Important sign definitions in the Zoning Ordinance:

Sign - Any object, device, display or structure, or part thereof, which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct or attract attention to any object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event or location by any means, including but not limited to words, letters, pennants, banners, emblems, trademarks, trade names, insignias, numerals, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination or projected images or any other attention directing device.

Temporary Sign - Any non-permanent sign designed to advertise a business or event (non-profit or for-profit) for a limited amount of time. These can include portable signs, signs placed in or on the ground or signs placed on a vehicle. These do not include political signs as specified in Section 15.5(9).

Section 15.10 includes specific requirements for different types of Temporary Signs. They are:

1. On-premise or off-premise signs promoting events sponsored by civic, charitable, educational, religious, community recreational, or other non-profit organizations may be erected up to two (2) weeks in advance of the event being promoted. These signs shall be removed within two (2) days following the conclusion of the event. The signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in size, and shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height, measured from ground level to the top of the sign. Written permission shall be required for signs located on property other than the location of the event. No such signs shall be permitted on public property or within public rights-of-way unless authorized by the responsible landowner or agency. There shall be no more than one (1) sign per street or road frontage per parcel.

2. On-premise or off-premise signs promoting real estate open houses may be erected up to two (2) days prior to the open house and must be removed within 24 hours following the conclusion of the open house. The signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet in size, and shall not exceed five (5) feet in height, measured from ground level to the top of the sign. Written permission shall be required for signs located on property other than the location of the event. No such signs shall be permitted on public property or within public rights-of-way unless authorized by the responsible landowner or agency. There shall be no more than one (1) sign per street or road frontage per parcel, and no more than three (3) signs per real estate open house.

3. All other temporary signs shall be on-premise and shall not be erected for more than 30 calendar days per year, shall not exceed 32 square feet in size, and shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height, measured from ground level to the top of the sign. No such signs shall be permitted on public property or within public rights-of-way unless authorized by the responsible landowner or agency. There shall be no more than one (1) sign per street or road frontage per parcel.

4. Banner signs shall be permitted as on-premise temporary signs, provided they do not exceed 32 square feet in size. Banner signs shall be erected for no more 30 calendar days per year. No banner signs shall be permitted on public property or within public rights-of-way unless authorized by the responsible landowner or agency. There shall be no more than one (1) sign per street or road frontage per parcel.

5. On-premise temporary signs giving information pertaining to construction taking place on the property for which a permit has been issued may remain throughout construction but shall be removed upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy. These signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in size, and shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height, measured from ground level to the top of the sign. No such signs shall be permitted on public property or within public rights-of-way unless authorized by the responsible landowner or agency. There shall be no more than one (1) sign per construction entrance.

The Temporary Sign Application is a free application that is available in PDF format, and can be submitted via Email. To submit the Application, please click the link below, complete the application, and save it on your computer. Once the completed application is saved, please email the application to the following address: angela.plummer@chathamcountync.gov

• Temporary Sign Application