City of Stone Mountain Council Consider Updating Sign Ordinances

council members, along with city manager Barry Amos, met on Wednesday to review proposed updates to the city’s sign ordinances.

They discussed everything from murals and message boards to billboards and banners, and reviewed policy on conforming and non-conforming signage.

“The [proposed] changes expand on the old ordinances and clarify them," said Barry Amos, city manager of Stone Mountain.

Amos said the new ordinance would require all sign owners to apply for a permit.

“We will send out a letter and application to everyone.  We want to have every sign on record," Amos said. 

“If you have a sign, you will be contacted," added councilmember Richard Mailman.

Amos also addressed the issue of signs that did not comply with current code requirements. 

“If an existing sign is non-conforming, as long as you have a permit you will be okay. You will be legal and we will grandfather you in. It’s a free pass; get your permit and you can keep your sign," he said.

Council member Susan Coletti brought up the issue of murals and whether or not they would be considered a sign. 

“We should address this issue somewhere [in the proposal]," Coletti said. After further discussion, council members and the city manager agreed that they needed to further clarify the definition of murals. 

“Anybody could put up anything and call it a mural," Amos said.

According to the city’s current sign ordinance, window and door signs, façade and wall signs, real estate and project signs are just a few of the types of signage that would require a permit.  

The proposed changes are currently under consideration by the city council. If the changes are passed, sign owners can apply for a permit by completing an application and will pay a $25 non-refundable application fee. 

For more information about the proposed changes to the City of Stone Mountain’s sign ordinance, contact Barry Amos at 770-498-8984 or email him at bamos@stonemountaincity.org/.