The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the type, location,
erection, movement, reconstruction, enlargement, expansion, alteration,
conversion, operation, maintenance, placement, relocation, removal,
size, number and character of all signs in the Town of Barton in order
to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by:
A. Reducing the depreciation of property values caused by signs that
are incompatible with surrounding land uses;
B. Creating a more attractive economic and business climate within the
Town;
C. Enhancing and protecting the physical appearance of all areas of
the Town;
D. Protecting signs from obstruction by other signs; and
E. Reducing the distractions, obstructions, and hazards to pedestrian
and auto traffic caused by the indiscriminate placement and use of
signs.
The regulations of this chapter shall govern and control the type, location, erection, movement, reconstruction, enlargement, expansion, alteration, conversion, operation, maintenance, placement, relocation, removal, size, number, and character of all signs in the Town of Barton visible from any public street, public walkway, or public or private common open space. Any sign not expressly permitted by these regulations shall be prohibited. The regulations of this chapter relate to the location of signs, by function and type, within zoning districts established under the provisions of Chapter
500, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Barton, as amended. The regulations of this chapter shall be in addition to the provisions of Chapter
500, Zoning, and other Town of Barton codes and ordinances applicable to the construction and maintenance of signs.
No sign shall hereinafter be located, erected, moved, reconstructed,
enlarged, expanded, altered, converted, operated, placed, or relocated
without obtaining a sign permit from the Zoning Administrator, with
the following exceptions:
A. Memorial signs and tablets displayed on public property or in cemeteries.
B. Address numerals and signs not exceeding two square feet in area
and bearing the names of occupants of the premises.
D. On-site traffic directional signs, traffic control signs, and parking
signs which bear no advertising and do not exceed three square feet
in area.
E. Home occupation signs mounted against the building and not exceeding
four square feet in area. Freestanding home occupation signs are allowed
but must be 10 feet off the road right-of-way, must not exceed five
feet in height from surrounding grade and must not exceed four square
feet in area. No home occupation signs are allowed to be illuminated
by any means.
F. Governmental signs and governmental entity flags which are the official
flags of the United States, State of Wisconsin, Washington County,
or the Town of Barton and which are properly displayed.
G. Gasoline price signs as required by law and not larger than 10 square
feet in surface area.
H. "No Trespassing" and "No Dumping" signs, provided that no such sign
shall exceed two square feet in surface area.
I. No more than one "Open/Closed" and one "Vacancy/No Vacancy" sign,
not exceeding two square feet in area each, displayed for each business.
J. Window signs not exceeding 50% of the glass area of the glass pane
upon which the sign is displayed.
K. Repainting, changing of parts, and preventive maintenance of signs
located on the site.
L. Government-related and quasi-government-related off-premises directional
signs to give sufficient public notice of the location of governmental
facilities, hospitals, colleges, schools, and unincorporated areas.
The maximum size of each sign shall be four square feet.
M. Real estate signs, election campaign signs, development signs, and construction signs, as regulated by §
428-12 and Wisconsin Statutes (Chs. 84 and 86) and the Wisconsin Administrative Code.