HomeMy WebLinkAboutOCPB agenda 0406161
ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT
131 W. MARGARET LANE, SUITE 201
HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27278
AGENDA
ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD
ORANGE COUNTY WEST CAMPUS OFFICE BUILDING
131 WEST MARGARET LANE – LOWER LEVEL CONFERENCE ROOM (ROOM #004)
HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27278
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Regular Meeting – 7:00 pm
No. Page(s) Agenda Item
1. CALL TO ORDER
2.
3 - 4
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
a. Planning Calendar for April and May
3.
5-17
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 2, 2016 Regular Meeting
4. CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
5. PUBLIC CHARGE
Introduction to the Public Charge
The Board of County Commissioners, under the authority of North Carolina General Statute,
appoints the Orange County Planning Board (OCPB) to uphold the written land development
laws of the County. The general purpose of OCPB is to guide and accomplish coordinated and
harmonious development. OCPB shall do so in a manner which considers the present and
future needs of its residents and businesses through efficient and responsive process that
contributes to and promotes the health, safety, and welfare of the overall County. The OCPB
will make every effort to uphold a vision of responsive governance and quality public services
during our deliberations, decisions, and recommendations.
Public Charge
The Planning Board pledges to the residents of Orange County its respect. The Board asks
its residents to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner, both with the Board
and with fellow residents. At any time, should any member of the Board or any resident fail
to observe this public charge, the Chair will ask the offending member to leave the meeting
until that individual regains personal control. Should decorum fail to be restored, the Chair
will recess the meeting until such time that a genuine commitment to this public charge is
observed.
6. CHAIR COMMENTS
1
2
No. Page(s) Agenda Item
7.
18-65
UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE (UDO) TEXT AMENDMENT - To make a
recommendation to the BOCC on government-initiated amendments to
the text of the UDO regarding sign regulations. This item is scheduled
for the May 23, 2016 quarterly public hearing and was most recently
discussed by the Planning Board at its March meeting.
Presenter: Michael Harvey, Current Planning Supervisor
8.
COMMITTEE/ADVISORY BOARD REPORTS
a. Board of Adjustment
b. Orange Unified Transportation
9. ADJOURNMENT
IF AN EMERGENCY OCCURS, OR IF YOU ARE RUNNING LATE FOR THE MEETING, PLEASE LEAVE A VOICE MAIL FOR
MICHAEL HARVEY (919-245-2592).
2
<March April 2016 April >
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2
Notes:
* Planning Board Member
Attendance Required or Expected
WCOB = West Campus Office
Building (131 W. Margaret Lane,
Hillsborough)
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Regular BOCC
Meeting
7:00 pm
Whitted
Building
ORC – time
TBD
Planning Board
meeting @
7:00 pm
WCOB 004*
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Board of
Adjustment
7:30 pm
WCOB 004
BOCC Work
Session
7:00 pm
Southern
Human
Services
Center
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Regular BOCC
Meeting
7:00 pm
Southern
Human
Services
Center
OUTBoard
7:00 pm
WCOB 004
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
3
< April May 2016 June >
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Planning Board
meeting @
7:00 pm
WCOB 004*
Regular BOCC
Meeting
7:00 pm
Whitted
Building
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Board of
Adjustment
7:30 pm
WCOB 004
BOCC Work
Session
7:00 pm
Southern
Human
Services
Center
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Regular BOCC
Meeting
7:00 pm
Southern
Human
Services
Cent
OUTBoard
7:00 pm
WCOB 004
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Quarterly
Public Hearing
7:00 pm
Whitted
Building
29 30 31
Notes:
* Planning Board Member
Attendance Required or Expected
WCOB = West Campus Office
Building (131 W. Margaret Lane,
Hillsborough)
4
MINUTES 1
2 PLANNING BOARD 3
MARCH 2, 2016 4
REGULAR MEETING 5
6 7
8 9
MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Guthrie, At-Large Chapel Hill Township; Andrea 10
Rohrbacher, At-Large Chapel Hill Township; Patricia Roberts, Cheeks Township 11
Representative; Herman Staats, At-Large ; Tony Blake, Bingham Township 12
Representative; Buddy Hartley, Little River Township Representative 13
14
MEMBERS ABSENT: Lydia W egman (Chair), At-Large Chapel Hill Township; James 15
Lea, Cedar Grove Township Representative; Maxecine Mitchell, At-Large Bingham 16
Township; Laura Nicholson, Eno Township Representative; Lisa Stuckey, Chapel Hill 17
Township Representative 18
19
STAFF PRESENT: Craig Benedict, Planning Director; Michael Harvey, Current 20
Planning Supervisor; Meredith Pucci, Administrative Assistant II 21
22
AGENDA ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER 23
24
Vice Chair Tony Blake opened the meeting since Chair Lydia Wegman could not attend 25
the meeting. 26
27
AGENDA ITEM 2: INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 28
a. Planning Calendar for March and April 29
30
Tony Blake reviewed the calendar and discussed 31
32
AGENDA ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES 33
January 6, 2016 Regular Meeting 34
35
MOTION by Paul Guthrie to approve both sets of minutes. Seconded by Buddy Hartley 36
VOTE: Unanimous 37
38
AGENDA ITEM 4: CONSIDERATIONS OF ADDITIONS TO AGENDA 39
40
No additional items. 41
42
AGENDA ITEM 5: PUBLIC CHARGE 43
44
Introduction to the Public Charge 45
The Board of County Commissioners, under the authority of North Carolina General 46
Statute, appoints the Orange County Planning Board (OCPB) to uphold the written 47
land development laws of the County. The general purpose of OCPB is to guide and 48
5
accomplish coordinated and harmonious development. OCPB shall do so in a 49
manner which considers the present and future needs of its residents and business 50
through efficient and responsive process that contributes to and promotes the health, 51
safety, and welfare of the overall county. The OCPB will make every effort to uphold a 52
vision of responsive governance and quality public services during our deliberations, 53
decision, and recommendations. 54
55
Public Charge 56
The Planning Board pledges to the residents of Orange County its respect. The Board 57
asks its residents to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner, both with 58
the Board and with fellow residents. At any time, should any member of the Board or 59
any resident fail to observe this public charge, the Chair will ask the offending member 60
to leave the meeting until that individual regains personal control. Should decorum rail 61
to be restored, the Chair will recess the meeting until such time that a genuine 62
commitment to this public charge is observed. 63 64 65 66
AGENDA ITEM 6: CHAIR 67
COMMENTS No comments from the 68
Vice-Chair. 69
AGENDA ITEM 7: UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE(UDO) TEXT 70
AMENDMENT- To review and discuss government-initiated 71
amendments to the text of the UDO regarding sign regulations. 72
This item is scheduled for the MAY 23, 2016 quarterly public 73
hearing and is expected to return to the Planning Board in April 74
for a recommendation. 75
Presenter: Michael Harvey, Current Planning Supervisor 76
77
Michael Harvey reviewed abstract. 78
79
Paul Guthrie: I have a question… Increasingly, gas stations are putting TV 80
monitors in the middle of their pumps; does that count against their signage lot? 81
82
Michael Harvey: Under this proposal it would be counted as part of the allotment. So, if 83
you have 300 square feet for the district you’re in that’s part of your allotment. Our 84
current ordinance gets into a level of minutia to regulate because we don’t want an over 85
abundance of signage, we’re going the other direction with it. Saying, “Here’s your 86
allotment, you can’t live outside of this allotment. What you choose to do with that 87
allotment is your business as long as it’s permitable and complies with any other 88
applicable standard.”. There are regulations in zoning dealing with noise generation on 89
commercial lots, especially if it’s adjacent to residential lots. The sheriff’s office has a 90
much more restrictive, and spelled out noise ordinance. There are lighting standards 91
that still have to be met, so signs still have to meet the lighting ordinance. But, as far as 92
6
content goes we are no longer getting in the content business. 93
94
Paul Guthrie: The Waffle House sign stands up fairly high enough to land an airplane 95
under it and I was thinking, if it had an extremely bright flashing light it could be 96
distracting to traffic. Do the existing standards give you enough information to make 97
sure that doesn’t happen? 98
99
Michael Harvey: Yes. When you look at prohibited signs we have regulations that 100
prohibit beacon signs, animated signs, and trailer signs. We have prohibitions on signs 101
that flash or blink. We have established a standard for what constitutes a movable, 102
scrolling message to only occur a certain amount of time in a 24 hour period. So the 103
direct answer to your question, Paul, is that we have existing regulations that would 104
prohibit the repetitive flashing sign. 105
106
Paul Guthrie: My last question; in the matter of the cases I haven’t had a chance to 107
read up on any of those. Things that are statutorily criminal acts that might be 108
contained on the messages on the sign; does that still hold? If those criminal acts 109
regulate or can bring charges for what goes up on a sign, is that content they’re saying 110
they can’t touch or is it not taken into account? Some examples, direct threats to 111
human beings? 112
113
Michael Harvey: First of all, is that this ordinance as we did before exempts any sign 114
erected by the government. So any sign erected by the government saying you can’t 115
walk on this grass, subject to… we’re not regulating that it’s perfectly legal. If you’re 116
using a sign message to convey a threat or to encourage a certain course of action 117
that could be perceived as a threat that’s still a criminal matter and it would be 118
prosecuted by the sheriffs office and it’s the same argument as if somebody was on 119
their property and shoots a gun in a matter that creates a public safety hazard the 120
sheriffs office is going to respond, regardless of whatever ordinance gets adopted by 121
planning or the County Board of Commissioners. That’s still going to be an actionable 122
offense. 123
124
Andrea Rohrbacher: Real estate signs. Everything is crossed out… 125
126
Michael Harvey: It’s gone because we can’t regulate signage on content anymore. But, 127
I think what you’re asking is if you can erect a real estate sign at a residential district 128
advertising a house for sale; the answer’s yes. That’s covered. Each residential district 129
has an allotment of allowed signage, just like commercial. So, however that gets used 130
is up to the property owner. The only provision is it can only be 12 square feet which 131
was the typical real estate sign limitation anyway. 132
133
Tony Blake: I think there’s actually a case where there’s 2 parcels of land on highway 134
54 and one is zoned in one manner and the other is zoned in another manner and both 135
are for sale. The way I read this is the signs would be, by ordinance, different. Or could 136
be, based on the zoning. 137
138
7
Michael Harvey: No, because there’s still a master prohibition on signs over 12 139
square feet in a residential district. 140
141
Tony Blake: Right, I’m thinking about these 100 acre things where they put the big 142
board sign up and one’s zoned commercial and the other’s zoned agricultural. 143
144
Michael Harvey: Now from that standpoint, commercial to residential, yes. You could 145
technically have a different advertising sign. Because we can’t and don’t establish… In 146
that context from commercial to residential you’re 100 percent right. 147
148
Paul Guthrie: I do have another question. The section on golf courses. Can you sort of 149
talk through what that means? I’m a little confused on the language… I can’t decide 150
what would be a sign in the context of the golf course besides saying green 1 and…? 151 152
Michael Harvey: The free standing sign, a wall sign on the building saying club house 153
this way, grill this way, here’s our specials at the grill, keep off grass, etc. We tried to 154
capture what could 155
be necessary, what is a reasonable allotment for people to live in, and you are correct, 156
with a golf course it is primarily hole 1,2,3,4,5. But, we can see directional signage, 157
which we can’t regulate by name anymore. We can just give you an allotment. 158
159
Craig Benedict: Can sports fields put signs in the outfield? 160
161
Michael Harvey: It would be based on the zoning designation of the property of where 162
the facility is located. And then, yes, they can erect signage within that allotment. We 163
can no longer say, you can have advertising limited to x,y,z. Right now for parks 164
public you have a total sign allotment of 300 square feet, as an example. For 165
recreational facilities, regardless of their location, we have a specific limitation in 166
here… I’ll have to get back to you on what it is. 167
168
Patricia Roberts: What about private property. Say you’re holding an event on a private 169
property. Specifically thinking, if you have a horse show with signs for each jump. 170
171
Michael Harvey: It’s going to be based on the zoning of the property because we can 172
no longer assign allotment based on the type of sign, like we used to. 173
174
Craig Benedict: Are farms exempt from signage? 175
176
Michael Harvey: Farms are exempt from zoning, period. So, yes, sir. 177
178
Paul Guthrie: You may want to think about some wiggle worm in the signage that 179
accumulates over time… 180
181
Michael Harvey: The problem is I can’t write an ordinance that isn’t definitive because 182
then I’m being arbitrary capricious and I hold you to a standard and then I try to be 183
wiggle room for Buddy and you sue me. And you’d be right to do so. So we have to be 184
8
explicit to avoid… 185
186
Paul Guthrie: There is a risk to that, of course. The risk is that it gets overturned and 187
you lose all your control. 188
189
Michael Harvey: Yes, exactly. That’s what’s happened with Gilbert already. I will remind 190
you all that state law, if you have a building construction site and you know the wraps 191
that do advertising; by state law that’s not a sign. So if you wrap a building site… That 192
type of construction signage is exempt from local sign regulation already… Any safety 193
sign erected by the government or in a public or a private right of way that’s for safety 194
purposes is already exempt… And please, you all have a tendency to email, I’d like 195
you to continue to do that. So email if you have questions or comments or 196
suggestions. I’m more than happy to take your emails, and I’ll make sure that the 197
responses go to the group as a whole so you can see. But what I’m hearing you all say 198
is if I can pay a little more attention to the Rec uses so that we’re not being overly 199
restrictive and just make sure that the allotments that we’ve recommended are 200
reasonable. Gilbert is what Gilbert is and we cannot have content based regulations so 201
we’ll move forward with the Attorney’s Office and get you the final product next month. 202
203
Paul Guthrie: I’m assuming that you’re talking about signs erected on either private 204
property or leased property. You’re not talking about public ways? 205
206
Michael Harvey: No, sir. 207
208
Paul Guthrie: Because a lot of the things that we’re talking about occur in a public way. 209
Some of those are not legal. 210
211
Michael Harvey: If, for example, someone erects a political sign in the public right of 212
way this ordinance didn’t regulate it to begin with and we don’t regulate it anyway. We 213
leave that up to the Department of Transportation. Snipe signs, which are those small 214
advertising signs that usually did an offset advertising for services or whatnot, those 215
in the public right of way while they’re not allowed by this ordinance, we don’t 216
regulate in that right of way. So, we leave it to DOT. We still prohibit painting signs on 217
rocks, and erecting signs on utility poles but, if you place it in the right of way it’s a 218
DOT problem. 219
220
Andrea Rohrbacher: One more question. Because you can’t regulate content that 221
means that a company could use their logo on a sign whether it looked good or not? 222
223
Michael Harvey: Correct. Which also means we can no longer make the 224
determination of what constitutes lewd, or inappropriate content. 225
226
Andrea Rohrbacher: That’s what I was getting at. 227
228
Paul Guthrie: Unless it violates a statute and that’s up to the sheriff. 229
230
9
Michael Harvey: Correct. A suggestive silhouette will be legal once this gets adopted. 231
A more blatant depiction, if it violates obscenity rules is enforceable. I know that’s a lot 232
to digest, if you all have any other questions I’m more than happy to answer them. I’d 233
like to hear any other comments you have. But this is the direction we’re headed. 234 235 236 237
AGENDA ITEM 8: UPD ATE AND DISCUSSION ON UPCOMING WORK PLAN 238
AND POPULATION AND EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS- To 239
hear an update on the Planning Board’s Work Plan which was 240
recently reviewed by the Board of County Commissioners and to 241
review prior Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) 242
population and employment projections. 243
244
Presenter: Craig Benedict, Planning Director 245
246
Craig Benedict reviewed abstract. 247 248
Paul Guthrie: Are you saying that in terms of how you’re interpreting this is that the 249
assumption is that there will be no change in the city limits? 250
251
Craig Benedict: We’re going to take a look at a county wide population and then we’ll 252
see if a city expands and goes into the county will be a minus there and a plus there. 253
But [the total growth] will be kind of maxed out, so something that we’re going to be 254
suggesting is cities should have an idea of how much their maximum density is going 255
to be. For Carrboro and Chapel Hill there’s only a little more, even though there’s 256
some re-development opportunities. But they still have an idea of what they put on 257
their maps, what densities it’s going to be re-zoned to. And even with Hillsborough, 258
they know how much available land, they know they have water and sewer limits. So 259
there’s going to be some finite, so we’re going to kind of add up what the cities think 260
they can do and we’re going to do… We know what some of our urban transition 261
zones where we have water and sewer what that can be, that might be a little higher 262
density. And we’re going to consider somewhat conservative what actually is has high 263
growth potential in the county from an undeveloped land standpoint, even though it’s 264
land holding capacity based. But still, the projections will be moderate out there. 265
266
Paul Guthrie: Another quick question. This assumes the existing services 267
infrastructure and not expansion of services infrastructure. 268
269
Craig Benedict: Yes, we’ll take a look at what water and sewer capacity is and make 270
sure we know Hillsborough has limitations with, primarily, the sewer side. The water 271
side is has some potential because they have the second phase of the reservoir. But 272
yes… 273
274
Craig Benedict continued to review abstract 275
276
Paul Guthrie: Do those projections include estimated birth rates? 277
10
Craig Benedict: Yes. Estimated birth rates and in migration. 278
Paul Guthrie: I say that because we tend to have a younger county than many. 279
280
Craig Benedict: I think it’s going to be split. We’re getting some growth in 281
Hillsborough and we’re getting some younger families in. Not showing up in the 282
schools yet. But, it very well could. There’s a hot residential market in Hillsborough 283
and yet in the last couple years now we have more people over 60 than we have 284
children in school. 285
286
Paul Guthrie: This excludes Chatham, right? 287
288
Craig Benedict: We have some Chatham information that is part of the MPO analysis 289
area. 290
291
Paul Guthrie: Because eastern Chatham, if everything goes according to plan is 292
going to make any growth in Orange County look like a picnic. 293
294
Craig Benedict: That’s true. And people may decide even where there is demand, the 295
demand might be stronger there and it could diminish what occurs in our area. There’s 296
a planner, Randall Arendt, that usually writes about how to build in rural areas but he 297
has this new initiative that he’s noticed a lot of the planners coming out of school. The 298
professors that may be teaching them too analytical and too numerical with their job. 299
And so they get stuck in the numbers and they don’t see what we’re calling the reality 300
behind those numbers. They look at the population projections and all the numbers, 301
and so Randall called me about the new interns coming out of college and asked if 302
they were getting the internship, are the understanding on how to apply these 303
theoretical and too idealistic concepts, and are they getting more into the pragmatic, 304
what do you do with these populations? The whole idea with the comprehensive plan 305
was do a population projection and in 30 years from now it’s going to take us over to 306
this level. Are we ready for that? That is a conscious political decision and a 307
community’s decision, and if you don’t want it to grow to this amount then there are 308
policies to slow it down. And there might be some places that say, “Hey, we like growth, 309
how do we make it go up faster?”, that’s what planning’s about. And if you do, 310
everything else falls into place. If you predict higher populations then you better have 311
the infrastructure, the roads, the services, you better know the tax value and the 312
expenditure side. So, this is an opportunity where the populations will be, what they 313
are. One of Orange County’s large difficulties is only 35,000 people live and work in 314
Orange County, and then there’s 25,000 that come into Orange County to work and 315
there’s another 25,000 that live here and migrate out. It’d be great if we could build 316
commercial here and manufacturing and have the people that live here already working 317
the places. There’s another study done that said the triangle has some of the worst 318
traffic. The commuting time is high here, about 24 minutes. That’s a whole other study. 319
But, the triangle has some difficulties with the pattern that’s there now. If you look at I-320
85, I-40; you see traffic of an equal amount going both ways. 321
322
11
Tony Blake: The centralized employment location is kind of going away and there’s 323
much more of a mobility attitude towards work and there’s a lot more work from 324
home. I see a difference generationally. 325
326
Paul Guthrie: I commute up here to these meetings. I come up Old 86, and Old 86 327
is a steady stream with few breaks at the hours coming up to this meeting, coming 328
from North of Hillsborough, or from the interstates. And in the morning it’s the 329
reverse. And 54 is the same way, and it will get more serious and less of a way to 330
involve the jobs closer to home. 331
332
Craig Benedict: Another thing that I mentioned that the previous model did not do, 333
when you get to the edge of the model there’s nothing left. So Alamance County was 334
not actually in the model. 335
336
Tony Blake: There’s such a thing as a platoon employment as well, where they work 337
12 or 24 hour shifts 3 days a week and then that allows them to live a lot further out. 338
But this begs a question; the rural buffer around Chapel Hill seems to me to be too 339
inflexible to allow to build some office space close enough for people to work and not 340
have to commute. So I was wondering if there was a way for Chapel Hill to grow 341
slightly and trade rural buffer like kind in certain areas for another area in the county 342
further out. If you developed 30 acres up along Old 86 or New 86 and was in the rural 343
buffer, could you take that same chunk of land somewhere and move it to the fringes 344
of the rural buffer and just allow the rural buffer to breathe? 345
346
Craig Benedict: Well, the whole concept of the rural buffer is an urban growth 347
boundary with a low density ring around it, so that there would be efficient use of the 348
expansion of the public resources and infrastructure in a confined area instead of 349
urban. This concept, the idea with these urban growth boundaries was to expand… 350
What’s happening with a UGB that’s institutionalized is the affordable housing 351
issues. The supply is so short, the demand’s still there, you get the cost of land and 352
therefore the cost of housing goes up. We’re doing some analysis now that shows 353
that if somebody pays $100,000 an acre, like one of the last subdivision that came 354
through off of Whitfield, right outside the rural buffer, the building program is they’re 355
going to charge 6 or 7 times that for the house. So you’re going to see a house up at 356
$600,000-$700,000 or more because that’s the way the formula works. They’re not 357
going to put $100,000 house on a… 358
359
Andrea Rohrbacher: Well, you could get a loan on it. The house value has to be 360
30/70 for the bank to give you a loan on it. 361
362
Paul Guthrie: The rural buffer was created on the European model. The European 363
model was to have a rural area designated of which you did not grow into. Well that 364
assumes declining or stabilized populations. We don’t have that. So, that’s what 365
makes it a difficult way to manage, and it causes some real problems. The one that.. 366
every time we’ve got the development in here who wants to put septic tanks in and to 367
work in some communities once upon a time where the biggest single health problem 368
12
in those counties were septic tanks that were failing regularly. And that was because 369
there was a limit on public services, beyond a certain imaginary boundary, and that’s 370
the kind of thing that I worry about in this county. That we’re too rigid on rural buffer 371
interpretation so that public services are not there. By one way or another housing is 372
going to go in there and following we will be in environmental problems. But no one 373
seems to want to focus on that long-term issue. 374
375
Craig Benedict: This is at the heart of it; about what the intent of it is and are we 376
reaching that intent or are we creating a potential issue out there… 377
378
Michael Harvey: Let me just also remind the Board that the rural buffer is a concept 379
along with the water/sewer agreement. The concept is our documents or plans that 380
involve multiple partners. And part of the problem is as you need multiple partners to 381
approve amendments. We ran into some very serious problems with one of these 382
partners when we were looking to adopt the agricultural support enterprises construct. 383
Yes, we have an exit clause. I don’t think that’s viable but, we have to work within the 384
kind of funds of having each participating entity approve a modification. That is 385
proven cumbersome. And this is the lot we have. 386
387
Craig Benedict: And I gave a presentation about the 2040 MTP growth model and 388
didn’t receive many comments. It’s not like they were surprised and quiet, they were 389
just, “What’s wrong with these numbers?” and I said that we can’t build that much. We 390
can’t build 16 Morinagas a year, that’s just not realistic. It said in order to build these 391
new houses or even new multi-family the amount of acreage that it would take the 392
Planning Board to review these major subdivisions, 10 of them. 393
394
Tony Blake: But what’s the carrying capacity of the land? If you took Orange County 395
and sub- divided it into the minimum lot size and put a septic system on every one of 396
them and a house on every one of them, would the county survive? And I don’t think it 397
would. It’s how much will the land allow you to build, without septic and without 398
services. 399
400
Michael Harvey: And also remember, Orange County, like every other county, has to 401
abide by some watershed management standards imposed by the state that 402
establishes density, surface and other limitations that there’s not a lot of flexibility on 403
either. So yes, we choose in certain instances to be more restrictive but, we also have 404
the state saying in this area because of what happens to your water you can only do 405
this much development. So that’s a further limiting factor that we have to live with. 406
407
Craig Benedict: So I’ll just go through some numbers here, some examples and what 408
happened previously with the 2040 MTP… We’re in the process now for the 2045 409
MTP, we know some of the glitches that occurred, we’re getting started earlier this 410
time, I saw it happening in the 2040 plan, I tried to move the aircraft carrier, I just 411
couldn’t get them to budge. They were just going down this path like they had with the 412
2035. The 2030 and the 2035, and I said, “Have you ever checked what this is?” and 413
they hadn’t. 50,000 employees averaging about 568 square foot per employee, I took 414
13
a look at industrial, commercial and manufacturing and all these different things. That 415
would be 28,000,000 square feet over 30 years, divide that by 30 years, that would 416
mean we would need to be expecting to build 947,000 square feet each year. And 417
this is counting the towns… And in the cities and in the county we have a lot of 418
economic development so we would like to see a couple of these a year but there’s a 419
lot of work just to get a 100,000-150,000 square foot building. 420
421
Paul Guthrie: It just occurs to me; If you really go into.. analysis and take a look at 422
some of the current last 12 month sales analysis in terms of where retail sales are 423
taking place and the movement to mail-order operations that can deliver in 24 and 36 424
hours is putting some real stress on the shopping centers. And so, somewhere down 425
the road I think we’re going to start re- calculating whether that is necessarily going to 426
be able to support the kinds of things that we’re talking about. 427
428
Craig Benedict: I’ve seen in some smaller communities, Walmart Express; these 429
little 20,000 square foot buildings. You order and pick it up. 430
431
Tony Blake: Let me ask you this. If I ordered something on Amazon, I pay state sales 432
tax on that but I don’t pay any county sales tax on it, do I? 433
434
Craig Benedict: I’ll have to check on the distribution on that. There’s some new 435
legislation where they’re trying to capture this point of purchase. The formula is 2008 436
used to be population base, so things that were spent around the whole state were 437
given to Orange County based on our population and there’s just one section that was 438
Point of sale. So that’s why in the past Orange County didn’t mind as much. Well, that 439
switched in 2008. We lost $6,000,000 per year, and now they’re working on some new 440
sales tax formulas to try to capture this other information. I agree, I think the whole 441
shopping program.. that you’re going to see this exponential change from in- store 442
shopping to online. 443 444 445
Michael Harvey: Remember that there are state bills being discussed that would either 446
require Amazon or an out of state purveyor to track or provide the state.. so that sales 447
tax can be charged. On your North Carolina taxes you can voluntarily estimate. 448
449
Craig Benedict: So another way of looking at it.. If instead of looking at the square 450
footage you’d talk about how many employees you would get per year county wide, 451
1,670 and.. 100 employees is about a $40,000,000 project for 100,000 square feet so 452
you’d need 16 Moranaga’s to get 1,600 employees. This goes to the square foot 453
depending on how much.. this is just building cost, not counting the equipment in there, 454
you would be getting about $100,000,000 a year. And that would be great on our tax 455
base but, that’s just not happening… A little bit about population growth, this is county 456
wide, it was projected at 70,000 people. That means 2,350 a year, and that doesn't 457
sound like too much to ask for in Orange County. But, let’s find out if all that single 458
family, 65 percent of single family and you get about 2.8 people per unit. If you’re in an 459
urban area you would see 273 acres, or if you’re in a rural area you would need 1,600 460
14
acres a year to fulfill that need. But 273 acres in Chapel Hill or Carrboro is something 461
equal in size to Southern Village. 462
463
Patricia Roberts: I think Southern Village is 300. 464
465
Craig Benedict: And the 3 acres per unit, we did some minor subdivision analysis a few 466
years ago and even though the density might have been 1 per 2 on the average 467
because the soils was more near 3 and we haven’t done that recently but, it’s 3 or 4. 468
The 35 percent multi-family which was the assumption, even with that about how many 469
people would be there and how many acres you would need in an urban area, and I 470
did 5 units per acre and that’s probably a very small single family lot. Probably the net 471
acres would be up into a light townhouse density. But still 82 acres is a lot, plus the 472
273.. and that’s per year. And this is Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, all that 473
stuff. Mebane has some room, it’s not all zoned yet. Hillsborough’s growing. But you 474
just see how these numbers are different to accommodate with available land area. 475
476
Tony Blake: On the previous slide that times 3 acres, that’s essentially what you’re 477
assuming is the carrying capacity of the land? 478
479
Craig Benedict: Yes. 480
481
Tony Blake: Yeah, these numbers make sense for the development that’s going out in 482
Pittsboro… 483
484
Craig Benedict continued to review abstract 485
486
Paul Guthrie: Are we paying close attention to what Chatham County is planning? I 487
think it’s going to put real pressure on the southern border of Orange County. All 488
the way across. 489
490
Craig Benedict: They’re (ie Chatham Park) going to try to do the jobs and living in the 491
same place but, we’re getting closer to Chatham County wants to talk again but, I don’t 492
know what type of change or coordination we could affect with Chatham. 493 494 495
Tony Blake: Well you know, they’re changing RTP as well. They’re starting to allow a 496
lot more residential in RTP and some real density. And that may very well mop up 497
some of this… 498
499
Craig Benedict: And why is it so important now? This is that million people that want to 500
come to the triangle in the next 20-30 years.. Where are they going to live, how are 501
you going to provide, how will it affect the quality of life? The biggest thing that hits us 502
first is traffic, there’s taxes, there’s other services, there’s quality of life, there’s all that 503
other aspects that’s all wrapped into here. But, you have to make changes based on 504
found data. Now, a lot of the money that we’re spending, whether it’s from sales or 505
transit tax is much based on the transportation needs. So if we get this and have an 506
15
idea of what it could be and have it as realistic as possible.. Now somebody may say, 507
“well if we project lower employment, and population we’ll never get any money to 508
widen the roads” they might say something like that but, it’s a balance and a 509
prioritization and you just have to… I think the biggest thing there was a presentation 510
on the Orange County bus.. plan, and there was a 4 year “let’s look at it again” clause. 511
What is the cost of the project, how are the revenues coming in, have there been any 512
changes with state funding, or federal funding, are revenues higher than what were 513
projected and the cost of the project changes…. Yes. The BRT bus was originally 514
planned 4 years ago to go to the UNC hospital, now it’s projected to go down to 515
Southern Village. The original cost of that was programmed at 24.5 million and the new 516
estimate is anywhere from 70-90 million. But admittedly, that’s 7,000,000 a mile versus 517
the light rail which is 88,000,000 a mile. Some new information that I heard last night is 518
the regional transportation alliance, which is a business related triangle firm that is 519
concerned about businesses and transportation, asked GO triangle if could .. a 520
dedicated, further railways be used for bus rapid transit. It’s got a dual use. I saw a 521
response today from GO triangle about why they don’t recommend that. But what 522
we’re doing with the North/South corridor, if they do a bus rapid transit route it will be a 523
separate lane from traffic but other buses can use it.. And emergency vehicles…If we 524
run a bus from Hillsborough down to the hospital we can jump on that lane and have a 525
dual use of it. So if you spend $7,000,000 a mile but you can put more people to use 526
that corridor you have such great efficiencies versus other scenarios where you have 527
light rail and they’re not suggesting to co- mingle it with a bus rapid transit bus. 528
Highway 54, even with light rail, will be over capacity. And so they’re going to have to 529
build another lane to put bus rapid transit to go out to either Southpoint, maybe out to 530
the airport, maybe up to 751 in the Woodcraft neighborhood. So a lot of things out 531
there. We’ll keep you informed on this and we’ll talk about those elements.. We’re 532
going to have the opportunity if we get these numbers fast enough to test and see 533
where it pushes new growth. 534
535
Paul Guthrie: The main thing you learn in transportation, and no community seems 536
to get their arms around, is the fact that there’s a lot of front end cost. And the 537
sooner you do the front end cost the better off you are in the long run. But, nobody’s 538
going to take that 20 or 30 or 40 year perspective. They always want to look at it in 539
the small… 540
541
Tony Blake: The point in Craig’s presentation is that we have built in constraints that 542
prevent this from happening. Our politics and our eyes and our stomach don’t match 543
here. We’re not capable of digesting these… 544
545
Paul Guthrie: If you ever need an example; the classic example is the railroad into New 546
York City. Where there’s a bridge over part of the wetlands in New Jersey that’s going to 547
cost about $3,000,000,000 to replace for the railroad traffic. And it’s the only way in and 548
the only way to go to the Northeast with all the freight traffic, except a long detour up to 549
central New York and across. And they have been fiddling on it for 40 years. The thing 550
is going to fall down on them one of these days. They patch it every year, and they 551
won’t bite the bullet. And that’s the classic. 552
16
553
Craig Benedict: Well, thank you for hearing it and entertaining some of the 554
philosophy behind here. It all has to do with trying to predict the future and trying to 555
hit that target at some point and match it with a good development pattern, 556
infrastructure, and services that can work. 557
558
AGENDA ITEM 9: COMMITTEE/ADVISORY BOARD REPORTS 559
A: Board of Adjustment 560
B: Orange County Transportation 561 562 563 564
AGENDA ITEM 10: ADJORNMENT 565
566
MOTION made by Paul Guthrie to adjourn meeting. Seconded by Patricia Roberts. 567
VOTE: Unanimous 568
569
Lydia N. Wegman, Chair 570
17
ORANGE COUNTY
PLANNING BOARD
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 6, 2016
Action Agenda
Item No. 7
SUBJECT: Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendment – Sign Regulations
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. Comprehensive Plan and Unified
Development Ordinance Outline Form
(UDO & Zoning 2015-01)
2. Statement of Consistency
3. Proposed UDO Text Amendment
Michael D. Harvey, Planner III (919) 245-2597
Craig Benedict, Director (919) 245-2575
PURPOSE: To review and make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners
(BOCC) on text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) initiated by the
Planning Director modifying existing sign regulations.
BACKGROUND: As the Board is already aware, staff has been working on amendments to
existing sign regulations for approximately 1 year to address concerns over advertising needs
for non-residential development on larger parcels and to ensure our standards are consistent
with the recent Reid versus Town of Gilbert US Supreme Court decision. Please refer to Section
B of Attachment 1 for more background information.
This item was first reviewed by the Planning Board at its April 1, 2015 ORC meeting. Agenda
materials from this meeting can be viewed at:
http://www.orangecountync.gov/4_1_15ORC_Packet.pdf. Meeting notes can be viewed at:
http://www.orangecountync.gov/4_1_15_ORC_Notes.pdf.
This was most recently reviewed by the Planning Board at its March 2, 2016 regular meeting,
materials from which can be viewed at:
http://www.orangecountync.gov/PB%20Full%20Agenda%20Package%20March%202%202016.
pdf. Draft minutes are part of the April 6, 2016 agenda packet.
As explained last month there have been significant changes to the proposal to address
comments from the County Attorney’s office with respect to revising existing standards to be
‘content neutral’ including:
1. Elimination of certain standards associated with the development of specific land uses
(i.e. subdivisions, schools, etc.) as currently contained in Section 6.12.11 of the UDO.
2. Establishing cumulative sign limits for residential and non-residential zoning districts.
18
3. Clarifying existing regulations governing exempt signage as contained in Section 6.12.5
of the UDO.
4. Recommending the adoption of new standards allowing for larger signage within specific
non-residential zoning districts based on the size and road frontage of a parcel of
property.
These amendments are scheduled to be presented at the May 23, 2016 quarterly public
hearing.
Planning Director’s Recommendation: The Planning Director recommends approval of the
Statement of Consistency, indicating the amendments are reasonable and in the public interest,
contained in Attachment 2 and proposed amendment package contained in Attachment 3.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Please refer to Section C.3 of Attachment 1.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals is applicable to
this agenda item:
GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes
and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of
environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no
group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental
consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or
policies.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Planning Director recommends that the Board:
1. Review the proposed UDO amendments,
2. Deliberate on the amendments as desired,
3. Consider the Planning Director’s recommendation, and
4. Make a recommendation to the BOCC on the Statement of Consistency (Attachment 2)
and proposed amendment package (Attachment 3) in time for the May 23, 2016 quarterly
public hearing.
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1
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN / FUTURE LAND USE MAP
AND
UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE (UDO)
AMENDMENT OUTLINE
UDO / Zoning-2015-01
UDO Text Amendment(s) clarifying allowable sign area.
A. AMENDMENT TYPE
Map Amendments
Land Use Element Map:
From:
To:
Zoning Map:
From:
To
Other:
Text Amendments
Comprehensive Plan Text:
Section(s):
UDO Text:
UDO General Text Changes
UDO Development Standards
UDO Development Approval Processes
Section(s): 1. Section 6.12 Signs and
2. Article 10 Definitions.
Other:
B. RATIONALE
1. Purpose/Mission
In accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 Zoning Atlas and Unified
Development Ordinance Amendments of the UDO, the Planning Director has
initiated text amendment(s) to modify existing regulations governing allowable
signage.
Current regulations do not offer a suitable distinction between various types of
commercial development allowing for a sign of suitable size to accommodate a non-
Attachment 1 20
2
residential project on a larger parcel of property. Existing regulations must also be
refined to address a recent US Supreme Court decision.
2. Analysis
As required under Section 2.8.5 of the UDO, the Planning Director is required to:
‘cause an analysis to be made of the application and, based upon that analysis,
prepare a recommendation for consideration by the Planning Board and the Board of
County Commissioners’.
There has been an increase in inquires and interest with respect to development of
large-scale commercial operations within the County.
Current sign regulations limit the total allowable square footage for freestanding and
wall signs for most non-residential general use zoning districts to 32 square feet (8
feet by 4 feet in size) regardless of the property’s location, size of parcel, or amount
of road frontage. The ‘one-size fits all’ sign limit may, in fact, be a deterrent to non-
residential development.
There is also a noticeable lack of clarity within the UDO addressing the development
of large-scale properties with multiple tenants necessitating the need for a larger,
freestanding sign, advertising local businesses and on what constitutes a
blinking/flashing sign leading to enforcement concerns.
Recent court decisions, most notably Reed versus Town of Gilbert, also impact the
County’s current sign regulations. In this case the US Supreme Court sign
regulations cannot be seen as allowing/disallowing a sign based on its content. For
more information on the case and its potential impacts please refer to the
following: http://canons.sog.unc.edu/?p=8167.
The amendments are necessary to address current concerns over advertising needs for
non-residential development on larger parcels within the County and clarify the prohibition
on the use of blinking/flashing signage by incorporating new definitions into the UDO.
Existing regulations also need to be revised to ensure our standards are ‘content neutral’
and consistent with the findings of the Gilbert case. To this end staff will be
recommending maximum allowable signage area for various general use zoning districts
including residential districts (i.e. RB, AR, R-1, etc.).
3. Comprehensive Plan Linkage (i.e. Principles, Goals and Objectives)
Land Use Goal 4: Land development regulations, guidelines, techniques, and/or
incentives that promote the integrated achievement of all Comprehensive Plan goals.
4. New Statutes and Rules
Reed versus Town of Gilbert, a US Supreme Court Case impacting existing sign
regulations.
a. PROCESS
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3
1. TIMEFRAME/MILESTONES/DEADLINES
a. BOCC Authorization to Proceed
January 22, 2015 – The BOCC authorized staff to proceed with the amendment.
b. Quarterly Public Hearing
May 23, 2016
STAFF COMMENT: This item was originally intended for presentation at
the February 19, 2015 Quarterly Public Hearing, which was cancelled due
to weather.
Further delays were the result of various court proceedings. For more
information on recent court decisions relating to sign regulations please
refer to the following: http://canons.sog.unc.edu/?p=8167.
c. BOCC Updates/Checkpoints
January 22, 2015 – Approval of Amendment Outline form authorizing staff to
proceed with project.
April 1, 2015 Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) meeting (BOCC received
materials).
December 2, 2015 Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) meeting (BOCC
received materials).
STAFF COMMENT: this item was pulled from the ORC agenda the day of
the meeting.
March 2, 2016 –Planning Board meeting (BOCC received materials).
April 6, 2016 –Planning Board meeting (BOCC receives materials).
May 23, 2016 – Public Hearing.
d. Other
N/A
2. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM
Mission/Scope: Public Hearing process consistent with NC State Statutes and
Orange County ordinance requirements.
a. Planning Board Review:
January 26, 2015 – Planning Board members were e-mailed the amendment
packet for initial review and comment.
April 1, 2015 – ORC. During this meeting the following comment(s) were made:
• A Board member asked if digital signs were dangerous?
STAFF COMMENT: Staff believes digital signs pose several issues for
motorists due to the frequency of the sign’s message being changed as
22
4
well as the incorporation of a scrolling message. We believe they
represent a distraction as motorists are frequently looking at the sign to
see the next advertisement.
• A Board member asked how portable signs are addressed.
STAFF COMMENT: Portable signage is addressed in Section 6.12.6 of
the UDO and are specifically banned.
• A Board member asked what constituted a snipe sign.
STAFF COMMENT: As detailed in Article 10 Definitions of the UDO a
snipe sign is a small sign advertising services (i.e. ‘We Buy Houses’) or
off-site signage advertising homes for sale.
December 2, 2015 – ORC. This item was pulled from the ORC agenda as staff
was still working to address comments from the Attorney’s office.
March 2, 2016 – Planning Board meeting. During this meeting the following
comment(s) were made:
• A Board member observed that gas stations are using TV’s and interactive menu
screens for advertising and asked if they would be included as part of proposed
sign allotments.
STAFF COMMENT: Such devices would be counted as part of a properties
sign allotment.
• A Board member asked if the proposed amendments would prohibit flashing or
blinking lights as part of a sign?
STAFF COMMENT: Section 6.12.6 Prohibited Signs contains language
prohibiting flashing, blinking, moving, or pulsating signage.
• A Board member asked if real estate signs would still be allowed.
STAFF COMMENT: Real estate signs advertising the sale of property are still
allowed.
• A Board member asked if the County could still regulate billboards.
STAFF COMMENT: We can still regulate the location of billboards (i.e.
limiting them to specific zoning districts) we just cannot regulate their content.
• A Board member asked how special event signs would be handled.
STAFF COMMENT: The allowance of such signage is based on the
underlying zoning of the property. Such signage is prohibited on residential
property.
• The Planning Director asked if farms are exempt from sign regulations?
STAFF COMMENT: As farms are exempt from zoning regulations they would
be exempt from sign regulations.
• A Board member asked if the proposed sign regulations will be enforceable in
public rights-of-ways?
STAFF COMMENT: The County does not have enforcement authority within
23
5
rights-of-way maintained by the State.
April 6, 2016 – Review and recommendation.
b. Advisory Boards:
N/A
c. Local Government Review:
N/A
d. Notice Requirements
Legal advertisement published in accordance with the provisions of the UDO.
e. Outreach:
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Modification of existing language will not require the outlay of additional funds by the
County. Processing of the amendment shall be handled by staff utilizing existing
budgeted funds.
b. AMENDMENT IMPLICATIONS
The amendment will allow for larger freestanding and wall signs for projects where there
is adequate road frontage necessitating the development of additional advertising space
and clarify what constitutes a blinking/flashing sign to aid in enforcement efforts. It will
also ensure County sign regulations are legally sufficient given the recent Gilbert US
Supreme Court case.
c. SPECIFIC AMENDMENT LANGUAGE
Please refer to Attachment 3.
General Public:
Small Area Plan Workgroup:
Other:
24
6
Primary Staff Contact:
Michael D. Harvey
Planning
(919) 245-2597
mharvey@orangecountync.gov
25
STATEMENT OF CONSISTENCY
OF A PROPOSED UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT
WITH THE ADOPTED ORANGE COUNTY 2030 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Orange County has initiated an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance
(UDO) to modify existing sign regulations.
The Planning Board finds:
a. The requirements of Section 2.8 of the UDO have been deemed complete; and,
b. Pursuant to Sections 1.1.5, and 1.1.7 of the UDO and to Section 153A-341 of the
North Carolina General Statutes, the Board finds sufficient documentation within
the record denoting that the amendment is consistent with the adopted 2030
Comprehensive Plan.
1. The amendment is consistent with applicable plans because it supports the
following 2030 Comprehensive Plan goals and objectives:
Land Use Goal 6: A land use planning process that is transparent, fair,
open, efficient, and responsive.
c. The amendment is reasonable and in the public interest because it:
1. Revises existing regulations to ensure compliance with the recent US
Supreme Court case Reed versus Town of Gilbert.
2. Clarifies regulations governing the use of electronic displays on signage.
3. Provides additional sign area for non-residential projects on larger parcels.
The Planning Board of Orange County hereby recommends that the Board of County
Commissioners consider adoption of the proposed UDO text amendment.
______________________ ________________________
Lydia Wegman, Chair Date
Attachment 2
26
Article 5: Uses
Section 5.5: Standards for Residential Uses
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-41
a. Up to 500 square feet of outdoor storage area may be
permitted in conjunction with major home occupations
provided that it is:
i. Clearly defined on the site plan and on the
ground.
ii. Setback standards for outdoor storage space
shall be determined with the approved Special
Use Permit and in no case be less than 40 feet
from all property lines; and
iii. Totally screened from the view from the road
and from adjacent property in the same manner
required for accessory buildings.
5.5.4 Mobile Home Parks
(A) Standards for MHP-CZ
(1) Permitted Uses and Structures
In addition to Mobile Homes, as defined by this Ordinance, the following
accessory structures and uses shall be permitted:
(a) Caretaker's or manager's home or office.
