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Article 6: Development Standards <br /> Section 6.12: Signs <br /> <br /> <br />Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-81 <br /> <br />(7) An on-premise commercial sign may contain a changeable copy sign as defined <br />in this Ordinance. However, the total sign area, including the area of changeable <br />copy, shall not exceed the maximum allowable area established in Section <br />6.12.12(A)(6)(a) above. <br />(8) No on-premise commercial sign shall be oriented is such a manner as to be <br />directly visible from a major transportation corridor as established in this <br />Ordinance. <br />(B)(C) Off-Premise Commercial Signs <br />(1) These signs shall comply with all state and county building codes and the <br />National Electric Code. Clearance of signs is required from high voltage power <br />lines and signs shall be located in such a way that they will maintain horizontal <br />and vertical clearance of all overhead electrical conductors in accordance with <br />the National Electric Code specifications, provided that no sign shall be installed <br />closer than ten feet horizontally or vertically from any conductor or public utility <br />guy wire. <br />(2) Off-premise commercial signs (billboards) shall be permitted within the GC-4, <br />EC-5, I-1, and I-2 zoning districts. <br />(3) No electric tap outs allowing for an independent light source to receive power <br />shall be allowed. <br />(4) Off-premise commercial signs shall be considered the principal use of property. <br />There shall be no additional principal uses allowed on the same parcel. Off- <br />premise commercial signs shall not be permitted as accessory uses. <br />(5) No off-premise commercial sign shall be located closer than 200 feet to the right- <br />of-way of major thoroughfares (i.e. US 70, NC 86, NC 40, and NC 57) and 600 <br />feet to the right-of-way for all other thoroughfares and streets. <br />(6) The height of an off-premise commercial sign shall not exceed 25 feet from the <br />grade of the right-of-way or surface grade beneath the sign, whichever is less. <br />The clearance of an off-premise sign shall not be less than eight feet from the <br />grade of the right-of-way or surface grade beneath the sign, whichever is less. <br />(7) Off-premise commercial signs shall be limited to 480 square feet of sign area. <br />(8) In no case shall an off-premise commercial sign be located closer than 1,000 feet <br />to an existing off-premise commercial sign. <br />(9) Off-premise commercial signs are prohibited within the Major Transportation <br />Corridor (MTC) overlay district. <br />(10) No person may, for the purpose of increasing or enhancing the visibility of any <br />off-premises commercial sign, damage, trim, destroy, or remove any trees, <br />shrubs, or other vegetation in the following locations: <br />(a) Within the right-of-way of any public street or road, unless the work is <br />done pursuant to the express written authorization of the North Carolina <br />Department of Transportation; <br />(b) On property that is not under the ownership or control of the person <br />responsible for such work, unless the work is done pursuant to the <br />express authorization of the property owner where the vegetation is <br />located; and, <br />(c) In any area where such vegetation is required to remain under a permit <br />issued in accordance with this Ordinance. <br />(C)(D) Wall Signs <br />(1) Shall either be mounted or painted on a building. <br />21