Village of Churchville, NY Signs

Except as otherwise provided in this article, a permit shall be required for the erection, construction, display, enlargement or alteration of any sign.

If site plan approval by the Planning Board is required for a particular project, development, construction or use, the sign permit application may be submitted as part of the site plan approval application.

Permit exceptions. No permit shall be required for the repair, maintenance, cleaning or painting of any sign, or for the changing of any copy or logo or other content of a sign, so long as there is no structural or design change.

Application requirements. Application for any permit required pursuant to this article shall be made by the property owner or lessee, sign erector or its authorized agent to the CEO, on forms prescribed for that purpose. All sign applications shall include the following:

The name, address and telephone number of the applicant and of the owner, if different from the applicant;

If the applicant is not the owner of the property, the consent of the owner to the application shall be evidenced by his written, notarized statement.

The location of the lot and/or building where the sign or alteration thereof is proposed;

A scale drawing of the proposed sign or alteration, showing dimensions, design, illumination, colors, materials and structural details;

A survey or plot location map showing the placement of the sign on the lot in relation to any buildings or structures, lot lines, driveways and parking areas, streets and sidewalks, fences, trees and other features, and the dimensions of the lot.

(6)

The required permit fee in accordance with the fee schedule established from time to time by the Village Board, which may waive the fee for not-for-profit and public service organizations.

(7)

Any additional site and/or sign information deemed necessary by the CEO for the proper review of such application.

Incomplete applications. Incomplete applications will not be processed. The CEO shall provide written or electronic notice of application deficiencies to applicants. If such deficiencies are not corrected within 30 days of notice, the application will be considered withdrawn. Fees for withdrawn applications may be refunded.

Review procedures.

Except where a sign is approved by the Planning Board as part of site plan or subdivision plat review, the application shall be reviewed by the CEO.

The CEO shall determine whether or not, in the CEO's opinion, the proposed sign complies with all provisions of this chapter and all other applicable Village legislation.

Upon making this determination, the CEO shall approve or disapprove the sign, notify the applicant of such decision in writing, and issue the sign permit.

A report of all sign permits applied for and granted shall be submitted to the Village Board and Planning Board at least quarterly.

Alteration. Any sign for which a permit has been issued shall not be modified, relocated, altered, or replaced, except as noted in the previous Subsection B, without obtaining a new or amended sign permit from the CEO.

Termination and transfer of permits. Any sign permit shall become null and void if the work for which the permit was issued is not started within a period of six months after the date of issuance. Sign permits are not transferable.

Revocation. The CEO, at any time for a violation of this article, may issue a notice of violation. A written notice of the violation, including all reasons for the violation, shall be mailed to the property, building, and/or sign owner. Said violation must be corrected within 30 days of the date of notice; otherwise, the sign permit shall be revoked and the sign in question shall be required to be removed.

Appeals. Any person aggrieved by a decision for a sign permit by the CEO or the CEO's designee may submit an appeal to the ZBA. Such appeal must be made within 30 days of the date of decision.

§ 250-138 Measurement.

Area of signs.

Single face. The area of a sign shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or geometric combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, graphic, and/or other display, together with any material, backdrop, or structure on which it is placed. See Figures 10 and 11.

Multiple faces. In the case of a multifaced sign, only one side of the sign is considered in determining sign area if the sides of the sign are back-to-back or diverge at an angle of 45° or less.

Structural support. The supporting structure or bracing of a sign shall not be computed as part of the sign area unless such supporting structure or bracing is made a part of the message with the inclusion of any text or graphics. If such is the case, a combination of regular geometric shapes which can encompass the area of said text or graphics shall be included as part of the total sign area computation. See Figure 11.

Height of signs.

Freestanding sign. The height of a freestanding sign (such as a ground sign) shall be calculated by measuring the vertical distance between the topmost edge of such sign or its structure, whichever is highest, to the elevation of the ground directly beneath the center of the sign. See Figure 11.

Other signs. The height of an awning, projecting, suspended, wall, or window sign shall be determined by measuring the vertical distance between the topmost edge of the sign face to the bottommost edge of the sign face. See Figure 10.

Figure 10. Sign Area/Height

Figure 11. Sign Area/Height

§ 250-139 General sign standards.

Safety provisions.

No sign shall be erected or maintained in such manner as to obstruct the view of any authorized traffic control or directional sign or device, or so as to obscure or obstruct the view of vehicle operators or pedestrians, whether at an intersection or otherwise.

No sign shall be erected or maintained which would, by reason of its position, shape, color, wording, content, illumination or location, mislead or confuse any vehicle operator because of similarity, resemblance or proximity to any authorized traffic control or directional sign or device.

No sign shall be erected or maintained in such manner as to obstruct or interfere with the use of any door, window, fire escape or other means of egress from a building or structure.

Any sign containing electrical wiring shall comply with the provisions of the National Electrical Code, and all electrical components shall bear the label of an approved testing agency. New signs constructed or installed after the date of this amendment and having electrical wiring or connections shall be inspected by a certified electrical inspector prior to use.

Every sign shall be erected, constructed or installed in conformance with all applicable building and fire prevention codes, rules and regulations.

Location.

No sign, permanent or temporary, shall be erected or maintained within any public right-of-way, including any sign which overhangs or extends into the public right-of-way. Signs overhanging or projecting into the sidewalk area are permitted in the Central Business District, subject to the provisions of § 250-144C and D.

No sign shall be located on public property without Village Board review and approval. This shall include public amenities and infrastructure such as utility poles, benches, and governmental signs.

No sign shall be painted or otherwise displayed upon any fence, rock, tree or other natural feature, or upon the surface of any parking lot or driveway, except for the purposes of traffic direction and control, as otherwise permitted in this article.

Illumination.

No sign shall contain any flashing, intermittent, rotating, animated or "moving" light or any light of varying intensity. Neon gas and/or tubing is also prohibited.

Any light employed in or used to illuminate a sign, including a ground spotlight or searchlight, shall be placed and directed so as not to shine or beam upon any street, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises, and so as to avoid any glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or create a public nuisance.

Any illuminated or lighted sign shall be illuminated or lit only at such times as the use to which it is accessory is actually open or operating, except where such sign is located within a business or industrial district.

All lighting fixtures shall be shielded and directed so as not to cast an illumination of more than two footcandles on adjacent nonresidential properties or more than 1/10 footcandle on adjacent residential properties.

§ 250-140 Prohibited signs and sign treatments.

The following signs and sign treatments are prohibited within the Village:

Any sign for which no sign permit was issued, for which a sign permit was revoked, or any other sign not explicitly authorized herein.

Any sign that is not properly maintained; any sign that is considered structurally unsound, hazardous, or otherwise unsafe.

Any sign directing attention to any business, product or service not conducted at or available from the premises on which such sign is located. However, this restriction shall not be interpreted in any way so as to limit or regulate the content of any noncommercial sign or message, so long as such sign otherwise complies with the provisions of this article.

Any sign that is mounted on wheels or mounted on any structure on wheels. This prohibition shall not apply to duly licensed trucks, trailers, and other vehicles bearing the name, logo or other advertising of the company owning or operating such vehicle or bearing any noncommercial message and so long as any such vehicle is operated in compliance with all applicable vehicle and traffic and parking regulations and otherwise does not remain stationary within any right-of-way for any period of time exceeding 24 hours.

Any sign that contains words or pictures of an obscene or pornographic nature.

Any sign that advertises an activity, business, product, or services no longer conducted or available on the premises on which the sign is located.

Any digital sign or sign utilizing digital, LED, or video motion technology.

Any animated sign or sign that flashes, blinks, rotates, or revolves, or utilizes unshielded lighting devices, mirrors, or reflective material.

Any sign that includes, in whole or in part, a banner, pennant, pinwheel, streamer or other moving, fluttering or revolving device, unless included as part of a temporary sign.

Any sign extending or projecting above the uppermost roofline of a building or structure, or, if a wall-mounted sign, beyond the extremities of such wall, nor shall any sign be painted or otherwise displayed upon any roof or roof-mounted structure, equipment or device.

Any sign that emits audible sounds, odor, or visible matter.

Any pole sign.

§ 250-141 Signs authorized without permit.

Subject to the regulations and requirements otherwise set forth in this article, the following signs are permitted without a permit in all districts:

Addresses. Signs not exceeding two square feet in area, for each lot, principal building or occupancy, bearing property or post box numbers and no commercial message.

