Preserve locally recognized values of community appearance;

Safeguard and enhance property values in residential, commercial and industrial areas;

Protect public investment in and the existing character of public thoroughfares;

Reduce hazards to motorists and pedestrians traveling on the public way, and thereby to promote the public health, safety and welfare;

Promote a good business climate; and

Enhance all property values, be they business or residential properties.

Context. A sign shall have good scale and proportion in its design, and be compatible with the surrounding built environment and streetscape. Every sign shall be designed as an integral architectural element of the building and the site to which it principally relates.

Design. Each sign's message shall be designed with easily recognized symbols and lettering, with the number of graphic elements held to a minimum. Colors and lighting of every sign shall be restrained and harmonious with the area in which it is located.

Materials. Sign materials shall be consistent with or complement the construction material and architectural style of the building.

Common signage. Signs on adjacent storefronts should be coordinated in height and proportion. Signs on a building that contains more than one business, or on a building in a multi-building commercial center under one ownership, shall be designed so as to be consistent and harmonious in size, design, materials and color, including on a building that contains more than one business, or in multi-building commercial centers under one ownership.

Sign permit required. Prior to the installation, relocation or alteration of any sign, a permit shall be obtained from the Building Official and for all signs shall be limited in area by the provisions below not included in the calculation of maximum sign area provided in §§ 13-4, 13-6 and 13-7.

On-premises commercial signs. Signs identifying the development name, business name and/or any on-premises sales, where the sign structure is constructed of permanent materials, and where on-premises sales copy may change from time to time as permitted by this article.

Government signs. Signs of every kind and nature installed by or on behalf of any federal, state or local government agency, including official traffic control or informational signs, hazard warning signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs or other similar signs required by law:

Nameplates. One nameplate for each dwelling unit, not internally illuminated, and not exceeding 1 1/2 square feet in area, indicating the name of the occupant or any permitted use of the premises.

Building identification signs. Wall signs, which may not be internally illuminated, and which are permanently affixed to buildings for the purpose of identifying the name of building, date of construction or other historical information, provided that such signs are composed of similar materials as the building, or bronze or brass, and are affixed flat against the building.

Hours of operation. A list of hours by days of the week limited to one square foot.

Credit card signs. Credit card signs, non-illuminated, limited to a total area of one square foot per business entrance.

Bulletin boards. Signs used as a bulletin or notice board to announce activities and events for institutional and governmental services only. Such signs shall be located upon the premises of said institutions and shall not exceed 10 square feet in area, nor be closer than four feet from the property line, except in all agricultural and residence districts, where such signs shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from any property line abutting a residential use.

Farm retail signs. One non-illuminated sign, freestanding or affixed to any farm retail sales building and/or farm stand, according to the provisions of Article 7. One such sign is permitted per farm and shall not exceed 12 square feet in area (see § 7-7).

Temporary signs. A sign that: (a) is used in connection with a circumstance, situation, or event that is designed, intended or expected to take place or to be completed within a reasonably short or definite period after the installation of such sign; or (b) is intended to remain on the location where it is installed or placed for a period of not more than 15 days. If a sign display area is permanent but the message displayed is subject to periodic changes, that sign shall not be regarded as temporary. Advertisements of sales for commercial establishments are not to be considered temporary. No sign may be attached to trees within any public right-of-way or any public property, traffic signs or utility poles. Temporary signs shall not require a permit.

The following temporary signs, whether fixed or portable, are permitted in all zoning districts:

Traffic or safety hazards. Signs determined by the Chief of Police to constitute a traffic or other safety hazard by reason of size, location, or type of illumination.

Animated and moving signs. A sign which contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source (other than that described as a static electronic message sign herein), used primarily to attract attention, or a sign depicting action, motion, light or color changes through electrical or mechanical means, which may include video, text, graphics and artistic display. A sign that moves, including commercial message flags, whirligigs, inflatable signs, spinning signs, and banner flags.

Billboards and off-premises signs. Freestanding and roof-mounted billboards, or any sign advertising or promoting products or services not on the premises displaying the sign. A sign advertising products, services, facilities, events or attractions not made, sold, used, served or available on the premises displaying such sign. A sign that draws attention to or communicates information about a business, service, commodity, accommodation, attraction or other activity that is conducted, sold, or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located.

Roof signs. A sign that is mounted upon, or projects above, the roof, parapet or ridgeline of a building.

Signs on utility poles, trees or fences. Signs or messages placed on utility poles owned by any governmental agency or utility company other than those specifically installed by such governmental agency or utility company. Additionally, signs may not be installed on trees or fences.

Abandoned signs. An unused sign, or a sign advertising an activity or product no longer conducted or produced on the premises upon which the sign is located, for a period of 90 days or more.

Directional sign. A sign identifying onpremises traffic, parking or other functional activity bearing commercial identification of on-premises establishments. Such signs are permitted in all zoning districts except in agricultural and residence districts, and shall be limited to four square feet in area per sign.

Freestanding sign. A sign that is attached to, constructed on, or supported by some permanent structure (such as a pole, mast, frame, or other structure, but not any kind of antenna) that is not itself an integral part of or attached to a building. Such sign shall not exceed eight feet in height from the ground level to the top of the sign or its supporting structure, whichever is highest, nor be located closer than four feet from any street right-of-way or property line. All installed freestanding signs shall be protected from vehicular circulation and parking areas.

