Signs may not exceed a maximum illumination level of 0.3 foot candles above ambient light, regardless of the method of illumination. The 0.3 foot candles above ambient light shall be measured at a distance from the subject sign as noted in the below table:

 

 

      9.   Light trespass shall not exceed 0.3-foot candles at any property line.

      10.   All electronic changeable copy signs shall be designed to freeze the sign in one position with no more than the maximum allowable illumination if a malfunction occurs.

      11.   All electronic changeable copy signs shall be installed with light sensitive automatic dimming controls.

      12.   The changeable copy sign shall be limited to LED or similar low-intensity lighting. The stationary portion of the sign may be externally illuminated with down lighting so as not to affect the view of motorist.

      13.   All electronic changeable copy signs shall be static between 10:00 p.m. and dawn.

      14.   No variations in light intensity during the static period of display are permitted.

      15.   Prior to permitting, the applicant shall submit a signed letter from the sign manufacturer stating that the sign is equipped with the ability to comply with these regulations and provide FCC and UL certificates. The applicant shall also submit a signed letter from the sign owner or operator stating that they have read the regulations and will not tamper with the manufacturer preset illumination settings.

      16.   Traditional signs, in compliance at the time of this section, changing over to LED bulbs to illuminate a sign are not included in this section of the chapter and must still comply with all elements of the lighting ordinance for the town.

   B.   Estuarine and oceanside shoreline, pier and dock signs to be seen from water.

      1.   The following signs are permitted:

         a.   Residential "for sale" signs on the oceanfront not to exceed six (6) square feet and/or sound front not to exceed ten (10) square feet provided that the sign is affixed to a permanent structure (i.e. house, pier, crossover, etc).

         b.   Residential: Signs not to exceed six (6) square feet denoting private property or private piers, shall not require a permit.

         c.   Commercial signs: Not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet for charter boats, gangway pier, or adjacent land; limit one (1) sign per boat.

         d.   Commercial signs: Not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet on gangway or pier identifying same; limit one (1) sign per dock.

         e.   Commercial signs: Not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet designating water sports, boats for hire, etc.; limit one (1) sign per lot.

      2.   When an estuarine and oceanside shoreline, pier, or dock sign is not specified in subsection 1. above, a determination shall be made by the administrator as to the appropriate size, height, and location in addition to the approval process for said sign.

(Ord. No. 2024-15, 11-5-24)

   A.   Portable signs, with exception of sandwich boards.

   B.   Off-site signs, with the exception of wayfinding signage installed by a government entity.

   C.   Flashing, rotating, twirling, or scrolling signs, with the exception of a barber pole.

   D.   Inflatable signs, air dancers, and other moving signs.

   E.   Roof signs.

   F.   Shapes, and decorations, including building façade modifications intended for advertisement purposes as determined by the Administrator.

   G.   No combination of permitted signs exceeding the permitted total sign area will be allowed.

   H.   Signs on or over any public right-of-way, with the exception of directional and informational signs erected and maintained by public agencies and/or governmental bodies.

   I.   No single sign exceeding sixty-four (64) square feet is permitted, except as multi-tenant signs permitted in Section 6.8.

(Ord. No. 2024-15, 11-5-24)

   Signs erected after the passage of this section shall conform to the standards set forth herein. All legal nonconforming signs in existence as of the effective date of this chapter may be continued and shall be maintained in good condition and are subject to the regulations for Nonconformities, outlined in Section 3 of this Code.

(Ord. No. 2024-15, 11-5-24)

   A.   Maintenance. All signs shall be maintained in a state of good repair. The Administrator or their designee, is authorized to inspect each sign periodically to determine that it meets the requirements set forth in this subchapter. Whenever it shall appear to the Administrator that any sign has been damaged or is being maintained in violation of this subchapter, such sign shall be made to conform with all regulations herein or shall be removed at the expense of the owner within thirty (30) days after written notification of the violation by the Administrator.

   B.   Maintenance Responsibilities. Property owners shall be responsible for the following sign maintenance requirements:

      1.   Repair of cracked, ripped, or peeling paint, paper or other sign materials.

      2.   Repair of bent or broken sign facing, supports, loose appendages or struts.

      3.   Trimming or removal of weeds, vines, tree, or other vegetation growing on the sign or obscuring view from the right-of-way

(Ord. No. 2024-15, 11-5-24)

   A.   Signs which identify business establishments no longer in existence, products no longer being sold, services no longer being rendered, or events which have already occurred shall be removed by the owner of the premises on which the sign is situated within thirty (30) days of receipt of notification by the Administrator. In the case of sign structures designed to carry messages printed on non-permanent materials such as paper or cardboard, this provision applies only to the message, not the sign structure.

   B.   Any sign which, together with its supports, braces, anchors, and other structural elements, is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of the North Carolina State Building Code, or which is otherwise determined to be unsound, shall be removed or brought into compliance with all codes and ordinances within thirty (30) days of notification by the Administrator.

   C.   Should any sign become unsecured, in danger of falling, or otherwise unsafe in the opinion of the Administrator or designee, written notice to the owner thereof, or the person or firm maintaining the sign, shall be provided outlining the required action to be taken within five (5) days including, securing the sign in a manner to be approved by the Administrator, in conformity with the provisions of this section or remove the sign. However, the sign may be secured by the appropriate authorities in cases of immediate danger. The repairs or removal shall be at the expense of the owner or lessee.

   D.   In case any sign shall be installed, erected or constructed in violation of any of the terms of this section, the Administrator shall notify, by registered mail or written notice served personally, the owner or lessee thereof to alter the sign so as to comply with these regulations, and to secure the necessary permit thereof, or to remove the sign.

   E.   In the interest of public safety, pedestrian and vehicular traffic, the Administrator is authorized to remove temporary signs or those signs otherwise illegally installed upon the right-of-way of any street.

(Ord. No. 2024-15, 11-5-24)

   A.   Substandard Signs. The owner of any sign deemed not in compliance or substandard by the Administrator shall be notified in writing and the owner shall have thirty (30) days in which to make repairs. If the said order is not complied with within thirty (30) days, the Enforcement Officer shall remove such sign at the expense of the owner or lessee thereof plus administrative fees.

   B.   Signs on Public Property. Any sign installed or placed on public property or within a public right-of-way shall be forfeited to the public and is subject to confiscation and disposal. In addition to other remedies hereunder, the Administrator shall have the right to recover from the property owner, business owner, or person placing such a sign, the full costs of removal and disposal of such sign.

   C.   Signs of Historical and Cultural Significance. When a sign is determined to have a particular historical or culturally significant value, such determination to be made by a majority vote of the Town Board, the terms of this section may be waived.

(Ord. No. 2024-15, 11-5-24)

   Decisions of the Administrator may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment. Practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships produced by this ordinance as a result of lot size, locations of existing site features, placement difficulties, may be presented as a variance to the board of adjustment.

(Ord. No. 2024-15, 11-5-24)