The following listed signs are subject to all placement and dimensional requirements of this subchapter and shall comply with the North Carolina Department of Transportation sight distance and road right-of-ways clearances. The following listed signs shall, however, be exempt from permit and fee requirements. Exempt signs shall be maintained in good condition and shall not constitute a hazard to safety, health or public welfare. Exempt signs that are found to be in violation shall be ordered corrected or removed.
(A) Any sign 32 square feet or less in area.
(B) Any sign that is required by law or erected at the direction of a governmental agency.
(C) Signs erected to regulate traffic.
(D) Any warning signs; utility signs; signs for public use; and no trespassing, no hunting, or neighborhood watch signs shall contain no commercial message.
(E) Mailboxes, house numbers, nameplates, and building markers not exceeding 32 square feet in area.
(F) Religious symbols at a place of worship or at a church-owned or operated facility. Such symbols must meet all setbacks and lighting requirements for signs.
(G) Construction signs having a maximum area of 32 square feet and a maximum height of 8 feet and limited to 1 sign per construction site per road frontage. Exempt construction signs must be removed within 15 days following the completion of the project.
(H) Real estate signs having a maximum area of 32 square feet and a maximum height of 8 feet. Real estate signs are limited to one per site or one per 300 feet of road frontage. Temporary real estate signs associated with the marketing of a subdivision shall be limited to one sign per subdivision entrance and 32 square feet in area and 8 feet in height. This type of sign must be set back a minimum of 2 feet from all exterior property lines of the subdivision and shall remain clear of the roadway sight distance easement. An additional directory-type sign of the same dimension, height and setback requirements may be located within the interior of a subdivision. Real estate signs must be removed within 30 days following completion of the project or transaction.
(I) Temporary signs shall not be placed more than 30 days prior to the event, election or grand opening and must be removed within 10 days following the event, election or grand opening. Such signs are limited to 32 square feet in area and 8 feet maximum height.
(Ord. 39, passed 10-3-2011)