This article shall be known and cited as the "Sign Ordinance."

(Ord. No. 2025-03, 6-3-2025)

(1)

Troup County finds that signs are a proper use of private property, are a means of personal free expression, and are a necessary component of a commercial environment. However, the number of signs tends to proliferate, with property owners desiring an increasing number and size of signs, leading to cluttered and aesthetically blighted thoroughfares. In addition, the competition among competing sign owners for visibility of their signs contributes to safety hazards for both vehicles and pedestrians and undermines the sign owners' original purpose of presenting a clear message of its idea or identification of its premises.

(2)

Troup County finds that the regulation of the size, height, number, location and spacing of signs is necessary to protect the public safety, to assure compatibility of signs with surrounding land uses, to enhance the business and economy of the County, to protect the public investment in the roads, streets and highways, to maintain the tranquil environment of residential area, to promote industry and commerce, to eliminate visual clutter and blight, to provide an aesthetically appealing environment, and to provide for the orderly and reasonable display of advertising for the benefit of all the County's citizens.

(3)

Troup County finds that there is a substantial difference between signs erected by public authority and signs erected by private citizens or businesses. Signs erected by public authority are virtually all erected for the purpose of maintaining the public safety, either through direct control of traffic or through provision of such types of signage as road or street signs, which enable the traveling public to know where they are located and to find where they are going. As such, with the exception of signs identifying government buildings, virtually all government signs are erected purely for public safety purposes. Moreover, their use in the public right-of-way is necessary to ensure their visibility to the motoring public. The County commission finds that public utility signs are frequently of the same nature as those signs erected by governmental entities in that they provide necessary information to safeguard the public from downed power lines and from road or street excavations. Even where signs serve a proprietary purpose, such as identifying markings on utility poles, those signs are marked primarily for the purpose of benefiting the public generally through identification of locations where there may be temporary losses of power.

(4)

Troup County finds that some signage has a single targeted function and that identification of such signage by description is impossible without referring to its function. For instance, address numerals are used for the sole purpose of location addresses, which is of benefit to persons looking for those addresses and is essential to public safety personnel responding to emergencies. Subdivision signs at the entrances to subdivisions favor a similar purpose in enabling both the traveling public and emergency personnel to quickly locate subdivision entrances for the purpose of either visitation or responding to emergency calls. While such signage is referenced based upon the function it serves within the context of this ordinance, the bulk of the provisions of this article are unrelated to the content of the speech provided and allow maximum expressive potential to sign owners.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, 6-3-2025)

(1)

The intent of this article is to further the substantial governmental interests of correcting and avoiding multiple problems that would occur without the regulation of signs. The regulations contained herein are no more extensive than necessary to serve the substantial governmental interests identified in this ordinance. It is not the intent of this ordinance to apply regulations to signs based upon the message that they convey.

(2)

The purposes of this article are:

(a)

To protect the rights of individuals and businesses to convey their messages through signs;

(b)

To encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication;

(c)

To promote economic development;

(d)

To improve traffic and pedestrian safety, as it may be affected by distracting signs;

(e)

To regulate signs by zoning district, size, height, location on a lot, number, methods of construction, maintenance, and illumination;

(f)

To prevent the destruction of the natural beauty and environment of the County and to maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment of the County;

(g)

To protect the public health, safety, and general welfare;

(h)

To restrict the continued existence of abandoned or nonconforming signs unless in compliance with the terms of this section and to eliminate, over time, all nonconforming signs;

(i)

To ensure the fair and consistent enforcement of sign standards; and

(j)

To further the objectives of the County's Comprehensive Plan.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, 6-3-2025)

The provisions of this ordinance shall apply to all signs that are or are intended to be viewed from a public right-of-way, private roads, streets, or adjacent property, erected in the unincorporated areas of Troup County, Georgia, or specifically exempted from compliance with this ordinance. The provisions of this article do not apply to any sign not visible from public or private thoroughfares or adjacent properties, or any sign within a business, office, or other totally enclosed area.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, 6-3-2025)

The following are exempt from permitting requirements imposed by this article, but must meet all applicable regulations of this article:

i.

