# Sign Regulations in Spencer, North Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Spencer, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/spencer
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Spencer, North Carolina regulates 28 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Construction Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft (4 ft in residential districts) tall and 32 sq ft (4 sq ft in residential districts), with a 1 ft from public right-of-way or easement setback (Sec. § 155.088(A)(1); § 155.089(B); § 155.090(F)). Most commercial signs in Spencer require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | 8 ft (4 ft in residential districts) | 32 sq ft (4 sq ft in residential districts) | — |
| Residential Districts | 1 | 3 ft | 2 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (NB), Central Business District (CB), Highway Business District (HB) | 5 | NB/CB 10 ft, HB 15 ft | Per lot: NB 50 sq ft, CB 50 sq ft, HB 100 sq ft; Per sign: NB 50 sq ft, CB 25 sq ft, HB 100 sq ft | — |
| Floodplain District (FP) | 2 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft per lot, 50 sq ft max per sign | — |
| Industrial District (I) | 2 | 10 ft | 200 sq ft per lot, 50 sq ft per sign | — |
| Industrial Business District (IB) (Wall) | 1 | 20 ft | 400 sq ft per lot, 100 sq ft per sign (50% increase if no discernible background) | — |
| Industrial Business District (IB) (Ground) | 1 | 30 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Business District (IB) (Pylon: Within 2,500-foot radius of Interstate 85 and Long Ferry Road Intersection) | 4 | 80 ft (max 120 ft) | 200 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Business District (IB) (Canopy) | 1 | — | 75 sq ft per lot, 75 sq ft per sign | — |
| Shopping Centers and Malls | 2 | 15 ft | 200 sq ft per lot, 100 sq ft per sign | — |
| Individual businesses within a mall or shopping center | 1 | — | 50 sq ft (less for small frontages, see additional requirements) | — |
| Public buildings, churches, clubs and lodges | 2 | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | 8 ft (4 ft in residential districts) | 32 sq ft (4 sq ft in residential districts) | — | 1 ft from public right-of-way or easement | 1 | On the zoning lot where construction is occurring | — | § 155.088(A)(1); § 155.089(B); § 155.090(F) |
| Directory Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | § 155.088(A)(2) |
| Institutional Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 | On the lot occupied by the institution | — | § 155.088(A)(3), § 155.089(F), § 155.090(G) |
| Integral Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | § 155.088(A)(4), § 155.089(I) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 | On the lot occupied by the home occupation | — | § 155.088(A)(5); § 155.090(G) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 | In or on windows | — | § 155.088(A)(6) |
| Real Estate Sign | 8 ft (4 ft in residential districts) | 32 sq ft (4 sq ft in residential districts) | — | 1 ft from public right-of-way or easement | 1 | On the property for sale/lease | — | § 155.088(A)(7); § 155.089(C); § 155.096 |
| Political Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | 3 ft from edge of pavement (§ 155.096 and § 155.093(A)); or 10 ft per § 155.090(E)(1); polling site exception | — | On private property; or at board designated polling site area | — | § 155.088(A)(8), § 155.089(A), § 155.093(A)-(C), § 155.096 |

### Neighborhood Business District (NB), Central Business District (CB), Highway Business District (HB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | NB/CB 10 ft, HB 15 ft | Per lot: NB 50 sq ft, CB 50 sq ft, HB 100 sq ft; Per sign: NB 50 sq ft, CB 25 sq ft, HB 100 sq ft | — | NB/CB 10 ft, HB 15 ft (minimum) | 2 per frontage (2 sign types per business) | On building wall, per business | — | § 155.092(A)(2,4,5), § 155.096, § 155.097 |
| Freestanding Sign | NB, CB 10 ft; HB 15 ft | NB 50 sq ft, CB 50 sq ft, HB 100 sq ft | — | NB, CB 10 ft; HB 15 ft (minimum) | 2 per frontage | On lot | — | § 155.092(A)(2,4,5), § 155.096, § 155.090(D), § 155.097 |
| Projecting Sign | CB, NB 10 ft; HB 15 ft | Not specified; subject to overall zone cap | — | CB, NB 10 ft; HB 15 ft | 2 per frontage | Projecting from building | — | § 155.092(A)(2,3,4,5), § 155.097 |
| Canopy Sign | — | Not specified; subject to overall zone cap | — | CB, NB 10 ft; HB 15 ft | 2 per frontage | Mounted on or attached to canopy or awning | — | § 155.092(A)(2,3,4,5), § 155.097 |
| Industrial Direction Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 155.092(A)(6) |

