GS-01: except as otherwise provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, move or covert any sign, or change the permanent copy on an existing sign structure within the jurisdiction of the town’s Advisory Plan Commission, or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a sign permit from the Plan Commission.
(A) Inspection. Signs for which a permit is required may be inspected periodically by the Plan Commission or Zoning Administrator for compliance with this chapter and other codes of the town.
(B) Removal of sign.
(1) The Plan Commission or Zoning Administrator may order the removal of any sign erected or maintained in violation of this subchapter. A 30 days’ written notice shall be given to the owner or business operator describing the violation and to remove the sign or bring it into compliance. A three-day notice shall be given for temporary or portable signs. The Plan Commission or Zoning Administrator may remove a sign immediately and without notice if the condition of the sign presents an immediate threat to the safety of the public.
(2) Any cost associated with signs removed by the Plan Commission and/or his or her agent, pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter, shall be reimbursed by the owner of said sign. Should said sign not be redeemed within 60 days of its removal, it may be disposed of in any manner deemed appropriate by the town.
(C) Maintenance. All signs and components thereof shall be kept in good repair and in safe, neat, clean and attractive condition. If failure to maintain a sign is determined by the Plan Commission or Zoning Administrator, a written notice will be given to the owner, business operator or lessee of the property. Thirty days shall be given to the owner, business operator or lessee of the property to comply to the regulations. After 30 days, if the owner/business operator fails to comply, penalties shall be imposed according to § 156.999 of this chapter.
(D) Abandoned signs. A sign shall be removed by the owner of lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when the business which it advertises is no longer conducted on the premises. If the owner or lessee fails to remove the sign, the Plan Commission or Zoning Administrator shall give the owner 30 days written notice to remove it. Upon failure to comply with this notice, the Plan Commission or Zoning Administrator may remove the sign at cost to the property owner or lessee.
(E) Illuminated signs. All illuminated signs must meet the standards as specified in the state’s Electrical Code, as adopted and amended by the state. In addition, all illuminated signs shall comply with the following standards.
(1) No sign shall have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights, nor shall any device be utilized which has a changing light intensity, brightness or color, or give such illusion.
(2) The full number of illuminating elements shall be kept in satisfactory working condition and immediately repaired or replaced if damaged or burned out. Signs that are only partially illuminated shall meet all electrical requirements for that portion directly illuminated.
(3) All electrical wiring for permanent signs shall be in conduit. All electricity for signs shall have a disconnecting switch located in a readily accessible place.
(4) The direct or reflected light from a primary light source shall not create a traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on public and/or private roadways.
(5) The light from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded, shielded or directed such that the light intensity or brightness will not be objectionable to the surrounding properties. No light shall shine directly onto adjacent property.
(F) Exempt signs. The following signs are exempt from all provisions of this chapter.
(1) Flags of any country, state, unit of local government, institution of higher learning or similar institutional flags. No commercial messages or logos are permitted on such flags.
(2) Names of building, date of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets and the like when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum or other permanent type construction and made an integral part of the structure. No commercial messages or logos are permitted on such integral signs.
(3) Public signs of a non-commercial nature and in the public interest erected by or on the order of public officer(s) in the performance of public duty, such as signs to promote safety, no trespassing, or traffic signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest and signs directing people to public and quasi-public facilities.
(4) Utility signs are permitted to mark cables and lines for public and private utilities, except if determined to be a hazard by the Plan Commission.
(5) Seasonal or holiday signs, including lighting erected in connection with the observance of holidays; provided that, such signs shall be removed no later than 30 days following the holiday.
(G) Prohibited signs. The following types signs are expressly prohibited in all zoning districts:
(1) Signs that utilize any motion picture, laser or visual projection of images or copy in conjunction with any business or advertisement;
(2) Signs that emit audible sound, odor or visible matter;
(3) Signs that purport to be or are in imitation of, or resemble an official traffic sign or signal or which bear the words “stop”, “slow”, “caution”, “danger”, “warning” or similar words;
(4) Signs that may be construed as a light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle;
(5) Signs that hide from view any traffic or roadway sign, signal or device;
(6) Signs that interfere with the vision clearance area, as defined in § 156.135 of this chapter;
(7) Signs that obstruct any door, fire escape, stairway or any opening intended to provide entrance or exit for any building or structure; and
(8) Any sign that is not expressly permitted in this subchapter.
(Ord. 2002-05, passed 12-30-2002, § 10.3)