The legislative intent of this article is to
promote and protect the public health, welfare and safety of the inhabitants
of the Village by regulating existing and proposed advertising, advertising
signs, and signs of all types which are intended to be viewed from
outdoors and to thereby protect property values, create a more attractive
economic and business climate, enhance and protect the physical appearance
of the community, preserve the scenic and natural beauty of designated
areas and provide a more enjoyable and pleasing community. It is further
intended to reduce sign or advertising distractions and obstructions
that may contribute to traffic accidents, reduce hazards that may
be caused by signs overhanging or projecting over public rights-of-way,
provide more open space, and curb the deterioration of natural beauty
and community environment. It also intends to permit businesses and
professions to make use of signage that is important to their individual
and collective success.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Any one specific face of a building.
The width of building face allocated to each individual occupant.
Any sign not attached to or part of any building but separate
and permanently affixed by any other means in or upon the ground.
Included are pole signs, pylon signs and masonry wall type signs.
Any material, structure or part thereof, or any device attached
to a structure or painted or represented thereon, composed of or upon
which is placed lettered or pictorial or other matter for visual communication,
when used or located out-of-doors or on the exterior of any building
or indoors as a window sign, for the display of any advertisement,
notice, directional matter or name. The term "sign" does not include
signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental
function or required by any law, ordinance or governmental regulation
or the flag or insignia of any nation or of any governmental agency.
The square footage of the smallest rectangle
which will enclose all elements which form the sign and any integral
backing material to which they are attached, including any irregular
shapes and open spaces. Supporting structures will not be considered
as part of the sign surface area unless internally lit or lit by their
own specific external light source. Freestanding signs may include
an identical back without counting the identical area. An architectural
cornerstone or building identification with a maximum area of two
square feet will not be considered as part of a building's signage.
If a sign is painted or applied without backing
to the face of the building, the area of the sign shall be taken as
the area of the smallest rectangle enclosing all letters and devices.
Any additional form, nonintegral to the building's architecture, will
be considered as part of the sign.
A.
General. No sign or other device for advertising purposes,
whether new or existing, shall be erected, established or altered
in any district in the Village except in conformity with the provisions
of this chapter.
(1)
Illuminated signs. Any illuminated sign or lighting
device shall employ only lights emitting a light of constant intensity,
and no sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent,
rotating or moving light or lights. In no event shall an illuminated
sign or lighting device be so placed or directed as to permit the
beams and illumination therefrom to be directed or beamed upon a public
street, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises so as to cause glare
that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance.
(2)
Maintenance of signs. All signs must be kept clean,
neatly painted and free from all hazards (including but not limited
to faulty wiring and loose fastenings) and must be maintained at all
times in such safe condition so as not to be detrimental to the public
health or safety.
(4)
Window/door signs. A sign identifying the on-premises
business or profession, within 12 inches of glass surface, will be
considered part of the total sign area allowed.
(5)
Upper floor or basement businesses. Signs for each
business not on the ground floor will be limited to one ground-level
entry sign not to exceed two square feet and one non-ground-floor
window sign not to exceed two square feet or 20% of the glass area,
whichever is larger.
B.
Prohibitions.
(1)
Projecting signs. Any part of a sign projecting more
than 12 inches from the front face of the building is prohibited.
(2)
Portable signs. Portable or mobile signs, including sandwich-board-style signs for commercial or business advertising, exceeding the time limits of or not included in the definitions of temporary signs, § 225-63, are prohibited, except as noted in § 225-64B(4) for gasoline service stations.
(3)
Roof signs. Signs or sign supports on or projecting
above the upper roof or parapet of any building are prohibited.
(4)
Off-premises signs. Any sign unrelated to a business or profession, commodity or service offered upon the immediate premises where the sign is located, other than as provided under temporary signs, § 225-63, is prohibited.
(5)
Signs with motion. No sign or part thereof shall contain
or consist of pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, or other moving,
animated, fluttering or revolving devices.
