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Cobb County, GA Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Signs allowed
none, exterior evidence prohibited
Governing section
§ 134-1, 'Customary home occupation'
Consequence
loss of permitted accessory-use status
Scope
unincorporated Cobb County only

Summary

Cobb County's zoning code bans any exterior sign or evidence of a home-based business in unincorporated areas, including identifying signage of any kind.

City-specific rules exist: Acworth has its own signage rules rules that differ from Cobb County's county-level regulations. If you live in Acworth, check the city-specific page instead.

(1)There shall be no exterior evidence of the home occupation, including but not limited to any type of identifying signs.(2)No merchandise or articles used or sold shall be displayed in such a way as to be visible from outside the structure.(3)No mechanical equipment shall be used for such occupation except such equipment as is customary for purely household and hobby purposes.(4)Such use shall be conducted entirely within the dwelling unit and only persons living in the dwelling unit shall be employed in such occupation.(5)No more than 25 percent of the dwelling unit may be used for the operation.(6)No materials, equipment or business vehicles may be stored or parked on the premises except that one business vehicle, used exclusively by the resident may be parked in a carport, garage, or rear or side yard. The off-site employees of the resident shall not congregate on the premises for any purpose concerning the business of home occupation.(7)There shall be no deliveries of supplies for use in the home occupation or pickups of the items produced by the occupant by tractor-trailer or vehicle with over six wheels. Deliveries to the home occupation shall be made by passenger vehicles, mail carriers, or step vans and must not restrict traffic circulation.(8)No clients or customers are allowed on the premises, except for individual instruction, such as tutoring, musical lessons and the like, for the purpose of supplementing an income.

Source: Cobb County Municipal CodeView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53).

Full Breakdown

Section 134-1's definition of 'customary home occupation' requires that a home business show no exterior evidence of its existence, and specifically lists identifying signs as prohibited. This covers any sign advertising or naming the business on the residence, yard or mailbox. Because a customary home occupation is the only zoning path that lets a business legally operate from a residence in unincorporated Cobb County, posting a business sign disqualifies the use and exposes the property to a zoning violation, not just a sign-code citation.

Violations & Fines

Posting any exterior sign identifying a home-based business violates section 134-1's 'no exterior evidence' standard and can cost the home occupation its permitted zoning status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put a small sign in my yard for my home business?
No. Section 134-1 prohibits any exterior evidence of a home occupation, including identifying signs, as a condition of its permitted zoning status.
Does this apply inside Marietta or Smyrna too?
No, this is the unincorporated county zoning code; Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, Acworth, Powder Springs and Austell each set their own sign rules.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Cobb County

All Cobb County rules

Compare Cobb County to another location·View the Georgia home business overview

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