Pittsford Town City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XVIII
Signs, Awnings and Canopies
§ 185-134 Signs in residential districts.
Permanent signs in the Agricultural Zone, RN Residential, B Residential, RRAA Rural Residential, Rural Residential South Pittsford, Suburban Residential and Monroe Avenue Transitional Zone Districts shall be limited to the following:
A.
Where a permitted home occupation is maintained, and where signage for such home occupation is required by law, such signage may be maintained, only to the extent required by law.
B.
Where a permitted commercial stable, farm market, country store, veterinary clinic or tack shop is maintained, one freestanding sign may be erected on the premises, not exceeding 16 square feet in size, identifying the business, which such sign shall not have more than two sides; shall not exceed six feet in height; and shall not be closer than 10 feet from any lot line or road right-of-way nor obstruct vehicular or pedestrian visibility. One additional sign may be erected on the building facade, not exceeding six square feet in size, identifying the business.
C.
In the Monroe Avenue Transitional Zone, for any permitted home occupation or special use permit use, one small, freestanding sign, made of wood or nonglare finish material, may be erected. Such sign may not exceed three square feet in area, nor exceed four feet in length in one dimension. Lighting of such sign is permitted by direct illumination (no backlit or translucent signs permitted), provided that the lighting source is entirely screened from view. The signpost may not exceed five feet in height.
D.
Permanent signs and/or structures identifying golf courses, subdivisions, apartment houses and other residential properties:
(1)
Signs shall be limited to one sign or structure on each side of each entrance.
(3)
The sign shall be located on the private subdivision, apartment house or other residential property, unless the proponent requests and the Commissioner of Public Works determines that it may appropriately be located in the highway right-of-way. In determining whether to permit a sign in the right-of-way, the Commissioner shall take into account highway safety, sight distance, snow removal and storage, proximity to properties not in the subdivision and the need to have the sign located in said right-of-way.
(4)
If the sign is on a post or pole, the sign shall not exceed six square feet, and the post or pole shall not extend more than 10 feet above the ground on which it is located.
(5)
If the sign is part of a stone, brick or other permanent wall or structure, the sign shall not exceed six square feet in size, and the structure on which it is located shall not exceed four feet in height.
(6)
Such signs and structures may be removed by the Town if they become damaged or are in an unsightly condition.
(7)
Any illumination of such signs shall be clear, landscape lighting and shall be so arranged so that it does not project, disperse or display any light rays onto adjacent properties. Such illumination may not be of the flashing, intermittent or interrupted type.
(8)
The Town shall not be responsible for the maintenance of any such signs and/or structures or vegetation in connection therewith, except for the mowing of grass in a public right-of-way.
§ 185-136 Signs in Light Industrial District.
Permanent signs in the Light Industrial District shall be limited to the following:
A.
Freestanding signs.
(1)
One freestanding sign per property is permitted stating the street address number and/or the building name or, in the case of a single occupant, the business name.
(2)
The sign shall be located adjacent to the main vehicular entrance and not closer to the edge of road pavement than 20 feet.
(3)
All signs shall be maintained in good repair and in a legible condition.
B.
Business directory signs.
(1)
For properties with multiple tenants, a single freestanding directory sign identifying the businesses on site is permitted. The directory sign shall be situated in an unobtrusive, interior location.
(2)
The directory sign shall be maintained in good repair and in a legible condition.
(3)
Dimensional requirements regarding the directory sign shall conform to the following:
C.
Business identification signs.
(1)
Signs identifying the business operated on the premises shall be allowed as provided herein.
(2)
All business identification signs shall be affixed to the building and shall not project above the facade.
(3)
All signs shall be maintained in good repair and in a legible condition.
(4)
Dimensional requirements regarding signage shall conform to the following:
(a)
For a single-tenant structure, no such sign shall be more than 100 square feet in area, defined as the smallest rectangle which will contain all the elements of the sign. Two signs are permitted when there are multiple elevations facing the abutting highway if in the aggregate they do not exceed 100 square feet in area.
(b)
For a structure with multiple tenants, no such sign shall be more than 100 square feet in area, defined as the smallest rectangle which will contain all the elements of the sign. Additional signs are permitted when there are multiple entrances if in the aggregate they do not exceed 100 square feet in area.
D.
Informational signs. Informational signs which enhance public safety may be approved by the Planning Board or the Commissioner of Public Works.
§ 185-137 Signs in High Technology and Office Park District.
No sign shall be erected, except a sign permitted in a residential district, unless such sign so erected is attached to a building or structure thereon. No such sign shall be more than 100 square feet in area. No such sign, if projecting, shall project more than three feet.
§ 185-138 Signs in Commercial and C-2 Commercial Districts.
Permanent signs in the Commercial and C-2 Districts shall be limited to the following:
A.
Identification signs.
(1)
Signs identifying businesses or service establishments shall be allowed as provided herein.
(2)
No sign shall be erected in any commercial district unless such sign so erected is attached to a building or structure. No such sign shall extend more than six feet above the roof of any building.
(3)
For a business or service establishment, and except as allowed by the provisions of Subsection A(5) hereof, a single sign identifying such business or service establishment shall be allowed on the main entry facade of such business or service establishment, such sign not to exceed 1 1/2 square feet in area for each linear foot of main entry facade, defined as the smallest rectangle that will contain all the elements of the sign.
(4)
Except as allowed by the provisions of Subsection A(5) hereof, all signage shall be located on the main entry facade of each business and/or service establishment.
(5)
The Planning Board is hereby authorized to approve, upon proper application, an overall sign location plan for an entire building, including each and every business and/or service establishment located therein. In reviewing such application, the Planning Board shall have the following authority and shall consider the following criteria:
(a)
The overall sign location plan shall include all proposed signs for the entire building, including any and all businesses or service establishments therein.
(b)
The total allowable square footage of signage for a building shall be as calculated in accordance with the provisions of Subsection A(3), above, except that for buildings with multiple stories and multiple businesses and/or service establishments, total signage may be increased by up to 0.75 square foot for each linear foot of story above the building's main entry facade.
(c)
Signage may be located on facades other than the main entry facade.
(d)
Signs in excess of one per business or service establishment may be allowed, provided that the overall square footage of signage does not exceed the amount allowed herein.
(e)
The location and size of each and every proposed sign shall be clearly set forth on a scaled building elevation plan.
(f)
Sign location and individual sign sizes shall be appropriately spaced, shall be proportional to one another and shall properly balance the need for visual recognition by the location of signs on facades other than the main entry facade with the visual impact of such proposed signs on the district and/or nearby structures.
B.
Directional signs. Directional signs such as "ENTER" and "EXIT" shall be permitted to facilitate traffic flow entering and exiting properties, with the following conditions:
(1)
Such signs shall not exceed 36 inches in width by 18 inches in height and shall not exceed 40 inches' total height above grade nor obstruct the sight distance of drivers of motor vehicles.
(2)
Such signs shall not be placed within the road right-of-way without the written consent of the governmental unit having jurisdiction of the location.
(3)
Such signs shall be limited to "ENTER" and "EXIT" signs bearing no advertising and to signs related to public safety as deemed necessary by the Commissioner of Public Works or state Department of Transportation.
(4)
Such signs may include street numbers.
C.
Parking restriction signs. Parking restriction signs shall be permitted to facilitate the organization of parking lots, with the following conditions:
(1)
All such signs shall be a standard size of 12 inches in width by 18 inches in height and shall not exceed 72 inches' total height above grade nor obstruct the sight distance of drivers of motor vehicles.
(2)
Such signs shall face the parking places they are designed to restrict only.
(3)
All such signs shall contain black, block lettering on a white background only and shall not contain any logo or other advertising.
(4)
All such signs shall be mounted or affixed in a secure manner so that they are maintained in an upright position at all times.
(5)
The within conditions shall not apply to handicap, fire lane or emergency-only parking signs.
§ 185-139 Temporary signs.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide standards for the regulation of the location and appearance of temporary signs in order to:
B. EVENT TEMPORARY SIGN
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Any happening or occurrence of a limited duration, including, but not limited to, the sale or lease of a property, an election, a referendum, a garage, estate or yard sale, the erecting or repairing of a structure on the premises, the seasonal sale of products grown on the premises of a residential property, and the like.
Any sign that is not otherwise permitted by this chapter.
C.
Regulations.
(1)
Temporary signs may not be erected in any public right-of-way or on public property, including on trees, fences, utility poles, bridges, fire hydrants or traffic signs located on such public right-of-way or public property.
(2)
Temporary signs shall not be located within 10 feet of the edge of pavement, and in no way shall they interfere with or obstruct the view or free passage of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or obstruct any fire hydrant.
(3)
The owner and/or occupant of the property on which such signs are erected and/or displayed shall consent to the erection of such signs and shall be responsible for their removal.
(4)
Temporary signs allowed by this section specifically do not include signs for the sale of goods or merchandise of any business.
(5)
Temporary signs may not be illuminated.
(6)
In residential districts, the amount of temporary signage that may be erected per Tax Map parcel at any time shall not exceed four signs. No one sign shall exceed eight square feet, and the total signage shall not exceed 32 square feet.
(7)
In nonresidential districts, the amount of temporary signage that may be erected per Tax Map parcel at any time shall not exceed four signs. One sign may be up to 12 square feet. All remaining signs shall not exceed eight square feet, each, and the total signage shall not exceed 32 square feet.
(8)
Temporary signs relating to an event shall be removed by the owner or occupant of the property not later than four days thereafter.
§ 185-140 Awnings and canopies.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish standards for the fabrication, erection and use of awnings and canopies, illuminated and nonilluminated, in nonresidential districts. These standards are to promote the public welfare, health and safety of persons within the community assuring proper design, installation and maintenance in said zoning district.
B. AWNINGS and/or CANOPIES
Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Movable or fixed ornamental roof-like structures extended from the face of a structure and constructed of durable materials, including fabrics, which may contain its own illumination and may display lettering or other business insignia.
C.
Regulations applicable to all awnings and canopies.
(2)
A building permit is required for the placement of awnings and/or canopies. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall furnish to the Code Enforcement Officer plans and specifications for the proposed installation. If such awnings and/or canopies are over 30 square feet in size or exceed 10 feet in length, such plans and specifications must be signed and sealed by a professional engineer or registered architect. In the case of awnings and/or canopies of a lesser size, the Code Enforcement Officer may require such certified plans and specifications.
(3)
The Design Review and Historic Preservation Board shall approve all applications for awnings and/or canopies prior to a building permit being issued. It shall consider the appropriate relationship between the size, design and shape of the awning and/or canopy and of the structure to which it will be attached, as well as the placement of the awnings and/or canopies on the structure.
D.
Illuminated awnings and/or canopies.
(1)
Illuminated awnings and/or canopies shall be considered to be signs.
(2)
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification of the electrical components shall be provided to the Code Enforcement Officer prior to the issuance of a building permit.
(3)
All fabrics used in illuminated awnings and/or canopies shall comply with the New York State Building and Fire Codes with respect to flammability standards.
§ 185-141 Illumination of sites, signs and buildings.
A.
Commercial and C-2 Commercial Districts.
(1)
In addition to the specifications hereinafter set forth, illumination of signs and buildings shall, where applicable, conform to the Monroe Avenue Design Guidelines, dated April 2, 2002, as amended and supplemented.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Monroe Avenue Design Guidelines are on file in the Town Clerk's office.
(2)
Directional signs may be lit internally, and the intensity of such illumination shall conform to Town standards and shall not exceed the illumination produced by two thirty-six-inch KW (Kool White Lamps).
(3)
No premises in any commercial district and no exterior signs located in any commercial district shall have floodlighting or any other type of illumination unless a permit to that effect has been issued by the Code Enforcement Officer based on the following factors:
(a)
Such signs and lighting shall be in accordance with Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) recommended illumination levels and shall not encroach on adjacent property.
(b)
Such signs and lighting shall be erected, operated and maintained in such manner as to not constitute a nuisance or safety hazard.
(4)
All illuminated signs, with the exception of "ENTER" and "EXIT" signs as described in § 185-138B(3), shall be placed on automatic timing devices which will allow illumination to commence each day not sooner than 1/2 hour before the business is open to the public and which will terminate illumination each day not later than 11:00 p.m. local time, unless the business is actively operating and open to the public. Any business actively operating and open to the public after 11:00 p.m. local time shall terminate illumination 1/2 hour after closing.
(5)
In the C-2 Commercial District, illumination of buildings, landscaping and parking areas shall comply with the following:
(a)
Average levels of illumination for all building, landscaping and parking shall not significantly exceed minimum levels necessary for safety and security lighting and shall not unnecessarily encroach on adjacent properties and shall be so arranged as to prevent direct glare onto any adjacent property or highway.
(b)
Pedestrian-scale lighting shall be on fixtures not exceeding 15 feet in height. These can be freestanding fixtures located along sidewalks. Luminaires without cutoffs are acceptable for pedestrian-level lights. Luminaires should fit the design palette of the project, while complementing other nearby architectural styles.
(c)
Parking and circulation lighting fixtures shall not exceed 25 feet in height and are required to have ninety-degree cutoff-type luminaries to prevent light above the fixture.
B.
Business and office district. Illumination of parking areas and the landscape is permitted but shall be so arranged as to prevent glare onto any adjacent property or highway.
C.
High Technology and Office Park District. Site and building lighting shall be subject to site plan approval by the Planning Board, based upon the following criteria:
(1)
Average levels of illumination for all structures, landscaping and parking areas shall not significantly exceed minimum levels necessary for safety and security; shall not unnecessarily encroach on adjacent properties; and shall be so arranged as to prevent direct glare onto any adjacent property or highway.
(2)
Pedestrian-scale lighting shall be on fixtures not exceeding 15 feet in height. These may be freestanding fixtures located along sidewalks. Luminaires without cutoffs are acceptable for pedestrian-level lights. Luminaires should fit the design palette of the project, while complementing other nearby architectural styles.
(3)
Parking and circulation lighting fixtures shall not exceed 25 feet in height and shall have ninety-degree cutoff-type luminaries to prevent light above the fixture.
D.
Light Industrial District. Site and building lighting shall be subject to site plan approval by the Planning Board, based upon the following criteria:
(1)
Average levels of illumination for all structures, landscaping and parking areas shall not significantly exceed minimum levels necessary for safety and security; shall not unnecessarily encroach on adjacent properties; and shall be so arranged as to prevent direct glare onto any adjacent property or highway.
(2)
Pedestrian-scale lighting shall be on fixtures not exceeding 15 feet in height. These may be freestanding fixtures located along sidewalks. Luminaires without cutoffs are acceptable for pedestrian-level lights. Luminaires should fit the design palette of the project, while complementing other nearby architectural styles.
(3)
Parking and circulation lighting fixtures shall not exceed 25 feet in height and shall have ninety-degree cutoff-type luminaries to prevent light above the fixture.
E.
Monroe Avenue Transitional Zone. For permitted nonresidential uses, all exterior lighting shall be accomplished with low-level lighting of a residential style. Maximum height of any freestanding light fixture shall be eight feet. No light source shall be so positioned or installed so as to cause glare or spillage into neighboring property beyond that normally associated with residential use. Lighting of permitted signs is permitted by direct illumination, only, with the lighting source to be entirely screened from view. Backlit or translucent signs are not permitted.
F.
Outdoor illumination of recreational uses or installations.
(1)
There shall be no lighting installed in connection with any outdoor tennis court, racquetball court, private swimming pool or other similar recreational use or installation in residential districts on or after the effective date of this section, unless such lighting and the use or installation which it illuminates is at least 500 feet from all boundary lines of the premises. Swimming pools constructed entirely in the ground, commonly called "in-ground pools," may have lighting in the sides of the pool.
(2)
Presently existing lighting installed in connection with any such recreational use or installation in residential districts and permitted in-ground pool lighting hereafter installed shall be guarded, shielded and regulated in such manner that it shall not project, disperse or display any light rays beyond the boundary lines of the premises on which it is located.
(3)
Presently existing lighting installed in connection with any such recreational use or installation in residential districts and permitted in-ground pool lighting hereafter installed shall be extinguished not later than 10:00 p.m. local time.