Sign Regulations in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia has specific sign regulations covering 88 sign types across 24 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Projecting Sign, Building Signs - Max Area, Drive-Thru/Drive-In/Walk-Up/Outdoor Seating Signs. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: October 9, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Savannah, Georgia
Sample Sign Requirements in Savannah
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall/Window Sign | — | 2 sq ft per linear foot of building frontage; plus window limit 10% per façade | — |
| Building Sign (general standards) | — | Per Table 9.9-4 by zoning district and street type | — |
| Ground Signs - General | Per Sec. 9.9.12 and Table 9.9-1/-9.9-12 by zoning district, street type, and tenant count unless a specific height is provided elsewhere | Per Table 9.9-2 (Monument) and Table 9.9-3 (Pylon) by zoning district and street type | ≥20 ft from any street/driveway intersection; ≥2 ft from ROW; ≥10 ft from edge of pavement (public/private road/drive/lane) and ≥5 ft from edge of pavement of any vehicular access easement. |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for SavannahFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
88
- Projecting Sign
- Building Signs - Max Area
- Drive-Thru/Drive-In/Walk-Up/Outdoor Seating Signs
- Marquee Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
24
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Savannah
Other Cities in Georgia
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Savannah 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 Savannah, 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 Savannah, regulated sign types include Projecting Sign, Building Signs - Max Area, Drive-Thru/Drive-In/Walk-Up/Outdoor Seating Signs, Marquee Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Savannah vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Savannah are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Savannah has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Savannah, Georgia Sign Rules at a Glance
Savannah, Georgia regulates 88 sign types across 24 zoning districts. Ground Signs - Generals in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Per Sec. 9.9.12 and Table 9.9-1/-9.9-12 by zoning district, street type, and tenant count unless a specific height is provided elsewhere tall and Per Table 9.9-2 (Monument) and Table 9.9-3 (Pylon) by zoning district and street type, with a ≥20 ft from any street/driveway intersection; ≥2 ft from ROW; ≥10 ft from edge of pavement (public/private road/drive/lane) and ≥5 ft from edge of pavement of any vehicular access easement. setback (Sec. Sec. 9.9.11 (Ground Signs a-h); Sec. 9.9.12; Sec. 9.9.13 (Tables 9.9-2, 9.9-3)). Most commercial signs in Savannah require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Savannah, Georgia
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Savannah (24 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 32 | Monument ≤12 ft; Decorative post ≤6 ft | Drive-Thru: one ≤36 sq ft; second ≤6 sq ft; Digital copy ≤20% or ≤2 sq ft (whichever less); Drive-In: ≤6 sq ft per sign; Walk-Up: ≤24 sq ft; Outdoor seating: ≤6 sq ft | — |
| Savannah Downtown Historic Sign District; D-R; D-N; D-C; D-CBD; D-W; D-X | 7 | Monument: D-R, D-N ≤6 ft; D-C, D-CBD, D-X, I-L, I-LT ≤8 ft. Decorative Pole: D-R, D-N ≤10 ft; D-C, D-CBD, D-X, I-L, I-LT ≤12 ft. | New/remodeled ≤45 sq ft; Existing ≤90 sq ft | — |
| City Market Sign District | 2 | Monument ≤8 ft (D-C, D-CBD, D-X, I-L, I-LT); ≤6 ft (D-R, D-N). Decorative pole ≤12 ft (D-C, D-CBD, D-X, I-L, I-LT); ≤10 ft (D-R, D-N). | Per Table 9.9-9 (same as Downtown Historic) | — |
| Broughton Street Sign District | 3 | — | Up to 200 sq ft (with frontage >125 ft) | — |
| Factors Walk Sign District | 4 | Decorative pole sign including base ≤14 ft; lower edge ≥8 ft above walkway | General max 30 sq ft; Below Bay Street: 10 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Sign District | 2 | Ground sign height: TN-, TR-: Monument ≤6 ft; Decorative pole or multi-tenant monument ≤10 ft. B-N, TC-1, TC-2: Monument ≤8 ft; Decorative pole or multi-tenant monument ≤12 ft. | Per Table 9.9-13 | — |
