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Sign Permitting FAQ

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1. What is the purpose of regulating signs?

The purpose of sign regulation is to prevent dangerous conditions from occurring due to their size, location, construction, or manner of display or to mislead the public by causing confusion, or obstruct the vision necessary for traffic safety. The intent is also to support and complement land use objectives set forth in the zoning ordinance for the City of Brevard.

2. Do I need a sign permit to advertise my business?

There are some exceptions, but generally speaking you need a sign permit for any outdoor advertising. A permit will determine if your design and location of your proposed sign is in accordance with the requirements contained in the sign ordinance.

3. Which Zoning District Am I In?

Use the City's Official Zoning Map to locate your property and determine you zoning district. You can also contact the Planning Department for assistance. Click here to locate your property.

4. How much is a sign permit?

Each year Brevard City Council adopts a fee schedule setting fees for various types of permits. The most common types of signs are ground and wall signs which are $100 and $200 respectively. Other sign types are available with varying permit fees.

5. What kind of ground sign can I have for my business located in DMX, NMX and RMX districts?

One sign not to exceed 32 square feet in surface area per side of sign, up to a maximum of 64 square feet of aggregate surface area for the entire sign; signs shall not exceed 25 feet in height in any district.

6. What kind of ground sign can I have for my business located in CMX district?

85 square feet in surface area per side of sign up to a maximum of 170 square feet aggregate surface area for the entire sign; signs shall not exceed 25 feet in height in any district.

7. What kind of ground sign of can I have for my business located in IC district?

24 square feet per side of sign up to a maximum of 48 square feet of aggregate surface area for the entire sign; signs shall not exceed 25 feet in height in any district.

8. What kind of ground sign of can I have for my business located in GI district?

50 square feet per side of sign up to a maximum of 100 square feet of aggregate surface area for the entire sign; signs shall not exceed 25 feet in height in any district.

9. What kind of wall sign can I have for my business located in CMX, DMX, NMX, RMX, IC, and GI district?

Wall Sign: One wall sign located on the street frontage side of the building.

Projection sign: One suspended or projection identification sign per business establishment, not to exceed eight square feet per side of sign up to a maximum of 16 square feet of aggregate surface area for the entire sign. Suspended or projection identification signs shall be located at the main entrance of the business.

Identification sign: One small business identification sign not to exceed 16 square feet in surface area. That sign may be located on the rear or side of the business.

Marquee signs: Theaters located within commercial districts shall be allowed a marquee with one or two copy sign surfaces. Total copy area allowance, for all sign surfaces, shall not exceed five square feet per linear foot of canopy with a maximum total height limit of no more than five feet at any point. A marquee shall not extend more than ten feet from the building nor be less than nine feet above the ground or sidewalk at the lowest point.

Menu reader board: Each drive-through restaurant establishment shall be allowed one menu reader board. Menu reader boards shall not be greater than 32 square feet in area or seven feet in height.

Building identification signs: Each building located in non-residential districts shall be permitted one building identification sign in lieu of allowable ground sign attached to the front of said building, or to the side of the building if the side faces on a street, alley, or other public right-of-way. Such building identification signs shall not exceed 32 square feet of aggregate surface area.

10. Can I have a temporary banner or A-frame sign?

Temporary banners or A-frame signs may be allowed in CMX, DMX, NMX, RMX, GI, and IC districts, with a permit and subject to the following requirements:
- Temporary banners or A-frame signs advertising the initial openings of business establishments, special events, or special sales may be permitted provided the location of such signs is approved by the administrator and meets all other requirements.
- Banners shall be attached to any part of the building wall.
- Signs shall not exceed 32 square feet of total aggregate surface area; A-frame signs shall not exceed 16 square feet per side of sign.
- Signs may be installed ten days prior to the initial opening, special event, or special sale and may remain ten days after completion of the promotion.
- Permits for these on-premises signs shall be obtained on an annual basis.

11. Can I get a permit for decorative flags, banners and other moving devices like pennants, balloons, windsocks?

Moving devices like flags, banners, pennants, balloons and windsocks may be permitted in all districts except GR, but they are subject to certain specific requirements. See section 12.9.J of the UDO for more information.

12. What are the rules for political signs?

Political ground signs may not exceed 16 square feet per side of sign. Maximum height of sign from ground to the top of the sign is six feet.

Political signs may not be posted more than 90 days prior to an election or primary.

Candidates must remove their signs within ten days after the election or primary.

Political signs must not constitute a traffic hazard or placed in the public right-of-way or easement or obstruct passages in any way.

13. Can I get a permit for an electronic display sign?

Electronic display signs may be permitted as ground or wall signs, subject to the following additional requirements:

1. Only one electronic display sign shall be permitted per parcel.
2. Only one electronic display sign shall be permitted within any group development, planned development, or institutional campus.
3. Electronic display signs shall display only non-moving text and images with changes alternating on not less than a five-second level, and shall display no scrolling, flashing, blinking, or otherwise moving message.
4. Electronic display signs shall adhere to all other applicable wall or ground sign requirements of this chapter, as well as the lighting standards of Chapter 11 of this ordinance.

