Chapter 15.08
SIGNS*
Sections:
*Prior legislation: Ord. 431.
15.08.010 General.
No signs of any kind shall be erected and/or displayed and maintained within the town except in accordance with this chapter. (Ord. 613 § 1, 2010; Ord. 485 § 1, 1999)
15.08.020 Definitions.
For the purpose of interpretation of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
“Commercial sign” means any sign which is used to advertise a business.
“Community-interest sign” means any sign used by a community-based organization to publicize a public event or to notify residents of items of general interest or need.
“Contractor sign” means any sign used by a contractor to identify a job site and/or advertise.
“Political sign” means any sign which pertains to an upcoming election.
“Private-event sign” means any sign used by a resident to provide notice of or direction to a private event, including garage sales.
“Real estate directional sign” means any portable sign used to provide directions to a real estate open house.
“Real estate sign” means any sign used to advertise real estate that is for sale, lease or rent.
“Residential sign” means any sign used to identify a residence.
“Sign” means any medium which is used or intended to be used to attract attention to its subject matter for advertising or any other purpose.
“Temporary notice” means any noncommercial notice posted to communicate items of general interest or need. (Ord. 613 § 1, 2010; Ord. 485 § 1, 1999)
15.08.030 Regulations.
The following rules shall govern the use of signs within the town:
A. Permitted and Prohibited Signs.
1. Contractor, real estate, real estate directional, residential, community-interest, private-event signs, political signs and temporary notices are permitted subject to the regulations of this chapter.
2. Commercial signs are prohibited.
B. Size Limits.
1. All contractor, real estate, real estate directional, community-interest, private-event and political signs are limited to a maximum width of two feet and a maximum area of six square feet, including all attachments.
2. Temporary notices shall be paper no larger than eight and one-half by 11 inches.
3. Residential signs above two feet in height shall have a width limit of two feet and the area shall be limited to that required to accommodate all names and/or addresses. Heights are limited by subsection (B)(4) of this section. Residential signs below two feet in height shall have a maximum width of four feet, maximum area of eight square feet.
4. Maximum sign height is limited to six feet.
C. Posting and Placement.
1. No signs or notices may be posted to utility poles, trees, municipal sign posts or structures, except temporary notices may be posted on the ends of pagodas.
2. Signs may be located on private property or in the town’s right-of-way as long as the signs do not interfere with vehicle safety, interfere with parking, impede safe use of the right-of-way by pedestrians or interfere with town maintenance of the right-of-way.
D. Contractor Signs.
1. One contractor sign is allowed for the duration of the job.
2. Properties not abutting a public right-of-way may have a single additional contractor sign on the right-of-way.
E. Real Estate Signs.
1. Real estate for sale signs, pending sale, and sold signs are allowed; provided, that all signs combined shall not exceed the total size limitations set forth in subsection (B)(1) of this section. No additional signage is allowed.
2. Properties not abutting a public right-of-way may have an additional real estate sign on the right-of-way if a similar sign is on the property.
3. Waterfront properties may have an additional real estate sign on the waterfront side of the property.
4. Real estate directional signs may be used only during open house hours.
F. Residential Signs. Residences abutting private lanes may have an additional residential sign on the public right-of-way; however, all residential signs for residences on a given lane must be posted together and in aggregate cannot exceed the width and height limits for a single residential sign.
G. Community-Interest Signs. Community-interest signs are allowed from 14 days prior to the event being publicized and shall be removed the day after the event.
H. Private-Event Signs. Private-event signs are allowed only on the day of the event.
I. Political Signs. Political signs are allowed on town rights-of-way.
J. Temporary Notices. Temporary notices are allowed for a maximum of 14 days. They shall be dated and are to be promptly removed when no longer applicable.
K. Municipal Signs. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any sign or temporary notice erected or placed by the town for any municipal purpose. (Ord. 639 § 1, 2012; Ord. 613 § 1, 2010; Ord. 573 § 1, 2007; Ord. 485 § 1, 1999)
15.08.040 Violation.
A. Signs posted in violation of this chapter may be taken down and/or disposed of by any employee of the town. No notice shall be required to authorize immediate removal of any sign after its applicability has expired or any sign posted in violation of this chapter.
B. In addition, any violation of the provisions of this chapter constitutes a code violation under Chapter 1.08 YPMC and is subject to enforcement action, corrective action, fines and penalties described therein. (Ord. 696 § 3 (Exh. B§8), 2019; Ord. 613 § 1, 2010; Ord. 485 § 1, 1999)