Campaign Sign Placement Regulations

Campaign signs are a staple of every election season. Both the Town of Indian Trail and the state of North Carolina have laws and regulations regarding sign placement. Please review the following information before placing a sign. 

North Carolina State Law (GS 136-32) states that political signs may be placed on NCDOT right of ways beginning 30 days before the beginning date of “one-stop” early voting (Tuesday, Sept. 15). Additional requirements include:

1. No sign is permitted in the right of way of a fully controlled-access highway;
2. No sign shall be closer than 3 feet from the edge of the pavement of the road;
3. No sign shall obscure motorist visibility at an intersection;
4. No sign shall be higher than 42 inches above the edge of the pavement;
5. No sign shall be larger than 864 square inches;
6. No sign shall obscure or replace another sign.

Under the Town’s UDO, Section 940-070 states that political signs may be placed beginning 45 days in advance of the election for which they were made (Saturday, Sept. 19).  Signs may be placed on private property and town right of way. In addition, political signs need to comply with the following: 

1. Each sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
2. All such signs may be erected no sooner than 45 days in advance of the election for which they were made. 
3. All such signs shall be removed within 7 days after the election for which they were made. 
4. No sign shall be placed on any curb, sidewalk, post, pole, hydrant, bridge, tree, or other surface located on, over, or across any public street or right-of-way.