MapLink™ | Signs

Hello! Content on this website is provided as a convenience and is for informational use only. Be sure to review the Terms of Use for all of the details related to your use of this website.
Accept
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign which has not identified or advertised a current business, service, owner, product, or activity for a period of at least 60 days, in the case of off-premises signs, or at least 30 days in the case of on-premises signs.
© Civic Webware
ADDRESS SIGN
A sign that designates the street number and/or street name for identification purposes, as designated by the United States Postal Service. (Also known as a "nameplate sign.")
ANIMATED SIGN
A sign depicting action, motion, or light or color changes through electrical or mechanical means.
AWNING SIGN
Any sign painted on, or applied to, an awning.
BANNER
Any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or similar nonrigid material attached to any structure, staff, pole, rope, wire, or framing which is anchored on two or more edges or at all four corners. Banners are temporary in nature and do not include flags.
CANOPY SIGN
Any sign that is part of, or attached to a canopy.
DIGITAL DISPLAY
The portion of a sign message made up of internally illuminated components capable of changing the message periodically. Digital displays may include but are not limited to LCD, LED, or plasma displays. Digital displays shall only be permitted on off-premises signs in the Expressway Transitional Zone.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Signs designed to provide direction to pedestrian and vehicular traffic into and out of, or within a site.
FLAG
Any sign printed or painted on cloth, plastic, canvas, or other like material with distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols attached to a pole or staff and anchored along only one edge or supported or anchored at only two corners.
FLASHING SIGN
A sign whose artificial illumination is not kept constant in intensity at all times when in use and which exhibits changes in light, color, direction, or animation. This definition does not include electronic message centers signs or digital displays that meet the requirements set forth herein.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground; and that is independent and detached from any other building or other structure. The following are subtypes of freestanding signs:
(1) GROUND SIGN — A sign permanently affixed to the ground at its base, supported entirely by a base structure, and not mounted on a pole or attached to any part of another building. (Also known as a "monument sign.")
(2) POLE SIGN — A freestanding sign that is permanently supported in a fixed location by a structure of one or more poles, posts, uprights, or braces from the ground and not supported by a building or a base structure.
© Civic Webware
FUNCTIONAL SIGN
A directional, informational, cautionary or public service sign providing a message regarding the location of public facilities, information related to mechanical or electrical equipment, hours of operation, public safety, entrances and exits, and related matters.
GAS STATION CANOPY SIGN
Any sign that is part of, or attached to, the vertical sides of the gas station canopy roof structure. For the purposes of this chapter, gas station canopy signs shall be considered wall signs.
IDENTIFICATION PYLON
A permanent ground-mounted sign consisting solely of a single monolithic structure used to identify a development.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign with electrical equipment installed for illumination, either internally illuminated through its sign face by a light source contained inside the sign or externally illuminated by a light source aimed at its surface.
INCIDENTAL SIGN
A sign that displays general site information, instructions, directives, or restrictions that are primarily oriented to pedestrians and motor vehicle operators who have entered a property from a public street. These signs shall not contain any commercial advertising.
INCIDENTAL WINDOW SIGN
Signs displayed in the window displaying information such as the business' hours of operation, credit institutions accepted, commercial and civic affiliations, and similar information. These signs shall be informational only and shall not contain a commercial message.
INFLATABLE SIGN
A sign that is an air-inflated object, which may be of various shapes, made of flexible fabric, resting on the ground or structure and that may be equipped with a portable blower motor that provides air into the device.
INTERACTIVE SIGN
An electronic or animated sign that reacts to the behavior or electronic signals of motor vehicle drivers.
LIMITED DURATION SIGN
A nonpermanent sign that is displayed on private property for more than 30 days, but not intended to be displayed for an indefinite period.
MANUAL CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN
A sign or portion thereof on which the copy or symbols are changed manually through placement or drawing of letters or symbols on a sign face.
MARQUEE SIGN
Any sign attached to a marquee for the purpose of identifying a use or product. If attached to a theater, performing arts center, cinema, or other similar use, it may also advertise films or productions.
MECHANICAL MOVEMENT SIGN
A sign having parts that physically move rather than merely appear to move as might be found in a digital display. The physical movement may be activated electronically or by another means, but shall not include wind-activated movement such as used for banners or flags. Mechanical movement signs do not include digital signs that have changeable, programmable displays.
MENU SIGN
A permanent sign for displaying the bill of fare available at a restaurant, or other use serving food, or beverages.
MESSAGE CENTER SIGN
A type of illuminated, changeable copy sign that consists of electronically changing alphanumeric text often used for gas price display signs and athletic scoreboards.
MESSAGE SEQUENCING
The spreading of one message across more than one sign structure.
© Civic Webware
MURAL (OR MURAL SIGN)
A large picture/image (including, but not limited to, painted art) which is painted, constructed, or affixed directly onto a vertical building wall, which may or may not contain text, logos, and/or symbols.
NEON SIGN
