The purpose of these sign standards is to regulate
the potentially objectional aspects of sign uses by stating specific
standards consistent with the promotion of public health, safety,
morals and the general welfare of the Town of Maine.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
ADVERTISING SIGN
A sign which directs attention to a business, industry, profession,
commodity, service or entertainment not sold or offered upon the same
premises where the sign is located.
BUSINESS SIGN
A sign which directs attention to a business, industry, profession,
commodity, service or entertainment sold or offered upon the same
premises where the sign is located.
DIRECTIONAL OR INFORMATION SIGN
A sign which is nonilluminated and which may be used for
the purpose of stating the name or location of the Town and its public
buildings, hospital, community center, church or school, or the name
or place of meetings of an official or civic organization. No advertising
or business matter shall be contained on signs of this type. No directional
or information sign shall be illuminated.
DISPLAY SIGN
A sign, sign screen, billboard, advertising device or any
other kind of structure intended or used for advertisement, announcement
or direction.
FACING or SURFACE
The surface of the sign upon, against, or through which,
the message of the sign is exhibited.
GROUND SIGN
Any sign not attached to any building or other structure.
PERMANENT SIGN
A sign which is intended to be displayed for an unlimited
period of time.
POLITICAL SIGN
Any temporary sign which displays the name and/or picture
of any individual seeking election or appointment to a public office,
or pertaining to a forthcoming public election or referendum, or pertaining
to or advocating political views or policies.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE SIGN
A sign pertaining to a professional office which is permitted
under any of the provisions of this chapter.
PROJECTING SIGN
A sign which is attached to any building or structure and
which extends beyond the surface of such wall a distance greater than
12 inches. The term "projecting sign" shall include a marquee. (See
also "wall sign.")
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A sign pertaining to the sale, lease or rental of the real
estate upon which the sign is located.
ROOF SIGN
A sign constructed or supported upon the roof of any building
or structure.
SHOPPING CENTER or SHOPPING PLAZA
A tract or parcel of land containing five or more acres or
a grouping of five or more stores or shops that provide a variety
of goods and services and which are within the same building or in
contiguous units that are using integrated parking facilities and
have a common access to the public way.
SIGN
Any object, device, display or structure, or part thereof,
situated outdoors or indoors, which is used to advertise, identify,
display, direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution,
organization, business, product, service, event or location by any
means, including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures,
colors, illumination or project images. "Sign" does not include the
flag of any nation, organization of nations, state or city, or fraternal,
religious or civic organizations. "Sign" does not include merchandise,
pictures or models of products or services incorporated in a window
display; works of art which in no way identify a product; or scoreboards
located on athletic fields.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any outside sign used to convey information, such as, but
not limited to, special events or sales or political campaigns, and
any sign of a similar nature, and which is constructed in such a way
as to be portable and made of material completely resistant to the
elements.
WALL SIGN
A sign which is attached to the wall of any building or structure
and which does not extend beyond the surface of such wall a distance
greater than 12 inches. (See also "projecting sign.")
WINDOW SIGN
A sign which is applied or attached to the exterior or interior
surface of a window. No window sign shall exceed 50% of the glazed
area of the window.
No sign shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, expanded, altered or relocated unless a sign permit evidencing the compliance of such work with the provisions of this chapter shall have first been issued in compliance with §
450-67 of this chapter. No advertising sign and no roof sign shall be located within the Town of Maine.
Business signs are permitted on a parcel in
the B-1 Business District, B-2 Business District or ID Industrial
District as follows:
A. One ground sign identifying the name and character
of the business or industry, not to exceed 50 square feet in area
and located not closer than 15 feet from any street or highway right-of-way,
located at least three feet from any interior property line, and not
exceeding 25 feet in height.
B. One wall sign identifying the name and character of
the business or industry, not to exceed two square feet in word area
for each linear foot of building frontage, and affixed to the front
of the building only.
C. The total combined sign area for both the ground sign
and the wall sign shall not exceed 300 square feet in area.
All applicants for sign permits shall submit
the following information in connection with an application for a
sign permit:
A. Name, address and telephone number of the applicant
and of the owner of the parcel where the sign is to be located.
B. Street location and Tax Map parcel number of the building,
structure or lot to which or upon which the sign is to be attached
or erected.
C. The zoning district in which the subject parcel of
land is located.
D. The type, size, height, location, and proposed setbacks
of the sign.
E. One drawing of the plans and specifications and method
of construction and attachment to the building or the ground.
F. A copy of stress sheets and calculations showing that
the structure is designed for load and wind pressure in any direction
in the amount required by this chapter.
G. The name and address of any person, firm, corporation
or association who will erect sign.
H. Any electrical permit required and issued for said
sign.
I. Such other information as the Town Building and Code
Inspector shall require to show full compliance with this chapter
or any other applicable local laws or ordinances of the Town.
The Town Board shall, by resolution, set and
establish the fee for a permit for the erection, construction, enlargement,
expansion, alteration or relocation of signs.
Any sign lawfully existing on the effective
date of this chapter which does not comply with all the applicable
standards and regulations of this chapter or any amendment thereto
may continue although not in conformity with the applicable standards
and regulations herein. However, such a nonconforming sign shall only
be reconstructed, enlarged, expanded, altered or relocated in compliance
with the applicable standards and regulations of this chapter or any
amendment thereto.