# Sign Regulations in Riverdale, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Riverdale, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/riverdale
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Riverdale/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH58SI)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Commercial District (GC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (<5 acres) | 8 ft. | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Street frontage. | — | Sec. 58-26(e)(1)a; Table 2. |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (5 – 15 acres) | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Street frontage. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 58-26(e)(2)b. |
| Drive-Thru Sign | 6 ft. | — | — | — | 2 per drive-thru | As part of the drive-thru. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 58-26(e)(4). |
| Internal Freestanding Sign | 6 ft. | 10 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per development | Adjacent to internal roads. | — | Sec. 58-26(e)(8). |
| Flag | 20 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 3 per lot | On private property. | — | 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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (<5 acres) | 8 ft. | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Street frontage. | — | Sec. 58-26(f)(1)a; Table 3. |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (5–15 acres) | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Street frontage. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 58-26(f)(1)e. |
| Flag | 20 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 3 per lot | On private property. | — | Sec. 58-26(f)(3); Table 3. |
| Blade/Projecting Sign | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrance in multi-tenant buildings. | — | Sec. 58-26(f)(6). |
| Internal Freestanding Sign | 6 ft. | 10 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per development | Adjacent to internal roads. | — | 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 | 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. | — | Sec. 58-26(g)(1). |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (<5 acres) | 8 ft. | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Street frontage. | — | Sec. 58-26(g)(2)a; Table 3. |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) (5–15 acres) | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Street frontage. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 58-26(g)(3); Table 3. |
| Flag | 20 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 3 per lot | On private property. | — | Sec. 58-26(g)(4); Table 3. |
| Internal Freestanding Sign | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Adjacent to internal roads. | — | Sec. 58-26(g)(7); Table 3. |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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).

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

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