Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall
erect, alter, construct, relocate or cause to be erected, altered,
constructed or relocated any sign without first having obtained a
sign permit from the Code Enforcement Officer. Sign permits are not
required in the R-AG District for roadside stands that sell or display
agricultural products.
An applicant for a sign permit shall submit
an application to the Code Enforcement Officer which shall include:
A.
The name, address and telephone number of the applicant
and the owner of the building, structure or property upon which the
sign is to be erected.
B.
The written consent of the owner of the building,
structure or property upon which the sign is to be erected in the
event that the applicant is not the owner thereof.
C.
A rendering exhibiting the proposed lettering and
pictorial matter of the sign; the dimensions of the sign and proposed
lettering; the construction details of the sign structure and mounting
devices; a location plan of the position of the sign on the building
or property; and such other information as the Code Enforcement Officer
may require. An application for a sign permit for a sign on an awning
shall show the location, size and construction of the awning and the
lettering or pictorial material to appear thereon.
A.
Required sign copy. Each sign shall have the number
of the permit marked on its face in a permanent manner.
B.
Permitted sign copy. A sign may contain only the name
and/or nature of the business conducted and/or the primary goods sold
or the services rendered on the premises. Signs not advertising a
business conducted, service rendered or primary goods sold on the
premises of the sign are prohibited, except as otherwise provided
herein.
C.
Illuminated signs. Except where the premises which
the sign advertises is open for business, no signs shall be illuminated
after 12:01 a.m. Illuminated signs shall conform to the regulations
of the National Board of Fire Underwriters. The source of illumination
shall be suitably shielded to eliminate glare and annoyance to passersby
or adjacent property.
D.
"For sale," "for rent" and "sold" signs. One nonilluminated
"for sale," "for rent" or "sold" sign not exceeding four square feet
may be erected on the premises or property to which it pertains; provided,
however, that where a parcel exceeding 10 acres located in a business
or industrial zone is for sale, a "for sale" sign not exceeding 20
square feet may be erected. "Sold" signs are to be removed within
seven days of posting. No permit is required for any such signs.
E.
Bulletin boards. Church, school or other exterior
institutional bulletin boards shall not exceed 25 square feet in area.
No permit is required for such signs.
F.
Awning, canopy and covered walkway signs. When lettering
or graphics are provided on awnings, canopies and covered walkways,
in addition to complying with the awning or canopy requirements, the
awning, canopy and covered walkway signs shall be subject to the following
regulations:
(1)
The awning, canopy or covered walkway area shall be
determined as measured at the building face.
(2)
The surface area of all shapes, letters, numbers, symbols or illustrations, as calculated per Subsection K, shall not exceed 25% of the awning, canopy and covered walkway area as measured for in Subsection F(1) and shall be calculated as part of the sign area permitted on the face of a building per § 150-134A.
(3)
When illuminated, the awning, canopy or covered walkway area as measured for in Subsection F(1) shall comply with the limitation on size as set forth in § 150-134A for face signs and shall be calculated as part of the sign area permitted on the face of a building. Only awnings and canopies which are constructed of opaque material may be illuminated. The opaque material shall limit the light transmission through the material to a maximum of 10% of the measured lighting level below the awning, canopy or covered walkway. Only fluorescent strip-lighting illumination, mounted internally to the awning, canopy or covered walkway on the building, is permitted. Fluorescent fixtures shall be limited to one tube fixture per linear foot as measured on the building face.
(4)
Awning and canopy signs shall not be considered to
be projecting signs.
G.
Lighting reflection signs. Hoods or shields for lighting
reflection signs may be attached to buildings or structures, provided
that such hoods or shields do not extend more than 12 inches beyond
the face of the building or sign and reflection lights on projecting
arms do not extend more than two feet beyond the face of the building
or sign.
H.
Marquees. No marquees shall be constructed or erected
except upon approval of the Concord Town Board upon recommendation
of the Concord Town Planning Board.
I.
Specialty signs. Special time and temperature signs,
with or without electrical lettering, special clock signs and other
special signs of similar nature may be erected upon approval of the
Concord Town Board.
J.
Service organization identification signs. A permit
for a service organization identification sign may be issued only
after the location of said sign is approved by the Concord Town Board.
K.
