The regulations governing the use of signs within the jurisdiction and within the various zoning districts are set forth in this article. All signs shall be erected, altered and maintained in accordance with the following provisions and only those signs as specified and as regulated shall be erected, altered and maintained within the jurisdiction.

With the exception of those signs specifically exempt from these regulations or those signs specifically exempt from having a permit, no sign shall be erected or altered without a zoning permit as required by this ordinance.

A.

All signs shall be designed and constructed according to generally accepted engineering practices to withstand wind pressures and load distribution as specified in the North Carolina Building Code for the jurisdiction.

B.

All signs in which electrical wiring and connections are to be used shall be constructed in accordance with the North Carolina Building Code for the jurisdiction.

C.

All signs shall be maintained in a state of good repair. No sign shall be continued which the zoning enforcement officer finds to be structurally unsafe or a danger to the safety of the public or property.

D.

Illuminated signs shall not produce glare, excessive light or concentrations of light that interfere with traffic. Light shall be beamed down and away or shielded from streets and adjoining property.

E.

Projecting signs, where they are permitted, shall be at least ten feet above the finished grade of any sidewalk. Signs attached to the underside of a canopy shall be at least nine feet above the finished grade of any sidewalk. No sign shall extend closer than two feet to a vertical plane at any street curbline. Signs and canopies which extend into service streets and alley rights-of-way shall not interfere with passage of motor carriers using the service entrances at the rear and side of commercial establishments adjacent to such rights-of-way.

F.

Projecting signs, where permitted to project over a public street or sidewalk right-of-way, shall remain only at the sufferance of the City of Thomasville. The city council may by resolution order the removal of any or all such signs for any reason. Such resolution shall require 60 days' written notice by first class mail to the owner of the property involved.

G.

Any sign mounted flat against the wall of a building or vertical surface and which sign is not more than 18 inches thick shall not be considered a projecting sign.

H.

Any sign not in conformance with each of the provisions of this article shall be considered to be a nonconforming sign and shall be allowed to remain. Provided, however, no nonconforming sign shall be moved, replaced, or repaired at a cost in excess of 50 percent of its original cost in any calendar year without complying with the provisions of this ordinance. Any nonconforming use as defined in this ordinance may retain and replace such signs as would be permitted for the use in the most restrictive zoning district in which the use would first be permitted in the table of permitted uses.

Electronic changeable copy sign: Any sign on which the copy changes automatically on a lampbank, such that the message or display does not run continuously in the travel mode and any message or display remains stationary for a minimum of five seconds. Any sign on which the message or display runs continuously in the travel mode and/or on which any message or display does not remain stationary for a minimum of five seconds shall be considered a flashing sign.

Facade: The generally vertical face or wall of a building, including the front, side, and/or rear elevations. For the purposes of this definition, a mansard or false mansard roof which extends the full width of a facade shall be considered as part of the facade of a building so long as the deflection from vertical is no greater than 30 degrees.

Freestanding sign: A sign which is attached to the ground on its own support and stands alone and is not attached to any other building or structure.

Historic or landmark sign: A sign which exhibits unique characteristics that enhance the streetscape or identity of a neighborhood and as such contributes to the historical or cultural character of the community at large, provided such sign shall meet all of the following standards:

(1)

The sign meets at least one of the following criteria:

(a)

It was expressly designed for the business, institution or other establishment at that location;

(b)

It bears a national or regional emblem, logo or other graphic that is no longer used by the company; or

(c)

It is a remnant of an advertising program that is no longer used by the parent company.

(2)

The sign has existed continuously in place on the premises for a minimum of 50 years.

(3)

The sign is approved by the historic preservation commission as a historic or landmark sign.

Sign: Any words, lettering, parts of letters, pictures, figures, numerals, phrases, sentences, emblems, devices, design, trade names, or trademarks by which anything is made known, such as the designation of an individual, a firm, an association, a profession, a business, a commodity, or product, which are visible from any public way and used to attract attention.

(1)

Business identification sign: Any sign which advertises an establishment, a service, commodity, or activity conducted upon the premises where such sign is located.

(2)

Outdoor advertising sign: Any sign which advertises an establishment, service, commodity, goods or entertainment sold or offered on premises other than that on which such sign is located.

Sign area: The surface area of a sign shall be computed as including the entire area within a regular geometric form or combinations of regular geometric forms comprising all of the display area of the sign and including all of the elements of the matter displayed. However, in computing sign area only one side of a double-faced sign structure shall be considered. Frames and structural members not bearing advertising matter shall not be included in computation of the surface area. Signs erected in a "V" shape shall be considered to be double-faced as long as the angle of the "V" is 90 degrees or less.

Temporary sign: A non-electrified sign placed on property in conjunction with an event of short duration and which sign is to be removed after the end of the event.

(Ord. of 12-19-05, § 1; Ord. of 3-20-06, § 1)

The following signs are exempt from regulation under this ordinance:

A.

Governmental signs;

B.

Works of art with no commercial message;

C.

Lights and decorations with no commercial message temporarily displayed on traditionally accepted civic, patriotic or religious holidays;

D.

Hand-carried signs;

E.

Signs located on the interior of buildings, courts, lobbies, stadiums, or other structures which are not intended to be seen from the exterior of said buildings or structures;

F.

Signs affixed to vehicles and trailers used in the normal transport of goods or persons where the sign is incidental and accessory to the primary use of the vehicle or trailer;

G.

Signs affixed to windows of vehicles displaying information on the terms of sale for said vehicles;

H.

Any sign with flashing, intermittent or animated illumination, except that this prohibition shall not extend to electronic changeable copy signs;

I.

Flags of the United States, North Carolina, local governmental jurisdictions, foreign nations having diplomatic relations with the United States, and any other flags adopted or sanctioned by the city council, subject to U.S. Congressional protocol; and

J.

Signs affixed to objects where the sign is clearly incidental and accessory to the primary use and purpose of the object.

K.

Projecting signs attached to a building in a perpendicular fashion in any of the commercial districts, applying only to businesses that do not have an area to place permanent signs. Ex: Downtown businesses that only have a sidewalk in front of their location. Projection signs shall be acceptable as part of the overall allowed signage provided such signs meet the following criteria:

1.

The sign area shall not exceed six square feet per side and 12 square feet in total.

2.

The signboard or bracket by which it is attached shall not project more than 36 inches from the wall.

3.

No part of the sign shall hang lower than eight feet above the ground or pedestrian walkway.

4.

The height of the top edge of the sign or the bracket by which it is mounted shall not exceed the height of the wall from which it projects.

5.

Since these signs may extend over the public right-of-way, they shall be mounted and attached in a secure manner. The sign as well as all brackets and mounting devices shall be maintained in good repair for both safety and appearance.

6.

All lettering and graphics shall be permanent.

7.

Banners advertising or promoting church related events. Banner must be located on the church property where the advertised event or ministry will take place. Banner must be placed in a location that will not block visibility for any vehicle traffic.

L.

One sandwich board sign, per street frontage per business, in any of the commercial districts as follows:

1.

The total area of the signboard shall not exceed eight square feet per side.

2.

Any sandwich board shall not exceed two linear feet in width, width with a maximum height of 48 inches.

3.

The sign shall be located within the storefront of the business installing the sign, and its location shall not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

4.

The sign must be constructed of materials that present a finished appearance. The sign lettering should be professionally painted or applied, however, chalkboard signs shall be permitted.

5.

The sign shall be removed at the end of the day.

6.

Any person erecting a sandwich board sign shall indemnify and hold harmless the City of Thomasville and its officers, agents, and employees from any claim arising out of the presence of the sign on city property or rights-of-way.

(Ord. of 12-19-05, § 2; Ord. of 7-21-08, § 1; Ord. No. 09-09-ORD33, § 1, 9-21-09)

The following signs are prohibited:

A.

Any sign erected in or over the public right-of-way except for projecting signs as permitted and regulated in the C-4 commercial district and special event signs and banners by temporary permit.

B.

Any sign attached to or painted on any tree, rock or other natural object, except for the posting of land or other such public purpose.

C.

Any sign that obscures a sign displayed by public authority for the purposes of giving traffic instruction or direction or other public information.

D.

Any sign that uses the word "stop" or "danger" or otherwise presents or implies the need or requirement of stopping or caution or the existence of danger, or which is a copy or imitation of or which for any reason is likely to be confused with any sign displayed by a public authority. Provided, however, this provision is not intended to prevent the placement on private property of signs such as "stop," "yield" or other such wording or design where such is necessary for traffic control or other such legitimate notice to the public.

E.

Any sign that obstructs any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress or egress for any building as required by law.

F.

Any sign that obstructs corner visibility as set forth in note 4 of article V, section 5, of this ordinance.

G.

Any sign that obstructs driveway exit visibility when the corner visibility triangle as referenced in F. above is applied to the intersection of a driveway exit with a public street.

H.

Any sign with flashing, intermittent or animated illumination, except that this prohibition shall not extend to signs which display time and/or temperature information.

I.

Any temporary or portable sign (not permanently attached to a building or the ground) except when permitted for special events in section 7 or where otherwise permitted in section 8.

J.

Any temporary or portable sign that is illuminated.

K.

Any sign on a vehicle which is parked in a location which is visible to the public for a period of time which indicates that the principal use of the vehicle is for advertising rather than transport.

L.

Any sign attached to a structure which extends vertically above the highest portion of the roof of the structure.

Temporary signs, including unilluminated portable signs, may be erected for special events such as grand openings, special sales and other such events. A permit shall be obtained for such signs for each event period and no one location shall be permitted to have a special events permit(s) for a total of more than 30 days in a calendar year. Such signs shall be removed promptly at the end of the permit period.

Signs and banners to be placed in the public right-of-way for special events shall be limited to nonprofit organizations and to two 14-day permits per calendar year for any one organization.

Such signs or banners may include incidental commercial messages of sponsors such as corporate or brand names and logos.

The following signs are permitted in any zoning district without a permit provided that they are directly associated and incidental to a permitted use or activity. The intent of this section is to permit a broad group of noncommercial signs and to permit incidental commercial signs which are either of a temporary nature or are not intended for the attraction of the general public when considered in the general scheme of otherwise permitted general advertising signs.

A.

Signs not exceeding four square feet in area that are customarily associated with residential use and that are not of a commercial nature, such as (i) signs giving property identification names or numbers or names of occupants, (ii) signs posted on private property relating to private parking or warning the public against trespassing or danger from animals.

B.

Official signs of a noncommercial nature erected by public utilities.

C.

Legal notices and signs required by law.

D.

Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings or works of art, so long as such features or works do not contain advertising or trademarks.

E.

Signs directing and guiding traffic on private property that do not exceed four square feet each.

F.

Signs attached to the interior of a building window or glass door, or visible through such window or door, so long as such signs, individually or collectively, do not cover more than 25 percent of the surface area of the transparent portion of such window or door.

G.

Displays of merchandise offered for sale or rent on the premises where displayed. Only merchandise of the type that is actually for sale or rent, and not pictorial or other representations of such merchandise, falls within this category.

H.

A North Carolina vehicle inspections station sign.

I.

Signs painted or attached to vending machines, gas pumps, ice machines, or similar devices which indicate the contents of the machine, the name or logo of the supplier, the price, or operating instructions.

J.

One bulletin board for each school or other public building and for each church, synagogue or place of worship, or community building, provided that it be located on the same premises, and shall not exceed 20 square feet. Such bulletin boards shall be set back at least 15 feet from the property lines.

K.

Announcement signs of professions or home occupations, not exceeding three square feet in area, fixed flat against the building where such profession or home occupation is carried on. There shall be a limit of one such sign per establishment.

L.

Signs advertising agricultural products, produced on the premises, not exceeding 32 square feet in area. There shall be a limit of one such sign for each street abutting the lot.

M.

Signs identifying by name only, residential subdivision, planned housing development, recreational facility, or mobile home parks and not exceeding 32 square feet in area. There shall be a limit of one double-faced sign or two single-faced signs for each road or driveway entrance to the development name.

N.

Temporary signs containing the message that the real estate on which the sign is located (including buildings) is offered for sale, lease, or rent, together with information identifying the owner or agent. Only one such sign shall be allowed along the border of each side of a lot that fronts upon a public street. If the lot has less than 200 feet of frontage, the sign may not exceed four square feet in area. If the lot has more than 200 feet of frontage, the sign may not exceed 16 square feet.

O.

Temporary construction site identification signs. Such signs may identify the project, the owner or developer, architect, engineer, contractor and subcontractors, funding sources, and may contain related information, including but not limited to sales or leasing information. Not more than one such sign may be erected per site, and it may not exceed 32 square feet in area. Such signs shall not be erected more than 30 days prior to the issuance of a building permit and shall be removed within ten days after the issuance of the final occupancy permit.

P.

Temporary displays, including lighting, erected in connection with the observance of holidays. Such signs shall be removed within ten days following the holidays.

Q.

Temporary signs erected in connection with elections or political campaigns. Such signs shall be removed within 15 days following the election or conclusion of the campaign. No such sign may exceed 32 square feet in surface area.

R.

Temporary signs indicating that a special event such as a fair, carnival, circus, festival or similar happening is to take place on the lot where the sign is located. Such signs may be erected not sooner than 30 days before the event and must be removed not later than three days after the event.

S.

Signs not exceeding 32 square feet in area, warning the public against hunting, fishing, or trespassing on the land on which the same are displayed.

T.

Unilluminated philosophical, religious or educational signs, limited to one sign per plot, not to exceed six square feet in area and located on private property; provided that in residential and institutional zones there shall be no commercial advertising displayed thereon.

U.

Signs which are clearly intended for traffic or pedestrians already on the property where the sign is displayed.

V.

Signs on corner lots, not exceeding four square feet in area, that contain only the name and location of an off-premises facility along with an arrow pointing in the direction of the facility. Such sign shall not be illuminated and shall not exceed one per corner lot.

W.

Historic or landmark signs.

(Ord. of 3-20-06, § 2)

Business identification signs shall be permitted in the O-I district in accordance with the following schedule:

A.

Signs mounted flat against the facade of a principal building may cover ten percent of the total area of each facade. Unused area cannot be transferred from one facade to another.

B.

Two other signs not mounted flat against the principal building facade are permitted. Such additional signs shall not exceed 20 square feet each and only one shall be a freestanding sign. One additional sign, which may be freestanding, is permitted if the lot fronts on two or more streets and the second street is zoned O-I, commercial or manufacturing.

C.

Any development with more than one principal building, any condominium development, and any development of 10,000 square feet or more with more than one principal tenant may increase the size of any permitted freestanding sign to 40 square feet, provided that such development also has planned and shared parking and driveway connections.

D.

Signs located on any structure attached to the principal building which has a primary function other than sign support, such as porticos, carports, and canopies, shall follow the same requirements as the principal building in regard to sign placement.

E.

Signs located on any freestanding accessory structure which has a primary function other than sign support shall follow the same requirements as the principal building in regard to sign placement.

F.

Sign location.

1.

Setback: 15 feet from all property lines.

2.

Maximum height of freestanding signs: 15 feet above average ground within 100 feet.

3.

Horizontal separation of freestanding signs on the same development: 100 feet to the nearest point of each sign.

Business identification signs shall be permitted in the C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, M-1 and M-2 districts in accordance with the following schedule:

A.

Signs mounted flat against the facade of a principal building may cover 20 percent of the total area of each facade. Unused area cannot be transferred from one facade to another.

B.

Two other signs not mounted flat against the principal building facade are permitted provided that only one shall be a freestanding sign. One additional sign, which may be freestanding, is permitted if the lot fronts on two or more streets and the second street is zoned commercial or manufacturing. The total sign area of signs not mounted flat against the facade of a principal building shall not exceed two square feet for each linear foot of lot frontage on a public street.

C.

Signs located on any structure attached to the principal building which has a primary function other than sign support, such as porticos, carports, and canopies, shall follow the same requirements as the principal building in regard to sign placement.

D.

Signs located on any freestanding accessory structure which has a primary function other than sign support shall follow the same requirements as the principal building in regard to sign placement.

E.

Sign location.

1.

Setback: Two feet from all property lines except in the C-4 district where there is no setback.

2.

Maximum height of freestanding signs: 50 feet above average ground within 100 feet.

3.

Horizontal separation of freestanding signs on the same development: 100 feet to the nearest point of each sign.

4.

In the C-4 district, signs may project over the public right-of-way provided they meet the requirements of section 3.E.

A.

Outdoor advertising signs shall be permitted only in M-1 and M-2 Districts, and notwithstanding anything else in this Code of Ordinances, outdoor advertising signs shall not be permitted in the municipal service overlay district—downtown commercial district.

B.

Outdoor advertising signs shall observe all setback requirements of the districts in which they are located, provided further that in those districts having no setback requirements, an outdoor advertising structure shall not be located closer than 20 feet to any street right-of-way line. No outdoor advertising structure shall be located closer than 150 feet to a lot zoned for residential purposes unless approved in a conditional zoning permit.

C.

Outdoor advertising signs attached to a building structure shall not be higher than the wall to which they are attached. Outdoor advertising signs shall not be mounted on the rooftop of any building.

D.

Outdoor advertising signs shall not be larger than 600 square feet in area nor exceed 50 feet in height above average ground within 100 feet.

E.

No outdoor advertising sign shall be located closer than 300 feet to any other outdoor advertising sign on the same side of the street, whether on the same property or not, unless included in an approved conditional zoning permit.

F.

In any case where an outdoor advertising sign is located on the same property with other development, if the outdoor advertising sign is a freestanding sign, it shall count as a freestanding sign for the development.

(Ord. of 5-15-00(2), § 1; Ord. No. 03-2021-ORD06, 3-15-21; Ord. No. 06-2021-ORD12, § 1(Exh. 1), 6-21-21)