§ 338-6. Signs in commercial districts.

The following regulations apply to signs in commercial districts:

A. 

Except as otherwise provided, no person shall erect or relocate any sign without first obtaining a permit from the Building Inspector. Within nine months of the effective date of this chapter, a permit shall also be obtained for any sign in existence as of the effective date of this chapter, unless specifically excluded by the exempt signs provision under § 338-5.

B. 

Signs shall be in keeping with the architectural design of the building upon which they are placed, the design of the neighboring properties and adjoining signs and the character of Sleepy Hollow.

C. 

Each business establishment shall be limited to:

(1) 

One principal sign per facade identifying the name and type of business, with a maximum of two signs in the case of a building fronting on two or more rights-of-way, except for signs for which no permit is required under § 338-5 of this chapter.

(2) 

One secondary sign identifying the name and type of business located on the front flap of an awning or on the front door, and one such secondary sign in one window of a second-floor business.

D. 

Signs shall be limited to three colors (black, white, natural finish; tints of the same color shall be considered separate colors). The return edge of the letter forms and graphic symbols shall be the same color as that of the face. Metallic, iridescent and day-glo bright colors are prohibited. Use of natural bronze, aluminum and stainless steel metals and genuine gold and silver leaf is permitted.

E. 

Dimensions of permitted signs shall be as follows:

(1) 

The maximum vertical dimensions or height of any sign affixed to a building facade shall be 24 inches, and the maximum horizontal dimension or length shall not exceed 75% of the street frontage of the business establishment upon which such sign is erected or maintained. In any case, however, the maximum horizontal dimension or length of such sign shall not exceed 20 feet on any street frontage for the same business establishment.

(2) 

For circular, oval, square or other nonrectangular signs, the total sign area shall not exceed nine square feet.

(3) 

The maximum overall height of letter groups, including upper- and lowercase letters, and graphic symbols shall be 18 inches. Where there is more than one line of letters and symbols, the combined height of the letters and symbols shall not exceed 12 inches, including the space between the lines.

(4) 

Where the design of an existing building facade incorporates a specific area for signs, the height and length of the signs shall be restricted to the dimensions of this area. Such signs may not, however, exceed maximum dimensions as stated above.

F. 

Placement of signs.

(1) 

Signs shall be placed parallel to the facade of the building; and, except for marquees of theaters in operation and awnings, no part of the sign shall project more than eight inches beyond the face of the building in any direction.

(2) 

The lower edge of a sign placed on a facade shall not be located above the level of the floor of the second story of the building upon which the sign is placed.

G. 

Temporary signs, advertising display panels, posters and similar graphic material relating to general sales and information, special events and offerings, and sales promotions may be displayed without a permit, for a duration of no more than 30 days, provided that:

(1) 

No sign shall exceed 1 1/2 square feet per display window.

(2) 

They are neatly and professionally rendered and displayed and are mounted on firm material in a true square manner.

(3) 

Not more than one such sign per display window and a maximum of four such signs per facade may be displayed at any one time.

(4) 

All such signs in this category must be dated.

(5) 

Freestanding signs must be at least three feet above ground level and less than 10 feet above ground level. Freestanding signs are prohibited on Beekman Avenue, Cortlandt Street and Valley Street due to the congested nature of these areas.

(6) 

No temporary signs, advertising display panels, posters and similar graphic material shall be posted on the exterior of buildings or structures.

H. 

Signs on accessory buildings or buildings incidental to the principal building in which the business is located shall be allowed as a portion of the total allowable sign area computed using the frontage of the principal building only.

I. 

Sign directories. An off-street shopping plaza or building housing multiple businesses or professional offices will be permitted a sign directory. Each business within the plaza/building may have a sign within the directory. They shall be equal in size and shape and shall not exceed three square feet in size. The directory sign may not exceed:

(1) 

Thirty square feet for five or fewer businesses.

(2) 

For each additional business, add five square feet.

(3) 

Total not to exceed 75 square feet.

J. 

One illuminated sign, as defined in § 338-3, identifying the name and description of the business shall be permitted on each street facade for the ground floor use of a business establishment. For a business located on two or more rights-of-way, a maximum of two such illuminated signs, one on each facade, shall be permitted.

K. 

The design and appearance of the light fixture shall be fitting and appropriately integrated with the architectural character of the building facade and that of its neighbors.

L. 

Future and proposed illuminated signs, interior. Externally illuminated signs, as defined in § 338-3, are permitted in the windows of a business establishment, if designed to identify the name and type of business. Such sign(s) may not be in addition to a sign on the building exterior, except that the name of the business may also be located on the front valance of an awning or on the front door in accordance with these regulations.

M. 

Future and proposed illuminated sign light sources.

(1) 

Light sources, with the exception of neon, shall be shielded or screened in a manner so as not to be seen by passersby from a normal viewing angle. Intense or glaring light is to be avoided.

(2) 

Light sources shall be limited to natural white incandescent or fluorescent lamps.

(3) 

Light fixtures and sources shall be designed to cause a reasonable uniform distribution of light on the full extent of the sign(s).

N. 

Signs accessory to parking areas.

[Amended 1-22-2013 by L.L. No. 1-2013]

(1) 

Signs designating entrances to or exits from a parking area shall be permitted, provided the size of any sign shall not exceed two square feet in area.

(2) 

Signs designating the identity and condition of use of parking areas shall be permitted, provided the size of any such sign shall not exceed nine square feet in area. Not more than one sign may be placed upon any property unless such property is located on a corner, in which event two such signs may be permitted, one facing each street.