A.
Purpose.
(1)
The purpose of these sign regulations is to promote and protect the public health, welfare and safety by regulating existing and proposed advertising signs and signs of all types. It is intended to protect the property values, create a more attractive economic and business climate, enhance and protect the physical appearance of the community, preserve the scenic and natural beauty and provide a more enjoyable and pleasing community. It is further intended hereby to reduce sign or advertising distractions and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents, reduce hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging or projecting over public rights-of-way, provide more visual open space and curb the deterioration of the community's appearance and attractiveness.
(2)
These sign regulations are also intended to promote attractive signs which clearly present the visual message in a manner that is compatible with its surroundings. The appearance, character and quality of a community are affected by the location, size, construction and graphic design of its signs. Therefore, such signs should convey their messages clearly and simply to enhance their surroundings.
B.
General regulations. Except as otherwise provided, no person shall erect, alter, or relocate any sign without first obtaining a sign license from the Village of Medina. Within six months following the effective date of this chapter, a license shall be obtained for any preexisting sign, unless excluded by the exempt signs provision under this section.
(1)
Application procedure. Applications shall be made in writing to the Code Enforcement Officer on forms prescribed and provided by the Village of Medina, and shall contain the following information:
(b)
Location of the building, structure or land upon which the sign now exists or is to be erected.
(c)
If a new sign is to be erected, elevation and plan drawings to scale should be included. In addition, a full description of the placement and appearance of the proposed sign should be included and should cover the following:
[1]
Type of sign.
[2]
Location on the premises, specifically its position in relation to adjacent buildings, structure and property line.
[3]
The method of illumination, if any, and the position of lighting or other extraneous devices.
[4]
Graphic design, including symbols, letters, materials and colors.
[5]
The visual message, text, copy or content of the sign.
[6]
Written consent, or a copy of the contract made with the owner of the property upon which the sign is to be erected, if the applicant is not the owner.
(2)
License. Upon the filing of a completed application for a sign license and the payment of the required fee, the Code Enforcement Officer shall examine the plans, specifications and other data submitted and the premises on which the sign is to be erected or now exists. If the sign is in compliance with all the requirements of this chapter the Code Enforcement Officer shall, within 15 days, issue a license for the erection of the proposed sign or for an existing sign. The issuance of a license shall not excuse the applicant from conforming to the other laws and ordinances of the Village or with the Codes of New York State. If the erection of the sign authorized under any such license has not commenced within six months from the date of issuance, the license shall become null and void.[1]
(3)
License period and fees. All licenses issued pursuant to this section shall expire on the 31st day of December next after the date of issuance. The license fees may be set from time to time by the Village Board of Trustees by resolution.
C.
Exempt signs that require no license. The following types of signs may be erected and maintained without a license or permit or fees, provided that such signs comply with the general requirements of this section:[2]
(1)
Historical markers, tablets and statues, memorial signs and plaques; name of buildings and dates of erection when cut into masonry surface or when constructed of bronze, stainless steel or similar material; and emblems installed by government agencies, religious or nonprofit organizations. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet.
(2)
Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
(3)
On-premises directional signs not exceeding four square feet per face and six feet in height. Business and personal names shall be allowed, excluding advertising messages.
(4)
Nonilluminated warning, private drive, posted or no trespassing signs not exceeding two square feet per face.
(5)
Temporary nonilluminated "for sale," "for rent," real estate signs and signs of similar name, concerning the premises on which the sign is located in a residential district, one sign not exceeding four square feet per side. In a business or industrial zoning district, 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 the sale, lease or rental of the property.
(6)
Private-owner merchandise sale signs for garage sales and auctions, not exceeding four square feet and displayed no more than three times per year and for no more than three consecutive days each time.
(7)
One temporary sign for a roadside stand selling produce grown on the premises in season, provided that such sign not exceed 24 square feet and not be set on the public right-of-way.
(8)
Temporary nonilluminated window signs and posters not exceeding 25% of the window surface or displayed for more than 30 days.
(9)
One sign, not exceeding six square feet in the residential districts nor 16 square feet in the business districts, listing the architect, engineer, contractor and/or owner on premises where construction, renovation or repair is in progress. All such signs shall be removed within seven days following completion of the construction or repair.
(10)
Noncommercial speech signs, also known as "free speech signs," which express an opinion or a statement unrelated to a business venture, are permitted subject to the following conditions:
(11)
Political campaign posters, banners and similar devices not exceeding four square feet in residential areas or 16 square feet in business areas, provided that:
(12)
Temporary illuminated or nonilluminated signs, posters, banners or other similar devices erected by not-for-profit community organizations to advertise suppers, banquets, benefits, fund-raising events and similar functions, and directional signs for meetings, conventions and other assemblies may be erected provided that:
(13)
Holiday decorations, including lighting, are exempt for the provisions of this chapter and may be displayed in any district without a permit.
(14)
Integral graphics or attached price signs on fuel pumps at gas stations.
D.
Prohibitions.
(1)
No advertising sign shall be placed on premises other than the site of the business advertised except as permitted under the exempt signs provisions of this section.
