17.701.01.

Purpose and intent.

Purpose. The sign regulations, including provisions to control the type, design, size, location, motion, illumination, enforcement, and maintenance thereof, are established in order to achieve among others the following purposes:

A.

Aesthetics; Property Values. To protect and enhance the physical appearance of the community in a lawful manner that recognizes the rights of property owners. To enhance and protect the physical appearance of the community and to protect and enhance property values, by:

1.

Encouraging the appropriate design, scale, and placement of signs.

2.

Encouraging the orderly placement of signs on the building while avoiding regulations that are so rigid and inflexible that all signs in a series are monotonously uniform.

B.

Attractiveness. Promote the creation of an attractive visual environment that promotes a healthy economy by maintaining a visually attractive, residential, commercial, industrial and other use districts, by:

1.

Permitting businesses to inform, identify, and communicate effectively.

2.

Directing the general public through the use of signs while maintaining attractive and harmonious application of signs on the buildings and sites.

C.

Public Safety. To foster public safety along public and private streets within the community by assuring that all signs are in safe and appropriate locations.

1.

To ensure that signs are located and designed to reduce sign distraction and eliminate any confusion that may be contributing factors in traffic congestion and accidents, and maintain a safe and orderly pedestrian and vehicular environment.

2.

To promote the public health, safety and welfare by avoiding conflicts between signs and traffic control devices, avoiding traffic hazards, and reducing visual distractions and obstructions.

D.

Design. To control the design and size of signs to ensure that their appearance will be aesthetically harmonious with an overall design for the area and to encourage the use of creative and visually attractive signs.

E.

County Objective. To promote the most desirable developments and economic activity consistent with the objectives of the County of Marathon.

F.

Review Procedures. Provide review procedures that enable the County to comprehensively evaluate the appropriateness of a sign to the site, building and surroundings. To have administrative review procedures that are the minimum necessary to:

1.

Balance the community's objectives and regulatory requirements with the reasonable advertising and way finding needs of businesses.

2.

Allow for consistent enforcement of the Sign Code.

3.

Minimize the time required to review a sign application.

4.

Provide flexibility as to the number and placement of signs so the regulations are more responsive to business needs while maintaining the community's standards.

G.

Prohibition. Prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by this Title.

H.

[Free Speech.] To allow businesses, institutions, and individuals to exercise their right to free speech by displaying an image on a sign, and to allow audiences to receive such information.

I.

[Communication and Identification.] To provide for reasonable and appropriate communication and identification for on-premises and off-premises signs in commercial and industrial districts in order to foster successful businesses.

Intent. The administration of sign regulations are not established to harm First Amendment interests that is disproportionate in light of the relevant regulatory objectives and the importance of balancing countervailing objectives achieved through reasonable governmental regulations other than to protect the safety and general welfare of the public through justifiable government regulations.

Sign restrictions shall not be based on hostility or favoritism toward an underlying message expressed, nor does the treatment restrict speaker-based, event-based, or content-based messages. Rather, the following regulations are reflective of ordinary practical application of well-established procedures guaranteeing that government shall not favor or disfavor messages without equitable treatment and reasonable regulation.

17.701.02.

Administration.

A.

Permit Required. To ensure compliance with this Title, all signs not exempt by Section 17.703 of this Title shall obtain Administrative Review or Conditional Use Review approval before securing a Zoning Permit to construct, alter, replace or move a sign. No permanent sign shall be located closer than 75 feet from the ordinary high-water mark of any navigable or perennial body of water, in the floodway of any stream or in any shoreland-wetland.

B.

Sign Permit Application Requirements. A complete sign permit application shall consist of all of the following:

1.

Application Form. An application form supplied by the Department that is filled out and signed by the person or entity that will own the sign and the person or entity who owns the property or their designee. Application to include a site plan drawn to scale showing all of the following:

a.

Lot. The location and dimensions of the property's boundary lines;

b.

Buildings. The location of all buildings and structures on the lot;

c.

Existing Signage. The location, dimensions, and description of all existing signage on the property;

d.

Proposed Signage. The sign design and layout proposed, including total area of the sign(s), sign height, character, materials and color of letters, lines and symbols;

e.

