|
Bridging the Fox Cities Welcome to the Town
of |
||||||||
|
|
SIGNS (1) Overview: This
section provides an overview to explain the Town/County regulations for sign
usage. (2) Purpose: The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public
health, safety and general welfare by: (a) Promoting well maintained and attractive signage with the
County; (b) Providing for adequate business identification, advertising,
and communication; and (c) Protecting the safety and efficiency of
the county's transportation network by reducing confusion or distractions to
motorists and enhancing motorists' ability to use pedestrians, obstacles,
other vehicles and official traffic signs, signals, or devices by minimizing
a proliferation of messages for the motorist. (3) Permit Required: No projecting, or free-standing sign shall hereafter be
located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted, or
structurally altered without a zoning permit except those signs excepted in
(4), and without being in conformity with the provisions of these
regulations. Unless otherwise specified, the basic district standards shall
apply for setback and height standards. (4) Signs Excepted: All signs are prohibited in all residential, agricultural,
and public and semi-public districts except as follows: (a) Signs over show windows or doors of a
nonconforming business establishment announcing without display or
elaboration, only the name and occupation of the proprietor and not to exceed
two (2) feet in height and ten (10) feet in length. (b) Real estate signs which advertise the
sale, rental or lease of the premises, and political campaign signs when they
are temporarily located. (c) Name, occupation and warning signs not to exceed two (2)
square feet located on the premises. (d) Bulletin boards and identification
signs for public, charitable or religious institutions, apartments, planned
residential developments and subdivisions and model homes, in residential
districts, provided they: (1) do not exceed 32 sq. ft. in area
except model homes not to exceed 16 sq. ft. in area. (2) are located a
minimum of 10 ft. from the right-of-way. (3) conform to the
other yard requirements of the basic district. (4) do not exceed in height ten (10)
feet above the crown of the road. (e) Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings,
and date of erection when cut into masonry surface or when constructed
affixed flat against a structure. (f) Official signs (Municipal), such as traffic control,
parking restrictions, information and notices. (g) Temporary signs or banners when authorized by the Board of
Adjustment. (h) Farm names and identification signs in all agricultural
districts. (i) Signs in
existence before the adoption of these regulations which have been damaged or
destroyed by vandalism or other malicious acts. (5) Business Signs
Permitted (On-Premises): (a) Business signs are permitted in all business, industrial
and public and semi-public districts. (b) Temporary and mobile mounted signs are
permitted in the B-2 & B-3 Business Districts and all industrial districts. (c) Business signs clearance standards: (1) Projecting signs shall not be less
than ten (10) feet above the grade nor fifteen (15) feet above a driveway or
an alley. (2) Free-standing signs: (a)
Located above a walkway or
driving area shall not be less than ten (10) feet above a walkway nor less
than fifteen (15) feet above a driveway or an alley. (b) Located within 100 feet of the
intersection of two streets: the bottom of the sign shall not be less than
ten (10) feet above existing grade or grade of existing structure at the time
of permit approval. (c) Located within 30' of a driveway
centerline and road right-of-way the bottom of the sign shall not be less
than ten (10) feet above existing grade or grade of existing structure at the
time of permit approval. (d) Business Sign
Standards: (1) Street--Minimum--10 ft. unless
otherwise specified in Conditional Use Approval. (2) All Other District Yards--Minimum--Same
as basic district, unless otherwise specified in Conditional Use Approval. (3) Size--Area--Minimum--None--Maximum--100
sq. ft. per side, including all faces combined. (4) Height--Maximum--35 ft. above crown of
road. (6) Off-Premises
Signs: (a) Directional Signs Permitted.
Directional signs are permitted in B-1 and B-2 Business Districts subject to
the following: (1) Standards: (a) Size--Area--Maximum--32 sq. ft. per
side, including all faces combined. (b) Height--Maximum--25 ft. above existing
grade of existing structure at the time of permit approval. (c) Yards: (1)
Street--Minimum--3 ft. (2)
Side--Minimum--3 ft. (3) Number--no
more than four (4) for any single business or organization. (b) Advertising and
Directional Signs. Clearance standards: (1) Projecting signs shall not be less than ten
(10) feet above the grade nor fifteen (15) feet above a driveway or an alley. (2) Free-standing signs: (a) Located above a walkway or driving
area: shall not be less than ten (10) feet above a walkway nor
less than fifteen (15) feet above a driveway or an alley. (b) Located within 100 feet of an
intersection of a driveway or roadway: shall not be less than ten (10) feet
above existing grade or grade of existing structure at the time of permit
approval. (c) Vehicle Signage.
