[Amended 1-21-1997 by L.L. No. 1-1997; 7-6-1999 by L.L. No. 3-1999; 3-5-2002 by L.L. No. 1-2002; 3-4-2003 by L.L. No. 1-2003; 12-21-2010 by L.L. No.
3-2010; 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017[1]]
Signs constitute a separate and distinct use of the premises
upon which they are placed and also affect the use of adjacent roads,
streets, walkways and other properties. The provisions of this article
are made to establish reasonable and objective regulations for all
signs in this municipality, in order to protect the general public
health, safety, welfare, convenience and aesthetics. This article
is also intended to serve the public's need to be given helpful directions,
and to be informed of available products, businesses, and services.
All signs in the Village of Monroe shall be subject to this article.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any structure or part of a structure attached; or otherwise
mounted parallel, to a wall or other vertical part of the structure.
The entire area within a single continuous perimeter composed
of a single face enclosing the extreme limits of characters, lettering,
illustrations, ornamentation or other figures, together with any other
material, design or color forming an integral part of the display
including the frame.
The roof slab or deck with its supporting members, not including
vertical supports.
The projecting overhang at the lower edge of a roof.
The upper and lower roof ridges are the horizontal lines
formed by the juncture of two sloping planes formed by the surfaces
of a roof.
An enclosed structure on or above the roof of any part of
a building.
The top edge of a roof or building parapet, whichever is
higher, but excluding any mansards, cupolas, pylons, chimneys or any
minor projections.
A name, identification, description, emblem, display or device
which is affixed to, printed on, or represented directly or indirectly
upon a building, structure, or parcel of land, which is illuminated
or nonilluminated, and which directs or calls attention to a person,
place, product, institution, business, organization, activity or service.
Signs shall also include any permanently installed or situated merchandise,
including any banner, pennant, placard, statue, vehicle or temporary
sign. Certain categories of signs are defined as follows. Other categories
of signs are defined elsewhere in this chapter.
ABANDONED SIGNA sign located on a property which is vacant and/or unoccupied for a period of 90 days; a sign which is damaged, in disrepair, or vandalized and not repaired within 90 days; a sign which contains an outdated message for a period exceeding 30 days.
ANIMATED AND MOVING SIGNSA sign or other display with either kinetic or illusionary motion powered by natural, manual, mechanical, electrical or other means, including but not limited to flags having commercial messages, and all pennants, banners, streamers, propellers, and discs, as well as flashing signs, signs with illuminated elements that are used to simulate the impression of motion, and searchlights.
AWNING SIGNA sign with its copy on a shelter made of any nonrigid material, such as fabric or flexible plastic, that is supported by, or stretched over a frame and attached to an exterior wall of a building or other structure.
BANNER SIGNA sign with its copy on nonrigid material such as cloth, plastic, fabric or paper with no supporting framework.
BILLBOARDA structure or freestanding sign board which advertises goods or services not connected or available on the premises on which the sign is located.
BULLETIN BOARDA particular type of changeable copy sign that displays copy in a casement made of glass, Plexiglas or other materials.
CANOPY SIGNA sign on a rigid multisided structure attached to a building or on any other freestanding structure that may have a roof with support but no walls.
CHANGEABLE SIGNA sign that is designed so that its characters, letters, illustrations or other content can be changed, altered or rearranged without physically altering the permanent physical face or surface of the sign. This includes manual, electrical, electronic, or other variable message signs.
CONSTRUCTION SIGNA temporary sign identifying individuals or companies involved in design, construction, wrecking, financing or development work when placed upon the premises where that work is underway, but only for the duration of the work.
DIRECTIONAL/INFORMATIONAL SIGNAn on-premises sign for the convenience of the public giving directions, instructions, facility information or other assistance around a site, such as location of exits, entrances, parking lots, amenities, and housing units, to encourage proper circulation. It may contain the logo of an enterprise but no other advertising copy.
DIRECTORY SIGNA sign which displays the names and/or addresses of the establishments, housing units, amenities, or uses of a building or group of buildings.
FLASHING SIGNAny sign which has intermittent or changing lighting or illumination of a duration less than 60 seconds shall be deemed a flashing sign.
FREESTANDING SIGNThe general term for any sign which is permanently affixed to the ground and on a foundation. It is supported on a foundation by one or more upright poles or braces, and is not attached to a building or any other structure.