(b) Service buildings and areas necessary to provide washing and drying
machines for domestic laundry, sanitation, rest rooms, storage, vending
machines, and other similar services provided by the facility for the use
and convenience of the mobile home park tenants.
(c) Recreation buildings/facilities and areas serving only the mobile home
park in which they are located.
(d) Customary accessory buildings and facilities necessary for operation of
the mobile home park in which they are located.
(e) Storage buildings for individual mobile home spaces and intended for the
exclusive use of the occupants of the mobile home space.
(f) Fenced, communal storage areas provided by the park operator for
boats, campers, and other accessory vehicles belonging to park
residents.
(g) Sales of mobile homes already located on approved and established
mobile home stand spaces.
(2) Mobile Home Stand Space Requirements
(a) A mobile home park shall be divided into mobile home spaces, each
having an area of at least 5,000 square feet and a minimum width of at
least 50 feet. However, the Orange County Health Department may
increase the minimum area requirements for the park and/or individual
stand spaces where necessary to be consistent with groundwater
resources and/or the limitations of providing sewage disposal systems
for the proposed mobile home park.
(b) Only one mobile home and its customary accessory buildings may be
erected on any mobile home stand space at one time.
(3) Mobile Home Stand Requirements
27
Article 5: Uses
Section 5.5: Standards for Residential Uses
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-42
Each mobile home must be placed on a permanent stand in accordance with the
following specifications:
(a) The location of each mobile home stand must be at an elevation,
distance and angle in relation to the adjacent access drive or street such
that placement and removal of the mobile home is practical by means of
customary moving equipment.
(b) The surface of each mobile home stand and the area around it shall be
graded where necessary to provide proper drainage and prevent the
accumulation of water.
(c) Each mobile home stand shall have a solid base surface consisting of at
least three inches of compacted fill dirt, crusher run or Chapel Hill gravel,
or paved slab, and it shall comply with those standards specified in the
State of North Carolina Regulations for Mobile Homes and Modular
Housing. Prior to installation of the base surface, all top soil shall be
removed from the area to be occupied by the mobile home stand.
(4) Separation Requirements
The following separation requirements shall pertain to every mobile home, single
or double wide, within a mobile home park.
(a) Each mobile home shall be located at least 20 feet from another mobile
home and/or building within the mobile home park, external to the
individual mobile home stand space. For purposes of determining
separation requirements, all attached structures, including storage
buildings, carports and covered porches, will be considered part of a
mobile home.
(b) Each mobile home shall be located at least 22 feet from the right of way
line or edge of pavement of an access drive or street providing access to
the space on which the mobile home is located, whichever is greater.
(c) A detached accessory structure located within an individual mobile home
stand space and intended for the use of the occupants of the space shall
be located at least five feet from any mobile home or other building.
(5) Installation of Individual Mobile Homes
(a) Each mobile home shall be set up and installed in accordance with
standards specified in the State of North Carolina Regulations for Mobile
Homes and Modular Housing.
(b) The owner/operator of a mobile home park shall designate a uniform
type of solid foundation enclosure or skirting fully enclosing the crawl
space beneath each mobile home in the mobile home park. Foundation
enclosures or skirting must be installed in accordance with applicable
standards of the North Carolina State Building Code and, in any event,
within 90 days of placement of a mobile home on a mobile home space.
(c) Access shall be provided to all entrances of a mobile home by way of
steps (including handrails) installed in accordance with the standards of
the North Carolina State Building Code. Where the residents of a mobile
home choose to install decks adjacent to entrances, the mobile home will
be required to have steps and handrails which meet the standards of the
North Carolina State Building Code until the decks are completed.
(6) Vehicular Access
(a) Each mobile home space shall abut an improved access drive or street
approved by the County.
28
Article 5: Uses
Section 5.5: Standards for Residential Uses
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-43
(b) No mobile home space shall have direct vehicular access to a street or
thoroughfare other than those located within the mobile home park.
(c) The street layout within the mobile home park should be appropriately
related to the topography, locations of abutting land uses, drainage
patterns, street function and other natural features of the site.
(d) The planned layout of streets should minimize overall length of streets
and provide for the safe, continuous flow of traffic within the mobile home
park.
(e) All streets within a mobile home park shall be located within a 40 foot
right of way
(f) The travelway for all streets shall be at least 18 feet in width and must
comply with the drainage standards established in this Ordinance.
(g) All streets shall be constructed with paved, all-weather surfaces
consisting of four inches of base material (crusher run) and 1 ½ inches of
1 2 asphalt or tar and gravel surface treatment consisting of a minimum
of six inches of base material (crusher run) covered with alternating
layers of tar and pea sized gravel.
(h) Every street within a mobile home park shall have a maintained six foot
wide shoulder running parallel and adjacent to each side of the paved
street surface. The shoulder section may be used for walkways,
driveways, grass or low growing vegetative ground cover or utility rights
of way.
(i) The maximum length of a cul-de-sac shall be 800 feet. Cul de sacs shall
have a paved turnaround radius of 45 feet with a right of way radius of 55
feet.
(j) No street shall intersect another street at an angle less than 60 degrees.
(k) The turning radius at street intersections shall not be less than 30 feet.
(l) Offset intersections are to be avoided, but where permitted, they shall be
separated by a minimum distance of 200 feet between street center
lines.
(m) Where streets serving a mobile home park intersect with a State
maintained street, the intersection design shall conform to the standards
of the North Carolina Department of Transportation specified in
Subdivision Roads Minimum Construction Standards.
(n) Required off street parking spaces must be surfaced with at least four
inches of compacted crushed stone or an all weather paved surface.
(7) Signs
(a) There shall be no more than one double faced sign per park entrance
announcing the name of the mobile home park, limited to 16 square feet
in area with the top of such sign no higher than ten feet above ground
level. In addition to the name of the mobile home park, such signs shall
identify the name of the park owner/manager and his or her phone
number.1
(b)(a) Any sign erected on-site shall comply with the standards established in
Section 6.12 of this Ordinance.
1 As we can no longer ‘require’ or regulate sign content staff is recommending the existing lanauge be deleted.
29
Article 5: Uses
Section 5.5: Standards for Residential Uses
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-44
(c)(b) Traffic control signs (stop, yield, speed limit, children playing signs, etc.)
meeting the standards of the Uniform Traffic Control Manual shall be
placed throughout the mobile home park where necessary. Cul-de-sacs
shall have ‘Dead End’ street signs erected at the entrance to such
streets.
(8) Street Names, Signs & Unit Numbering
(a) All street names shall be approved by the Orange County Planning
Department and street signs shall be constructed to Orange County
standards. All street signs must be installed outside the right-of-way at
all intersections.
(b) Each applicant must submit to the Planning Department for approval a
mobile home space numbering/location system for the park, based on
the equal interval house numbering system employed by Orange County.
Upon approval of the mobile home park, the applicant shall submit an
approved copy of the space numbering/location system to the
emergency services/fire protection agency responsible for providing such
services to the Mobile Home Park.
(c) Each mobile home stand space shall have a permanent site number sign
consistent with the following:2
(i) The site number sign shall be composed of reflective materials
or contrasting colors,
(ii) The number on the sign shall be at least six inches or greater in
height,
(iii) The sign shall be affixed to the mobile home when the unit is
placed on the stand space, at a point six feet or more above
ground level, and
(iv) The number on the sign shall match that number assigned to the
space on the approved space numbering/location system plan.
(9) Grounds and Buildings
(a) The grounds of a mobile home park shall be maintained free of litter,
debris and trash, including but not limited to abandoned appliances,
automobiles, building materials or similar materials.
(b) Grounds, buildings and storage areas within the mobile home park shall
be maintained to prevent the growth of ragweed, poison ivy, poison oak
and other noxious weeds.
(10) Mail Facilities
(a) Each mobile home park shall provide a clustered mail delivery system, in
compliance with the appropriate postal service guidelines. Applicants for
approval of a mobile home park shall consult the appropriate agency for
the specific requirements of this system.
(b) Access to the mail delivery facility must be designed to allow three to
four cars to stop at the mail delivery facility without conflict from passing
vehicles.
(11) Garbage & Refuse Collection
2 Staff is recommending this language remain. There are similar allowances for residential structures to have
property address numbers within Section 6.12.
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Article 5: Uses
Section 5.6: Standards for Commercial Uses
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-49
(3) Outdoor storage for bulk goods shall be limited to 1,500 square feet per acre of
the zoning lot.
5.6.4 Junkyards
(A) Standards for Class A Special Use Permit
(1) Submittal Requirements –
In addition to the information required by Section 2.7, the following information
shall be supplied as part of the application for approval of this use:
(a) Detailed plans and specifications for the site screening proposed.
(b) Description of type and number of motorized machines to be employed
upon site.
(c) Indicate on the site plan the extent of area to be used for the storage of
junked or wrecked motor vehicles
(2) Standards for Evaluation -
(a) The site shall be screened from adjacent property by a minimum of an
eight foot high solid fence or equal, uninterrupted except for required
vehicle access points.
(b) No materials shall be stored closer than 50 feet to the public right of way
or 30 feet to the property lines.
(c) Site is of adequate size to protect adjacent properties from adverse
effects of the junkyard.
5.6.5 Kennels (Class II)
(A) Standards for Class B Special Use Permit
(1) Submittal Requirements –
In addition to the information required by Section 2.7, the following information
shall be supplied as part of the application for approval of this use:
(a) Plans for all kennels, exercise yards, dog runs, pens and related
improvements, including signage.
(b) Site plan showing the improvements listed in a) above, other structures
on the same lot, and structures on adjacent property.
(2) Standards of Evaluation –
(a) The site is of adequate size to protect adjacent properties from adverse
effects of the kennel.
(b) No part of any building, structure, dog run, pen, or exercise yard in which
animals are housed or exercised shall be closer than 150 feet from a
property line, except property occupied by the owner/operator of the
kennel.
(i) The 150 foot setback established by this section shall not apply if
all portions of the facility, in which animals are housed, are
wholly enclosed within a building.
(ii) For Class II Kennels developed within the EDE-2 zoning district,
this setback shall not apply to dog training activities where each
dog is under the immediate control of its trainer, owner, or other
responsible individual.
(iii) For Class II Kennels developed within the EDE-2 zoning district,
all buildings, structures, dog runs, pens, or exercise yards in
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Article 5: Uses
Section 5.6: Standards for Commercial Uses
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-50
which animals are housed or exercised shall observe the
principal setbacks established within Section 3.7 of the UDO in
those instances where the property abuts other EDE-2 zoned
property and US Highway 70.
(c) Any kennel, including primary enclosures or runs, which is not wholly
enclosed within a building shall be enclosed by a security fence at least
six feet in height.
(d) The site plan shows parking, access areas and screening devices for all
buildings and animal boarding facilities existing or proposed for the
property.
(e) The site plan shall be reviewed by the Orange County Animal Services
Department, and found in conformance with the Animal Control
Ordinance.
(f) Building plans for all kennel facilities shall be reviewed and approved by
the Orange County Animal Services Department prior to issuance of any
building permits.
(g) A sign clearly visible from the ground shall be posted at the main
entrance to the facility and shall contain the names, addresses, and
telephone numbers where persons responsible for the facility may be
contacted at any hour of the day or night. The signAll proposed signage
shall comply with dimensional requirements as set forth within this
Ordinance.
(h) A Class II Kennel Permit shall be obtained from Orange County Animal
Services within the first 30 days of occupancy. Failure to obtain and
maintain a valid Class II Kennel Permit or other related permits which
may be required by the USDA or Wildlife Resources Commission will
result in revocation of the Special Use Permit.
5.6.6 Rural Guest Establishment: Bed & Breakfast
(A) General Standards
(1) Submittal Requirements
(a) A site plan, prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.5,
containing the following: (Per Section.2.5.2 professional design and
certification is not required for Rural Guest Establishments with three
guestrooms or less—bed & breakfasts.)
(i) Location, width, and type of all internal vehicular and pedestrian
circulation, and parking requirements.
(ii) Location and dimensions of all on site signage.
(iii) Boundaries of the site.
(iv) Location of well and septic system.
(b) Description of the proposed use(s) of the site and the buildings thereon,
including the following:
(i) Amount of area allocated to each use.
(ii) Number of full and part time employees.
(iii) Number of clients and/or occupants expected to use the facility.
(iv) Proposed hours of operation for non residential uses of the site
and within buildings thereon.
32
Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.12: Signs
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-79
It is the intent of this section to require minimum light levels during established business
hours or in those instances where members of the general public will be on-site to ensure
public safety.
(B) Pedestrian walkways and plazas must be lighted and fixtures mounted at a lower height
for security and to create an inviting pedestrian environment.
(C) Accent lighting must also be provided to illuminate such key locations as building and
driveway entries, and activity areas.
(D) Lighting for the purpose of illuminating landmarks and unique features of the site is also
encouraged.
(E) All light fixtures are to be concealed source fixtures except for pedestrian-oriented accent
lights.
(F) Security lighting fixtures or floodlights must not project over the fascia or roof line of the
building(s).
(G) Parking area and driveway fixtures should be mounted at or below a maximum height of
25 feet above the surface of the parking area or driveway.
(H) The design of light fixtures and structural supports must be compatible with the
architecture of the principal building(s) and identification signs.
(I) Where building faces are illuminated, lighting fixtures must be integrated within the
architectural design of the buildings.
(J) Ground-mounted lighting fixtures must be weather-proof and vandal resistant.
(K) Hillsborough EDD
In addition to the standards established above, the following standards shall apply within
the Hillsborough EDD:
(1) Lighting must be high efficiency lighting systems and lighting levels must be
reduced during non-use hours to promote energy conservation.
(2) 12:1 minimum/maximum glare ratio.
(3) Maximum footcandles = 80
SECTION 6.12: SIGNS
6.12.1 Purpose and Intent
The purpose of this Section is to regulate the type, placement and physical dimensions of all
signs in the interest of public health, safety and welfare, while recognizing the their need for signs
within the business community.3
It is the intent of this section to regulate signs on a per lot basis in conjunction with the zoning
designation of the lot as described on the current tax roll the Official Zoning Atlas 4weather
whether 5a sign is directly visible from a street right-of-way or not.
3 Signs are allowed throughout the County for various reasons having nothing to do with the ‘business community’.
The language is unnecessary and is being recommended for deletion.
4 The ‘current tax roll’ does not display zoning information.
5 Correcting a spelling error
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Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.12: Signs
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-80
6.12.2 Outdoor Advertising Signs- Applicability6
The provisions of this ArticleSection 6.12 establish standards and review criteria relating to the
location, erection, maintenance, lighting, setbacks, and use of signs. This includes regulations
pertaining to outdoor advertising (i.e. Billboards) signage.
The regulation and permitting of outdoor advertisingsignage is also subject to State requirements,
including the State Outdoor Advertising Control Act, and Federal requirements. In cases where
there is a conflict between County regulations and State or Federal regulations, relating to the
location, erection, maintenance, lighting, setbacks and use of outdoor advertising signage, the
corresponding State or Federal law shall take precedent.
In cases where there is no applicable State/Federal standard, then existing County regulations
shall be enforced.
6.12.3 General Requirements
(A) No sign of any type nor any part thereof shall be erected, painted, posted, reposted,
placed, replaced, or hung in any zoning district except in compliance with these
regulations.
