# Sign Regulations in Lincolnton, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lincolnton, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/lincolnton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Lincolnton/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH36SIAD)

## At a glance

Lincolnton, Georgia regulates 33 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Principal Building up to 10,000 sq ft)s in the P-1, C-1, C-2 zoning district are capped at 30 ft tall, 112 sq ft per face, and 25 ft wide, with a 5 ft from any public right-of-way or property line (Sec. 26-970) setback (Sec. Sec. 26-868(1)(a)). Most commercial signs in Lincolnton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-2, RMH, D-1 | 3 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — |
| P-1, C-1, C-2 | 7 | 30 ft | 200 sq ft per face | — |
| I-1 | 6 | 30 ft | 200 sq ft (all walls combined) | — |
| Residential planned developments in C-1, C-2 and I-1 | 5 | 35 ft | 200 sq ft (all walls combined) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — |
| Commercial District, C zoning districts | 7 | 30 ft | 200 sq ft per face | — |
| Industrial District, I zoning districts, M zoning districts | 6 | 30 ft | 200 sq ft (all walls combined) | — |
| Residential District | 3 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### P-1, C-1, C-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Principal Building up to 10,000 sq ft) | 30 ft | 112 sq ft per face | 25 ft | 5 ft from any public right-of-way or property line (Sec. 26-970) | 1 per total road frontage | Total road frontage per lot | — | Sec. 26-868(1)(a) |
| Ground Sign (Principal Building 10,001 to 100,000 sq ft) | 30 ft | 150 sq ft per face | 25 ft | 5 ft from any public right-of-way or property line (Sec. 26-970) | 1 per total road frontage | Total road frontage per lot | — | Sec. 26-868(1)(b) |
| Ground Sign (Principal Building 100,000 sq ft or greater) | 30 ft | 200 sq ft per face | 25 ft | 5 ft from any public right-of-way or property line (Sec. 26-970) | 1 per total road frontage | Total road frontage per lot | — | Sec. 26-868(1)(c) |
| Alternative Monument Ground Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per face | 16 ft | 5 ft from any public right-of-way or property line (Sec. 26-970) | 1 per lot | Lot | — | Sec. 26-868(2) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On or within windows on each exterior building wall | — | Sec. 26-868(3) |
| Wall Sign (≤15,000 sq ft building) | Height of wall to which sign is attached | 100 sq ft (all walls combined) | — | — | — | Exterior walls of business buildings | — | Sec. 26-868(4) |
| Wall Sign (>15,000 sq ft building) | Height of wall to which sign is attached | 200 sq ft (all walls combined) | — | — | — | Exterior walls of business buildings | — | Sec. 26-868(4) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Subdivision Entrance Monument Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face | 12 ft | 5 ft from public right-of-way or property line (Sec. 26-970) | 1 per entrance | At every main entrance to any residential subdivision, mobile home park, apartment complex, or similar residential development | — | Sec. 26-872 |
| Entrance and Exit Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | 3 ft | 3 sq ft per face | — | 5 ft from public right-of-way (Sec. 26-970) | 2 per lot (one for entrance, one for exit) | At or near driveways for business entrance and exit | — | Sec. 26-873 |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per agency per lot | On lot for sale, lease, rent, etc. | — | Sec. 26-875 |
| Real Estate Sign (Commercial) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per agency per lot | On lot for sale, lease, rent, etc. | — | Sec. 26-875 |
| Political Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per road frontage | On lot/road frontage | — | Sec. 26-877 |
| Political Sign (Nonresidential) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per road frontage | On lot/road frontage | — | Sec. 26-877 |
| Temporary Sign (Short Duration, 1-14 days) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from pavement, not within 100 ft of intersection | 2 per lot at a time | On private property, not within right-of-way | — | Sec. 26-943(a) |
| Temporary Sign (Weekend, 1-2 days) | 3 ft | 4 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from pavement, not within 100 ft of intersection | — | On private property, not within right-of-way | — | Sec. 26-943(b) |

