This chapter passed by order of the Verona Town Board, as elected
and informed by the citizens of Verona, is enacted to preserve, protect,
promote and advance the public health, safety and welfare of the Town
by regulating and establishing standards for the construction and
maintenance of signs. The Town Board has found that the location,
height, size, construction and design of signage within the Town of
Verona has a direct impact on the well-being of Town citizens and
of the ability of those citizens to advertise and communicate within
this community. Although the Town Board encourages and holds sacred
the right of Verona's citizens to make use of their property
to advertise or otherwise communicate, this right must be balanced
with the Town's duty to its citizens to promote peace and quiet
enjoyment within this Town. Accordingly, the sections that follow
will maintain balance between a citizen's ability to advertise
or otherwise communicate, and the dangers, distractions, obstructions
and nuisances that improper signage may cause to the health, welfare,
safety and enjoyment of natural and scenic beauty within the Town
of Verona.
As they appear throughout the following chapter, these terms
shall have these meanings:
ABANDONED SIGN
Any sign which is located on property which becomes vacant
and unoccupied for a period of three months or longer; any sign which
pertains to an event or purpose which no longer applies or exists;
or a sign which no longer advertises a business, product or activity
conducted or available to the premises where such sign is located.
BUSINESS SIGN
A sign that advertises or otherwise promotes a business that
is being lawfully conducted on the premises.
CANOPY SIGN
A sign affixed to the front vertical surfaces of a canopy,
classified as a wall sign.
DIGITAL SIGN
A sign that advertises or otherwise communicates using LCD,
plasma or other digital imaging medium.
DIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign which emits artificial light directly or through a
transparent or translucent material from a source of light connected
to the sign or part of the sign structure. The light emitted from
such a sign may not illuminate a residentially zoned or residentially
used parcel.
DIRECTORY SIGN
A sign identifying two or more persons, agencies or establishments
existing in an area common to all.
DISPLAY WINDOW
Any glass or other transparent or translucent material comprising
a panel, window or door of a building.
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN
A sign designed to be viewed from two directions and which
at no point is thicker than 24 inches measured from the exterior surface
of each face, and the two faces of the sign are either parallel or
the angle between them is 30° or less.
ELECTRICAL SIGN
Any sign containing any electrical device, fixture or accessory.
ENTRANCE SIGN
Any sign affixed to or incorporated into the exterior face
of any wall having an entrance facing a public thoroughfare or the
subject parcel's parking area.
FLAG
Any flexible material, usually cloth, upon which a design,
letters, symbols or unadorned material is displayed. Often mounted
to a staff at two points, flag signs may be displayed hanging against
the face of a building, suspended from an overhanging support, as
a freestanding sign or as a projecting sign.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign which is supported by one or more uprights, poles
or braces, or by a base of wood, stone or cement, in or upon the ground.
This definition shall not include portable signs.
GOVERNMENTAL SIGN
Any sign erected and maintained by or at the direction of
any governmental body, organization, agency or corporation.
GROUND SIGN
Any sign erected on or attached to a freestanding frame,
mast, pole or structure. Any sign partially attached to a building
and partially attached to a freestanding frame, mast, pole or structure
shall be considered a ground sign.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign which identifies a business, industry, service or
attraction conducted upon the lot on which the sign is displayed or
which attracts attention to a commodity sold or displayed upon the
lot or premises.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any sign which is lighted from within or without. Illuminated
signs must be illuminated by a constant, rather than intermittent,
source of light.
INDIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign illuminated by a source of light which is detached
from the sign structure and which is shielded so that illumination
is directed upon the sign, and the source of light is not visible
from an adjoining property or street.
INSTITUTIONAL SIGN
A sign on the premises of a school, church, hospital or other
public institution, provided that such sign face does not exceed 32
square feet.
LED SIGN
A "light emitting diode" or "LED" sign is one comprised of
a set of electric powered bulbs that emit light in one or more patterns
of words, diagrams or pictures.
MARQUEE SIGN
A canopy extending more than one foot from a building, with
lettering thereon.
MONUMENT SIGN
A freestanding identification sign erected upon a masonry
base and not supported by columns, girders or other structural elements.
PORTABLE SIGN
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground, a building
or vehicle, such as, but not limited to, a sign designed to be transported
by means of wheels with the exception of a sign attached to or painted
on a vehicle and used in the normal day-to-day operation of said vehicle
or in an authorized parade; a sign attached to or painted on a vehicle
parked and visible from the public right-of-way; an A-frame or sandwich
board sign; and balloons used as signs.
ROOF SIGN
A sign erected upon a roof or parapet of a building or structure.
SIGN
Any identification, description, illustration, symbol, structure,
material, statue or device, illuminated or nonilluminated, which is
visible from any public place, designed or employed to advertise,
identify or convey information, but not including governmental signs.
SIGN FACE
The entire surface area of a sign upon which the advertisement
or communication is located.
STREAMER
Any piece of cloth, plastic or other flexible material more
than 10 feet in length when unfurled and placed on the ground and
attached as one or both ends to a mast, pole, building or structure.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign usually displayed for 30 days or less. Due to the
nature of the message, some types of temporary signs may exceed this
time frame. For instance, point of view signs and political signs.
UTILITY SIGN
Standard signage erected and maintained by or at the direction
of a public utility.
WALL SIGN
Any sign, other than an entrance sign, affixed to or incorporated
into the exterior face of any wall of any building and which does
not extend more than 12 inches beyond such wall at any point of measurement.
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign that is affixed to or painted on the interior of
a window or any sign located within one foot of the inside face of
the window and is designed to be visible from the exterior of the
window.
The permit for an abandoned sign expires at the time of abandonment
as defined herein and as determined on a case-by-case basis by the
Town Code Enforcement Officer.
No sign shall advertise, announce, refer to or call attention
to any business, commercial product or commercial service not performed
on or connected with the property or building on which the sign is
located without a permit.
No sign shall be erected, placed or maintained in any RD, RR,
or R district, except:
A. Not more than two signs in connection with the sale, rental, construction
or improvement of the land or premises upon which the sign is located.
The maximum dimensions thereof shall be an area of four square feet
and any such sign structure may not be higher than five feet off the
ground.
B. House numbers and nameplates not exceeding two square feet of sign
face for each residential building. No more than two house numbers
or nameplates shall be allowed for each residential building. Such
house number or nameplate may be indirectly illuminated signs with
a maximum illumination wattage of 15. If affixed to the ground, such
house numbers or nameplates must be placed at least 10 feet from the
nearest property line, with a maximum height of four feet off the
ground.
C. Not more than two signs containing a cautionary message, such as
"Beware of Dog" or "No Trespassing," provided that the sign face of
such signs shall not exceed two square feet and are not illuminated
signs.
D. Institutional signs, as defined herein.
E. Business signs pertaining only to a permitted business use of the
premises on which the sign is located, provided that such signs shall
not exceed 20 square feet of sign face per side.
F. Digital and LED signs only with a Zoning Board of Appeals special
permit and only along NYS Routes 13, 31, 46, 49 and 365.
G. Signs advertising functions, uses, products or services that are
not available on the premises where the sign is located may be allowed
following a site plan review and written authorization by the Zoning
Board of Appeals and that such sign face shall be no larger than 32
square feet.
The following signs shall be permitted in CNS and HCR Districts:
A. Signs permitted in RD, RR or R Districts.
B. Front facade business signs, provided that the maximum sign area
is no larger than one square foot per linear foot of building frontage.
Building frontage shall mean the length of the building parallel to
the street and on which the wall sign shall be located.
C. Second side facade business signs, permitted on so much of a building's
side that faces a public right-of-way. Such side facade is permitted
in addition to a front facade wall business sign but sign face is
restricted to a maximum of one square foot per every two linear feet
of second side building frontage.
D. Rear side facade business signs may be permitted on so much of a
building's third side facing a public right-of-way if both a
front and second side facade business sign have been erected on the
premises. Any rear side facade business sign face shall be no larger
than 10 square feet.
E. One freestanding sign including building directory signs or monument
signs. Freestanding signs must be set back five feet from the curb
or right-of-way where no sidewalks exist, or at least one foot from
an existing sidewalk. More than one freestanding sign may be erected
only upon written approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
F. Billboards and off-site advertising signs shall be permitted only
along what is currently marked New York State Route 13, Route 31,
Route 46, Route 49 and Route 365, and only after a special permit
has been approved in writing by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
G. Directional signage. Signs exclusively directing traffic or parking
on premises open to the public, subject to the approval of the Zoning
Board of Appeals as to the number and location adequate to provide
a safe and controlled flow of traffic and parking on the premises.
Such signs shall not exceed four square feet in area and shall not
exceed three feet in height. Such signs may be double-sided but no
larger than eight inches in depth.
The following signs shall be permitted in PUD, PC and HC&I
districts:
A. Signs permitted in CNS and HCR districts.
B. On-site business signs having a sign face no greater than 200 square
feet, unless approved in writing by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
C. No sign shall be located higher than the roofline of the parcel's
principal structure and in any event shall not exceed 35 feet in height.
Notwithstanding the other sections of this chapter, the following
regulations will apply to temporary signage. Temporary signs require
permits and are to be taken down 45 days after their construction.
The Town Codes Office will furnish temporary sign applications, and
no more than two temporary sign permits may be issued for any one
parcel within a twelve-month span. Due to the nature of the messages,
some temporary signs may exceed this time frame in accordance with
the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution. Any variance
from this section must be approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
A. No temporary sign may be placed or operated in such a manner as to
cause a traffic hazard due to its location, shape, color or position.
B. No sign shall use any words, symbols or colors that may interfere
with, mislead or confuse traffic.
C. No signs shall be placed on trees, utility poles or culverts.
D. No sign shall be illuminated in such a manner as to cause glare or
reflection or disturb any Verona Town resident's ability to quietly
and peacefully enjoy their property.
E. Political signs such as posters and banners representing a campaign
or candidate are allowed, provided that such sign faces are no larger
than 32 square feet. Such signs shall be removed within 10 days of
the completion of such election or event.
F. One inflatable sign shall be allowed per parcel. Inflatable signs
shall only include cold-air inflatable signs and shall only be constructed
with a permit. Inflatable sign permits last for 30 days unless specified
otherwise in the permit. Inflatable signs shall not float or otherwise
exist higher than 30 feet off of the ground.
G. A streamer must be solid in color and, when unfurled and placed flat
on the ground, must have a width of no more than 12 inches. A streamer
must be made of weatherproof material and securely fastened to a mast,
pole, building or structure. A streamer shall be considered a sign,
and a streamer is permitted only as a temporary sign.
Window signs shall be permitted CNS, HCR, PUD, PC and HC&I
Districts, subject to the following restrictions:
A. There shall be no more than one window sign per wall, except in the
case of a building which has been divided into separate units, in
which case one window sign per unit shall be allowed.
B. No window sign shall exceed 20 feet in length or five feet in height.
C. No window sign shall be erected, constructed or maintained which
shall obstruct more than 50% of the total glass area of the building
on which it is affixed.
Signs in gasoline and/or petroleum filling stations and/or garages
that display the selling price of gasoline, car parts and car accessories
shall be permitted subject to the following additional restrictions:
A. One price sign not to exceed 12 square feet, with changeable uniform
letters, together with the grade, if any, of the gasoline. The price
sign shall be mounted on the station's logo-pylon at least eight
feet off of the ground, but no more than 15 feet off of the ground,
or, mounted on a building at least eight feet from the ground, but
no more than 15 feet above grade or above the building's roofline.
Such sign shall otherwise conform with the provisions of this chapter.
B. Signs or placards on any gasoline pump or dispensing service no larger
than one square foot are also permitted.
The following signs may be erected and maintained without permits,
provided that such signs do not interfere with public health and safety
and do not constitute a nuisance.
A. Flags or insignia of a country or government, except when displayed
for commercial promotion.
B. Historical markers, tablets, statues, memorial signs.
C. Both on-premises and off-premises temporary, portable directional
signs for the convenience of the general public, identifying business,
public parking areas, fire zones, bus and service entrances and exits
and similar signs, directly or indirectly illuminated signs, not to
exceed four-square feet per face and six feet in height. (These signs
must be removed during nonbusiness hours.)
D. Posted or no trespassing signs, not to exceed two square feet.
E. Number and nameplates, identifying residents, mounted on the house,
apartment, mailbox or lamppost not exceeding one square foot in area.
All signs within the Town of Verona shall be maintained by the
permit applicant or, if none, the sign owner or the landowner on which
the sign is located, pursuant to the subsections below:
A. Signs shall be maintained/galvanized to prevent rust, and painted
signs must be repainted when the Code Enforcement Officer determines
more than 25% of the paint has chipped away.
B. Any sign found to be broken, damaged or unsafe upon inspection by
the Code Enforcement Officer shall be repaired or made secure by the
applicant, sign owner or landowner. Notice of a broken, damaged or
unsafe sign must be mailed certified mail, return receipt requested,
to the permit applicant, sign owner or landowner ordering the sign
repaired, secured or removed. If the sign has not been repaired, secured
or removed within 30 days of the receipt of the notice, the Code Enforcement
Officer may revoke the sign permit and remove the sign. If the sign
poses an imminent danger to any person, the Code Enforcement Officer
shall cause such a dangerous sign to be made safe or removed, without
notice.
C. Any costs incurred by the Town in removing a sign shall cause a lien
to be placed on the property for the benefit of the Town in the amount
of costs incurred.
The following operations shall not be considered as creating
a sign insofar as requiring the issuance of a sign permit, provided
that the sign is in conformance with all other provisions of this
chapter:
A. Changing the printed message on an existing approved sign.
B. Painting, cleaning, other normal maintenance of a sign not involving
structural changes.
A sign permit may be revoked by Verona's Code Enforcement
Officer for the following reasons:
A. The Code Enforcement Officer determines that the sign as constructed
violates this chapter.
B. The sign is altered in such a way as would require a new permit.