[Durham INC] changeable copy signs

[John Schelp]

Over the weekend, a question was posted on the INC listserv about changeable copy signs. Here is Planning staff's response...


> Zoning Enforcement Officers handle enforcement of our sign ordinance.

Off-premise signs are prohibited except for the existing nonconforming
off-premise signs, which can be maintained but not improved.  UDO Sec.
11.3.5, Off-Premise Signs, and UDO Sec. 11.2.8, Nonconforming Signs
including B., Nonconforming Off-Premise Signs.  Size.

On-premise signs are allowed if they meet the UDO standards in Article
11, Sign Standards.  Some on-premise signs can have changeable copy,
including digital copy, if it changes only 8 times per day, or once
every 3 hours on average.  (The digital billboards proposed in Fairway's
original text amendment request would change faces every 8 seconds, or
approx. 10,800 times per day.) There is an exception for the Downtown
Tier - see next paragraph. 

Specifically, on-premise signs that are in non-residential districts,
that are associated with non-residential uses in a PDR district, or that
are associated with places of worship and institutional uses in any
district can have changeable copy.  The copy can change not more than 8
times per day, except for time and temperature displays.  No more than
50% of the sign area can be devoted to changeable copy, except that
theaters may devote 80% of the sign area to changeable copy.  UDO
Section 11.2.7, Changeable Copy on On-Premise Signs.  Animated or motion
signs, including those that periodically change to show different images
or messages, are prohibited except if they are time/temperature
displays, are allowed under Sec. 11.2.7, or are allowed in the Downtown
Tier due to DDRT recommendation and Planning Director approval.  UDO
Sec. 11.3.1, Animated or Motion Signs. 

Regarding the DOT signs, we would need to research whether specific
state or federal regulations apply.

I hope this helps and please let me know if you have questions or need
additional information.

Regards,
Julia

Julia Mullen, Planner
City-County Planning Department
Durham, North Carolina
(919) 560-4137 ext. 255