(A) General purpose.
(1) The provisions of this section shall govern the regulation of signs in commercial districts.
(2) The purpose of these sign provisions is to provide the necessary signs for safety, public convenience and identification without impairing the residential character of the town.
(3) This chapter authorizes the use of signs visible from public rights-of-way provided the signs are:
(a) Compatible with their surroundings, pursuant to the objectives of proper design;
(b) Allowing and promoting optimum conditions of meeting the sign users needs while also promoting an amenable environment desired by the general public;
(c) Designed, constructed, installed and maintained in such a manner that they do not endanger public safety or traffic safety;
(d) Legible, readable and visible in the circumstances in which they are used; and
(e) Respectful of the reasonable rights of other advertisers whose messages are displayed.
(1996 Code, § 176-83)
(B) Placement and design of signs.
(1) Prohibition of obstructive signs. No sign may be arranged so that it interferes with traffic, through glare, through blocking of reasonable sight lines for streets, sidewalks or driveways, through conrusion with a traffic control device (by reason of its color, location, shape or other characteristics), or through any other means. Rotation beacons and flashing sidewalk signs are prohibited.
(2) Location of signs. Any portion of a sign or a pole or standard of such sign which is in contact with the ground shall be within the lot lines of the property.
(a) Height of signs. Signs shall not exceed the height of the structure housing the business advertised or 25 feet, whichever is greater.
(b) Overhanging signs. Overhanging signs referring to business operated on the premises are permitted, provided that any such sign shall not be allowed to protrude more than two feet from the building front, and shall not exceed one square inch for each square foot of that business store front, up to a maximum of ten square feet. Under canopy signs are permitted provided they do not exceed 250 square inches and allow a clearance of seven feet from sidewalk to bottom of sign.
(1996 Code, § 176-84)
(C) Nonconforming signs.
(1) Any advertising structure or sign which was lawfully erected and maintained prior to the adoption of this chapter shall be allowed to remain as a nonconforming sign.
(2) Any sign damaged to the extent that it represents a public hazard as determined by the Building Inspector shall be removed immediately.
(3) Nonconforming signs advertising a business which changes ownership must be removed within 90 days of the date of change of ownership.
(1996 Code, § 176-85)
(D) Sign review plan.
(1) No person shall erect, construct or maintain any sign upon any property without first submitting a drawing to the Building Inspector showing sign lettering dimensions, methods of attachment and the area in which the sign is to be located.
(2) Neon signs shall have no exposed electrodes. All lighted signs will meet the requirements of the local electrical codes.
(3) Upon receiving written approval from the Building Inspector, the proposed sign may be constructed.
(1996 Code, § 176-86)
(E) Exemptions from sign regulations. The following shall not be subject to the provisions of this chapter:
(1) Signs provided or required by a duly constituted government body, including traffic or similar regulatory devices, legal notices or warning at railroad crossings;
(2) Flags or emblems of a political, philanthropic, education or religious organizations;
(3) Temporary signs for a period not to exceed three months announcing a campaign, drive or event listed in division (E)(2) above;
(4) Memorial plaques or tablets;
(5) Small signs each not to exceed one square foot of display surface area, displayed for the direction or convenience of the public, including signs which identify rest rooms, freight entrances or the like; and
(6) Small realty signs as defined in § 153.007.
(1996 Code, § 176-87)
(F) Sign maintenance. Any sign damaged to the extent that it represents a public hazard or becomes unsightly due to lack of proper maintenance shall be removed after the owner has been notified in writing.
(1996 Code, § 176-88)