(6)
Hazardous signs. No sign, permanent or temporary,
shall be located so as to impair traffic or driver visibility or in
any manner create a hazard to the health, safety and welfare of the
general public.
(7)
Location of signs. No sign shall be attached to a
fence, public light standard, utility pole, rock or tree.
(8)
Signs with branded product advertising. No sign is
allowed which advertises a branded product and which leaves less than
80% of the sign area for identification of the business except in
cases where the majority of the floor or lot area on the premises
is devoted to the sale or other activity relating to that specific
product.
(9)
Illuminated signs. No visible gas-filled tubes (neon)
shall be permitted. No sign may utilize bare light sources, including
neon or fluorescent.
(10)
Subdivision identification signs. All signs
which identify by name and/or design a specific subdivision located
on or adjacent to the subdivision.
[Added 6-25-2007 by L.L. No. 6-2007]
Signs included in one of the following descriptions
are permitted in any district without a sign permit:
A.
For sale, lease or rental signs. One on-premises sign
advertising that the premises upon which the sign is located is for
sale, lease or rental. One sign is permitted per each building face
on a public highway. The sign shall not exceed four square feet in
area; if two-sided, the second identical sign face area shall not
be counted. The sign shall not be illuminated or located between the
sidewalk and the street, nor nearer than three feet to the nearest
boundary of the street or any lot line. All such signs shall be removed
five days after the sale, lease or rental of the premises.
B.
Residential building with professional office or home occupation signs. One on-premises sign, either freestanding or attached, in connection with any residential building with permitted professional offices or home occupations as regulated in § 225-22. The sign shall not exceed two square feet in area, shall not be illuminated with colored lights and shall not be located between the sidewalk and the street, nor nearer than three feet to the nearest boundary of any street or lot line. The sign shall state name and vocation only.
C.
Occupant signs. One on-premises sign, denoting the
name and address of the occupants of the premises, which sign shall
not exceed one square foot in area.
D.
Warning, private drive, posted or no-trespassing signs.
These signs are permitted and shall not be illuminated or exceed two
square feet or, if two-sided, each identical face.
E.
Construction signs. An architect, an engineer or a
contractor may place one on-premises sign where construction, repair
or renovation is in progress, which sign shall not exceed 12 square
feet in area.
F.
Institutional signs/bulletin boards. One on-premises
sign or bulletin board customarily incident to places of worship,
libraries, museums, educational facilities, social clubs or societies,
which sign or bulletin board shall not exceed 20 square feet in area,
except as approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
No permit is required for signs described in
this section. Temporary signs may be placed on or off premises except
for Subsection E, New business signs, which are limited to on-premises
use only. All signs must be dated either with the date of the actual
function or opening or the date of installation. If use of a temporary
sign exceeds the specified time period, the Code Enforcement Officer
shall remove or cause to be removed such sign. All applicable costs
incurred with the removal of such signs shall be assessed against
the owner of the land or building on which such sign is placed.
A.
Event signs. Any promotional, identifying or directional
sign which relates to any community, civic, commemorative, political,
charitable, social, educational, religious or athletic function or
assembly or any event authorized by municipal authorities may be in
place for up to 10 days before and five days after the actual activity.
The sign area may not exceed nine square feet per identical face if
two-sided.
B.
Private owner household merchandise signs. For sales
and auctions, not exceeding four square feet in area for a period
not exceeding eight days.
C.
Window signs. Nonilluminated promotional window signs and posters shall not exceed 25% of the window area. Businesses in a mercantile zone which front on a publicly or privately owned or occupied parking area may have window signs not exceeding 30% of the window area. Such signs shall be removed within 30 days after installation. Signs in this category shall be included in the total area requirements in § 225-61A(4), Window/door signs.
D.
[1]New business signs. Signs emphasizing the opening of a
new business shall not exceed 24 square feet. In the case of window
signs within six inches of or touching a window surface, the size
shall not exceed 30% of the window area. Placement shall not exceed
a period of 60 days.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection D, Political posters, was
repealed 10-10-2013 by L.L. No. 2-2013. This local law also provided
for the redesignation of former Subsection E as Subsection D.