### Commercial District, C zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Principal Building up to 10,000 sq ft) | 30 ft | 112 sq ft per face | 25 ft | 5 ft from any public right-of-way or property line (Sec. 26-970) | 1 per total road frontage | Total road frontage per lot | — | Sec. 26-868(1)(a) |
| Ground Sign (Principal Building 10,001 to 100,000 sq ft) | 30 ft | 150 sq ft per face | 25 ft | 5 ft from any public right-of-way or property line (Sec. 26-970) | 1 per total road frontage | Total road frontage per lot | — | Sec. 26-868(1)(b) |
| Ground Sign (Principal Building 100,000 sq ft or greater) | 30 ft | 200 sq ft per face | 25 ft | 5 ft from any public right-of-way or property line (Sec. 26-970) | 1 per total road frontage | Total road frontage per lot | — | Sec. 26-868(1)(c) |
| Alternative Monument Ground Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per face | 16 ft | 5 ft from any public right-of-way or property line (Sec. 26-970) | 1 per lot | Lot | — | Sec. 26-868(2) |
| Wall Sign (≤15,000 sq ft building) | Height of wall to which sign is attached | 100 sq ft (all walls combined) | — | — | — | Exterior walls | — | Sec. 26-868(4) |
| Wall Sign (>15,000 sq ft building) | Height of wall to which sign is attached | 200 sq ft (all walls combined) | — | — | — | Exterior walls | — | Sec. 26-868(4) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Building windows | — | Sec. 26-868(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Lincolnton

- It is unlawful to erect or place any sign which does not conform to the requirements of this article.
- No sign may contain profane, obscene, or sexually explicit content, or advertise illegal activities.
- Sign embellishments (including protrusions) may not constitute more than 20% of the sign surface or perimeter; protrusions greater than 12 inches from the sign face and 18 inches from the sign perimeter are prohibited.
- All ground signs or their protrusions must be set back at least five feet from any public right-of-way or property line; no sign shall interfere with any public utility or vehicular line of sight.
- No sign or sign structure above the height of three feet may be sited within 15 feet of the intersection of the right-of-way lines of either street.
- No sign or sign structure may obstruct any form of fire escape or fire lane.
- No sign or portion of a sign may project or extend over any structure, driveway, walkway or the like.
- Ground signs shall not be internally illuminated in residential districts (D-1, R-1, R-2, RMH).
- Flashing, blinking, or other illumination of varying degree is not permitted.
- Lighting that causes confusion with or distraction from any traffic signal or safety device is not permitted.
- All externally illuminated signs must use low wattage luminaries mounted to direct light and eliminate light trespass.
- All internally illuminated signs must use low wattage luminaries designed to reduce light glow.
- Signs that are prohibited include: roof signs; sidewalk, A-frame, sandwich type, curb type, or daily placement signs; portable signs (except as otherwise provided); animated signs involving motion or sound (including rotating signs or parts thereof); flashing, blinking, or varying intensity light signs (except time and temperature); exposed neon or signs containing exposed neon tubing not enclosed within channel or box lettering; lighter than air, balloon, blimp, or other inflatable devices that are tethered; signs that imitate or can be confused with official traffic signs/signals; abandoned signs (including those advertising a non-existent business); banners within 20 feet of a property line or right-of-way; signs not in good repair (state of disrepair or disassembly/lighting exposed more than one week); signs attached to vehicles parked for more than 48 hours and visible from public right-of-way (with some exceptions); commercial message canopies or awnings (except name/address of establishment); streamers or beacons.
- No sign may be installed or placed on public property, including right-of-ways, unless in conformance with this article.
- No sign may be attached to street signs, traffic control signs or devices, or attached/painted on any sign pole, post, tree, rock, or other natural object.
- All signs (except for planned development signs) must be self-supporting upon a single support and within their own framework—guy wires or external bracing are not permitted.
- Abandoned signs or nonconforming, non-durable, or temporary signs not permitted by this article must be removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lincolnton

- Sign permit is not required for weekend signs or ground/window signs in D-1, R-1, R-2, RMH zoning districts, except those using electrical wiring which require an electrical permit.
- Real estate signs (one non-animated per agency per lot not exceeding 4 sq ft in residential or 16 sq ft in commercial) do not require a permit.
- Political signs require no permit and are permitted in all zoning districts (with size and duration restrictions).
- State and local public purpose and safety signs are permitted in every zoning district, including in the right-of-way provided they do not create a safety hazard.
- Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message, illuminated only between November 1 and January 15, are permitted in all districts.
- Signs not visible from the outside of a structure or to passing members of the public are not regulated by this article.
- All signs in the city using electrical wiring and connection require an electrical permit regardless of whether a sign permit is otherwise required.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required before a ground or wall sign may be erected or before an existing sign is enlarged, relocated, or materially improved upon to an extent of 60% of its total replacement value, except as otherwise exempted.
- Applications must include a site plan showing sign location, construction plan, and elevation drawing.
- A temporary permit from the zoning board is required for long duration (15-60 days) temporary signs in C and I districts.
- Variance to requirements may be granted by the zoning administrator or city council as recommended by the zoning board.
- Zoning board or building official reviews and may require additional information or plans as needed for permit issuance.
- For appeal of permit denial or removal orders, an aggrieved party may follow provided procedures.
- No mention of requirement for a master sign plan or coordinated sign plan for multi-tenant or multi-building developments.

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

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