Mount Holly City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 9
SIGNS
§ 9.1 PURPOSE AND INTENT.
This article provides content-neutral sign standards that allow legitimate signage for agricultural, residential, professional office, business and industrial activities while promoting signs that:
(A) Reduce intrusions and protect property values;
(B) Minimize undue distractions to the motoring public;
(C) Protect the tourist industry by promoting a pleasing community image; and
(D) Enhance and strengthen economic stability.
(Ord. passed 5-13-1996)
§ 9.2 SCOPE.
These provisions apply to the display, construction, erection, alteration, location and maintenance of all new and existing signs within Mount Holly.
(Ord. passed 5-13-1996)
§ 9.3 EXEMPT SIGNS.
The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this chapter and are, therefore, exempt from the requirement to obtain a sign permit:
(A) Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the property upon which they are located;
(B) Government signs that are placed by government officers in the performance of their professional/elected duties;
(C) Temporary or permanent signs erected by public utility companies or construction companies in the performance of their professional duties;
(D) Vehicle signage when painted directly on a vehicle or attached magnetically;
(E) Four temporary signs of four square feet or smaller may be located on any property within Mount Holly at any point in time;
(F) Temporary signs for a new business for up to 30 consecutive days from the first day of business. Exempt signage shall only be displayed on the property where the new business is located;
(G) Signage placed by realtors in the performance of their professional duties;
(H) Window signage; and
(I) A-frame signage.
(Ord. passed 5-13-1996)
§ 9.4 PERMIT REQUIREMENTS.
(A) General.
(1) No sign regulated by this ordinance (except those specifically exempted in division (B) below) shall be displayed, erected, relocated or altered unless all necessary permits have been issued by the City of Mount Holly. Applicants shall submit an application form to the Planning and Development department before any permit may be issued.
(2) Signs shall only be erected or constructed in compliance with the approved permit.
(3) Applicants shall obtain a building permit for the footer of freestanding and monument signs. Applicants shall also obtain an electrical permit for signs that require electrical service.
(4) Signs permitted as an accessory to a legal, non-conforming use shall be subject to the regulations of the zone in which the non-conforming use is located.
(B) Signs exempt from permit requirements. The following signs shall not require a permit:
(1) Incidental signs;
(2) Historic markers; and
(3) Change of copy on any sign where the framework or other structural elements are not altered.
(Ord. passed 5-13-1996)
§ 9.5 NON-CONFORMING SIGNS.
(A) A legal, non-conforming sign may continue in existence as long as it is properly maintained in good condition.
(B) These provisions shall not prevent the repair or restoration to a safe condition of any sign, but a non-conforming sign shall not be:
(1) Changed to another non-conforming sign, except where only the face or copy is changed;
(2) Structurally altered so as to increase the degree of non-conformity of the sign;
(3) Expanded or enlarged;
(4) Reestablished after its removal; or
(5) Moved to a new location on the building or lot.
(Ord. passed 5-13-1996)
§ 9.6 ILLEGAL SIGNS.
All illegal signs shall be subject to immediate enforcement action as outlined in Ch. 15 of the Mount Holly Zoning Ordinance.
(Ord. passed 5-13-1996)
§ 9.7 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.
All signs in all zones shall meet the following requirements.
(A) Illuminated signs shall be located in a fashion which prevents all direct rays of light from shining beyond the property lines of the lot on which the sign is located.
(B) No light, sign or other advertising device shall be designed or erected to imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device or use any words, phrases, symbols or characters implying the existence of danger, or the need to stop or maneuver the vehicle.
(C) No sign shall be attached to or painted on the surface of any tree, utility pole or street light.
(D) Projecting signs shall have at least seven feet of clearance above a road or sidewalk.
(E) Neon or other lighted tubing signs shall not be permitted except where such lighting is used behind solid lettering to produce a "halo" effect, or where it is used indirectly. Neon lighting shall not be used to outline buildings, structures or ornamental features.
(F) No sign, except for government signs, shall be located within the sight triangle of any intersection. Refer to § 3.15 of the Zoning Ordinance.
(G) No sign shall be placed in or project into the public or private street right-of-way, except as specifically permitted herein.
(H) Freestanding, monument and projecting face sign area shall be computed as follows.
(1) Double-faced signs shall have only one face counted in calculating the area.
(2) Sign with more than two faces shall have the area calculated by summing the area of all sign faces and dividing by two.
(3) The area enclosing the perimeter of each cabinet shall be calculated to determine the area.
(4) The perimeter of the measurable area shall not include embellishments (e.g., pole covers, framing or decorative roofing); provided, there is no written copy on such embellishments.
(5) Maximum height shall be measured from the finished grade at the center of the sign and shall include the sign’s base.
(I) Every sign, including those for which a permit is not required, shall be maintained in good condition at all times.
(Ord. passed 5-13-1996)
§ 9.8 PROHIBITED SIGNS IN ALL ZONES.
The following signs and/or sign features shall be prohibited in all zones:
(A) Mobile signs;
(B) Off-premises advertising sign;
(C) Obscenity signs;
(D) Home occupation signs;
(E) Inflatable signs and balloons;
(F) Pole signs;
(G) Roof signs that extend higher than the top of the roof;
(H) Rotating or moving signs;
(I) Abandoned signs;
(J) Streamers, pennants and tag signs or similar signs or devices, except when attached to a permitted temporary sign;
(K) Any sign which emits any noise or odor;
(L) Freestanding signs which overhang any part of a building;
(M) Flashing or blinking signs or simulated traffic or public safety signs;
(N) Billboards with an electronic message display system;
(O) Signs in a public right-of-way;
(P) Handbills/flyers; and
(Q) Flying, teardrop or sail banners.
(Ord. passed 5-13-1996)
§ 9.9 SIGNS PERMITTED BY SPECIFIC ZONE.
(A) General. Any sign not specifically permitted shall be prohibited. All signs must be located a minimum of five feet from any road right-of-way.
(B) Residential Districts (RA, R-20, R-12, R-10, R-8, R-D).
(1) Residential districts contain developments that require signage. Such developments include, but are not limited to: single-family subdivisions; multi-family developments; nursing homes; mobile home parks; churches; day care centers; schools; and recreational facilities.
(2) Allowable wall sign area shall not exceed one square foot per linear foot of the front of the building face. One monument sign may be utilized; providing, it does not exceed 32 square feet. Neighborhoods may be allowed two monument signs provided that each does not exceed 32 square feet in area or six feet in height.
(C) Mixed-Use Districts (MHMU).
(1) Allowable sign area shall not exceed one square foot per linear foot of the front of the building for signage on front of building up to 48 square feet.
(2) One monument sign may be utilized providing it does not exceed 32 square feet and shall not exceed six feet in height.
(3) In the event the building has walls facing a side street or rear street, then those areas are allowed one-half square foot per each linear foot of building abutting said side or rear street.
(D) Commercial Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3, L-I, H-I and O&I).
(1) B-1.
(a) Allowable wall sign area on the front of a business shall not exceed two square feet per linear foot of the building facing a public street.
(b) If a monument sign is utilized, then said monument sign shall not exceed 32 square feet and shall not exceed six feet in height.
(c) Projecting signs may be utilized; provided that, there is no room for a monument sign. Projecting signs may be combined with a wall sign for a two-story building, so long as the total allowable wall sign area on the front of the business is not exceeded.
(2) B-2.
(a) Allowable wall sign area on the front of a business shall not exceed two square feet per linear foot of the building facing a public street.
(b) If a monument sign is utilized, then said monument sign shall not exceed 32 square feet and shall not exceed six feet in height.
(c) In the event the building has walls facing a side street or rear street, then those areas are allowed one square foot per each linear foot of building abutting said side or rear street.
(3) B-3.
(a) Allowable sign area on the front of building shall not exceed two square feet per linear foot of building facing a public street.
1. If a monument sign is utilized, then said monument sign shall not exceed 48 square feet or eight feet in height.
2. In the event the building has walls facing a side or rear street, then those areas are permitted to have one square foot per linear foot of said building with public street facing.
(b) In the event of a shopping center, the monument sign shall not exceed 64 square feet and eight feet in height.
(c) In the event of a shopping center, in which the building is over 25,000 square feet, the monument sign shall not exceed 100 square feet and 12 feet in height.
(4) L-I and H-I.
(a) Allowable sign area on the front of building shall not exceed two square feet per linear foot of building facing a public street.
(b) If a monument sign is utilized, then said monument sign shall not exceed 48 square feet or eight feet in height.
(c) In the event the building has walls facing a side or rear street, then those areas are permitted to have one square foot per linear foot of said building with public street facing. In addition, required on premises directional signage is permitted, (i.e., freight delivery entrance and the like).
(5) O&I.
(a) Allowable sign area shall not exceed one square foot per linear foot of the front of the building for signage on front of building face.
(b) One monument sign may be utilized providing it does not exceed 32 square feet and shall not exceed six feet in height.
(c) In the event the building has walls facing a side street or rear street, then those areas are allowed one-half square foot per each linear foot of building abutting said side or rear street.
(E) Planned Development (PD) Zone. A permitted sign’s height, size, location and design features shall be determined by the sign requirements set forth in the zone in which the proposed or existing use is first permitted.
(Ord. passed 5-13-1996; Ord. passed 2-10-2014)
Cross-reference:
For table version of regulations found in this section, see Appendix A of this chapter
§ 9.10 MAINTENANCE STANDARDS.
Every sign, including those signs for which a permit is not required, shall be maintained in good condition at all times.
(Ord. passed 5-13-1996)
§ 9.11 PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION.
Violation of the provisions of these sign regulations shall be enforced as set forth in Ch. 15 for violation of this Zoning Ordinance.
(Ord. passed 5-13-1996)
§ 9.12 SUBSTITUTION CLAUSE.
The owner of any sign which is otherwise allowed by this chapter may substitute non- commercial speech in lieu of any other commercial speech or noncommercial speech. This substitution of copy may be made without any additional approval or permitting. The purpose of this provision is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over non-commercial speech or favoring of any particular non-commercial speech over any other non-commercial speech. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary.
(Ord. passed 5-13-1996)
§ 9.13 SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
In the event any word or sentence in this ordinance, or provision or portion of this ordinance, or rules adopted by this ordinance is invalidated by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining words and/or sentences, provisions or portions thereof shall not be affected and shall continue in full force and effect.
(Ord. passed 5-13-1996)
APPENDIX A: TABLE OF SIGNS PERMITTED BY SPECIFIC ZONE
Residential Districts (RA, R-20, R-12 R-10, R-8, & RD) | Mixed-Use Districts (MHMU) | Commercial Districts (B-1 & B-2) | Commercial Districts Cont. (B-3 & O&I) | Industrial Districts (L-I & H-I) |
Uses that are permitted to have signs in residential districts include: single family subdivisions; multi-family developments; nursing homes; mobile home parks; churches; day care centers; schools; and recreational facilities. Allowed signage include wall signs, which area shall not exceed one square foot per linear foot of the front of the building face. One monument sign may be utilized provided it does not exceed 32 square feet. Neighborhoods may be allowed two monument signs provided that each does not exceed 32 square feet in area or six feet in height. | Allowable sign area shall not exceed one square foot per linear foot of the front of the building for signage on front of building up to 48 square feet. One monument sign may be utilized provided it does not exceed 32 square feet and shall not exceed six feet in height. In the event the building has walls facing a side street or rear street, then those areas are allowed one-half square foot per each linear foot of building abutting said side or rear street. | B-1. (a) Allowable wall sign area on the front of a business shall not exceed two square feet per linear foot of the building facing a public street. (b) If a monument sign is utilized, then said monument sign shall not exceed 32 square feet and shall not exceed six feet in height. (c) Projecting signs may be utilized provided that there is no room for a monument sign. Projecting signs may be combined with a wall sign for a two-story building, so long as the total allowable wall sign area on the front of the business is not exceeded. | B-3. (a) Allowable sign area on the front of building shall not exceed two square feet per linear foot of building facing a public street. 1. If a monument sign is utilized, then said monument sign shall not exceed 48 square feet or eight feet in height. 2. In the event the building has walls facing a side or rear street, then those areas are permitted to have one square foot per linear foot of said building with public street facing. (b) In the event of a shopping center, the monument sign shall not exceed 64 square feet and eight feet in height. (c) In the event of a shopping center, in which the building is over 25,000 square feet, the monument sign shall not exceed 100 square feet and 12 feet in height. | L-I and H-I. (a) Allowable sign area on the front of building shall not exceed two square feet per linear foot of building facing a public street. (b) If a monument sign is utilized, then said monument sign shall not exceed 48 square feet or eight feet in height. (c) In the event the building has walls facing a side or rear street, then those areas are permitted to have one square foot per linear foot of said building with public street facing. In addition, required on premises directional signage is permitted (i.e., freight delivery entrance and the like). |
B-2. (a) Allowable wall sign area on the front of a business shall not exceed two square feet per linear foot of the building facing a public street. (b) If a monument sign is utilized, then said monument sign shall not exceed 32 square feet and shall not exceed six feet in height. (c) In the event the building has walls facing a side street or rear street, then those areas are allowed one square foot per each linear foot of building abutting said side or rear street. | O&I. (a) Allowable sign area shall not exceed one square foot per linear foot of the front of the building for signage on front of building face. (b) One monument sign may be utilized provided it does not exceed 32 square feet and shall not exceed six feet in height. (c) In the event the building has walls facing a side street or rear street, then those areas are allowed one-half square foot per each linear foot of building abutting said side or rear street. |
(Ord. passed 11-18-2024)