Whitfield County, GA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Max size, GA/SA/R-1 to R-5
- 6 square feet
- Max size, R-6/R-7/C-1/C-2
- 40 square feet
- Max size, M-1/M-2
- 64 square feet
- GA/SA/R-1 to R-5 signs
- must be ground signs
- Max fine
- $1,000 or 60 days
- Enforced by
- Zoning Administrator, Sheriff's Office
Summary
Whitfield County's Unified Sign Ordinance allows political signs in every unincorporated zoning district, but caps their size by district: six square feet in the GA, SA, and R-1 through R-5 districts, 40 square feet in R-6, R-7, C-1, and C-2, and 64 square feet in M-1 and M-2. Election-season signs can go up once a candidate qualifies.
(6)Political signs are generally allowed in all zoning districts, in addition to freestanding signs which may be allowed, subject to the following:(a)Political signs which are solely intended to influence a particular election or which promote a particular candidate during the pendency of an election season may be placed upon a lot or parcel as of the date of qualification of such candidate(s), and should be (but are not required to be) removed when the election is concluded.(b)Political signs which are intended to convey a general political message not specifically related to a particular election may be placed and maintained upon any lot or parcel for as long as the owner thereof desires to express such message; however, such signs remain subject to the size limitations set forth herein.(c)Political signs shall not exceed six square feet in area in the GA, SA, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 or R-5 zoning districts, shall not exceed 40 square feet in area in the R-6, R-7, C-1, or C-2 zoning districts, and shall not exceed 64 square feet in area in the M-1, or M-2 zoning districts.(d)All political signs in the GA, SA, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 or R-5 zoning districts shall be ground signs.
Full Breakdown
Section 16-4(6) of the county's sign chapter treats political signs as generally allowed in all zoning districts, splitting them into two types. Signs meant to influence a specific election may be placed as of the date the candidate qualifies for the ballot, and should (but are not required to) come down once the election ends. Signs carrying a general political message unrelated to a specific election can stay up as long as the property owner wants, but they remain subject to the same size caps.
Those caps track the county's standard sign-size tiers: 6 square feet in the GA, SA, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5 districts, 40 square feet in R-6, R-7, C-1, and C-2, and 64 square feet in M-1 and M-2. Signs in the GA, SA, and R-1 through R-5 districts must additionally be ground signs, not pole-mounted. General sign provisions in Sec. 16-3 also apply: no sign or sign structure over three feet tall may sit within ten feet of a right-of-way, or within 15 feet of a road intersection, and no sign may flash, obstruct a driver's view, or be attached to a utility pole or tree. The Zoning Administrator's office administers the chapter and can issue stop-work orders and citations to Whitfield County Magistrate Court.
Violations & Fines
Violating the sign chapter, including oversized or misplaced political signs, is punishable under Sec. 16-6(7) pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 36-1-20(b): a maximum fine of $1,000.00, imprisonment up to 60 days, or both, with every day the violation continues treated as a separate offense. The Zoning Administrator, a code enforcement officer, or a Whitfield County Sheriff's deputy may issue the citation, and the county may also seek injunctive relief in Superior Court under Sec. 16-6(8).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put up a political sign in unincorporated Whitfield County?
How big can a political sign be on my property?
Do election signs have to come down after the vote?
What happens if a political sign violates the ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Whitfield County
Compare Whitfield County to another location·View the Georgia sign regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.