# Sign Regulations in Lavonia, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lavonia, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/lavonia
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Lavonia/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH6AD_ARTIISI)

## At a glance

Lavonia, Georgia regulates 15 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Billboard Signs in the Corridors zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall, 50 sq ft, and 8 ft wide, with a 1,000 ft from another billboard, 1,000 ft from residential, 500 ft from parks unless not visible setback (Sec. Sec. 6-44(b)(3), Sec. 6-46(c), Sec. 6-50). Most commercial signs in Lavonia require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Historical District | 7 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft or 5% of wall face (lesser), per street-facing wall | — |
| I-85 Corridor | 1 | — | — | — |
| Shopping Centers | 10 | 15 ft | 100 sq ft or 5% of wall face (lesser) | — |
| Corridors | 11 | 15 ft | 100 sq ft or 5% of wall face (lesser) | — |
| Commercial Zoned Districts, Industrial Zoned Districts | 11 | 15 ft | 100 sq ft or 5% of wall face (lesser) | — |
| Residential Zoned Parcels | 3 | — | 5 sq ft | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Shopping Centers

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Stanchion Sign | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per shopping center | Property in commercial or industrial zoning areas inside shopping center | — | Sec. 6-43(b), Sec. 6-46(d), Sec. 6-50 |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | 60 sq ft (includes signage and structure) | — | — | 1 per shopping center | Shopping center property | — | Sec. 6-43(b), Sec. 6-45(2), Sec. 6-46(e), Sec. 6-50 |
| Roof Sign | Must not extend above adjacent roof line | — | — | — | 1 per business | On roof of building, must not extend above roof line | — | Sec. 6-46(o), Sec. 6-50 |
| Wall Sign | 5 ft | 100 sq ft or 5% of wall face (lesser) | — | — | 1 per tenant per street-facing wall | On building, flush with or window | — | Sec. 6-43(d), Sec. 6-46(f), Sec. 6-50 |
| Awning Sign | 5 ft (wall/awning), 12 in (under-awning) | 100 sq ft or 5% of wall face (lesser) | 3 ft (under-awning) | — | 1 per tenant per street-facing wall | On awning or under awning | — | Sec. 6-43(d), Sec. 6-46(f), Sec. 6-50 |
| Window Sign | — | 30% of window area | — | — | — | Window | — | Sec. 6-43(d), Sec. 6-46(f), Sec. 6-50 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | No more than 4 at subdivision entrance | — | — | Sec. 6-43(d), Sec. 6-33(c), Sec. 6-46(i), Sec. 6-46(m) |
| Yard Sale Sign | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | 2 per year per address | — | — | Sec. 6-46(j) |

### Corridors

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | 5 ft (wall/awning), 12 in (under-awning) | 100 sq ft or 5% of wall face (lesser) | 3 ft (under-awning) | — | 1 per tenant per street-facing wall | Awnings and under awnings | — | Sec. 6-44(b)(1,9), Sec. 6-46(f), Sec. 6-50 |
| Billboard Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | 8 ft | 1,000 ft from another billboard, 1,000 ft from residential, 500 ft from parks unless not visible | — | Commercial or industrial zoning, adjacent to state/federal highway | — | Sec. 6-44(b)(3), Sec. 6-46(c), Sec. 6-50 |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | 60 sq ft (includes signage and structure) | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 6-44(b)(4), Sec. 6-45(2), Sec. 6-46(e), Sec. 6-50 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | No more than 4 at subdivision entrance | — | — | Sec. 6-44(b)(5), Sec. 6-33(c), Sec. 6-46(i, m) |
| Roof Sign | Must not extend above adjacent roof line | — | — | — | 1 per building | On roof of building, must not extend above roof line | — | Sec. 6-44(b)(6), Sec. 6-46(o), Sec. 6-50 |
| Stanchion Sign | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | Property in commercial or industrial zoning areas | — | Sec. 6-44(b)(7), Sec. 6-46(d), Sec. 6-50 |
| Wall Sign | 5 ft | 100 sq ft or 5% of wall face (lesser) | — | — | 1 per tenant per street-facing wall | On building, flush with or on window | — | Sec. 6-44(b)(9), Sec. 6-46(f), Sec. 6-50 |
| Window Sign | — | 30% of window area | — | — | — | Window | — | Sec. 6-44(b)(10), Sec. 6-46(f), Sec. 6-50 |