GLARING SIGNSSigns with light sources or which reflect brightness in a manner which constitutes a hazard or nuisance. This includes signs with fluorescent text, graphics or background, as well as holographic signs.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY UNIT IDENTIFICATION SIGNA sign within a commercial resort community or common interest community (condo, co-op or planned community) identifying individual units, as well as groupings of units within the community.
ILLEGAL SIGNA sign which does not meet the requirements of this chapter. This specifically includes a sign that remains standing when the time limits set by the permit are exceeded and any sign not removed after notification from the Code Enforcement Officer to remove the sign.
ILLUMINATED SIGNA sign illuminated in any manner by an artificial light source, whether internally or externally lit, including but not limited to neon signs and any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outlines illuminated by artificial lighting.
INFLATABLE SIGNS AND OTHER OBJECTSSigns and other objects which are inflated, including, but not limited to, balloons. One bouquet of balloons shall be allowed on premises that sell balloons. Balloons shall also be permitted in temporary situations or on special occasions at a residence.
INFORMATIONAL SIGNPublic or private directional, street or traffic signs, address numbers, names of buildings, rooms, etc. and other signs of a similar nature.
INSTRUCTIONAL SIGNA sign which provides direction or instruction to guide persons to facilities intended to serve the public (e.g., rest rooms, public telephones, public walkways, parking areas, and commercial resort-community amenities, maps, housing units, or transportation schedules).
MARQUEE SIGNAny sign attached to a covered structure projecting from and supported by a building with independent roof and drainage provisions and which is erected over a doorway or doorways as protection against the weather.
MONUMENT SIGNA freestanding sign with a base affixed to the ground, where the length of the base is at least 2/3 the horizontal length of the monument.
MULTIPLE SIGNSMultiple signs, logos or insignia on a canopy or canopies attached to a building or other structure are prohibited.
NONCONFORMING SIGNA sign that met all legal requirements when constructed but is not in compliance with current sign regulations. A preexisting nonconforming sign is not an illegal sign.
OBSTRUCTIVE SIGNSA sign or other advertising devise erected or maintained at any road intersection in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of the intersection.
OFF-PREMISES SIGNSign, graphics or a display for commercial, industrial, institutional, service or entertainment purposes, promoting products, or services conducted, sold or offered somewhere other than upon the same premises where the sign is located, and whose purpose is to sell or identify a product, service or activity. In the context of this article, the word "premises" shall be interpreted as being a separate tract or parcel of land that has been or may be conveyed by deed or has otherwise been specified as a separate lot on an approved land development plan.
ON-PREMISES SIGNSign, graphics or a display for commercial, industrial, institutional, service or entertainment purposes, promoting products, uses or services conducted, sold or offered upon the same premises where the sign is located, and whose purpose is to sell or identify a product, service or activity.
PERSONAL SIGNA sign including nameplates, home-occupation signs, and other signs of a similar nature.
PLAZA SIGNA one- or two-sided structure displaying smaller signs, each of equal size.
POLE SIGNA freestanding sign with a base supported from the ground by a pole or a similar support structure of narrow width.
POLITICAL SIGNA temporary sign identifying, either singly or combined, a political candidate, slate of candidates, issue, or party. These signs are used or intended to be used for the display of any announcement, advertisement or notice of any individual candidate or slate of candidates for any public office or similar political purposes.
PORTABLE SIGNSign, graphic or display for commercial, industrial, institutional, service, entertainment or informational purposes which can be readily moved from place to place and which is not affixed to a building, to another permanent structure or to the ground.
POSTERS and HANDBILLSAny signs affixed to, painted or drawn on any structures, trees or other natural vegetation, rocks or poles.
PROJECTING SIGNA sign which is supported by an exterior wall of a building or other structure and which is constructed and displayed perpendicular to the face of the building or other structure so that both sides of the sign are visible.
REAL ESTATE SIGNA temporary sign which is used to offer for sale, lease or rent the premises upon which the sign is placed.
ROOF SIGNA sign which is erected, constructed, and maintained on or above the roof of a building.
SIGNS ADVERSELY AFFECTING SAFETYSigns which prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or that prevent free access from one part of the roof to any other part. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape. Open flames used to attract public attention to a place of business or to an advertising sign shall not be permitted.
SIGN EMISSIONSNo sign which emits smoke, visible vapors, particles, sound or odor shall be permitted.
SIMULATED TRAFFIC SIGNS AND OBSTRUCTIONSAny sign which may be confused with, or obstruct the view of, any authorized traffic sign or signal, obstruct the sight-distance triangle at any road intersection or extend into the public right-of-way.
STRINGS OF LIGHTAny devices, including lights that outline property lines, sales areas or any portion of a structure and are intended to advertise or draw attention to a business or commercial activity, except as follows:
TEMPORARY SIGNA sign displayed for a fixed, terminable length of time. Temporary signs are intended to be removed after the temporary purpose has been served. Included are for sale, lease or rent signs, political signs, service signs, special-event signs, construction signs, directional signs to special or temporary events, A-frame type signs and signs of a similar nature.
VEHICLE SIGNSAny sign displayed on a parked trailer or other vehicle where the primary purpose of the vehicle is to advertise a product, service business, or other activity. This regulation shall permit the use of business logos, identification or advertising on registered vehicles primarily and actively used and driven for business purposes.
WALL SIGNA sign painted on, or attached to, a wall or window of a building or other structure and which is mounted parallel to the surface so that only one side is visible to the public.
WARNING SIGNA sign containing no advertising material but which warns the public of the existence of danger.
The Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer shall have
the responsibility and authority to administer and enforce all provisions
of this article.
No sign, except for exempt signs, shall be erected, displayed,
altered, relocated or replaced until the municipality issues a sign
permit.
A.
Permit application. Applications for sign permits shall be submitted
on forms provided by the Village of Monroe, completed as required;
at a minimum, they shall have attached the following information,
in either written or graphic form.
(1)
Location of the sign on the premises in relation to lot lines,
buildings, sidewalks, streets, public rights-of-way and street intersections
within 300 feet of the proposed sign.
(2)
Type of sign (e.g., freestanding, pole, monument, wall) and
general description of structural design and construction materials.
(3)
Drawings of the proposed sign containing specifications indicating
height, perimeter, area, dimensions, type of lettering proposed, means
of support, method of illumination, and any other significant characteristics.
(4)
Any other information requested by the Building Inspector or
Code Enforcement Officer in order to carry out the purpose and intent
of this article.
(5)
The required sign permit fee as established by resolution of
the Village Board. Permit fees will cover the cost for administering
this article for compliance with its purpose.
(6)
The landscaping plan for any freestanding signs shall be created,
as follows:
(a)
A landscaped island containing shrubs or flowers with a minimum
of 32 square feet in area and a minimum of one foot in height is required
around all off-premises pole and monument signs.
(b)
The island shall be formed from materials such as, but not limited
to, stone, brick, or landscape timbers. The island shall be maintained
to keep it free of weeds, debris and brush.
(c)
A sketch of the sign and island shall be submitted with the
sign permit application.
The Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer shall review
the sign permit application in conformance with the following standards:
A.
Official date. The official date of submission shall be the day the
Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer determines that the
completed application, with all required or necessary data, has been
properly prepared and submitted.
B.
Time to decide. The Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer
shall determine whether the proposed sign will or will not be in compliance
with the requirements of this article, and shall, within 30 days of
the official date of submission, issue, deny or refer the sign permit
application to the Planning Board.
C.
Photograph. When the sign has been completed, the applicant shall
photograph the completed sign and forward the photograph to the Building
Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer.
D.
Inspection for compliance. The Building Inspector or Code Enforcement
Officer, or a designee, shall perform a final inspection after installation
of any approved sign.
E.
Discrepancies. Any discrepancies between any sign as approved and
the sign as constructed shall be identified in writing by the Building
Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer and may result in the halt of
construction and correction of the discrepancy. If the discrepancy
is not corrected within 20 days after written notice, the sign may
be ordered removed by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer.
F.
Complaints. The Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer shall
investigate any written complaints of violations of these regulations
and may revoke any permit if there is any violation of these regulations
or if there was any misrepresentation of any material fact, in either
the sign permit application or the plans.
G.
Revocation of permit. All rights and privileges acquired under the
provisions of this article are mere licenses and, as such, are revocable
for cause by the Village of Monroe. All permits issued pursuant to
this article are hereby subject to this provision.
H.
Information to be affixed on signs. All signs erected after the effective
date of this section shall have the following information permanently
affixed in a conspicuous place:
I.
Violations. Any sign which has not been certified and registered
as nonconforming or that has not received a permit from the Building
Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer within one year of the effective
date of this article shall be deemed to be in violation of these regulations
and shall be ordered removed by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement
Officer with the costs of removal to be at the expense of the sign
owner or the landowner.
A.
If the sign authorized by any sign permit has not been erected or
completed within 120 days from the date of issuance of that permit,
the sign permit shall be deemed expired.
B.
An expired sign permit may be renewed within 30 days from the expiration
date for good cause shown and upon payment of a permit extension fee,
as established by resolution of the Village Board.
The Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer shall revoke
any sign permit if the sign, whether new or preexisting, is moved
or otherwise altered, either intentionally or by natural forces, in
a manner which causes the sign not to be in conformity with this article.
Signs must be properly maintained, properly painted and kept free
from all hazards, including but not limited to faulty construction
or wiring, loose fastenings, being in an unsafe condition or detrimental
to public health, safety or general welfare. In the event of a violation
of any of the foregoing provisions, the Building Inspector or Code
Enforcement Officer shall give written notice specifying the violation
to the current owner of the sign and the current owner of the land
upon which the sign is erected to conform or to remove the sign. The
sign shall be made to conform to the permit requirements within 30
days from the date of the notice or the Building Inspector or Code
Enforcement Officer shall revoke the sign permit and the subject sign
shall be removed by the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises.
After issuing an enforcement notice, the Building Inspector
or Code Enforcement Officer shall have the power to, and may remove,
cause to be removed, or order the removal of signs that are in violation
of this article. The removal will be completed at the expense of the
owner of the sign or the owner of the premises, or both. Removal shall
take place in the following instances:
A.
When any sign constructed after the adoption of this article or any
amendment to it is not in conformance with the provisions of this
article.
B.
If the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer finds a sign
which presents immediate peril to persons or property, the sign shall
be removed.
C.
When any sign, whether existing on, or erected on or after the effective
date of this article, is declared obsolete for any of the following
reasons:
(1)
Any directional or off-premises sign which refers or pertains
to a business or facility, the affairs of which are discontinued for
a period of six months or more.
(2)
Any sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no
longer exists or applies.
(3)
On premises signs for any businesses or facilities which have
been vacant, unoccupied or not actively being offered for sale for
a period of six months or more.
Sign permits shall not be required for the following:
A.
Name and address: up to two signs indicating
address, number and/or name of occupants of the premises that do not
exceed two square feet in area per side, and do not include any commercial
advertising or other identification.
B.
Decals: decals affixed to windows or door
glass panels, such as those indicating membership in a business group
or identifying credit cards accepted at the establishment.
C.
Flags, emblems and insignia of government agencies, religious,
charitable, public or nonprofit organizations: these types
of signs are exempt from permit requirements but are subject to the
following requirements:
(1)
No single flag that is flown shall exceed 40 square feet in area
and no single parcel shall fly more than three flags.
(2)
If the total area of flags exceeds 72 square feet, the excess area
shall be included in the on-premises, freestanding sign area calculations
for the parcel.
(3)
Flagpoles shall not exceed 40 feet in height.
(4)
Wall-mounted flags, emblems, insignias or logos shall be limited
to one per parcel and shall not exceed 40 square feet in area.
D.
Handicapped parking space: signs not exceeding
two square feet in areas reserving parking for handicapped individuals.
E.
Private drive signs: on-premises private drive
signs are limited to one per driveway entrance, not exceeding two
square feet in area, with language limited to the words "private drive"
and the addresses of any residences using the private driveway.
F.
Public signs: signs erected by government
agencies or utilities, including traffic, utility, safety, railroad
crossing and identification signs for public facilities and any signs
erected by the Village under direction of the Board of Trustees.
G.
Security and warning signs: on-premises signs
regulating the use of the premises, such as "no trespassing," "no
hunting" and "no soliciting" signs that do not exceed one sign two
square feet in area in residential areas and one sign five square
feet in area in commercial and industrial zones. These limitations
shall not apply to the posting of conventional "no trespassing" signs
in accordance with state law.
H.
Temporary real estate signs and temporary political signs: display of temporary real estate signs shall be limited to one per
property and six square feet in area in residential zones and 32 square
feet in all other zones. These signs shall be removed within 30 days
of settlement or lease of the property. Display of temporary political
signs shall be no larger than 15 square feet in residential zones
and shall be removed within two weeks of said election. The erection
or placement of any temporary real estate and/or political sign within
the public right-of-way of any state, county or Village right-of-way
shall be at the sole risk of the owner or occupant of the lot on which
it is placed or erected, and the Village of Monroe shall not be liable
for any damage to, or removal of, any such signs, if said damage or
removal occurs during the course of proper highway or other Village
maintenance.
[Amended 4-3-2018 by L.L.
No. 4-2018]
I.
Garage or yard sale signs: Signs advertising
garage sales or yard sales are permitted, provided that no sign shall
exceed four square feet in area and is not erected more than four
days prior to the event. One yard sale sign shall be allowed on premises.
All signs shall be removed one day after the close of the garage or
yard sale.
The following signs are expressly prohibited, unless otherwise
stated in these regulations:
A.
Animated and moving signs.
B.
Flashing signs.
C.
Glaring signs.
D.
Obstructive signs.
E.
Inflatable signs and other objects.
F.
Posters and handbills.
G.
Roof signs.
H.
Simulated traffic signs and obstructions.
I.
Strings of light.
J.
Vehicle signs.
K.
Multiple signs.
L.
Signs adversely affecting safety.
M.
Sign emissions.
N.
Mirrors.
O.
Billboards.
P.
Abandoned signs.
The regulations in this section specify the area and heights
of signs that are allowed within the Village of Monroe and which require
a permit.
A.
No sign shall be erected, replaced, constructed, displayed, moved,
reconstructed, extended, enlarged or altered except in conformity
with and as expressly authorized by the provisions of this chapter,
and all sign erections and modifications are subject to the review
and approval of the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer.
All signs, except as hereinafter provided, shall be deemed structures
for the purpose of this chapter.
B.
The Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer shall review completed applications and refer all applicants for new and modified signs to the Planning Board for its review and approval prior to issuing a sign permit. The Planning Board shall maintain a stylebook of photographs and drawings of signs representing the types of signs preferred in the Village. Temporary signs as regulated in § 200-40.8 herein shall not be subject to the review and approval of the Planning Board, but shall be subject to the issuance of a permit by the Building Inspector Code Enforcement Officer where so specified in § 200-40.8.
C.
Property owners shall have full responsibility for all signs placed
or erected on the property owner's premises. It shall be the duty
of the owner of the premises to have all tenant signs erected, displayed
or altered only in conformity with the Village sign laws. Both the
property owner and the tenant (whose sign is in violation) shall be
served with all notices of violation and/or appearance tickets for
violation of the sign laws of the Village of Monroe. The property
owner shall be named as a codefendant or correspondent in any action
or proceeding brought by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement
Officer to enforce the provisions against a tenant of the sign code
herein.
All signs must pertain to an ongoing use conducted on the same
property on which the sign is located.
Signs may be illuminated, as provided in § 200-42C, provided that such illumination shall not be twinkling, flashing, intermittent (except for time/temperature signs) or of changing degrees of intensity, and provided that the source of such illumination shall not create unreasonable glare beyond the boundaries of the lot on which it is located.
No sign shall be located so as to obscure any signs displayed
by a public authority, nor shall any sign be placed in such a way
as to obstruct proper sight distance. Further, no sign shall be erected
upon a right-of-way, or interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic
flow, nor shall any sign interfere with any door, window, ventilation
system, fire escape or other emergency exit, nor shall any sign be
placed on a public sidewalk or at curb side.
The regulations contained in this section shall apply to all
signs and all zoning districts, regardless of designation, of the
Village of Monroe. Nothing herein shall be construed so as to allow
the placement or installation of a sign on property other than the
parcel or lot associated with the sign or the notice provided on the
sign.
A.
All freestanding signs shall require site plan approval by the Planning
Board prior to installation. Any freestanding sign which is over 10
feet in height shall be constructed to withstand winds of 100 mph,
and such shall be certified by a professional engineer or architect.
B.
Any modification or alteration (except repairs and identical replacement)
to a freestanding sign, a wall sign, or a projecting sign shall be
approved by the Planning Board prior to issuance of a permit by the
Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer.
C.
The use of a dark background with lighter color(s) for lettering
is preferred over the use of a white or light-colored background and
dark lettering.
D.
All sign lighting shall be shielded and directed in such a manner
that the light source is fixed and is not directly visible from, and
does not cast glare or direct light from artificial illumination upon,
any adjacent public right-of-way, surrounding property, residential
property or motorist's vision. Ground-mounted spotlights used to illuminate
a sign shall be fully shielded. Any device lighting a sign shall employ
only lights emitting a light of constant intensity, and no sign shall
be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent or moving light
or lights. A string of lights consisting of more than three bulbs
shall not be permitted as part of a sign or separate from a sign.
E.
Wall signs shall be affixed flat against the building facade.
F.
No sign shall have more than two sides.
G.
All signs shall be measured in accordance with the following methods:
(1)
Sign measurement shall be based upon the entire area of the
sign, with a single rectangular perimeter enclosing the extreme limits
of the actual sign surface.
(2)
For a sign fixed to a building, the area shall be considered
to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs or symbols,
together with any background of a color different from the natural
color of the finish material of the building.
(3)
For a sign consisting of individual letters or symbols attached
to a surface, canopy, awning, building, wall or window, the area shall
be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle which encompasses
all of the letters and symbols.
(4)
Essential supporting framework (brackets, posts, standards)
shall not be included in sign area calculations. However, illuminated
embellishments on such essential supporting framework shall be included
in the calculation of sign size.
(5)
For signs with two faces or sides, the area shall be taken as
the area of either face, provided that the faces are back to back.
H.
All illuminated signs shall bear the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
seal in conformance with U.L. 48 or shall be inspected and certified
by a state-authorized electrical inspection company.
I.
All signs, including wall signs and projecting signs, shall be securely
anchored.
J.
All signs shall be constructed of durable materials and shall be
maintained in good condition.
K.
Projecting signs shall have no more than two faces. The exterior
edge of a projecting sign shall extend not more than 36 inches from
the building face or 1/3 the width of the sidewalk over which it is
suspended, whichever is less. No part of a projecting sign shall extend
into a vehicular traffic area. A projecting sign suspended over a
sidewalk or pedestrian traffic area shall have a vertical clearance
of not less than eight feet. No sign shall project from an awning.
L.
On multistory buildings, projecting signs shall be attached to the
building above first-story windows and below second-story windowsills.
On one-story buildings, projecting signs shall be attached above first-story
windows and below the roofline. The size and location of a projecting
sign shall complement neighboring signs.
M.
No wall sign shall be higher than the building to which it is attached.
N.
All wiring to a freestanding sign shall be underground and/or concealed
within the sign structure.
[Amended 4-3-2018 by L.L.
No. 4-2018]
No permanent sign or sign component shall be animated, such as moving, rotating or revolving. Further, no permanent sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, balloons, streamers, spinners or other similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices. In addition, strings of lights and contiguous or noncontiguous light strips, whether they be neon, fluorescent or otherwise, shall not be used for advertising or attracting attention when not part of a sign. For the purpose of conducting a grand opening or special sale, pennants, balloons, ribbons and streamers may be allowed by obtaining a temporary sign permit as outlined in § 200-40.8E.
A.
All signs and sign components shall be kept in good repair and in
safe, neat, clean and attractive condition. All signs shall be of
a professional quality with respect to such matters as design, painting,
lettering, materials and construction.
B.
All permanent signs shall be constructed using materials and methods
such that the sign can be expected to withstand normal weathering
and use with routine maintenance and cleaning. The determination of
the adequacy of the construction of all permanent signs shall be the
responsibility of the Code Enforcement Officer.
No sign shall project or hang over a pedestrian or vehicular
right-of-way, whether public or private, except that signs attached
to the wall or fascia of a building may project up to 36 inches from
the building, provided that there is a least an eight-foot clearance
above a pedestrian right-of-way and a thirteen-foot clearance above
a vehicular right-of-way. No sign shall project above the eave line
of the building on which it is mounted, painted or otherwise attached.
If the building is flat-roofed, the roofline shall be deemed the eave
line for the purpose hereof, except that if a parapet extends across
the entire front of the building, the sign may extend to the top of
the parapet. For projecting and hanging signs, the Village of Monroe
shall be named on the property owner's insurance policy and proof
of such insurance shall be required to be produced for review by the
Village at any time. Such liability insurance policy shall name the
Village as an additional insured and shall contain policy limits with
a minimum of $1,000,000. Projecting and hanging signs will require
yearly inspections by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer
and may be required to be removed upon notification by the Building
Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer.
[Amended 4-3-2018 by L.L.
No. 4-2018]
In addition to permitted permanent signs, the following temporary
signs are also permitted. Said temporary signs shall require a permit
unless specifically exempted below.
A.
Not more than one temporary construction sign for each street frontage
of the lot, identifying the architect, engineer and/or contractor
and not exceeding four square feet in area, shall be permitted during
the course of construction only.
B.
Not more than one temporary sign up to 15 square feet in size appertaining
to and displayed only during election campaigns, drives or events
of civic, philanthropic, educational or religious institutions shall
be allowed per business and shall require a permit from the Building
Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer. Signs shall be allowed in any
zoning district and must be removed within five calendar days after
the completion of the occasion for which the signs were installed.
In addition, the applicant shall agree at the time the permit is issued
to reimburse the Village for all expenses incurred should it become
necessary for the Village to remove the signs. Furthermore, signs
may not be installed earlier than 30 days prior to the first date
of the event, drive or election being publicized. Signs placed on
private property for Village-sponsored events are exempt from these
provisions.
C.
Temporary signs pertaining to sales or other business activities
which have a duration of five calendar days or less shall not be subject
to the issuance of a permit by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement
Officer, but such signs shall require the filing with the Village
Zoning Office of a temporary sign information form, showing conformity
to this code provision, including the dates of installation and removal
of the signs. All such signs may not exceed 15 square feet in total
cumulative area and must also conform to the provisions of this chapter
with respect to placement and professional quality. Such temporary
signs shall be allowed no more than twice per calendar year, per business.
D.
For events, conditions or circumstances not covered elsewhere in § 200-40.8 herein, the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer may issue a permit for a period of not more than 30 days for the erection of a temporary sign not exceeding 30 square feet in area in any business district. Such temporary permits may be renewed for not more than one additional thirty-day period and shall be subject to the reimbursement provisions of § 200-40.8B above.
E.
For grand openings, special sales and anniversaries, pennants, balloons,
ribbons and streamers may be allowed and are subject to a permit by
the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer, for a period of
no longer than seven days, and cannot exceed the height of the building
upon which they are attached.
Any and all signs shall conform to the state code if on a state
highway.
A.
Signage districts. In recognition of the nature of the different
portions of the Village (that is, for example, the central business
area, general business district and the Routes 17M and 208 GB corridors),
the lands located in the nonresidence zoning districts in the Village
are hereby divided into the following classes of signage districts:
B.
Signage District Map. The respective signage districts are bounded
and defined as shown on the map entitled "Signage District Map of
the Village of Monroe, New York," which map, with all explanatory
matter thereon, is hereby made a part of this chapter.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said map is included as an attachment to this chapter.
C.
Signage district regulations. Illumination and size/dimensional regulations
pertaining to the respective signage districts are as shown on the
following schedule entitled "Signage District Regulations of the Village
of Monroe, New York," which schedule, with all explanatory matter
thereon, is hereby made a part of this chapter.
|
Signage District Regulations
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Signage District 1
|
Signage District 2
|
Signage District 3
| ||
|
Illumination
| ||||
|
Internal
|
Prohibited
|
Permitted
|
Permitted
| |
|
External
|
Permitted
|
Permitted
|
Permitted
| |
|
Size/Dimensions
| ||||
|
Building-mounted signs
| ||||
|
Maximum area of sign for each linear foot of building
facing the street
|
1 square foot of sign per linear foot of tenant space in building
|
1 square foot of sign per linear foot of tenant space in building
|
2 square feet of sign per linear foot of tenant space in building
| |
|
Building-mounted signs hung parallel to building
| ||||
|
Maximum vertical dimension
|
2 feet
|
2 feet
|
Not to exceed 25% of the total height of the building
| |
|
Building-mounted signs hung perpendicular
to building
| ||||
|
Maximum area for each
|
9 square feet1
|
9 square feet1
|
9 square feet1
| |
|
Maximum vertical dimension
|
3 feet
|
3 feet
|
3 feet
| |
|
Freestanding signs
| ||||
|
Maximum gross sign area per lot
|
30 square feet1,2
|
30 square feet1,2
|
36 square feet plus 1 square foot for every 10 parking spaces
up to 1,000 spaces in project; not to exceed 50 square feet1,2
| |
|
Maximum vertical dimension
|
8 feet
|
8 feet
|
—
| |
|
Maximum height above highway level
|
12 feet
|
12 feet
|
15 feet
| |
|
Maximum dimensions per sign on a directory sign
|
3 feet by 6 feet
|
3 feet by 6 feet
|
—
| |
|
NOTES:
| |
|
1
|
If a freestanding sign or a building-mounted sign hung perpendicular
to the building is substantially two-dimensional and has parallel
faces, each face may contain this number of square feet.
