# Sign Regulations in Stockbridge, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Stockbridge, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/stockbridge
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Stockbridge/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT8PLDE_CH8.12SIRE)

## At a glance

Stockbridge, Georgia regulates 19 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Temporary Signs in the Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3, Single Business Per Lot) zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall, 32 sq. ft. total (all temp signs aggregate), and 8 feet wide, with a 1' from right-of-way, 10' from electrical transmission lines setback (Sec. Table 5.11(D)). Most commercial signs in Stockbridge require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 20' (in-ground pole) | 32 sq. ft. (see zone-specific limits) | — |
| RR, SR, CCR, MHR, MFR (single residence per lot) | 4 | 6 feet | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| RM | 4 | 6 feet | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3, Multiple Business Per Lot or Business Subdivision) | 6 | 18 inch lettering | Max 100 sq. ft. (if 10% of tenant wall area is less, use that value) | — |
| Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3, Single Business Per Lot) | 7 | 18 inch lettering | 100 sq. ft. (or less if 10% of wall area is smaller) | — |
| Industrial District (LI, HI, Multiple Businesses per Lot or Business Subdivision) | 5 | 18 inch lettering | 150 sq. ft. (or less if 5% of tenant wall area is smaller) | — |
| Industrial District (LI, HI, Single Business Per Lot) | 5 | 18 inch lettering | 150 sq. ft. | — |
| Office Institutional District (OI) | 6 | 10 inch lettering | 100 sq. ft. (or less if 5% rule applies) | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 1 | See approved Master Sign Plan | Computation required as part of Master Sign Plan for each building and business | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Window Sign | — | Not to exceed 25% of the total area of each window | — | — | — | On or through a window | — | Sec. 5.9.B |
| Temporary Sign | 8 feet (where specified) | Aggregate max specified by each zone | 8 feet (where specified) | — | 2 per lot (max at a time) | — | — | Sec. 5.9.E |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | Lettering/Graphics: 18 inches height | Signable area shall not exceed 25% of awning/canopy area | — | — | — | On valances of awning or canopy attached to any structure. | — | Sec. 5.9.F |
| Subdivision/Entrance Sign | 6 feet | 32 sq. ft. (see zone-specific limits) | — | Minimum 6' from right-of-way, 10' from electrical transmission lines (typ. for res.); see zone tables. | 1 per entrance | Placed on private property at intersections of public street and entryway. | — | Sec. 5.9.G; see zone tables |
| Flag | 20' (in-ground pole) | 3' x 5' per flag | 3 feet (flag) | — | 1 (exempt); additional count toward signage allocation | In-ground, projecting from building/door frame. | — | Sec. 5.9.H |
| Changeable Copy Sign (Ground Signs only) | — | 12 sq. ft. (part of ground sign) | — | — | 1 per parcel or lot | Ground sign only, one per lot. | — | Sec. 5.9.I |
| Internal Sign | 4 feet | 10 sq. ft. (20 sq. ft. for hospital/emergency facilities) | — | — | 4 per development | Not visible from public right-of-way; adjacent to internal roads within development | — | Sec. 5.9.K |
| Standard Informational Sign | 3 feet | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 or 4 per lot | Mounted on stake or metal frame max 1.5 inch thick, not permanently installed | — | Sec. 5.4.A.5 |

### Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3, Single Business Per Lot)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument/Freestanding Sign | 8 feet | Max 64 sq. ft. | — | 1' from right-of-way, 10' from electrical transmission lines | 1 (2 with additional qualifications) | In front yard of principal structure, not in right-of-way. | — | Table 5.11(D), Sec 5.11.G |
| Projecting Sign | — | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Projecting from building | — | Table 5.11(D) |
| Wall Sign (Primary Facade) | — | 100 sq. ft. (or less if 10% of wall area is smaller) | — | — | 1 per primary facade | On street-facing primary facade | — | Table 5.11(D), Sec. 5.11.G.1 |
| Wall Sign (Secondary Facade) | — | 100 sq. ft. (or less if 10% of wall area is smaller) | — | — | 1 per secondary facade | On street-facing secondary facade | — | Table 5.11(D), Sec. 5.11.G.1 |
| Temporary Sign | 8 feet | 32 sq. ft. total (all temp signs aggregate) | 8 feet | 1' from right-of-way, 10' from electrical transmission lines | 2 | — | — | Table 5.11(D) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | 3 | On or through window | — | Table 5.11(D) |
| Awning Sign | 18 inch lettering | — | Building width | — | 1 | On awning | — | Table 5.11(D) |

