The following are the types of temporary signs allowed in the City of Mount Vernon, including any applicable regulations for each type of sign.
(a) Standards Applicable to All Temporary Signs.
(1) Temporary signs shall not be mounted, attached, affixed, installed or otherwise secured in a manner that will make the sign a permanent sign.
(2) No temporary sign shall be mounted, attached, affixed, installed or otherwise secured so as to protrude above the roofline of a structure.
(3) All temporary signs shall be secured in such a manner as to prevent swinging or other significantly noticeable movement resulting from the wind that could pose a danger to people, vehicles or structures.
(4) Unless otherwise specifically stated, temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
(5) No temporary sign shall require a foundation, support, wiring, fittings, or elements that would traditionally require a building permit or electrical permit.
(6) Temporary signs shall not be affixed to any permanent sign or permanent structure except when a banner sign is permitted to cover a permanent sign in accordance with this section or when such sign is attached to the principal building as permitted in this chapter.
(7) No streamers, spinning, flashing, windblown devices or similarly moving devices shall be allowed as part of, or attachments to, temporary signs.
(8) Where a temporary sign is designed to have two (2) sign faces (sidewalk signs or temporary yard signs), such sign faces shall be of the same size and mounted back-to-back. In the cases of an A-frame sidewalk sign, the sign faces shall be mounted back-to-back but may have an angular separation between faces to form the A-frame shape.
(9) Temporary signs shall be constructed of a material that is substantial enough to withstand typical winds and weather for the duration of the placement.
(10) Because of the nature of materials typically used to construct temporary signs and to avoid the unsightliness of deteriorating signs and all safety concerns which accompany such a condition, temporary signs shall be removed or replaced when such a sign is deteriorated.
(11) Temporary signs shall not be located in the right-of-way. Where the right-of-way is unknown, the temporary sign shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from the edge of any street pavement.
(b) Temporary Signs Allowed without Zoning Permits.
(1) Table 1113-2 establishes the allowances for temporary signs in all zoning districts. All sign types are subject to the general provisions above and the sign-type standards that follow the table.
Zoning Districts | Residential | Nonresidential |
Time Limit | Unrestricted | Unrestricted |
Maximum Sign Area per Lot [1] | 36 Square Feet | 36 Square Feet |
Maximum Sign Area per Individual Sign [1] | 16 Square Feet | 16 Square Feet |
Maximum Height | 5 Feet | 5 Feet |
Permitted Sign Types | Banner, Window or Yard | Banner, Window, Sidewalk or Yard |
Zoning Permit Approval Required | No | No |
NOTE: [1] The provisions of this requirement are as stated in the table unless otherwise allowed for in the applicable sign type standards below. | ||
(c) Additional Temporary Signs Allowed with Zoning Permits. The following additional temporary signs are permitted provided a zoning permit is approved for the signs:
(1) For zoning permit applications related to the establishment of a new use or change of use within an existing building, where there is existing permanent sign, a banner sign may be approved for up to sixty (60) consecutive days to cover the existing permanent signs. Such banner sign shall not exceed the sign area of the permanent sign.
(2) In addition to the temporary signs allowed in Table 1113-2, above, one additional temporary sign is allowed for up to fourteen (14) consecutive days per quarter in nonresidential zoning districts with the following provisions:
A. A quarter shall be defined as evenly timed quarter of the calendar year (January to March, April to June, July to September, and October to December).
B. The sign shall be limited to balloon, banner, feather, and yard signs.
C. The maximum sign area shall be thirty-six (36) square feet.
D. The maximum sign height shall be ten (10) feet.
(d) Temporary Sign Type Standards.
(1) Banner Signs.
A. Banner signs shall not be subject to the maximum height requirements of this section provided they are not attached above any roofline.
B. Banner signs can be affixed to a building but not to a fence, unless such fence is enclosing an outdoor dining area adjacent to the building.
(2) Feather Signs.
A. Feather signs are prohibited in the CB District.
B. Only one (1) feather sign shall be permitted for any lot. If a lot has more than 100 feet of lot frontage along a public street, one (1) additional feather sign shall be permitted at the same time as the initial feather sign.
C. The maximum height of a feather sign may exceed the maximum height in the temporary sign allowance table but in no case shall exceed ten (10) feet in height.
(3) Sidewalk Signs.
A. Only one (1) sidewalk sign is allowed for each building unit.
B. The sidewalk sign shall be limited to an A-frame sidewalk sign or a T-frame sidewalk sign.
C. There shall be no time limitation for sidewalk signs with the exception that the sign shall only be placed outside during the hours of the establishment's operation.
D. Sidewalk signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area with a maximum height of four (4) feet.
E. The sign shall not be placed on pavement used for vehicles (e.g., driveways and parking lots) or in landscaped areas.
F. When placed on a public or private sidewalk, the width and placement of the sign shall be such so that there shall be a minimum width of four (4) feet of clear and passable sidewalk or walkway for pedestrians.
G. The sign must be freestanding and shall not be affixed, chained, anchored, or otherwise secured to the ground or to any pole, parking meter, tree, tree grate, fire hydrant, or other structure.
H. The sign must not obstruct access to parking meters, bicycle racks and other features legally in the right-of-way.
I. The sign must not interfere with the opening of car doors in legal spaces, or with the operation of wheelchair lifts and ramps, cab stands, loading zones or bus stops.
J. The sign shall be internally weighted so that it is stable and windproof.
K. The City of Mount Vernon shall be held harmless from any liability resulting from accident or injury caused by the placement and/or maintenance of such sign.
(4) Window Signs.
A. Temporary window signs may be placed inside windows of residential uses in all zoning districts.
B. Temporary window signs utilized in nonresidential uses shall be regulated in accordance with Section 1113.10.
(5) Yard Signs. Temporary yard signs are prohibited in the right-of-way and shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from adjoining lot lines.
(Ord. 2024-032. Passed 7-22-24.)