# Sign Regulations in Raleigh, North Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Raleigh, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/raleigh
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://udo.raleighnc.gov/article-73-signs)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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). | — | 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 | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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). | — | 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 | 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 | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 7.3.13.D |
| Directory Sign | — | 3" x 15" per activity/business/tenant | — | — | 1 per site | On-premise. | — | 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). | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 7.3.13.P |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

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

---

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