S513 - North Carolina Farm Act of 2015, Sec. 10: Establish Marking and Notice Requirements for Meteorological Towers (SL 2015-263)

Overview: Sec. 10 of S.L. 2015-263 requires meteorological towers between 50 and 200 feet high to be marked and painted such that they are visible during daylight hours from a distance of at least 2,000 feet. The towers must be painted in alternating bands of orange and white, have a marker ball attached to the top third of each guy wire, and have a seven-foot long safety sleeve at each anchor point. Any person constructing a meteorological tower must also register with the Department of Transportation (DOT), provide the location and height of the proposed tower, and pay a $350 registration fee. DOT must develop and maintain a database of these towers by January 1, 2017, and make the database available on its Web site. The Secretary of Transportation may assess a $10,000 penalty against any person who violates either the marking or notice requirements. Towers existing on January 1, 2017, are grandfathered and not subject to the requirements of this section.

This section becomes effective January 1, 2017, and applies to meteorological towers erected on or after that date.