§ 8.8. SIGNS REQUIRING PERMITS
The following sign types are allowed in conformance with a Sign Permit (see Section 8.2.1) and any applicable standards:
8.8.1. Outdoor Advertising Structures and Off-Premises Signs
A.
Outdoor Advertising Structures
A sign or billboard designed to carry outdoor advertising including all free-standing off-premise signs. On-premise signs existing as of May 1, 2007 that exceed the maximum requirements allowed shall be considered as Outdoor Advertising Structures.
B.
Existing Outdoor Advertising Structures
Existing outdoor advertising structures shall be considered a legal nonconforming use and shall be allowed to remain, but may not be altered in any way.
C.
Location Restricted
Permits for new outdoor advertising structures may only be issued in the C-LD and I-G zoning districts.
D.
Maximum Number of Sign Faces
One per side of sign not to exceed two sign faces.
E.
Maximum Sign Area
The maximum sign area of an off premises ground sign is limited, depending on location as follows:
1.
On US 17, US 74/76, and NC 211, the maximum sign area is 378 square feet.
2.
On NC 87, NC 133, NC 130, NC 179, and NC 904, the maximum sign area is 300 square feet.
3.
On all other public roads in the County, the maximum sign size is 100 square feet.
4.
Off-Premises Wall Signs
An off-premises wall sign may not exceed 30% of the total surface area of the wall on which the sign is located. Only one off-premises wall sign is allowed on a single wall.
F.
Height
Signs may not extend more than 35 feet above the roadway surface from which the sign is to be viewed.
G.
Separation Between Signs
1.
On US 17, US74/76 and NC 211, the minimum separation between off-premise signs is 3,000 linear feet.
2.
On NC 87, NC 133, NC 130, NC 179, and NC 904, the minimum separation between off-premise signs is 2,000 linear feet.
3.
On all other public roads in Brunswick County, the minimum separation requirements between off-premises signs is 1,000 linear feet.
H.
Distance from Centerline
Free standing signs must be located within 660 feet of the centerline of the adjoining roadway.
I.
Distance from Property Lines
Signs must be set back a minimum of fifteen feet from any property line.
J.
Signs in Sight Distance Triangle
No sign may be permitted in any sight distance triangle (Section 6.13.4).
K.
Distance from Residential Zoning Districts
Free-standing signs must be separated from residentially zoned property as follows:
1.
50 feet from any structure located in a residential zoning district;
2.
50 feet from any residential zone adjoining a permitted zone away from the roadway.
L.
Additional Spacing
Signs must be separated from the features listed below as follows:
1.
500 liner feet from the centerline of an intersection;
2.
500 feet from any bridge over a public waterway;
3.
150 feet from any existing on premise sign on the same side of the road;
4.
250 feet from cemeteries, churches and public parks.
M.
Requirements for Off-Premises Electronic Changeable Copy Signs
1.
The copy content of all Electronic Changeable Copy signs shall be in compliance with Section 8.6 (Prohibited Signs).
2.
All electronic changeable copy signs shall be installed with light sensitive automatic dimming controls.
3.
All electronic changeable copy signs shall be designed and equipped to freeze the sign in one position with no more than the maximum allowable illumination if a malfunction occurs.
4.
Signs may not exceed a maximum illumination level of 0.3 foot candles above ambient light, regardless of the method of illumination. The 0.3 foot candles above ambient light shall be measured at a distance from the subject sign equal to the following equation:
5.
Sign copy changes shall be instantaneous without the use of animation, movement or scrolling and shall not change or alternate displays more frequently than once every 8 seconds.
6.
All electronic changeable copy signs shall be located at least 250 feet from any residential zoning district.
7.
Prior to permitting, the applicant shall submit a signed letter from the sign manufacturer stating that the sign is equipped with the ability to comply with these regulations. The applicant shall also submit a signed letter from the sign owner or operator stating that they have read the regulations and will not tamper with the manufacturer preset illumination settings.
(Ord. No. UDO-16-02 , § 30, 3-7-16)
8.8.2. On Premises Signs
A.
General
On-premises signs are permitted subject to the following standards:
Zoning District Sign Types Permitted Number of Signs Permitted Sign Separation (feet) Maximum Sign Area (per sign) Maximum Sign Height (feet) RR, R-7500, R-6000, SBR-6000, MR-3200, NC, and CP Wall Unlimited 100 64 s.f. 2,3 10 Freestanding 1 C-I, C-LD, I-RU, and I-G Wall Unlimited 100 30% of wall
area 2, 335 1,4 Freestanding 1 96 s.f. 3,5 Notes: Wall signs may not extend above the parapet of the building or 35 feet, whichever is less. The maximum wall sign area may not exceed 100 square feet or 30% of the building wall area, whichever is less. Parcels having multiple road frontages, may have a wall sign for each wall adjacent to a street not exceeding 100 square feet or 30% of the building wall area, whichever is less. Movie theaters may have changeable copy wall signs (i.e. readerboards) that exceed the maximum sign area by 100%. See items 8.8.1.1, Distance from Property Lines and 8.8.1.J, Signs in Sight Triangle. Drive-through menu boards are permitted subject to site plan approval. Parcels having multiple road frontages may have one (1) additional freestanding sign, not to exceed a total of two (2) freestanding signs per parcel, with only one (1) sign allowed to front each road. The second sign is limited to a maximum of sixty-four (64) square feet in area and ten (10) feet in height. B.
Additional Requirements for On-Premises Wall Signs
1.
With the exception of wall signs supported by hanging brackets, wall signs may not project more than twelve inches from the building wall, canopy or supporting structure.
2.
A wall sign or its supporting structures may not cover any window or part of a window.
3.
Wall signs may not extend over a right-of-way or public easement.
C.
Requirements for On-Premises Electronic Changeable Copy Signs
1.
Electronic Changeable Copy signs shall be freestanding only.
2.
The copy content of all Electronic Changeable Copy signs shall be in compliance with Section 10.6 (Prohibited Signs).
3.
All Electronic Changeable Copy signs shall be installed with light sensitive automatic dimming controls.
4.
All digital changeable copy signs shall be designed and equipped to freeze the sign in one position with no more than the maximum allowable illumination if a malfunction occurs.
5.
Signs may not exceed a maximum illumination level of 0.3 foot candles above ambient light, regardless of the method of illumination. The 0.3 foot candles above ambient light shall be measured at a distance from the subject sign equal to the following equation:
6.
Sign copy changes shall not change displays more frequently that once every 8 seconds. Public Emergency Messages/Public Service Announcements may change displays as frequently as once every 5 seconds only if the entirety of the sign face is comprised of the Public Emergency Message/Public Service Announcement and no commercial message is displayed.
7.
Prior to permitting, the applicant shall submit a signed letter from the sign manufacturer stating that the sign is equipped with the ability to comply with these regulations. The applicant shall also submit a signed letter from the sign owner or operator stating that they have read the regulations and will not tamper with the manufacturer preset illumination settings.
(Ord. of UDO-17-01 , §§ 21, 22)
8.8.3. Subdivision, Mobile Home Park, and Campground Identifications Signs
A.
Description
On-premises instructional signs identifying a permanent subdivision, mobile home park, or campground for the convenience and necessity of the public. See Section 8.4 for further description.
B.
Standards
No more than two signs shall be permitted per entrance road and the combined square footage of the signs may not exceed 64 square feet total per entrance road.