A sign illuminated by a neon tube, or other visible light-emanating gas tube, that is bent to form letters, symbols, or other graphics.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign that was legally erected and maintained at the effective date of this chapter, or amendment thereto, that does not currently comply with sign regulations of the district in which it is located.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
An outdoor sign whose message directs attention to a specific business, product, service, event or activity, or other commercial or noncommercial activity, or contains a noncommercial message about something that is not sold, produced, manufactured, furnished, or conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located. (Also known as a "third-party sign," a "billboard," or "outdoor advertising.")
ON-PREMISES SIGN
A sign whose message and design relate to an individual business, profession, product, service, event, point of view, or other commercial or noncommercial activity sold, offered, or conducted on the same property where the sign is located.
PENNANT
A triangular or irregular piece of fabric or other material, commonly attached in strings or strands, or supported on small poles intended to flap in the wind.
PERSONAL EXPRESSION SIGN
An on-premises sign that expresses an opinion, interest, or position.
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign designed to be transported or moved and not permanently attached to the ground, a building, or other structure.
(1) SANDWICH BOARD SIGN — A type of freestanding, portable, temporary sign consisting of two faces connected and hinged at the top and whose message is targeted to pedestrians. (Also known as an "A-frame sign.")
(2) VEHICULAR SIGN — A sign affixed to a vehicle in such a manner that the sign is used primarily as a stationary advertisement for the business on which the vehicle sits or is otherwise not incidental to the vehicle's primary purpose.
PROJECTING SIGN
A building-mounted, double-sided sign with the two faces generally perpendicular to the building wall, not to include signs located on a canopy, awning, or marquee. (Also known as a "blade sign.")
PUBLIC SIGN
A sign erected or required by government agencies or utilities, including traffic, utility, safety, railroad crossing, and identification signs for public facilities.
REFLECTIVE SIGN
A sign containing any material or device which has the effect of intensifying reflected light.
REVOLVING SIGN
A sign which revolves in a circular motion; rather than remaining stationary on its supporting structure.
ROOF SIGN
A building-mounted sign erected upon, against, or over the roof of a building.
SIGN
Any device, structure, fixture, painting, emblem, or visual that uses words, graphics, colors, illumination, symbols, numbers, or letters for the purpose of communicating a message. Sign includes the sign faces as well as any sign supporting structure.
SNIPE SIGN
A sign tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise attached to trees, poles, stakes, fences, public benches, streetlights, or other objects, or placed on any public property or in the public right-of-way or on any private property without the permission of the property owner. (Also known as a "bandit sign.")
STREAMERS
A display made of lightweight, flexible materials, consisting of long, narrow, wavy strips hung individually or in a series, with or without a logo or advertising message printed or painted on them and typically designed to move in the wind.
STREET POLE BANNER
A banner suspended above a public sidewalk and attached to a single street pole.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A type of nonpermanent, sign that is located on private property that can be displayed for no more than 30 consecutive days at one time. These include, but are not limited to, a lawn sign promoting a particular candidate for an election, or advertising a sale or promotion at a retail establishment.
VENDING MACHINE SIGN
A sign displayed on a vending machine indicating the name of the product being sold and/or the price of such product.
WALL SIGN
A building-mounted sign which is either attached to, displayed on, or painted on an exterior wall in a manner parallel with the wall surface. A sign installed on a false or mansard roof is also considered a wall sign. (Also known as a "fascia sign," a "parallel wall sign," or a "band sign.")
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign that is applied, painted, or affixed to a window, or placed inside a window, facing the outside of the building, and easily seen from the outside. Customary displays of merchandise or objects and material without lettering behind a store window are not considered signs.
The following signs are unlawful and prohibited:
(1) Abandoned signs.
(2) Snipe signs. Signs shall only be attached to utility poles in conformance with state and utility regulations and the requirements of this chapter.
(3) Vehicular signs. This regulation does not include the use of business logos, identification or advertising on vehicles primarily and actively used for business purposes and/or personal transportation.
(4) Mechanical movement signs, including revolving signs.
(5) Pennant strings and streamers.
(6) Animated signs, flashing signs, or signs that scroll or flash text or graphics.
(7) Digital display signs, except when used as permitted off-premises signs.
(8) Inflatable devices or balloon signs, with the exception of balloons used in temporary, noncommercial situations.
(9) Any signs that imitate, resemble, interfere with, or obstruct official traffic lights, signs, or signals.
(10) Signs which prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or that prevent free access from one part of a roof to any other part. No sign other than a safety sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
(11) Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound, odor or contain open flames.
(12) Reflective signs or signs containing mirrors.
(13) Interactive signs.
(14) Any banner or sign of any type suspended across a public street, without the approval of City Council.
(15) Roof signs.
(16) Signs erected without the permission of the property owner, with the exception of those authorized or required by local, state, or federal government.
(17) Any sign containing information which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of the City of Easton's Zoning Ordinance.
(18) Signs that exhibit statements, words, or pictures of obscene or pornographic subjects as determined by the City of Easton.
(19) Any sign that promotes illegal activity.
(20) Internally or externally illuminated vending machine signs.
(21) Internal illumination signs.
(22) Neon signs and LED that mimic neon.

