Sign Regulations in Union City, Georgia
Union City, Georgia has specific sign regulations covering 54 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Ground Sign (Single Business Parcel), Ground Sign (Multi-Business Parcel), Temporary Signage (Aggregate – Single Business Parcel). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: October 13, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Union City, Georgia
Sample Sign Requirements in Union City
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Signs (General Requirements) | Decorative façade, including posts/columns, shall not exceed 25 ft (§11-9(B)) | — | No sign within any state/county/city right-of-way; minimum 15 ft from intersections (§11-9(C)(2)) |
| Ground Sign (Residential Lot) | 4 ft sign height; 5 ft maximum sign structure height | 6 sq ft per sign | No sign in right-of-way; ≥15 ft from intersection (§11-9(C)(2)) |
| Entrance Sign (Subdivision/Residential Development) | 5 ft sign height; decorative façade including posts/columns max 6 ft; if used with a wall, wall not to exceed 4 ft | 35 sq ft | General setbacks apply (§11-9(C)(2)) |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Union CityFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
54
- Ground Sign (Single Business Parcel)
- Ground Sign (Multi-Business Parcel)
- Temporary Signage (Aggregate – Single Business Parcel)
- Temporary Signage (Aggregate – Multi-Business Parcel)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
9
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Union City
Other Cities in Georgia
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Union City 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 Union City, 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 Union City, regulated sign types include Ground Sign (Single Business Parcel), Ground Sign (Multi-Business Parcel), Temporary Signage (Aggregate – Single Business Parcel), Temporary Signage (Aggregate – Multi-Business Parcel), 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 Union City 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 Union City are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Union City has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Union City, Georgia Sign Rules at a Glance
Union City, Georgia regulates 54 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Single Business Parcel)s in the Office and Institutional District (O&I) zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and 150 sq ft, with a No sign in right-of-way; ≥15 ft from intersection (§11-9(C)(2)) setback (Sec. §11-10(E)(1)). Most commercial signs in Union City require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Union City, Georgia
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Union City (9 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | Decorative façade, including posts/columns, shall not exceed 25 ft (§11-9(B)) | — | — |
| Single-Family Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-6), Residential Medium Density District (RMD-1), Manufactured Home Park/Modular Home Park District (MHP) | 7 | Flagpoles max 35 ft | Flag dimensions proportional to pole; hoist side not more than 50% of flagpole height | — |
| Residential Multifamily District (RM) | 7 | Flagpoles max 35 ft | Flag dimensions proportional to pole; hoist side not more than 50% of flagpole height | — |
| Office and Institutional District (O&I) | 19 | Flagpoles max 70 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District (NC), General Commercial District (GC) | 21 | Flagpoles max 70 ft | Max 700 sq ft per face (extensions/protrusions permitted up to 50% of basic sign area) | — |
| RegionalShopping Center District (RSC) | 18 | Flagpoles max 70 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial District (M-1), Heavy Industrial District (M-2) | 20 | Flagpoles max 70 ft | Max 700 sq ft per face (extensions/protrusions permitted up to 50% of basic sign area) | — |
| Town Center Mixed Use (TCMU), Town Center Multifamily (TCMF), UDO Zoning Districts | 17 | Flagpoles max 70 ft | 150 sq ft (unless superseded by Freestanding Sign restriction above) | — |
| UDO Zoning Districts | 1 | 25 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Union City(sample of 3 of 9 zones)
Office and Institutional District (O&I)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign (Single Business Parcel) | 25 ft | 150 sq ft | — | No sign in right-of-way; ≥15 ft from intersection (§11-9(C)(2)) | 1 per parcel | On parcel; comply with general setbacks | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(1) |
| Ground Sign (Multi-Business Parcel) | 25 ft | 150 sq ft (includes individual business names within total square footage) | — | — | 1 per parcel | On multi-business parcel | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(1) |
| Entrance Sign (Subdivision/Development – Nonresidential Reference) | 5 ft sign height; decorative façade including posts/columns max 6 ft; if used with a wall, wall not to exceed 4 ft | 35 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per entrance | Entrance to subdivision (as applicable) | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(1) |
| Accessory Signs (Drive-Thru Business) | 5 ft | 35 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 5 | On parcels with drive-thru for motoring public; not legible from public thoroughfares | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(1)(g) |
| Projecting Sign | No part higher than 25 ft above average ground level along the side of building | Max 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 per primary entrance | On principal structure only; not on roof or top of any structure | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(4)(a)-(d) |
| Out-of-Store Marketing Device Sign | Not more than 2 ft above the device | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per device | On out-of-store marketing device | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(5); §11-6(B) |
| Flags (Nonresidential) | Flagpoles max 70 ft | Flag dimensions proportional to pole; hoist side not more than 50% of flagpole height | — | — | Max 3 without permit | On parcel | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(7); §11-6(B) |
| Temporary Development Sign (New Development) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | ≥30 ft from edge of any street | 1 per new development | At least 30 ft from edge of any street, public or private | — | Unlock | §11-10(G)(4) |
Neighborhood Commercial District (NC), General Commercial District (GC)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign (Single Business Parcel) | 25 ft | 150 sq ft | — | No sign in right-of-way; ≥15 ft from intersection (§11-9(C)(2)) | 1 per parcel | On parcel; comply with general setbacks | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(1) |
| Ground Sign (Multi-Business Parcel) | 25 ft | 150 sq ft (includes individual business names within total square footage) | — | — | 1 per parcel | On multi-business parcel | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(1) |
| Entrance Sign (Subdivision/Development – Nonresidential Reference) | 5 ft sign height; decorative façade including posts/columns max 6 ft; if used with a wall, wall not to exceed 4 ft | 35 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per entrance | Entrance to subdivision (as applicable) | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(1) |
| Accessory Signs (Drive-Thru Business) | 5 ft | 35 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 5 | On parcels with drive-thru for motoring public; not legible from public thoroughfares | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(1)(g) |
| Projecting Sign | No part higher than 25 ft above average ground level along the side of building | Max 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 per primary entrance | On principal structure only; not on roof or top of any structure | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(4)(a)-(d) |
| Temporary Development Sign (New Development) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | ≥30 ft from edge of any street | 1 per new development | At least 30 ft from edge of any street, public or private | — | Unlock | §11-10(G)(4) |
| Billboard (Interstate 85 Corridor – Static) | Max 70 ft overall height; panel max 14 ft height and 52 ft length (excluding base/apron/supports) | Max 700 sq ft per face (extensions/protrusions permitted up to 50% of basic sign area) | Max 52 ft length (excluding base/apron/supports) | ≥50 ft from right-of-way line; ≥300 ft from residence/church/school/park/cemetery; ≥1,500 ft from another billboard | — | Only on properties within the Interstate 85 corridor | — | Unlock | §11-10(H)(1), (3)-(6); §11-8(B)(6) |
| Electronic Billboard (Interstate 85 Corridor) | Same height limits as static billboards (max 70 ft overall) | Same dimensional limits as static billboards (max 700 sq ft per face) | Same length limits as static billboards (max 52 ft length) | Same setbacks as static billboards | — | Only on properties within the Interstate 85 corridor | — | Unlock | §11-10(H)(2); §11-8(B)(6) |
Light Industrial District (M-1), Heavy Industrial District (M-2)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign (Single Business Parcel) | 25 ft | 150 sq ft | — | No sign in right-of-way; ≥15 ft from intersection (§11-9(C)(2)) | 1 per parcel | On parcel; comply with general setbacks | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(1) |
| Ground Sign (Multi-Business Parcel) | 25 ft | 150 sq ft (includes individual business names within total square footage) | — | — | 1 per parcel | On multi-business parcel | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(1) |
| Accessory Signs (Drive-Thru Business) | 5 ft | 35 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 5 | On parcels with drive-thru for motoring public; not legible from public thoroughfares | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(1)(g) |
| Projecting Sign | No part higher than 25 ft above average ground level along the side of building | Max 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 per primary entrance | On principal structure only; not on roof or top of any structure | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(4)(a)-(d) |
| Out-of-Store Marketing Device Sign | Not more than 2 ft above the device | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per device | On out-of-store marketing device | — | Unlock | §11-10(E)(5); §11-6(B) |
| Temporary Development Sign (New Development) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | ≥30 ft from edge of any street | 1 per new development | At least 30 ft from edge of any street, public or private | — | Unlock | §11-10(G)(4) |
| Billboard (Interstate 85 Corridor – Static) | Max 70 ft overall height; panel max 14 ft height and 52 ft length (excluding base/apron/supports) | Max 700 sq ft per face (extensions/protrusions permitted up to 50% of basic sign area) | Max 52 ft length (excluding base/apron/supports) | ≥50 ft from right-of-way line; ≥300 ft from residence/church/school/park/cemetery; ≥1,500 ft from another billboard | — | Only on properties within the Interstate 85 corridor | — | Unlock | §11-10(H)(1), (3)-(6); §11-8(B)(6) |
| Electronic Billboard (Interstate 85 Corridor) | Same height limits as static billboards (max 70 ft overall) | Same dimensional limits as static billboards (max 700 sq ft per face) | Same length limits as static billboards (max 52 ft length) | Same setbacks as static billboards | — | Only on properties within the Interstate 85 corridor | — | Unlock | §11-10(H)(2); §11-8(B)(6) |
PermitPal covers all 9 zoning districts in Union City — 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 Union City — start freeProhibited Signs in Union City
- No sign may be erected, hung, placed, or structurally altered without a permit, except those expressly exempted in Section 11-6
- Roof signs are prohibited
- Signs or other advertising structures that contain obscene material are prohibited
- Signs or other advertising structures that contain indecent material are prohibited
- No sign or part thereof shall be located in any state, county, or city right-of-way; any privately owned sign within or partially within a road right-of-way is prohibited
- No sign shall be attached to light poles, power poles, or trees when located within or partially within a public road right-of-way
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape
- No sign may be located closer than 15 feet from an intersection as measured from the intersection of the rights-of-way
- No sign shall be constructed so as to have nails, tacks, or wires protruding
- Maintaining or permitting a sign in a dangerous or defective condition is prohibited and such signs must be removed or repaired
Exempt Signs in Union City
- Signs erected by a public officer in the performance of his/her duties do not require a permit
- Numerals displayed for the purpose of identifying property location (not to exceed 8 inches in height) are exempt from permit requirements and do not count toward aggregate sign area
- Seasonal displays located outside the public right-of-way are exempt from permit requirements and do not count toward aggregate sign area
- Flags are exempt from permit requirements and do not count toward aggregate sign area (subject to quantity and height limits elsewhere)
- Window signs are exempt from permit requirements and do not count toward aggregate sign area (subject to area and placement limits elsewhere)
- Signs at the rear entrance of a business are exempt from permit requirements and do not count toward aggregate sign area
- Out-of-store marketing device signs are exempt from permit requirements and do not count toward aggregate sign area
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Union City
- A Master Sign Plan is required for all commercial and Mixed Use projects that are required to file a Land Disturbance Permit or site plan
- The Master Sign Plan must include: general location and type of signs; materials; size and number of signs; style, color, and illumination; and ornamental structures and landscaping
Source: other municipal code