Monroe City Zoning Code
ARTICLE X
Signs
[Amended 1-21-1997 by L.L. No. 1-1997; 7-6-1999 by L.L. No. 3-1999; 3-5-2002 by L.L. No. 1-2002; 3-4-2003 by L.L. No. 1-2003; 12-21-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010; 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also renumbered this article, which was formerly included as Article XII.
§ 200-37 Statement of purpose; intent and jurisdiction.
Signs constitute a separate and distinct use of the premises upon which they are placed and also affect the use of adjacent roads, streets, walkways and other properties. The provisions of this article are made to establish reasonable and objective regulations for all signs in this municipality, in order to protect the general public health, safety, welfare, convenience and aesthetics. This article is also intended to serve the public's need to be given helpful directions, and to be informed of available products, businesses, and services. All signs in the Village of Monroe shall be subject to this article.
§ 200-37.1 Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
FACADE
Any structure or part of a structure attached; or otherwise mounted parallel, to a wall or other vertical part of the structure.
GROSS SIGN AREA
The entire area within a single continuous perimeter composed of a single face enclosing the extreme limits of characters, lettering, illustrations, ornamentation or other figures, together with any other material, design or color forming an integral part of the display including the frame.
ROOF
The roof slab or deck with its supporting members, not including vertical supports.
ROOF EAVES
The projecting overhang at the lower edge of a roof.
ROOF RIDGE
The upper and lower roof ridges are the horizontal lines formed by the juncture of two sloping planes formed by the surfaces of a roof.
ROOF STRUCTURE
An enclosed structure on or above the roof of any part of a building.
ROOFLINE
The top edge of a roof or building parapet, whichever is higher, but excluding any mansards, cupolas, pylons, chimneys or any minor projections.
SIGN
A name, identification, description, emblem, display or device which is affixed to, printed on, or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure, or parcel of land, which is illuminated or nonilluminated, and which directs or calls attention to a person, place, product, institution, business, organization, activity or service. Signs shall also include any permanently installed or situated merchandise, including any banner, pennant, placard, statue, vehicle or temporary sign. Certain categories of signs are defined as follows. Other categories of signs are defined elsewhere in this chapter.
A.
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign located on a property which is vacant and/or unoccupied for a period of 90 days; a sign which is damaged, in disrepair, or vandalized and not repaired within 90 days; a sign which contains an outdated message for a period exceeding 30 days.B.
ANIMATED AND MOVING SIGNS
A sign or other display with either kinetic or illusionary motion powered by natural, manual, mechanical, electrical or other means, including but not limited to flags having commercial messages, and all pennants, banners, streamers, propellers, and discs, as well as flashing signs, signs with illuminated elements that are used to simulate the impression of motion, and searchlights.C.
AWNING SIGN
A sign with its copy on a shelter made of any nonrigid material, such as fabric or flexible plastic, that is supported by, or stretched over a frame and attached to an exterior wall of a building or other structure.D.
BANNER SIGN
A sign with its copy on nonrigid material such as cloth, plastic, fabric or paper with no supporting framework.E.
BILLBOARD
A structure or freestanding sign board which advertises goods or services not connected or available on the premises on which the sign is located.F.
BULLETIN BOARD
A particular type of changeable copy sign that displays copy in a casement made of glass, Plexiglas or other materials.G.
CANOPY SIGN
A sign on a rigid multisided structure attached to a building or on any other freestanding structure that may have a roof with support but no walls.H.
CHANGEABLE SIGN
A sign that is designed so that its characters, letters, illustrations or other content can be changed, altered or rearranged without physically altering the permanent physical face or surface of the sign. This includes manual, electrical, electronic, or other variable message signs.I.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN
A temporary sign identifying individuals or companies involved in design, construction, wrecking, financing or development work when placed upon the premises where that work is underway, but only for the duration of the work.J.
DIRECTIONAL/INFORMATIONAL SIGN
An on-premises sign for the convenience of the public giving directions, instructions, facility information or other assistance around a site, such as location of exits, entrances, parking lots, amenities, and housing units, to encourage proper circulation. It may contain the logo of an enterprise but no other advertising copy.K.
DIRECTORY SIGN
A sign which displays the names and/or addresses of the establishments, housing units, amenities, or uses of a building or group of buildings.L.
FLASHING SIGN
Any sign which has intermittent or changing lighting or illumination of a duration less than 60 seconds shall be deemed a flashing sign.M.
