Sign Regulations in Temple, Georgia
Temple, Georgia has specific sign regulations covering 14 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Standard Informational Sign, Freestanding Sign, 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 9, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Temple, Georgia
Sample Sign Requirements in Temple
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 50 ft; 70 ft if adjacent to or within 500 ft of interstate highway, but no more than 25 ft above interstate pavement if ground is lower. | 75 sq ft or 1 sq ft per linear foot of lot frontage, whichever is greater. Planned commercial centers: 100 sq ft per frontage. | 12 ft from curb/edge of pavement. Billboards: 75 ft from buildings, structures, property lines. |
| Wall Sign | — | 25% of wall area per frontage. | — |
| Standard Informational Sign | 30 in | 480 sq in (3.3 sq ft) | 12 ft from back of curb/edge of pavement |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for TempleFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
14
- Standard Informational Sign
- Freestanding Sign
- Wall Sign
- Permanent Subdivision Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
9
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Temple
Other Cities in Georgia
Frequently Asked Questions
In Temple, monument signs are limited to 50 ft; 70 ft if adjacent to or within 500 ft of interstate highway, but no more than 25 ft above interstate pavement if ground is lower.. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Temple, 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 Temple, regulated sign types include Standard Informational Sign, Freestanding Sign, Wall Sign, Permanent Subdivision 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 Temple, monument signs typically require a 12 ft from curb/edge of pavement. Billboards: 75 ft from buildings, structures, property lines. 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 Temple are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Temple has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Temple, Georgia Sign Rules at a Glance
Temple, Georgia regulates 14 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Billboards in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 30 ft max above ground; minimum 10 ft above interstate pavement; 70 ft if adjacent to/interstate. tall, 12 ft x 50 ft max (600 sq ft), and 50 ft (by explicit wording) wide, with a 75 ft from building/structure/property line, see height for interstate. setback (Sec. Sec. 38-533(7), Sec. 38-534(4), Sec. 38-535(e)(1);). Most commercial signs in Temple require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Temple, Georgia
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Temple (9 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 50 ft; 70 ft if adjacent to or within 500 ft of interstate highway, but no more than 25 ft above interstate pavement if ground is lower. | 480 sq in (3.3 sq ft) | — |
| R-1, R-2, R-4 | 4 | 30 in | 480 sq in (3.3 sq ft) | — |
| R-6 | 2 | Freestanding: 50 ft; Political/small: 12 ft. | Freestanding: 75 sq ft or 1 sq ft per linear foot frontage; Wall: ≤25% of wall area; see details in General Regs. | — |
| DCD | 1 | — | As established in DCD concept plan/zoning approval, or as per the base zoning it replaces (see General Regs and 38-533/38-532 as applicable). | — |
| O-I | 3 | 50 ft (with exceptions) | 75 sq ft or 1 sq ft per linear ft of lot frontage, whichever is greater. | — |
| CN, CBD, CSC, CG, IL, IH | 4 | 50 ft; 70 ft if adjacent/within 500 ft interstate; up to 25 ft above pavement if lower ground. | 600 sq ft (12'x50') | — |
| Temple Historic District | 6 | 50 ft; 70 ft if near interstate; but may not be more than 25 ft above pavement. | 75 sq ft or 1 sq ft per linear ft of frontage (100 sq ft for planned comm. centers). | — |
| FH Flood Hazard Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Environmental Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Temple(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 | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 50 ft; 70 ft if adjacent to or within 500 ft of interstate highway, but no more than 25 ft above interstate pavement if ground is lower. | 75 sq ft or 1 sq ft per linear foot of lot frontage, whichever is greater. Planned commercial centers: 100 sq ft per frontage. | — | 12 ft from curb/edge of pavement. Billboards: 75 ft from buildings, structures, property lines. | 1 per street frontage (2 if frontage >300 ft); 1 per lot for billboards; unlimited for elections (with limits per candidate/issue). | Min. 12 ft from back of curb or edge of pavement; no part closer than 12 ft to back of curb; may encroach into front and side yards but may not project over property lines. | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-533(1), Sec. 38-595, Sec. 38-535(d)(1), Sec. 38-534(1) |
| Wall Sign | — | 25% of wall area per frontage. | — | — | No limit by code, but total area limited. In Historic District, 1 per wall frontage. | On a building wall facing street or public area. | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-533(2), Sec. 38-535(d)(2), Sec. 38-564 |
| Standard Informational Sign | 30 in | 480 sq in (3.3 sq ft) | — | 12 ft from back of curb/edge of pavement | One per lot unless during certain periods; unlimited during elections and weekends, with distance restrictions. | Stake not closer than 12 ft to curb/edge of pavement; placard not closer than 12 ft to curb/edge of pavement. | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-533(3), Sec. 38-532(b)(2), Sec. 38-535(d)(3) |
| Directional Sign | 30 in | — | — | — | Max 2 per street entrance. | At street entrance, may be placed at street right-of-way if city clerk deems it necessary for safety. | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-533(5), Sec. 38-535(d)(5), Sec. 38-503 |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | 12 ft from right-of-way/property line. | Varies by type, see political sign provisions. | 12 ft from right-of-way/property line. | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-501 |
| Permanent Subdivision Sign | — | — | — | 12 ft from street right-of-way | 1 per subdivision entrance | At entrance to subdivision; no less than 12 ft from street right-of-way line. | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-502 |
| Billboard | 30 ft max above ground; minimum 10 ft above interstate pavement; 70 ft if adjacent to/interstate. | 12 ft x 50 ft max (600 sq ft) | 50 ft (by explicit wording) | 75 ft from building/structure/property line, see height for interstate. | 1/lot; min 1,000 ft apart. | Within 500 ft of Interstate Hwy 20 only; must be 75 ft from any building, structure, or property line. | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-533(7), Sec. 38-534(4), Sec. 38-535(e)(1); |
| Roof Sign | Up to 10 feet (Historic District), subject to district height restrictions. | ≤ 5% of area of wall face it fronts | — | Subject to district maximums. | one per property | On roof, not protruding past face of structure. | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-535(d)(4) |
CN, CBD, CSC, CG, IL, IH
| 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 | 50 ft; 70 ft if adjacent/within 500 ft interstate; up to 25 ft above pavement if lower ground. | 75 sq ft or 1 sq ft per linear foot of frontage (CN, CBD, CG, IL, IH); 100 sq ft per frontage for planned commercial center (CSC). | — | 12 ft | 1 per frontage (<300 ft), 2 if >300 ft | 12 ft from back of curb/edge of pavement; may encroach into required yards but not over property lines. | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-533(1) |
| Wall Sign | — | 25% of wall area | — | — | By area | Building wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-533(2) |
| Standard Informational Sign | 30 in | 3.3 sq ft (480 sq in) | — | 12 ft | 1 per lot; unlimited for elections/weekends w/ spacing rules. | 12 ft from curb/edge of pavement | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-533(3) |
| Billboard | 30 ft, or 70 ft adjacent to interstate/within 500 ft | 600 sq ft (12'x50') | 50 ft | 75 ft from buildings/structures/property line. | 1/lot; min 1,000 ft apart. | Within 500 ft of Interstate Hwy 20 only; 75 ft from any building, structure, property line. | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-533(7), Sec. 38-534(4) |
Temple Historic 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 50 ft; 70 ft if near interstate; but may not be more than 25 ft above pavement. | 75 sq ft or 1 sq ft per linear ft of frontage (100 sq ft for planned comm. centers). | — | 12 ft from curb/edge | 1 per frontage; extra allowed if frontage >300 ft, min 250 ft apart | 12 ft from curb/edge of road. Not closer than 250 ft to another freestanding sign. | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-535(d)(1), (b)-(c) |
| Wall Sign | — | 25% of wall area | — | — | One per wall frontage; 1 separate wall reader board sign per frontage (≤6 sq ft) | On building wall. | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-535(d)(2) |
| Standard Informational Sign | 30 in | 3.3 sq ft (480 sq in) | — | 12 ft | 1 per lot; unlimited for elections/weekends w/ spacing | 12 ft from curb/edge of pavement | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-535(d)(3) |
| Roof Sign | 10 ft | ≤5% of wall face area | — | Subject to zone height restrictions. | one per property | On roof; not to protrude beyond structure face. | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-535(d)(4) |
| Projecting/Overhanging Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per property | Anchored to building wall, not projecting past property line or onto driveways; may project over sidewalk if min. 5 ft pedestrian clearance left. | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-535(d)(7) |
| A-frame/Easel Sign | — | 10 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On sidewalk adjacent to business; removed when business closed. | — | Unlock | Sec. 38-535(d)(8) |
PermitPal covers all 9 zoning districts in Temple — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 9 zones for Temple — start freeProhibited Signs in Temple
- Signs imitating warning signals; signs displaying lights resembling the flashing lights customarily used in traffic signals or in police, fire, ambulance or rescue vehicles; signs using words, slogans, dimensional shape or size, or colors of governmental traffic signs.
- Signs with electric, neon (except in the historic district) or other lights flashing in series, lines, or rows.
- Flashing, blinking, fluctuating, or otherwise animated signs located within 25 feet of any road right-of-way; signs with blue, red or yellow lights.
