[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
(a)
Purpose. The purpose of this division is to promote and protect
the public health, welfare and safety by regulating existing and proposed
outdoor signs of all types. It is intended to protect property values,
create a more attractive economic and business climate, enhance and
protect the physical appearance of the community, preserve the scenic
and natural beauty and provide a more enjoyable and pleasing community.
It is further intended hereby to reduce sign or advertising distractions
and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents, reduce
hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging or projecting over
public right-of-way, provide more visual open space, to curb the deterioration
of the community’s appearance and attractiveness.
(b)
Applicability. No replacement, modification or installation
of a new sign shall be permitted unless in conformance with this article.
(c)
All signs in the Scenic and Historic District require Scenic
and Historic Commission approval.
[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
The following regulations shall apply to all signs:
(a)
All signs shall be constructed in accordance with the New York
State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, shall be maintained
in a good condition, shall be kept free of defects or hazards and
shall not be allowed to become dilapidated or deteriorated. Excessively
weathered or faded signs shall be removed or put into a good state
of repair. All non-operative or broken interior lighted illuminated
signs shall be repaired.
(b)
Signs may be erected or maintained only in connection with permitted
uses or uses with a valid certificate of non-conformity.
(c)
Signs shall not be erected within the public right-of-way, which
for the purpose of this section shall be construed to extend to and
include the sidewalks on both sides of every street having same.
(d)
No sign shall obstruct any fire escape (or door leading thereto)
or window, nor shall any sign be attached to a fire escape.
(e)
All signs shall be plainly marked with the name and address
of the applicant and/or property owner relative to said sign in a
manner prescribed by the Department of Codes Enforcement.
(f)
Flashing, rotating, revolving, reflecting, intermittent portable
or mobile signs shall be prohibited.
(g)
Illumination of signs shall be so arranged so as to prevent
direction thereof upon a public street or adjacent premises that may
constitute a traffic hazard or public nuisance.
(h)
Snipe signs painted, erected, affixed or maintained on any bench,
utility pole, tree, stone or any natural object in the public right-of-way
shall be prohibited.
(i)
No rooftop balloons shall be allowed.
(j)
No off-premises signs are allowed. This does not apply to billboards.
[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A sign which has not correctly directed at any person or
advertising a bona fide business, lessor, owner, product or activity
conducted or product available on the premises where such sign is
displayed.
Any sign used to promote specific products, brands, events,
sales or other promotions available in connection with the business
operating on the property.
A sign attached to or made a part of a canopy, including
marquees and awnings either attached to a building or freestanding.
Any sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than
upon the premises where such sign is located or to which it is affixed.
A noncommercial sign beneficial to public safety or traffic
control in connection with a use on the lot on which it is displayed
or beneficial to public convenience and safety in connection with
directions to the location of a municipal, religious or noncommercial
public facility.
The number of seconds between changes in the appearance of
an electronic message sign.
An electronic message center (EMC), typically comprising
a liquid crystal diode (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED), plasma,
light bulbs, or other digital illuminated display that contains one
or more messages. An electronic message center is different from an
illuminated sign in that the illumination of the display creates the
message, rather than an internal or external light source illuminating
the message. Also known as "electronic sign" or "digital sign."
A measurement of the amount of light reaching an object.
A footcandle is the measurement of the intensity of one lumen of light
falling on one square foot of surface area one foot away from the
source.
A detached sign which is supported by one or more columns,
uprights, poles or braces extended from the ground or from an object
on the ground, or a detached sign which is erected on the ground,
provided that no part of the sign is attached to any part of any building,
structure or other sign.
Any sign illuminated by electricity, gas or other artificial
light either from the interior or exterior of the sign, and which
includes reflective and phosphorescent light.
Any small sign, emblem or decal of a noncommercial nature
without advertising and intended primarily for the safety and convenience
of the public.
Also known as ‘twirl time’. The amount of time
to transition between two successive messages on an electronic display
sign. (Note: not to be confused with "dwell time" which is the number
of seconds between message change intervals.)
An identification sign for a commercial site with multiple
tenants displaying the names of each tenant on the site.
A sign, whether on its own trailer, wheels, or otherwise,
designed to be movable and not structurally attached to the ground,
a building, a structure or other sign. It does not apply to sidewalk
signs or signs or lettering on buses, taxis, or vehicles operating
during the normal course of business.
A sign which projects more than 15 inches from a building
face and has copy on more than one side.
A sign erected on a vertical framework supported by or located
entirely over the roof of a building.
A moveable sign not secured or attached to the ground or
surface upon which it is located.
Any material, structure or device, or part thereof, composed
of lettered or pictorial matter which is located outdoors, or on the
exterior of any building, or indoors as a window sign, displaying
an advertisement, announcement, notice or name, and shall include
any declaration, demonstration, display, representation, illustration
or insignia used to advertise or promote the interests of any person
or business or cause when such is placed in view of the general public.
Any sign of any material whatsoever that is attached in any
way to a utility pole, tree, or any object located or situated on
public or private property.
Any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display
constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or
other light materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed
before or after an event.
An electronic changeable message sign using instantaneous
transitions and giving the illusion of motion, with no meaningful
dwell time between changes in the display.
A sign which is painted on or attached to the outside wall
of a building with the face of the sign in the plane parallel to such
wall, and not extending more than 15 inches from the face of such
wall.
A sign visible from a sidewalk, street, highway or other
public place, painted or affixed on glass or other window material,
or located inside within six feet of the window, but not including
incidental advertising within an office or business establishment.
