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Waynesville council adopts sign‑code updates, delays new political‑sign size rule until December
Summary
After a public hearing, the Town of Waynesville adopted a text amendment to its signage code to add definitions, clarify mural and portable sign rules, reduce some wall‑sign ratios, and permit facsimile signs. Council delayed the effective date for the political‑sign size provision until 2025‑12‑01.
The Waynesville Town Council voted to adopt a comprehensive text amendment to the town's sign ordinance that clarifies how various sign types are measured and processed and adjusts several dimensional standards — but it delayed the new restriction on political‑sign size until Dec. 1, 2025.
Planning staff presented the amendment as a cleanup and clarification of chapters 4, 11 and 17. The changes add definitions for sign types in the ordinance text, specify how mural signage is calculated (count only lettering/logo area), consolidate duplicate temporary‑sign sections, and set clear limits for portable (a‑frame) signs and neighborhood entrance signs. The planning presentation noted that attached sign maximums in regional center and commercial‑industrial districts would be reduced from 15% of the wall face to 10% for new signage; existing nonconforming signs would be handled under maintenance rules.
The planning board recommended allowing facsimile (three‑dimensional) signs and removing the prior prohibition, citing examples of artisan signage that add character to town centers. Staff also proposed neighborhood entrance signs be limited to 16 square feet and 6 feet tall with up to two signs per entrance (maximum four per neighborhood), and removed the planning board requirement for certain minor neighborhood signage so staff could process compliant applications more quickly.
Council opened a public hearing and discussed alignment with state statute for political signs. Because the state‑level size limits differ from the town's prior standard, council members agreed to adopt the ordinance updates but to delay the new political‑sign section’s effective date to give local candidates and organizers time to adjust. The council formally found the draft amendment consistent with the 2035 comprehensive plan and adopted the text amendment with the delayed effective date for section 11.5.0.12 to Dec. 1, 2025.
What’s next: Staff will update administrative procedures to process neighborhood entrance and portable sign permits at staff level and pursue enforcement steps for apparent banner violations in the National Register district if property owners do not voluntarily comply.
