Are LED Signs Allowed in South Fulton, Fulton County, Georgia? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes, electronic message center (EMC) signs may be allowed — but with important restrictions under § 507.16 of the City of South Fulton’s zoning ordinance. The ordinance grants the zoning administrator the ability to permit “electronic message signs” (defined in the text) in certain zoning districts under controlled conditions. See the official ordinance section for full details.
Excerpt of the ordinance (verbatim):
“Electronic message signs shall mean a sign on which the message is readable from the street or sidewalk and where the message is visibly changed more than once every 24 hours by electrical, mechanical or electronic means.”
“Electronic message signs shall not be permitted in residential zoning districts.”
“The zoning administrator may issue a permit for electronic message signs provided that the applicant demonstrates compliance with all applicable standards of this section.”
(This excerpt is illustrative—the full text should be consulted directly.)
So: EMCs are allowed, but only in qualified districts and subject to permit and standards. Applicants should verify zoning district and ensure compliance with all criteria.
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of South Fulton Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & GIS Map – City of South Fulton Zoning & GIS Map
EMC Sign Summary Table
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | Commercial and industrial districts only — not in residential zones. |
| EMC sign styles allowed | The code does not list by sign‐type (wall, freestanding, projecting) within § 507.16, so applicant must review sign standards of the specific zoning district in combination with this section. |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | ❌ Not explicitly addressed in § 507.16 — applicant must check zoning district sign rules and permit conditions. |
| EMCs allowed in the public right-of-way (ROW) | ❌ Not addressed in § 507.16 — likely subject to separate rights‐of‐way, sign, or public works regulations. |
| Minimum setback required | The section delegates to zoning administrator and relevant zoning district standards — no universal setback number given in § 507.16 alone. |
| Use restrictions | “Electronic message signs shall not be permitted in residential zoning districts” (per § 507.16) — use must conform to the zoning district’s permitted uses. |
Zoning District Overview
The City of South Fulton uses a zoning code with multiple zoning districts for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, etc. The ordinance section § 507.16 applies only in non-residential zoning districts (commercial, industrial, business, etc).
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To identify whether a particular parcel allows an EMC, start with the city’s zoning map or GIS viewer (City of South Fulton official site).
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Confirm the parcel’s zoning designation (for example, a “C-1”, “C-2”, “M-1”, etc) and then review the sign regulations for that district in conjunction with § 507.16.
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Because the ordinance text references the “zoning administrator” issuing a permit, clients should engage the city’s Planning & Zoning / Sign Permit department early in the process.
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Example: The City’s “Sign Requirements” explanatory document states that in the right-of-way signs must be 10 feet from the back of the curb, and for clarity, the city limits sign clutter to a maximum of 6 signs per lot.
Zoning-Specific Standards
Because § 507.16 does not itself list a full table of sign standards by district, you must pair it with the sign regulations found elsewhere in the city code (or sign ordinance) for each zoning district. For example:
Commercial / Business Districts
| Requirement | Standard (per zoning + § 507.16) |
|---|---|
| EMC permitted? | ✅ Yes, if zoning is commercial/industrial and § 507.16 criteria met |
| Maximum number of EMCs | Determined by zoning district’s sign code + permit from zoning administrator |
| Maximum area, height, setback | Set by the zone’s sign regulations + compliance with § 507.16’s safety/visibility rules |
| Animated or changing content? | § 507.16 defines electronic message signs (readable from street/sidewalk, message changes more than once every 24 hours) — so changing content is allowed, but must meet standards and permit conditions |
| Off-premise content | ❌ Not addressed directly — must check if the sign regulations for the zoning district permit off-premise content |
| Right-of-way projection | ❌ Not addressed in § 507.16 — check ROW sign rules and city public works/transportation regulations |
If applicable, you would also prepare separate tables for industrial, residential (though EMCs are not permitted in residential according to § 507.16), institutional/civic, etc.
Permit Filing Requirements
For any proposed EMC in South Fulton:
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You must apply for a sign permit through the city’s Planning & Zoning department, referencing § 507.16 for electronic message sign approval.
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Submit: sign permit application form, site plan showing sign location, zoning district designation, setback & height calculations, electrical permit (if required), specification sheet of EMC (type, size, brightness, change interval).
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The ordinance mandates the zoning administrator must review standards and may impose conditions (e.g., brightness limits, hours of operation, message change interval).
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The “Sign Requirements” document from the city indicates right-of-way signage needs to maintain stated setback and may require separate approval.
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Permit fees are determined by the city’s fee schedule (not listed directly in § 507.16). Applicants should contact the City of South Fulton’s Building & Safety / Planning Division for current fee schedule.
Local Project Example (Optional)
While we don’t have a documented published example specific to EMC installations under § 507.16 in South Fulton, a practitioner might identify a recently permitted digital message sign in a commercial corridor, highlight its scope (e.g., 8 ft x 12 ft freestanding EMC at a shopping center), include photo(s), note how the permit review addressed visibility setback, brightness controls, and compliance with § 507.16’s language.
Full Ordinance Text (Verbatim)
Below is the relevant portion of the City of South Fulton Code of Ordinances, § 507.16:
“Electronic message signs shall mean a sign on which the message is readable from the street or sidewalk and where the message is visibly changed more than once every 24 hours by electrical, mechanical or electronic means. Electronic message signs shall not be permitted in residential zoning districts. The zoning administrator may issue a permit for electronic message signs provided that the applicant demonstrates compliance with all applicable standards of this section.”
(For complete context and all subsections, please review the full ordinance via the link above.)
External References
🗺️ South Fulton Zoning & GIS Map
📘 South Fulton Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal