[Amended 5-28-2009 by L.L. No. 2-2009; 10-15-2012 by L.L. No. 2-2012; 2-26-2018 by L.L. No. 2-2018]
The primary purpose of these sign regulations for the Village
of Geneseo is to identify the location or occupant for a parcel of
land while protecting public health, safety and general welfare. All
signs and signing systems are subject to the regulations that follow
in this chapter. These regulations also serve to:
A.
Ensure the right to free speech as protected under the Constitution;
B.
Protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business
climate, and protect the physical appearance of the community;
C.
Provide businesses with effective means of identification while reducing
visual clutter through the prevention of excessive and confusing sign
displays;
D.
Reduce traffic conflicts or hazards by minimizing visual distractions
or obstacles in or visible from the public rights-of-way;
E.
Minimize the adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private
property;
F.
Avoid personal injury and property damage from unsafe or confusing
signs; and
G.
Establish a clear and impartial process for those seeking to install
signs.
A.
Required conformance. No person shall erect, place, establish, paint,
or retain any sign, or cause a sign to be located or retained within
the Village of Geneseo, unless all provisions of this Sign Code have
been met.
B.
Sign permit required. To ensure compliance with the provisions of
this Sign Code, a sign permit shall be acquired from the Village Planning
Board for each sign unless specifically exempted by this Sign Code.
C.
Sign permit application requirements. The following information shall
be provided to the Village office prior to the review or issuance
of a sign permit:
(1)
Name, address, contact information, and signature of the applicant;
(2)
Name, address, and signature of the building owner (if not the applicant);
(3)
Dimensions and drawings indicating the size, shape, construction,
materials, color, design, and layout of the sign(s); and
(4)
Site plan and elevations indicating the proposed location and size
of the sign(s) to scale.
D.
Sign permit required for alteration. A sign initially approved for
which a permit has been issued shall not be modified, relocated, altered,
or replaced, nor shall design elements of any building or lot upon
which such sign is maintained be modified, relocated, altered, or
replaced if any such design element constituted a basis for approval
of such sign unless an amended or new sign permit is obtained consistent
with these regulations.
F.
Specific situations not requiring sign permit. The following specific
situations shall not require a sign permit:
(1)
The repainting, repairing, changing of parts and preventive maintenance
of signs.
(2)
A change in the message on a changeable copy sign.
(3)
Repainting of supports and sign area, provided there is no change
in the sign message.
(4)
Replacement of a sign in-kind, if said replacement sign conforms
in all respects with the requirements of this section and is identical
to the sign it is replacing in size, shape, construction materials,
color, design, and layout.
G.
Expiration of sign permit. Any sign permit shall expire if the sign
for which the permit has been issued is not fully constructed within
180 days from the date of issuance of the sign permit.
H.
Lapse of sign permit. A sign permit shall lapse automatically if
the zoning permit for the premises lapses, is revoked, or is not renewed.
A sign permit shall be reviewed as part of the zoning permit renewal
for the premises on which it applies. A sign permit shall also lapse
if the activity on the premises for which the sign permit was issued
is discontinued for a period of 180 days or more.
The following regulations are applicable to all signs within
the Village of Geneseo unless specifically stated otherwise within
this section:
A.
Traffic safety. All signs shall be designed, constructed, and located
in accordance with the following criteria:
(1)
No sign shall be erected at or near any intersection of any streets,
or alleys, or any railway and any street, in such a manner as to obstruct
free and clear vision.
(2)
No sign shall be of a shape or color that may be confused with any
authorized traffic control device.
(3)
No rotating beam, beacon, or flashing illumination resembling an
emergency light shall be used in connection with any sign display.
B.
Design and construction. All signs shall be designed and constructed
in accordance with the following criteria:
(1)
Construction materials. Except for banners, flags, and temporary
signs and window signs conforming in all respects with the requirements
of this chapter, all signs shall be constructed of permanent, weather-resistant,
and durable materials.
(2)
Sign supports and braces. All permanent signs shall be supported
by sign structures that are designed to resist wind pressures, dead
loads, and lateral loads in accordance with the appropriate provisions
of the Building Code. All sign supports shall be reviewed as part
of the sign design.
(3)
Lettering. All sign lettering shall be permanently affixed to the
sign. Manual changeable copy signs shall be enclosed and locked.
(4)
Preferred design and materials. Signs located in any mixed-use district
shall utilize relief in detail or lettering, unless otherwise approved
by the Planning Board. It is encouraged that signs in other districts
also utilize relief in detail or lettering, such as carved wood signs.
(5)
Facade renovation guidelines. Signs in the MU-1 Mixed Use-1 Zoning
District shall comply with the facade renovation guidelines approved
and adopted by the Village Board of Trustees.
C.
Location. All signs shall be located in accordance with the following
standards:
(1)
Signs shall not be erected within nor project into or over any public
right-of-way, unless otherwise specified within this chapter. Signs
must be located on private property and comply with the dimension
and setback requirements contained in the Table of Sign Regulations.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Table of Sign Regulations is included as
an attachment to this chapter.
(2)
Off-premises signs are prohibited. All permanent signs shall be located
on the site being promoted, identified or advertised. Signs for uses
in New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Agricultural
Districts are exempt from this provision.
(3)
No sign shall cover any part of any window unless specifically permitted
under this chapter. No sign shall cover any door, or hinder or prevent
free ingress to or free egress from any door, window, fire escape,
or other required exitway.
(4)
Altering or covering of architectural details is prohibited. No sign
shall cover or cause the removal of architectural details to a building
facade, including, but not limited to, arches, sills, moldings, cornices,
and transom windows.
(5)
All signs, unless otherwise noted within this article, are to be
set back at least five feet from any property line or public right-of-way.
D.
Illumination. Any illuminated sign shall be in accordance with the
following standards:
(1)
Brightness. Light sources for illuminated signs shall not be of such
brightness as to constitute a hazard to pedestrians or motorists and
shall be shielded so as not to cast an illumination of more than two
footcandles on contiguous properties nor more than 0.1 footcandle
on residential properties.
(2)
Electric considerations. All light fixtures and wiring shall comply
with the National Electrical Code. Electrified signs shall bear an
approved testing laboratory label, and all electrical connections
shall be approved by an approved inspection agency. All transformers,
wires, and similar items shall be concealed and properly protected
from the elements. In the case of freestanding signs, all wiring shall
be placed underground.
(3)
Flashing. Intermittent illumination, or illumination which involves
movement or causes the illusion of movement resulting from the arrangement
of lighting, is prohibited, except as permitted for electronic displays
of time and/or temperature.
E.
Maintenance and repair. All signs shall be maintained in safe and
good structural condition, in compliance with all applicable building
and electrical codes, and in conformance with this chapter at all
times. Such maintenance includes replacement of all defective bulbs,
parts, materials, painting, repainting, cleaning, and other acts required
for maintenance of such sign. If any sign does not comply with the
above maintenance and repair standards, the Code Enforcement Officer
shall require its removal.
F.
Protection of property. Signs shall not be posted in any manner destructive
to public property. Signs shall also not be attached or otherwise
applied to trees, utility poles, transit shelters, benches, trash
receptacles, or newsracks.
G.
Obsolete signs. Any sign that no longer advertises or identifies
the current or permitted use of the property must be removed within
30 days after written notification from the Code Enforcement Officer.
A.
Sign area.
(1)
Computation of individual sign area. 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, and/or other display, together
with any material or color forming an integral part of the background
of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop
or structure against which it is placed.
(2)
Computation of multifaced sign area. In the case of a multifaced
sign, the total of all sides of the sign shall be considered in determining
sign area.
(3)
Structural support not included in sign area. 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
sign's message by including a symbol, logo, or other three-dimensional
figure. If such is the case, a combination of regular geometric shapes
which can encompass the area of said symbol or figure shall be included
as part of the total sign area computation.
(4)
Combining individual elements. For a sign composed of individual
letters, figures, or elements mounted on a wall or wall extension,
the area of such sign shall be calculated by determining the smallest
geometric form or combination of forms that comprise all the display
area, including the space between the elements.
B.
Sign height.
