Orange County NC Website
a. Within a residential general use zoning district (including Rural Buffer, <br />Agricultural Residential, Rural Residential, etc.) the amendment allows for the <br />erection of a single flagpole and a maximum of three flags displayed, with <br />each flag being a maximum of 24 square feet in area (e.g. 4x6 feet) on a <br />residentially zoned parcel. <br />The proposed amendment further limits the height of a flagpole in residential <br />zoning districts to a maximum of twenty-four (24) feet in height or the highest <br />point of the principal building’s roof, whichever is lower; <br />b. Within all other nonresidential general use zoning districts, the amendment <br />allows up to three flags and three individual flagpoles. Each flag can be a <br />maximum of 96 square feet in area (e.g. 8x12 feet). <br />The amendment also proposes that flagpoles in nonresidential zoning districts <br />be limited to a maximum of fifty-four (54) feet in height or the highest point of <br />the principal building’s roof, whichever is lower; <br />c. In all general use zoning districts, a flagpole shall be required to observe a <br />50-foot setback from all property lines; <br />d. The proposed ordinance contains language exempting flags, no greater than <br />12 inches in height, displayed on individual grave sites within a cemetery. <br />5. Why is the allowable height of a flagpole related to the size of the building <br />on the property? <br />The height of a flagpole is related to the size of a building to ensure a flagpole is <br />not out of character with existing structures on the property. As a result the <br />overall allowable height of the flagpole is being made directly proportional to the <br />existing structure to ensure consistent scale. <br />6. What about flags that have already been erected within the County? <br />If the amendment package is adopted, property owners with existing flags that <br />exceed the allowable display size or number will have one year to bring the flags <br />into compliance (i.e. can only fly a flag complying with established size limits). <br />7. What about flagpoles? <br />The proposed amendment language treats flags and flagpoles separately. A <br />flagpole, in and off itself, is a device. It is not a ‘sign’ or a ‘flag’ but is simply a <br />mechanism allowing for the display of a flag. <br />The UDO has existing regulations governing non-conforming structures. If a <br />flagpole is ever damaged, destroyed, or has to be replaced for any reason, it can <br />only be re-erected in compliance with applicable standards. <br />28