FREESTANDING SIGN
The general term for any sign which is permanently affixed to the ground and on a foundation. It is supported on a foundation by one or more upright poles or braces, and is not attached to a building or any other structure.N.
GLARING SIGNS
Signs with light sources or which reflect brightness in a manner which constitutes a hazard or nuisance. This includes signs with fluorescent text, graphics or background, as well as holographic signs.O.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY UNIT IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign within a commercial resort community or common interest community (condo, co-op or planned community) identifying individual units, as well as groupings of units within the community.P.
ILLEGAL SIGN
A sign which does not meet the requirements of this chapter. This specifically includes a sign that remains standing when the time limits set by the permit are exceeded and any sign not removed after notification from the Code Enforcement Officer to remove the sign.Q.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign illuminated in any manner by an artificial light source, whether internally or externally lit, including but not limited to neon signs and any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outlines illuminated by artificial lighting.R.
INFLATABLE SIGNS AND OTHER OBJECTS
Signs and other objects which are inflated, including, but not limited to, balloons. One bouquet of balloons shall be allowed on premises that sell balloons. Balloons shall also be permitted in temporary situations or on special occasions at a residence.S.
INFORMATIONAL SIGN
Public or private directional, street or traffic signs, address numbers, names of buildings, rooms, etc. and other signs of a similar nature.T.
INSTRUCTIONAL SIGN
A sign which provides direction or instruction to guide persons to facilities intended to serve the public (e.g., rest rooms, public telephones, public walkways, parking areas, and commercial resort-community amenities, maps, housing units, or transportation schedules).U.
MARQUEE SIGN
Any sign attached to a covered structure projecting from and supported by a building with independent roof and drainage provisions and which is erected over a doorway or doorways as protection against the weather.V.
MONUMENT SIGN
A freestanding sign with a base affixed to the ground, where the length of the base is at least 2/3 the horizontal length of the monument.W.
MULTIPLE SIGNS
Multiple signs, logos or insignia on a canopy or canopies attached to a building or other structure are prohibited.X.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign that met all legal requirements when constructed but is not in compliance with current sign regulations. A preexisting nonconforming sign is not an illegal sign.Y.
OBSTRUCTIVE SIGNS
A sign or other advertising devise erected or maintained at any road intersection in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of the intersection.Z.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
Sign, graphics or a display for commercial, industrial, institutional, service or entertainment purposes, promoting products, or services conducted, sold or offered somewhere other than upon the same premises where the sign is located, and whose purpose is to sell or identify a product, service or activity. In the context of this article, the word "premises" shall be interpreted as being a separate tract or parcel of land that has been or may be conveyed by deed or has otherwise been specified as a separate lot on an approved land development plan.AA.
ON-PREMISES SIGN
Sign, graphics or a display for commercial, industrial, institutional, service or entertainment purposes, promoting products, uses or services conducted, sold or offered upon the same premises where the sign is located, and whose purpose is to sell or identify a product, service or activity.BB.
PERSONAL SIGN
A sign including nameplates, home-occupation signs, and other signs of a similar nature.CC.
PLAZA SIGN
A one- or two-sided structure displaying smaller signs, each of equal size.DD.
POLE SIGN
A freestanding sign with a base supported from the ground by a pole or a similar support structure of narrow width.EE.
POLITICAL SIGN
A temporary sign identifying, either singly or combined, a political candidate, slate of candidates, issue, or party. These signs are used or intended to be used for the display of any announcement, advertisement or notice of any individual candidate or slate of candidates for any public office or similar political purposes.FF.
PORTABLE SIGN
Sign, graphic or display for commercial, industrial, institutional, service, entertainment or informational purposes which can be readily moved from place to place and which is not affixed to a building, to another permanent structure or to the ground.GG.
POSTERS and HANDBILLS
Any signs affixed to, painted or drawn on any structures, trees or other natural vegetation, rocks or poles.HH.
PROJECTING SIGN
A sign which is supported by an exterior wall of a building or other structure and which is constructed and displayed perpendicular to the face of the building or other structure so that both sides of the sign are visible.II.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A temporary sign which is used to offer for sale, lease or rent the premises upon which the sign is placed.JJ.
ROOF SIGN
A sign which is erected, constructed, and maintained on or above the roof of a building.KK.
SIGNS ADVERSELY AFFECTING SAFETY
Signs which prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or that prevent free access from one part of the roof to any other part. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape. Open flames used to attract public attention to a place of business or to an advertising sign shall not be permitted.LL.
SIGN EMISSIONS
No sign which emits smoke, visible vapors, particles, sound or odor shall be permitted.MM.
SIMULATED TRAFFIC SIGNS AND OBSTRUCTIONS
Any sign which may be confused with, or obstruct the view of, any authorized traffic sign or signal, obstruct the sight-distance triangle at any road intersection or extend into the public right-of-way.NN.
STRINGS OF LIGHT
Any devices, including lights that outline property lines, sales areas or any portion of a structure and are intended to advertise or draw attention to a business or commercial activity, except as follows:(1)
Lights used temporarily as holiday decorations.
(2)
Lights or other devices used on a temporary basis on parcels on which carnivals, fairs or other similar temporary activities are held.
OO.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign displayed for a fixed, terminable length of time. Temporary signs are intended to be removed after the temporary purpose has been served. Included are for sale, lease or rent signs, political signs, service signs, special-event signs, construction signs, directional signs to special or temporary events, A-frame type signs and signs of a similar nature.PP.
VEHICLE SIGNS
Any sign displayed on a parked trailer or other vehicle where the primary purpose of the vehicle is to advertise a product, service business, or other activity. This regulation shall permit the use of business logos, identification or advertising on registered vehicles primarily and actively used and driven for business purposes.QQ.
WALL SIGN
A sign painted on, or attached to, a wall or window of a building or other structure and which is mounted parallel to the surface so that only one side is visible to the public.RR.
WARNING SIGN
A sign containing no advertising material but which warns the public of the existence of danger.§ 200-38 Administration.
The Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer shall have the responsibility and authority to administer and enforce all provisions of this article.
§ 200-38.1 Permit procedures.
No sign, except for exempt signs, shall be erected, displayed, altered, relocated or replaced until the municipality issues a sign permit.
A.
Permit application. Applications for sign permits shall be submitted on forms provided by the Village of Monroe, completed as required; at a minimum, they shall have attached the following information, in either written or graphic form.
(1)
Location of the sign on the premises in relation to lot lines, buildings, sidewalks, streets, public rights-of-way and street intersections within 300 feet of the proposed sign.
(2)
Type of sign (e.g., freestanding, pole, monument, wall) and general description of structural design and construction materials.
(3)
Drawings of the proposed sign containing specifications indicating height, perimeter, area, dimensions, type of lettering proposed, means of support, method of illumination, and any other significant characteristics.
(4)
Any other information requested by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer in order to carry out the purpose and intent of this article.
(5)
The required sign permit fee as established by resolution of the Village Board. Permit fees will cover the cost for administering this article for compliance with its purpose.
(6)
The landscaping plan for any freestanding signs shall be created, as follows:
(a)
A landscaped island containing shrubs or flowers with a minimum of 32 square feet in area and a minimum of one foot in height is required around all off-premises pole and monument signs.
(b)
The island shall be formed from materials such as, but not limited to, stone, brick, or landscape timbers. The island shall be maintained to keep it free of weeds, debris and brush.
(c)
A sketch of the sign and island shall be submitted with the sign permit application.
§ 200-38.2 Permit review and action.
The Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer shall review the sign permit application in conformance with the following standards:
A.
Official date. The official date of submission shall be the day the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer determines that the completed application, with all required or necessary data, has been properly prepared and submitted.
B.
Time to decide. The Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer shall determine whether the proposed sign will or will not be in compliance with the requirements of this article, and shall, within 30 days of the official date of submission, issue, deny or refer the sign permit application to the Planning Board.
C.
Photograph. When the sign has been completed, the applicant shall photograph the completed sign and forward the photograph to the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer.
D.
Inspection for compliance. The Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer, or a designee, shall perform a final inspection after installation of any approved sign.
E.
Discrepancies. Any discrepancies between any sign as approved and the sign as constructed shall be identified in writing by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer and may result in the halt of construction and correction of the discrepancy. If the discrepancy is not corrected within 20 days after written notice, the sign may be ordered removed by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer.
F.
Complaints. The Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer shall investigate any written complaints of violations of these regulations and may revoke any permit if there is any violation of these regulations or if there was any misrepresentation of any material fact, in either the sign permit application or the plans.
G.
Revocation of permit. All rights and privileges acquired under the provisions of this article are mere licenses and, as such, are revocable for cause by the Village of Monroe. All permits issued pursuant to this article are hereby subject to this provision.
H.
Information to be affixed on signs. All signs erected after the effective date of this section shall have the following information permanently affixed in a conspicuous place:
(1)
Date of the approval.
