# Sign Regulations in Matthews, North Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Matthews, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/matthews
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.matthewsnc.gov/files/documents/UDOChapter608Signsindividualsection1318104411082525AM.pdf)

## At a glance

Matthews, North Carolina regulates 123 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Incidental Sign (Driveway/Traffic Direction)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 3' tall and 4 sq ft, with a Within setback/yard or within 10' of property line setback (Sec. § 155.608.6.C). Most commercial signs in Matthews require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 31 | ≤12' | Per § 155.608.12.C; § 155.608.13.D tables | — |
| Single-Family Residential District (R-20); Single-Family Residential District (R-15); Single-Family Residential District (R-12); Single-Family Residential District (R-9); R-MH; R-15MF; R-12MF; Residential - Varied Styles (R-VS) | 24 | Freestanding signs ≤10' high unless otherwise limited | 40 sq ft (first sign); 25 sq ft (others) | — |
| Crestdale Conservation (CrC); Small Residential Neighborhood (SRN); Concentrated Multi-Family (C-MF) | 4 | 16 sq ft temporary if freestanding ≤6' | Varies by use: e.g., Church/School 40 sq ft (first), 25 sq ft (others); Multi-family ≤10 du/ac 9 sq ft; >10 du/ac 24 sq ft; Parks 40 sq ft; Subdivision entrance 9 sq ft; Misc nonresidential 24 sq ft; Bed & breakfast/Day care home 3 sq ft; Day care center 6 sq ft; etc. | — |
| Residential/Institutional District (R/I) | 9 | ≤10' | 40 sq ft | — |
| Office District (O) | 11 | Freestanding signs ≤10' high unless otherwise limited | 80 sq ft | — |
| HUC; B-1; B-3; B-D; B-H; B-H(CD); I-1; I-2; Mixed Use Development (MUD); Transit Supportive (TS); Shopping Center (B-1SCD); Family Entertainment (ENT); Adult Uses (AU) | 14 | Freestanding signs ≤10' high unless elevated monument signs permitted in designated corridors | 100 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Overlay District (DO) | 8 | 8' (allowed only when at least 10' from edge of public ROW and sidewalk) | 50 sq ft | — |
| Highway 51 Overlay (HO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| US 74/Independence Boulevard Sign Corridor | 28 | Up to 20' (elevated monument permitted) | 250 sq ft total per establishment | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign Near Sidewalks | If >5' tall, see setback rule | If >24 sq ft, see setback rule | — | ≥10' from sidewalk/multi-use path for freestanding signs over 5' tall or over 24 sq ft | — | At least 10' from any sidewalk or multimodal pathway when sign exceeds 5' in height OR 24 sq ft in area. | — | § 155.608.5.E |
| Incidental Sign (Driveway/Traffic Direction) | 3' | 4 sq ft | — | Within setback/yard or within 10' of property line | 1 per driveway | Within required setback/yard or within 10' of any property line. | — | § 155.608.6.C |
| Temporary Off-Premise Real Estate Directional Sign | 4' | 3 sq ft | — | ≥11' from edge of pavement/back of curb; ≥50' from intersections; ≥20' from private drives | Max 2 | ≥11' from edge of pavement/back of curb; not within 50' of intersection; not within 20' of private drive; ground-mounted only. | — | § 155.608.6.F.4 |
| Intermittent Weekly Use Signs | 6' | 16 sq ft | — | Behind street right-of-way | Up to 3 | On property of the intermittent use. | — | § 155.608.6.K |
| Feather Signs (General allowance outside DO and HO conditions) | ≤12' | ≤30 sq ft | — | ≥10' from any public ROW/driveway/sidewalk/multi-use path | Up to 5 | Private property only; not obstructing visibility. | — | § 155.608.6.S; § 155.608.14.F; § 155.504.B.13 (HO reference) |
| Portable A-Frame Sign (outside DO) | ≤4' overall | ≤8 sq ft per face | — | ≥10' from public ROW/sidewalk; not in sight triangles | 1 per establishment | On same parcel; near pedestrian entrance; not in paved vehicular/parking areas; not in sight triangles; ≥10' from public ROW line or sidewalk generally parallel to street. | — | § 155.608.6.U |
| Residential Development Message Board | ≤5' | ≤12 sq ft | — | Not in sight triangle | 1 per main entrance | Within or at main entrance; may be near clustered mailbox units, community amenities; in ROW only with Town encroachment agreement when on Town-maintained street. | — | § 155.608.6.V |
| Joint Identification Sign (Multi-tenant property) | Per underlying district; not within sight triangles | Per § 155.608.12.C; § 155.608.13.D tables | — | Behind ROW; not in sight triangles | 1 per street front | Behind ROW; outside sight triangles. | — | § 155.608.7.A; § 155.608.9.C |

