signs consisting in whole or in part of a series, line, or row of lights, whether supported or connected by cables or wires or other physical means, within one hundred fifty (150) feet of a street and visible therefrom (except white string lights, or colored string lights/decorations in Nov-Jan, are exempted; string lights may not outline building elements or be placed on tree/groundcover in commercial property landscape strips).
- Promotional beacons, search lights or laser lights or images.
- Signs which emit audible sound.
- Signs in a public right-of-way, other than those belonging to a government, public service agency, or railroad.
- Signs mounted or located on a tree, utility pole, or other similar structure.
- Roof signs and signs which extend vertically above any portion of a roof or parapet of the applicable wall.
- Portable signs (except sidewalk/sandwich signs), including signs attached to any parked vehicle or trailer so as to be visible from a public right-of-way, except as explicitly allowed.
- Signs which depict obscene material.
- Signs which advertise an activity which is illegal under federal, state or local laws.
- Signs not in good repair, in violation of codes, or containing or exhibiting broken panels, visible rust, visible rot, damaged support structures, or missing letters.
- Abandoned signs.
- Animated signs, flashing signs, electronic signs, and changeable copy signs (except as explicitly allowed and those belonging to a government entity).
- Signs which contain or are an imitation of an official traffic sign or signal or contain the words 'stop,' 'go,' 'slow,' 'caution,' 'warning,' or similar words in such a manner as to resemble official traffic control signs.
- Cabinet signs.
- Signs that block free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- Signs or any part thereof, except authorized traffic signs, located in any government right-of-way.
- No sign may be located any closer than twenty (20) feet to an intersection as measured from the intersection of the two (2) rights-of-way.
- Signs not set back at least ten (10) feet from the right-of-way or twenty (20) feet from the edge of pavement if a private street, and no sign shall project over the right-of-way (unless otherwise noted).
- Freestanding signs not a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from an intersection as measured from the edge of pavement and not a minimum of 35 feet from any other freestanding signs.
- Signs that have nails, tacks, or wires protruding from them.
- Signs constructed or maintained in violation of applicable City building, safety, or electrical codes.
- Signs not maintained in good repair or that become dilapidated.
- LED, string, or similar lighting outlining windows, doors, or other building features.
- Obstructing police/safety vision into premises with window signs, after written notice.
Exempt Signs in Johns Creek
- Numerals displayed for the purpose of identifying property location not to exceed eight (8) inches in height.
- Flags provided that the height of the pole, size and number of flags permitted conform to the applicable zoning district.
- Window signs meeting the standards of this Ordinance.
- Door signs not to exceed two (2) square feet in size and not more than one (1) sign per door.
- Standard informational signs in all districts.
- Banners during the months of May and June as identified in relevant sections.
- Sidewalk or sandwich signs located within ten (10) feet of a Place of Business's entrance.
- Balloons, a maximum of two (2) cubic feet each and up to five (5) per lot, for a maximum of two weeks following a business's opening or while a business has an approved event permit.
- Signs which are not visible from a public right-of-way or from neighboring properties shall not be subject to the standards of this Article.
- Out of store marketing devices (for signage on device itself, up to 8 feet in height, no illumination except intrinsic, no permit required).
- Street pole banners in master planned mixed-use developments meeting specific material/size/location requirements (do not require a permit).
- Interior project directional/wayfinding/street signs in master-planned mixed-use developments (do not require a permit, must not be visible from public right-of-way).
- Interior electronic information signs in master-planned mixed-use developments (not visible from public right-of-way; restrictions apply).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Johns Creek
- Except where specifically not required by the standards of this Article, it shall be unlawful for any person to post, display, materially change, or erect a sign in the City without first having obtained a sign permit.
- Applications for sign permits must include a site plan to scale showing the property, proposed sign location(s), distances from boundaries, and all existing structures or buildings.
- Signs which incorporate electricity require an electrical permit.
- Certain variances (for setback, building material, sign style, or height only) may be granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals under demonstrated hardship according to specified procedures.
- Any application meeting the standards of this Article will be granted; non-compliant applications will be denied.
- Suspension or revocation of a permit for due cause (i.e., violation of standards) is subject to a public hearing.
- Each master planned development proposing Interior Project Directional Signs must submit a uniform design, including sign locations, materials, and elevations for the entire development to the Director for review and approval.
- Directory signs, accessory signs, and other supplemental signs are generally allowed in master-planned developments but may require a uniform sign plan/design or Director's approval.
- Permit applications are to be filed electronically on the City's online permitting system.
- Nonconforming signs may remain only as allowed, but cannot be structurally altered except to increase conformity.
- Certain signage allocations (such as for master planned mixed-use developments) require a uniform design or sign plan approval by the Director.
- Variance requests and appeals follow the procedures for Zoning Appeals outlined in the Johns Creek Zoning Ordinance.
Source: municode municipal code