(2)
The sign permit number.
(3)
The voltage of any electrical apparatus used in connection with the sign.
I.
Violations. Any sign which has not been certified and registered as nonconforming or that has not received a permit from the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer within one year of the effective date of this article shall be deemed to be in violation of these regulations and shall be ordered removed by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer with the costs of removal to be at the expense of the sign owner or the landowner.
§ 200-38.3 Expiration of sign permit.
A.
If the sign authorized by any sign permit has not been erected or completed within 120 days from the date of issuance of that permit, the sign permit shall be deemed expired.
B.
An expired sign permit may be renewed within 30 days from the expiration date for good cause shown and upon payment of a permit extension fee, as established by resolution of the Village Board.
§ 200-38.4 Revocation of sign permit.
The Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer shall revoke any sign permit if the sign, whether new or preexisting, is moved or otherwise altered, either intentionally or by natural forces, in a manner which causes the sign not to be in conformity with this article. Signs must be properly maintained, properly painted and kept free from all hazards, including but not limited to faulty construction or wiring, loose fastenings, being in an unsafe condition or detrimental to public health, safety or general welfare. In the event of a violation of any of the foregoing provisions, the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer shall give written notice specifying the violation to the current owner of the sign and the current owner of the land upon which the sign is erected to conform or to remove the sign. The sign shall be made to conform to the permit requirements within 30 days from the date of the notice or the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer shall revoke the sign permit and the subject sign shall be removed by the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises.
§ 200-38.5 Removal of violating sign.
After issuing an enforcement notice, the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer shall have the power to, and may remove, cause to be removed, or order the removal of signs that are in violation of this article. The removal will be completed at the expense of the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises, or both. Removal shall take place in the following instances:
A.
When any sign constructed after the adoption of this article or any amendment to it is not in conformance with the provisions of this article.
B.
If the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer finds a sign which presents immediate peril to persons or property, the sign shall be removed.
C.
When any sign, whether existing on, or erected on or after the effective date of this article, is declared obsolete for any of the following reasons:
(1)
Any directional or off-premises sign which refers or pertains to a business or facility, the affairs of which are discontinued for a period of six months or more.
(2)
Any sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer exists or applies.
(3)
On premises signs for any businesses or facilities which have been vacant, unoccupied or not actively being offered for sale for a period of six months or more.
§ 200-39 Exempt signs.
Sign permits shall not be required for the following:
A.
Name and address: up to two signs indicating address, number and/or name of occupants of the premises that do not exceed two square feet in area per side, and do not include any commercial advertising or other identification.
B.
Decals: decals affixed to windows or door glass panels, such as those indicating membership in a business group or identifying credit cards accepted at the establishment.
C.
Flags, emblems and insignia of government agencies, religious, charitable, public or nonprofit organizations: these types of signs are exempt from permit requirements but are subject to the following requirements:
(1)
No single flag that is flown shall exceed 40 square feet in area and no single parcel shall fly more than three flags.
(2)
If the total area of flags exceeds 72 square feet, the excess area shall be included in the on-premises, freestanding sign area calculations for the parcel.
(3)
Flagpoles shall not exceed 40 feet in height.
(4)
Wall-mounted flags, emblems, insignias or logos shall be limited to one per parcel and shall not exceed 40 square feet in area.
D.
Handicapped parking space: signs not exceeding two square feet in areas reserving parking for handicapped individuals.
E.
Private drive signs: on-premises private drive signs are limited to one per driveway entrance, not exceeding two square feet in area, with language limited to the words "private drive" and the addresses of any residences using the private driveway.
F.
Public signs: signs erected by government agencies or utilities, including traffic, utility, safety, railroad crossing and identification signs for public facilities and any signs erected by the Village under direction of the Board of Trustees.
G.
Security and warning signs: on-premises signs regulating the use of the premises, such as "no trespassing," "no hunting" and "no soliciting" signs that do not exceed one sign two square feet in area in residential areas and one sign five square feet in area in commercial and industrial zones. These limitations shall not apply to the posting of conventional "no trespassing" signs in accordance with state law.
H.
Temporary real estate signs and temporary political signs: display of temporary real estate signs shall be limited to one per property and six square feet in area in residential zones and 32 square feet in all other zones. These signs shall be removed within 30 days of settlement or lease of the property. Display of temporary political signs shall be no larger than 15 square feet in residential zones and shall be removed within two weeks of said election. The erection or placement of any temporary real estate and/or political sign within the public right-of-way of any state, county or Village right-of-way shall be at the sole risk of the owner or occupant of the lot on which it is placed or erected, and the Village of Monroe shall not be liable for any damage to, or removal of, any such signs, if said damage or removal occurs during the course of proper highway or other Village maintenance.
