# Sign Regulations in Butner, North Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Butner, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/butner
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-22
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/butner/latest/butner_nc_ldo/0-0-0-26172)

## At a glance

Butner, North Carolina regulates 34 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Directory Sign (Civic and institutional)s in the Neighborhood Business District (NB), Central Business District (CB) zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 10 sq ft per face, with a 5 ft behind curb or 10 ft from edge of pavement setback (Sec. §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (NB & CB Districts)). Most commercial signs in Butner require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | ≤25% of host sign face area | — |
| Rural Preservation District (RP), Rural Residential District (RR) | 5 | 8 ft | 48 sq ft per face | — |
| Suburban Residential District (RS), Town Residential District (RT), Mixed Residential District (RMX), Multi-Family Residential District (RMF) | 6 | 8 ft | 48 sq ft per face | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (NB), Central Business District (CB) | 12 | 20 ft | Up to 75 sq ft per sign | — |
| Office and Institutional District (OI) | 9 | 8 ft | Up to 50 sq ft per sign | — |
| Highway Business District (HB) | 12 | 50 ft | 450 sq ft per face | — |
| Light Industrial District (LI) | 9 | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| Heavy Industrial District (HI) | 8 | 50 ft | 450 sq ft per face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Neighborhood Business District (NB), Central Business District (CB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | Limited to awnings associated with the 1st floor | 25% of awning area | — | — | N/A | On awning | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (NB & CB Districts) |
| Directory Sign (Civic and institutional) | 4 ft | 10 sq ft per face | — | 5 ft behind curb or 10 ft from edge of pavement | 1 | 5 feet behind curb or 10 feet from edge of pavement | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (NB & CB Districts) |
| Directory Sign (Commercial) | 6 ft | Up to 25 sq ft total per sign (≤5 sq ft per tenant) | — | — | 1 per street entrance | Not visible from public ROW | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (NB & CB Districts) |
| Hanging Sign | Minimum 7.5 ft above sidewalk clearance | 16 in x 36 in | — | — | 1 per establishment | Under awning | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (NB & CB Districts); §12.6.2(A) |
| Monument Sign (Multi-tenant buildings) | 8 ft | 60 sq ft per face | — | At least 5 ft behind ROW and at least 10 ft from any property line; min 200 ft separation between signs | N/A (subject to separation) | Behind ROW and at least 10 ft from any property line | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (NB & CB Districts: Monument Sign – Multi-tenant) and following rows; §12.6.2(B)-(C) |
| Pole Sign (Nonresidential uses) | 20 ft | 60 sq ft per face | — | Per §12.6.2(B): building setback ≥30 ft from ROW to use a pole sign | N/A | Along street frontage | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (NB & CB Districts: Pole Sign); §12.6.2(B)-(C) |
| Projecting Sign | Minimum 10 ft above grade; top of sign may not extend past roofline | 36 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per establishment | Mounted to building facade | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (NB & CB Districts: Projecting Sign); §12.6.2(A) |
| Wall Sign (Front) (All uses except multi-tenant buildings) | 1-story: below roof; 2+ stories: below sill of 2nd floor windows | Up to 75 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 | Front facade | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (NB & CB Districts: Wall Sign Front) |

### Office and Institutional District (OI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | Limited to awnings associated with the 1st floor | 25% of awning area | — | — | N/A | On awning | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (OI District) |
| Directory Sign (Civic and institutional) | 4 ft | 10 sq ft per face | — | 5 ft behind curb or 10 ft from edge of pavement | 1 | 5 feet behind curb or 10 feet from edge of pavement | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (OI District) |
| Directory Sign (All other uses) | 6 ft | Up to 25 sq ft total per sign (≤5 sq ft per tenant) | — | — | 1 per street entrance | Not visible from public ROW | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (OI District) |
| Hanging Sign | Minimum 7.5 ft above sidewalk clearance | 16 in x 36 in | — | — | 1 per establishment | Under awning | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (OI District); §12.6.2(A) |
| Monument Sign (All uses except multi-tenant buildings) | 8 ft | 48 sq ft per face | — | At least 5 ft behind ROW and at least 10 ft from any property line; min 200 ft separation between signs | 1 per street frontage | At least 5 ft behind ROW and at least 10 ft from any property line | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (OI District: Monument); §12.6.2(B)-(C) |
| Wall Sign (Front) (All uses except multi-tenant buildings) | 1-story: below roof; 2+ stories: below sill of 2nd floor windows | Up to 50 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 | Front facade | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (OI District) |
| Wall Sign (Front) (Multi-tenant buildings) | 1-story: below roof; 2+ stories: below sill of 2nd floor windows | Per tenant sign (per building sign program) | — | — | 1 per tenant | Front facade | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (OI District) |
| Wall Sign (Side) (All uses) | Below roof line | Up to 25 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per facade | Side facade | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (OI District) |

### Highway Business District (HB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | Limited to awnings associated with the 1st floor | 35% of awning area | — | — | N/A | On awning | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (HB District) |
| Directory Sign (Civic and institutional) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft per face | — | 5 ft behind curb or 10 ft from edge of pavement | 1 | 5 feet behind curb or 10 feet from edge of pavement | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (HB District) |
| Directory Sign (Commercial) | 6 ft | Up to 50 sq ft total per sign (≤5 sq ft per tenant) | — | — | 1 per street entrance | Not visible from outside of the development | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (HB District) |
| Interstate Sign (Freestanding) | 50 ft | 450 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 billboard or interstate sign per parcel | Within 50 ft of ROW of I-85 or an access road to I-85 abutting the I-85 ROW | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (HB District: Interstate Sign); §12.6.2(B)(4), (C) |
| Monument Sign (All uses except multi-tenant buildings) | 8 ft | 48 sq ft per face | — | At least 5 ft behind ROW and at least 10 ft from any property line; min 200 ft separation | 1 per street frontage | At least 5 ft behind ROW and at least 10 ft from any property line | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (HB District: Monument); §12.6.2(B)-(C) |
| Monument Sign (Multi-tenant buildings) | 8 ft | 80 sq ft per face | — | At least 5 ft behind ROW and at least 10 ft from any property line; min 200 ft separation | 1 per street frontage | At least 5 ft behind ROW and at least 10 ft from any property line | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (HB District: Monument – Multi-tenant); §12.6.2(B)-(C) |
| Pole Sign (Commercial uses) | 30 ft | 120 sq ft per face | — | Per §12.6.2(B): building setback ≥30 ft from ROW to use a pole sign | N/A | Along street frontage | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (HB District: Pole Sign); §12.6.2(B)-(C) |
| Projecting Sign | Minimum 10 ft above grade; top of sign may not extend past roofline | 48 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per establishment | Mounted to building facade | — | §12.6.1 Table 12-1 (HB District: Projecting Sign); §12.6.2(A) |

## Prohibited signs in Butner

- Any sign that obstructs the view of pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorists, interferes with traffic control devices, or impairs traffic visibility, including signs located in a sight distance triangle (§12.4.1; §12.5.1(D))
- Signs that may be misconstrued as regulatory or emergency warning signs (e.g., signs depicting traffic signs with 'Stop' or 'Yield') (§12.4.2)
- Signs, banners, or displays placed on or over any public right-of-way or on public fixtures (curb, sidewalk, post, pole, hydrant, bridge, tree) except where otherwise authorized or for regulatory signs (§12.4.3; §12.5.3)
- Any sign intentionally denying visual access to another existing sign (§12.4.4)
- Flashing signs, including reflective disks or lights of changing intensity or color (except regulatory signs) (§12.4.5)
- Pole signs or signs on metal or wood stakes not affixed to a permanent foundation (excluding regulatory signs and temporary election signs) (§12.4.6)
- Portable signs, including marquee signs placed on permanent foundations after wheels/axles removed (§12.4.7)
- Vehicular signs placed or parked to advertise from any street right‑of‑way, including billboards mounted to truck beds (§12.4.8)
- Moving or rotating signs, including wind‑driven components (§12.4.9)
- Roof signs extending above the soffit of a pitched roof, or above the highest point of a mansard roof or parapet wall (§12.4.10)
- Off‑premises commercial signs (except outdoor advertising signs/billboards that fully comply with this article and applicable state/federal regulations) (§12.4.11)
- Inflatable signs (including balloons with diameter greater than two feet), except as part of a temporary holiday or civic event display (§12.4.12)
- Projecting signs and wall signs may not be located on the same facade (§12.6.2(A)(1))
- Wall signs may not project more than 18 inches; projecting signs may not project more than four feet; no attached sign or its supports may cover any window or part of a window (§12.6.2(A)(2)-(4))
- No more than one type of freestanding sign (monument or pole) may be used on a single parcel (§12.6.2(B)(1))
- Monument signs are prohibited along a frontage unless the principal structure is set back at least 15 feet from the right‑of‑way; pole signs are prohibited along a frontage unless the principal structure is set back at least 30 feet from the right‑of‑way (§12.6.2(B)(2)-(3))
- On parcels with an interstate sign, no pole sign or monument sign may be erected so as to be seen from I‑85 (§12.6.2(B)(4))
- Electronic message boards are prohibited on sign types other than monument, pole, or interstate signs; they may not comprise more than 25% of the host sign area; their display may not change more frequently than once per minute; animated transitions are prohibited; any electronic message board visible from I‑85 must be static (§12.6.2(C)(1)-(4))
- Use of high‑intensity colors or fluorescent pigments is prohibited (§12.6.2(E)(1))
- Rough‑cut plywood and recycled telephone poles are not permitted as sign or support materials; signs and supports must present a finished appearance (§12.6.2(E)(2))
- Graffiti‑style lettering with hand‑painted or paint‑stenciled letters is not acceptable (§12.6.2(E)(3))
- Exposed neon signs are prohibited (§12.6.2(E)(4))
- Structurally unsafe signs that endanger public safety are prohibited and must be removed or repaired (§12.5.1(C))
- Signs shall not obscure architectural features (§12.5.1(B))

## Signs exempt from permit in Butner

- Drive‑through service menu boards not visible from a public right‑of‑way and not exceeding 32 sq ft (§12.3.1(A))
- Internally directed signage within athletic fields and stadiums (e.g., banners, placards, scoreboards) (§12.3.1(B))
- Vending machine/self‑service container product signs ≤6 sq ft and not legible from a public right‑of‑way (§12.3.1(C))
- Gasoline price/self‑service signs ≤2 sq ft secured to a gasoline pump (§12.3.2(A))
- One freestanding gasoline price sign <9 sq ft located outside the street right‑of‑way (§12.3.2(B))
- One state vehicle inspection station sign located outside the street right‑of‑way (§12.3.2(C))
- Public interest/incidental signs <2 sq ft (e.g., 'Warning', 'No Trespassing') (§12.3.3(A))
- Historical plaques mounted per U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation (§12.3.3(B))
- Temporary displays as part of a holiday or civic event (§12.3.3(C))
- Flags, pennants, insignia, or religious symbols of any government, non‑profit, or not‑for‑profit organization, provided: not used for commercial promotion/advertising; poles ≤35 ft; non‑U.S. flags ≤60 sq ft; maximum three per site (§12.3.3(D))
- Political campaign/election signs that comply with state/federal law and: ≤12 sq ft; erected ≤60 days before the election; removed within 7 days after; outside the right‑of‑way; do not obstruct motorists’ vision; not placed on town property (§12.3.4(A)-(F))
- Produce stand signs: maximum one per stand on the same site as production; outside ROW and ≥10 ft from side lot lines; ≤12 sq ft; not illuminated (§12.3.5(A)-(D))
- Real estate and temporary construction signs: max one per street frontage; ≤10 sq ft in residential districts and ≤32 sq ft in other districts; on corner lots signs ≥100 ft apart; removed within 7 days after sale/lease/completion; not illuminated (§12.3.6(A)-(E))
- Regulatory signs (traffic‑control, NCDOT) (§12.3.7(A))
- Memorial signs or grave markers (noncommercial) (§12.3.7(B))
- Integral decorative/architectural features or works of art without trademarks/advertising (§12.3.7(C))
- Up to two wall‑mounted incidental signs (tenant ID, historical markers, bulletin boards) not exceeding 6 sq ft each (§12.3.7(D))
- On‑premises directional/instructional signs not exceeding 6 sq ft (§12.3.7(E))
- One subdivision identification sign at each subdivision entrance, max height 6 ft and ≤36 sq ft per face (§12.3.7(F))
- Single‑family dwelling identification signs (address/name) that: do not advertise a home occupation; ≤3 sq ft; max one per dwelling (§12.3.7(G))
- Temporary special event signs/banners with non‑commercial messages (e.g., government/non‑profit events) meeting: installed ≤30 days prior and removed ≤2 days after; ≤32 sq ft; not illuminated; ≥5 ft behind ROW and outside sight triangles with property owner approval; max 4 events per organization per year; max one on‑premises and three off‑premises signs/banners per event (§12.3.8(A)(1)-(6))
- On‑premises pennants, flags, streamers for special events/grand openings for nonresidential for‑profit uses for one consecutive 30‑day period per establishment per calendar year (§12.3.8(B))
- Temporary banners for for‑profit nonresidential uses meeting: ≤75 sq ft; attached to primary facade or set back ≥50 ft from ROW; not attached to roof or existing sign face; not above second floor; max two events per establishment per year for ≤15 consecutive days; removed within two days of event conclusion (§12.3.8(C)(1)-(6))
- Window signs on the ground floor of a commercial use occupying <50% of the total window area on the building side where located (§12.3.9)
- Yard sale signs: one on‑premises sign per sale; ≤4 sq ft; not affixed to a utility pole or other sign; removed within two hours after the sale ends (§12.3.10(A)-(D))
- Compliant farm signs within the right‑of‑way of state‑maintained roads during the applicable farm season per G.S. 136‑32 (§12.3.11)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A land development permit is required for any sign unless it qualifies as an exempt sign under §12.3 (§12.2; §12.6).
- No master sign plan or sign plan requirement is stated in the provided text.
- No variance, special meeting, or hearing requirement for signs is indicated in the provided text.

## 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 8 zoning districts in Butner — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Butner+NC&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-butner

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