As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
SIGN
Any material, structure or device or part thereof composed
of lettered or pictorial matter which is located out-of-doors or on
the exterior of any building, displaying an advertisement, announcement,
notice or names and shall include any declaration, demonstration,
display, representation, illustration or insignia used to advertise
or promote the interests of any person or business or cause when placed
in view of the general public.
A.
AWNING SIGNAny visual message incorporated into an awning attached to a building.
C.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNA sign limited to providing information on the location of any activity, business or event.
D.
FREESTANDING SIGNAny 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, nylon signs and masonry wall-type signs.
E.
ILLUMINATED SIGNAny sign illuminated by electricity, gas or other artificial light, either from the interior or exterior of the sign, including reflective and phosphorescent light.
F.
OFF-PREMISES SIGNA sign unrelated to a business or a profession conducted or to a commodity or service sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located.
G.
PORTABLE SIGNA sign, whether on its own trailer, wheels or otherwise, designed to be movable and not structurally attached to the ground, a building or another sign.
H.
PROJECTING SIGNA sign which is attached to a building wall or structure and which extends horizontally more than 15 inches from the plane of such wall, or a sign which is perpendicular to the face of such wall or structure.
I.
TEMPORARY SIGNA sign related to a single activity or event having a duration of no more than 30 days.
J.
BILLBOARD SIGNAn off-premises sign displaying advertising sign copy that is pasted, painted or fastened in a manner to permit its periodic replacement and that does not direct attention to a use, activity, facility, product or service existing on the lot on which the sign is placed.
K.
WALL SIGNA sign which is painted on or attached to the outside wall of a building, with the face of the sign in the plane parallel to such wall and not extending more than 15 inches from the face of the wall.
The following types of signs may be erected without permits
or fees, provided that such signs comply with the general requirements
of this chapter and other pertinent regulations:
A. Historical markers, tablets and statues, memorial signs and plaques;
names and dates of buildings; and nonadvertising on-premises signs
installed by religious or nonprofit organizations, not exceeding six
square feet.
B. Signs, notices or emblems installed by government bodies.
C. Flags or insignias of any government, except when displayed in connection
with commercial promotion.
D. On-premises nonadvertising directional signs for the convenience
of the general public, identifying public parking areas, fire zones,
entrances and exits, and similar signs not exceeding four square feet;
freestanding signs not to exceed six feet in height. Business names
and personal names shall be allowed, excluding advertising messages.
E. Nonilluminated warning, "private drive," "posted" or "no trespassing"
signs, not to exceed two square feet.
F. One on-premises sign, either freestanding or attached, in connection
with any residential building in any zoning district, for permitted
professional offices or home occupations, not to exceed two square
feet. Said sign must be set back at least 10 feet from the highway
right-of-way.
G. Number and name plates identifying residents, mounted on a house,
apartment or mailbox, not to exceed one square foot in area.
H. Private-owner merchandise sales signs for garage sales, yard sales,
auctions and the like, not exceeding four square feet for a period
not exceeding seven days.
I. Temporary, nonilluminated "for sale," "for rent" and real estate
signs of a similar nature concerning the premises upon which the sign
is located, one sign not exceeding four square feet per side; in a
business or industrial area, one sign not exceeding 50 square feet,
set back at least 15 feet from all property lines. All such signs
shall be removed within three days after closing the sale or the effective
date of the lease or rental of the premises.
J. One temporary sign for a roadside stand selling agricultural produce,
in season, provided that such a sign shall not exceed 16 square feet
and shall be set back at least 10 feet from the public right-of-way.
Said sign shall be removed within three days after the produce is
no longer for sale.
K. Holiday decorations, including lighting, which may be displayed in
any district.
L. Temporary, nonilluminated, window signs and posters.
M. At gasoline stations:
(1) Integral graphic or attached price signs on gasoline pumps.
(2) One portable sign per station, not exceeding 12 square feet and four
feet in height.
N. Temporary directional signs for meetings, conventions and other assemblies.
Said signs may be displayed five days prior to said event and be removed
within two days following the event.
O. One sign, not exceeding six square feet in the residential districts
or 16 square feet in the commercial or industrial districts, listing
the architect, engineer, contractor and/or owner, on premises where
construction, renovation or repair is in progress. Said sign shall
be removed within three days of completion of such work.
P. Political posters, banners, promotional devices and similar signs
not exceeding four square feet in the residential districts or 16
square feet in the commercial or industrial districts, provided that:
(1) Placement shall not exceed 30 days before nor three days following
said event.
(2) The names and addresses of the sponsor and/or the person responsible
for removal are identified on each such sign or poster.
(3) Such signage shall be set back at least 10 feet from all property
lines and shall not be located within any public right-of-way.
The following permanent signs may be erected; provided, however,
that the provisions of this section shall not serve to expand the
number of signs otherwise allowed.
A. Off-premises directional signs for the convenience of the general
public and for the purpose of directing people to a business, activity,
service or community facility may be erected, provided that such signs
do not exceed 10 square feet per establishment, nor total more than
two such signs per establishment. The message shall be limited to
name or identification, arrow or direction and distance.
B. A nonilluminated, single-sided real estate development sign, including
industrial and commercial development and residential subdivision,
or a construction sign denoting architect, engineer and/or contractor,
not exceeding 32 square feet in commercial and industrial districts,
nor 16 square feet in residential districts, may be erected on property
being sold, leased or developed. Such sign shall be erected parallel
to the fronting highway and set back a minimum of 20 feet from the
property line or attached to the building face. Such sign shall be
removed upon completion of the project and shall be in place for a
period not exceeding two years.
C. Signs or bulletin boards customarily incident to schools, places
of worship, libraries, museums, social clubs or societies may be erected
on the premises of such institutions. One such sign or bulletin board
not exceeding 20 square feet may be erected for each entrance on a
different street or highway.
D. For multiple dwellings or apartment developments, one sign advertising
availability of dwelling units, not exceeding 20 square feet, shall
be permitted. One such sign shall be permitted for each entrance on
a different street or highway.
Any person, firm, or corporation, whether as owner, lessee,
agent or employee, who proceeds to erect, re-erect, construct or structurally
alter any sign without first applying for and obtaining the necessary
permit or who in any other way violates any provision of this chapter
shall be guilty of an offense punishable by a fine of not more than
$250, up to 15 days' imprisonment, or both.