|
|
2
|
No sign may be located closer than 10 feet to any property line, designated street line, or existing street line, whichever is a greater distance from the center line on the public street abutting the lot in question, plus an additional one foot for each two square feet of sign area in excess of 36 square feet. Also refer to § 200-40.3, Placement, of this chapter.
|
D.
In nonresidence GB and Corridor Districts, the following signs are
hereby authorized:
(1)
Building-mounted signs. Not more than one sign affixed and parallel
to the outer wall of the structure within which the permitted use
is situated, facing the principal street giving access to such structure,
and not more than one sign affixed and perpendicular to the outer
wall of the structure within which the permitted use is situated,
provided that:
(a)
No sign shall project above the roof or extend beyond the limits
of the building.
(b)
No sign shall face an abutting residential zoning district if
located within 50 feet of such district.
(c)
All such signs shall comply with the illumination and size/dimensional regulations in the schedule in § 200-42C herein for the signage district in which they are located.
(d)
The sum of the sign area for all building-mounted signs (i.e.,
any sign hung parallel to the building and any sign hung perpendicular
to the building) shall not exceed the maximum sign area indicated
in the schedule above for building-mounted signs.
(2)
Freestanding signs. Not more than one freestanding sign is permitted,
provided that:
(3)
In addition to other permitted signs, one address identification sign, not exceeding two square feet in area, affixed and parallel to the outer wall of the structure facing upon a street or parking lot not faced by a sign as permitted in Subsection A above is also permitted.
(4)
In addition to other permitted signs, necessary small directional
signs are permitted on access roads and parking areas, provided that
the area of each sign shall not exceed two square feet. Directional
signs shall not contain any advertising or any other information which
is nonessential to their directional purpose.
(5)
Indoor signs displayed in a window or door whose primary purpose is to communicate information to passersby out of doors shall be included in the total building-mounted sign area calculations in the schedule in § 200-42C herein and shall be subject to all other provisions of this chapter, including the illumination provisions contained in the schedule in § 200-42C herein.
(6)
Individual signs on a directory sign shall be compatible with each
other in terms of background color, material, size and shape.
(7)
Directory listing signs, customary to office complexes, doctors'
offices or other multitenant buildings where such signs are located
in the vestibule or within the doorway of a building, are permitted.
(8)
One nonilluminated, wall-mounted or A-frame-style chalkboard sign
is permitted to advertise daily specials. Such sign may not exceed
six square feet and is permitted subject to a permit from the Code
Enforcement Officer.
(9)
Limitation on number of signs. Any business shall be limited to two
on-premises exterior signs advertising that business, to include freestanding
and signs attached to a building (excluding window decals and on-premises
directional signage). A third sign may be permitted as follows:
(a)
If multiple businesses are located within the same building,
and that building fronts both a roadway and parking lot, or two roadways,
the corner units may be allowed a third sign facing that roadway or
parking lot.
(b)
If a business occupies a building which fronts both a roadway
and parking lot, or two roadways, the business may be allowed a third
sign facing that roadway or parking lot.
E.
In nonresidence zoning districts located within the CB Zone, the
following signs are hereby authorized:
(1)
Either one building-mounted sign (parallel or perpendicular to the building, but not both) and one freestanding sign, as permitted in § 200-42D.
(3)
One nonilluminated, wall-mounted or A-frame-style chalkboard sign
is permitted to advertise daily specials. Such sign may not exceed
six square feet and is permitted subject to a permit from the Building
Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer.
In residence districts, the following signs are hereby authorized
and may be illuminated, provided that a nonflashing external light
source is used:
A.
One identification sign stating the name and address of each resident
or property or the number of the lot, not exceeding two square feet
in area.
B.
One identification sign announcing any profession or occupation permitted
as an accessory use on the lot, not exceeding six inches by 18 inches
in dimensions.
C.
For other permitted uses, one sign at each street frontage where
the use has an access drive, provided that the sign does not exceed
eight square feet in total area and does not exceed two feet in any
one dimension.
