Are LED Signs Allowed in Gordon County, Georgia? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes — with county approval.
Electronic Message Center (EMC) signs are not explicitly prohibited under Gordon County’s sign ordinance, meaning they may be approved through the standard sign-permit process. However, the code does not include a specific EMC section, so each proposal is reviewed individually under general sign and zoning standards.
Applicants should confirm all project details with the Building Inspection and Code Compliance Department before fabrication or installation.
“All signs within the unincorporated areas of Gordon County must conform to the requirements of this chapter and shall be subject to permit and inspection by the Building Inspection Department.”
— Gordon County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 13 – Signs
🔗 Full Ordinance – Gordon County Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & Parcel View – Gordon County Zoning & Parcel View
EMC Sign Summary Table
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | Likely commercial and industrial districts (subject to county review) |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Monument, freestanding, or wall |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | ❌No — off-premise advertising is generally restricted |
| EMCs in right-of-way | ❌Not allowed |
| Minimum setback required | Typically 10 ft from property line or right-of-way (verify locally) |
| Use restrictions | EMCs may be permitted for commercial, institutional, or civic uses upon review |
Zoning District Overview
Gordon County’s sign ordinance applies across all zoning districts — commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential.
While the ordinance does not list specific EMC-permitted zones, digital signs are typically treated as permanent signs and must comply with area, height, and illumination limits.
Zoning Map: Gordon County GIS Viewer
Use this interactive tool to confirm the zoning designation of a property before filing an EMC permit application.
Zoning-Specific Standards
| Requirement | Commercial | Industrial |
|---|---|---|
| EMC allowed | Yes, with review | Yes, with review |
| Permitted sign types | Wall, Monument, Freestanding | Wall, Monument, Freestanding |
| Maximum area (wall-mounted) | Follows general sign code | Follows general sign code |
| Maximum height | 20 ft (typical) | 25 ft (typical) |
| Static illumination | ✅Allowed | ✅Allowed |
| Animated/moving text | May be restricted — verify | May be restricted — verify |
| Off-premise content | ❌Not allowed | ❌Not allowed |
| Right-of-way projection | ❌Not allowed | ❌Not allowed |
| Setback required | 10 ft minimum | 10 ft minimum |
Permit Filing Requirements
Required forms and steps
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Sign Permit Application – obtained from the Building Inspection Office
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Site Plan – showing sign placement, property lines, and setbacks
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Electrical Permit – required for any powered signage
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Structural Drawings – for large freestanding or monument EMCs
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Permit Fees – contact the department for current rates
County Contacts
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Department: Building Inspection & Code Compliance
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Address: 201 N. Wall St., 2nd Floor, Calhoun, GA 30701
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Phone: 706-629-3795
LED Sign City can assist clients with permit filing in Gordon County for a flat service fee of $325.
Local Project Example
A local church near Calhoun installed a 4 × 8 EMC sign under the county’s general sign standards. The installation met all setback and height requirements and received approval within 15 business days through the Building Inspection Department.
Full Ordinance Text (Excerpt)
“All signs erected or maintained within the unincorporated areas of Gordon County shall conform to this chapter. It shall be unlawful to erect, repair, alter, relocate, or maintain any sign without first obtaining a permit from the building official.”
— Gordon County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 13, § 13-3 Permit Required
External References
🗺️ Gordon Zoning & Parcel View
📘 Gordon Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal