Sign Regulation In Public Waters-1987

J
SIGN REGULATION
IN PUBLIC WATERS
New Hanover County Planning Dept.
August 2.6, 1987
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DCM COPY DCM COPY
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Division of Coastal Management
The preparation of this document was financed, in part,
through a Coastal Area Management Act grant provided by
the North Carolina Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as
amended;., which is administered by the Office of Ocean
and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.

Sign Regulation in Public Waters
A. Introduction
.The purpose of this report is to examine the existing and
potential regulation of signs in the public waterways of
unincorporated New Hanover County. The various effects and types
of signs will be examined, followed by an evaluation of current -
regulations which impact the placement of signs in the county's
public waters. Regulatory measures used in other localities will
then be examined. Finally, alternative approaches to sign
regulation for the County's waterways will be proposed.
B. The Issue and Effects
New Hanover County has been blessed with many miles of
navigable waterways, including the Intracoastal Waterway, the
Cape Fear and Northeast Cape Fear Rivers, and numerous Creeks and
tributaries. The waterways help define the character of the
County, by providing recreational opportunities, scenic vistas,
and aesthetic benefits, while contributing to the County
economically through commerce, industry, commercial fishing, and
enhanced real estate values. However, the water resources are
fragile and must be protected.
The County's waterways are regulated by various Federal,
State, and local agencies in order to preserve and enhance the
waterways and their environs, and to protect them from
undesirable developments. One type of structure which �as
potential adverse effects on public waterways is signs. These
signs may also provide some benefits. The positive and negative
impacts of water -oriented signs may be grouped into four broad
categories: safety, economic, aesthetic, and environmental
concerns.
1. Safety
One problem with signs in public waters is the
potential hazard to navigation they pose. Signs located
within the navigation channel present an obvious hazard in
that they may block both the navigation path and the view of
other boats, and official regulatory signs and markers. In
addition, it can be argued that signs, both in and outside
the navigation channel, would tend to distract boat
operators from their task at hand, which is to guide the
boat safely.
1This -report deals primarily with "water -oriented" signs,
defined as signs intended to attract the attention of boaters or
other people in public waters.

On the other hand, signs may promote safety to some
degree by providing information. Obviously, regulatory
signs are designed to facilitate safe boating conditions.
Water -oriented commercial signs may also promote safety by
providing directional information, and by notifying boaters
of marinas and other potentially congested areas.
2. Economics
Signs in the waterways impact the economy at various
levels. For an individual owner of a business located on
the water, signs can be an important means of advertising,
particularly for a business "off the beaten path." The
owner of a marina which is located on a creek, for example,
may find it advantageous to place a directional sign in the
Intracoastal Waterway. For most marinas, however, the
effect of advertising signs is probably minimal, since
marina locations are marked on readily available
navigational maps and guides.
Water -oriented signs may also have an effect on the
economy of the County as a whole. This effect may be
positive, if the signs strengthen individual businesses,
through the economic multiplier effect and through tax
revenues. The impact may be negative, however, if the signs
are perceived to detract from the appearance of the County.
If the number and placement of signs proliferate, tourists
may be dissuaded from visiting and spending money in the
County, and residents may likewise object.
3. Aesthetics
As noted above, signs in the public waterway may be
considered unattractive by visitors and residents alike.
While the aesthetic value of water -oriented signs is largely
a matter of opinion, other factors come into play. Most
people would probably agree that a relatively undeveloped
stretch of water is more attractive than a developed area.
A sign may be more acceptable in an already developed area,
such as near a marina, than in a pristine environment.
Thus, a sign's surroundings may determine whether it is
objectionable. The sign's appearance and.content may also
have an effect on its acceptability. A small identification
sign for a marina, for example, may be less objectionable
than a large billboard advertising a certain brand of
cigarettes.
A related issue is the scenic view of the water and the
surrounding estuaries and shorelines. Signs in or near the
water may block or detract from the scenic vista.
4. Environment
Signs located in the water may have negative
environmental effects, both temporary and long-term. The
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act of erecting a sign will disturb the bottom of the creek,
sound, or, river when the pilings are installed. This may be
disruptive, particularly to a fragile shellfish bed or
nursery area. There may be potential longer lasting effects
on the marine habitat due to the disruption. In addition,
wood pilings are often treated with creosote, as a
preservative. The creosote -treated pilings can cause
environmental problems through a gradual leaching of the -
creosote into the water. Signs, however, may provide some
environmental benefits in serving -as a perching site for
water birds and as a substrate for certain marine organisms,
such as barnacles and algae.
C. Types of Signs
One obvious distinction which can be made concerning
water -oriented signs is between regulatory and non -regulatory
signs. As mentioned previously, regulatory signs are necessary
to promote safe boating, fishing, and swimming conditions.
Non -regulatory signs generally serve commercial purposes and may
be more strictly controlled. Several differences can be noted
between non -regulatory signs in public waterways. These
distinctions deal mainly with placement and character.
The first distinction is between on -premise and off -premise
signs, and applies to land- as well as water -oriented signs. A
sign is on -premise if it is located at the site of the business
or other activity to which it directs attention. These
on -premise signs are also known as principal use signs. An
off -premise sign directs attention to a business or activity at a
different location. An off -premise advertising sign is, in other
words, a billboard, whether oriented to land or water.
Secondly, water -oriented signs may be classified according
to their location with respect to the waterway. While some signs
directed toward the water are actually located in the water or
marsh, other water -oriented signs may be located on land which is
contiguous to the waterway. Thus, signs are either water -based
or land -based.
Finally, a distinction can be made concerning the character
of water -based signs. Conventional signs - stationary signs
erected on pilings or posts, or attached to another stationary
structure - may be located in the water. It is possible,
however, to create a non -conventional sign in the form of a
floating sign.- These signs may be docked in a permanent
location, move continually under self -propulsion, or be moved
from place to place.
Thus, water -oriented signs may be on -premise or off -premise,
land -based or water -based, and stationary or floating. In
addition, signs can be distinguished by size, height, content
(i.e. advertising water -dependent vs. non -water -dependent uses),
and spacing (distance from other signs) in much the same way
conventional signs and billboards are classified.
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D. Existing Regulations Impacting New Hanover County
Signs in the public waterway are controlled, directly and
indirectly, by various Federal, State, and local regulations.
These regulations overlap, in some cases, and act together to
make water -oriented signs virtually non-existent in the
unincorporated County. However, there are some instances in
which a water -oriented sign may be permitted. In addition, there
is a possibility that State and Federal regulations could change.
Thus, while the County's existing regulations are currently
sufficient for the most part, some additional regulations at the
local level may be warranted. Signs in public waterways are
currently controlled by County, State (Division of Coastal
Management) and Federal (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Coast
Guard) regulations.
1. New Hanover County
New Hanover County regulates, through Article IX of the
Zoning Ordinance, both on -premise signs and outdoor
advertising signs (billboards). The ordinance regulates
location (with respect to zoning districts, schools, parks,
churches, property lines, right-of-way lines, and existing
signs); size; height; illumination; and maintenance. In
addition, most signs require a permit from the Building
Inspector. Exceptions to this permitting requirement are
temporary real estate and construction signs, and certain
directional/information signs.
On -premise signs, referred to in the Zoning Ordinance
as principal use signs, are permitted as an accessory use.in
commercial districts (B-1, B-2, Shopping Center), industrial
districts (I-1, I-2, AI), office and institutional districts
(O&I), and planned development districts (PD). Outdoor
advertising signs are permitted only in I-1, I-2, and AI
districts.
Zoning district boundaries in the County generally
extend to the centerline of rivers and creeks, and to the
ocean shoreline of barrier islands. Thus, the County has
the power to regulate, to a great degree, the.placement of
signs in the water, marsh, and on land contiguous to
waterways. Since most land along New Hanover County's
waterways, particularly along the coast, is zoned for
residential purposes, signs are generally not permitted.
However, industrial zones exist along the Cape Fear and
Northeast Cape Fear Rivers, Smith Creek, and a small parcel
south of Bradley Creek on the Intracoastal Waterway,
allowing both on -premise signs and billboards to be legally
erected. There are also several small districts zoned for
business along the County's waterways, permitting on -premise
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signs: along Airlie Road on the Intracoastal Waterway, an
area on Bradley Creek at US 76, and in the Seabreeze
community contiguous to the Intracoastal Waterway. Figure 1
shows existing industrial and commercial zones along the
County's waterways.
Several other conditions may allow signs to be
constructed along the waterway under the existing Zoning
Ordinance. First, an on -premise sign may be permitted in a
residential zone when a property -owner is.granted a special
use permit, for example, to operate a marina. Second,
residential land may be rezoned in the future to a
commercial or industrial use allowing signs. Finally, the
incorporated areas of Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach,
Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach are not within the zoning
jurisdiction of the County.