(2)
The total number of permitted signs on a single storefront shall not exceed two, of which only one may be freestanding.
(3)
No sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing intermittent, rotating or moving lights except to show time and temperature.
(4)
No sign shall create a traffic hazard or impair or cause confusion or unduly distract motorists or pedestrians traffic in its design, color or placement. No sign shall impair visibility for the motorist at a street corner or intersection by placement and location within 25 feet of the intersection of the street or highway lines.
(5)
No sign shall be attached to a public utility pole or traffic control structures nor reduce the effectiveness of traffic control devices and signs needed to direct the public.
(6)
No sign or sign supports shall be placed on the roof of any building.
(7)
No sign shall consist of banner, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or similar fluttering or revolving devices.
(8)
No exterior portable or temporary signs shall be erected, used or maintained except for a new business, or a business in a new location, awaiting installation of a permanent sign. In such an instance, the portable or temporary sign may be utilized for a period of not more than 60 days or until installation of a permanent sign, whichever occurs first. Such a portable sign must meet all construction standards of the district. A separate license for such a sign shall be required.
(9)
Any electronic message with a fixed or changeable display, which may be changed by electrical, electronic or computerized process or remote control, and may include animation or motion of any kind, words and/or pictures, electronically projected text, images or graphics, and may also include, but is not limited to, light-emitting diodes (LED), video, television and plasma displays, fiberoptics, holographic images, or other technology that results in bright, high-resolution text, images and graphics.
[Added 1-25-2016 by L.L. No. 1-2016]
E.
Nonconforming signs. In the event that a sign lawfully erected prior to the adoption or amendment of this chapter does not conform to the provisions and standards of this section, then such signs should be modified to conform or be removed according to the following regulations:
[Amended 5-10-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010]
(1)
If a nonconforming sign includes such features included under the prohibitions provisions of this section, then such sign shall be modified by its owner to comply, or be removed within 30 days after the owner receives written notice from the Code Enforcement Officer to so comply.
(2)
If an owner has complied, as necessary, with the above provision, yet remains in a nonconformity in other respects, he may apply for a permit to maintain the nonconforming sign for a fixed period based on the remaining undepreciated useful life of such sign, as determined by an appropriate depreciation formula (e.g., value standards in use by the New York State Department of Transportation). Application for such permit shall be filed with the Code Enforcement Officer within six months of the adoption or amendment of this chapter and shall include satisfactory proof of the date of erection of said sign. A permit to continue a nonconforming sign shall, in no case, exceed five years.
F.
Abandoned signs. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any sign which is located on property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of three months or more, or any sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer applies, shall be deemed to have been abandoned. Permanent signs applicable to a business temporarily suspended because of a change of ownership or management of such business shall not be deemed abandoned unless the property remains vacant for a period of six months or more. An abandoned sign is prohibited and shall be removed by the owner of the sign or owner of the premises. Failure to remove an abandoned sign shall be a violation of this chapter. The reuse of an abandoned, nonconforming sign, shall be prohibited unless said sign is modified in such a way to bring it into compliance with this chapter.
G.
Maintenance of signs. Every sign shall, at all times, be in a safe and structurally sound condition and maintained by replacement of defective or worn parts, painting, repainting and cleaning. The Code Enforcement Officer shall require compliance with all standards of this chapter. If a sign does not comply with adequate safety standards, it shall be removed.
H.
Dangerous or hazardous signs. No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises owned, occupied or controlled by him any sign which is either not structurally sound or creates an electrical hazard. Any such sign shall be removed or repaired by the owner or user of the sign or the owner of the premises.
I.
Gasoline price signs. The price of gasoline offered for sale at retail for use in motor vehicles shall be continuously posted on the individual pump or other dispensing device from which such gasoline is sold by a sign or placard, at least 12 inches in height and 12 inches in width, which shall clearly state the selling price per gallon. The use of a placard may be eliminated if the calling price appears on the face of electronic computing-type dispensing pumps. No other sign or placard stating the selling price of gasoline shall be posted or maintained on the premises on which said gasoline is sold or offered for sale.
[Amended 5-10-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010]
J.
Construction standards.
(1)
General regulations.
(a)
All internally illuminated signs shall be constructed in conformance with the Standards for Electric Signs (UL48) of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., or an equivalent standard, and bear the seal of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., or another acceptable service.
(b)
If such sign does not bear the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. label, the sign shall be inspected and certified by the New York Board of Fire Underwriters. All transformers, wires and similar items shall be concealed. All wiring to freestanding signs shall be underground.
(c)
All freestanding signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 30 pounds per square foot of surface area.
(d)
All signs, including wall-mounted and projecting signs, shall be securely anchored, free from all hazards and employ acceptable safety materials.
(e)
The total cumulative area of all signs permitted on a single storefront shall not exceed the greater of 32 square feet or an amount calculated at the rate of one square foot of sign area per lineal foot of building frontage, plus one square foot of sign area for every four lineal feet setback of the principal building on the property, but in no such case shall the total sign area allowed exceed 64 square feet.
(2)
Specific regulations of sign types. The following are descriptions of signs varying in construction and type which shall comply with the additional conditions set forth herein:
(a)
Wall signs.
[1]
Wall signs shall not extend beyond the ends or over the top of the walls to which attached and shall not extend above the level of the second floor of the building.
[2]
Wall signs shall not extend more than nine inches from the face of the buildings to which attached except that copy-change signs may extend 15 inches therefrom.
(b)
Projecting signs.
[1]
Projecting signs shall not have more than two faces.
[2]
The exterior edge of a projecting sign shall extend not more than five feet from the building face or 1/3 the width of the sidewalk, whichever is less.
[3]
No part of a projecting sign shall extend into vehicular traffic areas, and any part extending over pedestrian areas shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet.
[4]
Projecting signs shall not extend above the level of the second floor of the buildings to which attached or in any case be higher than 12 feet.
[5]
No projecting sign shall be closer than 15 feet to the corner of a building located at a street intersection.
(c)
Freestanding signs.
[1]
No freestanding sign shall be located less than two feet from the front property line nor less than five feet from the side property line. No freestanding sign may be located less than 50 feet from any other freestanding sign. It shall not obstruct the view or constitute a safety hazard.
[2]
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.
[3]
Except as otherwise provided herein, no freestanding sign shall be more than 20 square feet per side for a double-faced sign.
[4]
No freestanding sign shall be more than 30 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 highest point of the sign, including supporting structures.
[5]
No freestanding sign stall extend over or into the public right-of-way nor shall it overhang the property lines.
[6]
Freestanding signs under which a pedestrian walkway or driveway passes shall have a ten-foot vertical clearance.
[7]
Masonry wall-type signs shall not exceed four feet in height and shall not be placed so as to impair visibility for motorists.
K.
Design guidelines. The purpose of this subsection is to encourage appropriate and compatible graphic design, material, colors, illumination and placement of proposed signs.
(1)
Signs should be designed to be compatible with the surroundings and appropriate to the architectural character of the buildings on which they are placed. Sign panels and graphics should relate with and not cover architectural features and should be in proportion to them.
(2)
Signs should be appropriate to the types of activities they represent.
(3)
Layout should be orderly and graphics should be of simple shape, such as rectangle, circle or oval.
(4)
No more than two typefaces should be used on any one sign or group of signs indicating one message.
(5)
The number of colors used should be the minimum consistent with the design.
(6)
Illumination should be appropriate to the character of the sign and surroundings.
(7)
Groups of related signs should express uniformity and create a sense of harmonious appearance.
(8)
After the issuance of a sign license and upon completion of installation, the Code Enforcement Officer shall produce a photograph of the sign to be kept on file with the license.
L.
Review and appeals. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Code Enforcement Officer relative to the provisions of this section may appeal such decision, in writing, to the Zoning Board of Appeals as provided in § 254-95 and shall comply with all procedural requirements prescribed by such Zoning Board of Appeals.[3]
M.
Signs within historic districts or on historic buildings.
(1)
Purpose. Because the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of buildings in the Village of Medina historic districts is vital to the promotion of economic and cultural growth in the Village, and due to the architectural resources unique in their significance to the heritage of the Village, regulation of signage placed within the historic districts and adjacent areas must ensure that such signage is harmonious with the overall character of the historic districts.
(2)
Applicability. This subsection applies to all new signs, or to any substantial change in an existing sign, placed within a designated historic district or on or adjacent to a designated landmark in the Village of Medina.
(3)
Application and licenses. Application for a sign license for all signs proposed to be place in a designated historic district or on or adjacent to a designated landmark in the Village shall be made as required by Subsection B of this section. Such application shall be subject to review by the Village Planning Board. The Village Planning Board shall consider the following factors in addition to the requirements of Subsections J and K of this section in reviewing applications:
(a)
Total signage shall not exceed 1 1/2 square feet per linear foot of the facade to which the proposed sign(s) is affixed. If not placed on a facade, total signage shall not exceed 32 square feet. Signage area will include permanent window signs, facade signs and hanging or projecting signs. Footage of hanging or projecting signs will be considered doubled if visible from both sides. The total of all visible sides of a hanging or projecting sign shall not exceed 32 square feet.
(b)
In evaluating the placement of the sign, the Village Planning Board shall consider the original design and style, if such can be ascertained, of the facade of the building to which the sign is to be affixed. Signs should not obscure significant architectural features (for example: arches, transom panels, sills, moldings and cornices) of the building or adjacent buildings and should be proportionate to the volume of the facade.[4]
(c)
No signs, except window signs approved as set forth herein, shall be attached to the upper facade surfaces of a building (being designated as above the lower window ledges of the second floor). Business advertising located on upper wall surfaces is not appropriate or acceptable signage on historic building or in historic districts.
(d)
Signage on awnings or canopies is permissible if within the maximum area allowable under this subsection and approved as to color and design as set forth herein, if otherwise compatible with the facade to which it is attached. This type of signage is permitted on any floor.
(e)
The material, color, shape, illumination and design of the sign and its relationship to the site or building shall be considered to determine its appropriateness to and compatibility with the character of the historic district.