Town of Snow Hill, MD ARTICLE XIII Signs

§ 200-126 Purpose and intent; applicability.

A. The purpose of this section is to prescribe standards for the location, design, illumination, height, size and maintenance of all types of signs within the Town of Snow Hill to promote public health, safety, comfort, good order, appearance, morals and general welfare of the public through provisions that promote a safe environment for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, minimize distractions to drivers, promote and protect the Town's natural scenic beauty and small-town character, conserve and protect property values, and preserve the integrity of the many historically and architecturally significant structures that enhance the Town. The intent and provisions contained in this section shall provide the basis for consideration of all zoning forms of action as may be required by staff, the Planning Commission and the Board of Appeals. The intent of this section is to:

(1) Encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication for the convenience of the public by preventing their overconcentration, proliferation, improper placement and excessive size which diminish scenic routes and impede revitalization and conservation efforts.

(2) Maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment while promoting creativity and the Town's ability to attract sources of economic development and growth.

(3) Minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property.

(4) Eliminate distractions which are hazardous to motorists and pedestrians.

(5) Protect and enhance the Town character by requiring new and replacement signage which is creative and distinctive, compatible with its environment and surroundings, an integral component of the style and character of the building to which it relates; appropriate to the activity to which it pertains; and appropriately sized for its context.

(6) Enable fair and consistent enforcement of sign regulations to preserve and protect the public health, safety and general welfare.

(7) Control the size and number of signs in order to implement goals and policies in the Comprehensive Plan.

B. Applicability - effect. A sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created or maintained in the Town only in conformance with the standards, procedures, exemptions and other requirements of this section. The effect of this section is to:

(1) Establish a permit system to allow a variety of types of signs in commercial and industrial zones and a limited variety of signs in other zones, subject to the standards and the permit procedures of this section;

(2) Allow certain signs that are small, unobtrusive and incidental to the principal use of the respective lots on which they are located, subject to the substantive requirements of this section, but without a requirement for permits;

(3) Prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by this section;

(4) Provide for enforcement of the provisions of this section; and

(5) Require all signs to ultimately comply with the provisions of these regulations.

§ 200-127 Definitions; general regulations.

A. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

ABANDONED SIGN

A sign which advertises or identifies a business establishment, product or activity not legally established, that has ceased or that is no longer in operation.

AREA

The number of square feet within the perimeter of one continuous rectangle enclosing the face of a sign. Except in the case of a wall-mounted sign, "area" includes the surface of all integral color, framing or other design feature by which the sign is differentiated from the structure supporting it or upon which it is erected.

ATTACHED SIGN

An on-premises sign that is attached to a building wall or other surface. Awning signs, canopy signs, window signs, projecting signs, suspended signs and wall signs are all considered attached signage.

AWNING SIGN (ON-PREMISES)

An on-premises attached sign displayed, attached to or incorporated into the surface of an architectural projection or shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of a building and composed of a covering of nonrigid materials, and/or fabric on a supporting framework that may be either permanent or retractable. Such sign shall be considered a wall sign.

BANNER

A temporary sign made of a flexible material such as canvas, sailcloth, plastic or waterproof paper.

BILLBOARD

A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, organization or entertainment conducted, sold or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located.

BUILDING FRONTAGE

The total length in linear feet of an establishment's portion of a building that fronts directly on a street, regardless of whether such portion of the building is functionally the front, rear, end or side of the building. Buildings with no street frontage shall use the linear frontage of the building's principal entrance. Buildings can have multiple fronts.

CANOPY

A structure, either detached from or attached to and extending from the enclosed portion of a building and used principally to provide shelter in connection with activities conducted in the principal building. This definition includes but is not limited to fuel station, bank and pharmacy canopies. Such sign shall be considered a wall sign.

COMMERCIAL

That which relates to a for-profit business organization engaging in the sale, rental, lease or exchange of goods, products, services or properties of any kind.

CONSTRUCTION/DEVELOPMENT SIGN

A sign erected or maintained on the premises temporarily while undergoing construction by an architect, contractor, subcontractor, developer or finance organization, or other type of affiliation with the construction, at which location such individual is furnishing labor, materials or services and bearing the name(s) of the same. Such signs shall be considered a temporary sign.

DECORATIVE FLAG

A specific type of flag which is distinguished from the general definition of "flag" in that it does not relate to any government, political subdivision or other entity.

DIRECTORY SIGN

A sign, either freestanding or wall-mounted, listing the location of activities, services, addresses and/or tenants within a multitenant/multiuse development, incidental to the property it is located on, but not intended to advertise the use in any manner.

ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARD

A sign, or portion of a sign, that displays an electronic image and/or video, which may or may not include text. Such signs include any sign, or portion of a sign, that uses changing lights to form a sign message or messages or uses electronic means to change the sign message. Electronic message boards include but are not limited to signs also known as "electronic reader boards," "electronic message center signs," "tri-panel message systems" and "commercial electronic variable message signs (CEVMS)." Electronic message signs are not considered flashing signs.

EMERGENCY, SAFETY, WARNING or TRAFFIC SIGN

Any emergency, safety, warning or traffic sign installed by or at the direction of a governmental authority or with its approval.

ERECT

To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix, and shall also include the painting of wall signs.

FACADE

The entire building wall, including the wall face, parapet, fascia, windows, door and canopy of an elevation of the building.

FACING or SURFACE

The surface of the sign upon, against or through which the message is displayed or illustrated on the sign.

FLAG

Any fabric, banner or bunting, containing distinctive colors, patterns or symbols, used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision or other entity.

FREESTANDING SIGN

An on-premises sign, identifying the principal use conducted on the lot where the sign is located, that is placed on or anchored in the ground with one or more supports and that is not part of a building or other structure. Freestanding signs can also be referred to as ground, monument, pole or pylon signs.

GOVERNMENT SIGN

Any temporary or permanent sign erected and maintained for any government purposes other than signs placed on the premises of a publicly owned building or structure or other land use designed to identify the land use to the public. Examples of government signs include, but are not limited to, speed limit signs, city limit and welcome signs, street name signs and traffic signs. Conversely, a sign placed at a public building such as a library, school or safety building, which identifies said building, shall not be considered a government sign.

HANGING or SUSPENDED SIGN

An on-premises attached sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal plane surface or arm, such as a canopy or marquee, and is supported by such surface.

HISTORIC MARKERS

Signs approved by the Town Council that explain the historical facts or events or locations.

HOME OCCUPATION SIGN

A sign used in conjunction with a home occupation that conforms to home occupation regulations in the Zoning Code. One permanent sign not exceeding three square feet is allowed.

ILLEGAL SIGN

Any sign placed, erected or installed without proper approval or permits from the Town or not in compliance with the regulations set forth in this section.

ILLUMINATED SIGN

Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outlines illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as a part of the sign proper.

ILLUMINATION, EXTERNAL

Illumination of a sign face or graphic element from a shielded light source that is not internal to the sign itself.

ILLUMINATION, INTERNAL

A light source concealed or contained within the sign which becomes visible by shining through a translucent surface, letter or graphic image.

INCOMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL

Any material which will not ignite at or below a temperature of 1,200° F. and will not continue to burn or glow at that temperature.

MAINTENANCE

The normal and routine cleaning, as needed, painting, repair or replacement of defective parts of a sign in a manner that does not alter the basic copy, design, size or structure of the sign.

MARQUEE SIGN

Any sign affixed to a marquee or canopy over the entrance to a building, extending wholly or in part across the sidewalk and supported from the building.

MENU BOARD SIGN

A sign displaying the bill of fare of a drive-in or drive-through restaurant, generally adjacent to the front entry.

MESSAGE

A communication, statement or display of information or ideas through written words, letters, numerals, symbols, images, colors, illumination or theme comprising the face of a sign. The message may be distinguishable from the structural and supportive elements of the sign.

MONUMENT SIGN

A freestanding sign where the supporting structure of the sign face is architecturally and aesthetically integrated into the overall design of the sign. The base of the supporting structure is embellished to conceal all structural or support members. The perimeter of said sign is landscaped to enhance the area adjacent to the sign. Eighty percent of the base supporting structure shall be in contact with the ground. The sign face should be solid and is not intended to be a pole-type design.

NEON SIGN

A sign using neon gas tubing as a light source.

NONCONFORMING SIGN

A sign which lawfully existed prior to April 10, 2012, and does not conform to this chapter.

OFF-SITE or OFF-PREMISES SIGN

A sign located, placed other than on the premises or property of which the copy is intended.

ON-PREMISES SIGN

A sign displaying information pertaining only to a business, industry, activity or profession located on the premises where the sign is displayed and pertaining only to the name of the business, type of product sold, manufactured or assembled, and/or service, activity or entertainment offered on said premises, including business identification and occupancy signs.

PENNANT

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 a series.

POLITICAL SIGN

A temporary sign used in connection with a local, state or national election or referendum.

PORTABLE SIGN

A sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, including but not limited to signs with attached wheels, A-frame signs, umbrellas used for advertising, signs attached or painted on vehicles parked and visible from a street, unless said vehicle is used as a vehicle in the normal day-to-day operations of the business it advertises and is parked on the same zoning lot as the business. A sandwich board sign as defined by and in conformance with this article is not considered a portable sign.

PREMISES

A recorded lot or, in the case of a multi-occupant lot such as a shopping center, office park or industrial park, the total area of the development under common ownership, leasehold or other assignment of interest in real property which is used as a unified parcel.

PROJECTING SIGN

Any sign affixed to a building or wall in such a manner that its leading edge extends more than six inches beyond the surface of such building or wall.

REVERSE CHANNEL WALL SIGN

Individual copy lettering or sign components that are individually mounted directly on the wall having lighting concealed within the letter or number so that light reflects off the wall (i.e., reverse lighting), creating a "halo" effect.

ROOF SIGN

Any sign erected, constructed or maintained upon the roof of any building.

SANDWICH BOARD

A single- or double-faced moveable sign that is intended to be used on a sidewalk or pedestrian way in front of the business for which the commercial message is intended.

SIGN

Includes every sign, billboard, ground sign, wall sign, roof sign, illuminated sign, projecting sign, temporary sign, marquee, awning, canopy, and street clock, and shall include any announcement, declaration, demonstration, display illustration or insignia used to advertise or promote the interests of any person when the same is placed out of doors in view of the general public.

SIGN FACE

The portion of the sign on which copy is displayed, and shall not include the base or foundation of the monument sign.

SIGN OWNER

For the purposes of this section the owner/tenant/person(s) responsible for the installation, erection, mounting, maintenance and/or repair of the sign shall be considered the sign owner.