2. Division of Coastal Management
-Under the Coastal Area Management Act of 1974, the
Division of Coastal Management has the authority to regulate
the State's coastal zone. CAMA regulations prohibit signs
below the mean high water line and flooded marsh.
Additionally, a CAMA minor permit is required for any sign
75 feet landward of the mean high water line, known as the
estuarine shoreline area of environmental concern.
DCM staff report that very few permit applications for
signs have been received. Signs which are erected in
violation of CAMA sign regulations (i.e. without a permit)
are required to be removed; however, an existing
"grandfathered" sign may be improved or replaced.
3. Army Corps of Engineers
The erection of any new sign in public waters or marsh
requires a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
However, according to Corps staff, the only permits they
have issued since the regulations went into effect around
1970 have been for regulatory signs (i.e. No Wake Zone).
The few inquiries which have been received concerning
non -regulatory signs have generally been from marinas who
wish to advertise off -premise.
There are some commercial signs in the County's
-waterways, but most have been in place since before the
current regulations went into effect. Prior to 1970, the
primary concern was potential hazard to navigation. Thus,
under the previous regulations, some signs were permitted,
provided they were outside the navigation channel.
Under current regulations, however, such signs would
not be granted a permit by the Corps. In addition to the
concerns about hazards to navigation, public interest,
including aesthetics, is now considered. The applicant must
5

FIGURE 1
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INDUSTRIAL AND
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LAND ADJACENT TO
PUBLIC WATERWAYS
INDUSTRIAL
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SCALE SI MACS

demonstrate why the sign must be built in the water (as
opposed to on land), and why it is in the public interest.
While it is virtually impossible to secure a permit
from the Corps to place a non -regulatory sign in the water
or marsh, the Corps has no regulatory control over land
above the mean high water line. Thus, signs could be placed
on privately owned land, subject to zoning restrictions and
CAMA regulations, and directed toward boaters on the
Intracoastal Waterway, rivers, or creeks.
4. Coast Guard
The main concern of the Coast Guard is navigation. Any
structure, including a sign, which would block the
navigation channel is not allowed. Furthermore, buoys,
range markers, etc. cannot be blocked.
E. Regulations in Other Localities
Public waterway sign regulation in other localities was
researched through the American Planning Association's Planning
Advisory Service. Although there appears to be a relative lack
of such regulation at the local level, relevant regulations were
discerned for six localities.
Four of these localities' regulations take the form of
waterfront zoning districts. The cities of Washington, D.C. and
Wilmington, Delaware have waterfront zoning districts which
prohibit billboards. Charlotte County, Florida has a "Marine
Park" zoning district for submerged lands extending seaward from
the mean high water line or bulkhead line. In this district, all
signs are prohibited except signs for navigation, warning,
trespassing, and caution. Finally, Sacramento County, California
has a "Delta Waterways" zoning district which runs along the
Sacramento River and waterways in the "Delta area." On -site
signs are permitted in this district subject to restrictions for
size (maximum 24 square feet), lighting, and location.
In contrast to separate zoning districts, the City of
Cottage Grove, Illinois has established an overlay district for
the Mississippi River Corridor. In this corridor, new
structures, presumably including signs, may not be constructed
within 100 feet landward of the bluffline or normal high water
line. In addition, advertising signs are prohibited along any
highway within 1000 feet of the "flood fringe borderline" if the
view of the river -from the highway would be blocked.
Newport Beach, California requires a permit for any
structure "in, upon, or over the waters of Newport Harbor, the
Pacific Ocean or any other water where the tide ebbs and flows."
Informational and directional signs which list general services
and commodities, but not specific brands, are permitted beyond
the bulkhead lines. However, no sign may exceed four square feet
in size.
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F. Alternative Approaches to Regulation
While water -oriented signs are currently not a major problem
in the unincorporated County, the potential for controversy
exists, as evidenced by the adoption of regulations in other
localities. New Hanover County has several options for future
regulation of water-orientedsigns. The approaches discussed
below incorporate some concepts used in other localities. The
options range from relying on existing regulations to banning
water -oriented signs entirely. In between these two extremes,
the existing sign ordinance could be amended to regulate
water -oriented signs.
