Sign Regulations in Brunswick County, NC (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Brunswick County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Brunswick County lets campaign and political signs go up without a permit anywhere in the unincorporated county's zoning districts, but every sign that lacks a commercial message and relates to an election or other event must come down within seven days after the polls close. The rule sits in the UDO's list of signs allowed in all districts without a permit.
Brunswick County Political Sign Removal Deadline
Light RestrictionsBrunswick County Unified Development Ordinance § 8.7.7
8.7.7. Campaign/Political Signs A.Description A sign without a commercial message that relates to an election or other event. B.Standards Within seven days of the election (closing of polls), all signs must be removed.
Garage Sale Signs
In unincorporated Brunswick County, North Carolina, a yard or garage sale may post one on-premise sign plus up to three off-premises directional signs, each no larger than four square feet. Every sign must come down within 24 hours after the sale ends and stay off the street right-of-way. The rule applies only outside Leland, Southport, Oak Island and the county's other incorporated towns.
Brunswick County, NC Yard Sale Signs
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Unified Development Ordinance § 8.7.16
One on-premise and three off-premises yard sale signs per yard sale. All such signs shall be removed within 24 hours after the yard sale has been terminated. No such sign shall be greater than four square feet in area. All such signs shall be located off the street right-of-way.
Holiday Displays
Temporary holiday decorations, banners and special-event signs for religious, charitable, civic or fraternal nonprofits in unincorporated Brunswick County can go up without a permit, but only up to 32 square feet, unlit, out of the street right-of-way, and only within a 30-day window before the event or holiday, coming down within seven days after.
Brunswick County Holiday And Event Sign Rule
Light RestrictionsBrunswick County Unified Development Ordinance § 8.7.14
8.7.14. Temporary Holiday/Special Events Signs A.Description Temporary special event signs, holiday decorations or banners for religious, charitable, civic, fraternal or similar nonprofit or not for profit organizations, B.Standards1.Signs may be erected no sooner than 30 days and shall be removed no later than seven days after the event.2.Signs may not exceed 32 square feet.3.Signs may not b...
Digital Billboards
Off-premises digital billboards in unincorporated Brunswick County must dim automatically with ambient light, freeze on a single image if they malfunction, and hold each display for at least eight seconds before changing, per UDO Section 8.8.1.M. Illumination cannot exceed 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light, and no electronic changeable-copy billboard may sit within 250 feet of a residential zoning district.
Brunswick County, NC Digital Billboard Rules
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Unified Development Ordinance § 8.8.1.M
M.Requirements for Off-Premises Electronic Changeable Copy Signs 1.The copy content of all Electronic Changeable Copy signs shall be in compliance with Section 8.6 (Prohibited Signs).2.All electronic changeable copy signs shall be installed with light sensitive automatic dimming controls.3.All electronic changeable copy signs shall be designed and equipped to freeze the sign in one position wit...
Freeway-Facing Signs
Outdoor advertising structures facing Brunswick County's busiest highways get the largest sign allowance in the county's code, but only along three specific corridors. Under UDO Section 8.8.1, an off-premises billboard can reach 378 square feet along US 17, US 74/76 and NC 211, 300 square feet on NC 87, 133, 130, 179 and 904, and 100 square feet on every other public road. New billboards are permitted only in the C-LD, C-I and I-G zoning districts.
Brunswick County, NC Highway Billboard Rules
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County Unified Development Ordinance § 8.8.1
C.Location Restricted Permits for new outdoor advertising structures may only be issued in the C-LD, C-I, and I-G zoning districts. ... E.Maximum Sign Area The maximum sign area of an off premises ground sign is limited, depending on location as follows: 1.On US 17, US 74/76, and NC 211, the maximum sign area is 378 square feet.2.On NC 87, NC 133, NC 130, NC 179, and NC 904, the maximum sign ar...
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