Recent local newspaper articles and letters to the editor have focused on the commercial advertising signs in place along the north side of the John B. Whealton Memorial Causeway (Rt. 175). To assist the public discussion about the signs, Chincoteague Reports has reproduced below in, its entirety, the Town of Chincoteague’s Causeway Sign Policy.
Chincoteague Causeway Sign Policy
Adopted March 24, 1994
Amended May 6, 1996
1. Sign permit must be in the name of the owner of the activity, business, or service, and must have a current Town of Chincoteague business license, excluding church, school or non-profit organization. Sign companies will be granted approval to act as agent to rent advertising businesses for signs they own in a blanket permit. All of the above businesses, and/or organizations must possess a valid Town of Chincoteague business license in order to advertise on a causeway sign consistent with the policy. Any display of a causeway sign without first obtaining the required business license will result in the immediate removal and revocation of site authorization from outdoor advertising. (Amended 5/6/96)
2. Owners of a particular activity, business, or service will be limited to one sign. Grandfather existing two (2) signs per business.
3. No signs shall be allowed to face east. Time frame for removal--one (1) year.
4. Any sign that advertises an activity, business, or service which has ceased operation or production shall be blanked out within 30 days.
5. Blank faced signs shall remain on structure no longer than 90 days. At which time, the sign and structure shall be removed, unless an extension is granted by the Town. A blank faced sign shall be defined as a sign with no message displayed on the billboard.
6. Lighting shall be installed so as to insure that intensive or excessive glare shall not be produced on the highway as approved by the Town.
7. Sign staging shall be erected in compliance with all applicable state laws. Sign staging shall be painted verdi green. Time frame to paint staging-three (3) years.
8. Maximum height shall be 15 feet. Height shall be measured from the ground to the highest point of the sign, excluding embellishments.
9. Signs shall not exceed 160 square feet.
10. Defaced signs shall be repaired or removed within 30 days.
11. Signs shall be inspected by the Town's Zoning Administrator once per year in regard to general maintenance.
12. Any existing signs that exceed the height and size limitations shall be grandfathered.
13. Failure to comply with these regulations shall result in the removal of such sign(s) at the sign owner's expense.
14. Sign companies will be allowed to maintain two (2) existing signs at all times for the
purpose of displaying "sign for rent" in some fashion.
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