# Sign Regulations in Roxboro, North Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Roxboro, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/roxboro
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-26
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.cityofroxboro.com/home/showpublisheddocument/10818/638852403427430000#page=255)

## At a glance

Roxboro, North Carolina regulates 29 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Projecting Signs in the Planned Unit Development Special Zoning District (PUD) zoning district are capped at May not protrude above soffit/parapet/roofline/eave; minimum 8 ft above finished grade tall and 12 sq ft, with a No projection into required yard/setback setback (Sec. Article 9 table (Building Mounted – PUD included); notes 2–4). Most commercial signs in Roxboro require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Agricultural District (R-12), Residential District (R-8), Residential District (R-6) | 5 | 8 ft (if ground mounted) | 32 sq ft | — |
| Planned Unit Development Special Zoning District (PUD) | 15 | Per wall or ground sign standards; in no case higher than 30 ft above grade | 150 sq ft | — |
| Highway Business District (B-1), Neighborhood Business District (B-2), Office/Institutional District (O/I) | 12 | Per wall or ground sign standards; not over 30 ft above grade | 200 sq ft | — |
| Uptown Business District (B-3) | 10 | Per wall or ground sign standards; not over 30 ft above grade | 50% of façade area (per façade) and subject to 200 sq ft combined lot cap | — |
| Light Industrial District (I-1), Heavy Industrial District (I-2) | 13 | Per wall or ground sign standards; not over 30 ft above grade | 300 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | Per wall/ground sign standards; never above 30 ft AGL | Per formula | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Planned Unit Development Special Zoning District (PUD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Entrance Sign (Subdivision/Multi-Family/Residential Area within PUD) | — | 16 sq ft per sign face; combined total of all entrance signs not to exceed 32 sq ft | — | Free-standing/monument entrance signs must be ≥10 ft from property line and ≤50 ft from the entrance | No more than two (2) entrance signs per development | At the entrance to residential areas or developments of two (2) or more lots within the PUD | — | 9.22.1.1. |
| Shopping Center/Commercial Development Freestanding Sign (Up to six outlets) | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | At shopping centers/commercial developments within the PUD | — | Article 9 table: Number of Outlets (… and PUD) |
| Shopping Center/Commercial Development Freestanding Sign (7–14 outlets) | 15 ft | 125 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | At shopping centers/commercial developments within the PUD | — | Article 9 table: Number of Outlets (… and PUD) |
| Shopping Center/Commercial Development Freestanding Sign (15 or more outlets) | 15 ft | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | At shopping centers/commercial developments within the PUD | — | Article 9 table: Number of Outlets (… and PUD) |
| Out Parcel Monument/Ground Sign (within a Shopping Center/Commercial Development) | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per out parcel | On each out parcel within a center/development | — | Article 9 table: OUT PARCELS (… and PUD) |
| Projecting Sign | May not protrude above soffit/parapet/roofline/eave; minimum 8 ft above finished grade | 12 sq ft | — | No projection into required yard/setback | 1 per business | Building-mounted projecting from façade | — | Article 9 table (Building Mounted – PUD included); notes 2–4 |
| Monument/Ground Sign (PUD non-residential areas) | Typically 6 ft where business-type standards are applied | As provided in an approved Comprehensive Sign Package or per applicable development sign table; if following Business/Industrial standards, see those limits | — | 10 ft from property line (when Business/Industrial standards are applied) | 1 per street frontage | Business frontages within PUD | — | 9.22 Business/Industrial freestanding notes; 9.24 Comprehensive Sign Packages |
| Electronic Message Board (EMB) | Per wall or ground sign standards; in no case higher than 30 ft above grade | Per formula; EMB face area included in total sign face area | — | Minimum 150 ft from residentially-zoned land (for EMB component) | One EMB per lot or development | May be configured only as part of a wall or ground sign | — | 9.26.5. |