The following signs are permitted in any district but require a sign permit as provided in this Article XIII.
A.
Development or subdivision. Any sign advertising a
real estate development or subdivision permitted in the district where
located by this chapter shall not exceed 16 square feet in area and
shall advertise only the name of the owner, real estate broker, architect
and engineer. Signs shall be limited to one per each building face
on a public street or public or private parking lot.
B.
Gasoline service station signs. These signs may be
located on the premises of any gasoline service station:
(1)
One pole sign to advertise the brand of gasoline sold
at such service station, having a maximum area of not more than 12
square feet per identical face if two-sided and a maximum height of
not more than 15 feet to the top of such pole sign.
(2)
A sign or signs attached or applied to a building
shall not exceed 1 1/2 square feet per one linear foot of building
frontage. The total area of letters, symbols or pictorial matter within
the signs shall not exceed 60% of the total area of the sign face.
The total area of the sign shall not exceed 50 square feet.
(3)
One auxiliary sign per station not to exceed eight
square feet.
(4)
One portable sign per station, not exceeding 12 square
feet and four feet in height.
(5)
Integral graphics or attached price signs on gasoline
pumps.
(6)
One sign or notice having an area of two square feet
or less for the direction, information and safety of the public.
C.
Directional, informational or safety signs. For a
business or public utility, on-premises signs or notices for the direction,
information or safety of the public to identify public parking areas,
fire zones, entrances and exits and similar signs. They may be illuminated
or nonilluminated, not exceeding four square feet per face, and, if
freestanding, they shall not be more than six feet in height. Business
names, symbols and personal names shall be allowed, but advertising
messages are prohibited.
D.
Highway banners. Permits may be issued for cross-highway
banners to promote community, civic, charitable, social, educational
or athletic functions. Size shall not exceed 100 square feet per face.
A permit from New York State is obtainable through the Village office
and must comply with all state regulations.
E.
Parking lot signs. One sign not to exceed nine square
feet in area and, if freestanding, not to exceed six feet above ground
level may be placed in a private off-street parking area only to limit
the use of such parking area to customers and/or business invitees
of the owner and/or occupant.
F.
Public service informational signs. A permit may be
issued only by the Board of Trustees for a sign which displays public
service information, such as time and temperature, if it is consistent
with the general intent and requirements of this chapter and does
not exceed 32 square feet in area per face and 80% of the sign is
for the public service information.
G.
Directory signs. A permit may be issued only by the
Board of Trustees for a directory sign on a building face, freestanding
or in kiosk form, when it will assist the public and offer a method
for businesses to identify their location and advertise their purpose
while maintaining the attractiveness of the community and there will
be a sponsor or person responsible for the maintenance. Its design
and placement shall not impair or cause confusion with vehicular or
pedestrian traffic.
H.
Historic signs. Signs which have been extant for a
minimum of 25 years may be granted a nonconforming permit on condition
of proper maintenance and continuation of the character of the sign.
Eligibility shall be determined by a review of the permit application
and proof of the historic qualification by the Historical Landmarks
Preservation Commission appointed by the Board of Trustees.
I.
Event banners. Permits will be issued for a banner
that relates to any local community, civic, charitable, social, educational,
religious, athletic or commemorative function or assembly or any event
authorized by municipal authorities. Such banner shall not exceed
100 square feet, may be displayed up to 14 days before the event promoted,
shall be removed within five days after the event promoted, may be
installed on a building only with written permission from the owner
of the building, and shall not be installed on any municipal building,
structure, equipment or facility without written authorization from
the Village Board of Trustees. Installation, maintenance and removal
shall be the sole responsibility of the owner of said banner.
[Added 5-14-2001 by L.L. No. 1-2001]
[Amended 6-26-2000 by L.L. No. 3-2000]
The following signs are permitted in the Residential
A-3 District and in the nonresidential districts but require a sign
permit as provided in this article:
A.
Business signs. Only one of the following three options, Subsection A(1)(a), (b) or (c), may be implemented in this category.
(1)
Options.
(a)
A sign or signs attached or applied to a building
or portion thereof identifying any legally established business or
service, its owner, trade names, trademark or the activity conducted
on the premises whereon the sign is located and which total area shall
not exceed 1 1/2 square feet per one linear foot of business frontage.
The total area of letters, symbols or pictorial matter within the
signs shall not exceed 60% of the total area of the sign face. In
no case shall the total area of the sign exceed 50 square feet.
(b)
A freestanding sign with an area not exceeding
12 square feet per identical side, if two-sided, and not more than
10 feet above ground level, identifying any legally established business
or service, its owner, trade names, trademark, products sold, or the
business or activity conducted on the premises whereon such sign is
located and which shall be set back at least four feet from any public
highway or street. Any business maintaining a freestanding sign as
permitted under this subsection may, in addition, obtain a permit
for a sign to be applied or attached to the building face, not to
exceed 3/4 square foot in area per linear foot of business frontage.
The total of a freestanding sign and a building face sign shall not
exceed 50 square feet.
(c)
An overhead sign. On a lot with a minimum area
of three acres, a sign attached to and placed over the entranceway
to a business at least 14 feet above the paved or traveled surface
or such greater height as required by the Village departments to permit
safe passage for their equipment. The area of such sign shall not
exceed 25 square feet exclusive of the entranceway support structure.
(2)
Shared common entry businesses. If two business occupants
share a common entry, the maximum area allowed per one business frontage
shall be shared.
B.
Multiple-occupant business complex signs. Three or
more businesses occupying a common building and having a common entry
may elect to become a multiple-occupant complex. Written consent of
the building's owner must accompany such application. A common entry
does not exclude an additional separate entrance to the building for
a particular business.
(1)
Signs identifying the business complex. One sign is
permitted for each building face on a public street or highway or
public or private parking lot or drive-through. The sign shall not
exceed 25 square feet on each building face. A freestanding sign may
be used instead of a building face sign which may not exceed 16 square
feet in area nor more than 10 feet above ground level.
(2)
Signs identifying individual businesses or professions
within the elected complex. One identifying sign is permitted on the
shared building face for each business which has an exterior display
window or entrance on that building face. The total area of letters,
symbols or pictorial matter within the signs shall not exceed 60%
of the total area of the sign face. In no case shall the sign exceed
25 square feet or be located more than 12 feet above ground level.
(3)
Business complex directory. A directory may be permitted
which lists all or part of the businesses within the complex. It shall
specify no more than the name of the business or profession and the
commodity or service offered on the premises. Typography should be
coordinated and of common size. The total size of the directory shall
be 1 1/2 square feet for each business or profession within the complex.
One directory is permitted on each building face on a public street
or highway or on a public or private parking lot which has a public
entrance.
C.
Governmental projects. Any signs designating public
governmental projects are permitted to be of the required size specified
by the particular government agency sponsoring such project.
D.
Signs in the Public Lands PL District. No sign shall
be installed in the Public Lands PL District without prior approval
by the Board of Trustees.
[Added 9-25-2000 by L.L. No. 4-2000]
A.
General. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter,
no person shall erect any sign without first obtaining a sign permit
from the Code Enforcement Officer.
B.
Application for sign permit. Application for a sign
permit shall be made in writing, in duplicate, upon forms prescribed
and provided by the Code Enforcement Officer, to the Code Enforcement
Officer, and shall contain the following information:
(1)
Name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
(2)
Name, address and telephone number of the owner, if
not the applicant.
(3)
Location of building, structure or land to which or
upon which the sign is to be erected.
(4)
A detailed drawing or blueprint showing a description
of the construction details of the sign, including a front elevation
drawing, and showing the lettering and pictorial matter composing
the sign, and the position and method of lighting and other extraneous
devices, and a location plan showing the position of the sign on any
building or land and its position in relation to nearby buildings
or structures and to any private or public street or highway.
(5)
Written consent of the owner of the building, structure
or land to which or on which the sign is to be erected, if the applicant
is not the owner thereof.
(6)
A copy of any required or necessary electrical permit
issued for said sign or a copy of a submitted application.
C.
Fees to accompany application. No application for
a sign permit shall be valid unless accompanied by a nonreturnable
fee in the amount as established by the Board of Trustees.
D.
Issuance of sign permit. It shall be the duty of the
Code Enforcement Officer, upon filing of an application for a sign
permit, to examine such plans, specifications and other data submitted
to him with the application and, if necessary, the building or premises
upon which it is proposed to erect the sign or other advertising structure.
If it shall appear that the proposed sign is in compliance with all
the requirements of this chapter and other laws and ordinances of
the Village he shall then, within five days, issue a sign permit for
the erection of the proposed sign. If the sign authorized under any
such permit has not been completed within six months from the date
of the issuance of such permit, the permit shall become null and void
but may be renewed once, within 10 days from the expiration thereof,
for good cause shown upon payment of an additional fee as established
by the Board of Trustees. Permits issued relate solely to the property
for which the application is made. Permits may not be assigned to
others and may not be transferred to a property other than that identified
in the permit.
E.
Appeals. If the proposed sign does not comply with regulations or provisions of this chapter, the Code Enforcement Officer shall reject the application. A decision of the Code Enforcement Officer may be appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals following the procedure outlined in § 225-75, Appeals, variances and interpretations.
F.
Revocation of sign permit. In the event of a violation
of any of the provisions of this chapter, the Code Enforcement Officer
shall give written notice, specifying the violation, to the named
owner of the sign and the named owner of the land upon which the sign
is erected, sent to the addresses as stated in the application for
the sign permit, to conform or remove such sign. The sign shall thereupon
be conformed by the owner of the sign and the owner of the land within
30 days from the date of said notice. In the event such sign shall
not be so conformed within 30 days, the Code Enforcement Officer shall
thereupon revoke the sign permit, and such sign shall be removed by
the named owner of the sign or the named owner of the land.
A.
Obsolete signs. Any sign existing on or after the
effective date of this article which no longer advertises an existing
business conducted or product sold on the premises shall be removed
by the owner of the premises upon which such sign is located after
written notice as provided herein. The Code Enforcement Officer, upon
determining that any such sign exists, shall notify the owner of the
premises in writing to remove said sign within 30 days from the date
of such notice.
B.
Unsafe signs. If the Code Enforcement Officer shall
find that any sign regulated by this chapter is unsafe or insecure
or is a menace to the public, he shall give written notice to the
named owner of the sign and the named owner of the land upon which
the sign is erected, who shall remove or repair said sign within 30
days from the date of said notice. If said sign is not removed or
repaired, the Code Enforcement Officer shall revoke the sign permit
issued for such sign, as herein provided, and may remove or repair
said sign and shall assess all costs and expenses incurred in said
removal or repair against the land or building on which such sign
was located. The Code Enforcement Officer may cause any sign which
is a source of immediate peril to persons or property to be removed
summarily and without notice and charge such costs against the owner
or land on which the sign is located.
A.
Defined. All signs erected prior to the effective
date of this article which do not conform to the provisions and standards
contained herein shall be considered nonconforming signs.
B.
Removal. The Code Enforcement Officer shall prepare
a survey of all nonconforming signs and within 60 days after the completion
of such survey shall send a notice to the record owner of the premises
upon which such sign is erected and the record owner of the business
for which such sign is erected, at the last known address, to conform
or remove such sign as follows:
(1)
All nonconforming signs which include features prohibited under § 225-61B above shall be modified by their owners to comply or be removed within 30 days after the owner receives written notice from the Code Enforcement Officer to comply.
(2)
An owner of a sign which does not conform to the provisions of this article in a manner other than as provided by Subsection B(1) above may apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a permit to maintain such nonconforming sign for a fixed period not to exceed three years based on proof of the remaining undepreciated life of such sign.
