Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Article 6: Development Standards <br /> Section 6.12: Signs <br /> <br /> <br />Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-73 <br /> <br />It is the intent of this section to require minimum light levels during established business <br />hours or in those instances where members of the general public will be on-site to ensure <br />public safety. <br />(B) Pedestrian walkways and plazas must be lighted and fixtures mounted at a lower height <br />for security and to create an inviting pedestrian environment. <br />(C) Accent lighting must also be provided to illuminate such key locations as building and <br />driveway entries, and activity areas. <br />(D) Lighting for the purpose of illuminating landmarks and unique features of the site is also <br />encouraged. <br />(E) All light fixtures are to be concealed source fixtures except for pedestrian-oriented accent <br />lights. <br />(F) Security lighting fixtures or floodlights must not project over the fascia or roof line of the <br />building(s). <br />(G) Parking area and driveway fixtures should be mounted at or below a maximum height of <br />25 feet above the surface of the parking area or driveway. <br />(H) The design of light fixtures and structural supports must be compatible with the <br />architecture of the principal building(s) and identification signs. <br />(I) Where building faces are illuminated, lighting fixtures must be integrated within the <br />architectural design of the buildings. <br />(J) Ground-mounted lighting fixtures must be weather-proof and vandal resistant. <br />(K) Hillsborough EDD <br />In addition to the standards established above, the following standards shall apply within <br />the Hillsborough EDD: <br />(1) Lighting must be high efficiency lighting systems and lighting levels must be <br />reduced during non-use hours to promote energy conservation. <br />(2) 12:1 minimum/maximum glare ratio. <br />(3) Maximum footcandles = 80 <br />SECTION 6.12: SIGNS1 <br />6.12.1 Purpose and IntentFindings, Purpose, and Intent <br />(A) The purpose of this Section is to regulate the size, color, illumination, movement, <br />materials, type, placement, height, condition, and physical dimensions of all signs placed <br />on private property for exterior observation in the interest of preserving property values, <br />the character of various neighborhoods, the creation of a convenient, attractive, and <br />harmonious community, and the public health, safety and general welfare, while <br />recognizing their need.2 <br />(B) This Section shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the First Amendment <br />guarantee of free speech. 3 <br />1Staffisrecommendingmodifyingexistingsignregulationsinanefforttoaddressrecentcourtdecisions,most <br />notablyReedversustheTownofGilbert.InrevisingtheOrdinance,staffhasutilizedamodelsigncodeprepared <br />bytheInternationalMunicipalLawyersAssociation(IMLA)aswellastheordinanceforWashingtonCounty <br />Oregon,whichwasfoundtobecontentneutralbyUSDistrictCourt,asaguide. <br />2Thissectionhasbeenexpandedinanefforttoarticulatewhatthestandardsaredesignedtoaccomplish. <br />3Asageneralreminderrecentcourtdecisionsindicatesignregulationsshallbecontentneutral.Regulations <br />cannotbeseenasrestrictingfreespeech.Tothatendstaffisrecommendingaddinglanguagerecognizingsame. <br /> 4Attachment 1