Measurement of signs. The surface area of a sign shall
include the background area of the sign when computed by standard
measurement formulas for known or common shapes. Irregular shapes,
independent letters, numbers, symbols or illustrations shall be determined
by measuring the smallest polygon which encloses all of said shapes,
letters, numbers, symbols or illustrations as they are intended to
be displayed.
A.
The following signs are prohibited in the Town of
Concord:
(1)
Projecting signs over any public way, except when
hung from the underside or ceiling of a covered walkway related to
the exterior of an individual business establishment.
(2)
Fluttering banners or strings of lights not part of
a sign; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed
to prohibit the decoration of any premises for any national holiday
or religious or holiday season.
(3)
Signs attached to light standards, utility poles or
trees.
(4)
Roof signs.
C.
Illuminated tubing restriction. Illuminated tubing
not used in the construction of a conforming electrical sign and which
outlines a building, fence or other similar structure or part thereof,
measuring more than 20 linear feet or enclosing any area greater than
20 square feet, may not be erected so as to be visible from any public
drive, street, highway or shopping center.
Signs in any R-E, R-1, R-2, R-M, R-AG or R-RB
District, as established by this chapter, are permitted as follows:
A.
Signs to identify residents and permitted uses of
one- and two-family dwellings. One nonilluminated sign not exceeding
two square feet in area, indicating the name of the resident or identifying
a permitted use, may be located on the principal building or a separate
post support not closer to any street than a distance equal to 1/2
the required setback from such street and not exceeding seven feet
in height. No permit shall be required for such signs.
B.
Signs for identification of multiple dwellings or
residents of multiple dwellings.
(1)
Dwelling group identification. One sign not exceeding
16 square feet in area may identify a multiple dwelling or dwelling
group complex. Such sign may be illuminated by a nonflashing, shielded
light directed away from adjacent streets, highways or properties.
Such sign shall be placed parallel to the street, shall not interfere
with a public highway and shall not exceed seven feet in height. When
an application for a building permit is submitted to the Concord Town
Planning Board, such sign shall be subject to the approval or disapproval
of the Concord Town Planning Board.
(2)
Resident identification. One nonilluminated sign not
exceeding two square feet in area may identify the residents of a
multiple dwelling. Such sign shall be attached parallel to the multiple
dwelling it serves. No permit shall be required for such signs.
C.
Permanent subdivision identification signs. One nonilluminated
sign not exceeding 16 square feet in area may identify a permanent
subdivision. Such signs shall not exceed seven feet in height and
shall not interfere with the visibility from any driveway at its intersection
with a public highway. Such signs shall be subject to the approval
or disapproval of the Concord Town Planning Board.
D.
Signs to identify residents and permitted uses in
the R-AG District may be a sign not exceeding 16 square feet in area
(four feet by four feet) to identify each such farm and additional
sign area that is needed for advertising such products that are sold
from a location on said farm. Signs may be placed perpendicular to
the road; however, they must be kept 15 feet from the right-of-way
line or public walkway. The Town of Concord Planning Board may recommend
to the Town Board, upon proper justification, to waive the fifteen-foot
requirement.
Signs shall be permitted in business and/or
industrial districts, as established by this chapter, as follows:
A.
Building face signs.
(1)
Location. Signs shall be permitted on the face of
any building and may be attached to the face of the building or applied
thereto but not painted thereon; provided, however, that such signs
shall not project more than 12 inches from the face of the building
nor extend beyond the wall at any corner.
(2)
Size. A face sign on the front of the building shall
not exceed 20% of the total surface of such face on one story, including
areas occupied by doors and windows. Signs on each additional face
shall not exceed 10% of the total surface of the front of the building;
provided, further, that no sign shall exceed 20% of the face to which
it is attached.
B.
Freestanding signs.
(1)
Location. One freestanding sign may be erected, and
no part of such sign shall be set back less than 10 feet from the
right-of-way line. Where a business area abuts a residential area,
any such sign shall be set back at least 15 feet from this side line.
No sign shall interfere with the visibility from any driveway at its
intersection with a public highway.
(2)
Size: In the C-1 and C-2 Districts of the business district of the Town of Concord (Cascade Drive South) only, there shall be no more than two display surfaces, each of which shall not exceed 90 square feet. Also, the erection of a freestanding sign as set forth in Subsection C, in this area only, shall be at a height of no more than 40 feet.
