Sign Regulations in Smithfield, North Carolina
Smithfield, North Carolina has specific sign regulations covering 31 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Projecting Sign, Window Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: November 21, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Smithfield, North Carolina
Sample Sign Requirements in Smithfield
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | — | 10 feet from property line and public ROW (exceptions in B-1) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 75 square feet (calculated as wall sign) | 10 feet from property line and public ROW (exceptions in B-1) |
| Temporary Use Sign | — | 32 square feet | 10 feet from property line and public ROW (exceptions in B-1) |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for SmithfieldFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
31
- Wall Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Window Sign
- Canopy or Awning 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 Smithfield
Other Cities in North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Smithfield vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Smithfield, 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 Smithfield, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Projecting Sign, Window Sign, Canopy or Awning 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 Smithfield 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 Smithfield are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Smithfield has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Smithfield, North Carolina Sign Rules at a Glance
Smithfield, North Carolina regulates 31 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Residential Development Identification Signs in the Residential Districts (R-6, R-8, R-10, R-20A, R-MH, PUD, Residential Conditional Zoning) zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall and 24 square feet per sign side, with a 10 feet from property or right-of-way line setback (Sec. Sec. 10.24.1.1). Most commercial signs in Smithfield require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Smithfield, North Carolina
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Smithfield (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 75 square feet (calculated as wall sign) | — |
| Residential Districts (R-6, R-8, R-10, R-20A, R-MH, PUD, Residential Conditional Zoning) | 5 | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Business Districts (O/I, B-1, B-2, B-3, Business Conditional Zoning) | 16 | 100 ft (assumed per similar non-LED) | 400 square feet per side | — |
| Industrial Districts (LI, HI) | 9 | 100 ft | 300 sq. ft. per directional flow (total 300 sq. ft. per structure) | — |
| Entry Corridor Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Smithfield(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
Residential Districts (R-6, R-8, R-10, R-20A, R-MH, PUD, Residential Conditional Zoning)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Development Identification Sign | 4 feet | 24 square feet per sign side | — | 10 feet from property or right-of-way line | Up to 2 per entrance (minimum 2 entrances required) | At entrances to residential subdivision, multi-family development, or manufactured home parks | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.24.1.1 |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line and public ROW | 1 | Permanently fixed to the residence | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.24.1.2 |
| Freestanding Sign (Non-Residential Use) | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line and public ROW | 1 per zoning lot | Per zoning lot | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.24.1.3 |
| Wall Sign (Non-Residential Use) | No higher than roof line | 32 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line and public ROW | 1 per zoning lot | On building | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.24.1.3 |
| Temporary Sign (Residential) | 3 feet | 4 square feet | — | Not in public right-of-way | 1 per 100 ft frontage, max 3 per lot | On residential lot | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.26.1 |
Business Districts (O/I, B-1, B-2, B-3, Business Conditional Zoning)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Wall Sign (Home Occupation, O/I Only) | 5 ft | 4 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet from property line and ROW (except B-1) | 1 | Building wall (O/I only) | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.24.2 |
| Projecting Sign (Business) | 8 ft | 12 sq. ft. (total 24 sq. ft. for double-faced) | — | 10 feet from property line and ROW (except B-1) | 1 | Building wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.24.2, 10.24.4 |
| Monument or Ground Mounted Sign (Single Tenant) | 6 ft | 75 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet from property line and ROW (except B-1) | 2 | Nonresidential premises; primary/secondary street | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.24.2 |
| Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant, Up to 6 Outlets) | 15 ft | 125 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet from property line and ROW (except B-1) | 1 per street frontage | Business premises | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.24.4 |
| Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant, 7-14 Outlets) | 15 ft | 150 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet from property line and ROW (except B-1) | 1 per street frontage | Business premises | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.24.4 |
| Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant, 15 or More Outlets) | 15 ft | 200 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet from property line and ROW (except B-1) | 1 per street frontage | Business premises | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.24.4 |
| Monument or Ground Mounted Sign (Out Parcel) | 6 ft | 75 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet from property line and ROW (except B-1) | 1 per out parcel | Out parcel | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.24.4 |
| High-Rise Business Identification Sign | 50 ft minimum - 100 ft maximum | 400 square feet per side | — | 10 feet from property line | 1 per property | B-3 district within 660 ft of I-95 | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.25.1 |
Industrial Districts (LI, HI)
| 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 | — | — | — | 10 feet from property line and ROW | — | Frontage on street, public parking area, common parking area in planned shopping center, or public access walkway | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.24.3 |
| Projecting Sign | 8 ft | 12 sq. ft. (total 24 sq. ft.) | — | 10 feet from property line and ROW | 1 | Building wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.24.3 |
| Canopy or Awning Sign | — | — | — | 10 feet from property line and ROW | 1 | Canopy/awning on building | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.24.3 |
| Monument or Ground Mounted Sign | 6 ft | 100 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet from property line and ROW | 1 | Nonresidential premises | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.24.3 |
| Pole Sign (HI, Beyond 660 ft I-95 ROW) | 100 ft | 300 sq. ft. per directional flow (total 300 sq. ft. per structure) | — | 20 feet from ROW (for 76-300 sq ft); 10 feet from other property lines | Up to 2 per parcel | HI district property adjacent to I-95, beyond 660 ft ROW | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.25.2.3 |
| Pole Sign (HI, Within 660 ft I-95 and Between I-95/CSX ROW) | 25 ft | 300 sq. ft. per directional flow (total 300 sq. ft. per structure) | — | 20 feet from ROW; 10 feet other lines | Up to 2 per parcel | HI district adjacent I-95, within 660 ft ROW and between I-95/CSX | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.25.2.3 |
| Pole Sign (LED or Non-LED, LI Adjacent I-95) | 100 ft | 300 sq. ft. per directional flow | — | 10 feet from property lines; not in ROW | — | LI property adjacent I-95 | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.25.2, 10.25.3, 10.25.4 |
| Temporary Event Sign | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line | 1 | On premises | — | Unlock | Sec. 10.26.2 |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Smithfield — 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 Smithfield — start freeProhibited Signs in Smithfield
- No sign may be located so that it substantially interferes with the view necessary for motorists to proceed safely through intersections or to enter onto or exit from public streets or private roads.
- Signs that revolve or are animated or that utilize movement or apparent movement to attract the attention of the public. Signs with optical illusion of movement by means of a design which presents a pattern capable of reversible perspective, giving the illusion of motion. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, flutter flags and wind signs.
- No sign may be erected so that by its location, color, size, shape, nature, or message, it would tend to obstruct the view of or be confused with official traffic signs or other signs erected by governmental agencies. Signs displaying intermittent light resembling the flashing light customarily used in traffic signals, or used by police, fire, ambulance, or other emergency vehicles, nor shall any sign use the word 'stop,' 'danger,' or any other words, phrases, symbol, or character in a manner that might be construed as a public safety warning or traffic sign.
- Signs which obstruct free ingress to or egress from a driveway or a required door, window, fire escape, or other required exit way.
- No signs shall overhang or be erected in any public right-of-way. Traffic regulation, information, or warning signs erected by the State Department of Transportation, signs erected by the town, or signs located in the B-1 district are exempt.
- Any sign located in such a way as to intentionally deny an adjoining property owner visual access to an existing sign.
- Flashing, fluttering, swinging, rotating signs (except governmental signs and signs, which give time and temperature and other commercial public information message).
- Roof signs, or signs above the parapet of a building.
- Electronic message boards in all residential districts, except for permitted nonresidential uses in a residential district.
- Portable signs, except for 'sandwich boards.'
- All Beacons and Spotlights. Illumination system(s) shall not contain or utilize any beacon, spot, search, or stroboscopic light or reflector which is visible from any public right-of-way or adjacent property, nor shall such lights be operated outside, under any circumstances, except by authorized agencies for emergency services purposes.
- Flood lights shall not be utilized as a part of a sign illumination system which are not hooded or shielded so that the light source is not visible from any public right-of-way or adjacent property, nor shall any sign otherwise reflect or emit a glaring light so as to impair driver vision.
- Any sign or sign structure that is structurally unsafe as determined by the Building Inspector.
- Signs painted on or attached to trees, fences, or fence posts, and telephone or utility poles or signs on or attached to rocks or other natural features (snipe signs).
- Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said sign. This prohibition does not include temporary construction site vehicles on active construction sites.
- Pole signs which are within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the maintained traveled way of the Federal Aid Primary and Interstate System, all as described in the Federal Highway Beautification Assistance Act of 1979, as amended, and which are constructed or erected on or after the effective date of this section, unless excepted by G.S. § 136-129 (see Appendix C).
- Pavement markings except those of a customary traffic-control nature, as found in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Off-premises advertising signs except as permitted under Section 10.27.3.
- Other signs not expressly permitted by this ordinance.
Exempt Signs in Smithfield
- No permit shall be required for the maintenance requirements of Section 10.30 (Maintenance).
