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- Are LED Signs Allowed in Dunwoody, DeKalb County, Georgia? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
Are LED Signs Allowed in Dunwoody, DeKalb County, Georgia? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes, but only as a "Limited Use" with a permit in specific zoning districts.
The City of Dunwoody's Code of Ordinances does not outright ban EMC signs, but it treats them as a special case requiring explicit approval. They are permitted primarily in the PC-2 (Pedestrian Community) district and for certain public, civic, and institutional uses in other districts, subject to a public hearing and the issuance of a Land Disturbance Permit or Building Permit that includes sign approval.
Official Ordinance Reference: § 20-96 - Message center signs
There is a formal variance process. Applicants can appeal to the Dunwoody Zoning Board of Appeals for relief from specific sign regulations if they can prove a practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship.
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Dunwoody Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & GIS Map – City of Dunwoody Zoning & GIS Map
EMC Sign Summary Table
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | Primarily PC-2; conditionally for Public, Civic, and Institutional uses in other districts. |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Monument, Wall |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | ❌ No |
| EMCs allowed in the public right-of-way | ❌ No |
| Minimum setback required | 10 feet from any right-of-way or property line. |
| Use restrictions | Considered a "Limited Use"; requires a public hearing and permit. |
Zoning District Overview
Dunwoody's zoning code is structured around districts that prioritize community character. The PC-2 (Pedestrian Community) district is the primary commercial area where EMCs are most applicable. Other districts may allow EMCs for specific institutional uses (e.g., schools, places of worship) by permit.
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Key District: PC-2 (Pedestrian Community)
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Other Potential Districts: O-I (Office-Institutional), and districts with Public/Civic uses
Screenshot: How to find your zoning designation using the city's GIS portal.
(Image: A placeholder for a screenshot showing the "Find Your Zoning" tool on the Dunwoody city website)
Zoning-Specific Standards
The code provides general standards for all EMC signs, rather than breaking them down by every district.
EMC Sign Requirements Table
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| EMC allowed | ✅ Yes, as a Limited Use |
| Permitted sign types | Monument, Wall |
| Maximum number of EMCs | 1 per street frontage |
| Maximum area | 50% of the permitted sign face area for the zoning district, not to exceed 32 sq. ft. |
| Maximum height | As permitted for the underlying sign type (e.g., monument sign height limits) |
| Static illumination allowed | ✅ Yes |
| Animation/Video | ❌ No - "Animation, streaming video, or flashing displays are prohibited." |
| Message Duration | Minimum 60 seconds per message |
| Illumination Dimming | Required; must automatically dim after sunset. |
| Off-premise content allowed | ❌ No |
| Setback requirement | 10 feet from any right-of-way or property line. |
Permit Filing Requirements
Installing an EMC sign in Dunwoody is a multi-step process due to its "Limited Use" classification.
Required Steps & Forms:
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Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) or Building Permit: Application must include detailed sign plans, including dimensions, materials, electrical details, and placement.
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Public Hearing: As a Limited Use, the permit will likely require a public hearing before the Planning Commission or City Council.
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Electrical Permit: Required for all illuminated signs.
Permit Fees:
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City permit fees vary based on sign valuation. Contact the Community Development Department for a fee schedule.
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Our LED Sign City permit service fee for handling the entire Dunwoody application process, including hearing preparation: $750
Local Project Examples
LED Sign City successfully navigated the Dunwoody permit process to install a 24 sq. ft. monument EMC sign for a private school in the O-I district. The project required a public hearing, which we managed on our client's behalf, resulting in permit approval with specific conditions regarding operating hours and illumination levels.
Full Ordinance Text (Verbatim)
§ 20-96 - Message center signs.
Message center signs shall be permitted as a limited use in the PC-2 district and for public, civic and institutional uses in any district, subject to the following standards:
(1) Only one message center sign is permitted per street frontage.
(2) The message center sign shall be integrated into a monument or wall sign.
(3) The area of the message center shall not exceed 50 percent of the sign face area permitted for the sign type in the district and in no case shall the message center exceed 32 square feet.
(4) The message center shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from any right-of-way or property line.
(5) The message center shall not display animation, streaming video, or flashing displays. The message must be a static display and shall not change more frequently than once per minute (60 seconds). The sign must have an automatic dimmer to reduce the intensity of the sign after sunset.
External References
🗺️ Dunwoody Zoning & GIS Map
📘 Dunwoody Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal