# Sign Regulations in Cape Carteret, North Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cape Carteret, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/cape-carteret
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NC/Cape_Carteret/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT14UNDEOR_CH16SI)

## At a glance

Cape Carteret, North Carolina regulates 29 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Shopping Center Freestanding Signs in the Business district B-10 zoning district are capped at 250 sq ft, with a 5 ft from front property line setback (Sec. Sec. 14.16.3(C)(6)). Most commercial signs in Cape Carteret require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential districts (R-10, R-10M, R-13, R-20, R-30), Residential zones | 7 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Business district B-10 | 11 | — | 250 sq ft | — |
| Business district B-20 | 11 | — | 250 sq ft | — |
| Business district B-30 | 11 | — | 250 sq ft | — |
| Business zoning districts | 2 | — | 18 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 42 in | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Business district B-10

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the property for lease, rent, or sale | — | Sec. 14.16.3(C)(1) |
| Club and Recreation Facility Announcement Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the lot | — | Sec. 14.16.3(C)(2) |
| Directional Sign (to churches, clubs, and recreation facilities) | — | 2.25 sq ft | 18 in | — | 1 per organization/facility | Intersection of state highway and feeder street; not to obstruct traffic | — | Sec. 14.16.3(C)(3) |
| Identification Sign for Noncommercial Use | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Per lot | — | Sec. 14.16.3(C)(4) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign | — | 250 sq ft | — | 5 ft from front property line | 2 | Announcing name of planned shopping center and tenants/occupants | — | Sec. 14.16.3(C)(6) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 1 (Freestanding building, not part of planned development) | — | 80 sq ft | — | 5 ft from front property line | 1 per business (if not part of planned development) | On lot of freestanding building | — | Sec. 14.16.3(C)(7) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 2 (Periphery of shopping center) | — | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from front property line | 1 per business (on periphery) | On periphery of planned shopping center | — | Sec. 14.16.3(C)(8) |
| Freestanding Sign for Non-profit Emergency Medical Facility | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 14.16.3(C)(9) |

### Business district B-20

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the property for lease, rent, or sale | — | Sec. 14.16.3(D)(1) |
| Club and Recreation Facility Announcement Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the lot | — | Sec. 14.16.3(D)(2) |
| Directional Sign (to churches, clubs, and recreation facilities) | — | 2.25 sq ft | 18 in | — | 1 per organization/facility | Intersection of state highway and feeder street; not to obstruct traffic | — | Sec. 14.16.3(D)(3) |
| Identification Sign for Noncommercial Use | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Per lot | — | Sec. 14.16.3(D)(4) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign | — | 250 sq ft | — | 20 ft from front property line | 2 | Announcing name of planned shopping center and tenants/occupants | — | Sec. 14.16.3(D)(6) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 1 (Freestanding building, not part of planned development) | — | 80 sq ft | — | 20 ft from front property line | 1 per business (if not part of planned development) | On lot of freestanding building | — | Sec. 14.16.3(D)(7) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 2 (Periphery of shopping center) | — | 32 sq ft | — | 20 ft from front property line | 1 per business (on periphery) | On periphery of planned shopping center | — | Sec. 14.16.3(D)(8) |
| Freestanding Sign for Non-profit Emergency Medical Facility | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 14.16.3(D)(9) |

### Business district B-30

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the property for lease, rent, or sale | — | Sec. 14.16.3(E)(1) |
| Club and Recreation Facility Announcement Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the lot | — | Sec. 14.16.3(E)(2) |
| Directional Sign (to churches, clubs, and recreation facilities) | — | 2.25 sq ft | 18 in | — | 1 per organization/facility | Intersection of state highway and feeder street; not to obstruct traffic | — | Sec. 14.16.3(E)(3) |
| Identification Sign for Noncommercial Use | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Per lot | — | Sec. 14.16.3(E)(4) |
| Industrial Development Freestanding Sign | — | 250 sq ft | — | 20 ft from front property line | 2 | Announcing name of planned industrial development and tenants/occupants | — | Sec. 14.16.3(E)(6) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 1 (Freestanding building, not part of planned development) | — | 80 sq ft | — | 20 ft from front property line | 1 per business (if not part of planned development) | On lot of freestanding building | — | Sec. 14.16.3(E)(7) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 2 (Periphery of industrial development) | — | 32 sq ft | — | 20 ft from front property line | 1 per business (on periphery) | On periphery of planned industrial development | — | Sec. 14.16.3(E)(8) |
| Freestanding Sign for Non-profit Emergency Medical Facility | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 14.16.3(E)(9) |

## Prohibited signs in Cape Carteret

- No sign shall be erected, painted, repainted, posted, reposted, placed, replaced or hung in any zoning district except in compliance with these regulations and the issuance of a permit.
- Signs that contain, include or are lighted by any flashing, intermittent or moving light are prohibited, except those giving public information such as time, temperature and date.
- Ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners or other similar moving devices when not part of any sign are prohibited.
- Signs advertising an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located are prohibited.
- Signs other than Town traffic and directional signs shall not be permitted within any street right-of-way.
- Mobile signs are prohibited.
- Off-premises outdoor advertising signs are prohibited.
- No outdoor advertising sign shall be located closer than 100 feet to a lot zoned or developed for residential purposes.
- No outdoor advertising sign shall be erected at the intersection of streets in a manner as to obstruct clear vision.
- No outdoor advertising sign shall copy or simulate official signs or signals.
- No sign or outdoor advertising sign shall be allowed to remain that becomes structurally unsafe or hazardous, or endangers the safety of the public or property, or becomes weathered or tattered.
- No sign shall obscure motorist visibility at an intersection.
- No sign shall be higher than 42 inches above the edge of pavement of the adjacent street or road (for temporary/political signs).
- No sign shall obscure or replace another sign.
- No sign shall be placed on any utility poles.
- No sign shall be illuminated unless permitted by the applicable section.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cape Carteret

- Signs, unlighted, not exceeding one square foot in area and bearing only property numbers of occupants of premises, or other identification of premises not having commercial connotations, except as provided in Section 14.16.11.
- Flags and insignia of any government except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- Legal notices and identification, informational or directional signs erected or required by governmental bodies.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings except letters, trademarks, moving parts, or flashing and moving lights.
- Signs, not to exceed four square feet, directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property but bearing no advertising matter.
- One freestanding sign displaying time and temperature information only and bearing no advertising matter shall be permitted in addition to other freestanding signs, provided the area requirements for free-standing signs are not exceeded and all sign height and setback requirements are followed.
- Price signs at automobile service stations or other establishments engaged in the retail sale of gasoline, provided the sign does not exceed 24 square feet. Any such sign shall be affixed to a permanent free-standing identification sign, to a canopy support in the vicinity of the gasoline pumps or flat-mounted against the side of a building.
- Temporary signs and banners for special events for non-profit organizations and community events, subject to limitations on number, size, duration, illumination, and sponsorship. These may be located off-site, but must announce only events sponsored by a non-profit or public entity or community events.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Each application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by plans drawn to approximate scale, showing the site, ownership, location in relation to property lines/buildings/zoning/right-of-way/utilities/existing signs.
- A permit, with accompanying plans, is required prior to erection of any sign unless specifically exempted under Section 14.16.6 (Temporary Signs) or Section 14.16.12 (Exemptions).
- Applicants requesting a modification (variance) to the regulations or a review of a Town decision must apply to the Board of Adjustment in accordance with Section 14.7.3 of the UDO.

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

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