### Industrial Business District (IB) (Pylon: Within 2,500-foot radius of Interstate 85 and Long Ferry Road Intersection)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pylon Sign (75 sq ft) | 50 ft (may be increased up to max allowed - see additional requirements) | 75 sq ft | — | 15 ft | 1 | Within 2,500 ft radius of I-85 & Long Ferry Rd in IB District | — | § 155.096 Pylon Table |
| Pylon Sign (100 sq ft) | 60 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 15 ft | 1 | Within 2,500 ft radius of I-85 & Long Ferry Rd in IB District | — | § 155.096 Pylon Table |
| Pylon Sign (150 sq ft) | 70 ft | 150 sq ft | — | 15 ft | 1 | Within 2,500 ft radius of I-85 & Long Ferry Rd in IB District | — | § 155.096 Pylon Table |
| Pylon Sign (200 sq ft) | 80 ft (max 120 ft) | 200 sq ft | — | For signs <=80 ft: 15 ft; For >80 ft: height + 10 ft | 1 | Within 2,500 ft radius of I-85 & Long Ferry Rd in IB District | — | § 155.096 Pylon Table |

## Prohibited signs in Spencer

- Any sign not included under the types of signs specifically permitted in a zoning district.
- Any wind activated sign, except as permitted under the provisions of this subchapter.
- Any portable sign, except as permitted under the provisions of this subchapter.
- Any sign which displays flashing, blinking or intermittent light or light of changing intensity, except as permitted under the provisions of this chapter.
- Any sign which moves or has parts or sections which move.
- Any sign which obstructs or blocks the clear vision area, as defined by § 155.045.
- Any roof sign.
- Any off-premises sign which advertises or publicizes a product, service or event not available or not occurring on the premises or lot upon which the sign is located.
- Any sign painted upon the pavement of any public street or right-of-way except traffic-control signs provided by governmental agencies.
- Any sign which imitates in any way or appears similar to official traffic-control signs or devices.
- Any sign placed in a public right-of-way except those placed by a governmental agency.
- Any temporary sign except as provided by this subchapter.
- Any sign, light or floodlight erected or maintained in a manner so as to cast direct light onto a public street or right-of-way or adjacent properties.
- Any sign which obstructs or blocks another permitted sign.
- Any sign containing obscene or offensive words, pictures, or symbols.
- Any sign which does not comply with the provisions of state law.

## Signs exempt from permit in Spencer

- Political signs are exempt from permits and fees.
- Construction signs are exempt from permits and fees.
- Real estate signs are exempt from permits and fees.
- Special event signs are exempt from permits and fees.
- Flags are exempt from permits and fees.
- Institutional signs are exempt from permits and fees.
- Public signs are exempt from permits and fees.
- Public service signs are exempt from permits and fees.
- Integral signs are exempt from permits and fees.
- Occupant/street number signs are exempt from permits and fees.
- Professional nameplates are exempt from permits and fees.
- No trespassing/no loitering signs are exempt from permits and fees.
- Emergency warning signs are exempt from permits and fees.
- Official governmental flags, as defined in G.S. § 144-7.1, are not subject to these regulations, if properly flown in a manner that does not impair vision on the streets or otherwise threaten public safety.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for all signs erected, attached, installed, modified or relocated unless exempted by § 155.089 (signs exempt from permits and fees).
- Permit applications must include location, dimension, height, type of construction and a drawing, plan or photograph of the sign, with maps or other explanation as needed.
- The Zoning Enforcement Officer may require additional information or description at their discretion.
- No explicit requirement for a master sign plan is stated in the provided ordinance text; permits are on a per-sign basis except for exempted categories.

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

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