Johnston County, NC Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitted corridors
- U.S. 70 (except Clayton bypass) and I-95
- Barred corridors
- I-40 and the Clayton bypass of U.S. 70
- Allowed zoning districts
- General business, Industrial-1, Industrial-2 only
- Minimum sign spacing
- 2,000 feet apart
- Setback from right-of-way
- 50 to 200 feet
- Max sign height
- 50 feet
Summary
Outdoor advertising signs in Johnston County are permitted only along U.S. 70, excluding the Clayton bypass segment, and Interstate 95 within the county's planning jurisdiction. They're barred entirely along I-40 and that U.S. 70 bypass section, and every qualifying sign needs both a county planning permit and a state DOT outdoor-advertising permit. Land Development Code § 14-514(a) sets the corridors.
(a) Where permitted. Outdoor advertising signs are permitted only along U.S. 70 (except the Clayton bypass section of U.S. 70 from the Wake County line to the U.S. 70/U.S. 70 business split at Cole Road) and Interstate 95 in the county's planning jurisdiction, provided that: ... (2) No outdoor advertising sign shall be so located along, or visible from, Interstate 40 or the Clayton bypass section of U.S. 70 from the Wake County line to the U.S. 70/U.S. 70 business split at Cole Road; and (3) The applicant for such signs obtains a permit from the state department of transportation district engineer for an outdoor advertising sign, in accordance with the provisions of the Outdoor Advertising Act of 1967.
Full Breakdown
S. S. S. 70 Business split at Cole Road, and Interstate 95 within the county's planning jurisdiction. S. 70, closing off the county's other interstate frontage to billboards entirely. Signs also can't sit in special use districts or on property carrying a special use permit. Beyond the corridor limits, § 14-514(b) layers on siting standards: no two signs closer than 2,000 feet apart measured along the nearest pavement edge, each sign within 800 feet of an existing industrial or commercial business, none closer than 1,000 feet to a parcel with a residential structure, and each set back at least 50 feet but no more than 200 feet from the right-of-way, with a 50-foot height ceiling.
Every sign along the approved corridors still needs a state Department of Transportation district engineer's outdoor-advertising permit under the Outdoor Advertising Act of 1967, obtained after the county planning director issues the local sign permit.
Violations & Fines
Erecting an outdoor advertising sign along I-40, the Clayton bypass of U.S. 70, or in a district other than general business, industrial-1 or industrial-2 violates § 14-514(a). The planning director can deny or revoke the sign permit, and any Chapter 14 violation carries a $500.00 misdemeanor fine or 30 days in jail plus a $100.00 civil penalty under § 14-614, collectible as a civil debt if unpaid within ten days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put up a billboard along I-40 in Johnston County?
What about the Clayton bypass section of U.S. 70?
What zoning district does my property need to be in for a highway billboard?
Do I need a state permit in addition to the county sign permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Johnston County
Compare Johnston County to another location·View the North Carolina sign regulations overview
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