Window Displays: Window displays of goods available on a site are not considered to be signs and are exempt from these regulations.

ii.

Window Signs: Window signs shall be allowed in the CR, UR-VL, HC, LI, and HI zoning districts, provided they do not exceed 50 percent of the total window area.

iii.

Brand names and logos: Brand names or logos on products, product containers, or product dispensers (such as, but not limited to, a soft drink machine or gasoline pump) that are an integral part of the product or the product's packaging are not considered to be signs and are exempt from these sign regulations.

iv.

Official signs: Signs placed by or at the direction of a governmental body, governmental agency or public authority, such as, but not limited to traffic signs, signals, or regulatory devices or warnings; official emblems, public notices, or official instruments; signs providing directions to specific events or areas of architectural or historic significance or gateways; or other similar governmental signs or devices. Cush signs are authorized within all rights-of-way or other properties controlled by such governmental body, agency, or authority, and at such other locations as a governmental body, governmental agency, or public authority may direct.

v.

Addresses: Numerals displayed for the purpose of identifying property location.

vi.

Flags: Flags must meet the following requirements:

(a)

All flags shall be displayed on flagpoles, which may be vertical or mast arm flagpoles. For non-agricultural/non-residential properties, flagpoles shall not exceed the height limit of the applicable zoning district, or 50 feet, whichever is less. Flagpoles on agricultural or residential properties shall not exceed 25 feet in height.

(b)

Flags shall be limited to no more than 60 square feet in area.

(c)

Each single 2-or two-family residential lot shall be allowed one (1) flagpole.

(d)

Each multi-family, institutional, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use lot shall be allowed a maximum of three (3) flagpoles.

(e)

A maximum of two (2) flags shall be allowed per flagpole.

(f)

Flags and flagpoles shall be maintained in good repair, and to the extent applicable, shall be in compliance with the building code. Flagpoles with broken halyards shall not be used.

(g)

On officially designated City, County, State, or Federal holidays, there shall be no maximum flag size or number or other limitations of the display of flags.

(h)

This section shall not be construed to restrict the right to display eligible flags as banners as provided elsewhere in this article.

vii.

Incidental Signs: Small signs and postings as defined in this article of no more than 2 square foot, provided that the aggregate of all such signs on a property may not exceed 16 square feet.

viii.

Temporary Freestanding Signs: Signs designed for temporary display and not permanently affixed to the ground that do not exceed an aggregate sign area of nine (9) square feet per lot in all zoning districts. Such signs shall have a maximum height of three (3) feet from ground level and be set back at least two (2) feet from any right-of-way and shall be limited to 30 consecutive days and a total of 90 days per year.

ix.

Property approved for Agritourism or Rural-Tourism will be allowed signs as permitted in the zoning district and any signage allowed as a condition of the special permit process.

x.

Sidewalk and sandwich board signs: Each tenant space is permitted one (1) sandwich board sign subject to the following requirements:

(a)

Each sign shall not exceed 30 inches wide by 45 inches tall.

(b)

Each sign must be located within 10 feet of the pedestrian entrance of the premises.

(c)

Each sign shall not obstruct a continuous through pedestrian zone of at least five (5) feet in width.

(d)

Such a sign may be utilized only during the hours of operation of the store or entity using it and shall be removed during the hours it is closed.

xi.

Weekend Signs: Weekend signs shall be allowed, subject to the following requirements:

(a)

Such signs shall be allowed only on Fridays from 12:00 PM through Tuesdays at 8:00 AM.

(b)

No more than one (1) weekend sign per lot.

(c)

No sign shall be located on any public right-of-way, and it must be on private property with the consent of the property owner.

(d)

Signs shall not exceed a maximum area of six (6) square feet each.

(e)

Such signs shall not be illuminated.

xii.

Standard Information Signs: Standard Information Signs shall be allowed subject to the following requirements:

(a)

Sign area not to exceed 32 square feet with a placard made for short-term use.

