The purpose of this chapter is to regulate existing and proposed signs
in order to:
A. Preserve the aesthetic value of the property in the Incorporated
Village of Massapequa Park.
B. Enhance and protect the physical appearance and environment
of the Incorporated Village of Massapequa Park.
C. Preserve the scenic and natural beauty of the Incorporated
Village of Massapequa Park.
D. Provide for a more enjoyable and pleasing community.
E. Reduce sign and advertising distractions and obstructions
that may contribute to traffic, congestion and/or accidents.
F. Reduce hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging
or projecting over public rights-of-way.
G. Reduce hazards to bicyclists and pedestrians that may
be caused from signs being placed on or around sidewalks or streets.
As used in this chapter, the following terms are defined as set forth:
OBSCENE
Objectionable or offensive to accepted standards of decency.
PERSON
Includes one or more persons, corporations, partnerships, associations,
companies and all other entities of any kind capable of suing or being sued.
PROJECTING SIGN
Any sign which is erected or maintained over any street, sidewalk,
alley, highway or vehicle.
SIGN or SIGNS
Any material, including paper, cloth, wood, aluminum, plastic and
canvas; structure or device for visual communication composed of lettered
or pictorial matter or upon which lettered or pictorial matter is placed,
which is used outside of or on the exterior of any building, structure or
vehicle for display of an advertisement, announcement, notice, banner, logo,
flag, directional matter or name, and includes, but is not limited to, signs,
billboards, signboards, illuminated signs, neon tube or ground signs, but
does not include signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in the discharge
of any governmental function.
Any person or persons or legal entity desiring to procure a permit for
a sign shall file with the Building Department a written application which
shall contain:
A. The place and position where the sign is to be located
on the building or on said real property pursuant to the requirements herein
stated.
B. Written consent of the owner or owners of the building
or structure or land on which or to which the sign is to be erected.
C. A certification by a licensed electrician in the State
of New York when required by law in a business district.
D. A picture or drawing of said sign must be submitted with
the application for a permit.
The fee for a permit for the placement of signs upon property within
the residential districts within the Incorporated Village of Massapequa Park
shall be at a level fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of
Trustees. Said fee shall be submitted by the applicant at the time the application
is submitted to the Building Department.
No sign that is larger than 15 inches in length and 15 inches in height
shall be placed in a residential district. The Building Department or authorized
village official shall order the immediate removal of any sign in a residential
district that exceeds such 15 inches in length and 15 inches in height. The
top of the sign shall not extend beyond the top of the pole, which pole shall
not be any higher than four feet from the ground.
Whenever it shall appear to the Building Inspector or other authorized
village official that any sign has been constructed or erected or is being
maintained in violation of any of the terms of this chapter or is unsafe and
insecure or is in such condition as to be a menace to the safety of the public,
the Building Inspector or other authorized village official shall thereupon
issue or cause to be issued a notice, in writing, to the owner and/or occupant,
informing such person of the violation of this chapter or the dangerous condition
of such sign, and directing him/her to make such alteration or repair thereto
or to do such things or acts as are necessary or advisable to place such structure
in a safe, substantial and secure condition and to make the same
comply with the requirements of this chapter within such reasonable time as
shall be stated in such notice. Upon the failure to comply with such notice,
the Building Inspector or other authorized village official may cause such
sign or such part thereof, as is constructed or maintained in violation of
this chapter, to be removed and may charge the expense of such removal to
the person so notified; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall
prevent the Building Inspector or other authorized village official from adopting
such precautionary measures as may be necessary or advisable in case of imminent
danger to place such sign in a safe condition, the expense of which shall
be paid by the owner of the property on which the sign is located and, if
not paid by said owner, the same shall be added to the tax roll of the premises.
Illegal or obscene signs are prohibited.