The purpose of this article is to set forth regulations and
guidelines for the design and placement of signs in the Town of Ghent.
Such regulations and guidelines are meant to help maintain the attractive
appearance of the Town and to avoid conditions of clutter and unsightliness
by controlling the location, size, number, design, and lighting of
signs. The specific purposes of this article are to:
A. Preserve public health, safety, and welfare by controlling the size,
location, and character of signs, so they will not confuse or distract
motorists or obstruct vision necessary for traffic safety.
B. Maintain community character and protect property values, thereby
encouraging present and future economic growth.
C. Prevent negative impacts on adjoining/adjacent properties.
D. Establish enforcement protocols for the Town of Ghent Zoning Enforcement
Officer concerning signs.
No permanent sign may be erected or installed without first
obtaining a permit from the Town Building Inspector or Zoning Enforcement
Officer. The Town Board shall establish a fee schedule for all sign
permits.
If the Zoning Enforcement Officer finds that any sign is unsafe
or insecure, or is otherwise a danger to the public, he shall give
written notice to the owner, lessee, and/or occupant of the land on
which the sign is erected. The owner, lessee, or occupant shall at
his or her own expense remove or repair the sign. If the sign is not
removed or repaired within seven days of the notice, the Zoning Enforcement
Officer shall revoke any permit for such sign, and may remove the
sign, assessing all costs and expenses incurred against the owner,
lessee, or occupant. If the Zoning Enforcement Officer deems a sign
to be an immediate hazard presenting imminent danger to persons or
property, the notice requirement in this § 190-37D shall
be shortened to one day.
Each business or facility established within a commercial, business,
or industrial zone shall be allowed two signs and two signs only.
Signs may be internally lit. One sign may be attached to the facade
of the building and shall not exceed 60 square feet or 20% of the
surface area of the facade, whichever is smaller. Such signs shall
be for identification purposes only and shall not advertise any services
or products for sale. Each business/facility is also allowed one ground
sign. That sign may include information on products and/or services
for sale. Ground signs cannot exceed 20 square feet in size in the
Village Business (VB) Zone and cannot exceed 32 square feet in all
other business, industrial and commercial zones, and no ground signs
can be higher than 12 feet, as measured from the ground to the top
of the sign. No signs are allowed within 50 feet of an abutting residential
district.
Unless otherwise expressly set forth herein, all legally permitted
uses in residential districts are allowed one sign. The sign can only
bear the name of the business or profession and/or the name of the
proprietor. Such signs may not advertise products or services for
sale. Such signs can be no larger than six square feet and may be
placed on the wall of a residence/business structure or in the yard,
provided that the sign is set back at least 10 feet from the front
property line and at least 25 feet from all other property lines.
No sign in a residential district shall be higher than eight feet
off the ground, as measured to the top of the sign.
Churches and other religious gathering places are allowed one
announcement sign, not larger than 12 square feet. Such sign must
be set back at least 10 feet from the front property line and 25 feet
from all other property lines, and can be no higher than eight feet
off the ground, as measured to the top of the sign.
One identification sign no larger than 32 square feet in area
is allowed, provided that such sign is set back at least 50 feet from
the edge of any public roadway. It may not be illuminated.
Real estate and construction signs must be set back from front
property lines at least 10 feet. Such signs shall be limited to a
maximum of eight square feet, except in subdivisions where signs may
be a maximum of 32 square feet. Real estate "For Sale" signs shall
be considered temporary signs and do not require a sign permit.
Signs used in connection with agriculture shall have a maximum
area of 32 square feet. Agricultural signs may be illuminated, but
such illumination must comply with the requirements set forth in this
article.
To encourage design excellence, the maximum sign sizes specified
in this article may be increased to the percentages listed below.
A separate increase is granted for compliance with each of the criteria,
and the total is cumulative. Sign bonuses do not apply to signs in
windows. Sign sizes may increase as follows:
A. Fifteen percent, if the sign is made of wood, high-density urethane
foam or medex (cast wood product).
B. Twenty percent, if the sign is not illuminated.
Temporary signs as defined by this Zoning Law (§
190-2, Definitions and word use) do not require a permit, but are subject to all of the regulations set forth in this article.
In addition to the requirements set forth in this article and also in §
190-2, Definitions and word use, regarding temporary signs, the following rules apply for certain specific temporary signs:
A. All political signs must be removed within 10 days following the
election.
B. There may be no more than two temporary signs on any one lot.
C. Signs for yard sales or garage sales that are legal pursuant to the
provisions of this Zoning Law may not be placed on any lot prior to
seven days before the sale and must be removed no more than seven
days after the sale.
D. One temporary promotional banner or poster, not exceeding 16 square
feet in size, may be located on nonresidential property and shall
be considered as a temporary sign.