[Amended 9-7-1976; 9-5-1978; 6-11-1979]
This article is intended to control outdoor
signs of all types and in all zoning districts by regulating size,
location, quantity, quality, content and design to:
A.
Protect the safety of the public.
B.
Enhance the aesthetic environment of the Town.
C.
Reduce motorist distraction.
D.
Provide for uniform design standards.
E.
Encourage excellence in sign design.
F.
Improve business identification and sign comprehension.
G.
Limit the use of energy in sign design and maintenance.
H.
Amortize and replace signs which do not conform to
the provisions of this article.
A.
Permitted signs may only identify the person, establishment,
the principal product and/or service available on the premises which
contains the sign. At least one of the signs identifying a business
or industrial establishment must contain the street address number
in the sign, using a minimum of four-inch numerals, or such number
must be displayed elsewhere on the building and be visible from the
street.
B.
The following signs are permitted in the zoning districts
as specified in the Schedule of Sign Regulations[1] and in conformance with all other provisions of this article:
(1)
Address: a sign identifying the house number and/or
name of the occupant of a dwelling.
(2)
Public interest: a sign containing a cautionary message,
such as "beware of dog" or "no trespassing," or an information message,
such as "exit" or "parking."
(3)
Home occupation: a sign which identifies only the
name and/or occupation of a practitioner or one conducting a permitted
home occupation in a dwelling.
(4)
Place: a sign identifying a community, residential
development, public facility or a historic facility.
(5)
Institutional: a sign identifying a club, association,
school, hospital, church, firehouse, nursing home, care facility,
boardinghouse, institution or cemetery.
(6)
Real estate: a sign indicating exclusively the sale,
rental, lease or development of the premises upon which it stands.
(7)
Contractor's: a sign identifying the contractor or
contractors doing work on the premises or building which contains
the sign.
(8)
Office: a sign identifying any office building or
mortuary.
(9)
Business: a sign identifying an establishment which
retails a product or provides a service or entertainment to the general
public as distinguished from places, institutions or offices and which
is permitted in all business districts.
[Amended 5-14-2024]
(10)
Industrial: a sign identifying an establishment
which produces or assembles a product or warehouses a product and
which is permitted in all industrial districts.
(11)
Marquee: a sign identifying a specific motion
picture or event which is subject to frequent change. A marquee sign
is only permitted if the design and location are approved by the Planning
Board.
(12)
Directory: a sign identifying two or more persons,
agencies or establishments, located in a place or location common
to all. Any directory which identifies five or more establishments
must be approved by the Town of Islip Planning Director before installation.
(13)
Corporate lawn: a sign identifying an office,
industrial or business establishment that is designed to integrate
into the landscape character of the subject parcel. Such signs shall
be architecturally compatible with the building(s) and site and must
be located in a landscaped lawn area having an area of at least 1,500
square feet. Any pylons used to support the sign shall not exceed
two feet in height.
[Added 10-6-1992[2] ]
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(13), regarding
special event signs, was repealed 6-5-1990.
(14)
Directional: a sign located outdoors which guides,
instructs or directs viewers to a place or event not located on the
same premises. Such a sign may only identify an establishment located
in the Town of Islip and cannot exceed 12 square feet. Directional
signs are only permitted if the location and quantity are approved
by the Planning Director.
[Amended 6-5-1990]
(16)
[4]Blade sign: a facial sign that is located perpendicular
to the building facade. Blade signs shall not extend more than 36
inches from the wall to which they are attached and shall not exceed
an area of 12 square feet. Blade signs are only permitted in the Business
District (BD) and the Downtown Development District (DDD), and shall
not be illuminated if the sign is located directly across the street
or adjacent to a residential district. A minimum height of eight feet
of clearance above finished grade is required for any blade sign under
which pedestrians pass. Blade signs may be permitted in addition to
the primary facial sign.
[Added 9-15-2020; amended 5-14-2024]
[4]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(16), regarding
political signs, as added 2-7-1984, was repealed 6-5-1990.
C.
Any sign permitted in this ordinance is allowed to
contain noncommercial copy in lieu of other copy.
[Added 6-5-1990]
[Amended 12-15-1981]
Any sign not specifically permitted is prohibited
and shall be removed. Prohibited signs include but are not limited
to the following:
A.
Any sign which is dangerous or hazardous to public
safety by virtue of its maintenance, structure, projection or any
other reason as determined by the Building Inspector.
B.
Any sign which obstructs the visibility of drivers
or which conflicts with or obstructs a traffic control device for
any reason.
C.
Any sign which obstructs a required window or door
in such a manner as to prevent free egress or ingress.
D.
Mobile or portable signs.
E.
Flashing, revolving, moving, sound-producing or animated
signs, including signs which have the capability of motion in whole
or in part, except signs which display time and/or temperature exclusively.