Illumination. For illuminated signs, the method of illumination, the number and type of lamps and lens material and a statement that the illumination of each sign will comply with the provisions in Section 17.701.03.

f.

Elevations. Elevations and specifications for proposed signs, including proposed landscaping for ground mounted signs. If a sign is proposed to be on a wall, then the entire wall that such sign will be attached to must be depicted showing the location of the sign on said wall.

g.

Construction Details. Details and specifications for construction, erection and attachment as may be required by the Zoning Administrator.

h.

[Responsible Party.] The name of the sign contractor or company responsible for construction of the sign.

i.

Other Information. All other information deemed pertinent by the Zoning Administrator or designee thereof.

2.

Fee. An application fee per the Department fee schedule;

C.

Review Procedure.

1.

Site Plan Review. Signs may be approved as part of an overall site review for a conditional use which is reviewed by the Board of Adjustment.

2.

Administrative Review. Any sign that will be accessory to any principal use that is not subject to Site Plan approval shall be processed and acted upon as follows:

a.

A sign permit application will not be approved by the Zoning Administrator until a complete sign permit application, as outlined in Section 17.701.02.B., above, has been submitted;

b.

A complete sign permit application shall be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator and shall be granted or denied within 30 days;

c.

No public hearing shall be required;

d.

No written notice of the application or associated action shall be required;

e.

Sign applications approved by the county may be subject to other county or state agency approval.

3.

Conditional Use Review. Any sign that will be accessory to a principal use which is subject to Site Plan review shall be reviewed and acted upon as part of that Site Plan review process and shall be reviewed and acted upon separately.

D.

Effective Date and Permits. No applicant action shall take place on a sign application until all of the following have occurred:

1.

Zoning Administrator Approval. The Zoning Administrator has approved the application;

2.

Notice of Action. Written Notice of Action has been received; and

3.

Zoning Permit Issued. The Zoning Administrator has issued a zoning permit.

No building or other permits shall be issued until all of the above have occurred.

E.

Amendments. Modifications proposed for any sign that has received approval, whether installed or not, must be approved by the Zoning Administrator pursuant to the procedures set forth in this Section.

F.

Removal. When any sign is removed for any reason other than maintenance (repair, refurbishing or repainting), all mast arms, guys of any nature, clips, brackets, and all other components of the removed sign shall be removed with the sign. A new zoning permit and associated sign review shall be required for any subsequent installation of a sign, including but not limited reinstallation of the removed sign.

G.

Denial. In the event that the Zoning Administrator denies a sign permit application, the applicant shall be provided written notification of denial. Such written notification shall outline the reasons for denial and include applicable references to code sections that must be complied with in order to secure application approval.

H.

Appeal. Any applicant has the right to appeal the Zoning Administrator or Board of Adjustment's decision, as may be applicable, by filing a notice of appeal within 30 days of receipt of a notice of denial per Section 17.804.

17.701.03.

Substitution. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, noncommercial copy may be substituted for commercial copy on any lawful sign structure, and any sign permitted by this Title may contain a noncommercial message.

17.701.04.

General standards.

A.

Application; Conflict. The construction, erection, safety and maintenance of all signs shall be in accordance with the applicable county codes, rules or regulations. The provisions of this Title shall not amend or in any way interfere with other codes, rules or regulations governing traffic signs within the county. Whenever there is a conflict between any provisions of any adopted ordinance, rule or regulation, the more restrictive provisions shall govern.

B.

Minimum Requirements. In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this Title, as most recently amended, shall be considered the minimum requirements.

C.

Conformance Required. Signs shall be designed, erected, painted, created, altered, reconstructed, moved and maintained in the county in accordance with the type, design, size, location, illumination and other provisions set forth in this Title.

D.

Construction Standards.

1.

The construction, erection, safety and maintenance of all signs shall comply with all applicable county standards and regulations including, but not limited to, applicable state fire codes.

2.

Permanent signs shall be fabricated on and of materials that are of good quality and good durability. Wood shall be treated to prevent deterioration. Letters, figures, and characters shall be securely attached to the sign structure.

3.

Temporary signs shall be durable and weather-resistant and fastened or anchored sufficiently, whether attached to the building or positioned in the ground.