- Commercial Sandwich Board Sign: Limited to one (1) sign per business, except restaurants and prepared food service establishments may have two (2) sandwich board signs. Signs shall be limited to a maximum height of four (4) feet and a maximum length of three (3) feet. Folding and double-faced signs shall be considered one (1) sign. Sandwich board signs shall not be located on any public right-of-way, except that where the edge of the right-of-way is the face of the building and where such building abuts a public sidewalk, such signage may be allowed as a right-of-way encroachment. Sign placement shall not impede movement on the sidewalk.
- Construction Signs: An on-site temporary sign identifying the names of the individuals and/or firms connected with the construction of an active project. Fence wraps displaying signage when affixed to perimeter fencing at a construction site are exempt until the certificate of occupancy is issued for the final portion of any construction at that site or twenty-four (24) months from the time the fence wrap was installed, whichever is shorter. If construction is not completed at the end of twenty-four (24) months from the time the fence wrap was installed, the town may regulate the signage but shall continue to allow fence wrapping materials to be affixed to the perimeter fencing. No fence wrap affixed pursuant to this subsection may display any advertising other than advertising sponsored by a person directly involved in the construction project and for which monetary compensation for the advertisement is not paid or required.
- Miscellaneous Exemptions: Handicapped parking space signs: signs associated with the operation of equipment or other functional elements such as menu boards, automatic teller machines, gas pumps, vending machines, scoreboards, and similar incidental signs; signs visible only from the premises, markers which are non-commercial in nature.
- Memorial signs, plaques or grave markers.
- On-premises directional and instruction signs not exceeding four (4) square feet in area apiece.
- Signs located within the interior of a business or operation.
- Public interest signs (i.e., historical markers).
- Identification signs not exceeding three (3) square feet in area (one (1) only per premises).
- Address and name signs. Signs or plates on residential structures giving the name and/or address of the occupant.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings or works of arts, provided such features or works of art do not contain advertisements, trademarks, moving parts, or lights.
- Displays, including lighting, erected in connection with the observance of holidays. Such displays shall not be considered as illuminated signs and they shall be removed within ten (10) days following the holiday.
- Political signs erected in accordance with G.S. § 136-32: During the period beginning on the thirtieth day before the beginning date of 'one stop' early voting under G.S. § 163-227.2 and ending on the tenth day after the primary or election day, person may place political signs in the right-of-way of the state highway system or town street as provided in this section. Signs must be placed in compliance with subsection 10.27.3.10.2 below and removed by the end of the period prescribed herein. The permittee must obtain the permission of the property owner of a residence, business or religious institution fronting the right-of-way where a sign would be erected. Signs must be placed in accordance with the following: No sign shall be permitted in the right-of-way of a fully controlled access highway. No sign shall be closer than three (3) feet from the edge of the pavement of the road. No sign shall obscure motorist visibility at an intersection. No sign shall be larger than eight hundred sixty-four (864) square inches. No sign shall obscure or replace another sign.
- ID plaques of no more than four (4) square feet per business or tenant in non-residential zoning districts and signs of no more than two (2) square feet in area in residential zoning districts, including signs bearing only property identification numbers and names, post office box numbers of occupants of the premises, or other identification of premises so that public safety agencies can easily identify the property from a public street. In cases where the building is not located within view of the public street, the identifier shall be located on a mailbox or other suitable device visible from the street. Such signs shall not be illuminated. The size and location of the identifying numerals and letters (if any) must be proportional to the size of the building and the distance from the street to the building.
- Ornamental signs not exceeding six (6) square feet are permitted in the B-2, B-3, L-I, and H-I Zoning Districts displayed on/attached to light poles located at least fifteen (15) feet from any public right-of-way.
- Governmental Signs. Any sign, symbol or device erected and maintained by a federal state, county, or municipal government or any such governmental agency in the performance of their duties such as regulatory signs, identification/directional signs, welcome signs, legal notice signs and traffic control signs.
- Additional Subdivision Signage for New Developments: Such signs may be no greater than thirty-two (32) square feet in area and six (6) feet in height. One (1) sign is permitted for each entrance to the subdivision. Such signs shall be removed when eighty-five (85) percent of the lots have been sold or within five (5) years of erection, whichever is less.
- Johnston County Community College Signs. Such signs shall be setback ten (10) feet from public right-of-way.
- Sections 10.23.1 and 10.22.4 do not apply to temporary signs or decorations erected or installed in connection with observance of holidays.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Smithfield
- The application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by complete information as required on forms provided by the Administrator and shall include, without being limited to, a site plan and elevation drawings of the proposed sign, a drawing of the building façade indicating the proposed location of the sign, height, dimensions and square footage of the proposed sign and any other data as the Administrator may determine is necessary for review of the application. The Administrator shall not issue a sign permit unless the plans, specifications, and intended use of such sign conform in all respects to the applicable provisions of this article.
Source: municode municipal code