It is the intent of this article to control
all signs and advertising displays to protect property values, to
encourage the most appropriate use of land, to secure safety in the
streets, to achieve a more desirable living environment, to protect
and enhance the attractiveness of Rappahannock County and to ensure
the safety and general welfare of the citizenry.
The following definitions apply to this article:
Includes any sign or device that attracts attention, all
or part of which moves by any means, including fluttering, rotating
or otherwise moving devices, or is designed to be set in motion by
movement of the atmosphere, including but not limited to pennants,
banners, flags, discs or propellers, regardless of whether said device
has any written message content. Also, an animated sign shall mean
and include any sign or device displaying flashing or intermittent
light or lights of changing degrees of intensity, with changes alternating
on not less than a one-hour cycle, except a sign indicating time and/or
temperature.
[Amended 9-8-2004]
Any sign projecting from beneath the underside of any structural
overhang or passageway (vehicular or pedestrian).
Includes the area within rectangular lines inscribed around
any or all words, symbols or pictorial elements on the face of a sign,
provided that:
The area of a sign or any portion thereof having
a distinctive or ornamental background, which sets such background
apart from a larger surface so that it forms an integral part or element
of the sign, as distinguished from a functional part of the building
exclusive of such sign, shall include the area of the background.
The area of a freestanding sign or any portion
thereof having a background which extends beyond the words, symbols
or pictorial elements thereof shall include the area of such background.
If any portion of the words, symbols or pictorial
elements of a sign extend beyond a border or background, the area
of such sign shall be the area of a rectangle inscribed around it.
The area of a double-face sign, as herein defined,
shall be considered to be the area of one face only.
Any sign used as an outdoor display for the purpose of making
anything known, where the product, business or thing so advertised
or displayed is not on the site or property on which said sign is
erected or displayed, excluding directional signs.
Any sign attached to and deriving its major support from
a building, including the following: arcade sign, awning sign, canopy
sign, cornice sign, marquee sign, parapet sign, plaque sign, projecting
sign, roof sign, wall sign and window sign.
Any sign attached to a structure other than an awning, with
frames attached to a building, projecting therefrom and carried by
a frame supported at grade level.
Any sign whose purpose is to indicate the location and direction
to a place, object, project, product or business which is remote from
the site or property on which such sign is erected or displayed.
Any sign having two parallel planes or surfaces upon which
advertising is displayed.
Any sign supported by upright structural members or by braces
on or in the ground and not attached to a building, including the
following: bulletin board sign, outdoor advertising sign, pole or
pylon sign, ground sign or a vehicle-mounted sign.
Any sign or canopy or covered structure projecting or extending
from a building facade when such canopy or covered structure is supported
by the building, including signs mounted on a cantilever.
Any sign on which is portrayed information which directs
attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment not necessarily
related to other uses existing or permitted on the lot upon which
the sign is located.
Any extension of the exterior enclosing wall of a building
above the lowest point of the roof.
Any freestanding sign greater than eight feet in height.
Any building sign which extends in excess of 18 inches beyond
any vertical surface of the building which supports it.
Any sign advertising the sale, lease or future use of real
estate placed upon the property so advertised.
Any sign or portion of a sign so erected or affixed to a
building as to extend above the lowest point of the roof level of
a building or any sign attached to a parapet wall.
A contiguous grouping of a minimum of five commercial enterprises
comprising not less than 50,000 square feet gross floor area.
Any freestanding sign which identifies only the name of the
shopping center and not the individual enterprise or their products,
services or amusements.
Any writing, letter or numeral work, pictorial presentation,
illustration or decoration, emblem, device, symbol or trademark, flag,
banner or pennant, sculpture or any other device, figure or similar
character which is:
Any sign displayed for the purpose of advertising or identifying
a housing development or division of land of 10 or more lots or dwelling
units.
Any sign not permanently attached to a structure nor permanently
mounted in the ground which can be transported to other locations.
Such signs may include but not be limited to paper or poster signs,
portable signs, sandwich signs, directional signs or other movable
signs announcing or advertising weekly specials, real estate, special
services offered by a business establishment or the like.
