[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Glens
Falls 3-21-1973 (Ch. 84 of the 1967 Code); amended in its entirety 8-23-2011 by L.L. No.
5-2011. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building numbering and street naming — See Ch. 72.
This chapter shall hereafter be known and cited as the "Sign
Ordinance of the City of Glens Falls."
The purpose of this chapter is to protect 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 of designated areas 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 open space and
curb the deterioration of natural beauty and community environment.
For the purpose of this chapter, the terms used herein are defined
as follows:
Any sign related to a business or profession conducted or
to a commodity or service sold or offered upon the premises where
such sign is located.
Any sign constructed of fabric or similar flexible material
that is mounted or attached to a pole, building, fence, or any other
structure, which displays advertising or promotion for an event or
a product. National, state, municipal, or the official flag of any
institution or business, shall not be considered banners.
The City of Glens Falls and/or its Common Council, located
in Warren County, New York.
The Building Inspector of the City of Glens Falls.
The Building and Code Department of the City of Glens Falls.
To build, construct, alter, display, relocate, attach, hang,
place, suspend or affix any sign, and shall also include the painting
of exterior wall signs and erection of roof signs.
Any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether
or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire,
or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
An illuminated sign in which the artificial light is not
maintained in a stationary or constant intensity.
The outer surface of a building which is visible from any
private or public street or highway.
Any sign illuminated by electricity, gas, solar power other
artificial light, including reflective or phosphorescent light or
light emitting diode (LED).
Any light, string of lights or group of lights located or
arranged intended to cast illumination as a sign.
The area between the sidewalk and the curb of a roadway and,
where there is no sidewalk, that area between the edge of the traveled
roadway and the edge of a public right-of-way. Parkway also includes
any area within a roadway that is not open to vehicular travel.
Any sign unrelated to a business or profession conducted
or to a commodity or service sold or offered upon the premises where
such sign is located.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company, institution or organization of any kind.
A sign (whether on its own trailer, wheels or otherwise),
which because of its size, weight, and construction is easily moved
from one location to another, which is not secured to a building,
stationary post, ground, or other fixed object; and which by the nature
of its design can stand freely on its own. This shall include "A-frame"
signs, sign boards, signs attached to weighted base posts, signs on
legs or rollers, and other similar structures.
Any sign which projects from the exterior of any building.
Any place of any nature which is dedicated to use by the
public for pedestrian or vehicular travel, and includes but is not
limited to a street, sidewalk, curb, gutter, crossing, intersection,
parkway, highway, alley, lane, mall, court, way, avenue, boulevard,
road, roadway, viaduct, subway, tunnel, bridge, thoroughfare, park,
square, or any other similar public way.
Any sign that produces a static or changeable electronic
message using light-emitting diodes (LED), liquid crystal display
(LCD) or other digital display method; that is designed to provide
an electronic message or display pertaining to the type of services
offered, time schedules or special events occurring at the business;
or whose display may be generated and periodically changed using an
internal, external or remotely located electronic control system.
That part of a public right-of-way that is designated and
used primarily for vehicular travel.
That part of a public right-of-way that is designated and
ordinarily used for pedestrian travel.
Any signs as defined in this chapter, including, but not
limited to, advertisements, announcements, declarations, demonstrations,
displays, illustrations, information, insignia or logos, notices or
directional guidance used to advertise or promote the interests of
any person, organization or business when placed in view of the general
public. The characteristics of a sign include any material, structure,
device, or design that is composed of any form of visual presentation
in or on which letters and symbols as pictorial matter is placed when
used or located out of doors or upon the exterior of any building,
including a window display area. Signage includes, but is not limited
to, the following: banners, distributor signs, digital signs, hanging
signs, illuminated signs, painted wall signs, pennants, projected
signs from projection or other devices, projecting signs, roof signs,
wall signs, sandwich boards, signboards, and sign frames. Signage
includes the use of any material, including, but not limited to, metalwork,
stone, plastic, PVC, composition materials, glass, vehicles, neon
or similar gaseous elements, light-emitting diodes that can illuminate
or be illuminated, silk screen, water and pigments.
The zones as established by the Zoning Map of the City of
Glens Falls as revised to August 1969, and as amended from time to
time; and the use herein of the term "residential zone" shall include
the following zones: One-Family Residential, Two-Family Residential,
Garden Apartments and Multifamily Residential. The term "business
zone" shall include both Limited Business and Central Business Zones.
The term "industrial zone" shall include both Light Industry and Heavy
Industry Zones. The term "Cultural-Professional Zone" shall be treated
separately.
The regulations contained in this section shall apply to all
signs in all use districts, regardless of designation, in the City
of Glens Falls. All signs shall be designed and built in accordance
with local codes and ordinances.
A.
Illumination. Any illuminated sign or lighting device shall employ
only lighting that emits a constant light intensity. No sign shall
contain flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving light or lights,
nor shall any flashing signs, as herein defined, be permitted. The
Sign Review Board may grant an exception for signs changing or rotating
to show time, temperature, changing messages, or moving images, subject
to its approval of a specific design. In no event shall an illuminated
sign or lighting device or projected signs on sidewalks be so placed
as to permit the illumination therefrom to be directed or beamed upon
a public street, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises without the
approval of the Sign Review Board.
B.
Projection. No projecting signs shall extend a distance of more than three feet from the front face of a building or above its facade. Projecting signs must be firmly affixed to the building and shall not be suspended solely by means of wires. Any supporting wires must be equipped with rustproof hardware, and no sign shall be hung from a projecting arm such that the sign hangs loose. No part of a projecting sign may be installed less than 14 feet above a driveway or less than nine feet above a walkway. All projecting signs shall be subject to the permits and restrictions of the Glens Falls City Code, Article XI, § 189-16 et seq., regarding street and sidewalk encroachments.
C.
Roof signs. No signs shall be erected or installed on the roof or
surface of any building and no sign shall project above the roof line
of the building to which it is attached.
D.
Other devices. No signs or part thereof shall contain or consist of ribbons, streamers, spinners or other similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices. These devices, as well as strips of lights, shall not be used alone for the purpose of advertising or attracting attention. Except for approved signage that identifies or indicates the nature of a business or advertising purposes, devices, fixtures or systems on the exterior of a structure, or within any exterior side of the window or door opening thereof, which emit, reflect or otherwise produce visible light, shall be deemed to be attention-getting devices and are prohibited. No signs, banners or other devices extending across any public sidewalk or street shall be allowed except as described herein in Subsection J.
E.
Window and door displays. Signs installed in a window or door-window
of a building which are visible from any public sidewalk or street
shall not occupy an aggregate of more than 20% of the area of such
window or door. Electronic and video display monitors, reader boards,
and similar devices shall not be placed upon or within three feet
immediately behind a window or within the glazing of a door, where
such devices are within the view of a public sidewalk or street.
F.
Wall signs. No sign or graphic description of any nature shall be
permitted to be painted on exterior walls. The Sign Review Board may
grant an exception for such a sign after review of neighborhood impacts,
artistic content, size, material and maintenance plan.
G.
Temporary signs/banners.
(1)
No signs of a temporary nature, such as political aid election notices,
advertisements for sporting events and shows, banners, and other signs
of similar nature, shall be displayed until 60 days prior to the event,
and they must be removed five days after the event. No such signs
shall be permitted without a temporary permit. All such signs must
be granted a temporary permit for a period not to exceed 65 days,
if said signs otherwise conform to the provisions of this chapter.
A deposit of $25 shall be paid, upon the issuance of a permit for
such signs, to the Planning Department of the City of Glens Falls
to insure the removal of such signs at the expiration of the permit.
The deposit shall be refunded if the signs are removed in a timely
manner. The Building Inspector, after 10 days' written notice to the
permit holder to remove such signs and after failure of the permit
holder to do so, shall cause said signs to be removed and the deposit
forfeited.
(2)
Number of temporary sign permits allowed. Five temporary sign permits
per applicant for a maximum of 60 days total per calendar year will
be granted. Only one active, temporary sign permit per applicant will
be granted.
(3)
Political signs or election notices shall be limited to a maximum size of six square feet. Each sign or notice shall be placed only on private property and shall conform to § 180-4, Subsection I. For political signs or election notices, the deposit of $25 shall be required from each candidate and shall cover any number of signs.
H.
Motion. No signs shall be erected which revolve or employ any motion,
or moving images, including moving lines of text. The Sign Review
Board may grant an exception for signs changing or rotating to show
time, temperature, or changing messages, subject to its approval of
the specific design.
I.
Posting prohibitions. No signs, printed bills or other advertising
matter shall be affixed to any fence, utility pole, tree, or any other
such parts of the natural landscape within the City.
J.
Signs across Glen Street.
(1)
Signs may be temporarily erected across Glen Street using the existing
City-owned or -leased poles some 60 feet south of the intersection
with South Street. The size of the sign shall not exceed the size
of the space between the existing cables. The sign shall be made of
vinyl of 13 ounces per square yard or material meeting or exceeding
that strength specification. In addition, the sign shall have cuts
in the surface to alleviate wind loads.
(2)
The City of Glens Falls shall erect and remove all such signs for a fee determined by the City Clerk. The City of Glens Falls shall not be responsible for damage to the sign that may occur in erecting or removing the sign. The City Clerk shall grant permits for such signs after review and approval by the Mayor. Signs shall be reviewed on the basis of visual impact, content, appropriateness and construction. Permits shall be granted for a period not to exceed two weeks or shorter as the Mayor may deem appropriate. It is noted that this application is consistent with and cross-referenced to § 189-19, of the City Code regarding permits for encroachments over City streets.
K.
Portable signs. Portable signs commonly referred to as "A-frames" or "sandwich boards" or signs on weighted-base posts shall be permitted only in commercial or industrial zones and regulated as described in § 180-6.
L.
Reader boards. Reader boards are permitted only at commercial or industrial locations in commercial and industrial zones and shall be regulated as described in § 180-6. Reader boards are not permitted at designated historical sites or in designated historical districts, or at residential, apartment or condominium buildings or properties used for habitation purposes. Only one reader board is permitted per property.
No sign for advertising purposes of any kind may be erected
in any residential or Cultural Professional Zone except as follows:
A.
A permitted nonresidential use or a legal nonconforming use in a
residential zone, or a permitted use or a legal nonconforming use
in a Cultural Professional Zone, may display one sign with a maximum
of two faces (faces must be parallel with one another) and a maximum
of six square feet of area for each face.
(1)
Such sign may be attached to the building wall, pillars or post with a maximum projection of two feet from the building surface, wall pillar or post (refer to § 180-4B for other restrictions) or may be attached to one or two freestanding posts such that the maximum height of the sign or post is seven feet above grade, and the post is located at least nine feet from the inside edge of the sidewalk or front property line, whichever is more restrictive, and at least 10 feet from all other property lines. All freestanding posts in excess of four-inch-by-four-inch cross section or four-inch diameter require approval of the Sign Review Board.
(2)
Any such sign may be illuminated only by external lighting and only during the hours of operation of the related use, subject to all other restrictions of § 180-4, General regulations.
(3)
No such sign shall contain more than three colors, in addition to
black and white, including shading of letters or numbers. Additional
colors require approval of the Planning Board.
(4)
Apartment houses with more than four dwelling units, residential hotels, boardinghouses and rooming houses, or bed-and-breakfast houses may display one sign, as permitted in Subsection A above.
(5)
On premises where more than one use for which a sign is permitted,
the total sign area of all signs combined shall not exceed three square
feet times the number of uses for each face.
(6)
On premises with more than one use for which a sign is displayed,
all signs shall be of similar design, shape, size, method of support
and attachment.
(7)
Home occupations in residential zones are permitted signage and may
display one sign with a maximum of two faces (faces must be parallel
with one another) and a maximum of six square feet of area for each
face. Such signs must be approved by the Planning Board.
(8)
Nonconforming signs.
(a)
Any sign legally erected prior to the effective date of this
amendment, which does not conform to the requirements of this section
(Signs in Residential and Cultural Professional Zones) shall be allowed
to remain in use until it is replaced or there is a change in property
or business ownership, at which time a conforming sign shall be required.
(b)
Any nonconforming sign that is destroyed or damaged in excess
of 50% of its area or value shall not be replaced except by a sign
that conforms to the requirements of this section. No nonconforming
sign shall be enlarged, rebuilt, structurally altered or relocated
except to make such sign conform to the requirements of this section.
In commercial and industrial zones, signs shall be regulated in accordance with the following regulations and other applicable sections of this chapter, including, but not limited to, General regulations, § 180-4, and Additional regulations, § 180-7.
A.
Each business/industry shall be allowed one sign attached to the
building, the area of which shall not exceed 1 1/2 square feet for
each linear foot of building frontage occupied by that business/industry;
in no case shall such sign exceed 100 square feet in total. In addition,
any business/industry with frontage on more than one public street,
public parking lot, or other public use shall be permitted to attach
one sign as above on each such building frontage.
B.
No projecting sign shall be higher than the top of the first story of the building to which the sign addresses itself. No sign shall be attached to the rear or side of any building unless that wall faces public space as indicated in Subsection A above.
C.
All signs shall advertise only the name of the owner, trade names,
trademarks, logos, insignia, products sold and/or the business or
activity conducted on the premises on which the sign is located.
D.
In addition to other permitted signs, directional and enforcement
signs not exceeding two square feet each, indicating the only terms
"entrance," "entry," "exit," "drive-up window," "parking," or "handicapped
parking" may be installed at driveways, parking lots or attached to
the building to which they apply. Such signs shall not include business
names, logos, or additional text.
E.
Unless otherwise stated elsewhere in this chapter, each building
in the business/industrial zone shall be allowed one freestanding
sign. The sign must be located on the same lot as the building, must
not project beyond the front property line or within 10 feet of any
other lot line of the same property and must not exceed 25 feet in
height above grade. Signs within five feet of a sidewalk must be at
least 10 feet above grade.
F.
Freestanding signs shall be limited to a maximum of two faces, with
maximum area of each face as listed below:
(1)
One hundred square feet:
(a)
All general, heavy and light manufacturing uses as defined in the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 220).
(b)
Automobile dealerships. One such sign will be allowed for each
car dealer, or one sign for each car franchise located on the lot.
(c)
Large business complexes with 300 feet or more of lot frontage
on a single street.
(2)
Twenty-five square feet. Businesses, or other allowed uses, with
100 feet or more of lot frontage on a single street.
(3)
Twelve square feet. Businesses, or other allowed uses, with less
than 100 feet of frontage on a single street.
(4)
No sign of any type may be located so as to cause a visual obstruction
for vehicular or pedestrian traffic. At street intersections, any
sign located within 20 feet of the nearest curbs, must not be located
in the space between two feet six inches and 10 feet above grade,
to allow a clear view for vehicles. (Refer to Figure 1-11.[1]) At driveways or parking lot exits or entrances, signs
located within 10 feet of the driveway, exit or entrance, and within
10 feet of the sidewalk or other public right-of-way, must conform
to the same height restrictions.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said figure is on file in the City offices.
G.
Portable signs. In order to prevent inconvenience and/or danger to
persons using sidewalks or other public rights-of-way, and to maintain
the aesthetic appearance of the City of Glens Falls, all portable
signs shall conform to the following specifications:
(1)
There shall be only one such portable sign for each business.
(2)
Portable signs shall be located directly in front of the building
or other premises containing the business that the sign is advertising.
(3)
The portable sign may be placed on a public sidewalk either adjacent
to the building or approximately three feet from the curb. In either
case a minimum of six feet of clear space for the passage of pedestrians
shall be maintained. Where a sidewalk is not wide enough to meet the
six-foot clear space requirement, the sign shall be placed on the
owner's property, not in the parkway between the sidewalk and the
curb, or on a public right-of-way.
(4)
Portable signs shall be no larger than two feet wide, three feet
high and three feet deep at the base, with a maximum of two faces,
and shall be constructed of durable weather-resistant materials, except
for daily, temporary attachments such as menus, etc. Such attachments
shall not be allowed to become unsightly.
(5)
Portable signs shall be displayed only during the hours of operation
of the related business.
(6)
Portable signs shall not be used for advertising or publicity other
than that dealing with the items being sold within the associated
business.
(7)
All portable signs shall be maintained in a safe, neat and clean
condition and be in good repair at all times so that they are reasonably
free of dirt and grease, chipped, faded, peeling or cracked paint
in the visible painted areas thereof and rust and corrosion in the
visible unpainted metal areas thereof; the clear plastic or glass
part thereof, if any, through which the sign age therein is viewed
is unbroken and reasonably free of cracks, dents, blemishes or discoloration;
the paper or cardboard parts or inserts thereof, if any, are reasonably
free of tears, peeling or fading; and the structural parts thereof
are not broken or unduly misshapen.
(8)
Portable signs shall not be illuminated by either internal lighting
or by externally attached light sources.
(9)
No person shall install, use or maintain any portable signs:
(a)
Within three feet of any marked crosswalk.
(b)
Within three feet of the curb return of any unmarked crosswalk.
(c)
Within five feet of any fire hydrant, fire call box or other
emergency facility.
(d)
Within three feet ahead and 15 feet to the rear of any sign
marking a designated bus stop.
(e)
In any location used, marked or posted for public utility purposes,
public transportation purposes, government use or handicap accessible
route.
(f)
Where placement unreasonably interferes with the use of poles,
posts, traffic signs or signals, public benches, public telephones,
mailboxes or mechanical sidewalk cleaning machinery.
(g)
Within one foot of any area improved with lawn, flowers, shrubs
or trees.
(h)
Within five feet of any driveway.
(i)
Where placement unreasonably interferes with or impedes the
flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, but in no event at any location
where the clear space for the passageway of pedestrians is reduced
thereby to less than six feet.
(j)
Where placement unreasonably obstructs, interferes with or impedes
access to or the use of abutting property, including but not limited
to residences, places of business or legally parked or stopped vehicles.
(11)
The owner of the portable sign shall provide liability insurance
of at least $1,000,000 naming the City of Glens Falls as an additional
insured.
H.
Projecting banners which indicate that a business is "OPEN," or which
display a logo associated with the business may be displayed only
during business hours, provided that:
(1)
The pole or bracket from which the banner hangs must be at least
seven feet six inches above any public walkway.
(2)
Neither the pole or bracket nor the banner may project more than
three feet over a public walkway.
(3)
If any part of the banner hangs less than six feet above a public
walkway, it may project no more than two feet over the public walkway.
(4)
In no case may any such banner restrict the clear space for the passageway
of pedestrians to less than six feet in width and less than seven
feet six inches in height.
I.
Nonconforming uses.
(1)
Any sign legally erected prior to the effective date of this amendment
which does not conform to the requirements of this section (Signs
in commercial or industrial zones) shall be allowed to remain in use
until it is replaced or there is a change in property or business
ownership, at which time a conforming sign shall be required.
(2)
Any nonconforming sign that is destroyed or damaged in excess of
50% of its area or value shall not be replaced except by a sign that
conforms to the requirements of this section. Any nonconforming sign
shall not be enlarged, rebuilt, structurally altered or relocated
except to make such sign conform to the requirements of this section.
J.
Reader boards.
(1)
Operation and design.
(a)
Reader boards shall not be designed, located or operated in
a manner that may distract vehicle drivers or pedestrians performing
movements in adjacent public rights-of-way.
(b)
Reader board displays, including their background, text and
graphics, shall not change more frequently than once per hour.
(c)
During a display, the display shall not exhibit animated text
or graphics, which exhibit movement, shifting, flashing, changes in
brightness, or changing parts or components.
(d)
Reader boards shall be turned off during times when the business
is physically closed or nonfunctional.
