(A)   The purpose and intent of this subchapter is to support and complement the various land uses allowed in the city and its extraterritorial area by the adoption of policies and regulations concerning the placement of signs.

   (B)   The City Council does hereby find and declare:

      (1)   The outdoor placement of signs to be a necessary means of communication to the public and a necessary accessory use of many principal uses, but, that the erection of signs should be controlled and regulated in order to:

         (a)   Promote the health, safety, welfare and convenience and enjoyment of travel on and protection of the public investment in streets and roads in the city area; and

         (b)   To promote the reasonable, orderly and effective display of signs, displays and devices.

      (2)   It is also the intent of this chapter to prevent signs from dominating the visual appearance of the area in which they are located.

(Prior UDO, § 9.1)

   (A)   The letter “N” means that the sign shall not be lighted.

   (B)   The letter “L” means that the sign may be illuminated.

   (C)   All lighted signs shall have the lighting from an internal source or directed in a manner as to illuminate only the face of the sign.

(Prior UDO, § 9.2) Penalty, see § 153.999

   Any sign which is determined by the Administrator as being insecure, in danger of falling or otherwise endangering the public safety shall be immediately removed by the property owner unless it is repaired and made to otherwise comply with the requirements of this subchapter.

(Prior UDO, § 9.3) Penalty, see § 153.999

   Sign area shall be deemed to be the area within a single, continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of characters, lettering, logos, illustrations or ornamentations, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the display or to differentiate the sign from the background to which it is placed. Structural supports bearing no sign copy shall not be included in the sign area. If a sign is attached to an entrance wall or fence, only that portion of that wall or fence onto which the sign face or letters are placed shall be calculated in the sign area. Only one side of a sign shall be included in the calculation.

(Prior UDO, § 9.4) Penalty, see § 153.999

   The height of a sign shall be measured from the highest point of a sign to the average ground surface grade immediately below it.

(Prior UDO, § 9.5) Penalty, see § 153.999

   (A)   Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, move or replace any sign or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a sign permit for the sign from the Administrator as required by these regulations.

   (B)   Notwithstanding the above, changing or replacing the copy on an existing lawful sign shall not require a permit, provided the copy change does not change the nature of the sign so as to render the sign in violation of this chapter.

   (C)   All signs requiring a permit shall be installed in accordance with the North Carolina Building and Electrical Codes.

(Prior UDO, § 9.6) Penalty, see § 153.999

   The following types of signs are exempted from permit requirements of § 153.165 of this chapter and may be placed in any zoning district. The signs shall be in conformance with any applicable requirements contained in this chapter. There shall be no limit to the number of signs on any lot, except as herein prescribed. All signs (except government signs) shall be located outside a road right-of-way.

   (A)   Government signs;

   (B)   Memorial signs, plaques or grave markers that are noncommercial in nature;

   (C)   Public interest signs;

   (D)   On-premises instructional signs not exceeding four square feet in area apiece;

   (E)   Identification signs not exceeding three square feet in area (one only per premises);

   (F)   Incidental signs;

   (G)   Campaign and election signs provided that:

      (1)   Each sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area;

      (2)   All signs shall be removed within seven days after the election for which they were made; and

      (3)   Property owner shall be held responsible for violators.

   (H)   Temporary real estate signs advertising specific property for sale, lease, rent or development shall be located as follows:

      (1)   One sign advertising real estate “For Sale,” “For Rent,” “For Lease” or “For Development” not greater than ten square feet in area in all Residential (R) Districts and 64 square feet in area in nonresidential districts may be located on the property being advertised provided the sign is located behind the street right-of-way line. If the property so advertised lies on a corner lot, then a second sign may be permitted so long as the signs are at least 400 feet apart as measured by the shortest straight line;

      (2)   In addition to the on-site sign(s), a maximum of three directional signs, each not exceeding two square feet in area, shall be permitted to be located off the subject premises. The message of the signs shall be limited to the name of the property or development being advertised, a directional arrow, mileage to the subject property and the type of offering;

      (3)   All temporary signs shall be removed within seven days after the property has been sold, rented, leased and the like; and

      (4)   No more than three temporary directional signs advertising a specific shopping center, planned mixed-use development, subdivision and the like may also be permitted off-site. Each sign shall be no greater than three square feet in area.

