Historic District Sign Guidelines
The following guidelines are provided as a general overview of the regulations for signage within Greensboro’s Historic District. For all of the regulations concerning historic district signage, it is the responsibility of the applicant to review the City of Greensboro’s Historic District Sign Ordinance.
General Guidelines
Free Standing Signs
Window Signs
Projecting Signs
Wall Signs
Hanging Signs
Awnings as Signage
Sandwich Board Signs
Temporary Sign Guidelines
Public Necessity Signs (May Require Approval from City Manager)
Signs That Do Not Require a Permit
General Guidelines
- Total area of all signage for any given business cannot exceed 32 square feet.
- No more than one primary and one secondary sign per business.
- All signs must use earth-tone colors.
- Signs must be illuminated by external light fixtures. No internally illuminated signs are allowed.
Free Standing Signs
- Maximum of 16 square feet in area or 32 square feet for a double-faced sign.
Window Signs
- No more than 10% of total window area.
Projecting Signs
- Maximum of 16 square feet in area.
- May not project more than 36 inches from the face of the building.
- Must allow for 8 feet of clearance.
- Cannot be higher than the building to which it is attached.
Wall Signs
- Maximum of 16 square feet in area.
- Must be installed with consideration to the building’s architectural features.
Hanging Signs
- Attached to building or awning (parallel to building).
- Must allow for 8 feet of clearance.
Awnings as Signage
- Maximum of 20% of the awning area can be used as signage.
Sandwich Board Signs
- No larger than 6 square feet.
- Must be portable.
- Must be made of wood or metal.
- Must be removed from sidewalk daily at the close of business.
- Only one sign per storefront is allowed.
Temporary Sign Guidelines
- May be displayed for no longer than 30 days.
- No larger than 3 square feet.
- No taller than 5 feet from ground level.
- Must be parallel to street.
- Only one temporary sign is allowed per property/parcel.Temporary signs may not be illuminated.
Public Necessity Signs (May Require Approval from City Manager)
Signs That Do Not Require a Permit
- Solicitation Signs
- Hours of Operation Signs
- Trespassing/Security Signs
- Address Numbers (no higher than 4 inches)
- Flags, Symbols, Insignias
- Special Sale Signs (No more than 33% of window area. Displayed for no longer than 2 weeks no more than 5 times per year.)
- Special Event Flyers (Up for no longer than 2 weeks. Removed within 48 hours after event. May not be fixed to utility poles.)
- Historical Markers and Government Signs
