Source: https://ecode360.com/8868904
Timestamp: 2020-03-31 19:46:02
Document Index: 751082118

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135', '§ 135']

Town of Fenwick Island, DE Signs
§ 135-3 General provisions, restrictions and prohibitions.
§ 135-4 Signs permitted in all zones.
§ 135-5 Commercial and industrial signs.
§ 135-6 Nonconforming signs.
§ 135-7 Permits.
§ 135-8 Exceptions; sign application; permit and fee.
§ 135-9 Maintenance of signs.
§ 135-10 Penalties.
§ 135-11 Appeals.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Fenwick Island 7-29-1978 by Ord. No. 26; amended in its entirety 12-10-2010. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
Lighting — See Ch. 102.
This chapter is intended to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of, visitors to, and owners and occupants of land and buildings within the Town; to restrict and eliminate signs tending to depreciate the value of property; and to eliminate actual or potential hazards to pedestrians and motor vehicle operators within the Town.
The following terms, wherever used herein, shall have the respective meanings assigned to them unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:[1]
In the absence of said official, shall be synonymous with the Town Manager or any other person designated to perform the duties of Building Official.
To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix.
A flag, pennant or similar instrument intended to be hung on a pole no higher than 17 feet nor wider than three feet, possessing characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentations applied to paper, plastic or fabric of any kind.
[Added 6-26-2015]
A piece of cloth, plastic or fabric of any kind of distinctive size, color and design used as a symbol, standard, signal, decoration, advertisement or emblem.
Any permanent or temporary sign whose design and/or construction is intended to be moveable.
Includes every sign and any announcement, declaration, display, illustration or insignia used to advertise or promote the interests of any person, artificial entity, business or group when the same is placed out-of-doors in view of the general public.
A sign or advertising device, but not a bumper sticker, which is painted, mounted, affixed or otherwise attached to a vehicle or trailer, which is used for the purpose of providing advertisement of products and services or directing people to a business, service or other activity.
Editor's Note: The former definition of "blade banner," which immediately followed, was superseded 6-26-2015. See now the definition of "feather flag."
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the following provisions apply in all zones:
The area of a sign shall include the entire face of the sign, including the border and trim, and shall include the space between letters, figures and designs. All sides of a sign which are visible from any one vantage point shall be measured in determining the area of a sign, except that only one side of a sign shall be measured if the two sides are back-to-back or separated by an angle of 45° or less. In the latter case, if the two sides are not of equal size, the larger side shall be measured. All signs must be built to withstand 35 pounds of wind pressure per square foot and a wind velocity of 110 miles per hour.
The Building Official may cause any sign or advertising structure which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice.
Portable and movable signs; A-shape signs.
Portable or movable signs which are not firmly attached to a structure are prohibited, excepting that permanently located freestanding signs and those signs as set forth in § 135-3C(2) are exempt from the above prohibition.
In addition to the flags permitted in § 135-5A(3) and C(4)(b), A-shape signs with maximum dimensions of three feet high and two feet wide or a flag indicating either "open" or a product or nationality having dimensions of not greater than four feet by six feet shall be permitted, to be located not beyond either the front or side property line, one per business establishment, to be removed at sundown and not replaced until 7:00 a.m. A-shape signs shall be removed in high winds where they could create a hazard.
[Amended 6-26-2015]
No sign shall be permitted which by reason of its shape, color or working may be confused with an official traffic sign, signal or device, or which may mislead or confuse pedestrians or vehicle operators, or obscure from view any traffic or street sign or signal, or which may obstruct the view in any direction at the intersection of a street with another street or with a driveway.
Two signs per vehicle, not to exceed 12 square feet total, are permitted.
A sign in the shape or form of any person, animal, vegetable, product or portion of any of the foregoing is prohibited, except with the approval of the Town Council.
A sign which advertises a building, product, business, service, event or institution which is not located on the same lot as the sign is prohibited.
A sign that flashes, blinks or has intermittent or varying intensity of illumination is prohibited, whether deliberate or as a consequence of a defect in the sign or the illumination source, if visible from the travel portion of the highway, except for a sign indicating the time or date or temperature changes, or a combination.
The light from any light source intended to illuminate a sign shall be so shaded, shielded or directed that the light intensity or brightness shall not adversely affect surrounding or facing premises, nor adversely affect safe vision of pedestrians or operators of vehicles moving on public or private streets, driveways or parking areas.
No sign shall obstruct any door, fire escape, stairway or any opening intended to provide ingress or egress to or from any building or structure.
No sign which is not attached to a building shall exceed 20 feet in height above the finished grade below it.
The lowest point of any sign which extends over an area intended for pedestrian use shall not be less than eight feet above the finished grade below it. The lowest point of any sign which extends over an area intended for vehicular use shall be not less than 14 feet above the finished grade below it.
Signs larger than 30 square feet in area shall be set back a minimum of 25 feet from the Route 1 state right-of-way line or property line on other streets or roads. Signs of 30 square feet and under shall set back a minimum of 10 feet from the Route 1 state right-of-way line or property line on other streets or roads except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter.
In the case of signs placed in the interior of a building and observable from the outside through a frontage window:
Unlighted signs, meaning signs without electrification, are permitted.
Unless the sign is allowed under § 135-4A or B, lighted open signs and informational signs showing services rendered or products sold shall not exceed the lesser of 20% of the total area of the window or door in which they are placed or 12 square feet.
Unless the sign is specifically permitted under this chapter, in the Commercial Zone it shall be unlawful for any person or entity to cause or permit the repair, erection, alteration, relocation or conversion of, or to permit to exist, any sign within the Town. This prohibition shall apply to both the owner of the land or buildings and any lessee (tenant) or other occupant.
Handicap parking signs. Any handicap parking spaces or zones designated by any person or artificial entity for use by persons with disabilities shall have erect signage.
Subject to the other conditions of this chapter, the following signs shall be permitted in any zone:
Construction signs. One sign shall be permitted for all building contractors, one for all professional firms and one for all lending institutions involved in the construction, enlargement, reconstruction or repair of a structure. Each such sign shall not exceed six square feet in area, with not more than a total of three such signs permitted on one site. If freestanding, the height of each such sign shall not exceed eight feet. Signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the Route 1 state right-of-way line and a minimum of five feet from the property line on all other streets or roads. Each such sign shall be removed within 14 days of the end of the intended use of the project.
Real estate signs. One temporary real estate sign not exceeding six square feet in area and located on the property to which it relates shall be allowed for each lot. Signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the Route 1 state right-of-way line and a minimum of five feet from the property line on all other streets or roads. Any such sign shall be removed within seven days of settlement of the property.
Banners. Banners advertising a public entertainment or event, if specifically approved by the Town Council and in locations designated by the Town Council, may be displayed 14 days prior to and during and seven days after the public entertainment or event, or as otherwise approved by the Town Council.
Permanent identification signs. Signs of a permanent nature, setting forth the name of a church, community center or other like projects, shall be permitted if erected in accordance with the minimum yard requirements of the zone in which the sign is located. Setback requirements shall be in accordance with § 135-3M of this chapter. Any such signs shall not exceed 30 square feet in area. Such signs shall be deemed to include community bulletin boards.
Civic, religious and quasi-public signs. Name, directional and information signs and emblems of service clubs, places of worship, civic organizations and quasi-public uses shall be permitted on private property if set back in accordance with the minimum sign setback requirements of the zone in which the sign is located. Each such sign shall not exceed three square feet in area. If freestanding, the height of such sign shall not exceed eight feet. In the event that there is a need for more than one sign at one location, all such signs must be consolidated and confined within a single frame.
Public signs. Signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest, such as directional signs, regulatory signs, warning signs and information signs, may be erected by or on the order of a duly appointed federal, state, county or Town public officer in the performance of his duty.