F.
Roof sign painted or supported upon or above any portion
of a roof and which is visible anywhere from the ground, except when
approved by the Board of Appeals.
G.
Commercial billboard which is rented or used to advertise
a product, service or establishment which is not the principle product,
service or establishment found on the property containing the billboard.
H.
Any sign attached to a tree, telephone pole, portable
object or to the face of another sign.
I.
Any sign which uses breakable glass in its construction,
except glass used in illumination.
J.
Any sign in any street right-of-way, except historic markers erected pursuant to § 68-400E.
[Amended 3-14-2023]
K.
Immoral or obscene sign, as determined by the Town
Board.
L.
Any sign which requires a permit but does not have
one.
N.
Any signs attached to or painted on a permanent canopy.
[Added 8-25-1987; amended 9-15-2020]
(1)
Exception: Canopy signs, as defined in § 68-3, may be permitted with Sign Inspector and building permit review and approval within the Business III or Industrial Corridor Districts as an accessory use to a gasoline service station, provided that the following criteria are met:
[Added 1-14-2003]
(a)
The size of any canopy sign is limited to 10%
of the area of that face of the canopy on which it is located. In
no case shall any canopy sign be larger than 12 square feet.
(b)
One canopy sign may be permitted per canopy.
Exception: Where a canopy is located on a corner of two public thoroughfares,
one canopy sign may be permitted on each canopy face, for a maximum
of two canopy signs.
(c)
Canopy signs shall be of channel letter or block
design only.
(d)
Canopy signs may be illuminated with internal
lighting or indirect lighting during permitted business hours only.
O.
Box and cabinet facial signs. Any sign with a plastic acrylic, or
similar material face (panel) attached to a metal or similar material
frame (cabinet). This shall include push-through and embossed type
box and cabinet facial signs. An aluminum pan sign shall not be considered
a box or cabinet facial sign.
[Added 12-17-2019; amended 5-14-2024]
Permitted signs may only be ground, facial,
window or awning type and must conform to all other provisions as
specified herein as well as in the Schedule of Sign Regulations.[1]
A.
Ground sign: a freestanding sign attached to a structure
which is intended and designed only to support the sign and which
is embedded in the ground or anchored in concrete.
(1)
When permitted. A ground sign is permitted to identify
a building or use within a building only if the building which it
serves to identify is set back more than 25 feet from the street curb
or edge of the street pavement.
[Amended 2-7-1984]
(2)
Quantity. Only one ground sign is permitted on any
parcel containing one or more buildings for any permitted signs, except
public interest signs, which are permitted as required to safely convey
the message, and place signs which identify the hamlet or neighborhood
in which they are located. Where two or more persons, agencies or
establishments are located in a place or location common to all, such
as a shopping center or an office complex, or where separate facilities
share a common parking area, only one ground sign is permitted in
the location common to all. One real estate sign may be attached to
an existing sign as the need arises.
[Amended 2-7-1984; 8-5-2014]
(3)
Sign area. The area of a ground sign shall be the
area of a rectangle, the sides of which completely enclose the sign,
excluding structural supports, each of which may not exceed 16 inches
in any horizontal dimension or 24 inches in combination, unless approved
by the Planning Commissioner or their designee. The maximum area of
a ground sign may not exceed 10 square feet plus one foot of sign
area for every 10 feet of lot frontage (along one street only, if
the lot has multiple frontages), or the maximum area listed in the
Schedule of Sign Regulations, whichever is smaller. Any sign may be
double-faced, and only one face shall be used in determining conformity
to sign area limitation. If the distance between faces exceeds 16
inches, all sides of the sign shall be computed to determine sign
area, except the top and bottom of the sign. The maximum sign area
shall be the area specified in the Schedule of Sign Regulations.
[Amended 5-14-2024]
(4)
Height. The maximum height of a ground sign shall
be as specified in the Schedule of Sign Regulations and shall be measured
vertically from the nearest street grade to the top of the sign or
its structural support, whichever is higher.
(5)
Setback. The setback of a ground sign is the shortest
horizontal measurement from the property line to any part of the sign.
A ground sign shall be set back from any street, right-of-way, property
line or required buffer a horizontal distance equal to the height
of the sign. A ground sign may be erected within one foot of a street
right-of-way only if the sign is certified by a registered architect
or engineer to be able to withstand a one-hundred-mile-per-hour wind
or if the height of the sign multiplied by the area of the sign does
not exceed 100.
(6)
Construction. All ground signs, except in residential
areas, must be protected from vehicular damage by a masonry curb or
planter, if required and as approved by the Building Inspector.
B.
Facial sign: a sign painted on, applied on or otherwise
attached to a wall of a building or storefront and is designed as
a unified message.
