19A NCAC 02E .0208. PERMIT AND PERMIT EMBLEM

(a)  A permit shall be issued for lawful outdoor advertising structures by the Division of Highways of the Department of Transportation upon proper application, approval, and the payment of the nonrefundable initial permit fee.

(b)  The erection of new outdoor advertising structures shall not commence until a permit has been approved and the emblem issued.  The outdoor advertising structure except all sign faces must be completely constructed and erected within 180 days from the date of approval of the permit and issuance of the emblem.  If the outdoor advertising structure except sign faces is not constructed within 180 days from the date of approval of the permit and issuance of the emblem then any intervening rule change shall apply to the sign structure.  During the 180 day period, the new outdoor advertising structure shall be considered in existence for the purpose of spacing of adjacent signs as set out in the rules in this Section.

(c)  The permit holder/sign owner shall notify the appropriate Division of Highways district engineer by certified mail, return receipt requested, within 10 days after the outdoor  advertising structure is completed that it is ready for final inspection.

(d)  Prior to notifying the appropriate District Engineer that the structure has been completed, the sign owner shall place the emblem, which will have an identifying number, on the outdoor advertising structure in such a position as to be visible and readable from the main traveled way of the controlled route.

(e)  Prior to notifying the appropriate District Engineer that the structure has been completed, the sign owner shall affix the name of the person, firm, or corporation owning or maintaining the outdoor advertising sign to the sign structure in sufficient size to be clearly visible from the main traveled way of the controlled route.

(f)  Within 90 days after receiving notice that an outdoor advertising structure is complete, the appropriate District Engineer shall inspect the structure.  If the structure fails to comply with the Outdoor Advertising Control Act or the rules in this Section, the District Engineer shall advise the permit holder/sign owner by certified mail of the manner in which the structure fails to comply and that the structure must be made to comply within 30 days of receipt of the notice or removed.

(g)  Replacements for emblems that are missing or illegible may be obtained from the district engineer by submitting a written request accompanied by a copy of the permit application which approved the original emblem.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 136‑130;

Eff. July 1, 1978;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2000; November 1, 1993; December 1, 1990.