Code of the City of Washington, North Carolina
Chapter 27 - Zoning
Article XVI. Signs
Illustrated Sign Ordinance
Section 171: Freestanding sign surface area

(a) For purposes of this section, a side of a freestanding sign is any plane or flat surface included in the calculation of the total sign surface area as provided in Section 27-169. For example, wall signs typically have one (1) side. Freestanding signs typically have two (2) sides (back-to-back), although four-sided and other multi-sided signs are also common.

(b) Subject to subsection (c) below, a single side of a freestanding sign may not exceed one-half (0.5) of a square foot in surface area for every linear foot of street frontage along the street toward which such sign is primarily oriented. However, in no case may a single side of a freestanding sign exceed two hundred (200) square feet.
(c) Freestanding signs are not permitted in the B1H district.
(d) With respect to freestanding signs that have no discernible "sides," such as spheres or other shapes not composed of flat planes, no such freestanding sign may exceed the maximum surface area allowed under subsection (b) above for a single side of a freestanding sign.
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