[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Spring
Valley 12-7-1970 as Subpart G of the 1970 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to promote and protect the public health,
welfare and safety by regulating existing and proposed outdoor advertising,
outdoor advertising signs and outdoor signs of all types. It is intended to
protect property values, to create a more attractive, economic business climate,
to enhance and protect the physical appearance of the community, to preserve
the scenic and natural beauty of designated areas and to 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, to
reduce hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging or projecting over
public rights-of-way, to provide more open space and to curb deterioration
of natural beauty and community environment.
This chapter shall hereafter be known and cited as the "Sign Law."
As used in this chapter, unless otherwise specifically stated, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Any sign related to a business or profession conducted or to a commodity
or service sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located.
To build, construct, alter, repair, display, relocate, attach, hang,
place, suspend, affix, paint or maintain any sign, and shall also include
the painting of exterior wall signs.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
The outer surface of a building which is visible from any private
or public street or highway.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
Any sign illuminated by electricity, gas or other artificial light,
including reflective or phosphorescent light.
Any authorized personnel of the Building Department of the Village
of Spring Valley.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L. No. 4-1985[1]]
Any person, firm, partnership, company or corporation licensed to
install signs as provided for in this chapter.
Any light, string of lights, group of lights or series of lights
in series or parallel, so long as contained in a one-half-inch tube located
or arranged so as to cast illumination on a sign.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
Any sign unrelated to a business or profession conducted or to a
commodity or service sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is
located.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company,
institution or organization of any kind.
Any sign which projects from the exterior of any building.
Any material, structure, device or part thereof composed of lettered
or pictorial material or upon which lettered or pictorial matter is placed
when used or located out of doors or outside or on the exterior of any building,
including window display area, or display of an advertisement, announcement,
notice, directional matter or name, and includes sign frames, billboards,
signboards, painted wall signs, hanging signs, illuminated signs, pennants,
banners, fluttering or streamer devices, projecting signs or ground signs
and shall also include any announcement, declaration, demonstration, display,
illustration or insignia used to advertise or promote the interest of any
person or business when the same is placed in view of the general public.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
For the purpose of this chapter, the term "sign" does not include signs
erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental function
or required by any law or governmental regulation.
The prohibitions contained in this section shall apply to all signs
in all zoning districts, regardless of designation, of the Village of Spring
Valley.
A.Â
Illuminated signs and lighting devices. Any illuminated
sign or lighting device shall employ only lights admitting a light of constant
intensity, and no sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent,
rotating or moving light or lights. In no event shall an illuminated sign
or lighting device be so placed or directed as to permit the beams and illumination
therefrom to be directed or beamed upon a public street, highway, sidewalk
or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute
a traffic hazard or nuisance.
B.Â
Projecting signs. No projecting signs shall be erected
or maintained from the front, face, side or rear of a building a distance
of more twelve (12) inches, including those projecting from the face of any
theater, hotel or marquee.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
C.Â
Roof signs. No sign shall be placed on the roof of any
building.
D.Â
Portable or temporary signs. No portable or temporary sign shall be placed on the front, face, side or rear of the building on any premises except as provided in § 209-6 herein.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
E.Â
Moving, fluttering or revolving devices or strings of
lights as part of signs. No sign or part thereof shall contain or consist
of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or other similar
moving, fluttering or revolving devices. Said devices, as well as strings
of lights, shall not be used for the purposes of advertising or attracting
attention when not part of a sign.
F.Â
Window signs. No sign erected or maintained in the window
of a building, visible from any public or private street or roadway, shall
occupy more than fifty percent (50%) of the area of said window.
[Amended 1-11-1983 by L.L.
No. 1-1983]
G.Â
Prohibited signs. Any signs not expressly permitted
by this chapter are prohibited. Additional types of signs that are prohibited
are:
[Added 7-9-1985 by L.L. No.
4-1985]
(1)Â
Signs representing or depicting to any degree official
traffic signs or signals.
(2)Â
Signs which emit noise, sounds or smoke.