| Plant Riverside Sign District | 10 | ≤8 ft | ≤350 sq ft; Max 1 painted sign per side of building | — |
| Stephenson Avenue Sign District | 1 | Single tenant ≤8 ft; Two or more tenants ≤12 ft | Per Sec. 9.9.13 Table 9.9-2 (district caps apply by underlying zoning) | — |
| A-1 | 4 | All Other Streets: Pylon 10 ft (1-2 tenants), 12 ft (3+); Type II: 15 ft (1-2), 20 ft (3+); Type I: 20 ft (1-2), 25 ft (3+) | Type I: 75 sq ft; Type II: 55 sq ft; All Other Streets: 40 sq ft | — |
| RMF-; B-L | 4 | All Other Streets: Pylon 10 ft (1-2), 12 ft (3+); Type II: 15 ft (1-2), 20 ft (3+); Type I: 20 ft (1-2), 25 ft (3+) | Type I: 75 sq ft; Type II: 55 sq ft; All Other Streets: 40 sq ft | — |
| C-; RSF-; RSF; RTF; TR-; TR; TN-; TN; RMHP | 3 | Monument: ≤6 ft (1-2 tenants); ≤6 ft (3+ tenants) | Type I: 20 sq ft; Type II: 20 sq ft; All Other Streets: 20 sq ft | — |
| TN-1; TN-2 | 4 | ≤6 ft for both Monument and Pylon (1-2 and 3+ tenants) | Type I: 20 sq ft; Type II: 20 sq ft; All Other Streets: 20 sq ft | — |
| TN-3 | 2 | ≤6 ft (Monument/Pylon all tenant counts) | Type I/II/All Other: 20 sq ft | — |
| TC-1; TC-2 | 5 | OI-T, TC: Monument 1-2 tenants ≤6 ft; 3+ ≤8 ft; Pylon 1-2 ≤6 ft; 3+ ≤8 ft | ≤90 sq ft | — |
| TC; TC- | 2 | Monument: 1-2 tenants ≤6 ft; 3+ ≤8 ft. Pylon: 1-2 ≤6 ft; 3+ ≤8 ft. | Type I: 32 sq ft; Type II: 26 sq ft; All Other: 20 sq ft | — |
| OI | 5 | All Other streets: Monument/Pylon ≤8/8 ft (1-2 tenants) and ≤12/12 ft (3+); Type II: ≤10/12 ft (1-2) and ≤15/15 ft (3+); Type I: ≤12/15 ft (1-2) and ≤20/20 ft (3+). | Type I: 200 sq ft; Type II: 150 sq ft; All Other: 100 sq ft | — |
| OI-T | 2 | Monument: 1-2 tenants ≤6 ft; 3+ ≤8 ft. Pylon: 1-2 ≤6 ft; 3+ ≤8 ft. | Type I: 32 sq ft; Type II: 26 sq ft; All Other: 20 sq ft | — |
| OI-E; B-C; IL-T; IL; IH | 6 | Non-Interstate: ≤50 ft (or ≤50 ft above driving surface for elevated roadways); Interstate: ≤70 ft above highest point of nearest driving surface; minimum face bottom ≥15 ft above ground | Type I: 300 sq ft; Type II: 250 sq ft; All Other: 200 sq ft. Plus additional 1 sq ft per 2 linear ft of building frontage for each 2 ft over 100 ft along one street in B-C, IL-T, IL, IH (e.g., 150 ft Type II in B-C yields +25 sq ft: 250+25=275). | — |
| B-N | 5 | All Other: Monument/Pylon ≤8/8 ft (1-2), ≤12/12 ft (3+). Type II: ≤10/12 ft (1-2), ≤15/15 ft (3+). Type I: ≤12/15 ft (1-2), ≤20/20 ft (3+). | Type I: 200 sq ft; Type II: 150 sq ft; All Other: 100 sq ft | — |
| B-M | 4 | Monument/Pylon: 1-2 tenants ≤8/8 ft; 3+ ≤10/10 ft | Type I: 64 sq ft; Type II: 48 sq ft; All Other: 32 sq ft | — |
| I-L-R; IL-R | 4 | All Other: Monument/Pylon ≤8/8 ft (1-2), ≤12/12 ft (3+). Type II: ≤10/12 ft & ≤15/15 ft (3+). Type I: ≤12/15 ft & ≤20/20 ft (3+). | Type I: 200 sq ft; Type II: 150 sq ft; All Other: 100 sq ft | — |
| I-L-T; IL-T; I-L; IL; I-H; IH | 6 | Non-Interstate ≤50 ft; Interstate ≤70 ft; min face bottom ≥15 ft | Type I: 300 sq ft; Type II: 250 sq ft; All Other: 200 sq ft (+1 sq ft per 2 linear ft over 100 ft along one street in B-C, IL-T, IL, IH) | — |
| D-R; D-N; D-C; D-CBD; D-W; D-X (covered by Savannah Downtown Historic and Broughton Street regulations) | 1 | Per Table 9.9-10 (Monument and Decorative Pole caps by zone grouping) | Per Savannah Downtown Historic Sign District tables (Wall/Projecting/Ground size limits vary by D-R/D-N vs D-C/D-CBD/D-W/D-X) | — |
| PD | 1 | Varies by approved PD sign standards | Varies by approved PD sign standards | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Savannah(sample of 3 of 24 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Signs - General | Per Sec. 9.9.12 and Table 9.9-1/-9.9-12 by zoning district, street type, and tenant count unless a specific height is provided elsewhere | Per Table 9.9-2 (Monument) and Table 9.9-3 (Pylon) by zoning district and street type | — | ≥20 ft from any street/driveway intersection; ≥2 ft from ROW; ≥10 ft from edge of pavement (public/private road/drive/lane) and ≥5 ft from edge of pavement of any vehicular access easement. | 1 per 400 ft of frontage (max 3); separation ≥400 ft | On lot frontage; must not be on limited access facilities’ frontage; multi-tenant sign use limits other ground signs on same frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.11 (Ground Signs a-h); Sec. 9.9.12; Sec. 9.9.13 (Tables 9.9-2, 9.9-3) |
