---
title: Duluth UDC § 609.05 — Duluth
jurisdiction: duluth
governing_jurisdiction: Duluth
source_url: "https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf"
effective_date: "2026-07-13"
as_of: "2026-08-13"
canonical: "https://www.gwindex.net/code/duluth/609.05"
licence: "CC0-1.0"
---

# Duluth UDC § 609.05

Master Sign Plans

**Governing jurisdiction: Duluth.** A "Duluth, GA" mailing address is usually NOT in the City of Duluth. Unincorporated Gwinnett is 67.3% of the county's land area and is governed by a different code, a different board and a different permit portal. Resolve the governing jurisdiction before answering any zoning question.


- **Article:** 6 — Sign Regulations
- **Pages in source:** 183–184
- **Adopted:** 2025-09-08
- **Amended through:** 2026-07-13
- **Source:** https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf

## Text

a. Master Sign Plans that are required by this Article or that are submitted voluntarily for preapproval of sign

permits must comply with the requirements of this Section.
b. Master Sign Plans shall illustrate all proposed signs in sufficient detail so as to provide knowledgeable

review and design specificity. Master sign plans shall show, describe or illustrate all signs proposed to be
located on a lot or within a development (and the buildings and structures related thereto) for which sign
permits will be required under Section 609.01(a).
c.
Master Sign Plans must include:

1. Location. An accurate drawing to scale showing the position of the sign or signs in relation to
nearby buildings or structures (including other signs), driveways, parking areas, property and
right-of-way lines, and any other limiting site features (survey not required). The drawing must
show or note (as applicable):

i. The location and size of all other signs on the parcel that are proposed to remain;
ii. The distance in feet to the nearest existing freestanding sign; and
iii. The distance in feet from the location of the proposed sign(s) to the nearest

residentially zoned parcel.

182 | P a g e

Article Six. Sign Regulations

2. Specifications. An accurate drawing to scale of the plans, specifications and method of
construction and attachment of the sign or signs to the building or ground. The drawing shall
specifically include the size of the sign structure(s) and sign face area(s), overall height of the
sign(s), a site distance diagram, and any protective devices around the base of the sign(s). For
any sign for which a building permit is required, the drawing shall be an engineered structural
drawing designed to all Building Code requirements.
3. Design. The master sign plan shall include such drawings and specifications as may be required to
clearly illustrate the design elements of the sign or signs, including the construction materials,
size, letter style and color of all elements of the sign(s), including the sign structure, the sign face,
and background surfaces. The plan shall also show landscaping details meeting the requirements
of this Article, including the extent of the designated landscaping area, the location of specific
landscape materials, and the botanical and common name of plants by location on the plan.
d. Signs that are otherwise exempt under this Article need not be shown on the Master Sign Plan.
e. Approval.

1. A Master Sign Plan depicting signs that conform to all requirements of this Article may be
approved administratively by the Planning and Development Director.
2. A Master Sign Plan depicting signs that exceed or modify one or more requirements of this
Article may be approved by administrative variance up to 10% by the Planning Director or by the
Zoning Board of Appeals. Following review of a complete application by the Planning
Department, the plan will be placed on the agenda of the next available Zoning Board of Appeals
meeting.
f.
Recordation of approved Master Sign Plan.

1. The Master Sign Plan as approved must be recorded by the owner in the office of the Clerk of
Superior Court and a copy of the approved Master Sign Plan, as recorded, must be filed with the
Planning and Development Director prior to issuance of a sign permit for any part of the
development or premises.
2. The recorded Master Sign Plan must be included in any sale, lease or other transfer of right of
occupancy affecting any part of the development or premises to which the Master Sign Plan
applies.
3. All tenants of the property or development, whether an owner, lessee, subtenant, purchaser or
other occupant, must comply with the approved Master Sign Plan.