PERMIT APPLICATIONS FOR SIGNS

(828) 323-7410

Signs

Signs are regulated by the City of Hickory to stabilize and protect property values, maintain the visual attractiveness of the City and its environs, and to promote the public safety. The regulations govern the location, size, and type of signs and require that most signs obtain zoning and building permits. No signs are allowed in street right of ways. Applications for a Sign Permit may be obtained at www.hickorygov.com or the Development Assistance Center located on the 1st floor of City Hall.

Plans

For freestanding signs over twelve (12) feet high or thirty-two (32) square feet in area, three (3) sets of complete plans must be submitted for review. These plans must have appropriate signatures and seals of the architects and engineers. Please refer to section 3107.1 of the North Carolina Building Code for requirements or Catawba County Building Services at 465-8399. For smaller signs and wall signs only one (1) complete set of plans is required. Please contact the Development Assistance Center at 323-7410 for further information.

Signs Not Subject to Control

*   Non-illuminated signs not over two square feet and only identifying the property numbers and

     names of   the occupants of the premises.
*   Historic markers erected by a governmental body.
*   Legal notices, etc. and traffic signs erected on behalf of a governmental body.
*   Architectural features excluding letters, trademarks, moving parts, moving lights.
*   Signs that direct traffic on private property, have no advertising, and are less than four square

     feet.
*   Church bulletin signs not over twelve square feet and less than six feet high.
*   Signs used in conjunction with equipment necessary to the business such as drive-through

     menu boards, signs on ATMs, gas pumps, vending machines, etc.
*   Flags, emblems, or insignia of corporate, professional, fraternal, civic, religious, or

     educational organizations, limited to one per lot.
*   Flags, emblems, or insignia of government.

 

Signs Not Requiring Permits**

*   Real estate signs on lot’s less than five acres in residential, office, and central business districts

     not over six square feet.
*   Real estate signs in commercial and industrial areas and on all lot’s over five acres not over

     thirty-two square feet.
*   Construction signs not exceeding thirty-two feet square feet.

Special Signs**

*  Billboards - Off premises and high-rise signs are strictly regulated.   
*  Political Signs - Non-illuminated political signs not over sixteen square feet in area

    individually or in total may be located in front yards but must be removed within two days

    after the election. No sign of any kind shall be attached to any utility pole, tree, rock, or other

    natural object.
*  Portable signs - Except for temporary banners that must be permitted, no portable signs are

    allowed.

Signs Requiring Permits**

Wall signs in all commercial and industrial districts are limited in size to one square foot per linear foot of principal building front facade, not to exceed 150 square feet. Ground signs vary by zoning district. Please contact the Planning Department at 323-7422.

Temporary signs and banners require a Temporary Sign Permit and temporary businesses such as the sale of crafts, produce, seafood, Christmas trees, etc., shall also obtain a privilege license and Fire Special Use Permit which shall be kept at the site with the permit. A bond shall also be posted to ensure the timely removal of all temporary signs. Trailer, "A" frame, or electrical signs are not allowed as temporary signs.

An application for a Sign Permit shall be obtained at the Development Assistance Center or at www.hickorygov.com. The completed application should be submitted to the Development Assistance Center on the first floor of City Hall. The application needs to be accompanied with a site plan showing the following information: property boundary, right of way location, driveway locations, utility easements, size and locations of existing signs on the lot and building, new sign location size and height, sign design sketch, location and size of buildings and building walls, and windload statement.

 

** All signs whether approved with or without permits must be located outside ROW, site triangles, and most meet setback restrictions.