A.
This article regulates signs within the City of Oswego that are visible
from the right-of-way and from beyond the property where erected.
These regulations balance the need to protect the public safety and
welfare, the need for a well-maintained and attractive community and
the need for adequate identification, communication and advertising
for all land uses. The regulations for signs have the following objectives:
(1)
To ensure that signs are designed, constructed, installed and maintained
so that public safety and traffic safety are not compromised.
(2)
To allow and promote positive conditions for meeting a sign user's
needs, while at the same time avoiding nuisances to nearby properties
and promoting an attractive environment.
(3)
To reflect and support the desired character and development patterns
of the various districts and conform to applicable design standards.
(4)
To allow for adequate and effective signs in commercial and industrial
districts while preventing signs from dominating the visual appearance
of the area.
B.
These regulations allow for adequate and multiple types of signs
for a site. The provisions do not necessarily assure or provide for
a property owner's desired level of visibility for the signs.
C.
Unless specified otherwise, the regulations in this article apply
to districts not covered by the Design Standards.
[Amended 3-14-1983]
A.
No sign shall be constructed, erected, altered or relocated until
a sign permit has been issued by the Permit Administrator. Application
for a sign permit shall be made by the property owner to the Permit
Administrator on forms he shall prescribe. The Permit Administrator
may refer an application for a sign permit to the Planning Board for
an advisory opinion. The Common Council, from time to time, shall
establish a schedule of sign permit application fees to defray the
administration costs in processing the application.
B.
An application for a sign in public space shall be approved by the
Common Council before the issuance of a sign permit.
C.
Signs, including support structures, shall be removed within 60 days
following the closing of the permitted facility for which the sign
was issued.
D.
This section regulates the number, size, placement and physical characteristics
of signs. The regulations are not intended to and do not restrict,
limit or control the content and message of signs. The regulations
of this section apply to all districts in the City.
E.
No sign may be erected unless it conforms to the regulations of this
article.
[Amended 7-13-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
A.
The following signs are not permitted in residential districts (defined
as the following zoning districts: TN1, TN2, UR, SR, MT, and WA) or
for residential uses when located on the immediate property, without
first obtaining a permit from the Code Enforcement Department:
B.
The following signs are permitted as of right in residential districts:
(1)
Directional or informational real estate signs not exceeding four
square feet in area on each face.
(2)
Signs necessary for public safety or welfare.
(3)
One ground sign per lot shall be allowed by special permit in TN1,
TN2, SR and UR residential districts for licensed professional offices,
if such offices are allowed therein, that are otherwise allowed in
those districts by special permit. Such signs shall be set back at
least 10 feet from any street line or any other lot line and shall
not exceed 20 square feet in area on each face.
(4)
Lighting, as identified in § 280-56, of ground signs in TN1, TN2, SR and UR residential districts may be allowed by special permit for licensed professional offices, if such offices are allowed therein, but in no case shall the sign be illuminated more than one hour before or one hour after the regular business hours of the professional office.
(5)
Nonilluminated warning, "private drive," "posted" or "no trespassing"
signs, not exceeding two square feet per face.
The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this article
but may be subject to other portions of the City of Oswego Code:
A.
Signs not visible from a right-of-way, private or public road or
other private property.
B.
Building numbers.
C.
Signs carved into or part of materials which are on an integral and
permanent part of the building, noting the name of the building and
its date of erection.
D.
Painted wall decorations and painted wall highlights that present
no message or indication of a use and are meant strictly for artistic,
decorative or design use or enhancement.
E.
Public and/or governmental signs, including traffic or similar regulatory
devices.
F.
Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection
with a commercial promotion.
G.
Holiday decorations.
H.
Elections signs advertising a candidate for public office or any
other public ballot initiative are exempt from these regulations.
Such signs must be displayed only on private property.
The following signs are permitted as of right in business and
industrial districts:
B.
Business signs, with a total area not to exceed three square feet
for each one lineal foot of building frontage.
C.
Nonilluminated professional A-frame or "inverted-T" signs in public
space having a total area not to exceed 20 square feet (including
both sides); meeting all of the following:
(1)
Professional-grade portable signage shall be placed within four feet
of the curb, not at the building wall or in the middle of the sidewalk,
except in areas where green space is within the first four feet from
the curb, the applicant would have the option to place the sign in
green space or inside the sidewalk, whichever is beneficial to the
store owner.
(2)
Every business that wants to use public space for an A-frame or inverted-T
sign must first obtain approval from the Common Council for use of
the public space as well as a permit for the sign.
(3)
A-frame or inverted-T signs shall only be permitted to advertise
the business that they front.
(4)
Placement of signs shall be at the curb directly in front of the
business only during business hours.
(5)
Signs shall be removed during high winds, and removed when the business
is closed. Signs shall be maintained by business owners.
(6)
The City will issue an identifiable sticker with the permit that
must be visibly placed on each sign to show code compliance and that
the proper permit was obtained.
D.