   (I)   Permanent subdivision identification signs not exceeding 18 square feet;

   (J)   Construction signs provided that:

      (1)   Signs in conjunction with any single-family residential use or duplex shall not exceed ten square feet apiece;

      (2)   Signs in conjunction with all other uses shall have a maximum area of 50 square feet apiece;

      (3)   Only one sign per premises shall be erected;

      (4)   Signs shall not be illuminated;

      (5)   Signs shall only appear at the construction site; and

      (6)   Signs shall be removed within seven days after the completion of the project.

   (K)   Temporary farm products signs provided that:

      (1)   Only one sign per premises shall be erected;

      (2)   The signs shall be located on the premises where the products are sold;

      (3)   Signs shall not exceed 20 square feet in area; and

      (4)   Signs shall be removed within seven days of the termination of sale activities.

   (L)   Temporary special event signs or banners for religious, charitable, civic, fraternal or similar organizations provided that:

      (1)   Signs shall be erected no sooner than 30 days before and removed no later than five days after the event;

      (2)   All signs shall be located on private property except the signs may be located within a road right-of-way subject to City Council approval or on other public property subject to approval of the governing board of the public entity owning the property; and

      (3)   Portable signs for that use may be allowed.

   (M)   Temporary paper or cardboard signs attached to the inside of windows of occupied commercial uses provided the signs do not cover more than 70% of the window area of the side of the building on which the signs are attached;

   (N)   Other temporary banners in nonresidential districts, provided that:

      (1)   One banner per nonresidential use shall be allowed provided that each banner is located five feet from a street right-of-way and out of the sight triangle. Banners must not be larger than 24 square feet in size;

      (2)   The temporary banners are not permitted in the Central Business District. Banner regulations in the Central Business are addressed in § 153.170(C) of this chapter; and

      (3)   No banners shall extend above the second floor level of a building.

   (O)   One on-premises and three off-premises yard sale signs per yard sale. All signs shall be removed within 24 hours after the yard sale has been terminated. The maximum area of each sign shall be three square feet;

   (P)   Directional signs provided that:

      (1)   The signs may only be used in conjunction with a religious, charitable, civic, fraternal and similar organization or an industrial/office park, lodging facilities or similar activity;

      (2)   No more than three directional sign per principal use may be erected;

      (3)   All directional signs shall be located at least five feet from the edge of a road right-of-way;

      (4)   All directional signs greater than three feet in height as measured from the grade of the road upon which it fronts shall be located outside the required sight triangle as defined in § 153.031 of this chapter;

      (5)   All directional signs shall not be illuminated;

      (6)   All directional signs shall be freestanding signs. Portable signs shall be prohibited;

      (7)   There shall be no greater than four directional signs on separate supports at the intersection of any two roads;

      (8)   More than one sign may be placed on the same supports;

      (9)   No two directional signs hung from separate supports shall be located within five feet of each other; and

      (10)   The maximum area of any directional sign shall be six square feet.

   (Q)   Off-premises temporary special event signs provided that:

      (1)   No more than four temporary signs per event may be erected;

      (2)   All these signs shall be located at least five feet from the edge of a street right-of-way.

      (3)   Any sign greater than three feet in height as measured from the grade of the road upon which it fronts shall be located outside the required sight triangle as defined in § 153.031 of this chapter;

      (4)   All these signs shall not be illuminated;

      (5)   There shall be no greater than four signs on separate supports at the intersection of any two roads;

      (6)   The maximum area of any temporary special event sign shall be six square feet; and

      (7)   Signs shall be erected no sooner than 30 days before and removed no later than five days after the event.

(Prior UDO, § 9.7) Penalty, see § 153.999

   (A)   Any sign which the Administrator determines to obstruct the view of motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians using any street or walkway, approach to any street intersection or ingress to or egress from any driveway or parking area, or which obscures or interferes with the effectiveness of any traffic sign;

   (B)   Illuminated, highly reflective signs or spotlights which the Administrator determines to hamper the vision of motorists or bicyclists;

   (C)   Signs, lights, rotating disks, words and other devices that resemble traffic signals, traffic signs or emergency vehicle lights;

   (D)   Signs, other than government signs, which contain lights, rotating disks, words and other devices not erected by a public authority that may be erroneously construed as government signs or emergency warning signs;

   (E)   Any exterior sign that 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;

   (F)   Any sign 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 authorized by the City Council or the State Department of Transportation;

   (G)   Any sign, other than a government sign, with visible moving parts either windblown or motorized except as provided in § 153.166(N) of this chapter;

   (H)   Any sign located in a way as to intentionally deny an adjoining property owner visual access to an existing sign;

   (I)   Flashing signs or any signs with flashing or intermittent light or lights or reflective devices of changing degree of intensity or color. Signs with devices which produce flashing light and signs which produce scrolled messages are prohibited, however, signs which give time and temperature are permitted, provided the messages are limited to only time and/or temperature. If a time and temperature sign alternates between a time message and a temperature message it shall continuously show one message a minimum of three seconds time before switching to the other message;

   (J)   Portable signs (excluding temporary signs otherwise permitted in § 153.166(L) of this chapter);

   (K)   Vehicular signs;

   (L)   Advertising signs; and

   (M)   Other signs not expressly permitted by this chapter.

(Prior UDO, § 9.8) Penalty, see § 153.999

   Signs allowed without a permit are listed in § 153.166 of this chapter. The following signs may be placed in districts subsequent to the issuance of a permit by the Administrator. All other signs shall be prohibited.

   (A)   Signs on premises of multi-family developments and manufactured home parks, planned developments and in the R-25 District essential services Class III and produce stands are regulated as follows.

      (1)   Types of sign permitted. Identification: ground mounted only.

      (2)   Permitted number of signs. One per premises per public street front.

      (3)   Maximum area of signs. Twenty-six square feet.

      (4)   Permitted illumination. L, N.

      (5)   Permitted height. Five feet.

   (B)   Signs on premises of day care centers, nursing home, rest homes and homes for the aged and public safety stations.

      (1)   Types of sign permitted. Identification: ground mounted, pole or wall.

      (2)   Permitted number of signs. One per premises.

      (3)   Maximum area of signs. Sixteen square feet.

      (4)   Permitted illumination. L, N.

      (5)   Permitted height.

         (a)   Ground mounted: five feet;

         (b)   Pole sign: six feet; and

         (c)   Wall sign: height lowest roof eave.

   (C)   Signs on premises of small ground day care centers and bed and breakfast inns are regulated as follows.

      (1)   Types of sign permitted. Identification: ground mounted, pole or wall.

      (2)   Permitted number of signs. One per establishment.

      (3)   Maximum area of signs. Six square feet.

      (4)   Permitted illumination. L, N.

      (5)   Permitted height.

         (a)   Ground mounted: five feet;

         (b)   Pole sign: six feet; and

         (c)   Wall sign: height lowest roof eave.

   (D)   Signs on premises of churches, schools, country clubs and publicly or privately-owned and operated outdoor recreation facilities are regulated as follows.

   (E)   Cemeteries are regulated as follows.

   (F)   In the R-O District, offices; and any other nonresidential uses in Residential (R) Districts not otherwise covered in this section.

         (a)   Ground mounted or pole: 1.

         (b)   Wall: no limit.

         (a)   Ground mounted: 5 feet.

         (b)   Pole sign: 10 feet.

(Prior UDO, § 9.9) (Ord. ZTA-1-2025, passed 4-3-2025) Penalty, see § 153.999

         (a)   Wall: no limit.

         (b)   Freestanding (pole or ground mounted): 1; provided however, no freestanding sign shall be permitted if § 153.172(C)(4) is applicable.

 

 

      (4)   Maximum height.

         (a)   Wall. Signs shall not be allowed to extend above the parapet of the building.

         (b)   Freestanding. The height of freestanding signs shall be based upon the road on which the principal building containing the use being identified fronts. The following schedule shall apply:

 

 

      (5)   Permitted illumination. L, N.

   (B)   Shopping center and other multi-tenant freestanding identification signs.

      (1)   Types of sign permitted. Identification.

      (2)   Permitted number of signs.

         (a)   A shopping center or planned mixed use development either of which contains two or more nonresidential uses located in a unified building or group of buildings may have one freestanding identification sign giving the name of the development and/or the name of the businesses and other uses occupying the development.

         (b)   A second sign shall be permitted if the development has direct access from two or more public streets. No other on-premises freestanding signs shall be permitted.

         (c)   In lieu of allowing a second freestanding sign for the development, the developer shall have the option to increase the size of one freestanding sign on the property by 100% larger than what is required in division (A)(3) above. This bonus shall only be available to Class C shopping centers with four or more tenants.

      (3)   Maximum area of signs. The maximum area of freestanding identification signs shall be as indicated in division (A)(3) of this chapter.

      (4)   Permitted illumination. L, N.

      (5)   Permitted height. The maximum height of the sign(s) shall be as indicated in division (A)(4) of this chapter.

