Brunswick County, NC Sign Regulations: Holiday Displays (2026)
Key Facts
- Size limit
- 32 square feet
- Posting window
- 30 days before event
- Removal deadline
- 7 days after event
- Illumination
- Not allowed
- Location
- Must stay out of the right-of-way
- Permit required
- No
- Governs
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
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.
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 be illuminated.4.Signs may not be located in street right-of-way.
Full Breakdown
7, the UDO's category of signs allowed in every zoning district without a sign permit. The standards limit timing on both ends: a sign may go up no sooner than 30 days before the event or holiday and must come down no later than seven days after it ends. The ordinance caps these signs at 32 square feet, bars illumination of any kind, and prohibits placing the sign within the street right-of-way. 14 do not need. Because this is a county UDO provision, a holiday display or banner posted inside Leland, Southport, Oak Island, Shallotte, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Calabash or Boiling Spring Lakes falls under that town's own sign code instead.
Violations & Fines
A holiday or special-event sign that exceeds 32 square feet, is illuminated, sits in the right-of-way, or stays up outside its 30-day-before to 7-day-after window is a UDO violation enforced under Article 9. The Zoning Administrator can order immediate removal of a noncompliant sign under Section 8.7's revocation provisions, and continued noncompliance draws the standard $100-per-day civil penalty under Section 9.11.9.C after a written notice and correction order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can a holiday display sign be in unincorporated Brunswick County?
How early can I put up a holiday banner before the event?
Do holiday signs need a temporary use permit like other event banners?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brunswick County
Compare Brunswick County to another location·View the North Carolina sign regulations overview
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