| Decorative Post Sign | ≤6 ft | ≤16 sq ft or Table 9.9-2 monument max area, whichever is less | — | General ground sign setbacks apply | — | Freestanding; two posts at outermost edges or within 6 inches of sign face edges | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.11 (Decorative Post Sign) |
| Monument Sign | Per Sec. 9.9.12 and Table 9.9-1/-9.9-12 | Per Table 9.9-2 by zoning district and street type | — | General ground sign setbacks apply | Per Ground Signs - General | Freestanding on lot frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.11 (Monument Sign); Sec. 9.9.12; Sec. 9.9.13 (Table 9.9-2) |
| Multi-Tenant Sign (Monument or Pylon) | Per Sec. 9.9.12 (Tables 9.9-1/-9.9-12 by district and street type) | Monument: per Table 9.9-2; Pylon: per Table 9.9-3 | — | General ground sign setbacks apply | Counts toward Ground Signs limits | Freestanding at multi-tenant development frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.11 (Multi-Tenant Sign) |
| Pylon Sign | Per Sec. 9.9.12 and Table 9.9-1/-9.9-12 | Per Table 9.9-3 by zoning district and street type | — | General ground sign setbacks apply | Per Ground Signs - General | Freestanding | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.11 (Pylon Sign); Sec. 9.9.12; Sec. 9.9.13 (Table 9.9-3) |
| Multi-Tenant Directional Sign | ≤5 ft | ≤4 sq ft per user; total ≤40 sq ft | — | — | 1 at each internal intersection (not visible from public ROW) | Adjacent to internal drive within nonresidential multi-tenant development | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.11 (Multi-Tenant Directional Sign) |
| Subdivision/Neighborhood Entry Sign | Monument ≤12 ft; Decorative post ≤6 ft | ≤30 sq ft (excluding architectural embellishments/support structures) | — | — | 1 per principal vehicular entrance | At entrances to residential, commercial, industrial developments/neighborhoods | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.11 (Subdivision/Neighborhood Entry Sign) |
| Certain Temporary Signs (non-permit) | Election signs ≤6 ft (if under permit conditions) | Institutions: ≤15 sq ft; Sale/lease: Conservation/Residential ≤6 sq ft; Mixed-use ≤16 sq ft; Nonresidential ≤32 sq ft; Election: ≤16 sq ft | — | Sale/lease: ≥5 ft (Res/MU) or ≥10 ft (Nonres) from ROW if not attached; Election: not in ROW | 1 of each type per street frontage | On premises | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.10 (Certain Temporary Signs) |
Savannah Downtown Historic Sign District; D-R; D-N; D-C; D-CBD; D-W; D-X
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incidental Sign (Historic District) | — | D-R, D-N, TN-, TR- districts: 1.5 sq ft per principal use up to 4 sq ft per entrance; D-C, D-CBD, D-W, D-X, IL, IL-T, B-N, TC- districts: 4 sq ft per principal use; aggregate per entrance: 30 ft lot frontage or less = 9 sq ft; >30 ft: +1 sq ft per 2 linear ft of building frontage over 30 ft, max 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance per business | Adjacent to each entrance providing public access | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.17.g.v (Incidental Sign standards); Sec. 9.9.17.f (Review) |
| Canopy or Awning Sign (Historic District) | — | ≤20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business per façade with entrance | Per building façade with entrance; not permitted in D-R zoning district | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.17.g.vi; Table 9.9-5 |
| Under-Canopy or Under-Awning Sign (Historic District) | — | Savannah Downtown Historic, City Market, Broughton Street & Neighborhood: ≤6 sq ft; Factors Walk: ≤2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business per façade with entrance | Under canopy or awning per building façade with public entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.17.g.vii; Table 9.9-7 |
