Sign Regulations in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina has specific sign regulations covering 26 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Tract Identification Sign, Wall Sign, Projecting Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 7, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Raleigh, North Carolina
Sample Sign Requirements in Raleigh
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tract Identification Sign | Sign height max 6'; Copy height max 3.5' | Sign area max 160 sf; Copy area max 16 sf | — |
| Wall Sign | No portion above roof line (no parapet); up to 2' above roof if parapet, not above parapet; not above lower eave if pitched roof. | — | — |
| Projecting Sign | Not above roof/parapet; max height above grade at 2nd story or 24', whichever is less. | 40 sf (max); 16 sf (if not internally illuminated and allowed to swing by wind) | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for RaleighFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
26
- Tract Identification Sign
- Wall Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Awning, Gallery, Marquee Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Raleigh
Other Cities in North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
In Raleigh, wall signs can be up to No portion above roof line (no parapet); up to 2' above roof if parapet, not above parapet; not above lower eave if pitched roof.. 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 Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, regulated sign types include Tract Identification Sign, Wall Sign, Projecting Sign, Awning, Gallery, Marquee 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Raleigh has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Raleigh, North Carolina Sign Rules at a Glance
Raleigh, North Carolina regulates 26 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Channel Letter Ground Sign (Custom Signage Plan)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 10' (base structure max 5', letters max 5') tall, 500 sf, and 100' wide, with a Min 50' from street setback (Sec. Sec. 7.3.13.O). Most commercial signs in Raleigh require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Raleigh, North Carolina
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Raleigh (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, R-10 (Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, R-10)) | 1 | Sign height max 6'; Copy height max 3.5' | Sign area max 160 sf; Copy area max 16 sf | — |
| RX-, OP-, OX-, NX-, CX-, DX-, IX- (Mixed Use District (RX-, OP-, OX-, NX-, CX-, DX-, IX-)) | 12 | Not to exceed 36" above height of awning/gallery/marquee. Min clear height 8'. Max letter height 18". | Sign area max 160 sf; Copy area max 16 sf | — |
| CM, AP, IH, CMP, MH (Special District (CM, AP, IH, CMP, MH)) | 11 | Not to exceed 36" above height of awning/gallery/marquee. Min clear height 8'. Max letter height 18". | Sign area max 160 sf; Copy area max 16 sf | — |
| -PW, -DE, -PL, -GR, -UL, -UG, -SH, -GP (Frontage District (-PW, -DE, -PL, -GR, -UL, -UG, -SH, -GP)) | 10 | Not to exceed 36" above height of awning/gallery/marquee. Min clear height 8'. Max letter height 18". | Sign area max 160 sf; Copy area max 16 sf | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 20' or max height of principal building on site, whichever is greater | Wall: 750 sf; Ground: 100 sf | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Raleigh(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
RX-, OP-, OX-, NX-, CX-, DX-, IX- (Mixed Use District (RX-, OP-, OX-, NX-, CX-, DX-, IX-))
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | No portion above roof line (no parapet); up to 2' above roof if parapet, not above parapet; not above lower eave if pitched roof. | — | — | — | Not specified; formula governs total area. | Flat or up to 12" from building wall; in DX-, may be on retaining wall. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.4 |
| Projecting Sign | Not above roof/parapet; max height above grade at 2nd story or 24', whichever is less. | 40 sf (max); 16 sf (if not internally illuminated and allowed to swing by wind) | Projection: max 6' from wall. | — | 1 per business per street frontage. | Attached to building at right angle. Min 9' clear height. Min 18" from curb. ROW Encroachment allowed with Council approval. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.5 |
| Low Profile Ground Sign | 3.5' | 70 sf | 20' in OP or OX- districts | — | 1 per site per street frontage; see additional requirements for double frontage. | Freestanding max 3.5' high; 1 per site per street frontage; ROW encroachment allowed with Council approval. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.8 |
| Medium Profile Ground Sign - Option 1 | 15' | 70 sf | — | — | 1 per site | Freestanding. 1 per site. Min street frontage 100'. ROW encroachment allowed with Council approval. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.9 |
| Medium Profile Ground Sign - Option 2 | 10' | 100 sf | — | — | 1 per site | Freestanding. 1 per site. Min street frontage 100'. ROW encroachment allowed with Council approval. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.9 |
| High Profile Ground Sign | 15' | 100 sf | — | — | 1 per site | Freestanding. 1 per site. Min street frontage 200'. ROW encroachment allowed with Council approval. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.10 |
| Tract Identification Sign | Sign height max 6'; Copy height max 3.5' | Sign area max 160 sf; Copy area max 16 sf | — | — | 1 per street frontage plus 1 additional for >400' street frontage | Freestanding; 1 per street frontage, plus 1 additional if frontage >400'. Placed at entry to development or on subdivision wall/fence with restrictions. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.11 |
| A-Frame Sign | 5' | 6 sf | — | — | 1 per establishment | On-site within 5' of main entrance; clear pedestrian space of 5'; sidewalk/ROW allowed (minor encroachment). | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.12 |
CM, AP, IH, CMP, MH (Special District (CM, AP, IH, CMP, MH))
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | No portion above roof line (no parapet); up to 2' above roof if parapet, not above parapet; not above lower eave if pitched roof. | — | — | — | Not specified; formula governs total area. | Flat or up to 12" from building wall. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.4 |
| Projecting Sign | Not above roof/parapet; max height above grade at 2nd story or 24', whichever is less. | 40 sf (max); 16 sf (if not internally illuminated and allowed to swing by wind) | Projection: max 6' from wall. | — | 1 per business per street frontage. | Attached to building at right angle. Min 9' clear height. Min 18" from curb. ROW Encroachment allowed with Council approval. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.5 |
| Low Profile Ground Sign | 3.5' | 70 sf | — | — | 1 per site per street frontage; additional for double frontage. | Freestanding; 1 per site per street frontage; ROW encroachment allowed with Council approval. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.8 |
| Medium Profile Ground Sign - Option 1 | 15' | 70 sf | — | — | 1 per site | Freestanding. 1 per site. Min street frontage 100'. ROW encroachment allowed with Council approval. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.9 |
| Medium Profile Ground Sign - Option 2 | 10' | 100 sf | — | — | 1 per site | Freestanding. 1 per site. Min street frontage 100'. ROW encroachment allowed with Council approval. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.9 |
| High Profile Ground Sign | 15' | 100 sf | — | — | 1 per site | Freestanding. 1 per site. Min street frontage 200'. ROW encroachment allowed with Council approval. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.10 |
| Tract Identification Sign | Sign height max 6'; Copy height max 3.5' | Sign area max 160 sf; Copy area max 16 sf | — | — | 1 per street frontage plus 1 additional for >400' street frontage | Freestanding; 1 per street frontage, plus 1 additional if frontage >400'. Placed at entry to development or on subdivision wall/fence with restrictions. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.11 |
| A-Frame Sign | 5' | 6 sf | — | — | 1 per establishment | On-site within 5' of main entrance; clear pedestrian space of 5'; sidewalk/ROW allowed (minor encroachment). | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.2; Sec. 7.3.12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Sign | — | 4.70 sf per foot of building height over 200'; max 750 sf | — | — | Max 1 per side | At top/crown of buildings >200' high; not below top of upper floor | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.13.B |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | Up to 50% of permitted sign area (wall, projecting, ground, tract id sign); on Tract Id sign, max 8 sf and 1 per sign. | — | — | As part of other permitted signs | Within area of sign permitted for that type. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.13.C |
| Directional Sign | 7' | 35 sf | — | — | 1 per 1000' of frontage | Development containing at least 100 acres; max 1 per 1000' street frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.13.D |
| Directory Sign | — | 3" x 15" per activity/business/tenant | — | — | 1 per site | On-premise. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.13.E |
| Product and Information Sign | Campus info sign 3.5', primary info sign max 7' | 6 sf each; campus info signs 14 sf each, 1 primary entrance sign at 35 sf. | Primary info sign max 5', campus info sign max 4' | — | — | Product sign: attached to product/vending structure; Info: on site (campus: per entrance). | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.13.I |
| Windblown Signs | 20' or max height of principal building on site, whichever is greater | Mixed/Special: up to 40% of total max signage; Residential: max 35 sf | — | — | Max 3 per site | On-site; each windblown item counts as one sign. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.13.M |
| Freestanding Channel Letter Ground Sign (Custom Signage Plan) | 10' (base structure max 5', letters max 5') | 500 sf | 100' | Min 50' from street | Max 2 per Custom Signage Plan area | Freestanding, 50' min setback from street, not on post/mast/pole, in Custom Signage Plan area. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.13.O |
| Attached Channel Letter Sign (Custom Signage Plan) | Max letter 10'; sign 20'; cannot extend above roof/parapet per wall sign rules. | 150 sf (up to 5 story); 300 sf (6 stories+) | — | — | Max 2 per Custom Signage Plan area, 1 per side of building. | Mounted above/hanging from awning, canopy, porte cochere, etc., or on building element. | — | Unlock | Sec. 7.3.13.P |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Raleigh — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 5 zones for Raleigh — start freeProhibited Signs in Raleigh
- Any sign which the Transportation Director determines obstructs the view of bicyclists or motorists using any street, private driveway, approach to any street intersection or which interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures any traffic sign, device or signal.
