# Sign Regulations in Charlotte, North Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Charlotte, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/charlotte
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://charlotteudo.org/articles/part-viii-general-development-zoning-standards/article-22-signs#222-applicability)

## At a glance

Charlotte, North Carolina regulates 68 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Roof Sign (Eligibility & General)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at ≤15' above roof including supports tall, Width ≤ 65% of roof-level width or 40', whichever is less, and ≤ 65% of roof width or 40', whichever less wide, with a ≥5' from edge of roof setback (Sec. UDO Sec. 22.9.F.1-8). Most commercial signs in Charlotte require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 34 | By site area: <25,000 sf: 8'; 25,000–50,000 sf: 10'; >50,000–200,000 sf: 15'; >200,000 sf: 15' | By site area: <25,000 sf: 48 sf; 25,000–50,000 sf: 100 sf; >50,000–200,000 sf: 128 sf; >200,000 sf: 150 sf | — |
| Neighborhood 1 Zoning Districts (N1-A, N1-B, N1-C, N1-D, N1-E, N1-F) | 11 | 24" above canopy face | 75 sf | — |
| Neighborhood 2 Zoning Districts (N2-A, N2-B, N2-C) | 11 | 24" above canopy face | 75 sf | — |
| Neighborhood Center Zoning District (NC) | 10 | 24" above canopy face | Per building height tier (300–850 sf) | — |
| Community Activity Center Zoning Districts (CAC-1, CAC-2) | 10 | 24" above canopy face | Per building height tier (300–850 sf) | — |
| Regional Activity Center Zoning Districts (RAC, UE, UC) | 12 | 24" above canopy face | Total of all banners per building wall: ≤1,000 sf or 10% of wall area, whichever less | — |
| Transit-Oriented Development Zoning Districts (TOD-UC, TOD-NC, TOD-CC, TOD-TR) | 12 | 24" above canopy face | Per building height tier (300–850 sf) | — |
| Commercial Zoning Districts (CG, CR) | 16 | ≤50' (measured from adjacent edge of pavement of main traveled way for Limited Access Roads) | 380 sf | — |
| Innovation Mixed-Use Zoning District (IMU) | 10 | 24" above canopy face | Per building height tier (300–850 sf) | — |
| Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning Districts (ML-1, ML-2) | 16 | ≤50' (measured from adjacent edge of pavement of main traveled way on Limited Access Roads) | 380 sf | — |
| Campus Zoning Districts (IC-1, IC-2, OFC, OG, RC) | 9 | 24" above canopy face | Per building height tier (300–850 sf) | — |
| Historic District Overlay (HDO) | 3 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Drive-Through Sign | 8' | 64 sf total per lane (+ up to 10 sf temporary attachments) | — | ≥15' from any Neighborhood 1 Place Type | 1 per drive-through lane | At drive-through lanes | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.B.1(a)-(e) & 22.7.G |
| Ground Sign – General Standards (All Districts) | Per district table (see zone-specific entries) | Per district table (see zone-specific entries) | — | Must be out of ROW; see zone-specific frontage rule | 1 per street frontage <400'; +1 per frontage ≥400' with 200' separation (plus institutional exception) | May be in required setback but must be out of ROW; along frontages: out of ROW or behind required sidewalk/path; in NC, CAC, RAC, IMU: out of ROW or required setback, whichever greater | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.D.2(a)-(c), 22.9.D.3(a)-(b) |
| Retail Center Ground Sign | By site area: <25,000 sf: 8'; 25,000–50,000 sf: 10'; >50,000–200,000 sf: 15'; >200,000 sf: 15' | By site area: <25,000 sf: 48 sf; 25,000–50,000 sf: 100 sf; >50,000–200,000 sf: 128 sf; >200,000 sf: 150 sf | — | Out of ROW; general ground sign siting rules apply | 1 per frontage; additional per entry on lots ≥5 acres (200' separation) | 1 per street frontage; on lots ≥5 acres: additional signs per entry point with 200' min separation | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.D.4(a)-(d) |
| Multi-Tenant Nonresidential Development Ground Sign | Primary: 7'; Secondary: 4'; Outparcels: 5' | Primary: 50 sf; Secondary: 24 sf; Outparcels: 36 sf | — | Out of ROW; general ground sign siting rules apply | 1 primary + 1 secondary per development; each outparcel 1 sign | For multi-tenant nonresidential developments | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.D.5(a)-(d) |
| Multi-Use Development Ground Sign | Primary: 7'; Secondary: 4'; Outparcels: 5' | Primary: 50 sf; Secondary: 24 sf; Outparcels: 36 sf | — | Out of ROW; general ground sign siting rules apply | 1 primary + 1 secondary per development; each outparcel 1 sign | For multi-use developments | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.D.6(a)-(d) |
| Residential Development Ground Sign | 5' per sign | 42 sf per sign | — | Out of ROW; general ground sign siting rules apply | 1 per entry; 200' min separation | At each entry point; 200' min separation between signs | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.D.7(a)-(c) |
| Roof Sign (Eligibility & General) | ≤15' above roof including supports | Width ≤ 65% of roof-level width or 40', whichever is less | ≤ 65% of roof width or 40', whichever less | ≥5' from edge of roof | 1 per building | On flat roof; set back ≥5' from roof edge | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.F.1-8 |
| A-Frame Sign (Sandwich Board) | 4' | 6 sf per side | — | As above; keep out of ROW unless permitted via encroachment | 1 per establishment/tenant | Within 15' of primary entrance; maintain clear pedestrian path | — | UDO Sec. 22.6.A.1-8 |

### Commercial Zoning Districts (CG, CR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Monument or Pole) | 30' | 84 sf | — | Out of ROW; not to encroach sidewalk | Per general ground sign rules; plus pole sign cap | Along street frontages | — | UDO Table 22-3 (CG/CR) & Sec. 22.9.D.2(a)(i)-(ii), 22.9.D.3 |
| Retail Center Ground Sign | 8'/10'/15'/15' by site area tier | 48/100/128/150 sf by site area tier | — | Out of ROW | Per frontage + entry points on ≥5-acre lots | 1 per frontage; lots ≥5 acres additional per entry (200' separation) | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.D.4 |
| Multi-Tenant Nonresidential Development Ground Sign | Primary 7'; Secondary 4'; Outparcels 5' | Primary 50 sf; Secondary 24 sf; Outparcels 36 sf | — | Out of ROW | 1 primary + 1 secondary; 1 per outparcel | At multi-tenant nonres developments | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.D.5 |
| Multi-Use Development Ground Sign | Primary 7'; Secondary 4'; Outparcels 5' | Primary 50 sf; Secondary 24 sf; Outparcels 36 sf | — | Out of ROW | 1 primary + 1 secondary; 1 per outparcel | At multi-use developments | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.D.6 |
| Residential Development Ground Sign | 5' per sign | 42 sf per sign | — | Out of ROW | 1 per entry | At each entry (200' separation) | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.D.7 |
| A-Frame Sign | 4' | 6 sf/side | — | Maintain clearance; outside ROW unless encroachment approved | 1 per tenant | Within 15' of primary entrance; maintain 6' sidewalk clearance | — | UDO Sec. 22.6.A.1-8 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | 24" above canopy face | 30% of each surface; canopy face above top ≤24" | — | — | 1 per facade per tenant | 1 per tenant per qualifying facade | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.A.1 |
| Roof Sign (CR only) | ≤15' above roof including supports | Width ≤65% of roof width or 40' | ≤65% of roof width or 40' | ≥5' from edge | 1 per building | On flat roof; set back ≥5' from edge | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.F.1 (CR), 22.9.F.2-8 |

### Manufacturing and Logistics Zoning Districts (ML-1, ML-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Monument or Pole) | 30' | 84 sf | — | Out of ROW | Per general ground sign rules; max 1 pole sign per lot | Along street frontages | — | UDO Table 22-3 (ML-1/ML-2) & Sec. 22.9.D.2(a)(i)-(ii), 22.9.D.3 |
| Retail Center Ground Sign | 8'/10'/15'/15' by site area tier | 48/100/128/150 sf by site area tier | — | Out of ROW | Per frontage + entry points on ≥5-acre lots | 1 per frontage; lots ≥5 acres additional per entry (200' separation) | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.D.4 |
| Multi-Tenant Nonresidential Development Ground Sign | Primary 7'; Secondary 4'; Outparcels 5' | Primary 50 sf; Secondary 24 sf; Outparcels 36 sf | — | Out of ROW | 1 primary + 1 secondary; 1 per outparcel | At multi-tenant nonres developments | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.D.5 |
| Multi-Use Development Ground Sign | Primary 7'; Secondary 4'; Outparcels 5' | Primary 50 sf; Secondary 24 sf; Outparcels 36 sf | — | Out of ROW | 1 primary + 1 secondary; 1 per outparcel | At multi-use developments | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.D.6 |
| Residential Development Ground Sign | 5' per sign | 42 sf per sign | — | Out of ROW | 1 per entry | At each entry (200' separation) | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.D.7 |
| A-Frame Sign | 4' | 6 sf/side | — | Maintain clearance; outside ROW unless encroachment approved | 1 per tenant | Within 15' of primary entrance; maintain 6' sidewalk clearance | — | UDO Sec. 22.6.A.1-8 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | 24" above canopy face | 30% of each surface; canopy face above top ≤24" | — | — | 1 per facade per tenant | 1 per tenant per qualifying facade | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.A.1 |
| Skyline Sign | May project ≤24" above roofline/parapet | Per building height tier (300–850 sf) | — | — | 1 per facade | Eligible buildings (≥50' height) | — | UDO Sec. 22.9.G |

