(A) General. Signs are one of the most noticeable visual elements along every city and county's commercial streets and highways. Signs communicate what a particular establishment offers. They also communicate something about the quality of the businesses and the image of the community in general. Together with other visual elements in the town's environment, signs can play a major role in how people perceive the town's image. Well-designed signs that communicate their message clearly, without attempting to compete for attention with the road, will help create a more pleasing visual environment along the town's streets. The goal of this article is to attain a balance between proper levels of safety and to enhance the town's streetscapes with the addition of eye-catching visual design that helps identify businesses and their services.
(B) Intent. To ensure that signage is designed and placed to complement the character of the town. To minimize the distractions and obstructions that contributes to traffic hazards and endangers public safety. To protect existing development and promote high standards of quality in new development by requiring appropriately designed, placed and sized signage. To provide an effective guide for communicating identification through signage while preventing signs from dominating the visual appearance of the areas in which they are located. The following standards shall apply to all signs in all zoning districts unless otherwise noted.
(C) Applicability.
(1) It shall be unlawful to construct, enlarge, modify, move or replace any sign or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a zoning permit for the sign from the town.
(2) Not withstanding the above, changing or replacing the permanent copy on an existing lawful sign shall not require a permit, provided the copy change does not change the nature of the sign so as to render it in violation of this article.
(2003 Code, § 8-3.6.1) (Updated 2009)