(1)
Quantity. Only one facial sign is permitted per building
in residence and general service districts but may be constructed
in one or more parts, provided that it conveys one unified message.
In business and industrial districts, only one facial sign (primary)
is permitted on the face of the storefront or establishment. Where
an establishment has additional exterior walls which are visible from
the main thoroughfare, each such wall may have one facial sign (secondary),
but not more than two such additional facial signs are permitted.
Within the Business District (BD) only, where an establishment has
additional exterior walls which are visible from any parking area,
each such wall may have one facial sign (secondary), but not more
than two such additional facial signs are permitted.
[Amended 9-15-2020; 5-14-2024]
(2)
Area. The area of a facial sign shall be the area
of a rectangle, the sides of which completely enclose the sign or
letters which are attached to the face of the building. The background
area of a sign shall not be included in sign area limitation only
when such background is an integral part of the design of the building.
The area of a primary facial sign may not exceed the amount set forth
in the Schedule of Sign Regulations. The area of a secondary facial
sign may not exceed 50% of the area permitted for the primary sign,
except that the area of each secondary sign may be increased in the
amount that the area of the primary sign is decreased, but not in
excess of the area permitted for the primary sign.
(3)
Height. The maximum height of a facial sign shall
be as specified in the Schedule of Sign Regulations or as approved
by the Planning Director and shall be measured vertically from the
first-floor elevation of the building supporting the sign to the top
of the sign.
(4)
Construction. In business districts, a facial sign
may not project more than 18 inches from the wall to which it is attached;
in all other districts, the projection may not exceed 12 inches. Exceptions:
[Amended 7-7-1992; 9-15-2020]
(5)
Illumination. Illumination of facial signs may be direct or indirect as specified in the Schedule of Sign Regulations and in accordance with § 68-400A.
(6)
Appearance. The shape, size and location of wall or facial signs
shall be designed, constructed and maintained so as to fit into the
architectural features of the building. Indirectly lit wood or metal
letters, reverse lit channel letters, or individually lit channel
letters are preferred.
[Added 8-25-1987; Amended 8-5-2014; 12-17-2019]
(a)
All wall or facial signs on a site, center, complex or on the
same building shall be designed, constructed and maintained to be
contextually compatible to each other and the surrounding environment
with regard to design, size, shape, location, material, and illumination,
Modifications of uniform design shall be subject to the approval of
the Planning Commissioner or designee.
(b)
Wall or facial signs shall not obscure windows or ornamental
features of the building.
(c)
Wall or facial signs shall be set in at least 18 inches from
each end of the wall on which they are located.
(d)
Any new or replaced box and cabinet facial signs are prohibited
as of the date of this subsection.
C.
Window sign: a sign entirely contained inside a building
and which is comprehensible from the street. Such signs are permitted
to allow for the notification of products on the premises, merchandise
sales, rental or sale of the premises or special events to be held
within the building containing the window sign. Window signs are subject
to the area limitations as set forth in the Schedule of Sign Regulations.
D.
Awning sign: a sign painted on a retractable window
awning which identifies only the name of the establishment. An awning
sign may only have one row of letters not higher than 12 inches along
the bottom edge of the awning.
E.
Canvas sign: a stationary sign constructed for fire-retardant
canvas or similar material on a fire-retardant frame. Canvas signs
shall conform to the requirements of facial signs with respect to
quantity, area, height, construction and illumination.
[Added 8-25-1987 [2] ]
[2]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided
that it shall be effective 9-13-1987.
[1]
Editor’s Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations has been included as an attachment to this chapter.
To encourage design excellence, the maximum
sign areas for certain business, industrial, marquee and directory
signs, as set forth in the Schedule of Sign Regulations,[1] may be increased by the percentages as provided for herein.
A separate bonus is granted for compliance with each of the criteria
and the area is cumulative, but the percentage increase is based on
the original sign area limitation.
A.
Ground signs may be increased as follows:
(1)
Twenty percent when the sign is constructed of solid
wood and uses only the colors approved by the Planning Director.
(2)
Ten percent when a directory sign utilizes uniform
coloring and lettering for all establishments listed in the directory,
except the one major facility.
(3)
Twenty percent when the sign is installed in a landscaped
planter having an area four times the area of the resultant sign and
the entire design is approved by the Building Inspector.
(4)
Ten percent if the sign is not designed or used with
illumination.
(5)
Five percent if the sign face is made from unbreakable
material.
B.
Facial signs may be increased as follows, but only
if the projection of the sign does not exceed 12 inches:
(2)
Ten percent if the sign is not designed or used with
illumination.
(3)
Ten percent if the facial sign is the only sign identifying
the establishment or its principal product. This bonus provision is
not applicable in BD and DDD Districts and for stores in a shopping
center.
(4)
Ten percent if the sign is designed to contain only
the identification of the establishment without advertisement of any
products sold on the premises.