4.

All building mounted signs shall be attached by means of metal anchors, bolts or expansion screws, and in no case shall any sign be secured with wire.

17.701.05.

Design standards. Signs, as permitted in the various zoning districts, shall be professionally designed, constructed and installed so as to be compatible in character with regard to the architecture of the building on which they are located, and to the materials, color and size of signs designed or located on the same building and on adjoining buildings in order to produce an overall unified effect in accordance with the standards set forth in this section.

A.

Vertical Dimension. The lowest member of all signs which are supported or suspended from a building shall not be less than eight feet above the finished grade of a sidewalk or other pedestrian way. If located over pavement used for vehicular traffic or within one and one-half feet of the vertical projection of the edges of such pavement, the lowest member of the sign shall not be less than 15 feet above the finished pavement.

B.

Relation to Traffic Devices. No sign shall be erected in a right-of-way, in proximity to railroad crossings, or at the intersection of any rights-of-way in such a manner as to obstruct sight lines along any public way; or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape, or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with, any authorized traffic sign signal or device as defined in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Signs visible from the street shall not make use of the words "stop", "go", "slow", "look", "danger", or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.

C.

Graphics. The lettering on a sign shall be clearly legible and in scale with the sign surface upon which it is placed.

D.

Materials. Signs shall be constructed of materials which are of appropriate quality and durability.

E.

Smooth Sign Face. No nails, tacks or wires shall be permitted to protrude from the front of any sign.

17.701.06.

Computation and rules of measurement.

A.

Measurement of Sign Area. For the purposes of determining compliance with the sign area requirements of this Title, sign area shall be calculated as follows:

1.

Generally. Measurement of a sign includes the entire area within a rectangle enclosing the limits of writing, representation, emblem, or any figure of similar character, together with any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the background against which it is placed. This excludes the necessary supports or uprights on which the sign is placed (refer to Figure 5).

2.

Air Under Ground and Between Projecting Sign. Air under a ground sign between supporting posts, air between a projecting sign and the wall to which it is attached, and lighting fixtures and associated brackets shall not be included in the calculation of sign area (refer to Figure 5).

Figure 5: CALCULATION OF SIGN AREA

3.

Sign Faces. Where a sign has two faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign, except that where two such faces are placed back to back and are at no point more than two feet from one another, the area of the sign shall be taken as the area of one face if the two faces are of equal area, or as the area of the larger face if the two faces are of unequal area. No sign shall have more than two sign faces.

4.

Sphere. In the case of a sphere, the total area of the sphere shall be divided by four to determine the maximum permitted sign area.

5.

Number and Area of Signs. The number and area of building mounted signs in nonresidential districts shall be based on linear feet of building wall per Section 17.702.02.

B.

Sign Height. The height of a ground sign shall be measured from the base of the sign or the supporting structure at average grade to the top of the highest element. Average grade shall be:

1.

The existing grade prior to construction; or

2.

The newly established grade after construction. No filling, berming or mounding solely for the purpose of locating the sign shall be permitted.

17.701.07.

Location standards for all signs.

A.

Corner Clear Vision. No sign shall be allowed within the corner clear vision area. See Section 17.202.09 and Figure 2, Clear Vision Area.

B.

Signs in the public right-of-way. Only those signs maintained by the town, village, city, county, state, or federal governments may be located in, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way or dedicated public easement. No permits shall be issued by the County for any nongovernment sign that will project over or into public right-of-way or dedicated public easements, except as otherwise provided herein.

C.

Setbacks from Right-of-Way. 15 feet from the right-of-way.

17.701.08.

Illumination of signs.

A.

Electronic Message Center Signs. See Section 17.702.05 for additional requirements.

B.

Illumination of Signs. All externally illuminated signs shall comply with the following standards:

1.

Such fixture shall be mounted above the sign face with all light directed downward and concentrated on the area of the sign. Externally illuminated sign shall be designed to minimize their impact on adjacent lands and vehicular traffic, external lighting shall be approved by the zoning administrator and/or Board of Adjustment.

2.

Illuminated signs or lighting devices shall employ only a light of constant intensity.

3.

Such fixtures shall prevent glare upon adjacent properties, or rights-of-way so as to not cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance.

