Suggested scripts for violators of Atlanta’s Sign Ordinance:

For directional signs placed by real estate agents

Hello, I'm a conscientious citizen who wants to keep Atlanta clean and green.  In the interest of public safety and ridding our city of visible pollution, I want to improve compliance with the city’s sign ordinance.  In your training by your broker or otherwise, have you ever been informed that the only real estate signs that are allowed are on the grounds of the actual property that is for sale and you are limited to one sign no more than six square feet in area?  That means that all the directional signs that agents post on public right of way or even on private property on street corners are in violation of the sign ordinance, unless that particular property is for sale.  It's a crime to violate the sign ordinance and the penalty can be up to $1000 per sign per day. This fine can be assessed against the owner of the property being sold, the agent who posted the sign, and the agent’s broker. Please let your broker know about this and ask your broker to make sure all of your fellow agents are aware of the law and comply with it.  Thanks."

For Advertising signs in the public right-of-way:

"Hello, I'm a conscientious citizen who wants to keep Atlanta clean and green.  In the interest of public safety and ridding our city of visible pollution, I want to improve compliance with the city’s sign ordinance.  I've observed one or more signs on public right-of-way that are advertising your business.  Did you know that it is illegal to place those signs on public right-of-way?  It's a crime to violate the city’s sign ordinance and the penalty can be up to $1000 per sign per day. This fine is assessed against the party or parties responsible for the signage, including the person who posts the sign and the name or business displayed on the sign. Thank you for taking down your signs and adopting a legal means to advertise your business.”

For gas stations, mini-marts, fast food restaurants and other properties with non-permanent, unpermitted advertising signs:

"Hello, I'm a conscientious citizen who wants to keep Atlanta clean and green.  In the interest of public safety and ridding our city of visible pollution, I want to improve compliance with the city’s sign ordinance. You may not be aware, but the only signs that can be posted on your commercial property are ones for which you have a written permit from the City's Bureau of Buildings.  You can't just put up advertising banners, foam board signs, posters and the like on the outside of your building, on lamp posts, fences,  walls, etc., or in the public right-of-way along the street.   There is a penalty of up to $1000 per sign per day for illegal signs. This fine is assessed against the party or parties responsible for the signage, including the person who posts the sign and the name or business displayed on the sign. Thank you for taking down your signs and adopting a legal means to advertise your business.  Please talk to your store manager or your corporate legal department about this, and make sure the signs come down.  Thanks."