(b)

No reflective elements, flags, or projections.

(c)

Height not to exceed 72 inches.

(d)

Mounted on a stake or metal frame with a thickness or diameter not greater than 1.5 inches.

(e)

No more than one (1) per road frontage.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, 6-3-2025)

The following standards shall apply unless otherwise specified in this article.

(1)

A permit shall be required for the erection, alteration, or reconstruction of any sign unless otherwise noted in 10.5. Permits shall be issued by the Community Development Department in accordance with the regulations contained in this article.

(2)

Design, material, and maintenance. Any sign not meeting the following provisions shall be repaired or rebuilt in accordance with the specifications of this article:

(a)

All signs shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the International Building Code and the National Electrical Code.

(b)

The area on private property around the sign on which it is erected shall be properly maintained, clear of brush, trees, and other obstacles, so as to make the sign readily visible.

(c)

All burned-out bulbs or damaged panels must be replaced.

(d)

All sign copy shall be maintained securely to the face and all missing copy must be replaced.

(e)

All signs shall be maintained in good structural condition at all times so that the public and traffic safety are not compromised, and

(f)

It shall be the responsibility of the sign owner to maintain and ensure compliance with the provisions of this article.

(3)

Permanent signs shall be made of high-quality, durable material. Approved materials are metal with a minimum thickness of six (6) mm, high-density urethane (HDU), or wood. If plywood is to be used, it must have exceptionally smooth and weather-resistant surfaces, such as those with medium-density overlay (MDO) board. Other high-quality materials shall be given consideration, and if of comparable quality and durability, may be allowed at the discretion of the County.

(4)

Illumination. No sign shall be illuminated by lights that flash, move, change in intensity, or turn on intermittently more than once a day, unless it is a permitted automatic changeable copy sign as allowed in subsection 10.8. To prevent glare visible from a public road, street or adjoining property, the beam of any light shall be directed as not to be visible beyond the sign at which it is directed, and the light source shall not be visible from any point on an adjacent property or land of the public right-of-way.

(5)

Sign message. In any zoning district, any sign, display, or device allowed under this article may contain any lawful noncommercial or commercial message except as expressly provided herein. No provision of this article shall be construed to allow regulation of signs based on the content of the sign message.

(6)

Measurement of Pole Sign and/or Interstate Sign Height: The height of a pole sign and/or interstate sign shall be equal to the vertical distance from the elevation of the centerline of the roadway at the nearest adjacent dedicated public road, street, to the highest point of the sign structure.

(7)

Measurement of a Ground/Monument Sign Height: The height of a ground/monument sign shall be equal to the vertical distance from the average grade at the base of the sign to the highest point of the sign structure. Any earthen berms and elevated foundations supporting signs, signposts, or other sign supports shall be included in the height of the sign. The ground shall not be altered for the sole purpose of providing additional sign height.

(8)

Measurement of Sign Area: The area of a sign is calculated by determining the area of the smallest square or rectangle that encloses the sign face and the structure surrounding the sign face. For example, the pole or base would not be included, but any frame holding the sign face in place would be counted. Only one (1) face of a multi-face sign structure shall be used in computing the sign area. Where a single freestanding structure contains multiple individual signs, the sign area shall be the total gross area in square feet of all signs on the structure.

(9)

Building signs.

(a)

A building sign may not project higher than the wall or surface to which it is attached.

(b)

A building sign may not project more than 18 inches from the wall surface unless approved as a hanging or projecting sign.

(c)

Changeable copy signs and changing signs are prohibited as building signs.

(10)

Freestanding signs.

(a)

Freestanding pole signs.

(i)

Freestanding signs shall be allowed as accessory uses only.

(ii)

Freestanding signs shall be setback at least 15 feet from the curb or edge of pavement of the roadway or two (2) feet behind the right-of-way, whichever is greater.

(iii)

No freestanding sign shall be located within 30 feet of the nearest intersecting point of two (2) road or street right-of-way lines.

(iv)

Freestanding signs shall be located at least 50 feet from other freestanding signs on the same side of the road.