1. Rely on Existing Regulations
The County presently regulates both on- and off -premise
signs through the Zoning Ordinance. In addition, the State,
through the Division of Coastal Management, and the Federal
government, through the Army Corps of Engineers, also
restrict the placement of signs in public waters. As noted
earlier, these local, State, and Federal regulations act
together to make water -oriented signs virtually non-existent
in the unincorporated County.
Relying on the existing regulations would likely
restrict the construction of most water -oriented signs. An
advantage of this approach is that it would require no
action by the Board of Commissioners to implement. However,
there are some disadvantages to this approach.
One problem is that even under the existing
regulations, some water -oriented signs may be allowed. In
addition, the Federal or State regulations could change in
the future. Finally, rezonings or special use permits may
allow water -oriented signs to be legally erected.
2. Ban Water -Oriented Signs.
Administratively, the simplest method of sign control
for the unincorporated County's public waterways would be to
ban all water -oriented signs. This option could be
implemented by prohibiting all non -regulatory signs in any
navigable waterway, adjacent marsh, and within a certain
distance landward of the mean high water line. (See
Appendix for proposed ordinance changes.) By prohibiting
signs landward of the mean high water line, the scenic view
of the water -from the land would also be protected.
This approach may be too severe,
on -premise signs would not be allowed.
signs are typically the only way for
itself, the ability of water -dependent
may be curtailed under this approach.
however, because
Since on -premise
a business to identify
businesses to survive
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3. Amend Existing Regulations
A compromise between these two alternatives may be the
fairest and most effective approach.. The existing sign
regulations in the Zoning Ordinance could be amended to
prohibit certain signs, while regulating the size, location,
and character of permitted signs.
Under this approach, language could be added to the
sign ordinance which would prohibit off -premise signs
(billboards) in navigable public waters, marsh, and within a
certain distance landward of the mean high water line.
On -premise signs for water -dependent uses would be allowed
under this approach, but would be limited to a certain size.
Additional limitations to on -premise signs could be
considered, including height, color, illumination, and
physical proximity to the business. Floating signs could be
banned entirely. (See Appendix for proposed ordinance
changes.)
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APPENDIX
A. OPTION 2 - Ban Water -Oriented Signs
Add the following language to Article IX of the Zoning
Ordinance:
91-8 Water -Oriented Signs - No sign shall be erected, or attached to
any structure, in, upon or over any navigable public waterway
or marsh, nor within four -hundred (400) feet landward of the
mean high water line.
B. OPTION 3 - Amend Existing Regulations
1. Add the following definition to the Zoning Ordinance:
23-86 Floating Sign - Any sign painted on or attached to
any boat or structure which floats or is designed
to float, whether such boat or structure is
self-propelled or not.
2. Amend Article IX of the Zoning Ordinance as follows
(shown in italics):
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ARTICLE IX DESIGN STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS FOR SIGNS
Section 90 Purpose
It is the purpose of this Article to permit signs of a commercial,
industrial, and residential nature in districts which have uses with
appropriate need for signs and to regulate the size and placement of signs
intended to be seen from a public right-of-way or public waters.
Section 91 General Provisions
91-1 All signs within the jurisdictional area shall be covered by these
regulations and shall be erected, constructed, and maintained in accordance
with the provisions of this Ordinance, the North Carolina Building Code,
and the National Electrical Code. Only those signs that are specified
shall be erected within the jurisdictional areas of this Ordinance.
91-2 Traffic Safety - No sign shall be erected or continued that:
(1) Obstructs the sight distance at intersections or along a public
right-of-way or public waterway;
(2) Would tend by its location, color, or nature, to be confused with or
obstruct the view of traffic signs or signals, or would be confused
with a flashing light of an emergency vehicle; or
(3) Which might be confused with traffic directional signals and signs
such as "stop", "go", "danger", etc.
91-3 Maintenance - Whenever a sign becomes structurally unsafe or endangers the
safety of a building or the public, the Building Inspector shall order that
such sign be made safe or removed. A period of ten (10) days following
receipt of said order by the person, firm, or corporation owning or using
the sign shall be allowed for compliance.
91-4 Construction Prohibited - No sign shall be attached to or painted on any
telephone pole, light pole, telegraph pole, or other man made objects not
intended to support a sign or any tree, rock, or other natural objects.
91-5 Illumination - Illumination devices such as, but not limited to, flood or
spot lights shall be so placed and so shielded as to prevent the rays of
illumination from being cast upon neighboring buildings and/or vehicles
approaching from either direction.