(3)Â
Animated signs, whether by mechanical or electrical processes,
including signs with banners, streamers, spinners or other paraphernalia attached
to or associated with such signs. Such signs may be permitted for a temporary
period not exceeding thirty (30) days when approved by the Building Inspector.
(4)Â
Signs of a prurient nature or advertising businesses,
commodities or services of a prurient nature or any unlawful business or undertaking.
(5)Â
Illuminated signs outlining any part of a building such
as a gable, roof, sidewall or corner.
(6)Â
Signs made of cardboard, paper, canvas or similar impermanent
material.
(7)Â
Signs mounted on parked vehicles or trailers or other
similar mobile advertising media.
(8)Â
Signs which project over a street.
(9)Â
Signs which obstruct traffic visibility at intersections
or portable signs or signs designed as hot air or gas balloons tethered to
a building.
A.Â
Signs permitted without permit. The following signs are
permitted in any zoning district without a permit:
(1)Â
Signs advertising the sale, lease or rental of the premises
upon which the sign is located, which sign shall not exceed four (4) square
feet in area.
(2)Â
Professional name plates that shall not exceed two (2)
square feet in area.
(3)Â
Signs denoting the name and address of the occupants
of the premises, which signs shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area.
Said signs shall be made of a material which shall clearly reflect either
the name, address, or both, so it shall be clearly visible from any private
or public street or highway.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
(4)Â
Signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor,
placed on premises where construction, repair or renovation is in progress,
which signs shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area.
(5)Â
Signs erected or maintained in the window of a building,
visible from any private or public street or highway.
[Added 7-9-1985 by L.L. No.
4-1985]
B.Â
Signs permitted with permit. The following signs are
permitted in any zoning district, but require a permit as provided herein:
(1)Â
Signs or bulletin boards customarily incident to places
of worship, libraries, museums, social clubs or societies, which signs or
bulletin boards shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area and shall be
located on premises of such institutions.
(2)Â
Any sign advertising a commercial enterprise, including
real estate developments or subdivisions, permitted in a district zoned residential
by any zoning regulation, which sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area
and shall advertise only the name of the owner, trade names, products sold,
telephone number and/or the business or activity conducted on the premises
where such sign is located; provided, however, that no more than two signs
shall be allowed for each such business or commercial activity, which signs
shall, in all other respects, conform to the provisions of this chapter concerning
signs in business use districts.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
(3)Â
A sign or notice having an area of 16 square feet or
less of a public utility, gasoline service station, public garage and outdoor
display area necessary for the direction, information or safety of the public.
(4)Â
On any gasoline service station, not more than one pole
sign erected for the purpose of advertising the brand of gasoline sold at
such service station, provided that such pole sign has a maximum area of not
more than 40 square feet and a maximum height of not more than 12 feet to
the top of such pole sign. In addition, the owner or lessee shall display
such signs as required by the State of New York or its agencies.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
A.Â
General regulations.
[Amended 11-23-2004 by L.L. No. 8-2004]
(1)Â
Generally, all signs of a temporary nature, such as civic, philanthropic,
educational posters, banners, streamers, promotional devices including sales
of merchandise and other signs of a similar nature, may be granted a temporary
permit for a period not to exceed 30 days, provided that such signs are not
attached to fences, trees, utility poles or the like.
(2)Â
No temporary signs can be placed in or upon village property
or within 10 feet of any curb or within 10 feet of the edge of a roadway if
no curb is present. No such signs can be placed in a position where they will
obstruct or impair vision or traffic or in any manner create a hazard or disturbance
to the safety, health and welfare of the general public.
B.Â
An application is required, but no fee shall be charged,
for signs, posters, banners, streamers or the like of a temporary nature placed
for or on behalf of a civic, philanthropic, educational or other not-for-profit
entity
[Amended 11-23-2004 by L.L. No. 8-2004]
C.Â
Signs advertising merchandise for sale. In the case of
temporary signs advertising merchandise for sale in or upon the premises where
such temporary signs are displayed, no temporary permit or fee shall be necessary
or required for the erection or display of such temporary signs.
D.Â
All temporary signs shall not exceed 32 square feet.
