19.1

General. It is the intent of this section to regulate the height and size and location of all signs in the Town of Seymour, and the character of such signs to the extent necessary to protect the public safety convenience and continuity. No sign shall be erected, moved or altered without first having obtained a zoning permit, except for those signs exempt from zoning approval as specified in this section. Signs not expressly permitted by this section are prohibited.

19.2

Prohibited Signs. The following signs are prohibited:

a)

Billboards and all other signs that do not identify advertise or otherwise directly relate to the property on which they are located, except for existing billboards as specified in Section 8.2. This section is further intended to prohibit such signs within a Town or State right-of-way or other Town or State property.

b)

Hazardous Signs. Signs that are either within or hang over a public or private street or right-of-way, including a sidewalk; that are located within ten (10) feet of a street line in such a manner as to interfere with vehicular sight distance; that are otherwise located or maintained in a condition that is a hazard to pedestrians or vehicles.

c)

Roof Signs. Signs that are attached to the roof of a building except as may be allowed by special permit.

d)

Animated Signs. Signs that are flashing, revolving, oscillating, pulsating or otherwise animated which can be interpreted as an emergency vehicle as determined by the authority having jurisdiction.

e)

Improperly Lighted Signs. Signs that cast unshielded light directly upon an adjacent street or property.

f)

Excessive Height. Detached signs shall not exceed a height of twenty-four (24) feet.

g)

Stake in place signs. Signs of a temporary nature and bearing any type of advertising or business services that are made of a material that are staked in place are not allowed in any zoning district.

19.3

Permitted Signs. The following signs are permitted in any zoning district and do not require a permit except as noted:

a)

Traffic control, street name or directional signs within a public or private right-of-way or on private property. Such signs shall be of a standard size and design. (See C22, Section 53.)

b)

Regulatory signs such as No Hunting or No Trespassing, and the like.

c)

Signs bearing the name and address of the property owner.

d)

Political signs to be removed immediately after the election.

e)

Contractor's Signs. One (1) sign per contractor identifying the person or firm currently constructing or repairing a building, not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet.

f)

Temporary signs for public service, charity or similar events provided they are displayed for no more than thirty (30) days prior to the event and removed within seven (7) days after the event. Such signs shall pertain only to the event and shall contain no commercial message.

g)

For Sale or Rent Signs. One sign not to exceed ten (10) square feet advertising the sale or rental of land or buildings provided it is located on the same premises or on private property with the consent of the owner.

h)

Subdivision Signs. Signs advertising or identifying lots for sale in an approved subdivision, limited to one sign per subdivision not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet. Signs identifying each lot by developer's lot number are also permitted.

i)

Repair and Maintenance. Operations that do not change the height, size, location or basic character of a sign including change of copy do not require zoning approval, but may require a building permit.

i)

Temporary banners provided they are approved by the Zoning Enforcement Officer and displayed for no more than thirty (30) days.

j)

Standard time and temperature signs are permitted as well as electronic signs provided the changing display of an electronic sign remains for a period of at least five (5) minutes.

19.4

Residential Districts. The following signs are permitted upon receipt of a zoning permit:

a)

Home Occupation Signs. For the sole purpose of identifying a home occupation and shall bear no advertising and not exceed an area of two (2) square feet.

b)

Special Permit/Site Plan. Signs associated with any use allowed by Special Permit or Site Plan approval are permitted. The location, number and size requirements for commercial/ or industrial districts as set forth below shall apply.

19.5

Commercial/Industrial Districts.

a)

Signs identifying and/or advertising for the principal use or uses on the lot are permitted. One (1) detached sign for each building is permitted. One (1) attached sign is permitted. One (1) sign for each business, service or tenant is allowed. The area of such sign shall be no more than ten (10) percent of the area of the front façade of the building where the business is located, but shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet. A second such sign is permitted if the building fronts on or is clearly visible from a second street. The area of such sign shall not be greater than ten (10) percent of the area of the wall to which it is attached.

Subordinate signs such as directory signs or entry signs are permitted if they are shown on a Site Plan approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and are not otherwise prohibited in these regulations.

b)

No detached sign shall be in a required side or rear yard that is adjacent to a residential zoning district.

c)

Banners or temporary signs of paper, cardboard, cloth or similar material advertising goods sold, or services rendered located outside a building are allowed for a period not to exceed fourteen (14) days if associated with a grand opening or similar event. A Zoning Permit is required for such exterior signs.

d)

Sandwich Board/Sidewalk Signs located directly in front of the business served, outside of adjacent rights of ways or driveways, located so they do not block vehicular sight lines nor interfere with pedestrian traffic and are removed during non-business hours.

19.6

Non-conforming Signs. Signs lawfully existing at the time of enactment of this section and not conforming to its provisions shall be considered as non-conforming signs. A non-conforming sign shall not be changed as to height, size, location or basic character except in conformance with this section.

19.7

Special Permit Signs. Signs that do not meet the requirements of this section may be permitted by Special Permit granted by the Planning and Zoning Commission upon a finding that:

a)

The number, size, height and character of the requested sign(s) bear a reasonable relationship to the scale and characteristics of the associated use.

b)

The location does not present a hazard to public safety.

c)

The sign(s) do not cause an annoyance or nuisance to adjacent properties.

d)

The resulting signage is not considered excessive or unattractive according to standards reasonably acceptable to the community.

e)

The resulting signage demonstrates compatibility, continuity, and uniformity with existing signage in the vicinity.