Adam Town City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VIII
Signs
§ 405-54 Intent.
The intent of this article is to provide for and regulate the location and construction of signs and to ensure that signs are compatible with surrounding land uses and express the identity of individual proprietors and the community as a whole.
§ 405-55 Sign types.
For the purpose of this article, signs shall be classified as:
A.
Advertising sign. A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than upon the premises where such sign is located; a billboard.
B.
Awning sign. A nonilluminated identification sign affixed flat to the surface of an awning and not extending vertically or horizontally beyond the limits of such awning.
C.
Bulletin boards. Any sign which is characterized by changeable copy, letters, or symbols regardless of method of attachment.
D.
Canopy sign. A sign suspended from or forming part of a canopy or marquee and which does not extend horizontally beyond the limits of such canopy or marquee.
E.
Ground sign. A sign attached to the ground independent of any buildings.
F.
Portable sign. A sign which is not designed to be permanently attached to the ground or a building.
G.
Political sign. Any sign which pictures or states the name of an individual seeking election to a public office or pertaining to or advocating political views or policies.
H.
Projecting sign. A sign, other than a wall or roof sign, attached to or supported by a building or structure and projecting more than 12 inches from the face of the building or structure.
I.
Roof sign. A sign erected on or over the roof of a building.
J.
Wall sign. A sign which is attached to a wall of a building, projects not more than 12 inches from such wall, and does not extend above the ceiling line of the top floor of the building.
K.
Window sign. A sign painted on or affixed to a window.
§ 405-56 Conformance required.
All signs to be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted, or structurally altered shall conform to the requirements of this chapter.
§ 405-57 Exempt signs.
The following signs are permitted in all zoning districts subject to the following regulations:
A.
Real estate ground or wall signs not exceeding eight square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which the signs are temporarily located. Such signs may be placed at the right-of-way line.
B.
Ground signs identifying the name and address of the resident, not exceeding six square feet in area, and located on the premises. Such signs may be placed at the right-of-way line.
C.
Home occupation and professional home office signs not exceeding nine square feet in area on any one side, located on premises, not placed so as to obstruct traffic visibility, and not illuminated after 10:00 p.m. or before 8:00 a.m.
D.
Bulletin boards on ground or wall signs not exceeding 36 square feet in area, located on the premises, and used by public, charitable, or religious institutions. Such signs may be placed at the right-of-way line.
E.
Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of metal or wood and affixed flat against a structure.
F.
Official ground signs, such as traffic control, parking restrictions, information, and notices. Such signs may be placed at the curbline or up to the pavement edge.
G.
Political signs, provided the following provisions are met:
(1)
No sign is erected more than 60 days prior to the election.
(2)
All signs are removed within seven days after the election.
(3)
No sign shall be attached or placed on utility poles or traffic devices within public rights-of-way.
(4)
The graphic message must relate to candidates or beliefs at issue in the current election.
(5)
Persons or committees authorizing the distribution or posting of campaign materials shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
H.
Field demonstration and test plot signs in agricultural districts.
I.
"No Trespassing," "No Hunting" and other private regulatory signs not exceeding one square foot in area.
§ 405-58 Specific district requirements.
A.
Residential districts.
(1)
The following signs are permitted in a residential district:
(b)
Manufactured home park identification signs as specified in § 405-48B(1).
(c)
On-premises ground signs not exceeding 50 square feet, identifying an apartment, condominium, multiple-family use or subdivision.
B.
Business, agricultural, public and semi-public and industrial districts.
(1)
The following on-premises signs are permitted in business, agricultural, public and semi-public and industrial districts:
(a)
Temporary signs when permitted by the County Planning and Zoning Committee. The County Planning and Zoning Committee shall, in each case, determine the structural type of sign permitted, the maximum size permitted, and the time period the sign may remain in place.
(b)
Wall signs placed against the exterior walls of buildings and, for any one premises, not exceeding 300 square feet in area or 30% of the signable area of the building, as defined in § 405-59, whichever is smaller.
(c)
Projecting signs not exceeding 100 square feet in area for any one premises. They shall not extend more than six feet into any required yard and shall be at least 10 feet from all side lot lines.
(d)
Awning and canopy signs not exceeding 100 square feet in area for any one premises. They shall not extend more than six feet into any required yard.
(e)
Ground signs not exceeding 30 feet in height above grade. They shall not exceed 80 square feet on one side or 160 square feet on all sides. No ground sign shall be placed closer than 80 feet to another ground sign. Such signs may be placed at the right-of-way line.
(f)
Roof signs not exceeding 10 feet in height above the roof. They shall meet the height requirements for the district in which they are located and shall not exceed 300 square feet on all sides for any one premises.
(g)
Portable signs not exceeding 40 square feet on one side or 80 square feet on all sides.
(h)
Window signs.
(2)
Advertising signs (outdoor billboards) which advertise products, businesses, or public service activities not related to the occupancy or use of the premises on which they are located are permitted subject to the following restrictions:
(a)
Area. No individual sign shall exceed 14 feet in vertical measurement nor 50 feet in total length, nor be more than 700 square feet in area.
(b)
Spacing. No advertising sign shall be closer than 600 feet to another sign. Twin or back-to-back sign structures shall be considered one sign for purposes of this section.
(c)
Height. No advertising sign shall project higher than 30 feet above grade.
(d)
Illumination. Signs shall be shielded whenever necessary to avoid casting bright light upon property located in any residential district.
(e)
Advertising signs may be placed at the right-of-way line.
§ 405-59 Signable area.
The signable area of a building is a rectangular or square area of the facade, up to the roofline, which is free of windows, doors, or major architectural detail. In computing signable area, only a building facade which faces a public street may be utilized.
§ 405-60 Restrictions on signs.
A.
Lighting and color. Signs shall not resemble, imitate, or approximate the shape, size, form, or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices. Signs shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices. Signs shall not be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility, nor be lighted in such a way as to cause glare or otherwise impair driver visibility upon public streets. Signs may be illuminated.
B.
Placement. Signs shall not be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress to any door, window, or fire escape, and no sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
§ 405-61 Sign maintenance.
The owner of any sign shall keep it in good maintenance and repair, including restoring, repainting, or replacing a worn or damaged legally existing sign to its original condition.
§ 405-62 Existing signs.
Signs, lawfully existing at the time of the adoption of or amendment to this chapter, may be continued although their size or location does not conform to this chapter. Such signs shall be considered an existing nonconforming use.