(A) Signs Associated with Residential Care Facility and Religious Institutions
(1) Applicability: This subsection shall apply to Residential Care Facility and Religious Institution.
(2) Ground Sign: 1 ground sign shall be permitted per street front, not to exceed 2 total, identifying the name of the Residential Care Facility or Religious Institution, subject to the following standards:
(a) Maximum Area: 15 square feet (including molding, which shall not exceed 6 inches in width)
(b) Maximum Height: 4 feet.
(c) Maximum Length: 12 feet.
(d) Illumination: Sign may be externally or internally illuminated by white light. External lighting shall be shielded.
(e) Landscaping: Sign shall have at least a 2 foot perimeter of landscaped area at the base of the sign.
(3) Wall Sign: 1 wall sign shall be permitted, subject to the following standards:
(a) Maximum Area: 32 square feet. If the sign contains only a religious symbol and no text or other marking, the sign may total 70 square feet.
(b) Illumination: Sign may be externally or internally illuminated by white light. External lighting shall be shielded.
(B) Multi-tenant signs in all non-residential districts
Permitted Location | Maximum Area | Maximum Height | Other Requirements | Maximum Number | |
A. Ground Signs | PC, RD, NC, H, HD, VCP, OP, VMX, VC | 16 sq ft per side | 4 ft | All tenants shall be served by a ground sign Border and molding shall not exceed 3 inches and shall be included in total area calculation Flush mounted wall sign shall not project more than 6 in from wall Bottom of projecting wall sign shall be 8 ft above grade Signs shall contain only name and/or nature of the business and shall be professionally etched, painted, or printed Comprehensive Sign Plan required per Section 9.7.1.5 | 1 per street frontage, not more 2 signs (The Village Council may allow for additional ground signs per lot in the VC Zoning District) |
B. Ground Directory Signs | 15 sq ft per side, except 6 sq ft in VC District 1½ sq ft per tenant | 5 ft, except 4 ft in VC and H Districts | 1 per building entrance | ||
C. Wall Directory Signs | 2 sq ft | n/a | 1 per building entrance | ||
D. Wall Signs | 6 sq ft | Shall not extend above roofline of building | 1 street frontage | ||
E. Window Signs | n/a | 1 per window greater than 30 sq ft |
(C) Gas/fueling Station Signs
(1) Ground Sign: Establishments that sell gasoline in non-residential districts shall have the following ground signs allowed under this section:
(a) Maximum Number: 1 sign per street frontage.
(b) Maximum Area: 12 square feet per side.
(c) Maximum Height: 4 feet.
(d) Border and Molding: 3 inches and shall be included in total area calculation of a sign.
(2) Price/Directional Signs: Gasoline prices and/or location of self-service areas may be located at and secured to each pump island, and shall have:
(a) Maximum Area: 6 square feet per side
(b) Maximum Height: 4 feet.
(c) Maximum Length: 6 feet.
(d) Other requirements: Sign shall meet all other requirements of this section.
(3) Inspection Station: Where the establishment provides inspection services, an official State of North Carolina inspections sign may be erected on the property.
(4) Canopies: Signs on gas station canopies are considered to be wall signs and shall be no larger than six (6) square feet.
(D) Comprehensive Sign Plans
(1) A comprehensive sign plan including all proposed phases of development is required for all residential subdivisions, multi-family and townhouse developments, resorts, hospitals, commercial or non-residential developments having more than one (1) tenant (cross reference Section 9.7.1.5 (B), before any signs for such development may be erected. All owners, tenants, subtenants, and purchasers of individual units within the development shall comply with the approved comprehensive sign plan.
(2) The comprehensive sign plan shall consist of five (5) elements, which shall govern all signs within the development: location, materials, size, letter style, and color. The comprehensive sign plan shall include details, specifications, dimensions, and plans showing the proposed locations of signs and how such locations conform to the requirements of this section.
(3) The comprehensive sign plan shall be subject to approval by the Historic Preservation Commission if located within the Historic Preservation Overlay district and is a prerequisite for the issuance of a development permit.
(4) A comprehensive sign plan shall not be approved unless:
(a) The plan provides that signs of a similar type and function within the development will have a consistent size, lettering style, color scheme, and material construction.
(b) The plan provides for signs that meet the size limitations, location requirements, and other applicable requirements of this section.
(5) Resort and hospital comprehensive sign plans may be allowed to place signs off premises when such signs provide direction or other public safety information.
(6) Resort and Hospital signs as part of a Comprehensive Sign Plan
A sign may be increased in size and height by one-third the maximum dimensional regulations applicable in the zoning district within which it is to be located with the granting of a Special Use Permit. Example: A ground sign in a non-residential district has a maximum allowable square footage of twelve (12) feet and maximum height of four feet. A Special Use Permit, if allowed, in this district would permit a maximum of sixteen (16) sq. feet of sign area and 5.33 feet of height.
(7) Once a comprehensive sign plan has been approved and a development permit issued, the plan and permit shall remain in effect as long as additional signage is consistent with the plan and permit.