Are LED Signs Allowed in Berkeley Lake, Gwinnett County, Georgia? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅Yes, with restrictions. While EMCs fall under the general category of signage, Berkeley Lake prohibits all changeable copy, LED, or digital signs across all zoning districts.
"Changeable copy signs are prohibited." – Sec. 62-8(f), Sec. 62-9(f), Sec. 62-10(g), Sec. 62-11(a)(7)
Variance / Appeals Process: There is currently no variance process available for EMC signage in Berkeley Lake.
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Berkeley Lake Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & Parcel View – City of Berkeley Lake Zoning & Parcel View
EMC Sign Summary Table (Not Applicable)
Since EMCs are prohibited, there are no permitted EMC zoning districts, styles, or setbacks.
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | None |
| EMC sign styles allowed | None |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | No |
| EMCs in ROW | No |
| Minimum setback required | N/A |
| Use restrictions | ❌EMCs are prohibited in all zones |
Zoning District Overview
Berkeley Lake governs signage under Sec. 62 of its municipal code. The city has residential, multi-family, commercial, industrial, and institutional zoning districts, each with defined signage limits:
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Residential (Single / Two-family)
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Multi-family residential
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Institutional
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Commercial, Industrial, and Mixed-use
Zoning-Specific Sign Standards
Residential (Single & Two-Family)
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Max aggregate sign area | 16 sq. ft. per lot |
| Max individual sign | 6 sq. ft. |
| Max height | 5 ft |
| Illumination | ❌Not allowed |
| Building signs | ❌Prohibited |
| Flags / Banners | ✅Allowed (per Sec. 62-7 & 62-14) |
| Changeable copy / EMC | ❌Prohibited |
Multi-Family Residential
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Max aggregate sign area | 6 sq. ft. per dwelling unit, max 100 sq. ft. per lot |
| Principal freestanding | Max 36 sq. ft., max 6 ft height |
| Miscellaneous freestanding | 2 per driveway, max 3 sq. ft., 2.5 ft height |
| Building signs | 1 per building, max 4 sq. ft. |
| Flags / Banners | ✅Allowed |
| Changeable copy / EMC | ❌Prohibited |
Institutional
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Aggregate sign area | Max 100 sq. ft. |
| Principal freestanding | Monument style, height & face area per building size |
| Building signs | Max 24 sq. ft., 2 per building elevation |
| Flags / Banners | ✅Allowed |
| Changeable copy / EMC | ❌Prohibited |
Commercial, Industrial, Mixed-use
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Building signs | Area per building / tenant table |
| Principal freestanding | Max 15 ft height, 1 per frontage |
| Miscellaneous freestanding | 2 per driveway, max 3 sq. ft. |
| Flags / Temporary signs | ✅Allowed per Sec. 62-8 & 62-14 |
| Changeable copy / EMC | ❌Prohibited |
Permit Filing Requirements
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Required forms: Standard Sign Permit Application
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Permit fees: Determined by city based on size and type
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Temporary sign permits: Required for banners, balloons, inflatables, or other temporary devices
Local Project Examples
All signage in Berkeley Lake has adhered to Sec. 62 regulations. Examples include:
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Residential project entrance signs built of brick and stone, max 32 sq. ft., located ≥15 ft from streets
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Multi-family community identification signs up to 100 sq. ft., monument style
No EMC projects exist due to prohibition.
Full Ordinance Text (Selected Sections)
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Sec. 62-8(f), 62-9(f), 62-10(g), 62-11(a)(7): "Changeable copy signs are prohibited."
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Sec. 62-7: Flagpole height and flag size regulations
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Sec. 62-12: Project entrance signs
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Sec. 62-13: Temporary signs, banners, balloons, inflatable devices
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Sec. 62-14: Nonconforming signs
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Sec. 62-15: Enforcement and penalties
External References
🗺️ Berkeley Lake Zoning & Parcel View
📘 Berkeley Lake Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal