§ 300-20. Permitted signs in all districts.

The following signs are permitted in any approved district without a permit. All other signs require a permit, subject to the requirements of § 300-28.

A. 

A building nameplate, which shall not exceed one square foot in area on each side and must be attached to the building in some manner.

B. 

Signs denoting the name and address of the occupants of the premises or the building date of the premises, which signs shall not exceed one square foot in area on each side.

C. 

Signs for permitted nonresidential uses, such as bed-and-breakfasts. No exterior evidence of the establishment shall be allowed, except for parking and either one attached sign, no larger than two square feet, or one freestanding sign in the yard no larger than two square feet. No additional advertising of any kind is allowed on site.

D. 

Except in R-1, R-2, and R-3 Districts, temporary commercial on-premises signs shall be permitted, which shall not exceed three square feet in area, provided that such sign is erected or displayed not less than five feet from the property line. One sign is permitted per lot, except that on a corner lot two signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted. Such signs shall not be posted more than two weeks prior to the event and no longer than one week after the event. In addition to temporary signs, signs authorized below are permitted within the City of Oneonta, and are authorized only under the circumstances and limitations described.

(1) 

Special events. Signs announcing special events, garage or rummage sales, or auctions may be displayed on the premises not more than two times a year for each of the types of events described above. For each particular special event, one sign, not to exceed three square feet on either side, may be displayed on the premises for a period not to exceed seven days. In addition, a maximum of six directional signs may be displayed during the hours of the event. All such signs must be kept in an attractive and safe condition. No sign is authorized on City property or in the public right-of-way.

(2) 

For-sale signs. When a residence is for sale, one sign per realtor announcing the sale is permitted at that residence. Such signs shall not be located on any buildings. The sign may not exceed five square feet on either side and must not exceed 3 1/2 feet in height. All for-sale signs must be kept in an attractive and safe condition and must be removed within seven days of completion of transaction. No sign is authorized on City property or in the public right-of-way and no directional signs are authorized.

(3) 

Rental signs. When a residence is for rent, one sign announcing the rental is permitted at that residence. Such sign shall not be located on any buildings. The sign may not exceed two square feet on either side and may not exceed three feet in height. All rental signs must be kept in an attractive and safe condition and must be removed within seven days of completion of transaction. No sign is authorized on City property or in the public right-of-way and no directional signs are authorized.

(4) 

Contractors' signs. One temporary sign per contractor performing services may be displayed on the premises where such services are being performed and only for a period beginning no earlier than one month before the performance of such services and ending no later than one month after the completion of or cessation of such service. The sign shall not exceed nine square feet on either side. The sign must be kept in an attractive and safe condition and may not be placed on City property or in the public right-of-way.

E. 

Signs incidental to places of worship, libraries, museums, schools, and other public uses shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, and shall be located on the premises of such institution, provided that signs are located not closer than 10 feet to any property line. One sign is permitted per lot.

F. 

Signs announcing no trespassing, signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or premises, and signs controlling the fishing or hunting on the premises, provided that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed one square foot.

G. 

Window signs are permitted in MU-1, MU-2, and C/I Districts and prohibited in R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 Districts. They must conform to the definition listed in § 300-4 and must comply with the following standards:

(1) 

See-through lettered window signs and opaque window signs that are intended to be permanent in nature may not cover more than 50% of the total window area.

(2) 

In the case of a door, a window sign that is intended to be permanent in nature may not cover more than 25% of the window space in which it is located.

H. 

Temporary window signs are permitted in MU-1, MU-2, U and C/I Districts and prohibited in R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 Districts. They must conform to the definition listed in § 300-4, and are limited to a maximum use of 120 days.

I. 

Memorials/interpretive markers. Nonilluminated memorial, interpretive signs or historical signs or tablets displayed by a public or educational nonprofit agency strictly for the purpose of informing or educating the public, provided the area of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet, except in R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 Districts where such signs shall not exceed one square foot on each side.

J. 

One temporary sandwich board or A-frame sign is permitted per business, only during business hours of that business, in which said sign shall not exceed 10 square feet on each side. Such signs are subject to the requirements provided in this article. No such sign shall be located in the street right-of-way, except on public sidewalks, and shall not create an unsafe hazard for pedestrians.

K. 

One home occupation sign shall be permitted for an approved home occupation, wherever such uses are permitted. Such sign shall be no larger than two square feet in area; shall not be closer than 10 feet to any property line; and, if a ground sign, shall not exceed four feet in height above the natural grade on which the sign is located.