OVERVIEW
The purpose of sign ordinance is to authorize the use of signs whose size, type, and location are compatible with their surroundings; to minimize the detrimental effects of signs; to ensure signs do not become a public hazard or nuisance or traffic hazard; to preserve the characteristics of each district and to protect and enhance the overall appearance of the community. All signs within the Wake Forest planning area shall be covered by these regulations and be erected, constructed, or maintained in accordance with the provisions of this section.
The sign permitting fee is $50 per sign. The Town of Wake Forest issues three types of sign permits:
1. Temporary Signs (permit application) – Reserved for the grand opening of a new business only and are available for a period not to exceed 30 days.
2. Construction Signs (permit application) – May be erected on sites for which approved building have been signed. The sign may be a maximum of 32 square feet and the permit is valid until the Certificate of Occupancy has been issued for nonresidential sites or construction has completed for residential developments.
3. Permanent Signs (permit application) – These signs are permanently erected to identify residential communities or nonresidential sites. They may be wall and/or ground signs.
The Wake Forest Sign Ordinance can be found in Article VI. Supplementary District Regulations. Section 4. Of the Wake Forest Zoning Ordinance (beginning on page 123).
GENERAL INFORMATION
Signs Subject to Control: Unless specifically exempted, no sign visible from a public right-of-way shall be erected, displayed or substantially altered except in accordance with the provisions of this section and until a sign permit has been issued.
Permits: A permit shall be applied for and received from the Town before erecting, placing, rebuilding, reconstructing or moving any sign except those signs exempt from regulations. Every application for preliminary plan approval shall be accompanied by TWO COLOR COPIES of a plan or plans drawn to scale and including:
a. The dimensions of the sign.
b. The dimensions of the sign supporting members.
c. The maximum and minimum height of the sign.
d. The proposed location of the sign in relation to the building and/or physical surroundings.
e. The Underwriters' Laboratory label number shall be required prior to erecting any electrical sign.
The following changes shall not require a sign permit:
1) Change of copy on signs specifically designed for changeable copy.
2) The electrical, repainting or cleaning maintenance of a sign.
3) The repair of a sign.
Location: No non-governmental sign shall be erected or constructed so as to interfere with visual clearance along 
any street or at any intersection of two (2) or more streets or highways. No non-governmental sign shall be erected upon or encroach upon public rights-of-way, except in the Central Business District, where projecting signs may extend no more than five (5) feet over the right-of-way or sidewalk. In all other districts except residential, HCBD and CBD, no ground signs may be erected unless the building or structure in which activity is conducted is setback at least twenty (20) feet from edge of pavement. No non-governmental sign shall be attached to or painted on power poles, light poles, telephone poles, traffic signs or other objects not intended to support a sign.
Illumination: No flashing or intermittent illumination shall be permitted on any advertising sign or structure. Illumination devices such as, but not limited to, flood or spot lights shall be so placed and so shielded, as to prevent the rays of illuminating therefrom being cast upon neighboring buildings and/or vehicles approaching from either direction.
Inspections: All signs for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Town. A representative of the Town shall be authorized to enter at all reasonable times upon any property or premises to ascertain whether the provisions of the code are being obeyed. The Town may order the removal of any sign that is not in accordance with the provisions of the code.
Maintenance: Signs shall be kept in proper repair. The owners of any sign judged substandard by the Town of Wake Forest Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer shall be notified in writing and the said owner shall have thirty (30) days in which to make repairs. If the said order is not complied with within thirty (30) days, the Zoning Enforcement Officer shall remove such sign at the expense of the owner or lessee thereof plus a $25 administrative fee.
Material Specifications: All materials used in signs must meet requirements set forth in the Uniform Building Code governing signs.
Electrical: All wiring shall be contained in conduit or enclosed in poles or raceways. In no case shall the wiring be exposed to the public.
