Are LED Signs Allowed in Fort Gaines, Clay County, Georgia? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
❌ No.
Electronic Message Center (EMC) signs are not currently permitted under the existing land use and development framework in Fort Gaines or unincorporated Clay County.
The 2019 Clay County & Fort Gaines Comprehensive Plan Update calls for the “development of a Sign Ordinance for Clay County” to regulate signage along highway and commercial corridors, but no such ordinance had been adopted as of that publication. This means EMCs are not explicitly authorized and would require local legislative approval or a new ordinance amendment to be installed legally.
“Promote and enhance the highway and commercial corridors in Clay County… including the development of a Sign Ordinance for Clay County.”
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Fort Gaines Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & GIS Map – City of Fort Gaines Zoning & GIS Map
Summary Table
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | Not specified (no sign ordinance currently adopted) |
| EMC sign styles allowed | ❌Not defined |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | ❌No |
| EMCs allowed in public right-of-way | ❌No |
| Minimum setback required | ❌Not defined |
| Use restrictions | All electronic/digital signage currently unregulated and not permitted |
Zoning District Overview
Fort Gaines and Clay County are governed by a joint planning framework with limited zoning categories. The plan emphasizes small-town character, scenic preservation, and rural corridor control.
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Key Zoning Themes:
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Commercial corridors: GA Hwy 39 and US Hwy 27
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Central Business District: Fort Gaines downtown area
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Residential and agricultural zones dominate remaining land area
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The Clay County & Fort Gaines Future Land Use Map identifies development focus areas around GA Hwy 39, George Bagby State Park, and Lake Walter F. George, but none explicitly mention signage allowances.
Sign Ordinance Development (Planned Action)
The document explicitly calls for:
“The development of a Sign Ordinance for Clay County… including application forms and review criteria."
This suggests future plans to regulate sign types, including EMCs, once the ordinance is formally drafted. Until then, EMC installations remain prohibited.
Permit Filing Requirements
Because no sign ordinance exists:
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There are no official forms or permit processes for EMC signage.
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Applicants must contact the Fort Gaines City Council or Clay County Board of Commissioners directly for clarification before pursuing digital signage.
Planning Contacts:
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Fort Gaines City Hall – (229) 768-2632
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Clay County Board of Commissioners – (229) 768-3238
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Regional Planning Support: River Valley Regional Commission)
Local Development Context
Fort Gaines promotes traditional and scenic aesthetics, with ongoing efforts to:
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Adopt highway corridor overlay regulations for signage and landscaping control.
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Encourage historic preservation and low-impact visual development.
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Support community announcement boards (static signs), which are funded through city grants—not electronic displays.
“Construct a sign to show community announcements and publicize community events.”
— Fort Gaines Community Work Program 2019–2023
External References
🗺️ Fort Gaines Zoning & GIS Map
📘 Fort Gaines Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal