# Sign Regulations in Thomson, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Thomson, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/thomson
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Thomson/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH22COZOOR_ARTVSIST)

## At a glance

Thomson, Georgia regulates 21 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Entrance Sign Only - Option 1: <50,000 sq ft heated building)s in the TPUD-1 Planned Unit Development zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall, 64 sq ft, and 12 ft wide, with a Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way or property line setback (Sec. Table S:1, Footnote (3)). Most commercial signs in Thomson require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| TR-1 Low Density Residential District, TR-1A Medium Density Residential District, TR-1B High Density Residential District | 2 | 4 ft | 4 sq ft (7 sq ft - see footnote 7) | — |
| TR/R-1 Retirement Residential District, TT/C-1 Townhouse/Condominium District | 3 | 6 ft | 72 sq ft | — |
| TR-2 Multifamily Residential District | 3 | 6 ft | 72 sq ft | — |
| TPUD-1 Planned Unit Development | 4 | 20% of wall height | 96 sq ft | — |
| TB-2[FS] Central Business District | 3 | 5 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| TB-2[CW] Central Business District | 3 | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| TB-1 Highway Business District | 3 | 6 ft | 72 sq ft | — |
| TP-1 Professional District | 3 | 6 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| TI\P-1 Institutional\Public District | 3 | 6 ft | 72 sq ft | — |
| TI-1 Light and Wholesale Industrial District | 3 | 20% wall height | 96 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 41 in | 16 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### TPUD-1 Planned Unit Development

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Entrance Sign Only - Option 1: <50,000 sq ft heated building) | 8 ft | 64 sq ft | 12 ft | Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way or property line | 1 per entrance; more with >1000 ft separation per Sec. 22-203(7) | At entrance only | — | Table S:1, Footnote (3) |
| Monument Sign (Entrance Sign Only - Option 2: ≥50,000 sq ft heated building) | 8 ft | 96 sq ft | 12 ft | Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way or property line | 1 per entrance; more with >1000 ft separation per Sec. 22-203(7) | At entrance only | — | Table S:1, Footnote (3), (17) |
| Window Sign | — | 4 sq ft (7 sq ft - see footnote 7) | — | — | — | Adhered to window interior/exterior | — | Table S:1, (7) |
| Exterior Wall Sign | 20% of wall height | 20% of each exterior wall area (excluding openings) | 25% of wall width | — | — | Building exterior wall | — | Table S:1, Footnote (6), (15) |

### TB-1 Highway Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | 72 sq ft | 12 ft | Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way or property line | 1 per street frontage; see Sec. 22-203(7) for multiple entrances | Freestanding, at entrance or property frontage | — | Table S:1, (2), (11), (17), (19) |
| Window Sign | — | 7 sq ft | — | — | — | Windows | — | Table S:1, (7) |
| Exterior Wall Sign | 6 ft | 5% of each exterior wall (excluding openings) | 25% of wall width | — | — | Building exterior wall (front or rear; see (15)) | — | Table S:1, Footnote (6), (15) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot being sold/rented | — | Sec. 22-204(2)(a) |
| Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential/Multifamily) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 2 per project, or 1 per entrance | On property/project being sold/rented | — | Sec. 22-204(2)(b) |
| Real Estate Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | Max 4 per development, 2 per lot | Off-site, with property owner permission | — | Sec. 22-204(3) |
| Worship Directional Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Max 4 per location | Off-site, with property owner permission | — | Sec. 22-204(4) |
| Temporary Civic/Religious/School Event Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from right-of-way; not in public right-of-way | — | On- or off-site but not in right-of-way; must be minimum 5 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 22-204(7) |
| Election/Candidate Sign | — | 6 sq ft (residential), 32 sq ft (nonresidential) | — | — | 1 per road frontage | On lot with road frontage | — | Sec. 22-203(8) |
| Temporary Sign/Banner (Short Duration) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft per side, max 2 sides | — | — | 1 per lot at any one time | Not in TB-2 zoning district | — | Sec. 22-208 |
| A-frame/Sandwich Board Sign | 41 in | — | 26 in | — | 1 per establishment | At entrance to establishment; any non-residential district | — | Sec. 22-203(14) |

## Prohibited signs in Thomson

- Signs, displays, advertising, or objects for sale, which are located on any public right-of-way or sidewalk, except as specifically allowed (e.g., approved A-frame sidewalk signs).
- Roof signs, including signs mounted or suspended from a structure's roof, top of parapet, or any wall or facade sign extending above the parapet or the upper extent of the structure's wall.
- Portable signs including portable box signs, posters, placards, etc. Portable signs in existence upon adoption must be removed.
- Banners in existence prior to the adoption of this article must be removed.
- Animated signs involving the movement, flapping, or rotation of the sign or its parts.
- Flashing, blinking, or varying light intensity signs (except permitted digital monument signs in specific districts).
- Exposed neon or neon tubing that is not enclosed within channel or box lettering.
- Signs imitating or resembling official traffic signs/signals, or that can be confused with one, including those employing the words 'Stop,' 'Yield,' 'Go,' etc.
- Signs advertising businesses, products, or services no longer active or in existence (abandoned signs).
- Signs in disrepair, disassembly, or with exposed internal lighting for more than 30 days.
- Signs/advertising attached to vehicles parked for more than 48 hours visible from public right-of-way (with certain exceptions).
- Signs attached to mansard roofs, awnings, or roof overhangs, unless otherwise approved.
- Canopy or awnings having a commercial message attached or incorporated, except for name/address of establishment.
- Strip panel rotating signs.
- Signs emitting audible sounds, messages, smoke, fumes, or other emissions.
- Signs, displays, advertisements installed/placed on public property including rights-of-way or sidewalk, except as allowed. Also, objects for sale on public rights-of-way or sidewalk.
- Signs attached to/painted on street signs, traffic control devices, sign poles, fences, utility poles or posts, trees, rocks or other natural objects/features not specifically approved for sign support.
- Signs mounted to fences and walls, other than for public safety or as permitted for private/public recreational support signs.
- Sign embellishments, including structural protrusions or extensions.
- No signage shall employ guy wires or other external support bracing for stabilization; all ground signs must be affixed to the ground unless otherwise approved.
- No sign or sign structure may obstruct fire escape or fire lane.
- No exterior freestanding sign or portion thereof may project or extend over any structure, driveway, or parking area, unless otherwise approved.
- Facade signs must be centered on available sign band/facade and shall not cover/interfere with architectural features.
- Sign content cannot be profane, depict obscenity as per state law, nor advertise any illegal activity.
- All signs must be kept in constant repair and maintained in an upright vertical position.
- Signs not conforming to regulations are unlawful to erect or place.

## Signs exempt from permit in Thomson

- No sign permit required for exempt signs listed in Sec. 22-204, but all other applicable regulations and prohibitions apply, and exempt signs may not be illuminated.
- Real estate signs: One per single-family residential lot (max 6 sq ft), must be removed within 5 days after sale/rental/lease. On other lots, max 16 sq ft, limited to two per project or one per entrance. Must be properly maintained, upright.
- Real estate directional signs: May not contain commercial message/advertisement; max 4 sq ft; not illuminated; up to 4 per development or 2 per lot; only with property owner's permission; must be removed within 5 days of sale/lease.
- Worship directional signs: Allowed in all districts; max 6 sq ft; not illuminated; no more than 4 per church per location; must be erected on dedicated supports; only with property owner's permission; may not be in public right-of-way.
- Official signs placed by a governing body (federal, state, county, city); city officials will seek to comply with general standards when possible.
- Private and public recreational support signs (on inside walls, fences, dugouts, stadiums, etc., in support of city- or board-sponsored activities).
- Temporary signs for civic, religious, and school organizations or special events (nonprofit activities): permitted 30 days, max 8 sq ft, min 5 ft from right-of-way. Must be securely anchored, cannot be on/in right-of-way.
- Official flags: US or Georgia flags permitted on any lot; additional official flags limited to one per lot (not more than 32 sq ft) and must adhere to height restrictions of the zoning district. US flag to be flown in accordance with federal protocol.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For all permanent exterior ground and facade signs, applications must include scaled design drawings showing elevations, materials, dimensions, and locations.
- If required, site plans must indicate location of all ground signs.
- Planning commission review and approval is required for the design, construction, material, location, and placement of all signs.
- Uniformity of sign design is required for all developments under single ownership, including PUD, shopping centers, multi-store frontage projects, unless otherwise approved.
- Planning commission may defer review to historic preservation commission at its discretion.
- Within the historic preservation district, a certificate of appropriateness may be required for a sign permit.
- A master sign plan is not explicitly referenced, but uniform sign design and submitted comprehensive plans for multi-tenant/multi-store developments constitute a sign plan requirement.
- Variances, elevation adjustments, or exceptions to dimensional, material, or illumination standards may be considered/approved only by the planning commission or city council through formal process.

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

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