4.

All light sources to illuminate signs, internal or external, shall be shielded from all adjacent buildings and rights-of-way. Light sources shall not be of such brightness so as to cause glare hazardous to the motoring public or adjacent buildings and uses.

C.

Maximum Illumination. In no case shall any sign illumination, whether internally or externally illuminated, exceed a level of illumination of 0.07 foot candles when measured from the nearest or adjacent residential zoned property or use.

17.701.09.

Maintenance of signs. All signs shall be maintained in accordance with the following:

A.

Maintenance; Safety. The property owner, occupant, or other person responsible for the sign shall maintain the sign in a condition fit for the intended use and he/she shall have a continuing obligation to comply with all county code requirements and the requirements of this Title.

B.

Removal for Repair or Similar Purposes. Whenever any sign, either conforming or non-conforming to these regulations, is required to be removed for the purpose of repair, refurbishing, or repainting, the same may be done without a permit or any payment of fees provided that all of the following conditions are met:

1.

There shall be no alteration or remodeling to the sign face, lettering (except as otherwise permitted for changeable copy), sign base, sign support(s) or the mounting of the sign itself.

2.

There shall be no enlargement or increase in any dimensions of the sign or its structure.

3.

The sign shall be accessory to a legally permitted, conditional or nonconforming use.

C.

Removal Order; General. The Zoning Administrator may order any sign to be painted or refurbished whenever needed to keep the sign in a neat and safe condition. All supports, guys, braces and anchors for such signs shall be maintained in a safe condition, and it shall be unlawful for the owners or person having charge of such sign not to remove and repair said sign after receiving notice from the Zoning Administrator.

D.

Internal Illumination. If a sign, approved by a county-issued zoning permit to be internally illuminated and the sign or any of its letters or message are only partially lit, all illumination of the sign shall be discontinued until the sign is repaired and properly illuminated as it was designed and approved in the Zoning Permit for the sign.

E.

Notice; Remedy. If the Zoning Administrator finds that any sign is unsafe, insecure, a menace to the public; or constructed, erected, or maintained in violation of the provisions of this Ordinance, notice shall be given in writing by the Zoning Administrator sent first class mail to the property owner, occupant, tenant or other person responsible for the sign. The property owner, occupant, tenant or other person responsible for the sign shall, within 30 calendar days of the date of such notification, correct such condition or remove the sign. If the correction has not been made within 30 calendar days, the Zoning Administrator may issue enforcement actions as specified under Section 17.701.13.

17.701.10.

Removal of signs.

A.

Nuisance Sign; Removal Process. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to order the removal or maintenance of any sign which constitutes a nuisance, besides abandoned signs, which shall conform to Sections 17.703 and 17.704. Any such order shall be served upon the owner in possession of the sign by personal service, regular mail service, or posting notice on the premises where the sign is located. The timeframe for compliance shall commence from the date of such notification.

B.

Compliance. Whenever the removal of any permanent sign, excluding abandoned signs as defined by this Ordinance, has been ordered by the Zoning Administrator, the owner or person in possession of the premises, and/or the permit holder shall comply with such order within 30 calendar days after notice is served upon him/her. Whenever the removal or maintenance of a temporary or portable sign has been ordered by the Zoning Administrator, the owner or person in possession of such sign shall comply with the order within 14 calendar days after notice. In the event of noncompliance, the Zoning Administrator may issue enforcement actions as specified under Section 17.701.13.

17.701.11.

Abandoned signs. Abandoned signs shall be subject to the following:

A.

Nuisance. Abandoned signs shall be deemed to be a public nuisance by reason that continued lack of use results in lack of reasonable and adequate maintenance, thereby causing deterioration and a blighting influence on nearby properties.

B.

Date of Sign Abandonment. Whenever a sign is abandoned, the Zoning Administrator shall first document the date of sign abandonment.

C.

Determination of Violation. An abandoned sign shall be considered a violation of this Ordinance only after the Zoning Administrator further documents that both of the following circumstances exist:

1.

A period of not less than 180 consecutive days has elapsed since the date of sign abandonment; and

2.

No Zoning Permit has been issued during such period for the building, building unit and/or use associated with the abandoned sign.

