§ 95.02 REGULATIONS FOR PICKETS AND PICKETING.

   (A)    For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

      DIRECTED, FOCUSED, or TARGETED AT. A particular private residence is being made the sole object of picketing, and the picketing takes place solely on that portion of the street or sidewalk that abuts on the property upon which the targeted residence is located or solely on that portion of any street or sidewalk that abuts on property within 50 feet (measured from the lot line) of the property upon which the particular private residence is located, except the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street from the targeted residence.

      PRIVATE RESIDENCE. A single-family dwelling, duplex, or multi-family dwelling within the city.

   (B)   It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in picketing that is directed, focused, or targeted at a particular private residence.

   (C)   It shall be unlawful for any person participating in any picket to carry or possess any staff or pole for purposes of displaying any sign, poster, flag, banner, plaque or notice unless the staff or pole:

      (1)   Is made of corrugated material, plastic, or wood (and not made of metal or metal alloy);

      (2)   Is less than 41 inches in length;

      (3)   Is 1/4-inch or less in thickness and two inches or less in width, or if not generally rectangular in shape, does not exceed 3/4-inch in its thickest dimension; and

      (4)   Is blunt at both ends.

   (D)   It shall be unlawful for any person participating in any picket to carry or possess any sign, poster, flag, banner, plaque or notice, whether or not mounted on a length of material as specified in division (C) of this section, unless such sign, poster, flag, banner, plaque, or notice is constructed or made of a cloth, paper, cardboard, rubber, or plastic material.

   (E)   Picketers, pickets, and picketing shall be subject to all other applicable local, state and Federal laws.

   (F)   Picketers, pickets, and picketing shall not take place in any street or road used by vehicular traffic, any highway, road or street median, or any SAFETY ZONE as defined in G.S. § 20-4.01(39), unless a parade or public assembly permit has been obtained under § 95.03 below.

   (G)   A picket or picketing that is not prohibited by this section and that otherwise fits the definition of a parade or public assembly shall be subject to the regulations for parades and public assemblies in §§ 95.03 through 95.15 of this chapter.

(Ord. passed 9-12-06; Am. Ord. passed 12-13-16; Am. Ord. passed 6-11-19) Penalty, see § 95.99