Ensure right to free speech as protected under the Constitution;

Protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business climate, and protect the physical appearance of the community;

Provide businesses with effective means of identification while reducing visual clutter through the prevention of excessive and confusing sign displays;

Reduce traffic conflicts or hazards by minimizing visual distractions or obstacles in or visible from the public rights-of-way;

Minimize the adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property;

Avoid personal injury and property damage from unsafe or confusing signs; and

Establish a clear and impartial process for those seeking to install signs.

Except as provided in this article, no sign shall be erected or renovated without a sign permit evidencing the compliance of such work under the provisions of this article.

Routine sign maintenance, changing of parts designed to be changed or changing the content of a sign in any manner which does not change the physical characteristics, construction, or design of the sign shall not require a sign permit.

The Zoning Officer shall issue a sign permit provided the application proves compliance with all standards and regulations of this chapter.

Any variance from the sign number, size, height, or setback provisions of this article shall be subject to the standards for an area variance as set forth in Article XV of this chapter.

An application for sign permit shall be submitted to the Zoning Officer, who shall issue a decision within 30 days of receiving said application.

The Zoning Officer may refer applications to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation prior to issuing a decision. Extensions to the thirty-day review period may be granted for such referral.

Every application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by the following plans and specifications, drawn to scale, indicating the:

Sign permit application elements shall be accurately represented as to size, area, proportion and color. The application shall also provide a calculation of the total amount of sign area presently existing on the property, and by the applicant's attestation that the sum of the areas of the requested sign or signs and the existing signs do not exceed the maximum allowed by the provisions of this chapter.

The area of a sign shall include any frame and all lettering, wording, designs and symbols, together with the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed. The supporting structure or bracing of a sign shall be omitted in measuring the area of the sign unless such structure or bracing is made part of the message or face of the sign.

Where a sign consists of individual letters, words or symbols attached to or painted upon a surface, building, awning, wall or window, the area of such sign shall be calculated by determining the smallest geometric form or combination of forms that comprise all the display area and any accompanying background of a color different than the natural color of the building, awning, wall or window and any frame.

In the case of a multifaced sign, only one side of the sign is considered in determining sign area if (1) the message is identical on both sides, and (2) the sides of the sign are back-to-back or diverge at an angle of less than 45°.

Signs 20 feet in height or greater shall be capable of withstanding a wind pressure of 30 pounds per square foot and shall be so certified by the manufacturer on the design drawings.

Signs less than 20 feet in height shall be capable of withstanding a wind pressure of 25 pounds per square foot.

No sign shall be maintained at any location where, by reason of its position, size, shape, content, lighting or color, it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with, any traffic control sign, signal or device, or where it may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.

No sign, nor any part of a sign other than a supporting pole or brace no greater than 18 inches in width or diameter, shall be located lower than nine feet from the grade at the curb- or street line within a triangle formed by connecting the centerlines of any two intersecting streets as herein provided. At any intersection where at least one of the intersecting streets is a major street or secondary street as designated on the Official Map of the City, the sides of the triangle formed by the centerlines of the intersecting streets shall be 120 feet in length as measured outward from the point of intersection of said centerlines along such centerlines. At all other intersections, each of such sides shall be 80 feet in length (see figure below).

Signs in the City of Cortland arc permitted based on sign type and the district in which they are located. Any sign in conformance with the applicable regulations of this chapter and the district in which it is located shall be allowed.

Banners. Up to two banners may be permitted per lot or use provided the following conditions are met:

Construction signs, provided it is removed 30 days following the conclusion of the construction project.

Community signs. Local religious organizations, governmental agencies, or other not-for-profit organizations may erect up to two signs advertising and upcoming event, sale, contest, or promotion provided the following conditions are met.

Directional signs. Signs that provide direction and are located entirely on the property to which they pertain and contain no commercial message. Directional signs may include, but are not limited to, signs identifying rest rooms, telephones, and parking lot entrance and exits. Such directional signs shall be allowed within the required district setback areas in so far as they do not obstruct free and clear vision to traffic.

Flags. Flags, emblems or insignia of any nation, government, political subdivision, organization, or religion, including those of commercial and noncommercial interest. Flagpoles shall be subject to the height restrictions imposed by the zoning district in which they are located.

