Are LED Signs Allowed in Ellenton, Colquitt County, Georgia? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes, with restrictions. Ellenton’s sign ordinance (Article “Sign Regulations” in its municipal code) allows electronic changeable copy as a portion of permanent signs (freestanding or landscape wall), but does not permit full digital displays or animated displays beyond certain limits.
Quoted excerpts:
“Changeable copy, electronic … may be used in conjunction with a freestanding or landscape wall sign (but excluding yard signs), provided the changeable copy portion of the sign does not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the sign face.”
“Electronic changeable copy is subject to the following additional restrictions: … excluded in the Multiple Use District. … limited to no more than two (2) colors for the display that does not scroll, blink, flash, or convey animated displays. … Copy may change message no more frequently than once every one hundred eighty (180) minutes.”
Thus, EMCs are allowed—but only under tight controls.
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Ellenton Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & GIS Map – City of Ellenton Zoning & GIS Map
EMC Sign Summary Table
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | All sign districts except the Multiple Use District |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Freestanding, Landscape wall (i.e. as portion of those types) |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | ❌ No explicit permission; EMC use must be part of permitted on-site signage |
| EMCs allowed in ROW | Must not overhang ROW; must remain on private property |
| Maximum electronic portion | 25% of sign face |
| Color & motion restrictions | Max 2 colors; no scrolling, flashing, blinking, or animation; must be static display only |
| Message change frequency | At most once per 180 minutes (i.e. every 3 hours) |
Zoning District Overview
Ellenton is a small town of about 0.8 sq mi in Colquitt County, Georgia (population ~210). The Ellenton municipal code includes a chapter on signs (and possibly a zoning overlay) that regulates signage for various districts.
If needed, you can link to the Town’s zoning map (or Colquitt County’s zoning portal) and include a screenshot or instructions for how property owners can look up their zoning designation.
Zoning-Specific Standards (Selected from Ellenton)
Here is an example table summarizing sign rules (including EMC restrictions) in Ellenton, drawn from its sign code. (This is not exhaustive—other sign types, setback rules, etc., also apply.)
| Requirement | Freestanding / Monument / Landscape Wall | Wall / Building-affixed Sign | Yard / Porch Sign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changeable copy allowed | ✅ Yes (up to 25% of sign face) | ✅ Yes, if integrated (not yard sign) | No (yard signs excluded) |
| Electronic copy restrictions | ≤ 2 colors; no scroll/flash/animation; change ≤ once per 180 min | same restrictions | ❌ N/A |
| Multiple Use District | Electronic copy prohibited in Multiple Use Districts | same | same |
| Overhang / ROW | No part of sign may overhang public right-of-way | Wall signs may project up to 6 in | Yard signs limited to 5 ft height, 36 in width |
| Sign area / height caps | Monument / freestanding: subject to dimension caps (varies) | Wall signs: cannot project beyond roofline or cornice | Up to 5 ft height; width ≤ 36 in |
| Permits required | ✅ Yes; for signs > 32 sq ft or > 6 ft height, licensed contractor required | ✅ Yes (unless exempted) | Yard / porch signs under threshold may be exempt |
Permit Filing Requirements
From the Ellenton sign code:
-
Permit required: Any person erecting, constructing, replacing, relocating, or structurally altering any sign must obtain a sign permit (unless specifically exempted).
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Application materials: Must include scaled site plans, sign drawings, structural details, and location relative to ROW.
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Fees: Permit fees are fixed periodically by the town council (not a flat universal fee in the code).
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Review timeframe: The zoning administrator must review an application within 30 calendar days.
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Contractor requirement: For signs exceeding 32 sq ft or over 6 ft in height, the application must list a licensed contractor.
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Master signage plan: For new developments or multiple signs on a parcel, a master signage plan is required.
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Content neutrality: The ordinance states that review shall not regulate the content of sign messages.
Local Project Examples (if available)
No specific public examples of EMC / digital signage in Ellenton were found in the public record. If your company has local projects, include them here with before/after photos, addresses, or client testimonials.
Full Ordinance Text (Verbatim)
Below is a key excerpt from Ellenton’s sign code regarding changeable copy / electronic signs:
“Changeable copy, electronic … may be used in conjunction with a freestanding or landscape wall sign (but excluding yard signs), provided the changeable copy portion of the sign does not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the sign face.”
“Electronic changeable copy is subject to the following additional restrictions:
i. Prohibited in the Multiple Use District.
ii. Limit of one contiguous digital display area per sign face.
iii. Electronic copy shall be limited to no more than two (2) colors for the display that does not scroll, blink, flash, or convey animated displays.
iv. Copy may change message no more frequently than once every one hundred eighty (180) minutes.”
External References
🗺️ Ellenton Zoning & GIS Map
📘 Ellenton Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal