These regulations balance the need to protect the public safety and welfare, the need for a well maintained and attractive community, and the need for adequate identification, communication and advertising. The regulations for signs have the following specific objectives:
A. 
To ensure that signs are designed, constructed, installed and maintained according to minimum standards to safeguard life, health, property and public welfare; and
B. 
To allow and promote positive conditions for sign communication; and
C. 
To reflect and support the desired ambience and development patterns of the various zoning districts and promote an attractive environment; and
D. 
To allow for adequate and effective signs whose dimensional characteristics further the interests of public safety and the needs of the motorist, where signs are viewed from a road; and
E. 
To ensure that the constitutionally guaranteed right of free expression is protected.
The requirements of this Part 5 apply to all signs located at a lot of record that is within the Town, which is outside the Village of Penn Yan. Additionally, this Part 5 is supplemental to the regulations of the particular zoning district in which a sign may be located and any other applicable regulations prescribed in this chapter. Exemption(s):
A. 
The requirements of this Part 5 may be modified by the designated approval authority as part of any planned unit development where alternative materials, design, or types of signage are proposed that meet or exceed the quality and purpose of this Part 5.
B. 
Signs regulated by the NYS Sign Program, for which the AHJ is NYSDOT.
C. 
Signs installed within an NYS right-of-way, for which the AHJ is the NYSDOT.
D. 
Signs installed within a county airport, for which the AHJ is the county.
E. 
Signs installed within a county right-of-way, for which the AHJ is the County Highway Superintendent.
F. 
Signs installed within a Town right-of-way, for which the AHJ is the Town Board.
G. 
Signs installed within a railroad right-of-way, for which the AHJ is the applicable railroad company.
This Part 5 is adopted pursuant to Article 2 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of NYS, as currently in effect and as hereafter amended from time to time.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this chapter to the contrary, any sign erected pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or otherwise lawfully existing with a commercial message may, at the option of the owner, contain a noncommercial message in lieu of a commercial message. The noncommercial message may occupy the entire sign face or any portion thereof. The sign face may be changed from commercial to noncommercial messages, or from one noncommercial message to another, as frequently as desired by the owner of the sign, provided that the sign is not a prohibited sign and provided that the standards prescribed in this Part 5 have been satisfied.
Federally registered trademarks may be included on signs without restriction to its design.