Groveland City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XI
Sign Regulations
§ 50-11.1 Intent.
The intent of this bylaw is to regulate all exterior signs and all interior signs placed for exterior viewing from public ways and places. It is also intended to limit clutter of uncontrolled signage and to integrate signs with Groveland's unique and historic environment. No sign shall be erected, placed, established, painted, created, or maintained in the Town except in conformance with these sign regulations.
§ 50-11.2 Purpose.
The following sign regulations are intended to facilitate clear, efficient communication to ensure that people receive the messages they need or want, avoid conflict between signs and the visual qualities of the environment, promote public safety, encourage good relationships between signs and the buildings to which they relate, maintain visual diversity in nonresidential areas by avoiding uniform design requirements, and support business vitality by accomplishing these purposes without imposing burdensome procedures and restrictions. The special permit granting authority for the purposes of this section is the Zoning Board of Appeals.
§ 50-11.3 Definitions.
[Amended 4-28-2025 ATM by Art. 18]
The following words and phrases, as applied to this article only, shall have the meanings as set forth below:
Any sign painted, sewn or attached to an awning.
Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is affixed to a pole or a building at one or more edges or corners. National, state or municipal flags shall not be considered banners.
A large, standardized freestanding outdoor advertising structure, characterized by providing off-premises advertising space intended for viewing from extended distances, generally more than 50 feet.
Any sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that are independent from any building or other structure.
Any sign other than a wall sign that is attached to and projects from the wall or face of a building or structure, including an arcade or marquee sign.
Any sign capable of being expanded by air or other gas.
A sign displaying advertising copy that pertains to a business, person, organization, activity, event, place, service or product not principally located or primarily manufactured or sold on the premises on which the sign is located.
A device required, maintained, or installed by a federal, state, or local governmental agency or an active railroad for the purpose of guiding, directing, warning, or regulating traffic.
Any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted to A or T frames; menu and sandwich board signs.
Any sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the roof of a building, supported by the roof structure, and extending vertically above the highest portion of the roof.
Any device, fixture, placard, or structure that uses any color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol, or writing to advertise, attract attention to or announce the purpose of, or identify the purpose of a person or entity, or to communicate information of any kind to the public. For purposes of this bylaw, the term "sign" shall not include the following:
Official traffic control devices required, maintained, or installed by a federal, state, or local governmental agency or an active railroad.
House/Building (address) number, including a nameplate displaying the surname of the occupant of a single-family residential dwelling.
Building marker indicating the name of a building and date and incidental information about its construction, which marker is cut into a masonry surface or made of bronze or other permanent material.
National flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution.
War veteran markers installed within the public right-of-way at locations approved by the Select Board.
Holiday lights and decorations.
Devices on residential properties that otherwise might be considered signs, but are only intended for the personal enjoyment of the residents thereof, and not intended to attract the attention of the public and not generally visible from a public way.
Any sign that is used only for a limited period and not for permanent display.
Any sign attached parallel to, but within six inches of, a wall, painted on the wall surface of, or erected and confined within the limits of an outside wall of any building or structure, which is supported by such wall or building, and which displays only one sign surface.
Any sign that is placed on the exterior of a window, or upon the inside of the window glass and is visible from the exterior of the window, including signs placed inside a building that are visible beyond five feet from the exterior of the window.
§ 50-11.4 Prohibited signs.
Any sign not permitted in these sign regulations shall be prohibited. Moreover, the following signs shall be specifically prohibited:
Any sign within or that projects or extends within the right-of-way of a public or private street or way, including sidewalks, except for those specifically exempted by § 50-11.5 herein.
Any sign that may be confused with an official traffic control device.
Pennants and banners, excepted as specifically permitted by this bylaw.
Inflatable signs.
Flashing signs, any part of which moves or flashes, or signs of the traveling light or animated type, and all beacons and flashing devices whether a part of, attached to, or apart from a sign.
Changeable copy electronic message panels and/or signs displaying images or messages that change more than one time per day.
Roof signs.
Signs placed so as to create a hazard due to blocked sightlines from public and private roadways and driveways.
Off-premises signs.
Signs erected upon motor vehicles, trailers, or other moveable objects regularly or recurrently located with the intent of fixed display, except for signs mounted on motor vehicles which are clearly incidental to the use of such motor vehicles.
Sign illuminated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., unless such premises is open to the general public during these hours.
Signs illuminated to cast glare onto any portion of a way which would create a traffic hazard.
Signs that cause direct illumination of adjacent property.
Billboards.
Signs exceeding 15 feet in height.
§ 50-11.5 Exemptions.
[Amended 4-28-2025 ATM by Art. 18]
The following shall be exempt from regulation under this bylaw:
Exemptions for sign placement within the right-of-way of a public or private street, including sidewalks, shall be limited to the following:
Changeable copy electronic message panels utilized by the Police Department.
Official legal notices, or public warning/informational bulletins posted by the Town, state, or federal government.
Signs posted by a public utility company.
Temporary banner(s) suspended across a street, road or way if authorized by the Select Board.
Signs installed by a governmental agency, a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized or permitted work within the public right-of-way.
Exemptions for sign placement on lots shall be limited to the following:
Signs required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or bylaw.
Any sign inside a building, including signs attached to the inside of a window or door, not visible beyond five feet from the exterior of the window.
Any sign inside an athletic facility, including inward facing signs attached to the inside of a wall or fence.
Traffic directional signs, utilized solely as traffic control devices on private property, the faces of which meet Department of Transportation standards and which have been shown on a site plan approved by the Planning Board.
Signs installed by a governmental agency, a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized or permitted work within the right-of-way of an adjacent street.
§ 50-11.6 Permitted signs.
Residential districts.
In a residence district, no part of any sign:
The following signs are allowed in a residence district:
One sign per dwelling unit located on a lot. No sign permitted under this subsection shall exceed two square feet in area.
Planned unit developments and subdivisions are permitted one sign which identifies the development or subdivision. No sign permitted under this subsection shall exceed 12 square feet in area.
Business districts. The following signs are allowed in the Business and Limited Business Districts:
Lots in residential use are permitted to install signs only in accordance with the provisions of Subsection A.
On lots in permitted uses in the Business and Limited Business Districts, other than residential uses, only one sign oriented to each street on which the premises has access. Each such sign is limited to 15 square feet in area.
In mixed-use or multi-tenant buildings or lots, the following signs are permitted:
One freestanding sign per lot, not to exceed 20 square feet in area, plus four additional square feet per tenant located therein, not to exceed a total of 36 square feet in area.
One wall sign, awning, hanging sign, or window sign per tenant. Each such sign shall not exceed 10 square feet in area.
Industrial District. The following signs are permitted in the Industrial District:
Lots in residential use are permitted to install signs only in accordance with the provisions of Subsection A.
On lots in permitted uses in the Industrial District, other than residential uses, only one sign oriented to each street on which the premises has access. Each such sign is limited to 20 square feet in area.
In mixed-use or multi-tenant buildings, the following signs are permitted:
One freestanding sign per lot, not to exceed 20 square feet in area, plus an additional four square feet for each tenant located therein, not to exceed a total of 40 square feet in area.
One wall sign, awning, hanging sign, or window sign per tenant. Each such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area.
§ 50-11.7 Permits required.
A building permit is required for the placement, construction, erection, or modification of any sign except temporary, home occupation, and exempt signs as defined in this article. The permit application shall be accompanied by detailed drawings to show the dimensions, design, structure, and location of each sign. A single application and permit may include multiple signs on the same premises.
§ 50-11.8 Temporary signs.
A maximum of three temporary signs plus one for each additional separately identifiable unit over one shall be allowed per lot. All temporary signs shall not exceed five feet in height and shall not exceed six square feet each.
Temporary signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from the edge of the traveled way, except where insufficient setback exists; in such cases, signs shall be attached to a building wall facing the traveled way.
Except as specified by Subsection D, temporary signs shall be removed within 14 days after the event to which they relate and, in no event, shall be erected for more than 60 days in any calendar year.
A temporary sign located on a property when 1) the owner consents and the property is being offered for sale or lease through a licensed real-estate agent; or 2) is offered for sale or lease directly by the owner, may continue to be located on the property for up to 14 days following the transfer of ownership of the property. A temporary sign located on a property when the above conditions are met and the property owner is opening the property to the public shall not be permitted for more than two consecutive days or for more than four days in any thirty-day period.
§ 50-11.9 Nonconforming signs.
Signs legally existing on the effective date of this article, or of any amendment hereto, may continue to be maintained; provided, however, that any such sign that fails to conform to the current requirements of this bylaw shall not be enlarged or relocated.
Such signs shall be removed or brought into conformity upon the discontinuance of the business or the failure to be maintained in accordance with § 50-11.10.
There shall be no increase in any nonconformity.
§ 50-11.10 Maintenance of signs.
All signs shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and good structural condition at all times to the satisfaction of the Building Inspector in accordance with the State Building Code.
§ 50-11.11 Computing sign area.
§ 50-11.12 Enforcement.
Any sign installed or placed within the public right-of-way or on public property not in conformance with the requirements of these sign regulations may be removed by the Town.
§ 50-11.13 Relief for larger or additional signs.
The Zoning Board of Appeals may issue a special permit for larger signs or additional signs, when it can be demonstrated that such signs are essential to the operation of a permitted use, and further, that such signs are not detrimental to the surrounding property nor injurious to the public welfare.