### Single-Family Residential District (R-20); Single-Family Residential District (R-15); Single-Family Residential District (R-12); Single-Family Residential District (R-9); R-MH; R-15MF; R-12MF; Residential - Varied Styles (R-VS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Day Care Center) | ≤10' | 6 sq ft | — | Behind ROW; out of sight triangles | 1 | Behind street ROW; out of sight triangles | — | § 155.608.10.D (Day care center) |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Arboretum) | ≤10' | 6 sq ft | — | Behind ROW; out of sight triangles | 1 per major entrance | 1 per major entrance; behind ROW; out of sight triangles | — | § 155.608.10.D (Arboretum) |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Church/School/Similar Uses) | ≤10' | 40 sq ft (first sign); 25 sq ft (others) | — | Behind ROW; out of sight triangles | Identification: 1 per street front (freestanding) OR 1 per building (attached); Bulletin board: 1 | Behind street ROW; out of sight triangles | — | § 155.608.10.D (Church/school identification; bulletin board) |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Electric/Utility Facilities) | ≤10' | 6 sq ft | — | Behind ROW; out of sight triangles | 1 | Behind ROW; out of sight triangles | — | § 155.608.10.D (Electric and gas substations etc.) |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Fire or Police Station - Monument) | ≤10' | 40 sq ft (monument) | — | Behind ROW; out of sight triangles | 1 per street front (freestanding) and 1 per building (attached) | 1 per street front (freestanding) and 1 per building (attached) | — | § 155.608.10.D (Fire or police station) |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Outdoor Recreation Facilities) | ≤10' | 6 sq ft | — | Behind ROW; out of sight triangles | 1 | Behind ROW; out of sight triangles | — | § 155.608.10.D (Outdoor recreation facilities) |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Manufactured Home Park) | ≤10' | 6 sq ft | — | Behind ROW; out of sight triangles | 1 per major entrance | Behind ROW; out of sight triangles | — | § 155.608.10.D (Manufactured home park) |
| Identification Sign (Miscellaneous Nonresidential Uses) | ≤10' (freestanding) | 24 sq ft (freestanding); 24 sq ft (attached) | — | Behind ROW; out of sight triangles | 1 freestanding and 1 attached | Behind ROW; out of sight triangles | — | § 155.608.10.D (Miscellaneous nonresidential uses) |

### US 74/Independence Boulevard Sign Corridor

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Single User GFA 40,000–74,999 sq ft) | Up to 20' (elevated monument permitted) | 150 sq ft | — | Behind ROW; not on berm; not in sight triangle | 1 (with exceptions per § 155.608.7.C) | Behind ROW; not in sight triangles | — | § 155.608.16.B.1.a; Table 1; notes (1)–(3) |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Single User GFA 75,000–99,999 sq ft) | Up to 20' (elevated monument permitted) | 200 sq ft | — | Behind ROW; not on berm; not in sight triangle | 1 (with exceptions per § 155.608.7.C) | Behind ROW; not in sight triangles | — | § 155.608.16.B.1.a; Table 1; notes |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Single User GFA ≥100,000 sq ft) | Up to 20' (elevated monument permitted) | 240 sq ft | — | Behind ROW; not on berm; not in sight triangle | 1 (with exceptions per § 155.608.7.C) | Behind ROW; not in sight triangles | — | § 155.608.16.B.1.a; Table 1; notes |
| Freestanding Identification/Business Signs (Lot Size 5.0–7.49 ac) | Up to 20' (elevated monument permitted) | 150 sq ft | — | Behind ROW; not on berm; not in sight triangle | 1 (with exceptions per § 155.608.7.C) | Behind ROW; not in sight triangles | — | § 155.608.16.B.1.b; Table 2; notes |
| Freestanding Identification/Business Signs (Lot Size 7.5–14.99 ac) | Up to 20' (elevated monument permitted) | 200 sq ft | — | Behind ROW; not on berm; not in sight triangle | 1 (with exceptions per § 155.608.7.C) | Behind ROW; not in sight triangles | — | § 155.608.16.B.1.b; Table 2; notes |
| Freestanding Identification/Business Signs (Lot Size ≥15.0 ac) | Up to 20' (elevated monument permitted) | 240 sq ft | — | Behind ROW; not on berm; not in sight triangle | 1 (with exceptions per § 155.608.7.C) | Behind ROW; not in sight triangles | — | § 155.608.16.B.1.b; Table 2; notes |
| Freestanding Identification/Business Signs (Single User in Two Buildings ≥15,000 sq ft each) | ≤10' (elevated monument permitted) | 150 sq ft (all freestanding signs combined) | — | Behind ROW; not on berm; not in sight triangle | 1 (with exceptions per § 155.608.7.C) | Behind ROW; not in sight triangles | — | § 155.608.16.B.1.d; Table 4; notes |
| Freestanding Identification Signs (ENT District Recreation Capacity 500–999) | ≤10' (elevated monument permitted) | 150 sq ft | — | Behind ROW; not on berm; not in sight triangle | 1 (with exceptions per § 155.608.7.C) | Behind ROW; not on berm; not in sight triangle | — | § 155.608.16.B.1.e; Table 5; notes |