## Prohibited signs in Charlotte

- Balloon signs, including air-infused/air-inflated signs, are prohibited.
- Feather flags (also known as sails) are prohibited.
- Pennants and streamers are prohibited.
- Portable sign structures are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs are prohibited.
- Signs painted, pasted, stapled, taped, or otherwise affixed to a tree, fence, utility pole, bench, trash receptacle, or similar non-sign structure are prohibited.
- Signs that constitute a traffic hazard are prohibited, including signs that interfere with or may be confused with authorized traffic control devices, or that use words/phrases/symbols/colors (e.g., red/green/amber resembling signals) that mislead or confuse traffic.
- Flashing, fluttering, swinging, or rotating signs (other than time and/or temperature signs) are prohibited, except in the UC Zoning District.
- Strobe lights, moving or fixed searchlights, and floodlights/spotlights used for sign illumination are prohibited, except in the UC Zoning District.
- No lighting, including neon or LED sign components, may flash; outline lighting must remain static (chasing/blinking/flashing permitted only in the UC Zoning District).
- No sign shall obstruct a required sight triangle or required sight distance.
- Audio components are prohibited as part of any sign, except for drive-through signs where the audio must be designed, located, shielded, and directed to prevent detection from surrounding properties.
- Sign illumination shall not be combined with reflective materials (e.g., mirrors, polished metal, highly-glazed tiles) that increase glare.
- Sign frames shall not remain unfilled such that internal parts or elements of the sign structure are visible.
- Sign placement, including projections from a building facade, shall protect trees per Article 20 and trees in the public right-of-way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Charlotte

- Normal maintenance and repair of a sign (e.g., painting and cleaning) do not require a sign permit, excluding structural/electrical changes, size/height increases, or relocation.
- Changing or replacing the sign face within an existing sign structure without structural changes and without increasing the sign face size does not require a sign permit.
- Changing the copy on a changeable message component does not require a sign permit.
- Signs located in the public right-of-way are not regulated by Article 22 (encroachments of on‑premise sign structures into City-maintained rights-of-way require separate approval/encroachment agreement).
- Logos and labels on mechanical equipment, recycling bins, trash containers, and similar equipment that are part of the equipment as manufactured/installed are not regulated by Article 22.
- Accessory use signs (one wall sign up to 4 square feet, non-illuminated) are permitted in all zoning districts without a sign permit.
- Banners for nonresidential uses are permitted in all zoning districts without a sign permit (subject to size, placement, and duration limits; special limits in UC).
- Construction activity signs are permitted in all zoning districts without a sign permit (subject to size, number, and removal timing standards).
- Noncommercial flags are permitted in all zoning districts without a sign permit (subject to height, size, number, and placement standards).
- Light pole banners on private property are permitted in all zoning districts without a sign permit (subject to quantity, size, clearance, and mounting standards).
- Noncommercial message signs are permitted in all zoning districts without a sign permit (subject to size, height, location, and no-illumination standards; not for advertising).
- Parking lot/parking structure/site circulation and wayfinding signs are permitted in all zoning districts without a sign permit (subject to size, height, and location standards; not for off‑premise advertising).
- Real estate activity signs are permitted in all zoning districts without a sign permit (subject to size, number, and removal timing standards; no illumination).
- Temporary off‑premise advertising signs are permitted in all zoning districts without a sign permit (subject to size, height, number, location, and limited display periods).
- Temporary outdoor sales signs for nonresidential uses are permitted in all zoning districts without a sign permit (subject to type/size/location/duration limits).
- Vehicle dealership temporary signs are permitted in all zoning districts without a sign permit when affixed to vehicles fronting qualifying streets (subject to size and placement limits).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Sign Program is required for the Development Flexibility Option (Section 22.11.B) for coordinated sign systems in large-scale developments: eligible developments are 25 acres or greater, or multi-family with 150+ units, or nonresidential with more than 325,000 square feet. The submittal must include detailed sign designs (size, height, materials), proposed locations/number, an illumination plan, and related landscape/architectural features. The Planning Director determines coordination and may allow flexibility (e.g., up to 25% size variation, increased number/height of ground signs, and additional pedestrian‑entrance signs meeting specified criteria).
- When any sign extends into a public right-of-way, prior review/approval and an encroachment agreement from CDOT and/or relevant agencies is required (Section 22.7.D).
- For detached signs impacted by government‑sponsored projects, an application to the Planning Director is required for relocation, conversion to a pole sign, or height modification; if approved, a new sign permit is required for each sign (Section 22.11.C).
- Appeals and variances of the sign regulations are subject to Article 37 and heard by the UDO Board of Adjustment (Section 22.13.A).

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

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