The following signs are exempt from regulation and permit requirements under this section, provided such signs comply with the provisions of Section 155.10.1.
(A) Signs bearing only property identification numbers and names, post office box numbers, names of occupants of the premises on which the signs are located, or other identification of premises not of a commercial nature, provided such signs are not illuminated and do not exceed two signs per zoning lot nor two square feet in area per display surface.
(B) Official government flags and insignia of a government, when flown or displayed in accordance with the patriotic customs set forth in 4 USC Section 510, as amended, with the consent of either the owner of the property on which such flags or insignia are flown or displayed or any person having lawful control of such property and where such flags and insignia do not exceed 100 square feet in area.
(C) Legal notices, identification and informational signs, and traffic directional or regulatory signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental body.
(D) Memorial signs or tablets, and names and construction dates of buildings when cut into any masonry surface.
(E) For all properties zoned R-1 or R-2 Residential District the following signs shall be considered exempt:
(1) Up to a maximum of two signs of no more than four square feet each. All such signs shall be non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated. Examples include but are not limited to:
(a) Directional or instructional signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property on which the signs are located;
(b) Signs advertising yard or garage sales; or
(c) Signs stating the property on which they are located is for sale or rent.
(2) For those permitted non-conforming properties located in a R-2 Residential District and containing more than two residential units, the identification sign(s) for the property that is/are in existence as of November 14, 2019 shall be permitted to continue in existence and may be repaired or replaced so long as the size and location of the sign(s) and display on the sign(s) is not altered.
(F) (1) For all properties zoned non-residential (except properties zoned S-1 Shore Zone and P-1 Conservation Zone), each property is allowed no more than two signs of no more than four square feet each. The design of such signs shall be limited to menu and sandwich board signs, sidewalk or curb signs, A-frame signs and yard signs. Signs may be illuminated. Examples include, but are not limited to:
(a) Real estate signs advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises on which said signs are located;
(b) Public event announcements;
(c) Signs announcing grand openings; or
(d) Directional signs.
(2) Nothing contained in this subsection (F) shall be deemed to limit or restrict other signs permitted for properties zoned non-residential and found elsewhere in this Article 155.10.
(G) Fence wraps displaying signage when affixed to a perimeter fence at a construction site are exempt from zoning regulations pertaining to signage until the earlier of (i) a certificate of occupancy is issued for the final portion of any construction at the site or (ii) 24 months from the date of installation of the fence wrap. If construction is not completed at the end of 24 months from the time the fence wrap was installed, the fence wrap may continue to be affixed to the perimeter fence but the town may regulate said signage. (See N.C.G.S. § 160D-908)
(H) Information bulletin boards erected by or on behalf of a governmental body on public property or rights-of-way in the Town Center districts for the display of handbills or posters of community interest, provided such bulletin boards contain no more than six square feet in area per sign display surface, and a maximum of 72 square feet per bulletin board.
(I) Signs, banners, flags, and pennants used in connection with a group activity function as approved by the Board of Aldermen provided that display of the signage shall not exceed 60 days and the signage is only used on property owned by the town or in the public right-of-way. The Board of Aldermen shall review and approve the signage display as part of the special event permit review process.
(Ord. 1695, passed 11-8-12; Am. Ord. 1788, passed 11-14-19; Am. Ord. 1838, passed 3-10-22)