A building permit is required for "The installation, alteration or repair of any sign". Technically, you need a permit even to replace a light bulb in a sign. The fact that the sign company has no idea of this means it's not typically enforced. The code enforcement guy is playing hardball with this guy because he missed a protection payment or something.
The city requires a permit even to replace a light bulb in signs
According to their ordinances - http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=14101 - Do a search for 18-50
A building permit is required for "The installation, alteration or repair of any sign". Technically, you need a permit even to replace a light bulb in a sign. The fact that the sign company has no idea of this means it's not typically enforced. The code enforcement guy is playing hardball with this guy because he missed a protection payment or something.
The sign ordinance:
http://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/Portals/0/documents/Development%20Services/P...