An individual, partnership or corporation renting or leasing
commercial or industrial space for an individual business so identified
by license. If the front footage is not directly computable for each
"tenant," then the landlord is responsible for distributing the same
among "tenants." Each application by a "tenant" for a sign permit
will be accompanied by a letter from the landlord authorizing the
sign as requested.
Any sign attached to the wall of a building which does not
project over 18 inches from the wall to which it is affixed.
Any sign attached to the glass area of a window or placed
behind the glass of a window so that it can be read from out-of-doors.
No sign shall be erected or displayed without
a current and valid permit issued by the Zoning Administrator; provided,
however, that no such permit shall be required for:
A.
Changing the bill of acts or features on marquees
at movie theaters and similar approved signs which are specifically
designed for use as replacement copy.
B.
Signs of a constituted governmental body, including
traffic signs and signals or similar regulatory devices and legal
devices or warnings at railroad crossings.
C.
Memorial tablets or signs and historic markers.
D.
Signs required to be maintained by law or governmental
order, rule or regulation with a total surface area not exceeding
10 square feet on any lot or parcel.
E.
Signs which are within a ballpark or other similar
public or private recreational use and which cannot be seen from a
public street or adjacent properties.
F.
Flags, emblems or insignia of the United States, the
Commonwealth of Virginia, Rappahannock, other counties and states,
the United Nations Organization or similar organizations of which
this nation is a member, the President or Vice President of the United
States, religious groups, civic organizations and service clubs.
G.
Small signs which post or display address numbers.
H.
Small signs displayed for the direction or convenience
of the public, including signs which identify rest rooms or the location
of public telephones or the like, with a total area not to exceed
two square feet.
I.
Small signs, each of which has a total area not exceeding
two square feet, placed by a public utility showing the location of
underground facilities.
J.
Seasonal displays and decorations not advertising
a product, service or entertainment.
K.
Freestanding signs or signs attached to fences at
approximate eye level, no larger than four square feet, warning the
public against hunting, fishing, trespassing, dangerous animals and/or
swimming.
L.
Signs displayed on any farm by the owner or other
operator thereof for the purpose of identifying such farm or advertising
solely the products thereof. No single sign shall exceed 20 square
feet in area. The total area of all such signs shall not exceed 40
square feet. Only one sign shall be allowed on each state road abutting
the farm, which shall not exceed 10 feet in height.
M.
Any informational or directional sign or historical
marker erected by a public agency, which may include signs giving
directions and distances to commercial districts for the following
types of commercial facilities for the convenience of the traveling
public: restaurants, motels and establishments for the servicing of
motor vehicles, provided that no such sign shall give directions or
distance to any specific business establishment.
N.
Temporary official notices or advertisements posted
or displayed by or under the direction of any public or court officer
in the performance of his duties or by trustees under deeds of trust,
deeds of assignment or other similar instruments; provided that all
such signs shall be removed not later than 10 days after the last
day of the period for which the same are required to be displayed
in order to accomplish their purpose. The person responsible for erection
of the same is responsible for removal.
O.
Temporary political campaign signs erected on any privately owned lot or parcel subject to § 170-102D.
P.
Temporary signs not announcing a campaign, drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization subject to § 170-102G.
Q.
Real estate signs advertising the sale, rental or
lease of the premises or part thereof on which the signs are displayed.
R.
Temporary construction signs which identify the architects, engineers, contractors and other individuals or firms involved with the construction, but not including the advertisement of any product, and signs announcing the character of the building enterprise or the purpose for which the building is intended during the construction period subject to § 170-102F.
Application for a permit shall be made to the
Zoning Administrator of Rappahannock on a form furnished by him. Each
application shall be accompanied by plans showing the area or size
of the sign and proposed design, the method of illumination, if any,
the exact proposed location for such sign and in the case of a suspended
or wall sign, the method of fastening such sign to its supporting
structure. In any case where the applicant is not the owner (or owners)
of the property on which a sign is to be erected, no permit shall
be granted without the written consent of the owner (or owners) who
shall also acknowledge, in writing, being bound by the provisions
of this chapter. More than one sign for the same business establishment
may be included in one permit.
A fee shall be paid prior to the issuance of
a sign permit, in accordance with the existing fee schedule of Rappahannock
County, as established by the Board.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The fee schedule is on file
in the County offices.
The permit number shall be indicated for each
sign for which a permit is required by this article. Permits are not
assignable or transferable by the named permit holder.
No permit shall be granted and no permit shall
be valid unless and until the applicant shall have signed an agreement
to indemnify and hold Rappahannock County harmless from any and all
loss or damage to property or injury or death to any and all persons
and for all suits, claims, liabilities or demands of any kind whatsoever
resulting directly or indirectly from the erection, use, maintenance
or alteration of any sign or other device authorized by such a permit.
If a sign is not erected within six months following
the issuance of a sign permit, said permit shall become null and void
as to such sign. Under no circumstances are permit fees refundable.
All rights and privileges acquired under the
provisions of this article or any amendments thereto shall be revocable
by the Zoning Administrator of Rappahannock County for cause whenever
there is a violation of this chapter.
A.
No sign or other device which simulates any traffic
control sign, light or device or which is located in such a manner
as to obstruct or interfere with free and clear vision on any public
right-of-way, entranceway or parking area or interfere with, mislead
or confuse traffic on any public right-of-way, entranceway or parking
area shall be allowed to be erected or maintained. No sign shall be
erected or maintained in any location where it prevents or impedes
free ingress or egress through any door, window or fire escape route.
B.
Except as provided herein, no person shall erect or display any sign upon or projecting over any public street, highway, alley, sidewalk or other public right-of-way, except that wall signs may project 18 inches over public rights-of-way unless such projection would cause hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Any sign erected or displayed in violation of this provision shall be immediately removed by the Zoning Administrator or his authorized representative, except those signs which may lawfully be in existence at the time this article is adopted, in which case they are subject to § 170-103.
C.
Animated signs are prohibited.
D.
Roof signs are prohibited except as specifically allowed
herein and then only those which meet the following criteria:
(1)
Such signs shall be in the same plane with one exterior
wall of the building and must adjoin the top of the wall; and
(2)
Such signs' maximum height shall not be more than
two feet in height above the lowest point of the roof of the building;
or
(3)
A roof sign may be erected on a parapet wall or on
a roof exceeding a forty-five-percent slope, provided that it does
not extend more than four feet above the lowest point of the roof
of such building.
E.
Billboards are prohibited.
F.
Freestanding signs in which the long dimension exceeds
the short dimension by a ratio of three to one (3:1) are prohibited,
unless such signs are less than four feet in height and set back from
the property line a minimum of 15 feet, in which case the ratio shall
not exceed twenty to one (20:1).
A.
One temporary sign shall be allowed for a period not
to exceed 30 (3) consecutive days; however, no temporary sign shall
be allowed for more than 60 days per year at any location for the
purpose of advertising an opening, sale or special event.
B.
If there are other existing permitted sign types on
a premise, the total maximum sign area permitted by this chapter may
be increased by 25% for temporary signs. Areas with nonconforming
signs shall not exceed the maximum sign area permitted.
C.
Persons responsible, jointly or severally, for the
removal of a temporary sign are the owner or occupant of the premise
on which it is located, the owner of the sign and the person responsible
for its erection.
D.
Temporary political signs shall not be erected more
than 90 days prior to an election or referendum and shall be removed
within 15 days after the election. Persons responsible, jointly or
severally, for the maintenance and removal of political signs are
the candidates, spokesmen or campaign committees, the owner or occupant
of the premises on which the signs are located and the person responsible
for its erection.
E.
Temporary signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in
area or 10 feet in height.
[Amended 4-6-1987]
F.
Temporary construction signs permitted without a permit
shall not be erected more than five days prior to the beginning of
construction for which a valid building permit has been issued, shall
be confined to the site of construction and shall be removed within
14 days following completion of the work, and in no case, however,
shall such signs be displayed for more than two years.
G.
Temporary signs announcing events sponsored by civic
and other nonprofit organizations may not be displayed for more than
30 days. These signs are in addition to the total allowable sign area
of a premise. All signs must be removed within seven days after the
event. Persons responsible, jointly or severally, for the maintenance
and removal of these signs are the club or organization officers,
committee chairman or committee members, the owner or occupant of
the premises on which the signs are located and the person responsible
for the temporary erection of the sign.
H.
Temporary wayside stand signs shall not exceed five
signs or an aggregate sign area of 50 square feet, provided that such
signs are not attached to the structure and are removed after the
season the stand is in operation.
I.
Temporary directional signs to a business catering
to the traveling public but as needed at intersections, only with
written permission of the landowner(s), may be granted only by special
exception from the Board.
A.
Signs which are either nonconforming uses or are accessory uses to such nonconforming uses as set forth in Article VIII of this chapter and Title 15.2 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, as of the effective date of this article, shall continue to be lawful as nonconforming uses in accordance with such Article; provided, however, that in the event that the nonconforming uses become an unlawful use, then the subject sign shall be deemed to be an unlawful sign.
[Amended 2-2-2015]
B.
However, nonconforming signs, if damaged to more than
1/2 of the appraised value or 1/10 of the rental value, whichever
is less, shall not be repaired or replaced and shall be removed; and
the extent of the damage shall be determined by the Building Inspector.
C.
In any event, all billboards shall be removed by 1995.
Any billboard upon which no paid advertisement exists for a period
in excess of two years shall likewise be removed.
D.
All nonconforming signs and any signs for which a
valid permit has not been previously issued shall be required to register
or obtain a permit for the same within 30 days after notification
by the Zoning Administrator or 360 days from the date of adoption
of this article, whichever is first. Failure to register or obtain
a permit for the same shall constitute an illegal sign, and the Zoning
Administrator, after 30 days' written notice, shall cause such removal
and charge the cost to the owner of the premises. Any sign erected
in clear violation of any zoning ordinance in effect when the sign
was erected, as determined by the Zoning Administrator, shall not
be registered or a permit issued and shall be removed or altered to
conform to the requirements of this chapter. No fee will be required
for sign registration.
A.
Whenever the use of a building or premise by a specified
business or occupation is discontinued, any signs pertaining thereto
shall be removed within a period of 60 days following the discontinuance
of such business or occupation. If, after written notice from the
Zoning Administrator, such signs are not removed within 10 days, the
Zoning Administrator shall cause such removal and charge the cost
to the owner of the premises.
B.
The Zoning Administrator shall give written notice
to the sign permit holder to remove such sign within five days when
it is in violation of any provision of this article (except nonconforming
signs), and it shall be the duty of the sign permittee to remove it
within that time or bear the cost for its removal by the Zoning Administrator
or his authorized representative. The owner of the premises shall
be responsible only in the event that the sign permittee's business
is abandoned and/or the tenant cannot be located by reasonable effort.
C.
The Zoning Administrator or his authorized representative
shall remove any sign erected in a public right-of-way in violation
of any provision of this article, impound the sign and give written
notice to the owner of the sign if ownership is readily determinable
from the sign. The owner may secure release of the sign upon payment
of the cost incurred by the County for removing the sign plus $1 per
day for each day of storage. Signs not redeemed within a period of
30 days after the placing of such notice in the mail shall become
the property of Rappahannock County at its option.
D.
Any sign which becomes a safety hazard or which is
not kept in good general condition and in a reasonably good state
of repair and is not, after 30 days' written notice to the owner or
permittee, put in a safe and good state of repair is hereby declared
a public and private nuisance and may be removed, obliterated or abated
by the Zoning Administrator or his authorized representative. Any
sign which, in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator constitutes
an immediate or imminent danger to life or property may be removed
or put in safe condition by him immediately. The County may collect
the cost of such removal, obliteration or abatement from the owner
or permittee.
E.
Any written notice required by the Zoning Administrator
shall be sent to the last known address of the addressee as it appears
in the tax records of the Commissioner of Revenue of Rappahannock
County.
[Amended 11-6-2000]
Notwithstanding any other provision of this
chapter, where any sign is permitted based on the content of the sign,
then a sign containing noncommercial content shall be allowed upon
the same terms, conditions, and restrictions as the permitted sign.
This provision shall be interpreted so that in no case shall a sign
containing commercial content be favored over one containing noncommercial
content. "Noncommercial content" means the sign content is not related
solely to the economic interests of the speaker and the audience.
Only the following signs shall be permitted
in resource preservation and residential zones:
A.
Home occupation signs: one sign, not exceeding six
square feet in area nor more than six feet in height, not illuminated,
for the purpose of indicating a home occupation which is permitted
under the provisions of this chapter.
B.
