Temporary Signs.
§ 218-68. Temporary Signs.
A. The following temporary signs are allowed in any zoning district provided that they conform to the following provisions, further provided that they are granted a temporary sign permit. Such temporary signs shall not be illuminated nor indirectly illuminated. These signs shall meet the restrictions and limitations as to lot placement for the designated district in which they are placed.
(1) Construction Signs on Buildings or Other Significant Work. Temporary signs, customary and necessary in connection with the erection of buildings or other significant construction work shall be limited to one (1) sign for each construction project to include only the identification of the project, architect, sponsor or builder. Such signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in any residential district, twenty (20) square feet in any commercial district, or thirty (30) square feet in any industrial district, and shall be removed before issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
No sign may be affixed to a tree or telephone pole.
(2) Auctions and Special Events Conducted by Non-Profit Organizations. A temporary sign, no larger than twenty (20) square feet, which advertises an auction or special event conducted by a non-profit organization, provided such sign shall not be in place more than thirty (30) days. No more than ten (10) signs advertising any such event shall be erected or maintained at any one time within the Town of Charlestown.
(3) Real Estate "For Sale" Signs.
(a) Temporary "For Sale" signs which are in place for more than six (6) months, and which advertise in any way the sale of the property upon which they are located, shall not exceed six (6) square feet in any residential zone and twenty four (24) square feet in any commercial zone. No such temporary sign shall be maintained for more than ten (10) days after the completion of the sale of property.
(b) For subdivisions of ten (10) or more lots, in lieu of individual lot "For Sale" signs, there may be one (1) common sign, not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet per side, advertising the property for sale, and not to be in place for more than two (2) years. These signs should be the customary signs used in the real estate industry and be made of durable materials.
B. Temporary Sign Permits and Fees.
(1) Any temporary sign will require a cash deposit, amount to be set by Town Council from time to time. No temporary sign, as described in this Ordinance, shall be erected, installed or maintained without first obtaining a permit thereof. Any such permit may be issued for a period not to exceed six (6) months and shall provide that any sign authorized by such permit shall be removed at the expiration of said six (6) months period, or within ten (10) days after the completion of the activity advertised, whichever shall be sooner.
(2) No permit for a temporary sign may be extended or renewed, and any temporary sign which remains in place for more than six (6) months shall be deemed a permanent sign and shall be so regulated, unless otherwise specified herein.
(3) If the applicant shall fail to remove such sign, the Building Official, after a ten (10) days written notice to the applicant to remove such sign(s), and after the failure of the applicant to do so, shall cause said signs to be removed and the cash deposit shall be forfeited to help defray the cost of the removal and a fee (set by the Town Council from time to time) will be assessed to the violator.