91-6 Non -Conforming Signs - All signs or advertising structures located in
districts where they would not be permitted as a new use under the terms of
these regulations are hereby declared to be non -conforming uses.
Non -conforming signs shall be removed within three (3) years of the
adoption of this Ordinance. However, signs that are non -conforming as a
result of improper illumination shall be made to conform to the
requirements of this Ordinance within one (1) year.
91-7 Exclusion - Signs listed below are excluded from these regulations:
(1) Signs not exceeding (1) one square foot in area and bearing only
property numbers, post office box numbers, names of occupants of
premises, or other identification of premises not having commercial
connotations; `^
(2) Flags and insignias of any government except where displayed in
connection with commercial promotion;
(3) Legal notices, identification, information, or directional signs
erected or required by governmental bodies;
10

(4) Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings except
letters, trademarks, moving lights, or moving parts; and
(5) Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property,
but bearing no advertising matter.
91-8 Floating Signs - Floating signs shall not be permitted.
Section 92 Administration, Filing Procedure and Permits
92-1 Administration - The Building Inspector shall issue a permit for fhe
erection or construction only for a sign which meets the requirements of
this Ordinance.
92-2 Filing Procedure - Applications for permits to erect, hang, place, paint,
or alter the structure of a sign shall be submitted on forms accompanied by
a plan showing the following:
(1) Area of the sign;
(2) Size, character, general layout and designs proposed for painted
displays;
(3) The method and type of illumination, if any;
(4) The location proposed for such signs in relation to property lines,_
zoning district boundaries, right-of-way lines, public waterways, and
existing signs;
(5) If conditions warrant it, the Building Inspector may require such
additional information as will enable him to determine if such sign is
to be erected in conformance with the requirements of this Ordinance;
and
(6) Payment of fee to obtain building permit.
Section 93 Signs Which do not Require a Permit
The following signs may be erected, hung, or placed without a permit from
the Building Inspector but shall not be illuminated unless otherwise
specified.
93-1 Temporary Real Estate Sign - One (1) temporary real estate sign not
exceeding ten (10) square feet in area shall be permitted per residential
lot. One (1) temporary real estate sign not exceeding thirty-two (32)
square feet in area shall be permitted, for commercial or industrial
property, and/or for tracts of land five (5) acres or more in area. Where
the property on which said sign is to be placed faces more than one (1)
street, such sign shall be allowed on each street frontage.
93-2 Temporary Construction Sign - One (1) temporary construction site sign not
exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet erected on the site during the period
of construction to announce the name of the owner or developer,
contractors, architect, land planner, landscape architect, engineer, and/or
mortgage banker.
93-3 Direction or Information Sign - Direction or information signs of a public
or quasi -public nature shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in
area. Such signs shall only be used for the purpose of stating or calling
attention to:
(1) The name or location of the town, hospital, community center, public
or private school, church, synagogue, or other place or worship - this
type sign may be illuminated;
(2) The name of a place of meeting of an official or civic body, or
fraternal organization - this type sign may be illuminated;
(3) An event of public interest such as a public hearing, rezoning
announcement, general election, church or public meeting; local or
county fair; and other similar community activities and campaigns;
11

(4) Soil Conservation, 4-H and similar projects;
(5) Zoning and subdivision jurisdiction boundaries; and
(6) Name of a subdivision or other building project (sign may include name
of project, real estate agency, architect, engineer mortgage banker,
etc.)
93-4 Setback Requirements - Signs which do not require a permit shall be set
back at least ten (10) feet from any public right-of-way line or property
line and shall be set back at least fifty (50) feet from any road
construction.
Section 94 Signs Which Require A Permit
No sign except those listed in Section 93 shall be erected, hung, or
structurally altered without a permit from the Building Inspector. The
following signs shall be erected, hung, placed, or structurally altered
only after a permit has been issued by the Building Inspector and the
minimum requirements for such signs are met.
94-1 Principal Use Signs
(1) Each principal use sign shall require a permit.
(2) Principal use signs may be illuminated.
(3) Principal use signs shall be set back at least ten (10) feet from any
right-of-way line or property line and shall not obstruct the vision
at a street intersection for a distance of fifty (50) feet from the
right-of-way of the intersection.
(4) No principal use sign shall be permitted that exceeds three hundred
(300) square feet of sign area.
(5) No principal use sign shall exceed forty (40) feet in height measured
from the finished grade of the lot to the top of the sign structure.
