The purpose of this article is to promote and protect public health, safety and welfare in the Village of Cayuga Heights by regulating existing and proposed outdoor signs and indoor window signs of all types. The terms of this article are intended to protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business climate, enhance and protect the physical appearance of the community, preserve scenic and natural beauty, reduce distractions and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents, and to maintain public safety, consistent with constitutional requirements protecting freedom of speech and expression and allowing adequate business identification.
All outdoor signs and indoor window signs are subject to the regulations of this article unless specifically excluded as follows:
A. 
Any sign owned and installed by a governmental agency or required by any law, governmental order or regulation;
B. 
Government flags and insignia, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion;
C. 
Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts or moving lights;
D. 
Signs carried by hand;
E. 
Signage permanently painted, sealed, or adhered on motor vehicles registered for commercial purposes and containing information pursuant to the conduct of those commercial purposes, including, but not limited to, the name, address, telephone number, website and e-mail address of the business entity owning or utilizing the vehicle.
A. 
Flashing, moving or the appearance of moving, animated, rotating, oscillating, or fluttering signs.
B. 
Signs that produce noise, sound, odor, smoke, visible vapors or particles, or any other emission.
C. 
Signs suspended by any rope, chain, or other device that allows the sign to swing or move due to wind action.
D. 
Signs employing a mirror or other reflective devices.
E. 
Signs, including a flag, banner, pinwheel, balloon, pennant, or streamer.
F. 
Signs consisting of highly reflective glass or fluorescent paint.
G. 
Signs affixed to the exterior of a window or glass.
H. 
Signs of such design and location that they interfere with, compete for attention with, or may be mistaken for a traffic sign or signal or may be hazardous to traffic.
I. 
Freestanding or projecting signs within an area bounded by the intersection of the right-of-way of two or more streets and located within 30 feet from such intersection measured along the rights-of-way of such streets, except informational signs erected by a governmental body.
J. 
Billboards.
K. 
Signs that are displayed in such a manner as to disturb occupants of any other building.
L. 
Neon signs framing windows.
M. 
Signs attached to or incorporated onto a light pole.
N. 
Signs painted, posted, or otherwise attached to any rock, fence, or vehicle except as permitted in accordance with § 305-63E above.
O. 
Window and door signs exceeding 15% of the glass area and temporary window and door signs exceeding 10% of the glass area.
P. 
Signs erected or located on, within, or over any public right-of-way unless specifically permitted in this article.
Q. 
Commercial signs not accessory to a commercial use located on the premises unless specifically permitted in this article.
R. 
Any sign erected, constructed, or maintained on or above the roof of a building.
S. 
Internally lit "can" or cabinet signs with transparent backgrounds.
T. 
Portable signs standing on the ground or attached to a vehicle or trailer or a vehicle or trailer used primarily as a sign or a structural support for a sign, except as permitted in accordance with § 305-63E above.
U. 
Bench signs.
V. 
Inflatable signs.
W. 
Signs, in whole or in part, that are obscene or pornographic in character.
X. 
Self-illuminated or back-illuminated signs, including, but not limited to, LED panels.
The provisions of this section shall apply in all zoning districts unless noted otherwise.
A. 
The following signs are permitted in any zoning district of the Village without a sign permit, subject to the restrictions set forth above in § 305-64:
(1) 
Signs advertising the proposed sale, lease, or rental of the premises upon which the sign is located, provided that:
(a) 
The sign shall not exceed six square feet in area and four feet in height;
(b) 
The sign shall not be closer than three feet to any lot line;
(c) 
The sign shall not be closer than 15 feet from any road or driveway;
(d) 
The sign shall not be located in any public right-of-way;
(e) 
The sign shall be removed within 24 hours after the sale has closed or rental lease has been signed, as the case may be;
(f) 
No more than one such sign is permitted per property;
(2) 
In the Residential Zone and in the Multiple Housing Zone, one professional nameplate not exceeding one square foot in area and affixed to the wall of a building;
(3) 
One sign denoting the name and address of the occupants of premises used for residential purposes, such sign not to exceed one square foot in area;
(4) 
One sign per building permit denoting the architect, engineer and/or contractor, placed on the premises where construction, repair or renovation is in progress, provided that:
(a) 
The sign shall not exceed six square feet in area and four feet in height;
(b) 
The sign shall not be closer than three feet to any lot line;
(c) 
The sign shall not be located in any public right-of-way;
(d) 
The sign shall be removed within 24 hours after issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the construction, repair or renovation.
