19A NCAC 02E .0208      PERMIT AND PERMIT EMBLEM

(a)  Permits shall be issued for signs that are in compliance with all federal, State, or local laws pertaining to outdoor advertising structures by the Division of Highways of the Department of Transportation upon application, approval, and the payment of the initial permit fee as defined in Rule .0207 of this Section.

(b)  The erection of new outdoor advertising structures shall not commence until a permit has been approved and the emblem issued. All construction of the outdoor advertising structure, except sign faces, shall be completed within 180 days of the approval of the permit. 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 Rule .0203 of this Section.

(c)  The permit holder shall notify the appropriate office as provided in the permit by certified mail, return receipt requested, within 10 days after the outdoor advertising structure is completed. Upon completion of the construction and prior to notifying the appropriate District Engineer's Office, the permit holder shall affix the following information to the outdoor advertising structure in a position as to be visible from the main-traveled way of the controlled route:

(1)           the emblem, with a Department-issued identification number; and

(2)           the name of the person, firm or corporation owning or maintaining the outdoor advertising structure.

(d)  Within 90 days after receiving notice that an outdoor advertising structure is complete, the appropriate District Engineer's office 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's office shall advise the permit holder by certified mail of the manner in which the structure fails to comply. The permit holder shall have 30 days from receipt of the notice to either bring the structure into compliance or have it removed.

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

History Note:        Authority G.S. 136‑130; 136-133;

Eff. July 1, 1978;

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

Readopted Eff. January 1, 2021.