E.Â
Applicants for all temporary signs, posters, banners, promotional devices and streamers, except those described in Subsections B and C supra, shall file an application with the Building Inspector on a form to be provided by him and pay a fee as set forth in Chapter 118, Fees, at the time of the making of the application for the same.
[Amended 4-11-1995 by L.L. No. 1-1995; 11-23-2004
by L.L. No. 8-2004]
F.Â
All temporary signs shall be removed within three days
after the promotion, except those temporary signs for which a specific time
to remove is designated by separate provision.
[Amended 6-7-1977 by L.L.
No. 4-1977; 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
In districts zoned business, commercial, industrial, mixed or other
comparable classification by any zoning regulation, no sign shall be erected
or maintained except as follows:
A.Â
Two signs, one not exceeding 40 square feet in area and
no more than 12 feet in height above ground level, when not attached to a
building, and which advertises only the name of the owner, trade names, trademark,
product sold and/or the business or activity conducted on the premises whereon
such sign is located and which shall be set back at least 25 feet from any
public highway or street, and one sign attached to or applied on each building
or portion thereof, which sign shall not exceed three square feet for each
linear foot of frontage occupied by each business conducted on the premises.
Where a building has frontage on more than one street or public highway, one
such sign shall be permitted for each street frontage. In the event that a
sign is painted or applied to the front or face of a building, the area of
the sign shall be taken as the area required to circumscribe all the letters
and devices.
B.Â
Said signs shall be constructed of either metal, aluminum,
three-fourths-inch United States Department of Agriculture standard double-face
high-density overlay plywood (GPX or equivalent) or one-fourth-inch plexiglas.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
A.Â
In the case of temporary signs, posters or advertising
pertaining to political parties, candidates for election or events of civic,
philanthropic or educational nature, said signs may be erected and maintained
in any district, provided that said signs or posters in a political event
are displayed not more than 60 days before the primary and/or general election,
as set by the State of New York. In any other election of a civic, philanthropic
or educational event, said signs or posters shall not be displayed more than
30 days before the event.
[Amended 4-11-1995 by L.L. No. 1-1995; 11-22-2005
by L.L. No. 15-2005]
(1)Â
It is further provided that when the erector or installer of such signs or an authorized agent applies for and obtains a permit from the Village Clerk and deposits with the Village the sum set forth in Chapter 118, Fees, in cash, check or money order, the erector or installer of such signs or an authorized agent is deemed to guarantee that such signs or posters will be removed within one week after the election or event. If the said signs are not removed within the said period, the Village shall have them removed and shall keep the sum deposited to reimburse it for expenses incurred by it in removal and for general Village purposes.
(2)Â
At the time of the application for said permit, the authorized
agent shall give a statement that if the erector, installer or authorized
agent fails to remove said signs within one week, that the Village may do
so without further notice and without liability, and that the Village shall
be held harmless for any claims or damages against it arising out of the removal
of said signs or posters.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
No permanent sign shall hereafter be erected, reerected, constructed,
enlarged or altered without a sign permit obtained from the Building Inspector.
No sign permit shall be issued except as shown on an approved site development
plan or sign plan. Where only the sign display portion of a validly erected
sign is being changed, no sign permit is required, nor shall any sign permit
be required for painting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair
of a sign.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
Application for permit (required by § 209-10 of this chapter) shall be made in writing, in duplicate, upon forms prescribed and provided by the Building Department to the Building Inspector and shall contain the following information:
A.Â
The name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
B.Â
The location of the building, structure or land to which
or upon which the sign is to be erected.
C.Â
A detailed drawing or blueprint showing a description
of the construction details of the sign and showing the lettering and/or pictorial
matter composing the sign, position of lighting or other extraneous devices
showing in detail how said sign shall be affixed to the property or building,
as well as a location plan showing the position of the sign on any building
or land and its position in relation to nearby buildings or structures and
to any private or public street or highway.
D.Â
Written consent of the owner of the building, structure
or land to which or on which the sign is to be erected, in the event the applicant
is not the owner thereof.
E.Â
A copy of any required or necessary electrical permit
issued for said sign or a copy of the application therefor.
F.Â
The name, address and license number of the installer.
G.Â
Insurance required before issuance of a permit.
[Amended 12-20-1977 by L.L. No. 10-1977; 7-9-1985 by L.L. No. 4-1985;
4-7-1987 by L.L. No. 4-1987; 4-11-1995 by L.L.
No. 1-1995]
B.Â
Bond and insurance. Every sign installer registered hereunder
shall be required to furnish a bond in the penal sum of $10,000 for the faithful
performance of the provisions of this chapter, as well as liability insurance
in the amount of $1,000,000 for the calendar year.
C.Â
All permits expire as of December 31 in each year and
are renewable annually thereafter.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
The Building Inspector shall consider the following supplemental use
criteria in granting any approvals for signs:
A.Â
Signs must be clearly accessory to the use or uses upon
the same lot, and such signs and lighting must be shown to be essential to
the conduct of the principal use upon the lot.
B.Â
The size and content of the sign shall be the minimum
essential for legibility and for the provision of information to patrons seeking
the particular use described on such sign.
C.Â
The sign content shall not hawk or peddle and must clearly
provide only the information necessary to identify the use upon the lot.
D.Â
The sign shall not be confused with any traffic signal
or other safety device, nor be composed of elements depicting in exaggerated
size or grotesque style the use upon the lot.
E.Â
All existing signs on the lot, together with their supportings,
braces, guys, anchors, etc., shall be kept in repair and in a proper state
of preservation. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted
or maintained at all times.
A.Â
Generally. It shall be the duty of the Building Inspector,
upon the filing of an application for a permit to erect a sign, to examine
such plans, specifications and other data submitted to him with the application
and, if necessary, the building or premises upon which it is proposed to erect
the sign or other advertising structure. If it shall appear that the proposed
sign is in compliance with all the requirements of this chapter and other
laws of the Village of Spring Valley, he shall then, within 10 days, issue
a permit for the erection of the proposed sign. If the sign authorized under
any such permit has not been completed within six months from the date of
the issuance of such permit, the permit shall become null and void, but may
be renewed within 30 days from the expiration thereof for good cause shown.
[Amended 4-11-1995 by L.L. No. 1-1995]
B.Â
Information to be affixed to sign. Every sign shall bear
the permit number and name of the permit holder and/or the owner of the land
upon which the sign is erected, prominently and permanently affixed on the
face thereof. Failure to so affix the permit number and necessary names shall
constitute cause for revocation of the permit by the Building Inspector, in
addition to any other penalties or remedies provided in this chapter.
C.Â
The sign owner and landowner shall, at the time of applying
for a permit, give the Building Inspector or his agents, servants and employees
such irrevocable authorization as may be necessary to comply with the purposes
of this chapter.
[Added 7-9-1985 by L.L. No.
4-1985]
A.Â
Conformity with provisions; maintenance of signs. No
sign, whether new or existing, shall hereafter be erected or altered except
in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. However, notwithstanding
any provisions contained herein, the sign must be kept clean, neatly painted
and free from all hazards, such as but not limited to proper insurance coverage,
faulty wiring and loose fastenings, and must be maintained at all times in
such safe condition so as not to be detrimental to the public health or safety.
B.Â
Notice of violation; failure to correct violation. In
the event of a violation of any of the foregoing provisions, the Building
Inspector shall give written or personal notice, specifying the violation,
to the named owner of the sign and the named owner of the land upon which
the sign is erected, sent to the addresses as stated in the application for
the sign permit, to conform or remove such sign. The owner of the sign and
the owner of the land shall thereupon cause such sign to conform to the requirements
of this chapter within fifteen (15) days from the date of said notice. In
the event that such sign shall not be so conformed within fifteen (15) days,
the Building Inspector shall thereupon revoke the permit and notice shall
be given to the named owner of the sign and named owner of the land to remove
said sign within seven (7) days thereafter. If said sign is not removed, the
village shall remove said sign and charge the owner of the sign and/or land
with the cost of said removal.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
A.Â
Abandoned signs. Any sign existing on or after the effective
date of this chapter which no longer advertises an existing business conducted
or product sold on the premises shall be removed by the owner of the sign
or the owner of the premises upon which the sign is located after written
notice as provided herein. The Building Inspector, upon determining that any
such sign exists, shall notify the owner of the premises, in writing, to remove
said sign within thirty (30) days from the date of such notice. Upon failure
to comply with such notice within the prescribed time, the Building Inspector
is hereby authorized to remove or cause removal of such sign and shall assess
all costs and expenses incurred in said removal against the land or building
on which such sign is located.
