Flashing signs, including any sign or device on which the artificial light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use.

Exterior advertising signs and billboards.

Signs representing or depicting to any degree official traffic signs or signals.

Signs which emit noise, sounds or smoke.

Animated signs, whether by mechanical or electrical processes, including signs with banners, streamers, spinners or other paraphernalia attached to or associated with such signs.

Signs of a prurient nature or advertising businesses, commodities or services of a prurient nature or any unlawful business or undertaking.

Illuminated signs outlining any part of a building, such as a gable, roof, sidewall or corner.

Signs made of cardboard, paper or similar impermanent material, except as may be permitted pursuant to Chapter 223, Signs, Article I, Temporary Signs, of the Code of the Town of Ramapo.

Signs mounted on parked vehicles or trailers or other similar mobile advertising media.

Signs which project over a street.

Signs obstructing traffic visibility. No freestanding sign shall be erected or maintained in the shaded area shown in Sketch A referred to in § 376-51C,[1] as such shaded area relates to the intersection of two streets or to the intersection of a driveway with a street.

No sign permit will be issued except in accordance with a sign plan approval or a site development plan approval. After such approval, an application for a sign permit shall be made to the Director of Building, Planning and Zoning on forms prescribed by the Director of Building, Planning and Zoning and shall contain the information specified in the site development plan rules and regulations. All applications shall be accompanied by the required fee in accordance with the Standard Schedule of Fees of the Town of Ramapo.

The Building Inspector, upon receipt of an application for a sign permit, shall review the same. If the sign requested has been approved on a site development plan or a sign plan, the Building Inspector shall issue a sign permit.

If there is no sign plan approval or site plan approval, the applicant must submit an application to the Director of Building, Planning and Zoning for either site development plan approval or sign plan approval, whichever is applicable. In the case of a sign which is not submitted as part of a site development plan, a sign plan for such sign shall be subject to review and approval by the Community Design Review Committee. Upon the granting of a site development plan or a sign plan approval, a copy of the approved plan shall be transmitted to the Building Inspector.

Signs must be clearly accessory to the use or uses upon the same lot, and such signs and lighting must be shown to be essential to the conduct of the principal use upon the lot.

The size and content of the sign shall be the minimum essential for legibility and for the provision of information to patrons seeking the particular use described on such sign.

The sign content shall not hawk or peddle and must clearly provide only the information necessary to identify the use upon the lot.

The sign shall not be confused with any traffic signal or other safety device nor be composed of elements depicting in exaggerated size or grotesque style the use upon the lot.

All signs, together with their supportings, braces, guys, anchors, etc., shall be kept in repair and in a proper state of preservation. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or maintained at all times.

Applicability. Any sign not in conformity with such an approved sign permit shall be deemed a violation of this chapter. No sign permit shall hereafter be approved or issued except in conformity with the requirements of this chapter and the site development plan rules and regulations. No permit shall be issued for any sign except in conformity with an approved sign plan or site development plan.

Removal of certain signs. Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer identifies a use on the subject premises, or is not being maintained, shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which such sign may be found within 10 days after written notification from the Building Inspector, and, upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to cause removal of such obsolete or dangerous sign.

Dangerous signs. Should a sign be or become insecure or in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe in the opinion of the Building Inspector, the owner thereof or person maintaining the same shall, upon receipt of written notice from the Building Inspector and in any case within five days thereafter, secure the same in a manner to be approved by the Building Inspector. If such order is not complied with, the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to cause removal of such dangerous sign, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building, structure or premises on which such sign is located. The cost of removal shall constitute a lien on the real property on which it is levied until paid or otherwise cancelled pursuant to law and shall be collected in the manner fixed by law for the collection of Town taxes. When any sign is in such dangerous condition as to be immediately dangerous to the safety of the public, the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to take such action as in his opinion shall be necessary to protect the public or property.