      (6)   Permitted location. If two freestanding signs are located on the same premises, the signs shall be located at a minimum distance of 100 feet from each other as measured by the shortest straight line connecting each sign. All freestanding signs shall be located behind the street right-of-way.

(Prior UDO, § 9.10) (Ord. ZTA-1-2010, passed 5-6-2010; Ord. passed - - ) Penalty, see § 153.999

   (A)   Generally. Except as otherwise permitted by this chapter, signs in the C-B and CBT Districts shall be limited to wall signs and canopy or awning signs. Freestanding signs are limited to ground signs and allowed only in accordance with the conditions and provisions outlined in division (F).

   (B)   Wall signs.

 

 

   (C)   Canopy and awning signs. A sign message on a canopy or awning shall contain only the name of the business, street address and/or the type of business, type of goods sold or services rendered.

      (1)   Each business is permitted up to one sign hung under a canopy or awning provided the message on the sign is perpendicular to the building and the sign is at least eight feet above the surface of the sidewalk and is no more than eight square feet in size.

      (2)   A business is permitted to use up to one canopy or awning sign provided that the sign message does not extend in any direction above, below or beyond the canopy or awning edge.

   (D)   Temporary commercial advertising banners. Temporary commercial advertising banners including grand opening, sale, going out of business and other similar commercial banners are permitted in the Central Business District subject to the following conditions.

      (1)   A temporary use permit must be secured from the Planning Department before a banner is placed upon a premises.

      (2)   The banners shall be placed upon a premises no longer than 12 weeks in a year. Permits may be issued in two-week increments (i.e. six permits per year) or any combination of time frames up to a continuous 12-week provided that the total time a banner shall be displayed on a single premises shall not exceed 12 weeks per year. Permit applications shall be accompanied by a to-scale rendering depicting the banner.

      (3)   The banners shall be professionally prepared.

      (4)   The banners shall be no larger than 32 square feet in size.

      (5)   Banners may be displayed at any location on the front façade of the premises on which it is located.

      (6)   A temporary use permit for a commercial advertising banner shall be issued only after the permit applicant has secured a bond payable to the city in the amount of $50. If the banner is removed within the time frame for which it was permitted, the $50 bond shall be refunded to the permit bearer. If the banner becomes a violation, the city shall redeem the $50 bond.

   (E)   Portable sidewalk signs. Notwithstanding the requirements of § 95.06, Obstructions (on streets and sidewalks) and § 95.08, Placing objects on streets and sidewalks, of the code of ordinances, portable sidewalk signs (as defined in § 153.031 of this chapter) shall be permitted in the Central Business (CB) and CBT Districts provided that placement of the signs upon a street right-of-way or public property shall be approved by the City Council or its designee.

      (1)   The associated business is located in a building that is set back at least ten feet from the abutting sidewalk. If sidewalk does not exist along the street frontage, the building is located at least ten feet from the back of the edge of pavement or curb.

      (2)   The sign is to be located a minimum of five feet behind the abutting sidewalk. If sidewalk does not exist along the street frontage, the sign is to be located at least ten feet from the back of the edge of pavement or curb.

      (3)   The sign is to be located a minimum of five feet from any side lot line.

      (4)   The sign is to be located outside of any sight triangle at a street or driveway.

      (5)   The dimensions of the sign shall conform to the below:

 

 

 

 

      (6)   Area associated with the text of a building name or address is exempt from above maximum display surface calculations.

      (7)   The design and materials used in the construction of the sign shall be consistent with the downtown lincolnton design guidelines for freestanding signage.

      (8)   No freestanding sign within the CBD or CBT district shall be erected until an application for design review has been submitted to and approved by the Design Review Committee (DRC) charged with review and approval of such applications. The DRC shall be a committee comprised of City staff and appointed by the City Manager.

         (a)   Application approval is required prior to the issuance of a sign permit. The sign permit may be issued subject to reasonable conditions necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

         (b)   An approved application for design review shall be required whether or not other permits may be required, but said approval does not obviate the necessity of procuring other permits as may be required by law; provided, however, any permit issued other than in conformity with this chapter shall be invalid.

(Prior UDO, § 9.11) (Ord. ZTA-1-2016, passed 2-4-2016; Am. Ord. O-04-19, passed 6-6-2019) ) Penalty, see § 153.999

   See § 153.120(H) of this chapter.

(Prior UDO, § 9.12) Penalty, see § 153.999

   (A)   Generally. The following are general specifications applicable to the various permitted signs. Additional specifications regarding size, number, location and permitted types of signs are set forth in the individual zoning districts.

   (B)   Wall sign.

      (1)   The maximum permitted aggregate area of wall signs per premises may be increased beyond that which is normally allowed using either (but not both) of the following methods (only division (B)(1)(b) of this section shall be allowed for business within shopping centers):

         (a)   If a freestanding sign is not used on the premises, the aggregate area of wall signs may be increased by 25% per premises, provided however, no increase shall be allowed in the C-B District.

         (b)   In the G-B and P-B Districts the aggregate area of all wall signs per premises may be increased based on the distance the principal building is set back from the required front setback line. The increase shall be in accordance with the following table, provided however, any increase shall not allow the aggregate sign size to exceed 10% of the front wall area of the premises to which the sign is located.

 

      (2)   No wall sign shall project more than 18 inches from the building wall. Further, no wall sign or its supporting structure shall cover any window or part of a window.

      (3)   Canopy and awning signs may be substituted for part or all of the allowable wall signage per premises. Signs may be painted or printed onto a canopy or awning. In no instance shall any canopy or awning sign extend into a street right-of-way. This division shall not apply to the C-B District. For canopy and awning sign regulations for the C-B District, see § 153.170(C).

      (4)   A projecting sign may be substituted for part or all of the allowable wall signage per premises. A projecting sign shall not project more than four feet from a building. Except as provided in § 153.171 of this chapter, a projecting sign shall not extend into a street right-of-way.

      (5)   In the C-B District a projecting sign may extend over a public sidewalk by being attached to the building face, canopy or awning provided the sign is at least eight feet above the surface of the sidewalk and is no more than eight square feet in size.

   (C)   Freestanding signs.

      (1)   All freestanding signs shall be located behind the street right-of-way. Any sign greater than three feet in height as measured from the grade of the road upon which it fronts shall be located outside the required sight triangle as defined in § 153.031 of this chapter.

      (2)   The bottom of the sign face of any pole sign, which is located within five feet of the street right-of-way, shall be at least ten feet in height as measured from the grade.

      (3)   No freestanding sign shall be located closer than five feet to any adjacent side lot line.

      (4)   A freestanding sign may only be located along (and visible from) a street from which the principal building containing the use being identified is set back at least 15 feet from the right-of-way of the street. If no such area exists on the premises then no freestanding sign may be erected.

(Prior UDO, § 9.13) (Ord. ZTA-1-2016, passed 2-4-2016) Penalty, see § 153.999

   (A)   Main ID sign.  

      (1)   Maximum sign area: 280 square feet.

      (2)   Maximum height: 65 feet.

   (B)   Secondary sign.  

      (1)   Maximum sign area: 64 square feet on thoroughfares and 35 square feet on all other streets.

      (2)   Maximum height: 25 feet on thoroughfares and 20 feet on all other streets.

   (C)   Both main ID and secondary signs. If both a main ID sign and a secondary sign are erected by the hotel and lodging facility, then no directional signage as allowed in § 153.166(P) would be permitted. If property is located in a Special Highway Overlay District, a third sign could not be erected as permitted in § 153.120(H).

(Ord. ZTA-1-2010, passed 5-6-2010)

   (A)   Signs on premises of churches are allowed in accordance with the preceding provisions related to types of signs permitted, permitted number of signs, maximum sign area, permitted illumination, maximum sign height, etc.

   (B)   The provisions outlined in § 153.167, Prohibited Signs, are applicable to church signs with the exception outlined below:

      (1)   Churches located on lots of at least ten acres in size are permitted one multi-color LED/digital changing message board. Sign messages may change but cannot flash or scroll.

      (2)   Such sign shall be located a minimum of 30 feet from the right-of-way of any abutting public road.

      (3)   This exception is not applicable in the CB and CBT zoning districts.

(Ord. O-04-2017, passed 6-1-2017)

   In accordance with G.S. § 160D-908, fence wraps displaying signage when affixed to perimeter fencing at a construction site are exempt from zoning regulation pertaining to signage until the certificate of occupancy is issued for the final portion of any construction at that site or 24 months from the time the fence wrap was installed, whichever is shorter. If construction is not completed at the end of 24 months from the time the fence wrap was installed, a sign permit may be required but the fence wrapping materials are allowed to continue to be affixed to the perimeter fencing. No fence wrap affixed pursuant to this section may display any advertising other than advertising sponsored by a person directly involved in the construction project and for which monetary compensation for the advertisement is not paid or required.

(Ord. passed - - )