There are many types of signs a business may want to install in the City of Hickory. Displaying a business sign or portable signage where advertising is visible from the public right-of-way, requires a zoning permit.

Before Submitting an Application

To receive the required zoning permit a sign must comply with the sign ordinances in LDC in Chapter 10. Installation of signs must begin within one year of the date that the city issues a permit. The city strongly advises businesses not to fabricate signs until permits have been issued. Permits are required for wall signs, ground signs, projecting signs, and temporary signs.

You can view the signs allowed by the district in Chapter 10 of the Land Development Code (LDC).  Exempt and Prohibited sign types can also be found in Article 10.1.5 and 10.2 of the LDC. To accurately determine the zoning of the proposed sign location you may use GIS, which is a web-based mapping platform managed by Catawba County.

Application Requirements

New signs must be permitted prior to installation.  An application for a permanent sign can be obtained from the online ePermit center. 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 locations, size, and height, sign design sketch, location and dimensions of the building's walls, and a wind-load statement.
 
For free-standing signs over twelve (12) feet in height and/or over thirty-two (32) square feet in area, one (1) set of complete plans with the appropriate signatures and seals of the architects and engineers are needed for review. Please refer to Section 3107.1 of the North Carolina Building Code for requirements or call Catawba County Building Services at (828) 465-8399. For free-standing signs between six (6) and twelve (12) feet in height, as well as, wall signs, only one (1) complete set of plans are required for review. For free-standing signs under six (6) feet in height, only one (1) set of plans is required for review. Please contact the Permit Center for further information.

Each sign requires a separate application and submittal package. If you are unable to submit via the ePermit center please call 828-323-7410 or email permits@hickorync.gov for assistance.

Paying Fees

Payments are made online through the ePermit system. Once, you plan is approved, you will receive notification to make payment. 

Signs Exempt from Zoning Review

• Signs not over two (2) square feet and only identifying the property numbers and names of the occupants of the premises for public safety purposes.
• Historic markers erected by a governmental body.
• Legal notices, traffic signs, and related signage erected by or on behalf of a governmental body.
• Architectural features excluding letters, trademarks, moving parts, moving lights.
• Signs that direct traffic on private property, that are less than four (4) square feet in area, two (2) feet in height, and within three (3) feet of the driveway.
• Signs used in conjunction with equipment necessary to the business such as drive-through menu boards, signs on ATMs, gas pumps, vending machines, etc.
• Official flags on non-residential property; limited to one, 40 square foot flag per lot on existing flag poles.
• Flags, emblems, or insignia of a government on existing flag poles.
• Window signs placed in non-residential properties; not to exceed thirty-three percent (33%) coverage of the window glass.
• Construction signs not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in non-residential zoning districts and not exceeding eight (8) square feet in residential zoning districts.
• Temporary signs for special events not over thirty-two (32) square feet for no longer than fourteen (14) days.

Special Signs

• Billboards - New off-premise signs are not permitted. Existing signs may be replaced subject to certain standards.
• Electronic Message Boards - LED signs are permitted in commercial zoning districts, subject to certain standards.
• High Rise Signs - Parcels within the High Rise Sign Overlay District may have an additional free-standing sign that complies with the regulations outlined in Article 4 of the Land Development Code.
• Portable Signs - Except for permitted temporary signs, no portable signs are allowed.
• Projecting Signs - Wall signs that project greater than twenty-four (24) inches are only permitted within the C-1 (Central Business District) zoning district.