Source: https://www.ecode360.com/15926185
Timestamp: 2018-02-20 17:23:29
Document Index: 688087931

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 117', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 153', '§ 88', '§ 74', '§ 153']

Town of East Fishkill, NY Signs
§ 153-3 Permit procedures.
§ 153-3.1 Permit authority.
§ 153-3.2 Sign Review Board established.
§ 153-3.3 Permit issuance.
§ 153-4 Exempt signs.
§ 153-5 Prohibited signs.
§ 153-6 Temporary signs.
§ 153-7 Design criteria.
§ 153-8 Removal of signs.
§ 153-9 Nonconforming signs other than billboards.
§ 153-10 Nonconforming billboards.
§ 153-11 Display of permit number and date required.
§ 153-12 Maintenance.
§ 153-13 Freestanding signs.
§ 153-14 Revocation of permit.
§ 153-15 Definitions.
Chapter 153: Signs
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of East Fishkill 6-23-2011 by L.L. No. 6-2011. Amendments noted where applicable.]
153a Table 1 153b Table 2 153c Table 3
Chapter 153 : Signs
The purpose of this chapter is to promote and protect the public health, welfare and safety by regulating existing and proposed on-premises and off-premises signs and signs of all types within the Town of East Fishkill. This chapter is intended to protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business climate, enhance and protect the physical appearance of the community and preserve the scenic and natural beauty of the Town.
It is further intended to reduce distractions and obstructions that may adversely affect traffic safety, reduce hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging or projecting over public rights-of-way, provide more visual open space and maintain the generally high level of the community's appearance and attractiveness.
This chapter is intended to promote attractive signs that clearly present the visual message in a manner that is compatible with their surroundings and to ensure that signs aid orientation and adequately identify uses and activities to the public. The appearance, character and quality of a community are affected by the location, size, construction and graphic design of its signs. Therefore, such signs should convey their messages clearly and simply to be compatible with their surroundings and to ensure that signs aid orientation and adequately identify uses and activities to the public. The appearance, character and quality of a community are affected by the location, size, construction and graphic design of its signs.
Nothing contained in this chapter changes the fact that it is currently illegal to post signs in state, county or Town road rights-of-way. This chapter does not and cannot change that.
This chapter is consistent with Greenway Connections: Greenway Compact Program and Guides for Dutchess County Communities, pursuant to § 117-1 of the Town of East Fishkill Code.[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 117, Greenway compact.
A sign, as defined in this chapter, may be placed, erected, constructed, painted, altered, relocated, enlarged, reconstructed, displayed, lit or maintained only as expressly permitted in this chapter and only after issuance of a sign permit, where required, by a Zoning Administrator or any duly appointed deputy administrator.
The Zoning Administrator or any duly appointed deputy administrator, within a reasonable time of the receipt of the application for a sign permit, shall consider the application and shall approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application.
Any person desiring to procure a permit for a sign shall file with the Building Department an application form, copies of which are available from the Building Department, accompanied by an application fee, payable to the Town of East Fishkill, in accordance with the current fee schedule.
If a new permanent sign is to erected, or an existing permanent sign is to be altered in size or elevation, a plan, drawn to scale, shall be submitted showing the following:
If a freestanding sign, a full description of the placement of the proposed sign, specifying its location on the premises, its orientation and its position in relation to adjacent building, structures, roads, driveways, property lines, other signs, lighting fixtures, wall and fences.
If an awning, window, wall or projecting signs, a full description of the placement of the proposed sign, which shall include the location on the awning, window, wall or building; the size of awning, total window area of the principal facade of the building, and projection from the building if relevant; and the proposed sign's position in relation to adjacent signs and lighting fixtures.
Planning Board review and recommendation. As part of its overall review of applications within its jurisdiction under the Code of the Town of East Fishkill, including but not limited to site plan, subdivision and special use permit applications, the Planning Board shall review the proposed signage for a project, including the proposed master sign plan, if required. The Planning Board shall make a recommendation to the Zoning Administrator with respect to proposed signs, and it will make a determination with respect to a proposed master sign plan. No sign permit shall be issued by the Zoning Administrator or any duly appointed deputy administrator until a recommendation has been received. Where a master sign plan is required pursuant to § 153-3A, the Planning Board shall make a determination regarding the master sign plan as part of the site plan approval. Once a master sign plan has been issued, only signs which conform to the master sign plan may be issued a permit by the Zoning Administrator or any duly appointed deputy administrator. If a master sign plan is required, no sign permit shall be issued until a master sign plan has been approved by the Planning Board.