(b)

Freestanding monument signs.

(i)

Monument signs located within 100 feet of a public right-of-way shall display the road or street address of the property, except where the sign is located on property that has more than one (1) road or street frontage and the property address is assigned from a road or street other than the road or street frontage whereupon such sign is erected.

(ii)

Road or street numbers shall be of contrasting colors against the background, visible from both directions of travel along the road or street, and no less than six (6) inches nor more than 10 inches in height.

(iii)

Monument signs shall have a substantial base with stone, brick, or other compatible material to help give the sign a sense of being permanent, "anchored," and durable.

(iv)

The design details, construction materials, color, and architectural style shall be consistent with that of the principal buildings on the site. Signs shall integrate compatible architectural elements on the sides and top to frame the sign pane(s).

(v)

Architectural lines that complement those of the building shall be incorporated, especially with respect to the top of the sign. Columns, pilaster, cornices, and similar details can provide design interest and keep the sign in scale with adjacent buildings.

(11)

Projecting signs.

(a)

A projecting sign shall not project more than 36 inches beyond the wall to which it is attached.

(b)

A projecting sign shall be finished on both sides.

(c)

A projecting sign shall be mounted perpendicularly to the wall.

(12)

Gas Canopy Signs: One (1) company logo shall be allowed per road or street frontage.

(13)

Project Entrance Signs. Where permitted, project entrance signs shall meet the following standards:

(a)

Each project entrance may have no more than one (1) such sign per entrance if double-faced or two (2) signs if attached to symmetrical entrance structures.

(b)

The sign must be constructed of brick, stone, masonry, or equivalent architectural material and be monument-style or integral to walls/fencing separating the project from the road street.

(c)

The maximum face area shall not exceed 40 square feet.

(d)

The height of the structure shall not exceed eight feet including embellishments which shall not extend more than two (2) feet above the main body of the structure.

(e)

Signs shall not be internally illuminated.

(f)

Signs shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from the edge of a road or street or two (2) feet behind the right-of-way, whichever is greater.

(14)

Miscellaneous Freestanding Signs: Accessory uses on multi-family lots to include manufactured housing parks and commercial recreational vehicle parks, campgrounds, and rental cabins, non-residential lots and lots with public and institutional uses, subject to the following regulations:

(a)

Within the area between a road or street right-of-way line and the minimum building setback required from that road or street right-of-way line on the property, the following applies:

(i)

Permanently installed miscellaneous freestanding signs may be located only within three (3) feet of driveways or curb cuts that provide access into or from the property. There shall be no more than two (2) such signs per driveway or curb cut and each such sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area nor more than three (3) feet in height.

(ii)

Miscellaneous freestanding signs located farther from the road or street than the minimum building setback from that road or street right-of-way line on the property, shall be allowed provided that such signs are no more than six (6) square feet in area nor more than six (6) feet in height.

(iii)

Directory signs for multi-family lots to include UR-VL zoned lots are permitted provided they do not exceed four (4) square feet each nor six (6) feet in height.

(iv)

Display boards located next to drive-thru lanes. Such signs are permitted provided they do not exceed eight feet in height or 32 square feet in area.

(v)

Miscellaneous Freestanding Signs will be permitted as part of the overall site design review process for new and expanded development.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, 6-3-2025)

(1)

Interstate Signs will be allowed on I-85 only, according to the latest version of the adopted quadrant map. The following standards must be met:

(a)

The property shall be at least a one (1)-acre lot and must be zoned LI or HI.

(b)

The maximum sign height shall be 75 feet.

(c)

The surface area of the sign shall not exceed 400 square feet per sign face, and not more than 800 square feet of total sign area when all sign faces are combined.

(d)

The location of each interstate sign shall be set back not more than 100 feet from I-85, but at least 10 feet from I-85 and 40 feet from all other property lines.

(e)

No freestanding interstate sign shall be located within 50 feet of another freestanding sign.

(f)

The face of each sign shall be perpendicular to the centerline of the interstate nearest to its location. No sign shall have more than 2 faces.

