# Sign Regulations in Selma, North Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Selma, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/selma
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NC/Selma/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=MUCO_CH17UNDEOR_ARTXISI)

## At a glance

Selma, North Carolina regulates 27 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Temporary Flags in the RA, R-20, R-10, R-8, TR, MHP, Residential Planned Unit Developments zoning district are capped at 20 feet tall and 15 square feet per flag, with a 30 feet from centerline of road setback (Sec. Sec. 17-1108.C/Table 11.2). Most commercial signs in Selma require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| RA, R-20, R-10, R-8, TR, MHP, Residential Planned Unit Developments | 12 | 20 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| IN, N-B, C-B, GB, IB, I-1, I-2, Non-residential Planned Unit Developments | 17 | 25 feet | 55 square feet if lot <200 ft frontage; 80 sq ft if >200 ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | 42 inches above edge of pavement | 864 square inches (6 square feet) | — |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign Overlay District | 3 | 50 feet from main traveled way | 672 square feet per sign face (I-95); max 4 faces; U.S. 70: 500 sq ft per face; Buffalo Rd: 400 sq ft per face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### RA, R-20, R-10, R-8, TR, MHP, Residential Planned Unit Developments

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Air Activated, Balloon, Inflatable | — | Unlimited | — | 30 feet from centerline of road | 3 | On private property at least 30 feet from road centerline | — | Sec. 17-1108.C/Table 11.2 |
| Temporary Construction Fence Wrap | — | Unlimited first 24 months; after, 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per fence | Affixed to perimeter fencing at construction site | — | Sec. 17-1108.C/Table 11.2 |
| Temporary Flags | 20 feet | 15 square feet per flag | — | 30 feet from centerline of road | 3 | On private property at least 30 feet from road centerline | — | Sec. 17-1108.C/Table 11.2 |
| Temporary Yard Signs (less than 5 acres) | — | 2 square feet | — | 30 feet from centerline of road | 2 per 5 acres or portion thereof | On private property at least 30 feet from road centerline | — | Sec. 17-1108.C/Table 11.2 |
| Temporary Yard Signs (greater than 5 acres) | — | 32 square feet | — | 30 feet from centerline of road | 2 per 5 acres or portion thereof | On private property at least 30 feet from road centerline | — | Sec. 17-1108.C/Table 11.2 |
| Temporary Window Signs | — | 1 square foot | — | — | 1 | Interior or exterior of window | — | Sec. 17-1108.C/Table 11.2 |
| Permanent Wall Sign | — | 1 square foot | — | — | 1 per structure | On structure | — | Sec. 17-1109.C.1 |
| Permanent Ground-Mounted Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | Per lot | — | Sec. 17-1109.C.2 |

### IN, N-B, C-B, GB, IB, I-1, I-2, Non-residential Planned Unit Developments

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Banner | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 | On property | — | Sec. 17-1108.D/Table 11.3 |
| Temporary Feather Sign | 14 feet | — | 27 inches | 30 feet from centerline of road | 1 per 50 ft frontage, max 4 per lot | On property at least 30 feet from road centerline | — | Sec. 17-1108.D/Table 11.3 |
| Temporary Flags | 25 feet | 24 square feet each | — | 30 feet from centerline of road | 3 | On property at least 30 feet from road centerline | — | Sec. 17-1108.D/Table 11.3 |
| Temporary Sandwich Board | 3 feet | 3 feet x 5 feet per side | 5 feet | — | 1 per business | On property | — | Sec. 17-1108.D/Table 11.3 |
| Temporary Yard Signs | — | 4 square feet | — | 30 feet from centerline of road | 1 per lot or 1 per 400 ft frontage | On property at least 30 ft from road centerline | — | Sec. 17-1108.D/Table 11.3 |
| Permanent Monument Ground Sign | 25 feet (unless otherwise permitted) | 55 square feet if lot <200 ft frontage; 80 sq ft if >200 ft | — | 12 feet from right-of-way, 10 feet from side property lines | 1 per property (see exception for additional frontage) | At least 12 ft from edge of rights-of-way; at least 10 ft from side property lines | — | Sec. 17-1109.D/Table 11.5 |
| Permanent Pole Ground Sign | 25 feet (standard pole); 50 feet for IB alternate pole sign | 55 square feet if lot <200 ft frontage; 80 sq ft if >200 ft; alternate for IB: 200 square feet per face, 2 faces | — | Standard: 12 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from side lines. IB alternate: 20 ft from ROW, 20 ft from side lines. | 1 per property; 2 if >100 ft frontage and both do not exceed 80 sq ft total (standard); For IB alternate: 1 monument and 1 pole | At least 12 ft from edge of rights-of-way; at least 10 ft from side property lines (alternate IB: 20 ft from right of way and side lines) | — | Sec. 17-1109.D/Table 11.5 and 11.6 |
| Permanent Electronic Message Ground Sign | 25 feet | 55 square feet if lot <200 ft frontage; 80 sq ft if >200 ft | — | 12 feet from right-of-way, 10 feet from side property lines | 1 per lot | Monument or pole sign location, as appropriate | — | Sec. 17-1109.D/Table 11.4, 17-1111 |

