# Sign Regulations in Kennesaw, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Kennesaw, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/kennesaw
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Kennesaw/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH6ALBE_ARTIILI_S6-65RESIWHLIRESUDE)

## At a glance

Kennesaw, Georgia regulates 6 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the T-5 Urban Center Zone (T5) zoning district are capped at 10 feet (all permanent freestanding signs) tall and 100 square feet (freestanding, wall-mounted); 120 square feet (if ground-base sign used), with a 3 feet minimum from ROW (can be increased for safety). setback (Sec. Sec. 4.09.00(4.14), App. A, Table 11C, 4.14.2.). Most commercial signs in Kennesaw require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Kennesaw Historic District (KHD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Historic Preservation Village (HPV) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Senior Living Overlay District (SLO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Conservation Subdivision Overlay | 1 | — | — | — |
| T-3 Sub-Urban Zone (T3) | 1 | — | — | — |
| T-4 General Urban Zone (T4), T-4L Limited (T4L), T-4O Open (T4O) | 1 | — | — | — |
| T-5 Urban Center Zone (T5) | 2 | 10 feet (all permanent freestanding signs) | 100 square feet (freestanding, wall-mounted); 120 square feet (if ground-base sign used) | — |
| Special Districts (SD1, SD2, SD3, SD4, SD5, SD6, SD7) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Historic (HIS) | 1 | — | — | — |
| RA-4, RA-5, RA-6, R-40, R-30, R-20, R-15, R-12, R-10, PUD-R, RM-8, RM-12, RM-16, FST, MHP, OI, NS, NRC, CRC, GC, HGB, UVC, PVC, PSC, LI, HI | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | 10 ft (all permanent freestanding signs under Design Based Code) | 100 sq ft (standard); 120 sq ft if ground-based monument sign | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### Kennesaw Historic District (KHD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Sign Types | — | — | — | — | — | Subject to HPC and Kennesaw Historic District Design Standards (locations, architecture, visibility, etc.). | — | Sec. 4.02.01(F, I, J, M, 4.02.01(M)w, 4.02.01(L)); see also Historic District Design Standards, 2006. |

### T-5 Urban Center Zone (T5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 feet (all permanent freestanding signs) | 100 square feet (freestanding, wall-mounted); 120 square feet (if ground-base sign used) | — | 3 feet minimum from ROW (can be increased for safety). | One (1) per frontage. | Ground-based monument; must be setback at least 3 feet from ROW. | — | Sec. 4.09.00(4.14), App. A, Table 11C, 4.14.2. |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 square feet max. per wall sign | — | — | — | Building wall only; not on roof. | — | Sec. 4.09.00(4.14.2); Ch 5.03.00. |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (All Zones, unless otherwise restricted) | 10 ft (all permanent freestanding signs under Design Based Code) | 100 sq ft (standard); 120 sq ft if ground-based monument sign | — | 3 ft from right-of-way. | 1 per frontage | Ground-based monument required; must be set back at least 3 ft from right-of-way. Additional setback can be required for safety. | — | App. A 4.14.2, 4.08.00. |