Any sign requiring a permit which is removed for a period of more than 30 days cannot be reerected unless a new sign permit application is submitted and a new permit is issued in accordance with to § 153-3A. This subsection shall apply regardless of when the sign which was removed was originally erected and regardless of whether said removed sign was the subject of a validly issued sign permit.
[Added 4-27-2017 by L.L. No. 1-2017]
The permit issuing authority shall be an official designated by the Town Board and be both the Zoning Administrator and the Town Planner.
With respect to any site plan before the Planning Board, the Planning Board may grant sign approvals as part of its site plan approval.
When a matter is before the Architectural Review Council for approval, part of the approval may include sign approval in accordance with this chapter.
Sign Review Board. There is hereby created a Sign Review Board to consist of three members. One member will be designated by the Architectural Review Council, and two members will be designated by the Town Board. The members shall serve until a successor is chosen.
Referral. Whenever the Permit Authority deems it appropriate, a sign application will be referred to the Sign Review Board for consideration.
Meetings. The Sign Review Board shall meet as necessary upon compliance with the Open Meetings Law.[1] Minutes shall be taken.
Authority. The Sign Review Board may authorize the issuance of a sign permit in accordance with this chapter.
Variances. The Sign Review Board is authorized to allow signs greater than or in excess of the provisions of this chapter, but never greater than 100% more than the dimensional limits herein after considering the following:
In existing plazas and buildings after considering the other signs in the plaza, shapes and locations thereof;
The shape and style of the structure upon which it is to be placed;
Whether there is frontage on more than one public road;
Such other architectural, terrain and unique circumstances or issues pertaining to a particular property.
Upon approval by the Sign Review Board, the Permit Authority shall issue a sign permit in accordance therewith.
The following signs are exempt from the permit requirements of this chapter. Unless otherwise limited below, such exempt sign shall not exceed six feet in height and shall not exceed four square feet in sign area per side. Each exempt sign must comply with all other provisions of this chapter.
No permit is required for a political campaign sign, provided that it is displayed no more than 60 days before and removed within 10 days of Election Day or the event involved.
No permit is required for banner or signs announcing a business grand opening, provided such signs do not exceed three feet by 15 feet and provided they are posted on the business itself or within 100 feet and displayed for no more than 30 days.
No permit is required for yard sales, flea markets or similar events, provided that the signs are posted no more than 20 days before and removed within five days after the event.
All other signs in this section shall not exceed two feet by three feet in size except grand opening banners on the property, which shall not exceed three feet by 15 feet.
Temporary nonilluminated window signs when such signs are used to advertise special sales, grand openings and when such signs measured together with all permitted window coverage bring the total window coverage to no more than 25% of the window surface. Such signs shall be removed within 24 hours of the advertised sale or grand opening.
Nonilluminated real estate "for sale" or "for rent" signs used for the purposes of selling or leasing land or buildings for which subdivision approval is not required, and displayed on the premises for sale or lease, provided such sign is located on the front wall of a building or, if freestanding, does not exceed six feet in height and is located not nearer than 15 feet to the edge of the road or side lot line. All such signs shall not exceed four square feet in sign area per side, shall be limited to one per premises, and shall be removed immediately upon sale or lease of the premises.
Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, "danger" and similar temporary emergency signs; signs which are solely devoted to prohibiting trespassing, hunting or fishing; the sign banner or insignia of any political, education, charitable, philanthropic, civic, professional, religious or like campaign, drive, movement, or event; the sign, poster, flag, pennant or sign or insignia of any government; signs promoting a candidate or issue for an election; and noncommercial signs.
Signs which face a wholly internal pedestrian courtyard forming a distinct component of an integrated retail, office or business center, which signs are not visible from any road or parking areas.
All signs required by Town, county, state or federal regulations, statutes or local laws.
Weekend directional sign. A sign erected to direct motorists to subdivisions located within the boundaries of the Town of East Fishkill for the purposes of advertising lots or dwellings for sale. Weekend directional signs shall be allowed between the hours of 12:00 noon on Fridays and 8:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Garage sales. If posted no more than seven days prior to the sale as stated in the sign and removed within 24 hours after the sale.
All signs not specifically permitted are prohibited. Prohibited signs include but are not limited to:
Signs shall not be attached to fences, trees or utility poles on private property or in any public right-of-way, and such signs shall not be placed in a position that will obstruct or impair sight distance or traffic, or in any manner that creates a hazard to health, safety, and welfare of the general public.
