The uses and situations mentioned herein must comply with these requirements in addition to any other district regulations applicable.

A.

Animal hospital.

1.

All animal hospitals shall have a minimum area of one acre.

2.

These hospitals must have minimum street frontage of 300 feet.

3.

No animal storage shall be allowed within 100 feet of any residential use.

B.

Automobile service stations.

1.

All automobile service stations shall have a minimum lot area of 7,000 square feet.

2.

Stations must have at least 100 feet of street frontage.

3.

No portion of such station shall be nearer than 25 feet to the property line.

4.

All automobile servicing shall be performed inside a structure.

5.

No outdoor storage of materials is allowed.

6.

All parking or storage of vehicles shall be provided at least 15 feet from the front property line.

C.

Building height.

1.

All residential buildings are limited to a height of 35 feet or two stories.

2.

All other buildings in excess of 50 feet in height must increase all setbacks (front, side, rear) a distance of one foot for every two feet in excess of 50 feet.

D.

Cemetery.

1.

All cemeteries shall conform with standards established by the Hertford County Health Director and the regulatory provisions in the North Carolina General Statutes.

2.

All cemeteries shall have a minimum area of 6,000 square feet.

3.

Under no circumstances shall any grave be closer than 20 feet from any property line or street right-of-way.

E.

Churches.

1.

Minimum lot requirements shall be 60,000 square feet.

2.

A church or place of worship in the B-1 central business district shall be freestanding.

3.

Churches shall not include day care facilities, preschools, or homeless shelters, unless they are approved as a special use.

E-1.

Columbarium.

1.

Columbarium structures shall not significantly change the exterior appearance of the site visible from roadway rights-of-way and adjacent properties.

2.

Columbarium structures shall be constructed with minimum impact to surrounding areas.

3.

Columbarium structures shall not constitute a significant portion of the site.

4.

Columbarium structures shall meet the setbacks of the underlying zoning district.

5.

Columbarium structures shall not exceed six feet in height.

F.

Corner visibility. On a corner lot, within the area formed by the centerlines of the intersecting streets and a line adjoining points on such centerlines at a distance of 80 feet from their intersection, there shall be no obstruction to vision between a height of three and ten feet above the average centerline grade of each street.

G.

Daycare, kindergarten.

1.

Every daycare shall have a minimum indoor space of 25 square feet and an outdoor space of 75 square feet for each child.

2.

Play areas must be surrounded by a sturdy fence at least four feet high.

H.

Dish antennae (or earth station).

1.

Dishes must be located at least five feet off of the property line.

2.

All dishes must be fixed to an approved pole or house and may not be fixed to any type of tree/vegetation.

3.

Any dish larger than 32 inches × 23 inches must be located five feet off the property line in the side or rear yard only.

4.

If greater than four feet in diameter it must be located on the rear of side yard and be screened at least 75 percent with plantings (within three years), fencing or earth berms.

I.

Family care homes. Family care homes may not be located within a one-half mile radius of an existing family care home.

J.

Farms. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent any bona fide farm to operate a produce stand on the same farm that provided it.

K.

Fences. Fences not exceeding a height of four feet shall be exempt from the yard and building setback line requirements of this appendix. Fences not exceeding a height of six feet to be erected only in side or rear yards shall be exempt from the yard and building setback line requirements of this appendix; provided that no fence exceeding a height of four feet will be constructed within 15 feet of any street. In all cases, the corner visibility provisions of this appendix shall be observed.

L.

Home occupation.

1.

No more than one person other than those residing in the home shall be engaged in the occupation. For barber or beauty shops, only one person residing in the home shall be engaged in the occupation.

2.

No more than 20 percent of the heated floor space of the principal dwelling shall be used for the home occupation.

3.

The home shall continue to be used principally as a dwelling.

4.

Home occupations shall be permitted only in single-family dwellings.

5.

The occupation shall not be visible from the street.

6.

The occupation shall not involve the retail sales of products.

7.

The occupation shall not constitute a nuisance or any undue disturbance in the neighborhood.

M.

Home professional office.

1.

No more than two persons other than those residing in the home shall be engaged in the occupation.

2.

No more than 25 percent of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling shall be used for the office.

3.

The home shall continue to be used principally as a dwelling.

4.

Home professional offices shall be permitted only in single-family dwellings.

5.

The office shall not involve the retail sales of any product.

6.

The office shall not constitute a nuisance or any undue disturbance in the neighborhood.

N.

Hotels, motels, motor lodge, motor inn. All buildings in a hotel complex must be at least 100 feet from a public right-of-way.

O.

Internet sweepstakes. In addition to the findings of fact, in the Ahoskie Zoning Ordinance, the following specific provisions shall be met as minimum standards prior to the approval of any business engaging in "internet sweepstakes":

1.

Days/hours of operation: Businesses engaging in electronic gaming operations activities may operate from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. each day, seven days per week.

2.

All applicable permits must be issued to the applicant prior to the issuance of the special use permit and the opening of business.

3.

If food or beverage is served, the establishment must meet the requirements of the Hertford County Health Department, including any and all necessary permits and/or licenses.

4.

The establishment must be a minimum of 500 feet from any building used as a dwelling.

5.

The establishment must be a minimum of 1,000 linear feet from any church, synagogue, or temple and associated uses including cemeteries, congregate care facility; a public or private daycare center; nonprofit clubs; or any public or private school. The required separation from the above listed uses applies whether the place of worship, school, child day care center, playground, or park is the principal use or an accessory use of the property.

6.

The establishment must be a minimum of 1,000 feet from any other organization engaged in an electronic gaming operations business.

7.

Measurement of distance separation shall be in a straight line from the closest point of the buildings at which the internet cafe sweepstakes business is located.

8.

The applicant shall submit a current plot plan prepared within 30 days prior to application by a registered land surveyor depicting the following:

a.

Property lines and the structures containing any existing electronic gaming businesses within 1,000 feet of the subject property.

b.

Property lines of any established church, synagogue, or temple and associated uses including cemeteries, congregate care facility; a public or private daycare center; nonprofit clubs; or any public or private school that is within 1,000 feet of the subject property.

c.

Property lines of any existing residential zoning district within 500 feet of the subject property.

9.

For the purposes of this section, a use shall be considered existing or established if it is in existence at the time an application is submitted.

10.

Must provide parking per section 402.11.

11.

Windows must be unobstructed (no treatments) for view from outside as a security issue for the Ahoskie Police Department. Tints may not be used to deter visibility of ongoing activity inside.

P.

Junkyard.

1.

The yard shall be set back at least two times the distance from the right-of-way line as required in the district.

2.

The yard shall be fenced with a visual screen eight feet in height in order that no junk can be seen from the street or surrounding properties.

Q.

Nightclubs, bars, taverns, beer hall, cocktail lounge, private club and cabarets. Standards to be addressed by applicants:

1.

Must have a person-in-charge on duty at all times and clearly display the name of the person-in-charge in a prominent place.

2.

Must be sufficiently staffed to control unruly patrons and maintain order on the premises, and when necessary, must swear out arrest warrants on patrons engaging in violent, disorderly or illegal acts.

3.

Must keep interior and exterior of structure in good repair, clean and well maintained.

4.

Must comply with noise restrictions.

5.

Must meet fire codes and limit occupancy to the maximum number allowed for the facility.

6.

Must provide parking per subsection 402.11(c).

7.

Minimum of 3,000 square feet of floor space per floor is required in B-1 business district unless prior approval from town council is received.

8.

No new bars/taverns shall be permitted within 200 feet of an established church or school, nor within 200 feet of any residential district, nor within 200 feet of another bar/tavern. A "new bar/tavern" as used herein shall be defined as a bar or tavern that did not exist or was under construction prior to the adoption of this appendix.

9.

Bars/taverns must comply with all provisions of the N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Code.

R.

Manufactured home sales.

1.

A manufactured home sales establishment shall have a minimum area of one acre.

2.

No such establishment shall engage in the manufacturing or service of a manufactured home.

S.

Nonresidential accessory use.

1.

Bona fide farms are exempt from these regulations.

2.

All accessory uses and buildings shall comply with the setback requirements of the district in which they are located.

T.

Public utilities. Any public utilities that contain dangerous apparatus must be enclosed by a chain-link fence at least six feet high.

U.

Railroads. Existing railroads may continue to be operated and maintained in residential districts but no new railroad construction shall be established except when authorized by the town council.

V.

Residential accessory uses.

1.

Bona fide farms are exempt from these provisions.

2.

All accessory buildings shall be located in the rear yard except garages and carports as long as they meet side yard requirements of the district.

3.

No accessory building shall be more than 15 feet in height unless located in the R-20 zoning district, then accessory buildings shall be no more than 35 feet in height.

4.

All accessory buildings must be set back at least five feet from any property line.

5.

Swimming pools permanently or semi-permanently constructed below ground level and exceeding four square feet in water area shall be protected by a five-foot fence and latching gate to keep children and animals from having unsupervised access.

6.

Noncommercial kennels are allowed in an R-20 district; provided that all dog storage areas be erected no closer than 300 feet from any other existing residence.

7.

Dog pens must be erected no closer than 25 feet from any other existing residence.

W.

Sexually oriented business. The following conditions must be met to obtain a special use permit to operate a sexually oriented business in the appropriate zoning district:

1.

An inspection of any existing property must be made by the police chief and the fire chief to determine compliance with any laws relating to the operation of a sexually oriented business or with fire protection. A review of plans and specifications must be made by the police chief and fire chief for new construction for compliance.

2.

A sexually oriented business may not:

a.

Locate within 400 feet in any direction from a building used as a dwelling in the I-L - light industrial zoning district.

b.

Locate within 400 feet in any direction from a residential zoning district (R-6, R-10, R-15, R-20, O&I (O-I)).

c.

Locate within 200 feet in any direction from a building in which a sexually oriented business is located.

d.

Locate within 1,500 feet in any direction from a building in which a church is located.

e.

Locate within 1,500 feet in any direction from a building in which a library, school, or a state licensed child day care center is located.

f.

Locate within 1,500 feet in any direction from any lot or parcel on which a public playground, public recreational complex or public park is located.

3.

No merchandise or activities of the sexually oriented business may be visible from any point outside the establishment.

4.

Signs are allowed as permitted in the district but may not include promotional displays, photographs, silhouettes, drawings or pictorial representations of any manner depicting sexual activity, themes or nudity.

5.

No sexually oriented business shall be open for business before 8:00 a.m. or after 2:00 a.m. daily, local time.

W-1.

Solar farms. No parcel or parcels of land may be used as a solar farm, and no solar farm shall be permitted, constructed, operated or maintained except in accordance with the following standards:

1.

Setback:

A.

All fencing or screening hardware used to conceal the farm and facilities shall be setback no less than 200 feet from any street or road and no less than 150 feet from residential or commercial structures. Fencing shall never be installed any closer than setbacks in any circumstance.

B.

Existing tree or forest line is required to remain between highways and streets to help conceal the farms from public view when traveling.

2.

Evergreen vegetation buffer:

A.

An evergreen vegetation buffer shall be required adjacent to commercial and residential zoned property. Vegetative buffer shall be placed outside the required fence or screening of solar farm. Evergreen buffer shall be always maintained. All farms are required to be concealed with the fence and buffer.

B.

The evergreen vegetative buffer shall be composed of evergreen trees or shrubs of a type which at planting shall be a minimum of four feet in height and which shall be a minimum of six feet in height five years after planting. At maturity each tree or shrub shall be maintained at a height of no less than six feet. The evergreen trees or shrubs shall be spaced no more than ten feet apart (from the base of the tree or shrub to the base of the adjacent tree or shrub).

C.

The evergreen vegetative buffer shall be carefully planted and shall be maintained in good condition. Failure to maintain the evergreen vegetative buffer shall constitute a violation of this ordinance.

D.

Nothing contained herein shall be construed to require such evergreen vegetative buffer or tree line to block reasonable access to a solar farm.

E.

The evergreen vegetative buffer requirements specified hereunder shall continue notwithstanding the fact that a solar farm is no longer in operation and/or falls into disuse unless such solar farm is dismantled and removed from the parcel or parcels of land upon which it was constructed.

3.

Abandonment: Any structure or associated equipment that is not operated for a continuous period of 180 days is deemed abandoned and must be removed within 180 days after written notice from the town. If not so removed the town may remove it and recover its cost from the operator/owner. If the operator/owner cannot be located, these requirements shall be the responsibility of the landowner on whose property the equipment IDs located.

4.

Decommissioning:

A.

Decommissioning shall include removal of solar collectors, cabling, electrical components, and any other associated facilities down to 36 inches below grade.

B.

Disturbed earth shall be graded and re-seeded, unless the landowner request in writing that the access roads or other land surface areas are not to be restored.

X.

Stable. No stable shall be erected closer than 100 feet to any other existing dwelling.

Y.

Storage of flammable gases or liquids. No such storage tanks shall be located closer than 25 feet from any boundary line of the lot on which said storage is located.

Z.

Storefront window and door restrictions.

1.

Glass windows and doors must be unobstructed (no painting, tinting or treatment) with a clear view from outside to the inside as a safety precaution for the Ahoskie Police Department.

2.

All existing businesses must comply within 90 days of the effective date of this ordinance.

3.

Note: Subsection 403.2.N. of our zoning ordinance also states that signs attached temporarily to the interior of a building's window or glass door may not cover more than 25 percent of the transparent surface area of the window or door to which they are attached.

AA.

Tobacco and vape retailer.

1.

No tobacco and vape retailer shall be located within 1,760 feet of any other tobacco and/or CBD retailer.

2.

No tobacco and vape retailer shall be located within 2,640 feet of any established public or private school, daycare, church, place of worship, or any building used as or zoned for a dwelling.

3.

All signage for a tobacco and vape retailer use shall comply with section 403, Signs. No additional signage advertising products or for decoration, shall be permitted in store windows or in the store's doors and/or entryways.

(Ord. No. 1996-13, 11-12-1996; Ord. No. 1999-2000-27, § 400, 2-8-2000; Ord. No. 2002-2003-20, § 401.E, 2-11-2003; Ord. of 8-9-2005(1); Ord. No. 2005-2006-9, § 1, 2-21-2006; Ord. No. 2009-2010-7, 3-9-2010; Amend. of 12-11-2012(2); Ord. No. 2013-2014-4, 5-13-2014; Ord. No. 2014-2015-1, 7-8-2014; Ord. No. 2020-2021-10, 3-9-2021; Ord. of 6-8-2021(2); Ord. No. 2023-2024-48, 4-9-2024; Ord. No. 2023-2024-51, 5-13-2024)

In order to assure a proper and uniform development of public parking and loading areas in the Town of Ahoskie and its extraterritorial area, to relieve congestion in the streets, and to minimize any detrimental effects of off-street parking areas on adjacent properties, the procedures and standards set forth in this section shall apply.

Before any erection of any building, or at the time any principal building is enlarged or increased in capacity by adding dwelling units, guest rooms, seats or floor area; or before conversion from one type of use or occupancy to another, permanent off-street parking is required in the amount specified herein. Such parking may be provided in a parking garage or properly graded open space.

