Sign Regulations in Auburn, AL (2026)
6 verified sign regulations for Auburn, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Auburn bans political signs earlier than 30 days before an election and requires removal within 7 days after the election date, caps size at 32 square feet, and bans them entirely on city- or school-owned property including rights-of-way, parks and schools under City Code Sec. 8-5.
Auburn Political Sign Time and Size Limits
Some RestrictionsAuburn, AL Code of Ordinances § 8-5
It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain political signs earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the official election date. Said signs must be removed within seven (7) days after the official election date. In the event of a run-off election, the signs of the run-off candidates may be maintained until the seventh day after the run-off election. Political signs are limited in size to no more ...
Garage Sale Signs
Auburn allows directional and advertising signs for an exempt yard or garage sale, but Section 511.04.D.2(f) of the Zoning Ordinance requires every one of those signs to come down immediately once the sale is over, with no grace period built into the exemption.
Auburn Garage Sale Sign Removal Rule
Light RestrictionsZoning Ordinance § 511.04.D.2(f)
Yard or garage sales shall be exempt from these regulations under the following conditions: ... f) All directional or advertising signs shall be removed immediately upon completion of the sale.
Holiday Displays
Auburn exempts temporary holiday decorations celebrating a single holiday or season from sign permits entirely under Section 603.09 of the Zoning Ordinance. The same exemption carves holiday lighting out of the separate citywide bans on wind signs and on strings of lights outlining a building's rooflines, doors and windows.
Auburn, AL Holiday Decoration Sign Exemption
Few RestrictionsZoning Ordinance §§ 603.09, 604.G, 604.O
603.09. Holiday Decorations. Temporary holiday decorations used to celebrate a single holiday or season. ... G. Wind signs consisting of one (1) or more flags, pennants, ribbons, spinners, streamers or captive balloons or other objects or material fastened in such a manner as to move freely upon being subjected to pressure by wind (natural or otherwise) whether the sign contains a commercial me...
Digital Billboards
Auburn bans off-premise signs outright, which rules out standalone digital billboards, and separately prohibits any moving, rotating, flashing or animated sign under Section 604. The only exception is an on-premise electronic reader board whose message changes no more than once every 30 seconds and stays static in between.
Auburn, AL Digital Sign and Billboard Ban
Heavy RestrictionsZoning Ordinance §§ 604.E, 604.M
E. Off-Premise signs. ... M. Signs consisting of any moving, rotating, flashing, or otherwise animated light or component, except for time and temperature displays, traditional barber poles, and electronic reader boards whose message changes no more often than once every thirty (30) seconds and is static during the display. Changing messages on the electronic reader board shall not scroll, fla...
Window Signs
Auburn treats window signs as an exempt sign category needing no permit, but Section 603.18 requires the message to relate to the business, profession or activity on the premises. Section 607.05 separately confirms window signs are exempt from the ordinance's building-feature sign restrictions, unlike interior signs visible through a window.
Auburn, AL Window Sign Rules
Few RestrictionsZoning Ordinance §§ 603.18, 607.05
603.18. Window Sign. Any sign located on the inside or outside of a window and is visible from the street or adjoining properties. Signs must contain a message related to a business, profession, or activity conducted, or to a commodity or service sold or offered, upon the premises where such sign is located. ... 607.05. Relationship to Building Features. ... B. Window signs are exempt. C. Inter...
Freeway-Facing Signs
Auburn allows one extra freestanding interstate sign beyond normal business signage for a nonresidential site near I-85, sized by distance from the overpass: up to 250 square feet and 60 feet tall within 1,000 feet of the overpass center point, or 130 square feet and 30 feet tall within a mile if the site abuts the right-of-way.
Auburn, AL Interstate-Facing Sign Standards
Some RestrictionsZoning Ordinance § 605.C
C. Interstate Signs. In addition to the allowable freestanding general business signage for any nonresidential development site, an interstate sign may also be erected provided that; 1. Any portion of the development site lies within an area of 1,000 feet from the center point of the centerline of the interstate overpass. One (1) interstate sign with a maximum area of 250 square feet and a max...
Looking for Lee County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Auburn city rules.
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