Are LED Signs Allowed in Pine Lake, DeKalb County, Georgia? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning

EMC Sign Allowed?

❌ No. EMC signs are not explicitly permitted in the City of Pine Lake under the current sign ordinance language.

While the city’s Code of Ordinances includes a Chapter on Signs (Chapter 66: “Signs”) in the Code of Ordinances of the City of Pine Lake.  However, no provision was found that specifically authorizes “electronic message center” or “digital” or “LED” signs in the available online text.

Because of the absence of explicit allowance, any such EMC sign would require further inquiry (for example: a variance, conditional use permit, or interpretation by the zoning official).

Recommended next step: Confirm with the City of Pine Lake’s Planning / Zoning Department whether:

• LLC/LED/Electronic Message Center signs are treated separately (e.g., as “animated signs” or “electronic signs”)

• There is a variance or special permit path for EMC signage

• Any interpretative or administrative policy has been adopted (which might not be codified)

• The latest version of the ordinance (or amendments) includes EMCs even if the online version has not been updated

🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Pine Lake Sign Code

🔗 Zoning & Parcel View – City of Pine Lake Zoning & Parcel View

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EMC Sign Summary Table

Since EMC signs are not explicitly allowed, a full summary table of allowances does not apply. If the user or client is still considering an EMC, they should assume “not permitted as of right” until confirmed otherwise.

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Zoning District Overview

The city’s sign ordinance is part of a broader zoning framework. The zoning code (for the city) governs uses, lot size, setbacks, etc. 

To provide further detail (for a blog post), you would include:

• The number of commercial / industrial / mixed‐use zoning districts within the city

• A full list of applicable zoning district names for Pine Lake (e.g., C-1, C-2, M-1 etc.) — (Note: I did not find a publicly easy list in the available search of the ordinance PDF)

• A link to the city’s official zoning map or GIS viewer (if available)

• A “screenshot” or description of how to identify zoning designation for a property in Pine Lake

Because the ordinance does not appear to reference EMC signs, you would likely add a caveat: “While the zoning district types may permit signs generally, the electronic message centre sign type is not specifically treated.”

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Zoning‐Specific Standards (Signage)

Within Chapter 66 (Signs) of Pine Lake’s code, general signage regulations appear (though not specifically EMCs). For example, signage permits are referenced via the city’s permitting requirements page. 

You could include a table such as:

Because the ordinance lacks EMC‐specific provisions, you would note: “Since the term ‘Electronic Message Center’ or “digital message board” does not appear explicitly, applicants should interpret that such signs are not permitted unless they obtain a variance and verify with the city.”

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Permit Filing Requirements

For signage in Pine Lake, the permitting process is overseen by the city’s Building/Zoning department. The permitting requirements page indicates:

• Zoning Compliance review

• Building Permit / Trade Permits may apply

• Pay applicable fees. 

If you were to apply for a sign (and potentially attempt an EMC under a special permit), you would:

• Contact the City of Pine Lake Code Enforcement / Permitting Division (contact info via city website)

• Submit a Sign Permit Application (and any associated zoning review)

• Pay the sign‐permit fee (amount not publicly listed in available materials)

• Provide plans/specifications of the sign (location, size, type, lighting/electrical details)

• If proposing an EMC (despite lack of explicit allowance), include a narrative indicating how the sign will meet the city’s aesthetic/visibility concerns, potential glare or motion, hours of operation, content, etc.

• Confirm whether the city requires a conditional use/variance process for electronic/digital signage

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Local Project Examples (Optional)

No publicly documented examples of EMC or LED message‐centre signs in Pine Lake were found in the research. If you have client projects or local businesses installing digital signs in Pine Lake (or nearby municipalities in DeKalb County) those could be noted here.

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Full Ordinance Text (Verbatim)

Below is an excerpt from Chapter 66 (Signs) of the City of Pine Lake Code. (Note: this does not include EMC‐specific language.)

Excerpt from City of Pine Lake Code of Ordinances — Chapter 66: Signs
(e.g., Section 66-1, etc.)
“[Insert exact verbatim text from the ordinance here with section numbers.]”

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External References

🗺️ Pine Lake Zoning & Parcel View
📘 Pine Lake Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal