https://sleepyhollow.localarchives.org/files/original/fe2765fa5238ba6ea55d21accaca737b.pdf feedf57b26127442ba9c5437d7cd2d6e PDF Text Text VILLAGE OF NORTH TARRYTOWN SIGN ORDINANCE September 12, 1988 �VILLAGE OF NORTH TARRYTOWN SIGN ORDINANCE TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1.0 2.0-2.6 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0 13.0 14.0 15.0 16.0 Page Title & Purpose Definitions General Regulations Prohibited Signs Exempt Signs Signs in Commercial...Districts General Regulations Number of Permitted Signs Colors Dimensions Placement Temporary Signs Sign Directories Awning Signs Illuminated Signs Structural & General Safety Regs. Non-conforming Signs Permit Application Action & Appeals Permit Fees Permit Void Conditions for Bona Fide Display Removal of Certain Signs Revocation of Permit Penalties Validity Publication & Effective Date 1 1-3 3 3-4 4-6 6 6-7 7 7 7-8 8 8-9 9 9 9-11 11 11-12 12 13 13-14 15 15 15 15 15-16 16 16 16 �VILLAGE OF NORTH TARRYTOWN SIGN Ordinance Section 1.0 1.1 TITLE: This Ordinance shall be known as the Village of North Tarrytown Sign Ordinance, and may be cited as such, and will be referred to herein as "this Ordinance". PURPOSE: The purpose of this Ordinance is to promote the public health, welfare and safety by regulating existing and proposed exterior signs and interior signs placed for external observation. It is intended to protect property values and create a more attractive economic climate, to protect and enhance the physical and natural beauty of the village by ensuring that signage is appropriate to the character of North Tarrytown as a residential village; to reduce sign distractions and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents; to reduce hazards which may be created by signs projecting over sidewalks and streets; and to regulate signs in a manner consistent with the legislative intent and purposes set forth in Section 62-2 of the Zoning Code of the Village of North Tarrytown. Section 2.0 2.1 Page 1 DEFINITIONS SIGN. Any material, structure, or device which is composed of letters, pictures, or symbols; designed or used for the purpose of attracting, or which does attract, the attention of the public to the subject matter thereof; and either located out-of-doors on the exterior of a building or inside the building within 5 feet of the window or in a manner to be viewed principally by passersby. The following are definitions of specific sign types: 1. AWNING SIGN. Any visual message incorporated into an awning attached to a building 2. COPY-CHANGE SIGN. A sign on which the visual message may be periodically changed. 3. DIRECTIONAL SIGN. A sign limited to providing information on the location of an activity, business or event. 4. FREE-STANDING SIGN. A sign not permanently attached to or part of any building but separate and permanently affixed by any other means, in or upon the ground. Included are pole signs, pylon signs, and masonry wall-type signs. �• # Page 2 ILLUMINATED SIGN. Any sign, including but not limited to neon, in or upon which an artificial light source is utilized in a manner to illuminate the information and graphics of the sign. There are four types: A. Self-illuminated, wherein the light source itself is shaped and utilized to form the sign (e.g. neon or and array of individual lamps). B. Self-illuminated—internal—wherein a translucent or opaque material which forms the sign is backlighted by the light source and the light source is enclosed from direct view. C. Externally illuminated—direct—wherein the sign is illuminated by a light source placed in a manner to cast light upon the sign. D. Externally illuminated—indirect—wherein the sign is illuminated by ambient light. OFF-PREMISES SIGN. A sign unrelated to a business or profession conducted, or to a commodity or service sold or offered, upon the premises where such sign is located. PORTABLE SIGN. A sign, whether on its own trailer, wheels, or otherwise, designed to be movable and not structurally attached to the ground, a building, structure, or other sign. PROJECTING SIGN. A sign which is attached to the building wall or structure and which extends horizontally from the plane of such wall, or a sign which is perpendicular to the face of such wall or structure, extending more than 15 inches. REPRESENTATIONAL SIGN. A three-dimensional sign built so as to physically represent the object advertised. TEMPORARY SIGN. A sign related to a single activity or event having a duration of no more than 30 days. WALL SIGN. A sign which is painted on or attached to the outside wall of a building with the face of the sign in the plane parallel to such wall. �Page 3 12. WINDOW SIGN. A sign visible from a sidewalk, street, or other public place, painted or affixed on glass or other window material, or located inside within 5 feet of the window. 13. SIGN DIRECTORY. A listing of two or more business enterprises, consisting of a matrix and sign components. 2.2 SIGN STRUCTURE. The supports, uprights, bracing and framework for the sign. In the case of a sign structure consisting of 2 or more sides where the angle formed between any two of the sides or projections thereof exceeds 30 degrees, each side shall be considered a separate sign structure. 2.3 SIGN SURFACE AREA. The entire area within a single, continuous perimeter enclosing all elements which form an integral part of the sign. The structure supporting a sign shall be excluded unless the structure is designed in a way to form an integral background for the display. Both faces of a double-faced sign shall be included as surface area of such sign. 2.4 ERECT. When used with respect to signs, means to paint, build, construct, alter, display, relocate, attach, hang, place, suspend, or affix. Such term does not include maintenance and repair, but does include the repainting or refinishing of a sign in a manner which changes the color or design of a sign or any of its components. 2.5 BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT. Any premises, either separate or defined by permanent party walls within a building, with a common entrance or entrances for one or more businesses conducted therein 2.6 STREET. road. Section 3.0 3.1 Any public or private way, street, avenue, or GENERAL REGULATIONS. PROHIBITED SIGNS: 1. No off-premises sign shall be allowed other than as permitted under the Exempt Sign provision of this Ordinance. 2. No sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, or rotating or moving lights. �3. Page 4 No sign shall emit smoke, vapors or particles, sound or colors. 4. No sign shall impair or cause confusion of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, in its design, color or placement. No sign shall impair visibility for the motorist, at a street corner or intersection by placement and location within 25 feet of the intersection of the street. 5. No sign or sign supports shall be placed on the roof of any building. 6. No sign or exterior display shall consist of banners, pennants, flags, ribbons, streamers, spinners, or similar moving, fluttering, or revolving devices. 7. Illuminated signs which are located closer than 5 feet from any point to a display window or elsewhere within the interior in a manner to be viewed principally by passersby, are prohibited. 8. Signs affixed to exterior glass are prohibited. 9. No free-standing signs, except informational signs erected by a governmental body, or those specifically described herein. (See Page 9,#10) 10. Signs located in or projecting over a street, except those erected by a governmental body, are prohibited. 11. Exterior signs containing product or service advertising, trade names, or logotypes separate from the name of the business are prohibited. 12. Temporary real estate and other tradesmen's signs erected on a property for sale or under renovation are prohibited. 13. Self-illuminated signs on the exterior building facade are prohibited. 14. The use of plastic and plastic laminate material of any type is prohibited. 15. Portable signs, as defined by Section 2-1 herein, are prohibited. EXEMPT SIGNS. The following types of signs may be erected and maintained without permits or fees, �Page 5 providing such signs comply with the general requirements of this Ordinance and other conditions specifically imposed by this Ordinance. 1. Historical markers, tablets and statues, memorial signs and plaques; names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze, stainless steel or similar material; and emblems installed by governmental agencies; religious or nonprofit organizations, not exceeding 6 square feet. 2. Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion. 3. ; On-premise directional signs for the convenience of the general public, identifying public parking areas, fire zones, entrances and exits and similar signs, internally or externally illuminated. Business names shall be allowed, excluding advertising messages. 4. Non-illuminated warning, private drive, posted or no trespassing signs, not exceeding 2 square feet. 5. One on-premise sign, either free-standing of the masonry wall-type or attached, in connection with any residential building in any zoning district for permitted professional offices, not exceeding 2 square feet and set back at least 15 feet from the highway right-of-way. Such sign shall state name and profession only. 6. Number and name plates identifying residents, mounted on house, apartment or mailbox, not exceeding 1 square foot in area. 7. Lawn signs identifying residents, not exceeding 1 square foot, or 2 square feet if double-faced, Such signs are to be non-illuminated except by a light which is an integral part of a lamp post if used as a support, with no advertising message thereon. 8. Private-owner merchandise sale signs for garage sales and auctions, not exceeding 4 square feet for a period not exceeding 7 days. 9. Temporary, non-illuminated window signs and posters. Placement shall not exceed 30 days. 10. Holiday decorations, including lighting, are exempt from provisions of this Ordinance and may be displayed in any district without permit until 10 �Page 6 days after the holiday. 11. At gasoline stations: a. Integral graphics or attached price signs on gasoline pumps. b. Two auxiliary signs per station, each not exceeding 2 square feet. 12. Directional signs for meetings, conventions, and other assemblies. 13. One sign, not exceeding 6 square feet in residential districts nor 12 square feet in the business districts, listing the architect, engineer, contractor and/or owner, on premises where construction is in progress. 14. Political posters not exceeding 4 square feet in the residential district nor 9 square feet in the business district, providing: a. Placement shall not exceed 30 days. b. The names and addresses of the sponsor and the person responsible for removal are identified. c. Such signs are not affixed to public property or public utility poles. SIGNS IN COMMERCIAL—INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS: GENERAL REGULATIONS. 1. Except as otherwise provided, no person shall erect, or relocate any sign without first obtaining a permit from the Building Inspector. Within 6 months of the effective date of this Ordinance, a permit shall also be obtained for any sign in existence as of the effective date of this Ordinance, unless specifically excluded by the Exempt Signs provisions under Section 3.2. �Page 7 Signs shall be in keeping with the architectural design of the building upon which they are placed, the design of neighboring properties and adjoining signs, and the character of North Tarrytown. Each business establishment shall be limited to: A. One principal sign per facade identifying the name and type of business, with a maximum of two signs in the case of a building fronting on two or more rights-of-way, except for signs for which no permit is required under Section 3.2 of this Ordinance. B. One secondary sign identifying the name and type of business located either on the front flap of an awning or on the front door, and one such secondary sign in one window of a second floor business. Signs shall be limited to 3 colors. Black, white, natural finish, and tints of the same color shall be considered separate colors. The return edge of letter forms and graphic symbols shall be the same color as that of the face. Metallic, iridescent, and day-glo bright colors are prohibited. Use of natural bronze, aluminum, and stainless steel metals, and genuine gold and silver leaf, is permitted. Dimensions of permitted signs. A. The maximum vertical dimension or height of any sign affixed to a building facade shall be 18 inches and the maximum horizontal dimension or length shall not exceed 90% of the street frontage of the business establishment upon which such sign is erected or maintained. In any case, however, the maximum horizontal dimension or length of such sign shall not exceed 50 feet on any street frontage for the same business establishment. B. For circular, oval, square, or other nonrectangular signs, the total sign area shall not exceed 9 square feet. C. The maximum overall height of letter groups (including upper and lower case letters) and graphic symbols shall be 12 inches. Where there �Page 8 is more than one line of letters and symbols, the combined height of letters and symbols shall not exceed 12 inches including the space between the lines. D. Where the design of an existing building facade incorporates a specific area for signs, the height and length of the signs shall be restricted to the dimensions of this area. Such signs may not, however, exceed maximum dimensions as stated above. Placement of signs. A. Signs shall be placed parallel to the facade of the building; and, except for marquees of theater in operation and awnings, no part of the sing shall project more than 4 inches beyond the face of the surface to which it is applied, nor extend beyond the building in any direction. B. The lower edge of a sign placed on a facade shall not be located above the level of the floor of the second story of the building upon which the sign is placed. Temporary signs, advertising display panels, posters, and similar graphic materials relating to general sales and information, special events and offerings, and sales promotions may be displayed without permit, provided: A. B. C. D. E. F. No dimension exceeds 3 0 inches by 30 inches They are neatly and professionally rendered and displayed and are mounted on firm material. They are individually supported on easels, mounted on a wall, or suspended from the ceiling in a true and square manner. They are located at least 12 inches back of the window glass. Not more than one such sign per 20 linear feet of storefront and a maximum of 4 such signs per facade may be displayed at any one time. All such signs in this category must be dated. �• 8. • Page 9 Not more than two posters concerning an event sponsored by a not-for-profit group, with dimensions not exceeding 1 foot by 1-1/2 feet, may be displayed without displaying a permit on the door of a business establishment. 9. Signs on accessory buildings or buildings incidental to the principal building in which the business is located shall be allowed as a portion of the total allowable sign area computed using the frontage of the principal building only. 10. Sign directories will be permitted provided A. The character and size of the sign matrix and of the individual sign components comprising the directory shall be in accordance with design guidelines provided by the Ordinance. B. Sign directories shall contain identification of the business establishments located in the building and the building name but shall contain no promotional advertising. C. Such sign directories may be of the free-standing masonry wall-type located not less than 15 feet from the front property line nor 4 feet from the side property line and not less than 50 feet from any other free-standing sign. D. The overall dimensions of such sign, including base, shall not exceed 20 square feet. 11. Awning signs will be permitted in accordance with the Appendix, attached hereto and made a part hereof. 12. FUTURE AND PROPOSED ILLUMINATED SIGNS—EXTERIOR A. The use of self-illuminated signs, as defined in Section 2.1.5 (A) and (B), on the exterior facade of a building is prohibited. B. One(l) externally illuminated sign, as defined in Section 2.1.5 (C), identifying the name and description of the business shall be permitted on each street facade for the ground floor use of a business establishment. For a business located on two or more rights-of-way, a maximum of two (2) such illuminated signs, one on each facade, shall be permitted. �• C. • Page 10 The light sources providing the illumination may be one of two types: (1) Ornamental incandescent fixture mounted to the building facade with a maximum projection fifteen inches. (2) Concealed continuous strip with incandescent or fluorescent lamps mounted immediately adjacent to the plane of the building facade and enclosed, with minimum projection of four inches. D. The design and appearance of light fixtures shall be fitting and appropriately integrated with the architectural character of the building facade and that of its neighbors. FUTURE AND PROPOSED ILLUMINATED SIGNS—INTERIOR A. Self-illuminated signs, as defined in Section 2.1.5 (A) and (B) are prohibited in the window of a business establishment if located within 5 feet of the glass or within the interior when arranged in a manner so as to be seen by passersby. B. Externally illuminated signs, as defined in Section 2.1.5 (C) are permitted in the windows of a business establishment if located within 5 feet of the glass and if designed to identify the name and type of business. Such sign(s) may not be in addition to a sign on the building exterior except that the name of the business may also be located on the front valance of an awning or on a front door in accordance with these regulations. FUTURE AND PROPOSED ILLUMINATED SIGN—EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR A. Light sources shall be shielded or screened in a manner not to be seen by passersby from a normal viewing angle. Intense or glaring light is to be avoided. B. Light sources shall be limited to natural white incandescent or fluorescent lamps. C. Light fixtures and sources shall be designed to cause a reasonably uniform distribution of light on the full extent of the sign(s). �Page 11 Section 4.0 1. All signs, together with all their sup^rts, races, hooks, guys, and anchors, shall be kept in good repair, and shall be painted or cleaned as often as necessary to maintain a clean, neat, safe and orderly appearance. The time period for correction of disrepair shall not exceed 10 days from the date of service of notice of violation, pursuant to Chapter 41 of the Code of the Village of North Tarrytown entitled "Property Maintenance". 2. Any sign shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure load consistent with environmental conditions in the Village of North Tarrytown and shall comply with all applicable building code ordinances of the Village of North Tarrytown. 3. All signs shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to allow free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape. No sign shall be attached to a stand pipe or fire escape. Section 5.0 5.1 STRUCTURAL AND GENERAL SAFETY REGULATIONS NON-CONFORMING SIGNS 1. All signs and supporting structures which do not conform to the provisions of this Ordinance upon the date of adoption, or as subsequently amended, shall be brought into compliance within three (3) years from the effective date of this Ordinance. 2. Upon and after the expiration of such three(3) years, the property and/or sign owner of such sign shall be in violation of this Ordinance until it is removed. The Village of North Tarrytown may, with thirty (30) days prior written notice to the property and sign owner(s), remove such sign without further notice or further proceedings at the expense of the property and/or sign owner. The expense may be recovered by the Village in an action on this Ordinance, which shall be instituted in the appropriate court having jurisdiction over this matter. EXISTING ILLUMINATED SIGNS Those existing before the effective date of this Ordinance and for which a valid permit was issued: 1. One illuminated sign as defined in Section 2.1.5 of this Ordinance identifying the name of the business and/or service provided will be permitted per street �Page 12 facade whether on the exterior of the building or located in the window at least 5 feet from the glass or within the interior arranged so as to be viewed by passersby. On buildings located on two or more public rightsof-way, a maximum of two illuminated signs, with no more than one per right-of-way 2. Businesses with more than one existing illuminated sign per street facade shall remove the excess sign(s) within six (6) months of the effective date of this Ordinance. 3. Self-illuminated product and brand-name advertising signs are prohibited on the building exterior or in the window within 5 feet of the glass or within the interior arranged in a manner intended to be seen by passersby. Such signs shall be removed from the premises within a period of six (6) months of the effective date of this Ordinance. 4. Existing self-illuminated signs, as defined in Section 2.1.5(A) and (B), do not conform to the intent of this Ordinance for the future. Thus, they may not be replaced in kind after the effective date of this Ordinance. Once removed, they may be replaced only with a sign conforming to this Ordinance. 5. Each business which retains an illuminated sign in accordance with this Ordinance shall submit a 3-1/2" X 5" photograph or Polaroid illustrating the sign and thereby defining its location to the Building Inspector within a period of three(3) months of the enactment of this Ordinance for record of its existence and should be affirmed as to date and existence by the Building Inspector and filed in the records of the Building Inspector. ion 6.0 PERMIT Except as specifically exempted by Section 3 hereof, no sign may be erected or displayed on a building facade, awning, or on or within a window without first obtaining a permit from the Building Inspector after a formal review by the Village Sign and Facade Committee. �• • Page 13 ion 7.0 APPLICATION An application for a sign permit shall be made to the Building Inspector and shall comply with these regulations. The Building Inspector shall forward all complete applications to the Sign and Facade Committee for review and report. An application for a sign permit shall comply with the following requirements. A drawing of the signs, accurately showing dimensions, with a scale of not less than 1"=1'0. The size and layout of the letter forms and graphics and materials, colors, and thickness shall be indicated. Samples of each material and color to be used in the sign. Photographs clearly showing the building facade in its entirety and that of the immediately adjacent building. One photograph should be a close-up of where the proposed sign will be erected. Consent to the erection of the sign by owner of the premises on which the sign is to be erected, if applicant is not the owner. Any additional documents as the Sign and Facade Committee may request. A $5.00 application fee must accompany each application. Applications and all related documentation subsequent to approval of sign permits shall be kept on file in the office of the Building Inspector. ion 8.0 A. ACTION AND APPEALS The Sign and Facade Committee shall review each permit application and shall approve, disapprove or approve subject to modifications or conditions, being guided by the purpose and intent of this Ordinance and other laws of the Village of North Tarrytown. The Building Inspector shall, within five working days of approval or within five working days of compliance with any modifications or conditions required for approval, as the case may be, issue a permit for the erection of the proposed sign. �• • Page 14 6. Appeals under this Ordinance shall be to the Zoning Board of Appeals (hereinafter referred to as "Board"). C. Right of Appeal. Any applicant for a permit, any person who has ordered by the Building Inspector to incur expense in connection with a sign and any person dissatisfied with any refusal order, or decision of the Sign and Facade Committee or the Building Inspector, may appeal to the Board within fifteen (15) days from the date of such refusal, order, or decision. A public hearing on any appeal shall be warned by posting notice in a newspaper, at least fifteen (15) days prior to the hearing. Such notice shall contain the time, location, and date of the hearing and a reasonable description of the appeals hearing. D. Variance considerations. The Board may vary the provisions of the Ordinance when in specific cases it finds that enforcement would 1) cause unnecessary hardship to the appellant due to the unusual topography, building features or locations, traffic features, or other such characteristics, and 2) provided that the variance is the minimum relief required, and 3) that the intent of this Ordinance is not substantially altered. The Board may attach such safeguards and conditions as it considers necessary and appropriate to implement the purpose and intent of this Ordinance in rendering its decision. E. Decisions on Appeal In rendering a decision or in rejecting an appeal the Board shall issue findings of fact within fortyfive (45) days of the final hearing on the appeal. �Page 15 Section 9.0 PERMIT FEES The permit fees shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Village of North Tarrytown. Section 10.0 PERMIT VOID A sign permit shall be void if the sign authorized thereunder has not been erected within one hundred eighty days from the date of issuance. The owner or applicant of said sign shall be responsible for establishing the date of erection in the issued sign permit. Section 11.0 CONDITIONS FOR CONTINUED BONA FIDE DISPLAY OF SIGNS A. The applicant shall be responsible for the occurrence of all dimensions relating to the building and the sign. In cases where the actual sign does not conform to the approved design, the applicant may be required at his/her own expense to remove, correct, or replace the sign. B. Signs shall be maintained in good and complete condition, with panels, letter forms, and graphics firmly mounted and in true alignment and finishes in good repair. Section 12.0 REMOVAL OF CERTAIN SIGNS Any sign which at any time no longer advertises a bona fide business or activity other than one being conducted on the premises on which such sign is located, or a product or service other than those offered on such premises, or which does not comply with the regulations established for the issuance of a permit pursuant to this Ordinance shall be deemed prohibited and shall be brought into compliance with this Ordinance. If necessary, the Village of North Tarrytown may remove such sign(s) and the expense may be recovered by the Village in action on this Ordinance, which shall be instituted in the appropriate court having jurisdiction over this matter. Section 13.0 REVOCATION OF PERMIT The Building Inspector at any time may revoke a sign permit where the sign erected or maintained thereunder violates this Ordinance. �Page 16 Notice of such revocation and the reason therefore shall be given in writing by the Building Inspector to the person named in the application by mailing the same to him/her at his/her address as given in the application, and to the last known owner of the premises on which the sign is placed by mailing the same to said owner as the address as shown on the assessment roll of the Village, and by filing- a copy of said notice in the Office of the Village Clerk. Section 14.0 PENALTIES Any person(s) violating any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be subject to penalties not to exceed $50 per day per violation. Section 15.0 VALIDITY Ordinance shall supersede all previous sign ordinances and/or section of The Village Code dealing therewith. The invalidity of any section or provision of this Ordinance, and its application to any sign, shall not invalidate any other section or provision, or application of this Ordinance. Section 16.0 EFFECTIVE DATE This ordinance shall take effect immediately. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Architectural Review Board Minutes-1988 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource MINS_ARB_1988-09-12 Subject The topic of the resource Architectural Review Board Minutes-1988 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1988 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Village of Sleepy Hollow All Rights Reserved. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text