# Sign Regulations in Monticello, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Monticello, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/monticello
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Monticello/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH38OFMIPR_ARTIIISI)

## At a glance

Monticello, Georgia regulates 12 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Billboard Signs in the Commercial zoning areas, Industrial zoning areas zoning district are capped at 14 ft tall, 700 sq ft, and 48 ft wide, with a Not within 500 ft of residential zones; not within 500 ft of public parks, playgrounds, recreation areas, forests, scenic areas, or cemeteries unless obscured. setback (Sec. Sec. 38-62(c)). Most commercial signs in Monticello require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential zoning districts | 1 | 5 ft | Aggregate: 8 sq ft | — |
| Commercial zoning areas, Industrial zoning areas | 8 | 24 ft (overall max per Sec. 38-61(1)) | 700 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 300 sq ft (excludes wall and billboard signs) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs (Aggregate) | 5 ft | Aggregate: 8 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 38-60 |

### Commercial zoning areas, Industrial zoning areas

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard Sign | 14 ft | 700 sq ft | 48 ft | Not within 500 ft of residential zones; not within 500 ft of public parks, playgrounds, recreation areas, forests, scenic areas, or cemeteries unless obscured. | — | Only parcels adjacent to designated state or federal highways. | — | Sec. 38-62(c) |
| Stanchion Sign (Parcels > 3 acres) | 24 ft (overall max per Sec. 38-61(1)) | 150 sq ft | — | — | — | On commercial or industrial property. | — | Sec. 38-62(d)(1) |
| Stanchion Sign (30,000 sq ft 0,000 sq ft) | 24 ft (overall max per Sec. 38-61(1)) | 90 sq ft | — | — | — | On commercial or industrial property. | — | Sec. 38-62(d)(2) |
| Stanchion Sign (< 30,000 sq ft) | 24 ft (overall max per Sec. 38-61(1)) | 70 sq ft | — | — | — | On commercial or industrial property. | — | Sec. 38-62(d)(3) |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | 60 sq ft (includes signage and structure) | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 38-62(e); Sec. 38-61(2) |
| Wall Sign | 10 ft | 300 sq ft or 10% of wall face per street-facing wall | — | — | One wall sign per tenant per street facing wall. | On each street facing wall. One per tenant per street facing wall. | — | Sec. 38-62(f) |
| Awning Sign | 10 ft | 300 sq ft or 10% of wall face per street-facing wall | — | — | One awning sign per tenant per street facing wall. | On each street facing wall. One per tenant per street facing wall. | — | Sec. 38-62(f) |
| Temporary or Portable Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises only. | — | Sec. 38-62(g) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Aggregate Sign Area (3+ acres) | — | 300 sq ft (excludes wall and billboard signs) | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 38-62(h)(1),(4),(5) |
| Aggregate Sign Area (30,000 sq ft up to 3 acres) | — | 180 sq ft (excludes wall and billboard signs) | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 38-62(h)(2),(4),(5) |
| Aggregate Sign Area (<30,000 sq ft) | — | 100 sq ft (excludes wall and billboard signs) | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 38-62(h)(3),(4),(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Monticello

- Roof signs are prohibited throughout the city.
- Animated signs are prohibited throughout the city.
- 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 O.C.G.A. § 16-12-80, are prohibited.
- 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 in any manner any sound capable of being detected on any traveled road or highway by a person with normal hearing are prohibited.
- Signs which interfere with road or highway visibility or obstruct or otherwise interfere with 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, curve, utility pole, or other structure except as set forth herein are prohibited.
- Signs which advertise any activity, service, or product prohibited by the laws or regulations of the United States, the state, or by the ordinances or resolutions of the city are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Monticello

- Signs erected by a public officer in the performance of his duties, including but not limited to: public notices, safety signs, danger signs, traffic and street signs, memorial plaques, and historical markers, are exempt.
- Non-illuminated signs, having a sign area of less than two and one-half square feet, provided they are not located in the public right-of-way and are limited to four times a year for a period of ten days each time in commercial and industrial parcels, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Window signs installed for purposes of viewing from outside the premises, not exceeding 30 percent of the available window space, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs required to be posted by law are exempt from permit requirements.
- Warning signs and no trespassing signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs established by governmental agencies are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs indicating bus stops, taxi stands, and similar transportation facilities are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs not exceeding ten square feet in area giving information concerning the location or use of accessory off-street parking facilities or loading and unloading facilities are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary real estate signs less than ten square feet in area advertising specific property for sale, lease, rent or development on private property, removed within 14 days after sale or closing, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Any sign not exceeding ten square feet in area other than point of business signs, advertising separate use signs, or signs requiring electrical wiring, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary signs on private land involved in campaigns of religious, charitable, civic, fraternal, political, and similar organizations are exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- There is no requirement in the ordinance for a Master Sign Plan or comprehensive sign plan; permits are generally required for signs unless specifically exempted.
- A sign permit is required for any person to post, display, substantially change, or erect a sign in the city, unless specifically excluded or exempted by the ordinance.
- Variance requests, if needed due to hardship or unique property characteristics, require application and review; a public hearing process is available for permit denial or revocation.
- Nonconforming signs must be registered within 90 days of the effective date of the ordinance to remain in place; registration requires providing the same information as a permit application.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Monticello, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Monticello+GA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-monticello

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