Macedon City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXIII
Sign Regulations
§ 300-192 Purpose.
The intent of these regulations is to promote and protect public health, welfare and safety by regulating and restricting the erection, construction, repair, removal, alteration and maintenance of signs and other advertising devices in the Town. The regulations are designed to promote public safety, protect property values, create a more attractive economic climate and enhance the scenic and natural beauty of the Town.
§ 300-193 General conditions and regulations.
A.
No sign shall be erected without the approval of and permit issued by the Zoning Officer. The Planning Board shall review and approve multiple business or multiple use signs, signs requiring a variance and signage that will result in two or more signs on any one parcel.
[Amended 5-11-1995 by L.L. No. 2-1995]
B.
All signs shall be securely attached to a building or a structurally sound support. Display surfaces shall be kept neatly painted and in good repair at all times.
C.
No illuminated signs or outdoor illumination shall direct light in a way which would create a traffic hazard or nuisance or be unreasonably detrimental to adjoining or neighboring properties.
D.
No sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving light or lights. Lighting devices shall employ only lights emitting light of constant intensity.
E.
No projecting sign shall be erected or maintained which extends a distance of more than 18 inches from the front or face of a building. In no event shall a sign overhang or project onto any public right-of-way, except as provided for in this chapter.
F.
No sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or similar fluttering devices.
G.
No sign shall consist of animated or moving parts or be constructed in a movable or portable form.
H.
No sign shall be attached to fences, utility poles or trees.
I.
No sign shall be erected or maintained upon the roof of any building or structure.
J.
No motor vehicle, mobile home or trailer on which is placed or painted any sign shall be parked or stationed in a manner primarily intended to display the sign.
K.
No sign shall be erected or maintained within 25 feet of the right-of-way of any public street or highway.
L.
Except for off-premises directional signs regulated by § 300-197, no sign advertising a business, use or service other than that provided on the premises on which said sign is located shall be permitted.
M.
The regulations specified herein shall not apply to any sign or directional device erected by any governmental agency, nonadvertising signs identifying underground utility lines or posted or preserve signs erected pursuant to the Environmental Conservation Law of the State of New York.
N.
No sign shall be located closer than 25 feet to any side property line unless it is attached to a building.
O.
No sign shall be erected in such a manner as to confuse or obstruct the view of any traffic sign, signal or device.
P.
Except as otherwise provided in this article, signs advertising a temporary situation may be displayed during the duration of those services or until the final day of the event. Such signs may include, but not be limited to, political, charitable, social and educational functions, real estate sale, lease or rental signs and signs advertising services of a temporary nature incident to a business or property.
[Amended 6-25-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
Q.
Any sign not specifically covered by these regulations shall require approval by the Planning Board and a permit issued by the Zoning Officer.
R.
No sound amplifiers, public address systems or other sound devices shall be used as a means of advertising or to attract attention to a sign.
[Added 6-25-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
§ 300-194 Specific conditions and regulations.
A.
No more than two signs containing advertising or otherwise relating to a single business or activity shall be erected or maintained on a single property.
B.
No more than one of the two permitted signs may be a ground sign.
C.
The total area of all signs erected on a single property shall not exceed one square foot per linear foot of building facade on the street which provides the principal access for the use.
D.
Directional signs that do not exceed two square feet in sign area and are limited to such texts as "Office," "Entrance," "Exit," "Parking" and "No Parking" are excluded from the limitation on the number and area of signs permitted.
E.
No ground sign shall exceed 24 square feet in area and 20 feet in overall height, measured from the highest level of natural ground immediately beneath the sign to the highest point of the sign or the supporting structure thereof.
F.
No ground sign shall be set back less than 25 feet from any street line. No ground sign shall be set back a distance less than the height of the sign from any side or rear property line.
G.
Signs incidental to places of worship, libraries, museums, social clubs and societies and signs announcing the name of multiple-family dwelling complexes shall not exceed 16 square feet in area.
§ 300-195 Multiple uses or activities.
Notwithstanding the standard governing the number of signs permitted to be erected or maintained on any parcel of real property set forth in § 300-194 above, the following standards shall guide the regulation of all private signs associated with projects when more than one principal building or business use or activity is proposed to be conducted on a separate and discreet basis upon a single parcel of real property associated with the project, such as in the case of a shopping center, plaza or mall or other multiple commercial use facility or industrial park:
A.
A single ground sign of up to 64 square feet in area and not more than 20 feet in height may be erected which identifies the name of the center or facility as a whole and does not advertise any individual business activity.
B.
Ground signs advertising individual businesses within a shopping center or joint development project shall be prohibited.
C.
One sign identifying individual businesses or uses may be erected for each separate principal activity. Individual business signs may be attached to the face of the building or hung from a canopy. Such signs shall not exceed the lesser of:
D.
In a shopping center, industrial park or multiple commercial facility, there may be one directory sign at any location therein which shall not exceed five square feet for each acre of land in such shopping center, industrial park or multiple commercial facility, provided that such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area. In addition, at each point of entrance and exit for vehicular traffic into such shopping center, industrial park or multiple commercial facility, one directory sign shall be permitted which does not exceed two square feet for each acre of land in such shopping center or industrial park. Such signs shall not exceed a total area of 12 square feet.
[Amended 12-9-1999 by L.L. No. 5-1999]
E.
An overall sign design plan for any such center or facility shall be submitted with the application for the site development permit. The sign design plan shall include plans for each principal activity therein and shall reflect consistency in design, lettering, lighting and the use of materials.
§ 300-196 Additional requirements signs in agricultural and residential districts.
A.
A sign indicating the name and address of the occupant or a permitted home occupation may be displayed, provided that it shall not be larger than four square feet in area. If such signs are freestanding, they shall not exceed four feet in height above the ground level at the sign's location and shall be no closer than 10 feet to any lot line. Said signs shall not be illuminated, except indirectly.
[Amended 6-25-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
B.
For multiple-family dwellings and public buildings, a single identification sign not exceeding 16 square feet in area and indicating only the name and address of the building may be displayed. Such signs shall not be closer to any lot line than 1/2 of the required setback and shall not project more than six feet in height above grade. Said signs shall not be illuminated, except indirectly.
C.
No more than two signs advertising the sale, lease or rental of the premises upon which the sign is located. Such signs shall not exceed nine square feet in area, provided that such sign is erected or displayed not less than five feet inside the property line and not more than four feet in height. Said signs must be removed from the premises within seven days after the property has been leased or title transferred.
D.
No more than one identification sign not exceeding 24 square feet in area shall be permitted identifying the name of a farm. Said signs shall not be closer than 25 feet to any right-of-way or property line and shall not be illuminated, except indirectly.
E.
A permanent sign may be erected to indicate a subdivision, which sign shall not exceed 50 square feet in area nor more than seven feet in height.
F.
A temporary sign, not exceeding 24 square feet in area, the height of which is not greater than six feet, shall be permitted for a period of three years from the time of final subdivision approval or advertising the sale of property within such subdivision.
G.
Not more than two signs may be erected for the purpose of advertising the sale of agricultural and nursery products associated with a roadside stand. Said signs shall not exceed a total combined area of 12 square feet and shall be located not less than 25 feet from the right-of-way line. Signs associated with nonpermanent roadside stands shall be removed from the site at the same time that the nonpermanent stand is removed.
H.
No sign advertising a business in a residential district shall exceed 16 square feet in area.
§ 300-197 Off-premises directional signs.
Notwithstanding the provisions of § 300-193 to the contrary, one directional sign advertising an industry or business having its principal place of business within the Town of Macedon may be located upon premises other than the premises of the principal place of such industry or business, provided that:
A.
Such industry or business does not front on a state highway.
B.
The principal purpose of such sign is to direct motor vehicles to the location of such business or industry.
C.
Such sign is located no closer than 25 feet from the right-of-way line.
D.
Such sign has a maximum area of not more than 12 square feet on either side and shall have no more than two sides.
E.
No part of such sign shall be more than 12 feet above the ground measured from the highest level of natural ground immediately beneath the sign.
F.
Wherever possible, the grouping of compatible off-premises directional signs shall be encouraged.
G.
Such signs may be illuminated by indirect lighting.
H.
All applications for an off-premises directional signs shall be accompanied by a written statement signed by the owner of the premises giving permission to locate the sign on the subject property.
§ 300-198 Temporary signs.
A.
Temporary signs advertising any political, educational, charitable, civic, religious or like campaign or event may be erected for a consecutive period not to exceed 60 days in any calendar year. Said signs shall be removed within 14 days following the campaign or event.
B.
If such temporary signs are not removed within the fourteen-day period, the Zoning Officer is authorized to remove said signs and to charge all costs incident to the removal of the sign or signs to the organization responsible for the placement of the signs.
C.
No temporary sign shall be attached to fences, trees, utility poles, bridges and traffic signs and shall not obstruct or impair vision or traffic in any manner or create a hazard or disturbance to the health and welfare of the general public.
D.
No temporary sign shall exceed 24 square feet in area.
§ 300-199 Nonconforming signs.
A.
Any existing sign erected before the adoption of this chapter which is nonconforming and for which no permit was issued shall be removed within six months from the effective date of this chapter.
B.
Any existing sign erected before the adoption of this chapter for which a permit was issued and which would be in violation under the provisions of this chapter, shall be allowed to continue for a period of not more than 10 years from the effective date of this chapter. At the end of the ten-year period, all such nonconforming signs shall be removed.
C.
Nonconforming signs shall not be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended or relocated, unless such action changes a nonconforming sign into a conforming sign as provided herein. The failure to keep any such nonconforming sign in good repair within a period of 30 days after due notification by the Zoning Officer shall constitute abandonment of the sign. An abandoned sign shall not be reused and shall be removed by or at the expense of the property owner.
D.
If a project subject to zoning review(s) is proposed for a parcel of property upon which a legally preexisting sign which does not conform to these standards is located, the reviewing agency shall require that the said nonconforming sign be brought into compliance as a condition of the approval of the proposed action.
§ 300-200 Application for sign permit.
All applications for a sign permit shall be made in writing, in triplicate, upon the forms prescribed and provided by the Zoning Officer and shall meet the standards set forth:
A.
All applications shall contain the following information:
(1)
Name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
(2)
Location of building, structure or land to which or upon which the sign is to be erected.
(3)
A detailed drawing or blue print showing a description of the construction details of the sign and showing the lettering and/or pictorial matter composing the sign; position of lighting or other extraneous devices; and a location plan showing the position of the sign or any buildings or structures, including any private or public street or highway.
(4)
Written consent of the owner of the building, structure or land to which or on which the sign is to be erected, in the event that the applicant is not the owner thereof.
B.
All applications pursuant to § 300-195, § 300-197 and § 300-199 shall be forwarded to the Planning Board for approval. Prior to rendering its decision the Board shall:
[Amended 5-11-1995 by L.L. No. 2-1995]
(1)
Review the design, size and location of the proposed sign to determine whether the proposed sign is in violation of any of the regulations or restrictions set forth in this chapter.
(2)
Grant approval, including any reasonable conditions, or reject the application and provide reasons for rejecting the application.
C.
All applications not governed by Subsection B shall be submitted to the Zoning Officer for approval. Prior to rendering his decision, the Zoning Officer shall:
[Added 5-11-1995 by L.L. No. 2-1995]
(1)
Review the design, size and location of the proposed sign to determine whether the proposed sign is in violation of any of the regulations or restrictions set forth in this chapter.
(2)
Refer the application to the Planning Board for a recommendation, in the Zoning Officer's discretion.
(3)
Grant approval, including any reasonable conditions, or reject the application, stating the reasons therefor.
§ 300-201 Permit required; fee.
After approval of the design, size and location of any sign, as aforesaid, no person shall erect any sign as defined herein without first obtaining a permit from the Zoning Officer, and payment of fees as determined by the Town Board.
§ 300-202 Issuance of permit.
It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer, upon the filing of the application for said permit, to examine all of the data submitted to him with the application, and if necessary, the building or premises upon which it is proposed to erect the sign or other advertising structure. If it shall appear that the proposed sign is in compliance with all of the requirements of this chapter, and other laws and ordinances of the Town of Macedon, and has been approved as to design, size and location by the Macedon Town Planning Board, as provided for herein, a permit for the erection of the proposed sign shall be issued. If the sign authorized under any such permit has not been completed within six months from the date of the issuance of such permit, the permit shall become null and void, but may be renewed for one additional six-month period upon the approval of the Planning Board and upon payment of an additional fee. A request, which cites the reason for requesting the completion of the sign shall be submitted, in writing, to the Planning Board not more than 30 days following the first six-month expiration period.
§ 300-203 Removal of signs.
A.
The Zoning Officer shall notify the owner of any sign which no longer serves the purpose for which the permit was granted or is unsafe, insecure or is a menace to the public or has been erected or installed in violation of this chapter, in writing, to remove or correct the unsatisfactory condition of said sign within 30 days from the date of such notice.
B.
Upon failure to comply with such notice within the prescribed time, the Zoning Officer is hereby authorized to remove or cause removal of such sign and shall charge all costs and expenses incurred in said removal to the owner of the sign and/or the owner of the land or building on which such sign is located.
C.
The Zoning Officer may cause any sign which is a source of immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily upon written notice to that effect. Failure to comply within five days of such notice will serve as an authorization to the Zoning Officer to remove or cause removal of such sign, with all costs and expenses charged as provided for above.