The followings signs and devices are prohibited and subject to removal by the Town of Bethany Beach's Code Enforcement Officer. The Town has significant reasons and interests in prohibiting the following signs and devices to further the intent and purpose section in Article I of this Sign Ordinance and to enforce federal, state and local laws.
A.
Attention-getting devices: pennants, streamers, spinners, balloons,
inflatable signs, search lights, beacons, flashing lights or messages
and other similar attention-getting devices, unless authorized in
conjunction with a temporary sign permit for a special event, or provided
that the Town's Building Inspector reasonably determines that
such a sign will not create a distraction for users of the public
right-of-way.
C.
Backlit translucent awning signs: any sign located on an awning that
is translucent or semitransparent and illuminated from a light source
or within the awning.
D.
Off-site signs: All off-site signs (other than off-site real estate
signs) are prohibited in the Town of Bethany Beach.
E.
Highly reflective and fluorescent signs: signs made wholly or partially
of highly reflective material and fluorescent or day-glow painted
signs, provided that all government signs, traffic safety signs, transit
signs, and utility signs shall be exempt from this prohibition.
F.
Signs attached to certain fixtures. Except for signs lawfully placed
thereon by the owner in the normal and customary use thereof, no sign
(temporary or permanent) shall be attached to any public utility fixture
(e.g., poles, guys, transformers), to any traffic sign or post, or
to any traffic control device or signal. Any sign in violation of
this provision may be removed immediately by the Town or the owner
of such fixture.
G.
Signs on utility poles or traffic control devices: signs attached
or placed adjacent to any utility pole, traffic signpost, traffic
signal or any other traffic control device.
H.
Signs on street trees: any sign posted on a street tree.
I.
Signs that block ingress or egress: any sign, such as a sandwich-board
sign, placed or maintained so as to interfere with free ingress or
egress to or from any door, window, fire escape, or parking lot.
J.
Signs on public property: Except for government signs, traffic safety and parking signs, transit signs, and utility signs as described in § 530-4, no sign (temporary or permanent) shall be located on or extend over the public beach or boardwalk or any public park, sidewalk, ramp, steps, crosswalk, curb, curbstone, streetlamp post, hydrant, tree, shrub, tree stake or guard, utility pole or guy wire, public bridge, drinking fountain, foot shower, public restroom, public bench, Town bandstand, or be located on any other public property. Any sign in violation of this provision may be removed immediately by the Town.
K.
Simulated traffic signs: any sign which simulates or imitates in
size, color, lettering or design any traffic sign or signal, or which
makes use of words, symbols or characters in such a manner as to interfere
with, mislead, or confuse pedestrian, bicycle, or vehicular traffic.
L.
Vehicle signs: painted signs or decals affixed to the body of any
vehicle, if parked for the primary purpose of displaying the sign,
as evidenced by, among other considerations, its location on the premises,
the length of time it remains parked there, and the frequency with
which it is driven off the premises; signs attached to or painted
on vehicles and parked in a position and location with the primary
purpose of displaying the sign. This shall not, however, apply to
cars parked with a "for sale" sign that does not exceeded 216 square
inches in size.
M.
Signs interfering with traffic control devices: No sign shall protrude
from any property, create confusion around, obstruct vision, or otherwise
interfere with traffic control devices.