### Outdoor Advertising Sign Overlay District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign - Monopole or Metal I-Beam | 50 feet from main traveled way | 672 square feet per sign face (I-95); max 4 faces; U.S. 70: 500 sq ft per face; Buffalo Rd: 400 sq ft per face | 30 ft (height) x 60 ft (width) - face dimension | 10 ft from all property lines and edge of rights-of-way | — | Within 300 ft of nearest edge of right-of-way of I-95, U.S. 70, Buffalo Rd (between Hwy 70 and Old Beulah Rd) | — | Sec. 17-1110; Table 11.7 |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign - Non-Monopole (not digital) | 50 feet from main traveled way | 300 square feet per sign face; max 2 faces | 30 x 60 feet face dimension | 10 ft from property lines | — | As above | — | Sec. 17-1110; Table 11.7 |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign - Digital | 50 feet from main traveled way | I-95: 672 sq ft per sign face; US 70: 500 sq ft per face; Buffalo: 400 sq ft per face. 2 faces max. | 30 x 60 feet face dimension | 10 ft from all property lines and edge of rights-of-way | — | See above | — | Sec. 17-1110; Table 11.7 |

## Prohibited signs in Selma

- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Snipe signs, including utility pole signs, are prohibited.
- Simulated or unofficial public safety, warning or traffic signs are prohibited.
- Animated and Electronic Message Signs that change more frequently than every eight (8) seconds are prohibited.
- Motion signs including air-activated and balloon signs are prohibited, except for temporary feather signs or signs allowed in residential districts.
- Vehicle message signs, permanent or temporary, are prohibited.
- Signs located within sight triangles of intersections are prohibited.
- Signs emitting glare that causes discomfort or pain or reduces visibility are prohibited.
- Flags consecutively strung together are prohibited.
- Obscene signs and hate-speech signs are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs greater than thirty-two (32) square feet are prohibited.
- Projecting signs less than eighty-four (84) inches (seven (7) feet) in height are prohibited.
- Portable message signs are prohibited.
- Double-decking of sign faces so that one is on top of the other is prohibited for outdoor advertising signs.
- Signs shall not obscure or physically interfere with the view of a government sign, signal or device, nor obstruct or physically interfere with a driver's view of traffic or a road.
- No illumination or glare shall be emitted directly onto a public street or roadway so as to constitute a hazard or impediment to motorists or public safety.
- No revolving or rotating beam or beacon of light shall be permitted as part of any sign.
- Flashing signs and flashing lighting shall not be permitted upon a sign.
- Tube lights on the outside of windows are not allowed.
- No exposed reflective or incandescent bulb which exceeds eleven (11) watts shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign so as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street or adjacent property.
- Temporary yard signs, feather signs, and flags may not be placed in rights-of-way and must be placed at least thirty (30) feet from the centerline of the road.

## Signs exempt from permit in Selma

- Signs not exposed to view from a street or public access area are not signs for the purpose of these regulations.
- Government signs: Signs erected, maintained, or otherwise posted, owned, or leased by the State, federal government, county, town, or any other government agency or entity are exempt from these regulations.
- Fence wraps displaying signage when affixed to perimeter fencing at a construction site are exempt from zoning regulation pertaining to signage under this article until the certificate of occupancy is issued for the final portion of any construction at that site or for twenty-four (24) months from installation, whichever is shorter, provided only advertising for persons directly involved in the construction project (with no monetary compensation for the advertisement) is displayed.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan showing the location, size, height, style and method of illumination (if any) must be submitted as part of the zoning permit application for any sign to be constructed, erected, placed, or replaced.
- Where multiple building-mounted signs of the same type (including wall, ground and awning signs) are proposed for display on a building or group of buildings situated upon the same property or within a common development, a common signage plan must be submitted detailing a uniform approach to the permitted sign material(s), type of illumination, and style of signage. All signs installed within the area covered by the plan must conform to it, and modifications require all affected signage to meet the new standard.
- Whenever a sign permit is requested for a property that includes more than one business, the owner or applicant shall identify the total amount of signage in use per business.

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

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