FAQs

• Can I place signs along the road?

  Signs are prohibited in the right-of-way, street corners, sidewalks, medians, utility poles, etc. Signs must be placed on private property and set back at least 10 feet from the right-of-way.
  
  

• Can I put up Yard Sale/Garage Sale signs?

  Signs are prohibited in the right-of-way, street corners, sidewalks, medians, utility poles, etc. Signs must be placed on private property and set back at least 10 feet from the right-of-way.
  
  

• Do I need a permit for a real estate sign in my yard?

  A permit is not required for a real estate sign on your property. One sign of no more than 12sqft or up to 4 smaller signs with a total of no more than 12 sqft may be placed on your property so long as no other temporary signs exists on the property.
  
  
  

• Do I need a permit for my banner?

  Yes. All banners must be permitted prior to installation. Banners are permitted only at business locations and a permit can be issued 1 time per year, with each permit being valid for 14 days or 2 seven day periods.
  
  

• Does my new sign need any approvals prior to filing for a sign permit?

  The sign may require Design Review Board approval, depending on its location. The City of Alpharetta has design guidelines which state,” Sign review is required for the Central Business District and the Historic Business District as well as the Corridors of Influence.” Corridors of Influence include: Alpharetta Highway or State Route 9, Haynes Bridge Road, Mansell Road, North Point Parkway (from Mansell Road to Kimball Bridge Road), Old Milton Parkway, Westside Parkway (extending from Sanctuary Parkway to Windward Parkway), and Windward Parkway (from State Route 9 to Georgia 400). Certain other areas may be required to be submitted to the Design Review Board.
  
  

• How can I use signs along the road to advertise my business?

  If you have a physical commercial location for your business, you may be able to place signs on the property where you are located. This is regulated by the type of property, as summarized in the sign table (link). If you have a home-based business or executive suite style of business, you are prohibited from having signage on the exterior of your structure.
  
  

• How do I know where the right-of-way is?

  You can often estimate the edge of the right-of-way by sighting a line between utility poles or fire hydrants. Utility poles are usually placed on the edge of the right-of-way, immediately next to private property.
  
  

• How large can my sign be?

  The maximum square footage allowed for a sign depends on the type of sign and the kind of development in which it is located (office, retail, etc.). The sign table on page 2-73 of the Sign Ordinance provides an overview of what signs are allowed and how big they can be.
  
  

• I don’t find the answer to my question listed here. What do I do now?

  Call or email using the contact information on this page. We will return your call or email within 24 hours (excluding holidays and weekends).
  
  

• What do I need to submit to get a sign permit?

  There are various sign applications: monument signs, wall and building mounted signs, construction signs, real estate signs, and banner signs.
  
  At the bottom of each application is a list of all other documents required for that particular permit.