(6) The combined total sign area of all principal use signs on the,
premises shall not exceed seven hundred (700) square feet or six (6)
square feet of sign area per linear foot of street frontage in single
ownership, whichever is less.
(7) No principal use sign in, upon or over any navigable public waterway
or marsh, or within four -hundred (400) feet landward of the mean high
water line shall exceed seventy-five (75) square feet of sign area.
No such sign shall exceed fifteen (15) feet in height, measured from
the mean high water line to the top of the sign structure.
94-2 Outdoor Advertising Signs (5/4/87)
(1) Purpose: Outdoor advertising signs are herein regulated for the
purposes of regulating excess signage, encouraging the positive
economic development of the County, preserving and improving tourism
views, promoting the safety of the traveling public, .protecting
existing property values in both residential and nonresidential areas,
preventing the overcrowding of land, and protecting the aesthetics of
the County .
The regulations are designed to prevent their overconcent'ration,
improper placement, and excessive height, bulk, number and area. It
is recognized that, unlike on -premise identification signs which are
in actuality a part of a business, outdoor advertising is a separate
and distinct use of the public thoroughfare. With a view to this
distinction, outdoor advertising signs are regulated differently from
on -premise signs.
12

(2) Design Regulations: Except for ordinary maintenance, poster panel
replacements, copy changes, or repair not involving structural,
material, or electrical changes, no outdoor advertising signs, or part
thereof, shall be erected, altered, constructed, changed, converted,
reerected, additionally illuminated, enlarged, or moved unless the
entire outdoor advertising sign and structure are brought into
conformity with this code.
(a) Area of outdoor advertising signs: No outdoor advertising sign
facing streets with four (4) or more traffic lanes may exceed one
hundred and fifty (150) square feet; outdoor advertising signs
�. facing streets with fewer than four (4) traffic lanes may not exceed
seventy-five (75) square feet. The allowable sign area of signs
with equal size and shape for both double-faced (back-to-back) and
V-type signs is measured by computing the area of only one side
of the sign. Both sides of a double-faced or V-type sign shall
be of equal size. No point on either side shall be more than 15
feet from the nearest point of the other side.
(b) Height: No outdoor advertising sign or part thereof, including
base, apron, supports, supporting structures, and trim, may
exceed thirty (30) feet in height. Rooftop outdoor advertising
signs are prohibited. -
(c) Construction standards:
1. Each outdoor advertising sign shall comply with the
applicable setback requirements of the district in which it
is located. In no case, however, shall an outdoor
advertising sign be located less than ten (10) feet from any
right-of-way or property line.
2. Corner lots: No part of an outdoor.advertising sign may be
located within a triangular area formed by the street
right-of-way lines and a line connecting them at points fifty
(50) feet from the right-of-way intersection.
3. Spacing of signs: No part of any outdoor advertising sign
shall be located less than one thousand (1,000) feet from
any part of another outdoor advertising sign.
4. The backs of all outdoor advertising signs shall be painted
in a neutral color to blend with the surrounding area and to
prevent the reflection of car lights and sun light.
5. Sign messages which advertise a discontinued activity or use
of a building or premise shall be removed within sixty (60)
days from the date the activity or use was terminated.
Signs advertising events such as shows, displays, festivals,
circuses, fairs, athletic contests, dances, fund drives,
elections, exhibits, meetings, conventions and the like shall
be removed within thirty (30) days after the date of
termination of such event.
6. Outdoor advertising signs shall not be constructed within
areas designated under the Special Highway Overlay District
(SHOD), in accordance with Section 59.6.
Outdoor advertising signs and structures which comply with
the provisions of this Ordinance are permitted in I-1, I-2,
and A -I zoning districts provided the specific sign location
is four hundred (400) feet or more from any residential
zoning district, place of worship, public park, or school.
13

., .
Outdoor advertising signs shall not be permitted in, upon
or over any navigable public waterway, marsh, or within
four -hundred (400) feet of the mean high water line.
7. All nonconforming outdoor advertising signs shall be
discontinued or made conforming (amortized) within five and
one-half (5 1/2) years from the effective date of this section
unless explicitly prohibited by state statute. All outdoor
advertising signs which are made nonconforming by an amendment
to this chapter, or to the official zoning map, or extension of
the areas in which this section is applicable shall be
discontinued or made conforming (amortized) within five and
one-half (5 1/2) years after the date of such amendment or
extension, unless explicitly prohibited by state statute.
(5/4/87)
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