§ 150.20 POLITICAL SIGNS.
   (A)   The village hereby establishes standards, procedures, restrictions, and other requirements for the erection, placement, and removal of political signs, posters, or placards which are designed to be visible from any street, road, or highway within the village.
   (B)   The Village Council finds that the placement of political signs and related visual displays within the village supporting a candidate or candidates, a political party or organization, and any issue to be voted upon in an official election or referendum, is within the best interest of the citizens and residents of the village.
   (C)   In accordance with G.S. § 160A-174, the Village Council finds that it is in the best interest and safety and general welfare to regulate the placement and removal of political signs within the village. This section is established to regulate the size, number, and location of political signs in order to prevent visual distractions and traffic hazards; reduce the concentration of political signs on any one tract or parcel of land; eliminate the posting or erection or placement of political signs in or on public rights-of-way, public signs and structures, and utility poles; prevent damage to trees within the village; and provide a means for removal of political signs after the election.
   (D)   Political signs are defined as any poster, sign, placard, or other visual display which promotes, mentions, or calls attention to any candidate, issues, or political parties or organizations involved in an election or referendum scheduled by the County Board of Elections wherein any citizen of the village is eligible to vote in said election or referendum.
   (E)   The chapter shall regulate political signs as follows.
      (1)   Political signs may be placed on any property within the village with prior permission from owner.
      (2)   A maximum if four political signs may be located on any one lot, tract, or parcel of land.
      (3)   A maximum of 48 square feet of political signs is permitted on any one lot, tract, or parcel of land.
      (4)   The maximum permitted size for a single political sign is 12 square feet.
      (5)   All political signs must be located out of any public right-of-way and in no case closer than 30 feet from the centerline of any public street, road, or highway.
      (6)   No political sign may be attached or affixed in any manner to a utility pole, public sign or structure, or any tree within the village.
      (7)   All political signs shall be removed within 15 days after the scheduled election or referendum unless a run-off is scheduled. If the election is primary, then political signs for remaining candidates for run-offs or the general election may remain until 15 days after the respective runoff or general election.
      (8)   Any political sign placed upon a public right-of-way, utility pole, or public sign or structure, shall be removed immediately by any person or persons designated by the Village Council.
      (9)   Any political sign located or placed on private property within the village which does not conform with this section shall be removed within ten days after the written notice to the property owner. Notice shall be sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the owner of the property where the nonconforming political sign is located. The notice shall state the nature of the nonconforming sign or signs, inform the owner of the ten-day period for removal of said sign or signs, state the penalties and legal actions for noncompliance with this chapter, and offer removal of the sign or signs by village staff at no charge to the owner if written permission to enter on his or her premises is given to the village.
      (10)   A $50 deposit shall be required in the form of cash, certified check, or bond for each candidate or issue, to be refunded upon compliance with this section.
      (11)   This section shall be subject to enforcement under § 10.99.
(Prior Code, Ch. 9)