(A) The regulations contained in this Article shall apply to all signs, sign structures, and other types of sign devices located within the Village of Swanton, except when specifically stated otherwise.
(B) No sign shall be erected, established, painted, created, or maintained in the Village of Swanton without the issuance of a zoning permit and payment of the required fee as required in § 150.362 unless otherwise exempted in this Article.
(1) A zoning permit is not required for the following types of signs and sign maintenance:
(a) The non-structural maintenance of a sign.
(b) A change of copy on changeable copy signs.
(c) Temporary signs in residential districts.
(2) A zoning permit is required for changes to sign panels, painted signs or letters that are attached to a structure or wall.
(3) All structural changes to a sign or supporting structure shall require a zoning permit.
(4) Signs in nonresidential districts, in multi-family residential districts, and for nonresidential uses in one-family districts shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission according to § 150.652.
(C) Architectural features that are an integrated part of the building or structure are not considered signs and are exempt from these regulations.
(1) Architectural feature means ornamentation or decorative elements attached to, incorporated into, or projected from the exterior of a building or structure, including a structure attending to, but not an integral part of the sign;
(2) Architectural features of a building include, but are not limited to, doors, windows, columns, cornices, eaves, gutters, fascias, belt courses, sills, lintels, pediments, bay windows, chimneys, trim details and decorative ornaments; and
(3) Architectural features may consist of landscaping, building or structural forms that enhance the site in general.
(D) Noncommercial Speech. The commercial message sign area allowed for any permanent sign permitted in this Article may be substituted with a noncommercial message. A sign permit shall not be required for this substitution if there is no structural change to the sign.
(E) Exempt Signs. The following signs and displays are exempt from the regulations of this Chapter:
(1) The display of official public notices, the Unites States or any state flag, emblem or insignia of an official governmental body shall not be governed by the provisions of these regulations.
(2) Any sign erected or required to be erected by a unit of local, state or federal government.
(3) Any warning signs or traffic safety signs required by public utility providers.
(4) Building marker, cornerstones, or building plaques.
(5) Works of art that do not include a commercial message.
(6) Religious symbols that do not display a commercial message.
(7) Decorative religious displays and other holiday lights or decorations containing no commercial message when displayed during the appropriate time of the year.
(8) Any sign located inside a building that is not visible from outside of the building, or that is mounted more than three feet beyond a transparent window or door. Signs in windows that are mounted in such a way as to be viewed from outside the building shall be considered window signs subject to the provisions of this Article.
(9) Any outdoor sign that does not exceed two square feet and that is not visible from any adjacent public right-of-way or from any adjacent property.
(Ord. 2023-03, passed 2-27-2023)