### Highway Business District (B-1), Neighborhood Business District (B-2), Office/Institutional District (O/I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | May not extend above roofline/soffit/eave/parapet | 50% of façade area (per façade) and subject to 200 sq ft combined lot cap | — | — | N/A (limited by area and lot cap) | All facades | — | 9.22.2 (Business District Signs When Site Plan is NOT Required), notes 1–2 |
| Projecting Sign | Must maintain minimum 8 ft clearance above finished grade; may not protrude above soffit/parapet/roofline/eave | 12 sq ft | — | No projection into required yard/setback | 1 per business | Building-mounted, projecting from façade | — | 9.22.2 table; notes 3–4 |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | Must maintain minimum 8 ft clearance; may not protrude above soffit/parapet/roofline/eave | Copy area limited to the drip flap (logos may be on the awning) | — | — | 1 per business | On canopy or awning | — | 9.22.2 table; notes 3–4 |
| Monument/Ground Sign | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage | Business street frontage | — | 9.22.2 table (FREESTANDING) |
| Column/Pole Sign (B-1) | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage | Business street frontage | — | 9.22.2 table (Column/Pole – 200 sq ft in B-1) |
| Column/Pole Sign (B-2 and O/I) | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage | Business street frontage | — | 9.22.2 table (Column/Pole – 100 sq ft in B-2, O/I) |
| Electronic Message Board (EMB) | Per wall or ground sign standards; not over 30 ft above grade | Per formula; EMB face area included in total sign area and lot cap | — | 150 ft minimum from residentially-zoned land (for EMB component) | One EMB per lot or development | As part of a wall or ground sign | — | 9.26.5. |
| Sandwich Board (Temporary) | — | 12 sq ft per side, up to 2 sides | — | Keep out of vehicular zones; not in ROW except as stated | Not specified | At primary entrance(s); not in public ROW except where building face is ROW line and abuts sidewalk (ROW encroachment) | — | Article 9: SIGNS PERMITTED IN NON-RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS and PUDs |

### Light Industrial District (I-1), Heavy Industrial District (I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | May not extend above roofline/soffit/eave/parapet | 50% of façade area (per façade) and subject to 300 sq ft combined lot cap | — | — | N/A (limited by area and lot cap) | All facades | — | 9.22.3 (Industrial District Signs), notes 1–2 |
| Projecting Sign | Minimum 8 ft above finished grade; may not protrude above soffit/parapet/roofline/eave | 12 sq ft | — | No projection into required yard/setback | 1 per business | Building-mounted, projecting from façade | — | 9.22.3; notes 3–4 |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | Minimum 8 ft clearance; may not protrude above soffit/parapet/roofline/eave | Copy area limited to the drip flap (logos may be on the awning) | — | — | 1 per business | On canopy or awning | — | 9.22.3; notes 3–4 |
| Monument/Ground Sign | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage | Industrial street frontage | — | 9.22.3 (Freestanding) |
| Column/Pole Sign (I-1) | 25 ft | 200 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage | Industrial street frontage | — | 9.22.3 (Freestanding – 200 sq ft in I-1) |
| Column/Pole Sign (I-2) | 25 ft | 300 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage | Industrial street frontage | — | 9.22.3 (Freestanding – 300 sq ft in I-2); note 6 |
| Electronic Message Board (EMB) | Per wall or ground sign standards; not over 30 ft above grade | Per formula; EMB face area included in total sign area and lot cap | — | 150 ft minimum from residentially-zoned land (for EMB component) | One EMB per lot or development | As part of a wall or ground sign | — | 9.26.5. |
| Billboard (Off-Premise) (I-2 only) | — | Not specified in Article 9 text; must also meet NCDOT standards if applicable | — | Minimum spacing 500 ft from other signs >250 sq ft visible from ROW (straight-line measurement) | Not specified; spacing and district-limited | Freestanding in I-2 only | — | 9.21.12.; 9.22.3 note 6 |