## Prohibited signs in Matthews

- Any sign not expressly permitted by the ordinance is prohibited
- Signs which constitute a hazard to public health or safety
- Roof signs
- Flashing signs, including signs with intermittent illumination or changing intensity (except date/time/temperature displays; changeable copy may not change more than once every 4 hours)
- Vehicular signs
- Moving, inflatable, rotating, undulating, animated, or pseudo-animated signs, or signs using light beams to appear to move
- Signs displaying obscene, indecent, or immoral matter
- Signs that by size, location, content, color, or illumination obstruct motorists’ vision or interfere with traffic control devices
- Signs using traffic-control words or shapes (e.g., Stop, Yield) or similar symbols/colors that may confuse traffic
- Signs displayed within or extending over public right-of-way (including attachment to sign posts or utility poles), except those erected/authorized by the appropriate government agency
- Signs obstructing ingress or egress from any fire escape, door, window, or other exit/entrance
- V-shaped or triangular permanent signs (double-faced back-to-back allowed if less than a 70° angle and essentially identical faces)
- Signs painted directly on trees, rocks, fences, and other objects/structures (except walls and except boulders at public schools used for student decoration/messages)
- Signs situated on an artificially created berm
- Airborne signs
- Pennants
- Pylon signs
- Advertising signs
- Billboard signs
- Freestanding signs over 5 feet high or larger than 24 square feet are prohibited within 10 feet of any sidewalk or multimodal path
- Exposed electrical wiring on any sign element is prohibited; electrical components must be in rigid conduit or enclosed in poles/raceways
- Signs and any concealed support elements are prohibited within any sight triangle
- No portion of a sign may overhang or extend over any part of a public right-of-way or public use realm unless specifically allowed elsewhere and with required encroachment approvals
- Illuminated signs shall not be positioned/maintained so light beams or illumination are directed off-site causing glare or a traffic hazard
- Illuminated signs in or within 100 feet of single-family residential districts may not be illuminated between 11:00 PM and 8:00 AM unless the associated use is open
- Obsolete signs (business no longer in existence, products/services no longer offered) must be removed within 90 days; if the sign structure is nonconforming, the face may be covered/removed for no more than 1 year before reuse or removal is required
- Window signs may not cover more than 25% of glass area if opaque/translucent, or more than 50% if composed of open symbols without background