(3)
In all other business and/or industrial districts,
there shall be no more than two display surfaces, each of which shall
not exceed 20 square feet, the height to be determined by the Planning
Board.
C.
Pedestal signs.
(1)
Location. No part of such sign shall be set back less
than 15 feet from the right-of-way. Where a business area abuts a
residence area, any such sign shall be set back at least 15 feet from
this side line. No sign shall interfere with the visibility from any
driveway at its intersection with a public highway.
(2)
Size. One pedestal sign, not exceeding 40 square feet,
shall be permitted. The sign area may be increased at the rate of
one square foot for each additional two feet from the required setback
from the road right-of-way and the side property lines (or the required
side line setback), but not to exceed, in any event, a total area
of 180% of the area permitted by this subsection for pedestal signs.
Only one pedestal sign shall be permitted in each shopping center
or plaza, as defined in this chapter. Pedestal signs shall be prohibited
on lots which are less than 100 feet in width measured at the right-of-way
line.
D.
Covered walkways. Where a covered walkway extends
across the front of a building or buildings, one sign per business
may be mounted on the roof of the walkway or walkways to a height
of two feet. Signs may also be hung from the underside or ceiling
of the covered walkway related to the entrance of the individual business
establishments, provided that the bottom of such sign is at least
seven feet above the sidewalk.
E.
Service or loading dock signs. One sign not exceeding
eight square feet in area is permitted in addition to other permitted
signs.
F.
Automotive service stations. Signs may be erected
in the pump areas, but not to extend beyond either side of the row
of pumps or beyond the last pump on each end of the pump row.
G.
Additional accessory signs. At the entrance of the
buildings and business establishments above the first floor, nameplates
of uniform design and appearance not more than 18 inches in length
and nine inches in height may be mounted at the sides of such entrance,
provided that they are placed flat against the exterior wall.
H.
Entrance, exit, projecting, etc., signs. Entrance,
exit, identification and other traffic control signs and projecting
signs are to be approved by the Concord Town Planning Board as to
location and size.
I.
Off-premises signs. Where it is not practical to obtain
necessary visibility from an identification sign on the premises,
the Concord Town Board may, upon recommendation of the Concord Town
Planning Board, grant permission to erect an off-premises identification
sign, provided that:
(1)
The applicant has demonstrated a need for such off-premises
identification sign(s) in order to alleviate a practical difficulty
for the general public to locate and identify the applicant's place
of business.
(2)
The proposed off-premises identification sign(s) represents
the most efficient use of signage under the circumstances. For any
group of businesses similarly disadvantaged by a difficulty of the
general public to locate and identify their premises, a single off-premises
identification sign common to all such businesses shall be deemed
the most efficient use of such signage as opposed to separate off-premises
identification signs for each sign business.
(3)
The proposed identification sign(s) is harmonious
with its surroundings under the circumstances presented.
(4)
Notwithstanding any other provision stated in this
subsection:
(a)
The text of such off-premises identification
sign(s) shall be permanent in nature.
(b)
The primary purpose of such off-premises identification
sign(s) shall be to assist the general public in locating and identifying
such businesses, as opposed to advertising the nature of such business,
goods, wares, merchandise or services.
(c)
The proposed off-premises identification sign(s)
is otherwise permitted by this chapter.
(5)
Should it be determined that an application is prompted
by economic factors rather than a difficulty of the general public
to locate and identify the applicant's place of business or that any
hardship is self-inflicted, the application shall be denied.
(6)
The provisions of this subsection shall be strictly
construed.
In any industrial park which exceeds 60 acres,
the following signs shall be permitted:
A.
Freestanding entrance signs.
(1)
Location. One freestanding sign may be erected at
the main entrance of an industrial park, and no part of such sign
shall be set back less than 15 feet from the right-of-way line or
public walkway. No sign shall interfere with the visibility from any
driveway or its intersection with a public highway.
(2)
Sizes. There shall be no more than two sign sides,
the exterior dimensions of which shall not exceed 80 square feet per
side. The total area on which printing appears shall not exceed 48
square feet.
B.
Freestanding business signs.
(1)
Location. One freestanding sign may be erected at
the main entrance of an industrial park, and no part of such sign
shall be set back less than 15 feet from the right-of-way line or
public walkway. No sign shall interfere with the visibility from any
driveway at its intersection with a public highway.
