# Sign Regulations in Stokesdale, North Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Stokesdale, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/stokesdale
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NC/Stokesdale/codes/Development_Ordinance?nodeId=COOR_ARTVIDEST_S6-1SIRE)

## At a glance

Stokesdale, North Carolina regulates 24 sign types across 21 zoning districts. Directional Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall and 4 sq. ft., with a Located outside of the public street right-of-way and sight distance area. setback (Sec. Sec. 6-1.4(A); Table 6-1-1; Footnote (a), (b)).

## Sign rules by zoning district (21 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 40 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — |
| Non-residential Districts | 5 | 20 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential Districts | 2 | 12 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| PI, LO, NB | 2 | 6 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| GO-M, GO-H, CP, LB | 2 | 15 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| GB, HB, LI, HI | 3 | 30 ft. (within 400 ft of interstate: up to 50 ft.) | 200 sq. ft. (within 400 ft of interstate: up to 275 sq. ft.) | — |
| SC | 3 | 30 ft. | Up to 300 sq. ft. (4-15 businesses: 200 sq. ft.; 16+ businesses: 300 sq. ft.) | — |
| RM Districts | 3 | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| AG | 3 | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. per sign | — |
| RS-40, RS-30, RS-20, RS-15, RS-12 | 3 | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. per sign | — |
| RM-5 | 3 | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| RM-8, RM-12, RM-18, RM-26 | 3 | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| LO | 2 | 6 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| NB | 2 | 6 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| GO-M, GO-H | 2 | 15 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| CP | 2 | 15 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| LB | 2 | 15 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| PI | 2 | 6 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| RS Districts | 3 | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. per sign | — |

_2 additional zoning districts are covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 21 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | 6 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | Located outside of the public street right-of-way and sight distance area. | NA | Outside of the public street right-of-way and sight distance area. | — | Sec. 6-1.4(A); Table 6-1-1; Footnote (a), (b) |
| Historical, Memorial Marker | 6 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | Located outside of the public street right-of-way and sight distance area. | 1 per lot | Outside right-of-way and sight distance area. | — | Sec. 6-1.4(D); Table 6-1-1; Footnote (a), (b) |
| Flag, Emblem, Insignia | 40 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — | Outside of right-of-way and sight distance area. | 1 per lot frontage | Outside right-of-way and sight distance area. | — | Sec. 6-1.4(B); Table 6-1-1; Footnote (a), (b) |
| Temporary Real Estate, Yard Sale and Construction Sign | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | Outside of right-of-way and sight distance area. | 1 per lot frontage | Outside right-of-way and sight distance area. | — | Sec. 6-1.4(C)1–2; Table 6-1-1; Footnote (a), (d) |
| Temporary Political Sign | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | Outside of right-of-way and sight distance area. | NA | Outside right-of-way and sight distance area. | — | Sec. 6-1.4(C)3; Table 6-1-1; Footnote (a) |
| Identification Sign | 6 ft. | 4 sq. ft. per unit | — | Outside of right-of-way and sight distance area. | 1 per building | Outside right-of-way and sight distance area. | — | Sec. 6-1.4(E); Table 6-1-1; Footnote (a), (b) |
| Information Board | 8 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. from right-of-way. | 1 per building | 15 ft. setback; outside right-of-way and sight distance area. | — | Sec. 6-1.4(G); Table 6-1-1; Footnote (a), (b) |
| Philosophical, Religious, Personal, Educational, or Other Noncommercial Sign | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | Outside right-of-way and sight distance area. | 1 per lot frontage or 1 per 200 linear ft. of frontage | Outside right-of-way and sight distance area. | — | Sec. 6-1.4; Table 6-1-1; Footnote (a), (b), (c) |

### Non-residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On or attached to window | — | Table 6-1-1 |
| Information Board Sign | 8 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. | 1 per building | 15 ft. setback | — | Table 6-1-1; Sec. 6-1.4(G) |
| Banner | 20 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | Outside right-of-way | 1 per 500 ft of frontage | Non-residential and RM Districts | — | Table 6-1-2 and Table 6-1-3 |
| Awning, Canopy and Marquee Sign | Top of Canopy; must clear 9 ft (pedestrian) or 15 ft (vehicular drive) | — | — | — | 1 per face | Non-residential, affixed to canopy/awning/marquee | — | Table 6-1-3 |
| Suspended Sign | 9 ft clearance over pedestrian walkway or 15 ft over drive | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per entrance | Entrance | — | Table 6-1-3 |

### SC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Development Identification Sign | 30 ft. | Up to 300 sq. ft. (4-15 businesses: 200 sq. ft.; 16+ businesses: 300 sq. ft.) | — | 10 ft. | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Table 6-1-2 (SC: Development Identification Sign) |
| Outparcel Sign | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | Outside of right-of-way and sight distance area. | 1 per parcel | 1 per parcel | — | Table 6-1-2 (SC: Outparcel Sign) |
| Playbill Sign | 30 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | 1 per theater complex | 1 per theater complex | — | Table 6-1-2 (SC: Playbill Sign) |

## Prohibited signs in Stokesdale

- Windblown devices such as pennants, streamers, spinners, balloons, gas-filled figures and other similar devices, except as advertising for a temporary event or special promotion (permit required).
- Animated signs, but not including electronic changeable copy signs.
- Portable signs, but not including signs which cannot be read from the public right-of-way.
- Signs which project over a public right-of-way, except that wall signs may project up to 18 inches over a public right-of-way in zones which permit structures to be built at the property line adjoining the street.
- Signs on vehicles that are parked in a location which is visible to the public and for a period of time which indicates that the principal use of the vehicle is for advertising rather than transport.
- Signs which are affixed to trees, rocks or other natural features.
- Signs of any type which imitate traffic control devices.
- Signs which extend vertically above the highest portion of the roof of any structure.
- No sign shall be erected so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, door opening, or wall opening intended as a means of ingress or egress.
- No sign shall be erected so as to interfere with any opening required for ventilation.
- All signs shall be located in such a way that they maintain horizontal and vertical clearance from all electrical power lines and communication lines in accordance with applicable codes.
- All signs shall be located to avoid obstruction of pedestrian and vehicular traffic and to maintain safe sight distances at intersections.
- All signs and their supporting structures shall maintain clearance from surface and underground utilities, conduits or easements for water, sewage, gas, electricity or communication equipment.
- No sign shall be erected so as to interfere with any existing warning or instructional sign.
- Except for banners, flags, temporary signs and window signs conforming with the requirements of this Ordinance, all signs shall be constructed of permanent materials and attached permanently to the ground, a building, or another structure.
- All signs shall be maintained in good structural condition, in compliance with all building and electrical codes and in conformance with the Ordinance at all times.
- All signs, except those attached flat against the wall of a building, shall be constructed to withstand minimum wind loads as specified by the state building code.
- All signs shall comply with applicable provisions of the building and the electrical code.
- Any sign installed or placed on public property or rights-of-way, except in compliance with this section or under an encroachment agreement, shall be forfeited to the public and be subject to confiscation.
- Any sign which advertises a business no longer conducted on the premises shall be removed within 90 days of cessation of such business.
- Any sign which is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public shall be removed after due notice by the enforcement officer.
- Any sign which has been abandoned or which has not been properly maintained, including cleaning, painting and replacement of damaged parts, shall be removed after due notice by the enforcement officer.
- Any sign which has been installed in violation of the state building code or in violation of this Ordinance shall be removed after due notice by the enforcement officer.

## Signs exempt from permit in Stokesdale

- Government signs.
- Works of art with no commercial message.
- Lights and decorations with no commercial message temporarily displayed on traditionally adopted civic, patriotic or religious holidays.
- Hand carried signs.
- Signs located on the interior of buildings, courts, lobbies, stadiums, or other structures which are not intended to be seen from the exterior of such structures.
- Signs affixed to vehicles and trailers used in the normal transport of goods or persons where the sign is incidental and accessory to the primary use of the vehicle or trailer.
- Signs affixed to windows of vehicles displaying information on the terms of sale for said vehicles.
- Signs not legible from a public or private street.
- Flags of the United States, North Carolina, local governmental jurisdictions, foreign nations having diplomatic relations with the United States, and any other flags adopted or sanctioned by the jurisdiction, subject to U.S. Congressional protocol.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No permit shall be issued for an individual sign requiring a permit unless and until a master signage plan or a common signage plan for the lot on which the sign will be erected has been approved.
- A master signage plan is required for developments containing a single principal building on a single lot.
- A common signage plan is required for developments containing more than one principal building or more than one lot.
- A master or common signage plan shall be a part of any development plan, site plan, planned unit development or other plan required for development and may be processed simultaneously with such plan(s) and shall be approved prior to the issuance of any sign permit.
- After approval of a master or common signage plan, no sign shall be erected, placed, painted, or maintained except in conformance with such plan.
- If there is any conflict between provisions of the signage plan and the rest of the Ordinance, the Ordinance shall control.

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

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