## Prohibited signs in Roxboro

- No sign may be located so that it substantially interferes with motorists’ visibility needed to proceed safely through intersections or to enter/exit streets or private roads (Sec. 9.21.1).
- Signs that flash, flutter, swing, rotate, revolve, are animated, or use movement or apparent movement to attract attention are prohibited (with limited exceptions noted elsewhere for digital/governmental signs and EMB standards) (Sec. 9.21.2; Sec. 9.26.5, 9.26.6).
- No sign may be erected so that, by its location, color, size, shape, nature, or message, it would be confused with or obscure official traffic/governmental signs (Sec. 9.21.3).
- No sign may obstruct free passage from or interfere with any fire escape, downspout, door, stairway, ladder, or opening intended for ingress/egress or providing light/air (Sec. 9.21.4).
- No signs shall overhang or be erected in any public right-of-way, except traffic/governmental signs, political signs placed per Sec. 9.20.2.14, or signs located in the B-3 district (Sec. 9.21.5).
- Any sign intentionally located to deny an adjoining property owner visual access to an existing sign is prohibited (Sec. 9.21.6).
- Roof signs or signs above a building parapet are prohibited (Sec. 9.21.7).
- Portable signs are prohibited, including signs attached or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless the vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day business operations (sandwich boards are regulated separately) (Sec. 9.21.8).
- Any sign or sign structure that is structurally unsafe is prohibited (Sec. 9.21.9).
- Snipe signs (signs painted on or attached to trees, fences, fence posts, utility poles, rocks, or natural features) are prohibited (Sec. 9.21.10).
- Pavement markings are prohibited except customary traffic-control markings (Sec. 9.21.11).
- Off-premise signs are prohibited, except billboards as free-standing signs in the Heavy Industrial (I-2) district and special event directional signs per Sec. 9.20.3.5.2 (Sec. 9.21.12).
- Beacons, spotlights, search/stroboscopic lights or reflectors visible from any public right-of-way or adjacent property are prohibited (except by government agencies for governmental/emergency purposes) (Sec. 9.21.13).
- Any sign not expressly permitted by the Ordinance is prohibited (Sec. 9.21.14).
- Flood lights used to illuminate signs must be hooded/shielded so the light source is not visible from any public right-of-way or adjacent property and must not produce glare impairing driver vision (Sec. 9.26.2).
- No sign within 150 feet of a residential zoning district (including applicable PUD) may be illuminated between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., unless off-site lighting impact is entirely inconsequential (Sec. 9.26.3).
- Lighting directed toward a sign must be shielded to illuminate only the sign face and not shine directly into a public right-of-way or residential premises (Sec. 9.26.4).
- No sign may contain or be illuminated by flashing or intermittent lights or lights of changing intensity; no revolving/rotating beams or beacons; flashing signs/lighting are not permitted (Sec. 9.26.6, 9.26.6.3, 9.26.6.4).
- Illuminated signs adjoining residential districts must be shielded so brightness does not exceed 1 foot-candle at the property boundary; no illumination or glare may be emitted directly onto public streets/roadways (Sec. 9.26.6.1, 9.26.6.2).
- Permanent (non-temporary) signs must be constructed of permanent materials and attached to the ground or a building (non-permanent construction for permanent signs is prohibited) (Sec. 9.27.2).
- Maintenance prohibitions: a sign may not display disfigured, cracked, ripped or peeling material for more than 60 consecutive days; may not remain with bent/broken face, broken supports, loose appendages or over 15 degrees from vertical for more than 10 consecutive days; may not be obscured by vegetation for more than 30 consecutive days; illuminated signs may not remain with partial illumination for more than 30 consecutive days (Sec. 9.28.1–9.28.4).
- Unsafe signs must be repaired or removed within 5 days of notice (or sooner if immediate danger) (Sec. 9.28.5).
- Upon business closure/discontinuance, on‑premises signs must be removed or covered/blanked per timelines; nonconforming signs must be removed after 180 days of discontinuance following notice (Secs. 9.29, 9.31).