(g)

Interstate signs shall not be changing signs.

(h)

All interstate signs must be permitted by Troup County Building, Zoning and Planning Department in accordance with this section as well as the Georgia Department of Transportation.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, 6-3-2025)

Changing signs or signs employing changing sign technology shall be allowed exclusively within the HC, LI and HI zoning district as a portion of a conforming, freestanding sign and are allowed on property used for public or institutional use regardless of zoning district. Changing Signs are further subject to the following requirements:

(1)

Each message displayed on any changing sign display shall remain static for at least 30 seconds following the completion of its transition from the previous message. As used in this subsection "static" shall mean a display that is fixed in one (1) position with no portion of the display being in motion or changing in color or light intensity.

(2)

When a message is changed mechanically, the transition between a complete static display of the previous message and a complete static display of the next message shall be accomplished in three (3) seconds or less. The transition period shall be measured as that period between any movement of any part of the display of the previous message and the time that the display of the next message is fully static.

(3)

When a message is changed electronically, the transition between a complete static display of the previous message and a complete static display of the next message shall be accomplished in two (2) seconds or less. The transition period shall be measured as that period between the time that the previous message is static and fully illuminated and the next message is static and fully illuminated.

(4)

No changing sign may include animated, flashing, full-motion video or other intermittent elements. The transition period between two (2) fully illuminated static messages displayed in an electronically changed sign shall not be considered an intermittent element so long as the purpose of the changing light intensity is to fade or dissolve into the next message.

(5)

No changing sign may have any type of changing effect on the border of the sign that is not fully integrated with a static message display and which does not transition to the next static message display in the same manner as the rest of the display.

(6)

No display or other effect from any electronically changed sign shall cause a glare or other condition that impairs the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle or which otherwise interferes with the safe operation of a motor vehicle.

(7)

Message transitions achieved by means of the scrolling of the letters, numbers or symbols shall be completed within two (2) seconds and shall remain static for at least sixty (60) seconds following the completion of the transition from the previous message.

(8)

All signs shall appropriately adjust display brightness as ambient light levels change so that the brightness of the display does not cause a glare or other condition that impairs the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle or which otherwise interferes with the safe operation of a motor vehicle. The maximum illumination, intensity, or brightness of electronic signs shall not exceed 5,000 nits (candelas per square meter) during daylight hours, or 500 nits (candelas per square meter) between dusk to dawn. The sign must have an automatic phased proportional dimmer control, photocell or other light sensing device, or a scheduled dimming timer, or another approved device, which produces a distinct illumination change that reduce nighttime brightness levels (compared to daytime brightness levels). The applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been factory pre-set or can be programmed not to exceed the levels specified in this subsection; end-user manipulation of pre-set levels or to exceed those specifications herein shall not be permitted. Unless another industry standard is accepted, the measurement for purposes of this paragraph shall be at any point 10 feet from the surface of the changing sign.

(9)

No malfunction of a changing sign shall cause a glare or other condition that impairs the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle or which otherwise interferes with the safe operation of a motor vehicle.

(10)

Any changing sign currently in existence shall comply with the regulations of this part. If a changing sign currently in existence cannot meet these requirements due to the limitation of the technology being employed, the owner of the sign shall be allowed to continue the existing use upon a showing, satisfactory to the Community Development Director, that the requirements of this part cannot be met.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, 6-3-2025)

Temporary signs to include banners (includes definition of feather banners) and portable signs are allowed as indicated on Table B. 10.10 and in conformance with the following regulations:

(1)

Location:

(a)

All temporary signs must be set back at least 15 feet from the edge of the road or street pavement or two feet behind the right-of-way, whichever is greater.

(b)

A temporary sign must be located at least 10 feet from any other sign.

(c)

A temporary sign shall be erected and maintained only with the permission of the owner of the property on which the sign is to be located.

(2)

Permit Required: A temporary sign permit and fee shall be required for the signs allowed in this section.

