# Sign Regulations in Young Harris, Georgia

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Young Harris, Georgia (GA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/georgia/young-harris
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/GA/Young_Harris/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH18SI)

## At a glance

Young Harris, Georgia regulates 13 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the R-1 Zoning District (R-1), PUD districts (residential lots) zoning district are capped at 3 ft tall and 4 sq ft per face, with a Not in right-of-way; no encroachment over right-of-way or other property setback (Sec. Sec. 18-4(b)(1), Sec. 18-5(a), Sec. 18-5(b)(1)). Most commercial signs in Young Harris require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 Zoning District (R-1), PUD districts (residential lots) | 2 | 3 ft | No more than 10% of window area facing road frontage | — |
| S-B Zoning District (S-B), G-B Zoning District (G-B), I Zoning District (I), S-I Zoning District (S-I), PUD districts (nonresidential lots) | 9 | 8 ft (15 ft for multi-tenant lots) | 200 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | Flagpole: 60 ft max, not exceeding 10 ft above tallest structure on lot | 150 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### R-1 Zoning District (R-1), PUD districts (residential lots)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft per face | — | Not in right-of-way; no encroachment over right-of-way or other property | Up to 2 per lot | On lot; not permitted in right-of-way; cannot overhang public right-of-way or other property | — | Sec. 18-4(b)(1), Sec. 18-5(a), Sec. 18-5(b)(1) |
| Window Sign | — | No more than 10% of window area facing road frontage | — | — | Not specified; subject to 10% window area maximum | Inside window, visible from road frontage | — | Sec. 18-4(b)(2), Sec. 18-5(b)(1) |

### S-B Zoning District (S-B), G-B Zoning District (G-B), I Zoning District (I), S-I Zoning District (S-I), PUD districts (nonresidential lots)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 8 ft (15 ft for multi-tenant lots) | 32 sq ft per face | — | Not in right-of-way; no encroachment over right-of-way or other property | 1 per lot | On lot; not permitted in right-of-way; cannot overhang public right-of-way or other property | — | Sec. 18-4(c)(1), Sec. 18-5(a), Sec. 18-5(b) |
| Window Sign | — | No more than 10% of window area facing road frontage | — | — | Not specified; subject to 10% window area maximum | Inside window, visible from road frontage | — | Sec. 18-4(c)(2), Sec. 18-5(b) |
| Wall Sign (≤50 ft from right-of-way) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On wall, parallel; may extend max 24 inches from wall surface | — | Sec. 18-4(c)(3)a, Sec. 18-5(b) |
| Wall Sign (50-100 ft from right-of-way) | — | 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On wall, >50 ft and ≤100 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 18-4(c)(3)b, Sec. 18-5(b) |
| Wall Sign (100-175 ft from right-of-way) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On wall, >100 ft and ≤175 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 18-4(c)(3)b, Sec. 18-5(b) |
| Wall Sign (175-250 ft from right-of-way) | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On wall, >175 ft and ≤250 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 18-4(c)(3)b, Sec. 18-5(b) |
| Wall Sign (>250 ft from right-of-way) | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On wall, >250 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 18-4(c)(3)b, Sec. 18-5(b) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant Lots) | — | As allowed above for individual buildings; applies as if each establishment was a separate building | — | — | 1 per street frontage per establishment | On wall of establishment | — | Sec. 18-4(c)(3)c, Sec. 18-5(b) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flag | Flagpole: 60 ft max, not exceeding 10 ft above tallest structure on lot | 150 sq ft | Flag: Longest side ≤1/4 height of flagpole | — | 1 flagpole per lot | On lot | — | Sec. 18-5(c) |
| Banner | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | — | On lot | — | Sec. 18-5(d) |
| Temporary Sign | 30 in | 30 inches high × 24 inches wide, unless otherwise permitted | 24 in | — | 1 per lot | On lot | — | Sec. 18-5(e) |
| Small Sign | <3 ft (if ground sign) | <1 sq ft | — | — | — | As appropriate, as wall, window, or ground sign | — | Sec. 18-2(c) definition of Small Signs |

## Prohibited signs in Young Harris

- No sign structure shall be placed or maintained within the city except in conformity with this sign chapter.
- Any sign not specifically permitted in a zoning district is prohibited.
- Signs are not permitted in the public right-of-way.
- No portion of a sign or sign structure erected on private property shall encroach on or overhang the public right-of-way or any other person's property.
- No sign shall be affixed to any utility pole, traffic control device, or street light standard.
- No sign shall be posted on any city property.
- No sign shall impair, impede, or otherwise obstruct the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic along a public right-of-way or obstruct the clear view of the entire public right-of-way.
- No sign shall give off light which glares, blinds, or has any other adverse effect on traffic or adjacent properties. No direct light shall be cast upon adjacent properties and roadways from signs.
- Signs which contain or are an imitation of an official traffic sign or signal, or can be confused with an official traffic sign, are prohibited.
- No sign or sign structure may obstruct any fire escape, ventilation, or door, nor be attached to a fire escape.
- No sign or sign structure above a height of three feet shall be maintained within 25 feet of the intersection of the right-of-way lines of two streets, or of a street intersection with a railroad right-of-way.
- No sign or sign structure shall obstruct the traffic sight line, or the view of vehicles entering the roadway, or be erected on any traffic island.
- Roof signs (signs mounted above a roof or projecting above the roofline of a structure) are prohibited.
- Moving signs, or signs with moving parts (rotating signs; signs with moving words or content, including waiving elements, whether motorized or wind-powered, or similar) are prohibited.
- Portable signs (any sign supported by its own frame or trailer, with or without wheels, that is designed to be moved from one place to another) are prohibited.
- Multi-message signs (which change the message or copy on the sign face mechanically or electronically by movement or rotation of panels/slats or by changing electronic display) are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- No sign message can depict obscenity, sexual conduct, sexually explicit nudity, or advertise any activity illegal under state or US law.

## Signs exempt from permit in Young Harris

- Small signs (less than one square foot in sign face area, and either wall or window signs, or ground signs less than three feet in height) are not regulated by this chapter, unless used together to form a larger message.
- No permit required for signs having no electrical connection and a sign face equal to or less than four square feet in area and no higher than three feet.
- Flags are permitted in all zoning districts without requirement for a sign permit, subject to restrictions on number, height, flag size, and pole height.
- One temporary sign is allowed on each lot in all zoning districts and without requirement of a sign permit for no more than 45 days during any 180-day period.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No explicit requirement for a master sign plan or sign plan is stated in these sections.
- A sign permit is required for erecting, constructing, enlarging, moving, or converting any sign, except as otherwise provided for certain exempted signs (e.g., small signs, flags, and temporary signs as specified).
- A variance may be requested as outlined in Sec. 18-10 and requires a public hearing or meeting.

## Full detail

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