SIGN, ANIMATED

Any sign which flashes, revolves, rotates or swings by mechanical means or which uses a change of lighting to depict action or to create a special effect or scene.

STRUCTURAL TRIM

The molding, battens, cappings, nailing strips, latticing, and platforms which are attached to the sign structure.

SUSPENDED SIGN

An on-premises attached sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal plane surface or arm, such as a canopy or marquee, and is supported by such surface.

TEMPORARY SIGN

A sign intended for temporary use with a permitted duration period.

WALL SIGN

An on-premises sign affixed to or painted on the wall sign installed or erected parallel (within six inches of a wall) to the facade of any building upon which it is attached and designed to be in proportion to the architectural facade or wall upon which it is fastened and not projecting or extending above the building's roof or parapet line. Wall signs shall include all signs such as awning/canopy signs, marquee signs or any other similar signs, but shall not include window signs as herein defined. This does not include any sign painted directly on the wall of any building.

WINDOW SIGN

An on-premises sign located within a window or upon the inside surface or outside surface of the window glass used to attract such attention located within the premises. Signs which are located within 12 inches of the face of a window opening shall be considered a window sign. Window sign area shall not include signage displaying business hours of operation, credit card logos or open/closed designation if said sign does not exceed two square feet.

WINDOW SIGN AREA

The total area of the imaginary rectangles contiguous to and surrounding each word, picture, logo, logotype, symbol, banding or graphic, as a percentage of the total ground or second floor window area of the premises as it may apply in accordance to this section.

B. General regulations.

(1) No sign, sign structure or part thereof shall be erected, enlarged or altered unless such sign shall be in compliance with the provisions of this section.

(2) Signs visible from a public road shall not simulate traffic control or other official signs. No sign, sign structure or part thereof shall be located so as to obstruct or conflict with traffic sight lines or traffic control signs or signals.

(3) No lighting of signs shall be permitted which is of a flashing, rotating or other animated type which could tend to blind or unduly distract motorists, simulate an emergency vehicle, or which would shine directly onto any lot in the R or B District.

(4) No sign shall be located on or project into a vehicular public way.

(5) For the purposes of this section, the area of signs made up of individual letters, figures or designs shall include the space between such letters, figures or designs. All backgrounds, edging and framing shall be included in the sign area, but not mountings.

(6) No sign shall be attached to any tree, utility pole, shrub or other natural object except for owner-posted "no hunting" or "no trespassing" signs.

(7) As used in this subsection, "sign" shall include "billboard."

(8) Prior to issuance of a zoning permit, a sign within the Snow Hill Historic District requires issuance of a certificate of appropriateness from the Snow Hill Historic District Commission.

(9) Signs shall meet all other federal and state requirements (i.e., ADA).

(10) Total signage for a property shall not exceed 100 square feet cumulatively; unless part of a sign plan approved by the Planning Commission.

§ 200-128 Prohibited signs; exceptions.

A. Billboards, streamers, pennants, banners, beacons, ribbons, spinners or other similar devices shall not be constructed, posted or erected in any zone. Exceptions are the following:

(1) Flags and buntings exhibited to commemorate holidays and/or seasonal themes or festivals.

(2) One banner erected to announce a grand opening or going out of business in accordance with the illumination and safety standards in § 200-129B and C. Said banner may not be displayed for more than 30 consecutive days and shall be attached to a building wall or canopy.

(3) Vertically oriented banners erected on the premises of any permitted institutional use or at an approved PDD if such banners are submitted and approved as part of any required site plan.

B. Flashing signs, roof signs, and signs containing reflective elements which sparkle or twinkle in the sunlight are not permitted. Signs indicating the current time and/or temperature are permitted provided they meet all other requirements in this chapter.

C. Portable signs, inflatable signs or tethered balloons (commercial grade) are not permitted.

D. Any sign advertising or identifying a business or organization which is either defunct or no longer located on the premises is not permitted after 30 days said business or organization becomes defunct (closes down business activities/operations).

E. Wall signs in excess of 200 square feet, unless said wall sign has been approved by the Mayor and Council.

F. Freestanding signs in excess of 100 square feet in area per side.

G. No sign, except for a traffic, regulatory or informational sign, shall use the words "stop," "caution," or "danger" or shall incorporate red, amber, or green lights resembling traffic signals or shall resemble "stop" or "yield" signs in shape and color.

H. No sign may be painted onto any wall or roof, except for the restoration of historic wall signs in the Historic District, upon approval of the Historic District Commission.

I. Outdoor advertising displays and off-site signs. Outdoor advertising displays such as billboards (digital and the like) and all off-site commercial signs are prohibited within the Town of Snow Hill.

J. Rolling signs. Any sign which is portable in nature mounted on a movable chassis without having a fixed location also known as "manual variable message signs."

K. Roof signs.

L. Signs with obscene or indecent content.

M. No part of a sign, or its structural framework or supporting elements, may obstruct any window or opening intended to provide light or air to a building or to any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder or opening giving, or intending to give access to or from a building, fire hydrant or standpipe.

§ 200-129 Standards for signs.

A. General design or development standards: shall apply to all permitted signs.

(1) Architectural compatibility. A sign (including its supporting structure and components, if any) shall be designed as an integral design element of a building's architecture and shall be architecturally compatible, including color, with any building to which the sign is to identify and with surrounding structures as determined by the Town Planner and/or the Planning Commission.

(2) Clearance from electrical conductors. Signs shall not be located with less than five feet six inches horizontal or 10 feet vertical clearance from overhead electrical conductors which are energized under 750 volts. Signs shall not be located with less than eight feet six inches horizontal or 11 feet vertical clearance from overhead electric conductors which are energized in excess of 750 volts.

(3) Signs shall comply with the visions in the Snow Hill Revitalization Plan and Comprehensive Plan, or most recent update, or any other plan adopted by Mayor and Council which is applicable.

(4) All light fixtures, conduit and shielding shall be painted to match either the building or the supporting structure that serves as the background of the sign.

(5) Signs shall be professionally constructed or rendered rather than hand-drawn or homemade, unless approved by the Planning Commission and Historic District Commission, if applicable.

(6) Messages on signs shall have 10 or fewer syllables or symbols per sign.

(7) The number of graphic elements on a sign shall be held to the minimum needed to convey the sign's major message and shall be composed in proportion to the sign face.

(8) Properties within the Snow Hill Historic District must have approval of the Historic District Commission.

(9) Lighting requirements.

(a) Externally lit signs shall be illuminated only with steady, stationary, shielded light sources directed solely onto the sign without causing glare. Light bulbs or lighting tubes used for illuminating a sign shall not be visible from adjacent public rights-of-way or residential properties.

(b) The intensity of sign lighting shall not exceed that necessary to illuminate and make legible a sign from an adjacent road or closest right-of-way, and the illumination of a sign shall not cause glare or other adverse effect which is obtrusive to the surrounding area as determined by the local approving authority.

(c) The fixtures used to illuminate signs shall not be directed toward nearby residential properties.

(d) Internally illuminated signs are permitted in certain circumstances as follows:

[1] Individual backlit letters which are silhouetted against a softly illuminated wall;

[2] Individual letters with translucent faces, containing soft lighting elements inside each letter; and

[3] Metal-faced box signs with cut-out letters and soft glow fluorescent tubes.

(10) A master sign plan will be required for any proposed shopping center, business center, industrial park or other commercial business, institutional or industrial development that requires a site plan, as well as any property that receives a variance for signage exceeding the maximum size limit. The following information is required:

(a) Accurate plot plan of proposed development site, at such scale as required by the local approving authority.

(b) Location of buildings, parking lots, driveways and landscaped areas.

(c) Computation of maximum total sign area, maximum area individual signs, height of signs and number allowed.

(d) An accurate indication on the site plan of the proposed location of each sign of any type, whether or not a permit is required, except incidental signs need not be shown.

(e) Proposed standards for consistency among all signs, to include: color scheme, lettering or graphic style, lighting, location, material and proportions.

B. Illumination standards.

(1) No person may erect a sign which flashes.

(2) No person may erect a sign with exposed electrical wires.

(3) No person may erect a sign that constitutes a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic because of intensity or direction of illumination.

(4) All lighted on-site signs shall be illuminated indirectly by either interior or exterior fixtures. The lighting shall be flush mounted, downward directed and shall not emit light above the horizontal plane.

(5) The light source, whether internal to the sign or external, shall be shielded from view. Neon signs are discouraged unless they are appropriate to the period of the architecture or history of the building and then must be approved by the Planning Commission.

(6) Signs shall not be illuminated after 10:00 p.m. or close of business, whichever is later, unless specifically allowed at site plan review by the Snow Hill Planning Commission. Automatic timers may be used to comply.

C. Safety standards. No person may erect, maintain or suffer to remain a sign which:

(1) Is structurally unsafe;

(2) Constitutes a hazard to public safety and health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment;

(3) Obstructs free entrance or exit from a required door, window or fire escape;

(4) Obstructs light or air or interferes with a proper functioning of the building; or

(5) Is capable of causing electrical shock.

D. Measurement of sign area.

(1) Sign measurements shall be based upon the entire area of the sign, with a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the actual sign surface.

(2) For a sign consisting of individual letters or symbols attached to a surface, building, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other shape which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.

(3) The area of supporting framework (for example, brackets, posts, etc.) shall not be included in the sign area if such framework is incidental to the display.

(4) When a sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area, except where two faces are placed back to back and are at no point more than two feet from each other. In this case, the sign area shall be taken as either face, and if the faces are unequal, the larger shall determine the area.

E. Measurement of sign height. The height of any sign shall be measured from the surface of the road up to the highest point of the sign.

F. Variance. Any request for a waiver or modification of any of the foregoing standards shall be submitted to the Town as an application for a variance, to be pursued and decided by the Board of Appeals in accordance with the provisions of § 200-33 of the Code.

§ 200-130 Signs allowed without building permit.

For the purposes of this section, the following signs shall not require a permit, provided all other applicable standards are met:

A. Signs erected or posted and maintained for public safety and welfare or pursuant to any governmental function, law, ordinance or other regulation and temporary signs indicating danger.

B. Directional signs solely indicating ingress and egress at driveway locations, containing no advertising material, and where the display area does not exceed two square feet or extend higher than three feet above ground level. Such sign will conform in all respects with the requirements of this code.

C. Signs posted as warnings related to trespassing, hunting, and danger from animals, not exceeding two square feet in area. They may be posted on buildings, fences or structures on property at eye level and may not serve any advertising purpose.

D. Yard sale signs. An on-premises sign advertising a yard or garage sale shall not exceed two square feet in size and shall be limited to one sign per lot. Such signs may be erected seven days prior to the event and shall be removed within two days after the event. (Lead-in directional off-premises yard sale signs are permitted from Friday noon to dusk Sunday.)

E. Home occupation signs. An on-premises home occupation sign shall be limited to one sign per dwelling unit or principal use and shall not exceed three square feet, provided the property owner has obtained a certificate of use.

F. Utility company signs not exceeding two square feet with no advertising purpose.

G. Political campaign signs provided they meet the following conditions:

(1) Signs shall not exceed four square feet or 42 inches in height;

(2) Sign does not obstruct visibility and is located outside of the right-of-way.

(3) No sign shall be located on property owned by the Town of Snow Hill or upon any street or sidewalk.

(4) No sign shall be installed until such time as the owner has given his or her permission, in writing, for the sign to be installed.

(5) Signs shall be removed within 10 days after the date upon which the election or referendum to which they refer occurs.

H. Real estate signs.

(1) No more than one temporary sign advertising the sale, lease or rental of premises upon which the sign is located. The sign shall not be lighted.

(2) Only one such sign is permitted to face on each street adjacent to the property. A second sign is permitted if the street frontage exceeds 400 feet.

(3) Such signs may be single or double faced.

(4) Commercial, Industrial and Highway Commercial Districts may temporarily post a thirty-two-square-foot sign for one year (date posted shall be in permanent marker in bottom right corner of the sign and a legible photo shall be submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer); at the end of one year, the sign must be replaced with a sign not exceeding 16 square feet.

(5) Residential properties and any other district not mentioned above is limited in size to four square feet or less.

(6) All real estate signs shall be removed within 10 days following the sale, lease or rental of the premises.

I. Construction signs. A maximum of four signs located on construction sites not exceeding 16 square feet in aggregate while a valid construction permit is active. Such signs shall be removed within 10 days after the completion of such construction or issuance of the final occupancy permit.

J. Security/emergency contact signs not exceeding two square feet.

K. Memorial plaques, building identification signs and building cornerstones when cut or carved into a masonry surface or when made of noncombustible material and made an integral part of the building structure.

L. Professional nameplates or signs denoting the name and address of the occupants of the premises, which signs or nameplates shall not exceed four square feet.

M. Open flags. Each permitted commercial operation or use may display up to two flags bearing, but not limited to, the word "open" or "welcome." Such flag shall not exceed three feet by five feet in dimension and must be flown so that the lowest portion clears the public way by at least seven feet.

N. Transit signs. Signs identifying transit stops, facilities, times and bus routes that conform to requirements of this code.

O. Menu boards at fast-food restaurants. A menu board for a permitted restaurant with drive-through service shall be located in such a way as to be viewed from a designated drive-through lane and not located within the required front, side or rear yard. In no case shall a menu board exceed 32 square feet in area. The menu board shall be part of the site plan review process.

P. On-premises temporary special event signs or banners for religious, charitable, civic, fraternal or similar nonprofit organizations. Temporary signage for the previously stated groups is allowed, provided:

(1) No more than one sign/banner per street frontage shall be permitted per event.

(2) The sign/banner shall be erected no sooner than 14 days before and removed three days after the event.

(3) An off-site sign/banner for an event is not to exceed three feet by five feet and shall be limited to one per property. Written permission must be obtained from the owner before posting.

Q. Wayfaring signs. The intent of this type of signage is to feature key attractions and businesses within the Town as a remedy to off-premises signs cluttering the Town streets.

(1) The text and format, location and number of the signs shall be a collaborative effort between Town Hall and any organization the Town Manager and Mayor include with final approval being granted by the Mayor and Council of Snow Hill.

(2) The sign structure area of the sign shall not exceed 10 square feet nor shall it exceed eight feet in height.

(3) Signs may be located on public ways. However, no sign shall impede vehicular traffic or pedestrian traffic flows.

R. Community master signs. The intent of these signs is to announce entrance into Snow Hill on major thoroughfares, as well as identify Town properties such as the parks or other Town-owned facilities. They may also announce events happening within the Town or at other Town facilities.

(1) May be monument or freestanding sign and shall be compatible in design, size, height, weight, material and lighting with existing Snow Hill signs.

(2) Sign may display the Snow Hill logo.

(3) With written consent of the property owner and/or state highway, may be placed on private property and in the state right-of-way.

(4) Final approval is granted by the Mayor and Council.

§ 200-131 Signs by type permitted after issuance of sign permit.

The following signs are permitted, provided they conform to the following provisions and are located on the same lot as said use unless exception from this requirement is specifically noted.

A. Awning or canopy signs. Awning signs should be minimized and are only appropriate if no good alternatives for wall signs, projecting signs or hanging and suspended signs. They should be solid color or may be stripe if complementary to the building facade to which they are attached.

(1) Signs may be attached flat against awnings made of rigid materials and shall not project above the awning. Awnings of nonrigid materials (e.g., canvas) shall have signs only appliqued or painted on them.

(2) The sign should not occupy more than 30% of the slope or 65% of the return or valance of the awning.

(3) Internally lit awnings are not permitted.

(4) Awnings should be compatible with the size, scale and design of the host building and not be shaped differently than the opening nor span multiple buildings. Awning frames should fit within the storefront or window opening to which they are attached and have clearance of eight feet above the sidewalk if feasible, while the valance should be a minimum of one foot behind the plane of the street curb.

(5) The portion of the awning containing advertising copy shall be treated as a wall or building sign and shall be included in overall calculations for such signs.

