East Syracuse City Zoning Code
ARTICLE IV
Structures
§ 340-25 All structures.
A.
Dwelling floor area. Dwellings in all zones must have at least 500 square foot of foundation area, including walls, plus minimum floor space of:
B.
Corner visibility. No new structures or plantings over three feet high shall be placed on any corner lot within 30 feet of the intersection of the street rights-of-way.
§ 340-26 Fixed buildings.
A.
Dwelling units below grade. Not more than 20% of the habitable floor area of any multifamily dwelling shall be more than one foot below the average finished grade.
B.
Accessory buildings in residential zones.
(1)
Rear yards only. Accessory buildings in residential zones must be located in the rear yard.
(2)
No more than 25% of rear yards. Accessory buildings in residential zones may not occupy more than 25% of any required rear yard.
(3)
Three-foot setback. Accessory buildings in residential zones must be at least three feet from all lot lines, except that a private garage may be built across a common lot line.
(4)
No more than 20 feet high. Accessory buildings shall not exceed 20 feet high.
(5)
Exceptions. Garages, covered porches and carports attached to dwellings are part of the residence, not accessory.
§ 340-27 Movable buildings.
The use of mobile homes for dwelling, outdoor storage or accessory to either is prohibited.
§ 340-28 Signs.
A.
General rules and regulations. Signs and billboards are prohibited in all zones except as specifically permitted below:
(1)
Business zones. In Commercial, Service Center and Industrial Zones, each business conducted on the premises may have one sign or advertising device attached to the building, subject to the following conditions:
(a)
Signs may be placed only on a lot with an active business.
(b)
Signs can advertise only the business conducted on the same premises.
(c)
Signs attached to buildings are limited to one square foot for each linear foot of frontage occupied by the business.
(d)
Buildings that front on more than one street may have one sign on each street.
(e)
The area of signs painted on buildings shall be the area required to circumscribe all letters and pictures.
(f)
Freestanding signs require a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
(g)
For signs attached to buildings at right angles and readable from both sides, only the area of one side is counted.
(h)
No sign on a newly constructed building shall overhang any street right-of-way.
(i)
Illuminated signs which constitute a safety or health hazard or adversely affect neighboring property are prohibited.
(3)
Moving display permit. No moving or fluttering device of any kind shall be permitted without a permit granted by the Codes Enforcement/Economic Development Officer, under the following criteria:
(a)
Moving displays must denote a special event such as a sale, celebration, etc.
(b)
A moving display is permitted for a reasonable time prior to and during the event, but not for perpetual or extended-duration events.
(c)
Moving displays must conform to the health and safety requirements of this chapter.
(d)
Moving displays are prohibited in residential zones.
(4)
Christmas decorations permitted. Christmas decorations conforming to the health and safety provisions of this chapter are permitted during the holiday season.
(5)
Sign maintenance. All signs and supporting parts must be constructed of durable materials, maintained in good condition and appearance, and comply with the State Building Construction Code.
B.
Sign types.
(1)
Billboards direct attention to a business or product offered on other premises.
(2)
Business signs direct attention to businesses conducted on the same lot, including "For Sale" and "For Rent" signs for the lot on which displayed.
(3)
Illuminated signs are lighted or highly reflective.
(4)
Directional or informational signs contain noncommercial information as a public service (i.e., public rest rooms, telephones, bus stops).
(5)
Double-faced or V-type signs have two readable faces connected along one side.
C.
Location types.
(1)
Ground signs are supported by one or more uprights or braces in or on the ground.
(2)
Movable signs are not permanently mounted and are easily transported from one site to another.
(3)
Projecting signs are mounted on a structure and extend horizontally more than 15 inches from it, but do not project above the roof line.
(4)
Roof signs project more than 10 feet above the upper edge of the building wall or parapet, or are mounted or painted on or above any roof.
(5)
Wall signs are mounted on an exterior wall and project no more than 15 inches out from the wall or more than 10 feet above the roof line or parapet of the building.
(6)
Enclosed storage are buildings used for the keeping of any material.
D.
Rules for specific types of signs.
(1)
Double-faced signs. Every double-faced or V-type sign shall not exceed an angle of 5° at the vertex of the two faces or an area of 22 square feet.
(2)
Roof signs. Roof signs shall not be permitted in any zone.
