Signs

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For permitting purposes, the City of Milton designates two types of signs: permanent signs, generally for commercial use, covered by the "Sign Permit" below; and temporary signs and banners, covered by the "Banner Permit" below.

Sign Guidelines

Temporary signs are prohibited on City property, including parks, buildings, and roundabouts
Good sign etiquette means picking up any signs you place after they have served their purpose, to help keep Milton clean
When placing temporary signs, be reasonable: do not use twenty signs where four would accomplish your goal
Sign violations can be reported to Code Enforcement, and may be punishable by citation or fine

Prohibited Signs

Signs on roadsides (stop signs, yield signs, speed limit signs, etc.) including utility poles and trees
Signs located in any public right of way
Signs on vehicles (unless the vehicles has valid registration and inspection, is used in the course of the business, and parked away from the street as possible)
Roof signs
Signs of illusion
Signs resembling traffic signals
Animated signs (flashing, blinking, etc.)
Flags (exception: flags showing the insignia of nation, state, county, or city)
Neon signs
Portable or moveable display signs (such as sandwich boards)
Signs obstructing access

Apply for sign and banner permit via Milton CityView Web Portal.

For more on City sign ordinances and guidelines, click documents below.

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FAQs

Are banners allowed?

Banners shall be allowed for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive days with no more than four such 10 day periods being permitted per calendar year. Banner shall not be more than 24 square feet, and shall not be mounted so as to extend above the horizontal plane of the roof where the building wall and roof meet or shall not extend more than five feet above grade when on the ground.
Are sandwich boards allowed?

Sandwich board signs are prohibited.
Are yard sale signs allowed?

Each residence may display up to 12 square feet of signage with no single sign greater than 4 square feet. There are no restrictions on the content of these signs.
Can I put a sign up at the entrance to my farm?

One maximum 32 square-foot, freestanding sign per business or institutional lot shall be permitted for each street on which the lot has frontage.
Can I put up a sign on my property during construction?

One sign shall be allowed during construction. The sign may be externally illuminated, shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and five feet in height, and shall be allowed beginning with the commencement of construction and ending with the issuance of the last Certificate of Occupancy or two years, whichever one shall first occur. Thereafter, the permitee may reapply for a renewal permit.
How long does it take to receive my Permanent Sign Permit?

As long as no variances are being requested, permanent signs are permitted administratively. After you have submitted all the required information via Milton CityView Portal, staff has 30 days to approve or deny your sign. Depending on workload, staff can typically approve a permanent sign permit within 10 business days.
How long does my Permanent Sign Permit last?

Once the Permanent Sign Permit has been issued, you will have six months to install the sign. After six months, if the proposed sign has not been installed, you will be required to apply for a new sign permit. Under special circumstances one 90-day extension may be granted. Once a permanent sign has been permitted and installed, the sign permit is food for as long as the sign is maintained in good, safe working order and meets the requirements of the code.
I operate a business out of my home. What kind of signage can I have?

No permanent signage identifying the business is allowed.
Our business is a multi-tenant building with limited sign space because of the number of tenants. Are there any alternatives that we can consider that are in line with the City code?

To increase the number or size of allowable signs, you may apply for a Variance via Milton CityView Portal.
We'd like to install an electronic sign on our business' property, what are the requirements/restrictions?

Flashing, animated, rotating, and changeable copy signs are prohibited.
What about window signs?

Permanent and temporary window signs shall not exceed 5 percent of the aggregate window area and shall not block visibility from the outside. Window signs with neon, fluorescent, LED lighting, or tube lights are prohibited.
What are the regulations regarding real estate and open house signs?

During the sale or lease of property, one sign per road frontage of the property for sale or lease shall be allowed. The sign shall not be internally illuminated. The sign shall not exceed nine square feet on major roads, and six square feet on all other roads. A permit shall be required for larger signs.
What forms of payment are accepted?

The City accepts payment via Milton CityView Portal.
What if I want to move my current sign to a new location?

Permanent Sign Permits are specific to a location. If you have a permit for your current sign and you want to move it from one location to another, you will need a new permit. Staff will review the dimensional and technical aspects of your existing sign to ensure that it complies with the Sign Ordinance requirements specific to the new location.
What type of variances can I seek in the Sign Ordinance?

The Board of Zoning Appeals can only grant a sign variance where existing foliage or structures bring about a hardship whereby a sign meeting minimum letter size, square footage, and height requirements cannot be read from an adjoining public road.
Where can I Find the City of Milton Sign Ordinance?

You can locate the Milton Sign Rules here.
Where do I place the Permanent Sign Permit sticker?

You should place the sign permit sticker in the lower right hand area so that it will be easily viewed when the sign is inspected. You should keep the copy of the approved permit application, provided by staff, in your records.
Why must I submit a site plan to permit a sign?

When permitting a freestanding sign it is necessary for staff to verify that the proposed location for the sign is on the subject property and that the sign meets the required setback. For wall signs, a site plan is necessary to determine the location of the particular building or tenant space.

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For more on City sign ordinances and guidelines, click documents below.

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