[Amended 4-3-2018 by L.L. No. 4-2018]
I.
Garage or yard sale signs: Signs advertising garage sales or yard sales are permitted, provided that no sign shall exceed four square feet in area and is not erected more than four days prior to the event. One yard sale sign shall be allowed on premises. All signs shall be removed one day after the close of the garage or yard sale.
§ 200-39.1 Prohibited signs.
The following signs are expressly prohibited, unless otherwise stated in these regulations:
A.
Animated and moving signs.
B.
Flashing signs.
C.
Glaring signs.
D.
Obstructive signs.
E.
Inflatable signs and other objects.
F.
Posters and handbills.
G.
Roof signs.
H.
Simulated traffic signs and obstructions.
I.
Strings of light.
J.
Vehicle signs.
K.
Multiple signs.
L.
Signs adversely affecting safety.
M.
Sign emissions.
N.
Mirrors.
O.
Billboards.
P.
Abandoned signs.
§ 200-40 General standards and criteria for signs.
The regulations in this section specify the area and heights of signs that are allowed within the Village of Monroe and which require a permit.
A.
No sign shall be erected, replaced, constructed, displayed, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged or altered except in conformity with and as expressly authorized by the provisions of this chapter, and all sign erections and modifications are subject to the review and approval of the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer. All signs, except as hereinafter provided, shall be deemed structures for the purpose of this chapter.
B.
The Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer shall review completed applications and refer all applicants for new and modified signs to the Planning Board for its review and approval prior to issuing a sign permit. The Planning Board shall maintain a stylebook of photographs and drawings of signs representing the types of signs preferred in the Village. Temporary signs as regulated in § 200-40.8 herein shall not be subject to the review and approval of the Planning Board, but shall be subject to the issuance of a permit by the Building Inspector Code Enforcement Officer where so specified in § 200-40.8.
C.
Property owners shall have full responsibility for all signs placed or erected on the property owner's premises. It shall be the duty of the owner of the premises to have all tenant signs erected, displayed or altered only in conformity with the Village sign laws. Both the property owner and the tenant (whose sign is in violation) shall be served with all notices of violation and/or appearance tickets for violation of the sign laws of the Village of Monroe. The property owner shall be named as a codefendant or correspondent in any action or proceeding brought by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer to enforce the provisions against a tenant of the sign code herein.
§ 200-40.1 Relationship to ongoing uses.
All signs must pertain to an ongoing use conducted on the same property on which the sign is located.
§ 200-40.2 Illumination.
Signs may be illuminated, as provided in § 200-42C, provided that such illumination shall not be twinkling, flashing, intermittent (except for time/temperature signs) or of changing degrees of intensity, and provided that the source of such illumination shall not create unreasonable glare beyond the boundaries of the lot on which it is located.
§ 200-40.3 Placement.
No sign shall be located so as to obscure any signs displayed by a public authority, nor shall any sign be placed in such a way as to obstruct proper sight distance. Further, no sign shall be erected upon a right-of-way, or interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic flow, nor shall any sign interfere with any door, window, ventilation system, fire escape or other emergency exit, nor shall any sign be placed on a public sidewalk or at curb side.
§ 200-40.4 Regulations for all districts.
The regulations contained in this section shall apply to all signs and all zoning districts, regardless of designation, of the Village of Monroe. Nothing herein shall be construed so as to allow the placement or installation of a sign on property other than the parcel or lot associated with the sign or the notice provided on the sign.
A.
All freestanding signs shall require site plan approval by the Planning Board prior to installation. Any freestanding sign which is over 10 feet in height shall be constructed to withstand winds of 100 mph, and such shall be certified by a professional engineer or architect.
B.
Any modification or alteration (except repairs and identical replacement) to a freestanding sign, a wall sign, or a projecting sign shall be approved by the Planning Board prior to issuance of a permit by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer.
C.
The use of a dark background with lighter color(s) for lettering is preferred over the use of a white or light-colored background and dark lettering.
D.
