Sign Regulations in King, North Carolina
King, North Carolina has specific sign regulations covering 17 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Incidental Home Occupation Sign, Freestanding Shopping Center Site Identification Sign (Primary Entrance), Freestanding Shopping Center Site Identification Sign (Secondary Entrance). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for King, North Carolina
Sample Sign Requirements in King
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Shopping Center Site Identification Sign (Primary Entrance) | 20 ft from undisturbed ground area | 120 sq ft (plus an additional 100 sq ft for sublet spaces sign area) | — |
| Freestanding Shopping Center Site Identification Sign (Secondary Entrance) | 12 ft from undisturbed ground surface | 60 sq ft | — |
| Directory Locator Sign | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
17
- Incidental Home Occupation Sign
- Freestanding Shopping Center Site Identification Sign (Primary Entrance)
- Freestanding Shopping Center Site Identification Sign (Secondary Entrance)
- Directory Locator Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
11
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for King
Other Cities in North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
In King, monument signs are limited to 20 ft from undisturbed ground area. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in King, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In King, regulated sign types include Incidental Home Occupation Sign, Freestanding Shopping Center Site Identification Sign (Primary Entrance), Freestanding Shopping Center Site Identification Sign (Secondary Entrance), Directory Locator Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in King vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in King are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. King has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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King, North Carolina Sign Rules at a Glance
King, North Carolina regulates 17 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Accessory Communication Tower Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones (CONTINUED) zoning district are capped at Accessory towers not to exceed 50 ft; see tower regulations for setback requirements tall and No advertising allowed, with a See above; 75% or 50% of tower height from property lines setback (Sec. Sec. 32-257(1)-(4)). Most commercial signs in King require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for King, North Carolina
Sign Rules by Zoning District in King (11 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PD-RC | 7 | 20 ft from undisturbed ground area | 120 sq ft (plus an additional 100 sq ft for sublet spaces sign area) | — |
| R-MF-A, R-MF-A7, R-MF-C, R-MF-C7, R-MF-T, R-MF-T7 | 1 | — | — | — |
| R-MH, R-MH-1, R-MH-2, R-MH-1 (Residential manufactured homes, single-section), R-MH-2 (Residential manufactured homes, multisectional) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 2 sq ft | — |
| WSIV-PA(O) (Watershed IV Protected Area (Overlay) district) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned unit development (PUD) | 1 | 35 ft (no structures in excess of 35 ft, 3 stories) | — | — |
| R-R, R-20, R-15 | 1 | — | 2 sq ft | — |
| O-I, O-I7 | 1 | — | — | — |
| B-1, B-2, B-27 | 1 | — | — | — |
| L-I, L-I7, H-I | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones (CONTINUED) | 1 | Accessory towers not to exceed 50 ft; see tower regulations for setback requirements | No advertising allowed | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in King(sample of 3 of 11 zones)
PD-RC
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Shopping Center Site Identification Sign (Primary Entrance) | 20 ft from undisturbed ground area | 120 sq ft (plus an additional 100 sq ft for sublet spaces sign area) | — | — | 1 | At access or entranceway to the shopping center. | — | Unlock | Sec. 32-244(p)(1), (3), (4), (8) |
| Freestanding Shopping Center Site Identification Sign (Secondary Entrance) | 12 ft from undisturbed ground surface | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 (with council approval) | Secondary access or entranceway, location subject to council approval. | — | Unlock | Sec. 32-244(p)(2), (3), (4) |
| Directory Locator Sign | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | At entrances to parking lots. | — | Unlock | Sec. 32-244(p)(5) |
| Directional Sign (Pedestrian or Vehicle) | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | As needed within the PD-RC development. Must not block sight triangles. | — | Unlock | Sec. 32-244(p)(6) |
| Exterior Wall Sign | — | 90 sq ft per store | — | — | — | Front vertical surface of store/shop. | — | Unlock | Sec. 32-244(p)(7), (8) |
| Freestanding Sign (Satellite Business Lot) | 12 ft from undisturbed ground surface | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 freestanding sign per lot | Per satellite business lot | — | Unlock | Sec. 32-244(r)(2) |
| Mounted Sign (Building - Satellite Business Lot) | — | 120 sq ft total for all sides (3 sides maximum) | — | — | — | Mounted on a maximum of three sides of the building (satellite lot). | — | Unlock | Sec. 32-244(r)(2), (6) |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accessory Use Communication Tower Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Prohibition applies to towers in all zones. | — | Unlock | Sec. 32-256(5), 32-257(1) |
| Incidental Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On the dwelling unit where home occupation is conducted. | — | Unlock | Sec. 32-258(3) |
General Regulations For All Zones (CONTINUED)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accessory Communication Tower Sign | Accessory towers not to exceed 50 ft; see tower regulations for setback requirements | No advertising allowed | — | See above; 75% or 50% of tower height from property lines | — | On the tower structure | — | Unlock | Sec. 32-257(1)-(4) |
PermitPal covers all 11 zoning districts in King — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 11 zones for King — start freeProhibited Signs in King
- Signs must not block or interfere with the ability of motor vehicle operators to observe traffic while entering or exiting a retail area.
- No neon or animated signs are allowed on PD-RC identification signs.
- No projecting or hanging signs are allowed on exterior wall signs and PD-RC outparcel signs.
- Signs must not interfere with traffic or neighboring property owners due to lighting.
- Signs must be constructed of masonry, concrete, steel, and/or aluminum. No wood products are allowed for shopping center signage.
- Any exterior signage for adult establishments must not contain depictions of specified sexual activities, specified anatomical areas, or sexually oriented devices.
- No advertising signs or logos are permitted on any communication tower or antenna.
Exempt Signs in King
- Buffers and/or screening shall not apply to residential single-family residences, unless approved as a platted subdivision.
- Existing public street or utility service lines, agricultural uses of land, and single-family residential homes and/or accessory structures on a single lot of record are exempt from landscaping/buffering requirements.
- Temporary uses that have a short-term duration and do not materially affect the area's natural environment are exempt from landscaping/buffering requirements.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for King
- A uniform shopping center signage criteria plan shall be submitted to the city for approval for retail/shopping centers (PD-RC). This plan defines and specifies all exterior signage for the retail/shopping center and sets forth guidelines and design concepts for a coordinated and complementary graphic image for the entire center.
- Proposed signage must be included as part of the architectural review submittal for PD-RC and satellite business lots, including submittal to the City of King Community Appearance Committee.
- Each facility within a medical complex must comply with sign requirements as specified in the zoning requirements in articles VII (parking) and IX (signs) of this chapter.
- All affected site and development plans must show details of proposed signage per district requirements, especially as part of master/site plan, development plan, or as required for conditional or special use permits.
- For solar energy systems as a stand-alone use, public signage (advertising, educational, safety) is permitted as allowed by the signage ordinance; see section 32-433 for specifics.
- Directory locator and directional signs within retail/shopping centers (PD-RC) must conform to the overall signage criteria plan and specified dimensional and placement limits.
Source: municode municipal code