# Sign Regulations in Statesville, North Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Statesville, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/statesville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NC/Statesville/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CO_APXAUNDECO_ART6DEST_S6.07SIRE)

## At a glance

Statesville, North Carolina regulates 25 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Non-Residential Use)s in the R-A, R-20, R-15, R-15M, R-10, R-10M, R-8, R-8M, R-8MF, R-5, R-5M, R-5MF zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall and 32 sq. ft., with a 5 ft. minimum from right-of-way setback (Sec. Section 6.07 Table 6-13). Most commercial signs in Statesville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-A, R-20, R-15, R-15M, R-10, R-10M, R-8, R-8M, R-8MF, R-5, R-5M, R-5MF | 7 | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| O-1, O & I-2, B-1, B-2 | 5 | 12 ft. for pole/post; 5 ft. for monument base | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| B-3, B-4, B-5 | 6 | 25 ft. for pole/post | 120 sq. ft. Shopping Center Signs | — |
| CB, CBP, MSD, H-115 | 9 | 6 ft. | Not more than 25% of window/storefront glass area. | — |
| LI, HI | 8 | 25 ft. | 500 sq. ft. | — |
| PUD | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | Directional: 4 ft. | Directional: 4 sq. ft.; Warning: 4 sq. ft.; Hospital Directional: 15 sq. ft.; Government signs as needed; Address: 1.5 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### R-A, R-20, R-15, R-15M, R-10, R-10M, R-8, R-8M, R-8MF, R-5, R-5M, R-5MF

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Subdivision or Multi-Family Project) | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. per sign face | — | — | 1 per street entrance | 1 per street entrance to subdivision or multi-family project | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13; Section G |
| Identification Sign (Residential Use) | — | 1.5 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per dwelling | On dwelling | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13 |
| Wall Sign (Customary Home Occupation) | — | 1.5 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street front | Under eave of building | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13 |
| Monument Sign (Non-Residential Use) | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. minimum from right-of-way | 1 per street front | 1 per street front | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13 |
| Wall Sign (Non-Residential Use) | — | 32 sq. ft. total sign area | — | — | 1 per lot | Under eave of building | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13 |
| Temporary Sign (Pole/Post or Monument) | 5 ft. | 4 sq. ft. per sign face | — | — | 1 per street front | 1 per street front | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13; Section K |
| Temporary Wall Sign | — | 4 sq. ft. per sign face | — | — | 1 per street front | 1 per street front, under eave | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13 |

### CB, CBP, MSD, H-115

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft. | 0-39 L.F. frontage: 15 sq. ft.; 40-69 L.F.: 25 sq. ft.; 70+ L.F.: 32 sq. ft. | — | Behind street right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Section 6.07 R (4) (6) |
| Projecting Pole Mounted Sign | 6 ft. above average grade; total height up to 8 ft. | — | — | — | — | See additional requirements | — | Section 6.07 R (5)(b) |
| Two-Pole Mounted Sign | 6 ft. above average grade; total height up to 8 ft. | — | — | — | — | See additional requirements | — | Section 6.07 R (5)(c) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per building side with entrance or visible from street | Attached flush to building; on each side with entrance or visible from street | — | Section 6.07 R (7) |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | Not more than 25% of window/storefront glass area. | — | — | — | In windows | — | Section 6.07 R (8) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 2% of storefront area, max 15 sq. ft. | Max. projection: 4 ft. from building wall | — | — | On building, perpendicular or at street corner | — | Section 6.07 R (10) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 ft. | 8 sq. ft. max, 4 ft. height max | — | — | 1 per business | Sidewalk or private property | — | Section 6.07 R (13) |
| Temporary Wall Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. per face | — | — | 1 per storefront | 1 per storefront, under eave | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13 |

### LI, HI

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per sign face | — | 5 ft. minimum from right-of-way | 1 per street front | 1 per street front | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13 |
| Wall, Awning, Marquee, or Projecting Sign | — | 500 sq. ft. | — | — | Any number; projecting sign limit | Under eave or parapet | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13 |
| Wall Sign (Non-Flush Mounted) | — | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Cannot exceed roofline | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13 |
| Industrial Park Entrance Sign (49 acres or less) | 8 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. minimum from right-of-way | 1 per entrance | 1 per entrance | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13 |
| Industrial Park Entrance Sign (over 50 acres) | 25 ft. | 64 sq. ft. each side of sign (limited to 4 sides) | — | 5 ft. minimum from right-of-way | 1 per entrance | 1 per entrance | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13 |
| Off-premise Directional Sign (Industrial Park, over 50 acres) | 25 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. minimum from right-of-way | 1 per entrance | 1 per entrance | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13 |
| Temporary Sign (Pole/Post or Monument) | 25 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per face | — | — | 1 per parcel | 1 per parcel | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13 |
| Temporary Wall Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. per face | — | — | 1 per parcel | 1 per parcel, under eave | — | Section 6.07 Table 6-13 |

## Prohibited signs in Statesville

- Signs with flashing, moving, rotating, pulsating or glaring parts, including LED signs not specifically authorized by this Code except for time and temperature.
- Signs which resemble traffic control signs or devices or use the words "stop", "slow", "danger", "caution" or the like which may confuse motorists and cause traffic hazards.
- Strings of lights, pennants, strings and loops of strings or ribbons, garlands, search lights, beacons, paper posters applied directly to a wall, pole, fence or building surface, and banners and streamers are prohibited, except as allowed as a temporary sign in and for vehicle sales lots with a temporary use permit.
- Abandoned signs or signs advertising a business, service or product no longer offered on the premises.
- Signs containing obscene messages, scenes or graphics, or false or misleading advertising or information.
- Portable or temporary signs other than those specifically permitted herein.
- Snipe signs or signs attached to trees, telephone poles, public benches, streetlights, utility poles, fences, or placed on any public property or public right-of-way, except as authorized by the City.
- Signs placed on vehicles or trailers that are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said sign.
- Signs placed on or extending over public right-of-way, except as otherwise allowed by this section.
- Any sign on which the illuminating or lighting device is so placed as to reflect or shine directly into the adjacent highways or streets in such a manner as to hamper the vision of a motor vehicle operator.
- Roof signs, except mansard roofs.
- Business, company, or other non-governmental flags displayed on roof-mounted poles.
- Mobile billboards or street blimps parked in any zoning district for more than one (1) hour in a twenty-four (24) hour period.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to, or egress from, any door, window, or fire escape; nor shall any sign be attached to any stand pipe or fire escape.
- Off-premises signs except as permitted in Section 6.07, Sign Regulations.
- Handheld signs.
- New billboards.

## Signs exempt from permit in Statesville

- Non-illuminated residential signs not exceeding 1.5 square feet in area that are customarily associated with residential use and are not of a commercial nature, except for permitted home occupations.
- Signs erected by, or on behalf of, or pursuant to the authorization of a governmental body.
- Flags as defined (US, state, local, religious, noncommercial) per code, with regulation on size, number, and projection; certain districts have additional rules.
- Holiday season decorations and signage; historic plaques, corner stones and commemorative plaques; and integral decorative or architectural features of buildings or works or art, provided they contain no letters, trademarks or moving parts.
- On-premises, directional signs containing no commercial message visible from an abutting street, provided they do not exceed 4 square feet per sign face or 4 feet in height.
- Incidental signs used in conjunction with equipment or other functional elements of a use or operation (drive-thru window menu boards, ATMs, gas pumps, drop boxes, vending machines, etc.), not to exceed 32 sq ft (menu boards up to 52 sq ft in certain locations).
- Directional signs on hospital premises not exceeding fifteen (15) square feet.
- Signs painted on or otherwise permanently attached to currently licensed and operable motor vehicles, not stored in open areas or primarily used as signs.
- Signs expressing constitutionally protected speech not otherwise addressed herein.
- Traffic signs authorized by the City Council or other public agency.
- Signs indicating transportation locations (bus stop, taxi stand, etc.) not to exceed 3 square feet.
- Warning, no trespassing, no hunting and similar signs not exceeding 4 sq ft.
- Wall signs one (1) square foot and smaller.
- Signs not visible from any public right-of-way or adjacent property.
- Signs required by law (federal, state, or City Code).
- Real estate signs, subject to specific number, size, and placement limitations.
- Construction signs (one per site, up to 32 sq ft), with timing limitations.
- Special event signs (temporary, related to on-site events), with time and size restrictions.
- Noncommercial, civic, non-profit event signs/banners (one per lot, with owner permission; can be in required yards).
- Political signs (non-illuminated, limited in area, removed after campaign), subject to location restrictions.
- Temporary signs for lots with at least 95% outdoor inventory (vehicle dealer lots, etc.), subject to duration, size and number limits.
- Temporary signs for road construction projects, under specified conditions.
- Existing billboards (except for replacement/conversion—see code).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All applications for new construction or reconstruction of shopping centers, business and industrial parks and other multi-tenant developments shall be accompanied by a master signage or common signage plan or amendments thereto.
- A master signage plan is required for applicable multi-tenant developments and must include plot plan, location of buildings, drives, all signs, setbacks, sign dimensions, computations, landscaping, etc.
- Maximum allowable sign area for multi-tenant developments may be increased by 10% if the Master Signage Plan demonstrates uniformity in signage.
- In PUD (Planned Unit Development) districts, plans must include detailed descriptions of all signs and undergo the same review and approval process as other aspects of the development; all signs must be designed, erected, and maintained in accordance with an approved plan.
- Multi-tenant buildings in the CB and CBP Districts are required to have a uniform sign plan approved by the Design Review Committee (DRC) before any sign permit is issued; this plan must show size, types, placement, color, material, and lighting details for all tenants and that the total signage as divided among all tenants does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the facade.
- PUD sign plans (or master signage plans) may be required as part of PUD application and approval.

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

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