Governmental signs. Any sign, public notice, or warning sign supported by federal, state or local law, including but not limited to signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any government functions. (Example: New York State inspection station or authorized repair shop identification.) There are no size requirements for governmental signs.

Home occupation signs. A home occupation may be permitted one sign.

Noncommercial signs. Any lot may have up to two signs containing a noncommercial message.

Political and campaign signs. Any lot may have up to two signs provided they are removed within 30 days of the conclusion of the ballot for which they are intended to advertise.

Real estate signs. Any lot may have up to two real estate signs provided they are located on the lot in which they are intended to advertise, and they are removed within 30 days of a completed sale.

Temporary signs. Any lot may have up to two temporary signs provided they are located on the lot in which they are intended for, are removed within 30 days, and remain removed for at least 30 days.

Residential rental signs. Must be building-mounted and no greater than six feet above grade, no greater than two inches in depth, unlit, and no greater than three square feet in total surface area. A uniform shape and size template will be provided by the City of Cortland. Compliance is required within one year of enactment of this chapter.

Signs for which no permit was issued or for which a permit has been revoked;

Obsolete signs or signs that are not properly maintained, considered structurally unsound, hazardous or otherwise unsafe;

Signs that contain words or pictures of an obscene or pornographic nature;

Signs that emit audible sounds, odor, or visible matter;

Signs that may be confused with a traffic control sign, signal or device or the light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle; or bear one of more of the words "stop," "go slow," "caution," "danger," "warning" or other similar words; or hide from view any traffic or street sign, signal or device;

Signs that interfere with official traffic lights or traffic control devices;

Flashing, rotating, revolving signs/lights, except barber poles or holiday decorations; which do not violate Subsection C(4), (5) and (6) above;

Signs with unshielded lighting devices or reflectors placed to outline or provide the background of a sign;

Digital signs, unless a special use permit is obtained;

Signs with mirrors;

Permanent banner, pennant, windblown or inflated signs. These may be permitted as a temporary sign for a total of 30 days;

Portable signs, except sandwich board signs;

Signs placed on a curb, sidewalk, hydrant, utility pole, trees or other objects located on or over any street or within the public right-of-way unless otherwise permitted;

Signs, banners, or pennants mounted on or extending above the roof of any building or structure; and

Signs painted directly upon any unpainted stone or brick wall.

Maximum height: four feet.

Maximum sign area: seven square feet.

Minimum setback: five feet from the sidewalk or front lot line, whichever is further from the street. Minimum of three feet from all other lot lines.

Internal illumination may be permitted in the R-4 District only.

A lot upon which a nonresidential permitted, specially permitted, or legal nonconforming use operates within a residential district shall be allowed one sign no more than four feet in height and 16 square feet in area.

Maximum height: four feet.

Maximum sign area: seven square feet.

Minimum setback: five feet from the sidewalk or front lot line, whichever is further from the street. Minimum of three feet from all other lot lines.

Maximum height: four feet.

Maximum sign area: six square feet.

Maximum height: three feet.

Maximum sign area: six square feet.

No part of any sign shall be lower than nine feet above grade.

No sign shall extend above the roofline of the building upon which it is erected.

No projecting sign shall extend more than four feet from the building wall.

The sign is displayed only during business hours.

The sign is not located within the public right-of-way or on public property and is located on the property on which the use is located.

The primary structure does not cover more than 90% of the lot.

Maximum height: eight feet.

Maximum sign area: 16 square feet.

Minimum setback: five feet from the sidewalk or front lot line, whichever is further from the street. Minimum three feet from any other lot line.

Maximum height: four feet.

Maximum sign area: six square feet.

No part of any sign shall be lower than nine feet above grade.

No sign shall extend above the roofline of the building upon which it is erected.

No projecting sign shall extend more than four feet from the building wall.

The sign is displayed only during business hours.

The sign may be placed within the sidewalk or right-of-way provided it does not impede pedestrian traffic and safety.

No sign shall be placed within the peninsula areas of Main Street or upon any sidewalk.

Marquee signs may utilize bare-bulb illumination upon issuance of a special use permit.

Internal and external illumination may be permitted provided there is ample screening to prevent light infiltration or glare onto adjacent residential lots or uses.

