# Sign Regulations in Woodfin, North Carolina

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Woodfin, North Carolina (NC)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/north-carolina/woodfin
- **Data last verified:** 2025-07-25
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/nc/woodfin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH34SI)

## At a glance

Woodfin, North Carolina regulates 27 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Ground or Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant Structure - 7 or more tenants)s in the Primary arterial zoning district are capped at 16 ft tall and 10 sq. ft. per tenant, not to exceed 130 sq. ft. for all, with a At or near property line (visibility and safety rules apply) setback (Sec. Sec. 34-8, Table 5). Most commercial signs in Woodfin require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Primary arterial | 10 | 16 ft | <100 ft: 40-100 sq. ft. based on width (see formula); >100 ft: 100 sq. ft.; overall <100 ft = 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Secondary arterial | 8 | 12 ft | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| All other streets | 7 | 10 ft | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Internal driveway or parking areas | 7 | 10 ft | <100 ft: up to 100 sq. ft.; >100 ft: 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Community-shopping Type 3 Zone | 4 | 32 ft | 130 sq. ft. | — |
| Heavy Industrial Zone | 2 | — | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 10 ft for ground sign | Max 40 sq. ft. | — |

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

### Primary arterial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Attached Sign) | — | <100 ft: 40-100 sq. ft. based on width (see formula); >100 ft: 100 sq. ft.; overall <100 ft = 50 sq. ft. | 75% of facade width | — | One attached building sign per occupant space per street front | Attached to building fronting on primary arterial; sign area determined by closest road with highest street type. | — | Sec. 34-8(b), Table 3; general standards 34-4. |
| Awning Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. per sign face | — | — | 1 per awning structure | On awning | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 4 |
| Blade Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. per sign face | — | — | 1 per occupant space (in addition to wall sign) | Perpendicular to building; must not be higher than eave or parapet; minimum 7 ft above grade if over pedestrian way | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 4 |
| Roof Sign | 2 ft high | 50 sq. ft.; not to exceed 75% of occupant space width | 75% of occupant space width | — | 1 per occupant space | On roof; see restriction | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 4 |
| Murals | — | Not applicable | — | — | 1 per site | External wall; must be for artistic, noncommercial purposes | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 4 |
| Freestanding Ground or Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant Structure - 7 or more tenants) | 16 ft | 10 sq. ft. per tenant, not to exceed 130 sq. ft. for all | — | At or near property line (visibility and safety rules apply) | 1 per 200 ft increment | At or near property line | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 5 |
| Freestanding Ground or Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant Structure - 4, 5, or 6 tenants) | 12 ft | 60 sq. ft. | — | At or near property line | 1 | At or near property line | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 5 |
| Freestanding Ground or Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant Structure - 1, 2, or 3 tenants) | 12 ft | 30 sq. ft. | — | At or near property line | 1 | At or near property line | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 5 |

### Secondary arterial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Attached Sign) | — | 50 sq. ft. | 75% of facade width | — | 1 attached sign per occupant space per street front | Attached to building facing secondary arterial | — | Sec. 34-8(b), Table 3 |
| Blade Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. per sign face | — | — | 1 per occupant space | Perpendicular to building; not to exceed eave/parapet; min 7 ft above grade for pedestrian way | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 4 |
| Awning Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. per sign face | — | — | 1 per awning structure | On awning | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 4 |
| Roof Sign | 2 ft high | 50 sq. ft.; not to exceed 75% of occupant space width | 75% of occupant space width | — | 1 per occupant space | On roof | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 4 |
| Murals | — | N/A | — | — | 1 per site | Building wall; artistic/noncommercial | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 4 |
| Freestanding Ground or Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant-7+) | 12 ft | 6 sq. ft. per tenant, not to exceed 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per 200 ft increment | At or near property line | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 5 |
| Freestanding Ground or Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant-4-6) | 10 ft | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | At or near property line | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 5 |
| Freestanding Ground or Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant-1-3) | 8 ft | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | At or near property line | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 5 |

### All other streets

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Attached Sign) | — | 50 sq. ft. | 75% of facade width | — | 1 attached sign per occupant space per street front | Attached to building facing all other streets | — | Sec. 34-8(b), Table 3 |
| Awning Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per awning structure | On awning | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 4 |
| Roof Sign | 2 ft high | 50 sq. ft.; not to exceed 75% facade width | 75% facade width | — | 1 per occupant space | On roof | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 4 |
| Murals | — | N/A | — | — | 1 per site | Building wall; artistic/noncommercial | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 4 |
| Freestanding Ground or Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant-7+) | 10 ft | 5 sq. ft. per tenant, not to exceed 70 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per 200 ft increment | At or near property line | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 5 |
| Freestanding Ground or Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant-4-6) | 8 ft | 30 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | At or near property line | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 5 |
| Freestanding Ground or Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant-1-3) | 8 ft | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | At or near property line | — | Sec. 34-8, Table 5 |

## Prohibited signs in Woodfin

- Billboards.
- Signs attached to curbs, sidewalks, gutters, streets, fences, railings, and trees. Utility pole signs are prohibited except as otherwise governed by this chapter wherein approval is required by the planning and zoning board of adjustment and appropriate utility companies.
- Signs which prevent free ingress to or egress from any legal entrance/exit or fire escape.
- Signs erected or displayed in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of pedestrian or vehicular traffic at any location, street, intersection, or driveway. All signs at intersections must conform to guidelines set forth by the governmental transportation authority with jurisdiction for that intersection.
- Signs which interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic as a result of the position, size, shape, movement, color, fashion, manner, or intensity of illumination or any other characteristics causing such interference.
- Signs which may be confused with any authorized traffic or pedestrian sign, signal, or device.
- Signs erected or displayed on or over public right-of-way or other public property, excluding signs erected by the town, county, state or other authorized governmental agency, or with the permission of the town, for public purposes.
- Banners when used as permanent signs.
- Signs that contain offensive themes or content, and are without redeeming social value.
- Signs illuminated to such intensity or in such a manner as to cause a glare or brightness to a degree that it constitutes a hazard or nuisance to traffic. If questioned, the final determination will be made by the town chief of police.
- Signs that move or flash or have moving or flashing components; signs that are intermittently lighted (flashing) or have changing colors; signs that revolve. This prohibition does not apply to signs with changeable copy which are addressed elsewhere in this chapter.
- Signs that are air-powered or mechanical and with moving or articulated components that are in excess of 12 feet tall measured from ground level.
- Illuminated signs erected or displayed within 150 feet of a single-family, residentially-zoned property unless the lighting is shielded from view of the residentially-zoned property and indirect light does not exceed the intensity as specified in the town lighting ordinance, as amended.
- Any sign attached to a trailer, skid, or similar mobile structure, where the primary use of such structure is to provide a base for such sign or to constitute the sign itself. This provision shall not be interpreted to prohibit identification signs on vehicles used for business purposes, nor shall it be interpreted to prohibit bumper stickers.
- Vehicular signs. Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said sign. This does not apply to signs or lettering on vehicles in operation during the normal course of business, nor does it apply to temporary construction site vehicles on active construction sites.
- Structural or non-structural additions or attachments to monument signs, excluding structural modifications for which a valid permit has been issued.
- Roof signs except as permitted in section 34-8, Table 4.
- Window signs except as permitted in section 34-6, Table 1.
- Air driven holiday decorations that are greater than 12 feet tall above ground level or eight feet wide/deep.
- Any external sign, visible from the road, and designed to advertise a particular brand or product and where the business is not mentioned.
- Any sign not specifically permitted by this chapter.

## Signs exempt from permit in Woodfin

- Warning and security signs, including signs placed for the safety, welfare, or convenience of the public, and onsite informational signs, provided such signs do not exceed eight square feet and the business name/logo does not exceed 25% of the sign face area.
- Government signs, public notices, or warnings required by valid federal, state, or local laws and regulations, including flags, insignia, legal notices, informational, directional, and traffic signs which are legally required or necessary to the essential functions of government agencies.
- "No Dumping" and "No Trespassing" signs, less than two square feet in area per sign face.
- Signs inside ball fields or other recreational space fencing intended for advertising to raise funds for recreation programs or raise awareness for sponsors of the same, with copy only on one face toward the interior of the field.
- Non-illuminated names of buildings, dates of erection, monument statues, commemorative tablets and the like that are permanent and integral to a structure or flush to the ground.
- Sculpture or graphic art in any permanent medium whose theme, symbols or historical content is not primarily commercial and is incorporated into a permitted structure.
- Federal, state, or local governmental flags.
- Traffic control and way-finding signs on business property, containing no commercial message, not exceeding eight square feet and with business name/logo not exceeding 25% of the sign face area.
- Address signs no greater than five square feet. Any excess area counts toward sign allowances.
- Internal retail store window displays of merchandise and freestanding three-dimensional promotional items (with or without proprietary words or symbols solely describing merchandise sold in the store) and/or display fixtures not affixed to windowpanes.
- Holiday lights and decorations without commercial messages, subject to size and quantity limits (air-driven decorations may not exceed 12 feet tall or 8 feet wide/deep, one per 10,000 sq ft of lot space).
- Vehicle signs used in the normal course of business and not otherwise prohibited, if the vehicle is operable, currently licensed, and the sign is permanently affixed, magnetically attached, or painted.
- Signs affixed to windows of vehicles displaying terms of sale for the vehicle.
- Home occupation signs less than two square feet per sign face, on the residence property, and close to the dwelling.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign plan is optional, but provides for unique and consistent sign standards for a development and must be approved by the planning and zoning board of adjustment.
- All signs in a development with an approved master sign plan must conform to the standards approved in that specific plan.
- Development/construction temporary signs may be installed after approval of a site plan or concept plan. Must be removed within 1 year of erection or on certificate of occupancy issuance for all buildings on the site.
- A variance to sign regulations may be requested by application to the planning and zoning board of adjustment; application process and approval standards are specified.
- If appealing a permit denial, appeals are heard by the planning and zoning board of adjustment and may be further appealed to the board of aldermen.

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

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