Marquee illuminated flashing portable signs are prohibited both on
private properties as well as on public space.
Post signs shall meet the following requirements:
A.
The top of a post sign shall not exceed 20 feet in height above the
average grade. The bottommost part of a post sign shall not be less
than 10 feet above grade at the site of the sign placement.
B.
Said sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from any street line
or any other lot line.
C.
Said sign shall not exceed 80 square feet in area on each face. The
supports for the sign shall not exceed two-post construction (non-lattice
type).
A.
Ground signs shall not exceed 30 square feet on each face, except for ground signs in TN1, TN2, SR, and UR as permitted in § 280-47, which shall not exceed 20 square feet on each face.
B.
Said sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from any street line
or any other lot line.
C.
The top of a ground sign shall not exceed four feet in height above
the average grade at the site of the sign placement. The bottom most
part of a ground sign shall be at grade or may be within a planter.
Flag/feather signs shall meet the following requirements:
A.
Said sign shall not be placed in public space.
B.
Said sign shall not exceed 30 square feet of area.
C.
Said sign shall be placed a minimum of 12 feet from any public walkway
or sidewalk.
D.
No more than two signs shall be placed per property street frontage.
E.
The sign permit shall be valid for 120 days only.
F.
The sign permit fee shall be $0.50 per square foot of signage on
each face.
Signs attached to or supported by a building and having their
display face parallel to a wall shall not:
A.
Except as permitted by the Design Standards,[1] projecting signs may be permitted in the TD, TB and CD
districts only. All projecting signs shall be subject to review by
the Planning Board. Projecting signs that will be located over City
property and City rights-of-way require review and approval by the
Oswego Common Council.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Design Standards are on file in the City
offices.
B.
Signs attached to or supported by a building and having their display
face perpendicular to a building shall be permitted once they have
met the following requirements:
(1)
The sign shall measure no more than 18 inches by 24 inches and must
be attached to a black steel mounting bracket secured to the facade
of the building and extending no more than 36 inches from the facade.
(2)
The lowest point of the perpendicular sign must extend at least eight
feet from the height of the sidewalk, and the height can be adjusted
upward to accommodate the architectural variations of the facades
belonging to particular buildings in the City. No signs will be allowed
at a height of greater than 12 feet.
(3)
If multiple businesses exist in a building storefront, multiple signs can be considered. The separation between signs must be a least eight feet, and there can be no more than three feet separate mounted signs on a facade 25 feet wide. The Planning Board will consider an alternate sign to identify multiple businesses in a building; for example, three business names on one mounted sign meeting the specifications previously described in Subsection B(1) above.
(4)
Signs shall be centered on the building facade, whenever possible,
and no signs will be allowed within eight feet of each other.
A.
Every sign shall be designed and located in such a manner as to:
Other signs may be permitted under recommendation of the Planning
Board to the Common Council if the Board finds that such a sign:
A.
All signs installed after the effective date of this section shall
have attached to the sign a nameplate giving the sign permit number
and the name and address of the owner, person or corporation responsible
for the general requirements and maintenance as outlined herein.
B.
All internally illuminated signs shall be constructed in conformance
with the Standards for Electric Signs (UL 48) of the Underwriters'
Laboratories Inc., and bear the seal of the Underwriters' Laboratories
label. The sign shall be inspected and certified by an electrical
inspection agency approved by the City.
C.
All transformers, wires and similar items shall be concealed. All
wiring to freestanding signs shall be underground.
D.
All signs, including attached wall, projecting and suspended wall
signs, shall be securely anchored and shall not swing or move in any
manner.
E.
All signs, sign finishes, supports and electric work shall be kept
clean, neatly painted and free from all hazards, such as, but not
limited to, faulty wiring and loose supports, braces, guys and anchors.
F.
All signs shall be painted and/or fabricated in accordance with generally
accepted sign industry standards.
G.
All signs and sign structures shall be erected and attached totally
within the site.
H.
Vision clearance area. No sign may be located within a vision clearance
area. No support structure(s) for a sign may be located in a vision
clearance area unless the combined total width is 12 inches or less
and the combined total depth is 12 inches or less. "Vision clearance
areas" are triangular shaped areas located at the intersection of
any combination of streets, roads, rights-of-way, private roads, alleys
or driveways. The sides of the triangle extend 15 feet from the intersection
of the vehicle traveled areas. The height of the vision clearance
area is from 48 inches above grade to 10 feet above grade.
I.
Vehicle area clearances. When a sign extends over a private area
where vehicles travel or are parked, the bottom of the sign shall
be at least 14 feet above the grade. Vehicle areas include driveways,
alleys, parking lots, loading, maneuvering areas, etc.
J.
Pedestrian area clearances. When a sign extends over private sidewalks,
walkways or other spaces accessible to pedestrians, the bottom of
the sign shall be at least 8 1/2 feet above the grade.
K.
Signs may be erected in required yards and setback areas, unless
otherwise specified in this chapter.