| Marquee Sign (Historic District) | — | New/remodeled ≤45 sq ft; Existing ≤90 sq ft | — | — | 1 per façade with public entrance | Only within D-C, D-CBD, D-X, I-L, I-LT districts within Savannah Downtown Historic or Broughton Street Sign Districts | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.17.g.viii |
| Signs Painted on Walls (Historic District allowed zones) | — | Must meet wall sign standards (varies by district) | — | — | — | TN-1, TN-2, TN-3, TC-1, TC-2, D-C, D-CBD, D-X, I-L, IL-T | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.17.g.ix |
| Ground, Projecting and Wall Signs (Savannah Downtown Historic & City Market districts) | Monument: D-R, D-N ≤6 ft; D-C, D-CBD, D-X, I-L, I-LT ≤8 ft. Decorative Pole: D-R, D-N ≤10 ft; D-C, D-CBD, D-X, I-L, I-LT ≤12 ft. | D-R, D-N: Wall ≤20 sq ft; Ground/Projecting ≤12 sq ft. D-C, D-CBD, D-X, I-L, I-LT: Wall ≤40 sq ft; Ground/Projecting ≤30 sq ft. | — | No portion within 2 ft of curb; Decorative pole in ROW requires joint approvals | 1 per business per frontage with public access | Per frontage providing public access; 1 ground/projecting/wall per business per frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.17.g.xv(1)-(f); Table 9.9-9; Table 9.9-10; Sec. 9.9.17.f |
| Prohibited/Material Restrictions (Historic District) | — | — | — | — | — | District-wide; Factors Walk Sector B materials: wood or similar texture; raised/painted/indented/carved characters; reflective paint/lettering/graphics prohibited; paper/cardboard/dry-erase not allowed. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.17.g.i-iii; ii(1)-(3) |
Plant Riverside Sign District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Identification - Fascia Signs | — | ≤90 sq ft per façade (exterior wall fascia) | — | — | Max 1 per side of building | Mounted flat to building façade | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.17.h.i(2)(a) |
| Building Identification - Painted Fascia Signs | — | ≤350 sq ft; Max 1 painted sign per side of building | — | — | Max 1 per side of building | Painted on exterior wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.17.h.i(2)(ii) |
| Roof Mounted Sign (District identifier only) | — | ≤7'×20' (≤140 sq ft display area) | ≤20 ft width; letter height within assemblage per design | — | Max 1 within District | On roof of designated building | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.17.h.i(2)(b) |
| Principal Use - Fascia Sign | — | ≤30 sq ft per façade | — | — | 1 principal sign per frontage (+ supplemental ≤5 sq ft at entrance) | Per frontage with public access | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.17.h.i(3)(b) |
| Principal Use - Projecting Sign | — | ≤30 sq ft | — | — | 1 principal sign per frontage | Per frontage providing access; mounted perpendicular to façade | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.17.h.i(3)(c) |
| Under-Awning and Canopy Signs (Plant Riverside) | — | Under-awning: ≤12 sq ft; Canopy elsewhere: ≤20 sq ft or area per linear ft rule | — | — | Per Sign Masterplan | Under or on canopy/awning | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.17.h.i(4) |
| Window and Transom Signs (Plant Riverside) | — | Window ≤10% of glass; Transom may be 100% coverage with limits on letter area (≤10%) | — | — | 1 window sign per window | Windows/transoms | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.17.h.i(5) |
| Directory Signs (Plant Riverside) | ≤8 ft | Primary ≤32 sq ft per face; Wayfinding ≤16 sq ft per face | — | — | Primary: max 2 in District; Wayfinding per Sign Masterplan | Within District at approved locations | — | Unlock | Sec. 9.9.17.h.i(6) |
PermitPal covers all 24 zoning districts in Savannah — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 24 zones for Savannah — start freeProhibited Signs in Savannah
- Only signs listed in Sec. 9.9 may be erected; any unlisted sign types are prohibited (Sec. 9.9.2.a).
