# Sign Regulations in Erwin, North Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Erwin, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/erwin
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NC/Erwin/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH36ZO_ARTXIXSIRE)

## At a glance

Erwin, North Carolina regulates 32 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Nonresidential Districts zoning district are capped at 35 ft tall and 200 sq ft, with a 12 ft from street ROW or property line, not in required side yard, not within 10 ft of side property line setback (Sec. Sec. 36-549 (5)). Most commercial signs in Erwin require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential Districts | 9 | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Residential District | 3 | — | 32 sq ft per sign; 64 sq ft total at entrance | — |
| B-2 Highway Business Zoning District | 5 | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| M-I Industrial District | 8 | 35 ft | 300 sq ft per face | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional and Information Sign (Governmental) | — | — | — | — | — | Erected and maintained by public agencies and governmental bodies | — | Sec. 36-548 (1) |
| Memorial Sign / Cornerstone / Historical Tablet (Integral to Building) | — | — | — | — | — | Integral decorative or architectural feature of building | — | Sec. 36-548 (3), (3a) |
| Historic Monument Sign | 8 ft | — | — | — | — | Behind property or road right-of-way line | — | Sec. 36-548 (3b) |
| Residential Identification Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Customarily associated with residential use; not of a commercial nature | — | Sec. 36-548 (5) |
| Off-premises Church Identification Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | Off public street right-of-way | — | Sec. 36-548 (7) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On property for sale/lease, behind property line | — | Sec. 36-548 (11) |
| Bulletin Board / LED Sign (Public/Institutional Use) | — | 20 sq ft | — | At least 12 ft from street and side lot lines | 1 per institutional use | Wall sign or at least 12 ft from street lot line and side lot/property lines; not in required side yards | — | Sec. 36-548 (12) |
| Instructional Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Erected on private property strictly for direction, safety or convenience | — | Sec. 36-548 (14) |

### Nonresidential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Non-illuminated) | — | 20% of wall area | — | — | — | On wall or canopy of building | — | Sec. 36-549 (1), (3), (8) |
| Wall Sign (Illuminated) | — | 20% of wall area | — | — | — | On wall or canopy of building | — | Sec. 36-549 (1), (4), (8) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 20% of wall area | — | — | 1 per business establishment | Per business establishment facade | — | Sec. 36-549 (2-4), (8) |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — | 12 ft from street ROW or property line, not in required side yard, not within 10 ft of side property line | 1 per building, 2 if multiple street frontages | At least 12 ft from street right-of-way or property line (whichever is greater), not in required side yard, not within 10 ft of side property line | — | Sec. 36-549 (5) |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center) | — | — | — | — | 1 per shopping center | One per shopping center, displays name of center and tenants | — | Sec. 36-549 (6)(a)1 |
| Wall Sign (Shopping Center Tenant) | — | 20% of wall area | — | — | 1 per tenant | Wall; attached building | — | Sec. 36-549 (6)(a)2 |
| Freestanding Development Entrance Sign (Commercial/Industrial Park Subdivision) | — | — | — | — | 1 per subdivision | Commercial/Industrial park entrance | — | Sec. 36-549 (6)(b)1 |
| Wall Sign (Multitenant Building Front) | — | — | — | — | 1 per tenant | Front primary elevation | — | Sec. 36-549 (6)(b)2(i) |

### M-I Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Non-illuminated) | — | 20% of wall area | — | — | — | On wall/canopy of building | — | Sec. 36-549 (1), (3), (8) |
| Wall Sign (Illuminated) | — | 20% of wall area | — | — | — | On wall/canopy of building | — | Sec. 36-549 (1), (4), (8) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 20% of wall area | — | — | 1 per business | Protruding from building | — | Sec. 36-549 (2-4), (8) |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — | 12 ft from street ROW/property line; not in required side yard or within 10 ft of side property line | 1 per building, 2 if multi-frontage | At least 12 ft from street right-of-way/property line, not in required side yard and not within 10 ft of side property line | — | Sec. 36-549 (5) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Industrial Site, Over 50 acres) | 15 ft | 25 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per secondary entrance | Secondary entrance/driveway of large industrial site | — | Sec. 36-549 (6)(c)1 |
| Wall Sign (Industrial Multitenant Building Front) | — | — | — | — | 1 per tenant | Front primary elevation | — | Sec. 36-549 (6)(c)2(i) |
| Wall Sign (Industrial Multitenant Building Side/Rear) | — | — | — | — | — | Side and rear elevations | — | Sec. 36-549 (6)(c)2(ii) |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard) | — | 300 sq ft per face | — | Same as principal structure setbacks; not within 100 ft of residential zone; not within 300 ft of another outdoor advertising sign | — | M-I Industrial District only; location must satisfy setbacks | — | Sec. 36-550 |

