Sign Regulations in Riverdale, Georgia
Riverdale, Georgia has specific sign regulations covering 24 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Flag, Banner (Temporary), Wall Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Riverdale, Georgia
Sample Sign Requirements in Riverdale
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (Monument Style) | — | — | 10 ft from right-of-way, or 20 ft from pavement (private street). 25 ft from intersection. 35 ft from another freestanding sign. |
| Window Sign | — | See zone-specific rules (generally 4 sq. ft. or 20% of window area, whichever is less) | — |
| Door Sign | — | 1 sq. ft. | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
24
- Flag
- Banner (Temporary)
- Wall Sign
- Window Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
8
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Riverdale
Other Cities in Georgia
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Riverdale vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Riverdale, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Riverdale, regulated sign types include Flag, Banner (Temporary), Wall Sign, Window Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Riverdale, monument signs typically require a 10 ft from right-of-way, or 20 ft from pavement (private street). 25 ft from intersection. 35 ft from another freestanding sign. setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Riverdale are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Riverdale has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Riverdale, Georgia Sign Rules at a Glance
Riverdale, Georgia regulates 24 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Billboard Signs in the Industrial District (M, M-1) zoning district are capped at Zoning district height limit applies. tall and Up to 672 sq. ft., with a 100 ft from right-of-way; 1,500 ft from residential districts and other billboards. setback (Sec. Sec. 58-26(g)(1).). Most commercial signs in Riverdale require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Riverdale, Georgia
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Riverdale (8 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | Flagpole: 20 ft. | 32 sq. ft. commercial, 24 sq. ft. residential | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 4 | 20 ft. (flagpole) | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Multi-family Residential Districts (MR) | 5 | 20 ft. (flagpole) | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Office-Institutional Districts (O-I) | 9 | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District (NC) | 9 | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| General Commercial District (GC) | 11 | 20 ft. | 300 sq. ft. | — |
| Mixed Use District (MU), Town Center Mixed Use District (TCMU) | 12 | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Industrial District (M, M-1) | 11 | 20 ft. | Up to 672 sq. ft. | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Riverdale(sample of 3 of 8 zones)
General Commercial District (GC)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (<5 acres) | 8 ft. | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Street frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(e)(1)a; Table 2. |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (5 – 15 acres) | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Street frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(e)(1)b; Table 2. |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per business (1 per wall) | On street-facing wall; or exterior wall with entrance. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(e)(2)a. |
| Wall Sign (Tenant Over 50,000 SF) | — | 300 sq. ft. | — | — | Approved case-by-case | For tenant over 50,000 SF in shopping center. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(e)(2)b. |
| Drive-Thru Sign | 6 ft. | — | — | — | 2 per drive-thru | As part of the drive-thru. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(e)(3); Table 2. |
| Pump-Island Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. (per canopy face); 4 sq. ft. per pump island sign, max 24 sq. ft. total | — | — | Per canopy face; two per pump island | Within limits of convenience store/service station canopy/pump islands. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(e)(4). |
| Internal Freestanding Sign | 6 ft. | 10 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per development | Adjacent to internal roads. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(e)(8). |
| Flag | 20 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 3 per lot | On private property. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(e)(5); Table 2. |
Mixed Use District (MU), Town Center Mixed Use District (TCMU)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (<5 acres) | 8 ft. | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Street frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(f)(1)a; Table 3. |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (5–15 acres) | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Street frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(f)(1)b; Table 3. |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (>15 acres, Primary Frontage) | 15 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | See above (additional reqs) | Primary street frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(f)(1)c,d. |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (Secondary Frontage, >15 acres) | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per secondary frontage | Secondary street frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(f)(1)c. |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Component Entrance) | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per residential entrance | Mixed use district, at each platted residential entrance. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(f)(1)e. |
| Flag | 20 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 3 per lot | On private property. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(f)(3); Table 3. |
| Blade/Projecting Sign | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrance in multi-tenant buildings. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(f)(6). |
| Internal Freestanding Sign | 6 ft. | 10 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per development | Adjacent to internal roads. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(f)(7); Table 3. |
Industrial District (M, M-1)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Sign | Zoning district height limit applies. | Up to 672 sq. ft. | — | 100 ft from right-of-way; 1,500 ft from residential districts and other billboards. | 1 per lot of record | Along and oriented toward state-numbered primary routes. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(g)(1). |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (<5 acres) | 8 ft. | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Street frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(g)(2)a; Table 3. |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (5–15 acres) | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Street frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(g)(2)b; Table 3. |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (≥15 acres, Primary Frontage) | 15 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per primary frontage | Primary street frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(g)(2)c; Table 3. |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (≥15 acres, Secondary Frontage) | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per secondary frontage | Secondary street frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(g)(2)c; Table 3. |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per business (1 per wall) | Street-facing wall; or exterior wall with entrance. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(g)(3); Table 3. |
| Flag | 20 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 3 per lot | On private property. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(g)(4); Table 3. |
| Internal Freestanding Sign | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Adjacent to internal roads. | — | Unlock | Sec. 58-26(g)(7); Table 3. |
PermitPal covers all 8 zoning districts in Riverdale — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 8 zones for Riverdale — start freeProhibited Signs in Riverdale
- Any sign not specifically identified in this chapter as a permitted sign.
