# Sign Regulations in Davidson, North Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Davidson, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/davidson
- **Data last verified:** 2025-06-04
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.townofdavidson.org/DocumentCenter/View/15599/Section-11-Signs-20250225)

## At a glance

Davidson, North Carolina regulates 23 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Local Historic Overlay District, Davidson Historic District zoning district are capped at 8 ft max; min 3 ft clearance between bottom of sign and grade tall, 16 sq ft per side, and 4 ft wide, with a Must be at least 20 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. 11.2.2.B, 11.4.1.1). Most commercial signs in Davidson require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Local Historic Overlay District, Davidson Historic District | 10 | Top of sign not to exceed 18 ft above grade | 25% of window area; interior neon signs max 10 sq ft (counted as part of window area) | — |
| Village Center Planning Area, Village Commerce Planning Area, Village Edge Planning Area, Village Infill Planning Area, Conditional | 12 | Top of sign not to exceed 18 ft above grade | 25% of window area; interior neon sign max 10 sq ft (included in window area) | — |
| NC 73 Corridor (Mayes, Davidson East, and Poplar tent nodes) | 1 | 12 ft | 54 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 20 | Top of sign not to exceed 18 ft above grade | 32 sq ft (all planning areas not otherwise noted); see zone notes | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Local Historic Overlay District, Davidson Historic District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Top of sign not to exceed 18 ft above grade | 5% of facade area or 24 sq ft, whichever is greater | — | — | See general provisions (Section 11.3.1) for number per façade/tenant | Building facades facing right-of-way, pedestrian passageways, or associated parking | — | 11.2.2.B, 11.4.1.2 |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft max; min 3 ft clearance between bottom of sign and grade | 16 sq ft per side | 4 ft | Must be at least 20 ft from right-of-way | Refer to Section 11.3.1 based on number of facades/entrances | Front setback, only for buildings with main entrance setback at least 20 ft from right-of-way | — | 11.2.2.B, 11.4.1.1 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area; interior neon signs max 10 sq ft (counted as part of window area) | — | — | See general provisions | Windows on ground-level facades and upper level arcades only | — | 11.4.1.3 |
| Door Sign | — | 2 sq ft per door | — | — | See general provisions | Storefront doors only | — | 11.4.1.4 |
| Canopy Sign | 18 ft max (canopy and sign). 7 ft min clearance below sign. | 5% of ground floor facade area or 24 sq ft | — | — | Area may be split into max 3 | Canopy fascia/above canopy over entryway/storefront window | — | 11.4.1.5 |
| Awning Sign | No max; limited to first floor awning. 7 ft min clearance below sign. | 8 sq ft (may be split into 3: front and two sides) | — | — | Area may be split into max 3 | Awning fascia only, at or above first floor windows or doors | — | 11.4.1.6 |
| Projecting Sign | 18 ft max; 7 ft min clearance below sign | 12 sq ft per side | 3 ft | — | — | Building facades fronting right-of-way, pedestrian passageway, or parking | — | 11.4.1.7 |
| Hanging Sign | No max; must be within limit of second floor arcade/balcony/entry alcove; 7 ft min clearance below sign. | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Arcade, under second floor balcony, or within entry alcove of building facades fronting right-of-way, pedestrian passageway, or parking | — | 11.4.1.8 |

### Village Center Planning Area, Village Commerce Planning Area, Village Edge Planning Area, Village Infill Planning Area, Conditional

