§ 190-136. Construction and maintenance of signs.

Every sign shall at all times be in a safe and structurally sound condition and maintained by replacement of defective or worn parts, painting, repainting and cleaning. The Commissioner of Building shall require compliance with all standards of this article. If the sign does not comply with adequate safety standards, it shall be removed.

A. 

General provisions.

(1) 

All signs shall comply with applicable regulations of the New York State Building Code.

(2) 

All electrical signs shall be constructed in accordance with the standards of the National Electric Code and be UL listed.

(3) 

All freestanding signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 20 pounds per square foot of surface area.

(4) 

All signs, including wall-mounted signs, shall be securely anchored and shall not swing or move in any manner.

(5) 

All signs, sign finishes, supports and electrical work shall be kept clean, neatly painted and free from all hazards, such as but not limited to faulty wiring and loose supports, braces, guys and anchors.

(6) 

All signs shall be maintained in a condition that will enhance or maintain the aesthetic quality of the surrounding neighborhood.

(7) 

All signs must be installed by a contractor licensed to do business in the City of Lockport pursuant to § 66-22 of this Code.

B. 

Obstruction to safety. No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent or obstruct free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.

C. 

Signs not to constitute traffic hazards.

(1) 

No sign shall be erected or maintained in a manner so as to obstruct free and clear vision or distract the attention of the driver of any vehicle by reason of the position, shape or color thereof.

(2) 

No sign shall be erected or maintained that could be confused as a traffic sign, signal or controlling device.

D. 

Abandoned signs. Except as otherwise provided in this article, any sign which is located on property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of three consecutive months or more, or any sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer applies, shall be deemed to have been abandoned. Permanent signs applicable to a business temporarily suspended because of a change of ownership or management of such business shall not be deemed abandoned unless the property remains vacant for a period of six months or more. An abandoned sign is prohibited and shall be removed by the owner of the sign or owner of the premises. Failure to remove an abandoned sign shall be a violation of this article.

E. 

Dangerous or hazardous signs.

(1) 

No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises owned, occupied or controlled by such person any sign which is either not structurally sound or creates an electrical hazard. Any such sign shall be removed or repaired by the owner or user of the sign or the owner of the premises.

(2) 

Overhead wires or exposed wires on a sign or its supporting members are prohibited.

F. 

Unlawful signs. No person shall erect on any premises owned or controlled by such person or use any sign which does not comply with the provisions of this article.

G. 

Street improvement projects. Any sign projecting over a public right-of-way which was subject to removal or relocation at the owner's expense, pursuant to a permit or other ordinance of the City, shall be removed by the owner or altered at the owner's expense to comply with the regulation of this article if, as the result of or after completion of a street improvement project, the sign does not or would not comply with the provisions of this article.