Are LED Signs Allowed in Decatur, DeKalb County, Georgia? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes. The City of Decatur allows electronic message centers under its sign and zoning code.
For example, the code states:
“Electronic message centers shall be allowed with the following restrictions: (1) No electronic message shall change more rapidly than once every one and one-half seconds. (2) No message shall require more than ten seconds to display any message in its entirety. … (5) One electronic message center per lot or parcel is allowable. … (8) Electronic message signs within 300 feet of any residential use must automatically turn off between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. daily.”
You can view the full official ordinance here: (Note: Article/Section referencing “Electronic message centers” is in §150.331(M) per the municipal code)
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Decatur Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & GIS Map – City of Decatur Zoning & GIS Map
EMC Sign Summary Table
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | ❌ Not specified in the public excerpt – need to verify with the City of Decatur zoning code. The code does address “Electronic message centers” in the section “Business and industrial” and also notes specific restrictions within the “Main Street” area. |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Business & industrial signs, pole/ground signs, wall signs context. (EMC language is in the section “Business and industrial” in §150.331) |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | Not indicated in the excerpt. The code under “Off-premises signs” covers other rules, but no explicit “off-premise EMCs” was found in the publicly available excerpt. |
| EMCs allowed in the public right-of-way | Not allowed to extend lot lines; signage shall not project over lot lines except as provided. |
| Minimum setback required | For business & industrial: ground-mounted sign must lead edge at least five feet from front lot line; bottom edge at least ten feet above ground. |
| Use restrictions | Special rule: In the “Main Street” area, “Lighted portable message centers are not permitted.” |
Zoning District Overview
The City of Decatur’s code distinguishes residential, business and industrial district signage under §150.331.
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Residential districts: R-1, R-2, etc (as referenced in the residential signage section).
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Business/Industrial: The code gives detailed signage allowances for business/industrial lots (see “Business and industrial” section).
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“Main Street” area: A special overlay where additional restrictions apply (e.g., no lighted portable message centers).
Zoning-Specific Standards
Business / Industrial Districts
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| EMC allowed | ✅ Yes, under §150.331(M) “Electronic message centers” in business/industrial context. |
| Maximum number of EMCs per lot/parcel | One electronic message center per lot or parcel. |
| Change rate of message | ❌ No message may change more rapidly than once every 1.5 seconds; no message shall require more than 10 seconds to display. |
| Animation, motion, flashing | Prohibited — no movement, expand/contract, bounce, rotate, spin, undulate, blinking or chasing lights. |
| Maximum illumination | During daylight: 460 foot-candles at sign face at grade within 10 ft of sign face; at night (½ hour before sunset to ½ hour after sunrise): 46 foot-candles. |
| Special residential-adjacent rule | If within 300 feet of any residential use: must automatically turn off between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily. |
| Height or size limit for EMC | The maximum height of an electronic message center shall not exceed the height allowable in the district. |
“Main Street” Area (Overlay)
Additional restrictions apply:
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Lighted portable message centers are specifically not permitted.
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Other sign types must adhere to more strict height, projection, and area rules.
Residential Districts
For residential uses or buildings on residential-zoned property:
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EMC text is under the “Business and industrial” section; residential signage rules apply under §150.331(J) and earlier parts.
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Note: In this code the EMC clause is within the business/industrial section, so for purely residential zoning, EMC may not be allowed (or may require special exception) – verification recommended.
Permit Filing Requirements
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A sign permit is required for permanent and temporary signs in the City of Decatur.
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Required: A permit application (see the “Sign Permit” form available on the City’s website).
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Submit plans indicating: size, type of lettering, configuration, coloring, lighting, electrical/structural specs; a site plan showing specific location of sign.
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For sign or advertising device, the permit states: “Such sign or advertising device shall conform to all city ordinances and rules regulating such devices…”
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Fees: The permit form lists a space for “Permit fee $” but the specific fee amount isn’t listed here. You will need to contact the City of Decatur’s Planning & Zoning or check the current fee schedule.
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For EMCs or digital displays, ensure electrical permit and structural review as required (especially if large size or ground-mounted).
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For historic district properties: If within a local historic district, a Certificate of Appropriateness is also required.
Local Project Examples (Optional)
(No specific project example was identified in the publicly available sources. If your company has performed an EMC installation in Decatur, consider adding: location, zoning district, size of sign, permit timeline, and a photo.)
Full Ordinance Text (Verbatim)
§ 150.331. Signs. …
(M) Electronic message centers. Electronic message centers shall be allowed with the following restrictions:
(1) No electronic message shall change more rapidly than once every one and one-half seconds.
(2) No message shall require more than ten seconds to display any message in its entirety.
(3) The message shall not display or appear to move toward or away from the viewer, expand or contract, bounce, rotate, spin, twist or otherwise portray movement or animation as it comes onto, is displayed on, or leaves the message center.
(4) The message center shall not appear to flash, undulate, pulse, or portray explosions, fireworks, flashes of light or blinking or chasing lights.
(5) One electronic message center per lot or parcel is allowable.
(6) The maximum height of an electronic message center shall not exceed the height allowable in the district.
(7) Message center signs and digital displays must not exceed a maximum illumination of 460 foot-candles during daylight hours and a maximum illumination of 46 foot-candles for the time period between one-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise as measured from the sign’s face at maximum brightness, measured at grade level within ten feet of the sign face.
(8) Electronic message signs within 300 feet of any residential use must automatically turn off between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. daily.(Other parts of §150.331 cover general sign types, residential signage, business and industrial signage, off-premises signs, etc.)
External References
🗺️ Decatur Zoning & GIS Map
📘 Decatur Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal