The intent of these signage regulations is to promote and protect
the public health, safety and welfare by providing comprehensive time,
place and manner restrictions on signage, which shall include controls
on size, height, quantity, location, spacing, shape, scale, proportions,
lighting, motion, design and appearance. More specifically, the provisions
of this article are intended to accomplish the following:
A.
Protect and enhance community appearance.
B.
Encourage commercial signs and graphics to be designed so as to be
functional and compatible with the aesthetic appearance of the building
they are located on and the surrounding neighborhoods.
C.
Reduce the frequency and magnitude of hazards to motorists and pedestrians
caused by sign obstructions and distractions.
D.
Preserve and create more attractive business and residential environments.
E.
Conserve the value of buildings and properties and preserve existing
neighborhood character.
A.
Upon the adoption of this article, all nonconforming signs shall
cease and desist at the time when there is any one or more of the
following:
(1)
A change in ownership.
(2)
A change in use.
(3)
Failure to maintain signs.
(4)
Destruction or damage of said sign to the extent of 51% of its replacement
cost as of the time of the destruction or damage.
(5)
Creation of a hazard or disturbance to the health, safety and welfare
of the general public as determined by the Zoning Officer.
B.
For the purpose of these regulations, the term "sign" does not include:
(1)
Signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any
governmental function, including state or federal historic markers,
or required by any law, ordinance or governmental regulation.
(2)
Repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of a
sign or sign structure, unless a structural change is made or if the
repair is in violation of the sign regulations.
(3)
Memorial tablets or signs and locally designated historic markers
not exceeding two square feet in area.
(4)
Flags, emblems or insignias of the United States, the United Nations
or similar organizations of which this nation is a member.
(5)
Signs for the direction or convenience of the public, including signs
which identify rest rooms or locations of public telephones or traffic
control devices; however, the total area shall not exceed four square
feet.
Signs are important components of the streetscape. However,
signs do more than communicate information. By the quality of their
design, they can either contribute to or diminish the character or
appearance of structures as a whole. They can serve as attractive
accents, or they can clutter and detract from the street's character.
The purpose of these general requirements is to promote the visual
cohesiveness of the streetscape by encouraging signs to be harmonious
with the architecture of each building and the character of the surrounding
area.
A.
No sign shall be permitted in any zoning district except in compliance
with the provisions of these regulations.
B.
No sign shall be erected, altered, moved or used without first obtaining
a sign permit where required, and signs shall be used only for a permitted
use, conditionally permitted use or for a nonconforming use which
may lawfully continue in accordance with the terms of these regulations.
C.
The Planning Board as part of site plan review, or the Zoning Officer
in reviewing sign permits not subject to such review, shall consider
the compatibility of the sign's location, color(s), lettering,
size and overall design with on-site and adjacent architecture and
community character.
D.
If any sign consists of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers,
spinners, balloons, searchlights and other similar moving, fluttering
or revolving, flashing, smoke-generating or visual signal generation
or animated devices that create an adverse impact on safe traffic
movements or strings of lights used for the purpose of advertising,
illumination or attracting attention, the Zoning Officer will have
the authority to have the offending sign or part thereof removed.
E.
Pictorial designs, logos and trademarks shall be permitted, provided
that they are incorporated in and made a part of a permitted sign
face, and the area thereof is included in calculating the total permitted
sign face area allowed under these regulations.
F.
No application for approval of signs or for a sign permit shall be
processed or permitted unless permission is granted from the property
owner.
G.
No sign shall project across or over a property line or lease lien,
or be in a public right-of-way except in areas where hanging signs
are permitted.
H.
All signs shall comply with applicable provisions of the State of
New York Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Signs shall be
constructed to withstand wind loads appropriate to design and installation,
constructed of durable material, and securely anchored as determined
by the Zoning Officer or City Engineer.
I.
Maintenance of all signs. All signs and all components thereof, including
supports, braces and anchors, shall be kept in a good state of repair.
J.
Every principal building or structure shall have street identification
numbers subject to the provision in the applicable Cohoes Building
Numbering Law.
L.
Signs containing luminous material, sequin-studded letters or lettering
with fluorescent paint are prohibited. Illuminated signs may be permitted
in certain districts and with certain restrictions as set forth in
this article.
M.
No sign shall be erected or allowed to exist so as to constitute
a traffic hazard. No sign or other advertising structure as regulated
by any of the provisions of this section shall be erected at the intersection
of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision;
or at any location where, by reason of position, shape or color, it
may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized
traffic sign, signal or device or makes use of words, phrases, symbols
or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse
traffic.
N.
No sign shall contain any obscene wording or depiction.
O.
No sign or sign support shall be placed upon the roof of any building,
except those signs of a landmark, historic or other unique nature.
Off-premises signs are not permitted except as follows. Signs
permitted within this section may also be on-premises.
A.
Signs necessary for the direction, regulation and control of traffic,
street name signs, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings and
other official signs which are similarly authorized or erected by
a duly constituted governmental body.
B.
Temporary signs directing persons to temporary exhibits, shows or events may be erected subject to the requirements in § 285-95C.
C.
Political signs.
[Amended 5-14-2019 by Ord. No. 2-2019]
The following signs are permitted in any appropriate district
without a permit:
A.
A nameplate, which shall not exceed two square feet in area on each
side and must be attached to the building in some manner.
B.
Signs denoting the name and address of the occupants of the premises,
which signs shall not exceed two square feet in area on each side.
C.
Temporary commercial signs shall not exceed six square feet in area,
provided that such sign is erected or displayed not less than five
feet from the property line. There shall not be more than one such
sign per lot, except that on a corner lot two signs, one facing each
street, shall be permitted. Such signs shall not be posted more than
four weeks prior to the event and no longer than one week after the
event.
D.
Signs customarily incidental to places of worship, libraries, museums,
social clubs or societies, which signs or bulletin boards shall not
exceed 16 square feet in area and shall be located on the premises
of such institution, provided that such signs or bulletin boards are
erected or displayed not closer than 10 feet to any property line.
There shall not be more than one bulletin board per lot, except that
on a corner lot two signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted.
E.
Signs announcing no trespassing, signs indicating the private nature
of the road, driveway or premises, and signs controlling the fishing
or hunting on the premises, provided that the area of any one side
of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.
F.
Political signs.
[Amended 5-14-2019 by Ord. No. 2-2019]
(1)
Political
signs shall not exceed 16 square feet and shall not extend more than
six feet above grade.
(2)
Political
signs may not be displayed more than 45 days before the election,
referendum or political event to which they pertain and must be removed
within seven days after the election, referendum, or political event
involved.
G.
Window signs are permitted in all districts, provided that the following
standards are complied with:
H.
One temporary A-frame sign is permitted, which said sign shall not
exceed six square feet on each side and shall not exceed four feet
above the natural grade on which the sign is located. Such signs are
subject to the requirements provided in this section. No such sign
shall be located in the street right-of-way. Permanent A-frame signs
are prohibited.
I.
On premises where construction, renovation, or repair is in progress,
one sign up to six square feet in surface area in a residential district
or 32 square feet in surface area in commercial, mixed-use, or industrial
districts, listing the contractor, owner, architect or engineer or
a description of the project.
J.
Any temporary noncommercial sign, set back at least five feet from
the property line and no more than four square feet in surface area,
that complies with other general regulations contained in this article.
The following signs are permitted in residential districts:
A.
Home occupation sign. One home occupation sign shall be permitted
for an approved home occupation. Such sign shall be no larger than
two square feet in sign area; shall not be closer than 10 feet to
any property line; and, if a freestanding sign, shall not exceed four
feet in height above the natural grade on which the sign is located.
A sign permit is not required.
B.
Neighborhood identification sign. One identification sign not to
exceed 16 square feet in area, indicating only the name and street
address of the project, shall be permitted for each project. Such
sign shall not be closer than 10 feet to any property line and shall
not project more than six feet in height above the natural grade on
which the sign is located. In the case of a wall sign, such sign shall
not exceed 12 square feet in area. Identification signs shall be subject
to the criteria and standards of this article and site plan review
by the Planning Board.
The following signs are permitted in commercial, industrial
and mixed-use districts:
A.
Business identification signs.
(1)
Wall signs.
(a)
One wall sign not to exceed two square feet for each linear
foot of width of the front of the wall of the building, or portion
of the building occupied by the business, or a maximum of 100 square
feet, whichever is less.
(b)
For multiple-story buildings, wall signs shall only be permitted
on the ground floor.
(c)
Where a building has frontage on more than one street or public
highway, one wall sign is permitted for each street frontage.