## Prohibited signs in Kennesaw

- Electrical and barbed wire fencing are prohibited.
- Chain link fencing is prohibited from view from a public Thoroughfare and shall be black or hunter green vinyl clad.
- Flat roof buildings are not encouraged, and only to be approved by Mayor or City Council.
- The use of metal panels or sheet metal will not be considered an acceptable exterior building or accessory building material in any residential or commercial district, except standing seam for roofing.
- Synthetic stucco exterior insulation finishing systems are prohibited.
- Concrete masonry and vinyl siding are prohibited as finish materials.
- Exterior speakers or paging equipment are not permitted on the site.
- No open outdoor storage of inventory, inventory, or materials to be used in conjunction with a home occupation.
- Drive-through facilities are not permitted unless specifically allowed per district/functions.
- No sexually oriented businesses allowed in Central Business District (CBD).
- No (new or used) car lots in CBD.
- No automobile, truck, motorcycle or recreational vehicle rental facilities to be established in CBD.
- No tire shredding or recycling centers allowed in CBD.
- No outdoor shooting ranges allowed in CBD.
- No tattoo parlors allowed in CBD.
- No body piercing facilities as a primary use allowed in CBD.
- No drive-through amenity for eating and drinking establishments in CBD.
- No overnight outside storage allowed in CBD.
- No uses that emit noxious odors, fumes or sounds in CBD.
- No chain link fences shall be permitted in CBD.
- No overnight parking of commercial vehicles (except for mini-vans or cars) in CBD.
- No outside animal runs with any veterinary office or kennel in CBD.
- No gas stations to be established in CBD.
- No manufacture or disposal of hazardous or radioactive waste materials in CBD.
- No commercial sand, gravel or other mineral extraction in CBD.
- No abandoned or disposed items including recycling and trash shall be left for more than three days in CBD.
- All signs and advertising for double frontage lot must face the major thoroughfare.
- Manufactured homes (Class I or II) shall not be installed, used, parked, or occupied on any site unless properly zoned for such use.
- No sign may exceed 10 feet in height where regulated by the Design Based Code.
- All permanent freestanding signs must be ground-based monument signs where regulated.
- Signs must use materials that match the primary building where regulated.
- Roof mounted signs are prohibited.
- Off-premise signs and general outdoor advertising signs are prohibited on the site of self storage facilities.
- Signs placed on the doors of individual storage bays are prohibited.
- Signs attached to a required wall or fence are prohibited, unless approved by the Zoning Administrator.
- Sign locations in the historic district are subject to review and approval by the Historic Preservation Commission.
- No exterior evidence of the home occupation or alteration of the residence and/or accessory buildings to accommodate the home occupation.
- All exterior speakers or paging equipment are prohibited on site.

## Signs exempt from permit in Kennesaw

- Existing vegetation or topography may be used in lieu of wall/fence screening if it achieves required screening, upon approval from Zoning Administrator.
- In conservation subdivisions, applicant is allowed to cluster houses and structures on less environmentally sensitive soils, reducing the amount of infrastructure.
- Nothing in the historic districts section shall be construed to prevent ordinary maintenance and/or repair of any exterior elements of any building, structure, or property.
- Exemptions for the construction, reconstruction, alteration or demolition of exterior elements which any authorized public official shall certify as required by public health or safety.
- Nothing in the historic districts section shall be construed to void any plan(s) or permit(s) having received prior approval from any appropriate officer, board or commission of the city for a project prior to the enactment of this section.
- Variations of buffer or screening requirements may be allowed if existing topography and/or vegetation achieve purpose and intent.
- Accessory functions and features customarily incidental to permitted principal uses are permitted unless specifically prohibited.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All sign locations within historic district will be subject to review and approval by the Historic Preservation Commission.
- City staff will review and process the sign permit application as per design standards as set forth in Chapter 5.03.00 of the sign ordinance after review and approval from HPC.
- All temporary signs will be regulated as per Chapter 5.03.00.
- Projects in the CBD that propose a lighted facility including signs must have an approved lighting plan consistent with lighting styles used in downtown streetscape design and the City of Kennesaw Historic Design Standards.
- Under 4.09.00 Design Based Code, all new site developments require submission of Regulating Plan or Special Area Plan, which may include signage standards.
- All permanent freestanding signs must be ground-based monument signs, must use materials that match the primary building, and must not exceed 10 feet in height (in areas regulated by Design Based Code).
- Signs must be setback at least 3 feet from the right-of-way; additional setback may be required for safety.
- All signage is subject to standards of Section 5.03 Signs and any additional overlay/zone specific requirements.
- In the Historic District, application for a Certificate of Appropriateness is required for installation, removal, or alteration of signs.

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

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