Village of Coxsackie, NY Article VIII Sign Regulations

§ 155-52 Purpose.

It is the intent of this section to:

A. Allow adequate signage for the economic vitality of businesses and the appropriateness of use while minimizing clutter, confusion and the unsightliness of excessive signage.

B. Establish criteria designed to encourage signs that are compatible with their surroundings, appropriate to the type of activity to which they pertain, expressive of the identity of individual proprietors and legible in the environment in which they are seen.

C. Allow for the coordination of signs to reflect the character of the architecture, landscape and visual themes that the Village is supporting.

§ 155-53 Definitions.

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

A. A "sign" is a structure, building wall, indoor surface visible to the outside, or outdoor surface, or any device used for visual communication, which directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, organization or business.

B. Sign types and illumination.

ADVERTISING SIGN

An off-premises sign that advertises or otherwise directs attention to a commodity, business, industry, home occupation, activity or event which is sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than on the lot upon which the sign is located, e.g., a billboard.

ANIMATED SIGN

A sign with action or motion, flashing, or color changes requiring electrical energy, but not including window-displayed computer monitors or wind-actuated elements such as flags, banners, or novelty items, e.g. reader board.

AWNING SIGN

A sign painted on, printed on or attached flat against the surface of an awning.

BILLBOARD

See "advertising sign."

DIRECTIONAL SIGN

A sign conveying instructions regarding pedestrian and/or vehicular movement with respect to the premises on which it is located, such as the entrance and exit of a parking area.

DIRECTORY SIGN

A sign on which the names and locations of the occupants or the use of a building is given, including office building and religious directories.

FREESTANDING SIGN

A self-supporting sign resting on, or supported by means of, poles, posts or standards.

ILLUMINATED SIGN

Any sign that is lighted by internal or external lighting.

INCIDENTAL SIGN

A directional sign of a public service nature, such as signs identifying a place of worship, parking areas, telephones, restrooms, loading docks or similar services, which contains no advertising.

MARQUEE SIGN

Any sign attached to a marquee for the purposes of identifying a theater or movie house.

MONUMENT SIGN

A sign attached to a brick, stone, masonry wall, wood, or structure that forms a supporting base for the sign display.

NONILLUMINATED SIGN

Any sign that is not lighted.

OFF-PREMISES SIGN

A sign structure advertising an establishment, merchandise, service or entertainment which is sold, produced, manufactured or furnished at a place other than on the property on which said sign is located; a sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to an activity not on the same lot where the sign is located, e.g., billboards, outdoor advertising, subdivision directional signs and real estate signs.

ON-PREMISES SIGN

A sign that advertises or otherwise directs attention to an activity on the same lot where the sign is located.

PARALLEL WALL SIGN

A sign mounted parallel to a wall or other vertical building surface that does not extend beyond the edge of any wall, roofline or other surface to which it is mounted and does not project more than one foot from the surface to which it is mounted.

PERSONAL EXPRESSION SIGN

A sign which displays an individual's political, religious or personal belief.

PORTABLE SIGN

Any sign, including vehicular signs, not permanently attached to the ground or building.

PROJECTING WALL SIGN

Any sign mounted to a wall or other vertical surface, other than a parallel sign, that does not project more than four feet from the surface to which it is mounted, nor project above the wall, roofline or surface to which it is mounted, nor in any way interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic. A minimum height clearance of 10 feet is required.

REVOLVING SIGN

Any sign that revolves.

ROOF SIGN

A sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partly supported by that building.

SNIPE SIGN

A permanent or temporary sign or poster affixed to a tree, fence or utility pole or upon rocks or natural features.

TEMPORARY SIGN

A sign which advertises community or civic projects, construction projects, real estate for sale or lease, a commercial grand opening or other special events on a temporary basis. The following types of signs shall be considered temporary signs:

(1) BANNER SIGN A temporary sign intended to be hung either with or without frames, possessing characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentations applied to paper, plastic or fabric of any kind. National flags, flags of political subdivisions and symbolic or decorative flags of any institution, neighborhood, residential use or business shall not be considered banners for the purpose of this chapter.

