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Brunswick County, NC Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Removal deadline
7 days after polls close
Permit required
No
Sign category
No commercial message allowed
Civil penalty for delay
$100 per day uncorrected
Governs
Unincorporated county only

Summary

Brunswick County lets campaign and political signs go up without a permit anywhere in the unincorporated county's zoning districts, but every sign that lacks a commercial message and relates to an election or other event must come down within seven days after the polls close. The rule sits in the UDO's list of signs allowed in all districts without a permit.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Brunswick County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

8.7.7. Campaign/Political Signs

A.Description A sign without a commercial message that relates to an election or other event.

B.Standards Within seven days of the election (closing of polls), all signs must be removed.

View official code

Full Breakdown

7, the UDO's list of signs allowed in all zoning districts without a sign permit. The only standard the ordinance sets for these signs is timing: within seven days of the election, meaning the closing of the polls, all campaign and political signs must be removed. The section does not set a size, height or setback limit for political signs the way it does for other exempt sign types, such as real estate signs capped at six square feet in residential districts or temporary construction signs capped at ten square feet.

8. Because Brunswick County's sign rules apply only within the unincorporated county, campaign signs posted inside Leland, Southport, Oak Island, Shallotte, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Calabash or Boiling Spring Lakes are governed by that municipality's own sign ordinance, not this UDO section.

Violations & Fines

A political sign left up past the seven-day removal deadline is a UDO violation enforced under Article 9. Signs found in violation can be subject to immediate removal under Section 8.7's revocation provisions, and enforcement follows the same written notice and correction order process in Section 9.11 as other UDO violations, including a $100-per-day civil penalty under Section 9.11.9.C for a violation that isn't corrected.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I keep a campaign sign up after an election in Brunswick County?
Seven days. Section 8.7.7.B requires all campaign and political signs to be removed within seven days of the election, measured from the closing of the polls. No permit is required to post the sign in the first place, since political signs fall under the UDO's list of signs allowed in every district without one.
Is there a size limit on political signs in unincorporated Brunswick County?
The UDO does not set one for this category. Section 8.7.7 only requires that the sign carry no commercial message and relate to an election or event, and that it come down within seven days of the polls closing; it does not include the square-footage or height caps the ordinance uses for other no-permit sign types.
Do I need a permit to put a political sign in my yard in Bolivia or Supply?
No. Section 8.7.7 places political signs in Article 8.7, the UDO's list of signs allowed in all zoning districts without a permit, as long as the sign carries no commercial message and comes down within seven days after the election closes.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Brunswick County

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsGarage Sale SignsSome RestrictionsFreeway-Facing SignsSome RestrictionsDigital BillboardsSome RestrictionsHoliday DisplaysLight RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsLight RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All Brunswick County rules

Compare Brunswick County to another location·View the North Carolina sign regulations overview

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