The intent of this section is to control the location and size of signs in the village. The provisions of this section shall not apply to signs owned by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and Highway Safety, or signs required by other village ordinances. Further, informational, directional, or required public instruction signs are likewise exempt, provided such signs shall not exceed ten square feet in area on any one side exposed to public view.
(A) Location. No advertising sign or structure shall be erected constructed, or maintained so as to interfere with vision clearance along any street, road or highway or at any intersection or junction of two or more traffic arteries; nor shall any advertising sign or structure be located within the street, road or highway right-of-way. No advertising sign or structure shall be located within 100 feet of any residential zoned or developed district. All advertising signs or structures shall meet the setback requirements of the district in which they are permitted.
(B) Illumination. No flashing or illumination shall be used within the limits defined by this chapter.
(C) Movement. No sign or device used to draw the eye shall be used which spins, rotates, flutters or in any way moves. Portable signs on wheels or signs not permanently fixed shall not be allowed.
(D) Administration and maintenance. The Zoning Enforcement Officer shall order the immediate removal of any signs that are not constructed or maintained in accordance with the provisions of this section. All advertising signs, together with any supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good repair.
(E) Nonconforming signs. Nonconforming signs will be allowed to remain, in good repair, for a period of two years after the adoption of this chapter. After this time all signs must conform to the regulations of this section. However, under the following conditions, nonconforming signs shall comply with the regulations of this chapter before the two-year expiration date:
(1) Any alteration of a nonconforming sign shall make that sign conform to the regulations of this chapter.
(2) Any nonconforming sign on a building which is vacant for a period of 90 days shall be altered to conform to the regulations of this chapter.
(3) Any nonconforming sign damaged over 60% by any means, either shall be removed or repaired in a manner to conform with the regulations of this chapter.
(F) Temporary signs permitted. Freestanding or mounted signs pertaining only to a construction job, to the rent or sale of the property upon which displayed, shall not exceed six square feet. No such sign shall be illuminated. All signs, including political signs, erected to serve temporary purposes shall be removed within 15 days from the date the purpose ceased to exist. All signs placed in rights-of-way controlled and maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation shall comply with the requirements of G.S. § 136-32.
(G) Whenever this chapter permits a commercial sign, a non- commercial message may be substituted for the commercial message. The right to substitute the non-commercial message does not waive any other requirement imposed by this chapter as to the number, size, type, construction, location, lighting, safety or other regulated attribute.
PERMITTED SIGNS
Home Occupation Signs | Identification Signs | |
R-25, R-35, R-35CT, R-25CD, R-30 CD, R-35CD & R-Patio Home CD | One sign per lot pertaining to customary home occupations, provided such sign shall not exceed two square feet in area and shall not be illuminated. | One sign per lot provided that such sign shall not exceed two square feet in area. This sign shall not be illuminated. |
OA IG, OACD & IGCD | N/A | One sign per lot provided that such sign shall not exceed twenty square feet in area. This sign shall not be an internally illuminated sign. |
C-1 Commercial District & C-1 CD | N/A | One sign per building provided that such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in area. |
C-1 Commercial Special Use District & C-1 CD Commercial Special Use | N/A | As permitted by special use permit in accordance with § 94.59. |
(Ord., passed 2-22-79; Am. Ord., passed 3-24-04; Am. Ord., passed 2-9-20; Am. Ord., passed 6-23-21) Penalty, see § 94.99