Any sign, all or any portion of which is set in motion by movement, including pennants, banners or flags, with the exception of trade flags pursuant to § 240-72 and at the entrance to subdivisions where developed and undeveloped lots are offered for initial sale and official flags of nations or administrative or political subdivisions thereof.

Any sign which incorporates any flashing, moving or intermittent lighting. Such signs include LED (light emitting diode) signs; LED border tube signs, including any sign that incorporates or consists solely of a LED border tube lighting system; and simulated neon signs which are extremely bright backlit signs using fluorescent lamps and neon colored inks or translucent vinyl for lettering and display.

Any display lighting by strings or tubes of lights, including lights which outline any part of a building or which are affixed to any ornamental portion thereof, except that temporary traditional holiday decorations of strings of small lights shall be permitted between November 15 and January 15 of the following year. Such temporary holiday lighting shall be removed by January 15.

Any sign which contains the words "Danger" or "Stop" or otherwise presents or implies the need or requirement of stopping or caution, or which is an imitation of, or is likely to be confused with any sign customarily displayed by a public authority.

Any sign which infringes upon the area necessary for visibility on corner lots.

Any sign which obstructs any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder or other opening intended to provide light, air or egress from any building.

Any sign or lighting which casts direct light or glare upon any property in a residential or professional residential district.

Any portable sign, with the exception of A-frame signs expressly permitted herein, including any sign displayed on a stored vehicle, except for temporary political signs.

Any sign which obstructs the reasonable visibility of or otherwise distracts attention from a sign maintained by a public authority.

Any sign or sign structure involving the use of motion pictures or projected photographic scenes or images.

Any sign attached to public or private utility poles, trees, signs or other appurtenances located within the right-of-way of a public way.

A sign painted upon or otherwise applied directly to the surface of a roof.

Signs advertising products, sales, events or activities which are tacked, painted or otherwise attached to poles, benches, barrels, buildings, traffic signal boxes, posts, trees, sidewalks, curbs, rocks and windows regardless of construction or application, except as otherwise specifically provided for herein.

Signs on or over Town property, except as authorized by the Building Commissioner for temporary signs for nonprofit, civic, educational, charitable and municipal agencies.

Signs that will obstruct the visibility of another sign which has the required permits and is otherwise in compliance with this chapter.

Off-premises signs except for business area signs as otherwise provided for herein.

Any sign, picture, publication, display of explicit graphics or language or other advertising which is distinguished or characterized by emphasis depicting or describing sexual conduct or sexual activity as defined in MGL Ch. 272, § 31, displayed in windows, or upon any building, or visible from sidewalks, walkways, the air, roads, highways, or a public area.

The area of the sign shall be considered to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed.

The area of signs painted upon or applied to a building shall include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs or symbols together with any background of a different color than the finish material or the building face.

When a sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted on a surface, wall or window, the area shall be that of the smallest rectangle which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.

Only one side of a double-faced sign shall be counted in computing the area of that sign.

For the purposes of these regulations, the area of a building face or wall shall be calculated by using a height of no more than 10 feet from the ground multiplied by the width of the building front.

One sign displaying the street number and identifying the premises not to exceed two square feet in area. The street number must be approved by the Engineering Department in conformance with the Town's regulations governing numbering of buildings.[1]

One sign no larger than four square feet in area shall be allowed which displays the name of the house or the name of the family residing therein.

One sign not to exceed two square feet in area shall be permitted for a professional office or home occupation for which a special permit or variance has been granted by the Board of Appeals.

One temporary sign not to exceed four square feet in area advertising property for sale, lease or rent. Such signs must be removed within 10 days of transfer of title or signing of lease or rental agreement.

Where a legal nonconforming business exists within a residential district, one sign may be permitted by the Building Commissioner if it is determined that the appearance, placement, size and lighting of the proposed sign will not be detrimental to the residential character or visual quality of the area. In no instance shall such signs exceed eight feet in height or eight square feet in area.

Permits may be posted at construction sites as required by state or Town regulations, except that in no instance shall they be attached to trees or utility poles.

One identification sign not to exceed 12 square feet in area may be permitted at any public entrance to a subdivision or multifamily development.

Illuminated signs within residential zones require the approval of the Building Commissioner, and may be permitted if the applicant can demonstrate that the proposed illumination will not intrude upon adjacent residential areas, will not be illuminated except during actual hours of business, and will not cause traffic hazards.

One identifying sign for lodging houses, bed-and-breakfast or similar identification not to exceed four square feet in area.

One sign giving the name of the occupant or other identification of a permitted use may be permitted. Such signs shall be no more than 12 square feet in area and shall not extend more than eight feet above the ground.

Any illuminated sign must comply with the provisions of § 240-63 herein.

Each business may be allowed a total of two signs.

The maximum height of any freestanding sign will be 10 feet, except that a height of up to 12 feet may be allowed by the Building Commissioner if it is determined that the additional height will be in keeping with the scale of the building and will not detract from the appearance or safety of the area and will not obscure existing signs that conform to these regulations and have a Town permit.

The area of all signs for each individual business establishment shall not exceed 10% of the area of the building facade associated with the business establishment that contains the establishment's primary customer entrance or 100 square feet, whichever is the lesser amount. In instances where multiple business establishments share a customer entrance on the same facade, the total square footage for all signs of all business establishments attached to each facade shall not exceed 10% of the total area of the facade associated with the business establishments that contains the establishments' shared customer entrance or 100 square feet, whichever is the lesser amount.

Only one freestanding sign is allowed per business, which may not exceed half the allowable size as permitted in this section.

One projecting overhanging sign may be permitted per business in lieu of either a freestanding or wall sign, provided that the sign does not exceed six square feet in area, is no higher than 10 feet from the ground at its highest point and is secured and located so as to preclude its becoming a hazard to the public. Any sign projecting onto Town property must have adequate public liability insurance coverage, and proof of such insurance must be provided to the Building Commissioner prior to the granting of a permit for such sign.

Incidental business signs indicating the business, hours of operation, credit cards accepted, business affiliations, "sale" signs and other temporary signs shall be permitted so long as the total area of all such signs does not exceed four square feet and is within the allowable maximum square footage permitted for each business.

When a business property is located on two or more public ways, the Building Commissioner may allow a second freestanding sign, so long as the total square footage of all signs for a single business does not exceed the provisions of this section.

When two or more businesses are located on a single lot, only one freestanding sign shall be allowed for that lot, except as provided in this section, in addition to one wall or awning sign for each business. If approved by the Building Commissioner, the one freestanding sign can include the names of all businesses on the lot.

One awning or canopy sign may be permitted per business in lieu of the allowable wall or freestanding sign, subject to approval by the Building Commissioner.

In addition to the allowable signs as specified in this section each restaurant may have a menu sign or board not to exceed three square feet.

In lieu of a wall sign, one roof sign shall be permitted per business, subject to the following requirements:

Business identification signs.

Identification signs. Identification signs shall not count toward the total number of signs allowed for a business establishment in § 240-65.1A.

Trade signs and temporary signs. These signs shall be permitted in addition to the signs permitted in Subsections A and B above. All trade signs and temporary signs shall be made of high-quality materials and kept clean and properly maintained so as to avoid peeling, rusting or other forms of decay.

Illumination, design and materials.

The maximum allowable height of all signs is eight feet, except that the Building Commissioner may allow up to 12 feet if he finds that such height is necessary for the site and is compatible with the appearance, scale and character of the area.

The maximum square footage of all signs shall be 50 square feet or 10% of the building face, whichever is less.

The maximum size of any freestanding sign shall be 10 square feet, except that the Building Commissioner may grant up to 24 square feet if he finds that the size is necessary for the site and that the larger size is in scale with the building and does not detract from the visual quality or character of the area.

The maximum allowable height of signs shall not exceed eight feet.

Freestanding signs shall not exceed 24 square feet in area.

The total square footage of all signs shall not exceed 50 square feet.

In addition to the two allowable signs as specified in § 240-65 herein each gas pump may have signage not to exceed 12 inches by eight inches indicating the name or type of gasoline and its price and other information as may be required by federal, state or Town regulation.

Each gas station or garage may divide the one allowable attached wall sign into no more than four separate signs affixed to and parallel to the wall indicating the separate operations or departments of the business, provided that the total area of the separate signs shall not exceed maximum permitted areas specified in § 240-65 herein.

If the business is an approved inspection station, it may additionally have a sign indicating that fact as part of its permitted building or freestanding sign, except that the total square footage of all signs must not exceed the maximum permitted in § 240-65 herein.

Temporary or portable signs of any and every type are specifically prohibited.

The maximum allowable height of all signs on buildings shall be 12 feet, and the maximum height of a freestanding sign shall be eight feet, except that the Building Commissioner may allow signs up to 14 feet in height on buildings if he finds that such height is necessary for the façade and is compatible with the appearance, scale and character of the area.

The maximum square footage of all signs shall be 50 square feet or 10% of the building face, whichever is less.

The maximum size of any freestanding sign shall be 12 square feet.

Temporary street banners may be permitted in the DMS District only, for the purpose of informing the general public of community events and activities, with approval of the Town Manager. Street banners shall be hung in prescribed locations, securely fastened to buildings, maintain a minimum height of 16 feet above the street, be constructed of durable materials, used solely for community events in the district, and remain in place for no more than three weeks prior to the event and be removed within one week after the event.

Open/closed sign, business trade figure or symbol, or A-frame sign: Subject to § 240-85, Permit required; identification stickers.

Each business establishment may be allowed a maximum of two signs. The allowed signage types are: wall signs; projecting signs, which may be double sided and considered a single sign; and signage as part of a freestanding sign serving businesses on the lot.

One freestanding sign may be allowed on a lot. A freestanding sign may contain signage for multiple businesses on the lot.

The area of all signs for each individual business establishment shall not exceed 10% of the area of the building facade that contains the establishment's primary customer entrance or 32 square feet, whichever is the lesser amount.

The total area of a wall sign shall not exceed 24 square feet.

The total area of a projecting sign shall not exceed 15 square feet.

The maximum height of any freestanding sign shall not exceed eight feet in height and 12 square feet in area, except that the Building Commissioner may allow signs to be up to 24 square feet in area if the sign will include more than one business establishment and it is determined that the additional area will be in keeping with the scale of the building and will not detract from the appearance or safety of the area and will not obscure existing signs that conform to these regulations and have a Town permit.

Any illuminated sign must comply with the provisions of § 240-63 herein.

Trade flags shall not be displayed in conjunction with location hardship signs, open/closed signs, or trade figure or symbol.

Trade flags are not counted towards the amount of signage allowed.

Trade flags shall be attached at the primary public entrance, to the facade of the building in which the business is located.

One trade flag per business establishment is permitted. For structures with common entrances leading to multiple business establishments, only one trade flag is allowed per common entrance.

The dimensions of any trade flag shall not exceed three feet by five feet.[2]

When a building permit has been issued for the construction, alteration or repair of a structure, and all other required permits have been obtained, contractors or architects shall display a sign on the site while approved work is going on.

No contractor or architect shall display more than one sign on any building at any given time.

No sign shall be larger than 24 square feet in area, nor more than five feet tall.

The total area of all construction signs displayed at a site at any given time shall not exceed 24 square feet.

The total area of all temporary signs allowed in this section shall not exceed 20% of the glass area of the window in which the sign is placed.

Special event and/or temporary signs, flags or banners belonging to a not-for-profit organization, civic organization or church:

Real estate signs.

Such signs shall not exceed one square foot in area, nor be more than three feet high.

No more than four such signs will be allowed per site.

The Building Commissioner may grant exceptions from the provisions of this subsection on a case-by-case basis if he finds that the site requires more or larger or higher directional or safety signs, and that such signs will not conflict with the visual quality and character of the area nor lead to clutter or confusion.

Movie houses and places of entertainment may use one of their signs as a display sign indicating movie titles, their ratings, the time(s) of showing, or in the case of places of entertainment, the names of current and/or next-appearing performers so long as they meet all dimensional requirements.

When a movie house or place of entertainment is one of two or more businesses on a single lot, the Building Commissioner may allow two freestanding signs, one of which may be a display sign, so long as the total area of both signs combined does not exceed the maximum square footage allowed in § 240-65 herein.

Illuminated signs will normally not exceed fifty-foot lamberts (or equivalent measurement) of intensity. Additional intensity may be permitted by the Building Commissioner if it is determined that additional intensity is necessary and that it will not detract from the visual quality or character of the area.

The light from any sign shall be so shaded, shielded or directed or shall be maintained at a sufficiently low level of intensity and brightness so that it shall not adversely affect neighboring premises or the safe vision of operators of vehicles moving on public roads and highways.

All illuminated signs shall be so shaded, shielded or directed that they will not reflect or shine on or into residential structures to an extent that would constitute a nuisance or a disruption of the residential character of the area.

The dimensional requirements of these regulations shall apply to all portions of the Town.

Within the boundaries of the Old King's Highway Historic District, the Historic District's Regional Committee shall exercise the duties of the Building Commissioner for the purposes of these regulations, except that the Building Commissioner shall be informed of all actions taken by the Regional Committee.

The Building Commissioner and the Chairman of Regional Committee shall consult with each other frequently regarding the administration of these regulations, and shall work together to establish common sign and architectural standards whenever possible.

Any sign that is moved to another location, either on the same or other premises shall require a permit.

Any change in the width, length, height, color, wording, materials, illumination or clearance between the bottom of the sign and the ground, other than authorized in the permit, will require a new permit prior to making any such changes.

Order to remove. Following the procedures described in these regulations for abandoned signs, the Building Commissioner can establish an order of removal for illegal signs which may then be removed by the Building Commissioner following due procedures of law, with costs assessed to the permit holder or property owner.

New signs at sites of illegal signs. No sign permit shall be granted for a new sign to be located on a building or on a lot where one or more illegal signs exist.

Signs which have been abandoned due to a closing of a business, a change in business name or for any other reason which renders the sign not applicable to the property involved shall be removed by the permit holder or the owner of the building or premises within 14 days from the date of the action that caused the sign to be considered abandoned.

A condition of approval for all sign permits shall be that permit holders or owners of the building or premises shall, at his or her own expense, remove all abandoned signs.

New signs for a building or property on which an abandoned sign is located shall not be approved until the abandoned sign is removed.

The Building Commissioner shall determine when a sign is abandoned. Notice shall be sent to the permit holder and to the property owner prior to administrative action.

All signs regulated by this chapter require a permit from the Building Commissioner, with the exception of residential signs described in § 240-63A and B herein, so long as the house number has been approved by the Engineering Department.

Failure to obtain a permit shall make the sign illegal and subject to the penalty provisions of § 240-86 herein.

All signs regulated by this chapter shall be marked with an identification sticker supplied by the Building Commissioner. Failure to display this sticker as issued by the Town shall constitute a violation of these regulations and be subject to the provisions of § 240-86 herein.

The Building Commissioner may issue citations for violations of these regulations.

A failure to respond to properly issued citations or the issuance of three or more citations for a sign shall be construed as a major violation subject to a fine of not more than $100. Each day that such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.

Continued violation, even with payment of penalties, for a period of 60 days, shall be grounds for removal of the sign(s) in question, following the procedures for illegal signs.

Applicants for signs who have previously had penalties for illegal signs may be required to post a deposit of not more than $500 per sign for new permits. The Building Commissioner shall review the sign one year from the issuance of a permit and either issue a certificate of compliance, release the deposit, or order necessary corrective action utilizing the deposited funds, with any remaining funds and a full accounting of monies spent returned to the applicant.

All signs, together with their supporting structures, must be kept properly maintained, repaired, and in proper condition. All signs and the grounds about them shall be kept free from all rubbish and other objectionable material.

Failure to comply with these provisions shall be grounds for a citation.

If the Building Commissioner finds that a sign is unsafe or otherwise improperly maintained, he shall issue a written notice to that effect to the permit holder and the property owner. If the specified conditions are not corrected, the Building Commissioner is authorized to remove or repair the sign, all costs of which shall be assessed to the permit holder or property owner, including an administrative fee of $50. If public safety is involved, the Building Commissioner may take immediate action.

The provisions of these regulations shall be enforced by the Building Commissioner.

Citations, as specified in § 240-85 may be issued by the Building Commissioner.