- Illuminated, highly reflective signs or spotlights which the Transportation Director determines hampers the vision of motorists or bicyclists.
- Signs, lights, rotating disks, words and other devices which resemble traffic signals, traffic signs or emergency vehicle lights.
- Signs, lights, rotating disks, words and other devices not erected by public authority which may be erroneously construed as governmental signs or emergency warning signs.
- Any sign which interferes with free passage from or obstructs any fire escape, downspout, window, door, stairways, ladder or opening intended as a means of ingress or egress or providing light or air.
- Any sign placed on any curb, sidewalk, post, pole, hydrant, bridge, tree or other surface located on, over or across any public street, right-of-way, property or thoroughfare, unless authorized by the City Council.
- Flashing signs, travelling lights or signs animated by lights or changing degrees of intensity, except signs in public rights-of-way, and DX digital signs as specifically provided in [Sec. 7.3.13.N.]
- Signs that mechanically move, except signs on public rights-of-way.
- Roof signs.
- The tacking, posting or otherwise affixing of signs of a miscellaneous character visible from a public right-of-way located on the outside walls of buildings, barns, sheds, trees, poles, fences or other structures except unit numbers, mailbox and paper tube identification signs that do not exceed 1 square foot in area and signs which warn the public against danger.
- Any message, copy or announcement, which uses a series of 2 or more signs placed in a line parallel to a street, highway or expressway carrying a single message or copy.
- Any sign which pertains to a business, profession, commodity or service which is vacant, unoccupied or discontinued for a period of 1 year or more; any part of a sign which is unused for a period of 1 year or more; or any sign which pertains to an event or purpose which no longer applies (abandoned signs).
- Signs attached to, painted on, or otherwise positioned (whether exterior or interior) in or on an inoperable or unlicensed vehicle (motorized or nonmotorized) located in view of the right-of-way.
- Signs attached to, painted on, or otherwise positioned in or on a licensed vehicle that is located in view of the street right-of-way when in a location or for a period of time that indicates that the use of the vehicle is for displaying the sign to passing motorists or pedestrians, except such signs are allowed on a temporary basis in association with a temporary event permit.
- Any sign unlawfully erected or maintained.
Exempt Signs in Raleigh
- Any sign authorized in the UDO is allowed to contain noncommercial message in lieu of any commercial message.
- The maximum allowable signage limitation does not apply to Landmark signs, product and information signs, unit numbering identification signs under 10 inches, temporary signs, and window signs permitted pursuant to Sec. 7.3.7.
- Unit numbers, mailbox, and paper tube identification signs that do not exceed 1 square foot in area and signs which warn the public against danger are allowed (exempted from prohibition on posted signs).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Raleigh
- No sign may be altered, replaced, converted, changed or otherwise modified except in accordance with the requirements of this UDO or an adopted Streetscape Plan or Custom Signage Plan. If an adopted Streetscape Plan or Custom Signage Plan applies to the subject property and it regulates signage, conformance to the adopted plan is required.
- To achieve congruity, unity of development and to avoid conflicts within any site with more than 1 principal building, no sign permit shall be issued to any development containing more than 1 establishment until a common signage plan has been approved, unless the development is subject to a Custom Signage Plan.
- No permit will be issued in violation of the common signage plan.
- No sign permit shall be issued for a directional sign (in developments over 100 acres) until a common signage plan has been approved (Sec. 7.3.16.H).
- Freestanding channel letter ground signs and attached channel letter signs are only allowed pursuant to an adopted Custom Signage Plan.
Source: other municipal code