Sec. 402.1. Certificate of minimum parking requirements. Each application for a zoning permit submitted to the zoning administrator as provided for in this chapter shall include information as to the location and dimensions of off-street parking and loading space and the means of ingress and egress to such space. This information shall be in sufficient detail to enable the administrator to determine whether or not the requirements of this section are met.

Sec. 402.2. Handicapped parking. All off-street parking areas for buildings that are subject to the North Carolina State Building Code, Volume I, General Construction, shall comply with all of the requirements set forth in section (11x) 3.3 or any amendments thereto. Such parking spaces shall be set aside and clearly identified with above parking level signs (painted curb signs are acceptable) for use by individuals with physical disabilities. The minimum number of assigned spaces for the handicapped shall be as follows. A minimum of one such parking space per 50 spaces shall be set aside for the handicapped. These minimum requirements for the number of parking spaces for the handicapped may be included in determining whether the minimum parking requirements of this chapter are met. In addition to any other requirement of this chapter, parking spaces identified for the physically handicapped that are placed on the diagonal or vertical shall be a minimum of 12 feet six inches wide and shall be located as near as possible to the main public entrance of a single building and centrally located where practical in parking lots that serve more than one building.

Sec. 402.3. Combined parking. The required parking space for any number of separate uses may be combined in one lot but the required space assigned to one use may not be assigned to another use, except that one-half of the parking space required for churches, theaters, or assembly halls whose peak attendance will be at night or on Sundays may be assigned to a use which will be closed at night and on Sundays.

Sec. 402.4. Satellite parking.

A.

If the number of off-street parking spaces required by this chapter cannot reasonably be provided on the same lot where the principal use associated with these parking spaces is located, then spaces may be provided on adjacent or nearby lots in accordance with the provisions of this section. These off-site spaces are referred to in this section as satellite parking spaces.

B.

All such satellite parking spaces (except spaces intended for employee use) must be located within 400 feet of a public entrance of a principal building housing the use associated with such parking, or within 400 feet of the lot on which the use associated with such parking is located if the use is not housed within any principal building. Satellite parking spaces intended for employee use may be located within any reasonable distance.

C.

All satellite parking must be provided on land that is in the same ownership as the land where the principal use is located.

D.

The applicant for a parking permit for said satellite parking shall submit with his permit an instrument duly executed and acknowledged which subjects said land to parking used in connection with the principal use for which it is made available. Upon issuance of a building permit by the town building inspector, the zoning administrator shall cause said instrument to be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds in Hertford County.

Sec. 402.5. Parking space dimensions.

A.

Subject to subsections B and C below, each parking space shall contain a rectangular area at least 19 feet long and nine feet wide. Lines demarcating parking spaces may be drawn at various angles in relation to curbs or aisles, so long as the parking spaces so created contain within them the rectangular area required by this section.

B.

In parking areas containing ten or more parking spaces, up to 20 percent of the parking spaces need contain a rectangular area of only 7½ feet in width by 15 feet in length. If such spaces are provided, they shall be conspicuously designated as reserved for small or compact cars only.

C.

Wherever parking areas consist of spaces set aside for parallel parking, the dimensions of such parking spaces shall be not less than 22 feet by nine feet.

Sec. 402.6. Required widths of parking area aisles and driveways.

A.

Parking area aisle widths shall conform to the following table, which varies the width requirements according to the angle of parking.

B.

Driveways shall not be less than ten feet in width for one-way traffic and 18 feet in width for two-way traffic, except ten-foot-wide driveways are permissible for two-way traffic when:

(1)

The driveway is not longer than 50 feet;

(2)

It provides access to not more than six spaces; and

(3)

Sufficient turning space is provided so that vehicles need not back into a public street.

Sec. 402.7. General design requirements.

A.

Unless no other practicable alternative is available, vehicle accommodation areas shall be designed so that, without resorting to extraordinary movements, vehicles may exit such areas without backing onto a public street. This requirement does not apply to parking areas consisting of driveways that serve one or two dwelling units, although backing onto arterial streets is discouraged.

B.

Vehicle accommodation areas of all developments shall be designed so that sanitation, emergency, and other public service vehicles can serve such developments without the necessity of backing unreasonable distances or making other dangerous or hazardous turning movements.

C.

Every vehicle accommodation area shall be designed so that vehicles cannot extend beyond the perimeter of such area onto adjacent properties or public rights-of-way. Such areas shall also be designed so that vehicles do not extend over sidewalks or tend to bump against or damage any wall, vegetation, or other obstruction.

D.

Circulation areas shall be designed so that vehicles can proceed safely without posing a danger to pedestrians or other vehicles and without interfering with parking areas.

Sec. 402.8. Vehicle accommodation areas.

A.

Vehicle accommodation areas that: (1) include lanes for drive-in windows or (2) contain parking areas that are required to have more than ten parking spaces and that are used regularly at least five days per week shall be graded and surfaced with asphalt, concrete or other material that will provide equivalent protection against potholes, erosion, and dust.

B.

Vehicle accommodation areas that are not provided with the type of surface specified in subsection A shall be graded and surfaced with crushed stone, gravel, or other suitable material to provide a surface that is stable and will help to reduce dust and erosion. The perimeter of such parking areas shall be defined by bricks, stones, railroad ties, or other similar devices. In addition, whenever such a vehicle accommodation area abuts a paved street, the driveway leading from such street to such area (or, if there is no driveway, the portion of the vehicle accommodation area that opens onto such streets), shall be paved as provided in subsection A for a distance of 15 feet back from the edge of the paved street. This subsection shall not apply to single-family or two-family residences or other uses that are required to have only one or two parking spaces.

C.

Parking spaces in areas surfaced in accordance with subsection A shall be appropriately demarcated with painted lines or other markings. Parking spaces in areas surfaced in accordance with subsection B shall be demarcated whenever practicable.

D.

Vehicle accommodation areas shall be properly maintained in all respects. In particular, and without limiting the foregoing, vehicle accommodation area surfaces shall be kept in good condition (free from potholes, etc.) and parking space lines or markings shall be kept clearly visible and distinct.

Sec. 402.9. Special provisions for lots with existing buildings. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, whenever: (1) there exists a lot with one or more structures on it constructed before the effective date of this chapter; and (2) a change in use that does not involve any enlargement of a structure is proposed for such lot; and (3) the parking requirements of this section that would be applicable as a result of the proposed change cannot be satisfied on such lot because there is not sufficient area available on the lot that can practicably be used for parking, then the developer need only comply with these requirements to the extent that: (1) parking space is practicably available on the lot where the development is located; and (2) satellite parking space is reasonably available as provided in this section. However, if satellite parking subsequently becomes reasonably available, then it shall be a continuing condition of the permit authorizing development on such lot that the developer obtain satellite parking when it does become available.

Sec. 402.10. Requirements for parking lots in residential districts. Where parking lots for more than five cars are permitted or required in residential districts, the following shall be complied with:

A.

The lot may be used only for parking and not for any type of loading, sales, dead storage, repair work, dismantling, servicing or play (recreation) area.

B.

All entrances, exits, barricades at sidewalks, and drainage plans shall be approved by the department of public works in accordance with the town Code and constructed before occupancy.

C.

A strip of land five feet wide shall be reserved as open space adjoining any street line or any lot zoned for residential uses, guarded with wheel bumpers and planted in grass and/or shrubs.

D.

Only one entrance and exit sign (maximum two square feet) and a sign no larger than two square feet unilluminated prescribing parking regulations may be erected at each entrance or exit.

Sec. 402.11. Minimum parking requirements. The following off-street parking spaces shall be required:

Sec. 402.12. Loading and unloading areas.

A.

