Commissioners OK sign ordinance
By COBY LaRUE
Staff
On a 4-1 vote, the Alleghany County Board of Commissioners approved
an off-site sign ordinance regulating all such signs measuring more
than 32 square feet (4'x8') on Feb. 18.
The ordinance was approved on a motion by Commissioner Milly
Richardson, seconded by Commissioner Doug Murphy. The motion was
amended to allow for a six-month trial period for the ordinance at
the request of Commissioner Randy Miller.
Commission Chair Ken Richardson voted against the ordinance.
He earlier had voiced support for a more simple ordinance only
governing billboards.
The ordinance was adopted as presented by the planning board, with
the exception that it includes regulations for only off site signs
measuring larger than the aforementioned square footage. The earlier
ordinance basically regulated a larger number of signs, including
smaller sizes.
Off-site signs are those that are not located on the premises of the
business for which they advertise. Signs for businesses on the
business' grounds are not regulated by the ordinance, nor are signs
within the limits, or within one mile of the limits, of the Town of
Sparta. The town has its own sign regulations.
Exempted from the ordinance, meaning they are allowed and don't
require a permit and don't have to meet setback and other
requirements, are:
governmental signs;
flags or insignia of any governmental or nonprofit not displayed as
advertising;
utility or construction company warning signs;
commemorative tablets, markers or monuments erected by the
commissioners or with their permission;
signs on operational motor vehicles indicating the name of a
business, when the vehicle is not intended solely for display of signs;
signs required by law, statute or ordinance;
temporary decorations or displays associated with national, local
or religious holidays or celebrations. (This section of the exemption
covers temporary Choose and Cut signs, county officials said);
political signs;
temporary directional signs not to exceed an area of four square feet;
yard sale signs; and
any sign with a surface area of 32 square feet or less.
Under the ordinance, the following off-site are prohibited outright
(if larger than 32 square feet):
signs that obstruct the view of drivers;
animated or illuminated signs that shine on a dwelling or road with
enough intensity to impair a driver's vision;
any non-governmental sign resembling a public safety warning or
traffic signal;
any sign on a right-of-way, except governmental signs;
signs on trees and utility poles or painted or drawn on rocks or
other natural features;
signs containing words or graphics that are obscene;
off-site advertising signs along federal or state scenic byways,
and local scenic byways designated by the county commissioners;
portable off-site signs;
off-site roof and attached signs;
off-site signs along unpaved state and private roads
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