Winston-Salem, NC Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Private Property
- Allowed, no permit
- State Roads
- NCGS 136-32 controls
- State ROW Window
- 30 days before early voting
- Post-Election
- Remove within 10 days
- Prohibited
- Utility poles, medians
Summary
Political signs in Winston-Salem are regulated under NCGS 136-32 on state and federal rights-of-way and locally under the Unified Development Ordinances. Residential political signs are generally allowed without a permit on private property 45 days before an election.
(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 campaign signs enjoy strong First Amendment protection and are treated as temporary signs under the Winston-Salem UDO. On private residential property, political signs up to 6 square feet per sign are allowed without a permit and without numeric limit during the campaign season. They must be removed within 7 days after the election. On state-maintained roads, NCGS 136-32 preempts local regulation and allows political signs to be placed in the right-of-way (but not on the roadway itself) between 30 days before the start of early voting and 10 days after election day, with written permission of adjacent property owners.
Signs cannot be attached to utility poles, traffic signs, trees, or placed in roadway medians or islands that obstruct sight distance. Signs on public city property (parks, libraries, city buildings) are prohibited. Commercial political signs at campaign offices follow standard commercial signage rules. The Reed v. Town of Gilbert Supreme Court decision limits content-based sign restrictions, so the city cannot treat political signs differently from other temporary signs.
Violations & Fines
Signs in prohibited locations are removed by Public Works without penalty to the candidate. Persistent violations or signs blocking traffic visibility can trigger $100 civil penalties to the responsible party.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I leave a campaign sign in my yard in Winston-Salem?
Can I put signs along Peters Creek Parkway?
Sources & Official References
- [1]NCGS 136-32
Other rules in Winston-Salem
Compare Winston-Salem to another location·View the North Carolina sign regulations overview
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