# Sign Regulations in Morrow, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Morrow, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/morrow
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Morrow/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_APXAZOOR_ARTXIXSI)

## At a glance

Morrow, Georgia regulates 16 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Billboards in the Agricultural/Forestry District (AG), General Business/Commercial District (BG), Light Manufacturing District (LM), Heavy Manufacturing District (HM), Planned Center District (PC), Community University Planned District (CUPD), Mixed-Use Development District (MU), Public Institutional District (PI), Park/Recreation/Conservation District (PRC) zoning district are capped at 75 feet tall, 672 square feet, and 48 feet wide, with a ≥500 feet from other billboards, public parks, playgrounds, green spaces, recreation areas, or residential property setback (Sec. Section 1911(h)). Most commercial signs in Morrow require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-Family Residence District (RS-80), Fee Simple Town Houses District (RS-30) | 4 | 30 inches | 480 square inches | — |
| Agricultural/Forestry District (AG), General Business/Commercial District (BG), Light Manufacturing District (LM), Heavy Manufacturing District (HM), Planned Center District (PC), Community University Planned District (CUPD), Mixed-Use Development District (MU), Public Institutional District (PI), Park/Recreation/Conservation District (PRC) | 13 | 100 feet (130 feet for DCI-designated property) | 672 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | 8 feet (freestanding) | Varies (e.g., 40 sq ft for construction, 60 sq ft for business banner) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Single-Family Residence District (RS-80), Fee Simple Town Houses District (RS-30)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Standard Informational Sign | 30 inches | 480 square inches | — | Stake not closer than 10 feet to back of curb or edge of pavement on streets with no curbing; no part of placard closer than 10 feet to back of curb or edge of pavement | 1 (unlimited during elections) | On residential property | — | Section 1920(b)(1); Section 1908(1) |
| Permanent Subdivision Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 | At the entrance to residential subdivision | — | Section 1920(b)(2) |
| Flag | 25 feet | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 | Mounted on mast arm or vertically mounted flagpole | — | Section 1908(2) |
| Temporary For Sale or Lease Sign | — | — | — | Not in public right-of-way; no damage to landscaping | 1 | On residentially zoned lot | — | Section 1917(b)(6) |

### Agricultural/Forestry District (AG), General Business/Commercial District (BG), Light Manufacturing District (LM), Heavy Manufacturing District (HM), Planned Center District (PC), Community University Planned District (CUPD), Mixed-Use Development District (MU), Public Institutional District (PI), Park/Recreation/Conservation District (PRC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 6 feet | 60 square feet (total including structure) | — | 15 feet behind property line; ≥5 feet from right-of-way; ≥30 feet from other freestanding signs or street intersections | 1 per major access drive; 1 per building for office parks/apartments/etc. | Securely affixed to ground, independent of building; centered in landscape buffer perpendicular to fronting street; fully within property lines | — | Section 1911(a),(b),(c),(f)(4); Section 1916(1)(a),(c),(3) |
| Stanchion Sign (Parcel <30,000 sq ft) | 22 feet | 70 square feet | — | Same as Monument Sign | 1 per business/parcel (shared for multi-tenant) | Mounted on steel poles set in ground; perpendicular to fronting street (or 1 combined on corner lots); fully within property lines | — | Section 1911(a),(b),(c),(e)(1),(f)(2)(d) |
| Stanchion Sign (Parcel ≥30,000 sq ft and <3 acres) | 22 feet | 90 square feet | — | Same as Monument Sign | 1 per business/parcel (shared for multi-tenant) | Same as Stanchion Sign (Parcel <30,000 sq ft) | — | Section 1911(a),(b),(c),(e)(1),(f)(2)(c) |
| Stanchion Sign (Single business parcel ≥3 acres) | 22 feet | 120 square feet | — | Same as Monument Sign | 1 per business/parcel | Same as Stanchion Sign (Parcel <30,000 sq ft) | — | Section 1911(a),(b),(c),(e)(1),(f)(2)(b) |
| Stanchion Sign (Multiple business parcels ≥3 acres) | 22 feet | 150 square feet | — | Same as Monument Sign | 1 per development (shared) | Same as Stanchion Sign (Parcel <30,000 sq ft) | — | Section 1911(a),(b),(c),(e)(1),(f)(2)(a) |
| Interstate Sign | 100 feet (130 feet for DCI-designated property) | 200 square feet (250 square feet for DCI-designated property) | — | ≥10 feet from property line or right-of-way | 1 per qualifying lot | Adjacent to interstate highway right-of-way on commercially zoned lot ≥1 acre with ≥50 ft frontage, or DCI lot with ≥50 ft frontage | — | Section 1911(d) |
| Billboard | 75 feet | 672 square feet | 48 feet | ≥500 feet from other billboards, public parks, playgrounds, green spaces, recreation areas, or residential property | Varies by spacing | Along I-75 frontage, oriented toward I-75 travelers | — | Section 1911(h) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | 6 square feet | 24 inches | Not in public right-of-way | 1 | Immediately adjacent to primary customer entrance | — | Section 1917(b)(9) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | 8 feet (freestanding) | Varies (e.g., 40 sq ft for construction, 60 sq ft for business banner) | 8 feet (freestanding) | ≥10 feet from curb/pavement for some; no public ROW | Varies by type (e.g., 1 per street frontage for construction) | Not in right-of-way; no obstruction to traffic/pedestrians | — | Section 1917 |