(2)
Building directory sign for a multiple-use structure. One building
directory sign indicating the name of the occupants of the building
and the building number in order to direct persons to their proper
destination once they are on site shall be permitted. Signs are to
be no larger than 16 square feet in area on each side, including the
nameplates of all the tenants or uses, and shall project not more
than six feet in height above the natural grade on which the sign
is located. The proposed sign's construction shall complement
the architectural style and materials of the building it will serve.
The proposed sign shall be subject to Planning Board review through
the site plan approval process and shall require a sign permit. In
determining the design, location and hours of illumination, the Board
shall be guided by other pertinent sections of these regulations.
(3)
Freestanding signs. One freestanding business identification sign
per property may be erected, subject to the following conditions:
(a)
No freestanding sign shall be located less than 15 feet from
the front property line or less than five feet from the side property
line.
(b)
If for any reason the property line is changed at some future
date, any freestanding sign made nonconforming thereby must be relocated
within 90 days to conform to the minimum setback requirements herein.
(c)
No freestanding sign shall be more than 20 feet in height above
finished grade. Such height shall be measured vertically from the
established average grade directly below the sign or entry level of
the building or structure, whichever is lower, to the elevation of
the highest point of the sign, including supporting structures.
(d)
No freestanding sign shall be less than 14 feet above any adjacent
parking or road surface or nine feet above any adjacent pedestrianway.
Such height shall be measured vertically from the established average
grade directly below the sign or entry level of the building or structure,
whichever is lower, to the elevation of the bottom edge or surface
of the stand-alone sign, including supporting structures.
(e)
No freestanding sign shall extend over or into the public right-of-way,
nor shall it overhang the property lines.
(f)
The maximum total sign area that shall be permitted under this
subsection shall not exceed 100 square feet.
B.
One hanging sign, provided that:
(1)
Such sign shall not exceed six square feet in area and shall not
project more than two feet from the wall or surface to which it is
mounted.
(2)
Such sign shall be at least eight feet to the bottom of the sign
above the ground level immediately below and shall not in any way
interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(3)
There shall be no more than one hanging sign for each business or
public entrance.
(4)
The supporting structure shall not be included in calculation of
the sign area.
C.
Signs for direction, provided that such signs do not exceed two square
feet in area. Such signs may indicate the entrance and exit to the
property and location of parking. Such signs shall not project more
than four feet in height above the natural grade on which the sign
is located and shall be no closer than five feet to any property line.
D.
Temporary advertising or promotional banners.
(1)
Only one such sign shall be displayed by any business at one time.
(2)
The size of any such banner shall count toward the total square footage of business identification signs allowed by § 285-97A(1).
(3)
No sign permit shall be required.
A.
Awnings and/or canopy signs. Awnings and/or canopy signs are movable
or fixed ornamental roof-like structures extended from the face of
a structure and constructed of durable materials, including fabrics,
which may contain their own illumination and may display lettering
or other business insignia.
(1)
No part of any awning or canopy shall:
(a)
Project more than three feet from the structure face to which
it is attached.
(b)
Extend above the height allowed for structures in the respective
zoning districts.
(c)
Extend into any setback areas.
(d)
Be lower than eight feet above the ground elevation of the wall
face of the structure to which it is attached.
(2)
A permit is required for the placement of awnings and/or canopy signs.
Prior to the issuance of a sign permit, the applicant shall furnish
to the Zoning Officer plans and specifications for the proposed installation.
The application may be referred to the Planning Board prior to a sign
permit being issued to consider the appropriate relationship between
the size, design and shape of the awning and/or canopy sign and of
the structure to which it will be attached, as well as the placement
of the awning and/or canopies on the structure.
B.
Historic Overlay District.
(1)
Applications for signs to be submitted to the Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board. All applications for permits to display signs within the Historic Overlay District of the City shall be submitted to the Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board for approval before a permit may be issued in conformity with Article VI, § 285-44.
(2)
Form of application to display signs; accompanying drawings. Application
for a permit to display signs in the Historic Overlay District of
the City shall be made to the Zoning Officer. Such an application
shall also be accompanied by sketches and drawings in triplicate showing
details of construction and foundation when required by the building
code of the City and shall delineate the size, shape, design, coloring,
lighting and position in relation to the building from or upon which
it shall be displayed.