14. Can I get a permit for a canopy sign?

Signs may be attached to a canopy provided that the total area of both the ground signs and all canopy signs does not exceed the allowable amount for your zoning district.

15. Can I have a sandwich board sign in lieu of a ground sign?

Business establishments within DMX, NMX, and RMX districts may instead be permitted a single sandwich board sign to be placed on the sidewalk adjacent to the front of the individual business or on the brick paved area providing such a location does not pose a safety hazard. A sandwich board sign is an A-frame or inverted V-shape sign which is portable and usually double-sided. This sign must comply with Section 46-1 of the City Code and must not exceed four feet in height or eight square feet in area per side of sign.

Business establishments located in the Times Arcade Alley may also be permitted to collectively place one such sign near the West Main Street alleyway entrance in the brick paved area, providing such a location does not pose a safety hazard and providing further that the sign is removed at the end of each day when the last business in the Times Arcade Alley closes.

16. Am I allowed to put a sign in the public right-of-way?

No. Any freestanding sign located in a public right-of-way or easement, or extending over into a public right-of-way or easement is typically not permissible and may be removed by the City

17. Am I allowed to have off premises advertising signs?

No. Typically signs like billboards and other types of off-premises advertising signs are not permitted unless otherwise listed as an exception in the sign ordinance.

18. Can I have a flashing sign?

Flashing signs or devices with changing degrees of intensity are typically not permissible, except a sign indicating time and/or temperature, with changes alternating on not less than a five-second level.

19. Can I have a moving sign?

Moving signs are not allowed. Moving signs are defined as any moving sign or device to attract attention, all or any part of which moves by any means, including motion by the movement of the atmosphere or by electrical or other means, including but not limited to pennants, flags, propellers or discs, whether or not any said device has a written message.

Note: There are some exceptions for automobile sales dealers to allow for the attachment of small pennants, flags or balloons on antennas and/or twirl-ads on hoods/roofs. These devices shall not exceed two per vehicle and exceed three square feet in size.

20. Can I post a sign to utility poles, trees, fences, rocks or other signs?

No.

21. Can I have a roof sign?

No.

22. Can I post a “No Trespassing” sign on my property?

Yes, without a permit, as long as it’s on your property.

23. Do I need a permit for a temporary real estate sign?

No. Temporary real estate signs advertising a specific piece of property for sale, lease, rent, or development, located on said property, provided such signs shall not exceed eight square feet in surface area per side of sign up to a maximum of 16 square feet of aggregate surface area.

Signs shall not be illuminated and shall not exceed one per parcel of land unless such land is located at an intersection of two streets; in such case, two signs shall be allowed, one facing each street.

24. Do I need a permit for signs on window or glass?

Signs on window glass are allowed, regardless of size, without the issuance of a permit.

25. Can I post a private traffic sign to help navigate entering and exiting my business?

Yes. Private, unofficial traffic signs not exceeding two square feet in surface area per side of sign up to a maximum of four square feet of aggregate surface area per sign, which indicate directions, entrances, and exits are permissible. Such signs are to be located entirely on the property to which they pertain, and shall not contain any advertising message, no permit is necessary for these types of signs.

26. Are there exception for government and charitable organizations?

Yes. There are exceptions for any flag, badge, insignia, or design customarily displayed by any governmental agency or government, or any charitable, civic, fraternal, patriotic, religious, or similar organization.

27. Are there special provisions for gasoline service stations?

Yes. Gasoline service stations or any businesses selling gasoline are allowed, in addition to other provisions of this ordinance, the following signs:
1. Gasoline price/self-service signs located at and secured to each pump island and not exceeding nine square feet per side of sign. One gasoline price/self-service sign may be freestanding and located at a place other than the pump island, but must be on the business site and meet all other sign regulations. If such signs are freestanding signs, they shall not exceed 40 inches in height.
2. Brand sign, emblem of the gasoline sold, the grade of gasoline and any other related signs shall not exceed nine square feet in total aggregate surface area for each pump island.
3. North Carolina inspections sign at any location on the business premises as long as said sign is not placed in any right-of-way and does not exceed 40 inches in height.

28. Do I need a permit for a construction sign?

No permit is required. One construction sign per construction project not exceeding 32 square feet of sign area in residential districts or 64 square feet in commercial or industrial districts, provided that such signs shall be erected no more than five days prior to the beginning of construction for which a valid building permit has been issued, shall be confined to the site of construction, and shall be removed five days after completion of construction and prior to occupancy.

29. Where can I review other maps or policies?

You can visit the Planning Department's resource page by clicking the additional resources link. Additional Resources