## Signs exempt from permit in Matthews

- Flags of the U.S., State of North Carolina, Mecklenburg County, Town of Matthews, other governmental units, or religious/civic/nonprofit organizations (up to 4 per lot; not considered moving signs; height limits apply). Other flags limited in number/height; area of flag may count against freestanding sign area
- Customary holiday or recognized local special event decorations displayed for no more than 60 days
- Incidental on-premise directional/regulatory signs near property lines: maximum 1 per driveway, up to 4 sq ft area and 3 ft height, with no more than 50% of area used for business identification
- Incidental interior site signs (on-site information only, not easily visible off-site, not primarily advertising): up to 12 sq ft area; directory signs in vehicular areas up to 8 ft height
- Menu board signs: one per drive-through lane up to 48 sq ft and 8 ft height (if more than one, each up to 40 sq ft); not readable off-premise
- Real estate and construction signs on the advertised property with size limits by property type/frontage; corner-lot intersection setbacks; removal within 7 days of transaction completion or construction completion; provisions for properties without frontage (within access easement with owner permission); off-premise weekend/holiday directional real estate signs with strict size, timing, spacing, and placement limits; construction fence wraps with temporary signage exemption up to 24 months (with content limits)
- Temporary political/campaign issue signs on private property: up to 6 sq ft in single-family districts and 16 sq ft in other districts; allowed within setbacks but not in sight triangles or ROW; display no more than 60 days before election and remove within 5 days after
- Temporary signs for limited-duration civic, religious, charitable, fraternal, and similar events on private property: up to 16 sq ft and 6 ft height; within setbacks but not in sight triangles or ROW; display no more than 30 days before event and remove within 7 days after
- Temporary signs for seasonal farm product sales: one on-premise sign up to 20 sq ft; up to three 2 sq ft directional signs on private property; remove within 7 days after sales end
- Off-premise signs for qualifying public assembly uses and farmers' markets (with conditions on use type, visibility constraints, and placement): up to 36 sq ft and 6 ft height; not in sight triangles or within 50 ft of thoroughfare intersections; property owner permission required
- Temporary signs for intermittent uses occurring on a regular weekly schedule (e.g., church using school space): up to 3 on-premise signs, each up to 16 sq ft and 6 ft height; place no more than 24 hours before event and remove within 12 hours after; must comply with land use in the zoning category
- Government-established wayfinding signs and building/site historical markers and similar public instruction/direction signs on public or private property (size/placement standards apply; off-premise on private property require easement; kiosks/wall displays for public info in Downtown/ENT up to 24 sq ft)
- Nonprofit farmers' market mural identification/directional signage in HUC district: mural may include up to 40 sq ft of sign area (only the identification/direction portion counts as sign area)
- Sponsorship signs at properly established recreational or institutional facilities: unlimited number; must be behind minimum setbacks; oriented inward (with limited outward orientation allowed on certain fencing >300 ft from ROW); up to 12 sq ft; not illuminated
- Temporary contractor/service provider signs at residences where work is actively underway: one per property, up to 4 sq ft; allowed in front yard but not in sight triangle; must be registered; displayed only during the project up to 30 days; not more than 2 days after completion
- Street address numbers (including ranges/suites) as required by ordinance
- Signs required by law; traffic/transportation facility signs; parking identification on public or private property
- Works of art without commercial messages or logos; religious symbols/identification emblems
- Feather signs (outside the Downtown Overlay and outside the NC 51 Overlay undisturbed buffer): up to 30 sq ft and 12 ft height; maximum 5 per property; at least 10 ft from ROW/driveways/sidewalks/paths and not obstructing visibility; limited to 5 consecutive days with at least 5-day gaps; maximum 60 days per calendar year; content may not otherwise qualify as a temporary advertising sign except for size
- Warning signs (e.g., no trespassing, beware of dog): up to 2 sq ft each; maximum 4 per lot (additional by Administrator under special circumstances)
- Portable A-frame signs (outside Downtown Overlay): up to 8 sq ft per face and 4 ft height; one per establishment; displayed only while the business is open; must be on the same parcel, at least 10 ft from ROW/sidewalk, not in parking/drives/sight triangles; content must be more than establishment identification
- Residential Development Message Board signs at main entrances to residential subdivisions/developments/complexes: up to 12 sq ft and 5 ft height; not in sight triangles; may require Town encroachment agreement if in ROW
- Temporary advertising signs on private property: up to 16 sq ft (and 6 ft height if freestanding), on the same site as the advertised business/product/service; up to 60 days total per calendar year with at least 14 days between different displays; registration with Town required; no permit required
- Temporary signs on public property/right-of-way for special events: allowed up to 72 hours with prior registration and written approvals as required; subject to location/size/lighting approvals
- Emergency Services Uses (Town Fire and Police): may utilize internally or externally illuminated signage regardless of underlying zoning district; district brightness limits still apply

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Master Sign Plan required: For any individual property with more than one existing or proposed principal nonresidential structure or use; any individual property with more than one existing or proposed nonresidential tenant; or two or more nonresidential properties designed and/or developed jointly (including properties under a single zoning petition). The master sign plan must be submitted by the owner(s) prior to issuance of any sign permit for any of the property
- Master Sign Plan contents must include: scaled site plan with locations of buildings, parking, loading, drives, and required landscaping; computations and locations of existing freestanding and attached signs; list of any existing signs not requiring a permit; anticipated sign area and general locations for proposed attached and detached signage; and statement if a 15% bonus is requested
- Window signage coverage to be included if window signs are existing or potential (plan must indicate area of windows to be covered by window signs per building or establishment)
- 15% bonus sign area available under a Master Sign Plan if: there is no more than one freestanding sign per street front incorporating unified and tenant identification; owner imposes consistent design restrictions (e.g., colors, lettering, lighting, materials, locations, proportions); and the plan includes a schedule to bring all existing nonconforming signs into compliance within one year (and to conform to owner restrictions, if more stringent)
- Master Sign Plan approval procedure: may be submitted as part of a zoning application or independently to the Board of Commissioners; when submitted independently, the Board will review at a regular public meeting within 60 days
- Master Sign Plan binding effect: after approval, no sign may be erected or revised except in conformance with the plan; amendments require filing a new master sign plan
- Multi-tenant properties: individual businesses within a multi-tenant nonresidential property are not allowed individual freestanding signs; a joint identification sign is permitted; a multi-tenant property may request approval of a master sign plan
- Rezoning/site plan submittals (Parallel Traditional districts): site-specific plans must show the proposed number, type, and location of signs along with other physical improvements
- Rezoning/site plan submittals (Conditional-Only districts): site-specific plans must show the proposed number, type, and location of signs; for early designation Conditional-Only districts, no permits or land-disturbing activity may occur until Board-approved site plan and/or elevation plan is obtained, which must include how all conditions (including sign-related) are met

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/matthews