Are LED Signs Allowed in Tyrone, Fayette County, Georgia? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes, but with significant restrictions. EMC signs are not broadly permitted and are treated as a specific, conditional sign type rather than a standard allowance.
The Tyrone Sign Ordinance states that "changeable copy signs" (which include Electronic Message Centers) are only permitted under specific conditions and in specific zoning districts.
Official Ordinance Reference: § 111-4 (Definitions) and § 111-6 (Permitted signs by zoning district).
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Tyrone Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & Parcel View – City of Tyrone Zoning & Parcel View
EMC Sign Summary Table
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | Town Center (TC), General Commercial (GC) - with use restrictions |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Freestanding, Wall |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | ❌ No |
| EMCs allowed in the public right-of-way | ❌ No |
| Minimum setback required | 15 feet from any property line (for freestanding) |
| Use restrictions | Primarily for churches, schools, and other public/civic uses. Limited commercial use in TC/GC. |
Zoning District Overview
Tyrone's zoning code is structured around its community character. Signage is most relevant in commercial and mixed-use districts.
The key zoning districts for EMC signs are:
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TC (Town Center District)
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GC (General Commercial District)
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R-1 through R-4 (Residential Districts) - EMCs are prohibited.
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LI (Light Industrial District) - EMCs are prohibited.
Zoning-Specific Standards
The code specifically regulates "Changeable Copy Signs," which are defined as signs "designed so that characters, letters, or illustrations can be changed or rearranged manually or electronically without altering the face or surface of the sign." This definition includes Electronic Message Centers.
Commercial & Civic Zoning Table
| Requirement | TC (Town Center) | GC (General Commercial) |
|---|---|---|
| EMC allowed | ✅ Yes, with restrictions | ✅ Yes, with restrictions |
| Permitted sign types | Freestanding, Wall | Freestanding, Wall |
| Maximum number of EMCs | 1 per lot | 1 per lot |
| Maximum area (per face) | 12 sq. ft. | 12 sq. ft. |
| Maximum height | 8 ft. (freestanding) | 8 ft. (freestanding) |
| Illumination allowed | ✅ Yes (Static) | ✅ Yes (Static) |
| Animation/Video | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Message Change Interval | ❌ Not less than 5 seconds | ❌ Not less than 5 seconds |
| Off-premise content allowed | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Setback requirement | 15 ft. from property line | 15 ft. from property line |
Key Restrictions from the Ordinance:
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Use Priority: The code emphasizes that these signs are intended for "churches, schools, and other public and civic uses."
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Commercial Use: For other commercial uses in the TC and GC districts, changeable copy signs are only permitted if the primary use is "a permitted use which is open to the general public and which involves a schedule of events or other information which changes on a regular basis."
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Residential & LI Prohibition: The ordinance explicitly states that changeable copy signs are prohibited in all residential zoning districts and the Light Industrial (LI) district.
Permit Filing Requirements
All signs in Tyrone, including EMCs, require a permit before installation.
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Required Forms: Town of Tyrone Sign Permit Application. You will likely also need to provide a site plan and sign construction details.
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Permit Fee: Contact the Tyrone Planning Department for the current fee schedule.
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Our Service Fee: [Your Company Name] offers full permit filing service for Tyrone EMC signs. Contact us for a custom quote.
Official Permit Contact: Town of Tyrone Planning & Zoning Department. It is highly recommended to contact them directly before applying.
Local Project Examples
Due to the restrictive nature of the EMC sign code in Tyrone, successful projects are typically for qualifying civic institutions like churches or schools. These projects require careful planning to meet the strict 12 sq. ft. size and other limitations.
Full Ordinance Text (Verbatim)
The following sections are directly from the Tyrone Code of Ordinances, Chapter 111:
§ 111-4. Definitions.
Changeable copy sign. A sign that is designed so that characters, letters, or illustrations can be changed or rearranged manually or electronically without altering the face or surface of the sign.
§ 111-6. Permitted signs by zoning district.
(c) Prohibited signs. The following signs shall be prohibited in all zoning districts of the town: ... (7) Changeable copy signs, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(e) Signs permitted in the TC town center district. ... (5) Changeable copy signs, subject to the following: (i) Limited to one per lot; (ii) Limited to a maximum of 12 square feet per sign face; (iii) Limited to a maximum height of eight feet for freestanding signs; (iv) Limited to freestanding and wall signs; (v) Must be set back a minimum of 15 feet from all property lines; (vi) Changeable copy signs are intended for churches, schools, and other public and civic uses. For other uses, a changeable copy sign shall be permitted only where the primary use of the property is a permitted use which is open to the general public and which involves a schedule of events or other information which changes on a regular basis.
(f) Signs permitted in the GC general commercial district. ... (5) Changeable copy signs, subject to the same regulations as in the TC district.
(g) Signs permitted in the LI light industrial district. ... (4) Prohibited signs: Changeable copy signs... shall be prohibited.
(h) Signs permitted in residential districts. ... (4) Prohibited signs: Changeable copy signs... shall be prohibited.
§ 111-7. General sign regulations.
(d) Changeable copy signs. ... (2) Message duration. The message of a changeable copy sign shall not change more frequently than once every five seconds.
External References
🗺️ Tyrone Zoning & Parcel View
📘 Tyrone Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal