N.C. Gen. Stat. § 136-140.8
The North Carolina Department of Transportation shall upon receipt of a declaration, petition, resolution, certified copy of an ordinance, or other clear direction from a board of county commissioners, municipality, county, city, provided that such resolution is not in conflict with existing statute or ordinance, that removal of motorist services directional signs would cause an economic hardship in a defined area, shall forward such declaration, resolution, or finding to the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation for inclusion as a defined hardship area qualifying for exemption pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 131(O). Any such declaration or resolution submitted to the North Carolina Department of Transportation shall further find that such motorist service signs provided directional information about goods and services in the interest of the traveling public and shall request the retention by the State of said directional motorist services signs as defined herein. The North Carolina Department of Transportation shall thereupon comply with all regulations issued both now and hereafter by the Federal Highway Administration necessary for application for the exemption provided in 23 U.S.C. 131(O), provided such motorist services directional signs were lawfully erected under State law at the time of their erection and were in existence on May 5, 1976. The petitioner seeking exemption of those signs defined in G.S. 136-140.7 shall furnish the information required by the United States Department of Transportation to the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Department of Transportation shall request exemption from the United States Department of Transportation.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 136-140.8