Unless otherwise specifically stated, signs that comply with the provisions contained in this section shall be exempt from all other provisions of this chapter, except the provisions for a vision clearance area, as specified in § 194.021 of this chapter, which shall apply:
(A) Highlighting of structural/architectural elements of buildings, such as roof lines, doors, window or wall edges, by illumination shall not be considered a sign, nor regulated by this chapter; provided, however, if such highlighting or outlining contains text or logos, such items shall be considered signs and regulated by this chapter according to the sign type and district in which it is located. Highlighting or outlining of structural/architectural elements of buildings using exposed neon or similar tubing (to include, but not be limited to high intensity fluorescent (HIF) tubing, incandescent tubing, halogen high intensity discharge systems and light-emitting diode (LED) tubing), shall be prohibited. In no case shall such building lighting be flashing or animated;
(B) Flags, pennants, emblems or insignia of any nation, state or political subdivision shall be permitted; provided, the setback requirements for signs, and the maximum height requirements for buildings and structures in the applicable district, are met;
(C) Integral, decorative or architectural features of buildings, so long as such features or works do not contain logos, letters or trademarks, except as noted in division (E)(4) below;
(D) Interior signs, signs located:
(1) Within the interior of any building, or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building; or
(2) Located within the inner or outer lobby, court or entrance of any theater, that are not viewable or intended to be viewable from the public right-of-way and do not qualify as “window signs”, as herein defined.
(E) Miscellaneous signs, including, but not be limited to:
(1) Signs giving property identification, names or numbers of occupants, and containing two square feet or less in sign surface area;
(2) Signs posted on private property relating to private property, private parking, no trespassing or danger from animals and containing two square feet or less in sign surface area;
(3) Signs indicating the location of public telephones and restrooms, underground public utilities or similar location signs and containing four square feet or less in sign surface area; and
(4) Signs which are integral to the building and indicating the name of the building, date of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets and the like, when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum or other permanent type construction and made an integral part of the building.
(F) Official signs authorized by a government or governmental subdivision which give traffic, directional or warning information, and signs of public service companies indicating danger and aide to service or safety which are erected by, or on the order of, a public officer in the performance of their public duty;
(G) Signs required or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute or ordinance, which may be any type, number, area, height above grade, location or illumination required by the law, statute or ordinance under which the signs are erected;
(H) Seasonal or holiday displays; provided, they contain no commercial message, are primarily decorative in nature, and are clearly incidental and commonly associated with any national or religious holiday;
(I) Tombstones;
(J) One temporary building identification banner may be allowed:
(1) Upon approval of an application for a permanent building identification sign;
(2) Not to exceed 60 days from the approval or installation of the permanent building identification sign;
(3) The temporary banner shall not be larger than 32 square feet; and
(4) There shall be no permit or fee for this temporary banner.
(K) Signs related to grand openings or town-recognized special events; provided that, the maximum sign surface area of each such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet. Signs permitted under this section include pennants and banners:
(1) For grand openings. Signs for grand opening may be erected on-premises only not more than ten days prior to the grand opening and shall be removed no more than five days after the event. In no case shall such signs remain on the premises for more than 30 consecutive days; and
(2) For town-recognized special events. Signs for town-recognized special events may be erected on-premises or off-premises. Such signs may be erected throughout the year; however, the maximum number of days such signs may be displayed shall not exceed a total of 30 days per year.
(L) Temporary signs:
(1) (a) One temporary freestanding sign shall be permitted on a lot, subject to the following setback requirements (measured from the centerline of the public way):
1. Temporary sign with a setback of less than 34.99 feet:
a. Maximum sign surface area: six square feet; and
b. Maximum sign height: four and one-half feet, measured from grade to the top of the sign face.
2. Temporary sign with a setback of 35 feet but no greater than 44.99 feet:
a. Maximum sign surface area: 16 square feet; and
b. Maximum sign height: eight feet measured from grade to the top of the sign face.
3. Temporary sign with a setback greater than 45 feet:
a. Maximum sign surface area: 32 square feet; and
b. Maximum sign height: eight feet measured from grade to the top of the sign face.
(b) In no case shall a temporary freestanding sign be located in the public right-of-way, nor within the vision clearance area;
(c) Temporary window sign, in all districts, shall not exceed 5% of the window on which it is placed or through which it is viewed.
(2) In no case shall any temporary sign be allowed to remain for a period longer than one year.
(3) A temporary sign which is for a specific event, service or activity shall be posted no more than 30 days prior to the event, service or activity, and shall be removed within five days of the conclusion of such event, service or activity.
(4) A temporary sign shall be permitted on a lot only upon prior authorization by the owner of the lot.
(5) Any sign which meets the ordinance definition of an on-premises business sign shall not be considered or allowed as a temporary sign.
(Ord. 2000-16, passed 8-28-2000, § 6.2; Ord. 2008-08, passed 5-5-2008; Ord. 2008-09, passed 5-5-2008; Ord. 2015-04, passed 3-2-2015)