[Added 4-18-1989 by L.L. No. 1-1989]
For the purposes of this article, signs are regulated in two general classifications, set forth below in the definitions of "advertising sign" and "business sign."
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCESSORY SIGNS
Includes only business signs. Advertising signs shall not be considered accessory uses but shall be treated as a principal use in the case of otherwise vacant property and, in any case, must be listed as a permitted principal use in a designated zoning district to be legal.
ADVERTISING SIGN
Any sign erected for the purpose of advertising a business, product, event, person or subject not related to the premises on which such sign is located.
BUSINESS SIGN
Any sign erected for the purpose of advertising a business, product or subject related to the premises on which such sign is located.
All signs erected, constructed, displayed or otherwise maintained in the Village of Sloan, except those exempt under the definition of "sign" in § 455-6, shall be erected, constructed or maintained in accordance with this article.
A. 
Any illuminated sign or lighting device shall only employ lights emitting a light of constant intensity and shall not be illuminated by or otherwise contain any flashing, intermittent, rotating, alternating or moving light; resemble, in any fashion, traffic control devices or signs; or obscure the night vision of operators of motor vehicles; provided, however, that the Code Enforcement Officer may, in his discretion, permit signs which only convey the time and temperature.
B. 
Sign-mounting structures and supports shall be designed and constructed to support live loads, dead loads and wind loads as required by the Code Enforcement Officer.
C. 
No sign shall be maintained at any location where, by reason of its position, size, shape, color or appearance, it may obstruct, impair or be confused with any traffic control sign, signal or device or otherwise be positioned where it may interfere with, mislead or tend to confuse vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
D. 
No sign shall be attached to a utility pole or tree.
E. 
All signs utilizing electrical lighting shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the National Electrical Code, as amended and modified from time to time.
F. 
Signs utilizing electric power, which are connected to a distant power source by means of an extension cord, shall not be permitted if such extension cord lies exposed on the ground or is supported in the air by props.
G. 
No sign shall rotate or otherwise be in physical motion.
H. 
Signs, frames, mounts and support structures shall be in a safe and structurally sound condition and maintained by replacement of defective or worn parts, painting, repainting, leveling and cleaning.
I. 
Signs, frames, mounts and support structures in disrepair or abandoned for 60 days may be removed by the Village of Sloan at the expense of the owner of the property upon which such sign is located.
J. 
No sign shall be mounted in an inverted fashion or be mounted in a manner which is not at a ninety-degree-angle to a horizontal plane.
K. 
Signs erected, constructed or maintained in connection with any campaign for public office or trust shall only be placed on private property and shall be removed by the owner of the property upon which such sign is situated within two days after the date of the election to which the sign relates.
L. 
Searchlights, rotating lights and flashing lights are not permitted for any purpose.
M. 
Signs containing manually interchangeable letters mounted on channels or carriers shall be constructed and/or maintained to protect individual letters from dislocation.
N. 
Temporary real estate signs shall not be placed on existing signs or their frames, mounts or supporting structures and shall be located between the sidewalk and building, or if no building exists, such sign shall be located off the highway right-of-way.
A. 
No sign or support structure shall be erected, constructed or maintained without a permit issued by the office of the Code Enforcement Officer. The office of the Code Enforcement Officer shall assess a fee for the processing and issuance of such permits in such amount as the Village Board shall determine, by resolution, from time to time.
B. 
In addition to the fee provided for above, an application for a use permit for each portable or temporary sign shall be accompanied by a deposit of $50. The deposit shall be refunded only if the sign is removed at or before the end of the time permitted for display. A refund shall be made upon a voucher approved by the Code Enforcement Officer. If the sign is not removed at or before the end of the permitted period, the deposit shall be forfeited and transferred to the Village's general fund. The forfeiture shall be civil in nature and in addition to all other penalties provided for as punishment for violation of this chapter.