A.

This chapter is intended to regulate signs and their placement throughout the Town of Angier and its extraterritorial area for the following purposes:

1.

To provide a pleasing overall environmental setting and good community appearance, which is deemed vital to the continued economic attractiveness of the town and its environs;

2.

To create a more productive, enterprising, professional business atmosphere;

3.

To allow signs appropriate to the planned character and development of each zoning district;

4.

To ensure that permitted signs do not become a hazard or nuisance;

5.

To promote traffic safety;

6.

To prevent conflicts with public safety signs;

7.

To protect and enhance the value of properties; and

8.

To promote the public safety and general welfare of the Town of Angier and its ETJ.

B.

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the construction, erection, alteration, use, type, number, location, size, height, and maintenance of all signs. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, move, or replace any sign visible from off-site, without first having obtained a sign permit for such sign from the zoning administrator as required by this chapter.

(Ord. of 1-7-2020(1))

10.2.1 Sign design standards.

A.

Materials, colors, and shapes of proposed signs shall be designed so as to integrate with the buildings and the surrounding area. All permanent signs whether wall, pole or ground mounted, shall be constructed of materials that are intended for sign making and shall present a professional, finished appearance. The lettering and/or graphics shall be professionally painted or applied. In the Central Business zoning district, sign design and color shall be determined by the administrator.

10.2.2 Sign area. For freestanding signs, neighborhood identification signs, and other similar signs, the area shall not include the area of the surface to which the sign is affixed. For example, a decorative framework or wall shall not be included in the sign area.

10.2.3 Sign height. The height of a sign shall be measured from the highest point of a sign to the point of ground surface beneath it. Ornamentation such as caps, spires, and finials shall not extend more than two feet from the top of the sign. The use of berms or raised landscape areas is only permitted to raise the base of the sign to the mean elevation of the fronting street and shall not be used as a means to avoid compliance with regulations.

10.2.4 Sign setbacks.

A.

All signs shall set back a minimum of ten feet from side property lines.

B.

No sign shall be placed in the street right-of-way or sight triangles.

C.

No freestanding ground sign shall be located within 50 feet of any other freestanding ground sign. In cases where this requirement prevents location of a sign on a site on which no other sign exists, a sign may be placed at the furthest distance possible from existing freestanding ground signs on adjacent property.

10.2.5 Sign illumination. Illuminated signs shall conform to the following:

A.

All illuminated signs shall have their lighting directed in such a manner as to illuminate only the face of the sign.

B.

External light sources shall not cause glare hazards to pedestrians, motorists, or adjacent properties.

C.

All lighting shall meet all applicable building and electrical codes.

D.

A sign within 100 feet of an existing residential use shall not be illuminated between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.

E.

Lighting for signs shall be maintained and shall not create excessive noise.

10.2.6 Maintenance and upkeep of signs.

A.

All signs and all components thereof, including supports, braces, and anchors shall be kept in a good state of repair, in compliance with all building and electrical codes, and in conformance with the requirements of this chapter (unless deemed a legal nonconforming sign by the nonconformities section of this chapter). Any sign which is determined by the zoning administrator or building inspector as being insecure, in danger of falling or otherwise endangering the public safety shall be immediately removed by its owner unless it is repaired and made to otherwise comply with the requirements of this chapter.

B.

If a sign advertises a business, service, commodity, attraction or other enterprise or activity that is no longer operating or being offered or conducted, then that sign and sign structure shall be considered discontinued regardless of reason or intent and shall, within 90 days after such discontinuation, be removed by the owner of the property where the sign is located. A blank sign face shall be provided to prevent any exposed sign light bulbs and other internal sign components.

C.

If a sign is determined by the administrator to be not in a state of good repair, the property owner shall be given 60 days to repair or replace the sign in compliance with this chapter. Necessary repairs shall include, but are not limited to, damaged, broken or missing sign surface area, fading or unreadable messages, missing letters, damaged frames or supports, internal lighting which is not fully lighted or any other component of the sign not in a state of good repair. If a nonconforming sign is damaged or destroyed 50 percent or more of its assessed value, such sign may be reconstructed only in compliance with the regulations found herein.

(Ord. of 1-7-2020(1))

The following types of signs are exempt from permit requirements and may be placed in any zoning district. Such signs shall otherwise be in conformance with all applicable requirements contained in this chapter. All such signs (except government signs) shall be located outside of the street right-of-way and shall not be illuminated.

A.

Building marker signs. Signs etched into building or wall plaque that identify the name of the building, designer, year constructed, or provides similar information.

