The purpose of this article is to promote and protect the public health, welfare and safety by regulating existing and proposed outdoor advertising signs, outdoor signs of all types, interior signs, facade designs and lighting of facades, lighting for signage or commercial properties in general and any signs or illumination placed within four feet of the viewable space of an exterior window. A further purpose of this article is to protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business climate, and enhance and protect the physical appearance of the community. It is further intended to reduce sign clutter and/or advertising distractions and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents, and to reduce hazards that may be caused by signs or excess illumination overhanging or projecting over public rights-of-way.

The provisions of this article shall govern the design, construction, erection, alteration, repair and maintenance of all signs as well as the use of appurtenant and auxiliary devices that affect facade appearance, property appearance, and exterior illumination.

No person shall:

A permit is not required for maintenance, repair, repainting or like-kind replacement of any sign, illuminating device or facade of or upon any building, storefront or commercial property.

Permit application. Application for any permit under this article shall be made upon such form or forms as are required by the Building and Housing Department. The applicant shall supply nine copies of to-scale drawings or plans, which shall include dimensions and colors. A letter of consent from the owner of the property shall be supplied with nine copies of a survey of the property upon which the sign shall be erected, and showing the location of the sign.

Any sign, structure or portion thereof which no longer advertises an existing business or product available for purchase from the property shall be removed by the property owner within 60 days of the close of the business, or within 30 days of notification by the Building and Housing Department. The failure of a property owner to remove the sign after notification pursuant to this section shall constitute a violation of the Village Code and shall be subject to the penalties set forth in § 435-6 of this chapter.

All fees for a permit under this article shall be set by resolution of the Village Board.

Enforcement. The Building Inspector or other appointed official or employee of the Village shall enforce the provisions of this article. Any sign, lighting or facade shall be removed or made safe by the property owner, at the direction of the Village, for the following reasons:

All signs, lighting and facades must be kept in a good state of repair and neatly painted or finished. Signs, lighting and facades must be maintained in a good state of repair at all times.

Construction standards. Signs, lighting devices and awnings shall be securely mounted and in accordance with applicable building codes. Signs shall not protrude above rooflines unless authorized by special permit of the Planning Board. New electrical installations and like-kind repair or replacement of existing electrical installations which affect signs, lighting devices or facades shall require certification by an electrical underwriter, and such certificate shall be filed with the Building and Housing Department. The following standards shall also apply to the construction or placement of signs, lighting devices, and awnings.

Review and appeal. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Planning Board may seek relief before the Zoning Board of Appeals by filing an application for review by the ZBA within 30 days of the date of the decision of the ARB to be reviewed.

Violations and penalties. Any violation of the provisions of this article shall constitute an offense and shall be subject to the penalties set forth in § 435-6 of this chapter. A violation that exists for more than seven days shall constitute a new violation, and a violation existing for each successive seven-day period shall constitute a new violation, each without the need for issuance of additional process.

The Building Inspector shall refer, and the Planning Board shall review, all applications for signs, illumination, awnings and facades in accordance with the provisions of this article.

Nonconforming uses. Any sign or lighting device existing prior to the date of adoption of this article that does not meet the criteria herein defined shall be considered nonconforming. Upon the discontinuance of use of the business, storefront or commercial property, or upon the relocation or sale of the business, storefront or commercial property to a new owner, or upon the renovation, redesign or reinstallation, or improvement of a sign, lighting device or facade, such sign, device or facade shall be subject to the permit provisions of this article and such nonconforming use shall cease.

Awnings. Awnings shall be retractable in construction or of the stationary shed type.

Facades. Any design, redesign or removal of a structure, masonry change, painting or other modification to be performed on any building, storefront or business property shall first receive approval from the Planning Board.

Window lettering. Window lettering, such as hand painted, computer generated or vinyl "stick-on" to be placed within exterior windows shall require approval of the Planning Board.

Window displays. The stacking or storage of goods, wares, supplies or bulk items within any exterior window is prohibited. Individual products may be used as part of a window display as a decorative attraction to customers.

A permit is required for business, commercial properties or storefronts wishing to display special flags and banners other than those described in this article.

"For Sale" or "For Rent" signs: One "For Sale" or "For Rent" sign, not larger than six square feet in area, advertising only the property upon which it is located shall be allowed. All such signs shall be set back from any street or curbline not less than 10 feet in any residential district. Such signs shall be set back from any street or curbline not less than 30 feet in a commercial or business district that does not have a storefront or facade within such setback, and where a storefront or facade does exist within the setback, any sign shall be affixed in the interior of such storefront or facade.

Subdivision and acreage signs: for each parcel of property, not more than two signs, each not larger than 24 square feet in area, advertising only the premises on which it is erected. All such signs shall be set back from any street or curbline not less than 30 feet in any residential district.

Political signs: All political signs shall be not larger than 16 square feet in area and shall not remain on-site for more than 15 days after the election to which the sign relates.

Historical markers, tablets, statues, memorial signs, plaques, names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into masonry or stone or engraved or molded in bronze, stainless steel or similar material.

Flags and insignias of any government, affiliation or organization except when displayed in connection with a commercial promotion and excepting "Grand Opening" banners which may be displayed for a period of no longer than 120 days.

On-premises directional signs for the convenience of the general public, entrance, exit and safety signs, not exceeding four square feet in area.

Warning, private drive, posted or no trespassing signs not exceeding two square feet in area.

One on-premises sign, either freestanding or attached, identifying a professional office, not exceeding four square feet in area, within any residential zone. All such signs shall be set back from any street or curbline not less than 10 feet.

Number and house plates identifying residences which are mounted on the home, apartment or mailbox, or by lawn plate and which do not exceed two square feet in area.

Garage sale signs when erected on private residences and which do not exceed four square feet in size and which are limited to a display period not to exceed four days.

One sign on any premises not to exceed eight square feet in area within the residential district and 16 square feet in area within any other district listing the architect or contractor that is in the process of renovating, constructing or otherwise modifying any structure.

Industry standard price signs and display signs on gasoline pumps and/or under or attached to main business signs.

Holiday decorations which shall be limited to a period of not more than 60 days prior to the holiday, and which shall be removed within 30 days of the passage of the holiday.

Time and temperature signs with no advertising attached which do not exceed 12 square feet in area per side.

Open, closed or hours of operation signs not exceeding three square feet in area, which may be posted on the interior of any exterior window or door.

Barber poles that do not exceed eight feet in height.

Bulletin boards not exceeding 32 square feet in area.

Professional signs: one sign, not larger than two square feet in area, bearing only the name and profession of the resident practitioner, with not less than a five-foot front yard setback.

Detached or ground signs: in business and industrial districts only, one sign, not larger than 30 square feet and not exceeding nine feet in height, advertising only the business conducted on the premises on which erected and only when detached from any building or structure, with not less than a twenty-foot front yard setback; provided, however, that if the average front setback of existing buildings on the same side of the street within the same block is less than 10 feet, then not less than the average setback so established.

Wall signs: in business and industrial districts only, one sign attached to or incorporated in each building wall on a public street and advertising only the business conducted in such building, when such sign does not:

Roof signs: in business and industrial districts only, one sign attached to the roof, facing on a public street and advertising only the business conducted in such building, when such sign does not: