# Sign Regulations in Surf, North Carolina

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

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

## At a glance

Surf, North Carolina regulates 26 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Multi-Tenant Signs in the NB, O&I, MU, C-1, C-3, G-1, I zoning district are capped at Ground: 10 ft; Pole: 20 ft (8 ft clearance) tall and 96 sq ft total area of entire sign, with a 10 ft setback (Sec. Section 8.8, Table - Non-Residential Districts - Multi-Tenant Sign). Most commercial signs in Surf require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CON, RA, R-15, R-10, R-5, SF, MHS, MFC, R-5M, PD-CZ | 4 | 8 ft, including structural supports and/or decorative features | 32 sq ft total, or 16 sq ft per sign | — |
| NB, O&I, MU, C-1, C-3, G-1, I | 12 | 20 ft; 8 ft clearance | 96 sq ft total area of entire sign | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 42 in above pavement | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### CON, RA, R-15, R-10, R-5, SF, MHS, MFC, R-5M, PD-CZ

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Roof line or parapet | — | — | — | 1 per use | Affixed directly to building wall. Not to extend above roofline or parapet. | — | Section 8.8, Table - Residential Districts - Wall Sign |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft, including structural supports and/or decorative features | 32 sq ft total, or 16 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per entrance | At residential development entrances | — | Section 8.8, Table - Residential Districts - Ground/Monument Sign |
| Pole Sign | 8 ft | — | — | 5 feet | 1 per use | On-premises | — | Section 8.8, Table - Residential Districts - Pole Sign |
| Bulletin Board | — | 32 sq ft max | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line | 1 per institution | On-premises for churches, schools, community centers, public institutions | — | Section 8.5 F, Section 8.8, Table - Bulletin Boards |

### NB, O&I, MU, C-1, C-3, G-1, I

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Roof line or parapet | — | — | — | 1 per building wall or tenant, whichever is applicable | Affixed directly to any building wall | — | Section 8.8, Table - Non-Residential Districts - Wall Sign, Section 8.7.A |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | 3 feet from property line | 1 per tenant | Perpendicular to building; exterior building wall; min 15 ft apart unless on separate stories | — | Section 8.8, Table - Non-Residential Districts - Projecting Sign |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | — | — | 10 ft | 1 per road frontage | Free-standing, on-premises, at road frontage | — | Section 8.8, Table - Non-Residential Districts - Monument Sign |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft; 8 ft clearance | — | — | 10 ft | 1 per road frontage | Free-standing, on-premises, at road frontage | — | Section 8.8, Table - Non-Residential Districts - Pole Sign |
| Multi-Tenant Sign | Ground: 10 ft; Pole: 20 ft (8 ft clearance) | 96 sq ft total area of entire sign | — | 10 ft | 1 per road frontage | Shopping centers/complexes with two or more tenants; on road frontage | — | Section 8.8, Table - Non-Residential Districts - Multi-Tenant Sign |
| Sidewalk Sign (Sandwich Board) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 3 ft from curb line/sidewalk/property line; maintain 5 ft sidewalk clearance | 1 per business | On site where business is advertised; must be 3 ft from curb/sidewalk/property line; min 5 ft sidewalk clearance | — | Section 8.8, Table - Non-Residential Districts - Sidewalk Sign |
| Electronic Changeable Copy Sign (G-1 only) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft or 50% of sign face, whichever greater, for changeable copy portion; total sign regulated as monument sign | — | 5 ft from all property lines | 1 per development or business | G-1 zone only; monument sign only; 5 ft from all property lines | — | Section 8.10.A; Section 8.8 Table (Electronic Changeable Copy Sign) |
| Bulletin Board | — | 32 sq ft max | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line | 1 per institution | On-premises for churches, schools, community centers, public institutions | — | Section 8.5 F, Section 8.8, Table - Bulletin Boards |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Identification Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On-premises | — | Section 8.5.C |
| Professional/Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 per lot | On-site; wall-mounted; at least 5 ft from property line or pedestrian infrastructure | — | Section 8.5.D |
| Political Sign | 42 in above pavement | 6 sq ft | — | At least 3 ft from edge of pavement | — | On private property with owner's permission; not in ROW of controlled-access highway | — | Section 8.5.H |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 10 sq ft | — | Behind street right-of-way line | One per street frontage (residential) | On property being advertised (not in ROW); one per street frontage, 75 ft apart if two | — | Section 8.9.A.2 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Behind street right-of-way line | One per street frontage (nonresidential) | On property being advertised (not in ROW); one per street frontage, 75 ft apart if two | — | Section 8.9.A.2 |
| Temporary Banner/Flag (Commercial, Special Event, Grand Opening) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 2 freestanding flags per lot/shopping center; banners on principal structure | Attached to principal structure except two freestanding flags per lot/shopping center | — | Section 8.9.A.3 |
| Estuarine/Oceanside/Pier/Dock Sign (Residential For Sale) | — | 6 sq ft (oceanfront)/10 sq ft (soundfront) | — | — | 1 per lot (or frontage) | Affixed to permanent structure (house, pier, crossover, etc.) seen from water | — | Section 8.10.B.1.a |
| Estuarine/Oceanside/Pier/Dock Sign - Commercial (Charter/Boat) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per boat, dock, or lot | Gangway, dock, or at boat | — | Section 8.10.B.1.c/d/e |

## Prohibited signs in Surf

- No portable signs are permitted, except for sandwich boards.
- No off-site signs are permitted, with the exception of wayfinding signage installed by a government entity.
- No flashing, rotating, twirling, or scrolling signs are permitted, except for a barber pole.
- No inflatable signs, air dancers, or other moving signs are permitted.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- No shapes or decorations, including building façade modifications, intended for advertisement purposes as determined by the Administrator.
- No combination of permitted signs may exceed the total permitted sign area.
- No signs may be placed on or over any public right-of-way, except for directional and informational signs erected and maintained by public agencies and/or governmental bodies.
- No single sign may exceed sixty-four (64) square feet, except as allowed for multi-tenant signs as specified.
- Signs must not obstruct the sight distance at intersections or along a public or private right-of-way.
- Signs must not obstruct the view of traffic safety devices or be confused with emergency vehicle flashing lights.
- Signs must be installed so as not to obstruct any clear line of sight for traffic, fire escape, fire hydrant, passage of emergency vehicles, or any window or door used for egress.
- No sign may be attached to a fire escape or interfere with any opening required for legal ventilation.
- No flashing or intermittent illumination is permitted on any advertising sign or structure.
- All signs must comply with the North Carolina Building Code, the National Electric Code, and local ordinances.
- Signs must not be attached to or painted on trees, strung between posts, utility poles, traffic signs, or other objects not intended to support a sign.
- No person may stick, paint, brand, stamp, write or put any sign, poster, or advertisement on any house, fence, wall, or pavement without written permission from the property owner.
- No sign shall be attached to or above roof structures unless specifically permitted.
- No temporary sign banners or flags may be installed without meeting time and placement restrictions as set by the ordinance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Surf

- Directional and informational signs erected and maintained by public agencies and governmental bodies.
- Flags and insignia of government (American or North Carolina flags).
- Residential identification signs not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet, bearing only the property owner's name, name of hometown, cottage name, etc.
- One wall-mounted professional and/or home occupation sign per residential lot not to exceed four (4) square feet, setback a minimum of five (5) feet from the property line or pedestrian infrastructure.
- On-premise directional signs not to exceed two (2) square feet and bearing no advertising matter.
- One bulletin board sign per church, school, community center, or public institution, not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet, either wall-mounted or freestanding, and meeting location and illumination standards.
- Construction signs during construction, repair, or alteration of a structure, not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet, and removed when the building is approved for occupancy.
- Political signs advocating for political action, provided they are under six (6) square feet, follow setback and locational rules, and meet time and placement restrictions.
- Residential 'for sale' signs on the oceanfront not exceeding six (6) square feet and sound front not exceeding ten (10) square feet, if affixed to a permanent structure.
- Residential signs up to six (6) square feet denoting private property or private piers.
- Maintenance activities including cleaning, electrical repair, resurfacing, and other routine maintenance of a sign.
- Changing tenant name panels on multiple-tenant development signage and change of copy on signs designed for changeable copy.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Comprehensive Signage Plan is required as part of any site plan, master plan, or preliminary plat application. The plan must indicate the size, location, and consistent design of signs for a common development (see Section 3).
- A sign permit is required for all signs except as expressly exempted or excluded by the ordinance.
- A common signage plan is required for multi-tenant signs as specified in Section 8.8.
- A common signage plan is not required for temporary sign permit applications.
- A sign permit, and building permit if necessary, must be secured before a sign is erected, located, or altered, unless otherwise exempted.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Surf, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Surf+NC&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-surf

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/surf