It is the intent of this article to regulate all signs and advertising visible outdoors in the county, including but not limited to the number, size, type, use, purpose and illumination of signs in order to protect property values and neighborhood character; create a more attractive business climate; and promote pedestrian and traffic safety by reducing sign distractions, obstructions and other hazards. This article permits signs necessary to communicate land use information and increase a use's ability to be easily located.

(Ord. of 7-12-1999, div. 07.000)

This article establishes minimum regulations for the display of signs.

(Ord. of 7-12-1999, div. 7.100)

(a)

No sign or display shall be located, relocated, erected, moved, constructed, reconstructed, placed, replaced, extended, enlarged, converted or structurally altered, except in conformance with the provisions of this chapter.

(b)

All temporary signs and portable signs, except those permitted or exempted by this article, shall be removed within 60 days following July 12, 1999.

(c)

All other signs lawfully existing, or holding sign permits issued prior to July 12, 1999, but which are not in conformance with this chapter, may be continued as nonconformities otherwise subject to this chapter. Poster panels, painted boards and copy on changeable copy signs may be changed, provided there has been no change in ownership, occupancy, advertiser or use of the premises. No nonconforming sign may otherwise be replaced with another nonconforming sign. Nonconforming signs shall be subject to all the requirements governing the continuation of nonconforming structures as provided in article VI of this chapter.

(Ord. of 7-12-1999, § 07.101)

(a)

Obstruction. No sign may block any required accessway, window, fire escape, door or other entrance or exitway, nor any window surface required for ventilation by the state building code.

(b)

Visibility. No sign shall be erected or constructed to interfere with visual clearance at any street or road right-of-way.

(c)

Public right-of-way. No sign except those approved by the state department of transportation shall be permitted in any public right-of-way.

(d)

Setback. All signs shall be set back at least five feet from the street right-of-way. Any sign located less than two feet from the right-of-way after street widening may remain if, in the opinion of the land development administrator, the sign would not encumber the free and easy movement of traffic.

(e)

Maintenance and repair. All signs, together with any supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good repair. The sign shall be repainted as necessary to prevent rust, corrosion, rotting or other deterioration in appearance or structural safety of the sign. The source of illumination shall be kept in safe working order at all time. Signs shall meet all structural requirements of the state building code.

(f)

Signs on trees or utility poles. No sign shall be attached to a tree or utility pole.

(g)

Illumination. Sign illumination shall be constant in intensity and color. The light for any illuminated sign shall be shaded, shielded or directed so as not to cause glare on surrounding properties or in public streets. No direct or reflected light from a light source for an illuminated sign shall create a traffic hazard for operation of motor vehicles. Illuminated signs shall be wired with ground fault interrupters (GFIs) controlling their electric supply. Electronic message boards shall meet the following standards:

(1)

Electronic message boards may only be included as a feature on a freestanding on-site identification sign.

(2)

Electronic message boards shall not comprise more than 25% of the area of the sign on which it is included.

(3)

The message on an electronic message board may not change more frequently than once per minute. The message may scroll during the one minute period to fully allow the communication of the message. Messages on such boards shall be limited to one color, either amber or red.

(4)

Electronic message boards are not permitted to have any animation, video or audio elements. In addition, electronic message boards are not permitted to have rotating, fluttering, blinking, or flashing elements, except that the message may change once every minute.

(5)

Electronic message boards located in a residential zoning district may be operated or lit only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

(h)

Content. An identification sign shall pertain solely to the name of the principal use of the premises or its operators and shall not advertise products or services which differ in name from the principal use.

(i)

Sign area. The square feet area of any sign will encompass the entire sign, including lattice work, wall work, frame and supports incidental to its decoration.

(j)

Change of ownership, tenant or advertiser. Any sign or zoning lot that has a change of ownership, tenant or advertiser shall cause all signs on that zoning lot to secure new sign permits.

(k)

Change to sign. No sign permit shall be required for the following changes to permitted signs:

(1)

A change in the copy of a sign designed for replaceable copy, including painted or printed signs, or the messages displayed on electronic message boards as allowed by this chapter.

(2)

Painting, cleaning, repair, maintenance or face replacement of a sign not including structural change, and made necessary by breakage or deterioration, but not by a change in advertiser or owner.

(l)

Attachments to be secured. All letters, figures, characters and sign embellishments on a sign and its support shall be safely and securely attached to the sign structure.

(Ord. of 7-12-1999, § 07.102; Amend. of 11-7-2011, §§ 1, 2)

The following are signs prohibited in all districts:

(1)

Flashing signs, except electronically controlled time and temperature signs located in business or industrial zoning districts, or electronic message boards as allowed by this chapter.

(2)

Portable signs, except as otherwise permitted in this article.

(3)

Temporary signs, except as otherwise permitted by or exempted from this article.

(4)

Projecting signs, except as otherwise permitted in this article.

(5)

Roof signs, either painted directly on the roof or projecting above the roof ridge line or parapet line.

(6)

Signs on otherwise vacant land other than real estate signs, construction signs, off-premises directional signs or outdoor advertising signs as defined and regulated in this article, or political or election campaign signs.

(7)

Searchlights, beacon lights, revolving lights, oscillating lights and stroboscopic-type lights.

(8)

Rotating signs, signs with moving parts, or audible signs, not including electronic messages as allowed by this chapter.

(9)

All other signs not expressly permitted by this article.

(Ord. of 7-12-1999, § 07.103; Amend. of 11-7-2011, §§ 3, 4; Amend. of 2-3-2014, § 1)

The following signs shall be exempt from the requirements of this article:

(1)

Memorial signs and tablets when displayed on private property.

(2)

Information signs or displays maintained by a government body or public utility, including traffic or parking regulatory devices, legal notices, warning of hazards and similar displays.

(3)

Street address numerals, public hearing signs, and other signs or exterior displays required to be maintained by government order or regulations, provided that the content and size do not exceed that required by such order or regulation. Mailboxes and neighborhood delivery cluster box units may only display names, addresses and user information. Such mail structures may not be used for advertising any commercial, sales, home occupation activity, or garage sale.

(4)

A maximum of two signs per 300 feet if property line signs indicating no trespassing, no dumping, no hunting signs or other like notice of private property warnings are permitted. Each sign shall not be larger than two square feet in area.

(5)

Temporary noncommercial (including political) signs:

a.

May not exceed 16 square feet in area per face.

b.

If freestanding, may not be higher than eight feet above grade.

c.

May not be displayed more than 60 days per year.

(6)

Scoreboards for athletic fields are not considered signs unless they are located next to a road and messages provided that are visible from the road but not the field and stands.

(Ord. of 7-12-1999, § 07.104; Amd. of 11-18-2019(1), § 9)

(a)

Districts in which particular signs are permitted as a use by right, and no permit is required, are indicated by an X.

(b)

Districts in which particular signs are permitted upon procurement of a permit are indicated by a P.

(c)

Districts in which particular signs are permitted as a minor special use upon approval of the board of adjustment are indicated by a MinS.

(d)

Districts in which particular signs are prohibited are indicated by an N.

(e)

Districts in which particular signs are limited uses are indicated by "L." Limited signs require the issuance of a zoning permit.

TABLE 07.105
PERMITTED SIGNS

* Commercial and industrial zoning district sign standards apply for institutional land use free-standing on-site identification signs and wall mounted signs.

(Ord. of 7-12-1999, § 07.105; Amend. of 7-1-2002, § 1(07.105); Amend. of 8-21-2006, §§ 2, 3; Amend. of 10-6-2008, § 1; Amend. of 11-7-2011, § 2; Amend. of 2-3-2014, § 2; Amend. of 4-19-2021(2), § 1)

(a)

Any sign, other than an outdoor advertising sign, that no longer identifies a business, activity, event or service conducted, or product, service or entertainment sold on the premises where the sign is located shall be considered abandoned and shall be removed. If upon inspection the land development administrator finds that a sign is abandoned, unsafe or in any way not in compliance with county ordinances, he shall issue a written order to the permittee or owner stating the nature of the violation and requiring the repair, replacement or removal of the sign within 14 days of the date of the order.

(b)

If after 14 days of issuance an order has not been complied with, or if a sign constitutes an immediate hazard to the public safety, the land development administrator may recommend to the county board of commissioners that it authorize judicial process to cause the sign to be removed or repaired pursuant to the provisions concerning unsafe buildings in the state building code.

(c)

After any removal of a sign through judicial process, the land development administrator shall send a notice to the property owner stating the nature of the removal work performed and demanding payment of the cost plus ten percent for inspection and administrative costs. If that amount is not paid within 30 days of the notice, it shall become a lien against the property of the owner upon which the sign was located.

(d)

Any required removal of a nonconforming outdoor advertising sign by the local government shall follow the provisions of G.S. 160D-912.

(Ord. of 7-12-1999, § 07.200; Amend. of 4-19-2021(2), § 1)