Signs, signs signs… probably any code office’s biggest challenge; at least with those who just don’t care.
Any code office (doesn’t matter what town, village or city), is charged with lots of regulations to administer; not just state building and fire safety laws, but all the local laws and ordinances as well.
It is amazing how many people do not understand this concept.
To dramatize this idea, wearing a baseball cap with the words “State Building and Fire Code” and another that has “Local Zoning” on it during meetings with people can be helpful. As the nature of their questions change, we switch hats.
Signs are regulated by local zoning, except of course certain signs along state highways that are in the state right-of-way.
Business and commercial signs fall under local jurisdiction.
As with other towns, the Town of Webb has a fairly comprehensive sign ordinance.
For the most part everyone is cooperative in following the law, meaning they obtain sign permits where appropriate and understand the intent behind the law.
Having said how cooperative most people are, there is certainly no lack of those who ignore, flaunt or otherwise think they are better than others, or think the law does not apply to them.
And when the code office contacts these uncooperative individuals in an effort to obtain voluntary compliance, more often than not, conversations become rather difficult.
Here is a concise list of do’s and don’ts regarding signs. This applies to both commercial and residential signs.
• All new signs require a sign permit.
Exceptions – various religious, rentals, for sale, contractors, directional, political, patriotic, A-frame, posted and other similar signs.
However, ALL of these are subject to certain size or time limits that vary.
They are allowed to be placed and removed without permits if they comply with the specified criteria.
• A sign can be anything painted, placed, or affixed to a building OR placed, parked or situated in any manner on property which is intended to attract and direct attention to an object, business, product, place, person, institution, organization or activity.
• Signs are prohibited in any street or road right-of-way.
• No motor vehicle or trailer on which is placed or painted any sign shall be parked or stationed in a manner primarily intended to display the sign on such vehicle or trailer.
• No sign shall be placed or supported by any water body or any tree, rock or other natural object other than the ground.
• No sign shall be placed upon the roof of any building or structure.
• Banners, pendants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, or other similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices are prohibited. No portion of any sign may rotate or move back and forth, except lawful open flags.
• Internal and external illumination may be allowed, usually subject to approval by the Planning Board as part of a Conditional Use Permit for the business or operation.
• Any sign that contains internal or external high intensity, flashing, fluttering, intermittent, rotating or moving lights of any kind are prohibited.
• No sign can impede vehicular safety or sight either by placement of intensity of light.
• Individual homes identification signs shall not exceed six square feet.
• Individual home identification signs shall not be placed in any road or street right-of-way.
• Signs painted on rocks or placed on utility poles are prohibited.
How many of these things made you think of any illegal signs around town?
Like those big painted rocks with the camp name? Or that big bright-yellow truck all painted up with signage, with a big OPEN sign across the windshield parked in the closest space next to the road?
How about those fluttering horizontal or vertical banners?
If you don’t like the laws, seek a variance or get involved and change the rules.
Until then, don’t be surprised when the code office knocks on your door.
Knowledge, understanding, voluntary compliance and some common basic respect for local laws will prevent a lot of aggravation.