A-frame signs. A-frame signs shall be allowed without a permit in any district, subject to the following conditions:

One A-frame sign shall be permitted per use.

No sign shall exceed three feet in height and six square feet in area.

No sign shall be illuminated.

The sign must be brought inside during nonbusiness hours.

A-frame signs in the Central Business District may be placed in the public sidewalk and/or right-of-way, provided there is no impediment to pedestrian traffic.

A-Frame Example

Directional signs. Signs that provide direction to pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorists shall not require a sign permit, provided the following conditions are met. Such signs may include but are not limited to signs providing direction to parking, rest rooms, walkways, entrances, or exits. The following requirements shall apply to directional signs:

Signs shall be located entirely on the property to which they pertain.

No single sign shall exceed three feet in height or six square feet in area.

The cumulative area of all signs on any one property shall not exceed an area of six square feet in a residential district or 16 square feet in a nonresidential district.

Illumination is prohibited in residential districts.

Gasoline pump signs. Signs attached to a gasoline pump shall not require a permit, provided they do not exceed six square feet in area and are not illuminated.

Governmental signs. Any official sign, public notice, or warning sign supported by federal, state or local law, including but not limited to signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any government functions (example: New York State inspection station or authorized repair shop identification). There are no size requirements or time limits for governmental signs.

Internal signs. Signs within a building or structure not legible from the public right-of-way or adjacent lots, or any sign within an enclosed outdoor space, such as an athletic field, where such sign is intended only to be seen from within the enclosed space and is so oriented.

(Reserved)[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Former Subsection G, Noncommercial signs, was repealed 9-13-2021 by L.L. No. 1-2021.

Regulating signs. Signs regulating the use of property, such as "No Hunting," "No Trespassing," "No Solicitors," "Open," "Hours of Operation," or identifying security or fire protection services to the property. Such signs shall contain no commercial message and be in conformance with the following:

Signs shall be located entirely on the property to which they pertain.

No single sign shall exceed three feet in height or six square feet in area.

The cumulative area of all signs on any one property shall not exceed an area of six square feet in a residential district or 16 square feet in a nonresidential district.

Illumination is prohibited in residential districts.

Temporary signs. Signs intended for temporary display and use, provided the following conditions are met:

No sign shall be illuminated.

No sign shall exceed a height of four feet.

No sign shall exceed six square feet in area for any face or 16 square feet in cumulative area for all faces in a residential district.

No sign shall exceed 16 square feet in area for any face or 32 square feet in cumulative area for all faces in a nonresidential district.

The display of such sign is limited to no more than 30 days in a ninety-day period.

§ 250-142 Standards and guidelines.

Signs located within any district except residential districts shall conform to the standards and guidelines set forth in this section. The owners of premises within residential districts are encouraged, though not required, to conform to such standards and guidelines.

Guidelines and objectives. The style of signs shall be restricted to a traditional or colonial type, which is adapted from or reminiscent of an American Colonial mode of design. The sign shape shall be constructed to reflect details such as turnings, finials, radius and curves, ornate wrought iron or metal work and turnings. A theme of Colonial reproduction, such as was prevalent in early America circa 1700's, shall be maintained throughout the Village of Churchville. Basic outlines, as examples, include the following.

Examples of Desirable Sign Shapes

Signs should be designed to be compatible with the surroundings and appropriate to the architectural character of the buildings on which they are placed. Sign panels and graphics should relate with and not cover architectural features and should be in proportion to them.

Signs should be appropriate to the types of activities they represent.

The layout of signs should be orderly and graphics should be of simple shape, such as rectangle, circle or oval, as outlined by the examples above.

The number of colors used should be the minimum consistent with the design.

Illumination should be appropriate to the character of the sign and surroundings.

(6)

Groups of related signs should express uniformity and create a sense of harmonious appearance.

(7)

Sign panels and graphics should be tasteful and conform to generally accepted standards of the community.

Lettering. All signs should be simple, visible, legible and direct. Mixed uppercase and lowercase letters are easily read, and serif letters are eye catching. Use of traditional materials such as wood, glass, gold leaf, raised individual metal or painted wood letters and painted or vinyl letters is encouraged. Lettering styles and combinations shall be appropriate to convey intent and maintain an historic feel. Lettering should be limited to two styles per building, and the number of signs used should be limited to encourage compatibility with the building and discourage visual clutter.

Color. The appropriate use of color is a critical element of good sign design, while over-standardization of color contributes to an unimaginative and uninteresting landscape.

The appropriate use of logos, carefully integrated into the sign design, adds to the visual interest of signage, and is encouraged.

The numbers of colors used on signs is not restricted; however, colors for use on buildings and signs should be selected for their compatibility with the natural features and existing development found in and adjacent to the premises. Conversely, colors intended to attract attention detract from efforts to improve the appearance of the streetscape, and should be used sparingly, perhaps as accent.

Lights. Only shielded incandescent, light-emitting diode (LED), compact fluorescent light (CFL), or similar external lights or concealed incandescent lighting will be allowed.

Placement of signs.

Signs shall not obscure architectural details.

Space on the building facade specifically designed to contain signage shall be the most appropriate location for signs.

The number of signs used should be limited to encourage compatibility with the building and discourage visual clutter.

The proposed design, material, texture, color, lighting, landscaping, dimension, line, mass, roofline and height of the proposed structure or improvement shall harmonize with the surrounding buildings and area.

Sign materials, construction and installation.

Inappropriate materials and finishes generally include interior-grade wood, unfaced plywood, plastic substrates, and unfinished wood.

Sign brackets shall be constructed of painted wood or prefinished, prepainted metal.

Guy wires, if needed, shall be as inconspicuous as possible.

Signs shall be mounted in such a way so as to be removable and to minimize damage to historic materials. (For example, bolts should extend through mortar joints and not through masonry units.)

§ 250-143 Regulations by zoning district.

Table 250-143(A) below indicates the number and types of signs permitted in the Village of Churchville zoning districts, as established by this chapter.

A "○" indicates that the sign type is permitted and may be illuminated.

A "●" indicates that the sign type is permitted but may not be illuminated.

A "-" indicates that the sign type is not permitted.

Table 250-143(A)
	Max #	Awning	Ground	Projecting	Suspended	Wall	Window¹
Residential Districts (LDR, TVR, MDR)
Per Use	1	—	○	—	—	○	—
Business Districts (NB, CB, HB)
Per Use	3	○	●	●	●	●	○
Industrial Districts (LI, GI)
Per Use	3	—	●	—	—	●	○
Sign Type Requirements § 250-144		A	B	C	D	E	F

Note: (1) Window signs shall not count towards the allotted signage for any given use.

Table 250-143(B) below indicates the permitted number of signs and sign types for certain development and building configurations. Unless noted as additional signage, these regulations supersede those of Table 250-143(A), regardless of zoning district.

Table 250-143(B)
	Maximum Number	Permitted Sign Type and Standards
Single- or multifamily residential development
Per street entrance	1	Ground sign; maximum height 4 feet; maximum area 24 square feet
Mixed-use or multi-tenant commercial development
Per use or tenant	2	As permitted in zoning district; except ground signs shall be prohibited
Additional per lot	1	Ground sign; maximum height 12 feet; maximum area 32 square feet
Multi-story, mixed-use or multi-tenant commercial building
Per first-floor entrance	2	As permitted in zoning district
Per upper-floor entrance	1	As permitted in zoning district; sign shall be shared by upper-floor uses
Corner Building
Per primary facade or entrance	1 additional	As permitted in zoning district

§ 250-144 Regulations by sign type.

Awning sign: a sign that is part of or attached to a roof-like protective cover of canvas or other flexible material over a door, entrance, window or outdoor service area that projects from the facade of a structure.

All awning signs shall be in conformance with the standards of the following table:

Zoning District	NB	CB	HB	LI, GI
Maximum number	1 per awning	1 per awning	1 per awning	—
Maximum area	—	—	—	—
Maximum height	15 inches	15 inches	2 feet	—
Minimum clearance	8 feet	8 feet	8 feet	—
Illumination	Not permitted	Not permitted	Not permitted	—

Awning signs shall be flat against the surface of the awning and may not extend beyond the valence area or be located on the underside of the awning.

Ground sign: a sign not attached to any building or structure, which may be supported by one or two columns or posts, provided the distance between the ground and bottommost edge of the sign is no greater than four feet.