Removal: Within thirty (30) days after the termination or relocation of a business at any location within the zoning jurisdiction of the Town of Wake Forest, the business or property owner shall remove any and all signs related to the terminated or relocated business. Conforming signs designed for changeable copy may be covered instead of removed. If the business or property owner fails to remove the sign(s) within the above specified time period, the Zoning Enforcement Officer shall take the necessary actions, as stated in Article IV. Section 9 and 10 of this ordinance, to remedy the violation.
Temporary Signs
Temporary or portable signs may be permitted in any commercial or industrial zoning district for a period of not over thirty (30) days upon the written approval of the Zoning Enforcement Officer or his/her agent. Such approval shall be limited to non-profit organizations who are exempt by the Internal Revenue Service and to any person(s) or corporation who has opened a new business.
Prohibited Signs in All Districts
1. Any sign located in a manner or place which might constitute a traffic hazard.
2. Any sign that uses the word "STOP", "SLOW", "CAUTION", "DANGER", or any other word which is likely to be confused with traffic directional and regulatory signs.
3. Any sign which by color, location, or nature may be confused with a traffic signal.
4. Any sign which contains, employs, or utilizes lights or lighting which rotates, flashes, moves, or alternates except otherwise approved time and temperature signs. However time and temperature signs that rotate are not permitted.
5. Any sign that obstructs any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress or egress for any building, as required by law.
6. Any sign imitating an official sign, or violating the Law of the State relating to outdoor advertising.
7. Off-premises signs, such as billboards.
8. All portable signs except those associated with gasoline stations, specifically those denoting gasoline prices, gas types and other petroleum related signage. Signs should be located at the pump island.
9. Any sign that utilizes neon-tube lighting as the visible light source.
10. Any sign installed or placed on public property or within a public right-of-way. Such sign shall be forfeited to the public and is subject to confiscation and disposal. In addition to other remedies hereunder, the Zoning Administrator shall have the right to recover from the owner or person placing such a sign the full costs of removal and disposal of such sign.
11. Any sign that covers or crosses an architectural feature.
Signs Allowed in All Districts Exempted from Permit Issuance 
1. Signs not exceeding two (2) square feet and not illuminated, bearing property numbers, post office box numbers, names of occupants, or other identification of premises not having commercial connotations.
2. Signs directing and guiding traffic on private property, but bearing no advertisement matter. Generic terminology will be permitted on directional signs.
3. Signs associated with municipal, county, state or federal bodies. Temporary political signs advertising candidates or issues which do not exceed four (4) square feet in area per display surface, are not erected in street rights-of-way, are not erected prior to the established filing date for an election and are removed no later than fifteen (15) days after the election.
4. Flags and insignia of government except where displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
5. Real estate signs advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premise on which the said sign is located, provided such signs do not exceed one (1) sign per street frontage; and do not exceed four (4) square feet in area per display surface for a residential premise; or sixteen (16) square feet in area per display surface for a non-residential premise or residential premises exceeding two (2) acres, and are removed immediately after sale or lease of the premise.
6. Public event announcements erected by public or non-profit organizations announcing special events of interest to the general public, provided such signs do not exceed four (4) square feet in area per display surface and are removed within fourteen (14) days of the event.
7. Yard or garage sale signs provided such signs do not exceed one (1) sign per site of such event, four (4) square feet in area per display surface and are removed within seven (7) days of erection.
8. Unit identification numbers shall be located on the front wall within eighteen (18) inches of the entrance, or if not feasible architecturally, prominently displayed on the building. Unit numbers for single-family dwellings only may, in lieu of being located on the front wall, be located on the mail boxes or similar-sized surface attached thereto. Group housing developments which are comprised of courts or units not fronting a public street must located identification signs containing the name of the court, street or way and the unit numbers on each private entrance.
9. Construction signs are not included in this category. A permit is required for all construction sign.
10. Generic, non-advertising, directional, realty signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in size on private property with the owner's permission be permitted.
Staff Contact
Charlie Yokley, Senior Planner
(919) 435-9517
cyokley@wakeforestnc.gov