§ 44. Signs.

44.1. General: No sign shall be established, constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, extended, moved or structurally altered until a certificate of zoning compliance therefor has been approved as for buildings and other structures. All signs shall conform to the provisions hereinafter specified.

44.2. Definitions: For the purpose of this section, the term "sign" shall include every sign, billboard, illustration, insignia, lettering, picture display, banner, pennant, flag or other device, however made, displayed, painted, supported or attached, intended for use for the purpose of advertisement, identification, publicity or notice, when located out-of-doors and visible from any street or from any lot other than the lot on which the sign is located. The term "sign" shall include continuous strip lighting and shall not include any flag, pennant or insignia of any governmental unit or nonprofit organization.

44.3. Standards for All Districts: Signs shall conform to the following standards applicable in all districts:

44.3.1. Purpose: All signs shall pertain only to goods sold, services rendered and establishments, enterprises, activities, persons, organizations and facilities on the lot where the sign is located.

44.3.2. Location: No sign shall be located within or hang over the right-of-way of any street, except that a sign attached to a building may project into such right-of-way.

44.3.3. Projecting and hanging signs: No sign shall project over or hang over any sidewalk, driveway, walkway, roadway or accessway, except that signs attached to the wall of a building may thus project not more than fifteen (15) inches therefrom.

44.3.4. Obstructions: No sign shall be located or maintained so as to be a hazard to traffic or pedestrians, to obstruct any door, window, ventilation system or fire escape or exit or to cause any other hazard to the public health or safety.

44.3.5. Light and motion: No flashing, revolving or moving signs or continuous strip lighting shall be permitted. All lighting of signs in residence districts shall be indirect with the source of illumination not visible from any street or from any lot other than the lot on which the sign is located.

44.4. Residence Districts: In addition to the standards specified in paragraph 44.3, signs in residence districts shall conform to the following standards:

44.4.1. Purpose: Signs in residence districts shall be limited to the following:

a.

On premises which are for sale or for rent, not more than two (2) signs which shall advertise only the premises, provided that each such sign shall have an area not exceeding six (6) square feet.

b.

On any lot containing a farm, church, place of worship, parish hall, cemetery, museum, school, college, university, membership club, charitable institution, hospital, recreation facilities, nature preserve, wildlife sanctuary, convalescent home, sanitarium, public utility or buildings, uses and facilities of the City of Shelton, State of Connecticut or Federal Government, one (1) sign not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in area.

c.

Two (2) signs not exceeding three (3) square feet in area identifying the occupant of the lot.

d.

Warning and traffic signs with no advertising thereon and not exceeding three (3) square feet in area, located and intended primarily for warning and traffic control purposes.

44.4.2. Location: No sign in any residence district shall extend within less than ten (10) feet of any street line or property line except signs permitted under paragraphs 44.4.1(c) and 44.4.1(d). No sign shall be located on any roof, and no sign attached to a building shall project above the top of the wall of the building. Signs attached to buildings may project into the area required for setbacks provided that the sign does not project more than fifteen (15) inches from the building.

44.4.3. Height: No ground sign shall exceed of a height of eight (8) feet.

44.5. Other Districts: In addition to the standards specified in paragraph 44.3, signs in other than residence districts shall conform to the following standards:

44.5.1. Setbacks: Signs shall observe all setbacks required for buildings and other structures except as follows:

a.

Signs permitted in residence districts under paragraphs 44.4.1(c) and 44.4.1(d).

b.

Signs attached to buildings may project into the area required for setbacks provided that the sign does not project more than fifteen (15) inches from the building.

c.

On any lot, one (1) sign may extend to within ten (10) feet of any street line provided that the sign does not exceed forty (40) square feet in area and more than eight (8) feet in any dimension.

44.5.2. Height and area: Any sign which is not attached to or mounted on a building shall not exceed a height of twenty (20) feet and shall not exceed an area of forty (40) square feet. Any sign attached to or mounted on a building shall not project above the highest point of the roof of the building or more than four (4) feet above the wall of the building, whichever is higher. Signs attached to a wall of a building plus signs mounted on the roof of a building and designed to be viewed from the same side of the building as such wall shall not have an aggregate area greater than ten (10) percent of the area of such wall.

44.6. Measurements: Any sign may be double facing, and only one (1) face shall be counted in determinating conformity to sign area limitations. All dimensions for signs shall be based on measurements to the outside edge of the sign excluding any structure necessary to support the sign.

44.7. Site Plans and Special Exceptions: Limitations on signs which may be imposed in connection with the approval of a site plan or the granting of a special exception under these regulations are in addition to the provisions of this section.