Town to resume COVID-impacted enforcement regulations July 1

Due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, the Town of Wake Forest relaxed a number of temporary sign enforcement activities over the past year in an effort to support Wake Forest businesses during the pandemic. Now that conditions are improving and North Carolina’s restrictions are being loosened, the Town will resume all temporary sign enforcement regulations effective July 1, 2021.

A key component in the effort to ensure signage does not become a public hazard, public nuisance, or traffic hazard, signage enforcement also serves to protect and enhance the overall appearance of Wake Forest. Information related to permitted sign types are outlined in Chapter 11 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

Also during the pandemic, businesses may have introduced temporary creative solutions to increase their outdoor seating capacity, create customer pick-up zones, or implement other ways to address their needs. Beginning July 1, Planning staff will begin to contact these businesses and property owners to discuss transitioning away from these temporary measures.

Businesses or property owners wishing to make the changes permanent are urged to contact the Planning Department at 919-435-9510 to determine whether the modifications are possible and, if so, initiate the approval process. The process typically takes several weeks to complete, so anyone considering making temporary changes permanent is urged to begin the process now.

For more information about the sign permitting and approval processes, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “UDO” or contact Zoning Compliance Officer Brad Pleasant at 919-435-9541 or [email protected].

For more information about the site modification process, contact Senior Planner Patrick Reidy at 919-435-9515 or [email protected].