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Signs are regulated by the City of Asheville to stabilize and protect property values, to maintain the visual attractiveness of the city and its environment, and to ensure public safety. Regulations govern the location, size, and type of signs and require that most signs have Zoning and/or Building permits. No sign – temporary, permanent, permitted, or unpermitted, with the exception of governmental signs – may be displayed in a public right-of way, on a utility pole, or roadside structure (e.g. trash can, bus stop, tree, bench). Such signs are subject to immediate removal by the City of Asheville and may be reclaimed within 7 days of removal for a $50/sign reclamation fee.
About Sign Permits
Nearly all outdoor signs in Asheville require a sign permit. Some temporary signs do not require a permit, such as an on-site yard sale sign or real estate sign (see the section below about temporary signs for more information). City staff can assist you in determining whether a sign permit is needed by calling (828) 259-5822. It is highly recommended that citizens consult with staff before placing any outdoor signs.
Permit Fees
Permanent sign fees vary depending on size and type of sign. Please call the Development Services Center at (828) 259-5846 for permit fee questions. Temporary and A-Frame sign permits are $25. Permit applications may be downloaded below and should be submitted in person to the Development Services Center at 161 S. Charlotte Street, Room A101. The Development Services Center accepts cash, checks, and major credit cards.
Application Requirements
Application forms must be complete and include site location, applicant name, business name, privilege license information, name of the sign contractor, type of illumination, sign dimensions, and linear measure of store frontage (for multi-tenant businesses). Applications must also include a drawing, to scale, of the sign with all dimensions and text displayed. For attached signs, the sign drawing should also show where the sign is located on the building and the means of attachment to the wall or mounting surface. Photos of the building, lot, and/or proposed sign are very helpful.
If a sign is projecting or freestanding and exceeds a height of 6 feet, sealed engineered drawings must accompany the application, in addition to the sign drawing. A site plan is also required and must show property boundary line, building locations, right-of-way and driveway locations and the proposed location of the sign.
Once your application is complete and if your sign meets the requirements of the City Sign Ordinance, typical turn-around time for a permit is 7-14 business days.
Inspections
Once you have a sign permit, you may install your sign; however, do not forget to call for the required inspection/s. Footings inspections are required prior to the pouring of any concrete. Electrical inspections are required for any electrified signs. Remember, only a licensed electrician may wire an electrified sign.
The final sign inspection is made once your sign is erected. To request these inspections, call the inspector listed on the permit by 4 p.m. of the day prior to the desired inspection. When you call for the inspection, make sure you give the correct address of where the sign is located, the sign contractor’s name, the permit number and the type of inspection desired. If these procedures are followed, the permit process will flow smoothly and you should not experience any unnecessary delays.
Temporary Signs
Temporary signage mounted inside a window and not exceeding 16 square feet does not require a permit. Exterior temporary signage or temporary signage exceeding 16 square feet (with a maximum of 32 square feet)requires a temporary sign permit. The display of a temporary sign shall not exceed 30 days. No more than two (2) temporary sign permits, per business, can be issued in any one (1) calendar year. Temporary signs include banners for special temporary events and uses, such as grand openings and special events.
A temporary sign permit is not required in these cases:
Yard Sale Signs
- Four (4) allowed where sale is located, placed onprivate property.
- Limited to four (4) square feet per face in area.
- No permit is required.
Political Signs
- Generally limited to eight (8) square feet in area per display face.
- Must be removed within 5 days after the election.
- No permit is required.
Construction Signs
- Must have an approved site plan and building permit to install a construction sign.
- Generally limited to one sign, four (4) square feet for residential and thirty-two (32) square feet for multifamily residential and nonresidential construction, with a 10 foot height maximum.
- No permit is required.
Real Estate Signs “For Sale/For Rent/For Lease"
- For properties located in a Residential Zoning District, limited to two (2) signs per lot, four (4) feet in height and four (4) square feet per face.
- For properties located in all other Zoning Districts, generally limited to two (2) signs per lot, eight (8) feet in height and thirty-two (32) square feet per face.
- No permit is required.
A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Signs
A-Frame signs are allowed in the Central Business District, Neighborhood Corridor, Urban Village, and Urban Residential zoning districts only. A-Frame signs require a separate sign permit renewable yearly (download form below) and are regulated in sized, placement, and hours of display. The business placing an A-Frame sign shall provide verification of an insurance rider with the City of Asheville in the amount of $1,000,000 (one million dollars). For questions about A-Frame signs only, call 259-5829.
Prohibited Signs
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts within the City limits:
- Abandoned
- Animated or flashing
- Flags used in combination with a commercial activity
- Optical Illusion
- Portable or Moveable
- Roof
- Sandwich Board (with exceptions)
- Traffic Look-alike
- Vehicle (with exceptions)
- Wind (with exceptions)
Violations
To report a sign permit violation, call the Planning and Development Department at (828) 259-5831.
After receiving a notice of violation, remedies for failure to comply may include a citation in the amount of $100 per day for each day the violation continues. Signs erected prior to obtaining a sign permit are also subject to a doubling of the sign permit fees. Temporary and portable signs on City property or in the public right-of-way may be removed and disposed of by a Zoning Code Enforcement Officer.
Contact Information
Development Services Center
Janice Williams, Sign Administrator
161 S. Charlotte Street
Location: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Phone: (828) 259-5822
Email: jwilliams@ashevillenc.gov