(5) 
In the Commercial Zone, directional (entrance/exit) signs on premises, each not exceeding two square feet in area, and which shall not include any trademarks or names of businesses conducted or products sold;
(6) 
A sign or notice, having an area of 10 square feet or less, of a public utility necessary for the direction, information, or safety of the public.
B. 
Except for the signs specified in Subsection A(1) through (6) above, no other permanent sign shall be erected in any zoning district of the Village without first securing a permit to erect such signs from the Code Enforcement Officer.
C. 
Any modification or redesign of any existing nonexempt permanent sign shall require a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer.
D. 
In order to obtain a sign permit, the proposed sign shall be in compliance both with the restrictions set forth above in § 305-64 and with the design guidelines specified below in § 305-70.
Noncommercial temporary signs shall be allowed in all zoning districts in addition to any other signs permitted by this article, without a permit, subject to the restrictions set forth above in § 305-64 and to the following additional restrictions and specifications:
A. 
Not more than one temporary sign at any time may be erected or maintained on any parcel by the property owner. Any such temporary sign may remain on the parcel for a period not exceeding 60 calendar days.
B. 
After the elapse of four months following the last day that a temporary sign had been erected, a second temporary sign may be erected on the same parcel by the property owner for a second period not to exceed 60 calendar days. There shall be no more than two such periods of 60 calendar days within any twelve-month period.
C. 
No temporary sign shall be larger than six square feet in area or more than four feet in height.
D. 
No temporary sign shall be closer than three feet to any lot line.
E. 
No temporary sign shall be located in the Village's public right-of-way.
F. 
No temporary sign shall be illuminated.
Temporary banners announcing community events held within the Village are subject to the following regulations:
A. 
The banner will be limited to announcing community events approved by the Village's Board of Trustees and held within the Village;
B. 
The banner will require a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer;
C. 
The banner shall be placed only within the Commercial Zone and the design, location, and mounting shall be approved by the Code Enforcement Officer;
D. 
Display of the banner shall be limited to 14 calendar days prior to an event and shall be removed within two calendar days after the event.
Historic signs designated by a recognized governmental agency or authority and approved by the Village's Planning Board shall be consistent in materials and size with other historic signs already existing in the Village.
The following commercial signs require a sign permit. Said signs shall denote only the name of the owner, street address, trade names, trademarks, products sold and/or the business(es) or activity conducted on the premises where such sign is located, and said signs may be erected only in accordance with the following requirements.
A. 
The following commercial signs are permitted in the Multiple Housing Zone and in the Commercial Zone:
(1) 
One sign and one bulletin board customarily incident to places of worship, libraries, and museums, to be located on the premises of such institutions, and such sign and bulletin board cumulatively not to exceed 18 square feet in area.
(2) 
One sign for social clubs or societies, to be located on the premises of such institutions, not to exceed six square feet in area.
B. 
The following commercial signs are permitted only in the Commercial Zone:
(1) 
Each building may have one or two signs, whose total cumulative area shall not exceed 20 square feet. Said signs may be attached to or painted on the front or face of a building or one or both signs may be indoor signs.
(2) 
Where more than one business occupies a single building, in place of the sign restrictions in § 305-69B(1) above, each business may have one or two signs whose total area shall not exceed 10 square feet. Indoor signs are included in the sign count and area calculation.
(3) 
If there are more than two businesses operated on any one parcel or contiguous parcels, which parcel or parcels are under the ownership, operation, management, or control of the same person, persons, firms, corporation, or other entity, such as a shopping center or other multi-use facility, one free standing sign which shall not exceed 20 square feet shall be permitted for the parcel, parcels, development, or shopping center as a whole, regardless of the number of separate businesses operated thereon. The signs for each individual business must comply with the requirements of § 305-69B(1) above.
(4) 
Signs advertising store hours and "rules" of conduct are exempt from this section.
Commercial "off-premises" signs, including, but not limited to, signs advertising a business not located on the premises where the sign is located, or directional real estate or yard sale signs not located on the premises where the real estate or yard sale is occurring, are not permitted in any zoning district.
A. 
The following design standards are mandatory requirements for all signs:
(1) 
Any illuminated sign and any lighting device for a sign shall employ only lights emitting constant intensity, and the direction and intensity of such lights shall not cause any nuisance or traffic hazard and shall comply with the requirements of § 305-72 of this article;
(2) 
A sign may project horizontally not more than two feet from the front or face of a building;
(3) 
The maximum height of any part of a freestanding sign shall be six feet above ground level except for local tourist-oriented directional signs (see definition herein) which shall be a maximum of nine feet above ground level;
(4) 
Additional standards for wall signs:
(a) 
Only one wall sign per commercial establishment shall be permitted unless that establishment has street frontage on more than one side;
(b) 
All wall signs shall be located on the building front or face wall, except as permitted by this article;
(c) 
No wall sign shall extend beyond the outer edge of any wall of the building to which it is attached;
(d) 
No wall sign shall extend above the eaves of the building to which it is attached;
(e) 
No wall sign shall extend above the floor or level of the floor of a second story of a building upon which such sign is attached;
(f) 
A wall sign shall be parallel to the wall to which it is attached and shall not project more than 12 inches therefrom;
(g) 
No wall sign shall contain letters, numbers or other cryptic symbols which exceed 12 inches in height or width.
B. 
The following design guidelines are intended to foster appropriate and compatible graphic design, material, colors, illumination, and placement of proposed signs and provide guidance to the Code Enforcement Officer, Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals:
(1) 
Signs should be appropriate to the architectural character of the building or buildings with which they are associated;
(2) 
Sign panels and graphics should relate with and not cover architectural features or details and should be in proportion to them;
(3) 
Layout should be orderly and graphics concise;
(4) 
No more than two typefaces should be used on any one sign or group of signs indicating one message;
(5) 
The number of colors used should be the minimum consistent with the design;
(6) 
Illumination should be appropriate to the character of the sign and its surroundings and shall be in accordance with § 305-72 of this article;
(7) 
Groups of related signs or multiple signs located on the same premises should express uniformity and create a harmonious appearance.
A. 
The area, brilliance, character, color, degree, density, intensity, location and type of sign lighting shall be the minimum necessary for the intended purpose of such illumination, consistent with public safety and welfare.
B. 
No illumination shall be located so as to be confused with traffic control signals, either by color or proximity.
C. 
All sources of illumination shall be shielded or directed in such a manner that the direct rays therefrom are not cast upon any property other than the lot on which such illumination is situated and shall not interfere with the normal enjoyment of residential uses.
D. 
Illumination shall be steady in nature, not flashing, moving or giving the appearance of moving, not changing in brilliance, color or intensity.
E. 
Signs shall be illuminated indirectly or internally with white light. Exposed neon tubing and signs containing words or symbols shaped or formed directly from neon tubes or similar illuminating devices are not permitted. Neon and other gas-type illumination shall be permitted within an internally lighted sign, provided that such lighting is transmitted through the letters or symbols of the sign, and further provided that such letters or symbols are designed for and integrated into the face of the sign prior to erection and are not glued, pinned or otherwise affixed to the face of the sign. Internal lighting which shows through the translucent area of the face of a sign not containing words or symbols is not permitted.
F. 
All sign lighting shall be turned off within one hour of the close of the business referenced by the sign and remain turned off until one hour prior to the opening of such business. Verification of the ability to control the sign lighting shall be required as part of a sign permit application.
A. 
All signs shall be securely built subject to the approval of the Code Enforcement Officer as to the structural safety thereof by recognized engineering standards. All wood portions of signs and sign structures must be painted or treated to prevent decay.
B. 
All signs shall be maintained in good structural condition at all times and be kept clean and neatly painted, including all supports and appurtenances.
C. 
The owner of a sign and/or the owner of the premises on which such sign is located shall be jointly and severally liable to maintain such sign, including any illumination sources, in a neat and orderly condition and good working order at all times and to prevent the development of any rust, corrosion, rotting, or other deterioration in the physical appearance or safety of such sign.
D. 
The Code Enforcement Officer shall have the authority to order the painting, repair, alteration, or removal of any sign which constitutes a hazard to the public health, safety, or general welfare by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or obsolescence. Evidence of a hazardous sign shall include, but is not limited to, signs swinging as a result of wind pressure, hazards to vehicular traffic or pedestrians, and signs obstructing any part of a window, doorway, ventilation system, fire exit or any means of ingress or egress.