- Signs consisting in whole or in part of a series, line, or row of lights, whether supported by cables or other means, within 150 feet of a street right-of-way and visible therefrom, except holiday lights and decorations displayed not more than 30 days before or after a calendar holiday.
- Promotional beacons, search lights or laser lights or images.
- Signs which emit audible sound, odor or visible matter.
- Signs in a public right-of-way, other than official city signs or those belonging to a government, public service agency, or railroad.
- Signs mounted or located on a tree, utility pole, or other similar structure.
- Roof signs and signs which extend vertically above any portion of a roof or parapet of the applicable wall, except signs attached to mansard type roofs.
- Portable signs, including signs attached to any parked vehicle or trailer, so as to be visible from a public right-of-way.
- Signs which depict obscene material.
- Signs which advertise an activity which is illegal under federal, state or local laws.
- Signs not in good repair, in violation of codes, or containing or exhibiting broken panels, visible rust, visible rot, damaged support structures, or missing letters.
- Abandoned signs.
- A sign with actions, motions, rotations or changing colors.
- Signs which contain or are an imitation of an official traffic sign or signal or contain words such as 'stop,' 'go,' 'slow,' 'caution,' 'warning,' or similar words in such a manner as to resemble official traffic control signs.
- Signs which interfere with road or highway visibility, obstruct, or otherwise interfere with the safe and orderly movement of pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic.
- No sign shall be attached to or placed against a building in such a manner as to prevent ingress or egress through any door or window, or which obstructs or is attached to a fire escape.
- Moving or rotating signs.
- A sign placed or erected on a property without the permission of the property owner.
- Bench signs.
- Air and gas filled device signs.
- Manual or electronic reader board/changeable copy signs; any signs that have the capability to change text or copy.
- Temporary signs, except as specifically allowed in section 58-27.
- Pole signs.
- Any pennant, valance, propeller, spinner, ribbon, streamer, search light, or similar device or ornamentation designed for or having the effect of attracting the attention of potential customers or the general public.
- Mobile signs.
Exempt Signs in Riverdale
- Numerals displayed for the purpose of identifying property location not to exceed eight inches in height.
- Flags.
- Window signs; subject to section 58-3 requirements.
- Door signs not to exceed one square foot in size and not more than one sign per door.
- City approved special event signs.
- Standard informational signs in all allowed districts.
- Official signs. Signs placed by or at the direction of a governmental body, governmental agency, board of education, or public authority pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 32-6-50, et seq.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Riverdale
- Plans and specifications for certain types of signs (such as illuminated signs, signs requiring electrical work, and certain large or tall signs) must be reviewed and approved by the city engineer and may require structural and electrical drawings (Sec. 58-7).
- A master signage plan is authorized in the MU (Mixed Use) and TCMU (Town Center Mixed Use) districts for new developments over ten acres, allowing deviation from the standard rules for number, height, dimensions, locations, or design characteristics of attached or freestanding signs when design quality is superior. Master signage plans are to be approved on a case-by-case basis (Sec. 58-26(f)(8)).
- Variances for signage may be granted by the board of zoning appeals, but only for number, setback, height, or size, and only upon demonstration of hardship (Sec. 58-13).
Source: municode municipal code