## Signs exempt from permit in Roxboro

- Incidental informational on‑premises signs (e.g., “no parking,” “entrance,” “loading only,” “no trespassing,” “beware of dog”) up to 4 sq ft (Sec. 9.20.1).
- Flags on a single, straight flagpole, subject to: single‑end attachment; not hung or stretched between poles/objects/ground; attached on one side only and not weighted on unattached side; multiple flags may fly on one pole; feather flags are not included; must comply with Article 9 Part III (Sec. 9.20.2.1–9.20.2.6).
- Handicapped parking space signs; signs associated with equipment/functional elements (menu boards, ATMs, gas pumps, vending machines, scoreboards, similar incidental signs); signs visible only from the premises; non‑commercial markers (Sec. 9.20.2.7).
- Memorial signs, plaques, grave markers (Sec. 9.20.2.8).
- All signs located within the interior of a business or operation (Sec. 9.20.2.9).
- Government signs, including those adopted by the City Council as government speech (e.g., Uptown Roxboro Group signs) (Sec. 9.20.2.10).
- Address/identification signs sized proportionally for visibility to public safety agencies; if building not visible from the street, place identifier on a mailbox or suitable device visible from street; such signs shall not be illuminated (Sec. 9.20.2.11).
- Integral decorative/architectural features, works of art, or murals without advertisements, trademarks, moving parts, or lights; any portion with commercial content must comply with sign regulations (Sec. 9.20.2.12).
- Holiday signs/displays, including lighting, erected in connection with observance of holidays (Sec. 9.20.2.13).
- Political signs and farm signs in the public right‑of‑way per N.C. statutes: allowed during defined election or farm‑season windows; require property‑owner permission; not in fully controlled access highway ROW; at least 3 ft from pavement; must not obscure visibility; max height 42 inches; max size 864 sq in; must not obscure/replace another sign; must be removed by end of allowed period or 30 days after period end (Secs. 9.20.2.14–9.20.2.14.3).
- Public art distinguished from signage: murals/art without direct/indirect references to tradenames/trademarks or the name of the associated establishment are not considered signs; otherwise treated as signage (Sec. 9.20.2.15).
- Temporary signs (permit‑exempt) general cap: except fence wraps, temporary signage shall not exceed 50 sq ft and must meet location/visibility/public safety requirements (Sec. 9.20.3.1).
- Fence wraps at construction sites: on‑site temporary identification of individuals/firms connected with an active project; exempt until CO for final construction or 24 months from installation, whichever is shorter; no paid advertising; only sponsors directly involved in the project (Sec. 9.20.3.2; GS §160D‑908).
- Non‑residential and residential construction signs (when no fence wrap): on‑site up to 4 sq ft; displayed no more than 30 days from completion of work; max two signs per lot (Sec. 9.20.3.3).
- Temporary election/campaign signs erected outside of the public ROW may be up to 50 sq ft (Sec. 9.20.3.4).
- Event advertisement temporary signage: in commercial areas, banner signs up to 25 sq ft for no more than 30 days (max five citywide per event at a time); free‑standing signs up to 4 sq ft (one per lot) for no more than 30 days after event; supplemental off‑premises directional signs (max six) within 0.5 miles of event, placed within 48 hours prior and removed within 72 hours after the event (Sec. 9.20.3.5).
- Banners: all commercially zoned properties may display a banner not exceeding 25 sq ft in size for more than 60 days (Sec. 9.20.3.6).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Comprehensive Sign Package (master sign plan alternative) is available for developments with buildings totaling 25,000 sq ft or more of gross floor area or occupying 5 acres or more. Approval is an included condition when submitting a conditional district zoning petition for qualifying projects; in all other cases it requires issuance of a Special Use Permit. Modifications must be approved in the same manner as the original approval. The package must specify at minimum: permitted sign types, area and height, materials, illumination types, locations including building‑mounted mounting locations, and standards for temporary signs, and create common characteristics across the site (Sec. 9.24).
- Common Signage Plan REQUIRED: Where multiple building‑mounted signs of the same type (wall, projecting, awning) are proposed on a building or group of buildings within the same property or common development (e.g., shopping center), the owner/developer must submit a common signage plan detailing a uniform approach to materials, illumination, and style. All signs installed must conform to the submitted plan. The plan may only be altered if the original applicant or successor agrees to modify all affected signage to the new standard (Sec. 9.24A).
- Variance required for certain near‑curb sign placements: In the B‑1 zoning district along major/minor thoroughfares, where the outside ROW boundary is within 20 feet of the back of curb, signs within the illustrated 15‑foot arc area are allowed only by variance (Sec. 9.22.5.2).

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

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