Temporary signs. Temporary signs announcing any public, charitable, civic, educational or religious event or function may be located on the lot on which the event or function is to take place and set back no less than 10 feet from the property line nor exceed 30 square feet in area. Such a sign shall be erected no more than 10 days prior to the event or function and must be removed within five days after the event or function. If freestanding, the height of such sign shall not exceed eight feet.
Election campaign signs. Signs relating to primary or general elections, including referenda questions, shall be permitted up to a total area of nine square feet for each lot in a Residential Zone and 30 square feet in a Commercial Zone. These signs shall be confined within private property and shall not be less than 25 feet from the nearest curb intersection of any street or road. Sign setback requirements shall be in accordance with § 135-3M of this chapter. If freestanding, the height of such signs shall not exceed eight feet. Such a sign may be displayed no sooner than 30 days before an election and must be removed within two days after the election to which it relates.
The following shall apply in Commercial Zones:
For a single commercial business, which is not a part of a subdivided building, the following shall apply (All signs described herein shall be subject to the restrictions provided in § 135-4.):
With property less than 100 feet of frontage on Route 1, two signs are permitted. One sign, attached to the building and not exceeding one square foot for each front foot of building, is permitted. A freestanding sign is also permitted, but shall not exceed 30 square feet and shall not reduce the number of required parking spaces.
With property of 100 feet of frontage or more on Route 1, there shall be allowed one freestanding sign no larger than 120 square feet and one sign attached to the building not to exceed one square foot in area for each front foot of building.
Three flags not in excess of four feet by six feet are permitted if attached to the front of a building, on a pole, or attached to a sign; anything contained in this chapter notwithstanding, a flag may protrude no more than six feet from the wall to which it is attached and, if attached to a building, may not be higher than the roof of the building. One flag may be substituted with a feather flag.
In the case of a subdivided building, the total number of signs shall not exceed three signs for each single commercial occupant, and the total square footage of all such signs shall not exceed 1 1/2 square foot in area for each lineal front foot of building used for a single commercial purpose. Each allowed sign must be on or attached to the building.
In addition to the sign allowed in Subsection B above, the following signs shall be permitted:
One multiple-use identification sign, stating the name of the subdivided building and some or all of its tenants. The area of such sign shall be determined independently from the sign area allowed under Subsection A of this section and shall not exceed 30 square feet per tenant or exceed 250 square feet per subdivided building.
One additional sign shall be permitted below a canopy or overhang, not to exceed two square feet in size.
In the case of gasoline service provided by a retail store, one additional conventional freestanding gasoline sign.
Subdivided buildings; protrusion.
For an entire subdivided building, one United States flag and one State of Delaware flag are permitted on a pole(s) attached to the front of a building or on a flagpole set back at least 25 feet from the front property line and 10 feet from any side property line.
For a subdivided building, each unit comprising a business is permitted to have one flag for each unit of the business, with dimensions not in excess of four feet by six feet, if on a pole attached to the front of the business (building). Only one feather flag shall be permitted for multiple units.
Anything contained in this chapter notwithstanding, if attached to a building, a flag(s) may protrude no more than six feet from the wall to which it is attached and may not be higher than the roof of the building.
No sign on or attached to a building shall extend beyond that portion of the building which it identifies, nor shall it extend above the height of the wall of the building on which it is placed, nor shall it extend beyond the width of the wall of the building on which it is placed, nor shall it protrude more than six inches from the wall of the building on which it is placed, except that the sign permitted under Subsection C(2) above may extend out to the limit of an overhang or canopy.
In the case where the size of the building is disproportionately small compared to the size of the facility as a whole, a sign not to exceed 25 square feet shall be permitted on the building, to be placed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, and one freestanding sign shall be permitted no greater than 30 square feet and shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the Route 1 right-of-way line or property line or other streets or roads, except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, and shall be subject to the restrictions as set forth in § 135-3.
In the case of a full-service auto repair garage-gasoline station having an overhead canopy covering at least two rows of gasoline pumps, the following shall be permitted:
One freestanding sign consisting of multiple signs not to exceed four square feet for each multiple sign advertising current gasoline prices, subject to height, size and setback requirements set out above.
Lettering and logo showing the company, not exceeding letter heights of 2 1/2 feet, lettering length of 16 feet and logo height of 33 inches, on either side of the canopy.
A sign not exceeding 16 square feet on the building indicating the service center.
Advertisement of oil and gas on each pump, said advertisement not to exceed three square feet on each pump, is permitted.
Any permanent sign lawfully in existence on the effective date of this chapter shall be allowed to remain; however, if an existing sign is destroyed or falls into disrepair, then reconstruction of said sign of the same size and in the same location shall be permitted if rebuilt within one year of said destruction or disrepair. In the event such a sign is not rebuilt and replaced within the one-year time limit, then any reconstruction must be in accordance with this chapter. The condition of the sign in question shall be determined and approved by the Building Official at the time the sign permit application is filed as set forth in § 135-7 herein. The condition of such sign may also be evaluated at the time it is destroyed or falls into disrepair. All applications for a permit to replace a nonconforming sign shall not be considered as a reconstruction of a nonconforming sign, and, therefore, the replacement sign must be in accordance with this chapter.
Portable or movable signs that are in violation of § 135-3C shall be removed not later than 30 days after the effective date of this chapter.
No sign shall be erected or moved or altered as to size, shape, design or context without first filing an application and obtaining a signed permit of approval by the Building Official, except as provided in § 135-8 of this chapter. Where space on the sign is provided to indicate sales or specials, the written and/or graphic content in this area may be changed without prior approval.
The exact location, size, type of illumination, structural content, support system, color and design must be clearly and fully set forth in Section II of the sign permit application, except as provided in § 135-8 of this chapter.
A fee as set by resolution by the Town Council from time to time must accompany each sign permit application for a multiple use identification sign as set forth in § 135-5C(1) of this chapter, and for each sign described in § 135-4A or B of this chapter. All other sign permits will be charged a fee as set by resolution of the Town Council from time to time, except as provided in § 135-8 of this chapter.
All requests for a permit hereunder must be signed by the owner of the property and/or business owner of that property where the sign is to be located.
An application for a sign permit may be obtained from the Town Manager or Building Official's office.
Signs which are permitted in accordance with § 135-4A, B and F of this chapter shall not require the submission of an application or a permit or a fee to be paid, provided that they shall be in accordance with all other requirements of this chapter.
Signs which are permitted in accordance with § 135-4C of this chapter shall require the submission of an application which must be approved by Town Council. No fee will be required.
Signs which are permitted in accordance with § 135-4D and E of this chapter shall require the submission of a sign application and a sign permit. No fee will be required.
Signs which are permitted in accordance with § 135-4G and H of this chapter shall not require the submission of an application or a permit, and no fee is required, provided that they shall be in accordance with all other requirements of this chapter, and further provided that the Building Official be advised prior to erection as to location, size and content.
Signs which are required in accordance with § 135-3P of this chapter shall not require the submission of an application or a permit, and no fee is required, provided that they shall be in accordance with Title 9, Section 310, of the Delaware Code.
If the Building Official shall find that any sign or other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe or insecure or is a menace to the public or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, he/she shall give written notice to the permittee. If the permittee fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within 10 days after such notice, such sign or other advertising structure may be removed or be made to comply by order of the Building Official at the expense of the permittee or owner of the property upon which it is located. The Building Official shall refuse to issue a permit to any permittee or owner who refuses to pay costs so assessed.
Violators of any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of $200. Each day that the violation continues to exist after written notification by the Town of the violation and the expiration of the time for compliance of at least 10 days set forth in the notice shall be a separate offense, subject to the same penalty for each day the violation continues.