# Sign Regulations in Carolina Beach, North Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Carolina Beach, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/carolina-beach
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NC/Carolina_Beach/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIIILADE_APXAUNDEOR_ART3ZO_DIV3SI)

## At a glance

Carolina Beach, North Carolina regulates 13 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (Residential Use)s in the Residential District (R-1), Residential District (R-1B), Residential District (R-2), Residential District (R-3), Conservation District (C), Residential, Manufactured Home District (MH), Residential, Multifamily District (MF) zoning district are capped at Flags/Banners: 20 feet; Yard signs: 5 feet tall and Flags/Banners: 24 square feet; Yard signs: cumulative 20 sq. ft. per lot (none over 5 ft height);, with a 5 feet from road or lot line, whichever greater; not in sight distance triangle setback (Sec. Sec. 3.29E.2, 3.29E.2.b). Most commercial signs in Carolina Beach require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District (R-1), Residential District (R-1B), Residential District (R-2), Residential District (R-3), Conservation District (C), Residential, Manufactured Home District (MH), Residential, Multifamily District (MF) | 2 | Flags/Banners: 20 feet; Yard signs: 5 feet | Flags/Banners: 24 square feet; Yard signs: cumulative 20 sq. ft. per lot (none over 5 ft height); | — |
| Mixed Use, Transitional District (MX), Central Business District (CBD), Neighborhood Business District (NB), Highway Business District (HB), Marina Business District (MB-1), Tourist District (T-1), Industrial District (I-1) | 5 | Regular: max height per zone; Exception (CBD/HB >30,000 sq ft): 10 ft (if both signs use max area) | Multi-family: 50 sq ft per face; Nonresidential <2500 sq ft building: 50 sq ft per face; Nonresidential 2500–15,000 sq ft: 64 sq ft per face; Nonresidential >15,000 sq ft: 100 sq ft per face | — |
| Floodplain Overlay District (FP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Height Overlay District (HOD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 5 feet | 20 sq ft total per lot; individual sign max 5 feet height | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential District (R-1), Residential District (R-1B), Residential District (R-2), Residential District (R-3), Conservation District (C), Residential, Manufactured Home District (MH), Residential, Multifamily District (MF)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Development Entry Sign | 6 feet if freestanding | 20 square feet per sign face; aggregate area of 40 square feet if signs are multiple-faced | — | — | Maximum 2 attached entrance signs or 1 monument/freestanding sign per principal entrance | At principal entrances to residential development | — | Sec. 3.30B - Residential development entry signage. |
| Temporary Sign (Residential Use) | Flags/Banners: 20 feet; Yard signs: 5 feet | Flags/Banners: 24 square feet; Yard signs: cumulative 20 sq. ft. per lot (none over 5 ft height); | — | 5 feet from road or lot line, whichever greater; not in sight distance triangle | Flags/Banners: max 2 per 50 ft; Yard signs: 4 temporary per lot | Must remain within boundaries of the lot associated and setback at least 5 feet from road/lot line | — | Sec. 3.29E.2, 3.29E.2.b |

### Mixed Use, Transitional District (MX), Central Business District (CBD), Neighborhood Business District (NB), Highway Business District (HB), Marina Business District (MB-1), Tourist District (T-1), Industrial District (I-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Attached Sign) | — | 25% of front building face (see formula) | — | — | All building faces; see aggregate rule | On building walls (all sides); projecting signs may extend from building (as described) | — | Sec. 3.31B |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument/Pylon) – Multi-family and Nonresidential | CBD, NB, MB-1, T-1, MF, MX: 20 ft; HB and I-1: 25 ft | Multi-family: 50 sq ft per face; Nonresidential <2500 sq ft building: 50 sq ft per face; Nonresidential 2500–15,000 sq ft: 64 sq ft per face; Nonresidential >15,000 sq ft: 100 sq ft per face | — | 10 feet from all lot lines | 1 per business/property (double/corner frontage see next) | At least 10 ft from all lot lines | — | Sec. 3.31D; Table 3.10 |
| Freestanding Sign – Additional for Corner/Double Frontage Lot Option | Regular: max height per zone; Exception (CBD/HB >30,000 sq ft): 10 ft (if both signs use max area) | See prior for max per sign; if both on corners per exception (cited) | — | 15 ft if both are at corner and using exception | 2 for corner/double frontage, subject to all requirements | Each sign on separate frontage per rules | — | Sec. 3.29C.2 |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | On private lot, adjacent to right-of-way | 2 per driveway cut | On premises, adjacent to right-of-way; max 2 per driveway cut | — | Sec. 3.31C |
| Temporary Sign (Commercial/Nonresidential Use) | A-frame: 4 ft Portable: 5 ft Banner: 8 ft Feather flag: 10 ft | A-frame: 8 sq ft per side Portable: 10 sq ft Banner: 24 sq ft Feather flag: 20 sq ft | — | Not encroaching into right-of-way (except in CBD) | 1 per business at one time | Placed up to right-of-way (not encroaching); CBD – may be on public sidewalk (minimum 4.5 feet pass-by maintained) | — | Sec. 3.31E |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Governmental Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 3.29E.1.a |
| Window/Door Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Interior or exterior of window/door; not designed for view by vehicular traffic | — | Sec. 3.29E.1.b |
| Address Number Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As required by government agency | — | Sec. 3.29E.1.c |
| Signs not designed for view by vehicular traffic | — | — | — | — | — | Must not be visible from public street for vehicular reader | — | Sec. 3.29E.1.g |
| Temporary Sign (Nonresidential, Non-Commercial Event) | 5 feet | 20 sq ft total per lot; individual sign max 5 feet height | — | 5 feet from road/lot line; not in sight triangle | 4 per parcel | Setback at least 5 feet from road/lot line; not in sight triangle; not in public right-of-way | — | Sec. 3.29E.3 |