(4)
Signs must conform to character of section. In addition to the prohibitions
contained in this section, approval of the display of a sign in the
Historic Overlay District of the City shall be granted by the Historic
Preservation and Architectural Review Board only when such signs and
plans relate to the appearance, color, size, position, method of attachment,
texture of materials and design; conform to the quaint and distinctive
character of the district or do not injuriously affect it or impair
the value to the community of those buildings having architectural
or historical worth.
(5)
General prohibition of miscellaneous signs. The display of signs
of a miscellaneous character visible from the public streets, highways
and alleys within the Historic Overlay District of the City, except
as otherwise provided in this section, and according to the rules
and regulations herein provided for, is prohibited.
(6)
Signs no longer complying as to advertisements to be taken down. At the time of an approval for a sign permit, any sign displayed which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted upon the premises shall, upon notification by the Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board or its agent (who is hereby specifically authorized to so proceed), be taken down or removed within seven days after such notification, and failure to so comply on the part of the owner, occupant, agent or person having the beneficial use of any building or premises upon which such sign may be found shall subject such person to the penalty provided in § 285-28. In such cases where the Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board deems appropriate, a sign may be removed in a manner approved by the Board. The Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board may allow the retention of signs which are an original part of the architectural fabric of the structure, such as a date or name of the building [without reduction in the number of signs or square footage of signs under § 285-98B(10) and (11)].
(7)
No signs to be displayed in certain places. No sign shall be placed
upon a balcony, porch, canopy, shed, roof, parapets (or similar appurtenance),
door or window, or placed in any manner whatsoever so as to disfigure
or conceal any architectural feature or detail of any building. Signs
shall be prohibited which are attached to or painted upon a fence,
tree, standpipe, fire escape, utility pole or similar appurtenance.
No sign shall be erected at any street intersection in a manner which
will obstruct free vision or at any place where the position, shape
or color of the sign may interfere or be confused with any traffic
sign or signal or which makes use of the words "stop," "danger" or
any other word, phrase or symbol which may mislead traffic. No sign
or sign structure other than official street, traffic or highway markers
shall be placed upon any street or highway right-of-way. Signs painted
on buildings are prohibited.
(8)
Number of signs. No more than one wall sign and hanging sign shall be permitted for each store, shop or bona fide place of business, and the sum of the areas for all signs shall not exceed the maximum stipulated in § 285-98B(10). For buildings with more than one facade adjoining a public right-of-way, each store, shop or bona fide place of business shall be allowed signage in accordance with the applicable sections herein for each facade on which there is public entry to said place of business.
(9)
Surface area of signs. The surface of any sign shall be in direct
proportion to the amount of front footage of each ownership and shall
be as follows:
(a)
Unless stipulated elsewhere in this chapter, the maximum allowable
size of the combined total of all signs shall not exceed an area based
on 72 square inches of sign area per linear foot of frontage occupied,
but not exceeding 60 square feet for any sign parallel to and flat
against the facade of a building or 15 square feet for any other sign.
(b)
In no case shall the area of a single-faced sign attached parallel
to and flat against the facade of a building be less than two square
feet, unless by special permission of the Historic Preservation and
Architectural Review Board.
(c)
In no case shall the area of a double-faced sign, projecting
from the facade of a building, or a freestanding sign be less than
two square feet, unless by special permission of the Historic Preservation
and Architectural Review Board.
(d)
In cases where there is occupancy of a building above the first
floor by a separate and bona fide business or businesses different
from the first floor occupant, one additional sign is permitted. Such
a sign must be located at the point of street level public access
to the second floor business. The surface area of such a sign will
be no larger than five square feet per business, but not to exceed
15 square feet in total area. This sign shall not be counted in the
square footage calculation for the signage entitlement for said building.
(e)
Surface area. The surface area of any sign is the entire area
within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits
of lettering, representations, emblems or other figures, together
with any material or color forming an integral part of the display
or used to differentiate the sign from the background against which
it is placed. Structural members bearing no sign copy shall be included.
Only one side of a projecting double-faced sign shall be included
in calculating surface area.
(10)
Sign mounting.
(a)
Signs shall project from the wall of a building no more than
four feet from the building line and shall not be nearer than four
feet to the curbline of the street. Also, hanging signs shall not
be erected nearer to the adjacent property line than twice the number
of feet that the sign projects from the building.
(b)
Hanging signs should be located above the primary entrance to
the structure. Examples are on file in the City of Cohoes Department
of Economic and Community Development.
(c)
Wall signs shall be incorporated into the facade at the first
floor level, designed to communicate to pedestrians. No sign shall
be located higher than 15 feet above the sidewalk level, except where
a building is being rehabilitated and the original sign was designed
to be higher than 15 feet; said sign may be reproduced upon permission
of the Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board.
(d)
Signs flush to the facade shall not project out from the facade
greater than six inches.
(e)
Double-faced signs shall not have a distance between parallel
faces greater than 18 inches.
(11)
Illuminated signs; general. In the case of illuminated signs,
all light sources shall be a steady light (indications of time or
temperature that change lighting patterns are excluded) and:
(12)
Regulations for illuminated signs. To avoid concentration of
illumination, signs may have no more than 50 candelas per square foot
of sign. Also, the method of illumination must evenly distribute the
light over the surface of the sign.
(13)
Off-street parking facility signs. Off-street parking facilities
for the use of clients, patrons or purchases of goods, merchandise
or services of the building to which the parking is accessory may
be identified by the following sign(s). Such signs are not deducted
from the calculated entitlement area for signs. At each point of ingress
and egress, two directional signs indicating entrance and exit. Each
sign shall have no more than five square feet and may identify the
building (or its principal occupant) to which the parking is accessory.
(14)
Canopy signs. Canopy signs displaying the name of a shop, store
or bona fide business are permitted upon approval of a sign permit.
The area of the sign shall not be deducted from calculated entitlement
area for signs. The signs must be an integral part of the canopy in
that any letters or insignia must be flat and parallel to the surface
of the canopy and not project from the canopy surface. The allowable
area for a canopy sign shall be 15 square inches for each foot of
lot frontage, but in no case shall the area of the sign be more than
10% of the canopy surface area.
(15)
Painted window signs are permitted upon approval of a sign permit.
The area of the painted window sign shall not be deducted from the
calculated entitlement area for signs. The allowable area for a painted
window sign shall be 15 square inches for each foot of lot frontage,
but in no case shall the area of the sign be more than 10% of the
window surface area.
A.
In cases where a single sign permit is required for any given property
or structure, the following procedure shall be followed:
(1)
Permit application. Application for the permit shall be made in writing
to the Zoning Officer upon forms prescribed by and provided by the
Zoning Officer and shall contain the following information:
(a)
The name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
(b)
Location of buildings, structures or land to which, or upon
which, the sign is to be erected.
(c)
A detailed drawing or blueprint showing a description of the
construction details of the sign and showing the colors, lettering
and/or pictorial matter composing the sign; position of lighting and
other extraneous devices; and a location plan showing the position
of the sign on any building or land and its positioning in relation
to nearby buildings, structures or existing signs and to any private
or public streets or highway.
(d)
Written consent of the owner of the building, structure or land
to which or upon which the sign is to be erected in the event that
the applicant is not the owner thereof.
(e)
A copy of any required or necessary electrical permit issued
for said sign or a copy of the application thereof.
(2)
Review of permit. The Zoning Officer shall carefully consider the
application for compliance with this chapter and either issue or deny
a sign permit. All sign approval applications reviewed pursuant to
this section are hereby classed as "Type II actions" under Part 617
of the regulations promulgated under the State Environmental Quality
Review Act (SEQRA), having no significant environmental impact and
requiring no further review under SEQRA, except where the application
or sign is part of an overall site plan or sign site plan review.
(3)
Appeals. Should an applicant choose to appeal a decision by the Zoning
Officer to deny issuance of a sign permit, an application for an appeal
shall be filled out and submitted along with supporting documents
to the Zoning Board of Appeals for action.
B.
Sign site plan. In cases where a single property or structure requires
more than one sign permit, a sign site plan will be required. All
applications for sign site plan approval are to be submitted to the
Zoning Officer on forms provided. The Zoning Officer shall process
all complete applications in accordance with the following procedures:
(1)
The Zoning Officer shall refer the application, along with an application
for sign site plan approval, to the City of Cohoes Planning Board
for its review and approval.
(2)
All sign site plan approval applications to be heard by the Planning
Board are hereby classified as "unlisted actions" under Part 617 of
the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) regulations. All applications
for sign site plan approval must be accompanied by a completed short-form
environmental assessment for unlisted actions.
(3)
Upon a referral from the Zoning Officer of a complete application,
the Planning Board shall, within 60 days, approve, modify or deny
any application for a sign site plan. Any modification or denial of
a sign site plan shall be accompanied by a brief statement of the
reason for such modification or denial.
(4)
The Planning Board may modify a sign site plan application, provided
that such modification does not result in the need for any variances
from these regulations. All sign site plan modifications must directly
relate to the statements of purpose and intent set forth in this chapter.
(5)
The Planning Board's action on a sign site plan application
shall be the basis for the Zoning Officer to approve or deny a sign
permit, which action is declared ministerial in nature.
(6)
The Zoning Officer may authorize a subsequent modification to an
approved sign site plan, provided that there is no change to either
the number, location or total area of signs.
(7)
Issuance of sign permit. Once an application has been approved, the Zoning Officer shall issue a sign permit. Said permit shall be valid for a period of 120 days from the date of issuance. The permit may be extended one time, for a period of 60 days, upon approval of the Zoning Officer and upon payment of an additional fee, prior to the expiration of the initial one-hundred-twenty-day period. Subject to Subsection B(8) of this section, if a certificate of sign compliance is not issued within the one-hundred-twenty-day period or, if applicable, the renewal period for the sign permit, said sign permit shall expire.
(8)
Certificate of sign compliance. Within seven business days after
the placement of the approved sign, the applicant shall provide a
photograph of the sign to the Zoning Officer. Upon presentation of
the evidence of erection of the sign in compliance with this chapter
and a sign permit, the Zoning Officer shall issue a certificate of
sign compliance.
C.
Fees.
(1)
The fees to be paid to the City of Cohoes for the erection of each sign and for each of the conforming signs now erected are listed on the schedule in the Appendix of this Code, Chapter A290, Fees.
(2)
The Zoning Officer or other designated local official shall issue
a permit number for each sign, which shall be permanently attached
to or displayed on each sign, billboard or structure so that it may
readily be ascertained that a permit has been issued for each use.
A.
Permit required. It shall be unlawful to erect a sign as set forth
in this article, without first obtaining a permit therefor from the
Zoning Officer, except as specifically provided that a permit is not
required.
B.
Expiration and renewal; fee. If the sign authorized under any such
permit has not been substantially completed within six months from
the date of issuance thereof, such permit shall become null and void
but may be renewed for an additional six-month period within 30 days
from the expiration thereof, for good cause shown and upon payment
of an additional fee of $50.
C.
Obsolete signs. Any sign existing on or after the effective date
of this chapter which no longer advertises an existing business conducted
or product sold on the premises upon which such sign is located shall
be removed.
D.
Lack of compliance with sign permit. Should the Zoning Officer find
that any sign regulated herein is not in compliance with the sign
permit, is not used or is abandoned, unsafe or unsecure or is a menace
to the public, he shall give written notice, by certified and regular
mail, to the applicant, if applicable, the named owner of the sign,
and the named owner of the land upon which it is located. The parties
responsible shall remove or repair the sign or correct the cited deficiencies
within 30 days from the date of the notice. If the sign is not removed
or repaired within the time period, same shall be a violation of this
article subject to the penalties contained herein, and the Zoning
Officer shall revoke any permit issued for such sign and may cause
the removal or repair of the sign and shall assess all costs incurred
for such service against the owner of the sign. Unpaid costs shall
be assessed as a lien against the property and collected in the same
way as other liens and taxes once re-levied to the tax roll.
E.
Signs causing immediate peril. The Zoning Officer may cause any sign
or decoration which is a source of immediate peril to persons or property
to be removed immediately and without notice. Any costs assessed shall
only be after notice to the owners of the sign and property and an
opportunity to be heard. No officer or employee or agent of the City
of Cohoes shall be liable for any claim or damages with respect to
the authorized removal or repair of any sign under this article.
F.
Revocation of permit. The Zoning Officer may revoke any permit and
effect the removal of any sign erected thereunder if he or she shall
determine that the application or sign contains any material misstatement
of fact or is otherwise false or misleading.
G.
Penalties for offenses. Any person who willfully violates any provision
of this article shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine which
shall not exceed $250 or to imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or
both. Each day that such violation continues after an initial notice
of violation shall constitute a separate offense.
H.
Severability. If any decision, subsection, sentence, phrase or portion
of this chapter is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional
by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed
separate and distinct, and such holding shall not affect the validity
or constitutionality of the remaining portions thereof.
