The purpose of this article is to regulate existing and proposed outdoor advertising and outdoor signs of all types. It is intended to protect property values, create a more attractive and harmonious economic and business climate and enhance and protect the physical appearance of the community. It is further intended hereby to reduce sign or advertising distractions and obstructions in order to promote and protect the public health, welfare and safety of the community.

This article may hereafter be known as the "Sign Law."

Whenever in this article there is a reference to the area of a sign, such area shall be determined by measuring the vertical times the horizontal length of the visible face or faces thereof or of the area within the perimeter of all letters and symbols in the case of a sign without a border. The structure supporting a sign shall not be included in determining the area of the sign, unless the supporting structure is designed in a way to form an integral background for the display.

In computing total sign area, the area of the faces of all sign displays shall be counted, and any neon tube, string of incandescent lights or similar device shall be considered as having a minimum dimension of three inches.

Illuminated signs. Any illuminated sign or lighting device shall employ only lights emitting a light of constant intensity, and no sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving light or lights or contain any other moving element. In no event shall an illuminated sign or lighting device be so placed or so directed as to permit the beams and illumination therefrom to be directed or beamed upon a public street, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance.

Projecting signs. Any sign extending more than 16 inches beyond the face of any building is prohibited.

Signs on roofs. Roof signs are prohibited.

Temporary, mobile and/or portable signs. No temporary, mobile and/or portable sign shall be placed on the front or face of a building or on any premises without obtaining a temporary permit pursuant to § 99-1708 herein, except a sale, lease or rental sign in a nonresidential district.

Advertising signs in residential districts. No exterior advertising sign shall be displayed in any residential district except for a family, professional or identification name and address plate.

Moving signs. Banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or other similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices shall be prohibited.

Painted signs. No sign shall be painted on any exterior walls or roof of any building or structure, fence or retaining wall or roof of any building or structure.

Billboards. Billboards are prohibited.

Animated or rotating signs. Signs which rotate, revolve or otherwise move are prohibited.

For each dwelling, one exterior nonilluminated family or identification nameplate or professional sign with dimensions not exceeding over nine inches by 18 inches.

One indirectly illuminated bulletin board or other announcement or identification sign is permitted for educational or religious institutions, with an area of not over 12 square feet, provided that such sign is located not nearer than 20 feet to any street or property line or is attached to the building if closer.

Directional signs, if they are necessary to ensure adequate vehicular and pedestrian circulation.

One temporary sign placed on premises where construction repair or renovation are in progress, identifying the architect, engineer or contractor, and only during the time of such construction with dimensions not exceeding six square feet in area.

One individual nonilluminated nameplate or professional sign per office. Each such sign shall not exceed two square feet in area.

Indirectly illuminated bulletin board or other directory-type signs.

Directional signs. Such signs are permitted to ensure adequate vehicular and pedestrian circulation.

One temporary, nonilluminated surface-mounted sign advertising the sale, lease or rental of the premises on which the sign is situated, with dimensions not exceeding 24 inches by 36 inches, provided further that there is compliance with all other requirements of this article governing surface-mounted signs.

Commercial surface-mounted signs.

Commercial freestanding signs.

All temporary, mobile and/or portable signs, such as political posters, banners, promotional devices and other signs of a similar nature, may be granted a temporary permit for a period not to exceed 60 days, provided that such signs are not attached to fences, trees, utility poles or the like, and further provided that such signs are not placed in a position that will obstruct or impair traffic in any manner, create a hazard or disturbance to the health and welfare of the general public. Such signs shall be promptly removed upon the expiration of the permits unless renewed. Only one sixty-day renewal shall be permitted.

Within one year after the effective date of this chapter, all such temporary, mobile and/or portable signs, including but not limited to political posters, banners, promotional devices and signs of similar nature, shall not exceed dimensions as follows:

The Superintendent shall review applications for sign permits within 45 days of filing. If the sign authorized under any such permit has not been completed within four months from the date of the issuance of such permit, the permit shall automatically become null and void, but may be renewed within 10 days from the expiration thereof, for good cause shown, upon payment of an additional fee as established by the Village Board.

Every sign shall bear the Village permit number in letters of no less than 1 1/4 inches in body on the lower left corner of the sign, thus: "Village of Valley Stream Permit No. ................"

On or after the effective date of this chapter, any sign which no longer advertises an existing business conducted or product sold on the premises shall be removed by the owner of the premises upon which such sign is located after written notice as provided herein. The Superintendent, upon determining that any such sign exists, may notify the owner of the premises in writing to remove said sign within 15 days from the date of such notice.

Unsafe or insecure signs. If the Superintendent shall find that any sign regulated by this article is unsafe or insecure or is a menace to the public, it shall give written notice to the owner of the sign and/or the owner of the land upon which the sign is erected, who shall remove or repair the sign within seven days from the date of notice. If the sign is not removed or repaired, the permit shall automatically become void and the Superintendent may remove or repair the sign and shall assess all costs and expenses incurred in the removal or repair against the owner of the sign. The Superintendent may cause any sign which is a cause of immediate peril to persons or property to be removed without notice.