Sign Regulations in Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island, Georgia has specific sign regulations covering 31 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Building Identification Marker, Flags (non-commercial), Real Estate 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 Tybee Island, Georgia
Sample Sign Requirements in Tybee Island
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building Identification Marker | — | 4 sq ft | — |
| Flags (non-commercial) | 35 ft for flagpoles | — | — |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft per face, 2 faces per frontage; up to 50 sq ft total if combining lots | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Tybee IslandFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
31
- Building Identification Marker
- Flags (non-commercial)
- Real Estate Sign
- Temporary Yard Sale/Garage Sale Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Tybee Island
Other Cities in Georgia
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Tybee Island 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 Tybee Island, 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 Tybee Island, regulated sign types include Building Identification Marker, Flags (non-commercial), Real Estate Sign, Temporary Yard Sale/Garage Sale 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 Tybee Island 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 Tybee Island are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Tybee Island has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Tybee Island, Georgia Sign Rules at a Glance
Tybee Island, Georgia regulates 31 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Construction Sign (Residential)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 12 sq ft, with a 5 ft from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 6-040(J)). Most commercial signs in Tybee Island require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Tybee Island, Georgia
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Tybee Island (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential District | 6 | 35 ft for flagpoles | 24 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District, C-2 District, Neighborhood Grocery Store District, South End Overlay District, Maritime District | 13 | 25 ft | max 150 sq ft or 12 sq ft per use, whichever is greater | — |
| Neighborhood Marina District (NM) | 1 | 15 ft above grade or structure foundation | 32 sq ft | — |
| Parks-Conservation District | 2 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 10 ft | Max 50% of window area | — |
| 1 more zone in PermitPal — start free | ||||
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Tybee Island(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
Residential 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 Marker | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business or residence | On building/residence | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-040(A) |
| Flags (non-commercial) | 35 ft for flagpoles | — | — | — | — | On habitable building or flagpole | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-040(C) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft per face, 2 faces per frontage; up to 50 sq ft total if combining lots | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On-premises, one per street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-040(H) |
| Temporary Yard Sale/Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | On premises, one per parcel | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-040(I) |
| Permanent Subdivision Entrance Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per roadway entrance | Subdivision entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-080(D)(2) |
| Political Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft off unimproved public ROW | — | On-premises, 5 ft off right-of-way | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-040(K) |
Commercial District, C-2 District, Neighborhood Grocery Store District, South End Overlay District, Maritime 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | 20 ft or not higher than wall, whichever is less | 10% of building wall area or 200 sq ft, whichever is less | — | — | One per principal building, or one per street abutted | Affixed to building wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-080(E)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Class I - 0–20 mph, 50 ft frontage) | 12 ft | 10 sq ft | — | — | One per principal building | On premises | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-080(E)(2), Table |
| Freestanding Sign (Class II - 20–35 mph, 80–150 ft frontage) | 12 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per principal building | On premises | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-080(E)(2), Table |
| Freestanding Sign (Class III - 20–35 mph, 150+ ft frontage) | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per principal building | On premises | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-080(E)(2), Table |
| Freestanding Sign (Class IV - 36–54 mph, 150 ft frontage) | 25 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | One per principal building | On premises | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-080(E)(2), Table |
| Freestanding Sign (Class V - 55 mph, 150 ft frontage) | 25 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | One per principal building | On premises | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-080(E)(2), Table |
| Projecting Sign (<=125 ft building frontage) | Not higher than wall; lowest point min 10 ft above grade | 45 sq ft per sign face | — | — | — | Attached to building | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-080(E)(3) |
| Service Island Identification Sign | 15 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per service or pump island | On service island | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-080(E)(5) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Identification Marker | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business or residence | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-040(A) |
| Legal Notice/Official Instrument | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-040(B) |
| Directional Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-040(G) |
| Construction Sign (Residential) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage | On premises where construction is occurring | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-040(J) |
| Construction Sign (Commercial) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage | On premises where construction is occurring | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-040(J) |
| Window Sign (Exempt) | — | Max 50% of window area | — | — | — | Inside window | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-040(P) |
| Canopy/Awning Sign (Exempt when as part of canopy/awning) | — | — | — | — | — | On canopy/awning | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-040(Q) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (A-frame), business only | — | — | — | — | — | On private property connected to business | — | Unlock | Sec. 6-040(R) |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Tybee Island — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Tybee Island — start freeProhibited Signs in Tybee Island
- No sign structure shall be placed or maintained within the city except in conformity with this sign ordinance.
- No sign as regulated by this article shall be erected or continued to be displayed at the intersection of any street or any public right-of-way in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision.