Church bulletin boards: one church bulletin board,
not exceeding 20 square feet in area nor more than 10 feet in height,
when erected or displayed on the property of the church; provided
that when a church faces more than one street, one such bulletin board
may be erected or displayed on each street frontage, with a maximum
of 40 square feet allowed on the property.
C.
Identification signs: one sign, not exceeding 20 square
feet in area, for the purpose of showing the name and use of a convent,
monastery, seminary, country club, sanitarium, cemetery, children's
home, orphanage, fraternal organization, hospital or other similar
establishment, when such use is permitted on the subject property
as identified. One sign not exceeding two square feet in area nor
more than 10 feet in height shall be permitted for each single-family
home.
D.
Subdivision sign: one sign, not exceeding 12 square
feet in area nor more than 10 feet in height, in each subdivision
entrance for the purpose of advertising or identifying a housing development
or subdivision, when erected or displayed on the property so advertised
or identified in conformance with the required building setback line.
The total area of all such signs shall not exceed 24 square feet.
E.
Real estate signs for single-family homes: one sign,
not exceeding six square feet nor six feet in height, for the purpose
of advertising the sale, lease or future sale of a single-family home,
when erected or displayed on the property so advertised.
[Amended 1-3-2007]
F.
Off-street parking area or lot signs: one sign, not
exceeding four square feet in area, at each entrance and exit of an
off-street parking area or lot, provided that it does not conflict
with other provisions of this article. Such sign shall be regulatory
in manner and on the use of such parking area.
G.
Multifamily dwelling signs: for multifamily dwellings,
including apartments, townhouses, condominiums and other dwellings
which are not single-family, the same as for subdivision signs.
H.
Farm signs: signs displayed on any farm by the owner
or operator thereof for the purpose of identifying such farm or advertising
solely the products thereof. No single sign shall exceed 20 square
feet in area nor exceed 10 feet in height. The total area of all such
signs shall not exceed 40 square feet.
J.
Permanent directional signs: Such signs shall be limited
to the sale, lease or rental of real estate which shall be used only
for the purpose of indicating the location of the property to be sold,
rented or leased and directional signs to indicate the location of
a church or place of worship or hospital or similar medical institution
or historical sites. Two such directional signs, not exceeding six
square feet in area and each six feet in height, shall be allowed,
provided that the following conditions are met:
(1)
A statement from the owner of the property indicating
his consent to the erection of the sign shall be filed with the Zoning
Administrator.
(2)
In the case of real estate directional signs, a statement
from the individual erecting the sign shall be filed with the Zoning
Administrator as to the length of time (not exceeding 90 days) that
the sign will remain posted.
(3)
Such signs shall be only three colors, one of which
is the background.
K.
In addition to Subsection J above, a maximum of two directional signs will be allowed per commercial or industrial establishment, including farms from which products are retailed directly to customers, provided that:
L.
Temporary signs: Temporary signs not exceeding 50 square feet in area, announcing a campaign, drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization, provided that the sponsoring organization shall ensure proper and prompt removal of such signs subject to § 170-102G.
M.
Wayside stand signs: Signs not exceeding five signs
or an aggregate sign area of 50 square feet, provided that such signs
not attached to the structure are removed during the season the stand
is not in operation.
A.
Total sign area.
(1)
In areas zoned as Commercial Village: On properties
housing only one tenant, the total maximum allowable sign area shall
not exceed two square feet for each foot of building frontage. Total
sign area, however, shall not exceed 75 square feet in area.
(2)
In areas zoned as Commercial General and Industrial:
On properties housing only one tenant, the total maximum allowable
sign area shall not exceed two square feet the first 50 feet of building
frontage plus one square foot of sign area for each additional foot.
Total sign area, however, shall not exceed 150 square feet in area,
except where only one sign identifying the establishment exists.
(3)
In areas zoned as Commercial Highway: On properties
housing only one tenant, the total maximum allowable sign area shall
not exceed two square feet of area for each foot of building frontage.
Total sign area, however, shall not exceed 150 square feet, or 250
square feet if the building is over 200 feet from the highway right-of-way
line.
B.
Permitted signs. Permitted signs shall be as follows:
(1)
Temporary signs.
(2)
Window signs.
(3)
Roof signs.
(4)
Arcade signs.