All ground signs shall be in conformance with the standards of the following table:

Zoning District	LDR, TVR, MDR	NB	CB	HB	LI, GI
Maximum number	1 per use	1 per entrance	1 per entrance	1 per entrance	1 per entrance
Maximum area	6 square feet	16 square feet	20 square feet	36 square feet	36 square feet
Maximum height	3 feet	4 feet	4 feet	9 feet	9 feet
Illumination	Not permitted	Permitted	Permitted	Permitted	Permitted
Minimum setback	10 feet	10 feet	10 feet	15 feet	15 feet

For the purposes of determining the maximum number of ground signs, an entrance shall be any driveway providing for public access to the site.

No ground sign shall be permitted on any lot where the principal structure is not set back at least 20 feet from the front property line.

A landscaped area extending at least one foot beyond the width and depth of the sign shall be required at the base of all ground signs.

Projecting sign: a sign which is wholly dependent upon a building for support and which projects more than 12 inches but less than 48 inches from such building.

All projecting signs shall be in conformance with the standards of the following table:

Zoning District	NB	CB	HB	LI, GI
Maximum number	1 per use	1 per use	1 per use	—
Maximum area	12 square feet	12 square feet	16 square feet	—
Maximum height	3 feet	3 feet	4 feet	—
Minimum clearance	8 feet; 13 feet over driveways	8 feet; 13 feet over driveways	8 feet; 13 feet over driveways	—
Illumination	Permitted	Permitted	Permitted	—

Signs which overhang a public right-of-way, including sidewalks, shall be covered by a public liability insurance policy satisfactory to the Village and which names the Village as an insured party.

No projecting sign may be higher than the roofline of the building to which it is affixed, or any adjacent building.

The exterior edge of a projecting sign shall extend not more than four feet from the building face.

Projecting Sign Example

Suspended sign: a sign attached to and supported by the underside of a horizontal plane.

All suspended signs shall be in conformance with the standards of the following table:

Zoning District	NB	CB	HB	LI, GI
Maximum number	1 per use	1 per use	1 per use	—
Maximum area	12 square feet	12 square feet	16 square feet	—
Maximum height	3 feet	3 feet	4 feet	—
Minimum clearance	8 feet	8 feet	8 feet	—
Illumination	Permitted	Permitted	Permitted	—

Signs which overhang a public right-of-way, including sidewalks, shall be covered by a public liability insurance policy satisfactory to the Village and which names the Village as an insured party.

Wall sign: a sign fastened to the wall of a building or structure in such a manner that the wall becomes the supporting structure for or forms the background surface of the sign and which does not project outward more than 12 inches from such building or structure.

All wall signs shall be in conformance with the standards of the following table:

Zoning District	LDR, TVR, MDR	NB	CB	HB	LI, GI
Maximum number	1 per use	2 per use	2 per use	3 per use	3 per use
Maximum area	6 square feet	16 square feet	20 square feet	20% of facade area or 50 square feet, whichever is less	20% of facade area or 50 square feet, whichever is less
Maximum height	2 feet	4 feet	4 feet	6 feet	6 feet
Illumination	Not permitted	Permitted	Permitted	Permitted	Permitted

Where two or more wall signs are affixed to one wall, the maximum area shall be the sum total of all sign areas.

A wall sign shall be confined to the flat, unadorned surfaces of the facade.

Wall signs should be placed where they best complement the building; for example, on blank expanses of wall or building areas clearly designed as potential sign locations, covered transoms or broad, plain fasciae in the cornices. Such areas vary depending on the building's architectural style and/or date of construction.

Wall signs mounted above or incorporated into the storefront cornice shall be acceptable.

(6)

Wall signs mounted on building piers shall be acceptable.

Window sign: a sign visible from a sidewalk, street or other public place, painted or affixed on glass or other window material, or located inside within three feet of the window, but shall not include graphics in connection with customary window display of products.

All window signs shall be in conformance with the standards of the following table:

Zoning District	NB	CB	HB	LI, GI
Maximum number	—	—	—	—
Maximum area	25% of window	25% of window	25% of window	25% of window
Illumination	Not permitted	Not permitted	Not permitted	Not permitted

Window signs shall be limited to first-floor windows only.

Window signs shall be located within 18 inches from the top or bottom frame of the display window. Another acceptable location shall be where the center line of the sign is 5 1/2 feet above the sidewalk.