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Planning staff releases public‑comment draft to update county sign standards, including digital signs
Summary
Planning staff presented a public‑comment draft to modernize New Hanover County’s UDO sign rules: clarifying measurement and definitions, adding provisions for digital/changeable copy signs, updating illumination standards, and reorganizing the code for clarity. A two‑week public comment period will begin next week ahead of a Sept. hearing.
Planning staff presented a public‑comment draft on Aug. 7 to update the Unified Development Ordinance’s sign standards, calling the work a maintenance amendment focused on clarity, legal compliance and modernization.
Miss Rolfe said the amendments clean up cross‑references, clarify how sign area is measured, add definitions for newer sign types, and add a specific changeable‑copy section covering both manually changed signs and digital/display signs. Staff also updated illumination and enforcement language, removed amortization language that had been previously included, and proposed content‑neutral wording consistent with recent Supreme Court precedent.
The draft includes targeted allowances and restrictions for digital signage in nonresidential uses that fall within residential zoning districts along major corridors, intended to reflect on‑the‑ground conditions (for example, Market Street and Carolina Beach Road). Staff explained that the county’s previous sign language, adopted circa 2001, left ambiguities around digital signs and enforcement; the update aims to reduce the need for customers to consult staff to determine compliance.
Miss Rolfe said the public‑comment draft will be posted early next week; the public comment period will last about two weeks, after which staff will incorporate comments and return an updated public‑hearing draft to the planning board in September. Staff will notify the county’s sunshine list and local sign companies about the posting.
Next steps: Public comment period begins early next week; staff will summarize comments and bring a revised draft back to the planning board for a public hearing in September before forwarding a recommendation to the County Commissioners.
