What Sign Permits Do You Need For Your Business?

Todd Starr • February 3, 2017

The Importance of Having The Right Sign Permits

If you want a sign, you will need a permit. The process and fees for obtaining permits vary depending on the jurisdiction so a little investigating up front may save future delays!

Do all new signs need a permit?
Yes

Do temporary signs, such as banners or commercial real estate signs need permits?
Yes, most jurisdictions require a permit.

Do I need a permit for a sign modification?
If the modification is within weeks or days of obtaining a sign permit, probably not, but most signs require a permit. Panel exchanges for existing ground signs do not require a permit in most jurisdictions.

How do I find out sign zoning and ordinance laws?
Call the jurisdiction's planning and zoning department and provide the address or google it. For example, google: "City of Alpharetta sign ordinance."

What kind of information is required when filing for a sign permit?

You will need a rendering of where the wall sign will be positioned on the wall, showing length of wall and height of building. A mounting and lighting detail for the sign with all dimensions is also needed.
For ground/freestanding signs, a rendering of the sign in its proposed location, a site plan to scale with dimensions from the sign to the nearest property line, a foundation plan and framing detail signed and sealed by an engineer.
The sign contractor will need to provide their business license and certificate of insurance at time of submittal. Most jurisdictions require a tenant/landlord owner authorization letter allowing the sign company to pursue the sign permit on your behalf.

When do I need a site plan and how do I obtain one?
A site plan to scale is usually needed anytime you want to build a new ground or freestanding sign. To obtain a site plan, you will need to consult with a licensed civil engineer/surveyor or file an open records request with the jurisdiction where the sign is proposed. Some jurisdictions have a site plan in their archives.

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Outdoor Restaurant Signs: How to Choose Signage That Attracts More Customers

By Shelley Mencher • October 27, 2026

Choosing outdoor restaurant signs? Compare sign types, materials for Georgia weather and lighting, plus cost factors, Atlanta permits and sign lifespan.

Restaurant Exterior Signage: How to Stand Out in Crowded Atlanta Dining Districts

By Shelley Mencher • October 22, 2026

Atlanta's dining districts are crowded and getting more so. On a good block your restaurant is one of eight choices inside a two minute walk, and most of those choices get made from the street. This guide covers what makes restaurant exterior signage work in that setting, and what quietly stops it working. Restaurant exterior signage works hardest in a crowded dining district when it is sized for the real viewing distance, lit for night trade, and matched to your cuisine and price level. Channel letters and blade signs suit most Atlanta storefronts. Confirm your landlord criteria and city sign permit rules before you order anything. Why Restaurant Exterior Signage Works Harder Than Other Storefront Signs Restaurant decisions are fast. Someone walking Krog Street Market or driving down Peachtree chooses in a few seconds, often from a moving car, often in a group, often already running late. Your sign has to land inside that window. Three things separate a restaurant from other storefronts: The decision is impulsive. Many of your covers did not plan to eat with you tonight. They are picking between you and the places either side of you. Your busiest hours are after dark. Dinner service runs when daylight is gone, so an unlit or badly lit sign effectively closes your storefront during your highest revenue hours. Diners judge the kitchen by the sign. People read price level, cuisine and care off a sign long before they see a menu. A tired sign suggests a tired kitchen, fair or not. Signage is the one piece of marketing still working at 8 pm on a Friday, after the ad budget is paused and the posts are buried. Common Visibility Mistakes in Crowded Dining Districts Most restaurant signs we get called out to fix in Metro Atlanta fail for one of five reasons. Sized for the building, not the viewing distance. Letters that look right on a drawing at arm's length disappear from across Ponce de Leon Avenue. Not enough contrast. Dark bronze on dark brick reads as a shadow. Cream on cream is worse. Contrast beats size more often than owners expect. Blending into the neighbors. Where every tenant on a strip has a backlit box in the same size and color family, nothing stands out, including you. Half the LEDs are out. A sign reading "B STRO" does more damage than no sign at all. Clean by day, invisible by night. Vinyl on glass and unlit letters both vanish after sunset, exactly when you need them. A quick test. Stand where your customer actually approaches from, at the hour they arrive, and see what you can read. Most owners have only judged their sign from the parking space in front of it, in daylight. Choosing the Right Restaurant Sign Type There is no single best sign for a restaurant, only the best sign for your frontage, setback, lease and district. Here is how the common options compare.