Signs permitted in all zoning districts

[Ord. No. 13-23-A, § 2, 2-19-2014]

The following signs are permitted in all zoning districts in the Town:

• (a) On-premises commercial signs. Signs identifying the development name, business name and/or any on-premises sales, where the sign structure is constructed of permanent materials, and where on-premises sales copy may change from time to time as permitted by this article.
• (b) Government signs. Signs of every kind and nature installed by or on behalf of any federal, state or local government agency, including official traffic control or informational signs, hazard warning signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs or other similar signs required by law:
• (c) Nameplates. One nameplate for each dwelling unit, not internally illuminated, and not exceeding 1 1/2 square feet in area, indicating the name of the occupant or any permitted use of the premises.
• (d) Building identification signs. Wall signs, which may not be internally illuminated, and which are permanently affixed to buildings for the purpose of identifying the name of building, date of construction or other historical information, provided that such signs are composed of similar materials as the building, or bronze or brass, and are affixed flat against the building.
• (e) Hours of operation. A list of hours by days of the week limited to one square foot.
• (f) Credit card signs. Credit card signs, non-illuminated, limited to a total area of one square foot per business entrance.
• (g) Bulletin boards. Signs used as a bulletin or notice board to announce activities and events for institutional and governmental services only. Such signs shall be located upon the premises of said institutions and shall not exceed 10 square feet in area, nor be closer than four feet from the property line, except in all agricultural and residence districts, where such signs shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from any property line abutting a residential use.
• (h) Farm retail signs. One non-illuminated sign, freestanding or affixed to any farm retail sales building and/or farm stand, according to the provisions of Article 7. One such sign is permitted per farm and shall not exceed 12 square feet in area (see § 7-7).
• (i) Temporary signs. A sign that: (a) is used in connection with a circumstance, situation, or event that is designed, intended or expected to take place or to be completed within a reasonably short or definite period after the installation of such sign; or (b) is intended to remain on the location where it is installed or placed for a period of not more than 15 days. If a sign display area is permanent but the message displayed is subject to periodic changes, that sign shall not be regarded as temporary. Advertisements of sales for commercial establishments are not to be considered temporary. No sign may be attached to trees within any public right-of-way or any public property, traffic signs or utility poles. Temporary signs shall not require a permit.

  The following temporary signs, whether fixed or portable, are permitted in all zoning districts:

  • (1) Event signs, which shall not be internally illuminated, for events by nonprofit or charitable organizations, including exterior messages for national and state holidays; provided, however, that no such temporary sign may be installed for a period of more than 15 consecutive days, nor more than 12 days prior to the event and no more than three days after the event, with a total of 30 cumulative days throughout the year. Such signs shall be limited to 12 square feet in area and set back a minimum of eight feet from the street line, in all districts, unless a greater minimum is required by the zoning official to protect the safety of pedestrians and/or drivers. Signs may be located on another's property with permission of the owner.
  • (2) Rental or sale signs, freestanding or attached to the premises, pertaining to the prospective rental or sale of the property on which they are located; provided that such signs shall not be illuminated, nor extend over the sidewalk, and further provided that:
    • a. Within all agricultural and residential districts; such signs shall not exceed a total area of six square feet and shall be removed within 14 days of the real estate closing or lease transaction.
    • b. Within all commercial districts, such signs shall not exceed a total area of 12 square feet, and shall be removed within 30 days of the real estate closing or lease transaction.
    • c. Within all industrial districts, such signs shall not exceed a total area of 32 square feet, and shall be removed within 30 days of the real estate closing or lease transaction.
  • (3) Construction signs and "grand opening" signs, non-illuminated, customary and necessary in connection with the construction of buildings or other construction work or signs for business where road construction obscures the existing sign or signs for such business, limited to one sign per street frontage for each construction project. Such sign may be freestanding or attached to the premises, but shall not exceed 32 square feet in area, and shall be removed within 30 days of the completion of construction or the opening of the business. In all agricultural and residential districts, such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, and shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from any property line.
  • (4) Political signs, non-illuminated, incidental to a Town, state, or federal election or referendum, or signs, which are political in nature. Such signs shall be constructed of durable material. Such signs shall be installed not more than 90 days prior to such election or referendum, and in any event, no premises shall have a sign installed for more than 120 days in any calendar year. Political signs relating to any election or referendum shall be removed within seven days after said election or referendum.
  • (5) Replacement sign, which may not be internally illuminated, solely for the purpose of identification when a property owner's sign has been damaged or destroyed by circumstances beyond the owner's control, provided however, that no such temporary sign may be installed for a period of more than 60 consecutive days. Such signs shall be limited to 25 square feet in area and set back a minimum of 10 feet from any property line.
  • (6) Yard sale signs, advertising a yard, garage, tag sale or the like, which may not be internally illuminated, and which may be installed on another's property with the permission of the owner, and does not exceed six square feet, and which may be installed no longer than one day prior to the yard sale and removed not more than one day after the yard sale.