The purposes of these sign regulations include, but are not limited to, the following: to encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the Town; to maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment and the Town's ability to attract sources of economic development and growth; to improve pedestrian and traffic safety; to minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property; to provide for a mechanism for avoiding visual clutter; and to enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign restrictions.
A.
Applicability; effect. A sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created, or maintained in the Town only in conformance with the standards, procedures, and other requirements of this chapter. The effect of this section as more specifically set forth herein is:
(1)
To establish a permit system to allow a variety of types of signs in the Town, subject to the standards and the permit procedures of this chapter;
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(2)
To allow signs in order to promote and foster the free expression of ideas consistent with the scheme set forth in the Constitution of the United States and the New York State Constitution;
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(3)
To 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 chapter, but without the requirement for permits;
(4)
To prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by this chapter; and
(5)
To provide for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.
B.
Exceptions. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "sign" does not include:
(1)
Signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental function.
(2)
Signs prohibiting trespassing.
(3)
Integral, decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters or trademarks.
(4)
Signs not exceeding four square feet per face, directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property and bearing no advertising, trademarks or logos.
(5)
Signs not exceeding one square foot per face, advertising the cost of motor fuel when attached to a fuel pump or service island canopy.
(6)
Signs maintained by residents for purposes of conducting a garage sale, providing such sign is removed within 24 hours of the close of the sale.
C. AGRICULTURAL OR HORTICULTURAL SELLING PURPOSES BUILDING MARKER SIGN SIGN FACE AREA SIGN, BILLBOARD SIGN, FREESTANDING SIGN, INCIDENTAL SIGN, PROJECTING SIGN, TEMPORARY/PORTABLE SIGN, WALL
Sign definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall have meanings indicated:
Any sign, wording, logo, or other representation that advertises or calls attention to a business which sells and/or promotes seasonal agricultural or horticultural products and/or services, including but not limited to the sale of fruits, vegetables, plants, trees and flowers, and associated goods and services.
[Added 4-12-2012 by L.L. No. 1-2012]
Any sign indicating the name of a building and date and incidental information about its construction, which sign is cut into a masonry surface or made of bronze or other permanent material.[1]
A name, identification, description, display or illustration which is affixed to, painted or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure or piece of land which directs attention to an object, product, service, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business and the supporting members thereto. A motor vehicle or trailer shall be deemed a sign if it is lettered or displayed in such a fashion so as to attract attention and is utilized to advertise or otherwise call attention to a business located in, or event taking place in, the Town of Sardinia or surrounding communities.
The entire area within the single, continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of writing, representation, emblems or any figure of similar character together with any material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate such sign from the background against which it is placed. The supports, upright or structures on which any sign is supported shall not be included in determining the sign face area unless such supports, uprights or structures are designed in such a manner as to form an integral part of the display. Where a sign has only two faces, the area of one sign shall be the face area of the sign. Where a sign has more than two faces, the area of all the faces shall be the face area of the sign.
Any sign that attracts attention to an object, product, service, place, activity, institution, organization or business not available or located on the lot where the sign is located.
A sign resting upon or attached to the ground by means of a integral base or one or more poles or standards. Freestanding signs include both pole signs and ground signs.
A sign that has a purpose secondary to the building lot on which it is located, such as "no parking," "loading only," building directories and similar directives.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Any sign affixed to a building or wall in such a manner that its leading edge extends more than 12 inches beyond the surface of such building or wall.
Any sign that is used only temporarily and is not permanently mounted.
A sign integral with or attached to and supported by the exterior wall of a building or fascia attached to such wall and projecting not more than 12 inches therefrom.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