- No sign may be placed so as to interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- No sign may make use of the words, 'stop,' 'look,' 'drive-in,' 'danger,' or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- Signs displaying any words, characters, or illustrations of an obscene, indecent, or immoral nature as defined by the City Code of the City of Tybee Island are prohibited.
- Signs which advertise or encourage an illegal activity as defined by local, state, or federal laws are prohibited.
- Animated signs, including those that flash, blink, change image, or show any form of movement (excluding historic signs and those officially designated for public service), are prohibited.
- Signs that resemble any official traffic control device or emergency vehicle markings are prohibited.
- Unshielded illuminated devices that produce glare or create a hazard or nuisance to motorists or occupants of adjacent properties are prohibited.
- Signs or advertising devices attached to any vehicle or trailer parked so as to be visible from a public right-of-way for the purpose of providing advertisements are prohibited (with certain exceptions for common carriers and service vehicles).
- No signs on trailers or other non-motorized vehicles will be allowed other than for vehicles used specifically for a service business (landscaping, construction, delivery, etc.), not for advertising businesses.
- Snipe signs, which are off-premises signs tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise attached to trees, poles, stakes, fences, or other objects, are prohibited.
- Temporary signs are prohibited except real estate, political campaign signs, and signs allowed under subsection 6-040(D).
- Roof signs or any non-freestanding sign which extends above the roof line of a building are prohibited.
- Signs which emit visible smoke, vapor, particles, or odor are prohibited.
- Signs with lighting or control mechanisms which cause radio, television, or other communications interference are prohibited.
- Motion picture mechanisms used in a manner that allows images to be visible from a public right-of-way or sidewalk are prohibited.
- Signs located on benches or other forms of street furniture are prohibited.
- Handbills are prohibited.
- All signs must conform to the Georgia Outdoor Advertising Law and the rules and regulations of the state department of transportation, with the more stringent law prevailing.
Exempt Signs in Tybee Island
- One building identification marker for each business or residence not to exceed four square feet with basic information (name, address, suite, unit number, occupant).
- Legal notices and official instruments.
- Flags as specified, including official governmental flags, flags depicting affiliation or membership in a non-profit and not conveying a commercial message, etc. (subject to height, area, and placement restrictions).
- Decorative flags, banners, and bunting for city-wide celebrations, conventions, public service announcements, or events, yard of the month, and commemorations, when specifically authorized by the community development director for a prescribed period of time not to exceed 30 days.
- Holiday lights and decorations.
- One 'building marker' per building.
- Non-advertising directional signs or symbols (e.g., entrance, exit, caution, slow, no trespassing) on a parcel of private property not to exceed two square feet in area.
- One non-illuminated real estate sign per street frontage, each containing a maximum of two sign faces back to back, subject to size and removal requirements.
- Signs for temporary yard sales, garage sales, permitted private parking lots and similar, located in residential districts and subject to area and placement restrictions.
- One single-sided construction sign per street frontage located on property where building is in progress under a current building permit, subject to size, height, and removal requirements.
- Political signs, subject to area, placement, and removal requirements.
- Signs incorporated on machinery and equipment at the manufacturer’s or distributor’s level, and which only identify or advertise.
- Historic signs.
- Municipal and other government agency signs.
- Signs painted or otherwise attached to motor vehicles which are not conspicuously parked in proximity to a right-of-way and not parked so as to advertise any business or service to motorists or pedestrians.
- Window signs using 50% or less of the window space for signage.
- Canopy/Awning signs when the sign is part of the canopy/awning itself and not attached or affixed separately.
- Sandwich board signs ('A-frame signs') located in connection with a business and not encroaching onto city rights-of-way unless specifically allowed.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Tybee Island
- A permit must be obtained from the designated city department prior to erecting, enlarging, moving, converting, or replacing any sign in the city except those signs specifically exempted under Sec. 6-040.
- A permit is required for any new business making any changes on an existing sign.
- Permanent subdivision signs must be shown on the preliminary plat during subdivision review.
- Before a permanent sign is placed on a lot or parcel in the parks-conservation district, the applicant shall appear before mayor and council at a regularly scheduled meeting and, if approved, must then obtain a sign permit prior to any work.
- A special banner permit is required for banners; limited to 3 per business location per year, maximum 90 days display in total.
- Banners exceeding maximum allowable days or size at museums or educational facilities require approval of a banner plan by the mayor and council, reviewed and approved annually.
- Commercial murals in certain districts require review by the Main Street design committee and board, followed by approval by the planning and zoning department, and a permit prior to installation.
- Relief from strict design standards for height/area may be granted where application is made and criteria met under Sec. 6-100.
- Damage repairs to legal nonconforming signs require necessary permits to be obtained within six months (may be extended by mayor and council).
Source: municode municipal code