(3)

Size:

(a)

Banners: Banners may not exceed 24 square feet.

(b)

Portable Signs: Portable signs may not exceed 32 square feet.

(4)

Number of signs (not exempt from permitting requirements). Only two (2) signs (2) related to each temporary event may be located on a lot at any one (1) time.

(5)

Duration:

(a)

Each lot that can have a temporary event sign under this section may have a permitted sign for 30 days in duration and may be approved four (4) times per calendar year. The 30 days may not be in succession.

(b)

A new business may place one (1) temporary sign prior to opening which provides information such as name, opening date, now hiring, etc. Sign shall be removed prior to occupying the building for business purposes. The sign shall be no larger than six (6) feet in height and 24 square feet in sign area.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, 6-3-2025)

(Ord. No. 2025-03, 6-3-2025)

For signs in overlay zoning districts, such as the Airport special district and the PUD special zoning district, the regulations governing signage for the underlying zoning districts shall apply.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, 6-3-2025)

Signs shall be permitted within the roadway buffer, in accordance with provisions of this section and subject to the approval of the Community Development Director. Signs located outside (beyond) the roadway buffer are not subject to the requirements of this section, but all signs are subject to the sign regulations otherwise stated in this ordinance.

(1)

The total sign area of all signage on any one (1) lot shall not exceed 64 square feet. A double-faced sign shall be considered a single sign. No more than two (2) signs shall be permitted within the roadway buffer area per lot, except that this limitation shall not apply to signs erected by Troup County the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources or other signs owned and erected by a government entity to preserve the public safety, health and welfare.

(2)

The material used to construct the sign, as well as the color of the sign shall be approved by the Community Development Director at the time of submittal of plans for the development or rezoning request.

(3)

No internally illuminated signs shall be permitted, nor shall any flashing, blinking, fluctuating, or otherwise changing light source be permitted.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, 6-3-2025)

The following signs shall be prohibited in the County:

(1)

Any sign not specifically identified in this article as a permitted sign.

(2)

Abandoned signs.

(3)

Animated and flashing signs. Signs (excluding changing signs) that flash, blink, rotate, revolve, or have moving parts or visible bulbs, and signs containing reflective elements that sparkle in the sunlight or otherwise simulate illumination during daylight hours.

(4)

Dilapidated signs. Signs that are dilapidated or in such condition as to create a hazard, nuisance, or be unsafe or fail to comply with any provision of the building code.

(5)

Fringe, streamers, pennants, air or gas-filled figures, search lights, beacons, and other similar temporary event signs.

(6)

Light strands. Series, lines, or rows of lights supported by cables or other physical means.

(7)

Obscene signs. Obscene signs, as defined by the state at O.C.G.A. § 16-12-80, as amended.

(8)

Obstructions. No sign shall obstruct any fire escape, window, door, or opening usable for fire prevention or suppression, or prevent free passage from part of a roof to any other part thereof. No sign shall extend above a parapet wall, be affixed to a fire escape, or interfere with any opening required for ventilation. No sign shall interfere with road or highway visibility or obstruct or otherwise interfere with the orderly movement of traffic or pedestrians. No sign shall pose a hazard to traffic or pedestrians due to structural deficiencies of such sign.

(9)

Portable signs except as specifically authorized in subsection 10.9.

(10)

Banner signs (to include feather banner signs) except as specifically authorized in subsection 10.9.

(11)

Private signs placed on public property. Any sign posted or erected on public rights-of-way or any other public property except as authorized by the governmental body, agency, or public authority having jurisdiction over such property.

(12)

Roof signs. This prohibition does not apply to the face of a parapet wall, provided that the sign must not extend above the top of the parapet wall.

(13)

Snipe signs.

(14)

Sound or smoke-emitting signs. A sign that emits or utilizes in any manner any sound capable of being detected on any traveled road or highway by a person with normal hearing, or a sign that emits smoke, vapor, or odors.

(15)

Signs advertising illegal activity. Signs that advertise an activity illegal under state or federal law.

