(A) Compliance with Building and Electrical Codes. All signs shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of the local and state Building Code and the National Electrical Code, including applicable wind load standards.
(B) Anchoring.
(1) All freestanding signs shall have self-supporting structures erected on or permanently attached to concrete foundations, concrete footings or concrete embedment.
(2) All special purpose signs shall be braced or secured to prevent motion.
(C) Additional construction specifications. No sign shall be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any ingress or egress to any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress, egress, for any room or building as required by law.
(D) Maintenance and removal. Should any sign become in danger of falling or is deemed unsafe by the Building Inspector, the owner or the person or firm maintaining the sign, shall upon written notice from the Building Inspector, secure or remove the sign within 10 business days. In the case of immediate danger, the sign shall be secured or removed as specified by the Building Inspector. If the sign is not removed or secured, the Inspector or his or her designated agent may initiate legal procedures to obtain the necessary court orders to remove such signs at the expense of the owner or lessee thereof.
(E) Abandoned signs. Any freestanding sign relating to any business or other use shall be removed by the owner of the sign or property owner within 60 days after the business or activity has been vacated or terminated. If the sign has not been removed after the removal time has expired and after proper written notification has been issued, the Dare County Zoning Officer may initiate legal procedures to remove such signs at the expense of the owner or lessee thereof.
(F) Sign measurements.
(1) General. For the purpose of this chapter, the area, in square feet, of any sign shall be computed by the smallest square, triangle, rectangle, circle or combination thereof which will encompass the entire sign. In computing the sign area in square feet, standard mathematical formulas for known or common shapes will be used. In the case of irregular shapes, straight lines drawn closest to the extremities of the shape will be used.
(2) Multiple faces. Where a sign has 2 or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign, except that where 2 such faces are placed back-to-back and are at no point more than 2 feet from one another. The area of the sign shall be taken as the area of the larger face if the 2 faces are of unequal area; if the areas of the 2 faces are equal, then the area of 1 of the faces shall be taken as the area of the sign.
(G) Lighting. Unless otherwise specified by this chapter, all signs may be illuminated in a manner that the light and glare are reflected away from streets and adjacent properties. However, no sign regulated by this chapter may utilize a revolving beacon light, flashing, revolving and/or rotating light.
(H) Exemptions. This section shall not relate to building design, nor shall the chapter regulate official traffic signs, gravestones, lighting or displays of a seasonal religious or traditional nature (e.g., Christmas or Chanukah lights or decorations, Thanksgiving decorations, Halloween lights or decorations and the like) which are not commercially-oriented, scoreboards on athletic fields, or any display or construction not defined herein as a sign.
(I) Exceptions. Roanoke Voyages Corridor on Roanoke Island: These regulations do not apply to properties on Roanoke Island, adjacent to US 64/264 from William Umstead Bridge and The Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge along US 64 Business and US 64/264 Bypass to the Washington Baum Bridge. Other regulations apply created by the NC General Assembly in 1981, Sessions Laws 1194, created The Roanoke Voyages Commission to effect and encourage restoration, preservation and enhancement of the appearance and aesthetic quality of the US Highway 64/264 traveled corridor through Roanoke Island.
(J) Permits required. Unless otherwise specifically provided, a sign permit shall be obtained before commencing the construction, alteration, erection, addition to or moving of any sign.
(Res. passed 5- -2004)