(5)
Wall signs.
(6)
Building-mounted signs.
(7)
Theater signs. Signs advertising the acts or features
to be given in a theater may be displayed on permanent frames erected
on theater buildings; provided that the bottom of such frame erected
flat against a wall may not be less than 10 feet above the sidewalk,
alley or parking area; and provided further that when the area of
any such frame facing a street, alley or parking area does not exceed
24 square feet and the area of all such frames facing such street,
alley or parking area does not exceed 48 square feet, the area of
the signs displayed thereon shall not be included in determining the
total area of signs erected or displayed.
(8)
Pole signs: gasoline service stations. All other provisions
of this article notwithstanding, each and every automobile gasoline
service station shall be permitted to have one pole sign not to exceed
20 feet in height. Whenever a pole sign is erected or maintained under
this provision, no additional freestanding or pole sign of any type
shall be permitted on the same premises. A permitted pole sign shall
only display the principal trademark symbol, name, other identifying
design and/or the word "gas," "gasoline," or "fuel." No other signs,
identification or advertisements shall be attached thereto. In addition
to pole sign area, the following types of signs shall be allowed and
shall be included in the total sign area permitted in this subsection:
(a)
A building sign utilizing the trademark, symbol,
name or other identifying design.
(b)
Temporary placecards or posters displayed on
the outside surface of gasoline pumps, advertising special products,
grades of gasoline, oil or service.
(c)
One freestanding sign not to exceed 10 square
feet in area for the purpose of displaying the price of fuel or other
products or services. No part of said sign shall exceed three feet
in height or four feet in height if set back a minimum of 10 feet
from the property line.
(9)
Freestanding signs.
(a)
One for each street frontage shall be permitted
for a shopping center, which shall not exceed 75 square feet for each
sign.
(b)
One for each individual enterprise or group
of enterprises not constituting a shopping center where the building
is set back at least 50 feet from the front lot line shall be permitted.
A maximum of 50 square feet in area shall be permitted for each sign.
(c)
Freestanding signs as may be reasonably necessary
to indicate entrance and exit to places of business shall be permitted,
provided that such signs shall not exceed two square feet in area
or three feet in height and include only the word "entrance" or "exit."
(10)
Real estate, contractor's, subcontractor's and
directional signs.
(a)
Real estate sign. One sign shall be permitted
for the purpose of advertising the sale, lease or rental when erected
or displayed on the property so advertised. Such sign shall not exceed
12 square feet in area nor six feet in height nor 10 feet in height
when such sign is set back at least 50 feet from the front lot line.
(b)
Contractor's and subcontractor's signs. One
contractor's sign, not exceeding 12 square feet in area, and one sign
for each subcontractor, not exceeding four square feet in area, shall
be permitted when erected or displayed on the premises upon which
building operations are being conducted, provided that such signs
shall be removed upon completion of the work. Height of freestanding
signs shall not exceed 10 feet for contractor's sign and six feet
for subcontractor's.
(c)
Directional signs. Directional signs shall be
prohibited except for those limited to the sales, lease or rental
of real estate and then only for the purpose of indicating the location
of the property to be sold, leased or rented, and except those directional
signs used to indicate the location of a church or place of worship
or hospital or similar medical institution or historical site. Two
such directional signs, not exceeding six square feet in area each
or six feet in height each are allowed, provided that the following
conditions are met:
[1]
A statement from the owner of the property indicating
his consent to the erection of the sign shall be filed with the Zoning
Administrator.
[2]
In the case of real estate directional signs,
a statement from the individual erecting the sign as to the length
of time (not exceeding 90 days) that the sign will remain posted shall
be filed with the Zoning Administrator.
C.
The following customary advertisements and identifications
shall not be included in the total sign area permitted in this article:
(1)
A single sign identifying the name of the owner, a
proprietor or manager, the address of the property and the telephone
number, not to exceed a total area of 2 1/2 square feet.
(2)
Vending machines that dispense or offer for sale any
products or services, provided that such machines are grouped together
in a permanent structure, enclosed on at least three sides.
(3)
Signs identifying the special functions of the various
service bays or areas may be erected on the building facade above
the doorways, with the lowest portion of such signs being no lower
than the highest point of doorways and containing no advertising.
