Greenville, NC Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)

Section 9-4-235 governs both sign lighting and electronic sign face copy citywide. Subsection (A) generally bars flashing or intermittent lights, or lights of changing intensity or color, on any sign, but exempts signs limited to time, date or temperature and signs using electronic or mechanical interchangeable copy under subsection (B). That subsection lets a sign display electronic or mechanical interchangeable copy, but only if the copy is not changed to new content, color, intensity or graphics more than once in any 60-second period. The code treats all of a single use's wall and freestanding signage as one unit for this purpose: changing one electronic display resets the 60-second clock for every other associated sign at that use until the full period has elapsed.

When a change is allowed, it must happen as a single continuous action or movement, and the transition itself cannot run longer than five continuous seconds, which rules out slow fades, scrolling text or multi-step animations. Electronic or mechanical interchangeable copy cannot be added to a nonconforming sign at all. Indirect illumination on any sign, digital or not, must be shielded so light doesn't shine into a street, drive, parking area or a residential dwelling, and no illuminated sign within 50 feet of a residential zone or dwelling may be indirectly lit. Planning and Development Services reviews digital sign permits against these standards before installation.