(2) CONSTRUCTION SIGN Any sign giving the name or names of principal contractors, subcontractors, architects and lending institutions responsible for construction, landscaping or other improvements on the site where the sign is placed.

(3) DEVELOPMENT SIGN An on-premises sign on a building or lot which announces the nature, purpose or name of the prospective building/enterprise.

(4) POLITICAL SIGN A temporary sign used in connection with a local, county, state or national election or referendum.

(5) PORTABLE SIGN Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted to A- or T-frames; menu and sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business. Portable signs shall not be illuminated unless a special use permit is granted by the Village Board of Trustees.

(6) REAL ESTATE SIGN A temporary sign which advertises the sale, lease or rent of the property on which the sign is placed.

(7) SPECIAL EVENT SIGN On-premises window sign, banner or commemorative flag which advertises a grand opening or other special event.

(8) STREET BANNER SIGN Any banner sign which is stretched across and hung over a public right-of-way.

(9) SUBDIVISION SIGN An on-premises or off-premises directional sign advertising to the public the name of the subdivision project and the type of project to be built.

VEHICULAR SIGN

Any vehicle and/or trailer to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the carrying of the sign is no longer incidental to the vehicle's purpose but becomes the primary purpose of the vehicle.

WINDOW SIGN

A sign mounted or painted on a window, or inside a structure, that is intended to be seen through a window from the outside.

§ 155-54 General regulations.

A. Sign area.

(1) The "area of a sign" shall mean the area of all lettering, wording and accompanying designs, logos and symbols, together with the background on which they are displayed, whether open or enclosed. The area of a sign shall not include any supporting framework, bracing or trim which is incidental to the display, provided that it does not contain any lettering, wording or symbols.

(2) Where the sign consists of individual letters, designs or symbols attached to a building, awning, wall or window, the area shall be that of the smallest rectangle which encompasses all of the letters, designs and symbols.

(3) Signs may be multisided. In determining the area of a double-sided sign, only one side shall be considered, provided that both faces are identical in size. When the interior angle formed by the faces of a multisided sign is greater than 45°, then all sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area.

B. Height of a sign.

(1) The distance from the highest portion of the sign to the mean grade at the base of the sign. In the case of a sign located on an isolated mound, height shall be measured to the original grade.

(2) Unless specifically restricted or specified in § 155-54D, all awning, projecting and wall signs must be contained within the current building height restrictions of the zoning district in which it is located.

C. Sign structure. Sign structures shall be in keeping with the architectural style of the building that it is related to. A "sign structure" is defined as the supporting structure erected and used to support a sign such as brackets, posts, monument bases, etc.

D. Location of signs.

(1) No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic on a street by obscuring views or by interfering with official street signs or signals by virtue of position or color.

(2) No sign, except official traffic signs or those approved by the Village of Coxsackie, is permitted within the right-of-way.

(3) No projecting sign shall extend into the right-of-way or be less than 10 feet above a pedestrian way.

(4) No awning sign shall extend into the right-of-way or be less than 10 feet above a pedestrian way.

(5) No freestanding sign may occupy an area designated for parking, loading, walkways, driveways, fire lanes, easements, the right-of-way or other areas required to be unobstructed.

(6) Signs, not including historical markers and banners approved by the Village, shall not be affixed to a utility pole or structure, lighting standard, parking meter, park bench, tree, shrub, rock or natural object, except plaques of a maximum of one square foot.

E. Materials. Sign materials should be consistent with and complement the original construction materials and architectural style of the building facade on which they are to be displayed. All signs, excluding awning and window signs, shall be constructed only of wood, metal, stone or other appropriate material with painted, engraved or raised messages. Plastic sign inserts shall be permitted for internally lit signs.

F. Illumination of signs. Signs may be externally illuminated, consistent with the following standards:

(1) External. Illumination of a sign with an external light, shielded so that the point source of light is not visible elsewhere than on the lot where said illumination occurs.

(2) Illumination shall be provided only to the extent necessary to allow signs to be seen and read at night at a distance not to exceed 500 feet from the sign.

(3) Neon lighting is not permitted in residential districts.

G. Construction of signs.

(1) Every sign permitted in this article must be kept in good condition and repair as determined by the Village Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer.

(2) A sign using electricity shall be installed in conformance with the Village's electrical code. All signs not attached to a building shall be connected by underground service only.

H. Removal of signs. A sign shall be found to be in violation of this chapter, and may be required to be removed by the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer, under the following circumstances:

(1) The sign has not been maintained in good condition and safe repair and has deteriorated to the point that it cannot perform its intended use or creates a safety hazard. The Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer shall specify a period of time in which the owner of the sign may repair or rehabilitate the sign, thereby restoring its intended use or correcting the safety hazard.

(2) The sign has been erected without an applicable permit or does not comply with the other requirements of this chapter.

§ 155-55 Prohibited signs and illumination.

A. Prohibited signs. It shall be unlawful, upon or after the effective date of this chapter or any amendment thereto, for any person, firm or corporation to erect any of the following signs within the Village of Coxsackie:

(1) Any sign which by color, shape or location conflicts with or resembles a traffic signal device.

(2) Signs erected without the permission of the property owner or authorized agent.

(3) Signs that create a hazard by obstructing the clear view of vehicles and pedestrian traffic.

(4) Animated signs, except time and temperature signs.

(5) Revolving signs, except barbershop poles.

(6) Roof signs.

(7) Projecting V-shaped signs.

(8) A-frame signs.

(9) Snipe signs.

(10) Neon lighting in residential districts.

(11) Internal illumination.

(12) Off-premises (billboard), commercial advertising signs.

(13) Any sign inconsistent with this article.

§ 155-56 Signs exempt from permits.

The following shall not require sign permits:

A. Government flags, insignia or decorative banners. Decorative banners shall be erected no more than 45 calendar days prior to the event and shall be removed within 10 days after the event.

B. Legal notices of a governmental agency.

C. Directional signs, provided they do not contain advertising (including logos), do not exceed four square feet and do not obstruct the sight triangles at internal intersections on the premises.

D. One menu sign for each drive-through facility that does not exceed 24 square feet, provided no business names or logos are visible from off premises.

E. Public monument, plaque or historic identification marker erected by a government agency.

F. Residential identification sign, not exceeding two square feet, bearing only the property number and/or street address.

G. Nameplates and identification signs not exceeding four square feet.

H. Home security signs, not exceeding one square foot.

I. Public service and information signs advertising the availability of public restrooms, telephones or similar public conveniences, not exceeding three square feet in area.

J. Personal expression signs, provided that they are not illuminated and are either freestanding, wall or window signs. Such signs may not exceed four square feet and, in the case of freestanding signs, four feet in height.

K. Barbershop poles.

L. Gasoline station signs attached to gasoline pumps, displaying the price of fuel, not exceeding two square feet; however, the total size of price, logo and any other signage on a pump shall not exceed a combined total of three square feet.

M. The following temporary signs:

(1) Civic event signs on public and private property, which shall not exceed six square feet in residential districts and 32 square feet in nonresidential districts and shall be erected no more than 45 calendar days prior to the event and shall be removed within 10 days after the event.

(2) Political signs, which shall not exceed six square feet in residential districts and 32 square feet in all other districts and shall be erected no more than 45 calendar days prior to the event and shall be removed within 10 days after the event.

(3) Real estate signs, which shall not exceed six square feet in area, pertaining to the lease or sale of the property on which it is displayed.

(4) Open house signs, which shall not exceed six square feet in area. Only one sign shall be permitted on premises for each street frontage, and only two off-premises directional signs shall be permitted, provided permission is granted by the property owner where the sign is to be placed. All open house signs are allowed only on the day of the showing and must be taken down following the showing.

(5) Construction signs, when placed upon work under construction and not exceeding 12 square feet in area in nonresidential zoning districts and not exceeding six square feet in residential zoning districts and set back at least 10 feet from the public right-of-way. There shall be one such sign per parcel.

(6) Signs advertising garage or yard sales, provided that no sign shall exceed six square feet in sign area. One such sign shall be permitted and shall not be displayed for longer than seven days in any one calendar year. Signs shall be removed at the close of the garage or yard sale.

(7) Sandwich boards. Portable sandwich boards shall be permitted in addition to the otherwise permitted sign area for the use according to the following regulations:

(a) Sandwich boards shall not exceed eight square feet.

(b) Sandwich boards are permissible along the sidewalk, provided a minimum walking distance of five feet shall be maintained to allow for a pathway for pedestrians.

(c) Only one sandwich board shall be permitted in front of the business it advertises.

(d) Sandwich boards shall be weighted at the base so that the sign cannot be moved by strong winds; however, no sign shall be chained, tied or otherwise affixed to any structure or the ground.

(e) Sandwich boards shall be removed from the sidewalk at the close of the business day.

§ 155-57 Signs requiring permits.

The following types of permanent signs shall require permits:

A. Temporary signs. All persons requesting a temporary sign which exceeds 12 square feet in area shall apply for a permit with the Village Clerk at least five days prior to the date that the sign is to be erected. The Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer shall then have an opportunity to review said application and the location and size of the sign to insure that the same does not cause a threat to public health and safety. If the temporary sign is less than 12 square feet in area, no such registration and review through application will be required. In this situation, the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer will not refer the application to the Planning Board.

B. Residential districts.

(1) Institutional uses: signs of schools, colleges, churches, hospitals or other institutions of similar nature.

(2) Subdivision or development identification. Permanent freestanding or monument signs which identify the name of the subdivision or land development shall be permitted in compliance with the following:

(a) One sign may be located at the main entrance to the development, not to exceed 10 square feet in area.

(b) These signs shall be landscaped in keeping with the character of the Village.

(3) Sign types, area, height, illumination and the number of signs shall conform to the following:

	Residential Districts Signage Standards
	Sign Type	Maximum Sign Area (square feet)	Maximum Height (feet)	Number of Signs
	Institutional, freestanding	10	4	1 per property or, if applicable, 1 per street frontage
	Subdivision or development; identification, freestanding or monument	10	Freestanding: 4; monument: 6	1 at the main entrance of the development
	Office use, freestanding or monument	6	Freestanding: 4; monument: 6	1 per property

C. Commercial and industrial districts. In addition to signs exempt from permits, and temporary signs, commercial and industrial uses in the CSR, NC, CC, VC, WD and I Districts shall be permitted any two of the following types of signs, provided that:

(1) Sign types, area, height, illumination and the number of signs shall conform to the following:

	Commercial and Industrial Districts Signage Standards
	Sign Type	Maximum Sign Area	Maximum Height	Number of Signs
	Freestanding	20 square feet	15 feet	1 per property
	Monument	20 square feet	6 feet	1 per property
	Parallel wall	10% of facade; 100 square feet maximum	Not to exceed eave line or top of parapet wall of principal building, whichever is lower	1 per property; 2 per property when on a corner lot
	Projecting wall	15 square feet	Not to exceed eave line or top of parapet wall of principal building, whichever is lower	1 per property, 2 per property when on a corner
	Awning	Lettering may not exceed 8 inches in height	N/A	1 per property
	Window	Not to exceed 25% of the window area	N/A	1 per property; 2 per property when on a corner lot

(2) Commercial or industrial uses located on a corner lot are permitted one additional parallel or projecting wall sign for a maximum of three signs.

(3) Awnings and window signs are permitted in addition to the two-sign maximum.

(4) Marquee signs. Marquee signs shall be permitted in addition to the otherwise permitted sign area exclusively for theaters and movie houses, provided that the total sign area shall not exceed 150 square feet. Such signs shall be required at all times to maintain a minimum vertical clearance of 10 feet above grade.

D. Shopping centers, malls, multiple-use locations.

(1) Signs in shopping centers/malls or multiple-use locations:

(a) Each shopping center, mall or multiple-use location shall be authorized one freestanding double-faced sign no more than 50 square feet in area on a side; however, if such a sign is a single-faced sign, it shall not exceed 50 square feet in area. Such a sign shall be set back from the highway or road right-of-way at least 15 feet and shall not be placed within 15 feet of a parcel's boundary lines. Such signs shall not exceed 15 feet in height from the ground to the top of the sign nor shall it have moving parts or flashing lights.

(b) Each tenant shall be authorized a wall sign; however, such sign shall not exceed 5% of the facade of the portion of the shopping center leased by the tenant and shall not exceed a maximum of 50 square feet. Such signs shall be not exceed the height of the facade. If the space such tenant occupies has more than one side of the enclosed mall building and therefore more than one facade, the tenant shall be authorized a maximum of two signs to be placed on the building facade; the total area of both signs shall not exceed 5% of the total facade area.

(c) All signs shall be of a uniform, harmonious design and shall be securely affixed to the facade of the building.

(2) Where more than one business is located on the same property or on contiguous or adjoining lots, one common freestanding sign directory shall be permitted. In determining the maximum sign area, the total frontage of both contiguous lots shall be considered. The combining of signs on one common sign directory shall be encouraged. In the event of contiguous lots sharing a directory, the side yard setbacks shall be measured for the combined property boundary lines.

(3) The location of the signs from the road and also from other signs shall be reviewed by the Planning Board, considering the standards set forth herein, with the goal to have the signs appear uniform, be easy to read and not be distracting to either pedestrians and/or drivers.

(4) Common signage plans.

(a) Common signage plans may be established by the following:

[1] Owners of two or more contiguous lots;

[2] Owners of a single lot with more than one principal building; and

[3] Owner of a single lot with one building with multiple storefronts (including but not limited to shopping centers).

(b) A common signage plan conforming to the provisions of this section shall be allowed an increase of 25% in the maximum total sign area for each included lot based on the Village Planning Board's review of the following:

[1] An accurate plot plan of the lot, to scale.

[2] Location of buildings, parking lots and driveways.

[3] Computation of the maximum total sign area for the individual signs, the height of signs and the number of freestanding signs.

[4] An accurate indication of each present and proposed sign.

[5] Specifications for all signs on the lots with regard to color scheme, lettering or graphic style, lighting, materials and sign proportions.

§ 155-58 Permit procedures.

A. Sign permits. It shall be unlawful to erect, construct or significantly alter any sign which requires a sign permit without first filing with the Village of Coxsackie an application, in writing, which application shall contain the information required by the Village Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer.

B. Application for permit. The following shall be provided:

(1) The name, address and telephone number of the property owner and the signature of the owner or duly authorized agent for the owner.

(2) Two copies of a plan, drawn to scale, depicting:

(a) The design of each sign face and sign structure with the dimensions, total area, sign height, depth, structural details, materials, lighting scheme and proposed location.

(b) The building elevations, existing and proposed facades, parapet walls, cornices and the location and size of all proposed and existing signage.

(c) Such other information as required by the Village Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer.

§ 155-59 Nonconforming signs.

Nonconforming signs. Any sign legally existing at the time of the adoption of this chapter that does not conform to the requirements of this article shall be considered a nonconforming sign and shall be bound by the regulations of this chapter regarding nonconforming signs.

A. A sign not conforming to this chapter shall be removed when the sign requires any structural renovation or the background area of the sign is to be altered.

B. All nonconforming signs except those which are painted onto building walls, may be repainted, resurfaced or repaired, provided that they are not substantially destroyed or abandoned, and provided such does not increase the dimensions of the existing sign.

C. A nonconforrming sign must be removed within 14 days after notification by the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer or be made to conform to this chapter in every respect whenever:

(1) It is not securely attached to the ground, wall or roof and can be easily moved; or

(2) It becomes so deteriorated that it no longer serves a useful purpose of communication and is a nuisance, as determined by the Village; or

(3) It is abandoned by the owner or the use is abandoned.

D. Off-premise, commercial advertising signs legally erected prior to the effective date of this chapter must come into compliance with this chapter within five years of adoption of this chapter.