The public response to a Confederate flag raised last year alongside Route 70 saw residents urge Orange County Commissioners to amend county ordinance regarding flags.

The changes were made, including new restrictions on the size of flags allowed based on the zoning of the property where the flag stands.

Officials then gave residents one year to come into compliance. That was May 15, 2018. Now, the county has issued a statement outlining how the new ordinance will be enforced.

“We knew it was coming,” county commission chair Penny Rich told WCHL’s Aaron Keck last Wednesday: one year to the day since the new ordinance was passed. “We knew that at this point we were going to have to go into some sort of discussions with our attorney and make sure that we don’t wind up in any kind of ridiculous lawsuit.”

Rich said there are concerns over safety in this situation. A large flagpole near the side of a busy roadway is hazardous if the pole should fall over. Also, she said, the flag could be a distraction for drivers.

“When you have something that gigantic and people are driving and looking up at the same time, that’s not a good thing.”

Officials said the new ordinance must be fairly enforced against all flags not in compliance. A review by zoning enforcement officials earlier this year found as many as 20 flags out compliance within the county’s jurisdiction.

Those properties will be revisited now that the grace period has ended, county officials said. Property owners will be given a chance to remedy or appeal the violation before an injunction is sought.

Related Stories
‹
Orange County Rejects Appeal Over Large Confederate Flag Along U.S. 70
The Orange County Board of Adjustment rejected an appeal by a Hillsborough resident over a large Confederate flag on his private property on Monday. The board heard the case of Robert Hall Jr., who lives near U.S. Highway 70 and has had a large Confederate flag raised since April 2018. Hall was appealing his flag’s […]
Hundreds Gather in Hillsborough to Support Confederate Flag
Several hundred confederate flag supporters gathered in downtown Hillsborough Saturday for a ‘Southern Heritage Ride and Rally.’ It was pitched as an educational event to learn more about the history of the flag and other Confederate memorials. WCHL’s Jess Clark was there, listen below:   Last Thursday, on the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights […]
Groundbreaking Ceremony for Jamezetta Bedford Crisis Care Center Set for Oct. 22
Orange County will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the Jamezetta Bedford Crisis Care Center Thursday, Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. The new facility will be on Waterstone Drive in Hillsborough, next to the UNC Hospitals Hillsborough campus. “This center represents the kind of compassionate, community-focused care our residents deserve,” said Jean Hamilton, chair of the […]
Hillsborough Mayor Calls for Release of 19-Year-Old Orange High School Graduate Detained by ICE
Hillsborough mayor Mark Bell has issued a statement in support of 19-year-old Isaac Gallegos, an Orange High School graduate and Hillsborough resident who is currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gallegos has been detained since Wednesday, Oct. 7. Read Bell’s full statement below: On behalf of the Town of Hillsborough, I […]
Local Government Meetings: October 12-16, 2026
This week in local government: property valuation in Orange County, Chatham Park in Pittsboro, and Churton Street's future in Hillsborough.
What's Open or Closed on Labor Day? Holiday to Impact Local Government Services
Monday marks the observance of Labor Day, which is meant to celebrate the contribution of workers and employees across the United States. With that, the local governments in Orange County will be giving many of their employees the day off, which will affect certain local government services. Ahead of the holiday on Monday, Sep. 7, […]
'A Beautiful and Lasting Tribute': New Orange County Crisis Diversion Center Named in Jamezetta Bedford's Honor
Jamezetta Bedford's Orange County commissioner colleagues recently dedicated the future crisis diversion facility in her honor and memory.
Orange County Sheriff: Student Assaults Staff Members at Partnership Academy
A School Resource Officer from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office detained a student at Hillsborough’s Partnership Academy Tuesday after the student allegedly assaulted two staff members, per a release. The sheriff’s office says the SRO will now coordinate with the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention regarding legal consequences. After the assault, […]
The Morning News: Mark Chilton Retiring, UNC Returning
In today's news: longtime Orange County Register of Deeds Mark Chilton announces he's stepping down, a few months before the end of his term.
Red Cross Declares Blood Crisis: Here's Where You Can Donate Locally
The American Red Cross is calling for immediate blood donations, declaring a national blood crisis for the second time in history.
›