Sign Regulations in Guilford County, NC (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Guilford County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
In unincorporated Guilford County, political signs in the State highway right-of-way are governed by NC law. They may be placed starting 30 days before early voting and must be removed by the 10th day after the election. Signs can't exceed 864 square inches or sit closer than 3 feet from
Political Sign Rules in Guilford County (NC Law)
Some RestrictionsN.C. Gen. Stat. § 136-32(b)
During the period beginning on the 30th day before the beginning date of early voting under G.S. 163-166.40 and ending on the 10th day after the primary or election day, persons may place political signs in the right-of-way of the State highway system as provided in this section.
Garage Sale Signs
In unincorporated Guilford County, all signs except State/Federal ones are regulated by the Unified Development Ordinance, Article 7. Temporary signs such as yard/garage-sale signs fall under the ordinance's sign types; small temporary signs generally fall in the “no permit required” category (UDO Section 7.7), but off-premises and right-of-way placement is
Garage Sale and Temporary Signs in Guilford County
Some RestrictionsGuilford County Sign Permit Bulletin (UDO Article 7)
All signs with the exception of those erected by State or Federal government, are subject to the provisions of the Guilford County UDO Article 7 Signs.
Digital Billboards
Guilford County lets LED message boards run on permanent signs in every non-residential district, but UDO Subsec. 7.9.B caps display area at 70-75% of the allowed sign face, sets minimum message hold times of 8 or 12 seconds, and restricts operating hours by district. Portable trailer-mounted units need a Temporary Event/Use Permit, are capped at 32 square feet and 5 feet tall, and may run for only 30 days per permit.
Digital Sign & LED Message Board Rules
Some RestrictionsGuilford County UDO Subsec. 7.9.B (Table 7.9.3)
B. ELECTRONIC CHANGEABLE COPY SIGNS (LED MESSAGE BOARDS) STANDARDS 1. In general, LED message boards are allowed in Guilford County provided they meet the standards of this subsection... 3. Portable LED message boards shall be allowed in conjunction with a Temporary Event/Use Permit provided that: a. The size of the message board does not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet, excluding towing app...
Window Signs
Guilford County lets businesses display window signs painted on or attached to the inside of the glass without any sign permit, but UDO Table 7.7.1 caps the coverage at 25% of the individual window's area and allows only direct illumination, under UDO Section 7.7.K.
Window Sign Rules in Guilford County
Light RestrictionsGuilford County UDO Sec. 7.7.K & Table 7.7.1
7.7 NO PERMIT REQUIRED The following signs are permitted in all zoning districts and may be installed without obtaining a sign permit provided that they conform to the specifications shown on Table 7.7.1. ... K. Window signs painted on or attached to the inside of a window. ... TABLE 7.7.1 - SPECIFICATIONS FOR SIGNS NOT REQUIRING A SIGN PERMIT Non- 25% of...
Freeway-Facing Signs
Guilford County only allows off-premise billboards in HB, LI, HI and Urban Loop Scenic Corridor districts, and UDO Subsec. 7.11 caps them at 30 feet unless the sign sits within 400 feet of an Interstate highway, where the limit rises to 50 feet. Billboards must sit 1,000 feet apart along the same frontage and 300 feet from residential zoning.
Freeway Billboard Spacing & Height Rules
Some RestrictionsGuilford County UDO Subsec. 7.11.A-D, F
A. WHERE REQUIRED HB, LI, HI, and Urban Loop Scenic Corridor Overlay Districts. B. SPACING 1. Standards for districts outside Urban Loop Scenic Corridor: No billboard shall be erected within one thousand (1,000) linear feet along the same street frontage of another billboard as measured from the billboard pole(s). C. HEIGHT No billboard shall exceed thirty (30) feet in height; however, the heig...
Sign Regulations by City in Guilford County
2 cities in Guilford County have their own sign regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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