How Snellville Handles Sign Regulations: A Practical Guide

Snellville maintains 105 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with sign regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Snellville falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Holiday Displays

Residential holiday decorations (Christmas lights, inflatables, etc.) generally exempt from sign ordinance. Must not block sight triangles or create traffic hazard.

Key details: Decorations: Generally exempt. Sight Triangle: Must keep clear. Precedent: Reed v. Gilbert. Noise: Quiet hours apply.

Sight triangle obstruction: removal order; $50-$250 fine. Noise violations: separate enforcement.

The rules around holiday displays in Snellville lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Political Signs

Political signs protected under First Amendment + Reed v. Gilbert (2015). Snellville cannot restrict based on content. Size/placement rules must be content-neutral.

Key details: Content: Cannot restrict. Ruling: Reed v. Gilbert. ROW: Prohibited (neutral rule). Polls: 150 ft per §21-2-414.

ROW signs: confiscated, no fine typically. Polling place encroachment: misdemeanor under state law.

The rules around political signs in Snellville lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Garage Sale Signs

Temporary garage sale signs allowed on your own property only. Signs in public ROW, on utility poles, or on medians prohibited and removed by code enforcement.

Key details: Location: On-premise only. ROW Signs: Prohibited. Size: ~6 sq ft typical. Removal: Within 24-48 hrs.

ROW signs: confiscated; repeat violators $50-$250 fine. Utility pole signs: additional Georgia Power fine possible.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Snellville gives residents more room on sign regulations. 2 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

These rules come from Snellville's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.