## Prohibited signs in Carolina Beach

- Billboard signs are prohibited within the planning jurisdiction of the town.
- Signs in disrepair, that are unsafe, which no longer can be easily recognized for their intended purpose due to disrepair or fading, or are no longer applicable to the associated property use, are prohibited.
- Strobe lights or any other type of flashing lighting or beacons are prohibited for signs, except flashing signs may be allowed under limited CBD conditions (not strobe lights).
- Moveable, animated, flashing signs including balloons and/or human signs are prohibited.
- Pennant or consecutively linked flagging or similar devices are prohibited.
- Signs which resemble or are visibly similar to official governmental traffic signs or signals or employ lighting, or employ the words of official signs such as 'stop,' 'caution,' 'danger,' 'slow,' or 'warning' are prohibited.
- Signs located within or protruding in public areas or rights-of-way, unless specifically permitted, are prohibited.
- Signs that make noise are prohibited.
- Signs displaying or containing obscenities are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Handwritten messages on permanent signs are prohibited.
- Vehicle/trailer signs are prohibited.
- Any other sign not mentioned by this article is prohibited.
- No signage shall be placed in any location that interferes with the sight distance triangle of motorists utilizing public or private roadways.
- No signs shall be located in a public right-of-way with the exception of NCDOT rights-of-way in accordance with Session Law 2011-408.
- Signs must not encroach into any right-of-way or adjacent lot.
- Rooftop displays are prohibited for outdoor displays.
- No outdoor displays shall be allowed in areas set aside, required, or designated for driving aisles, driveways, maneuvering areas, emergency accessways, required off-street parking, or unloading/loading.
- No additional signage shall be allowed for outdoor displays beyond the allowances permitted in accordance with the sign requirements of this ordinance.
- No sign shall be erected, altered, constructed, moved, converted, or enlarged except in accordance with the provisions of this section and pursuant to issuance of a sign permit, unless exempt.
- In no case shall there be more than one principal sign per business/property or lot unless otherwise stated (e.g., corner or double frontage lots have special provisions).

## Signs exempt from permit in Carolina Beach

- Governmental signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Window/door signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Any sign required by a government agency (e.g., address number sign) is exempt from permit requirements.
- Residential signage is exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary commercial yard signage is exempt from permit requirements.
- Any temporary signage (unless stated otherwise in this article) is exempt from permit requirements.
- Any sign not designed for view by vehicular traffic may be displayed as long as the signage does not violate any of the prohibited sign regulations.
- Temporary yard signs in residential districts: Each lot in a residential district may place banners, flags, and yard signs without the issuance of a permit if they meet size, height, setback, and time limitations.
- Temporary signs in nonresidential districts for noncommercial activities or events may be placed on a parcel, up to four (4) signs, subject to size, height, setback, non-illumination, and time limitations, without a permit.
- Flags and banners in residential districts: No more than two (2) per 50 feet of road frontage, maximum size of 24 square feet and 20 feet in height, within lot boundaries, with no permit required.
- Placement of sand fences and silt fences are exempt from the fence permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for the erection or construction of a sign unless the sign qualifies for exemption (see list of exemptions).
- Each sign permit application must include details such as location, dimensions, construction, setbacks, lighting, number of signs, engineered plans as required, value of the structure, illumination, and proximity to property lines and other signs.
- Permanent signs must comply with the state building code; engineered certified plans may be required depending on sign construction type.
- A scaled drawing of the sign's location, dimensions, and other elements must be submitted with the permit application.
- All temporary signs requiring a permit (e.g., as allowed under 'Temporary Signs Which Require a Sign Permit' in nonresidential sections) require an annual permit.
- Approval of a site plan or building permit does not exempt the applicant from normal sign permit requirements.
- Nonconforming signs are subject to enforcement and may not be altered except in conformance with the ordinance.
- Projecting signage in the CBD may encroach up to two feet into the right-of-way if ground clearance is sufficient, but a sign permit is still required.
- Freestanding signs are subject to limits on number, area, height, and placement, and may require a sign plan for large or multi-tenant sites.
- All signage must comply with vision clearance area (sight triangle) requirements.
- No more than one principal freestanding sign is allowed per business/property or lot, unless otherwise stated.
- Sign setback and size calculations must be adhered to when preparing a sign plan.

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

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