# Sign Regulations in Highlands, North Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Highlands, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/highlands
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NC/Highlands/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIIICOOR_CH7MOVETR_ARTIITRNTDE_S7-33DIUNSISIMA)

## At a glance

Highlands, North Carolina regulates 31 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Planned Development Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 24 sq ft per sign face, with a 10+ ft setback (Sec. Sec. 13.5.1.C). Most commercial signs in Highlands 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 | 18 | 42 in | 32 sq ft (4ft x 8ft) | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts | 4 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Commercial Zoning Districts, B-2 Business District, B-3 Business District, GI Governmental/Institutional District | 8 | 10 ft | 64 sq ft per sign face | — |
| B-1 Business District | 8 | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — |
| B-4 Business District | 2 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Subdivision or Multi-Family Development) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft per sign face | — | — | Maximum 2 per development | One at each major entrance, not to exceed two per subdivision or multi-family development; not within public right-of-way | — | Sec. 13.5.2.A |
| Permanent Sign (Churches) | 8 ft | 16 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 | On church property | — | Sec. 13.4.2.A |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate For Sale/Lease) | — | 4 sq ft per building | — | Not within 10 ft of road wear surface | 1 | On commercial or residential property for sale/lease | — | Sec. 13.4.1.C |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate For Sale/Lease - In Setback Area) | — | 4 sq ft | — | Variable, as needed | 1 | In required setback area (if can't meet 10 ft setback) | — | Sec. 13.5.1.B |
| Temporary Construction Identification Sign (Residential) | — | 4 sq ft | — | Out of public right-of-way | 1 | Attached to building under construction or affixed to a secure temporary post, out of public ROW | — | Sec. 13.4.1.G |
| Construction Project Informational Sign (Major Projects) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft (4ft x 8ft) | 8 ft | — | 1 | On property, cannot hinder sight lines, not erected until Zoning Certificate/Watershed Permit is issued | — | Sec. 13.4.1.K |
| Planned Development Sign | 10 ft | 24 sq ft per sign face | — | 10+ ft | Varies (typically 1 per street) | 10+ ft from street wear surface (not in ROW); up to 2 signs for projects with ≥80 ft on more than one street | — | Sec. 13.5.1.C |
| Permanent Sign (Private Commercial Traffic/Entrance/Exit Signs) | 42 in | 2 sq ft | — | At least 3 ft from wear surface | 1 per entrance/exit | Minimum 3 ft from wear surface of thoroughfare, adjacent to entrances/exits | — | Sec. 13.4.2.B.1 |

### Commercial Zoning Districts, B-2 Business District, B-3 Business District, GI Governmental/Institutional District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Business) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per sign face | — | 15 ft from wear surface | 1 or 2 (if meets highway condition) | Not in public ROW nor within 15 ft of wear surface (unless right-of-way defined); 2 allowed if fronts 2 major highways | — | Sec. 13.5.2.D.1 |
| Wall Sign (or Hanging Sign) (Single Business) | — | 32 sq ft for any single sign; aggregate per building frontage | — | — | See formula and limits | On building wall | — | Sec. 13.5.2.D.2 |
| Wall Sign (Rear Entrance) (Single Business) | — | 32 sq ft for any single sign; aggregate per building frontage | — | — | See formula and limits | Rear of building (only for businesses with public rear entrance) | — | Sec. 13.5.2.D.3 |
| Rear Sign - Wall or Hanging (No Rear Entrance) | — | 2 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 | Rear of building (businesses without public rear entrance) | — | Sec. 13.5.2.D.4 |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center) | 10 ft | 64 sq ft per sign face | — | 15 ft from wear surface | 1 or 2 (if meets highway frontage condition) | Identifying shopping center; not in ROW nor within 15 ft of wear surface | — | Sec. 13.5.2.G.1, G.2 |
| Wall Sign (Shopping Center - Individual Business) | — | 32 sq ft max per sign; aggregate per building frontage | — | — | Per frontage | On wall; if not readily visible from main thoroughfare, may be on exterior wall facing thoroughfare | — | Sec. 13.5.2.G.3 |
| Hanging Sign (Shopping Center - Individual Business) | — | 8 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 | On or over pedestrian walkway by individual business | — | Sec. 13.5.2.G.3 |
| Rear Sign - Wall or Hanging (Shopping Center, Individual Business with Rear Entrance) | — | 2 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 | Rear of building | — | Sec. 13.5.2.G.4 |

