A. Types of Exempt Signs. The following signs are permitted and may be erected in any zoning district, unless otherwise provided, without securing a permit, subject to meeting all requirements of this UDO:
1. Signs required by Federal, State, or local laws, ordinances, codes, or regulations.
2. Street address signs.
3. Professional nameplates not exceeding six (6) square feet in area.
4. Identification signs at the entrance of the property limited to three (3) square feet in area.
5. Signs inside a building or structure or located on property such that they are not visible from a public rights-of-way.
6. On-site directional signs not exceeding three (3) square feet in sign area and three (3) feet in height.
7. On-site parking space signs not exceeding one (1) square foot of sign face per sign. One such sign shall be allowed for each parking space on the property.
8. Emergency warning signage erected by a governmental agency, public utility, or contractor performing work within the right-of-way.
9. Regulatory signage erected by the City of Monroe.
10. Signage erected by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
11. Flagpoles and flags, provided the standards below are met:
a. Flagpoles shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height in residential districts, thirty-five (35) feet in nonresidential districts.
b. Only (1) one flag per pole, up to six (6) feet by ten (10) feet, or two (2) flags per pole for flags up to four (4) feet by six (6) feet, may be flown at a single time.
c. Flagpoles shall be located no closer than fifteen (15) feet from the edge of any adjacent right-of-way or separate property.
d. There shall be a maximum of three (3) flagpoles per lot or parcel.
12. Signage on fence wraps affixed to perimeter fencing at a construction site that are exempt pursuant to G.S. § 160D-907.
13. Signs, lights, figurines, and decorations that are temporarily displayed for a maximum of sixty (60) days at a time, three (3) times a year. Maximum four (4) square feet for any sign.
14. Additional exemptions for residential uses:
a. Up to twelve (12) square feet of signage placed in a window or in a yard.
b. In addition to signs permitted in subsection (a), an additional twelve (12) square feet of signage may be placed in a window or in a yard:
i. Beginning forty-five (45) days before, and ending five (5) days after, a Federal, State, or local government election;
ii. While the property where the sign is located is offered for sale or rent; or
iii. Beginning two (2) days before, and ending one (1) day after, an otherwise permitted garage or yard sale.
15. Human held signs that do not obstruct the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
B. Standards for Exempt Signs. Except for government signs, exempt signs may not be closer than five (5) feet front the front lot line. No sign may be closer than five (5) feet from any driveway, curb or edge of pavement. Signs which become visibly damaged must be removed.