D.

Removal Notice. An abandoned sign, including nonconforming sign support structures, appurtenances and internal sign components, shall be removed by the property owner, occupant, tenant or other person responsible for the sign or having the beneficial use of the building, structure or land upon which such sign is located within 30 calendar days following written notice by the Zoning Administrator. Any such notice shall be served upon the property owner, occupant, tenant or other person responsible for the sign by mail service, or posting notice on the premises where the sign is located. The timeframe for compliance shall commence from the date of such notification.

E.

Appeal. A party served with such notice shall have the right to appeal the Zoning Administrator's order by filing a notice of appeal with the Board of Adjustment within 30 calendar days of receipt of the notice.

F.

Enforcement. Upon failure to file a timely notice of appeal or failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in this section, the Zoning Administrator may issue enforcement actions as specified under Section 17.701.13.

17.701.12.

Nuisance. Any sign or other object placed, displayed, erected, constructed, reconstructed, illuminated, altered or permitted to remain on any premises in violation of this Ordinance and any sign heretofore erected, constructed or displayed without legal authorization is hereby declared to constitute a nuisance, and in addition to any penalty provided in the Codified Ordinances for such violation, the nuisance may be abated in the manner provided now or in the future by the statutes of Wisconsin or in the manner provided in Section 17.701.13.

17.701.13.

Enforcement and penalties.

A.

Injunction Proceedings. Whenever any person, firm or corporation fails, neglects or refuses to comply with any order of the Zoning Administrator under the provisions of this Ordinance, or whenever any sign is in violation of, or not in conformity with, any provision of this Ordinance, the Zoning Administrator may, at his/her discretion, institute and maintain in the name of the county an appropriate action at law or in equity to restrain the execution in violation of this Ordinance, to prevent the use of such sign and/or structure and to prevent or terminate any violation of this Ordinance.

B.

Penalty.

1.

Whoever violates any of the provisions of this Section or any order of the Zoning Administrator issued in accordance with this Section or resists enforcement shall be subject to issuance of a citation pursuant to the Schedule of Deposits set forward by the Marathon County Committee.

2.

Whoever violates any of the provisions of this Section or any order of the Zoning Administrator issued in accordance with this Section or resists enforcement shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a forfeit not less than $10.00 nor more than $200.00 and costs of prosecution for each violation and in default of payment of such forfeiture and costs shall be imprisoned in the county jail until payment thereof, but not exceeding 30 calendar days. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during, or on, which a violation occurs or continues.

(O-34-23)

17.702.01.

Signs allowed with a permit. The following signs may be permitted in certain zoning districts as shown in the following Table 13 subject to the approval of a zoning permit and the sign design limitations applicable to each type of sign:

17.702.02.

On-premises building-mounted signs. Building-mounted signs are subject to the design standards of this section.

A.

Design Standards in All Zoning Districts.

1.

Wall/Panel Signs. Wall signs shall not project more than one foot from the building wall to which it is attached and shall be set back from the end of the building, or party wall line for a distance of at least three feet and shall not project above the building wall. Wall signs may be internally or externally illuminated.

2.

Projecting Signs. Projecting signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in sign area. Projecting signs shall not extend more than three feet from the face of a building and the lowest portion of such sign shall not be less than eight feet above the finished grade of a sidewalk or other pedestrian way.

B.

Nonresidential District Standards.

1.

Number and Area of Signs. Each building shall be permitted sign(s) that don't exceed two square feet in sign area for each one linear foot of building.

2.

Service Entrance. Service entrances to a business unit may be identified by a nameplate on the building not exceeding two square feet in sign area.

C.

Residential District Standards.

1.

Number and Area of Signs. Each building shall be permitted sign(s) that don't exceed 0.25 square feet in sign area for each one linear foot of building.

17.702.03.

On-premises ground signs.

A.

Ground signs are subject to the area and placement regulations of the following Table 14 and the design standards of this section.

1.

Drive-Through Signs. Any use that includes a drive-through is permitted to have up to two ground signs per drive through lane that relate to the drive-through facility, such as menu order board signs or information signs. The drive-through signs may have a maximum height of eight feet and a maximum area of 32 square feet per drive-through use. All freestanding drive-through signs shall be monument-style signs with a decorative base at least as wide as the sign.

