This chapter shall be known as the "Signs Law."
This chapter is hereby adopted pursuant to the provisions of
the New York State Municipal Home Rule Law.
In accordance with the Comprehensive Plan of 2006 for the Town
of Coeymans, it is the intent of this chapter to promote and protect
the public health and welfare of the residents of the Town of Coeymans
by regulating existing and proposed on-premises advertising signs
and signs of all types within the Town of Coeymans. This chapter is
intended to create a more attractive economic and business climate,
enhance the physical appearance, scenic and natural beauty of the
community.
Signs that were legally erected before the adoption of this
chapter and which do not conform to the provision of this chapter
may continue to be maintained as legal nonconforming signs, provided
that such signs shall not be enlarged, reworded (other than in the
case of theater or cinema signs or other signs that were designed
to periodically change message, including signs designed to list multiple
tenants), redesigned or altered in any way, including repainting in
a different color, except to conform to the requirements of this chapter.
Routine maintenance, including repainting of a nonconforming sign
in the same color and design, shall be allowed.
The following signs are exempt from these provisions:
A. Decorative banners, flags, posters, placards and streamers on residential
premises.
B. Decorative banners on nonresidential premises not containing any
words, labels, figures or descriptions.
C. Permanent monument signs as part of a decorative entryway for pedestrian
or vehicular traffic.
D. Historical markers, tablets and statues, memorial signs and plaques;
names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into any masonry
surface or when constructed of bronze, stainless steel or similar
material; and emblems installed by governmental agencies or religious
or nonprofit organizations, not exceeding six square feet.
E. Flags and insignia of any government.
F. On-premises directional signs for the convenience of the general
public, identifying public parking areas, fire zones, entrances and
exits, not exceeding four square feet per face and six feet in height.
Business names and personal names shall be allowed, excluding advertising
messages.
G. Number and name plates identifying residences mounted on the house,
building, apartment or mailbox, not exceeding two square feet in area.
H. Lawn signs identifying residences, not exceeding one square foot.
Such signs are to be non-illuminated except by a light that is an
integral part of a lamppost if used as a support.
I. Private owner merchandise sale signs for garage sales and auctions
located on the premises, not exceeding four square feet, for a period
not exceeding seven days in any one month.
J. On-premises "No Trespassing" or "Private Property" or similar signs.
K. Real estate signs.
(1) Temporary, nonilluminated "For Sale," "For Rent," and "For Lease"
real estate signs and signs of a similar nature concerning the vacant
or improved real property upon which the sign is located, provided
such signs do not exceed six square feet per side in a residential
district and 32 square feet per side in a nonresidential district.
(2) Temporary "Opening Soon," "Coming Soon," and "Grand Opening" signs,
and signs of a similar nature concerning the vacant or improved real
property upon which the sign is located, provided such signs do not
exceed 32 square feet per side, are limited to one such sign per property
and are displayed only during the period of project construction and/or
for a period not to exceed 30 days from the issuance of a certificate
of occupancy for the establishment(s) advertised by said sign. In
no instance shall said signs be displayed for a period exceeding one
year from the date an application is submitted for the initial building
permit for the project.
L. Temporary, nonilluminated window signs and posters not exceeding
10% of the total window surface of a building.
M. At a gasoline dispensing station, integral graphics or attached price
signs on gasoline pumps and one portable sign per station not exceeding
16 square feet.
N. Drive-through menu boards.
O. Temporary informational and directional signs for meetings, conventions
and other assemblies displayed only for the duration of the event.
P. One sign, not exceeding six square feet in a residential district
or 32 square feet in a nonresidential district, listing the architect,
engineer, contractor and/or owner on premises where construction,
renovation or repair is in progress.
Q. Political posters and similar signs as long as they are not placed
within the right-of-way of any Town street or highway or on any other
Town-owned property.
R. Temporary grand opening banners, advertising banners that do not
exceed 60 square feet in area, are limited to one banner per establishment
and are displayed only during that period commencing on the date of
issuance terminating 30 days thereafter.
S. Temporary "brand" advertising signs, which do not exceed 32 square
feet and are displayed only for a period not longer than 60 days.
T. A flag flown by a business with copy limited to the word "open,"
provided that said flag is attached to the building housing the business,
the size of the flag is no greater than 15 square feet, the flag is
removed when the business is closed, and no more than one flag is
displayed per establishment.
U. Signs that display time and/or temperature, electronic-message-center-type
(LED, LCD) signs which display electronically changeable messages
consisting of illuminated text or graphics that do not exceed 12 square
feet.
There is currently no charge for obtaining a sign permit. Application fees may be set, from time to time, and at the discretion of the Town Board as per the Town of Coeymans Town Code Ch.
A170, Permit Fees.
Any sign authorized pursuant to this chapter may contain a noncommercial
message constituting a form of expression in lieu of other copy.
The Code Enforcement Official shall enforce this chapter and/or
assistants duly authorized by the Town of Coeymans shall enforce this
chapter.