Vehicles, including semitrailers, campers, buses,
automobiles, and other like vehicles, shall not be parked on private property
or a public right-of-way so as to been seen from a public right-of-way, which
has attached thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device for
the basic purpose of providing advertising of products or directing people to
a business activity located off-premises. (7) Non-conforming
Signs: Signs existing at the time of adoption of these which do not
conform to these provisions shall become nonconforming. As such, these signs
shall adhere to the nonconforming provisions on non-shoreland areas and shoreland areas
and to the following: (a) Two or more signs
located closer than the distance standards indicated in these regulations
shall become nonconforming for the purposes of this section, regardless of
which sign was erected first and regardless of whether the nearest sign
measured from is located within or outside of County zoning jurisdiction. (8) Parking Signs: Parking area signs are permitted as an accessory use to
all parking areas, in all districts, subject to the following: (a) Standards: (1) Size-Area-Maximum--4 sq. ft. (2) Number--Maximum--1 sign per each
entrance and exist. (3) Yard--All-Minimum--projection must be
within property lines. (4) Height--Maximum--7 ft. above crown of
road. (9) Facing: No business, advertising or directional sign shall be
permitted to face a residential or public and semi-public district within
fifty (50) ft. of such district boundary, except additions in the street yard
of existing structures shall not project beyond the average of the existing
street yards or parcels. (10) Shape and
Illusion: Signs shall not resemble, imitate, or approximate the shape,
size, form or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices. Signs
shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic
signs, signals, or devices. No sign shall be erected, relocated, or
maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window,
driveway, or fire escape; and no sign shall be attached to a standpipe or
fire escape. No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with
traffic visibility. Externally illuminated signs shall be lighted by white
light only; no sign shall flash, oscillate, or rotate, except public service
time and temperature signs. However, in all cases externally illuminated
signs shall be shaded, shielded, or directed from surrounding properties and
vehicular traffic. (11) Dilapidated, Unmaintained and Abandoned Signs: (a) Dilapidated and Unmaintained Signs. Signs allowed by these regulations
must be maintained in a safe, presentable and good structural condition at
all times, including replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting,
cleaning and other acts required for proper maintenance of the sign. Signs
that are determined by the County to be dilapidated, unmaintained
and/or unsafe shall be subject to the razing provisions of Section 66.05,
Wis. Stats. (b) Abandoned Signs shall
be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises, when, for a business sign,
the business it advertises is not longer conducted; and for an advertising or
directional sign, when lease payment and rental income are no longer provided.
If the owner or lessee fails to remove the sign, the County shall give the
owner sixty (60) days written notice to remove said sign. Upon failure to
comply with this notice, the County may cause removal to be executed, the
expenses of which will be assessed to the tax roll of the property on which
the abandoned sign is located. (12) Distance
Standards: (a) No advertising or
directional sign shall be located closer than 1,320' to any other advertising
or directional sign regardless of municipal boundaries, street
classification, topography, etc. (b) Business signs shall be
allowed at a distance of one business sign per lot of record, except that
where a multiple frontage lot occurs, each frontage shall be allowed one
business sign. TOWN OF BILLBOARDS AND SIGNS (1)
Purpose: The purpose of these
regulations is to provide a uniform set of provisions relating to all
billboard/off-premises signs in the Town of (2)
Intent: It is the intent of these
regulations to promote the public health, safety, welfare and comfort of the
general public within the Town of (3)
Scope of Regulations: Except as may otherwise be
noted herein, these regulations shall govern all billboards/off-premises
signs in the Town of (4)
Definitions: For purposes of
interpreting and enforcing these regulations, the following definition shall
apply: (a)
"Billboard". Same as
off-premises sign. (b)
"Off
- premises sign". Signs which advertise or call attention to goods,
products, individuals, businesses, and /or services not sold, available or
located on the premises or property on which the sign is located. Off-premises signs are typically of two
main types: (1)
Poster Panels or Bulletins
- normally mounted on a building wall or freestanding structure with the
message/display in the form of pasted paper. (2)
Painted Bulletins - where
the message/display is painted directly on the background of a wall-mounted
or freestanding sign facing. (5)
Enforcement: (a)
Any person, firm, company
or corporation who violates, disobeys, omits,
neglects or refuses to comply with or who resists the enforcement of any of
the provisions of these regulations may be subject to a forfeiture of not
less than $10 nor more than $200 dollars, together with the costs of the
action. Each day the violation exists
shall constitute a separate violation and be punishable as such. (b)
The Community Development
Director or his/her designee shall have the authority, as may be necessary,
to enforce and administer these regulations. (6)
Permit Required: Permits shall not be
required for a change of copy on any billboard/off-premises sign, nor for the
repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance or repair of a lawfully existing
billboard/off-premises sign or sign structure. (7)
Regulations: (a)
It is hereby determined
that the number of billboard/off-premises signs existing in the Town of
Menasha is excessive and distracting to motorists and pedestrians, creates a
traffic hazard, and mars the appearance of the Town. (b)
Billboard/off-premises
signs are hereby prohibited with the exception described in (7) (c) and (7)
(d) in the Town and no billboard/off-premises sign may be constructed,
erected or placed upon any premises, public or private, within the Town on or
after January 25, 1993. (c)
Billboard/off-premises
signs existing prior to (1)
The sign(s) was (were)
covered by a sign permit or a permit for construction/erection of the sign(s)
was (were) issued prior to the date of the adoption of this section, if one
was required. (2)
If no sign permit was
required for the sign(s) in question and the sign(s) was (were) in all
respects in compliance with applicable laws/ordinances on the date such sign
was constructed/installed. (d)
Certain off-premises signs
may be allowed if the following conditions are complied with: (1)
The off-premises sign shall
be a directional sign identifying the location of businesses or industries
that are not easily accessed by major collectors or arterials. (2)
The off-premises sign shall
allow for the identification of multiple businesses or industries. (3)
The off-premises sign shall
be limited to one sign per business or industrial area. These areas shall be determined by the Town
Board as necessary. (4)
All off-premises signs
shall be reviewed by the Town Planning Commission and a recommendation of
approval or denial shall be made to the Town Board based on the above
criteria and other information provided by the applicant, staff and others at
a regular Town Planning Commission Meeting. (5)
The Town Board shall
approve or deny the recommendation of the Planning Commission based on
compliance with the above criteria, any other information deemed appropriate
to the off-premises sign, and further more, reserves the right to approve or
deny the request for an off-premises sign on a case-by-case basis. (e)
A billboard/off-premises
sign which has been designated as legal nonconforming may retain such
designation so long as the following conditions are complied with: (1)
No structural modification
of a legal nonconforming sign is permitted.
Structural modification shall not include changing of the sign copy or
normal maintenance such as cleaning, painting, or scraping of the sign or
sign structure. (2)
The sign shall not be
relocated. (3)
The sign shall not be replaced. (f)
A legal nonconforming
billboard/off-premises sign or sign structure which, by any means, is
destroyed or damaged may be restored only after the owner has shown that the
damage to such sign did not exceed fifty (50) percent of the assessed value
of such sign existing at the time it became legal nonconforming. If such sign or sign structure is destroyed
or damaged to an extent exceeding (50) percent of the aforesaid value, it
shall be removed within sixty (60) days of the date of damage occurred and shall
not be reconstructed or replaced in the Town of (g)
At such time as the owner
of any building or lot, on which a legal nonconforming billboard/off-premises
sign is located, requests Planning Commission/Town Board approval for any
change to the use, zoning, building or lot upon which premises said sign is
located, the Planning Commission/Town Board may require that such legal
nonconforming sign be removed as a condition of approval. (h)
Any sign which does not
wholly comply with these provisions and which is not classified as legal nonconforming, shall be ordered removed. If the sign owner, lessee or owner of the
premises on which such sign is located fails to remove such sign, the
Community Development Director may contract for removal of such sign(s) and
assess all costs associated with such removal as a special tax against the
property on which the sign(s) was (were) located, such tax to be collected in
the same manner as property taxes are collected in the Town of Menasha. (8)
Appeals: The Town of Menasha Board
of Supervisors may waive or modify these regulations where, in its judgment,
such waiver modification would further the public interest and uphold the
purpose and intent of these regulations as set forth in (1) and (2) above
respectively. Any request for an
appeal to these regulations shall first be presented to the Planning
Commission for review and recommendation to the Town Board of Supervisors. (9)
Severability: If any of these regulations
are adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent
jurisdiction, the remainder of these regulations shall not be affected
thereby. If an application of these
regulations to a particular sign or sign structure is adjudged
unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
judgment shall not be applicable to any other sign or structure not
specifically included in said judgment.
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||