(16)

Any sign attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property, except for signs meeting the following conditions:

(a)

The primary purpose of such a vehicle or trailer is not the display of signs.

(b)

The signs are magnetic, decals, or painted upon an integral part of the vehicle or equipment as originally designed by the manufacturer, and do not break the silhouette of the vehicle.

(c)

The vehicle and/or trailer is in operating conditions, currently registered and licensed to operate on public roads or streets when applicable, and actively used or available for use in the daily function of the business to which such signs relate.

(d)

The vehicle is parked in a legal parking area, on a lot with an active business license.

(17)

Vehicles and trailers used primarily as static displays, advertising a product or service, utilized as storage, shelter, or distribution points for commercial products or services for the general public.

(18)

Signs imitating public warning or traffic devices, including:

(a)

Any sign that displays intermittent lights resembling the flashing lights customarily used in traffic signals or in police, fire, ambulance, or rescue vehicles, and any sign that uses the words "stop," "go," "slow," "caution," "danger," "warning" or other message or content in a manner that might mislead or confuse a driver.

(b)

Any sign that uses the words, slogans, dimensional shape or size, or colors of governmental traffic signs.

(c)

No red, green, and yellow illuminated sign shall be permitted within 300 feet of any traffic light.

(19)

Window signs. Window signs on residential properties and individual or aggregate window signs exceeding 50 percent of the window area per building elevation for all other districts.

(20)

Signs located in the right-of-way.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, 6-3-2025)

Signs that, on the effective date of this ordinance, were approved and legally erected under previous sign restrictions and have become nonconforming with respect to the requirements of this ordinance may continue in existence subject to the remaining provisions of this section.

(1)

Signs shall not be repaired, rebuilt, replaced, or altered except in conformity with this article after damage exceeding 50 percent of the signs' replacement cost at the time of damage.

(2)

Signs shall not be enlarged or altered in a way that would increase the nonconformity of the sign.

(3)

The right to continue use of a nonconforming sign is extinguished upon a change in ownership of the parcel upon which said nonconforming sign is located.

(4)

A non-conforming sign shall not be replaced by another non-conforming sign, except that the substitution or interchange of poster panels, painted boards, or demountable material on non-conforming signs shall be permitted. A change in the mode of message conveyance (i.e., from screen-print panel to LED) shall not be permitted on a non-conforming sign.

(5)

Minor repairs and maintenance of non-conforming signs, such as electrical repairs or lettering repairs, shall be allowed. However, no structural repairs or changes in the size or shape of the signs shall be permitted except to make the sign comply with the requirements of this ordinance.

(6)

Portable signs, banners, and other signs allowed under this article, which are not fixtures or freestanding signs, are considered personal property, unattached to the real property on which they are placed, and thus have no nonconforming or grandfather rights under this section.

(7)

A nonconforming sign shall not be rebuilt or otherwise re-established after its use has been discontinued for more than 90 days.

(8)

This section shall not apply to any sign which according to the application of state or federal law or rule is allowed to remain or to be rebuilt or reconstructed, unless just compensation is paid.

(9)

In all zoning districts, signs shall be removed which:

(a)

Were illegally erected or maintained with respect to prior ordinances.

(b)

Are made of paper, cloth or non-durable materials, except as otherwise permitted by this ordinance.

(c)

Are located in the public right-of-way, except as otherwise permitted by this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, 6-3-2025)

(1)

Permit required. Except as exempted from obtaining a permit, all persons desiring to post, install, erect, display, expand, relocate or substantially change a sign regulated by this article within the County, shall first obtain a sign permit and all other permits required for the desired structure in accordance with County ordinances. A change in the copy of a sign shall not constitute a substantial change. However, a change in the mode of message conveyance (i.e. from screen-print panel to LED) shall be considered a substantial change requiring a sign permit.

(2)

Application requirements. Applications for sign permits, along with the non-refundable application fee, shall be submitted by the sign owner or the owner's agent to the Community Development Director on the form furnished by the County. Only complete applications will be accepted. Applications shall include the following:

(a)

The road or street address of the property upon which the sign is to be located. In the absence of a road or street address, the parcel identification number as assigned by the Troup County Tax Assessor shall be given.

