(A) All signs, except for those attached flat against the wall of a building, shall be constructed to withstand minimum wind loads as specified by the NC State Building Code. Sufficient documentation shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for review to assure that wind and stress requirements have been met prior to any permit being issued.
(B) All signs shall be installed and maintained in compliance with the North Carolina State Building Code and the National Electrical Code and shall have appropriate permits and inspections. Electrical signs and fixtures shall bear labels of a nationally accepted testing laboratory.
(C) All signs shall be maintained in a state of good repair and shall present a neat, well-kept appearance. The Zoning Administrator or his authorized representative shall have the authority to order the painting, repair, alteration or removal of a sign, at the expense of the owner of such sign, which shall constitute a hazard to safety, health or public welfare by reasons of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or obsolescence. The existence of a sign or its support structure with no message display for a period of 180 days shall be justification to declare the sign abandoned and require its removal.
(D) All lights used for the illumination of a sign shall be shielded so that the light will not shine directly on surrounding areas (inclusive of residential areas within 300 feet) or create a traffic hazard or distraction to operators of motor vehicles on the public thoroughfares. The Zoning Administrator shall have the power to order a change in the illumination of any sign that becomes a hazard or a nuisance.
(E) No illuminated sign, other than professional or occupational signs or nameplates, on-premises signs, incidental signs, or identification signs shall be permitted within 100 feet of any residential zoning district. Illuminated signs other than those listed above which are located within 300 feet of a residence or residentially zoned district shall not be illuminated between the hours of 12 midnight and 6:00 a.m., unless said lighting is designed in such as a manner as to shield the neighboring residence or residentially zoned district from the illumination.
(F)
Any sign erected without proper permits or in violation of this subchapter shall be brought into compliance within 30 days of notification by the Planning and Development Director or his/her designee or said sign shall be removed immediately.
(G) Any sign that meets the provisions of this chapter, upon its adoption, and requires a remedy to any deficiency (such as a sign that is damaged and requires repair), in this instance the owner shall be given written notice by certified letter return receipt requested by the Zoning Administrator to remedy the situation. The owner shall have 90 days to remedy or be in violation of this chapter.
(Ord. 39, passed 10-3-2011; Am. Ord. 5-3-2021)