Huntsville sign permit requirements

A permit is required to erect, re-erect, alter or repair any sign exceeding 50 percent of value; certain small/temporary signs are exempt (e.g., a wall sign on a residential unit under 2 sq ft, changeable copy changes, sign face panel changes).

“It shall be unlawful for any person, either directly, indirectly, or by an agent, to erect or re-erect any sign or to alter or repair in the City of Huntsville any sign exceeding 50 percent of value unless an application for a permit shall have been made to the zoning administrator and a permit shall have been issued therefor.”

General business C-3 (and central business C-B, research park 2, village business C-6): for single building unit lots, one attached sign per street frontage not exceeding 1 sq ft per linear foot of building facade width, 100 sq ft max.

“One attached sign is permitted on each street frontage provided the sign area shall not exceed one square foot per linear foot of building façade width on the applicable street frontage, with a maximum sign area of 100 square feet.”

General business C-3: one monument sign allowed on a lot with two or more building units, maximum sign area 100 sq ft.

“The maximum sign area shall be 100 square feet; and”

General business C-3: monument sign maximum height 8 feet, excluding a base of up to one foot. (Ground signs generally not to exceed 35 feet.)

“The maximum height of the sign shall be eight feet, excluding a base that does not exceed one-foot in height.”

Monument signs must be located either 10 feet from the existing or proposed public right-of-way or 15 feet from the back of curb/edge of pavement if no curb; and 15 feet from the curb entrance of any drive or accessway.

“all monument signs must be located either ten feet from the existing or proposed public right-of-way or 15 feet from the back of curb or edge of pavement if there is no curb; and 15 feet from the curb entrance of any drive or accessway.”

Projecting signs shall not extend more than four feet in width from the building face, not be closer than two feet horizontal from the curb line, and maintain a minimum overhead clearance of 12 feet from the sidewalk.

“No projecting sign, excluding any supporting structures or brackets up to a maximum of 18 inches, shall be erected or maintained to extend more than four feet in width from the front or face building, unless otherwise provided. Additionally, a projecting sign shall not be placed closer than two feet horizontal from the curb line of any street and shall maintain a minimum overhead clearance of 12 feet from the sidewalk.”

Illuminated signs must emit only light of constant intensity; no flashing, blinking, intermittent, rotating or moving lights (except compliant electronic display signs). Light may not be directed onto streets/adjacent premises so as to cause glare/traffic hazard. In general business C-3, attached sign illumination shall only be internal.

“Illuminated signs and outside lighting devices, including beacons and spotlights, shall emit only light of constant intensity, and no sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, blinking, intermittent, rotating or moving light or lights, except electronic display signs that comply with the applicable provisions of this article.”

Electronic display signs allowed as part of ground/monument/pylon signs in most districts (not research park types). Must have auto-dimming; no scrolling/flashing/animation; static change no more than once per 15 minutes (minor arterial/collector) or once per minute (major arterial); 1-second transition; max 75% of allowed sign face area; 20mm pixel pitch or smaller; in residential districts on only 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

“Electronic display signs shall be static and shall not change more than once in any 15-minute period if the sign has frontage on a minor arterial or collector street or no more than once in any one-minute period if the sign has frontage on a major arterial street.”

Temporary signs must not be illuminated, must not contain changeable copy, and must be removed when deteriorated. On nonresidential premises, per building unit combined attached temporary sign area not to exceed 32 sq ft with up to four signs at one time (requires sign permit). No stated general duration/number-per-year limit.

“For each building unit, the total combined sign area of temporary attached signs shall not exceed 32 square feet. Up to four attached signs are permitted at any one time. Such attached signs shall require a sign permit.”

Standards vary materially by zoning district. General commercial figures cited here are for general business C-3 (grouped with central business C-B, research park 2, and village business C-6) under Sec. 72.7.5.

“Permanent signs in the general business C-3, central business C-B, research park 2, and village business C-6 districts.”