For the purpose of this article, the following terms are defined.
All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary
meaning, unless the context requires otherwise. Words and phrases
not defined but defined elsewhere in this chapter shall be given the
meaning set forth therein.
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign that no longer identifies or advertises an ongoing
business, product, location, service, idea or activity conducted on
the premises on which the sign is located; a sign located on a property
which becomes vacant and is unoccupied for a period of 30 days or
more; or a sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no
longer applies.
ALTERATION
Any modification in the size, shape, height, dimensions,
location or mounting of a sign for any reason other than routine maintenance.
ANIMATED SIGN
A sign employing actual motion, the illusion of motion, or
light and/or color changes achieved through mechanical, electrical,
or electronic means.
AREA OF COPY
The entire area within a single, continuous perimeter composed
of squares, rectangles or circles, which encloses the extreme limits
of the advertising message, announcement or decoration of a wall sign.
AREA OF SIGN
The area of the largest single face of the sign within a
perimeter which forms the outside shape but excluding the necessary
supports or uprights on which the signs may be placed. If the sign
consists of more than one section or module, all areas will be totaled.
Any irregular-shaped sign area shall be computed using the actual
sign face surface. In the case of wall signs, the area of copy will
be used.
AWNING SIGN
A sign on an awning, canopy or similar structure.
BANNER
Any sign of lightweight fabric, plastic or similar material
mounted by the edges or corners to a pole or building. National flags,
state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution
or business shall not be considered banners.
BILLBOARD
Any off-premises sign exceeding 12 square feet.
BUILDING FRONT FOOTAGE
The maximum building width measured at grade on a straight
line on the side of the building that faces the street.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign which designates entrances, exits, parking areas and
similar functions without advertising.
DISTRACTING SIGN
An illuminated sign on which artificial or reflected light
is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at
all times when in use. This includes electronic, flashing, animated,
mechanical and audible signs.
ELECTION SIGN
A temporary sign erected and maintained during that time period before or after a primary, general or special election, as more specifically defined in §
525-50.5B below. No regulation contained herein shall concern the content or message contained on such election signs, but rather only the special rules for size, placement and related regulatory limitations placed on the additional temporary signs allowed by § 525-55B during election periods.
ELECTRONIC SIGN
Any sign designed so that characters, letters or illustrations
can be changed or rearranged by electronic means without altering
the face or the surface of the sign. This also includes traveling
or segmented message displays.
FACE CHANGE
The modification of a sign without changing the location
or area of the sign.
FLAG
Any fabric or bunting, attached along only one edge to a
pole or permanent structure, containing distinctive colors or patterns,
logos and/or corporate masthead or official corporation title/name,
and used solely as an identifier of a government or political subdivision,
institution or business, with a maximum area of 24 square feet. Banners,
as defined above, are not flags for the purpose of this chapter.
FLASHING SIGN
Any directly or indirectly illuminated sign on which artificial
light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color
at all times when in use.
FREESTANDING SIGN
Any sign which is attached to or part of a completely self-supporting
structure other than a building that has a structural base of less
than 75% of the width of the area of the sign.
HEIGHT OF SIGN
The overall height of a sign or sign structure as measured
from the adjacent ground surface to the highest point of the sign.
ILLEGAL SIGN
Any sign that is not allowed by this article, or does not
carry a valid permit when one is required.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or
outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tube.
LEGAL NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign that met code regulations when it was originally erected,
either by adherence to the previous sign ordinances of the Town of
Buchanan, or by a variance or other exception granted, but does not
comply with all present regulations of this article.
MAINTENANCE
The replacing or repairing of a part or portion of a sign
made unusable by ordinary wear, tear or damage beyond the control
of the owner or the reprinting of existing copy, change of copy of
any sign, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair
of the sign and sign structure.
MARQUEE SIGN
Any sign attached to and made part of a marquee, defined
as a permanent, roof-like structure projecting beyond a building wall
at an entrance to a building or extending along and projecting beyond
the building's wall and generally designed and constructed to provide
protection against the weather.
MONUMENT SIGN
Any sign that is independent from any building that has a
structural base of not less than 75% the width of the sign. (Example:
a sign that is eight feet wide would require a structural base of
six feet or more in width.)
MULTIPLE-TENANT COMMERCIAL BUILDING
A commercial development in which there exists a number of
separate commercial activities in which there are appurtenant facilities,
such as parking or pedestrian mall, and which is designed to provide
a single area in which the public can obtain varied products and services.
A multiple-tenant commercial building can be office, retail or mixed
use in character.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
A sign which is not appurtenant to the use of the property
where the sign is located, or to a product sold or a service offered
upon the property where the sign is located, and which does not identify
the place of business where the sign is located as purveyor of the
merchandise or services advertised upon the sign.
PERMANENT SIGN
Any sign which is intended to be and is so constructed as
to be of a lasting and enduring condition, remaining unchanged in
character, condition (beyond normal wear) and position, and in permanent
manner affixed to the ground, wall or building.
PORTABLE SIGN
Any temporary sign, not permanently attached to the ground,
which is designed to be easily moved from one location to another.
Maximum size shall be three feet by six feet.
PROJECTING SIGN
Any sign other than a wall sign affixed to any building or
wall, whose leading edge extends beyond the face of the applicable
building or wall.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
Any temporary sign placed on a property that is for sale,
lease or rent.
ROOF SIGN
Any sign erected upon or over the roof or parapet of any
building.
SETBACK
The required distance a sign must be located from a lot line,
easement, right-of-way line, adjacent building or other feature as
indicated in this article.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground, wall or
building intended to be displayed for a period of 60 days or less,
including, but not limited to, real estate, political or construction
site signs, banners, decorative signs and the like.
WALL SIGN
Any sign painted on or attached to and erected parallel to
the face of a wall of a building or structure.
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign located within or upon an interior or exterior window
surface, and which is intended to be seen from the exterior of the
building.
The Town Building Inspector or delegated representative shall
have the authority to revoke any sign permit upon determination that
the sign authorized by the permit has been constructed or is being
maintained in violation of the permit or the provisions of this article.
Signs that are on premises which becomes vacant or unoccupied
for a period exceeding 30 days shall be presumed to have been abandoned,
and it shall be the responsibility of the owners of record to have
such sign structures or supports removed within 45 days of receiving
notice from the Town Building Inspector.
General penalty provisions shall apply to any violation of this
chapter, and each day such violation continues is a separate violation.
Double fees may be assessed where work is performed without the proper
permit.
Each sign, including those specifically exempt from the permit
requirements of this article, shall be maintained in good structural
condition at all times. All signs shall be kept neatly painted, including
all metal parts and supports thereof that are not galvanized or of
rust-resistant material. The Town Building Inspector or delegated
representative shall have the discretion and authority at any time
to inspect and order the painting, repair, alteration or removal of
a sign which constitutes a hazard to safety, health or public welfare
by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence or
change in local conditions.