(a)        A county, city, consolidated city-county, or unified government shall not prohibit an official governmental flag from being flown or displayed if the official governmental flag is flown or displayed:

(1)        In accordance with the patriotic customs set forth in 4 U.S.C.    5-10, as amended; and

(2)        Upon private or public property with the consent of either the owner of the property or of any person having lawful control of the property.

(b)        Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, for the purpose of protecting the public health, safety, and welfare, reasonable restrictions on flag size, number of flags, location, and height of flagpoles are not prohibited, provided that such restrictions shall not discriminate against any official governmental flag in any manner.

(c)        For purposes of this section, an “official governmental flag” shall mean any of the following:

(1)        The flag of the United States of America.

(2)        The flag of nations recognized by the United States of America.

(3)        The flag of the State of North Carolina.

(4)        The flag of any state or territory of the United States.

(5)        The flag of a political subdivision of any state or territory of the United States. (2005-360, s. 1.)

Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 144-7

  • following: when used by way of reference to any section of a statute, shall be construed to mean the section next preceding or next following that in which such reference is made; unless when some other section is expressly designated in such reference. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
  • property: shall include all property, both real and personal. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
  • United States: shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3