(1)
Computation of height of freestanding sign. The height of a freestanding
sign shall be calculated by measuring the vertical distance between
the top part of such sign or its structure, whichever is highest,
to the elevation of the ground directly beneath the center of the
sign. The elevation of the ground directly beneath the center of the
sign shall be construed to be the lower of the existing grade prior
to construction or the newly established grade after construction,
exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely
for the purpose of locating the sign.
(2)
Computation of height of building signs. The height of an awning,
canopy, projecting wall, or window sign shall be determined by measuring
the vertical distance between the top part of a sign panel or individual
letter or character, whichever is highest, to the elevation of the
ground underneath such sign.
(3)
Structural support included in sign height. Any material whose major
function is to provide structural support for a sign shall be considered
part of the sign for purposes of determining sign height.
C.
Frontage.
(1)
Freestanding sign frontage. The term "frontage," as used in calculating
freestanding signs, shall refer to the dimension of the lot along
the street.
(2)
Wall sign frontage. The term "frontage," as used in calculating wall
signs, shall refer to the building wall dimension facing the street
or parking lot.
(3)
More than one frontage. If a use or structure contains walls facing
more than one street line, the number of signs and sign areas will
be computed separately for each side of the building facing a different
frontage.
(4)
No direct frontage. For uses or structures having no direct frontage
on public roads, as within shopping centers, frontage shall be counted
as the intersection of the building line onto adjacent drives or parking
areas.
The following types of signs may be erected in the Village without
obtaining a sign permit. Although permits are not required for these
signs, the signs shall conform to the height, setback and size requirements
detailed in this chapter:
A.
Banners or pennants. Such signs shall not require a sign permit if
all the following conditions are met:
(1)
There shall be no more than one banner per enterprise at one time;
(2)
It shall be displayed for no more than 30 days;
(3)
It shall not have a total face area in excess of 150 square feet
nor a height of more than six feet;
(4)
It shall not extend above the first floor facade of the building
or project beyond property lines or over any public right-of-way;
(5)
It shall not be illuminated, and it shall be placed in such a manner
as to not impede pedestrian traffic.
B.
Construction or home improvement signs. No sign permit shall be required
for temporary construction or home improvement signs if all of the
following conditions are met:
C.
Decorations: temporary displays of patriotic, religious, charitable,
or civic character with no commercial message, including holiday lights
and decorations that are erected for customary periods of time.
D.
Directional signs. Signs that provide direction and are located entirely
on the property to which they pertain and contain no commercial message
shall not require a sign permit provided they do not exceed four square
feet in area. Directional signs include, but are not limited to, signs
identifying public restrooms, public telephones, walkways or signs
providing direction, such as parking lot entrance and exit signs,
and those of a similar nature. Such directional signs shall be allowed
within the street setbacks and side and rear yards insofar as they
do not obstruct free and clear vision to traffic.
E.
Drive-through signs. Businesses with drive-through facilities may
have one sign not exceeding 12 square feet in area or six feet in
height for each drive-through lane provided such sign is oriented
solely for the use of patrons utilizing the drive-through lane and
is not intended to be visible from adjacent property or the right-of-way.
F.
Flags: the flags, emblems or insignia of any nation or political
subdivision. Flagpoles shall be subject to the height restrictions
imposed by each respective zoning district.
G.
Gasoline station price signs: signs not exceeding four square feet
advertising the price of gasoline and indicating self-service or full-service,
when attached to a gasoline pump or pump service island.
H.
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
for governmental signs.
I.
Historical signs: signs that are in the nature of cornerstones, commemorative
tablets, and historical signs, provided that such signs are less than
nine square feet and not illuminated.
J.
Home occupation signs: one sign for each legally established home
occupation, for a total not to exceed four square feet in area.
K.
House numbers and nameplates. Address and name of occupant of premises
for a residential structure, not including designations as to employment
or home occupation, are to be limited in size to four square feet
per dwelling unit.
L.
Incidental signs. Such signs shall have an aggregate area not to
exceed four square feet.
M.
Internal signs: any sign located within a building, provided that
window signs shall not cover more than 25% of the total window area
or 10% of the window space within a door.
N.
Limited signs: signs and notices advertising an open house, garage
or yard sale, or event, displayed for no more than 15 days and no
more frequently than two times in a calendar year. These signs must
be placed on the property where the open house, sale, or event is
being held.
O.
Noncommercial signs. Any lot shall be allowed up to two signs of
any type containing solely noncommercial messages provided said signs
are in conformance with the size, height, setback, and illumination
regulations set forth within the table of Sign Regulations[1] for each applicable sign type.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Table of Sign Regulations is included as
an attachment to this chapter.
P.
Political and campaign signs. Political and campaign signs on behalf
of candidates for public office or measures on election ballots are
permitted without a permit under the following conditions:
(1)
Said signs shall contain the legal name of the person(s) responsible
for the sign and shall be kept in an attractive and safe condition.
(2)
Signs may not exceed six square feet per side and may not exceed
four feet in height above natural grade.
(3)
Said signs are not placed more than 30 days in advance of said election
or ballot.
(4)
Said signs are removed within 72 hours of the closing of the applicable
election or ballot.
Q.
Portable signs: one nonilluminated, two-sided portable sign not to
exceed 32 square feet in size and six feet in height in the following
situations:
(1)
New businesses awaiting the erection of a permanent sign, not to
exceed a period of 30 days.
(2)
A business that has lost the use of an existing sign by reason of
fire or other catastrophe, not to exceed a period of 30 days.
(3)
All portable signs must be placed at least 10 feet from all property
lines.
R.
Real estate signs: up to two signs on any lot or parcel, provided
that such sign is located entirely within the property to which the
sign applies and is in conformance with the size, height, setback,
and illumination regulations set forth within the Table of Sign Regulations[2] for each applicable sign type.
[2]
Editor's Note: The Table of Sign Regulations is included as
an attachment to this chapter.
S.
Sandwich board signs or A-frame signs. One sandwich board sign is
permitted per use. Said sign shall not exceed six square feet in area.
Said sign must be removed at the close of each business day. A sandwich
board sign shall not require a sign permit if the following conditions
are met:
T.
Banners for charitable events. Street banners for events sponsored
by charitable, service, educational, religious, or not-for-profit
organizations may be granted approval by the Village Board of Trustees.
The banner may be placed at a site across Main Street, as designated
by the Village Board of Trustees, and kept in place for a period not
to exceed 14 days. The banner shall be made of canvas or other material
of equal or better durability and shall be kept in an attractive and
safe condition. The banner shall not exceed 30 feet in width and three
feet in height; shall not include advertisements for commercial products
or services; and shall be removed no later than two business days
after the event terminates.
U.
Signs for public events. Signs for public events approved or sponsored
by the Village Board of Trustees, such as festivals, arts and crafts
shows, farmers markets, or similar events, may be displayed for a
period beginning no earlier than two weeks prior to the event and
ending no later than two business days after the event terminates.
Such signs shall not exceed 15 square feet on either side. All such
signs shall be kept in an attractive and safe condition. Placement
of signs shall not impede vehicular or pedestrian traffic or create
a public hazard or nuisance.
Murals and public works of art approved by the Village Board
of Trustees shall be permitted in nonresidential districts. They shall
not include any commercial message, logo, or trademark. Such murals
and public works of art shall not be subject to the requirements in
the Table of Sign Regulations, and shall be kept in an attractive
and safe condition.
The Table of Sign Regulations, located as an attachment to this
chapter, lists the requirements for different types of permitted signs
that may be proposed for installation in the Village. The table addresses
each type of sign by zoning category, listing whether each sign type
is permitted in each zone, the number of signs permitted per site,
and the allowable size, height, setbacks, and lighting requirements.
The following types of signs are prohibited:
A.
Signs for which no permit was issued or for which a permit has been
revoked;
B.
Obsolete signs or signs that are not properly maintained, or considered
structurally unsound, hazardous or otherwise unsafe;
C.
Signs that contain words or pictures of an obscene or pornographic
nature;
D.
Signs that emit audible sounds, odor, or visible matter;
E.
Signs that may be confused with a traffic control sign, signal or
device or the light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle; or
bear one of more of the words "stop," "go slow," "caution," "danger,"
"warning" or other similar words; or hide from view any traffic or
street sign, signal or device;
F.
Signs that interfere with official traffic lights or traffic control
devices;
H.
Signs with unshielded lighting devices or reflectors placed to outline
or provide the background of a sign;
I.
Signs that are animated or use full motion or video technology;
J.
Signs that utilize electronic changeable copy;
K.
Signs with mirrors;
L.
Permanent banner, pennant, windblown or inflated signs. These may
be permitted as a temporary sign for a total of 30 days;
M.
Portable signs attached to or placed on an unregistered vehicle parked
on private property for the primary purpose of being viewed by motorists
within the right-of-way;
N.
Pennants not affixed to the face of a building;
O.
Signs placed on a curb, sidewalk, hydrant, utility pole, trees or
other objects located on or over any street or within the public right-of-way,
unless otherwise permitted;
P.
Signs, banners, or pennants mounted on or extending above the roof
of any building or structure;
Q.
Signs painted directly on an exterior wall;
R.
Off-premises signs; and
S.
Freestanding signs supported by a single pole or post with more than
30 inches clearance from the bottom of the sign to the ground below,
commonly referred to as a "pole sign."
A.
Residential districts (R-1, R-2, and R-3).
(2)
Up to two signs may be permitted for each public, quasi-public, nonprofit,
church, school, hospital or other similar use.
(3)
One nonilluminated freestanding sign not exceeding 32 square feet
in area and six feet in height shall be permitted at each entrance
of an unimproved subdivision for a period of up to one year. If a
building permit is not issued within the subdivision for a period
of 12 months, or upon completion of the subdivision, such sign must
be removed immediately. Such sign may be installed after approval
of the Planning Board of the final subdivision plat or when a valid
building permit has been issued.
B.
Nonresidential districts (MU-1, MU-2, WMU, C-1, CI-1, and CR).
(2)
Two signs per use are permitted for a single business or industry.
Where contiguous businesses or industries are located on a single
lot, such as, but not limited to, industrial centers or business parks,
each business or industry shall be permitted two signs, and the lot
may be permitted one additional freestanding sign.
(3)
Where groups of two or more contiguous stores are located together,
two signs per use shall be permitted in addition to a single freestanding
sign for the mall or plaza, subject to the Table of Sign Regulations.[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: The Table of Sign Regulations is included as
an attachment to this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: See the Table of Sign Regulations, which is
included as an attachment to this chapter, for sign allowances.
A.
Temporary signs. Temporary signs on private property shall be allowed,
subject to the following conditions:
(1)
Term. A temporary sign may be placed upon a property or structure
for no more than 30 days, with no more than one thirty-day extension.
(2)
Number. Only one temporary sign is permitted for a property or structure
at any given time. A maximum of four temporary signs may be displayed
during each calendar year.
(3)
Illumination. Interior illumination of temporary signs is prohibited. Signs requiring exterior illumination or electricity shall conform to the regulations of § 130-86, Regulations applicable to all signs, Subsection D, Illumination, of this chapter, and those within the Table of Sign Regulations.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Table of Sign Regulations is included as
an attachment to this chapter.
(4)
Size, height, clearance, and setback requirements. Temporary sign
area, height, and setback requirements shall follow the same regulations
set forth for any permanent sign of similar type or configuration
within the applicable zoning district. See the Table of Sign Regulations.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: The Table of Sign Regulations is included as
an attachment to this chapter.
A.
Permitted nonconforming signs. Any sign erected prior to the adoption
of this chapter that does not conform to the provisions of this article
is permitted to remain as a nonconforming sign.
All signs permitted by the Village shall be subject to the regulations
set forth below,[1] where "P" indicates permitted and "NP" indicates not permitted. The "maximum number permitted" requirement shall not apply to noncommercial signs, political signs, or real estate signs. See § 130-88, Signs authorized without permit, Subsections O, P, and R, for the number of sign types permitted.
[1]
Editor's Note: See the Table of Sign Regulations, which is
included as an attachment to this chapter.
