# Sign Regulations in Brevard, North Carolina

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Brevard, North Carolina, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Brevard, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/brevard
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-23
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/brevard-nc/doc-viewer.aspx?secid=120#secid-120)

## At a glance

Brevard, North Carolina regulates 26 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Electronic Display Sign (Ground Sign - Eligible Uses Only)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Per ground sign height limit (≤20 ft where ground signs are allowed) tall and Per ground sign size limit of the applicable district, with a Per freestanding sign setbacks setback (Sec. Sec. 12.9.3(E)(1)-(6)). Most commercial signs in Brevard require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | Per ground sign height limit (≤20 ft where ground signs are allowed) | No single-sign cap except: DMX and PGX = 64 sq ft max per individual wall sign | — |
| General Residential (GR4, GR8) | 3 | 5 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Residential Mixed-Use (RMX) | 4 | 5 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMX) | 4 | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Pisgah Gateway Mixed-Use (PGX) | 4 | 20 ft | Per-sign cap = 64 sq ft in PGX | — |
| Downtown Mixed-Use (DMX) | 5 | 20 ft | Per-sign cap = 64 sq ft in DMX | — |
| Corridor Mixed-Use (CMX) | 3 | 20 ft | 85 sq ft | — |
| Institutional Campus (IC) | 3 | 20 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| General Industrial (GI) | 3 | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Highway 64 Corridor Sign Overlay District | 1 | 20 ft (per base ground sign height limit) | 85 sq ft (surface area) | — |
| Downtown Development Overlay District | 3 | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electronic Display Sign (Ground Sign - Eligible Uses Only) | Per ground sign height limit (≤20 ft where ground signs are allowed) | Per ground sign size limit of the applicable district | — | Per freestanding sign setbacks | 1 per parcel (and 1 total per group development/campus) | As a ground sign on the parcel of an eligible use; or 1 internal to a master-planned campus not visible from public streets for non-listed uses. | — | Sec. 12.9.3(E)(1)-(6) |
| Incidental Private Directional Sign (Non-Residential) | Up to 3 ft (industrial uses up to 6 ft) | Up to 2 sq ft (industrial uses up to 8 sq ft) | — | Must remain on property unless encroachment agreement secured | As needed at entrances/exits and within parking areas | On private property at entrances/exits and within parking areas/internal drive aisles; may be in public ROW only with NCDOT/City approval and encroachment agreement. | — | Sec. 12.9.4(B)(1)-(3) |
| Neighborhood Entrance Sign | 5 ft | 32 sq ft | — | General sign setbacks apply if in sign yard | 1 per entrance | At each entrance to distinct neighborhoods/subdivisions/group developments/CZDs/older existing communities/manufactured home parks. | — | Sec. 12.9.4(E)(1)-(7) |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign - Parking Lot Operator | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Per freestanding sign setbacks | 1 per parking lot | On the off-premise parking lot property | — | Sec. 12.9.5(C)(1)-(5); 12.9.5(A) |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign - Type 1 (Small Yard Sign) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | Outside rights-of-way and sight triangles; not on sidewalks (except as otherwise stated for Type 4). | 1 per street frontage without permit (additional with permit) | On private property (all zoning districts); not in ROW. | — | Sec. 12.8.1(A); Sec. 12.8.2(B)(1)-(8) |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign - Type 2 (Banner on Posts) | 4 ft | RMX/NMX/PGX/DMX: 18 sq ft; CMX/GI/IC: 32 sq ft | — | Outside rights-of-way and sight triangles. | 1 per parcel | Only in RMX, NMX, PGX, DMX, CMX, GI, IC; not in GR. | — | Sec. 12.8.1(A); Sec. 12.8.2(C)(1)-(8) |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign - Type 3 (Large Site/For Sale/Construction) | GR/RMX: 5 ft; All other districts: 8 ft | GR/RMX: 16 sq ft; All other districts: 24 sq ft | — | Front: 10 ft (DMX 5 ft); Side/Rear: 10 ft | 1 per parcel | Per qualifying site conditions (vacant land, large residential parcel, non-res with 200 ft frontage, or active development). | — | Sec. 12.8.2(D)(1)-(10) |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign - Type 4 (A-Frame/Sandwich Board) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side | — | Maintain 5 ft clear pedestrian zone | 1 per tenant space (parcel max 2 on same frontage) | On public sidewalk or pedestrian walkway in RMX, NMX, PGX, DMX, CMX, IC only; maintain ≥5 ft unobstructed pedestrian path; must not obstruct vehicular access/visibility; may not be tethered/locked to permanent objects. | — | Sec. 12.8.2(E)(1)-(7) |

### Residential Mixed-Use (RMX)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Non-Residential Use) - Option 2 | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business (wall OR ground) | On the building of the non-residential use. | — | Sec. 12.9.3(B)(1)(a)-(f) |
| Freestanding Ground Sign (Non-Residential Use) - Option 1 | 5 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Front: ≥10 ft from ROW; Side/Rear: ≥10 ft | 1 per business (wall OR ground) | On-site serving the non-residential use. | — | Sec. 12.9.3(B)(1)(a)-(f); 12.9.3(A) |
| A-Frame/Sandwich Board Sign (Permanent, In Lieu of Ground Sign) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side | — | Maintain 5 ft pedestrian clearance | 1 per business (in lieu of ground sign) | On sidewalk/brick-paved area adjacent to business; maintain ≥5 ft unobstructed pedestrian space; remove daily after business hours. | — | Sec. 12.9.3(D)(1)-(8) |
| Nameplate Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home occupation | On the dwelling with the home occupation. | — | Sec. 12.9.3(B)(2) |

### Downtown Mixed-Use (DMX)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Ground Sign (Outside Downtown Development Overlay) | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Front: ≥5 ft from ROW (DMX); Side/Rear: ≥10 ft | 1 per establishment | Only where the establishment is located outside the Downtown Development Overlay District. | — | Sec. 12.9.3(C) & Table 12.9.3A; Sec. 12.9.3(C)(1); Sec. 12.9.3(A)(1) |
| A-Frame/Sandwich Board Sign (Permanent, In Lieu of Ground Sign) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side | — | Maintain 5 ft pedestrian clearance | 1 per business | On sidewalk/brick-paved area at storefront; maintain ≥5 ft unobstructed paved space; cannot block entrances/exists or public infrastructure/utilities. | — | Sec. 12.9.3(D)(1)-(8); Sec. 12.9.3(C)(1) |
| Off-Premises Directional Wall Sign (DMX Only) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | Wall sign on the business’s building or another nearby building with written owner permission; both business and sign must be in DMX. | — | Sec. 12.9.5(B)(1)-(6) |
| Wall Sign | — | Per-sign cap = 64 sq ft in DMX | — | — | Up to 3 per street frontage | Walls with public entrance or facing street/parking. | — | Sec. 12.9.2(A)(4)(b), (1)-(7) |
| Projection Sign | — | 8 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | At main entrance or building corner. | — | Sec. 12.9.2(B)(1)-(9) |

## Prohibited signs in Brevard

- Signs that constitute a traffic hazard, including placement within any required sight triangle
- Freestanding signs located within or extending into a public right-of-way or easement, except where expressly allowed
- Signs that obstruct or interfere with any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress, or egress
- Off-premises advertising signs (billboards and similar off-premises advertising), except off-premises directional signs permitted under Section 12.9.5
- Vehicles, trailers, or commercial trucks parked off-premises or near the right-of-way primarily for advertising rather than transport (except when actively loading/unloading or conducting normal business activities); advertising vehicles may only park in legally established spaces on the property where the advertised business is conducted
- Electronic signs or signs that include a monitor/TV screen, flashing device, or display flashing, animated, or intermittent lights or changing intensity, except as expressly allowed for electronic display signs under Section 12.9.3
- Moving devices used to attract attention (pennants, flags, propellers, discs, inflatables), except where expressly allowed (e.g., certain incidental signs and special event signage)
- Signs posted on utility poles, bridges, overpasses, trees, fences, rocks, or other signs
- Signs that imitate or copy official signs or traffic lights or purport to have official status
- Roof signs
- Awning signs or canopy signs
- Signs with obscene or pornographic content
- Signs that promote illegal activity
- Reflective signs or signs containing mirrors
- Any sign not expressly permitted elsewhere in the ordinance

## Signs exempt from permit in Brevard

- Government signs: Official signs installed by local, state, or federal agencies (may be illuminated, flashing, or moving as required)
- Signs required by law: Signs erected pursuant to federal, state, or local laws or ordinances
- Architectural features: Permanent architectural features of a building or structure existing at the time of adoption of the ordinance
- Public-owned ball field signs: Signs attached to field fencing, made of weather-durable materials and not self-illuminated
- Window signs: Signs placed on or behind window glass (no electronic or flashing elements allowed)
- Historic properties: Small identifying signs on buildings or properties that are locally or nationally listed as historic
- Murals: Artistic images on privately owned, nonresidential building walls or retaining/screening walls (not in GR or RMX); may include limited logos/symbols/copy up to 8% of mural area; require City Council approval per adopted policies
- Vintage signs: Historic/retired advertising imagery allowed in all zoning districts; require only a letter of compliance if meeting coverage limits (≤40% of wall face; ≤20% of roof plane; or within murals meeting mural provisions); if used by an operational business in place of current advertising signage, they are treated as wall signage and require a sign permit

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Special event signage requires submission of a plan to the Administrator showing the location, type, amount of all decorative signage/devices, and the event duration, for review and approval; dispersed Type 1 temporary signs for events require providing a map and removal within 10 days after the event
- Murals require City Council approval based on adopted City policies (approval process applies even though murals are exempt from permitting if they meet mural standards)
- Off-premises directional signs require a sign permit; must meet applicable setbacks; in DMX they are wall signs only, one per establishment, limited to 8 sq ft, uniform design approved by the city; off-premise parking lots may have one additional ground sign with specific size/height and changeable copy rules
- Community banners displayed in the right-of-way are subject to the City of Brevard Street Banner Policy and applicable state laws/NCDOT policies (administrative approval process applies)
- Temporary use signage is allowed only upon issuance of a temporary use permit; one temporary ground sign per street frontage may be displayed for the duration specified in the permit
- Temporary construction signage is allowed upon issuance of a development permit; one temporary ground or wall sign per street frontage may be displayed for the duration of construction (to 30 days after certificate of occupancy), per Section 12.8 types and standards
- No master sign plan requirement is stated in Chapter 12; multi-tenant and group developments follow Section 12.9.6 standards, and sign allowances in Conditional Zoning Districts may be set by the adopted CZD ordinance

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 11 zoning districts in Brevard — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Brevard+NC&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-brevard

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