All sign lighting shall be shielded and directed in such a manner that the light source is fixed and is not directly visible from, and does not cast glare or direct light from artificial illumination upon, any adjacent public right-of-way, surrounding property, residential property or motorist's vision. Ground-mounted spotlights used to illuminate a sign shall be fully shielded. Any device lighting a sign shall employ only lights emitting a light of constant intensity, and no sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent or moving light or lights. A string of lights consisting of more than three bulbs shall not be permitted as part of a sign or separate from a sign.
E.
Wall signs shall be affixed flat against the building facade.
F.
No sign shall have more than two sides.
G.
All signs shall be measured in accordance with the following methods:
(1)
Sign measurement shall be based upon the entire area of the sign, with a single rectangular perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the actual sign surface.
(2)
For a sign fixed to a building, the area shall be considered to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs or symbols, together with any background of a color different from the natural color of the finish material of the building.
(3)
For a sign consisting of individual letters or symbols attached to a surface, canopy, awning, building, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.
(4)
Essential supporting framework (brackets, posts, standards) shall not be included in sign area calculations. However, illuminated embellishments on such essential supporting framework shall be included in the calculation of sign size.
(5)
For signs with two faces or sides, the area shall be taken as the area of either face, provided that the faces are back to back.
H.
All illuminated signs shall bear the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. seal in conformance with U.L. 48 or shall be inspected and certified by a state-authorized electrical inspection company.
I.
All signs, including wall signs and projecting signs, shall be securely anchored.
J.
All signs shall be constructed of durable materials and shall be maintained in good condition.
K.
Projecting signs shall have no more than two faces. The exterior edge of a projecting sign shall extend not more than 36 inches from the building face or 1/3 the width of the sidewalk over which it is suspended, whichever is less. No part of a projecting sign shall extend into a vehicular traffic area. A projecting sign suspended over a sidewalk or pedestrian traffic area shall have a vertical clearance of not less than eight feet. No sign shall project from an awning.
L.
On multistory buildings, projecting signs shall be attached to the building above first-story windows and below second-story windowsills. On one-story buildings, projecting signs shall be attached above first-story windows and below the roofline. The size and location of a projecting sign shall complement neighboring signs.
M.
No wall sign shall be higher than the building to which it is attached.
N.
All wiring to a freestanding sign shall be underground and/or concealed within the sign structure.
§ 200-40.5 Animation and strings of lights.
[Amended 4-3-2018 by L.L. No. 4-2018]
No permanent sign or sign component shall be animated, such as moving, rotating or revolving. Further, no permanent sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, balloons, streamers, spinners or other similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices. In addition, strings of lights and contiguous or noncontiguous light strips, whether they be neon, fluorescent or otherwise, shall not be used for advertising or attracting attention when not part of a sign. For the purpose of conducting a grand opening or special sale, pennants, balloons, ribbons and streamers may be allowed by obtaining a temporary sign permit as outlined in § 200-40.8E.
§ 200-40.6 Maintenance and quality of signs.
A.
All signs and sign components shall be kept in good repair and in safe, neat, clean and attractive condition. All signs shall be of a professional quality with respect to such matters as design, painting, lettering, materials and construction.
B.
All permanent signs shall be constructed using materials and methods such that the sign can be expected to withstand normal weathering and use with routine maintenance and cleaning. The determination of the adequacy of the construction of all permanent signs shall be the responsibility of the Code Enforcement Officer.
§ 200-40.7 Projecting or hanging signs.
No sign shall project or hang over a pedestrian or vehicular right-of-way, whether public or private, except that signs attached to the wall or fascia of a building may project up to 36 inches from the building, provided that there is a least an eight-foot clearance above a pedestrian right-of-way and a thirteen-foot clearance above a vehicular right-of-way. No sign shall project above the eave line of the building on which it is mounted, painted or otherwise attached. If the building is flat-roofed, the roofline shall be deemed the eave line for the purpose hereof, except that if a parapet extends across the entire front of the building, the sign may extend to the top of the parapet. For projecting and hanging signs, the Village of Monroe shall be named on the property owner's insurance policy and proof of such insurance shall be required to be produced for review by the Village at any time. Such liability insurance policy shall name the Village as an additional insured and shall contain policy limits with a minimum of $1,000,000. Projecting and hanging signs will require yearly inspections by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer and may be required to be removed upon notification by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer.
§ 200-40.8 Temporary signs.
[Amended 4-3-2018 by L.L. No. 4-2018]
In addition to permitted permanent signs, the following temporary signs are also permitted. Said temporary signs shall require a permit unless specifically exempted below.
A.
