Advertising display area: The advertising display surface area encompassed within any polygon that would enclose all parts of the sign by one continuous line, connecting the extreme points or edges of a sign and using the largest sign area or silhouette visible at any one time from any one point. The structural supports for a sign, whether they be columns, pylons, or a building, or a part thereof, shall not be included in the advertising area but all other ornamental attachments, inner connecting links, etc., that are not a part of the main supports of the sign are to be included in determining sign area.

Blinking: To shine intermittently, to turn on/off, or to open/close more than 15 times per minute.

Billboard: A sign that advertises an establishment, service, commodity, goods, or entertainment sold or offered on premises other than that where the sign is located. A billboard usually has a sign area larger than 32 square feet. Also known as an outdoor billboard advertising sign.

Building: A type of structure having a roof, supported by columns or walls, for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of persons, animals, or goods, as per the North Carolina Building Code.

Controlled access highway: A highway, or section thereof, especially designed for through traffic and over, from, or to which highway owners or occupants of abutting property, or others, shall have only controlled right of easement of access.

Copy: The wording on a sign surface in either permanent or removable letter form.

County: The County of Carteret, North Carolina.

Enforcement officer: The planning director or designee.

Erect: To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend, or affix something, such as a building or a sign.

Face of sign: The area of a sign on which the copy is placed.

Flashing: A light that intermittently flashes on and off.

Flickering: A sudden brief movement.

Indirect illumination: A sign that is lighted by a light source outside of the sign.

Internal illumination: When a sign, whose light source is concealed or contained within the sign itself, becomes visible by shining through a translucent surface.

Lot: Land area of defined boundaries in single ownership, set aside for separate use or occupancy, and recorded as such in the office of the Carteret County Register of Deeds. The word "lot" includes "parcel", "plot", or "tract".

Lot line: Any boundary of a parcel.

Maintenance: The cleaning, painting, repair, or replacement of defective parts (including plumbing, electrical, or mechanical work that might require a building permit) in a manner that does not alter the basic design or composition of a structure, such as a sign, wind turbine, wireless telecommunications facility, or other structure.

Major access road: US 70, NC State Highway 24, NC State Highway 58, NC State Highway 101, and NC State Highway 12.

Oscillating: To move or travel back and forth between two points, as in a light that oscillates up and down, back and forth, etc..

Owner: A holder of any legal or equitable estate in the premises, whether alone or jointly with others, and whether in possession or not. The owner of property on which a sign is located is presumed to be the owner of the sign, unless facts to the contrary are officially recorded or otherwise brought to the attention of the enforcement officer (e.g., a sign leased from a sign company).

Parcel: Land area of defined boundaries in single ownership, set aside for separate use or occupancy, and recorded as such in the office of the Carteret County Register of Deeds. The word "parcel" includes "lot", "plot", or "tract".

Premises: A parcel of land with its appurtenances and buildings which, because of its unity of use, may be regarded as a unit of real estate.

Principal use: The use that constitutes the primary activity, function, or purpose to which a parcel or building is put.

Principal use sign: A sign that advertises an establishment, a service, commodity, or activity conducted upon the premises where such sign is located.

Public body: Any government or governmental agency of the County of Carteret, the State of North Carolina, or the United States of America.

Rotating: To turn about or around on an axis or center.

Scrolling: To move text or graphics up or down, back and forth, and/or across a display screen.

Semi-public body: Any organization operating as a non-profit activity and serving a public purpose or service, including such organizations as non-commercial clubs, lodges, theater groups, recreational and neighborhood associations, cultural activities, and schools.

Sign: Any device, letter, numeral, figure, character, mark, plane, point, marquee sign, design, poster, pictorial, picture, stroke, stripe, line, trademark, reading matter or illuminated surface, that is so constructed, placed, attached, painted, erected, fastened, or manufactured in any manner, whatsoever, so that the same is used for the attraction of the public to any place, subject, person, firm, corporation, public performance, article, machine, or merchandise, whatsoever, that are displayed in any manner whatsoever, including out-of-doors, and are visible from any public way. Also included are any card, cloth, glass, metal, painted, paper, plastic, wooden, or other configuration of any character placed in or on the ground or any tree, wall, bush, rock, fence, pavement, building, structure, or thing, for the purpose of advertising, announcing, declaring, demonstrating or displaying information about a specific business, occupant use, activity, or building, including clocks, barber poles and similar devices. This shall exclude official notices issued by a court or public officer.

Types of signs:

1.

Abandoned sign: A sign for which no legal owner can be found.

2.

Animated sign: Any sign that uses movement or change of lighting to depict action or to create a special effect or scene.

3.

Awning sign: A sign painted, sewn, woven into or as a part of, and/or otherwise applied to the fabric of an awning.

4.

Banner sign: A sign that is hung, either with or without frames, usually from a single support or between two sources of support. National flags, flags of political subdivisions, and symbolic flags of any institution or business are not included in this definition. Banner signs are often used to advertise a special event.

5.

Banner sign: A strip of cloth or other material on which a sign is drawn, written, or painted that is temporarily displayed.

6.

Billboard: A sign that directs attention to and is not located on the premises where the business, commodity, service, or entertainment being advertised is conducted, sold, or offered.

7.

Building directory sign: A sign identifying the businesses within a building or the locations of buildings on-site.

8.