- Signs attached to trees or utility poles or boxes; signs painted on or otherwise attached to rocks or other natural objects; signs, other than those placed by a local, state or federal government, located within the public street right-of-way or within 12 feet of the curb or closest edge of the pavement of any public street.
- Signs emitting or utilizing in any manner any sound capable of being detected on a public road by a person of normal hearing.
- Signs which obstruct any fire escape, any means of egress or ventilation, or prevent free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof; signs attached in any manner to any fire escape.
- All flags (except those not defined as signs), pennants, banners, fringe, twirling, A-frame, sandwich-type, sidewalk or curb-type signs, balloons, streamers, portable display signs, air or gas filled figures, and other similar temporary signs, unless as permitted as a temporary sign.
- Except as permitted in the historic district, roof signs and portable display signs.
- Signs placed in or obstructing the view of marshland.
- No sign shall be erected, reconstructed, expanded or replaced without securing a permit from the city clerk in accordance with the 'plans and permits' article, except as otherwise exempted.
- No new cell may be established if there is a technically suitable space available on an existing tower within the search area that the new cell is to serve.
- No new sign shall be located within the public street right-of-way or within 12 feet of the curb or closest edge of the pavement of any public street, except as provided.
- No billboard shall be placed in or obstruct the view of marshland.
- Billboards, drive through menu boards and permanent subdivision signs are prohibited within the Temple Historic District unless specifically permitted as a temporary sign.
- Banners, pennants and streamers along or across road rights-of-way are prohibited in the Temple Historic District, except for flags or banners of the United States or political subdivisions.
- Folding signs, portable display signs, and similar movable signs are prohibited in the Temple Historic District.
- Signs erected on or located on any street or public right-of-way, curbs, curbstone, hydrant, lamppost, trees, barricade, temporary sidewalk, public system (except public directory and information signs) are prohibited in the Temple Historic District.
- Signs painted directly on the exterior walls of a building or structure are prohibited in the Temple Historic District (not including graphic designs).
- Signs with revolving or rotating beams of light and rotating signs are prohibited in the Temple Historic District.
- Signs placed upon a structure in any manner so as to disfigure or conceal any window opening, door or significant architectural feature or detail of any building are prohibited in the Temple Historic District.
Exempt Signs in Temple
- The requirements of the sign ordinance shall not apply to signs not visible from a street, public right-of-way, or property in public ownership.
- Governmental bodies and authorities legally exempt from regulation under the city's police power are exempt from the regulations contained in the zoning ordinance.
- No permit and no fee shall be required for a change of copy on a sign, the customary use of which involves frequent and periodic changes of copy.
- No permit and no fee shall be required for standard informational signs in any district.
- No permit and no fee shall be required for freestanding signs on vacant or undeveloped property.
- No permit and no fee shall be required for freestanding signs on developed residential property which is zoned other than R-6 and DCD, and is not located within the historic district.
- Permit but no fee is required for permanent subdivision signs.
- Standard informational signs (as defined) are permitted without a permit or fee in all relevant districts, subject to placement restrictions.
- During a political election, between the date of close of filing for qualification of candidates and final determination on each ballot issue or candidate, there is no limit on the number of freestanding signs with faces of 16 square feet or less and 12 feet in height or shorter, and no permit or spacing requirement applies.
- An unlimited number of standard informational signs are allowed during a political election period and on weekends, with no permit required, provided spacing standards are met.
- Signs placed by a local, state, or federal government are not regulated under the prohibitions of signs within street rights-of-way.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Temple
- A uniform sign plan is required for any planned commercial center, such as a shopping center with three or more establishments, before any signs for the planned commercial center or the center's tenants may be erected on the property.
- The uniform sign plan shall govern the placement and design of all signs within the planned commercial center as to their location, materials, size, letter style, and color; must be approved by the city clerk prior to sign installation.
- Modifications to sign restrictions for a specific property or development may be requested for administrative approval, provided such request is supported by a uniform sign plan; if denied, appeal may be made to the board of adjustments and appeals as a special exception.
- All tenants of a planned commercial center or property subject to an approved uniform sign plan shall comply with the plan.
- For all sign permits, prints or drawings of the plans and specifications and structural details of construction and attachment are required; for signs in excess of 50 feet in height, stamped engineering drawings are required.
- Applications for permanent subdivision signs require submission of plans and specifications for approval prior to final plat approval.
- Any applications for modifications to sign dimensional requirements via variance (exceeding administrative limits) will require hearing before the board of adjustments and appeals.
- All temporary signs, directional signs, most freestanding signs, and any other signs not exempted require a permit from the city clerk prior to erection.
Source: municode municipal code