(A) Zoning certificate required.
(1) 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 zoning certificate from the UDO Administrator as required herein unless the sign is temporary and exempt per the requirements of this Unified Development Ordinance.
(2) Notwithstanding the above, changing or replacing the permanent copy on an existing lawful sign shall not require a zoning certificate, provided the copy change does not change the nature of the sign such as to render the sign in violation of this Unified Development Ordinance.
(B) Application and issuance of zoning certificate. Applications for zoning certificates for all signs shall contain or have attached to it the following information which shall be submitted to the UDO Administrator, along with the payment of a fee as set forth in the town’s budget or as established by resolution of the Board of Commissioners filed in the office of the Town Clerk (see § 91.34):
(1) The street and number of the structure where the sign is to be erected, and the tax parcel number for the zoning lot on which the sign is to be located;
(2) Names, addresses and telephone numbers of the applicant/owner of the property on which the sign is to be erected or affixed, the owner of the sign, and/or the licensed contractor erecting or affixing the sign;
(3) Any other information as the UDO Administrator may reasonably require to determine full compliance with this and other applicable codes;
(4) Two copies of scaled drawings of the plans and specifications of the sign to be erected or affixed. All plans and specifications must meet the State Building Code and any other applicable laws and regulations;
(5) Each application for a zoning certificate to erect a sign must be accompanied by a drawing to scale showing:
(a) A site plan of the property involved, showing accurate placement of the proposed sign including, but not limited to, setbacks and all structures including existing signs;
(b) The design of the sign, including dimensions;
(c) Method of attachment or support;
(d) Source of illumination;
(e) The relationship to any building or structure to which it is or is proposed to be installed or affixed;
(f) A plot plan to scale indicating the location of the sign relative to property lines, easements, streets, sidewalks and other signs;
(g) For wall signs, dimensions of the building wall on which the sign is to be affixed and the location and the size of existing wall signs shall also be included on an elevation drawing; and
(6) All signs over six feet in height shall be designed by a state licensed engineer.
(C) Issuance of zoning certificates. Upon the filing of an application for a zoning certificate, the UDO Administrator shall examine the plans and specifications if required, and as deemed necessary, may inspect the premises upon which the sign is proposed to be erected or affixed. If the proposed sign is in compliance with all the requirements of this Unified Development Ordinance and other applicable codes, a zoning certificate shall be issued. Any zoning certificate issued in accordance with this Unified Development Ordinance shall automatically become void unless the work for which it was issued has visibly been started within six months of the date of issue or if the work authorized by it is suspended or abandoned for one year.
(D) Zoning certificate exemptions for temporary signs. A zoning certificate is not required in the following cases.
(1) Incidental informational signs. A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose to the use of the subject property on which it is located, such as “no parking,” “entrance,” “loading only,” and other similar directives.
(2) Residential construction signs. All construction signs shall require issuance of a building permit for the primary structure prior to installation. One sign is allowed per residential premises and may not exceed ten square feet in sign area. The sign shall not be illuminated and may only appear at the construction site. Removal of the sign is required prior to issuance of a certificate of compliance or a certificate of occupancy.
(3) Non-commercial temporary signs. Temporary signs not exceeding four square feet in area, and three feet in height if freestanding are allowed in all residential districts. The number of these signs is limited to one per 100 feet, or fraction thereof, of lot frontage of all immediately adjacent public streets. In no event shall there be more than three such signs allowed per lot. The temporary sign may be displayed up to 15 days prior to and/or following the specific event with which the sign is associated.
(4) Developer’s construction signs. A developer may have a 40 square foot sign per development entrance for a subdivision and/or approved site plan.
(5) Commercial/industrial temporary signs. Temporary signs not exceeding eight square feet in area, and six feet in height if freestanding are allowed in all commercial/industrial districts. The number of these signs is limited to one per 100 feet, or fraction thereof, of lot frontage of all immediately adjacent public streets. In no event shall there be more than three such signs allowed per lot. The temporary sign may be displayed up to 15 days prior to and/or following the specific event with which the sign is associated.
(6) Fence wraps. Fence wraps displaying signage when affixed to perimeter fencing at a construction site are exempt 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, the town may regulate the signage but shall continue to allow fence wrapping materials to be affixed to the perimeter fencing. No fence wrap affixed pursuant to this division may display any advertising other than advertising sponsored by a person directly involved in the construction project and/or which monetary compensation for the advertisement is not paid or required.
(7) Flags or pennants. Flags or pennants that do not display a logo, symbol, statement or expression relating to a commercial message as defined herein.
(a) All flags shall be displayed on flagpoles.
(b) In nonresidential zoning districts, flagpoles shall not exceed the maximum height allowed in the zoning district where the flagpole is located.
(c) In residential districts, flagpoles shall not exceed the maximum height allowed in the zoning district where the flagpole is located or 25 feet in height, whichever is less.
(d) Non-vertical flag poles are prohibited in nonresidential zoning districts.
(e) Each premises or multi-tenant development shall be allowed a maximum of two flagpoles and a maximum of three flags shall be allowed per flagpole.
(f) All flags and flagpoles shall be maintained in good repair. A flagpole with broken halyards shall not be used and flags which are torn or frayed shall not be displayed.
(g) Flags mounted directly on a building wall or roof in nonresidential zoning districts are prohibited. In a residential zoning district, flags on poles may be mounted on a wall, roof, tree or lawn, provided they are located within the property boundaries of the premises. Such flags may include the name of the development and/or developer.
(h) Flags or flagpoles shall not be placed in any public right-of-way or in any manner that obstructs the view of any roadway, thereby creating a safety hazard.
(i) Governmental flags, as defined by G.S. Chapter 144, shall be displayed in a manner that is consistent with all applicable state and federal regulations including, but not limited to, the patriotic customs set forth in 4 U.S.C. §§ 5 through 10, as amended.
(j) Pennants may be allowed in all commercial districts 30 days before and 30 days after the initial opening date of a business.
(k) Pennants and other temporary signage are allowed for up to 30 consecutive days per calendar year (January through December) for each nonresidential establishment or premises with multiple nonresidential establishments in all nonresidential districts. All such temporary signage must be located within the property boundaries of the subject premises. Prior to installation, a permit from the town must be obtained for such temporary signage.
(l) Pennants and other temporary signage are allowed for up to 30 consecutive days per calendar year (January through December) in all residential districts in conjunction with sales or promotional events associated with the subject property. All such temporary signage must be located within the property boundaries of the subject premises. Prior to installation, a permit from the town must be obtained for such temporary signage. This section is not applicable to real estate signs pertaining to the sale of individual residential property as outlined in division (D)(3) above.
(Ord. eff. 9-6-2012, § 9.38; Am. Ord. 16-1, passed 4-7-2016; Am. Ord. 21-1, passed 9-17-2020)