Sign Regulations in Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina has specific sign regulations covering 14 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Pole Sign, Ground Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 19, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Asheville, North Carolina
Sample Sign Requirements in Asheville
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft. | 15 sq. ft. per face | Minimum setback of 10 ft. |
| Attached Sign | — | 15 sq. ft. per face | — |
| Pole Sign | 8 feet | 60 square feet per face | Minimum setback of 10 feet |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for AshevilleFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
14
- Freestanding Sign
- Pole Sign
- Ground Sign
- Changeable Copy Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Asheville
Other Cities in North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
In Asheville, monument signs are limited to 6 ft.. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Asheville, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Asheville, regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Pole Sign, Ground Sign, Changeable Copy Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Asheville, monument signs typically require a Minimum setback of 10 ft. setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Asheville are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Asheville has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Asheville, North Carolina Sign Rules at a Glance
Asheville, North Carolina regulates 14 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Office I & II, Office Business, Institutional, Resort zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 60 square feet per face, with a Minimum setback of 10 feet setback (Sec. Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2)). Most commercial signs in Asheville require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Asheville, North Carolina
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Asheville (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Zoning Districts (RS-2, RS-4, RS-8, RM-6, RM-8, RM-16) | 2 | 6 ft. | 15 sq. ft. per face | — |
| Office I & II, Office Business, Institutional, Resort | 11 | 8 feet | 60 square feet per face | Yes |
| CB-II, Highway Business (HB), Regional Business (RB), River, Commercial Industrial (CI), Industrial | 11 | 25 ft. | 125 sq. ft. per face | Yes |
| Neighborhood Business District (NBD), Central Business District (CBD), Urban Village | 11 | 20 ft. | 50 sq. ft. per face | Yes |
| Urban Residential District, Urban Place | 11 | 12 ft. | 40 sq. ft. per face | Yes |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 4 ft. for residential; 8 ft. for non-residential | 4 sq. ft. per face for residential; 32 sq. ft. per face for non-residential | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Asheville(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
Office I & II, Office Business, Institutional, Resort
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 8 feet | 60 square feet per face | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Two business or product identification signs per lot, only one of which shall be a freestanding pole or ground sign | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Pole Sign | 8 feet | 60 square feet per face | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Two business or product identification signs per lot, only one of which shall be a freestanding pole or ground sign | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Ground Sign | 8 feet | 60 square feet per face | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Two business or product identification signs per lot, only one of which shall be a freestanding pole or ground sign | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Changeable Copy Sign | 8 feet | 60 square feet per face | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Two business or product identification signs per lot, only one of which shall be a freestanding pole or ground sign | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Marquee Sign | 8 feet | 60 square feet per face | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Two business or product identification signs per lot, only one of which shall be a freestanding pole or ground sign | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Menu Board | — | 32 square feet | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Maximum of two per restaurant | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 60 square feet per face | — | — | Two business or product identification signs per lot | Clearance over sidewalks shall be at a minimum of nine feet and clearance over streets, alleys, or driveways shall be at a minimum of 14 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Window Sign | — | 60 square feet per face | — | — | Two business or product identification signs per lot | Window signs are not allowed above the third story of a building | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
CB-II, Highway Business (HB), Regional Business (RB), River, Commercial Industrial (CI), Industrial
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft. | 125 sq. ft. per face | — | Minimum setback of 10 ft. | Two business or product identification signs per lot, only one of which shall be freestanding | Minimum setback of 10 ft. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Pole Sign | 25 ft. | 125 sq. ft. per face | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Two business or product identification signs per lot, only one of which shall be a freestanding pole or ground sign | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Ground Sign | 25 ft. | 125 sq. ft. per face | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Two business or product identification signs per lot, only one of which shall be a freestanding pole or ground sign | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Changeable Copy Sign | 25 ft. | 125 sq. ft. per face | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Two business or product identification signs per lot, only one of which shall be a freestanding pole or ground sign | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Marquee Sign | 25 ft. | 125 sq. ft. per face | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Two business or product identification signs per lot, only one of which shall be a freestanding pole or ground sign | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Menu Board | — | 32 square feet | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Maximum of two per restaurant | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 125 sq. ft. per face | — | — | Two business or product identification signs per lot | Clearance over sidewalks shall be at a minimum of nine feet and clearance over streets, alleys, or driveways shall be at a minimum of 14 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Window Sign | — | 125 square feet per face | — | — | Two business or product identification signs per lot | Window signs are not allowed above the third story of a building | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
Neighborhood Business District (NBD), Central Business District (CBD), Urban Village
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft. | 50 sq. ft. per face | — | No minimum setback requirement in CBD | Two business or product identification signs per lot, only one of which shall be freestanding | No minimum setback requirement in CBD | — | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft. | 50 sq. ft. per face | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Two business or product identification signs per lot, only one of which shall be a freestanding pole or ground sign | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Ground Sign | 20 ft. | 50 sq. ft. per face | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Two business or product identification signs per lot, only one of which shall be a freestanding pole or ground sign | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Changeable Copy Sign | 20 ft. | 50 sq. ft. per face | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Two business or product identification signs per lot, only one of which shall be a freestanding pole or ground sign | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Marquee Sign | 20 ft. | 50 sq. ft. per face | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Two business or product identification signs per lot, only one of which shall be a freestanding pole or ground sign | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Menu Board | — | 32 square feet | — | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Maximum of two per restaurant | Minimum setback of 10 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 50 sq. ft. per face | — | — | Two business or product identification signs per lot | Clearance over sidewalks shall be at a minimum of nine feet and clearance over streets, alleys, or driveways shall be at a minimum of 14 feet | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
| Window Sign | — | 50 sq. ft. per face | — | — | Two business or product identification signs per lot | Window signs are not allowed above the third story of a building | Yes | Unlock | Sec. 7-13-4(b)(2) |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Asheville — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Asheville — start freeProhibited Signs in Asheville
- Signs on roadside appurtenances, including roadside benches, bus stop shelters, planters, utility poles, trees, parking meter poles and refuse containers.
- Signs located in the city right-of-way, unless otherwise provided for in the article.
- Signs or advertisements on vehicles or trailers parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said sign.
- Roof signs, except signs on the surfaces of a mansard roof and on parapets.
- Wind signs, except as allowed in specific subsections.
- Off-premises signs in all single-family residential zoning districts and certain other districts.
- Off-premises signs in national and local historic districts or on historic properties.
- Off-premises signs along scenic drives.
- Off-premises signs along federal aid primary and interstate system.
- Signs with optical illusion of movement.
- Signs resembling traffic signals.
- Animated signs and flashing signs.
- Abandoned signs or sign structures.
- Signs obstructing access.
- Sandwich board signs, except in the Central Business District.
- Portable or moveable display signs.
- Flags used in conjunction with a commercial promotion or as an advertising device.
- Snipe signs.
- Digital, non-conforming, off-premises signs.
Exempt Signs in Asheville
- Signs not designed to be visible beyond the boundaries of the lot upon which they are located.
- Official governmental notices and signs installed under governmental authority.
- Flags with insignia of any nation, organization, state, county, city, religious, civic, fraternal organization, or educational/cultural facility.
- American flags flown in accordance with federal guidelines.
- Temporary decorations or displays associated with holidays.
- Temporary or permanent signs by public utility companies or construction companies warning of danger or hazardous conditions.
- Merchandise, pictures, or models of products/services as part of a window display.
- Signs displayed on vehicles operated in the normal course of business.
- Trademarks or product names on vending machines, dispensing machines, and gasoline pumps.
- Signs required for or authorized for a public purpose by law, statute, or ordinance.
- Signs displaying information pertinent to safety or legal responsibilities of the general public.
- Signs attached to buildings existing as of August 28, 1990, identifying buildings and permanently integrated.
- Signs designated as historically significant and/or landmark signs by the city council.
- Temporary signs providing directions or information in conjunction with a community festival or event.
- Signs affixed to windows of vehicles displaying terms of sale.
- Signs approved as part of the city's officially adopted Wayfinding program.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Asheville
- No permit for a new sign may be issued on a property until any residual sign structure from a previous sign no longer in use has been removed.
- A certificate of appropriateness from the historic resources commission is required prior to the issuance of a sign permit for all signs located in local historic districts and on historic landmark properties.
- A temporary sign permit is required for A-frame signs in accordance with subsection 7-13-2(b).
- In granting a variance, the board of adjustment shall make written findings that all requirements have been met.
Source: amlegal municipal code