Every outdoor sign in Pelham is governed by the municipality’s sign ordinance, which sets how large a sign may be, how tall it may stand, how far it must sit from the property line, whether it may be illuminated, and which sign types are permitted in each zoning district. This page summarizes those requirements in plain language and links each value back to the section of the Pelham code it came from.
Sign rules here are layered. The base zoning district — commercial, industrial, or residential — sets the default limits, and overlay districts such as historic or downtown districts can tighten them further. Because the most specific jurisdiction controls, a freestanding monument sign on a commercial parcel and a wall sign in a historic overlay can face very different limits even on the same street in Pelham.
Use the figures below as a fast first check, then run a full address lookup to confirm the exact limits for a specific parcel in Pelham, Alabama. The full report also covers permit requirements, prohibited sign types, and illumination rules — each cited to the source ordinance so your permit application can reference it directly.
Before you order or install a sign in Pelham, confirm three things: the maximum sign area and height allowed in the parcel’s zoning district, the minimum setback from the right-of-way, and whether the sign type you want — freestanding, monument, wall, projecting, or awning — is permitted there at all. Many permit denials come from missing a setback or an overlay-district restriction rather than from the size of the sign itself, so checking the governing section before applying saves a costly resubmittal.
Census snapshot
Population
24,221
Median household income
$94,108
Median home value
$261,100
Time zone
Central Time
Demographic figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey) and are provided as jurisdiction context for Pelham; they do not affect sign-code requirements.
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Authority
Sign Chapter Scope
Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: 225. Sign.\n\nSigns of any kind advertising any garage sale within the city must comply with the\n\nrequirements of the city's separate sign ordinance and other ordinances of the city.\n(Ord. No. 313, § 5, 11-3-97)\n\nSec. 5-
Sign Chapter Scope 2
Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: 240. Reserved.\n\nArticle XXII. Sign Ordinance", "eanor\nand, upon conviction, are punishable by a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than\n$500.00 and/or up to 60 days in the county jail. Each day a violation continues shall be\nconsidered a separate offense.\n(Ord. No. 313, § 9, 11-3-97)\n\nSecs. 5-228—5-
Source-backed illumination rules: ional district zoning shall be in accordance with the requirements for specific uses set\nforth in Article XXIV, section 13, supplementary regulations and modifications, screening.\n\n4. When adjacent to a residential zone, exterior lighting fixtures, inc --- SIGN CODE FOCUSED SLICE --- h day a violation continues shall be\nconsidered a separate offense.\n(Ord. No. 313, § 9, 11-3-97)\n\nSecs. 5-228—5-
Illumination 2
Source-backed illumination rules: supplementary regulations and modifications, screening.\n\n4. When adjacent to a residential zone, exterior lighting fixtures, including lighting for\nparking areas, walkways, general illumination or any other purposes, shall be constructed to\ndirect th --- SIGN CODE FOCUSED SLICE --- \nand institutional (PO-I) district.\nSigns permitted for individual retail and service establishments in the B-1,\nB-2, B-3, B-4, M-
Source-backed sign permit requirement: S. Highway 31) within the city limits.\n\n(c) No garage sale sign may be affixed to or attached in any manner to any official sign or\n\nutility pole within the city limits.\n\n(d) All garage sale signs erected anywhere within the city, that are visible to any member\nof the general public, must be removed from public view no later than midnight on the\nexpiration date of the garage sale permit, by the person who was
Temporary
Temporary Signs
Source-backed temporary sign rules: mit.\nSigns in public right-of-way.\nRegulations for flags and other supplemental permanent signs.\nLighted signs, changing signs, conditions.\nSubstitution of messages.\nProhibited signs.\nOff-premises advertising signs.\nRegulations for specific sign types: temporary signs.\nSigns permitted in the agricultural district.\nSigns permitted in the E-1, R-1, RG, and PR-1 residential districts.\nSigns permitted in the R-
Temporary Signs
Temp Signs Allowed
Yes, requires own permit
Temp Sign Rules
One per entrance or combined at corner; installed once permit in hand; 30 days, 32 sf, 8' high
Variance Appeals
Variance Process
Submit application to city, show hardship, council meets every 2nd Tuesday
Window Signs
Window Sign Allowable Area
25% of the available window area
Need the full sign-code report?
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