Are LED Signs Allowed in Lake City, Clayton County, Georgia? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes, EMC signs (or “electronic message signs” / “electronic multiple message signs”) are allowed under the Lake City / Clayton County sign regulations, subject to restrictions.
The Lake City Code of Ordinances (Municode) contains a “Sign Regulations” chapter, which includes language allowing electronic message displays as part of permitted sign types. (See Lake City code “Signs” chapter for full text)
Additionally, the Clayton County Appendix A, Article 8 includes a section for Electronic Multiple Message Signs (Section 8.20) under its sign regulation scheme.
Excerpt (Clayton County, § 8.5 – Prohibited Sign Standards):
“Signs (excluding Electronic Multiple Message Signs) that flash, blink, rotate, revolve, or have moving parts … are not allowed.”
This indicates that EMC signs are explicitly carved out (i.e. treated differently) from the general prohibition of animated / flashing signs.
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Lake City Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & GIS Map – City of Lake City Zoning & GIS Map
EMC Sign Summary Table
Here’s a quick reference of what is broadly allowed / restricted (subject to local variation):
| Feature | Answer / Typical Standard |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | Commercial, industrial, or business zones (check city zoning map) |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Wall, freestanding / monument / ground-mounted |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | ❌No (messages must pertain to the premises) |
| EMCs allowed in right-of-way | ❌No (signs on public property / ROW typically prohibited) |
| Minimum setback required | e.g. 10 ft from property line or right-of-way (or district-specific) |
| Use restrictions | EMC messages must be static (no animation), no flashing, must comply with brightness / safety rules |
You should confirm the exact numeric limits (height, area, number per frontage) from the Lake City sign chapter.
Zoning District Overview
Lake City’s zoning framework determines where signs (including EMC) are allowed. While I did not locate a detailed table of Lake City’s commercial/industrial zoning designations in the code, the following approach is recommended in your blog:
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List all commercial, mixed-use, and industrial zoning district names used by Lake City (e.g. C-1, C-2, I-1, etc.)
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Provide a link to the City’s GIS zoning viewer or map
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Include a screenshot or instructions for how to look up the zoning classification of a parcel
Zoning-Specific Sign Standards (One Table per District Type)
You should include tables like this, customized per district:
Example: Commercial District “C-1”
| Requirement | C-1 |
|---|---|
| EMC allowed | ✅Yes |
| Permitted sign types | Wall, Monument, Ground |
| Maximum number of EMCs | 1 per street frontage |
| Maximum area | e.g. 50 sq ft (or per linear frontage) |
| Maximum height | e.g. 20 ft |
| Static illumination allowed | ✅Yes |
| Animated / moving signs | ❌No |
| Off-premise content allowed | ❌No |
| ROW projection | ❌Not allowed |
| Setback required | 10 ft from property line / ROW |
Permit Filing Requirements
Provide guidance on how to apply for an EMC/digital sign permit under Lake City rules:
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Required forms: sign permit application, electrical permit (for illumination)
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Permit fees: depend on sign type, size, and electrical load (check with Lake City’s building or planning department)
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Application materials: scaled drawings, elevations, structural specs, illumination/brightness plan, message control method
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Review process: planning/zoning department review, building code review, and inspection
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Turnaround time: usually several weeks (depending on workload)
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If your company files on behalf of a client, you could include your service fee (if you do that)
Include a link to Lake City’s official permitting portal or the municipal building/planning department page.
Local Project Examples (Optional)
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A business installing an EMC monument sign along a main thoroughfare
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A church or institution using wall-mounted LED message panels
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Before-and-after images of permitted signs
Full Ordinance Text (Verbatim)
At the end of your blog post, include the relevant passages of the Lake City and Clayton County ordinance that cover EMC / electronic message signs. For instance:
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Lake City’s “Signs” chapter from Municode (the sections that mention electronic displays)
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Clayton County Appendix A, Article 8, § 8.20 (Electronic Multiple Message Signs) and § 8.5 (Prohibited Sign Standards)
External References
🗺️ Lake City Zoning & GIS Map
📘 Lake City Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal