Matthews, NC Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- Not required
- State ROW
- 30 days before to 10 after
- Residential Size
- 4-6 sq ft typical
- State Law
- N.C.G.S. 136-32
Summary
Matthews permits political signs on private property without permit. N.C.G.S. 136-32 allows political signs in state right-of-way 30 days before election through 10 days after. Town follows Reed v. Gilbert content-neutrality standards.
§ 136-32. Regulation of signs.
(b) Compliant Political Signs Permitted. - During the period beginning on the 30th day before the beginning date of early voting under G.S. 163-166.40 and ending on the 10th day after the primary or election day, persons may place political signs in the right-of-way of the State highway system as provided in this section. Signs must be placed in compliance with subsection (d) of this section and must be removed by the end of the period prescribed in this subsection. Any political sign remaining in the right-of-way of the State highway system more than 30 days after the end of the period prescribed in this subsection shall be deemed unlawfully placed and abandoned property, and a person may remove and dispose of such political sign without penalty.
(d) Sign Placement. - The permittee must obtain the permission of any property owner of a residence, business, or religious institution fronting the right-of-way where a sign would be erected. Signs must be placed in accordance with the following:
(1) No sign shall be permitted in the right-of-way of a fully controlled access highway.
(2) No sign shall be closer than three feet from the edge of the pavement of the road.
(3) No sign shall obscure motorist visibility at an intersection.
(4) No sign shall be higher than 42 inches above the edge of the pavement of the road.
(5) No sign shall be larger than 864 square inches.
(6) No sign shall obscure or replace another sign.
(e) Penalties for Unlawful Removal of Signs. - It is a Class 3 misdemeanor for a person to steal, deface, vandalize, or unlawfully remove a political sign that is lawfully placed under this section.
Full Breakdown
Political signs on private residential property: no permit required, size limits per UDO (typically 4-6 sq ft residential, 32 sq ft commercial). State right-of-way signs allowed under N.C.G.S. 136-32 during election window. Town cannot regulate content post-Reed v. Gilbert (2015). Contact Matthews at (704) 847-4411 for enforcement.
Violations & Fines
Signs outside permitted areas, oversized, or left past 10-day post-election window subject to removal by Town. No criminal penalty.
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Matthews
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