B.

Zoning Administrator. No ground sign may be erected, expanded, or developed until the Zoning Administrator and/or Board of Adjustment has reviewed and approved its location and compliance with this Ordinance.

17.702.04.

Off-premises ground signs. Off-premises signs may be permitted provided they are:

1.

Are located within a ten-mile radius of the advertised business or activity. Are not in conflict with Ch. HY - 19, Wisconsin Administrative Code, or § 84.30 and ch. 196, Wis. Stats.

2.

Outside of Vision Clearance Area.

17.702.05.

Changeable copy and electronic message center signs.

A.

Electronic Message Center Signs. Electronic message center signs, permitted for single tenant ground signs only, shall be permitted in all nonresidential districts, subject to review by the Zoning Administrator. An electronic message center sign shall meet the following requirements:

1.

Animation. Streaming, scrolling, fading, shall be permitted.

2.

Dimming. Any sign shall be equipped with and shall use photosensitive mechanisms to automatically adjust sign brightness and contrast based on ambient light conditions.

3.

Correction of Malfunctions/Defects. Any sign found by the Zoning Administrator to be in violation of this Title shall be turned off until such time as the Zoning Administrator determines that such sign is in conformance with this Title.

4.

Electronic or changeable copy signs shall be subject to total maximum size and number of signs permit in the district as listed in Section 17.702.02, building-mounted signs or table 15, Dimension and Location Standards for On-Premises Ground Signs.

17.702.06.

Billboards.

A.

Billboards shall meet all of the following requirements:

1.

Trans 201 Wis. Adm. Code, or

2.

Section 86.191 and ch. 196, Wis. Stats.

3.

Signs and billboards shall meet all yard requirements for the district in which they are located,

4.

Minimum separation of 1,000 feet from all other billboards which exceed 300 square feet in area.

Billboards which are not within the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Administrative Code or State Statutes, shall meet the same size requirements as on-premises signs per Section 17.702.03.

(O-34-23)

The following types of signs noted throughout this Chapter are permitted without requirement for a permit, subject to any listed standards:

17.703.01.

Signs allowed without a permit.

17.703.02.

Temporary signs.

A.

Dimension Standards.

1.

Maximum square footage.

a.

U-R district: Not to exceed 16 square feet and eight feet in height.

b.

All other districts: Not to exceed 32 square feet and eight feet in height.

B.

Setback Requirements.

1.

Shall be completely located within the property boundaries.

2.

Minimum of 15 feet from the right-of-way.

3.

Must be outside of Cleared Vision Area (see Section 17.202.09).

C.

Illumination. No temporary signs shall be illuminated or have the potential to be illuminated.

D.

Flashing/moving lights. May not contain flashing lights or moving parts.

E.

Display Period. Such signs shall be temporarily displayed for 45 days or less before the event and shall be removed within one week after the event.

17.703.03.

Exempt signs. The following types of signs are permitted without requirement for a permit:

A.

Dwelling Unit Sign Plate. One sign plate may be located on any dwelling.

B.

Murals which are a design or representation painted or drawn on the exterior surface of a structure that do not advertise a business, product, service or activity.

C.

Flags of any nation, government or public service organization.

D.

Scoreboards and signs on fences and other structures accessory to athletic fields.

E.

Gravestones, symbols, or monuments in cemeteries or monument sales lots.

F.

Signage which is an integral part of the original construction of vending or similar machines;

G.

Signs accessory to juvenile activities, such as a child's lemonade stand or temporary play-related sidewalk markings.

H.

Commemorative Signs.

1.

Names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets and the like when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum, or other permanent type construction and made an integral part of the structure.

2.

Signs commemorating receipt of a grant award and required to be erected as a result of such award, (i.e. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource grant recipient, Trust for Public Land or similar public or non-profit agency).

I.

Service Station Island Signs. Automobile service stations shall be permitted incidental signs and/or symbols at fuel pumps and service station islands only. The maximum total area of signage at each service island (includes fuel pumps) shall not exceed three square feet.

17.703.04.