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Top of sign not to exceed 18 ft above grade | 5% of facade area or 24 sq ft, whichever is greater | — | — | See general provisions | Building facades facing right-of-way, pedestrian passageways, or associated parking | — | 11.4.1.2 |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft max; 3 ft min clearance to grade | 16 sq ft per side | 4 ft | Entrance setback at least 20 ft from right-of-way | See general provisions | Front setback; main entrance setback at least 20 ft from right-of-way | — | 11.4.1.1 |
| Canopy Sign | 18 ft max (canopy and sign). 7 ft min clearance below sign. | 5% of ground floor facade area or 24 sq ft, whichever is greater. (Combined with wall signs, total may not exceed wall sign total area.) | — | — | Area may be split into max 3 | Canopy fascia or above canopy over entry or storefront window | — | 11.4.1.5 |
| Awning Sign | First floor awning only, 7 ft minimum clearance from grade | 8 sq ft (may be split into 3 signs) | — | — | Area may be split into max 3 | Awning fascia at/above first floor windows or doors | — | 11.4.1.6 |
| Projecting Sign | 18 ft max, 7 ft min clearance below sign | 12 sq ft per side | 3 ft | — | See general provisions | Building facades fronting right-of-way, passageway, or parking | — | 11.4.1.7 |
| Hanging Sign | Must be within bottom of second floor arcades/balconies/entry alcoves, 7 ft min clearance | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | See general provisions | Arcade, under second floor balcony, or within entry alcove | — | 11.4.1.8 |
| Temporary Project Construction Sign | 8 ft (support <9 ft above grade) | 16 sq ft | 8 ft | — | 1 per development | Frontage of project site only | — | 11.5.6 |
| Temporary Project Marketing Sign | 8 ft (support <9 ft above grade) | 16 sq ft | 8 ft | — | 1 per development | Frontage of project site only | — | 11.5.6 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Top of sign not to exceed 18 ft above grade | 5% of facade area or 24 sq ft, whichever is greater | — | — | See 11.3.1 for number per building/tenant | Building facades facing right-of-way, pedestrian passageways, or associated parking | — | 11.4.1.2 |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft; 3 ft min clearance to grade | 16 sq ft per side | 4 ft | Entrance setback ≥20 ft from right-of-way | See 11.3.1 | Front setback; main entrance setback ≥20 ft from right-of-way | — | 11.4.1.1 |
| Projecting Sign | 18 ft max; 7 ft min clearance to grade | 12 sq ft per side | 3 ft | — | — | Facades fronting right-of-way, pedestrian passageway, or parking | — | 11.4.1.7 |
| Building Directory Sign (Ground-mounted) | 7 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per multi-tenant building | By shared multi-tenant entrance | — | 11.5.1 |
| Monument Sign for School/Religious Institution | 4 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development | Primary frontage of permitted Civic or Educational/Institutional use only | — | 11.5.4 |
| Gasoline Service Station Canopy Sign | 18 ft (or not higher than canopy top) | 12 sq ft; letter height max 18 inches | — | — | 1 per right-of-way | Canopy above pumps, on side facing right-of-way | — | 11.5.5 |
| Temporary Project Construction/Marketing Sign (General) | 8 ft (support max 9 ft) | 32 sq ft (all planning areas not otherwise noted); see zone notes | 8 ft | — | 1 per development | Frontage of project site only | — | 11.5.6 |
| Temporary Promotional Banner | 18 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | One per frontage per tenant, two total | Above a public entrance (not freestanding) | — | 11.5.7 |

## Prohibited signs in Davidson

- Signs that are dilapidated or in disrepair as outlined in Section 11.8
- Internally illuminated signs, except neon where prescribed
- Signs on roofs, chimneys, and balconies
- Billboards
- Monument signs, except as described in Section 11.5.4
- Off-premises advertising signs and banners except for temporary promotional banners and Temporary Civic Banners as outlined in Sections 11.5
- Flashing, blinking, or moving signs
- Mobile signs and vehicular signs
- Permanent entry structures and signs at the entrance to a neighborhood or development
- Plastic A-frame signs
- Any other signs not mentioned by this section
- Signs posted in the public right-of-way, on trees or utility poles, and within required site triangles (except as specifically permitted)
- Signs not maintained in clean, working condition or with obscured/damaged copy
- Signs with more than 20 percent of surface covered with disfigured, cracked, ripped or peeling paint or poster paper for more than 30 days
- Signs with bent/broken display area, broken supports, loose appendages or struts, or standing more than 15 degrees from perpendicular for more than 30 days
- Indirect or internally illuminated sign with only partial illumination for more than 30 days
- Flags with commercial messages or flags used for the sole purpose of identifying a building or use

## Signs exempt from permit in Davidson

- Municipal/government signs for traffic control and government purposes, including historical monuments, markers, and public authority signs
- Required address numbers displayed in accordance with height/visibility requirements
- Hours of operation signs not exceeding three inches in letter or number height and one square foot in area, applied to entry or window glass
- One sign advertising temporary uses per street abutting the lot, not exceeding four square feet and only during the active temporary use
- Temporary real estate signs (for sale or rent), not exceeding four square feet per side, limited to one per right-of-way, removed within two weeks of sale/rental
- Temporary window posters for civic/cultural events or public services inside street-level windows
- Temporary promotional/special sales window signs inside street-level windows for up to 14 days (with placement and size limitations)
- Temporary campaign (political) signs not exceeding four square feet per side, only on private property with permission, limited per candidate with display period restrictions
- Commercial copy signs on ball field exterior fences facing toward the field
- Permanently mounted restaurant menu display boxes on the building adjacent to entry not exceeding five square feet
- Replacement of tenant identification on multi-tenant signs
- Building name signs used solely for building name, no more than 10 square feet, not illuminated, no more than two (one per frontage), as wall, projecting, or canopy/awning signs
- Flags or insignia of any nation, state, county, municipality, religious, civic, fraternal, educational, or cultural organization (provided the pole height does not exceed district maximum building height), except flags with commercial messages or solely identifying a use

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For commercial and mixed use developments outside of the historic district, no sign permit application may be submitted until the sign package, if applicable, is approved by the Planning Director
- All signs proposed to be affixed to a structure in the Local Historic Overlay District must apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the Historic Preservation Commission
- Signs greater than 24 square feet in area (wall or canopy signs) must be reviewed by the Design Review Board
- Only one neon sign per building, not exceeding 10 square feet, and must be reviewed by the Design Review Board
- If multiples of a similar sign type are under review as part of a single sign permit application or package and distance to grade changes adjacent to the building, a consistent sign height or distance to grade must be established

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

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