1.

Maximum sign area: Two square feet.

B.

Address and occupant signs. Signs that identify the address of a property or name of the occupant.

1.

Maximum sign area: Two square feet.

2.

Maximum number: One per building side.

C.

Directional signs (on-premises). Signs that are located on the premises/property to provide directions. Such signs contain no copy other than directional information.

1.

Maximum sign area: Three square feet.

2.

Maximum overall height: 43 inches tall.

3.

Maximum number: As necessary.

D.

Flags. Flags or insignia of any nation, organization of nations, state, county or municipality, any religious, civic or fraternal organization, or any educational or cultural facility and/or any one corporate flag per lot.

1.

Maximum sign area: 45 square feet.

2.

Maximum overall height: 35 feet

3.

Maximum number: Four per lot of record.

4.

Use of the American flag shall be in conformance with the Federal Flag Code.

E.

Government signs. Signs posted or authorized by various local, state, and federal agencies in the performance of their duties including providing community information and facilitating economic development. Such signs include regulatory signs, traffic signs, welcome signs, bulletin board, and directory signs.

F.

Wayfinding signs (town-sponsored). Town sponsored wayfinding signs may be posted within the planning and development regulation jurisdiction of Angier. Such signs shall direct travelers and tourists to points of interest including the town center, government facilities, cultural arts facilities, historical sites, galleries, accommodations, restaurants, and shops. These directory signs shall meet the design requirements of town sponsored signage as directed by the town board of commissioners. The town shall install and maintain the signs and shall have discretion over the text posted on the signs. This shall not apply to directory signs installed and maintained by NCDOT.

G.

Legal and warning signs. Signs erected to warn of danger or hazardous conditions such as signs erected by public utility companies or construction companies; signs required for or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute or ordinance.

H.

Incidental signs. Signs that cannot be read from the street right-of-way which inform or instruct customers or visitors on-site (i.e. drive-through menu boards, gas pump signs, bulletin boards).

I.

Stadium signs. Signs located within a stadium intended to be read only by persons seated within the stadium.

J.

Real estate signs (on-premises). On-premises real-estate signs advertise the sale or lease of the property on which said sign is located. Signs shall be removed within seven days of the sale or lease of the property. Signs advertising lots for sale within an approved subdivision may be posted at the entrance to the subdivision and shall be removed when all of the lots are sold within the subdivision.

1.

Maximum sign area. Six square feet for individual single-family residential properties and 32 square feet for multifamily residential properties, nonresidential properties, vacant properties, and subdivisions.

2.

Maximum overall height. Four feet tall for single-family residential and six feet for multifamily and nonresidential.

3.

Maximum number. One per street frontage per lot of record.

K.

Real estate signs (off-premises). Off-premises signs that advertise the sale or lease of property. Signs shall not be placed in the public right-of-way or on town-owned property, and shall be removed within seven days of the sale or lease of the property.

1.

Maximum sign area: Six square feet.

2.

Maximum overall height: Three feet tall.

3.

Maximum number: Five off-premises signs.

L.

Yard sale signs. Signs shall not be placed in the public right-of-way or on town-owned property, and should be removed 24 hours after the sale ends.

1.

Maximum sign area: Four square feet.

2.

Maximum overall height: Three feet tall.

3.

Maximum number: One on-premises sign per street frontage and five off-premises signs.

M.

Window signs. Signs, graphics or decals attached to the interior or exterior of a window or door of a business for advertisement purposes. Signs that exceed the maximum coverage shall be treated as wall signs.

1.

Maximum coverage: 25 percent of the total window area in the Central Business district.

N.

Sidewalk signs. A-frame or sandwich board signs may be used during hours of operation only. Such signs shall not impede pedestrian traffic, safety, or access as determined by the administrator.

1.

Maximum sign area: Six square feet.

2.

Maximum overall height: Three feet.

(Ord. of 1-7-2020(1); Ord. of 6-1-2021)

Temporary signs shall not be subject to a sign permit or fee, but persons or entities placing temporary signs shall adhere to the requirements for each type of temporary sign. Temporary signs shall be located on private property, shall not be located within a public street right-of-way (except as allowed by N.C. Law) or sight triangle and shall not be attached to trees or utility poles or on town-owned property. Temporary signs shall not be illuminated except for temporary holiday decorations. Temporary signs that do not fit into one of the following categories are not permitted.

(Ord. of 1-7-2020(1))

A.

Political signs. Signs may be displayed during a period beginning 60 days prior to an election, primary, or referendum and concluding seven days after the election. In the event of a runoff election, political signs for the candidates involved may remain on display until 48 hours after the runoff election. This section shall not apply to signs displayed inside of a building or on a motor vehicle.

1.

Maximum sign area: 32 square feet in the extraterritorial jurisdiction, 16 square feet inside town limits.

2.

Maximum overall height: Ten feet in the extraterritorial jurisdiction, eight feet in town limits.

3.

Maximum number: One per candidate/referendum per lot of record.

B.

Special event signs (on and off-premises). Signs may be erected by public or nonprofit organizations such as, but not limited to, schools and churches for promoting public events such as fund drives, fairs, festivals, sporting events, etc. Signs may be displayed during a period beginning 30 days prior to the event and concluding 48 hours after the event. Such signs shall not be illuminated. Off-premises signs must be placed on private property with the permission of the property owner.

1.

Maximum sign area size: 32 square feet.

2.

Maximum overall height: Six feet

C.

Banners. Banners advertising sales or special features may be hung against a building or structure or secured between poles or stakes on private property. Banners may only be displayed for a 45 day time period and shall not be used as a permanent sign.

1.

Maximum sign area: 32 square feet.

2.

Maximum number: One per business

D.

Construction signs. Signs displayed during the construction of a building or subdivision advertising for the construction company and/or development under construction. Construction signs should be removed following the completion of the development.

1.

Maximum sign area size: 64 square feet.

2.

Maximum overall height: Eight feet

3.

Maximum number: One per street frontage

(Ord. of 1-7-2020(1))

Unless otherwise listed herein, signs shall obtain a permit as outlined within this section.

10.6.1 Signs permitted by type.

(Ord. of 1-7-2020(1))

10.6.2 Additional requirements by sign type.

A.

Ground signs.

1.

All ground signs shall be monument, pole, or arm style. Monument signs shall be constructed with the bottom of the sign portion of the structure beginning no more than three feet from the ground and shall not exceed eight feet in height. Pole signs shall include encasement around any and all poles on the sign.

2.

Developments with two or more tenants shall utilize a multitenant sign.

3.

Electronic reader board or LED signs that display anything other than the time and temperature shall not change messages or images more often than every five seconds.

B.

Wall signs.

1.

The total allowable area for wall signs in the table above shall include canopy signs and awning signs.

2.

Maximum projection is 12 inches from the wall face.

3.

Signs shall not extend above the parapet or eave of the building.

4.

Wall signs shall not utilize changeable copy, electronic reader board, or LED area if located in the Central Business District.

5.

As indicated with an asterisk (*) in the "Signs Permitted by Type" table, a second wall sign shall be permitted for multi-tenant and shopping mall complexes in cases where the second wall has frontage on a major corridor or if entrances are located on both walls.

(Ord. of 1-7-2020(1))

A.

Any sign which the administrator determines obstructs the view of bicyclists or motorists using any street, approach to any street intersection, or which interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures any traffic sign, device, or signal shall be prohibited.

B.

Illuminated, highly reflective signs, or spot lights which hamper the vision of motorists or bicyclists.

C.

Signs not erected by a public authority which may be erroneously construed as government signs or emergency warning signs. An example of this is a sign which contains a picture of a traffic sign plus the word "Stop," "Yield," "Slow," "Danger," or any other simulation of traffic or regulatory signs or messages.

D.

Any sign located outdoors which interferes with free passage from or obstructs any fire escape, downspout, window, door, stairway, ladder, or opening intended as a means of ingress or egress or providing light or air.

E.

Any sign (other than a government sign), banner or display 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, unless otherwise permitted.

F.

Illuminated tubing or strands of lights except for temporary holiday displays as permitted in this chapter.

G.

Portable signs and any sign whose sign face was initially constructed and designed to be placed and/or transported on wheels, regardless if said sign face is removed from its base and placed on or in the ground so as to otherwise classify said sign as a "ground" sign as herein defined.

H.

Parked vehicles with messages (exempting vehicles with commercial advertising which are used regularly and customarily to transport persons or property for business and are not intended for primarily for advertising use).

I.

Rotating signs.

J.

Roof signs and signs that extend above the parapet wall.

K.

Billboards (except as allowed in NCDOT right-of-way by N.C. law)

L.

Off-premises signs and signs placed on property without permission of its owner(s) or agent, unless otherwise permitted in this chapter.

M.

Wind-blown advertisement devices including inflatable air dancers, banners or signs.

N.

Other signs not expressly permitted in this chapter.

(Ord. of 1-7-2020(1))