Removal of unsafe, unlawful, or abandoned signs.
(1) Unsafe or unlawful signs.
(a) Upon written notice by the City of Easton, the owner, person, or firm maintaining a sign shall remove the sign when it becomes unsafe, is in danger of falling, or it becomes so deteriorated that it no longer serves a useful purpose of communication, or it is determined by the City of Easton to be a nuisance, or it is deemed unsafe by the City of Easton, or it is unlawfully erected in violation of any of the provisions of this section.
(b) The City of Easton may remove or cause to be removed the sign at the expense of the owner and/or lessee in the event of the owner of the person or firm maintaining the sign has not complied with the terms of the notice within 30 days of the date of the notice. In the event of immediate danger, the City of Easton may remove the sign immediately upon the issuance of notice to the owner, person, or firm maintaining the sign.
(2) Abandoned signs.
(a) It shall be the responsibility of the owner of any property upon which an abandoned sign is located to remove such sign within 30 days of the sign becoming abandoned as defined in this section. Removal of an abandoned sign shall include the removal of the entire sign including the sign face, supporting structure, and structural trim.
(b) Where the owner of the property on which an abandoned sign is located fails to remove such sign within the 30 days the City of Easton may remove such sign. Any expense directly incurred in the removal of such sign shall be charged to the owner of the property. Where the owner fails to pay, the City of Easton may file a lien upon the property for the purpose of recovering all reasonable costs associated with the removal of the sign.
Nonconforming signs.
(1) Signs legally in existence at the time of the adoption of this chapter, which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter, shall be considered existing nonconforming signs.
(2) All permanent signs and sign structures shall be brought into conformance with the sign regulations when and if the following occurs:
(a) The sign is removed, relocated, or significantly altered. Significant alterations include changes in the size or dimension of the sign. Changes to the sign copy or the replacement of a sign face on a nonconforming sign shall not be considered a significant alteration.
(b) If more than 50% of the sign area is damaged, it shall be repaired to conform to this chapter.
(c) A change in the mechanical facilities or type of illumination.
(d) The property on which the nonconforming sign is located submits a subdivision or land development application requiring municipal review and approval.
(e) The property on which the nonconforming sign is located undergoes a change of land use requiring the issuance of either a use and occupancy permit or a change of use and occupancy permit by the City of Easton.

Complaints.
(1) All complaints regarding signs must:
(a) Be submitted in writing and include:
[1] Name, address, phone number and signature of the complainant.
[2] Proof that the complainant is a resident of, landholder in, or possesses a valid business license in the City of Easton.
(b) Be filed with the Zoning Officer or his/her staff.
(2) Only the Zoning Officer shall enforce this chapter.
(3) All written complaints will be referred to the responsible entity by the City of Easton.
Applicability. Any sign erected, altered, or maintained after the effective date of this chapter shall conform to the following regulations.

Purpose and intent. Signs perform an important function in identifying and promoting properties, businesses, services, residences, events, and other matters of interest to the public. The intent of this section is to regulate all signs within the City of Easton to ensure that they are appropriate for their respective uses, in keeping with the appearance of the affected property and surrounding environment, and protective of the public health, safety, general welfare by:
(1) Setting standards that permit reasonable use of signs and preserve the character of the City of Easton.
(2) Avoiding excessive conflicts from large or multiple signs, so that permitted signs provide adequate identification and direction while minimizing clutter, and confusion.
(3) Establishing a process for the review and approval of sign permit applications.

Signs exempt from permit requirements. The following signs shall be allowed without a sign permit and shall not be included in the determination of the type, number, or area of permanent signs allowed within a zoning district, provided such signs comply with the regulations in this section, if any.
(1) Official traffic signs.
(2) Government/regulatory signs.
(3) Signs inside a building, or other enclosed facility, which are not meant to be viewed from the outside, and are located greater than three feet from the window.
(4) Holiday and seasonal decorations.
(5) Personal expression signs of any sign type provided that they are not illuminated. Personal expression signs shall follow the requirements of Subsection I.
(6) Address signs. Up to two signs stating address, number and/or name of occupants of the premises and do not include any commercial advertising or other identification.
(7) Public signs. Signs erected or required by government agencies or utilities, including traffic, utility, safety, railroad crossing, and identification or directional signs for public facilities.
(8) Signs or emblems of a religious, civil, philanthropic, historical or educational organization that do not to exceed four square feet in area.
(9) Flags.
(10) Legal notices.
(11) Memorial signs, public monument or historical identification sign erected by the City of Easton, including plaque signs.
(12) Signs which are a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure, existing at the time of adoption of this chapter.
(13) Signs that identify individual buildings within a complex in which the principal use or uses are educational services, government services, a hospital, extended-care facility, or house of worship services and which do not include any commercial advertising content.
(14) Nondigital incidental signs, including incidental window signs. These signs shall not exceed more than five square feet in total area.
(15) Directional signs, provided they do not contain any commercial messaging.
(16) Art and murals, provided such signs do not contain any commercial messaging.
(17) Temporary signs.