(A) No sign or sign structure shall be erected or constructed to interfere with vision clearance as defined in § 152.043.
(B) No ground sign structure may be placed in the right-of-way.
(C) Individual stores in a shopping center may not have separate ground sign structures. The shopping center as a whole may display signs in accordance with this section.
(D) Signs and sign structure shall meet all requirements of the North Carolina State Building Code. Signs do not require separate zoning permits unless a building permit is required for the sign, or unless otherwise noted in divisions (C) and (E) of this section.
(E) Signs and sign structures shall be maintained at all times in a state of proper repair, with all braces, bolts, clips, guys, anchors, supporting frames and fastening free from deterioration, insect infestation, rot, rust or loosening. All signs shall be kept neatly finished, with lettering intact, and if of a type which require painting, free from visible peeling or chipping.
(F) Obsolete signs and their supporting structures shall be removed within 90 days after they have been obsolete by reason of the activity, business, product or usage which the sign identifies or advertises being abandoned at the location to which the sign refers. This provision does not refer to billboards until the commercial use of the billboard for rent has ceased. An extension of the 90-day time limit for removal may be granted by the Zoning Administrator for reasonable cause.
(G) Illuminated signs shall be limited to those lighted from behind to silhouette letters and internally illuminated and spotlighted signs. All illuminated and spotlighted signs shall be placed so as to prevent the light rays, illumination or glare from being cast directly on any building or on traffic.
(H) Strings of light bulbs used in connection with commercial premises for commercial purposes shall be limited to white, yellow or bug repellant bulbs, and shall not cause glare on traffic or adjoining premises.
(1992 Code, § 152.096) (Ord. passed 11- -1988) Penalty, see § 152.999