- No sign may be erected, constructed, relocated, expanded, or altered without a sign permit unless specifically allowed in Sec. 9.9.10 (Sec. 9.9.2.d).
- Existing signs may not be altered (other than routine maintenance/repair), moved (except when necessitated by a roadway improvement project), or relocated unless the sign complies with all provisions of this Section (Sec. 9.9.2.b).
- No sign may extend over any street right-of-way unless a right-of-way encroachment permit has been issued (Sec. 9.9.3.d).
- No sign may be erected or constructed that violates Building Code requirements for health, required light, safety or air; signs must meet wind load requirements (Sec. 9.9.3.f).
- Sign illumination must not cast light directly from any source of illumination onto any street or adjacent property (Sec. 9.9.6.a).
- Prohibited locations: No sign may be placed on any street or right-of-way, curb, hydrant, lamppost, tree, rock or other natural feature, barricade, temporary walk, utility pole, public fence, fire alarm or police call box (Sec. 9.9.7).
- Windblown or inflated attention-getting devices (banners, pennants, streamers, balloons, pinwheels, etc.) are prohibited, except when used as a public event temporary sign or as permitted in conjunction with a temporary use (Sec. 9.9.8.a).
- Roof-mounted signs are prohibited, except for a wall sign attached to a hip or mansard-type roof (Sec. 9.9.8.b).
- Decorative pole signs are prohibited, except as permitted in a Special Sign District (Sec. 9.9.8.c).
- Pole signs are prohibited (Sec. 9.9.8.d).
- Portable, folding or similar movable signs are prohibited, except when used as a public event temporary sign or as permitted in conjunction with a temporary use; signage on a trailer not attached to a vehicle is considered a portable sign and is prohibited in any front yard; sandwich board/A-frame signs only as permitted in a Special Sign District (Sec. 9.9.8.e).
- Moving light signs (revolving, rotating, scrolling, blinking, or flashing) are prohibited, except changeable copy/reader boards as permitted; digital order confirmation in conjunction with a menu board; and public announcement signs per Sec. 9.9.14 (Sec. 9.9.8.f).
- Bandit or snipe signs are prohibited (Sec. 9.9.8.g).
- No sign may obstruct sight distance per the Visibility Triangle, be confused with or obstruct traffic signs/signals, use admonitions such as "stop", "go", "slow", "danger" that might be confused with official signs, or imitate governmental signs (Sec. 9.9.8.h).
- Any sign determined by the City Manager or designee to obstruct views of pedestrians, bicyclists or motorists, interfere with the effectiveness of traffic signs/devices/signals, or obscure traffic signs/signals is prohibited (Sec. 9.9.8.i).
Exempt Signs in Savannah
- Building address numbers (≤12 inches tall) used to identify the building or multiple buildings are exempt from sign standards; if the development/business name is the address, it is not exempt (Sec. 9.9.3.e.i).
- Signs inside a building that cannot be seen from outside the building are exempt from sign standards (Sec. 9.9.3.e.ii).
- Signs inside a breezeway or entranceway under the roof but outside the entrance door, when such signs cannot be seen outside the building, are exempt from sign standards (Sec. 9.9.3.e.iii).
- Signs inside an enclosed outdoor space that cannot be seen outside the enclosed space are exempt from sign standards (Sec. 9.9.3.e.iv).
