# Sign Regulations in Smyrna, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Smyrna, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/smyrna
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/ga/smyrna/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH82SI)

## At a glance

Smyrna, Georgia regulates 35 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Subdivision Entrance Signs in the Residential Districts (R-30, R-20, R-15, R-12, R-10, R-8, RDA, RMC-8, RM-10, RM-12, RM-15, RD, RD-4, TD, RHR) zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 32 square feet, with a 15 feet from side lot lines (10 feet if lot less than 60 feet wide) setback (Sec. Sec. 82-16(1)). Most commercial signs in Smyrna require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential Districts (R-30, R-20, R-15, R-12, R-10, R-8, RDA, RMC-8, RM-10, RM-12, RM-15, RD, RD-4, TD, RHR) | 10 | 11 feet (bottom not exceeding 3 feet) | 32 square feet | — |
| Nonresidential Zoning Districts (FC, LC, OI, NS, CBD, GC, OD, LI, HI, TS, MU, PS) | 23 | 25 feet | 325 square feet | — |
| Downtown Development Districts 1 and 2 | 6 | 8 feet | 40 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential Districts (R-30, R-20, R-15, R-12, R-10, R-8, RDA, RMC-8, RM-10, RM-12, RM-15, RD, RD-4, TD, RHR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| House Number Sign | — | — | — | 15 feet from side lot lines (10 feet if lot less than 60 feet wide) | 1 | residential property | — | Sec. 82-16(1) |
| Historic Marker Sign | — | — | — | 15 feet from side lot lines (10 feet if lot less than 60 feet wide) | 1 | residential property | — | Sec. 82-16(1) |
| Original House Designation Sign | — | — | — | 15 feet from side lot lines (10 feet if lot less than 60 feet wide) | 1 | residential property | — | Sec. 82-16(1) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | 15 feet from side lot lines (10 feet if lot less than 60 feet wide) | 1 per entrance | entrance to permanent subdivision or residential development | — | Sec. 82-16(1) |
| Standard Informational Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | 15 feet from side lot lines (10 feet if lot less than 60 feet wide) | 1 per lot | residentially zoned property | — | Sec. 82-16(1)(a) |
| Yard Sale Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | 15 feet from side lot lines (10 feet if lot less than 60 feet wide) | 1 | premises where yard sale is held | — | Sec. 82-16(1)(c) |
| Instructional Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | 15 feet from side lot lines (10 feet if lot less than 60 feet wide) | As needed | residential property | — | Sec. 82-16(1); definition |
| Subdivision Directional Sign | 11 feet (bottom not exceeding 3 feet) | 32 square feet (4+ lane roads); 12 square feet (other roads) | — | As close to edge of right-of-way as possible; within right-of-way allowed | 2 per subdivision | Away from subdivision at arterial or major collector street intersections | — | Sec. 82-16(2)(c)(4)(d) |

### Nonresidential Zoning Districts (FC, LC, OI, NS, CBD, GC, OD, LI, HI, TS, MU, PS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Ground Based Monument Sign - Community Medical Facility | 25 feet | 150 square feet | — | General setbacks apply | 1 per development | Per development | — | Sec. 82-15(b)(1)(a) |
| Freestanding Ground Based Monument Sign - Planned Industrial Park | 25 feet | 150 square feet | — | General setbacks apply | 1 per lot | Per lot | — | Sec. 82-15(b)(1)(a) |
| Freestanding Ground Based Monument Sign - Planned Shopping Development | 25 feet | 150 square feet | — | General setbacks apply | 1 per development | Per development | — | Sec. 82-15(b)(1)(a) |
| Freestanding Ground Based Monument Sign - Standard Commercial | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | General setbacks apply | 1 per building | Buildings with road frontage on one public roadway | — | Sec. 82-15(b)(2)(a) |
| Freestanding Ground Based Monument Sign - Redeveloped Site | 12 feet | 60 square feet | — | General setbacks apply | 1 per building | Redeveloped property | — | Sec. 82-15(b)(2)(d) |
| Banner Sign - Temporary | — | 32 square feet | — | Not in required parking or right-of-way | 1 per public road frontage | On-premises, affixed to building flush with wall | — | Sec. 82-16(2)(c)(1)(i) |
| A-Frame Sign - Temporary | — | 32 square feet per face (Cobb Parkway/South Cobb); 9 square feet per face (other) | — | Not in required parking or right-of-way | 1 per public road frontage | On-premises | — | Sec. 82-16(2)(c)(1)(iii) |
| Subdivision Directional Sign | 11 feet (bottom not exceeding 3 feet) | 32 square feet (4+ lane roads); 12 square feet (other roads) | — | As close to edge of right-of-way as possible; within right-of-way allowed | 2 per subdivision | Away from subdivision at arterial or major collector street intersections | — | Sec. 82-16(2)(c)(4)(d) |

