Appendix 2104. Off-premises, commercial signs.

New off-premises commercial signs are prohibited. A replacement off-premises commercial sign that is erected to substitute for a non-conforming off-premises commercial sign is permitted, if the replacement sign becomes conforming by meeting all of the provisions of this section, except for the spacing requirements of subsection 2104.4.

These signs shall comply with all state and county building codes and the National Electric[al] Code. Clearance of signs is required from high-voltage power lines and signs shall be located in such a way that they will maintain horizontal and vertical clearance of all overhead electrical conductors in accordance with the National Electric[al] Code specifications, provided that no sign be installed closer than ten feet horizontally or vertically from any conductor or public utility guy wire.

2104.1.

Reserved.

2104.2.

Setback requirements. All off-premises commercial signs shall be set back at least ten feet from all property lines.

2104.3.

Height limitations. An off-premises commercial sign, including cutouts, base or apron, supports, supporting building structure, and trim, shall not exceed a height of 20 feet when located ten feet to 99.9 feet from the front right-of-way. If located 100 feet or greater from the front right-of-way, the height shall not exceed 25 feet.

2104.4.

Location requirements. Off-premises commercial signs shall be located only along major access roads (namely, US 70, NC 12, NC 24, NC 58, and NC 101).

Off-premises commercial signs shall be spaced at least 1,200 feet apart on the same side of the road. No off-premises commercial sign shall be placed within 600 feet in either direction of the nearest point on the opposite side of the same right-of-way from an existing off-premises commercial sign.

No off-premises commercial sign shall be located within 1,000 feet of a road intersection or of a navigable waterway.

2104.5.

Reserved.

2104.6.

Maximum area of off-premises commercial sign. No off-premises commercial sign shall exceed 200 square feet in area. The sign area is measured by finding the area of the minimum imaginary rectangle or square of the vertical and horizontal lines which fully enclose all extremities of the sign, excluding supports, base, and/or apron, unless such copy, message, announcement, decoration appears on the base or apron.

2104.7.

Corner lots. To prevent obstructions to motorists, on any corner lot, no part of an off-premises commercial sign may be located within a triangle formed by the right-of-way lines and a line connecting them at points 70 feet from the right-of-way of the intersection.

2104.8.

Construction.

(a)

All off-premises commercial signs shall be constructed of metal or wood and comply with all North Carolina Building Codes.

(b)

All off-premises commercial signs shall be designed, where appropriate, with an anchoring system for the supporting structure. The anchoring system shall be approved by the planning and inspections department prior to issuance of permit.

(c)

All off-premises commercial signs shall be inspected periodically by the planning and inspections department. The owner of a sign found to need repair shall be given a notice stating the repairs required. Failure to perform the required repairs in a 180-day period shall result in the removal of the sign.

(Ord. of 6-4-07(2))