(1) Signs bearing only property identification numbers and names, post office box numbers, names of occupants of the premises on which the signs are located, or other identification of premises not of a commercial nature, provided the signs are not illuminated. Such signs shall not exceed two square feet in area per display face or six feet in height if freestanding.
(2) Flags and insignia of a government, when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion. Such signs shall not exceed 100 square feet in area per display face or 75 feet in height if freestanding. The setback shall be at least ten feet.
(3) Legal notices, identification and information signs, and traffic directional or regulatory signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental body. Such signs shall have no limitation as to sign area, height, or setback.
(4) Memorial signs or tablets, and names and construction dates of buildings when cut into any masonry surface. Such signs shall meet the sign area, height, or setback limitations for wall or freestanding signs, as appropriate.
(5) Signs directing or guiding traffic and parking on private property on which the signs are located, provided such signs are not illuminated, or are indirectly illuminated, bear no advertising matter. On private property, such signs shall not exceed four square feet in area per display face or six feet in height if freestanding. Such signs shall have no limitation as to sign area, height, or setback when located on public property.
(6) Real estate signs advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises on which the signs are located, provided such signs are removed immediately after sale, rental, or lease of the premises. Such residential real estate signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in area per display face or six feet in height if freestanding.
Such nonresidential real estate signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area per display face or eight feet in height if freestanding.
(7) Construction site identification signs whose message is limited to project name, identification of architects, engineers, contractors, and other individuals or firms involved with the construction; the name of the building/development, the intended purpose of the building/development, and the expected completion date, provided such signs are removed within seven days of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy. Such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet in area per display face and shall meet the height or setback limitations for wall or freestanding signs, as appropriate.
(8) Yard or garage sale signs announcing yard or garage sales, provided such signs are removed within seven days of the sale. Such signs shall not exceed four square feet in area per display face or four feet in height if freestanding.
(9) Public event announcements by public or nonprofit organizations of special events or activities of interest to the general public, provided such signs are removed within seven [days] after the event. Such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area per display face or eight feet in height if freestanding.
(10) Signs announcing grand openings of new business only, provided such signs are attached to the building in which the business is located and are displayed for a period not to exceed 30 days. Such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area per display face and shall meet the height or setback limitations for banner, wall, or freestanding signs, as appropriate.
(11) Signs stating that a business is open or closed, provided that there is no more than one such sign per business establishment. Such signs shall not exceed four square feet in area per display face and shall meet the height or setback limitations for wall or freestanding signs, as appropriate.
(12) Political signs advertising candidates or issues, provided such signs are not erected prior to 60 days before the date of the appropriate election, and are removed within seven days after the election. Such political signs shall be mounted on poles and stakes and shall not be erected and located within any public right-of-way or within any sight distance triangle easement of intersections. Such signs shall not be placed on trees or utility poles. Such signs shall not exceed 48 square feet in area per display face or eight feet in height if freestanding. Nothing in this subsection is intended to preempt any applicable state law regarding political campaign signs. All signs placed in rights of way controlled and maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation shall comply with the requirements of G.S. 136-32.
Signs not permitted by this article or not removed in a timely manner will be removed by the county with the cost of removal assessed to the property owner.
(Ord. of 7-10-2000, § 11.5; Amend. of 9-5-2006; Amend. of 5-7-2007; Amend. of 9-4-2007; Amend. of - - )