Town resumes COVID-impacted enforcement regulations

Due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, the Town of Wake Forest relaxed a number of temporary sign enforcement activities over the past year as a means of supporting local businesses during the pandemic. Now that conditions are improving and North Carolina’s restrictions have been lifted, the Town has resumed all temporary sign enforcement regulations.

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, many businesses introduced temporary creative solutions to increase their outdoor seating capacity, create customer pick-up zones, or address other needs. Starting today, Planning staff will begin contacting these businesses and property owners to discuss transitioning away from these temporary measures.

Businesses or property owners wishing to make such changes permanent are urged to contact the Planning Department at 919-435-9510 to determine whether 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 Emma Linn, Planner I-Development Services, at 919-435-9514 or [email protected].

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