East Hampton Village
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
§ 278-4
Signs.
A.
General.
(1)
No sign shall be displayed unless in compliance with this section of the Code of the Village of East Hampton.
[Amended 5-15-1998 by L.L. No. 6-1998]
(2)
Each commercial structure shall be entitled to a sign which shall only advertise the business conducted on the premises.
(3)
All commercial signs shall be placed on that portion of the structure in which the commercial activity listed in the sign is located, except directory signs, where permitted.
[Amended 1-20-2012 by L.L. No. 1-2012]
B.
Size.
[Amended 4-17-1992 by L.L. No. 9-1992; 5-15-1998 by L.L. No. 6-1998; 3-18-2005 by L.L. No. 10-2005]
(1)
Where a commercial establishment occupies the ground floor of a commercial structure, it shall be entitled to a total sign area, including window signs, not to exceed one square foot for each horizontal foot of the storefront of that establishment, up to a maximum of 60 square feet. For the purpose of calculating sign area, the storefront of an establishment is the length of exterior wall corresponding to the ground floor space occupied by that establishment along the wall that contains its primary entrance. If an establishment has a second public entrance on a second wall, an additional sign area of a half square foot for each horizontal foot of that second storefront, up to a maximum of 40 square feet, shall be allowed as long as such additional sign area appears on that second storefront. No one sign shall exceed 30 square feet in area. Said sign or signs shall not project more than one foot from said wall and shall not be more than 20 feet above ground level.
[Amended 7-1-2005 by L.L. No. 15-2005]
(2)
Where a commercial establishment occupies the second floor of a commercial structure, it shall be entitled to a nameplate at the ground floor level access. In addition, it shall be entitled to one of the following permissible areas:
(3)
The area of a sign shall be measured by the area of the largest rectangle required to enclose the sign or each face of a two-faced sign.
(4)
Window signs shall not occupy more than 25% percent of the window area.
(5)
Where one or more commercial establishments is accessed from Main Street, Newtown Lane or Park Place, but lacks frontage on any of those streets, a directory sign shall be permitted on the side of the building next to the street or streets from which access is taken. The directory sign may contain the name of a building or alleyway, one nameplate for each business and a directional arrow. Nameplates shall display the name of the business only. The total area of the directory sign, including the signboard, all trim, building name, place name, directional information and all business names shall not exceed two square feet per business. Directory signs shall be uniform in color and design. The area of the directory sign shall be subtracted from the allowable sign area of the storefront to which it is affixed.
[Added 1-20-2012 by L.L. No. 1-2012]
C.
Permits for signs.
(1)
Permanent signs.
(a)
No person, firm or corporation shall erect, post, affix or maintain any sign, except as specifically permitted by this section, unless a permit has been granted therefor pursuant to Chapter 121 of this Code.
(b)
A permit shall be granted for any sign or awning complying with the provisions of this section upon submission to the Building and Zoning Code Enforcement Officer of a completed application together with a fee of $25.
[Amended 10-2-1991 by L.L. No. 10-1991; 9-18-1998 by L.L. No. 16-1998]
(c)
Every application for a sign permit shall be in writing, signed by the applicant, and shall be accompanied by a plan, in duplicate, showing the following:
(2)
Temporary signs.
[Amended 7-30-1993 by L.L. No. 10-1993]
(a)
Permits shall be issued without a fee for temporary signs for public benefit, provided that such temporary signs shall not exceed an area of 32 square feet and shall not be maintained for a period exceeding 20 days.
(b)
Said permits shall be issued by the Building Inspector upon written application indicating the nature and number of signs proposed.
(3)
Exceptions. The following signs shall be permitted without a permit, but may not be placed in any road, roadway right-of-way or on any other public property except as provided in § 250-9A:
[Amended 6-15-1990 by L.L. No. 5-1990; 3-15-1991 by L.L. No. 4-1991; 7-31-1991 by L.L. No. 7-1991; 7-30-1993 by L.L. No. 10-1993]
(a)
Real estate signs. No more than one real estate sign may be placed within the boundaries of a lot that is for sale or rent, unless the lot to be sold or rented has no street frontage, in which case the sign may be placed within the area of a privately owned access easement. The sign shall have a maximum area of 18 inches by 18 inches and may have lettering on only one side. No objects shall be appended to the sign. It shall be posted parallel to the street. The top of the sign shall be posted at a height of not more than three feet above finished grade, including posts and frame, unless, in the case of commercial premises, it is posted in a window. The sign must be removed no later than the date of the transfer of the property.
[Amended 10-18-2002 by L.L. No. 18-2002; 6-15-2007 by L.L. No. 8-2007; 3-16-2012 by L.L. No. 4-2012[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law provided that it would take effect upon filing with the Secretary of State but not before 6-1-2012.
(b)
Subdivision and acreage signs. For each subdivision or each parcel of land containing more than five acres, one nonilluminated sign not exceeding six square feet in area. These signs shall not be more than three feet in height and they shall only advertise the premises upon which they are placed.
[Amended 2-20-1998 by L.L. No. 3-1998]
(c)
Professional signs. These signs may not exceed two square feet in area and shall only bear the name and profession of the resident practitioner.
(d)
Educational or religious institutional signs. These signs may not exceed 16 square feet in area and shall only indicate the name and address of the institution, together with other pertinent information.
(e)
One sign per property announcing that the property on which the sign is posted is protected by a security system, provided that said sign does not exceed one square foot in size.
(f)
Builder’s, contractor’s and landscaper’s sign. For each lot for which a building permit has been issued and is in effect, one sign announcing or listing the builders, contractors, landscapers, subcontractors and material suppliers working on the lot pursuant to said building permit may be installed, which shall be one-sided only and may not exceed 18 inches by 18 inches in area, the top of which shall not be more than three feet in height over finished grade, including posts and frame, unless, in the case of commercial premises, it is posted in a window. The sign shall be placed only parallel to the street. Notwithstanding the above, lots situate in the Historic District (Zone) shall first receive approval of the Design Review Board to erect a builder’s or contractor’s sign as set forth above. A builder’s or contractor’s sign shall be removed prior to the earlier of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or completion of work for the work covered in the permit.
[2]
Editor's Note: This local law provided that it would take effect upon filing with the Secretary of State but not before 6-1-2012.
(g)
Temporary legal notices.
[Amended 3-18-2005 by L.L. No. 10-2005]
(i)
Names of the residents. For each residence one sign may be erected not exceeding four square feet listing the names of the residents occupying the residence.
(j)
Decals affixed to windows or doors of commercial premises, provided that such decals do not occupy more than two square feet.
[Added 5-15-1998 by L.L. No. 6-1998]
(k)
Window signs on commercial premises pertaining to special sales or special events directly related to the business conducted on the subject premises, provided that such signs are not maintained for more than 21 days in a three-month period and provided that such signs do not, together with permanent window signs on such premises, occupy more than 25% of the window area.
[Added 5-15-1998 by L.L. No. 6-1998]
(l)
Signs on commercial premises stating hours of operation, provided that such signs do not occupy more than one square foot.
[Added 5-15-1998 by L.L. No. 6-1998]
D.
Prohibited signs.
[Amended 1-18-1991 by L.L. No. 1-1991; 7-30-1993 by L.L. No. 10-1993]
(1)
No sign shall be located on the roof of any structure.
[Amended 3-18-2005 by L.L. No. 10-2005]
(2)
No signs shall be flashing, mobile, reflecting or made of cloth.
[Added 5-15-1998 by L.L. No. 7-1998]
(3)
The intent of the Village in adopting this subsection is to eliminate all neon and neon-type light from the Village, therefore:
[Added 9-20-1996 by L.L. No. 20-1996]
(a)
No sign or window sign of neon or neon-type shall be permitted on the exterior of a building or within a building such that it is directly visible as viewed from a public right-of-way or any area outside the building.
(b)
All signs and designs consisting of glass tubing or other tubular arrangements containing gases which when permeated by an electrical charge result in the production of light shall be considered neon type.
(c)
Neon signs in place as of August 15, 1996, may continue to be maintained, but may not be altered, enlarged, extended, relocated or modified in any way.
(4)
No signs or other advertising structures used to advertise or attract the attention of the public shall be displayed out of doors, except as permitted in this section.
(5)
No back-lit awnings, whether containing advertising material or signage, shall be permitted.
(6)
No signs or other advertising structures used to attract the attention of the public shall be located in any public place, road, roadway, right-of-way or on any other public property except as permitted in § 250-9A.
(7)
Internally illuminated signs.
[Added 5-15-1998 by L.L. No. 7-1998]
(a)
No internally illuminated signs shall be permitted. Internally illuminated signs are signs, other than exit signs or others required by law to be internally illuminated, in which there is a source of illumination inside the sign and light emanates through the message of the sign, rather than being reflected off the surface of the sign from an external source.
(b)
Lawfully existing internally illuminated signs in place as of March 20, 1998, may continue to be maintained but may not be altered, enlarged, extended, relocated or modified in any way.
(c)
Internally illuminated vending machines must be located inside a building and must not be visible from the exterior of the building.
E.
Detached and ground signs.
(1)
Detached and ground signs, excepting professional and temporary signs, are permitted in Commercial and Manufacturing-Industrial Districts. Such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in area, except that both sides of a two-sided sign may have an aggregate area of not more than 24 square feet in area. The calculation of the area of such signs shall include the area of the structure supporting the sign, except that a structure of not more than two posts and one horizontal member (all not greater than five inches by five inches in cross-section), shall be excluded in the area calculation. Such signs shall not exceed eight feet in height above ground level and shall advertise only the business or businesses conducted on the property upon which the sign is located.
[Amended 8-21-1998 by L.L. No. 13-1998; 3-18-2005 by L.L. No. 10-2005]
(2)
No business or group of businesses on a single parcel of property shall be allowed more than one detached or ground sign. The square footage of any detached or ground sign shall be debited against the total wall sign surface area permitted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.[3]
[Amended 8-21-1998 by L.L. No. 13-1998]
[3]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection E(3), which immediately followed, regarding pylon or pole signs, was repealed 3-18-2005 by L.L. No. 10-2005.
G.
Awning sign. An awning sign is any visual message incorporated into an awning attached to a building.
[Added 12-15-1995 by L.L. No. 32-1995]
H.
Externally illuminated signs. Signs, if illuminated, shall be illuminated only by a white, steady, external, stationary light. The light shall be shielded and directed in such a manner that no glare shall extend beyond the property lines or disturb the vision of passing motorists or constitute a hazard to traffic.
[Added 5-15-1998 by L.L. No. 7-1998]