Subject to subsection E, whenever the normal operation of any development requires that goods, merchandise, or equipment be routinely delivered to or shipped from that development, a sufficient off-street loading and unloading area must be provided in accordance with this section to accommodate the delivery or shipment operations in a safe and convenient manner.

B.

The loading and unloading area must be of sufficient size to accommodate the numbers and types of vehicles that are likely to use this area, given the nature of the development in question. The following table indicates the number and size of spaces that, presumptively, satisfy the standard set forth in this subsection. However, the administrator may require more or less loading and unloading area if reasonably necessary to satisfy the foregoing standard.

*Minimum dimensions of 12 feet × 55 feet and overhead clearance of 14 feet from street grade required.

C.

Loading and unloading areas shall be so located and designed that the vehicles intended to use them can

(1)

Maneuver safely and conveniently to and from a public right-of-way; and

(2)

Complete the loading and unloading operations without obstructing or interfering with any public right-of-way or any parking space or parking lot aisle.

D.

No area allocated to loading and unloading facilities may be used to satisfy the area requirements for off-street parking, nor shall any portion of any off-street parking area be used to satisfy the area requirements for loading and unloading facilities.

E.

Whenever:

(1)

There exists a lot with one or more structures on it constructed before the effective date of this chapter; and

(2)

A change in use that does not involve any enlargement of a structure is proposed for such lot; and

(3)

The loading area requirements of this section cannot be satisfied because there is not sufficient area available on the lot that can practicably be used for loading and unloading;

The developer need only comply with this section to the extent reasonably possible.

(Ord. of 8-9-2005(1); Amend. of 12-11-2012(2); Ord. of 6-8-2021(2))

It is the purpose of this section to allow certain signs of a residential and commercial nature in areas designated for such uses which will best provide and insure:

A.

The health, safety and general welfare of the people;

B.

The adequate supply of light and air to adjacent properties;

C.

Adequate and proportionate advertisement displays which promote and protect the economic vitality of the community;

D.

That signage displayed adjacent to and visible from a public right-of-way will not distract or confuse the motoring public, thereby causing a public hazard;

E.

That the aesthetic quality of the Town of Ahoskie is maintained for the benefit of all the citizens of the Town of Ahoskie, Hertford County, and the State of North Carolina, as a whole.

Sec. 403.1. Sign permit required.

A.

No sign shall be erected upon any lot or attached to, suspended from or supported on a building or structure, nor shall any existing sign be enlarged, removed, relocated, or materially repaired unless a sign permit for the same has been issued by the Town of Ahoskie. Such permit shall be on forms supplied by the Town of Ahoskie and shall contain such information as necessary to assure the requirements and conditions of this appendix can be met.

B.

There shall be no sign permit issued unless the plans, specifications and intended use of such sign or part thereof conform in all respects to all applicable provisions of the zoning ordinance and the North Carolina State Building Code.

C.

The person, firm, corporation, lessee, receiver, trustee, guardian or personal representative holding legal title or legal right to occupy or carry on business in the structure, or the manager, operator, or other person authorized to conduct business on behalf of the owner shall be responsible for applying to the zoning officer for sign permit approval.

D.

A fee as set forth in the fee schedule and amended from time to time by the town council shall be paid to the Town of Ahoskie, North Carolina, for each application for a sign permit.

E.

A penalty as set forth in the fee schedule and amended from time to time by the town council shall be paid to the Town of Ahoskie if any sign is erected prior to obtaining a permit.

Sec. 403.2. Signs exempt from regulations. The following signs shall be permitted in all districts and are not subject to the dimensional requirements of the ordinance except with regards to corner visibility, provided that no sign, other than those listed below, shall be erected within or project into a public right-of-way:

A.

Signs erected by or on behalf of or pursuant to the authorization of a governmental body, including legal notices, identification and information signs and traffic directional or regulatory signs.

B.

Flags, pennants, emblems or insignia when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or an advertising device.

C.

Temporary signs, totaling not over two square feet of surface area on any lot not used as commercial advertising, and for a period not to exceed 15 days in any calendar year. It shall be the responsibility of the person who erects such sign to have it removed.

D.

Memorial plaques, cornerstones, historical tablets and similar devices.

E.

Signs not exceeding two square feet in total sign surface area that are associated with residential use and that are not of a commercial nature. Such sign surface area shall contain only property identification names or numbers or names of occupants or warnings to the public.

F.

Signs required by law to be posted, unless specifically prohibited, limited or restricted.

G.

Small unilluminated signs, none exceeding four square feet in surface area, displayed strictly for the direction, safety or convenience of the public, including signs which identify restrooms, parking area entrances or exits, freight entrances and the like.

H.

Small unilluminated announcement signs concerning the practice of a profession, the conduct of an incidental home occupation, or other authorized occupation provided it is not over two square feet in area and is mounted flat to the main wall of the building.

I.

Temporary unilluminated real estate signs not over six square feet in area displayed on the property proposed for sale or rent and no closer than five feet to any property line. Off-premises signs meeting the same restrictions above may be erected but no more than one sign per corner or area.

J.

Signs for church and community identification no larger than 25 square feet in area located on private property but no closer than five feet to any property line.

(a)

Church or community identification. Identification of an established place of worship or society of people living under the same laws and regulations with common rights and privileges.

K.

Temporary signs erected in connection with elections or political campaigns. Such signs shall not be erected until 60 days before the election and shall be removed within ten days following the election.

L.

Temporary signs erected in connection with public information periods such as open enrollments, employment opportunities, and those like. Such signs shall only be erected for a total of 60 calendar days. It shall be the responsibility of the sign owner to remove the signs by the stated time frame.

(a)

All signs shall contain contact information for the sign owner.

M.

Displays, including lighting, erected in connection with the observance of holidays. Such displays shall be removed within ten days following the holiday.

N.

Construction site identification signs. Not more than one such sign may be erected per site, and it may not exceed 32 square feet in area. Such signs shall not be erected prior to the issuance of a building permit and shall be removed within ten days after the issuance of the final occupancy permit.

O.

Signs attached temporarily to the interior of a building's window or glass door. Such signs may not cover more than 25 percent of the transparent surface area of the window or door to which they are attached.

P.

Billboard signs may be constructed in R-20 residential districts but only for those properties being utilized for agricultural purposes.

Q.

Billboards—Outdoor advertising signs. These signs shall be setback a distance equal to the minimum setback requirements for the district in which they are located unless otherwise specified in this section. No permit shall be issued for any outdoor advertising sign closer than 300 feet to any residential use or within 100 feet of any primary use building on the property. The minimum distance between signs shall be 1,000 feet and said distance measured along the centerline of the roadway or street adjacent to the sign. These signs should only be allowed in the following districts: light industrial (I-L), heavy industrial (I-H) and office/institutional (O-I). In addition to the above, the following standards are set for outdoor adverting signs:

(a)

They may be illuminated;

(b)

They shall not exceed 288 square feet in copy area on major and minor thoroughfares, nor 32 square feet in copy area on collector streets and other thoroughfares, when allowed. A double facing or "V" sign structure will not exceed the specifications above; for properties with less than 1,000 feet road frontage a maximum allowable sign face for all freestanding signs located on a property shall not exceed a total of 500 square feet;

(c)

Support columns for sign structure must be of steel monopole design and must have engineering certification to meet N.C. Building Codes;

(d)

The minimum clear distance between the ground level and the bottom of the trim shall be ten feet;

(e)

The maximum height of sign shall be 34 feet outside of town limits and 25 feet maximum height inside the town limits. Height shall be calculated from elevation of pavement of the roadway upon which the sign is placed. Pavement elevation point shall be a right angle with the sign;

(f)

Signs must be a minimum of 50 feet from other permitted signs on the property;

(g)

Signs must be minimum distance of 500 feet from intersection of major highways or corridors. Signs must be at least 150 feet from all other intersections of highways;

(h)

The back of signs must be a neutral color to blend in with the surrounding area;

(i)

Shrubbery planting around sign bases is encouraged. The area surrounding the base of signs is to be maintained and free of unsightly debris.

