[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village
of West Hampton Dunes 8-13-1999 by L.L. No. 2-1999. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
Pursuant to § 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law, the
Incorporated Village of West Hampton Dunes, County of Suffolk, and
State of New York, hereby enacts by this Local Law 2 of 1999 this
chapter establishing rules and regulations for signs and signage in
the Village of West Hampton Dunes.
A.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote and protect the public
safety and welfare of the residents of the Village of West Hampton
Dunes and their guests and the visitors to the Village and to preserve
the value of property in the Village by regulating signs of all types
in the Village of West Hampton Dunes.
B.
The regulation of signs will enhance and protect the physical appearance
of the Village of West Hampton Dunes, preserve its scenic and natural
beauty and provide a more attractive economic and business climate
and provide a more attractive residential environment and protect
the environmental and other resources of the Village.
C.
The regulation of signs will also promote public safety by reducing
sign or advertising distractions and obstructions that may contribute
to traffic accidents and interrupt the safe flow of traffic in the
Village.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
indicated meanings:
A temporary sign used to advertise the construction or alteration
of a structure on the lot on which it is displayed, whether erected
by an architect, contractor, subcontractor, supplier, owner or any
other party.
Any sign posted by the Village of West Hampton Dunes or other
governmental agency that is with the approval or permission of the
Village of West Hampton Dunes.
Any sign not attached to or part of any building but separate
and affixed by any means in or upon the ground.
A sign which directs attention to a profession conducted
upon the property where the sign is located.
A sign illuminated by electricity, gas or other artificial
light either from the interior or exterior of the sign and which includes
reflective and phosphoresent light.
A sign used solely for showing the name and address of the
occupant of a residence on the property on which it is displayed.
A sign which describes any activity or identity which is
not located on the premises on which the sign is located.
A sign, whether on its own trailer, wheels or otherwise,
designed to be movable and not structurally attached to the ground,
a building, structure or another sign.
A sign advertising for sale or rent the property upon which
the sign is placed.
Any material, structure or device or part thereof composed of
letter or pictorial matter which is located out-of-doors or on the
exterior of any building or indoors as a window sign, displaying an
advertisement, announcement, notice or name, and shall also be deemed
to include any declaration, demonstration, display, representation,
illustration or insignia used to advertise or promote the interests
of any person or business or cause when such is placed in view of
the general public.
For purposes of this chapter and its enforcement, a sign shall
not be deemed to include the flag, pennant or insignia of any nation
or group of nations or any governmental agency.
The entire area within a single, continuous perimeter enclosing
all elements which form an integral part of the sign. The structure
supporting a sign shall be excluded unless the structure is designed
in a way to form an integral background for the display.
The supports, uprights, bracing and framework for the sign.
In the case of a sign structure consisting of two or more sides where
the angle formed between any two of the sides or the projections thereof
exceeds 30°, each side shall be considered a separate sign structure.
A sign which is painted on or attached to the outside or
exterior wall of a building.
A sign visible from a sidewalk, street, or other public place,
or from anywhere that is off of the premises on which the sign is
located, that is painted or affixed on or placed behind so as to be
visible from the exterior, glass or other window material.
A.
Representational signs are prohibited in the Village.
B.
Portable signs are prohibited in the Village.
C.
No sign or sign supports shall be placed upon the roof or any exterior
surface of any building in the Village.
D.
No sign shall impair or cause confusion of vehicular or pedestrian
traffic by reason of its design, color, location or placement.
E.
Illuminated signs are prohibited in the Village.
F.
Off-premises signs are prohibited in the Village.
B.
All signs shall be securely anchored and shall not swing or move
in any manner.
C.
All signs, sign finishes and supports shall be kept clean, neatly
painted and free from all hazards, such as but not limited to faulty
wiring, loose supports, braces, guys and anchors. All supports shall
be a color of natural wood or painted white or black, or in the case
of realty signs, the color of the lettering in the sign which shall
be either a standard dark blue or dark green, which shall be designated
by the Board of Trustees of the Village.
D.
All freestanding and wall signs shall employ acceptable safety material.
A.
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.
B.
Signs should be appropriate to the types of activities they represent.
C.
Layout should be orderly and graphics should be of simple shape,
such as rectangle, circle, or oval.
D.
Groups of related signs should express uniformity and create a sense
of harmonious appearance.
On-site construction signs for a project that has an approved
building permit may be placed on a site in any district, subject to
the following regulations:
A.
Such sign may only identify persons or companies involved with the
construction, architecture, engineering and development of the premises.
B.
Such sign shall not be located nearer to any street than the front
of the main building. Such sign shall not be located less than 20
feet from any side lot line.
C.
Each face of such sign shall not exceed four square feet in area,
and sign shall not have more than two faces or sides.
D.
A construction sign may be erected and maintained from the first
day of construction and shall be removed within the earlier of seven
days of the termination of construction of the project, or the issuance
of a certificate of occupancy, or 60 days from the date that such
sign is first erected.
One on-site realty sign may be placed on each site or lot in
the Village, subject to the following regulations:
A.
Such sign shall not exceed three square feet in area.
B.
Such sign shall not be located nearer to any street than four feet
from the front of the main building, or in any event nearer than 20
feet to the front property line. Such sign shall not be located less
than 20 feet from any side lot line.
C.
In the case of undeveloped property, such sign shall not be located
less than 25 feet from any street or 20 feet from any side lot line.
D.
"Sold" or "in contract" realty signs or notations on realty signs
are prohibited.
E.
Real estate signs must be a standard blue or standard green lettering
on a white background, the shade of blue or green shall be designated
by resolution of the Board of Trustees, and shall be consistent for
all signs to be determined by the Village.
The following signs are permitted in the Village:
A.
A name sign used solely for showing the name of the occupant of the
residence (and the name of the residence, if any); the street number
of the residence may also appear on such sign. Such sign shall not
exceed two square feet in area.
B.
A sign displaying the street number of the residence. Such sign shall
not exceed one square foot in area.
C.
A sign indicating that the property has an alarm system. Such sign
shall not exceed 110 square inches in area.
D.
One on-site construction sign, subject to the provisions of this
chapter and any other regulation or resolution of the Board of Trustees
or any respective agency.
E.
One on-site realty sign subject to this chapter.
All other signs are prohibited in the Village.
A.
No sign shall be erected unless it conforms to all applicable requirements
of this chapter.
B.
No building permit shall be required for erection of a sign.
C.
Any sign which is legally existing as of the date of the enactment
of this chapter, and which does not conform to all applicable requirements
of this chapter, may continue to be maintained for a period of 30
days after the date of enactment of this chapter, except that any
such sign shall not be enlarged, extended, relocated or changed in
style or in any manner except in conformity with all applicable requirements
of this chapter, and also on the condition that such sign is removed
from the premises within 30 days after the date of the enactment of
this chapter.
D.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the Village
from erecting and maintaining public information signs deemed to be
necessary or desirable for public safety or welfare on any street
or property owned by such governmental agency.
A.
Each violation of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of up to
$250, and each and every day that a sign in violation of this chapter
or other violation of this chapter exist shall be a new and separate
violation of this chapter.
B.
The imposition of a fine or penalty by the Village shall not preclude
or be deemed a waiver by the Village of the rights of the Village
to pursue civil remedies, and the Village shall be entitled, in addition
to the penalties set forth herein, to all civil remedies available
under the law.
C.
A sign in violation of or placed in violation of this chapter shall
be a violation by both the party owning or placing the sign and the
owner of the property on which the sign is located.