## Prohibited signs in Erwin

- No sign or advertising structure shall be erected or maintained at the intersection of any streets or roads so as to obstruct free and clear vision or at any location where, by reason of position, illumination, shape, or color, it may impair, obstruct the view or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device or which makes use of words or symbols causing traffic confusion.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained within any public street right-of-way nor allowed to extend over or into any public street, except for public signs necessary for governmental functions or required by law.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained that obstructs ingress and/or egress to or from any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress, or egress to or from any room or building as required by law.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained which bears or contains statements, words, or pictures of an obscene character.
- No sign may be erected by any person on private property of another person without first obtaining the written consent of the owner.
- No rotating, revolving or intermittent lighting devices shall be attached to or made a part of any sign.
- Portable signs such as sandwich signs, folding signs, and signs attached to trailers are prohibited, except as approved by the administrative official as part of a temporary certificate of zoning compliance for rallies, carnivals and religious revivals.

## Signs exempt from permit in Erwin

- Directional and information signs erected and maintained by public agencies and governmental bodies, including legal notices, identification and informational signs, and traffic, directional or regulatory signs.
- Holiday decorations erected, placed, and maintained in good order as to not constitute a public, property, or health nuisance.
- Memorial signs, cornerstones, historical tablets and similar signs that are integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, including signs denoting building name, date of erection, or street number, especially if cut into masonry or implanted with a metal plate.
- Historic monuments denoting historic information or events, if not prohibited elsewhere, behind property/right-of-way line, not exceeding eight feet in height, not obstructing line of sight, and built primarily of appropriate materials.
- Signs not visible to the public (not visible from a public street or right-of-way).
- Identification signs not exceeding six square feet in area customarily associated with residential use and not of a commercial nature (property names/numbers, mailbox or paper tube signs, private parking or warning/trespass signs, etc.).
- Works of art affixed to building facades, provided they do not directly serve as an advertising device or outdoor advertising device, and do not project more than one foot from the wall.
- Off-premises church identification signs not exceeding 16 square feet in area and not located on any public street right-of-way.
- Vehicle signs painted on or permanently attached to licensed motor vehicles and trailers not primarily used as signs.
- Interior signs located inside buildings, courts, lobbies, stadiums, or other structures not intended to be seen from the exterior.
- Ancillary signs painted or attached to vending machines, gas pumps, ice machines, etc. indicating contents, price, or operating instructions.
- Temporary real estate signs, not exceeding 12 square feet in area, displayed on the property for sale or lease and located on private property behind the property line (may be indirectly illuminated in nonresidential districts).
- One bulletin board or LED sign (electronic display sign) not exceeding 20 square feet in area for churches, schools, community centers and other public/institutional uses, used as a wall sign or at least 12 feet from street lot/side property lines.
- Temporary construction signs denoting architect, engineer, contractor, or builder or describing the project name/use, placed until construction is complete.
- Instructional signs on private property not exceeding six square feet, strictly for direction, safety, or convenience of the public (e.g., restrooms, parking entrances/exits, no trespassing, warnings).
- Temporary political signs erected on private property during election periods, removed within ten days after the election.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Portable signs may be permitted as part of a temporary certificate of zoning compliance for rallies, carnivals, and religious revivals, subject to administrative approval.
- There is no mention in this ordinance of a requirement for a master sign plan, sign plan, or variance meeting for general sign approval; sign permits are required except for signs specifically exempted in these regulations.

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

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