R.

Temporary signs. No sign may be located within a public right-of-way or within 30 feet of the centerline of any public thoroughfares.

Sec. 403.3. Exception to regulation controlling the projection of signs in the B-1 district. The limitation of this ordinance governing the projection of signs from buildings and across public rights-of-way shall not apply to nonconforming marquees, canopies or awnings, but all other applications pertaining thereto shall be applicable.

Sec. 403.4. General requirements for signs.

A.

All signs shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with this chapter and the North Carolina Building Code, as amended. In the event of conflicting provisions of this chapter and the North Carolina Building Code, the more restrictive shall apply.

B.

No sign shall be erected or allowed to remain erected that is structurally unsafe, hazardous and in the opinion of the zoning enforcement officer, constitutes a danger to the public safety. If, in the opinion of the zoning enforcement officer, any sign should become insecure or in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe, the owner thereof or the person or firm maintaining the same shall, upon written notice from the zoning enforcement officer, immediately secure the sign in a manner to be approved by the zoning enforcement officer in conformity with the provisions of this chapter or remove such sign at the expense of the owner. Any freestanding sign that is not permanently attached to the ground in a manner approved by the zoning enforcement officer shall be considered a danger to public safety.

C.

To insure that signs are maintained in a safe and aesthetic manner, the following maintenance requirements must be observed for all signs visible from any public street.

1.

No sign shall have more than 20 percent of its display surface area covered with a disfigured, chipped, cracked, ripped or peeling paint or poster paper for a period of more than 30 successive days.

2.

No sign shall be allowed to remain with bent or broken display area(s), broken supports, loose appendages or struts, or be allowed to stand more than 15 degrees away from the perpendicular for a period of more than 30 successive days.

3.

No sign shall be allowed to have weeds, trees, vines on other vegetation growing upon it for a period of more than 30 successive days.

4.

No indirect or internally illuminated sign shall be allowed with only partial illumination for a period of more than 30 successive days.

D.

There shall be no rooftop signs.

E.

Signs located on the front of a marquee shall be affixed flat to the surface thereof and shall not extend vertically above or below the marquee.

F.

No sign which obstructs the view of, causes confusion or otherwise interferes with, any authorized traffic signs, signals or other safety devices shall be erected at any location.

G.

No light which resembles an emergency light shall be used in connection with any sign.

H.

No sign shall be located within 50 feet of any residentially zoned lot and, in addition, if the lot on which the sign or billboard is located abuts a residential district, said sign or billboard shall be set back to meet the side, rear, and front setback requirements of said abutting residential lot.

I.

No flashing signs shall be allowed.

J.

Directly illuminated signs shall be limited to those lighted from behind or internally to silhouette letters and figures, so as to prevent a direct view of the light source.

K.

Flood lighting and display lighting shall be shielded so as to prevent a direct view of the light source from a public right-of-way or from a residence in a residential district.

L.

Where a structural awning or building overhang exists, the following permanent sign directly attached to the underside of such awning or overhang perpendicular to the street shall be allowed:

1.

The maximum area for an awning sign shall not exceed eight square feet.

2.

Signs may be illuminated, but only from a concealed light source and shall not flash, blink, or fluctuate; and no red, green, or yellow lights shall be allowed within 50 feet of the intersection of two streets.

3.

Signs shall not have rotating or otherwise moving parts.

4.

The total number of awning signs shall not exceed one per establishment.

5.

No awning sign shall extend more than 18 inches from the underside of the awning or building overhang to which it is attached, or to be so placed as to create a hazard to pedestrian traffic underneath.

M.

Signs not meeting the requirements of this section or any other applicable section of this ordinance shall be treated either as a nonconformity or as a violation with remedy being sought as provided under section 601.1 of these regulations or under G.S. 160D-404(c).

Sec. 403.5. Computation of sign surface area.

A.

The surface of a sign shall be computed by including the entire unit within a single, continuous, rectilinear perimeter forming 90-degree angles, enclosing the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework or bracing that is clearly incidental to the display itself, except as defined in subsection B.

B.

With respect to three-dimensional or multisided signs (including double face signs), the total sign surface area of all sides shall not exceed twice the maximum sign surface area as provided herein.

C.

With respect to decorative base or pylon-mounted sign displays, the base or pylon shall not be utilized in the calculation of sign display area, provided the total area of such base or pylon does not exceed 50 percent of the total sign display area. In cases where the base or pylon area exceeds 50 percent of the total sign display area, such base or pylon shall be deemed to constitute a sign as defined herein and shall be utilized in the calculation of total sign area.

Sec. 403.6. Special requirements in the zoning districts. All general requirements listed in section 403.4 of this chapter shall apply for any zoning district.

A.

Residential districts (R-20, R-15, R-10, R-6). No signs shall be allowed within any of the residential districts of the Town of Ahoskie except those as described in section 403.2 of this chapter.

B.

Office and institutional district (O-I). The maximum sign surface area for a freestanding sign shall be 0.25 square feet of sign area for each linear foot of lot street frontage or 100 square feet of sign area, whichever is less.

Only one freestanding sign shall be allowed per lot and it shall not exceed 15 feet in height above natural grade level and a minimum building setback of at least 15 feet from any property line or street right-of-way line must be observed.

In the case of cluster development there may be one freestanding sign not to exceed the above stated size requirements for the purpose of servicing the entire cluster and one additional sign not greater than four square feet in area mounted flat against the wall beside each entrance serving a reception area to describe the name and title of the individual establishment served by that entrance.

C.

Central business district (B-1). No freestanding sign shall be allowed in this district, except where:

1.

The lot upon which the principal use sign is to be located has at least 50 feet of frontage on at least one street; and

2.

No more than 70 percent of the lot is to be built upon, the remainder reserved for vegetative plantings, customer parking, or pedestrian walkways.

The maximum sign surface area for a freestanding sign shall be 0.25 square feet of sign area for each linear foot of lot street frontage or 100 square feet of sign area, whichever is less. No minimum building setback is required except as required in section 307.1.

Only one freestanding sign shall be allowed per lot and shall not exceed 15 feet in height above natural grade level.

No off-premises advertising signs (i.e., billboards) of any type shall be allowed in this district.

No wall sign shall be larger than two square feet of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage.

All wall signs shall be mounted flat against the face of the building or structure and all letters and superscriptions thereon shall be parallel with the face of the building.

No wall sign shall project more than one foot from the face of a building or structure and shall be ten feet or more above street level.

D.

Shopping center district (B-3). No freestanding signs shall be allowed in this district, except where:

1.

The lot upon which the principal use sign is to be located has at least 50 feet of frontage on at least one street; and

2.

A minimum building setback of at least 15 feet from any property line or street, right-of-way line is observed.

The maximum sign surface area for a freestanding sign shall be one square foot of sign area for each linear foot of lot street frontage or 400 square feet, whichever is less.

Only one freestanding sign shall be allowed per lot and shall not exceed 30 feet in height above natural grade level. If a shopping center has outparcels, along the road, one additional freestanding sign is allowed for each business located on the outparcel as long as the outparcel has 50 feet of road frontage and the sign does not exceed 50 square feet in sign area and does not exceed 20 feet in height above natural grade level.

No off-premises signs (i.e., billboards) of any type shall be allowed in this district.

No wall sign shall be larger than two square feet of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage.