## Prohibited signs in Morrow

- Roof signs are prohibited (with limited exception for mansard facing or style roofs where no other space is available for wall signs).
- Mobile signs.
- Portable signs (except as provided in Section 1917).
- Banners (except as provided in Section 1917).
- Rotating or moving signs.
- Signs that emit sound.
- Abandoned signs.
- Any sign that due to its color, shape, size, height, lighting, location, position and/or design appears to be in imitation of, or may be confused by motorists and pedestrians, to be an official traffic control sign or signal.
- Any sign that obstructs the view of an official traffic control sign or signal or obstructs the sight of motorists and pedestrians so as to create a traffic safety hazard.
- Any sign that is erected or maintained in such a manner as to interfere with safe and free ingress or egress of any door, any window, any emergency exit, or any fire escape.
- Any sign not in compliance with all applicable codes.
- No sign shall interfere with road or highway visibility or obstruct or otherwise interfere with the safe and orderly movement of traffic or pedestrians.
- No sign shall be located on any building, fence or other property belonging to another person without the consent of the owner.
- No sign or sign structure shall be located on utility poles or within the right-of-way of any street or public right-of-way.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to interfere with safe and free ingress or egress of any door, any window, any emergency exit, or any fire escape.
- No sign shall give off light which glares, blinds, or has any other such adverse effect on traffic.
- Signs with flashing, intermittent or animated illumination or effect, as well as signs simulating motion through the arrangement and/or timing of lighting, or lighting that fades in and out are prohibited (LED signs and warning or official regulatory signs meeting standards of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices are exempt).
- No series, lines or rows of electric lights shall be allowed as window displays or signage.
- Sign lighting not meeting the standards of this article is prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected which simulates an official traffic control or warning sign or hides from view any traffic or street sign, signal or public service sign.
- No sign shall contain statements, words or pictures of an obscene nature.
- No sign shall advertise any activity, service, or product prohibited by the laws or regulations of the United States or the State of Georgia or by the ordinances or resolutions of the city.
- No sign shall emit or utilize in any manner any sound capable of being detected on any travelled road or highway by a person with normal hearing.
- No sign shall be erected on the inside of a curve or in any other manner that may prevent persons using the roadway from obtaining an unobstructed view of approaching vehicles.
- No sign shall be erected in such a manner so as to prevent ingress or egress through any door or window of any such building, or in such a manner as to obstruct or be attached to a fire escape.
- No sign shall be painted on, mounted on, or otherwise attached to a vehicle, board or object which, if left stationary, tends to circumvent the intent of this code and the limitations of the sign regulations prescribed herein.
- Banners and flags exceeding the standards exempted from permit requirements and promotional tents are permitted only with permission (inflatable devices are prohibited).
- No sign shall be erected by nailing, fastening or affixing the sign in any manner to any tree, post, curb or utility pole.
- Sign holders and automated sign spinners are prohibited.
- No temporary sign shall be placed in the public right of way.
- No temporary signs shall emit any sound or light that is disruptive to surrounding properties or businesses.
- Balloons and other inflatables are prohibited unless specifically approved by the City in conjunction with a Special Promotional Event permit.
- Handmade signage is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Morrow

- Any sign within the city limits which is allowable under the dimensional requirements of this article may include, wholly or partially, any non-commercial message, at the discretion of the sign owner, provided such message is not obscene.
- Standard information signs are exempt from permitting requirements (subject to number limitations and location restrictions: stake not closer than ten feet to the back of the curb or edge of pavement, no part of placard closer than ten feet).
- One flag not exceeding 24 square feet in single-family residential districts or 60 square feet in non-residential districts, mounted on either a mast arm or vertically mounted flagpole not exceeding 25 feet in height in single-family residential districts or 50 feet in height in non-residential districts (such flags do not count toward allowable sign limitations).
- Flags are exempt from temporary sign permit requirements.
- For each lot during development under an active building permit for new construction or interior renovation, one sign for each street frontage not exceeding 40 square feet (to be removed within ten days after completion or certificate of occupancy).
- Information signs are exempt from temporary sign permit requirements.
- String lights are exempt from temporary sign permit requirements.
- Indoor signage is exempt from temporary sign permit requirements.
- One sign for each residentially zoned lot listed for sale or lease (to be removed within ten days after sale, lease, or delisting).
- Two signs for each commercially zoned lot listed for sale or lease (to be removed within ten days after sale, lease, or delisting).
- Signs located on a lot where a City permitted special event is occurring are exempt from temporary sign permit requirements.
- A single rigid design sidewalk sign not to exceed 24 inches by 36 inches, displayed immediately adjacent to the primary customer entrance and only during business hours (includes A-frame signs; no spinning signs).
- LED signs meeting the standards of this article are permitted as changeable copy signs.
- Warning or official regulatory signs meeting standards of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices are exempt from flashing light restrictions.
- One neon or other type of illuminated sign may be used in the interior window of a store front, not exceeding two square feet.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- In developments of 1,000,000 or more square feet, including planned out-parcels, or in developments classified as a planned center, all lots or parcels shall maintain sign structures to a height and square footage in accordance with the criteria of the original development.
- A landscape plan is required for plantings at the base of freestanding signs for multi-tenant occupancies, to be submitted for approval to the director of public works or designee.
- Variances from the provisions of this article require a properly filed application to the city clerk, referral to the zoning administrator for investigation and recommendation, placement on council agenda 30-60 days from application, notice as for zoning variances, and a final decision by the city council within 30 days of hearing; appeals to superior court by writ of certiorari.
- An administrative variance may be provided by the city manager for chain or franchise businesses whose recognizable signage does not strictly adhere to construction requirements (limited to construction components, not sign content).

## Full detail

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

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