Forsyth County, GA Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed zones
- Commercial/industrial, or qualifying institutional frontage lots
- Daylight brightness cap
- 6,500 nits
- Evening brightness cap
- 350 nits
- Copy change limit
- Every 20 minutes (10 sec for some replacements)
- Enforcer
- Director of Planning and Community Development
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine or 60 days jail
Summary
Electronic message boards in Forsyth County are zoned out of residential areas entirely: they're allowed only in commercial and industrial districts, or on a lot with at least 100 feet of frontage on a divided four-lane road serving a religious facility, college, hospital, museum, theater or similar institutional use. Daylight brightness is capped at 6,500 nits and evening brightness at 350 nits, with copy changes limited to once every 20 minutes.
Zoning. Subject to specific requirements and restrictions of the Unified Development Code, and notwithstanding any conflicting provisions in the table of this chapter titled "residential zoning districts-performance standards" (in which case the provisions of this section shall prevail), electronic message boards are authorized only as follows:(1)In commercial and industrial zoning districts;(2)In any district where the property:a.Has a minimum of 100 feet of frontage along a four-lane or greater, divided public roadway; andb.Has a principal use that is either a religious facility, college, university, private school as defined at O.C.G.A. 20-2-690(b), hospital, military or veteran organization, conference center, art gallery, museum, theater, or amphitheater.(b)Brightness. The maximum luminosity during daylight hours shall not exceed 6,500 nits. The maximum luminosity during evening hours shall not exceed 350 nits.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 43).
Full Breakdown
Section 66-116 of the Forsyth County sign ordinance authorizes electronic message boards only in commercial and industrial zoning districts, or on any parcel with a minimum of 100 feet of frontage on a four-lane or greater divided public roadway whose principal use is a religious facility, college, university, private school, hospital, military or veteran organization, conference center, art gallery, museum, theater or amphitheater. Every board must run an automatic dimmer and photo cell sensor so brightness tracks ambient light. m. The only permitted transition between messages is an instantaneous cut, never a fade or scroll.
Copy may change no more than once every 20 minutes for most boards, though boards approved as replacements for certain nonconforming signs under section 66-101(b) may change copy every ten seconds. The section works alongside section 66-102, which separately bans animated signs and changeable copy signs countywide except for the electronic message boards this section specifically authorizes.
Violations & Fines
A noncompliant electronic message board, whether erected without approval, oversized for its district, too bright, or changing copy faster than the ten-second or 20-minute limits, is enforced by the director of planning and community development under section 66-72, who can issue a magistrate court citation, seek an injunction, or remove the sign at the owner's expense. Section 66-73 sets penalties of up to $1,000.00 per violation, imprisonment up to 60 days, or both, and any board erected in the public right-of-way can be removed immediately without notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in Forsyth County can I put up a digital billboard or electronic message board?
How bright can an electronic message board be?
How often can the message change?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Forsyth County
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