### B-1 Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Business) | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | Building wall; no projection above roof, no more than 12 in from wall | — | Sec. 13.5.2.C.1 |
| Hanging Sign (Single Business) | — | 8 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 | Over walkway | — | Sec. 13.5.2.C.2 |
| Wall Sign (Rear Entrance) | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | Rear of building (for businesses with public rear ingress/egress) | — | Sec. 13.5.2.C.3 |
| Wall or Hanging Sign (Rear - No Public Rear Entrance) | — | 2 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 | Rear of building (no public ingress/egress from rear) | — | Sec. 13.5.2.C.4 |
| Wall Sign (Shopping Center Identification) | — | 32 sq ft total surface area | — | — | 1 | On shopping center | — | Sec. 13.5.2.F.1 |
| Wall Sign (Shopping Center - Individual Business) | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | On wall, or on another exterior wall facing the thoroughfare if not visible from main thoroughfare | — | Sec. 13.5.2.F.2.a |
| Hanging Sign (Shopping Center - Individual Business) | — | 8 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 | On or over walkway | — | Sec. 13.5.2.F.2.b |
| Rear Sign - Wall or Hanging (Shopping Center, Individual Business with Rear Entrance) | — | 2 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 | Rear of building (businesses with rear entrance) | — | Sec. 13.5.2.F.3 |

## Prohibited signs in Highlands

- No sign shall be erected or maintained that is not permitted under the ordinance.
- Prohibition of any sign which is not located on the premises that it identifies or advertises, except specific exempted cases.
- Prohibition on roof signs or any sign which extends above the parapet or roof line.
- Prohibition on signs that may be confused with or obstruct the view of any authorized traffic signals or signs, extend into the public right-of-way, obstruct the sight distance triangle at intersections, or constitute a traffic hazard.
- Prohibition on signs posted within public rights-of-way, except specified exemptions (e.g., governmental and limited residential or commercial signs).
- Prohibition on portable signs not permanently affixed to the building, stationary structure, or ground.
- Prohibition on message board signs using changeable lettering or numbering, except for specific exempted uses (church, service station, movie theater, restaurant message boards).
- Prohibition on any moving or animated sign or device to attract attention, including moving devices powered by wind or mechanical means, with certain exemptions (traditional barber poles, specified open signs).
- Prohibition on flashing signs or devices displaying flashing/intermittent/changing-intensity lights.
- Prohibition on string or tube lighting in commercial zoning districts, with exceptions for seasonal displays.
- Prohibition on displaying oversized product facsimiles as signs (e.g., three-dimensional structures like buckets, human figures, cans).
- Prohibition on internally illuminated signs, with specific exemptions (certain restaurant message boards and real estate listings in commercial windows).
- Prohibition on neon signs or any sign illuminated by neon, LEDs, or similar electronic devices.
- Prohibition on wireless communication facilities displaying signage, logos, decals, symbols, or messages except those required by law.
- Prohibition on signs at outdoor displays.
- No person other than those authorized by the Town may damage, trim, destroy, or remove vegetation on public right-of-way or property not under their control for the purpose of increasing sign visibility, unless expressly authorized by the property owner.

## Signs exempt from permit in Highlands

- All classes of government signs including, but not limited to, traffic, health and public safety; crime control and prevention; official notices/advertisements related to court action; underground utility locations; historical markers/monuments; any other community service signs approved or provided by the Town, including wayfinding signage, corridor entrance signage, and Town-sponsored event signage.
- Flags, badges, or insignia of government or any charitable, civic, fraternal, patriotic, religious, or other nonprofit organization.
- Signs posted on private property related to trespassing or public safety, such as danger from animals.
- Signs denoting a product being sold out of a vending machine, telephone booth, or newspaper stand, and actually located on the vending machine, booth, or stand.
- Signs displayed inside a business that are not visible from any public street or walkway.
- Signs attached to commercial vehicles.
- "For Sale" signs on private vehicles.
- Names and lettering on mail boxes and newspaper tubes.
- Manufacturer's signs displaying brand names or emblems located on gasoline pumps at service stations.
- Wireless Communication Facilities may include a small provider identification message and emergency telephone numbers, as required by law.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A site plan is required when requesting a variance for signs with angle projections up to forty-five (45) degrees due to specific site conditions or signage design. Applicants must submit a letter and site plan to the Planning and Development Director, and provide additional information as requested.
- There is no reference to a required master sign plan or general requirement for a sign plan for standard permitting; submission requirements are addressed for specific variances or exceptions only.

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

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