Freetown City Zoning Code

Applicability. All outdoor signs, banners, posters and window signs are subject to the regulations of this article unless specifically excluded in § 300-7.4M.

Building Inspector. The Building Inspector shall administer and enforce all regulations contained in this article. The Building Inspector shall give a written notice to any person or persons erecting new signs in violation of these regulations, to render compliance therewith within 10 days or remove the sign by reason of failure to do so.

Special permit granting authority. The special permit granting authority (SPGA) shall be the Planning Board for the purposes of this article.

Application. All persons desiring to erect a sign shall apply to the Building Inspector for a building permit, except that persons desiring to erect a sign in accordance with § 300-7.4B, D, and E, with the exception of real estate signs, need not apply for a permit. All applications for permits shall include, at least, a drawing showing the following:

Building Inspector action. The Building Inspector shall issue a building permit, provided the proposed sign complies with this article, the State Building Code, requirements of the Historic Commission (where applicable) and any applicable laws, bylaws, or regulations.

Special permits. In particular instances, the SPGA may issue special permits for more or larger signs than are provided herein or for signs of types or for purposes not provided herein and not specifically prohibited herein, including temporary signs, if it is determined that the architecture of the building, the location of the building with reference to the street or the nature of the establishment is such that the sign should be permitted in the public interest. In granting such permission, the SPGA shall specify the size and location of the sign or signs and impose such other terms and restrictions as it may be deemed to be in the public interest. Any applicant under this provision shall provide the information required in § 300-7.3D(2) above and specific information in the form of perspectives, renderings, photographs or other representations sufficient to show the nature of the proposed sign, its effect on the immediate surroundings and the reasons for allowing it.

Fees. Each application for an individual sign permit or for approval of a common signage plan shall be accompanied by the applicable fees, which shall be established by the Board of Selectmen.

General guidelines. No sign shall be erected or maintained unless its subject matter relates exclusively to the premises on which it is located, or to products, accommodations, services, or activities on those premises.

Permitted government or special signs. Any sign owned and installed by a governmental agency or required by any law, governmental order or regulation is not subject to this article. Signs mounted on registered motor vehicles or carried by hand are not subject to this article.

Residences. Two signs, up to four square feet in area each, are permitted per residential building, indicating the name and address of the occupants therein.

Religious institutions. Two signs identifying churches, synagogues, and other similar religious uses are permitted on each street frontage, one of which may not exceed 20 square feet in area and the other of which may not exceed 10 square feet in area. One sign may be a standing sign used for notices and announcements of events at the religious institution.

Temporary signs.

Directional signs. Directional signs not exceeding three square feet in area may be used without limitation where needed on private property.

Illumination.

Height. No ground sign shall exceed 20 feet in height as measured from the ground level to the top of the sign.

Signs cannot interfere with traffic. No signs, including window displays, or their illuminators shall by reason of their location, shape, size or color interfere with traffic or be confused with or obstruct the view or the effectiveness of any official traffic sign, traffic signal or traffic marking. No red or green lights shall be used on any sign if, in the opinion of the Building Inspector with the advice of the Chief of Police, such lights would create a driving hazard.

Construction. No sign shall be painted or posted directly on the exterior surface of any wall. All exterior, attached signs, except awning signs, shall be painted, posted or otherwise securely affixed to the wall of the building. The foregoing, however, shall not prevent installation of a sign by individual letters or devices cut into or securely affixed to the exterior wall of a building, provided that such letters or devices have a minimum depth of projection of 1/4 of an inch. The construction of the sign shall comply with the State Building Code.

Maintenance. Every sign shall be maintained in good condition. If a sign shows corrosion or deteriorated paint over 25% of the area of one side or if damage to the sign causes the loss of 10% of its substance or if the sign suffers damage or deterioration which creates a risk of harm to the person or property of another, it shall be repaired or removed.

Prohibited signs. The following types of signs are prohibited:

Signs exempt from permit and license requirements.

Multifamily dwelling developments. A sign not exceeding 12 square feet in area is permitted identifying developments in an R, VR or G District.

Wall signs:

Window signs. Removable signs on the inside of windows or transparent doors are permitted.

Projecting signs or hanging signs. In particular instances, the SPGA may issue special permits for projecting signs in accordance with § 300-2.5 if it is determined that the architecture of the building, the location of the building with reference to the street or the nature of the establishment is such that the sign should be permitted in the public interest. No establishment shall be permitted more than one projecting sign.

Standing signs. The following standing signs are permitted:

Signs at gasoline filling stations and garages.

Off-premises signs. Only signs pertaining to the premises on which they are located or to products, accommodations, services or activities on the premises shall be allowed, except that an off-premises directional sign designating the route to an establishment not on the street to which the sign is oriented may be erected and maintained at any intersection on private property. Such signs shall be authorized only upon the Building Inspector's determination that such sign will not endanger the public safety. At locations where directions to more than one establishment are to be provided, all such directional information shall be incorporated into a single structure.

Menu boards. Menu boards in conjunction with restaurant drive-through pickup activities may be allowed under the following restrictions:

Inconsistent with plan or permit. To install, create, erect, or maintain any sign in a way that is inconsistent with any plan or permit governing such sign or the zoning lot on which the sign is located.

Failure to obtain permit. To install, create, erect, or maintain any sign requiring a permit without such a permit.

Failure to remove sign. To fail to remove any sign that is installed, created, erected, or maintained in violation of this zoning code, or for which the sign permit has lapsed.

Separate violation each day. Each such day of a continued violation shall be considered a separate violation when applying the penalty portions of this zoning code.

Separate violations. Each sign installed, created, erected, or maintained in violation of this zoning code shall be considered a separate violation when applying the penalty portions of this zoning code.