Projecting sign. A sign that is perpendicular to the plane of the building to which it is affixed, or which projects more than 15 inches beyond said exterior wall, in no event shall such sign or part thereof be constructed closer than two feet to the curb line. Such sign shall not project above the cornice line of the building, more than four feet outward from the building facade. The bottom of a projecting sign shall be at least 10 feet above ground level to prevent any hazard to pedestrians. Any projecting sign that projects into the public right-of-way shall be approved by the director of the department of public works.

Awning sign. A sign painted on or attached to a hood, awning or roof-like canopy. A sign consisting of individual letters, words or symbols may be affixed or applied to the surface of an awning. Any awning sign that projects into the public right-of-way shall be approved by the director of the department of public works.

Wall sign. A sign that is affixed or painted on the face of any exterior wall or door of a building, is parallel or approximately parallel to the plane of the building to which it is affixed; and does not project more than 15 inches beyond said exterior wall, nor project more than two feet above the roof, parapet or ridge line of the building, whichever is higher. Such sign shall not extend beyond the wall upon which it is mounted nor project more than eight inches outward from the wall.

Canopy signs. A sign placed on or affixed to an open-air structure which is separate from the principal building and provides cover or protection from the elements, including, but not limited to, gasoline service station canopies.

Window sign. A sign that is attached to the inside or outside surface of any window, or situated within a building, so that the sign is visible from the public right-of-way.

Static electronic message signs. As a part of an on-premises commercial sign that includes an electronic message component, which messages do not change for at least 30 seconds, and which electronic component is not more than half of the total sign area or 24 square feet, whichever is less, and which messages may not contain graphics or images. The message shall not move, or appear to move, at any time. Time and temperature displays need not be limited to change every 30 seconds.

Defined. A portable sign is any sign or advertising device that rests on the ground and is not designed to be permanently attached to a building or permanently anchored to the ground. This includes A-frame or sandwich board signs, but does not include temporary signs prohibited in subsection 13-5(b).

Permitted use of portable sign. Any business located in a commercial or industrial zoning district is permitted to construct one portable sign within five feet of its business entrance. The business entrance means the point of entry to the business operation and not to the entire development or lot. Every such portable sign must be removed from the outdoors during non-business hours. Portable signs shall not be included in the calculation for permitted total sign area in § 13-8 herein. Portable signs are prohibited any more than five feet from a business entrance.

Portable signs are to be maintained in a neat, orderly fashion so as not to constitute an unsightly appearance or a public nuisance. Signs shall be constructed of durable, weather-resistant materials and be professional in appearance. If such signs are not maintained, the property owner or business owner shall remove them immediately upon notice by the zoning official.

Advertisement of on-site products or services only. Portable signs shall not advertise products or services not available at the location of the sign.

Maximum sign area. Portable signs may have a maximum sign area of 10 square feet.

Maximum sign height and width. The maximum height shall be five feet and the maximum width shall be two feet.

Location and accessibility. Portable signs shall not interfere with pedestrian movement or wheelchair access. A minimum access width of four feet shall be maintained along all sidewalks and building entrances accessible to the public.

Illumination prohibited. Portable signs shall not be illuminated.

Determination of sign area. The size or area of a sign face shall be measured in square feet, the entire area within a square, rectangle, circle, triangle or any other polygon enclosing the extreme limits of graphic, writing or similar representation, emblem or any fixture of similar character, together with any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the background against which it is placed; excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which such sign is placed. Where a sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign, except that where two such faces are placed back to back and are at no point more than two feet from one another, the area of the sign shall be taken as the area of the one face if the two faces are of equal area, or as the area of the larger face if the two faces are of unequal area.

Height. Measured in feet, the overall height of a sign is measured from the grade directly below the sign to the highest point of the sign or any of its supports.

Setback. Measured in feet from the outermost edge of the sign to the public right-of-way.

Projection over public right-of-way. Measurement in feet, perpendicular to the property line, from the property line to the outermost edge of the sign, over any public right-of-way. Any projection over the public right-of-way shall be reviewed by the director of the department of public works.

Maximum total sign areas. In commercial and industrial zones, the maximum permitted area for signs on a building shall be based on the building frontage. Where a building fronts on two or more streets, the total area for signs shall be based on the longer(est) building frontage.

Maximum permitted sign dimensions by sign type.

Externally illuminated signs are signs that are illuminated by a light that reflects off the surface of the sign from an external source. External illumination shall only be by a stationary light of white or off-white color. Such light shall be so shaded, shielded or directed, or maintained at a sufficiently low intensity and brightness, that it will not adversely affect neighboring properties, nor the safe vision of operators of motor vehicles on public streets or rights-of-way. Such light shall not reflect or shine on or into residential buildings so as to adversely affect the residents therein. Externally illuminated signs are permitted in all areas of the Town.

Internally illuminated signs are signs that include artificial illumination from a light source located behind the sign face and which transmits light through the sign face or portions of the sign face to the viewer. Exposed neon tubing and similar lighting shall be considered internal illumination. Internally illuminated signs are permitted on Diamond Hill Road, High Street, Mendon Road, Broad Street, and Dexter Street except for on Diamond Hill Road, from Industrial Road and Broadview Avenue north to Pine Swamp Road to the Woonsocket boundary.

Signs in historic districts. All signs, including window signs, except political signs, in a historic district shall be subject to approval by the historic district commission and its regulations.

Signs in overlay and special districts. Signs in overlay and special districts shall conform to the corresponding requirements of such district. If there are no sign regulations for such district, then the requirements for the underlying zoning district shall be followed.