(B) No person shall erect or maintain a sign, and no property owner shall allow a sign to be
erected or maintained on his their 7property, except in conformity with these regulations.
(C) Unless otherwise permitted, aA Zoning Compliance Permit approved in accordance with
the provisions of this Ordinance shall be required prior to erecting a sign, unless
otherwise permitted.
(D) A permit shall be required when a change in the use the property requires the alteration
of an existing sign face. 8
(D)(E) for A permit shall be required to allow for change of copy of an existing signthe alteration
of an existing sign structure, for any sign when the use of the premises changes, or when
an existing sign is altered., however noThis does not include permit will be required forthe
changinge of copy on a changeable message or reader board sign.9
(E)(F) In no case shall decorative features or landscaping at the base of a sign obstruct the view
of motorists.
(F)(G) Sign Locations
(1) All signs shall be located outside the sight visibility triangle (see Section 6.2.10).
(2) No sign, including supporting frames or base, shall be located within five feet of a
public right-of-way.
(3) No sign may be attached, affixed, or painted upon any utility poles, governmental
signs, trees, rocks, or other similar natural object within the public right-of-way.
(4) No sign shall be permitted on the side street frontage of a corner lot if the lot is
located 10within 100 feet of a residential district.
6In reviewing the existing language with the Attorney’s office it was determined the regulation(s) were content
based. At the Attorney’s suggestion we are revising the existing section to outline the applicability of regulations
as a whole rather than just ‘fixate’ on a specific type of sign (i.e. a billboard). As revised the section will have the
same impact(s) as before but will apply to all signage erected within the County.
7 Staff is changing language to eliminate gender specific references.
8 Staff is attempting to clarify and simply the requirements of this section.
9 We received a review comment expressing concern over keeping existing language all within subsection (D),
specifically that it could be misinterpreted as to what was actually required. Staff has split the existing language
into 2 new subsections.
10 This language was a holdover from the old Ordinance. Both staff and the attorney’s office believed the
regulation, as originally worded, was confusing and modified it accordingly to ensure an enforceable standard.
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Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.12: Signs
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-81
(G)(H) Illuminated Signs
(1) No illuminated sign shall be so designed or placed that direct or reflected light or
glare constitutes a hazard or annoyance to motorists or occupants of adjoining
properties.
(2) Signs shall be illuminated in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance.
(I) Signage shall comply with all state and county building codes and the National Electric
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 Code
specifications, provided that no sign shall be installed closer than ten feet horizontally or
vertically from any conductor or public utility guy wire. 11
6.12.4 Determination of Sign Area
(A) For the purposes of this Ordinance, sign area includes all lettering, wording, designs and
symbols, together with the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are
displayed. The supporting structure or bracing of a sign shall be omitted in measuring the
area of the sign unless such structure or bracing is made part of the message or face of
the sign. Any backlit area shall be considered part of the face of the sign 12 the area of
display surface of a sign shall be computed as including the entire area visible from any
one point, within a regular geometric from or combination or forms, comprising all of the
display area of the surface and including all of the elements within the display area and
the sign frame, including the lattice work, frame, border molding, lettering and display
area incidental to the sign’s decoration. This does not include structural members or
other support mechanisms not bearing advertisement material.
(B) In the case of wall-mounted signs without a border or frame, the surface area shall
include such reasonable and proportionate space as would be required if a border or
frame were used:
(C) Examples:
Figure 6.12.4: Example Sign Size Measurement
All three of these signs would have the same size sign face, as measured by the smallest rectangle/polygon
encompassing the outer limits of the characters and/or images making up the sign.
11 This language was originally contained in Section 6.12.12 and the standard was applicable only to On‐premise
and Off‐premise (i.e. billboard) signs. Staff was concerned some could argue, as currently denoted, other types of
signage would not have to comply with applicable building codes. By relocating this requirement to this specific
section all signage, regardless of classification or type, will have to comply with denoted standards.
12 Language making specific reference to ‘backlit’ areas of a sign being included as part of the sign area calculation
to address a concern of the Planning Director, specifically existing language did not include same potentially
allowing for a larger sign structure.
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Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.12: Signs
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-82
The “golden arches” at McDonald’s are ‘symbols’ integral to the sign message and would be included in the
computation of the sign area.
6.12.5 Exempt Signs
The following permitted signs are considered exempt and do not require the issuance of a Zoning
Compliance Permit:
(A) Signs erected by a governmental agency to regulate, control, or direct vehicular or
pedestrian traffic;12
(B)(A) Legal notices, warnings, regulatory or informational signsSigns erected by a public
government agency including those regulating, controlling, or directing vehicular or
pedestrian traffic;13
(C)(B) Signs erected within a public right-of-way maintained by the North Carolina Department
of Transportation (NC DOT);14
(D)(C) Signs required by law;
(E) “No trespassing” signs, not exceeding six square feet in area; 15
(F) Real estate signs, not exceeding four square feet in area;15
(G)(D) United State, State of North Carolina, or Orange County Flags, emblems or insignia of
any national, state or political subdivision;
(H)(E) Property number signs not exceeding two four square foot in area with no more than 2
individual signs allowed per propertya and bearing only address numbers of premises or
other identification of premises not having commercial connotations;15
(I)(F) Holiday decorations in season that do not contain or display a commercial message;15
(J)(G) Signs on trash receptacles, indicating the owner or party responsible for maintenance;
(K)(H) Hazardous chemical identification/notification signs on residential and non-residential
structures;16
(L)(I) Signs on newspaper boxes;
(M)(J) Private drive signs, one per drive entrance, not exceeding two square feet in area, with
the message content limited to the words "Private Drive" and the address of any
residences utilizing the private roadway;15
13 We do not use the term ‘public agency’ within this section of the UDO. We make reference to a ‘government
agency’. The amendment is necessary to ensure consistency. The Attorney’s office also recommended deleting
unnecessary language trying to ‘qualify’ the types of signs a government agency can erect. As a result staff is
eliminating subsection (A) altogether and exempting any sign erected by a government agency from permit review.
14 NC DOT has their own rules/procedures with respect to signs erected within public rights‐of‐way.
15 Again, language is being eliminated to ensure compliance with the recent Reed versus Town of Gilbert US
Supreme Court decision
16 Language eliminated after being deemed redundant.
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Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.12: Signs
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-83
(N)(K) Security and warning signsSigns posted on private property warning the public against
trespassing, or similar messages, provided that any such sign does not exceeding two
square feet in area; and..
(O) Political Signs, in accordance with the following standards:17
(1) Political Signs are allowed in all zoning districts.
(2) A Zoning Compliance Permit shall not be required to allow for the placement of a
political sign on private property.
(3) There shall be no limit to the number of political signs that can be placed on
private property so long as the placement of these signs complies with the
provisions of this Ordinance and the signs do not create a public safety hazard.
(4) Within residential zoning districts, political signs shall not exceed nine square feet
in area or four feet in height.
(5) Within non-residential zoning districts, political signs shall not exceed the
maximum allowable sign area permitted for freestanding signs.
(6) Political signs shall only be erected 90 days prior to the established date of a
general election, school board election, referendum, special election, primary, or
other similar political activity.
(7) Political signs shall be removed within 21 days after an election.
(8) Political signs shall be allowed within rights-of-way of the State highway system
only in accordance with State law.
(9) Political signs shall not be allowed on telephone poles, utility poles, trees, other
similar natural objects, and other signs or sign structures.
6.12.6 Prohibited Signs
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:
(A) Advertising signs Any Ssigns resembling or mimicking traffic signals, traffic signs,
emergency vehicles’ flashing lights, non-governmental sanctioned signs utilizing the
words ‘stop’, ‘slow’, ‘caution’, ‘danger’, or any sign that is likely to be misconstrued by the
traveling public as being official governmental signs or emergency warnings, or which by
their distracting nature create a hazard to motoriststraffic signs; 17
(B) Signs, except for off-premises signs allowed under this Section, advertising an activity,
business, product or service no longer conducted on the premises upon which the sign is
located. Such signage shall be removed within 90 days from the date of termination of
such activity. Upon failure of the owner to remove such signs within the prescribed time,
the Planning Director shall take appropriate legal action to have such sign removed All
signs located on property where previously approved land use(s) have ceased for more
than 90 days shall be removed;18
(C) Signs with Fflashing, blinking, or pulsating components or, signs or signs with moving
parts except for signs showing time of day and temperature that are part of an approved
sign advertising a permitted business activity on a parcel of property;19
17 In consultation with the County Attorney we are eliminating language that could be construed as establishing
prohibitions or allowances based on a signs content
18Staff and the Attorney’s office have wrestled with existing language in an attempt to develop ‘content neutral’
regulation. Our goals is to provide a mechanism to require the removal of signage from a parcel where there is no
longer an identifiable use of said property. The revised wording is an attempt to craft a content neutral standard
that still allows us the authority to require removal of signage from an unused property.
19 In consultation with the County Attorney we are eliminating language that could be construed as establishing
prohibitions or allowances based on a signs content.
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Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.12: Signs
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-84
(D) Signs with electronic moveable copy, scrolling messages, or other similar electronic
displays designed to change display more than once an hour or a maximum of 8 times in
a 24 hour period;20
(E) Signs, other than traffic, governmental, street name signs, political signs erected in
accordance with State law, or other official governmental or public agency signs, shall not
be permitted within any street private street right-of-way;21
(F) Roof signs;
(G) Snipe signs;
(H) Beacon lights, animated signs, and trailer signs and snipe signs;22
(I)(G) Portable signs, unless approved for a special event in accordance with Section
6.12.11(D)13(C);23
(J)(H) Signs supported in whole or in part by water, gas, air, or could otherwise be designated
as inflatable signs; Individuals erecting an inflatable sign shall be subject to an immediate
notice of violation and shall be required to remove the sign within the time frame it would
normally take to deflate the sign, unless approved for a special event in accordance with
Section 6.12.11(D)13 (C);23
(K)(I) Signs mounted on a single pole or mast;
(L) Signs that contain rotating sign panels or objects;22
(M)(J) Signs that obstruct ingress and egress to any door, window, fire escape, stairway, ladder,
or other opening intended to provide light, air, ingress, or egress for any room or building;
and
(N)(K) Signs that violate any provision of any law of the State of North Carolina relative to
outdoor advertising.
(L) Signs erected on telecommunication facilities or support structures other than those
required by local, State, or Federal law.24
(O)(M) Signs containing lewd or lascivious letters, words, displays, or characters25
6.12.7 Submittal Requirements
In order to erect a sign, other than exempt signs, a Zoning Compliance Permit application must
be submitted and approved in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.4 and the following
specific submittal requirements:
(A) A drawing to scale showing the design of the sign, including dimensions, method of
attachment or support, source of illumination. If attached to a structure, the drawing must
indicate where on the structure it will be installed;
(B) A plot plan drawn to scale indicating the location of the sign relative to property lines,
easements, buildings, streets and other on-premise signs;
20 Staff is proposing a universal standard for what constitutes electronic changeable copy to ensure proper
enforcement. In reviewing the standard with the Attorney’s office there does not appear to be concern over
establishing limits on the number of times in a given day the display can change.
21 As we have no authority to regulate signage within NC DOT rights‐of‐ways we are amending the language within
this section accordingly.
22 Regulation/prohibitions are now covered under Section 6.12.6 (C).
23 Regulations governing special event displays has been moved. This is the new section reference.
24 From time to time staff receives requests to allow signage on telecommunication facilities. To date we have
forbidden such placement. We are including language within the UDO formalizing this prohibition.
25 Language formerly contained in Section 6.12.7 (C) moved here on advice from the Attorney’s office.
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Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.12: Signs
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-85
(C) Sign copy shall be submitted for all proposed signs to the Planning department for review
and approval. No sign shall have lewd or lascivious letters, words, or characters
designating the same; and 26
(D)(C) Sign plans shall be submitted to the Planning Department for approval prior to the
Building Inspector issuing a Building Permit. A record of such applications and actions
taken shall be kept in the Planning Department.
6.12.8 Expiration of Permits
(A) Notwithstanding other provisions of this Section, zoning compliance permits for signs
shall expire within 180 days from the date of issuance unless within that time the work
authorized by the permit has been completed.
(B) If a zoning compliance permit for a sign expires, no further work to construct, erect,
move, enlarge, illuminate, or alter the sign may take place unless a new zoning
compliance permit is obtained. The applicant shall be subject to all regulations applicable
at the time a new application is submitted.
(C) No person may continue to operate, maintain, or leave standing any sign or part or
component thereof for more than 30 days after the permit authorizing such sign has
expired, unless a new sign application has been submitted and the Planning Director
authorizes the sign, or portion thereof to remain
6.12.9 Permit Revocation
(A) The Planning Director may revoke any zoning compliance permit for a sign issued in
accordance with this Section and Section 2.4 for any of the following reasons:
(1) Issuance of the permit under a mistake of material fact when, had the correct fact
been known, the permit would not have been issued;
(2) Misrepresentation of a material fact by the applicant for a sign permit; and
(3) Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Section, except that a permit
for a nonconforming sign may not be revoked so long as the nonconforming
situation is allowed to continue pursuant to the provisions of this Ordinance.
(B) Before revoking a zoning compliance permit for a sign, the Planning Director shall give
the permit holder 20 days notice by certified mail of his/her intent to revoke the permit
and shall inform the permit holder of the reasons for the proposed revocation and of
his/her right to obtain an informal hearing on the allegations.
(C) If the permit is revoked, the Planning Director shall provide to the permit holder owner a
written statement of the decision and the reasons thereof. The Planning Director shall
also inform the permit holder of his/her right to appeal the decision to the Board of
Adjustment.
(D) No person may continue to operate, maintain, or leave standing any sign or part or
component thereof for more than 30 days after the permit authorizing such sign has been
revoked in accordance with this Section.
6.12.10 Maintenance
All signs, together with braces, guys and other supports shall be kept in good repair. If at any
time a sign should be abandoned, declared unsafe, or deemed poorly maintained, the Planning
Director shall notify the owner of the sign of such condition. Failure of the owner to correct the
maintenance condition shall cause the Planning Director to take appropriate legal action to have
the sign removed.
26 In consultation with the County Attorney we are eliminating language that could be construed as establishing
prohibitions or allowances based on a signs content.
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Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.12: Signs
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-86
6.12.11 Signs Permitted in All Zoning Districts27 Signs Permitted in Residential Zoning Districts
The following sign allotments shall be permitted within the zoning districts indicated, in
accordance with all other provisions of this Section and specific standards for each sign
established herein:
(A) Table of Allowable Sign Area – Residential Land Uses
RB AR, R-1, R-2, R-3,
R-4, R-5, R-8, R-13
MPD-CZ (Residential
Development Only)
Cumulative
Allowable Sign
Area Per
Parcel for
Residential
land Uses
4864
square feet 6472 square feet 140 square feet
Cumulative
Allowable Sign
Area Per
Parcel for
Allowable Non-
residential
Land Uses.28
124 square
feet 140 square feet 200 square feet
(B) Specific Sign Standards
(1) No sign in a residential zoning districton property used to support a residential
land use shall be more than 12 square feet in area.
(2) There shall be no more than 6 signs allowed on a property either zoned or used
to support a residential land use.
(3) Signs shall be setback ten feet from all property lines or the edge of any existing
or projected street right-of-way.
(4) Signage for a non-residential land use or project located on residentially zoned
property shall comply with the requirements of Section 6.12.12 (B) (1) of this
Ordinance.29
The following signs are permitted in all zoning districts with the issuance of a zoning compliance
permit, in accordance with the requirements of this Section and the additional standards for each
sign established herein:30
(a) Permanent Identification Signs for Subdivisions, Multi-family Developments,
Mobile Home Parks, and Schools
27 After reviewing with the County Attorney’s office it has been determined this entire section is written from the
standpoint of establishing regulations based on the ‘content’ of a sign. This revised section will address allowable
signage within residential zoning districts only. 28 In an effort to address the County attorney’s concerns over ensuring content neutral sign regulations we are
proposing to establish cumulative sign allotments for developments and/or projects within general use residential
zoning districts.
29 This language is intended to ensure signage for non‐residential projects complies with the general sign standards
contained within the revised UDO.
30 In consultation with the County Attorney all regulations currently contained within Section 6.12.11 Sign
Standards for Specific Uses are content based regulations and illegal due to the recent US Supreme Court decision.
As a result staff has deleted the existing language.
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Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.12: Signs
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-87
(2) Identification signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and six feet in height.
(3) Developments shall be limited to two signs at each point of ingress/egress.
(4) Signs shall be placed outside of the site visibility triangle so as not to obstruct the
view of traffic.
(5) Signs may be illuminated in such a fashion so as not to affect the view of
motorists. 31
(B) Signs for Non-profit Organizations on Premise
(1) Signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area.
(2) Signs may not display any advertising matter or logo.
(3) Signs may not be illuminated.
(C) Off-Premise Religious Facility Signs
(1) Signs shall identify the name and/or location of a religious facility.
(2) Signs shall not exceed six square feet in area and may not be illuminated or
contain moving parts.
(3) Signs must be placed on a legal lot of record and the applicant shall provide a
notarized statement from all owners of property allowing the off-premise sign to
be erected on their property. There shall be only one off-premise religious facility
sign permitted per parcel and a maximum of two per intersection.
(4) The placement of a off-premise religious facility sign shall be treated as an
accessory use of property.
(D) Special Event Displays
(1) Signs or banners shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
(2) All displays must be located outside of the right-of-way and have approval of
property owners when located on private property.
(3) Pennants
(a) Pennants may be displayed during the special event to attract attention
but only within 30 feet of the principal area where the special event is
occurring.
(b) Pennants must be installed at a minimum height of 18 feet above grade
to ensure adequate height clearance for vehicles underneath.
(4) Portable Signs
(a) Sites shall be limited to one portable sign per right-of-way frontage.
However, there shall be no more than two portable signs permitted on-
site at one time.
(b) Signs shall be limited to 16 square feet in area, per sign face.
(c) Signs shall be located in accordance with Section 6.12.3(F).
(5) Inflatable Signs
(a) No more than one inflatable sign shall be permitted on-site at one time.
(b) Inflatable signs shall not exceed 25 feet in height.
(c) Signs shall be located a minimum of 25 feet from all property lines.
(6) Special Event Displays may only be erected for a two week period and must be
removed within five days following the event.
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Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.12: Signs
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-88
(E) Signs Advertising Agricultural Products Produced on the Premises
(1) Shall not exceed 32 square feet.
(2) Shall be limited to two signs per parcel.
(F) Temporary Construction and Financial Institution Signs
(1) Shall not exceed 24 square feet in area, per sign;
(2) May not to exceed two signs per building site;
(3) Signs shall be erected only after a Building Permit authorizing construction on-
site has been issued; and
(4) Signs must be removed within seven days after construction work has been
completed and the certificate of occupancy has been issued.
(G) Directional/Informational Signs
(1) May be displayed on parcels of property utilized for non-residential purposes.
(2) May not exceed two square feet in area.
(3) May contain corporate logos or other similar graphical displays so long as they
provide some necessary information to patrons (i.e. entrance and exit locations,
one-way entrance ways, drive through entranceways, ATM location, etc.).
(4) A maximum of three directional/informational signs may be displayed on a non-
residential parcel of property.
(H) Temporary Real Estate Signs, in excess of four square feet in area
(1) One sign shall be permitted per building site, not to exceed 24 square feet in
area.
(2) Signs shall not be placed within any public street right-of-way.
(3) Signs must be removed after property has been transferred.
(I) Landmark Signs
Signs shall be erected only after the historical significance of the particular site has been
verified and that proposed location of the sign has been approved by the Orange County
Planning Department and all other related agencies (i.e. NC Department of
Transportation).
6.12.12 Signs Permitted in Specific Non-Residential Zoning Districts
The following signs cumulative sign allotments shall be permitted within the zoning districts
indicated, in accordance with all other provisions of this Section and specific standards for each
sign established herein:
(A) Table of Allowable Sign Area – Nonresidential Land Uses
LC-1, NC-2,
EC-5, E-I
CC-3, GC-4,
I1,
EDB-1, EDE-
1, REDA-CZ
OI, 1-2,
1-3, AS,
ASE-CZ
EDB-2,
EDE-2,
MPD-CZ
EDH-1,
EDH-2,
EDH-3
EDH-4,
EDH-5
Cumulative
Allowable Sign
Area Per
Parcel
172 square
feet
224 square
feet
264
square
feet
300
square
feet
172 square
feet
224
square
feet
(A)(B) On-Premise Commercial Specific Signs Standards
(1) Residential land use of non-residentially zoned property shall be limited to a
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cumulative allowable sign area limit of 64 square feet per parcel and shall abide
by the restrictions contained in Section 6.12.11 (B) of the Ordinance
(1)(2) Freestanding or Ground Monument SignsOn-Premise Signs
(2) These signs sShall comply with all state and county building codes and
the National Electric 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 Code specifications,
provided that no sign shall be installed closer than ten feet horizontally or
vertically from any conductor or public utility guy wire. 32
(3) On-premise commercial signs shall be permitted within the following zoning
districts: LC-1, NC-2, CC-3, GC-4, EC-5, OI, EI, I-1, I-2, I-3, AS, MPD-CZ, MHP-
CZ and all of the Economic Development zoning districts.
(a) Required Setbacks:
(i) All on-premise commercial signsSigns shall be setback ten feet
from the front, side, and rear propertyall property lines or the
edge of any existing or projected street right-of-way line
whichever is greater.
(ii) Signs greater than 32 square feet in area, as allowed herein,
shall be setback an additional 10 feet.
(4)(iii) In cases where a property abuts a residential zoned parcel of
property, the side or rear yard setback requirement shall be
doubled.
(5) Number of Signs Permitted
(b) Number of Signs Permitted:
(a)(i) One on-premiseOne freestanding sign commercial sign shall be
permitted per parcel. However, oneAn additional on-premise
commercial sign may be permitted for parcels with frontage on
more than one publicly maintained right-of-way in accordance
with the provisions of this Section.
(b)(ii) Under no circumstances shallNo more than one three-
dimensional sign shall be permitted on-site.
(c)(iii) For multi-tenant buildings and/or sites permitted as a conditional
use or conditional zoning district, additional on-premise
commercial signs or sign area may shall be permitted by the
Board of County Commissioners with the approval of a master
sign plan.
(6)(c) Height of Signs:
(a)(i) Pole signsFreestanding signs shall be limited to a height of 24
feet with a mandatory ground clearance of eight feet from the
normal or finished grade elevation of the property at the base of
the sign
(b)(ii) Ground signsGround monument signs shall not exceed six feet
in height from the normal or finished grade elevation of the
property at the base of the sign
(7)(d) The allowable area for on-premise commercial signs shall be determined
as followsAllowable sign area:
32 Moved to Section 6.12.3 of the existing sign ordinance.
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Section 6.12: Signs
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(i) Single or double-faced signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in
area, per sign face. For parcels zoned CC-3, GC-4, OI, I-2, I-3,
AS, EDB-2, EDE-2, EDH-4, EDH-5, and MPD-CZ that:
a. Are larger than 60,000 square feet in area, and
b. Have more than 300 feet of linear frontage along a NC
Department of Transportation (NC DOT) maintained
roadway.
(a) signage shall not exceed 72 square feet in area.
(b)(ii) Three-dimensional signs shall not exceed a maximum volume of
54 cubic feet with no dimension exceeding six feet.
Figure 6.12.12.A.6: 6.12.12 (B) (1) (e) (ii) Three-Dimensional Sign Allowable Volume
NOTE: L x W x H may not exceed 54 cubic feet with no dimension exceeding 6 feet.
(8) An on-premise commercial sign may contain a changeable copy sign as defined
in this Ordinance. However, the total sign area, including the area of changeable
copy, shall not exceed the maximum allowable area established in Section
6.12.12(A)(6)(a) above.
(9)(e) No on-premise commercial sign shall be oriented is such a manner as to
be directly visible from a major transportation corridor as established in
this Ordinance.
(B)(3) Off-Premise Commercial Signs Outdoor Advertising Signs
(1)(a) These signs shall Shall comply with all state and county building codes
and the National Electric 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 Code specifications,
provided that no sign shall be installed closer than ten feet horizontally or
vertically from any conductor or public utility guy wire. 33
33 Moved to Section 6.12.3 of the Ordinance.
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Section 6.12: Signs
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-91
(b) Off-premise commercial signs (billboards)Outdoor advertising signage
shall be permitted within the GC-4, EC-5, I-1, and I-2 general use zoning
districts and is prohibited for location within the Major Transportation
Corridor (MTC) Overlay District.
(2)(c) No electric tap outs allowing for an independent light source to receive
power shall be allowed.
(3)(d) Off-premise commercial signsOutdoor advertising shall be considered
the principal use of property and shall not be permitted as an accessory
use. There shall be no additional principal uses allowed on the same
parcel. Off-premise commercial signs shall not be permitted as
accessory uses.
(4)(e) No off-premise commercial signOutdoor advertising shall not be located
closer than 200 feet to the right-of-way of major thoroughfares (i.e. US
70, NC 86, NC 40, and NC 57) and 600 feet to the right-of-way for all
other thoroughfares and streets.
(5)(f) The height of an off-premise commercial signSigns shall not exceed 25
feet in height as measured from the grade of the right-of-way or surface
grade beneath the sign, whichever is less. The clearance of an off-
premise signOutdoor Advertising sign shall not be less than eight feet
from the grade of the right-of-way or surface grade beneath the sign,
whichever is less.
(6)(g) Off-premise commercialOutdoor Advertising signs shall be limited to 480
square feet of sign area.
(7)(h) In no case shall an off-premise commercialOutdoor Advertising sign be
located closer than 1,000 feet to an existing off-premise commercial sign.
(8) Off-premise commercial signs are prohibited within the Major Transportation
Corridor (MTC) overlay district.
(9)(i) No person may, for the purpose of increasing or enhancing the visibility
of any off-premises commercial sign, damage, trim, destroy, or remove
any trees, shrubs, or other vegetation in the following locations:
(a)i. Within the right-of-way of any public street or
road, unless the work is done pursuant to the
express written authorization of the North
Carolina Department of Transportation;
(b)ii. On property that is not under the ownership or
control of the person responsible for such work,
unless the work is done pursuant to the express
authorization of the property owner where the
vegetation is located; and,
(c)iii. In any area where such vegetation is required to
remain under a permit issued in accordance with
this Ordinance.
(C)(4) Wall Signs
(1)(a) Shall either be mounted or painted on a building.
(2)(b) Wall signs may be internally illuminated and shall comply with all
applicable state and county building codes and the National Electric
Code.
(3) Wall Signs shall be permitted within the following zoning districts: LC-1, NC-2,
CC-3, GC-4, EC-5, OI, EI, I-1, I-2, I-3, AS, MPD-CZ and all of the Economic
Development zoning districts.
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(4)(c) All wall signs shall be offset a minimum of ten feet from the corner of the
building on which it is mounted.
(5)(d) Wall signs shall not protrude more than 12 inches from the face of
building on which it is mounted.
(6)(e) Number of Signs Permitted
(a)(i) Only one wall sign shall be permitted per building facade. In
cases where a building is located on a corner lot, an additional
wall sign may be permitted on the building wall facing the second
street right-of-way, subject to the requirements of this Ordinance.
(b)(ii) For multi-tenant buildings permitted as a conditional use or
conditional zoning district additional wall signs may shall be
permitted by the Board of County Commissioners with the
approval of a master sign plan.
(7)(f) The allowable sign area shall be determined as follows:
(i) One square foot of sign area for every ½ foot of building length
facing a public right-of-way, not to exceed 32 square feet. For
parcels zoned CC-3, GC-4, OI, I-2, I-3, AS, EDB-2, EDE-2, EDH-
4, EDH-5, and MPD-CZ that:
a. Are larger than 60,000 square feet in area, and
b. Contain a structure with more than 100 linear feet of
building length facing a public right-of-way, and
c. Has more than 300 feet of linear frontage along a NC
Department of Transportation (NCDOT) maintained
roadway.
signage shall not exceed 64 square feet in area
(8)(g) A changeable copy sign may be utilized as a wall sign.
(9)(h) Wall signs shall not extend above the soffit, parapet, or eave line of the
building to which it is attached.
(D)(5) Projecting Signs
(1)(a) Projecting signs shall be mounted on a building.
(2)(b) Projecting signs may be internally illuminated and shall comply with all
applicable state and county building codes and the National Electric
Code.
(3) Projecting signs shall be permitted within the following zoning districts: LC-1, NC-
2, CC-3, GC-4, EC-5, OI, EI, I-1, I-2, I-3, AS, MPD-CZ and all of the Economic
Development zoning districts.
(4)(c) Projecting signs shall adhere to the minimum setback requirements
established for all structures within the zoning district in which it is
located.
(5)(d) Only one projecting signs shall be permitted per building facade even in
cases of a building located on a corner lot.
(6)(e) The allowable sign area shall be determined as follows: one square foot
of sign area for every ½ foot of building length, facing a public right-of-
way, not to exceed 32 square feet in area.
(a) One square foot of sign area for every ½ foot of building length, facing a
public right-of-way, not to exceed 32 square feet in area.
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Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.12: Signs
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(7)(f) Projecting signs shall clear sidewalks and pedestrian paths by a height of
at least ten feet above finished grade.
(8)(g) Projecting signs shall not extend above the soffit, parapet, or eave line of
the building to which it is attached.
(9)(h) Projecting signs shall not be located at the corner of a building except at
right angles to the building façade.
(E)(6) Window Signs
(1) Window signs shall be permitted within the following zoning districts: LC-
1, NC-2, CC-3, GC-4, EC-5, OI, EI, I-1, I-2, I-3, AS, MPD-CZ and all of
the Economic Development zoning districts.
(2)(a) Window signs shall be limited to a maximum of 30% of the total window
area where the sign is to be located.
(3) Window signs may be utilized for advertising specials or sales within the
business, or displaying the name and other pertinent business information
associated with the principal use.
(4)(b) Signs may be etched, painted or otherwise attached to be made a
permanent addition to the pane of glass.
(F)(C) Awning Signs
(1) Awning signs shall be permitted within the following zoning districts: LC-1, NC-2,
CC-3, GC-4, EC-5, OI, EI, I-1, I-2, I-3, AS, MPD-CZ and all of the Economic
Development zoning districts. See Section 6.12.14(E) for additional standards
for Awning Signs located in Economic Development Districts.