Signs with flashing, blinking or moving lights shall be prohibited.
Permanent signs, other than those exempt under § 153-4, that contain or consist of banners, pennants, ribbons, balloons, streamers, spinners or similar moving or fluttering devices.
No pennants, balloons, ribbons, streamers, spinners or other similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices shall be allowed.
Signs and obstructions which may be confused with or obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign or signal, obstruct the sight distance triangle at any street intersection or extend to the public right-of-way.
No business based signs on residential property unless work is being performed at that time.
All signs of a temporary nature must receive permits before being displayed, except those specified under § 153-4, Exempt signs. Planning Board approval is not required, and the Zoning Administrator or any duly appointed deputy administrator shall issue or deny a sign permit within a reasonable period of time. Both the permit and the sign shall note the date of the first day the sign may be displayed and the date it must be removed. If any temporary sign is not removed by the expiration of the time limit noted on the application, the Zoning Administrator or any duly appointed deputy administrator, after seven days' (computed from the date of the mailing) written notice to the permit holder to remove such sign(s), will cause said signs to be removed.
Temporary signs for commercial activity or events.
Commercial activity or event temporary signs shall be limited to six events per year.
Commercial activity or event temporary signs must be on the premises of the business and must have the landlord's written consent.
Only one temporary sign shall be on a premises at any given time.
No temporary sign can obstruct any site distances, and must be within a landscaped area.
Permit required. Any business owner who desires to have temporary signs must obtain a permit from the Zoning Administrators. The information required:
Dates when signs will be erected.
Fee of $25 (annually).
Location of sign.
Such other information as required by the Zoning Administrator.
Sign must contain permit number.
Temporary signs for nonprofit organizations and homeowners. These temporary signs are allowed 14 days prior to the event and must be removed within 48 hours after the event. All such signs must be on private property. Temporary signs are allowed for:
Activities or events. Temporary signs shall be permitted for a period not exceeding 14 days prior to the activity or event nor exceeding one day after the activity or event. Such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet (eight square feet per side) in area in nonresidential districts nor 8 square feet (four square feet per side) in residential districts and must be on private property with the owner's consent.
One such sign may be located on each side of the property which has frontage on a Town, county or state highway or street on which the subdivision fronts. Upon written application of the subdivider, the Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator may extend this period for one additional year when the Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator deems that circumstances warrant such extension. The subdivider shall post a bond, payable to the Town of East Fishkill, in accordance with the current fee schedule, as a reasonable condition for removal.
Each such sign shall not exceed six feet in height, and shall not be located nearer than 15 feet to any road or lot line or any building, unless attached directly to said building. The total sign area of each sign shall not exceed 32 square feet (16 feet per side).
In reviewing sign criteria, the Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator shall determine that the sign will meet the following criteria:
Freestanding signs. No more than one freestanding sign may be located on a lot.
Wall signs. The visible edge or border of a wall sign may extend up to 12 inches from the face of the wall to which it is attached and may not extend any distance beyond or above the building in any direction.
Where a building covers less than 200 square feet of lot area or a use operated on a lot without a building, then one wall sign or freestanding sign shall be permitted, not to exceed one square foot for every four linear feet of public right-of-way frontage or 24 square feet, whichever area is the lesser. The location of such signs shall be restricted to the lot area outside of all required front, side and rear yard areas.
No sign shall be located within a public right-of-way or project horizontally into a public right-of-way except traffic signs or other governmental or neighborhood signs necessary to the public health, safety and welfare.
In all commercial zoning districts, where a building is divided by party walls or permanent partitions into separate and distinct business areas and each such area is occupied by a different tenant, the site shall be subject to a master sign plan, approved by the Planning Board, as part of the site development plan.
Dimensions. See Tables 1, 2 and 3.[1]
Editor's Note: Tables 1, 2, and 3 are included at the end of this chapter.
The lettering on any sign may not exceed 75% of the sign area on one side of the sign, with the exception of signs with no background. The area for lettering shall be computed in accordance with the illustration provided below:
The Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator may require that landscaping be used at the base of a freestanding sign if such landscaping will make the sign more compatible with the surrounding area. Required landscaping may include one or more of the following types of vegetation: ivies, grasses, flowers, shrubs, bushes and small trees.
Abandoned signs. Any sign which once advertised a bona fide business or product or service available for purchase by the public on the premises, which no longer does, so shall be deemed abandoned and must be removed within three days after cessation of the business or cessation of the sale of the products or services from the premises. The Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator shall give written notice to the last owner of record of the real property where the sign is located and the permit holder, if any, at the permit holder's last known address of record, who shall, unless good cause is shown, remove the sign within 30 days from the date of the written notice. If the owner or permit holder takes no action within said time period, The Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator may cause the sign to be removed.
Any sign existing on or after the effective date of this chapter, which no longer identifies an existing business conducted or product or service sold on premises, and which is not approved as part of a valid site plan, shall be removed by the owner of the premises upon which such sign is located. The Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator, upon determining that such sign exists, shall notify the owner of the premises, in writing, to remove said sign within 30 days from the date of such notice. In the event that a lease or contract between the owner of the land and the owner of the sign exists on the date of the violation notice, the owner of the land shall notify the owner of the sign of the notice of removal and direct that the sign be removed. Failure to comply will result in the proper legal action being taken by the Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator.
The Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator may remove any sign which in his or her discretion is in violation of this provision.
Unsafe sign. The Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator may cause any sign that is a source of immediate peril to person or property to be removed immediately and without notice. After such removal, the Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator shall provide written notice that the sign was removed because it was a source of immediate peril to person or property. Such notice shall be provided by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner of the sign at the last known address of record and the owner of the land upon which the sign was erected at the last known address of record.
Recovery of cost of removal. At the sole discretion of the Town, the reasonable and necessary costs incurred by the Town for removal of any sign shall be charged against the real property from which the sign was removed by adding that charge to, and making it a part of, the next annual real property tax assessment roll of the Town. Such charges shall be levied and collected at the same time and in the same manner as Town-assessed taxes and shall be paid to the Town Comptroller to be applied in reimbursing the fund from which the costs of sign removal were paid. Prior to charging such assessments, the owners of real property shall be provided written notice at their last known address of record, by certified mail, return receipt requested, of an opportunity to be heard and object before the Town Board to the proposed real property assessment, at a date to be designated in the notice, which shall be no less than 30 days after its mailing.
No person shall, in public places or upon public objects, paint, mark, or write on or post or otherwise affix any sign to or upon any sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, curbstone, street lamppost, hydrant, tree, shrub, tree stake or guard, railroad trestle, electric light or power or telephone or telegraph or trolley wire pole, or wire appurtenance thereof, or upon any fixture of the fire alarm or police telegraph system or upon a lighting system, bridge, drinking fountain, life buoy, life preserver, board or other lifesaving equipment, street sign or traffic sign or any other similar location.
Any sign found posted or otherwise affixed in any public place or upon any public object contrary to the provisions of this section must be removed within five days after notice of violation by the Zoning Administrator or other duly authorized agents of the Town. The person responsible for any such illegal posting shall be liable for the cost incurred in the removal thereof or $100, whichever is greater. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to effect the collection of said cost.
Any increase in size or change in the design, style, location, materials, shape, height, or location of a nonconforming sign shall not be permitted. Any nonconforming sign that is damaged or destroyed, for a loss of 50% or more of its value, by fire or other casualty shall not be restored, reconstructed or replaced except by a sign that conforms to the requirements of this chapter.
Unless compensation is provided pursuant to § 88 of the Highway Law, any billboard, which is leased or rented for profit and located in an area zoned other than industrial or manufacturing shall be deemed a nonconforming sign. Pursuant to New York General Municipal Law § 74-C(2), such billboards shall be removed upon written notice sent to the owners of the property at their last known address of record by certified mail, return receipt requested, and the permit holder, if any, at the permit holder's last known address on record by certified mail, return receipt requested, by the Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator in accordance with the schedule below. The years allowed shall run from the date of notice from the Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator.
Upon the expiration of the amortization period, if the sign has not been removed, the Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator shall give written notice to the last owner of record of the real property where the sign is located and the permit holder, if any, at the permit holder's last known address of record, that the sign must be removed within 30 days from the date of the written notice. If the owner or permit holder takes no action within said time period, the Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator may cause the sign to be removed, and the cost of removal may be recovered in accordance with this chapter.
Every sign that requires a permit as regulated by this section shall have painted in a conspicuous place thereon, in legible letters and numbers, the date of erection and the sign permit number. Temporary signs shall additionally have noted thereon the date of the first day the sign may be displayed and the date it must be removed.
All signs and components thereof shall be kept in good repair and in safe, neat, clean and attractive condition.
All freestanding signs shall require site plan approval by the Planning Board prior to installation.
In the event of a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, the Zoning Administrator or a duly appointed deputy administrator shall give written or personal notice, specifying the violation to the named owner of the sign and the owner of the land, to correct said violation or to remove such sign. Correction of violation, by change, repair or removal, etc. shall be performed within 15 days from the date of the notice.