- Signs that are an integral part of and located inside an athletic field are exempt from sign standards (Sec. 9.9.3.e.v).
- Content exemption: Any allowed sign may contain commercial or noncommercial, political or non-political messages (content-neutral), except messages depicting obscenity (O.C.G.A. §16-12-80), sexual conduct or sexually explicit nudity (O.C.G.A. §36-60-3), or advertising illegal activity (Sec. 9.9.3.g).
- Allowed without a permit in all districts (general types, subject to stated size/placement limits): ground or building sign ≤3 sq ft (one per nonresidential use) (Sec. 9.9.10); residential ground or building sign ≤2 sq ft (one per residential use) (Sec. 9.9.10); building marker plaque ≤6 sq ft (Sec. 9.9.10); bulletin board sign ≤15 sq ft per property (may be illuminated per Sec. 9.9.6) (Sec. 9.9.10); construction site sign (size varies by district; remove within 7 days after completion) (Sec. 9.9.10); directional signs ≤4 sq ft and ≤4 ft height (may be illuminated per Sec. 9.9.6) (Sec. 9.9.10); hanging sign under canopy/awning ≤3 sq ft, bottom ≥8 ft above walkway (nonresidential uses) (Sec. 9.9.10); historical marker ≤16 sq ft (may require Historic Site and Monument Commission approval) (Sec. 9.9.10); incidental signs at public entrances (≤3 sq ft per principal use up to 6 sq ft aggregate; nonresidential uses; may be illuminated per Sec. 9.9.6) (Sec. 9.9.10); memorial sign/plaque ≤2 sq ft (Sec. 9.9.10); parking directional sign ≤4 sq ft (Sec. 9.9.10); parking regulation sign 7.5 sq ft with specified placement/visibility and O.C.G.A. §44-1-13 compliance (Sec. 9.9.10).
- Temporary signs allowed without a permit in all districts (subject to limits): institutional event signs (≤15 sq ft, on-premises, limited installation and removal window); real estate sale/lease/rental signs (size and setback limits per district, removal within 7 days of transaction); election/referendum signs (≤16 sq ft, setback from pavement/ROW) (Sec. 9.9.10).
- Window promotional signs allowed without a permit in all districts except any C-district (nonresidential uses), sum ≤10% of window area per façade and counted as building signage toward aggregate limits (Sec. 9.9.10).
- Fuel pump signs at fuel/gas stations do not require a permit: each pump may have up to 2 sq ft of signage on each side with a dispensing nozzle; signs may not project beyond the canopy (Sec. 9.9.11, Fuel/Gas Station Canopy Sign f.i–iii).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Savannah
- Plant Riverside Sign District: A Sign Masterplan is required to control the location, specific dimensions, and quantity of signs in the district; it must be approved by the Savannah Downtown Historic District Board of Review (Sec. 9.9.17.h.ii; Sec. 9.9.17.h.i.4.n).
- Plant Riverside Sign District: Locations and quantity of wayfinding directory signs must be identified in a Sign Masterplan approved by the Savannah Downtown Historic District Board of Review (Sec. 9.9.17.h.vi.e).
- Plant Riverside Sign District: Any variance to these sign standards must be submitted to the Zoning Board of Appeals (Sec. 9.9.17.h.iii).
- Historic Special Sign Districts: Except for signs allowed without a permit, a sign permit is required, and a Certificate of Appropriateness may be required before a sign permit can be issued; illuminated signs and (in some districts) signs exceeding 3 sq ft require review by the Historic Board of Review or Historic Preservation Commission (Sec. 9.9.17.f.i–ii).
- Markers, monuments and public art: Approval by the Historic Site and Monument Commission may be required before a sign permit can be issued, per the City’s Markers, Monument and Public Art Master Plan and Guidelines (Sec. 9.9.3.a.ii; Sec. 9.9.10 Historical Marker).
- Signs within the public right-of-way require an encroachment license from the City of Savannah (Sec. 9.9.17.h.i.8; see also general requirement in Sec. 9.9.3.d).
- Planned Development districts may have modified sign standards maintained by the Metropolitan Planning Commission; PDs may require district-specific sign plans or standards (Sec. 9.9.2.g).
Source: other municipal code