(4)
Temporary paper, cardboard or plastic show window
signs.
D.
General regulations.
(1)
Building-mounted signs may be located anywhere on
the surface of the building and may not project more than 18 inches
therefrom, except that signs may be projecting signs if they do not
project beyond the street line or nearer than two feet from any curbline.
(2)
No roof-mounted sign shall extend more than four feet
above the lowest point of the roof, except where there is a structural
or functional part of the building extending above the roof, such
as a parapet, mansard or other such architectural embellishment.
(3)
Signs may be on the vertical face of the marquee but
shall not project below the lowest edge of the marquee. The bottom
of the marquee sign shall not be less than 10 feet above a walkway
or grade at any point. No part of the sign shall extend above the
vertical marquee face, and no such sign shall exceed seven feet in
height.
(4)
Canopy, awning or marquee. No entrance or awning shall
be used for any advertisement, lettering or symbol other than the
name of the owner or proprietor of the business and its street address.
Marquees shall bear no structural weight of the building and shall
support no structure, utility shed or other facility, except a sign
above the marquee of not more than three feet in height identifying
the premises by name or address. When such additional sign is erected,
the area shall be added to the area of the display surfaces of the
marquee in determining the total sign area.
(5)
The area of any sign hung, placed or displayed on
a marquee, canopy or portico or on any roof or parapet wall or the
area of any arcade sign or any projecting sign shall be included in
determining the total area of signs erected or displayed on the property
under this section.
(6)
No freestanding signs, where permitted, shall project
beyond any property line or be within two feet of the curbline of
a service drive or travel lane or adjoining street.
(7)
Unless further restricted by the provisions that follow,
no freestanding sign shall exceed a height of 20 feet above ground
level, including its supports.
(8)
All signs shall have a minimum clearance of eight
feet above a walkway and 14 feet above a driveway or alley.
(9)
Signs shall be limited to identifying or advertising
the property, the individual enterprises, the products, services or
the entertainment available on the same property where the sign is
located. Temporary signs announcing events sponsored by civic and
other nonprofit organizations may not be displayed for longer than
30 days. These signs are not to be included in the total allowable
sign area of the premise.
(10)
Service stations may be allowed one sign on
each gasoline pump for the purpose of identifying the specific product
dispensed from that pump, not to exceed four feet in height.
(11)
No sign other than the one indicated on the
sign application shall be attached to a freestanding sign.
(12)
No portion of a freestanding sign shall be constructed
to a height greater than 20 feet above the grade level of the property
on which the sign is erected. The lower edge of the sign face of a
freestanding or pole sign shall be at least 10 feet above the grade
level of the base of the sign if erected or maintained within 15 feet
of the curbline of the roadway. No freestanding sign shall be nearer
than two feet to any building or other structure and shall be set
back from the side and rear property lines, the same as indicated
in the zoning district in which located.
[Added 9-8-2004]
A.
Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts:
(1)
Existing signs. Any lawful method of illumination
of a sign in the Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts which
method existed before the effective date of this subsection may continue,
provided that, if said method of illumination is discontinued for
a period of two years, then any illumination of the sign occurring
thereafter shall be in accordance with the next subsection.
B.
Residential and Resource Preservation Zoning Districts:
(1)
Existing signs. Any lawful method of illumination
of a sign in the Residential and Resource Preservation Zoning Districts
which method existed before the effective date of this section may
continue, provided that, if said method of illumination is discontinued
for a period of two years, then any illumination of the sign occurring
thereafter shall be in accordance with the next subsection.
(2)
New signs. If the illumination of a sign begins
after the effective date of this section, the method of illumination
shall be by directionally shielded light fixtures targeted on the
sign, or a light fixture which when used with architectural or structural
elements is, in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator, the functional
equivalent of a directionally shielded light fixture. No other type
of sign illumination shall be allowed except by special exception.
[Amended 5-1-2023]
In the event that a special permit or special
exception is granted to an applicant in a conservation, agriculture
or residential zoning district, then in such event the BZA or Board
may determine the size and type of sign to be allowed, taking into
consideration the surrounding property uses and Comprehensive Plan,
provided that such sign sizes shall not exceed the size of signs allowed
in the commercial or industrial zoning district. If not limited, commercial
and industrial zoning district regulations shall apply.
