§ 152.269 SIGNS REQUIRING PERMIT BUT NO FEE.

   The following types of sign shall be permitted in all districts, upon issuance of a permit approving the location of any such sign by the Administrator or his or her designee. No fee shall be charged for permits issued pursuant to this section.

   (A)   Real estate commercial signs must be located on the property which is being advertised for sale, rent, or lease, provided that all of the following conditions are met:

      (1)   The sign has no more than two sides;

      (2)   The area of sign is 32 square feet or less per side;

      (3)   An attachment with an area not exceeding two square feet may be added to such sign for purpose of identifying the agent or agency listing the property for sale or lease;

      (4)   Any sign permitted by this subsection shall be removed within five days after the sale, rental, or lease becomes final;

      (5)   The sign shall not be attached to trees, utility poles, or their support lines; and

      (6)   Sign cannot be a banner , pennant , mobile, flag, or balloon signage.

   (B)   Directional signs, such as those identifying an entrance, exit, or parking location provided that such signs shall be located entirely upon the parcel or tract of land to which the directional signs apply and does not exceed two square feet.

   (C)   Governmental signs with any legal notice, informational or directional sign required or authorized by any governmental agency or by law.

   (D)   Agricultural signs advertising the sale of agricultural products produced on the premises, provided that such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area total.

   (E)   Business banners , and feather flags which are used to advertise sales or announcements provided:

      (1)   Signs are located on the property of the business or leased unit that the sign relates to and are not displayed in undeveloped outparcels;

      (2)   Signs are not used more than 60 days in any calendar year per business;

      (3)   Signs shall not be larger than 32 square feet;

      (4)   Only one banner or feather flag is permitted per business at any time;

      (5)   Business banners and feather flags are prohibited in the Historic District;

      (6)   No unsafe condition is created; and

      (7)   Feather flags shall be displayed only during the times the business being advertised is open for business.

   (F)   Temporary event banners , yard signs and post-mounted signs for town-approved festivals and for events sponsored by non-profit organizations such as civic groups, church organizations, schools , and government agencies, provided that they are located in business, office and institutional, or government zoning districts along NC 24 or major thoroughfares and the following conditions are met:

      (1)   Signs are not installed more than 14 days prior to event and are removed within two days of event’s end;

      (2)   No more than eight devices are allowed for the same event at one time;

      (3)   Devices are not placed in rights-of-ways and are placed only with the permission of the property owners;

      (4)   Unsafe conditions are not created, and devices are not placed in unsafe locations;

      (5)   Signs and banners are not displayed above a highway without town and NCDOT approval in writing;

      (6)   Signs and banners are not placed within Historic District unless along Highway 24, on Town-owned property, or on private property within the B-2 HDO zoning district;

      (7)   The maximum size for each sign or banner is 32 square feet. The maximum height shall not exceed six feet; and

      (8)   Mobile signs , including trailer or vehicle-mounted signs, are prohibited, except directional or public information signs placed by the town at the Town Manager’s discretion, or by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

   (G)   Construction signs , may be placed identifying the project, the owner or developer , architect, engineer, contractors, subcontractors, and funding sources or other related information provided the following conditions are met:

      (1)   Signs must be entirely on property where construction is taking place;

      (2)   Total residential signs area shall not exceed 32 square feet total. If a two-sided sign, each side counts toward total if NOT same copy;

      (3)   Total commercial signs area shall not exceed 100 square feet total. If two-sided sign, each side counts toward total if NOT same copy;

      (4)   All signs shall be removed prior to the certificate of occupancy or when applicable to the certificate of compliance; and

      (5)   Grouping of all signs shall be in the same area (adjacent to each other) without creating a traffic safety problem.

   (H)   Home occupation signs are allowed provided:

      (1)   There shall be not more than one sign per parcel of land;

      (2)   Signs shall be attached flat to the wall of the building and shall be non-illuminated; and

      (3)   Signs shall not exceed eighteen inches in any dimension nor a total area of 324 square inches.

   (I)   Subdivision signs (temporary) are signs advertising the sale of lots or buildings within new subdivisions in which they are located shall be permitted provided:

      (1)   Signs shall be non-illuminated;

      (2)   No more than one two-sided not exceeding 32 square feet per side shall be located at each major approach to the subdivision ;

      (3)   Signs shall be well maintained and in good structural condition;

      (4)   Display of such signs shall be limited to a period until 70% of all lots within the subdivision are sold; and

      (5)   Any and all signs must be on subdivision ’s property.

   (J)   Safety/warning Signs (i.e., “low clearance”) shall be permitted provided:

      (1)   The sign has no more than two sides;

      (2)   The area of the sign is six square feet or less; and

      (3)   The sign is not illuminated.

(Ord. 2005-O3, passed 3-15-2005) (Am. Ord. 2009-18, passed 11-17-2009; Am. Ord 2013-O13, passed 5-21-2013; Am. Ord. 2022-O4, passed 5-23-2022; Am. Ord. 2022-O5, passed 5-23-2022)