(A) General.
(1) No sign shall be erected at any location where the position, size, shape, color, movement or illumination may interfere with, obstruct the view or be confused with a traffic signal or sign or in any manner confuse traffic. Consideration of traffic visibility and injurious effects on adjacent properties is essential. All signs shall be designed, constructed and maintained so as not to change the essential character of the area.
(2) All signs shall be constructed, connected, operated and maintained according to the specifications of the applicable Building and Electrical Codes.
(3) All signs shall be maintained in a good state of repair. Painted faces or structural members shall be repainted whenever peeling or fading occurs. Neon tubes, lamps, ballasts and transformers shall be kept in a good state of repair and in safe condition. The Town may order the removal of any sign that is not properly maintained.
(4) No sign shall be placed, erected or constructed on public right-of-way other than those installed by a public agency for purposes of traffic control and informational purposes.
(5) All signs hereafter erected shall be in accordance with the visibility requirements as set forth in § 156.121 of this chapter.
(6) A building permit shall be obtained, before any of the signs listed herein exceeding ten square feet in area, are erected or altered.
(B) Non-conforming signs.
(1) Any sign lawfully established prior to the effective date of this chapter or amendments hereto, that does not conform to the regulations of this chapter shall be deemed a nonconforming sign and may be continued, except as provided by the provisions of this section and the provisions of §§ 156.145 through 156.151 of this chapter.
(2) Expansion of such non-conforming signs, or the erection of signs accessory to a nonconforming use, may be authorized only by the Board of Zoning Appeals as a variance. No variance granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals shall exceed the size regulations for similar permitted signs.
(C) Special uses - signs. Signs accessory to a special use may be approved as a part of the special use permit in accordance with the provisions of §§ 156.100 through 156.107 of this chapter. If not specifically authorized and approved at the time the special use is granted, plans shall be submitted for approval prior to any sign being erected. Any proposed changes or alterations to an approved sign shall follow the same approval procedures as for acquiring the special use permit.
(D) Signs permitted in residential districts.
(1) A non-illuminated sign advertising the sale or rental of the building or property, not exceeding eight square feet in area, placed no nearer to the street line than one-half of the existing front yard depth.
(2) A non-illuminated sign announcing a legal home occupation that is offered on the premises; provided that, such sign shall not exceed two square foot in area and shall be attached flat against a building wall.
(3) A non-illuminated sign advertising a recorded subdivision or development, not to exceed 32 square feet in area, and placed no closer to any street right-of-way than one-third the minimum required front yard depth.
(4) One non-illuminated sign identifying a multiple-family building, not to exceed 32 square feet in area, and placed no closer to any street right-of-way line than one-third the minimum required front yard depth.
(E) Signs permitted in commercial and industrial districts.
(1) A sign in any commercial or industrial district is permitted only where it advertises a business occupying the same lot upon which the sign is erected. Signs shall conform to the building setback and height requirements, except for and in addition to, the requirements provided below:
(a) In any commercial or industrial district, a sign may be affixed flat against the wall of the building, or may project therefrom not more than 48 inches; provided that, such signs do hot project over a sidewalk or public right-of-way. Projecting signs shall be at least 12 feet above finished grade. The total sign area shall not exceed one square foot for each foot in length or height of the wall, whichever is greater, to which it is affixed. No such sign shall extend more than four feet in height above the building to which it is affixed.
(b) In the C-3 Commercial District, one freestanding identification sign may be erected for a shopping center or other integrated group of stores or commercial buildings. The area for said sign shall not exceed 200 square feet, nor be closer to the front, side or rear property line than one-third the distance of the required building set-back.
(c) One free-standing identification sign may be erected for each separate enterprise situated on an individual lot, in any commercial or industrial district other than the C-2 and C-3 Districts. Such sign shall not exceed 80 square feet in area, nor be closer to any street right-of-way line than one-half the minimum required front yard depth.
(d) All signs may be illuminated internally or by reflected light provided the source of light is not directly visible and is arranged to reflect away from the adjoining premises; further provided that, such illumination shall not be so placed as to cause confusion or hazard to traffic or conflict with traffic control signs or lights.
(2) No illumination involving movement by reason of the lighting arrangement or other devices shall be permitted.
(F) Outdoor advertising signs.
(1) Outdoor advertising signs (billboards) are permitted only in the C-4 Commercial and in the industrial districts.
(a) Outdoor advertising signs are required to have the same setback as other principal structures or buildings in the zone in which they are situated.
(b) Where two or more outdoor advertising signs are along the frontage of a single street or highway on the same side of the roadway, they shall not be less than 500 feet apart. A double face (back to back) or a V-type structure shall be considered a single sign.
(c) The total surface area, facing in the same direction of any outdoor advertising sign shall not exceed 300 square feet.
(d) No outdoor advertising sign shall be erected on the roof of any building, nor have one sign above another sign.
(e) Outdoor advertising signs may be illuminated by reflected light only, provided the source of light is not directly visible and is so arranged to reflect away from the adjoining premises; further provided that, such illumination shall not be so placed as to cause confusion or a hazard to traffic or conflict with traffic-control signs.
(2) No illumination involving movement by reason of the lighting arrangement or other devices shall be permitted.
(Ord. 9-80, passed 12-15-1980)