Parking lot identification signs. Signs located in parking lots to identify limitations on the use of parking spaces, such as "customer parking," "reserved parking," or to identify barrier free accessible spaces are permitted, subject to the following:

A.

The signs shall identify limitations on parking space use only.

B.

The signs shall have a maximum area of one and one-half square feet (a typical accessible barrier free parking space sign has a dimension of one foot x one and one-half feet).

17.703.05.

Public signs. Signs owned by the town, village, city, county, state or federal government, including, but not limited to, street signs, safety signs, danger signs, traffic signs, and signs of historical interest, identification signs, signs for public buildings or uses. These signs need to comply with federal, state and local regulations, and may be located within vision clearance areas as long as vision for traffic safety is not impaired.

17.703.06.

Seasonal decorations. Decorations that do not convey a commercial message are not considered signage and shall not require a permit.

17.703.07.

Signs within buildings. Any sign placed inside a building may be erected without a permit but subject to the safety regulations of the fire codes.

(O-34-23)

17.704.01.

Prohibited signs. All signs not expressly permitted in this Title or exempt from regulation pursuant to this Title, shall be prohibited in the county. Prohibited signs include, but are not limited to, the following:

A.

Abandoned signs.

B.

Signs on Utility Poles or Traffic Control Devices. Signs attached or placed adjacent to any utility pole, traffic sign post, traffic signal or any other official traffic control device.

C.

Signs on Street Trees.

D.

Signs that Block Ingress or Egress. Any sign that is placed or maintained so as to interfere with free ingress to or egress from any door, window, fire escape or parking lot.

E.

Signs in the street right-of-way.

F.

No sign shall employ any parts or elements which revolve, rotate, whirl, spin, flash or otherwise make use of mechanical, off-premises human (i.e., hand-held or costumes) or electronic derived motion, to attract attention.

G.

Mobile Signs: Except those on licensed commercial delivery and service vehicles. Signs attached to or painted on vehicles/trailers and parked in a position and location with the primary purpose of displaying the sign shall be prohibited.

H.

Any sign not specifically authorized by this Title.

(o-34-23)

17.705.01.

Nonconforming signs. Nonconforming signs shall conform and be subject to the following requirements:

A.

Continuation. The purpose of this section is to provide for the continuation of, as well as limitations on, non-conforming signs, should the presence of a legal non-conforming sign exist.

B.

Maintenance. A non-conforming sign shall be maintained in good condition pursuant to this Title, and may continue until such sign is required to be removed as set forth in this section.

C.

Alteration, Relocation or Replacement. A non-conforming sign shall not be structurally altered, relocated or replaced unless it is brought into conformance with the provisions of this Title, except as otherwise permitted in this section.

D.

Reconstruction of a Damaged Sign. If a sign face and/or its support is damaged by any means to the extent where the repair cost exceeds 50 percent of the replacement cost of the sign, such sign may not be reconstructed except in accordance with this Title. If the repair costs do not exceed 50 percent of the replacement cost of the sign, the sign may be repaired, subject to approval of consistency in design by the Zoning Administrator and provided all repair work is completed within 90 calendar days of the date the damage was incurred. Any sign destroyed or damaged to any extent by vandalism may be rebuilt to its original state within 90 calendar days.

E.

Servicing. Sign panel replacement (including changeable copy), painting, servicing, cleaning or minor repairs to a non-conforming sign shall be permitted, subject to the following requirements:

1.

The sign shall be restored to its original design;

2.

There shall be no changes to the size, shape, location, structure or framing; and

3.

All work is in compliance with applicable codes and regulations, as well as all other provisions of this Title.

F.

Termination. A nonconforming sign shall immediately lose its legal nonconforming status, and shall be brought into conformance with this Title or removed, when any of the following occur.

1.

The size or shape of the sign is changed;

2.

The sign structure is altered; or

3.

If the property upon which the sign is located ceases to be used for a period of six consecutive months from the date of a documented inspection or date of utility disconnect from the use of which it advertises.

G.

Severability. Nothing in this Title shall prohibit the construction of a non-conforming sign for which a Zoning Permit has been issued prior to the effective date of this Title, or any amendment thereto, provided that construction is completed within 90 calendar days after the issuance of the Zoning Permit.

(O-34-23)