To encourage the effective use of signs as a means of identification and communications;

To maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment;

To strengthen Lewiston's ability to attract sources of economic development and growth;

To prohibit the erection of signs in such numbers, sizes, designs and/or locations that may create a hazard to pedestrian and vehicular traffic;

To minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property;

To promote and maintain attractive, high value residential, commercial and industrial districts by preventing the blighting influence of excessive signage;

To provide reasonable, yet appropriate, conditions for identifying residential developments, institutions, businesses and industrial establishments;

To control the size and location of signs so that signs will be aesthetically harmonious with their surroundings and the design of adjacent buildings;

To control the number of signs, and to avoid excessive competition for large or multiple signs, so that permitted signs provide adequate identification and direction while minimizing clutter, unsightliness and confusion;

To allow certain temporary signs in limited circumstances without a requirement for permits;

To promote signs which are designed utilizing clear, crisp lettering and uncomplicated symbols which identify the intended message efficiently; and

To enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign restrictions.

The name, address and telephone number of the applicant.

The location of the building, structure or land to which or upon which the sign is to be erected.

The application shall be accompanied by two sets of plans of the sign, drawn to scale on sheets of a minimum of 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches. Sign plans shall include dimensions, proposed design, colors, materials, details of any illumination source, wiring and other electrical details and structural details, including fastening and joining methods and materials.

Two plot plans of the parcel on which the sign is to be placed shall also be submitted, delineating property lines, street lines, building locations and dimensions, parking areas, location and dimensions of all other signs on the parcel, exact location of the proposed sign, including dimensions of setbacks from property lines, and any obstructions in relation to the designated location of the proposed sign. Where a parcel has more than one frontage, the primary frontage shall be designated on the plan.

One application and permit may include multiple signs on the same zone lot.

Sign plans shall include a statement that the proposed sign as shown on the plan is structurally sound and will withstand wind loads as prescribed by the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.

Fees required by this chapter for sign permits shall be in addition to any applicable site plan or subdivision application or review fees.

Every sign shall be designed as an integral architectural element of the building and site to which it principally relates.

Signs should display simple and clear messages and symbols which should be legible by pedestrians and slow-moving vehicles within a reasonable distance. Except as otherwise provided hereunder, a sign shall be limited to not more than the display of the name of the business establishment, one symbol, logo or drawing, and one feature product or service provided by the business.

Sign colors should harmonize with the exterior colors, including trim, of the building to which the sign is attached. In the case of a freestanding sign, the colors on such sign should be compatible with the colors of the building to which the sign principally relates. The letter faces of an individual letter sign shall be kept in one single color.

Lettering on a sign shall be limited to a maximum of two different type styles. The lettering and the design of a sign should complement the architecture of the building to which the sign is attached. In the case of a freestanding sign its design should be compatible to the building to which the sign principally relates.

Roof signs.

Off-premises signs.

Pole signs.

Marquee or marquee signs.

Animated or rotating signs, except required public purpose/safety signs.

Beacons.

Billboard signs.

Projecting signs.

Banners, pennants and/or portable signs, except as temporary signs in accordance with this article.

Any sign or part thereof on a vehicle parked on a public right-of-way or public property or on private property so as to be intended to be viewed from a motorized vehicular public right-of-way, which has for its basic purpose the providing of advertisement of products or directing people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property or any other premises. This subsection is not intended to prohibit any form of vehicular signage, such as a sign attached to a bus or lettered on a motor vehicle or signs that are part of a vehicle such as a construction trailer, whose primary purpose is not advertising to the public right-of-way.

Any sign erected or maintained which might be confused with any traffic control device or which might interfere with the vision or discernment of any traffic sign or which might cause danger to public travel, including any sign which make use of words such as "Stop," "Look," "One Way," "Danger," "Yield," or similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.

Suspended signs.

Strings of lights not permanently mounted to a rigid background, except those exempt under this article.

Inflatable signs and tethered balloons.

Abandoned signs.

Neon signs outside of commercial districts or any use of neon to outline or highlight a structure.

Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.

Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door, that is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot line of the zone lot or parcel on which such sign is located.

Any New York State inspection station identification sign or New York State authorized repair shop identification sign which is at a height which does not exceed 10 feet and is located on an exterior or interior wall of the motor vehicle service station.

Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message, but only between November 15 and January 15, or other holiday decorations erected nor more than 14 days before and removed no more than 14 days after the particular holiday they relate to or symbolize.

Traffic control signs on private property, such as "Stop," "Yield," and similar signs, the face of which meet Department of Transportation standards and which contain no commercial message of any sort.

Private sale, rental or lease signs, when posted not more than seven days before a sale, and removed within seven days thereafter, and which sales may occur at any particular residence no more than three times a year.

Open/closed business signs which do not exceed two square feet.

Official public information signs, memorial signs, building names, erection dates or similar information cut into masonry or other permanent surface or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material, not to exceed 16 square feet.

Signs and markers in cemeteries designating graves and memorials.

On-site farm stand signs that do not exceed 16 square feet in size, 32 square feet cumulatively for all signs for any one property.

Historical site markers.

No-trespassing signs and "posted" (no hunting, fishing and trapping) signs.

Street number identification plates.

Vacancy/no vacancy signs which do not exceed three square feet.

Construction signs. Signs which identify the architects, engineers, contractors and other individuals of firms involved with the construction and/or the purpose for which the building is intended. One temporary construction sign shall be allowed per lot, and such sign shall not exceed a maximum area of 16 square feet. The sign shall be confined to the site of the construction and shall be removed within 14 days of completion of the project.

Political signs. See Chapter 281, Article I..

Real estate signs. Signs advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises or part of the premises on which the signs are displayed, up to a total area of eight square feet in residential and 32 square feet in commercial and light industrial zones. Such signs shall be removed within 14 days of the sale, rental or lease. No off-premises signs advertising the sale, rental or lease of property are permitted in any zone. Directional signs for an open house occurring for a limited period of time are permitted off-premises provided that maximum sign area shall not exceed eight square feet. Signs may not be erected more than seven days prior to the open house and must be removed within two days after following the event.

Show window signs (commercial districts only). Signs temporarily attached to the inside surface of a window, or temporarily painted on a window, announcing a sale or special feature are permitted provided they do not exceed 25% of the area of said window. Temporary show window signs shall be removed immediately after the termination of such sale or special feature and in no case shall be displayed for a period longer than 30 days.

Business opening signs (commercial districts only). Signs, which may include fabric banners, temporarily attached to the front wall or windows of a building, announcing the opening of a completely new enterprise or the reopening under new management of the business operating within. Business opening signs may be of any size that does not extend beyond the horizontal or vertical limits of the front wall of the building or, in the case of buildings housing more than one business, of that portion of the building occupied by the new business. Business open signs shall not be displayed for a period longer than 14 days.

Banners, except as a part of a grand opening when affixed exclusively to the face of a building (30 days maximum).

Temporary business/identity signs. These signs shall be authorized on individual private commercial properties, when, in the judgment of the Building Enforcement Officer, operations of existing businesses on such properties are temporarily disadvantaged during road construction or sewer and water main installation, and/or public maintenance projects. A business is considered to be temporarily disadvantaged when such construction is taking place at the time of application within 1,000 feet of the lot upon which the business is located. However, no such sign shall be erected until a permit specifying the period of authorization has been obtained from the Building Enforcement Officer. In no case shall a temporary sign exceed a width of three feet and a vertical height above ground level of four feet, except for shopping centers. With reference to businesses located within shopping centers, consisting of eight or more businesses, signs directing entrance into the shopping center will be allowed, but individual signs for each business within the center will not be allowed. Temporary signs for shopping centers can be four feet by eight feet. Up to two signs for a shopping center will be allowed. A sign may be of the double-faced linear or V-shaped configuration. No permit shall be issued for a period in excess of 60 days, provided that the Building Enforcement Officer may grant one or more extensions of up to 60 days when his inspection of the premises reveals that such extension is warranted.

All permits shall be securely fastened to the authorized sign(s). Upon expiration of a permit, the authorized sign shall be removed within 24 hours after expiration.

No temporary signs, as allowed under this section, shall be electrified (i.e., illuminated, etc.).

Public signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental body to post legal notices, identify public property, convey public information, and direct or regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

Bus stop signs erected by a public transit company.

Informational signs of a public utility regarding its poles, lines, pipes, or facilities.

Required public purpose/safety sign, including emergency warning signs, erected by a governmental agency, a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized or permitted work within the public right-of-way.

Street banners. Banners advertising a public entertainment or event, if specifically approved under conditions set forth by the Town Board. Such banners may be displayed in locations designated by the Town Board for a period beginning 14 days before and ending seven days after the event.

Temporary signs, in accordance with the regulations of this article.

Nameplate signs for professional occupations not exceeding four square feet.

House number signs in accordance with New York codes of sufficient size to allow identification from the street (and which may be illuminated by customary outdoor household illumination), which are on the dwelling, a sign post not exceeding five feet in height or mailbox, but no numbers painted on rocks shall be allowed.

Residential subdivision identification (temporary). A freestanding sign to be temporary in nature, to be removed within 14 days after the last lot in a subdivision is sold, no larger than 32 square feet with a fifteen-foot front, side and rear yard setback, one per subdivision entrance, not exceeding six feet in height for freestanding. Wall signs are not allowed for this type of sign.

Residential subdivision identification (permanent). A landscaped, permanent freestanding sign no greater than six feet in height, no larger than 32 square feet, location to be approved by the Planning Board, one sign per subdivision entrance. Wall signs are not allowed for this type of sign. No permanent residential subdivision identification sign shall be built unless the applicant provides to the Town Board proof that said sign will maintained in perpetuity by a homeowners' association, and which maintenance requirement shall be evidenced by a recorded restrictive covenant granting the Town the power to assess the property owners in the subdivision for any maintenance costs incurred if the association, after an opportunity to cure and public hearing, does not maintain said sign in good repair.

Churches and other places of worship.

Schools and other places of education.

Emergency services.

EMD/LED illumination measurement criteria. The illuminance of an EMD/LED shall be measured with an illuminance meter set to measure footcandles accurate to at least two decimals. Illuminance shall be measured with the EMD/LED off, and again with the EMD/LED displaying a white image for a full-color-capable EMD/LED or a solid message for a single-color EMD/LED. All measurements shall be taken as close as practical to a perpendicular plane of the sign at the distance determined by the total square footage of the EMD/LED as set forth in the accompanying Sign Area Versus Measurement Distance table.[1]

EMD/LED illumination limits. The difference between the off and solid-message measurements using the EMD/LED measurement criteria shall not exceed 0.3 footcandles at night.

Dimming capabilities. All permitted EMD/LED shall be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and programmed to automatically dim according to ambient light conditions, or that can be adjusted to comply with the 0.3 footcandle measurements.

In the event that an EMD/LED sign is not capable of adjusting its level of illumination, the property owner shall install an external dimming mechanism, and if that is not possible (hardship, technology, etc.), based upon proof that the owner shall submit to the Town of Lewiston Building Department, then the EMD/LED sign shall be considered to be grandfathered; but if any EMD/LED sign so grandfathered is replaced or updated, it shall conform to the standards set forth in this section.