§ 164.41 UNLAWFUL CUTTING OF TREES OR SHRUBS.

   No person may, for the purpose of increasing or enhancing the visibility of any sign, damage, trim or remove any trees, shrubs or other vegetation located within any public road or highway right-of-way, except where a legal permit has been obtained from the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

(Ord. passed 1-22-08; Am. Ord. passed 4-17-23)

§ 164.42 MODIFICATION OF SUPPORT STRUCTURES.

   A sign’s structure may be modified by removing wooden poles and replacing them with a single metal support pole. If a nonconforming sign’s support structure is modified, the entire sign structure and sign face shall be made to conform to all requirements of this chapter except for the established minimum spacing distance. Before such modification can take place, the sign owner must obtain a permit for the proposed modification.

(Ord. passed 1-22-08; Am. Ord. passed 4-17-23)

PERMITS, FEES AND NONCONFORMING SIGNS

§ 164.55 PERMITS.

   All signs, except as otherwise provided in § 164.21 shall require a sign permit prior to being constructed, placed or repaired. Sign permits shall be issued by the Planning Director. If a sign permit is denied, the decision may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment within 30 days of the decision.

(Ord. passed 1-22-08; Am. Ord. passed 4-17-23)

§ 164.56 PERMIT APPLICATION.

   All sign permit applications shall be reviewed for compliance with these regulations. No permit shall be issued until an application for each separate sign or sign structure is completed, submitted and approved by the Planning Director. The initial permit shall be valid until revoked by the Planning Director.

(Ord. passed 1-22-08; Am. Ord. passed 4-17-23)

§ 164.57 PERMIT FEES.

   A fee schedule shall be determined by the Ashe County Board of Commissioners and posted in the Ashe County Building Inspections Office.

(Ord. passed 1-22-08; Am. Ord. passed 4-17-23)

§ 164.58 PERMIT REVOCATIONS.

   Sign permits for new and permitted signs may be revoked for any one of the following reasons:

   (A)   Misrepresenting material facts by the applicant on the permit application form.

   (B)   Altering, enlarging or relocating a permitted sign structure, except in conformance with the requirements of this chapter.

   (C)   Allowing a sign to remain blank for a period of 12 consecutive months or reaching a state of dilapidation or disrepair as determined by the Planning Staff.

(Ord. passed 1-22-08; Am. Ord. passed 4-17-23)

§ 164.59 NONCONFORMING SIGNS.

   Legal nonconforming signs may continue to exist provided that:

   (A)   The sign is not changed or replaced with another nonconforming sign, except that copy may be changed on an existing sign.

   (B)   The sign is not expanded or modified in any way which increases the sign’s nonconformity.

   (C)   Relocated, except in conformance with the requirements of this chapter.

   (D)   Reestablished after it has been removed or has been abandoned for 180 days or more.

   (E)   Reestablished after damage or destruction if such damage to the sign exceeds 50% of the sign’s current assessed tax value. The extent of damage shall be determined by the Planning Director.

(Ord. passed 1-22-08; Am. Ord. passed 4-17-23)

§ 164.60 NOTICE GIVEN FOR REFUSING TO ISSUE PERMIT.

   The Planning Director shall refuse to issue a permit for a proposed sign structure that will not conform to this chapter.

(Ord. passed 1-22-08; Am. Ord. passed 4-17-23)