Bulletin board sign: A sign used to announce meetings or programs to be held at a church, school, auditorium, library, museum, community recreation center, or similar non-commercial place of public assembly and is located on the premises where the meeting or program is conducted.

9.

Business sign: A sign that directs attention to a business, profession, or industry located upon the premises where the sign is displayed; to types of products sold, manufactured, or assembled on said premises; and/or to service or entertainment offered on said premises.

10.

Canopy sign: A sign painted, glued, and/or otherwise attached to a canopy.

11.

Changeable copy sign: A sign that is designed so that characters, letters, or illustrations are changed or rearranged manually without altering the face or the surface of the sign, which includes the changing of copies on billboards.

12.

Construction sign: A sign that identifies architects, engineers, contractors, and other individuals or firms involved with construction on the premises, the name of the building or development, the intended purpose of the building, the expected completion date, and/or related information about the construction project.

13.

Digital marquee sign: A sign conveying a message in an electronic format. Also known as an electronic message board. A digital marquee sign is not a changeable copy sign.

14.

Directional/informational sign: An on-premise sign giving directions, instructions, and/or facility information and which may contain the name or logo of an establishment but no advertising copy (e.g., parking or exit and entrance signs).

15.

Directional sign: Signs other than business signs which contain only the name of a parking area or similar accessory use to a business establishment to which direction is given, i.e., entrance/exit signs.

16.

Directory sign: A sign on which the names and locations of occupants or the use of a building is given, such as office buildings and church directories.

17.

Double-faced sign: A sign with two faces.

18.

Electronic message board: A sign in which the text is in LED (light emitting diode) form or uses light bulbs to form a message. An electronic message board is not a changeable copy sign.

19.

Flag sign: A piece of fabric of distinctive design that is used as a symbol or as a signaling device.

20.

Flashing sign: A sign that contains an intermittent, alternating, irregular, blinking, and/or sequential light.

21.

Flush-mounted sign: A sign mounted flat against the surface of a building.

22.

Freestanding sign: A sign that is not attached to a building and is permanently attached to the ground by one or more supports.

23.

Government flag sign: A flag, banner, and the like bearing the colors and/or logo of a government agency.

24.

Government sign: Any sign erected by a government agency.

25.

Ground or pole sign: A type of freestanding sign that is supported by structures or supports in the ground and is independent of support from any building.

26.

Home occupation sign: A sign used to identify the name of the individual, family, organization, or enterprise occupying the home and engaged in a home occupation or the profession of the occupant.

27.

Identification sign: A sign whose copy is limited to the name and/or address of a building, institution, or person.

28.

Illegal sign: A sign that does not meet the requirements of this ordinance, that has not received legal non-conforming status, and that does not have permit authorization, if required, under the terms of the old ordinance.

29.

Illuminated sign: A sign illuminated in any manner by an artificial light source.

30.

Inflatable display sign: A sign that is gas filled, whether or not the gases cause the sign to move.

31.

Legal sign: Any sign not an illegal sign. A sign that complies with the requirements of this ordinance.

32.

Menu board sign: A sign (usually an illuminated metal box with pictures and prices of food items) advertising one or more products offered at a drive-thru. Such signs might be on poles or posts, ground-mounted, wall-mounted, in temporary sign frames, etc. and are typically not readable from off the premises.

33.

Message board: A sign in which the text is in LED (light emitting diode) form, uses light bulbs to form a message, or is manually changeable using removable text and/or graphics.

34.

Non-commercial sign: A sign that carries no commercial message, statement, or expression. Non-commercial signs include signs expressing political views, religious views, or signs of for-profit organizations related to their tax-exempt purposes.

35.

Non-conforming sign: A sign that was erected legally but does not comply with subsequently-enacted sign restrictions and regulations or a sign that does not conform to the sign code requirements but has received approval from the zoning board of adjustment.

36.

Non-governmental flag sign: A flag, banner, and the like bearing the colors and/or logo of a business, family, fraternal organization, non-profit agency, or the like.

37.

Obsolete sign: A sign related to or identifying a business or activity that has not been conducted on the premises for at least six months; a transpired election or event; a political party or profit organization that no longer exists; or the structure for a sign that is not allowed under this ordinance if such structure cannot be used for a legal use or does not comply with the height, size, physical location, or other physical requirements of this ordinance.

38.

Off-premises commercial sign: A sign structure advertising an establishment, merchandise, service or entertainment that is not sold, produced, manufactured, or furnished at the property on which said sign is located (e.g., "billboards").

39.

Off-premises tri-view sign: An off-premises sign on which each face intermittently rotates with a maximum of three faces per side.

40.

On-premises commercial sign: A sign that pertains to the use of the premises on which it is located.

41.

Outdoor advertising sign: A type of off-premises sign, usually a billboard, including a standard poster panel, either freestanding or attached to a structure, that directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, or other commercial activity, conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than on the premises on which said sign is located.

42.

Political sign: A sign used in connection with an election or referendum.

43.

Portable sign: A sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, including signs with attached wheels; A- or T-frame signs; sandwich board signs; signs attached or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the right-of-way (even if said vehicle is used as a vehicle in the normal day-to-day operations of the business).

44.

Principal use sign: A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, or other activity, conducted, sold, or offered exclusively on the premises upon which said sign is located.

45.

Prohibited sign: A sign that is not permitted in the jurisdiction of this ordinance.

46.

Projecting sign: A sign that is attached to a building by supports and extends at any angle from the building greater than 45 degrees for more than two feet.

47.

Public sign: A sign erected by, or on behalf of, a governmental body to post a legal notice, identify public property, convey public information, and/or direct or regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

48.

Real estate sign: A sign that is used to offer for sale, lease, or rent the property upon which the sign is placed.

49.

Roof sign: A sign that extends above the ridge of the roof or a sign placed on the roof.

50.

School identification sign: A sign that identifies a school by name and/or logo.

51.

Snipe sign: A sign of any material that is attached in any way to a utility pole, tree, or any object other than a building, roof, or sign post.

Typical Snipe Signs

52.

Special event sign: A sign advertising events, such as the Seafood Festival, Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, and other similar happenings.

53.

Subdivision sign: A sign that identifies a subdivision name and/or logo.

54.

Suspended sign: A sign that hangs, such as from a ceiling or an awning or canopy roof.

55.

Temporary sign: A sign that is mounted on a mobile framework or movable apparatus that is portable and/or moveable, including arrow-type signs, spring-type signs, metal frame signs, pricing-type signs, and special purpose advertising signs.

56.

Three-dimensional sign: A sign that has height, depth, and breadth and incorporates an object into an advertising sign (e.g., a three-dimensional hamburger or life-sized pig advertising a food place).

57.

Trailer sign: A sign mounted on a vehicle normally licensed by the State of North Carolina as a trailer.

58.

Wall sign: A sign painted, attached, or mounted on the wall of a building or structure, other than a projecting sign, that is attached to or painted on any wall of any building and which may project from the plane of the wall less than 12 inches. This definition shall not include freestanding walls, which would be a ground-mounted sign. A sign attached to the lower slope of a mansard or canopy roof, or a sign affixed to or forming an awning or canopy, shall be considered a wall sign for purposes of this ordinance, notwithstanding the fact that certain portions of such sign may project more than 12 inches. For purposes of this ordinance only, a "wall" shall include any permanent architectural extension of a wall, including parapets, even if such extension projects beyond or above the enclosed portions of the building.

59.

Window sign: A sign that is not a temporary sign and is attached to, painted on, etched into, or hangs behind a window and is legible from outside the window. Window signs shall include signs, posters, symbols and any other identification of/or information about the occupant or the activity and/or use of the premises, including neon "open" signs. Included in the definition is any sign, displayed in, attached to, or painted on a window that is visible from any public street and is intended to attract the attention of persons outside the building, but excluding merchandise displays and incidental informational signs (e.g. credit cards accepted, hours, non-appurtenant community service announcements, etc.).

Sign area: The advertising display surface area encompassed within any polygon that would enclose all parts of the sign by one continuous line, connecting the extreme points or edges of a sign, and using the largest sign area or silhouette visible at any one time from any one point. The structural supports for a sign, whether they be columns, pylons, or a building, or a part thereof, shall not be included in the advertising area but all other ornamental attachments, inner connecting links, etc., that are not a part of the main supports of the sign are to be included in determining sign area.

Sign face: The informational area of a sign on one side of a sign.

Sign height: The height of a sign shall be the vertical distance from normal grade to the highest point of the sign. Any berming or filling or excavating solely or primarily for the purpose of locating the sign shall be computed as a part of the sign height.

Special events display: A banner sign erected on the premises of an establishment having a grand opening or special event.

Stationary: Unchanging in condition; not moving.

Structure: Something built or constructed, such as a walled and roofed building, a manufactured home, a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground, a wind turbine or communications tower, a water tank, etc., exclusive of fences, mailboxes, flagpoles, lampposts, doghouses, birdhouses, and well pump covers.

Used or occupied: A parcel or structure that is not completely vacant or is otherwise devoted to a use, whether active or passive or constant or intermittent.

(Ord. of 6-4-07(2); Ord. of 4-21-08(2); Ord. of 1-13-14(2); Ord. of 6-16-14(2))

No sign of any type nor any part thereof shall be erected, painted, posted, reposted, placed, replaced, or hung in any zoning district except in compliance with these regulations.

2102.1. Application materials. Each application for a zoning permit for a sign shall be made in writing and shall contain or have attached the following information:

a)

A drawing approximately to scale showing the design of the sign, including dimensions, method of attachment or support, source of illumination and showing the relationship to any building or structure to which it is or is proposed to be installed;

b)

A plot plan approximately to scale indicating the location of the sign relative to property lines, easements, buildings, streets and other on-premises signs;

c)

Two sets of plans to be submitted to the building inspector, when required;

d)

An LED sign shall have automatic dimming controls, either by photocell (hardwired) or via software settings, in order to bring down the lighting level at night.

e)

No zoning permit for a sign is required for a construction sign, real estate sign or financial institution sign related to the financing of the project under construction, so long as it is not over 16 square feet and there is not more than four feet from the bottom of the sign to the ground thereunder.

Sign plans shall be submitted to the zoning enforcement officer for approval prior to the building inspector issuing a building permit. A record of such applications and actions taken shall be kept in the planning department.

2102.2. Signs prohibited in all districts. The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:

a)

Advertising signs resembling traffic signals, traffic signs, emergency vehicles' flashing lights and which are likely to be misconstrued by the traveling public as being official governmental signs or emergency warnings or which by their distracting nature create a hazard to motorists;

b)

Signs, except for off-premises signs allowed under this section, advertising an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located. Such signage shall be removed within 90 days from the date of termination of such activity. Upon failure of the owner to remove such signs within the prescribed time, the zoning enforcement officer shall take appropriate legal action to have such sign removed;

c)

Flashing, blinking, pulsating, and portable signs or signs with moving parts;

d)

Signs, other than traffic, governmental or street name signs or official signs, shall not be permitted within any street right-of-way;

e)

Roof signs;

f)

Three-dimensional signs;

g)

Beacon lights, animated signs, trailer signs and snipe signs;

h)

Portable signs.

2102.3. Illuminated signs. No illuminated sign shall be so designed or placed that direct or reflected light or glare constitutes a hazard or annoyance to motorists or occupants of adjoining properties. All LED signs shall have automatic dimming controls, either by photocell (hardwired) or via software settings, in order to bring down the lighting level at night.

2102.4. Determination of sign area. For the purposes of this ordinance, the square footage area of any sign shall be measured by the smallest area enclosed by one continuous line connecting the extreme points or edges of the sign. This includes lattice work, frame, border molding, lettering, and display area incidental to the sign's decoration.

2102.5. Maintenance. All signs, together with braces, guys and supports shall at all times be kept in good repair. If at any time a sign should become abandoned, unsafe, or poorly maintained, the zoning officer shall notify the owner of the sign of such condition, and upon failure of the owner to correct such condition, the zoning officer shall take appropriate legal action to have such sign repaired or removed.

(Ord. of 1-13-14(2); Ord. of 6-16-14(2))

These signs shall comply with all state and county building codes and the National Electric[al] Code. Clearance of signs is required from high voltage power lines and signs shall be located in such a way that they will maintain horizontal and vertical clearance of all overhead electrical conductors in accordance with the National Electric[al] Code specifications, provided that no sign shall be installed closer than ten feet horizontally or vertically from any conductor or public utility guy wire.

2103.1. On-premises signs shall be permitted in all zones provided that the sign advertises the principal use of the lot and meets the requirements of section 2100.

2103.2. No on-premises sign shall be located closer than ten feet from the right-of-way or five feet from the side property lines.

2103.3. One ground or pole on-premises sign shall be permitted per parcel, unless the use is located within a complex, such as a business complex or office complex and shall not exceed ¾ square foot to each linear foot of road frontage (e.g., 100 feet of road frontage would allow a 75 square foot sign) or the maximum sign area permitted in a district, whichever is less. On-premises wall signs are permitted in any district, but cannot exceed more than 50 percent of the total wall area.

2103.4. The height of a ground or pole on-premises sign shall not exceed 20 feet in height from the grade of the right-of-way or surface grade beneath the sign, whichever is less. The clearance of a ground or pole on-premises sign shall not be less than eight feet from the grade of the right-of-way or finished grade beneath the sign, whichever is less. Signs may be located closer to surface grade if the setback is increased by one foot for every one foot closer to the ground the sign is located. Setback examples are shown below:

2103.5. Signs which are placed parallel to the right-of-way shall be permitted to be located at ground level ten feet from the right-of-way, as shown below:

Signs parallel to right-of-way

2103.6. No sign shall be erected at the intersections of streets, driveways, or alleys in such a manner as to obstruct clear vision.

2103.7. On-premises signs may be illuminated by indirect or internal illumination.

2103.8. No sign shall copy or simulate official governmental signs or signals.

2103.9. Sign copy shall be submitted for all proposed signs to the planning department. No sign shall have lewd or lascivious letters, words or characters designating the same.

2103.10. Special events displays are permitted provided that they are in accordance with all sections of this ordinance.

2103.11. In the event a business is located on a corner lot, two on-premises ground or pole signs shall be permitted per parcel, provided that it is the intersection of two thoroughfares (i.e., Highways 70, 24, 58, 101 and 12).

2103.12. No sign shall be placed within 50 feet of a lot zoned for residential purposes unless the sign is permitted in residential districts.

2103.13. Electronic message boards can be used as a portion of the allowed signage area. Blinking, flashing, flickering, oscillating, rotating, or scrolling of the changeable area or stationary area shall not be permitted. The message cannot change more than once every 30 seconds. The message board shall have one background color and one text color. The sign shall not emit any sound or noise of any type. The message board lighting shall be limited to LED or similar low-intensity lighting. The stationary portion may be externally illuminated with down lighting so as not to affect the view of motorists.

(Ord. of 6-16-14(2))

New off-premises commercial signs are prohibited. A replacement off-premises commercial sign that is erected to substitute for a non-conforming off-premises commercial sign is permitted, if the replacement sign becomes conforming by meeting all of the provisions of this section, except for the spacing requirements of subsection 2104.4.

These signs shall comply with all state and county building codes and the National Electric[al] Code. Clearance of signs is required from high-voltage power lines and signs shall be located in such a way that they will maintain horizontal and vertical clearance of all overhead electrical conductors in accordance with the National Electric[al] Code specifications, provided that no sign be installed closer than ten feet horizontally or vertically from any conductor or public utility guy wire.

2104.1.

Reserved.

2104.2.

Setback requirements. All off-premises commercial signs shall be set back at least ten feet from all property lines.

2104.3.

Height limitations. An off-premises commercial sign, including cutouts, base or apron, supports, supporting building structure, and trim, shall not exceed a height of 20 feet when located ten feet to 99.9 feet from the front right-of-way. If located 100 feet or greater from the front right-of-way, the height shall not exceed 25 feet.

2104.4.

Location requirements. Off-premises commercial signs shall be located only along major access roads (namely, US 70, NC 12, NC 24, NC 58, and NC 101).

Off-premises commercial signs shall be spaced at least 1,200 feet apart on the same side of the road. No off-premises commercial sign shall be placed within 600 feet in either direction of the nearest point on the opposite side of the same right-of-way from an existing off-premises commercial sign.

No off-premises commercial sign shall be located within 1,000 feet of a road intersection or of a navigable waterway.

2104.5.

Reserved.

2104.6.

Maximum area of off-premises commercial sign. No off-premises commercial sign shall exceed 200 square feet in area. The sign area is measured by finding the area of the minimum imaginary rectangle or square of the vertical and horizontal lines which fully enclose all extremities of the sign, excluding supports, base, and/or apron, unless such copy, message, announcement, decoration appears on the base or apron.

2104.7.

Corner lots. To prevent obstructions to motorists, on any corner lot, no part of an off-premises commercial sign may be located within a triangle formed by the right-of-way lines and a line connecting them at points 70 feet from the right-of-way of the intersection.

2104.8.

Construction.

(a)

All off-premises commercial signs shall be constructed of metal or wood and comply with all North Carolina Building Codes.

(b)

All off-premises commercial signs shall be designed, where appropriate, with an anchoring system for the supporting structure. The anchoring system shall be approved by the planning and inspections department prior to issuance of permit.

(c)

All off-premises commercial signs shall be inspected periodically by the planning and inspections department. The owner of a sign found to need repair shall be given a notice stating the repairs required. Failure to perform the required repairs in a 180-day period shall result in the removal of the sign.

(Ord. of 6-4-07(2))

A zoning permit shall be required for all on- and off-premises signs, except those identified in section 2106. The following signs are permitted in all districts, but the standards outlined below apply:

2105.1. Reserved.

2105.2. Nonprofit organizations. Signs erected by nonprofit organizations shall not exceed 15 square feet.

2105.3. Churches or public bulletin boards. Signs advertising churches on premises or public bulletin boards shall not exceed 32 square feet in area. Such bulletin boards may be illuminated.

2105.4. Off-premises church signs. Signs identifying the name or location of a church remote from the location of the church, provided that such sign shall not exceed eight square feet in area. No such sign shall be illuminated or contain moving parts.

2105.5. Agricultural products produced on-premises. Signs advertising agricultural products produced on the premises shall not exceed 15 square feet. These signs shall be limited to two signs per parcel and shall be temporary in nature.

2105.6. Temporary construction signs and financial institution signs. Temporary construction signs and financial institution signs may be displayed in commercial and industrial districts, not to exceed two signs per building site, and shall not exceed 32 square feet per sign. If the building site has more than 100 linear feet of road frontage, an additional one-quarter square foot may be added for each one linear foot of road frontage. Such sign(s) must be removed within seven days after construction work has been completed and the building occupancy permit has been issued.

Temporary construction signs and financial institution signs not exceeding 15 square feet shall be allowed in all residential districts.

2105.7. Temporary real estate signs. Temporary real estate signs may be displayed in commercial and industrial districts, one sign per building site not to exceed 32 square feet per sign. If the building site has more than 100 feet of road frontage, an additional one-quarter square foot may be added for each two linear feet of road frontage over 100 feet. Such sign must be removed after property has been transferred. Typical six square foot standard real estate signs are exempted from this requirement.

These signs shall be limited to one per street front, one per waterfront and one per golf course front per parcel.

Such signs shall not be placed within any public street right-of-way. In the event that a real estate sign is located on the waterfront portion of a lot in Carteret County, a coastal area management act permit may be required.

2105.8. Political campaign signs. Political signs exceeding 32 square feet may be posted on private property, but a written consent of the landowner must be presented upon application for a zoning permit. These signs shall be removed within seven days after the election. In no case shall political signs be permitted within a public right-of-way.

2105.9. Off-premises directional signs. Off-premises directional signs shall only be allowed to call attention to industrial sites located off a major thorough which contain at least 10,000 square feet of gross floor area. Such directional signs shall be allowed within a five mile radius of said industrial site and shall be limited to eight square feet in area. Each sign shall be placed off the roadway right-of-way. Upon selection of a site, written authorization from the landowner shall be required to permit the siting of the sign in that location. A zoning permit shall be required for all off-premises directional signs.

The following requirements shall be met:

a.

Only one off-premises directional sign shall be allowed at the intersection of the thoroughfare and the road leading to the industrial site.

b.

Only one off-premises directional sign shall be allowed to be placed along the major thoroughfare within one mile of the intersection of the roadway leading to the site.

c.

One off-premises directional sign shall be allowed at all other roadway intersections off the thoroughfare which leads to the industrial site.

2105.10. On-premise ground or pole school accessory signs. School accessory signs shall not exceed 250 square feet in area. Such signs shall be located no closer than 100 feet off any right-of-way and ten feet off any abutting property line. Maximum height of the signs shall not exceed 20 feet. Signs may be illuminated as per section 2102.3.

2105.11. School identification signs. School identification signs shall not exceed 80 square feet in area. Such signs shall be placed so as not to obstruct the view of traffic.

The sign may include a message board that does not exceed 32 square feet. The message board portion may be changeable, whether digitally or manually. Only text may be displayed on the message board. The remaining area of the sign shall be stationary.

Blinking, flashing, flickering, oscillating, rotating, or scrolling of the changeable area or stationary area shall not be permitted. The message cannot change more than once every 30 seconds. The message board shall have one background color and one text color. The sign shall not emit any sound or noise of any type. The message board lighting shall be limited to LED or similar low-intensity lighting. The stationary portion may be externally illuminated with downlighting so as not to affect the view of motorists.

School identification signs shall not be taller than 20 feet and shall comply with section 2103, On-Premises, Commercial Signs.

(Amended 3-11-91; Amend. of 3-2-98(2); Amend. of 11-9-98; Ord. of 4-21-08(2); Amend. of 12-21-15(1); Amend of 12-21-15(2))

The following signs are permitted in all districts, unless indicated otherwise. A zoning permit shall be required for all illuminated signs except electronic scoreboards. No zoning permit shall be required for the following signs:

2106.1. Signs erected by a governmental agency to regulate, control, or direct vehicular or pedestrian traffic;

2106.2. Legal notices, warnings, regulatory or informational signs erected by a public agency;

2106.3. Signs required by law;

2106.4. "No trespassing" signs not exceeding 15 square feet in area;

2106.5. Temporary real estate signs advertising a specific property for sale, lease, rent or development, located on said property, provided that such signs do not exceed 16 square feet in area and are not illuminated.

These signs shall be limited to one per street front, one per waterfront and one per golf course front per parcel. Such signs shall not be placed within any public street right-of-way. In the event the real estate sign is located on the waterfront portion of a lot in Carteret County, a coastal area management act permit may be required;

2106.6. Typical six square foot standard real estate signs;

2106.7. Temporary construction signs and financial institution signs displayed in residential districts, one sign per parcel, not exceeding 15 square feet;

2106.8. Flags, emblems or insignia of any national, state, or political subdivision;

2106.9. Property number signs not exceeding one square foot in area and bearing only address numbers of premises or other identification of premises not having commercial connotations;

2106.10. Holiday decorations in season;

2106.11. Political signs not exceeding 32 square feet.

2106.12. Permanent subdivision signs. Permanent subdivision signs not exceeding 48 square feet. Such signs shall be placed so as not to obstruct the view of traffic.

2106.13 Electronic and manually operated scoreboards used for scorekeeping purposes at all schools and public and private outdoor athletic facilities.

(Ord. of 1-13-14(2); Amend. of 12-21-15(1); Amend of 12-21-15(2); Ord. of 5-20-19(1))

In addition to the signs listed under section 2105, the following regulations shall apply in residential districts. All these signs shall be required to have a zoning permit.

None of these signs shall be illuminated unless otherwise allowed within this ordinance.

.1

No advertising sign shall be permitted in residential districts except signs advertising an existing nonconforming use, provided that such signs shall meet the requirements for signs in B-1 districts, regardless of the residential district within which the nonconforming use is located. Such signs may be illuminated. When the nonconforming use is discontinued, the sign must be removed.

.2

All signs in the residential district requiring sign zoning permit shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from any property line or street right-of-way.

.3

The maximum area for real estate signs in residential districts is 15 square feet.

.4

Identification signs shall be permitted. They may be ground or pole signs. The maximum area of identification signs in residential districts is 15 square feet unless otherwise stated.

.5

Churches, clubs, funeral homes, libraries, museums, galleries, public parks, community recreation centers, home occupation, day care centers and public utility signs in residential districts shall be subject to the following as to number and size and shall be placed parallel to the right-of-way for safety:

.01

Churches, clubs, day care centers, funeral homes, libraries, museums, galleries, public parks, and community recreation centers shall be permitted to have one on-premises sign for each street front, not exceeding six feet in height and not exceeding 20 square feet in sign area.

.02

Home occupations shall be permitted to have one on-premises sign not exceeding four feet in height and not exceeding six square feet in sign area.

.03

Public utilities shall be permitted one on-premises sign not exceeding six feet in height and not exceeding 25 square feet in sign area.

(Amend. of 3-2-98(3))

In addition to the requirements listed under other sections of this ordinance, the following regulations shall apply in B-1 and B-1A districts.

.1

No billboard or roof sign shall be permitted within B-1 and B-1A districts.

.2

Maximum square footage area for the B-1 district is 200 square feet.

.3

In the B-1A district one business shall be allowed a maximum sign area of 50 square feet. When two or more businesses are located on the same parcel, the total maximum sign area shall be 100 square feet. (Res. of 6-21-21)

.4

Signs allowed on the premises for both special and permitted uses shall be subject to all the restrictions listed under the B-1 and B-1A district.

.5

Signs on the premises of permitted uses in B-1 and B-1A districts shall be subject to the following restrictions as to number and size:

.01

Ground Signs: Not more than one ground sign is permitted per parcel unless such parcel is located on a corner of two thoroughfares (i.e., Highways 101, 70, 24, 58 and 12). In that case, two ground signs shall be permitted, one for each road front of the lot. In no case shall the signs be any closer than 50 feet from the intersection of the two roads.

.02

Special Events Displays: These shall be permitted provided that they meet all the regulations of the ordinance. The application for the permit shall have the following additional information: length of time the sign will remain. In no case shall this exceed 30 calendar days within a 12-month period.

.03

Directional Signs: Directional signs not exceeding the six square feet per face shall be permitted. Not more than two directional signs shall be permitted at each entrance.

.04

Menu boards shall be permitted.

.05

Wall signs shall be permitted in accordance with section 2103.3.

No sign in this district shall be less than ten feet from the nearest street right-of-way or less than five feet from the side property line.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, signs which are located parallel to the right-of-way shall be permitted to be located at ground level ten feet from the right-of-way.

(Amd. of 3-6-06(2))

In addition to the requirements listed under other sections of this ordinance, the following regulations shall apply in B-2 districts:

No billboard or roof signs shall be permitted in B-2 districts.

Maximum square footage area for this district is 200 square feet.

Signs on the premises of special uses shall be subject to all the restrictions listed.

Signs on the premises of permitted uses in B-2 districts shall be subject to the following restrictions as to number and size:

.1

Ground signs: Not more than one ground sign is permitted per parcel unless such parcel is located on a corner of two thoroughfares (i.e., Highways 101, 70, 24, 58 and 12). In that case, two ground signs shall be permitted, one for each road front of the lot. In no case shall the signs be any closer than 50 feet from the intersection of the two roads.

.2

Special events displays: These signs shall be permitted provided that they meet all the regulations of the ordinance. The application for the permit shall have the following additional information: length of time the sign will remain. In no case shall this exceed 30 calendar days within a 12-month period.

.3

Directional signs: Directional signs not exceeding six square feet per face shall be permitted. No more than two directional signs shall be permitted at each entrance.

.4

Wall signs: Wall signs shall be permitted in accordance with section 2103.3.

No sign in this district shall be less than ten feet from the nearest street right-of-way or less than five feet from the side property line.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, signs which are located parallel to the right-of-way shall be permitted to be located at ground level ten feet from the right-of-way.

In addition to the requirements listed under other sections of this ordinance, the following regulations shall apply in B-3 and OP districts:

No billboard, special events displays or roof signs shall be permitted in the B-3 and OP districts.

Maximum square footage area for these districts is 200 square feet.

Signs on the premises of special uses shall be subject to all the restrictions listed under the B-3 and OP districts.

Signs on the premises of permitted uses in the B-3 and OP zoning districts shall be subject to the following restrictions as to number and size:

.1

Ground signs: Not more than one ground sign is permitted per parcel unless such parcel is located on a corner of two thoroughfares (i.e., Highways 101, 70, 24, 58 and 12). In that case, two ground signs shall be permitted, one for each road front of the lot. In no case shall the signs be any closer than 50 feet from the intersection of the two roads.

.2

Directory signs: Directory signs shall be permitted provided they are not visible from the highway right-of-way. Maximum sign area shall be 12 square feet. The height of the sign shall not exceed eight feet and the bottom of the sign shall be not more than three feet from the ground thereunder.

.3

Wall signs: Wall signs shall be permitted in accordance with section 2103.3.

No sign in these districts shall be less than ten feet from the nearest street right-of-way or less than five feet from the side property line.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, signs which are located parallel to the right-of-way shall be permitted to be located at ground level ten feet from the right-of-way.

In addition to the requirements listed under other sections of this ordinance, the following regulations shall apply in MC, LIW and P-I districts:

No billboard or roof signs shall be permitted in MC, LIW and P-I districts.

Maximum square footage area for these districts is 200 square feet.

Identification signs for mobile home parks must meet the requirements of the Mobile Home Park, Mobile Home and Travel (Camper) Park Ordinance for permanent identification signs.

Signs on the premises of special uses shall be subject to all the restrictions listed under the MC, LIW and P-I districts.

Signs on the premises of permitted uses in the MC, LIW and P-I districts shall be subject to the following restrictions as to number and size:

.1

Ground signs: Not more than one ground sign is permitted per parcel unless such parcel is located on a corner of two thoroughfares (i.e., Highways 101, 70, 24, 58 and 12). In that case, two ground signs shall be permitted, one for each road front of the lot. In no case shall the signs be any closer than 50 feet from the intersection of the two roads.

.2

Directional signs: Directional signs not exceeding six square feet per sign face shall be permitted. No more than two directional signs shall be permitted at each entrance.

.3

Wall signs: Wall signs shall be permitted in accordance with section 2103.3.

No sign in these districts shall be less than ten feet from the nearest street right-of-way or less than five feet from the side property line.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, signs which are located parallel to the right-of-way shall be permitted to be located at ground level ten feet from the right-of-way.

(Ord. of 5-16-94)

Off-premises, commercial signs are removed from the I-W district as a special use. Numbering is modified to be consistent with 2104.

In addition to the requirements listed under other sections of this ordinance, the following regulations shall apply in I-W districts:

Maximum square footage area for on-premises signs in these districts is 200 square feet.

No roof signs or special events displays shall be permitted in I-W districts.

Signs on the premises of special uses shall be subject to all the restrictions listed.

Signs on the premises of permitted uses in I-W districts shall be subject to the following restrictions as to number and size:

2112.1.

Ground signs. Not more than one ground sign is permitted per parcel unless such parcel is located on a corner of two thoroughfares (i.e., Highways 101, 70, 24, 58 and 12). In that case, two ground signs shall be permitted, one for each road front of the lot. In no case shall the signs be any closer than 50 feet from the intersection of the two roads.

2112.2.

Directional signs. Directional signs not exceeding six square feet per sign face shall be permitted. No more than two directional signs shall be permitted at each entrance.

2112.3.

Wall signs. Wall signs shall be permitted in accordance with subsection 2103.3.

No sign in this district shall be less than ten feet from the nearest street right-of-way or less than five feet from the side property line.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, signs which are located parallel to the right-of-way shall be permitted to be located at ground level ten feet from the right-of-way.

(Ord. of 4-6-92; Ord. of 6-4-07(2))

All on-premises nonconforming signs existing on the effective date of this amendment may remain in place, subject to the following requirements:

2113.1.

No on-premises nonconforming sign shall be structurally altered so as to change the shape, size, type or design of the sign, nor shall any nonconforming sign be relocated, except to bring it into compliance with these sign regulations.

2113.2.

No on-premises nonconforming sign shall be allowed to remain after the activity, business or use to which it relates has been discontinued for a period of 90 days.

2113.3.

If an on-premises nonconforming sign is damaged in such a manner that the estimated expense of repairs exceeds 50 percent of its replacement value, the sign shall not be allowed to remain or be repaired and must be removed.

All billboard signs that do not meet the requirements of this chapter are nonconforming off-premises signs and, thus, do not meet the purposes of this chapter. This means that they adversely impact the public health, welfare, and general safety because they adversely impact traffic safety; adversely impact community appearance; and detract from the character of the area, particularly the natural resources, in which such signs and billboards are located.

Because these conditions cannot be allowed to continue to adversely impact the public health, welfare, and general safety, all billboard signs existing on the effective date of this ordinance may remain in place and be maintained for six years after the effective date of this ordinance, subject to the following requirements.

2113.4.

No nonconforming billboard sign shall be structurally altered so as to change the shape, size, type or design of the sign, nor shall any nonconforming sign be relocated, except to bring it into compliance with these sign regulations.

2113.5.

No nonconforming billboard sign shall be allowed to remain after the activity, business or use to which it relates has been discontinued for a period of 90 days.

2113.6.

If a nonconforming billboard sign is damaged in such a manner that the estimated expense of repairs exceeds 50 percent of its replacement value, the sign shall not be allowed to remain or be repaired and must be removed.

Within six years after the effective date of this ordinance, all nonconforming billboard signs shall be removed or brought into compliance, unless such time is extended pursuant to the following requirements:

(a)

The owner of any nonconforming billboard sign shall have the right, within for six years from and after the effective date of this ordinance to make application to the zoning board of adjustment for an extension of the time within which such sign may be permitted to remain.

(b)

If such sign is nonconforming only as to its specific location on the premises, and can be removed or relocated so as to conform with the requirements of the section, then the time shall not be extended.

(Ord. of 6-4-07(2))

Cross reference— Nonconforming signs and billboards, § 13-5.

Upon failure to comply with any of the above requirements, the zoning enforcement officer shall cause the removal of any nonconforming sign as hereinafter provided:

.1

The zoning enforcement officer or his designated agent shall give the owner of the sign notice of the violation by registered or certified mail. The notices shall contain a brief statement of the particulars in which this section is violated and the manner in which such violation is to be remedied.

.2

Failure to correct such violation within 30 days shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $50.00, or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days. Each day's continuing violation shall be a separate and distinct offense.

In addition to the requirements listed under other sections of this ordinance, the following regulations shall apply in R-B districts.

2115.1.

No billboard or roof sign shall be permitted within R-B districts.

2115.2.

One business shall be allowed a maximum sign area of 50 square feet. When two or more businesses are located on the same parcel, the total maximum sign area shall be 100 square feet.

2115.3.

Signs allowed on the premises for both special and permitted uses shall be subject to all the restrictions listed under the R-B district.

2115.4.

Signs on the premises of permitted uses in R-B districts shall be subject to the following restrictions as to number and size:

Ground signs: Not more than one ground sign is permitted per parcel unless such parcel is located on a corner of two thoroughfares (i.e., Highways 101, 70, 24, 58 and 12). In that case, two ground signs shall be permitted, one for each road front of the lot. In no case shall the signs be any closer than 50 feet from the intersection of the two roads.

Special events displays: These shall be permitted provided that they meet all the regulations of the ordinance. The application for the permit shall have the following additional information: length of time the sign will remain. In no case shall this exceed 30 calendar days within a 12-month period.

Directional signs: Directional signs not exceeding the six square feet per face shall be permitted. Not more than two directional signs shall be permitted at each entrance.

Menu boards shall be permitted.

Wall signs shall be permitted in accordance with section 2103.3.

No sign in this district shall be less than ten feet from the nearest street right-of-way or less than 15 feet from the side property line.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, signs which are located parallel to the right-of-way shall be permitted to be located at ground level ten feet from the right-of-way.

(Amend. of 12-13-05(2))

Editor's note— An amendment of December 13, 2005(2) enacted provisions intended for use as § 2114. Inasmuch as there are already provisions so designated, and at the discretion of the editor, said provisions have been redesignated as § 2115.