§ 76-4. Exempt signs.

A. 

The following types of signs may be erected and maintained without permits or fees, provided that such signs comply with the general requirements of this chapter and with the specific safety regulations:

(1) 

Historical markers, tablets and statues, memorial signs and plaques; names of buildings and dates of erection cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze, stainless steel or similar material; and emblems installed by governmental agencies, religious or nonprofit organizations; not exceeding six square feet.

(2) 

Flags and insignias of any government, religious organization or not-for-profit organization except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.

(3) 

On-premises directional signs for the convenience of the general public, identifying public parking areas, fire zones, entrances and exits and similar signs, internally illuminated or nonilluminated, not exceeding four square feet per face and six feet in height. Business names and personal names shall be allowed, excluding advertising messages.

(4) 

Nonilluminated warning, private drive, posted or no-trespassing signs, not exceeding two square feet per face.

(5) 

Nonilluminated number and name plates identifying residents, mounted on a house, apartment or mailbox, not exceeding one square foot in area.

(6) 

Lawn signs identifying residents, not exceeding two square feet. Such signs are to be nonilluminated except by a light which is an integral part of a lamppost if used as a support with no advertising message thereon.

[Amended 10-11-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017]

(7) 

Private owner merchandise sale signs for garage sales or auctions, not exceeding four square feet and posted for a period not exceeding seven days.

(8) 

Temporary nonilluminated "For Sale," "For Rent" and other real estate signs, concerning the premises upon which the sign is located. In a Residential or Residential-Agricultural Zoning District, one sign not exceeding four square feet per side. In all other districts, one sign not exceeding 50 square feet of surface area, set back at least 15 feet from all property lines. All such signs shall be removed within three days after the sale, lease or rental of the premises.

(9) 

One temporary sign for a roadside stand selling agricultural produce in season, provided that such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in surface area and that it shall be set back at least 10 feet from the public right-of-way.

(10) 

Temporary nonilluminated window signs, not exceeding 25% of the window surface to be displayed for a maximum of 30 days.

[Amended 10-11-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017]

(11) 

Holiday decorations or displays, including lighting.

(12) 

At gasoline stations, integral graphics or attached price signs on gasoline pumps.

(13) 

Directional signs for meetings, conventions and other assemblies, not exceeding six square feet in surface area. Such signs shall be in place for a period of no more than 10 days and shall be removed within three days following the end of the scheduled event.

(14) 

One sign, with total surface area not exceeding six square feet in residential districts or 16 square feet in business and industrial districts, listing the architect, engineer, contractor and/or owner, on premises where construction, repair or renovation is in progress. Such signs shall be removed no later than one week after the construction, repaid or renovation ends.

(15) 

Political posters, signs promoting a noncommercial cause or activity or not-for-profit fundraising devices, not larger than six square feet per surface in residential districts or 16 square feet per surface in business or industrial districts. Such signs shall bear the name and address of the person responsible for their removal, shall be in place for no more than 30 days and shall be removed no later than one week after the advertised event ends.

[Amended 10-11-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017]

(16) 

Temporary off-premises directional signs for businesses, access to which has been obstructed or otherwise interfered with by road construction. Such signs shall be in place for no longer than three days following the completion of construction.

[Added 8-4-2002 by L.L. No. 2-2002]

(17) 

One grand opening sign upon the opening of a new business at the business location, not to exceed 30 square feet, to be displayed for a period of 30 days.

[Added 10-11-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017]

(18) 

Temporary off-premises special promotion signage for Town and City of Oneonta community events or not-for-profit fund-raising events. Said signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in the Highway Development District (HDD) or 16 square feet in all other districts (R-10, R-20, RA-40, R-80, PDD, ID, ID-2, MHD). Said signs be placed no sooner than 30 days prior to an event, and shall be removed no later than three days after the event.

[Added 10-11-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017]

B. 

If such temporary signs as described in Subsection A(7), (8), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), and (18) above are not removed by the end of the allowed time, the Code Enforcement Officer may provide for their removal and charge the removal costs to the advertising body.

[Amended 8-4-2002 by L.L. No. 2-2002; 10-11-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017]