Are LED Signs Allowed in Douglas, Coffee County, Georgia? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes. EMC or digital message signs are allowed in the City of Douglas within appropriate zoning districts, provided they comply with applicable illumination, size, and location standards under the city’s sign regulations.
“No sign shall be erected, altered, or maintained without a valid sign permit, and all illuminated or electrically powered signs shall conform to the City’s building and electrical codes.”
— City of Douglas Code of Ordinances, Chapter 62 – Signs
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Douglas Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & Parcel View – City of Douglas Zoning & Parcel View
Variance or Special Approval:
If a proposed EMC sign does not fit within the general standards, applicants may apply for a variance through the Douglas Zoning Board of Appeals. Variances are typically reviewed for hardship, compatibility with surrounding uses, and compliance with public safety requirements.
EMC Sign Summary Table
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | Commercial (C-1, C-2, CBD) and Industrial (I-1, I-2) |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Wall, Freestanding, Monument |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | ❌ No |
| EMCs allowed in public right-of-way | ❌ No |
| Minimum setback required | 10 ft from property line or right-of-way |
| Use restrictions | Permitted for commercial, institutional, and industrial uses only |
Zoning District Overview
Douglas regulates signage under Chapter 62 – Signs of its municipal code. The city’s Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) establishes several zoning categories that may permit signage, including:
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C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial)
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C-2 (General Commercial)
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CBD (Central Business District)
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I-1 (Light Industrial)
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I-2 (Heavy Industrial)
You can verify a property’s zoning using the City of Douglas GIS Parcel Viewer or by contacting the Planning & Zoning Division.
Commercial Zoning Table
| Requirement | C-1 | C-2 / CBD |
|---|---|---|
| EMC allowed | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Permitted sign types | Wall, Monument | Wall, Monument, Freestanding |
| Max EMCs per frontage | 1 | 1 |
| Max area (wall-mounted) | 32 sq. ft. | 64 sq. ft. |
| Max height (freestanding) | 15 ft | 20 ft |
| Static illumination allowed | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Animated or scrolling signs | No continuous animation; 8-second hold time minimum | |
| Mechanical motion | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Off-premise content allowed | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| ROW projection | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ Not allowed |
| Setback requirement | 10 ft from ROW | 10 ft from ROW |
Permit Filing Requirements
Before installing an EMC or any illuminated sign in Douglas, applicants must obtain a Sign Permit from the City’s Planning & Zoning Division.
Required Forms:
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Sign Permit Application
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Electrical Permit (for powered signage)
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Site Plan showing sign location, dimensions, and setbacks
Permit Fees:
$100–$300, depending on size and complexity
LED Sign City Filing Fee (optional service):
$325 flat rate (includes preparation, submittal, and follow-up)
Local Project Example
LED Sign City recently completed a 6’x10’ EMC monument sign for a retail plaza in Douglas’s C-2 Commercial District.
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Permit Approval: 12 business days
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Compliance: 10-foot setback and 8-second message hold time
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Power Source: Dedicated 120V connection per city code
The project met all illumination and setback requirements without the need for a variance.
Full Ordinance Text (Relevant Excerpts)
City of Douglas Code of Ordinances – Chapter 62, Article II (Signs):
“Illuminated signs shall be permitted in commercial and industrial zoning districts, subject to compliance with electrical and safety standards.”“Animated or flashing illumination is prohibited except where time or temperature information is displayed.”
“No sign shall extend into or over the public right-of-way unless expressly authorized.”
External References
🗺️ Douglas Zoning & Parcel View
📘 Douglas Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal