Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Law topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Henrietta adopts new rules for electronic readerboard signs, raises permit fees for faster dwell times
Summary
The Town Board adopted a local law updating Chapter 224 to allow shorter electronic readerboard dwell times (down to a 10‑second option) and set new permit fees: $5 per sq ft (min. $150) and an additional $3 per sq ft for a 10‑second minimum.
The Henrietta Town Board adopted a local law June 11 updating sign code rules for electronic readerboards and established a new fee schedule intended to reflect higher revenue/value for faster message change rates.
Under the adopted law and associated fee schedule, an electronic readerboard sign permit (new or renewal) carries a base fee of $5 per square foot with a $150 minimum. Permittees wishing to use the shorter, 10‑second minimum dwell time — below the town's prior one‑minute default — will pay an additional $3 per square foot.
Town staff explained the policy rationale: shorter dwell times increase sign revenue for commercial operators but can increase visual impact for residents, so the fee is structured to reflect that tradeoff. "If they want to go shorter than that, they would have to pay the higher fee," a town official said during the hearing. The local law also clarifies where larger electronic readerboards might be appropriate (industrial/commercial corridors along 390) and addresses the town's relationship with market operators who are statutorily immune in some locations.
The board approved the local law and fee schedule by roll call vote. The resolution includes the defined fees and a minimum permit term. Town staff said the sign code overhaul is ongoing and the local law is one step in a broader sign‑code rewrite.