All wall signs shall be mounted flat against the face of the building or structure and all letters and superscriptions thereon shall be parallel with the face of the building.

No wall sign shall project more than one foot from the face of a building or structure and shall be ten feet or more above street level.

Directional signs (illuminated or unilluminated) shall be allowed as additional freestanding sign area when limited to two directional signs per curb cut.

E.

Commercial district (B-2), light industrial district (I-L), and heavy industrial district (I-H). No freestanding sign shall be allowed in this district, except where:

1.

The lot upon which the principal use sign is to be located has at least 50 feet of frontage on at least one street; and

2.

No more than 70 percent of the lot is to be built upon, the remainder reserved for vegetative plantings, customer parking, or pedestrian walkways; and

3.

A minimum building setback of at least 15 feet from any property line or street right-of-way line is observed.

The maximum sign surface area for a freestanding sign shall be 0.75 square feet of sign area for each linear foot of lot street frontage or 100 square feet of sign area, whichever is less.

Only one freestanding sign shall be allowed per lot and shall not exceed 30 feet in height above natural grade level.

No wall sign shall be larger than two square feet of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage.

All wall signs shall be mounted flat against the face of the building or structure and all letters and superscriptions thereon shall be parallel with the face of the building.

No wall sign shall project more than one foot from the face of a building or structure and shall be ten feet or more above street level.

Directional signs (illuminated or unilluminated) shall be allowed as additional freestanding sign area when limited to two directional signs per curb cut.

Sec. 403.7. Nonconforming signs.

Any sign existing on the effective date of [the ordinance from which] this chapter [is derived] or any amendment hereto that does not meet the requirements of this chapter shall be considered nonconforming. Such sign shall be allowed to remain unless provided herein.

A.

No person may engage in any activity that causes an increase in the extent of nonconformity of a nonconforming sign. No nonconforming sign may be enlarged or altered in such a manner as to aggravate the nonconforming condition, nor may illumination be added to any nonconforming sign.

B.

A nonconforming sign may not be moved or replaced except to bring the sign into complete conformity with this chapter.

C.

If a nonconforming sign is destroyed by natural or unnatural causes, it may not thereafter be repaired, reconstructed, or replaced except in conformity with all the provisions of this chapter, and the remnants of the former sign structure shall be cleared from the land. For purposes of this section, a nonconforming sign is "destroyed" if damaged to an extent that the cost of repairing the sign to its former stature equal or exceeds 50 percent of its replacement cost as determined by the zoning enforcement officer.

D.

The message of a nonconforming sign may be changed so long as this does not create any new nonconformities (for example, by creating an off-premises sign under circumstances where such a sign would not be allowed).

E.

Should the use conducted on the premises which a nonconforming sign is intended to advertise or locate cease for a period of greater than 30 days, or should the ownership of such use or sign be transferred, then said sign shall lose its status as a legal nonconforming sign, and shall become subject to the requirements of this chapter, and if found to be noncompliant shall be considered a violation of this ordinance.

F.

All off-premises signs existing on the effective date of this chapter which do not conform to the requirements set forth herein shall be removed or brought into compliance herewith within 66 months from the effective date of this chapter.

G.

Off-premises signs that are protected from enforced removal by the Outdoor Advertising Control Act shall not be subject to the provisions of this section unless and until just compensation is provided in accordance with the cited statute.

H.

All portable and temporary signs not exempt from these regulations as determined in section 403.2 of this chapter are considered nonconforming and must be removed within 180 days after the effective date of this chapter.

I.

As soon as reasonably possible after the effective date of this chapter, the administrator shall make every effort to identify all the nonconforming signs within the town's planning and development regulation jurisdiction. He shall then contact the person responsible for each such sign (as well as the owner of the property where the nonconforming sign is located, if different from the former) and inform such person:

(i)

That the sign is nonconforming;

(ii)

How it is nonconforming;

(iii)

What must be done to correct it and by what date; and

(iv)

The consequences of failure to make the necessary corrections.

The administrator shall keep complete records of all correspondence, communications and other actions taken with respect to such nonconforming signs.

J.

Any sign erected after the effective date of this chapter that does not conform to the requirements set forth herein shall be considered in violation of this chapter and must be removed at the owner's expense.

(Ord. No. 1991-20, §§ 403—403.6, 10-9-1991; Ord. No. 2010-2011-3, 10-12-2010; Amend. of 12-11-2012(2); Ord. of 6-8-2021(2); Ord. No. 2023-2024-29, 1-11-2024)

It shall be unlawful for a person to park or store a manufactured home or trailer, or maintain, build or alter a manufactured home park within the Town of Ahoskie or within its extraterritorial limits unless a final plan of the manufactured home park has been approved.

Sec. 405.1. Permits to build or alter a manufactured home park and approval of plans. No person shall construct or engage in the construction of any manufactured home park or make any addition or alteration to a manufactured home park that either alters the number of sites for manufactured homes within the park or affects the facilities required therein until he first secures a permit authorizing such construction, addition, or alteration. The construction, addition, or alteration shall be done in accordance with plans and specifications submitted with the application and approved by the proper authorities. Procedures for the applicant securing such permit and assuring the town that the requirements of the permit are complied with shall consist of the following:

A.

For the construction or alteration of a manufactured home park that affects the number of sites within the park, a preliminary plan containing the information prescribed in section 405.2 shall be prepared and submitted to the planning commission for approval. No plan is required to be prepared and approved for issuance of a permit to make minor facility improvements in an existing manufactured home park where the number of manufactured home sites within the park is not affected. When no plan is required, application for a building permit may be made directly to the zoning enforcement officer. All building permit applications shall be made upon forms supplied by the zoning enforcement officer and shall be accompanied by the preliminary plan of the park.

B.

If the application contains the required information and the requirements of this ordinance would be complied with, the permit shall be issued. Building permits shall be nontransferable except with the written consent of the zoning enforcement officer.

C.

The zoning enforcement officer shall make an examination of the construction at any reasonable time to determine whether the work is being done according to approved plans and specifications, and the owner shall make available any records, test data, or other information essential to such determination.

D.

It is recommended that before filing a preliminary plan of the proposed manufactured home park for review by the planning commission, a sketch plan may be submitted to the town manager for his suggestions and criticisms.

E.

After the preliminary plan has been approved and all improvements and utilities specified in the preliminary plan have been installed, two copies of the final plan shall be submitted to the town manager for certification of compliance with the preliminary plan. If the town manager shall find that the final plan is satisfactory, the final plan shall be submitted for approval by the town council.

The final plan shall be prepared on reproducible mylar and shall contain the information prescribed in section 405.3 and shall conform with the preliminary plan as approved. If desired by the applicant, it may constitute only that portion of the approved preliminary plan which he proposed to develop at the time; provided, however, that such portion conforms to the minimum requirements of this ordinance.

F.

Where any land in the park is to be dedicated to public use, the procedures of the subdivision regulations shall be followed.

Sec. 405.2. What the preliminary plan shall show. The preliminary plan shall be drawn to a scale of not less than one inch = 40 feet and shall show the following on one or more sheets:

A.

A site plan of the proposed manufactured home park.

B.

The name of the manufactured home park, the names and addresses of the owner(s) and the designer of the park.

C.

Date, approximate north arrow, and scale.

D.

The boundary line of the tract with accurate linear and angular dimensions drawn to scale and the area of the park in square feet or acres.

E.

Contours with a vertical interval of one foot referred to sea level datum and elevations of existing streets, roads, drives, walks, curbs, catch basins, etc.

F.

A location map with a scale no less than one inch = 1,000 feet showing the location of the manufactured home park.

G.

The locations of existing and platted property lines, streets, buildings, watercourses, railroads, bridges, water mains, sewers, culverts, drainpipes, and any utility easements, both on the land to be developed into a manufactured home park and on land immediately adjoining. The names of adjoining subdivisions or the names of recorded owners of adjoining parcels of unsubdivided land.

H.

The names, proposed location and approximate dimensions of proposed streets, alleys, driveways, entrances, exits, walkways, easements, recreation areas, parks and open spaces, reservations, manufactured home spaces, manufactured home stands, and building lines within the park. This information should be graphical only, not requiring detailed computations or field work in obtaining the required information above. In all cases the proposed characteristics shall be shown in a manner that shall distinguish them clearly from the existing characteristics of the land.

I.

When deemed necessary by the town manager, profiles of all proposed public or private streets or drives, showing natural and finished grades drawn to a scale of not less than one inch = 40 feet horizontal and one inch = four feet vertical.

J.

Plans of proposed utility layouts (sewer lines, septic tank locations, septic tank drainfields, and water and storm drainage) showing feasible connections to existing and proposed utility systems.

K.

Proposed storm drainage for each manufactured home space and for the entire manufactured home park including all proposed grading and sewer installations which may be deemed necessary to insure proper drainage and the elimination of ponding.

L.

Location and number of garbage receptacles.

M.

A detailed plan for all electrical installations prepared to meet the National Electrical Code and local codes or ordinances.

N.

Where public water or public sewer is not available, a written statement from the county health department shall be submitted with the manufactured home park plan indicating that the manufactured home park has adequate land area and suitable topography to accommodate the proposed methods of water supply and sewage disposal.

Sec. 405.3. What the final detailed site plan shall show. The final plan shall be drawn in black ink upon reproducible mylar in sheets either 15 by 18 inches or 20 by 24 inches in size, to a scale of not less than one inch = 40 feet. It shall contain the following:

A.

A site plan of the proposed manufactured home park.

B.

The name of the manufactured home park, the names and addresses of the owner(s) and the designer of the park.

C.

Date, approximate north arrow, and scale.

D.

The boundary line of the tract with accurate linear and angular dimensions drawn to scale.

E.

The names, proposed locations and dimensions of proposed streets, alleys, driveways, entrances, exits, walkways, easements, recreational areas, parks, and other open spaces, reservations, manufactured home spaces, parking spaces, buildings, signs, manufactured home stands, patios, electrical plan, planting strip, and building lines within the park. The information should be drawn accurately with detailed computations and field work completed.

F.

A detailed drawing to a scale of not less than one inch = five feet of a typical manufactured home space showing the location of the manufactured home stand, all utilities, and the manufactured home utility connections, the patio, concrete footing, walks, parking spaces, driveways and all other improvements.

Sec. 405.4. Specifications for manufactured home parks.

A.

Every manufactured home park shall be located on a tract of land not less than three acres in size and shall contain at least ten manufactured home spaces as defined in this chapter.

B.

Every manufactured home space shall consist of a minimum of 3,600 square feet. Further, each manufactured home space shall be clearly defined or delineated, and shall have a minimum width of 40 feet.

C.

No more than one manufactured home may be parked on any manufactured home space.

D.

The supports of all manufactured homes parked within an authorized park shall rest upon adequate concrete footing. Each manufactured home space shall be provided with a patio of at least 160 square feet constructed of concrete, brick, flagstone or other such hard-surfaced material. Such patio shall abut off-street parking space required by this ordinance for each manufactured home space, or in lieu of this abutment, a paved walkway at least two feet wide leading from the road or off-street parking space to the patio shall be provided. Each patio and walkway shall be graded and properly drained to prevent ponding.

E.

No manufactured home stand shall be located less than 30 feet from a public street right-of-way. No manufactured home stand shall be located less than 20 feet from a private drive or an exterior park boundary or less than 20 feet from another manufactured home stand, a manufactured home addition or any other structure.

F.

Off-street parking space sufficient to accommodate at least two automobiles shall be constructed within each manufactured home space. Such off-street space shall provide a minimum area of ten feet by 20 feet for each automobile, and shall be paved or covered with crushed stone or other suitable material.

G.

The manufactured home park shall be located on ground so as not to be susceptible to flooding and graded so as to prevent any water from ponding or accumulating on the premises. Where storm drainway pipes are located in adjacent streets, underground drainage facilities with connections to the storm drainage system shall be provided for the manufactured home park.

H.

Each manufactured home stand and the manufactured home space shall be graded to provide adequate storm drainage away from the manufactured home and such that there will exist no more than two feet difference between the chassis of the manufactured home and the finished grade of the manufactured home stand along the entire perimeter of the manufactured home proper.

I.

The manufactured home park shall have driveways, with an unobstructed right-of-way of at least 30 feet, that directly abuts all manufactured home spaces. All such driveways shall be paved and lighted at night; minimum width of pavement shall be 18 feet. No on-street parking shall be permitted on such driveways; however, wider streets may be provided and on-street parking permitted when a minimum of 50 feet right-of-way and a minimum of 34 feet of pavement is provided.

J.

No manufactured home space shall be more than 500 feet measured along connecting driveway centerlines from a public street.

K.

All manufactured home park driveways shall connect with a public street or another driveway with a 30-foot (minimum) right-of-way and 18 feet pavement (minimum).

L.

No manufactured home space shall have direct vehicular access to a state or federal primary street.

M.

Area to provide proper drainage ditches and a three-to-one back slope shall be provided along all public streets or private driveways constructed with 18 feet or more of paving width.

N.

Closed ends of dead-end streets shall be provided with an adequately paved vehicular turning circle of at least 50 feet in diameter.

O.

Each manufactured home stand shall have adequate access, for both the manufactured home and autos, with a minimum width of 20 feet unless more is deemed necessary because of topographical conditions or street curvature.

P.

When the manufactured home park has more than one direct access to a public street, they shall not be less than 300 feet apart or less than 300 feet from a public street intersection unless topographical or site conditions demand otherwise.

Q.

Signs for identification of manufactured home parks: one or not more than two signs with a total area of not more than one-half square foot for each manufactured home space and in no case larger than 50 square feet located on private property but no closer than five feet to any property line. Only indirect nonflashing lighting may be used for illuminations, and the sign must be constructed in such a manner as to prevent a direct view of the light source from any public street right-of-way.

Sec. 405.5. [Compliance with technical codes.] All manufactured home parks shall comply with the North Carolina State Building Code and related codes adopted by the Town of Ahoskie (particularly the manufactured home and modular dwelling unit section of the State Building Code).

Sec. 405.6. [Connection to water and sewer systems.] All manufactured homes within the Town of Ahoskie shall be connected to municipal water and sewer systems. Manufactured homes and manufactured home parks located within the extraterritorial area shall be connected to an approved water and sewer system as required by the Hertford County Health Authority.

Sec. 405.7. [Recreational facilities.] All manufactured home parks shall provide adequate and suitable recreational areas and facilities to serve the needs of the residents of the park. Specifically, at least 200 square feet for each manufactured home in the park shall be provided in one or more locations.

Sec. 405.8. [Replacement of existing units.] Any manufactured home park that existed before [the ordinance from which this section derives] was adopted, the following conditions apply in regards to replacing aged or damaged units:

a.

Units must be replaced with comparable size units and may not contain more than ten percent more square footage than the unit being replaced unless a special use permit is received from the town council.

b.

Any unit being replaced must be replaced within 180 days.

(Ord. No. 2006-2007-19, 2-13-2007; Ord. of 6-8-2021(2))

Sec. 406.1. Purposes. The purposes of design review are to protect and enhance public health, safety and welfare and aesthetic value of the building environment. More specifically, the purpose of this review is to encourage site planning in advance of construction so that issues of nuisance (e.g., noise, glare of lights, unsightly buildings or parking areas, etc.), crime prevention, maintenance of property values and aesthetic value can be addressed through design.

