It is the intent of these regulations to provide for the proper control of signs in the Town. It is recognized that signs are a necessary means of visual communication for the convenience of the public and also for the benefit of businesses. It is intended to provide for a reasonable balance between the right of the individual to identify his or her business and the right of the public to be protected against visual discord and clutter resulting from the unrestricted proliferation of signs. It is further intended that the public be protected from signs that are structurally unsafe, obscure the vision of motorists or conflict with necessary traffic signals and signs.

(Prior code 70-47)

The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to the display, construction, erection, alteration, use, maintenance and location of all signs within the Town. All signs displayed, constructed, erected or altered after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Chapter shall be in conformance with the provisions of this Chapter. All signs that are existing at the time of adoption of this Chapter shall not be altered or enlarged without being in conformance with this Chapter. The Building Inspector is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of this Chapter.

(Prior code 70-48)

As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

Building frontage means the horizontal, linear dimension of that side of a building which abuts a street, parking area, mall or other circulation area open to the general public. Where more than one (1) use occupies a building, each such use having a public entrance or main window display shall be considered to have its own building frontage, which shall be the front width of the portion of the building occupied by that use.

Corner building means a building adjacent to and located at the intersection of two (2) dedicated public rights-of-way.

Industrial center means a group of businesses or shops occupying a building or group of buildings located in an industrial zone district on one (1) commonly owned or controlled parcel or subdivision of land provided with privately controlled and maintained parking areas.

Shopping center means a group of retail businesses occupying a building or group of buildings located on one (1) commonly owned or controlled parcel or subdivision of land provided with privately controlled and maintained parking areas.

Sign means any written, pictorial representation, form, emblem, flag, banner or figure of similar character, which has the following characteristics:

a.

Is a structure or part thereof.

b.

Is written, printed, projected, painted, constructed or otherwise placed or displayed upon or designed into a building canopy, awning or vehicle.

c.

Is designed to attract attention or used as a means of identification or advertisement.

Sign face means the surface of a sign upon, against or through which the message is displayed or illustrated.

Signs, character of:

a.

Freestanding sign means a sign that is supported by one (1) or more columns, uprights or poles extended from the ground or from an object on the ground or a sign that is erected on the ground. No part of the sign may be attached to a building.

b.

Projecting sign means a sign attached to a building and extending in whole or in part fifteen (15) inches or more horizontally beyond the surface of the building to which the sign is attached.

c.

Wall sign means a sign displayed upon or against the wall of an enclosed building where the exposed face of the sign is in the plane parallel to the plane of the wall and extended not more than fifteen (15) inches from the face of the wall.

d.

Suspended sign means a sign suspended from the ceiling of an arcade, marquee or canopy.

Signs, types of:

a.

Business sign means a sign which identifies and directs attention to the business, service, profession or activities conducted.

b.

Construction sign means a temporary sign identifying a subdivision, development or property improvement by a builder, contractor or other person furnishing materials, labor or services to the premises.

c.

Identification sign includes nameplates; signs or symbols establishing the identity of a building; combination of name and street address; landmark or natural features; and plaques that are an integral part of the structure.

d.

Joint identification sign means a sign that serves a common or collective identification for two (2) or more businesses or industrial uses.

e.

Real estate sign means a sign indicating the availability for sale, rent or lease of a specific lot or building.

(Prior code 70-49)

The following signs shall be exempt from the provisions of this Chapter:

(1)

Official government notices posted by government officers in the performance of their duties to control traffic, to provide warning or to provide necessary information or direction. Identification signs or bulletin boards accessory to government buildings are not exempt from the provisions of this Chapter.

(2)

Temporary decorations or displays which are clearly incidental to and are customarily associated with any national, local or religious holiday or celebration.

(3)

Temporary or permanent signs erected by a public utility company or construction company to warn of dangerous or hazardous conditions.

(4)

Real estate signs located on the specific lot, parcel or building offered for sale, so long as the area of the sign does not exceed eight (8) square feet or three (3) feet, six (6) inches in height or more than one (1) sign.

(5)

Commercial informational signs. Signs announcing business hours, vacancy status, "open" and "closed" signs and informational and directional signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area.

(6)

Temporary signs used exclusively for quoting prices, announcing sales, civic community events and the display of menus not to exceed eight (8) square feet.

(7)

Signs giving official public notice as required by municipal, county or state regulations.

(8)

Signs identifying religious meeting places, fraternal meeting places or halls, or similar public and semi-public facilities and functions, not to exceed a maximum of eight (8) square feet, may be exempted subject to approval by the Town Council.

(Prior code 70-50; Ord. 10 §4, 1991; Ord. 33 §B1, 2003)

(a)

There shall be no flashing lights connected to or a part of any sign.

(b)

There shall be no freestanding signs placed at the intersection of two (2) streets within the triangular area defined by a line extending from a point thirty (30) feet from the intersection of curblines along one street to a point thirty (30) feet from the intersection along the other curbline.

(c)

There shall be no signs with visible moving, revolving or rotating parts, other mechanical movement or apparent movement achieved by electrical, electronic or mechanical means, except for time-temperature and date signs.

(d)

Signs shall be prohibited that are structurally unsafe or constitute a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance or dilapidation.

(e)

Signs shall be prohibited that create an unsafe visual distraction or obstruct the view of motor vehicle operators.

(f)

Wall and projecting signs which extend beyond or above the roof line of a building shall be prohibited.

(g)

There shall be no signs erected on a roof area between the intersection of the wall and roof of a building, extending up to and including the roof peak or ridge.

(h)

Signs or billboards not located upon the property or business identified or advertised by the sign shall be prohibited.

(Prior code 70-51)

(a)

Freestanding signs in any zoning district shall be set back from the front property line in the following manner or distances:

(b)

No portion of any sign shall extend into the setback area.

(c)

The side yard and rear yard setbacks shall be the same as the building setbacks in the applicable zone district.

(Prior code 70-52)

(a)

It shall be unlawful to display, erect, relocate or alter any sign without first obtaining a sign permit from the Building Official, except as provided in Section 16-134.

(b)

Once a sign permit has been issued, it shall be unlawful to change, modify or deviate from the terms or conditions of the approved permit without the consent of the Building Inspector.

(c)

The application for a sign permit shall be made by the owner or tenant of the property on which the sign is to be placed or the authorized agent of the owner or tenant. The application shall be made on forms provided by the Building Official and shall be signed by the applicant.

(d)

The application shall include applicable information as to the size, character, construction, height and proposed location of the sign.

(e)

Permit fees shall be in an amount to be approved by the Town Council pursuant to Section 2-381 et seq.

(Prior code 70-53; Ord. 12 §B36, 2003)

Signs and structures for signs shall be designed in conformity with the building code adopted in Chapter 18 of this Code adopted in Chapter 18, including but not limited to consideration for wind loads, seismic loads, allowable stresses, materials and anchorage requirements.

(Prior code 70-54; Ord. 13 §6, 2008)

The sign requirements for the residential zones are as follows:

___________

(Prior code 70-56)

The sign requirements for the C-1 District are as follows:

(Prior code 70-57)

The sign requirements for the C-2 District are as follows:

(Prior code 70-58)

The sign requirements for the C-3 District are as follows:

(Prior code 70-59)

The sign requirements for the Industrial Zone are as follows:

^* Supplemental Requirements: Must be only business on lot or comply with joint identification.

(Prior code 70-59.5)

Lighting for commercial signage is addressed in Section 16-436, Sign lighting, and Section 16-135, Prohibited signs.

(Ord. 14 §1(Exh. A), 2012)