B.Â
Unsafe, insecure or dangerous signs. If the Building
Inspector shall find that any sign regulated by this chapter is unsafe or
insecure or is a menace to the public, he shall give written notice to the
named owner of the sign and the named owner of the land upon which the sign
is erected to remove or repair said sign within five (5) days from the date
of said notice. If said sign is not removed or repaired, the Building Inspector
shall revoke the permit issued for such sign, as herein provided, and may
remove or repair such sign and shall assess all costs and expenses incurred
in said removal or repair against the land or building on which such sign
is located. The Building Inspector may cause any sign which is a source of
immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily without notice.
C.Â
Where temporary signs, including political signs are not timely
removed as set forth in this Code, the Building Inspector shall notify the
owner of the premises and/or the candidate or his committee and/or the person
who obtained the temporary sign permit, in writing to remove said signs within
three days from the date of notice. Upon failure to timely comply with such
notice, the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to remove or cause the
removal of such signs and shall assess all costs and expenses incurred in
said removal against the land or building on which such signs are located
or against the political candidate or his committee or the person who obtained
the permit.
[Added 11-23-2004 by L.L. No. 8-2004]
In the event that a sign is erected prior to the effective date of this
chapter, which sign does not conform with the provisions and standards of
this chapter, the requisite permit, as provided herein, shall be granted for
every such sign or other advertising structure for a period of time not exceeding
the remaining or undepreciated useful life of such sign as based on an appropriate
depreciation formula or any other reasonable formula which will provide an
adequate period for the depreciation of the sign.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following types
of signs:
A.Â
Signs conforming to the New York State Department of
Transportation Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and other traffic
regulatory signs shown on an approved site development plan or required pursuant
to the order of municipal traffic control agencies.
B.Â
Other signs of or required by duly constituted governmental
bodies and their agencies.
C.Â
Temporary, nonilluminated construction signs, not exceeding
twelve (12) square feet in area, identifying the project under construction,
participating designers, contractors or developers. Such a sign shall be permitted
only during the construction period of the project.
D.Â
Signs not visible outside of a building.
E.Â
Holiday decorations displayed in season.
F.Â
Temporary signs for garage sales, provided that such
signs contain the name of the seller and date of the sale, are displayed only
two (2) days prior to the sale and are removed the day after the sale.
G.Â
"No Trespassing" signs.
H.Â
On-site directional signs.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Building Inspector relative
to the provisions of this chapter may appeal such a decision to the Zoning
Board of Appeals, as provided in the zoning regulations of the Village of
Spring Valley, and shall comply with all procedural requirements prescribed
by such Zoning Board of Appeals.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985; 4-12-1988 by L.L.
No. 5-1988]
Any person, firm or corporation or agent who shall violate any provisions
of this chapter shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not to
exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000.) and/or imprisonment for a period not
exceeding fifteen (15) days, or both. The continuance of such offense against
the provisions of this chapter shall constitute, for each and every day or
part thereof the same is continued, a separate and distinct violation hereunder.
[Amended 7-9-1985 by L.L.
No. 4-1985]
This chapter is applicable within the Village of Spring Valley and shall
be construed as an exercise of the powers of such municipality to regulate,
control and restrict the use of buildings, structures and land for outdoor
advertising purposes, displays, signs and other advertising media in order
to promote the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community,
including the protection and preservation of the property of the municipality
and its inhabitants and of peace and good order, for the benefit of trade
and all matters related thereto.
