The City’s Land Development Ordinance (LDO) authorizes City staff to regulate signage throughout Greensboro as a means to ensure signs are constructed, erected and maintained in a safe manner and do not create visual distractions or hazardous conditions.

To make the best use of available resources and ensure that requests for sign permits are evaluated in a reasonable manner and time frame, the permitting procedures for sign permits has been updated. The new procedures may extend the time it takes to process sign permit requests, but they are designed to allow a more efficient review process that limits potential errors and need for costly appeals or re-submittals.

Sign Brochure
Sign Permit Application 
Application Fees

What is a Sign? (as defined in the LDO)
Any object, device, display or structure, or part thereof, that is used to advertise, identify, display, direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event or location by any means, including but not limited to words, letters, pennants, banners, emblems, trademarks, trade names, insignias, numerals, figures, design, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination or projected images or any other attention-directing device.

Prohibited Signs
Windblown devices, moving signs, portable signs legible from the public right of way, signs attached to or painted on a vehicle in view of the public right of way and signs that cause a sight obstruction at any street or driveway. See City of Greensboro Municipal Code 16-8. This is not an all inclusive list, but it includes the most common prohibited signs.

Sign-Permitting Process
A completed sign permit application must be submitted along with payment of the required fee. No application will be accepted without accompanying payment. The completed application should include a site plan and/or building elevations showing dimensions of all existing and proposed signs and any dedicated right of way. The application and site plan/elevation will be reviewed by Zoning staff to see if application meets LDO requirements.

A site inspection of existing conditions will then be done prior to permit issuance. This inspection prevents any oversights that may have been omitted on the application and errors that may result in removal of any new signs. After initial site inspection is approved, a Sign Permit will be issued and is valid for 180 days. If the project is not completed within 180 days, the Sign Permit will expire. An electrical permit is required if a sign will be illuminated.