(4)
Billboards. Billboards are prohibited in all zones, except for "For Rent" or "For Sale" signs with an area of no more than 12 square feet.
(5)
Movable signs. Movable signs are not be permitted in any zone, except as permitted under Subsection D(6).
(6)
Sandwich board signs. Sandwich board signs are permitted in R-1, R-2 and C-1 Zones, provided that they:
(a)
Are not more than four by 2.5 feet per side.
(b)
Have only two printed sides.
(c)
Are displayed only during business hours.
(d)
Do not block vehicle or pedestrian access.
(e)
Do not fall over easily.
(f)
Have no lights or moving parts.
(g)
Are limited to one per street frontage.
(h)
Advertise a business conducted on the same lot.
E.
Building permits required. No one shall erect or alter any sign without a building permit issued by the Code Enforcement Officer.
[Amended 4-16-2007 by L.L. No. 2-2007]
F.
Unsafe signs.
(1)
Action on unsafe signs. The Building Inspector shall give the owner of the lot where any unsafe sign is located written notice to remove or repair the sign within 15 days of the date of the notice. If the owner fails to remove or repair the sign, the Building Inspector shall revoke the sign permit, and may remove or repair the sign and add all costs thereof to the property tax levy.
(2)
Action on immediate danger. The Building Inspector may remove or repair any sign which is immediate danger without notice and add all costs thereof to the property tax levy.
§ 340-29 Fences.
A.
Building permits required. All new fence construction requires a building permit, and fencing on commercial lots also requires Planning Board approval.
B.
Commercial lot fencing. All new fence construction on commercial and industrial lots also requires Planning Board approval.
C.
Fences in front yards. Fences in residential front yards shall be no higher than four feet and must allow visibility through them.
D.
Fences in other yards. Fences in residential side and rear yards shall be no higher than six feet and may be opaque.
E.
Fencing materials. Residential fence materials and construction shall be consistent with the industry standards for populated areas.
F.
Prohibition of dangerous fences. Barbed wire, concertina wire, electric fencing, sharp or jagged edged wire, and any other fencing which may cause injury are prohibited in residential areas.
G.
Location of fencing. Fencing along street lines must be constructed with the good side out and set at least two feet from the Village sidewalk, or an equivalent line designated by the Building Inspector where no sidewalk exists.
H.
Orientation of fencing. Fences may be constructed on side and rear property lines.
I.
Pool enclosures. Fences around swimming pools must meet state codes.
§ 340-30 Retaining walls.
(Reserved)
§ 340-31 Storage tanks.
(Reserved)
§ 340-32 Communications antennas.
See § 340-9, Communications permits.
§ 340-33 Other communications devices.
A.
Definition of satellite dish. A satellite dish is any parabolic antenna or other device used to receive television, radio, microwave or other electronic signals from orbiting satellites.
B.
Requirements of satellite dishes. No satellite dish shall be constructed and/or maintained that is not in compliance with the following regulations:
(1)
Ten feet in diameter. No satellite dish diameter shall exceed 10 feet.
(2)
Twelve feet in height. When separately supported, the total height of a dish shall not exceed 12 feet.
(3)
Location on lot. Satellite dishes shall be located only in rear yards and at least 10 feet from any property line.
(4)
Roof-mounted dishes. Roof-mounted satellite dishes must be located on a portion of the roof sloping away from the front of the lot and shall not protrude over the peak of the roof more than eight feet unless a special permit is approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
(5)
One dish per lot. Only one satellite dish may be located on any lot.
(6)
Permit required. Before erecting any satellite dish, a permit application must be made to the Code Enforcement Officer and a permit issued in accordance with this chapter.
[Amended 4-16-2007 by L.L. No. 2-2007]
(7)
Compliance with FCC regulations. No satellite dish may be erected which is prohibited by regulation of the Federal Communications Commission or any other agency having jurisdiction.
(8)
Resistance to wind load. Every satellite dish must be properly anchored and installed to resist a minimum wind load of 30 pounds per square foot of projected horizontal area. Supports, anchors and foundations shall take into account all forces created by wind loading. The safety factor against overturning or sliding for wind forces on satellite antennas shall be 2.0.
C.
D.
Prohibition of transmitting devices. Nothing in this section shall be construed to in any way allow the construction, installation or use of any device capable of transmitting electromagnetic waves.