Signs

Process Description
Wall signs, tract signs, pole signs, billboards, banners and blimps; All these signs, and many others, require an approved sign permit from the City of Raleigh. The City of Raleigh processes and approves an average of 1,500 signs each year. To be approved, a sign must meet the rules and standards of the City's sign ordinances in the City Code Chapter 10 Section 2083. This process contributes to the style consistency of signage in the City limits of Raleigh as well as the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).

A Sign permit must be obtained any time a business wishes to display signage or conduct a special event that would include advertising visible from the public right of way.

Signs requiring a City of Raleigh Sign Permit are: All permanent signs, Ground & tract identification signs, Signs erected on Parapet walls, Awning signs, Signs in Shopping Centers or Multi-tenant buildings, Internally Illuminated signs and Special Events.

Definitions of each sign type are provided in the City Code Chapter 10 Section 2002. Also, see the City of Raleigh Development Services Glossary for any unfamiliar terms.

Exceptions to the process:

• A permit is required for all outdoor signs except directional signs (i.e. Exit, Entrance, etc.) and informational signs (i.e. Phone, Restrooms, etc)
• No drawings are required for permits for signs used at special events, such as "Going Out Of Business" sales, grand openings or charitable events, but you must specify the type of temporary sign that will be used (such as banners, portable signs or windblown devices)
• Refer to the City Code Chapter 10 Section 2083.3 for a list of prohibited signs

Are there any prerequisites to this process?

• Client must confirm with the Landlord of the development to determine if the development has a sign criteria. If the development does have a sign criteria, it must be observed and the proposed signs and its colors and/or materials must match such approved sign criteria
• Landlords who wish to create a sign criteria for NEW development only, must submit a sign criteria form to the Zoning Division located at One Exchange Plaza Suite 400, Raleigh, NC
• Signs must conform to the Development and Regulations section of the City Code Chapter 10 Section 2083
• Approved sign permits are valid for six months. It is strongly advised that no sign be fabricated until the proper permits have been issued. Anyone erecting a sign without a permit will be charged double the normal permit fee in addition to having to correct any City Code violations (Chapter 10 Section 2083), including taking down the sign, if necessary. Violations of the sign ordinance also may be enforced with criminal charges or civil suits City Code Chapter 10 Section 2151. In addition, a civil penalty may be levied the first day a violation is discovered and then an additional fee per day may be levied for every day the violation remains uncorrected per City Code Chapter 10 Section 2152
• Contractor must have a City of Raleigh Business License, if work is being done within the City limits of Raleigh as well as the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ)

How do I start the process?

• Complete a City of Raleigh Permit Application
• Prepare a site plan drawn to scale with a location of the sign and other pertinent information required
• Electrical signs require an additional permit. This electrical permit must be obtained at the same time that the sign permit is obtained

What do I need to submit to the City?

SUBMITTAL PACKAGE

Required for Submittal

City of Raleigh Permit Application Three (3) copies of detailed drawing of sign showing its dimension and three (3) copies of elevations Special requirements, if the parcel requires a sign criteria Description of building or structure materials for signs Supply a site plan drawn to scale with a location of the sign and other pertinent information required Fee payment (See Development Fee Schedule)

Detailed information regarding submittals:

Scale drawings should include:

• Three (3) copies of site plans to include the dimensions of the sign structure, the dimensions of the copy area, the size and style of the lettering and the colors to be used in the sign. Elevation drawings for wall signs must show the location of the sign on the building. For freestanding signs, including tract identification signs and billboards, the drawings must show the height from the ground to the top of the sign and must have engineered footing detail for ground signs over 42"
• For wall signs, a profile drawing of the sign is necessary to indicate the thickness of the sign or sign cabinet, the raceway and the means of attachment of the sign to the wall or mounting surface
• If the sign is to be mounted on a parapet wall, the drawing should show the wall section and the sign's relationship to the actual roof line. The sign cannot be more than two feet above the roof
• All scale drawings also must include a site plan. This plan should show the property lines, building locations, driveways and the proposed location of the sign. Driveway locations on adjacent lots also should be shown

Billboards:

• Along with the scale drawings and site plans, you should include a copy of the Wake County Tax Map with the location of the billboard marked on the map. A copy of the lease agreement with the property owner identified also should be included
• After making application, place a stake on the ground at the proposed location of the billboard so that the property may be inspected for compliance with all City codes prior to approval of the sign permit

Requirements for signs in shopping centers, office complexes and other multi-tenant properties:

• Signs erected within a multi-tenant property (property with more than one tenant) such as a shopping center or office complex, must comply with the specific sign criteria selected by the landlord or property owner. This criteria is on file with the City of Raleigh and sets the specific type and placement of the signs, the letter style and size, and the colors to be used in each sign within the development
• No more than four uniform colors, including black or white or the building wall color, may be used for the lettering, background, sign casings and supports of the sign
• If logos are used, and it does not exceed 42" in any dimension for a total of 12 1/4 square feet in total area, the logo may vary from color set in sign criteria. To use such a logo, submit a copy of the federal or state registration along with the City of Raleigh Permit Application

Where do I submit my application?

What are the keys to success?

• Verify that the project address is correct. To check the current address assigned to a specific property, check the iMAPS on-line property mapping system. If you think your address is incorrect, contact the GIS Addressing Team at (919) 780-4471
• If the application is for a multi-tenant property (property with more than one tenant), such as a shopping center or office complex, a suite number should be provided for each individual business (example: 4630 - 207 Wake Forest Road). Make sure a detailed plan is included with elevations
• Make sure the request meets City Code requirements in Chapter 10 Section 2083
• Faxed City of Raleigh Permit Applications will not be accepted. Must be delivered in person or mailed to address provided above
• After permits are received, client must schedule a Final Sign inspection, a Final Electrical inspection, and Footing inspection, if applicable (see below)
• To request any of these inspections, use our Online Development Center, call our Rapid Response System at (919) 857-4412 or call office staff at (919) 516-2500 by 4:00 p.m. of the day prior to the desired inspection. Footing inspections may be made on a same-day basis, if necessary
• When you call for the inspection, make sure you give the correct address of the property where the sign is located, the sign contractor's name, the permit number and the type of inspection desired
• Electrical inspections are required for any electrified signs. Remember, only a licensed electrician may wire an electrified sign
• Footing inspections are required for billboards prior to the pouring of any concrete
• The final sign inspection is made once the sign is erected. Make sure the permit sticker you received when your sign permit was approved is placed on the sign in a visible location. If a permit sticker is lost during the life of the sign, a new permit and sticker must be obtained with an additional minimum permit fee being charged
• Political Sign Regulations

What fees are involved and when do I pay them?

• A minimum permit fee will be charged for each new sign requested
• A minimum permit fee will be charged to replace any lost sign sticker
• Payment types accepted are cash, MasterCard, Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh
• Permit fees are processed by the Development Services Customer Service Center cashiers located at One Exchange Plaza Suite 400 at the end of the process before the permits are issued
• See Development Fee Schedule

How long will this process take?

• It takes approximately one (1) week to process a sign permit package
• Allow a minimum of two (2) weeks to process new ground or tract identification signs. Definitions of each sign type are provided in the City Code Chapter 10 Section 2002