TEMPORARY (SNIPE) SIGNS

(Political  |  Grand Opening  |  Special Event  |  Yard Sale)

 

(828) 323-7410

 

Signs

Signs are regulated by the City of Hickory to stabilize and protect property values, to maintain the visual attractiveness of the City and its environment, and to promote the public safety.  Regulations govern the location, size, and type of signs and require that most signs have zoning and/or building permits.  Applications for Temporary Sign Permits may be obtained at the Development Assistance Center or online on the City’s website at www.hickorygov.com.  For additional information, contact Teresa Hamby with the Development Assistance Center by calling 323-7491. No signs are allowed in street rights of way.

 

Political Signs

 

• Residential Standards:  Non-illuminated political signs may be displayed on any private property in residential districts.  Such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in area individually or in total and are permitted in required front yards.  Such signs shall be removed not later than 7 days following the election or campaign to which they pertain.  Signs placed in public rights-of-way may be removed by the City and shall be immediately discarded.
  
• Non-Residential Standards:  Non-illuminated political signs may be displayed on any private property with permission in non-residential districts.  Such signs shall not exceed 40 square feet in area individually or in total and are permitted in front and side corner setbacks.  Such signs shall be removed not later than 7 days following the election or campaign to which they pertain.  Signs placed in public rights-of-way may be removed by the City and shall be immediately discarded.

 

Rights-of-Way

The space between the street and the public utility poles that parallels the street is part of the public right of way.  Signs are prohibited in this area and will be removed by City staff.  Signs in the rights of way are illegal because they detract from the attractiveness of city streets, can create distractions to drivers and, in some cases, pose traffic hazards.

 

Grand Opening/Special Event Signs

Temporary signs or banners erected for not more than 14 days announcing openings, closings, management changes or special events shall be allowed, subject to issuance of a

Zoning Compliance Permit and compliance with the following standards:

 

• Such signs shall be attached in total to a building wall or canopy.
• No more than 6 such signs may be erected by any establishment within a calendar year.
• The permit for such sign shall be on display at the establishment.
• Refundable bond & possible administrative fee applies.

 

Visibility at Intersections (Sight Triangles)

No sign or any other material or structure that will obstruct vision between a height of 2.5 feet and 8 feet (as measured from the pavement edge of the adjacent roadway) shall be erected, placed or maintained within the following area:

 

• Begin at the intersection of the rights-of-way of the two intersecting roadways or at the intersection of the pavement edges, if no right-of-way exists, whichever is more restrictive.
• Measure from the intersecting points 70 feet along the major right-of-way or pavement edge and 10 feet along the minor right-of-way or pavement edge; and
• Connect the ends of the measurements to form a triangle.

                  

                                     (Click here for a Sight Triangle (right-of-way) Diagram)

 

Before ordering any sign contact the Development Assistance Center at 323-7491 to see if it is allowed.

All approved signs with or without permits must be located outside rights of way and sight triangles and must meet setback restrictions.  Signs in the rights of way may be removed by City staff and immediately discarded.