Maximum height: eight feet.

Maximum sign area: 16 square feet.

Minimum setback: five feet from the sidewalk or front lot line, whichever is further from the street. Minimum three feet from any other lot line.

Pole signs shall only be permitted in the GB-1 District. Such a sign may be erected only where there is a minimum of 50 feet of front lot line.

No pole sign shall be located within 300 feet of another pole sign. In order to determine whether or not a sign site conforms to this criterion, the proposed sign location shall be the point of origin for all radii to be drawn. This method of measurement recognizes the fact that portions of certain properties qualify for sign placement while other portions of the same properties may not. It is the intention of these provisions to qualify or disqualify sign sites and not whole properties when portions of such properties are outside of drawn radii.

For pole signs lower than 20 feet, the maximum sign area shall not exceed three times the height of the sign.

For pole signs 20 feet or higher, the maximum sign area shall not exceed 100 square feet.

No pole sign shall exceed 60 feet in height.

The pole itself, a front mast arm and one uplift cable shall be the only structural components used to support and stabilize the sign. All other structural components, including, but not limited to, side mast arms, stiffening braces and guy wires, are prohibited. Applicants are encouraged to use permitted support components to form an integral part of the design.

Lots located within 800 feet of the exit of a limited-access highway may be permitted a pole sign per the extended area and height requirements listed below, provided that the supports and foundations are designed by a licensed professional engineer, and that the drawings bear such seal and signature.

Maximum sign area: Such sign area shall not exceed one square foot per linear foot of such building street frontage. Multiple users of such lots shall share such signage proportional to their occupancy.

Maximum height: four feet.

Maximum sign area: six square feet.

No part of any sign shall be lower than nine feet above grade.

No sign shall extend above the roofline of the building upon which it is erected.

No projecting sign shall extend more than four feet from the building wall.

The sign is displayed only during business hours.

The sign is not located within the public right-of-way or on public property and is located on the property on which the use is located.

Theaters featuring live entertainment may use bare-bulb illumination upon issuance of a special use permit.

Internal and external illumination may be permitted provided there is ample screening to prevent light infiltration or glare onto adjacent residential lots or uses.

Shopping centers with less than 35,000 square feet of leasable area:

Shopping centers with at least 35,000 square feet of leasable area, but less than 50,000 square feet of leasable area:

Shopping centers with at least 50,000 square feet of leasable area:

Off-premises signs shall only be permitted in GB-1 Zoning District.

Off-premises signs may not be erected within 500 feet of any residence, public or private school, or any park, playground or place of religious worship.

Off-premises signs may not be erected on any rooftop or the wall of any building.

No off-premises sign may be erected closer than 500 feet to an existing or proposed permitted off-premises sign.

All off-premises signs shall have a maximum gross surface area of 440 square feet per sign face.

All off-premises sign structures may have a maximum of two sign faces per structure placed in either a back-to-back or "V" configuration.

All off-premises sign structures shall be a minimum of 10 feet off the ground and be a maximum of 35 feet above ground level.

If the off-premises sign is to be erected on a property which is depressed below the roadway on which it is intended to be viewed, the required height shall be measured from a point perpendicular from curb level to the sign structure.

The sign area of an off-premises sign shall not count toward the total square footage of signage permitted on-site in accordance with this article.

All off-premises sign structures shall have a maximum of one vertical support, constructed of noncorrosive material.

The structure shall be capable of sustaining a wind load capacity of 30 pounds per square foot or a minimum of sixty-mile-per-hour winds.

The off-premises sign faces shall be independently supported and have vertical supports of metal or galvanized steel or be otherwise treated to prevent corrosion.

Except as hereinafter provided, any sign erected before the effective date of the amendments to this chapter, which were adopted on December 16, 2003, and which were lawful pursuant to this chapter prior to said amendments, shall be brought into conformity with these amendments as follows:

The following particularly identified nonconforming signage is allowed to continue as presently located and designed and may be repaired consistent with such design:

Violations of the requirements of this article are subject to the penalties as set forth in Article XVIII.

The Zoning Officer shall have the authority to enforce the removal of any signs that are in violation of this chapter. Failure to comply with any written order within 10 days shall be considered a violation.