(b)

The name(s) and address(es) of all owners of the real property upon which the sign is to be located.

(c)

The name, address, contact information and occupational tax certificate number and issuing jurisdiction of the sign contractor/installer.

(d)

Written consent of the owner or owner's agent specifically granting permission for the placement of the sign as proposed.

(e)

The types of sign, height, face area and total cost of sign construction or installation.

(f)

For free-standing signs, a site plan, drawn to scale, showing the location of the proposed sign in relation to property and right-of-way lines (or edge of pavement, as appropriate), acreage of the parcel, location of driveways and parking spaces, public or private easements, and building locations.

(g)

For building signs, a to-scale drawing or photo-simulation of the building face upon which the proposed sign is to be installed showing the placement of the sign upon the building, dimensions of the wall and sign and its height from ground level.

(h)

Construction and/or fabrication details of the proposed sign, including certification as to conformance with all structural and wind-load resistive standards of the building code by a qualified structural engineer, or prepared using standard drawings prepared by a structural engineer or other qualified professional meeting, or exceeding all requirements of the building code, if applicable.

(i)

Whether or not the sign is to be illuminated and the method of illumination.

(3)

Time for consideration and issuance of permit. The County shall process all sign permit applications within 30 days of the County's actual receipt of a complete application and application fee for a sign permit. Revisions or amendments to an application shall extend the review period to 20 days from the date of submission of the revision or amendment. Revisions or amendments received after the issuance of a permit shall constitute a new application.

(a)

The Community Development Director shall reject any application as incomplete that does not include all items required for a sign permit application as set forth under subsection (2) of this section.

(b)

The Community Development Director shall reject any application containing false material statements or omissions. Any rejected application later resubmitted shall be deemed to have been submitted on the date of resubmission instead of the original date of submission.

(c)

Within 30 days of receipt of a complete application, the Community Development Director shall:

(i)

Issue the permit; or

(ii)

Inform the applicant in writing of the reasons why the permit cannot be issued.

Failure of the Community Development Director to act on a sign permit within 30 days shall result in a denial of the application.

(d)

Upon determination that the application fully complies with the provisions of this article, the building code, and all other applicable laws, regulations and articles of the County code, the sign permit shall be issued by the Community Development Director.

(e)

If it is determined that the application does not fully comply with the provisions of this article, the building code and all other applicable laws, regulations and articles of the County code, the Community Development Director shall reject the application and notify the applicant of the decision and reason(s) for the denial of the permit. The Community Development Director shall give such notice in writing by hand delivery, mail, e-mail or fax using the contact information provided on the application. The notice shall be post-marked or otherwise date-stamped on or before the 30th business day following the date of the completed application's receipt by the County. A denial pursuant to this section shall be appealable pursuant to the appeal procedures of this article.

(4)

Permit fees. A sign permit shall not be issued unless the appropriate permit fees, as established by the County commission, have been paid. No refunds of permit fees will be made for sign permits that expired due to failure to erect the subject sign. If a person desires to erect a sign in the same location as for any expired permit, a new application must first be processed and another fee paid in accordance with the fee schedule applicable at such time.

(5)

Expiration of permit. A sign permit shall become null and void if the sign for which the permit was issued has not been completed and fully installed within six (6) months of the date of issuance, provided, however, that a 90-day extension shall be granted if a written request for extension is received by the Community Development Director prior to the expiration date of the initial permit.

(6)

Appeals. Appeals from an administrative decision by the Community Development Director may be made by any person aggrieved, or by any officer, department, board, or bureau of the County affected by any decision of the Community Development Director or other County official based on this article. Such appeal shall be taken and exercised in accordance with the appeal provisions for the Zoning Ordinance for the County as contained in this Code as the same may now exist or hereafter be amended. Any such appeal shall be to the Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission, which shall hear and decide whether there is an error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by the Community Development Director or other County official based on this article.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, 6-3-2025)