(2)
Sizes. There shall be no more than two sign sides,
the exterior dimensions of which shall not exceed 30 square feet per
side. The total area on which printing appears shall not exceed 20
square feet.
Any applications for a sign identifying a special
permit use, as defined in this chapter, shall be referred to the Concord
Town Planning Board for approval.
A.
Notices. No notice shall be posted on public property
within the Town of Concord except on bulletin boards maintained by
the Town of Concord or other government authority.
B.
Banners. No banner shall be displayed over any sidewalk,
Town street or highway except upon direction of the Concord Town Board.
A public liability bond or policy in the sum of at least $50,000 shall
be furnished for each banner which extends across a sidewalk, street
or highway. Such banner must be securely fastened to buildings or
structures.
C.
Temporary signs. Temporary signs erected or maintained
by charitable and nonprofit organizations may be permitted by the
Code Enforcement Officer upon direction of the Concord Town Board.
The applicant must specify the number of signs to be erected, the
size of the sign or signs and the proposed location of the sign or
signs. Any temporary sign shall be removed on or before the removal
established by the Concord Town Board. There shall be no fee for a
permit for a temporary sign.
(1)
Political election signs.
(a)
Nonilluminated political election signs, which
shall not be located on public property, shall not be erected more
than two weeks prior to a primary election nor six weeks prior to
a general election. Successful candidates in a primary election may
be permitted to have such election signs remain until after the general
election. All unsuccessful candidates must cause their election signs
to be removed within three days after a primary election. All candidates
in a general election shall have their election signs removed within
three days after a general election.
(b)
Any political election sign attached to a building
shall not exceed eight square feet in area and shall be attached only
to the front wall of the principal building on occupied premises.
Any detached, freestanding political election sign shall not exceed
eight square feet in area, shall be erected only in the front setback
area of occupied premises and shall be at least 10 feet from any property
line, street or road line.
(2)
All other temporary signs advertising an event cannot
be erected more than four weeks prior to the event and must be removed
within three days after the event.
D.
Construction signs. There shall be no fee for a construction
sign permit. Construction signs shall be set back at least 10 feet
from any right-of-way or side lot lines. Construction signs shall
not be more than seven feet in height and shall be mounted on post
supports. Construction signs displaying the name of the architect,
engineer, principal, contractor and other participants engaged in
the work of constructing a building or structure, as well as announcing
the purpose of the building or structure for which a building permit
has been issued and has not expired, may be permitted as follows:
(1)
Commercial and industrial zones. A single sign per
lot not exceeding 16 square feet in area may be erected and maintained
for the period beginning with the excavation and ending with the completion
of the construction of any such building.
(2)
Residential zone. A single sign per lot not exceeding
six square feet in area may be erected. Permits for such signs shall
be issued on a one-year renewable basis.
(3)
Temporary subdivision sign. One temporary sign for
a subdivision not exceeding 16 square feet in area may be erected
after final subdivision approval is granted by the Concord Town Planning
Board. Permits from such signs shall be issued on a one-year renewable
basis.
A.
All nonconforming signs which are in use prior to
the effective date of this chapter may continue in use as nonconforming
signs except as follows:
(1)
Any sign which does not directly relate to the sale
of goods or services rendered on the property or a sign advertising
a previous business on the premises which has not been purchased,
leased or assumed by the present occupant shall be removed within
60 days after notification by the Code Enforcement Officer.
B.
Discontinuance. Any nonconforming sign which is removed
from the position it occupied at the effective date of this chapter
and not restored to such original position within 30 days shall be
presumed to be abandoned and discontinued and may not be restored
or reerected except in compliance with this chapter.
C.
Repair or alteration. Nothing herein shall be deemed
to prevent maintaining a nonconforming sign in good repair and safe
condition.
A.
No sign shall be erected in such a manner as to obstruct
free egress from a window, door or fire escape or as to become a menace
to life, health or property.
B.
All signs affixed to any wall or building shall be
securely fastened thereto and shall be subject to inspection by and
approval of the Code Enforcement Officer.
C.
All wiring, fillings, materials and electrical or
other installation or illumination or lighted signs shall be subject
to inspection by and approval of the Code Enforcement Officer.