Not more than one temporary construction sign for each street frontage of the lot, identifying the architect, engineer and/or contractor and not exceeding four square feet in area, shall be permitted during the course of construction only.
B.
Not more than one temporary sign up to 15 square feet in size appertaining to and displayed only during election campaigns, drives or events of civic, philanthropic, educational or religious institutions shall be allowed per business and shall require a permit from the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer. Signs shall be allowed in any zoning district and must be removed within five calendar days after the completion of the occasion for which the signs were installed. In addition, the applicant shall agree at the time the permit is issued to reimburse the Village for all expenses incurred should it become necessary for the Village to remove the signs. Furthermore, signs may not be installed earlier than 30 days prior to the first date of the event, drive or election being publicized. Signs placed on private property for Village-sponsored events are exempt from these provisions.
C.
Temporary signs pertaining to sales or other business activities which have a duration of five calendar days or less shall not be subject to the issuance of a permit by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer, but such signs shall require the filing with the Village Zoning Office of a temporary sign information form, showing conformity to this code provision, including the dates of installation and removal of the signs. All such signs may not exceed 15 square feet in total cumulative area and must also conform to the provisions of this chapter with respect to placement and professional quality. Such temporary signs shall be allowed no more than twice per calendar year, per business.
D.
For events, conditions or circumstances not covered elsewhere in § 200-40.8 herein, the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer may issue a permit for a period of not more than 30 days for the erection of a temporary sign not exceeding 30 square feet in area in any business district. Such temporary permits may be renewed for not more than one additional thirty-day period and shall be subject to the reimbursement provisions of § 200-40.8B above.
E.
For grand openings, special sales and anniversaries, pennants, balloons, ribbons and streamers may be allowed and are subject to a permit by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer, for a period of no longer than seven days, and cannot exceed the height of the building upon which they are attached.
F.
There shall only be two issuances of a temporary permit under the provisions of § 200-40.8B, C, D and E per calendar year. Extensions of permits where allowed will constitute a separate issuance of permit.
§ 200-41 Signs on state highways.
Any and all signs shall conform to the state code if on a state highway.
§ 200-42 Signs in nonresidence zoning districts.
A.
Signage districts. In recognition of the nature of the different portions of the Village (that is, for example, the central business area, general business district and the Routes 17M and 208 GB corridors), the lands located in the nonresidence zoning districts in the Village are hereby divided into the following classes of signage districts:
(1)
SD-1 Signage District 1.
(2)
SD-2 Signage District 2.
(3)
SD-3 Signage District 3.
B.
Signage District Map. The respective signage districts are bounded and defined as shown on the map entitled "Signage District Map of the Village of Monroe, New York," which map, with all explanatory matter thereon, is hereby made a part of this chapter.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said map is included as an attachment to this chapter.
C.
Signage district regulations. Illumination and size/dimensional regulations pertaining to the respective signage districts are as shown on the following schedule entitled "Signage District Regulations of the Village of Monroe, New York," which schedule, with all explanatory matter thereon, is hereby made a part of this chapter.
Signage District Regulations | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Signage District 1 | Signage District 2 | Signage District 3 | ||
Illumination | ||||
Internal | Prohibited | Permitted | Permitted | |
External | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | |
Size/Dimensions | ||||
Building-mounted signs | ||||
Maximum area of sign for each linear foot of building facing the street | 1 square foot of sign per linear foot of tenant space in building | 1 square foot of sign per linear foot of tenant space in building | 2 square feet of sign per linear foot of tenant space in building | |
Building-mounted signs hung parallel to building | ||||
Maximum vertical dimension | 2 feet | 2 feet | Not to exceed 25% of the total height of the building | |
Building-mounted signs hung perpendicular to building | ||||
Maximum area for each | 9 square feet1 | 9 square feet1 | 9 square feet1 | |
Maximum vertical dimension | 3 feet | 3 feet | 3 feet | |
Freestanding signs | ||||
Maximum gross sign area per lot | 30 square feet1,2 | 30 square feet1,2 | 36 square feet plus 1 square foot for every 10 parking spaces up to 1,000 spaces in project; not to exceed 50 square feet1,2 | |
Maximum vertical dimension | 8 feet | 8 feet | — | |
Maximum height above highway level | 12 feet | 12 feet | 15 feet | |
Maximum dimensions per sign on a directory sign | 3 feet by 6 feet | 3 feet by 6 feet | — | |
NOTES: | |
1 | If a freestanding sign or a building-mounted sign hung perpendicular to the building is substantially two-dimensional and has parallel faces, each face may contain this number of square feet. |
2 | No sign may be located closer than 10 feet to any property line, designated street line, or existing street line, whichever is a greater distance from the center line on the public street abutting the lot in question, plus an additional one foot for each two square feet of sign area in excess of 36 square feet. Also refer to § 200-40.3, Placement, of this chapter. |
D.
