City of Lithonia, GA Sign Ordinance Amendment Summary 2019
In Lithonia, Georgia, the regulations for electronic message centers (EMCs) are governed by the city's sign ordinance, which specifies permissible sign types, dimensions, and placement based on zoning districts. However, the ordinance does not explicitly mention electronic message centers. Therefore, EMCs would likely be subject to the general provisions applicable to the sign types they resemble, such as wall signs or monument signs.
Height and Structure Requirements:
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Monument Signs: In zoning districts like EG (Form-Based Edge), C-1 (Local Commercial), NS (Neighborhood Shopping), OCR (Office Commercial Residential), and O-I (Office Institutional), monument signs are permitted with the following limitations:
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Maximum Height: 15 feet
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Maximum Width: 10 feet
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Maximum Signable Area: 150 square feet
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Setback: Minimum of six feet from the right-of-way and electrical transmission lines
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Wall Signs: For the same zoning districts, wall signs are allowed with the following restrictions:
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Maximum Width: 80% of the wall's width
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Maximum Signable Area: 1 square foot per linear foot of primary façade frontage
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Setback: Not specified for wall signs, but they must comply with general safety and structural regulations
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Additional Considerations:
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Illumination: The ordinance permits signs to be either internally or externally illuminated.
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Aggregate Signable Area: The total signable area for any lot within these districts should not exceed 150 square feet, regardless of the number or type of signs.
🔧 Purpose of the Ordinance:
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Amends Chapter 21 of the Sign Ordinance.
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Specifically, the allowed size of projecting signs in the Core District (CD) and Downtown District (DT) should be increased.
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Seeks to protect public health, safety, and aesthetics.
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Includes severability, repeal of conflicting ordinances, and codification.
🔹 Key Changes for CD (Core) & DT (Downtown) Districts
✅ Permitted Sign Types:
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Required by law
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Suspended signs
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Projecting signs (increased size allowed) – 1 per building, 20 ft spacing
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Wall signs
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Sandwich board signs
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Window signs (+1 internal neon sign per lot/tenant)
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Awning signs
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Flag signs (in front of primary façade)
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Street number signs
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Incidental signs
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Directional signs
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Warning signs
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Temporary signs
📏 Additional Regulations:
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Signs may be internally or externally illuminated.
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Max 2 signs per primary façade from these types:
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Projecting, wall, window, awning, suspended
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Max 1 sign per secondary façade of the same types
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Additional signs per tenant allowed if installed on tenant’s property
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Minimum 6 ft setback from electrical transmission lines
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No setback required from ROW on front/sides; 5 ft setback required at rear
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Total signable area per lot must not exceed 100 sq ft
📊 Sign Standards Table – CD & DT Districts
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Width | Max Area (Primary) | Max Area (Secondary) | Max # per Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projecting Sign | See Sec. 8(e)(2), can project 5 ft | 24 ft | 12 sq ft | 0.75 sf/ft of secondary frontage | 1 per primary & secondary façade; 1 per tenant |
| Wall Sign | N/A | 80% of wall | 1 sf per ft of frontage | .75 sf per ft of secondary frontage | Same as above |
| Window Sign | N/A | N/A | 10% or max 12 sq ft | 10% or max 12 sq ft | Same |
| Awning Sign | See Sec. 8(f) | See Sec. 8(f) | See Sec. 8(f) | See Sec. 8(f) | Same |
| Sandwich Board | 3 ft | 2 ft | 6 sq ft | N/A | 1 per building |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 8 ft | 32 sq ft (50 cubic ft if 3D) | 32 sq ft (same) | Same |
| Flag Sign | 25 ft pole | 3 ft | 10 sq ft | 3 sq ft | 2 max |
| Suspended Sign | 4 ft | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | 6 sq ft | 1 per façade |
| Directional, Warning, Incidental | 3 ft | 3 ft | 3 sq ft (each) | 3 sq ft | Varies per need |
🔸 Regulations for EG, C-1, NS, OCR, O-I Zoning Districts (Commercial/Office)
✅ Permitted Sign Types:
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Legal signs
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Suspended, changeable copy, monument, projecting, wall, temporary, window, awning, flag, incidental, directional, entrance, warning signs
📏 Additional Regulations:
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Max 2 signs per primary façade from major types (projecting, wall, window, etc.)
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Max 1 per secondary façade, with extra allowed per tenant
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Minimum 6 ft setback from ROW and utility lines
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Total signable area per lot: 150 sq ft max
📊 Sign Standards Table – EG, C-1, NS, OCR, O-I Districts
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Width | Max Area (Primary) | Max Area (Secondary) | Max # per Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pole Sign | 15 ft | 10 ft | 150 sq ft | N/A | 1 |
| Monument Sign | 15 ft | 10 ft | 150 sq ft | N/A | 1 |
| Wall Sign | N/A | 80% of wall | 1 sf per ft of frontage | .75 sf per ft of secondary | 1 per façade, 1 per tenant |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 8 ft | 32 sq ft (50 cu ft if 3D) | 32 sq ft (same) | Same |
| Window Sign | N/A | N/A | 10% of window or 12 sq ft | 10% or 12 sq ft | Same |
| Awning Sign | See Sec. 8(f) | See Sec. 8(f) | See Sec. 8(f) | See Sec. 8(f) | Same |
| Entrance Sign | 8 ft | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | 32 sq ft | 1 per entrance from public road |
| Changeable Copy | N/A | N/A | 40% of sign area | N/A | 1 per primary façade |
| Projecting Sign | See Sec. 8(e)(2) | 2 ft | 12 sq ft | 12 sq ft | 1 per façade, 1 per tenant |
| Flag, Incidental, Directional, Warning | 3 ft | 3 ft | 3 sq ft each | 3 sq ft each | Varies |