(1) Signs containing the message that the real estate on which the sign is located (including buildings) is for sale, lease or rent, together with information identifying the owner or agent. Real estate signs advertising residential properties shall not exceed four square feet in area. Real estate signs advertising commercial or industrial property shall not exceed 32 square feet in area. All real estate signs shall be removed within ten days of sale, lease or rental. For lots of five acres or more in area and abutting more than one public street, a single sign on each street frontage may be erected. Each sign shall not exceed the above-mentioned sign area.
(2) Construction site identification signs. Such signs may identify the project, the owner or developer, architect, engineer, contractor and subcontractors, and funding sources, and may contain related information. Not more than one such sign shall be erected per site, and it may not exceed 32 square feet in area. Such signs may be erected no more than 30 days prior to the issuance of a building permit and shall be removed within ten days after the issuance of the final occupancy permit.
(3) Signs proclaiming religious or other non-commercial messages that do not exceed 16 square feet in area and that are not internally illuminated. Such signs shall be limited to one per abutting street.
(4) Displays of a non-commercial nature, including lighting, erected in connection with the observance of holidays. Such signs shall be removed within ten days following the holiday or established holiday season.
(5) Signs erected in connection with elections or political campaigns. Such signs may only be posted on private property only after the official campaign period has begun and shall be removed within three days following the election or conclusion of the campaign. No such sign may exceed 12 square feet in area.
(6) Signs indicating that a special event such as a fair, carnival, circus, festival or similar happening is to take place on the lot where the sign is located. Such signs may be erected no sooner than two weeks before the event and must be removed no later than three days after the event.
(B) Temporary signs cannot be located within street rights-of-way or public property unless approved by the Board of Aldermen or its designee. Such signs include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) All signs listed in division (A) above;
(2) Signs made of paper, cloth, polyethylene film or other similar material, whether or not they include wood as a part of the structure;
(3) Signs that are not permanently affixed to the ground or a building surface in a manner approved by the Building Inspector;
(4) Trailer signs (includes such signs without trailer); and
(5) Portable signs.
(C) Although temporary signs generally do not require a zoning permit, the following exceptions do apply.
(1) Trailer signs. Trailer signs may only be used by new businesses. They cannot remain on a site in excess of 30 days, nor be modified and used as permanent signage.
(2) Portable sidewalk signs. Said signs cannot exceed a total sign surface area of six square feet, may be displayed only during normal operating hours of the business being advertised, and must be located within five feet of such commercial building. They must meet wind safety standards set by the town, and their placement upon a street right-of-way or public property must be approved by the Board of Aldermen or its designee.
(3) Miscellaneous. Banners, banner type signs, pennants, streamers, festoons of lights, flags, strings of twirlers or propellers, flares, balloons and similar devices of a carnival nature may not be used in any one-year period for more than a total of 30 days. Said devices such as banners and banner type signs shall not exceed 32 square feet of sign surface area. In the event any of the aforementioned devices are used to announce the opening of a new business, such devices may remain on a site for an additional 30 days upon the opening of such business. In addition, balloons, blimps and similar devices displayed at a height greater than 20 feet shall not exceed 36 square feet of surface area as seen at one time by a person from any vantage point. Surface area shall be computed based on the diameter of such advertising balloon or the length and width of such blimp. Said devices shall not exceed a display height of 50 feet and shall be limited to no more than one such device per development.
(Ord. passed 4-9-2013; Ord. 2021-03, passed 6-8-2021)