### Commercial Zoned Districts, Industrial Zoned Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | 8 ft | 1,000 ft from another billboard, 1,000 ft from residential, 500 ft from parks unless not visible | — | Commercial or industrial zoning, adjacent to state/federal highway | — | Sec. 6-46(c), Sec. 6-50 |
| Stanchion Sign | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | Property in commercial or industrial zoning areas | — | Sec. 6-46(d), Sec. 6-50 |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | 60 sq ft (includes signage and structure) | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 6-45(2), Sec. 6-46(e), Sec. 6-50 |
| Wall Sign | 5 ft | 100 sq ft or 5% of wall face (lesser) | — | — | 1 per tenant per street-facing wall | On building, flush with or on window | — | Sec. 6-46(f), Sec. 6-50 |
| Awning Sign | 5 ft (wall/awning), 12 in (under-awning) | 100 sq ft or 5% of wall face (lesser) | 3 ft (under-awning) | — | 1 per tenant per street-facing wall | Awnings and under awnings | — | Sec. 6-46(f), Sec. 6-50 |
| Roof Sign | Must not extend above adjacent roof line | — | — | — | 1 per building | On roof of building, must not extend above roof line | — | Sec. 6-46(o), Sec. 6-50 |
| Window Sign | — | 30% of window area | — | — | — | Window | — | Sec. 6-46(f), Sec. 6-40(3), Sec. 6-50 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | No more than 4 at subdivision entrance | — | — | Sec. 6-33(c), Sec. 6-46(i), Sec. 6-46(m) |

## Prohibited signs in Lavonia

- It is unlawful to throw, cast or distribute any handbill, circular, card, booklet, placard or other advertising matter in or upon any street or public place, front yard, stoop, vestibule or hall of any building, or letter box within the city (except via U.S. Postal Service or non-commercial/non-business material).
- It is unlawful to post any bills or other advertisement matter upon any permanent or temporary structure or public building, pole or tree located in the city, or a park or other public way or place.
- It is unlawful to distribute handbills or similar advertisements by throwing or placing them in any automobile or vehicle within the city.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Signs on public rights-of-way other than publicly owned or maintained signs are prohibited.
- Window signs which exceed 30 percent of the window area are prohibited.
- Signs which contain words, pictures, or statements which are obscene, as defined by state law, are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited.
- Signs that are not professionally printed are prohibited, except for yard sale signs or temporary signs advertising a special event for charitable or public purposes.
- Signs which simulate an official traffic control or warning sign or hide from view any traffic or street sign, signal, or public service sign are prohibited.
- Signs which emit or utilize any sound are prohibited.
- Signs which interfere with road or highway visibility or obstruct the safe and orderly movement of traffic are prohibited.
- Signs erected by nailing, fastening, or affixing the sign in any manner to any tree, post, curb, utility pole, or other structure except as set forth in the ordinance are prohibited.
- Signs which advertise any activity, service, or product prohibited by law are prohibited.
- Corner signs are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lavonia

- Signs erected by a public officer in the performance of official duties, including but not limited to public notices, safety signs, danger signs, traffic and street signs, memorial plaques, and historical markers, are exempt from the provisions of this article.
- Temporary signs erected by the city to advertise special events within the city are exempt from the provisions of this article.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No direct requirement for a master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan is stated in the ordinance.
- A permit is generally required to post, display, substantially change, or erect a sign, except for banners, temporary signs, real estate signs, and non-billboard campaign signs (which do not require permits).
- Variance may be granted by meeting specified criteria if literal application of ordinance terms would result in hardship. Public hearing required before a hearing officer if permit is denied or revoked.
- Signs in historical districts (except yard sale signs) require approval by the Lavonia Historic Preservation Commission for style and lettering.
- Nonconforming signs must be registered within 90 days of ordinance adoption to be allowed to remain.

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

---

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