Sec. 406.2. Where required. Site plan approval shall be required for all new developments and expansion of existing developments on real property in accordance with the provisions of this section, and no building permit or other authorization for development shall be issued prior to such approval. Parking lots shall require site plan approval. Design review shall not alter the type and category of uses permitted in zoning districts.

Sec. 406.3. Plans required. A site plan or plans drawn to scale shall be submitted to the town and shall include the following:

A.

Identification and description. Name and address of applicant, plan scale, date, and north arrow.

B.

Existing conditions. A map of the property and adjacent lands showing contours with a two-foot interval; location and direction of all water courses, floodplain areas and other hazards; natural features, such as rock outcroppings, marshes, wooded areas; fragile areas; names of all platted streets, public ways, easements and utility rights-of-way, parks and other public open spaces; buildings and structures and their uses; town boundaries; existing sewers, water mains, culverts and other underground facilities, indicating pipe sizes, grades, manholes and their exact location.

C.

Proposed development. A map showing the following in addition to other requirements of the zoning administrator:

1.

Proposed land uses and densities.

2.

Building types and coverage.

3.

Circulation patterns for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

4.

Parks, playgrounds, open spaces.

5.

Waste disposal facilities (sewage and trash).

6.

Lighting.

7.

Water supply, community facilities, such as schools, libraries, fire station, shopping, etc.

Sec. 406.4. Standards. The following shall be required on all site plans and for all development reviewed:

A.

Bufferyards shall be required to be shown on all new development plans and any development plans where major remodeling of properties is proposed. Buffers shall be as required in section 407.

B.

Natural landscaping shall be retained whenever possible to meet the bufferyard requirements.

C.

Unnecessary grade changes shall be avoided. Retaining walls shall be provided where needed.

D.

Drainage shall be as approved by the zoning administrator according to accepted engineering standards.

E.

Sidewalks and curbs shall be provided in whole or part in those locations the town manager has determined a need.

F.

Ingress and egress locations on public thoroughfares shall be located in the interests of public traffic safety.

G.

Parking spaces shall be designed in accordance with the requirements of section 402 of this chapter.

H.

There shall be reasonable access for emergency services (fire and police).

I.

Outdoor lighting shall be provided for security and with minimum glare.

J.

Other specified site provisions may be required as determined by the zoning administrator.

Sec. 406.5. [Site plan requirements for multifamily developments.] Further, the following shall be required on those site plans for multifamily dwellings and for all such multifamily development:

A.

Outdoor play space suitable for children playing shall be included. Outdoor play space shall be a minimum of ten percent of the lot area being developed, and shall be in addition to the required landscaping (buffering). Parking lots are not such acceptable space. This requirement shall not be applicable in housing maintained exclusively as adult housing.

B.

Private or semiprivate outdoor space for each unit shall be included, such as balconies or fenced yards.

C.

The site plan shall be designed to minimize outdoor noise.

Bufferyards are a combination of land and physical barriers such as fencing, plant material, and earthen berms which separate various land uses and street rights-of-way. Their purpose is to:

(1)

Create a better quality of living for the community by encouraging the preservation of existing vegetation and stabilize the environment's ecological balance;

(2)

Establishing proper separation between land uses;

(3)

Provide flexibility in developing appropriate separation between land uses; and

(4)

Help reduce the negative impact of glare, noise, trash mitigation, odors, overcrowding, traffic, lack of privacy, and visual disorders when incompatible land uses adjoin one another.

For these reasons, the Town of Ahoskie establishes with this section different types of bufferyards and their required presence in the community.

Sec. 407.1. Description of buffers. The following three basic type of bufferyards are hereby established:

1.

Opaque bufferyard, type A.

A)

A screen that is opaque from the ground to a height of at least six feet, with intermittent visual obstructions from the opaque portion to a height of at least 20 feet.

B)

An opaque screen is intended to exclude all visual contact between uses and to create a strong impression of spatial separation.

C)

The opaque bufferyard may be composed of a wall, fence, landscaped earth berm, planted vegetation, or existing vegetation.

D)

Compliance of planted vegetative screens or natural vegetation will be judged on the basis of the average mature height and density of foliage of the subject species, or field observation of existing vegetation.

E)

The opaque portion of the screen must be opaque in all seasons of the year.

F)

At maturity, the portion of intermittent visual obstructions should not contain any completely unobstructed openings more than ten feet wide.

G)

The portion of intermittent visual obstructions may contain deciduous plants.

2.

Semi-opaque bufferyard, type B.

A)

A screen that is opaque from the ground to a height of three feet, with intermittent visual obstruction from above the opaque portion to a height of at least 20 feet.

B)

The semi-opaque bufferyard is intended to partially block visual contact between uses and to create a strong impression of the separation of spaces.

C)

The semi-opaque bufferyard may be composed of a wall, fence, landscaped earth berm, planted vegetation, or existing vegetation.

D)

Compliance of planted vegetative screens or natural vegetation will be judged on the basis of the average mature height and density of foliage of the subject species, or field observation of existing vegetation.

E)

At maturity, the portion of intermittent visual obstructions should not contain any completely unobstructed openings more than ten feet wide. The zone of intermittent visual obstruction may contain deciduous plants.

3.

Broken bufferyard, type C.

A)

A screen composted of intermittent visual obstructions from the ground to a height of at least 20 feet.

B)

The broken bufferyard is intended to create the impression of a separation of spaces without necessarily eliminating visual contact between the spaces.

C)

It may be composed of wall, fence, landscaped earth berm, planted vegetation, or existing vegetation.

D)

Compliance of planted vegetative screens or natural vegetation will be judged on the basis of the average mature height and the density of foliage of the subject species, or field observation of existing vegetation.

E)

The screen may contain deciduous plants.

Sec. 407.2. Compliance with bufferyard standard.

A.

The table set forth in section 407.3, in conjunction with the explanations in section 407.1 concerning the types of bufferyards, establishes screening requirements that presumptively satisfy the general standards described in the beginning of this section. However, this table is only intended to establish a presumption and should be flexibly administered.

B.

The land use classifications contained in the table of bufferyard requirements (section 407.3) are split into two categories: the burdened use and the benefited use. The burdened use is the use that is assigned the responsibility of providing the required bufferyard.

C.

After analyzing the table, if the burdened use is an existing use but the required bufferyard is not in place, then this lack of screening shall constitute a nonconforming situation.

D.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a two-family or multifamily development (including manufactured home parks) shall be required, at the time of construction, to install any screening that is required between it and adjacent existing uses, regardless of whether, in relation to other uses, the two-family or multifamily development is the benefited or burdened use.

Sec. 407.3. Table of bufferyard requirements.

(Amend. of 12-11-2012(2))

Building structures shall be consistent with the surrounding area and shall be aesthetically pleasing. All exterior surfaces of structures shall present a finished appearance.

Sec. 408.1. Enforcement. The zoning administrator shall review all plans to check whether the standard requirements are included. Plans shall be approved, modified, or denied accordingly. Either the zoning administrator or the developer shall have the option of referring the plans or plan items to the board of adjustment for resolution of doubtful or contested application of standards. In such cases, the developer shall provide sufficient copies to be furnished to the town, at least one week in advance, for each member of the board of adjustment. The zoning enforcement officer may issue a certificate of occupancy only after the improvements required by site plan approval have been completed, or a schedule for completion and a bond or other financial guarantee have been accepted by the town. If construction has not begun within one year from the date of site plan approval, such approval shall expire unless an extension is requested and granted.