Except as specifically provided in this chapter, only those signs which identify, advertise or promote the use established or goods sold or services rendered on the premises upon which the sign is located shall be permitted to be constructed, maintained or continued in the Municipality. All other outdoor advertising devices, including billboards, pennants and similar type device, whether wind-propelled or motor-driven, shall be prohibited. Permitted signs shall meet the following requirements:
(a) Traffic safety; ingress and egress. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, no sign shall be so located as to obstruct or interfere with traffic or traffic visibility. No sign shall be so designed or constructed as to resemble or imitate signs, devices or signals erected by the Municipality for the regulation of traffic and parking. No sign shall be so located as to obstruct or interfere with any ingress or egress to a building or other premises required by the Building Code or this Zoning Code, or any window or other opening in any building providing ventilation to such building.
(b) Building access and ventilation. No sign shall be so located as to obstruct or interfere with any ingress or egress to a building or other premises required by the Building Code or this Zoning Code, or any window or other opening in any building providing ventilation to such building.
(c) Illuminated or animated signs. Signs may be illuminated by either external or internal sources of light. No sign shall be permitted in the Municipality, which:
(1) Rotates or which incorporates animation, moving parts, flashing lights or changing colors.
(2) Flashes on and off or where displays change in any degree of intensity. This regulation applies to signs located outside of buildings and to window signs inside buildings which are meant to be seen from the outside. However, a part of a sign which, by means of changes in copy or moving parts, indicates time and/or temperature or other public information, shall be excepted from this subsection.
(3) Illuminated signage that is not fully functioning as designed shall be turned off until the sign is illuminated to a fully functional state. This includes burnt out or broken bulbs, LED's or other lighting elements.
(d) Directional or informational signs. Small directional or informational signs, and non-advertising signs such as “IN,” “OUT,” “REST ROOMS,” “REGULAR” and “PREMIUM,” etc., shall be permitted with no limitation as to number, provided that such a sign shall be limited to one square foot in face area and are mounted on the wall, canopy or door of a building.
A maximum of two signs per curb cut, not to exceed four signs per property, may:
(1) Be up to four square feet individually.
(2) Be internally lighted.
(3) Not exceed four feet in height nor shall they obstruct the view of drivers on or off the premises.
(4) Not be closer than five feet to any property line.
Directional or informational signs shall be designed of similar materials or colors of the building it is providing direction to or information for.
(e) Projecting signs. No sign, whether free- standing or attached to a building or other structure, may project over the right-of-way of any public street, sidewalk or other public right-of-way. Existing signs which encroach on a right-of-way shall be removed.
(f) Illuminated signs near residential areas. All illuminated signs located within 100 feet of any residential zone shall cease to be illuminated at 10:00 p.m. or until the establishment is closed for business for the day, whichever is later.
(g) Unsafe signs. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the Building Commissioner or Zoning Officer shall make a periodic inspection of all signs or other structures governed by this chapter, and if, upon such inspection, the Building Commissioner or Zoning Officer determines that any such sign is or has become defective or unsecurely mounted or supported, so as to constitute a public or traffic hazard, the Building Commissioner or Zoning Officer shall order such sign to be removed or repaired so as to eliminate such hazard. The owner or person in control of such sign shall bear the full cost of compliance with such order of the Building Commissioner or Zoning Officer. If the Building Commissioner or Zoning Officer determines that such sign is of immediate danger, he or she shall place or cause to be placed signs or barriers indicating such danger. If the unsafe sign in question is not removed within 30 days of notification by the Building Commissioner or Zoning Officer, the Municipality may remove such sign in question and assess the cost of removal to the County Property Tax Bill.
(h) Similar materials and design. Signs and their supports shall be constructed of similar building materials or use similar colors to that of the principal building to which the sign is related.
(Ord. 17-2013, passed 9-24-2013)