§ 300-18. General regulations.

Signs are important community features that either serve to contribute to or diminish the character or appearances of existing structures and neighborhoods. The goal of these general regulations is to protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business climate, and enhance the physical appearance of the community. As such, the regulations serve to promote and encourage signs that are compatible with the character of the surrounding area.

A. 

No sign shall be permitted in any zoning district except in compliance with these regulations. All new signs, unless otherwise noted, will require a permit and are subject to the requirements of § 300-28.

B. 

Any sign or other advertising device with illumination, or with visible moving or movable parts, or with flashing, animated or intermittent illumination, and any sign that contains any fluorescent paint or device, including mirrors, which has the effect of intensifying reflected light, and any LCD, LED, or other digital signs, are permitted in the MU-1, MU-2, and C/I Districts and are prohibited in all other districts in the City.

C. 

Signs featuring dual media, vertical louvered blinds, or mechanically changing or movable materials are permitted in the MU-1, MU-2, and C/I Districts and are prohibited in all other districts in the City.

D. 

Pictorial designs, logos and trademarks shall be permitted, provided that they are incorporated in and made a part of a permitted sign face, and the area thereof is included in calculating the total permitted sign face area allowed under these regulations.

E. 

No sign shall project across or over a property line or lease lien, nor be in a public right-of-way, except where expressly permitted in §§ 300-20 through 300-27.

F. 

All signs shall comply with applicable provisions of the State of New York Code, Rules and Regulations.

G. 

All signs and all components thereof, including supports, braces and anchors, shall be kept in a good state of repair.

H. 

Every principal building or structure shall have street identification numbers subject to the Fire Code of New York State. Street numbers are also required on the back side of the following buildings: Main Street buildings, odd numbers.

I. 

Portable signs, except A-frame signs, as defined in § 300-4, are prohibited.

J. 

The Code Enforcement Officer shall require the proper maintenance of all signs, and such signs, together with their supports, shall be kept in good repair. The display surfaces shall be kept neatly painted at all times. The Code Enforcement Officer may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Painting, repainting, cleaning or repair maintenance will not be considered an erection or alteration which requires a permit unless a structural change is made.

K. 

Billboards are prohibited in all zoning districts with the exception of billboards along and facing the I-88 corridor. Such I-88 signs are permitted by special use permit.

L. 

Any sign displayed which has not advertised a bona fide business conducted upon the premises for a continuous period of more than two years shall, upon notification by the Code Enforcement Officer, be taken down or removed within 10 days after such notification, and failure to so comply on the part of the owner, occupant, agent or person having the beneficial use of any building or premises upon which such sign may be found shall subject such person to the penalty provided in § 300-89. In such cases where the Planning Commission or Code Enforcement Officer deems appropriate, a sign may be removed in a manner approved by the Code Enforcement Officer. The Code Enforcement Officer may allow the retention of signs that are an original part of the architectural fabric of the structure, such as a date or name of building, without reduction in the number of signs or square footage of signs under §§ 300-21 through 300-27, depending on the district.

M. 

No sign shall be erected or allowed to exist so as to constitute a traffic hazard. No sign or other advertising structure as regulated by any of the provisions of this article shall be erected at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision; or at any location where, by reason of position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device or makes use of words, phrases, symbols or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.

N. 

In addition to the regulations contained in this section, approval of the display of a sign in these districts shall be granted only with consideration given to the appearance, size, position, method of attachment, and design.

O. 

Illuminated signs.

(1) 

In the case of illuminated signs, all light sources:

(a) 

Shall be concealed behind standard opaque glass or other substance of equal or smaller light transmission factor;

(b) 

Shall be concealed by hoods; or

(c) 

Shall be concealed by any method of indirect lighting approved by the Code Enforcement Officer; or

(d) 

Shall be shielded so as not to cause direct light onto the street or any adjacent property.

(2) 

To avoid concentration of illumination, signs may have no more than 50 candlepower of lighting per square foot of sign.

P. 

Signs not listed as permitted are prohibited.