Are LED Signs Allowed in Alpharetta, Fulton County, Georgia? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes, with significant restrictions. EMC signs are permitted in the City of Alpharetta, but they are not universally allowed across all commercial districts. Their use is primarily focused on the Downtown Alpharetta District (DAD) and for specific institutional uses elsewhere.
The Alpharetta Code of Ordinances states:
"Electronic message boards shall be permitted only in the downtown Alpharetta district and for institutional uses in other districts, subject to the regulations of this section." (Sec. 18-723)
There is a formal variance process available through the Alpharetta Community Development Department for property owners seeking relief from these standards.
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Alpharetta Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & GIS Map – City of Alpharetta Zoning & GIS Map
EMC Sign Summary Table
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | Downtown Alpharetta District (DAD); Other districts for Institutional uses only (e.g., places of worship, schools). |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Integral part of a monument, wall, or projecting sign. Freestanding pole signs are prohibited. |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | ❌ No |
| EMCs allowed in the public right-of-way | ❌ No |
| Minimum setback required | As required for the underlying sign type (e.g., monument sign). |
| Use restrictions | Primarily for Downtown District; limited to Institutional uses in all other districts. |
Zoning District Overview
Alpharetta's zoning code is complex, but for EMC signs, the key district is the Downtown Alpharetta District (DAD). Institutional uses (like churches and schools) in other zoning classifications may also be eligible.
To determine the specific zoning for a property, use the city's official GIS tool.
Zoning-Specific EMC Standards
The regulations for EMC signs are not organized in a simple district-by-district table but are defined by a universal set of operational and design standards that apply wherever they are allowed.
EMC Operational & Design Standards Table
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Message Duration | Each static message must be displayed for a minimum of 10 seconds. |
| Transition Effect | Messages must change instantly. No scrolling, fading, blinking, flashing, or animation is permitted. |
| Brightness Control | Signs must be equipped with an automatic dimming photo sensor to reduce brightness at night. |
| Maximum Area | The electronic message portion cannot exceed 50% of the total sign face area of the monument, wall, or projecting sign it is part of. |
| Prohibited Content | No animated, moving, flashing, or scrolling content is allowed. |
| Illumination | Illumination must be static. |
| Permitted Sign Types | EMCs must be integrated into a permitted monument, wall, or projecting sign. |
Permit Filing Requirements
Installing an EMC sign in Alpharetta requires a permit to ensure compliance with all zoning and building codes.
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Required Forms: Sign Permit Application, along with detailed site plans and sign construction details.
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Permit Fees: City permit fees vary based on the sign's valuation. Contact the Community Development Department for an estimate.
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Our Service Fee: Our flat fee for managing and filing your complete EMC sign permit application in Alpharetta is $350.
Full Ordinance Text (Verbatim)
The following is the direct text from the Alpharetta Code of Ordinances, Chapter 18 (Zoning), as of the last update.
Sec. 18-723. - Electronic message boards.
(a) Generally. Electronic message boards shall be permitted only in the downtown Alpharetta district and for institutional uses in other districts, subject to the regulations of this section.
(b) Message standards.
(1) Each message must be a static display, and must be displayed for a minimum of ten seconds.
(2) Messages shall change instantly, without special effects, such as scrolling, fading in or out, dissolving, blinking, flashing, or other patterns of animation.
(c) Brightness. The sign must be equipped with an automatic dimming photo sensor, which automatically reduces the intensity of the sign's light output as ambient light conditions change.
(d) Area. The area of an electronic message board shall not exceed 50 percent of the sign face of a monument, wall, or projecting sign.
(e) Prohibitions. Animated, moving, flashing, or scrolling signs are prohibited.
(f) Illumination. Illumination shall be constant and static.
External References
🗺️ Alpharetta Zoning & GIS Map
📘 Alpharetta Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal