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The following rules are presently part of our sign ordinance and are indicated by the <br />associated zoning reference in parentheses (e.g. 9.7). <br />1. Sign — Any device designed to inform or attract attention of persons not on the <br />premises on which the device is located. <br />Note: This describes whether a sign is for a campaign or an issue (e.g. vote for <br />Mr. Dow or Down with Feathers.) <br />2. The County's sign ordinance is Article 9 of the County's zoning ordinance and <br />therefore does not apply to municipal limits and the extra- territorial jurisdiction <br />(ETJ). <br />Note: Please see maps with the Supervisor of Elections office and Planning <br />Department for specific locations in question. <br />3. A Zoning Compliance Permit for Political Signs is required for each candidate who <br />files in Orange County (and /or anyone responsible for posting an `issue' sign not <br />directly related to a person.) (9.7) <br />Note: <br />a. This ensures that the responsible party acknowledges their responsibility and <br />identifies County resources to help them in cases of uncertainty. <br />b. Any sign found without an associated Zoning Compliance Permit for Political <br />Signs in the public right -of -way will be removed and stored for 30 days after <br />notice to the individual if known. <br />c. Signs exceeding the sign ordinance maximum square footage will be treated <br />the same as any other violation. <br />d. For candidates on the Orange County ballot that have filed for office in another <br />county will be notified of Orange County's political sign regulations via mail of <br />the Political Sign Acknowledgement Form. <br />4. No more than three signs totaling 9 square feet may be permitted on any <br />residentially zoned lot. <br />Note: <br />a. This means that on any one lot an owner can only permit up to 9 square feet <br />(i.e. one 9 square foot sign, 3 signs of 3 square feet, or 5, 2, 2, etc.) <br />b. The property owners have the right to remove any sign they do not wish to be <br />placed on their property. <br />c. Political signs are not allowed on non - residentially zoned lands (9.12 g). <br />5. "... the sign surface area shall be computed by including the total of all sides <br />designed either to attract attention or communicate information." (9.10c) <br />Note: If the sign is readable from one direction only, then the square footage <br />calculation is measured for one side only (e.g. a sign measuring 2 ft by ft. equals 4 <br />sq. ft.). <br />6. Signs of any size (unless permitted by specific regulation and government <br />authority) are not permitted to be located in public right -of -ways or to be attached <br />to utility poles, guardrails, NCDOT signs, etc. in public right -of -ways (9.3). <br />