Millville City Zoning Code

General sign prohibitions. No sign shall be permitted if any part thereof moves, flashes or blinks, or involves any repeated mechanical or electrical motions. No sign shall be placed within or projecting over a public way, except marquees permitted in accordance with Subsection D(1)(b) below. No sign shall be affixed to a tree or other natural feature. No sign shall be illuminated in such a way to cause a distraction to drivers or cast a glare onto any residential premises. No sign shall be located within 10 feet of the street line or where it might create an obstruction to driving vision.

Temporary permitted signs. One sign per entrance of up to 32 square feet pertaining to a subdivision while under development may be permitted. Signs, including streamers, posters, pennants and similar devices, relative to noncommercial campaigns, sales, promotions, drives, or other events of political, civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations, may be located, subject to the consent of property owners, for a time period not to exceed 60 days. Message signs pertaining to the lease or sale of a building/property, or indicating ongoing construction/alteration/painting, are not to exceed four square feet in area, and notwithstanding the location requirements of Subsection A may be located no less than two feet from the street line. Such signs must be removed within 10 days of transfer of title or of the signing of a lease or rental agreement.

Permitted signs for agriculture and residential uses. The following signs are permitted for agricultural and residential uses:

Permitted signs for commercial, automotive sales and service, industrial uses.

Exempt signs. The followings signs are exempt from the provisions of this bylaw:

Nonconforming signs. Signs that do not conform to the requirements of this bylaw which are in existence as of the date of its adoption, or any subsequent amendments thereto, are considered nonconforming, and as such may not be enlarged, moved or have their character changed or altered unless brought into conformance with the new requirements. Nonconforming signs which are damaged as a result of vandalism or accident may be replaced, repaired or re-erected in a manner consistent with all aspects of their earlier nonconforming status without a permit.

Administration. Unless indicated otherwise, no sign shall be erected without a sign permit issued by the Building Inspector. One sign permit shall be required for each sign. No sign permit shall be required for temporary permitted signs. Every application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by drawings or photographs of the proposed sign and location thereof, and such other relevant information as the Building Inspector may require. Within 30 days after receipt of the application, the Building Inspector shall approve or disapprove the application and so notify the applicant. For signage in excess of that which is permitted by this bylaw or for uses not identified by this bylaw, the Planning Board may grant a special permit in accordance with Article VI, § 100-606.

Enforcement. This bylaw may be enforced by any means available in law or in equity, including noncriminal disposition in accordance with MGL c. 40, § 21D, and Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article I, § 1-3, of the Town Code. For purposes of noncriminal disposition, the enforcing officer shall be the Building Inspector. Any sign owner or owner of property on which a sign is located who violates, or enables a violation of these provisions shall be subject to a fine of $50 a day each day the violation continues after 30 days have elapsed since written notice of such violation is delivered by certified mail to the owner.

Purpose and intent. The purpose and intent of permitting accessory apartments is to allow a separate living area within and as part of a single-family home to:

Special permit required. The Planning Board may authorize an accessory apartment by special permit in any residential district, provided that each of the following standards are met:

Home occupation with resident employee. A home occupation of a resident owner, or a resident tenant with the owner's permission, shall be allowed by right in those zoning districts specifically referenced in Article III, § 100-302, Schedule of Use Regulations, provided that all of the following conditions are met:

Home occupation with nonresident employee. A home occupation of a resident owner, or a resident tenant with the owner's permission, may be allowed by issuance of a special permit from the Planning Board in those zoning districts specifically referenced in Article III, § 100-302, Schedule of Use Regulations, provided that all of the following conditions are met:

Accessory use. Bed-and-breakfast inns are allowed by special permit by the Planning Board as an accessory use to a single-family dwelling. The dwelling shall be the primary residence of the owner or manager.

Exterior alterations. No exterior alterations shall be made to the building other than those required to ensure the safety of the structure or to provide improved accessibility for the handicapped.

Parking. Parking shall be provided at the rate of one space per guest room in addition to that required for the principal residential use.

Proposed signage plans. The applicant shall submit a plan showing the location, wording, dimensions, and construction materials of any proposed signs. If the building is located in a local, state, or national inventory of historic structures, this plan shall be forwarded to the Historical Commission, which shall have 35 days to submit its comments to the Planning Board. The Board may waive other applicable sign provisions of this bylaw if necessary to provide adequate notice to tourists of the use and location of the facility.

Purpose. The purpose of this section is to assist in reducing the incompatibility between abutting land uses, to provide barriers and relief from traffic noise, heat, glare, and dust and to preserve and enhance the character of the Town of Millville.

Applicability. This section applies to those land uses allowed by special permit as authorized by Article III, § 100-302(C), Commercial, § 100-302(D), Automotive sales and service, and § 100-302(E), Industrial.

Residential buffers. A buffer is required when such uses are proposed adjacent to a residence or vacant land zoned for residential use. This may be achieved by using any of the following:

Utility areas. Where utility or service areas, such as dumpsters, fuel storage facilities or exterior materials storage, are proposed, they shall be screened from view of the street and nearby properties by a row of trees and shrubs at least six feet high at the time of planting, or by a solid wall or fence complemented with suitable plantings.

Fences and walls. Any fence exceeding seven feet requires a building permit issued from the Building Department. Fences located at intersections or where the line of sight distance is impaired for the average height vehicle cannot exceed four feet in height.

Lighting. All lighting should be appropriate to the building and its surroundings in terms of style, scale, and intensity of illumination. Low-wattage systems are recommended, and site lighting should be shielded. Necessary security lighting will be considered on an individual basis.