The purpose of this article is to create a legal framework for a comprehensive and balanced system of signage within the town to encourage free communication between people and to avoid the visual clutter that is potentially harmful to traffic; vehicular, cyclist and pedestrian safety; property values and aesthetics within the town. In view of these purposes, it is the intent of this article to authorize the use of certain signs as described herein, if they are compatible with their surroundings, appropriate to the activity that displays them, expressive of the identity of the individual and the community, and legible in the circumstances in which they are placed.

Freestanding signs and wall signs are permitted in all zoning districts.

All signs not specifically permitted are prohibited in all zoning districts.

All signs within the town shall be designed and constructed according to the following standards:

A.

Materials. Permanent signs shall be constructed of first-class quality materials, such as marine plywood, plexiglass or aluminum, and all lettering and other identification markings shall be permanently affixed. Residential building identification affixed to mailboxes and signs relating to security are exempt from this requirement.

B.

Prohibited elements. The following are prohibited design elements:

1.

Flashing, moving, rotating, revolving, oscillating, or animated elements; and

2.

Changeable copy; and

3.

Extruding figures; and

4.

Illumination of more than 600 lumens, unless a variance is approved by the board of adjustment; and

5.

Neon tubes, strip lighting of any nature, and flashing or intermittent illumination.

C.

Size and proportions. The size and proportions of signs shall be as follows:

1.

In the A-80, B-40, C-35, D-25, E-12, F-15 and G-35 Districts, the ratio of the horizontal dimension to the vertical dimension of the sign area shall be 3:2, and no sign shall be larger than 18 inches horizontally by 12 inches vertically.

2.

In the PLD, CPD, and RCD Districts, no sign area shall exceed six square feet unless the town commission finds that all of the standards of section 2.02(F) below are met.

D.

Maximum number of permanent signs.

1.

In the A-80, B-40, C-35, D-25, E-12, F-15 and G-35 Districts, no more than two permanent signs shall be permitted on any lot, unless the additional signs are not visible from any public contiguous lot, public right-of-way, private access easement, or waterway.

2.

In the PLD, CPD, and RCD Districts, no more than one sign shall be permitted per street frontage, except that additional signs designating ingress and egress shall be permitted in such numbers as required for safety, provided that each additional sign:

a.

Has a sign area of no greater than four square feet; and

b.

Is no higher than six feet above the adjacent paving; and

c.

None of the additional signs are within two feet of a lot line.

E.

Illumination. Permanent signs in any zoning district may be illuminated with low-level reflective lighting not exceeding 600 lumens, provided that neon tubes, strip lighting, and flashing or intermittent lights are not used. The board of adjustment may approve a variance under section 2.02(F), below.

F.

Variance for signs.

1.

The town commission may approve a sign variance in the PLD, RCD, and CPD zoning districts, provided an applicant demonstrates:

a.

The proposed sign:

(1)

Is demonstrably more attractive than a sign that could otherwise be constructed in the underlying zoning district; and

(2)

Is no more than six feet in height; and

(3)

Is less than 12 square feet in area: or

b.

The sign area of the proposed sign is necessary to convey critical information that will protect public health and safety.

2.

The board of adjustment or town commission, as applicable may approve a variance to section 2.02(E), regarding illumination if the applicant demonstrates that:

a.

The lighting will not spill over onto any adjacent lot in a residential zoning district; and

b.

The lighting standards and fixtures are not visible from any neighboring lot in a residential zoning district; and

c.

The lighting will be turned off between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

(Ord. No. 349, § 4, 12-16-14; Ord. No. 401, § 15, 12-6-24)

A.

In the A-80, B-40, C-35, D-25, E-12, F-15 and G-35 Districts, signs must be placed at the entrance of the building or fenced area, or at the lot's accessway.

B.

No sign shall be erected on town property or in a public right-of-way, unless:

1.

The sign is specifically authorized by a resolution of the town commission and the sign does not obstruct free and clear vision or compromise traffic safety; or

2.

A governmental entity with jurisdiction over the right-of-way installs the sign; or

3.

The sign is an official traffic sign of the town; or

4.

The sign is an identification sign located on public right-of-way denoting the address of the property and/or the name of the property owner or name of the residence. No more than two such identification signs shall be located in public right-of-way; or

5.

The sign is a temporary real estate sign listing the abutting property which is for sale.

C.

No sign other than as described in section 2.03, B.1, B.2 or B.3 above shall be located within three feet of the pavement of a public street.

D.

Off site or off premises signs are prohibited. Off site, off premises signs include signs other than as described in section 2.03, B.5 above which advertise or designate a product or a service of an individual, entity or company, the principal office or location of which is located on premises other than the premises on which the sign is located.

E.

No sign shall obstruct any fire escape or any window or door or opening used as a means of ingress or egress.

F.

No sign shall be located at a street intersection such that it obstructs free and clear vision, the view of any authorized traffic sign or device regarding vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or designed in a manner that it could reasonably be confused with any authorized traffic sign or device.

(Ord. No. 349, § 4, 12-16-14; Ord. No. 377, § 1, 9-9-19)

Temporary signs are permitted in all zoning districts with or without a development permit, provided that they conform to all of the following standards:

A.

The ratio of the horizontal dimension to the vertical dimension of the sign area shall be 3:2. No temporary sign shall be larger than 18 inches horizontally by 12 inches vertically.

B.

The supporting member shall be installed into the ground so that the top of the face of such signs shall not be more than four feet above the finished grade of the ground.

C.

Where temporary signs are suspended from an arm of the support, such arm shall not exceed a length of 20 inches.

D.

Temporary signs shall have dark green block lettered text against a light green background using Sherwin-Williams paint codes 6450 Easy Green and 6454 Shamrock or their equivalents. All such signs shall be lettered professionally. Text may appear on both sides of the sign.

E.

No more than two temporary signs shall be present on a lot at the same time.

F.

No temporary sign, other than a real estate sign as describe in section 2.03, B.5. above, shall be placed in a road right-of-way or visible from a waterway or golf course.

G.

Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.

H.

Temporary real estate signs shall be removed within 48 hours following the sale of the property. Temporary political signs shall not be placed prior to 30 days of the election to which they are related and shall be removed within 48 hours after the day of the election to which they apply, or, if the sign is related to an event, within 48 hours after the event to which the sign relates has occurred.

(Ord. No. 377, § 2, 9-9-19)

A.

All signs, whether permanent or temporary, shall be maintained in good condition at all times while permitted to exist.

B.

If the administrative official determines that any sign is unsafe, insecure, a menace to the public, or constructed, erected or maintained in violation of the provisions of this article, the administrative official shall provide written notice to the property owner of the lot on which the sign is located, stating that the sign must either be removed or made to comply with this article.

C.

If the owner or person in possession fails to remove or alter the sign so as to comply with this article within ten days after the notice is received, the administrative official shall remove the sign.

D.

The administrative official shall remove any sign that is an immediate peril to persons or property summarily and without notice.

E.

When the town has removed or paid for the removal of a sign, the actual cost of removal plus accrued interest at the rate of ten percent per annum from the date of the completion of the work shall be charged to the owner of the lot upon which the sign was located.