(2)(a) Awning Signs shall be located above the main entrance to a
nonresidential land use and shall contain the name of the use.
(3)(b) Awning Sign area shall be limited to a maximum of 50% of the total
awning area erected over the entrance of a nonresidential land use.
Where an awning sign is utilized at a multi-use development, the amount
of sign area shall be computed as part of the overall sign area allotted to
wall signs, not to exceed 50% of the total awning area.
(4)(2) Changeable Copy Signs34
(a) Shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
(b) Bulletin boards/reader boards may be internally illuminated.
(5)
(G) Drive-Through Menu Signs35
(1) Applicants must establish to the satisfaction of the Planning Director that a drive-
through menu sign is considered a customary accessory use to the principal
business on the property and is necessary for the normal operations of the
commercial operation.
(2) Signs shall be limited to 32 square feet in area.
(3) No external illumination shall be permitted.
34 Originally located in Section 6.12.13 and moved here.
35 After reviewing existing language with the Attorney’s office, is has been determined existing regulations
concerning drive‐thru signs are content based and have to be deleted. Staff will be reviewing other enforcement
options.
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Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.12: Signs
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-94
(4) A land use that utilizes such a sign shall also be permitted an independent
speaker box, no greater than 12 square feet in area with a height no greater that
four feet.
6.12.13 Sign Standards for Specific Uses
In addition to the requirements contained herein, the following land uses shall adhere to these
additional standards:
Subdivisions, Multi-family Developments, Mobile Home Parks, and Schools
Regardless of its location, land uses shall have a cumulative sign allotment of
144 square feet further restricted as follows:
Freestanding or ground monument signage shall not exceed 32 square
feet in area.
Ground monument signage shall not exceed six feet in height from
finished grade. Freestanding signage shall comply with the height
requirements as detailed herein.
For subdivisions and multi-family developments, there shall be a limit of
2 freestanding or ground monument sign(s) at each point of
ingress/egress.
For all other uses 1 freestanding or ground monument sign shall be
permitted.
All other signage shall not exceed 12 square feet in area
Churches
Regardless of its location, a church shall have a cumulative sign allotment of 144
square feet further restricted as follows:
There shall be a limit to one freestanding and one changeable copy sign
per property each limited to 32 square feet in area.
Wall signs shall be limited to 32 square feet in area.
All other signage shall be limited to 12 square feet in area.
(A) Special Event Displays36
(1) Shall only be allowed within a non-residential zoning district.37
(2) Signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
(3) All displays must be located outside of public or private rights-of-way and have
approval of property owners when located on private property.
(4) Pennants
(a) Pennants may be displayed during the special event to attract attention
but only within 30 feet of the principal area where the special event is
occurring.
(b) Pennants must be installed at a minimum height of 18 feet above grade
to ensure adequate height clearance for vehicles underneath.
(5) Portable Signs
(a) Sites shall be limited to one portable sign per right-of-way frontage.
However, there shall be no more than two portable signs permitted on-
site at one time.
36 Originally located in Section 6.12.11 and moved here.
37 Staff has added the provision to avoid having special event displays in residential districts.
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Article 6: Development Standards
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(b) Signs shall be limited to 16 square feet in area, per sign face.
(c) Signs shall be located in accordance with Section 6.12.3(F).
(6) Inflatable Signs
(a) No more than one inflatable sign shall be permitted on-site at one time.
(b) Inflatable signs shall not exceed 25 feet in height.
(c) Signs shall be located a minimum of 25 feet from all property lines.
(7) Special Event Displays may only be erected for a two week period and must be
removed within five days following the event.
(A) Changeable Copy Signs Utilized by Churches or Public Entities 38
(1) Shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
(2) Bulletin boards/reader boards may be internally illuminated.
(B) Service Stations/Gas Station
(1) Signs may be erected above gas pumps shall be subject to the following
standards:
(a) No internal or external illumination shall be permitted; and
(b) Signs shall be limited to four square feet in area.; and
(c) Signs must advertise items for sale on the property. Under no
circumstances may a sign advertise a sale, activity, business, or product
not associated with the principal use of property.
(2) Signs may be erected on the canopy covering gas pumps shall be subject to the
following standards:limited to 12 square feet in area per sides facing right-of-way.
(a) Advertising material shall be limited to trademarks, logos, and the name
of the service station or other similar display.
(b) Such displays shall be limited to six square feet of area.
(C) Yard Sales/Garage Sales
(1) Regardless of location, yard and/or garage sales shall have a cumulative sign
allotment of 16 square feet further restricted as follows:
(3)(a) Signs shall be erected on the property where the sale is taking place.
(4)(b) Signs shall be limited to four square feet of area.
(5)(c) No off-site displays shall be permitted.
(6)(d) Signs shall be removed no later than sunset of the day the event occurs.
(C)(D) Institutional Uses and Private ParksRecreation Facilities Located within
Residential Zoning Districts
(1) One ground and one wall sign shall be permitted;
(2) Maximum sign area shall be 32 square feet per sign face; and
(3) No ground monument sign shall exceed six feet in height.
(D)(E) Home Occupations
(1) The Home Occupation shall have a valid Zoning Compliance Permit issued by
Orange County;
38 Moved to Section 6.12.12.
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Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.12: Signs
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(2) There shall only be one sign limited to eight square feet in area and four feet in
height;
(3) Such sign shall not be illuminated by any means;
(4) Sign shall not be located within any public street right-of-way, sight visibility
triangle, easement, vehicular area or other similar area; and
(5) The sign message shall be limited to the business name and telephone number.
(E)(F) Parks, Public and Non-profit; Recreational Facilities, Non-Profit; Recreational
Facilities, Golf Courses; and Recreational Facilities, Profit Parks, Public
(1) Purpose and Intent
(a) Unlike signs for non-residential development(s), signs for recreational
land uses are intended to serve a different function and purpose. Signs
within these types of land uses are intended to provide essential
information concerning:
(i) Rules and regulations governing the operation of the facility;
(ii) Educational information identifying unique aspects of the facility,
the property itself, or significant environmental features that are
located on the property; and
(iii) Identification of sponsors or public/private partnerships that are
responsible for the development, upkeep, and maintenance of
existing recreational amenities.
(b) While some of this information could be construed as being advertising
material, the County views such signs as identifying those responsible
for the existence of the facility and allows for recognition of entities that
have entered into partnerships with the operator of the facility to provide
local residents with recreational opportunities.
(2) Applicability
The regulations included herein govern the erection of signs at the following:
(a) Parks, Public and Non-profit,
(b) Recreational Facilities, Non-Profit,
(c) Recreational Facilities, Golf Courses, and
(d) Recreational Facilities, Profit within the County.
(1) Regardless of location Parks, Public shall have a cumulative sign allotment limit
of 6400 square feet.
(2) Signage shall comply with the provisions of Section 6.12.12 of this Ordinance.
(3) Permitted SignsSpecific Sign Standards
(a) Freestanding or ground monument identification signs announcing the
name of the facility/land use are subject to the following standards:
(i) There shall be only one freestanding or ground monument
identification sign per property. One additional sign shall be
allowed for parks having frontage on more than one right-of-way,
(ii) Freestanding identification signs shall be limited to 20 square
feet of sign area. In Economic Development Districts, a
maximum sign area of 32 square feet shall be permittedSign(s)
shall be limited to 32 square feet of sign area,
(iii) The sign may be either a ground or pole sign,
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Article 6: Development Standards
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(iv) Freestanding identification signsSign(s) shall be set back a
minimum of ten feet from all property lines, and
(v) Illumination of freestanding identification signs shall be permitted
in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance,
(b) Wall Signs
(i) Shall either be mounted or painted on a building.
(ii) All wall signs shall be offset a minimum of five feet from the
corner of the building face on which it is mounted.
(iii) Wall signs shall not protrude more thant 12 inches from the side
of building on which it is mounted.
(iv) Only one wall sign shall be permitted per building except as
follows:
a. In cases where a building is located on a corner lot, a
second wall sign may be erected on the building wall
facing the second street right-of-way subject to the
requirements of this Ordinance.
b. If a building façade faces athletic fields or other similar
recreational areas on the property, a second wall sign,
up to 32 square feet in area, may be erected facing
these facilities, not to exceed the allowable sign area as
calculated herein,
c. Under no circumstances may more than one wall sign be
located on the same building façade.
(v) The maximum sign area shall be determined as follows:
a. One square foot of wall sign area for every ½ linear foot
of building length along a right-of-way or facing an
athletic field or similar recreational use, not to exceed 32
square feet in area.
(vi) A changeable copy sign can be utilized as a wall sign.
(vii) Wall signs shall not extend above the soffit, parapet, or eave line
of the building to which it is attached.
(viii) The sign may be internally illuminated or have external
illumination installed consistent with the provisions of this
Ordinance.
(c) Informational Signs
(i) Shall be allowed in an effort to provide information concerning
individual recreational amenities available on the property and
are limited to those signs necessary to identify the name of a
specific recreational facility, amenity, or use.
(ii) Signs shallShall be no larger than 20 square feet in area.
(iii) The sign shall contain information identifying the recreational
amenity.
(iv) The number of signs shall be directly proportional to the number
of individual recreational amenities present on the site.
(v) Informational signs may contain the name, logo, or slogan of a
sponsor that is responsible for the
development/upkeep/maintenance of the recreational amenity
subject to the following limitations:
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Article 6: Development Standards
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a. The name and/or logo of a sponsor shall not take up
more than 80% of the total sign area.
b. No other advertising material shall be permitted on the
sign,
(vi) Maximum height of an informational sign regulated under this
section shall be seven feet.
(vii) Informational signs shall be located a minimum of five feet from
any active recreational activity fields (i.e. soccer, baseball,
football, etc) or one foot from any established nature, man-made
trail, and/or passive recreational area.
(viii) Informational signs regulated under the provisions of this section
shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from all property lines.
(ix) Informational signs regulated under this section shall not be
illuminated.
(d) Informational Kiosks
(i) Shall be permitted in an effort to provide information concerning
operational requirements, contact numbers for services or
emergency situations, and educational information on the park
itself or any significant site features.
(ii) A maximum of eight informational kiosks shall be permitted per
100 acres of property.
(iii) Informational kiosks shall be limited to 32 square feet of sign
area exclusive of architectural supports or housing,.
(iv) Informational kiosks may be internally illuminated or have
external illumination installed consistent with the provisions of
this Ordinance.
(v) Informational kiosks shall be ground mounted, not to exceed
seven feet in height, exclusive of architectural supports or
housing.
(vi) Informational kiosks shall be located a minimum of five feet from
any active recreational activity fields (i.e. soccer, baseball,
football, etc) or one foot from any established nature, man-made
trail, and/or passive recreational area.
(vii) Informational kiosks shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from
all property lines.
(viii) An informational kiosk may contain the name, logo, or slogan of
a sponsor that is responsible for the
development/upkeep/maintenance of the recreational amenity
subject to the following limitations:
a. The name and/or logo of a sponsor shall not take up
more than 20% of the total kiosk area.
b. No other advertising material shall be permitted on the
kiosk.
(e) Directional Signs
(i) Shall be allowed in an effort to provide information to visitors on
the location of recreational amenities or offices located on the
property.
(ii) Directional signs shall be limited to six square feet in area.
(iii) Directional signs shall not include any advertising material.
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Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.12: Signs
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-99
(iv) All directional signs shall be ground mounted signs not
exceeding seven feet in height.
(v) All directional signs shall be located a minimum of five feet from
any active recreational activity field or one feet from any
established nature or man-made trail, and shall be set back a
minimum of ten feet from all property lines,
(f) Scoreboards
One scoreboard, not to exceed 144 square feet, shall be
permitted for each athletic field and shall not be counted as part
of the cumulative sign allotment for the park.
(G) Golf Course
(1) Regardless of location a Golf Course shall have a cumulative sign allotment limit
of 320 square feet further restricted as follows
(a) Freestanding or ground monument signage shall not exceed 32 square
feet in area.
(b) Ground monument signage shall not exceed six feet in height from
finished grade. Freestanding signage shall comply with the height
requirements as detailed herein.
(c) Only one freestanding or ground monument sign shall be permitted.
(d) All other signage shall not exceed 12 square feet in area.
(i)(e)
6.12.14 Additional Standards for Economic Development Districts
In addition to the overall sign standards established herein, the following specific standards shall
apply in the Economic Development Districts:
(A) General Standards
(1) A sign plan must be submitted and approved as part of the comprehensive site
plan or master plan.39
(2) For multiple use sites or buildings, unified directional/informational signs and the
use of coordinated individual wall signs is the preferred approach to business
identification.40
Sign colors must not be overpowering but must accent the building which the
sign identifies or on which it is mounted.41
(3) The light from an illuminated sign must not be permitted to shine into any road
right-of-way or across property lines. 42
(4)(1) In addition to the prohibited signs in Section 6.12.6, the following types of signs
are specifically prohibited for location within the individual Economic
Development Districts: off premises advertising signs, billboardsoutdoor
advertising43, inflatable, and portable signs.
39 Already required for all sign permits – see Section 6.12.3 General Requirements of the UDO.
40 As this regulation is content based, meaning staff will have to read the sign to determine how it should be
classified and regulated, the provision is not longer viable based on recent court rulings.
41 The regulation is being recommended for deletion due to its nebulous and subjective nature.
42 The prohibition already exists within the general standards of the UDO.
43 Outdoor advertising is now the ‘defined’ term within the UDO referencing a billboard. Staff is changing the
language to be consistent with its reference.
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Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.12: Signs
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-100
(B) Identification Signs44
(1) Freestanding Identification Signs
(a) Only one freestanding identification sign is permitted for each
development. However, a second sign may be permitted where a site
has more than one vehicular entrance on different sides of the building.
(b) A freestanding identification sign must be placed perpendicular to
approaching vehicular traffic so that it is clearly visible and does not
obstruct the view of any other identification or information sign.
(c) A freestanding identification sign must be located at least 10-feet from
any property line or driveway.
(2) Buckhorn EDD & Eno EDD Only45
The following criteria shall govern the number, size, and height of identification
signs in the Buckhorn and Eno EDDs:
TABLE 6.12.14.B.3: BUCKHORN AND ENO EDD
IDENTIFICATION SIGN STANDARDS
Maximum Number of Signs 3 per use
Maximum Number of Freestanding Signs 1 per use
Maximum Total Square Footage of All Signs 200 sq. ft.
Maximum Size of Any Sign 75 sq. ft.
Maximum Height of Any Sign 12 ft.
(C) Directional/Informational Signs46
In lieu of the requirements contained in Section 6.12.11(G), the following requirements
shall apply to Directional/Informational signs located in Economic Development Districts:
(1) Information signs must be placed perpendicular to approaching traffic so that
they are visible and legible.
(2) Signs must be located outside of the site visibility triangle.
(3) Information signs must be positioned to avoid confusing backgrounds,
particularly when they are intended to direct vehicular traffic on or to-and-from
the site.
(4) Information signs may be placed no closer than six feet to the edge of a road or
drive, and, in no case, may they be located within a street right-of-way unless
they are erected by a governmental agency.
(5) Information signs may not exceed four feet in height.
(6) Information signs may not contain advertising material or exceed six square feet
in area.
(D) Temporary Signs
(1) Temporary signs may be used for construction and real estate information, and
future tenant identification, in accordance with the provisions of this Section.
(B) Specific Sign Standards
(E)(1) Awnings
44 These regulations are already located within Section 6.12.12. There is no reason to repeat them.
45 Staff believes this is already captured within Section 6.12.12 as revised herein.
46 This entire section has been deleted as it would require staff to review the content of the sign to determine if
rules are applicable. As previously indicated on the advice of the County Attorney’s office we can no longer have
standards giving the appearance we are regulating signage based on content.
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Article 6: Development Standards
Section 6.13: Stream Buffers
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-101
(1)(a) The form and color of the awnings must be consistent.
(2)(b) A minimum eight-foot vertical clearance must be maintained for awnings.
(3)(c) Signs on awnings must be painted on or screen printed and limited to the
awning’s flap (valance) or end panels.
(4)(d) Canvas, treated canvas, matte finish vinyl, and fabric awnings are
permitted.
(5)(e) Plexiglas, metal, and glossy vinyl illuminated awnings are prohibited in
the Hillsborough EDD and strongly discouraged in the Buckhorn and Eno
EDDs.
(F) Signage for Parks, Public and Non-profit; Recreational Facilities, Non-Profit;
Recreational Facilities, Golf Courses; and Recreational Facilities, Profit
Total sign area shall be limited to 500 square feet for all signs permitted herein, not
including Directional Signage erected in accordance with the provisions of this Section.
(G)(C) Basic Sign Design Schedule forSpecific Sign Standards - Hillsborough EDD
The following design schedule has been approved for the Hillsborough EDD:
TABLE 6.12.14.G: HILLSBOROUGH EDD SIGN DESIGN SCHEDULE
SIZE OF DEVELOPMENT
(ACRES)
MAXIMUM SYMBOL OR LETTER HEIGHTS (INCHES) GROUND OR
MONUMENT
SIGNS
(SQ. FT.)
SIGN HEIGHT
(FEET) FASCIA LETTER
SIZE BORDER MONUMENT LETTER
SIZE
0 - 4.9 24 6 18 50 6
5.0 – 19.9 30 9 24 100 8
Over 20 36 12 36 150 10
(Dev. Name)
Major Tenants 72 24 - - -
Additional
Information 24 6
Wall Signs
32 square feet of wall sign allowed per tenant unless building façade exceeds 64’ wide. For
frontages exceeding 64’, ½ square foot of building frontage. No wall shall exceed 100 square
feet.
SECTION 6.13: STREAM BUFFERS
6.13.1 Purpose
The purpose of the regulations included in this Section is to protect County water resources by
establishing minimum buffers adjacent to streams, rivers, water bodies and other water features
and limiting development and other land disturbing activities within those buffers.
6.13.2 Applicability
The stream buffer regulations and standards contained herein shall be applicable to all streams
and water features, as follows:
(A) Streams identified by any of the following means:
(1) Shown as solid blue lines or as broken blue lines on the USGS Quadrangle
maps,
(2) Shown as water feature in the Orange County Soil Survey, or
(3) A water feature identified by a field determination of County staff trained in
surface water identification through the North Carolina Division of Water Quality
(NCDWQ).
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Article 10: Definitions
Section 10.1: Definitions
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 10-37
customary accessories, ornaments, furniture and landscaping shall be permitted in any setback if they do
not constitute substantial impediments to free flow of light and air across the setback or violate provisions
of these or other regulations regarding visibility.
Sign
Any letter, figure, character, mark, plane, point, marquee, design, poster, pictorial, picture, stroke, stripe,
line, trademark, reading matter, or illuminated surface which is constructed, placed, attached, painted,
erected, fastened or manufactured in any manner so that the same shall be used for the attraction of the
public to any place, subject, person, firm, corporation, public performance, article, machine, or
merchandise, which are displayed in any manner, including out-of-doors.
Sign, Abandoned
A sign for which no legal owner can be found or any sign face or sign structure that advertises a business
not conducted on the premises for over 90 days. In making the determination that a sign advertises a
business no longer being conducted, the Planning Director shall consider the following: the existence or
absence of a current occupational license, utility service deposit, or account; use of the premises; and
relocation of the business.
Abandoned Sign shall also include the following:
a) Through age and/or obsolescence a sign that no longer conforms to structural or maintenance
specifications of Section 6.12, or
b) Any pole, pylon, or structure expressly installed for the purpose of affixing a sign that bears no
sign or copy.
Sign, Advertiser
Any person who is a lessee or owner of a sign, an agent of same, or anyone that has beneficial use of a
sign.
Sign, Advertising Display Area
The advertising display surface area encompassed within any polygon that would enclose all parts of the
sign. The structural supports for a sign, whether, they be columns, pylons, or a building, or a part thereof,
shall not be included in the advertising area. Also known as Sign Area.
An example of how advertising display area or sign area is calculated is as follows:
In most cases the rectangular shape of a sign equals the sign area.
In this example, the sign area was determined by enclosing the letters in an imaginary rectangle:
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Article 10: Definitions
Section 10.1: Definitions
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 10-38
In cases where there
may not be any formally
‘enclosed’ area, the
surface area shall
include such reasonable
and proportionate space
as would be required if
a border or frame were
used.
Sign, Alteration of
Includes, but is not be limited to, the addition of sign surface area, the changing or relocation of light
source or the relocation of an outdoor advertising display from of a sign structureone position to another.
This term shall include structural changes in the sign, but shall not include the changing of copy on a sign
that is designed as a changeable copy sign.
Sign, Animated
Any sign that uses movement or change of lighting to depict action or to create a special effect or scene.
Sign, Architectural Feature of
Any construction attendant to, but not an integral part of the sign, which may consist of landscaping,
building, or structural forms that enhance the site in general; also, graphic stripes and other architectural
painting techniques applied to a structure that serves a functional purpose, or when the stripes or other
painting techniques are applied to a building provided such treatment does not include lettering, logos or
pictures.
Sign Area
That area enclosed by one continuous line, connecting the extreme points or edges of a sign. The area
shall be determined using the largest sign area or silhouette visible at any one time from any one point.
This area does not include the main supporting sign structure, but all other ornamental attachments, inner
connecting links, etc., which are not a part of the main supports of the sign are to be included in
determining sign area. Also see “Sign, Advertising Display Area.”
Sign, Awning
A structure supported entirely from the exterior wall of a building and composed of non-rigid materials
(except for the supporting framework) upon which a signadvertising material is indelibly drawn, painted or
printed.
Following are examples of an awning signs:
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Article 10: Definitions
Section 10.1: Definitions
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 10-39
Sign, Banner
A sign intended to be hung either with or without
frames, possessing characters, letters,
illustrations, or ornamentations applied to paper,
plastic, or fabric of any kind. National flags, flags
of political subdivisions, and symbolic flags of any
institution or business Flags shall not be
considered banners for the purposes of this
Ordinance. Banner signs are regulated under the
Special Event Display section of Section 6.12.
Following is an example of a banner sign:
Sign, Changeable Copy
A sign that is designed so that characters, letters, or
illustrations can be changed or rearranged without
altering the face or the surface of the sign. This shall
also include the changing of copies of billboards.
Changeable copy signs, for the purposes of this
Ordinance, shall mean signs on which the copy is
changed manually. Also referred to as a reader
board sign.
Example of Changeable Copy Sign:
Sign, Construction
A sign that gives the name or names of principal contractors, architects,
and lending institutions responsible for construction on the site where
the sign is placed.
Sign Copy
The wording on a sign surface in either
permanent or removable letterform.
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Article 10: Definitions
Section 10.1: Definitions
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 10-40
Sign, Digital; Digital Display
A form of electronic display that shows information, advertising, and otheror messages utilizing LCD
(Liquid Clear Display), LED (Light Emitting Diode), plasma displays, or involves the projection of an image
onto a building or the surface area of a structure, which shall include a sign as defined herein.
Sign, Directional/Informational, On-site
An on-premise sign giving directions, instructions or facility information and which may contain the name
or logo of an establishment but no advertising copy (e.g., parking or exit and entrance signs).
Examples of on-site directional/information signs include:
Sign, Directory
A sign on which the names and locations of
occupants or the uses of a building is given. This
shall include office buildings and church directories
Sign, Double-Faced
A sign with two faces.
Sign, Drive-Through Menu Board
An outdoor menu for establishments offering service
via a drive through window. These signs shall not be
considered a ground or monument sign.
Sign, Electronic Changeable Message
An electronically activated sign whereby the message content or display, either wholly or in part, may be
changed by means of electrical, electronic, or computerized program.
Sign, to Erect
To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend, or affix a sign.
Sign, Exempt
All signs for which permits are not required but which must, nonetheless, conform to the other terms and
conditions of Section 6.12.
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Article 10: Definitions
Section 10.1: Definitions
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 10-41
Sign, Flashing
A sign on which any portion of it changes light, intensity, switches on and off in a constant pattern, or
contains moving parts or the optical illusion of motion caused by use of electrical energy or illumination.
Sign, Government
Any sign erected and maintained by a municipal, County, State, or Federal government for traffic direction
or for designation of or direction to any school, park, hospital, historic site, or public service, property or
facility.
Sign, Ground; Monument Sign
A sign supported on the ground by pillars, posts,
masonry wall, or other similar approved structure
erected on the ground, and not attached to any part of a
building.
Sign, Hazardous Identification/Notification
A sign designed to provide essential public safety
information concerning the storage or hazardous materials
on a parcel of property. There shall be no limit on the
number of signs that are erected for this purpose so long as
the signs do not contain commercial advertising material,
company logos or names.
Sign Height
The vertical distance measured from
the top of the sign, including any
supporting structure, frame, or
architectural feature, to the grade of
the land at the base of the sign or the
grade level of the adjacent right-of-
way providing access, whichever is
less.
Example of how height shall be
determined:
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Section 10.1: Definitions
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 10-42
Sign, Identification
A sign whose copy is limited to the name and address of a
building, institution, development, community name, or
person. This definition shall include signs identifying names
of residential subdivisions, school sites,
apartment/condominium developments, business/industrial
parks, and other similar uses. Identification Signs can
contain logos, art work, mascots, renderings, and other
graphic representations designed to accentuate the
advertisement.
An example of identification sign includes:
Sign, Illegal
A sign that does not meet the requirements of this Ordinance and which has not received legal non-
conforming status and which does not have permit authorization, if required, under the terms of previous
ordinances.
Sign, Illuminated
A sign illuminated in any manner by an artificial light source.
Sign, Indirectly Illuminated
A sign that is lighted by a light source not seen directly.
Sign, Inflatable
A sign that is inflated to take on a specific
shape or figure that is utilized to attract
attention to a business event or location,
special event, or parcel of property for
commercial purposes. Inflatable signs are
commonly utilized to announce special
sales or events. As per the Orange County
Sign Ordinance, Inflatable Signs shall be
prohibited throughout the County. Any
individual erecting an inflatable sign shall be
subject to an immediate notice of violation
and be required to remove the sign within
the time it would normally take to deflate the
sign.
Examples of inflatable signs include:
Sign, Internally Illuminated
A sign whose light source is concealed or contained within the sign itself, and which becomes visible in
darkness by shining through a translucent surface.
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Article 10: Definitions
Section 10.1: Definitions
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 10-43
Sign, Landmark
A sign advertising that a specific structure or site is considered historically
significant and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, U.S.
Department of Interior, or designated by local ordinance in accordance with
guidelines issued by the U. S. Department of Interior.
Sign Maintenance
The cleaning, painting, repair or replacement of defective parts of a sign in a manner that does not alter
the basic copy, design or structure of the sign.
Sign, Nonconforming
A sign that was erected legally but that does not comply with subsequently enacted sign restrictions and
regulations or a sign which does not conform to the sign code requirements but has received approval
from the Board of Adjustment.
Sign, Off-Premise Commercial Outdoor Advertisting
A sign, commonly referred to as a billboard, erected in
accordance with the provisions of North Carolina
General Statute 136-126.
A sign structure advertising an establishment,
merchandise, service, or entertainment that is not sold,
produced, manufactured, or furnished at the property
on which said sign is located. This definition includes
billboards and other similar outdoor advertising
mechanisms.
Example of an off-premise commercial sign
includes:
Sign, Off-Premise Religious
A sign located off the property of a religious facility intended to provide directional information as to the
location of a specific religious facility. Such signs shall only be erected at major roadway intersections
and contain the name and address of the facility as well as a directional arrow to provide motorists an
idea of which road is necessary to access the facility.
Sign, On-Premise Commercial
A sign that pertains to the use of the
premises where it is located. On-
Premise Commercial Signs can
contain changeable copy or a reader
board so long as the total square
footage allowed for the sign is not
exceeded. For the purpose of this
ordinance, pole mounted signs shall
not be permitted. Pole mounted signs
shall be considered signs mounted on
a single pole or mast rather than on
two posts or poles or ground mounted.
Examples of on-premise
commercial signs include:
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Article 10: Definitions
Section 10.1: Definitions
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 10-44
Sign Owner
A person recorded as such on official records. The owner of property on which a sign is located is
presumed to be the owner of the sign unless facts to the contrary are officially recorded or otherwise
brought to the attention of the Planning Director (e.g., a sign leased from a sign company).
Sign, Pole
A sign that is elevated above the ground by one or more upright supports placed upon the ground and not
attached to any part of a building.
Sign, Political
For the purposes of this Ordinance, a sign used in connection with a local, state, or national election or
referendum.
Sign, Portable
An example of a portable sign:
A sign that is mobile and that may or may not have wheels.
Portable signs advertise services offered by a non-residential
operation on the parcel of property on which they are located.
Sign Prohibited
A sign that is not permitted by the sign provisions contained in this Ordinance.
Sign, Projecting
A sign that is attached to a building wall and
extending perpendicular to, or approximately
perpendicular to, the building wall and 12 inches or
more beyond the face of the building wall.
Sign, Real Estate
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Article 10: Definitions
Section 10.1: Definitions
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 10-45
A sign that is used to offer for sale,
lease, or rent the property upon which
the sign is placed.
Examples of real estate signs include:
Sign, Roof
A sign, or any portion thereof, erected,
constructed, or projecting upon or over the roof
or parapet wall of any building whether the
principal support for the sign is on the roof,
wall, or any other structural element of the
building. Where a building has more than one
roofline, the roofline shall be considered to be
highest roofline located directly behind the
sign, as viewed from the business frontage.
Sign, Scrolling Display
The vertical, horizontal, flashing, or intermittent movement of a static message or display on an electronic
changeable message sign.
Sign, Snipe
Any sign of any size, made of any material, including paper, cardboard, wood, vinyl, and metal, when
such sign is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued or otherwise attached to a tree, utility pole, fence,
existing sign, other similar object or is placed directly into the ground, and the advertising matter
appearing thereon is not applicable to the premises upon which said sign is located. Also includes any
sign installed without permission of the owner of the property upon which the sign is located. Snipe signs
primarily advertise services, location of off-site developments or homes for sale, or other similar activities.
Snipe signs are not permitted in Orange County.
Examples of snipe signs include:
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Article 10: Definitions
Section 10.1: Definitions
Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 10-46
Sign, Special Event Displays or Signs
Signs or other attention grabbing devices such as pennants, flags, streamers, and other similar items that
are designed to call attention to a special event and are only intended to be utilized on a temporary basis.
Examples of special event displays or signs include:
Sign, Three-Dimensional
65