(6) They are not allowed for permitted residential uses.

B. Wall signs. Include most types of signage attached to the face of a building wall. These include channel letters made out of wood, metal or plastic.

(1) May be painted on a wall or on a board that is attached to a wall and shall not project more than 15 inches from the building surface.

(2) Wall signs should be placed on a flat building surface and should not be placed over or otherwise obscure architectural building details or features, and no portions of the sign shall extend beyond the ends of the wall to which it is attached.

(3) Signboards are located on the signboard area or "frieze" of the storefront and should be mounted flush and contain only the name of the business and its logo, if appropriate. Lettering and logos should range from eight to 18 inches in height and cover less than 75% of the signboard.

(4) The maximum number of wall signs permitted is two per tenant space, and they must be located on a building face that has a public entrance.

(5) Wall signs are allowed for permitted nonresidential uses in all zoning districts.

(6) A maximum area of one square foot of signage per one lineal foot of street frontage, with total signage not exceeding 100 square feet total, unless a variance is obtained and a sign plan is approved by the Planning Commission.

(7) Changeable copy is not allowed on wall signs.

(8) Buildings which have multiple businesses accessed by separate entrances shall be permitted one building sign of a maximum of 10 square feet per business.

(9) When two or more businesses occupy one building with common entrances (i.e., without separate entrances) they shall be considered one business for sign computation purposes. This means that for wall or building signs, buildings of this nature are limited to one building sign per street frontage plus one directory sign per common entrance.

C. Directory signs: may be provided to identify individual businesses in multitenant buildings, building complexes/centers, planned industrial parks, provided:

(1) The display board shall be of an integrated and uniform design.

(2) No more than one sign panel, not to exceed two square feet in area, is permitted per directory for each tenant business.

(3) Directory signs shall be placed in one or more groups nearest the pedestrian entrances adjacent to the building complex only and may be wall-mounted or freestanding signs. Such signs shall not exceed six feet in height. The total area of any directory sign shall not exceed 12 square feet, and letters shall not exceed six inches in height.

(4) Property management companies are allowed one identification sign per building managed, not to exceed two square feet. Such signs shall not count against allowable directory signage.

(5) Directory signs shall not contain advertising copy.

(6) Directory signs must incorporate the tenant's legally assigned street or unit number.

D. Freestanding post signs. Similar to monument signs, except they do not have a base other than the support posts, they usually have a single sign face, and they are usually oriented parallel to the sidewalk instead of perpendicular. The colors and materials used for the sign must be compatible with the associated building design. Lettering should be carved, routed or applied as opposed to painted on a flat board. Freestanding signs are not permitted for permitted residential uses unless in conjunction with a home occupation which has obtained a certificate of use.

(1) No more than one freestanding sign per building lot or parcel, not exceeding 36 square feet (per side) in area, the top of which is not more than eight feet in height above ground level, and which contains only the name of the owner, trade names, trademark, products sold, and/or describes the business(es) or activity conducted on the premises whereon such sign is located. Such sign shall be set back at least six feet from any property line.

(2) A landscaped area consisting of shrubs, flowers and/or ornamental grasses equivalent to the area of each side of a freestanding sign shall be maintained by the permit holder. This area shall be kept in neat and clean condition, free of weeds and rubbish.

(3) In addition to the above, each gasoline/service station or other business selling automotive fuel is permitted one price sign not to exceed eight square feet in area and eight feet in height and shall be incorporated into the main freestanding sign.

(a) "Self-full-serve" signs, not to exceed three square feet in area, are permitted on each end of each pump island.

(b) Signs affixed to the top or sides of an operable fuel-dispensing pump shall not exceed one square foot in area and signage on the base of the pump shall not exceed three square feet bearing the brand name and/or symbol only and shall be approved at site plan review.

E. Monument signs. Monument signs are typically used where setbacks and orientation or design make it difficult to provide other types of signage. Monument signs have a solid base that the sign face is installed upon. These should be designed so that the style of the sign and its base are consistent with the architecture of the buildings on the site. Typically, they are perpendicular to the adjacent street and sidewalk and have a maximum of two parallel sign faces.

(1) Only one monument sign is permitted per premises for permitted nonresidential use, per street frontage.

(2) Monument signs may be a maximum of 32 square feet unless they identify a subdivision, multifamily or PDD project. The maximum height of a monument sign is eight feet.

(3) Where two or more uses are located on the same premises, the sign area for monument signs must be shared.

(4) If illumination is desired, then external or halo lighting is preferred.

(5) No more than one monument sign identifying a subdivision, multifamily or PDD project is allowed and only then if outside of the Historic District. Such sign shall contain the name of the subdivision/development and at Snow Hill only. The sign may not exceed 16 square feet and must be approved by the Planning Commission as part of the site plan or development review process.

(6) Must be set back from all property lines a minimum of seven feet.

F. Marquee sign. A sign which utilizes changeable letters or copy and is restricted to commercial uses for the purpose of advertising dramatic, musical, entertainment or motion picture events which occur on the premises on a regular basis, subject to the following standards:

(1) There shall be no more than one internally illuminated change-letter marquee sign per property.

(2) The area of a marquee sign shall not exceed 48 square feet in copy area. Such sign shall be incorporated into the main freestanding sign or may be wall mounted.

(3) Letters or symbols shall not exceed 12 inches in height.

(4) Any portion of a marquee sign incorporated into the main freestanding sign or building sign shall be treated as such and shall be included in the overall calculations for such sign.

(5) Marquees and marquee signs may extend to a point two feet back of the curbline; however, the sign must be, at minimum, 11 feet in the clear above the level of the sidewalk.

G. Hanging and suspended signs are used to define entries and identify business names to pedestrians. They are small and can hang over a building entry if appropriate clearance is provided. They are particularly useful for storefronts that have multiple tenants.

(1) One suspended or hanging sign shall be permitted per primary public entrance for a permitted nonresidential use.

(2) The signs shall not exceed 10 inches in thickness and may have a maximum area of eight square feet. However, in the event there is an existing historic bracket and hardware in place on a building in the Historic District which has been historically used for a hanging sign, the Planning Commission may allow a sign area of up to nine square feet taking into consideration the scale and placement of the sign, with concurrence of the Historic District Commission.

(3) Hanging and suspended signs shall have a clearance of eight feet above the sidewalk and not project into a vehicular public way.

H. Projecting signs. Projecting signs are attached to a building face and project out perpendicular to the building wall and are restricted to a commercial or industrial use. Appropriate materials include wood and metal with carved or applied lettering, or any other material that is architecturally compatible with the building that the sign is attached to.

(1) No projecting sign shall extend above the roofline and shall be hung at right angle to the building, extending not more than three feet from the building wall.

(2) One projecting sign allowed per tenant.

(3) Multiple projecting signs should not be installed within 10 feet of each other if on the same property and should be separated from projecting signs on adjacent properties by 10 feet to ensure proper visibility.

(4) Projecting sign must be attached to building facades that have a public entrance.

I. Sandwich board signs. These can be effective for commercial uses, such as markets, restaurants or other food establishments that have changing specials and menus. These signs may have rewritable surfaces, such as chalkboards or dry-erase boards.

(1) They are prohibited in the public right-of-way and must be placed on private property.

(2) They may be placed in a front yard or foyer, portico or other building entry, provided they do not interfere with pedestrian ingress or egress as required by the Building Code.

(3) One sandwich board permitted per tenant space.

(4) No more than eight square feet per face, not including sign legs and no more than five feet high.

(5) Sandwich boards should be compatible with design of the storefront and sturdy enough to withstand wind and light enough to be removed at night.

(6) Any changeable information should be securely attached to the Board and be weatherproof.

J. Electronic message centers. Electronic message centers (aka EMCs) come in different shapes and sizes and typically have a scrolling message. Some have interactive computer screens.

(1) EMCs may be incorporated into pole signs, mounted or freestanding pole signs and shall be included as part of the sign area or square footage allowed for that type of sign. Such signs shall be subordinate in size and location to the permanent sign.

(2) One EMC is permitted per premises and a permit may only be issued upon Planning Commission approval.

(3) EMCs are only permitted in B-2 General Business, HC, Highway Commercial, M-1 Light Industrial, and M-2 Heavy Industrial Districts, and for permitted uses in the residential district which are not a residential or agricultural use. Reminder: Applicants within the Historic District must also have Historic District Commission approval.

(4) An electronic message board sign shall have a maximum area of 20 square feet, and if included as part of a larger sign, it shall be included in the calculation of the total permitted sign area.

(5) Messages are not permitted to scroll and have a maximum change rate of once every 13 seconds.

K. Shopping center identification signs should contain elements of the design theme of the buildings in the center. They may identify multiple tenants, but larger shopping centers with more than five tenants should avoid listing individual tenants, other than project anchors, to avoid sign clutter.

(1) One shopping center identification sign may be located on each major street frontage of the development.

(2) The size of the sign shall not exceed 75 square feet.

(3) These are only permitted in the B-2 and HC Districts.

(4) Signs shall not exceed 25 feet in height.

L. Window signs. Window signs should be scaled to the pedestrian and oriented to window shoppers on the sidewalk. Window signs should be limited to small graphics and text that serve to frame a window or to provide information. A window sign should not obscure the view into a store or place of business and is only for nonresidential uses.

(1) There is no specific location requirement or limit to the number of window signs allowed. However, window sign area cannot exceed 25% of the total window square footage, or 10% of glass entry doors and signs on display windows and entry doors should be located and designed not to obscure visibility into the ground floor.

(2) A window sign is a sign that is painted on or attached to a window and located within 12 inches of the face of a window. Window signs do not include business hours of operation, credit card logos or open/closed signs under two square feet in size.

(3) The font, color and style of window signage shall be consistent with the font, color and style of the other permanent signage on the premises.

(4) The background of all window signage shall be transparent.

M. Pole signs are primarily intended to communicate with people in automobiles. The sign structure is typically located on a single pole, but other types of supports may be used.

(1) They must be located outside of required yard or setback areas, unless an exception is given by the Planning Commission.

(2) Permitted only in B-2, HC, M-1 and M-2 Districts.

(3) Height shall not exceed 30 feet. Requires site plan approval.

N. Barbershop poles. Barbershop poles are permitted in zones where a barbershop is permitted either by right or by special exception.

(1) A rotating barbershop pole shall not exceed 39 inches in height and shall not project from the wall greater than 18 inches.

(2) May be internally illuminated.

(3) Barbershop poles shall not be counted as part of the signage.

§ 200-132 Nonconforming signs; amortization schedule.

A. General requirements. The provisions of Article XIII of Chapter 200 shall apply to all signs already existing as of April 10, 2012, and all signs to be erected, placed or installed thereafter within the Town. Any sign already erected, placed or installed prior to April 10, 2012, which does not conform to the provisions and requirements of Article XIII of Chapter 200 of the Code, shall be removed or brought into full compliance with the provisions and requirements of Article XIII of Chapter 200, in accordance with the amortization schedule set forth in § 200-132B. During the time period in which a legally existing, nonconforming sign may continue to exist in accordance with the amortization schedule set forth in § 200-132B, such sign shall not be altered in any of the following ways:

(1) Structurally altered to extend its life.

(2) Sign face alterations or repainting.

(3) Lighting added.

(4) Expanded.

(5) Re-established after damage or destruction of more than 50% of its value, as determined by the Code Enforcement Officer.

B. Amortization schedule. Legally existing signs made nonconforming by the provisions of Article XIII of Chapter 200, as adopted on April 10, 2012, shall be removed or brought into compliance within the applicable time period set forth in the table below, which time period shall begin to run on April 10, 2012. Nonconforming signs required to be temporarily removed or moved as a result of governmental action beyond the control of the sign owner may be reinstalled only within the time remaining in the applicable amortization period. Any change to the height, area or structure of a nonconforming sign requiring a sign permit shall require the sign to conform to all standards of this article. These provisions shall be applicable for the duration of the amortization period (outlined in chart below).

	Sign Type	Time Frame for Removal or Compliance
	Signs requiring permits that are erected without permits, prohibited signs or signs that are otherwise erected illegally under the provisions of this article or any other section of the Town Code	60 days
	Signs permitted without a permit	120 days
	Window signs	180 days
	Wall signs and freestanding signs	2 years
	All others	3 years

§ 200-133 Enforcement; violations and penalties.

A. Any sign installed, erected, placed or maintained in violation of the terms of this article shall be an unlawful sign.

B. All signs must be made of rust-prohibitive material or treatment and shall be maintained in reasonably good condition. If the Code Enforcement Officer or other designee of the Town Manager determines that a sign is not being maintained in reasonably good condition, the Code Enforcement Officer or other designee of the Town Manager shall provide written notice of such determination to the property owner. Such notice shall be deemed delivered to the property owner upon hand delivery, posting at the property or first-class mailing to the mailing address of the property owner, as reflected in tax records. Within 30 days from delivery of such written notice, the property owner shall repair or rehabilitate the sign, such that the sign shall be restored to reasonably good condition.

C. Any sign, including its supporting structure, which no longer accurately identifies the current occupant or business activity of the property, after a lapse of 60 days, shall be deemed an abandoned sign and shall be removed by the owner of the property on which it is located, upon 30 days' written notice (given in accordance with § 200-133B) by the Code Enforcement Officer or designee.

D. If the Code Enforcement Officer or designee determines a sign to be potentially unsafe, insecure or a potential or actual menace to the public, he/she shall provide written notice (given in accordance with § 200-133B) to the property owner describing the unsafe condition(s) determined and required remedial actions. The property owner shall have five days from delivery of notice to complete required remedial actions. If the unsafe condition of the sign is not corrected within the stated five-day period, the Code Enforcement Officer or designee is hereby authorized to remove the unsafe sign at the expense of the owner.

E. The Code Enforcement Officer shall immediately and without any notice remove any sign of immediate danger or hazard to persons or property. No person shall maintain or permit to remain upon any premises owned, leased or occupied or used by him, with notice thereof, any unsafe sign or insecure sign liable to injure any person or property.

F. All expenses incurred by the Code Enforcement Officer in taking down or removing any sign under this article shall be charged to the person responsible for such sign and shall constitute a lien on the property upon which such sign was installed as well, which shall be enforceable as a lien for taxes.

G. Municipal infraction. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this article and/or shall fail to abide by and comply with notice(s) from the Code Enforcement Officer or other designee in regard to violations of this article shall be guilty of a municipal infraction and, upon issuance of a citation for such municipal infraction by the Town of Snow Hill Code Enforcement Officer, shall be liable for a fine in an amount not exceeding $1,000 for each violation. Each day in which any such violation shall continue shall be deemed a separate municipal infraction for which a separate citation may be issued against the offending party and a separate fine (in an amount not exceeding $1,000) may be imposed. All fines imposed hereunder are payable to the Town of Snow Hill within 20 calendar days of service of the citation. Citations issued hereunder shall be served in accordance with Maryland law. Any person served with a citation hereunder may elect to stand trial for the infraction by notifying the Town of Snow Hill, in writing, at least five days prior to the required deadline for payment of the fine, of such person's intent to stand trial. Upon timely receipt of such notice, the Town of Snow Hill shall forward to the Worcester County District Court a copy of the citation and the written notice. If a person charged in a citation fails to pay the fine by the date of payment set forth on the citation and fails to deliver to the Town of Snow Hill the written notice of intent to stand trial, the person shall be liable for the assessed fine. Citations issued hereunder shall contain the following: the Code Enforcement Officer's certification attesting to the truth of the matters set forth therein or that the citation is based on an affidavit; the name and address of the person charged; the nature of the infraction; the location and time of the occurrence of the infraction; the amount of the fine being imposed; the manner, location and time within which the fine must be paid; the person's right to elect to stand trial for the infraction; and the effect of failing to pay the assessed fine or demanding a trial within the prescribed time period. The enforcement officer shall retain a copy of the citation to be kept in the records of the Town of Snow Hill.