Wayne County, NC Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)

Chapter 58, article II of the Wayne County Code governs outdoor advertising signs, commonly called billboards, along freeways and highways in unincorporated Wayne County. S. 153A-121 police power (§ 58-20) and applying only outside any municipality's corporate limits (§ 58-21). Section 58-22 reaches every sign meant to be seen from the road within 660 feet of the right-of-way. The location standard in section 58-23(1)a groups freeways and other highways together: a sign may be placed along the same side of the road within 660 feet of a commercial or industrial activity that has direct frontage and access to the highway, measured from the outermost part of the principal structure, not the property line.

Signs must be spaced at least 750 feet apart along the same side of a road, capped at 400 square feet of face area, no taller than 50 feet, set back at least 15 feet from the right-of-way, and no closer than 300 feet to a residence, church, school or public institution, waivable on request. 00 annual renewal, and existing signs had six months from the ordinance's effective date to register. Permits expire six months after issuance if work has not begun, and revoke for false statements, code violations or nonpayment of the renewal fee.

The planning director administers the article, using section 58-19 as the interpretive guide when provisions conflict, and appeals of permit denials or violation notices go to the board of adjustment within ten days.