(2)
On-site locations.
(a)
Reader boards are permitted only as part of an allowed freestanding
sign. Reader boards shall not be attached to any side of a building,
a roof, or in a doorway or window of a building.
(b)
When part of a freestanding sign, which exhibits a business
name or other data, a reader board shall be installed beneath the
main body of the sign.
(3)
Display content.
(a)
Reader boards shall not be used as the primary identification
of the business or commercial activity located at the site.
(b)
A reader board display may be comprised of text and graphic
images, which are contained in an overall message. Text images are
comprised of letters and numbers. Graphic images include borders,
outlines, art-images, logos or symbols of any design, configuration
or color, which may or may not accompany the text in a message.
(c)
The design, style and color of a perimeter border or outline
shall remain constant and static. However, the color of the border
or outline may change with each change to the display content.
A.
Convenience stores and gasoline service stations. At any gasoline
service station not more than one pole sign shall be erected for the
purpose of advertising the brand of gasoline sold at such service
station. Such pole sign shall have a maximum for each face area of
not more than 25 square feet and a maximum height of not more than
25 feet.
B.
Large-scale business zone developments.
(1)
"A large-scale business zone development" shall be defined to mean
the construction of three or more business units, either adjoining
or in architectural proximity, which are planned and developed under
single ownership and/or control.
(2)
In any such development, one sign, otherwise conforming to these
regulations, may be permitted to be erected in the ground, containing
the name of the development, if any. Such sign shall not exceed 40
square feet in area per each face area, shall not contain more than
two face areas, and shall not contain any appendages or nonaccessory
signs or other signs suspended from said sign.
(3)
In addition, any business unit contained in the development may be
allowed one sign attached to each unit not to exceed 20 square feet.
Said sign may not extend beyond the top of the first story of the
building to which it is attached. Further, any business unit may also
be permitted one sign suspended from any marquee or other projecting
device, which suspended sign shall not exceed two square feet per
each face area, provided, however, that all such suspended signs in
any such development shall conform to each other and shall be of the
same size and composition, advertising only the name of the business.
The following shall be exempt from the regulations of this chapter
to the extent described and shall require no permits:
A.
Signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any
governmental function or required by any law, ordinance or governmental
regulation.
B.
Signs or bulletin boards customarily incident to places of worship,
libraries and museums; provided, however, that such signs or bulletin
boards shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, shall be illuminated
only by light of constant intensity and shall be located only on the
premises of such institutions, except that the Code Enforcement Officer
may issue a special permit for the erection and maintenance of such
signs or bulletin boards off the premises.
C.
Nonilluminated signs advertising the sale, lease or rental of the
premises upon which the sign is located, having an aggregate face
area of not more than four square feet within any residential or business
zone, or light-industrial zone or not more than 20 square feet in
any heavy-industrial zone. No more than one sign shall be placed at
each property.
D.
One indirectly illuminated professional nameplate not exceeding one
square foot in area for each professional practice located therein.
E.
One nonilluminated sign denoting the architect, engineer or contractor,
placed on the premises where construction, repair or renovation is
in progress, not exceeding 18 square feet in area.
F.
Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and dates of erection,
when cut into any masonry building surface, or when constructed of
bronze, stainless steel or similar material.
G.
Any sign necessary for the direction, information, welfare or safety
of the public but not for advertising any business, commercial or
private use; provided, however, that the Code Enforcement Officer,
together with a majority of the Review Board, first approves the erection
and maintenance of any such sign, and their decision upon the public
necessity of the sign shall be final.
A.
Permit. After the effective date of this chapter and except as otherwise
herein provided, no person shall erect any sign as defined herein
without first obtaining a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer.
B.
Application for permit. Application for the permit shall be made
in writing, in duplicate, upon forms prescribed and provided by the
Code Enforcement Officer, which shall contain the following information:
(1)
The name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
(2)
The location of the building, structure or land to which or upon
which the sign is to be erected.
(3)
A detailed drawing showing a description of the construction details
of the sign and showing the lettering and/or pictorial matter composing
the sign and position of the lighting or other extraneous devices
and a location plan showing the position of the sign on any building
or land and its position in relation to nearby buildings or structures
and to any private or public street or highway.
(4)
Written consent of the owner, or his duly authorized agent, of the
building, structure or land to which or on which the sign is to be
erected, in the event that the applicant is not the owner thereof.
C.
No sign shall be permitted and no permit shall be issued unless the
construction or erection thereof shall comply with safe and existing
methods of construction or erection and shall not endanger the users
of the public streets or sidewalks of the city. Electric signs must
display an Underwriters' Laboratories seal of approval, or the owner
must furnish a certified inspection agency certificate within 30 days
of its installation.
D.
Fees. All fees established by the Common Council must be paid at
the time of submission of an application for a permit. A schedule
of all such fees will be available for review in the office of the
City Clerk and in the Building Department.
[Amended 11-10-2020 by L.L. No. 5-2020]
E.
Issuance of permits.
(1)
It shall be the duty of the Code Enforcement Officer, upon the filing
of an application for a permit to erect a sign, to examine such plans,
specifications and other data submitted to him with the application
and, if necessary, the building or premises upon which it is proposed
to erect the sign or other advertising structure. The Code Enforcement
Officer shall, no later than the end of the business day next following
the filing of the application, submit a copy of the application to
the Review Board for its review, recommendation and assistance in
construction and compliance with this chapter. If, after five business
days from the submission to the Review Board, it shall appear to the
Code Enforcement Officer that the proposed sign is in compliance with
all requirements of this chapter and other laws and ordinances of
the city, regardless of action taken or not taken by the Review Board,
the Code Enforcement Officer shall immediately issue a permit for
the erection of the proposed sign. If the sign authorized under any
such permit has not been completed within six months from the date
of the issuance of such permit, the permit shall become null and void
but may be renewed within 10 days from the expiration thereof for
a good cause shown upon payment of an additional fee of $5.
F.
Revocation of permit.
(1)
No sign, whether new or existing, shall hereafter be erected or altered
except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. However,
notwithstanding any provisions contained herein, the sign must be
kept clean, neatly painted and free from all hazards, such as but
not limited to faulty wiring and loose fastenings, and must be maintained
at all times in such safe condition so as not to be detrimental to
the public health or safety.
(2)
In the event of a violation of any of the foregoing provisions, the
Code Enforcement Officer shall give written or personal notice, specifying
the violation, to the named owner of the sign and the named owner
of the land upon which the sign is erected, sent to the addresses
as stated in the application for the sign permit, to conform or remove
such sign. The sign shall thereupon be made to conform by the owner
of the sign and the owner of the land within 30 days from the date
of said notice. In the event that such sign shall not be so conformed
within 30 days, the Code Enforcement Officer shall thereupon revoke
the permit, and such sign shall be removed by the named owner of the
sign and/or the named owner of the land.
A.
Any sign existing on or after the effective date of this chapter
which no longer advertises an existing business conducted or product
sold on the premises shall be removed by the owner of the premises
upon which such sign is located, within 30 days after written notice
so to do has been served upon him, either personally or by delivering
the same to him at his last known place of residence or, if the name
of the owner or his place of residence cannot be ascertained after
due diligence, by posting the same in a conspicuous place upon the
premises. Upon failure to comply with such notice within the prescribed
time, the Code Enforcement Officer shall remove or cause to be removed
such sign. In such case, a bill for the expenses incurred thereby
shall be presented to the owner in the same manner as the service
of notice above cited. If the owner shall fail to pay the same, the
Code Enforcement Officer shall file with the Common Council a certificate
of the actual cost of the removal, together with a statement as to
the premises from which said sign was removed, and the same shall
be added by the Common Council to the next city assessment levied
on that premises and collected in the same manner as the general city
tax.
B.
If the Code Enforcement Officer shall find that any sign regulated
by this chapter is unsafe or insecure or is a menace to the public,
then he shall give the same notice to the owner of the premises along
which said sign is located as above cited and shall have the same
power to remove or cause to be removed any such sign and shall seek
reimbursement for any such removal as above cited. The Code Enforcement
Officer may cause any sign which is a source of immediate peril to
persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice and
may seek reimbursement as above cited.
In the event that a sign is erected prior to the effective date
of this chapter, which sign does not conform to the provisions and
standards of this chapter, the requisite permit, as provided herein,
shall be granted for every such sign for a period of time not exceeding
the present ownership of said sign, five years or the remaining depreciable
life of such sign, whichever comes soonest. Except as otherwise provided,
nonconforming signs shall be made to conform to the provisions of
this chapter. A nonconforming sign which is destroyed or damaged to
an extent in excess of 50% shall not be replaced except by a sign
which conforms to the provisions of this chapter. Any nonconforming
sign existing as of the effective date of this chapter shall not be
enlarged, rebuilt, structurally altered or relocated, except to make
such sign conform. For purposes of this section, refurnishing or repairs
of nonconforming signs do not extend the depreciable life of the sign.
The Planning Board of the city is hereby designated as the Sign
Review Board. The Review Board shall advise the Mayor and, as herein
provided, work with the Code Enforcement Officer in enforcement of
this Sign Ordinance with reference to desirable and effective use
of signs for the purpose of enhancing and maintaining the natural
beauty, culture and aesthetic standards of the community.
A majority of the Review Board, after denial by the Code Enforcement
Officer of a permit in accordance with the procedures of this chapter,
must vary or adapt the strict application of any of the requirements
of this chapter where strict application would result in substantial
difficulty or unnecessary hardship that would deprive the owner of
reasonable use of a sign or where, in the opinion of the majority
of the Review Board, a proposed nonconforming sign would not be offensive
to the artistic and aesthetic objectives of this chapter.
Upon such determination, the Review Board shall thereupon direct
the Code Enforcement Officer to issue the permit. In making any such
determination, the burden of proving the necessity or artistic value
of the variance shall be on the applicant. The Review Board may prescribe
any conditions that it deems necessary or desirable. The granting
of any variance shall in no event be construed as precedent for any
other application for variance.
A.
Whenever the Code Enforcement Officer or his designee finds that
there has been a violation of this chapter, or any rule or regulation
adopted pursuant to this chapter, a notice of violation and order
to remedy shall be issued to the person or persons responsible.
B.
The notice of violation and order to remedy shall be in writing,
shall identify the violation and remedial action to be taken, and
shall provide a reasonable time limit for compliance.
C.
The notice of violation and order to remedy may be served by personal
service, by mailing by registered or certified mail or by posting
a copy of thereof in a conspicuous place on the premises and by mailing
a copy thereof to the premises on the same day as posted, enclosed
in a postpaid wrapper addressed to the person or persons responsible.
D.
In the case that the person responsible shall fail, neglect or refuse
to remove, eliminate or abate the violation within the time specified
in notice of violation and order to remedy, an action or proceeding
in the name of the City of Glens Falls may be commenced in the City
Court of the City of Glens Falls, or any court of competent jurisdiction
to compel compliance with or restrain by injunction the violation
of the provisions of this chapter.
E.
A request to take appropriate legal action shall be made to the City
Court of the City of Glens Falls, by the filing and service of an
appearance ticket and complaint. The service of the appearance ticket
shall be made by personal service, by mailing by registered or certified
mail or by posting a copy of thereof in a conspicuous place on the
premises and by mailing a copy thereof to the premises on the same
day as posted, enclosed in a postpaid wrapper addressed to the person
or persons responsible.
F.
Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter shall
be deemed a violation, and the violator shall be liable to a fine
of not more than $250 or imprisonment for a term of not more than
15 days, or both. Each day such violation continues shall constitute
a separate violation.
This chapter is applicable within the City and shall be construed
as an exercise of the powers of such municipality to regulate, control
and restrict the use of buildings, structures and land for advertising
purposes, displays, signs and other advertising media in order to
promote the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community,
including the protection and preservation of the property of the municipality
and its inhabitants and of peace and good order, for the benefit of
trade and all matters related thereto.