E. 
Unsafe signs, damaged or deteriorated signs, or signs in danger of falling shall be put in order or removed upon written notice by the Code Enforcement Officer. Immediate compliance is expected for the repair or removal of unsafe signs. If compliance is not achieved within the time period specified in such notice, the sign shall be repaired or removed by the Village and the costs assessed to the property owner.
F. 
Unsafe temporary signs, damaged or deteriorated temporary signs, or temporary signs in danger of falling shall be put in order or removed upon written notice by the Code Enforcement Officer. Immediate compliance is expected for the repair or removal of unsafe temporary signs.
A. 
The area of a sign shall be measured from the outer dimensions of the frame, trim, or molding by which the sign is enclosed, where they exist, or from the outer edge of the signboard where they do not exist.
B. 
When a sign consists of individual letters, symbols, or characters without a frame, its area shall be computed as the area of the smallest rectangle which encloses all of the letters, symbols, and characters.
C. 
When a sign consists of two faces, only one face of the sign shall be used in computing the sign area if the faces are parallel to and within 12 inches of each other. Otherwise, all faces of the sign shall be used to compute the sign area.
D. 
The area of a three-dimensional representational sign shall be computed as the largest face of the smallest rectangular box which encompasses the sign.
A. 
Signs legally existing prior to the effective date of this article, or of any amendment hereto, that now fail to conform to the current requirements of this article may continue to be maintained, provided that any such sign shall not be enlarged, altered, relocated, or replaced except in accordance with the provisions of this article.
B. 
A nonconforming sign shall be removed or brought into conformity with the requirements of this article upon a change in use of the premises upon which such sign is located within 30 calendar days of said change in use.
C. 
A nonconforming sign related to an existing use shall be removed or made conforming prior to the issuance of any subsequent sign permit for such use.
A. 
Application for a sign permit shall be made, in writing, upon forms provided by the Village's Code Enforcement Officer, and there shall be attached a detailed, to-scale drawing or blueprint showing a description of the construction details of the sign and showing all the lettering and/or graphic matter composing the sign; position of lighting or other extraneous devices; a location plan showing the position of the sign on any building or land, and its position in relation to nearby buildings or structures and to any private or public street or highway.
B. 
A fee as set by the Village's Board of Trustees is due on submittal of the sign permit application.
C. 
No sign permit shall be issued until the permit application fee has been paid.
A. 
The provisions of this article shall be administered and enforced by the Village's Code Enforcement Officer, who shall have the authority to enter upon the premises upon which a sign is located or is to be located to make inspections in accordance with Article XVI below.
B. 
If the Code Enforcement Officer determines that a sign permit application is complete and complies with the requirements of this article, the Code Enforcement Officer shall issue a sign permit.
C. 
If the Code Enforcement Officer determines that a sign permit application is incomplete or that the proposed sign does not comply with the requirements of this article, the Code Enforcement Officer shall notify the applicant as soon as practicable.
D. 
As part of the application process, the Code Enforcement Officer may refer the application to the Village's Planning Board for review and advice.
E. 
Revocation of permit and removal of signs.
(1) 
Any sign which advertises a business that is no longer conducted on the premises shall be removed by the owner of the premises upon which such sign is located as soon as the business ceases to operate on said premises.
(2) 
No sign, whether new or existing, shall hereafter be erected or altered except in conformity with the provisions of this article.
(3) 
In the event of a violation of any of the provisions of this article, the Code Enforcement Officer shall notify, in writing, the owner of the premises on which the noncompliant sign is located to remove, repair, or bring the sign into compliance within 30 calendar days of the date of such notice, except in the case of unsafe signs, in which case the owner must effect compliance immediately upon receipt of such written notice.
(4) 
In the event of failure to comply with the requirements of said notice within the period required therein, the permit for such sign shall be automatically revoked and the owner of the land on which such sign is erected shall immediately remove such sign.
The owner of the premises upon which the sign is or is intended to be located, or the person responsible for the sign, may appeal a determination of the Code Enforcement Officer under this article to the Village's Zoning Board of Appeals in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article XX.