(5)
Five percent of the sign face is made from unbreakable
material.
[1]
Editor’s Note: The Schedule of Sign Regulations is included as an attachment to this chapter.
A.
Illumination. Where illumination of signs is permitted,
such illumination may only be between sundown and 10:00 p.m. or close
of business, whichever is later. Illumination shall only be of an
even intensity at all times and shall not use more than 15 watts per
square foot of sign area being illuminated, or as specified in the
New York State Energy Conservation Construction Code, whichever is
more restrictive. Illumination may be direct (giving forth light from
the interior of the sign through translucent material) or it may be
indirect (when the light source is not visible from any adjoining
property or street and is directed upon the sign) as specified in
the Schedule of Sign Regulations.[1] All illuminated signs, except in residence districts,
must be wired to a separate circuit, and, in addition, directly illuminated
facial signs attached to combustible surfaces shall be approved by
the New York Board of Fire Underwriters.
B.
Fire Island. On Fire Island, no sign may exceed one
square foot in a BAA District, and no sign may exceed four square
feet in a business or industrial district. Only one sign is permitted
on any property, and no sign may be illuminated.
C.
All signs shall be maintained in a neat, safe and
workable condition at all times.
D.
For fast-food restaurants, a single preview board, a maximum of 25
square feet in sign area and seven feet in height, and a single menu
board per order lane, a maximum of 50 square feet in sign area and
10 feet in height, shall be permitted. These shall be in addition
to other permitted signage and shall otherwise comply with all other
provisions of the Sign Ordinance, including the requirement to obtain
permits.
[Added 9-19-2017; amended 3-9-2021]
E.
Historic
markers do not require a sign permit, but shall comply with the following:
[Added 3-14-2023]
(1)
Meet
the design and construction standards set forth in NYS Code.
(2)
Obtain
written approval from the Town Historian for the contents of the sign
to ensure historical accuracy, validity, and proper spelling.
(3)
One
sign per historical location, facility, or building.
(4)
These
requirements refer only to ground signs as described in NYS Code.
All other signage shall follow the appropriate provisions set forth
in this article.
F.
Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP). It is understood that certain signage is necessary on ISP property in order to facilitate the safe and proper movement of internal operations and aircraft at the facility. Signage which is not visible from any public right-of-way or residential property is not subject to the requirements in § 68-397. In no case shall a prohibited sign type as outlined in § 68-396 be erected unless the required variance(s) from the Zoning Board of Appeals is obtained.
[Added 3-14-2023]
A.
Once a sign is removed for any reason, the replacement
sign must comply with all the provisions of these regulations.
B.
Immediate removal. A sign and/or its supports shall
be immediately removed from a premises upon notification and as directed
by the Building Inspector for the following reasons:
C.
Nonconforming signs. All existing signs which do not
conform to the requirements of these regulations, but which have valid
permits issued by the Town of Islip, shall be nonconforming but shall
be made to conform as follows:
(2)
Any sign which is prohibited under § 68-396I and any signs which are painted on walls or roofs shall be made to conform by December 31, 1981.
(3)
Any sign which is not illuminated and which is substantially
made from one sheet or layer of material must be made to conform by
December 31, 1982.
(5)
All other signs must be made to conform by December
31, 1988.
A.
Permits are required for all signs except as otherwise
indicated in the Schedule of Sign Regulations.[1] No sign shall hereafter be erected or altered or the content
changed (except directory) until a permit authorizing the same is
issued by the Building Inspector. Such permit shall be valid for the
length of time set forth in the Schedule of Sign Regulations.
[Amended 3-3-1981]
B.
Prior to the issuance of a permit to erect a sign,
a fee must be paid as established by the Commissioner of the Department
of Planning and Development. If a permit is revoked by the Commissioner
or his/her designee, for any reason, the applicant shall not be entitled
to a refund of any fee paid in connection therewith.
[Amended 6-8-2010; 5-15-2018]
C.
A permit may be revoked by the Building Inspector
for any of the following violations if the owner of the sign neglects
to comply with the Building Inspector's directives to correct the
violations:
(1)
If a sign constitutes a hazard to public health or
safety.
(2)
If a sign has been altered in a manner which would
require a new permit.
(3)
If illegal signs are erected or maintained on the
same premises as a sign with a valid permit.
(4)
If a sign has been altered in a manner which wouldrender
the sign prohibited.
[Amended 3-3-1981; 5-15-2018]
For any and every violation of the provisions
of this article, the owner or owners of the sign shall be held liable
on conviction thereof for a fine or penalty of not less than $250
nor more than $500 for each and every offense. Each week of continued
violation shall constitute a separate additional offense.
[Added 6-5-1990]
If any provision of this ordinance or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity
shall not affect other provisions or applications of this ordinance
which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or application,
and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are severable.