### Downtown Development Districts 1 and 2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame Sandwich Sign | — | 25 square feet total (both faces) | — | General setbacks apply | As permitted under nonresidential temporary rules | Within downtown development districts 1 and 2 | — | Sec. 82-3(5) |
| Wall Sign | — | 40 square feet | — | — | 1 per frontage | Buildings with public roadway frontage | — | Sec. 82-15(b)(2)(b); Sec. 82-14(3) |
| Freestanding Ground Based Monument Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | General | 1 per building | Buildings with road frontage | — | Sec. 82-15(b)(2)(a) |
| Temporary Signs | — | As per nonresidential | — | General | As specified | On-premises | — | Sec. 82-16(2)(c) |
| Electronic Sign | — | As permitted | — | — | — | Nonresidential | — | Sec. 82-16(2)(e) |
| Instructional Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per entrance | Vehicular entrances | — | Sec. 82-15(b)(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Smyrna

- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs with flashing, intermittent or animated illumination or effects are prohibited, except time and weather informational signs up to 32 square feet and official warning or regulatory signs by governing authority.
- Commercial signs in residential districts are prohibited except as otherwise allowed.
- Spectacular signs are prohibited, except those indicating time, temperature, or date, and electronic display signs changing no more than once per hour.
- Signs on public right-of-way are prohibited except subdivision directional signs and signs exempt under section 82-3.
- Signs imitating official traffic signs or signals are prohibited except construction signs and barricades.
- Mobile signs exceeding two square feet attached to vehicles parked for eight consecutive hours or more for commercial promotion are prohibited, except operational vehicle signs or vehicles for sale/lease.
- Pole signs are prohibited.
- Snipe signs attached to utility poles or mailboxes are prohibited.
- Wind-actuated, air- or gas-filled devices such as balloons or streamers are prohibited except as allowed under section 82-16.
- Signs with more than two sign faces are prohibited.
- Signs attached to benches or trash cans are prohibited.
- Pennants (not national flags) or streamers are prohibited except as allowed under section 82-16.
- Permanent signs on canvas, cloth, or similar materials are prohibited (excluding awnings).
- Permanent or temporary signs with missing letters, damaged lenses, exposed lighting/electrical materials, or damaged support structures are prohibited.
- Electronic signs are prohibited except as specifically allowed under section 82-16.
- Temporary signs are prohibited except as specifically allowed under section 82-16.
- Signs within ten feet of sidewalk edge or 15 feet of road edge where no sidewalk exists are prohibited.
- Signs attached to buildings preventing ingress/egress or attached to fire escapes are prohibited.
- Signs on walls or fascias of buildings on the National Register of Historic Places are prohibited.
- Freestanding signs within 25 feet of intersecting street or road right-of-way lines are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Smyrna

- Signs erected by governmental authority (e.g., safety, traffic, street signs, city-sponsored event signs) are exempt from regulations.
- Seasonal displays and decorations (e.g., Halloween, July 4th, Christmas) without commercial messages are exempt from sign limitations.
- Window signs not exceeding 50 percent of the individual window pane area do not require permits.
- Signs located ten or more feet behind a window or garage bay door visible from outside do not require permits.
- A-frame sandwich signs in downtown development districts 1 and 2, total area up to 25 square feet, not permanently affixed, do not require permits.
- Yard sale signs do not require permits.
- Standard informational signs on residentially zoned property do not require permits.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For subdivision directional signs, if more than two signs are requested per intersection corner, the city may erect a master sign to house the requested signage.

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

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