[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Dover 1-28-2015 by L.L. No. 1-2015. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Zoning — See Ch. 145.
The purposes of this chapter are to create the position of Zoning
Administrator and authorize the Zoning Administrator to review and
permit signs in order to protect the Town's visual environment,
create attractive streetscapes, promote a vibrant business community,
promote pedestrian and vehicular safety, preserve the Town's
heritage as an historic area, and complement the scenic and natural
beauty of the community.
The Town Board of the Town of Dover is hereby authorized to
appoint a Zoning Administrator pursuant to the New York State Town
Law and who, when so appointed, shall comply with the regulations
and permitting of signs as detailed below, and other such duties as
assigned by the Town Board.
A.
Applicability; permits; content.
(1)
Signs are permitted only as an accessory to a permitted use on a
lot.
(3)
Prior to construction, all new regulated signs must obtain a sign
permit; provided, however, that if signs are proposed in connection
with any special permit or site plan application, such signs shall
be reviewed and approved under applicable criteria for the permitted
uses and shall not require a separate sign permit or building permit
if constructed pursuant to an approved plan.
(4)
The Zoning Administrator is authorized to issue permits for temporary
signs where approved permanent signs have not yet been received by
an applicant.
(5)
Each place of business or commercial activity may display signs consisting
of the business name, name of the business owner, information lines
(excluding any pricing information, except for gas stations) and/or
a pictograph of the business activity conducted on the premises.
(6)
Real estate development signs. Notwithstanding the above, any real
estate development, subdivision or apartment complex shall be allowed
no more than two identification signs, which shall be no larger than
24 square feet in sign area per face.
A.
Procedure.
(1)
Except as otherwise provided herein, no sign or other advertising
device shall be erected, constructed, displayed, moved, reconstructed,
extended, enlarged or altered except in conformity with this chapter
and, where applicable, without first obtaining a sign permit from
the Zoning Administrator in accordance with the procedures and standards
herein.
(2)
Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing to the Zoning
Administrator in the form and manner prescribed in this chapter. One
application may include more than one sign, provided that all signs
contained in such application are to be erected at the same time on
one lot. Applications for new signs or proposed changes in existing
signs shall include plans to scale detailing the dimensions and area
of the sign(s), the location of the sign(s) on the building, structure
or property where the sign(s) will be erected or attached, and a visual
simulation or photo to scale illustrating colors, materials, lettering,
artwork, and method of illumination, if any. A permit shall be required
for any change in the size, shape, lighting, materials, or location
of an existing sign.
(3)
Each application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by the fee
set forth in the current fee schedule adopted by the Town Board.
(4)
The Zoning Administrator shall, upon the filing of any application
for a sign permit, take the following action:
(a)
Examine such plans, specifications and other data submitted
with the application.
(b)
Become familiar with the building or premises upon which it
is proposed to erect such sign.
(c)
Review the sign for compliance with all the requirements of
this chapter.
(d)
If the Zoning Administrator determines that the sign complies with all requirements of this chapter and if no increases in letter or graphic size under § 145-39F(3) are sought, the Zoning Administrator shall, within 10 business days thereafter, issue a sign permit.
(e)
In the event that the Zoning Administrator determines that the
proposed sign is not in compliance with all the requirements of this
chapter, such application shall be denied and returned to the applicant.
The Zoning Administrator shall advise the applicant in writing of
the deficiencies found in the application and the action necessary
to correct such deficiencies.
(5)
The Zoning Administrator shall consider any sign that does not fully
conform to the requirements of this chapter to be in violation of
the provisions of this chapter.
(6)
If the work authorized under a sign permit has not been completed
within six months after the date of issuance, such permit shall become
null and void. The applicant may apply to the Zoning Administrator
for an extension, up to an additional six months from the date of
time original permit.