### Office Institutional District (OI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument/Freestanding Sign | 8 feet | 32 sq. ft. | — | 5' from right-of-way, 6' from electrical transmission lines | 1 (up to 2 w/ additional requirements) | Freestanding | — | Table 5.11(G), Sec. 5.11.J.1 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 10 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Table 5.11(G) |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq. ft. (or less if 5% rule applies) | Building width | — | 1 per street frontage | On building wall per street frontage | — | Table 5.11(G); Sec. 5.11.J.1a |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of area of each window | — | — | 3 | On/through window | — | Table 5.11(G) |
| Awning Sign | 10 inch lettering | — | Building width | 1' from right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | On awning | — | Table 5.11(G) |
| Temporary Sign | 8 feet | 32 sq. ft. (aggregate for all temp signs) | 8 feet | — | 2 | — | — | Table 5.11(G) |

## Prohibited signs in Stockbridge

- It is unlawful to erect, repair, alter, relocate, or maintain any sign without a permit, except for those signs identified under Section 13.4.
- Animated signs or attention-getting devices, including flashing, action, motion, or changing color or light intensity, are prohibited.
- Signs attached to a statue, fence, wall, tree, vehicle, or other similar structure are prohibited.
- Aerial view signs are prohibited.
- Pole or pylon signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Mobile signs that are visible from any public right-of-way are prohibited.
- Signs which imitate or are in imitation of an official traffic control sign or signal, or use words such as 'stop,' 'go,' 'slow,' 'danger,' 'detour,' 'speed limit,' 'yield,' or similar words intended to direct or regulate traffic are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs or objects are prohibited.
- Snipe signs (homemade signs) are prohibited.
- Neon-illuminated signage is prohibited.
- Any sign placed in, or extending into, a public right-of-way is prohibited.
- Any abandoned or non-maintained signs in visible disrepair are prohibited.
- Beacons, search lights, and lasers are prohibited.
- Signs located on the railroad right-of-way are prohibited.
- Signs not in good repair, in violation of codes, or exhibiting broken panels, visible rust, visible rot, damaged support structures, or missing letters are prohibited.
- No sign may be placed on any lot which does not meet the minimum requirements of the zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, nor attached to any standpipe or fire escape.
- All signs located adjacent to a walkway must be placed so the bottom of the sign is at least eight feet above the walkway on private property over which it is erected; no sign shall extend nearer than one foot from the curb line.
- No sign or structure regulated by this article shall be erected at an intersection in such a manner as to obstruct clear vision or be confused with authorized traffic signs, or make use of words, symbols, or colors in such a manner as to mislead or confuse motorists.
- No sign shall be tacked, painted, posted, marked, or otherwise affixed to trees, utility poles, rocks, the ground itself, or other natural features.
- No sign may be displayed on any portion of the structural supports of any sign.
- All signs must be kept clean, neatly painted, and free from electrical and mechanical hazards, including faulty wiring and loose connections.
- Premises surrounding signs must be maintained in a sanitary and inoffensive condition, free of weeds, rubbish, and debris.
- Nonconforming signs may not be reconstructed, replaced, or reset if removed by the owner or agent for any reason.
- No additional sign or advertising device shall be erected on a lot with an existing nonconforming sign until such sign is removed or brought into compliance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Stockbridge

- Wall or window signs that are one square foot in size or smaller do not require a permit but must comply with all other provisions.
- Replacement of removable sign panels within a sign structure, provided the structure is not replaced or modified, does not require a permit.
- Temporary stake signs not exceeding four square feet do not require a permit.
- Hand held signs do not require a permit.
- Standard informational signs: up to two per residential lot, two per nonresidential lot with one business, and four per nonresidential lot with multiple businesses, do not require a permit.
- Decals affixed to buildings or structures, or signs painted on equipment, fuel pumps, or other vending equipment, provided such decals/signs do not exceed four square feet per piece, are exempt from all provisions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A site plan must be submitted with sign permit applications, showing the proposed sign’s location, nearby buildings, property lines, and other signs on the lot.
- Approval of a master sign plan is required as part of the development review process in any district zoned 'PUD' (Planned Unit Development); all signs must conform to the approved master sign plan.
- An application for a master sign plan must include: information as outlined in Section 5.3, a site plan, locations of all present and future signs (including exempt and non-permit signs), elevation/photo of proposed sign locations, computation of total sign area per business, and be signed by all owners or their agents.
- Individual sign permits are required for all signs contained within an approved master sign plan.
- Amendments to a master sign plan require the filing of a new master sign plan application.
- A master sign plan may include exceptions (for one additional freestanding sign) for significant developments meeting minimum criteria (single parcel, commercial use, minimum 15 acres, 500 feet primary frontage, two or more entrances).
- The director may authorize a master sign plan for multi-jurisdictional developments; all signs must conform to the approved plan.
- Individual sign permits are required for all signs within an approved master sign plan for multi-jurisdictional developments.
- Amendments to a master sign plan for multi-jurisdictional developments require a new application conforming to all requirements.

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

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