Any off-premises sign which is leased or rented for profit.
A sign with the capacity of content change by means of manual or remote input.
Any sign not attached to or part of any building but permanently affixed, by any other means, to the ground. Included are monument and post-and-arm signs.
A sign lighted by or exposed to artificial lighting that shines through a plastic or other translucent or transparent covering. Neon signs are not permitted.
External light used to illuminate a sign.
A sign system used to create visual unity among the signs within a site development plan area and to facilitate the compatibility with surrounding establishments and structures. The plan shall include specifications, including but not limited to the following: sign type, style, height, colors, lettering or graphic style, materials, shape, lighting and location on establishment.
A sign containing copy which does not promote a business, commodity, service or entertainment.
A sign of a size or type not permitted in the district in which it is situated or which is improperly located or which is nonconforming in any way.
A sign which promotes products, services or activities conducted, sold or offered somewhere other than the same premises where the sign is located.
A sign on its own trailer, wheels, or otherwise designed to be moveable and not permanently affixed to the ground, a building, structure or another sign. Included are signs displayed on parked or moving vehicles or trailers or other motor vehicles where the primary purpose of the vehicle is to promote a product, service, business or other activity. This definition includes a vehicle hanging or displaying a banner sign whose primary purpose is for advertising. This does not apply to signs or lettering on buses, taxis or vehicles operating during the normal course of business.
A sign affixed to trees or other natural vegetation, rocks or utility poles.
An establishment's principal sign, i.e. the sign which identifies the business to a passerby.
A sign that is attached to a building wall or structure that projects horizontally or at a right angle more than nine inches from the face of the building. Such signs shall be securely anchored and shall not swing or move in any manner.
A temporary sign advertising the sale, lease or rental of a property or premises upon which it is located.
A sign erected on a roof or extending in height above the main roofline of the building on which the sign is located.
A sign which communicates accessory information e.g. hours of operation or different products sold.
Any material, structure or device, or part thereof, composed of lettered or pictorial matter displaying an advertisement, announcement, notice or name, and including any declaration, demonstration, display, representation, illustration or insignia used to advertise or promote the interest of any person or business or cause when such is placed in view of the general public.
When any sign is framed or outlined, all of the area of the frame or outlines shall be included.
Sign measurement shall be based upon the entire area of the sign with a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the actual sign surface, not including structural supports, if they are not used for advertising purposes.
The area of a sign consisting of an insignia or other device, but without background, shall be calculated as the smallest possible polygon or circle enclosing the insignia.
The area of a window sign consisting only of letters and symbols affixed to or painted on glass shall be calculated as the smallest possible polygon or circle enclosing all of the letters and symbols.
Any sign that is displayed only for a specified period of time as per § 153-6 and is not permanently mounted.
WEEKEND DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign erected to direct motorists to subdivisions located within the boundaries of the Town of East Fishkill for the purposes of advertising lots or dwellings for sale.
Activities specified by the permit shall be undertaken pursuant to any conditions of the permit and shall be completed according to any schedule set forth in the permit. The approval authority may revoke or suspend a permit if it finds that the applicant has not complied with any of the conditions or limitations set forth in the permit.
The Building Inspector or Zoning Administrator shall have the power to direct a violator to cease violation of this chapter and, with the consultation of the approval authority, satisfactorily restore the affected area within a specified period of time. The exercise of such power may be with or without the imposition of a fine.
Any person who violates, disobeys or disregards any provision of this chapter shall be liable to the people of the Town of East Fishkill for a civil penalty not to exceed $3,000 for every such violation. Each week's continuation of a condition violating this chapter shall be deemed a separate violation. Each offense shall be a separate and distinct offense, and, in the case of a continuing offense, each week's continuance thereof shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense.
In addition to the above civil fine, any person who is found guilty of violating any provision of this chapter shall be, pursuant to the Penal Law, punishable by a fine of not less than: for a first offense, $100; for a second offense, $200; and for a third offense, not more than $1,000. For a fourth and each subsequent conviction, the violator shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000 or a term of imprisonment up to 15 days, or both. Each offense shall be a separate and distinct offense, and, in the case of a continuing offense, each week's continuance thereof shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense.
In addition to the above civil and criminal penalties, the Town Board and Building Inspector or Zoning Administrator, with the advice and consent of the Town Attorney, shall have the right to seek equitable relief to restrain and/or remedy.