§ 19-375. Prohibited signs
Unless expressly permitted elsewhere in this chapter, the following commercial signs are prohibited:
(1) No commercial sign shall be erected within or encroach upon any public property or within any public right-of-way, or which obstructs the sight distance at intersections.
(2) Flashing, moving, pulsating or intermittently lighted signs, electronic reader boards, programmable signs, time and temperature signs, laser lighting and search lights.
(3) Signs which conflict with or imitate any traffic control device due to color, wording, design, location or illumination, or which interfere with the safe and efficient flow of vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic.
(4) Animals, or human beings, live or simulated, designed or used so as to attract attention to the premises.
(5) Loudspeakers or signs which emit sound, odor or visible matter.
(6) Signs with mechanical movement.
(7) Flags, kites, pennants, balloons, spinners, streamers, or other such advertising devices or displays, except seasonal holiday decorations and other temporary, noncommercial celebratory activities, such as birthday parties.
(8) Signs which constitute a nuisance or hazard due to their intensity of light.
(9) Signs which no longer identify a bona fide business conducted on the premises. Such signs shall be removed by the owner of the sign within sixty (60) days of the business' closing date.
(10) Vehicle signs, trailer signs, signs affixed to automobiles, trucks, trailers, or other vehicles parked on any property within the Town for the principal purpose of advertising or display. The following shall constitute a prima facie violation of this section:
(a) The advertising medium utilized on the vehicle is a sign, device, or structure separate from the vehicle.
(b) The copy is readily changeable, including but not limited to, repainting such sign, device or structure.
(c) The sign, device or structure exceeds nine (9) square feet in area and the vehicle is parked on the street or on the business premises to which the advertising relates or in reasonable proximity thereto and the location of the advertising is reasonably calculated to direct an observer toward the business. It shall be considered that advertising was the principal purpose of the parking of the vehicle, notwithstanding the fact that the vehicle is driven to and from the business premises on a daily basis. The vehicle is not parked in a manner to circumvent the standards of this chapter for the amount or type of signing permissible on a site by either parking on the site or on public rights-of-way immediately adjoining the site in such a manner as to call attention to the sign or vehicle.
(11) Exposed neon conduit or tubing, interior or exterior neon window signs, interior or exterior LED signs, or lighting displays inside or outside the building so as to be visible from streets, parking areas or site boundaries, unless approved as part of a planned sign program. An attractive and artistic exposed neon sign is allowed.
(12) Window signs, except as expressly permitted by this division, or as required by law, shall not exceed more than twenty-five (25) percent of the window area. The definition of window signs is any sign that is placed within four (4) feet of a window for the purposes of being able to view the sign from outside the business.
(13) Signs which have less horizontal or vertical clearance from authorized communication or energized electrical power lines than that prescribed by the laws of the State of North Carolina.
(14) Painted-on-the-wall signs, signs constructed on cloth, canvas, fabric, cardboard, wall board, or other light flimsy material with or without frames.
(15) Notices, placards, bills, posters, cards, stickers, banners, signs, advertisings, or other devices designed to attract the attention of the public that are posted or otherwise affixed upon any street, street furniture, right-of-way public sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, lamppost, hydrant, tree, alley, telephone pole, public telephone, vehicle, lighting system, or other public alarm or communication system.
(16) Obscene or offensive signs containing statements, words or pictures of an obscene or indecent character which appeals to a prurient interest in sex, or which are patently offensive.
(17) Portable signs, except moveable commercial A-frame, or easel type signs may be permitted for businesses to advertise menus, sale items, or other business promotions. These signs shall be designed to complement the decor of the business or building where they occur and shall comply with the following standards: One (1) moveable, freestanding sign shall be permitted for each business; all signs shall be located on private property and must allow sufficient access to doors/pathways and not impede pedestrian movement; all signs must be removed when business is closed. The maximum allowable size of the sign and supporting structure shall not exceed forty-eight (48) inches in height, thirty (30) inches in width and thirty-six (36) inches in depth. The maximum sign area shall not exceed ten (10) square feet. Signs shall not contain illumination.
(18) Temporary "grand opening" signs are allowed no more than two (2) months.
(19) Signs affixed to trees or other natural vegetation or rocks.
(20) All roof signs and signs projecting above the roof-line.
(21) Except in a state of emergency, any permitted or nonconforming sign or sign structure which has been damaged may be repaired and used as before, provided all repairs are initiated within thirty (30) days and completed within ninety (90) days of such damage. Internally illuminated can signs with translucent copy and field. Low luminance internally illuminated channel letter and halo signs (reverse channel letter signs are permitted). It is encouraged that all major business signs be externally illuminated. External illumination devices such as, but not limited to, flood or spot lights shall be so placed and so shielded as to prevent the rays of illumination from being cast upon neighboring buildings and/or vehicles approaching from either direction. No blinking illuminations shall be permitted.
(22) Billboards are prohibited in any district.
(Ord. of 8-19-03; Ord. of 6-16-09)