In nonresidence GB and Corridor Districts, the following signs are hereby authorized:
(1)
Building-mounted signs. Not more than one sign affixed and parallel to the outer wall of the structure within which the permitted use is situated, facing the principal street giving access to such structure, and not more than one sign affixed and perpendicular to the outer wall of the structure within which the permitted use is situated, provided that:
(a)
No sign shall project above the roof or extend beyond the limits of the building.
(b)
No sign shall face an abutting residential zoning district if located within 50 feet of such district.
(c)
All such signs shall comply with the illumination and size/dimensional regulations in the schedule in § 200-42C herein for the signage district in which they are located.
(d)
The sum of the sign area for all building-mounted signs (i.e., any sign hung parallel to the building and any sign hung perpendicular to the building) shall not exceed the maximum sign area indicated in the schedule above for building-mounted signs.
(2)
Freestanding signs. Not more than one freestanding sign is permitted, provided that:
(a)
No sign shall face an abutting residential zoning district if located within 50 feet of such district.
(b)
All such signs shall comply with the illumination and size/dimensional requirements in the schedule in § 200-42C herein for the signage district in which they are located.
(3)
In addition to other permitted signs, one address identification sign, not exceeding two square feet in area, affixed and parallel to the outer wall of the structure facing upon a street or parking lot not faced by a sign as permitted in Subsection A above is also permitted.
(4)
In addition to other permitted signs, necessary small directional signs are permitted on access roads and parking areas, provided that the area of each sign shall not exceed two square feet. Directional signs shall not contain any advertising or any other information which is nonessential to their directional purpose.
(5)
Indoor signs displayed in a window or door whose primary purpose is to communicate information to passersby out of doors shall be included in the total building-mounted sign area calculations in the schedule in § 200-42C herein and shall be subject to all other provisions of this chapter, including the illumination provisions contained in the schedule in § 200-42C herein.
(6)
Individual signs on a directory sign shall be compatible with each other in terms of background color, material, size and shape.
(7)
Directory listing signs, customary to office complexes, doctors' offices or other multitenant buildings where such signs are located in the vestibule or within the doorway of a building, are permitted.
(8)
One nonilluminated, wall-mounted or A-frame-style chalkboard sign is permitted to advertise daily specials. Such sign may not exceed six square feet and is permitted subject to a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer.
(9)
Limitation on number of signs. Any business shall be limited to two on-premises exterior signs advertising that business, to include freestanding and signs attached to a building (excluding window decals and on-premises directional signage). A third sign may be permitted as follows:
(a)
If multiple businesses are located within the same building, and that building fronts both a roadway and parking lot, or two roadways, the corner units may be allowed a third sign facing that roadway or parking lot.
(b)
If a business occupies a building which fronts both a roadway and parking lot, or two roadways, the business may be allowed a third sign facing that roadway or parking lot.
E.
In nonresidence zoning districts located within the CB Zone, the following signs are hereby authorized:
(1)
Either one building-mounted sign (parallel or perpendicular to the building, but not both) and one freestanding sign, as permitted in § 200-42D.
(2)
Supplementary signs as permitted in § 200-42D(3), (4), (5), (6) and (7).
(3)
One nonilluminated, wall-mounted or A-frame-style chalkboard sign is permitted to advertise daily specials. Such sign may not exceed six square feet and is permitted subject to a permit from the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer.
§ 200-43 Signs in residence zoning districts.
In residence districts, the following signs are hereby authorized and may be illuminated, provided that a nonflashing external light source is used:
A.
One identification sign stating the name and address of each resident or property or the number of the lot, not exceeding two square feet in area.
B.
One identification sign announcing any profession or occupation permitted as an accessory use on the lot, not exceeding six inches by 18 inches in dimensions.
C.
For other permitted uses, one sign at each street frontage where the use has an access drive, provided that the sign does not exceed eight square feet in total area and does not exceed two feet in any one dimension.
D.
Only externally illuminated signs shall be permitted and comply with the provisions of § 200-40.2 herein.
E.
No sign shall be located closer than 10 feet to any property line. Also refer to § 200-40.3, Placement, of this article.