(a)

The purpose of these regulations is to promote traffic safety, safeguard public health and comfort, facilitate police and fire protection, prevent adverse community appearance and the overcrowding of land, and protect the character of the area in which the signs are located. The regulations are designed to permit maximum legibility and effectiveness of signs and to prevent their over concentration, improper placement, and excessive height, bulk, and area. Since it is widely recognized that aesthetic value of the total environment does affect economic values of the community and the unrestricted proliferation of signs can and does detract from the economic value of the community, it is the intent of this section to provide limiting controls, where necessary, to preserve community scenic, economic, and aesthetic values.

(b)

All signs erected, altered, relocated, or maintained shall be in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(Code 1977, § 9-4081)

(a)

Signs not to constitute traffic hazards. No sign or advertising structure shall be erected or maintained at the intersection of any streets or roads so as to obstruct free and clear vision or at any location where (by reason of the position, illumination, shape, or color) it may impair, obstruct the view or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device or which makes use of the words "stop," "look," "drive-in," "danger," or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in such manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.

(b)

Signs erected on public streets. No sign shall be erected or maintained within any public street right-of-way nor be allowed to extend over or into any public street, provided that this section shall not apply to public signs necessary in the performance of a governmental function or required to be posted by law.

(c)

Obstruction of ingress or egress of building. No sign shall be erected or maintained that obstructs ingress and/or egress to or from any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress, or egress to or from any room or building as required by law.

(d)

Obscene matter prohibited. No sign shall be erected or maintained which bears or contains statements, words, or pictures of an obscene character.

(e)

Signs on private property; consent required. No sign may be erected by any person on private property of another person without first obtaining the written consent of such owner.

(f)

Rotating and flashing signs. No rotating, revolving or intermittent lighting devices shall be attached to or made a part of any sign.

(g)

Portable signs. Any portable sign such as a sandwich sign or folding sign, a sign attached to a trailer, or any other portable sign shall be prohibited, except as approved by the administrative official as part of a temporary certificate of zoning compliance for rallies, carnivals and religious revivals.

(Code 1977, § 9-4081.1)

The following signs shall be permitted in all zoning districts:

(1)

Directional and information signs erected and maintained by public agencies and governmental bodies, including legal notices, identification and informational signs, and traffic, directional or regulatory signs.

(2)

Holiday decorations erected, placed, and maintained in good order as to not constitute public, property or health nuisance.

(3)

Memorial signs, cornerstones, historical tablets and similar signs that are integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, including signs which denote the building name, date of erection or street number.

a.

Where such signs shall be permitted as exemptions when cut into any masonry surface or implanted with a metal plate.

b.

Historic monuments denoting historic information or events associated with the property or area in which the monument is located; where such signs shall be permitted as exemptions when such signs:

1.

Are not otherwise specifically prohibited by these regulations.

2.

Are maintained behind the property or road right-of-way line.

3.

Do not to exceed eight feet in height.

4.

Do not obstruct the line of site for the driving public for the purposes of ingress or egress from or onto any private drive or public road.

5.

Are primarily constructed of brick, stone, or masonry material; or other materials as provided by the specifications and standards for historical markers through the state department of transportation and the state department of cultural resources.

(4)

Signs not visible to the public, provided that such signs cannot be seen from a public street or right-of-way.

(5)

Identification signs not to exceed six square feet in area that are customarily associated with residential use and that are not of a commercial nature, such as:

a.

Signs giving property identification names or numbers or names of occupants;

b.

Signs on mailboxes or paper tubes; and

c.

Signs posted on private property relating to private parking or warning the public against trespassing or danger from animals or other dangers associated with the property upon which the sign is affixed.

(6)

Works of art affixed to the facade of a building, provided that such works do not directly serve as an advertising device for the on-premises business or operation and does not serve as an outdoor advertising device as defined in these regulations. Works of art shall not project beyond one foot from the building wall to which it is affixed.

(7)

Off-premises church identification signs may be permitted, provided that each sign does not exceed 16 square feet in area and is located off of any public street right-of-way.

(8)

Vehicle signs painted on or otherwise permanently attached to currently licensed motor vehicles and trailers that are not primarily used as signs.

(9)

Interior signs located on the inside of buildings, courts, lobbies, stadiums, or other structures that are not intended to be seen from the exterior of said building or structures.

(10)

Ancillary signs painted or attached to vending machines, gas pumps, ice machines, or similar devices which indicate the contents of the machine, the price, or operating instructions.

(11)

Temporary real estate signs, not to exceed 12 square feet in area, displayed on the property proposed for sale or lease and located on private property behind the property line. Such signs may be indirectly illuminated in nonresidential districts.

(12)

Bulletin boards/LED Signs (Electronic Display Sign): Churches, schools, community centers, and other public and institutional uses may erect one sign or bulletin board not exceeding 20 square feet in area for the purpose of displaying the name of the institution and related information. Such signs shall be used as wall signs or shall be located a minimum of 12 feet from the street lot line and side lot or property lines. Where side yards are required, no such sign shall be permitted in the required side yards.

(13)

Temporary construction signs which denote the architect, engineer, contractor, or builder of the project or which describe the name and proposed use of the project may be placed on the site until construction is completed.

(14)

Instructional signs, erected on private property, not exceeding six square feet in display area, erected strictly for the direction, safety or convenience of the public, including signs which identify restrooms, parking area entrances or exits, and no trespassing signs or similar devices warning of danger.

(15)

Temporary political signs, erected on private property during periods of national, state, and local elections provided that they be removed within ten days after the election.

(Code 1977, § 9-4081.2; Ord. of 1-6-2011; Ord. of 5-5-2011; Ord. No. 2021-2022-002 , 7-1-2021)

Business signs and name signs shall be permitted on the premises of the business in districts in which the principal use is permitted subject to the following limitations:

(1)

Wall signs shall not project more than one foot from any wall or canopy to which the wall sign is attached.

(2)

Projecting signs shall be permitted subject to the following limitations:

a.

One projection sign per separate business establishment may be allowed in any nonresidential district.

b.

No part of a projecting sign may project more than five feet from the building wall.

c.

The bottom edge of a projecting sign must be located at least ten feet above the walking surface for pedestrian movement, except in cases in which such a sign is located underneath an awning or canopy, the bottom edge shall be at least eight feet above the walking surface for pedestrian movement.

(3)

Non-illuminated wall signs and projecting signs have a total sign surface area in square feet no greater than 20 percent of wall area.

(4)

Illuminated wall signs and projecting signs shall have a total sign surface area in square feet no greater than 20 percent of wall area. Display lighting shall be shielded so as to prevent a direct view of the light source from a residence in a residential district. No intermittent lighting effects may be utilized except for time and temperature devices and for motion picture theater.

(5)

Freestanding signs shall be located no less than 12 feet from the street right-of-way line or property line, whichever is greater. No freestanding sign shall be located in a required side yard or within ten feet of the side property line. No building shall have more than one freestanding sign except buildings having frontage on more than one public street. In this not more than two freestanding signs shall be permitted. A freestanding sign shall in no case exceed a height of 35 feet or 200 square feet in area.

(6)

Special provisions for certain signs.

a.

Shopping centers signs shall be subject to the following additional limitations:

1.

Freestanding. Each shopping center may provide not more than one freestanding sign that displays the name of the shopping center and the tenant businesses.

2.

Wall. Businesses located in attached buildings may display not more than one wall sign. See non-illuminated and illuminated wall signs per this article for sign face area.

b.

Commercial park subdivisions and industrial park subdivisions with multiple tenants shall be subject to the following additional limitations:

1.

Commercial and industrial subdivisions may provide not more than one freestanding development entrance sign that displays the name of the subdivision with the tenant business.

2.

Multitenant buildings: wall signs.

(i)

Front primary elevation: each tenant may display one wall sign that shall not exceed two square feet of sign surface area per linear foot of the store/business front.

(ii)

Secondary elevations (side and rear): the maximum sign surface area permitted on the side and rear elevations of a building shall not exceed one square foot of sign surface area per linear foot of primary building frontage.

c.

Industrial sites located on 50 or more acres shall be subject to the following additional limitations:

1.

Freestanding signs. In addition to subsection (5) of this section, such industrial sites may have one monument sign on one side of secondary entrance/driveway.

(i)

Maximum height of 15 feet as measured from ground level at the base of the sign structure

(ii)

A single side of the sign area face may not exceed 25 square feet.

2.

Wall signs for multitenant buildings:

(i)

Front primary elevation. Each tenant may display one wall sign that shall not exceed two square feet of sign surface area per linear foot of the store-business front.

(ii)

Secondary elevations (side and rear). The maximum sign surface area permitted on the side and rear elevations of a building shall not exceed one square foot of sign surface per linear foot of primary building frontage.

(7)

Changeable copy, electronic reader board, and LED signs are permitted only in the B-2 Highway Business Zoning District and for churches, schools, community centers, and other public institutional uses under the following conditions:

a.

If changeable copy, electronic reader board, or LED (also referred to as "electronic display") signs are utilized as a part of a permitted freestanding sign, then the total electronic display area of such freestanding sign shall be a minimum of 30 percent and a maximum of 50 percent changeable copy, electronic reader board, or LED signage.

b.

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 ten seconds.

c.

Electronic display signs shall be comparable in composition, durability, and workmanship to the existing sign.

d.

Display lighting shall be shielded, or dimmed so as to prevent direct rays of light from being cast into a residential area or district and/or vehicles approaching on a public right-of-way from any direction.

(8)

No wall or projecting sign shall extend above the height of the building roof line. In case of a flat roof, no sign shall extend above the parapet wall.

(9)

No sign may be placed upon any roof surface.

(Code 1977, § 9-4081.3; Ord. of 5-7-2009; Ord. of 1-6-2011; Ord. of 10-4-2011; Ord. No. 2013-2014:005, § 2, 1-9-2014; Ord. No. 2021-2022-002 , 7-1-2021; Ord. No. 2021-2022-005 , 3-3-2022)

Outdoor advertising signs are permitted as a conditional use in the M-I Industrial District subject to the following limitations:

(1)

The maximum size of the display area of outdoor advertising signs shall be 300 square feet for single-face signs and 300 square feet for each face of double-face signs.

(2)

Such signs must meet all requirements of the district applying to the principal structures with regard to yards, setbacks and height requirement.

(3)

Such signs shall not be located within 100 feet of any residentially zoned district.

(4)

Such signs shall not be permitted within 300 feet of an existing outdoor advertising sign or structure.

(5)

Such signs proposed to be erected upon a lot abutting the right-of-way of an interstate or primary highway shall make application to and receive approval from the state department of transportation prior to final sign permit approval by the zoning administrator.

(6)

Lighting.

a.

Display lighting of outdoor advertising signs shall be shielded so as to prevent the direction of such light into any structure used primarily for residential purposes.

b.

No rotating, revolving or intermittent lighting devices shall be attached to or made a part of, any outdoor advertising sign.

c.

See article XVII of this chapter for any additional lighting provisions. Nonconforming signs, which are destroyed or damaged by 50 percent or more of their value shall not be rebuilt or repaired, except in conformance with this article.

(7)

The structural support methods for each such sign shall meet the wind loading design requirements as stated in the state building code. If at any time the state department of transportation standards for outdoor advertising are more stringent or restrictive than this article, it is the responsibility of the sign owner to ensure compliance with state outdoor advertising regulations.

(Code 1977, § 9-4081.4; Ord. of 1-6-2011)

At any entrance to a residential subdivision, multifamily development or manufactured home park, there may be not more than two signs identifying such subdivision or development. A single side of any such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet nor shall the total surface area of all such signs located at a single entrance exceed 64 square feet.

(Code 1977, § 9-4081.5; Ord. of 1-6-2011)

(a)

If the zoning administrator shall find any sign to be unsafe or a menace to the public, the zoning administrator shall give written notice of such condition to the owner. Within 15 days after receiving the notice, the owner shall take such action as needed to eliminate the unsafe or menacing condition. If the owner of the sign fails to correct the problem within the above-specified time, the administrative officer (at the owner's expense) may order whatever actions that are necessary to correct the problem.

(b)

Within 30 days after the termination of business at a particular location, the owner shall remove or eliminate all signs related to the terminated or relocated business. If the owner of the sign fails to remove the signs within the above-specified time, the administrative officer (at the owner's expense) may order whatever actions that are necessary to eliminate the sign.

(Code 1977, § 9-4081.6; Ord. of 1-6-2011)

No person shall construct, erect, or otherwise maintain any sign except those signs specifically authorized herein (except for those signs specified in these sign regulations not requiring permits), without first obtaining a permit from the administrative officer. In addition, no person shall construct or maintain any sign within 600 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of the interstate or primary highway system without first obtaining a permit from the state department of transportation as required by the North Carolina General Statutes.

(Code 1977, § 9-4081.7; Ord. of 1-6-2011)

Refer to article XX of this chapter.

(Code 1977, § 9-4081.8; Ord. of 1-6-2011)

The surface area of signs is computed by measuring the smallest square, rectangle, triangle, circle, or combination thereof, which will encompass the entire advertising copy area, excluding architectural trim and structural embellishments. In computing the area only one side of a double-face sign structure shall be considered. The surface area of signs with three or more sides is measured as the sum of the areas of any two adjacent sides.

(Code 1977, § 9-4081.9; Ord. of 1-6-2011)

(a)

Any sign in use at the time of the adoption of the ordinance from which this article is derived, which does not comply with the provisions of this article, shall be deemed to be nonconforming. Whenever any nonconforming sign or part thereof is altered, replaced, converted, or changed, the entire sign must immediately comply with the provisions of this article. However, nothing in this section shall prevent the ordering maintenance and/or repair of a nonconforming sign.

(b)

Nonconforming signs, which are destroyed or damaged by 50 percent or more of their value shall not be rebuilt or repaired except in conformance with this article.

(Code 1977, § 9-4081.10; Ord. of 1-6-2011)