Swansea City Zoning Code
ARTICLE X
Signs
§ 265-10.1 Intent and purpose.
It is the intent and purpose of the following provisions to protect property values, create a more attractive business climate, enhance and protect the physical appearance of the Town, provide a more enjoyable and aesthetically appealing environment, and to minimize hazards to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
§ 265-10.2 Definitions.
For the purposes of this bylaw, the following definitions will apply:
Shall mean any enlargement, renovation, relocation, redesign, or reconstruction. Any alteration of a sign must conform to the requirements of this bylaw.
Shall include all lettering logos and designs, together with their background, but shall not include any supporting structure, framework, or bracing. The area shall also include any backing of different color than the finish color of a building face. If the sign consists of individually mounted or affixed letters, the area shall be the smallest rectangle that includes all of the letters.
Shall mean any sign which combines in one panel or series of panels the names of several establishments, businesses, or organizations, located on the premises.
Shall mean to build, construct, attach, hang, place, draw, paint, alter, suspend, affix, or otherwise cause to exist.
Shall mean any sign placed upon or otherwise attached to a transportation device, including but not limited to cars, trucks, trailers, tractors, motorcycles, bicycles, snowmobiles, and aircraft.
Shall mean signs with either moving parts or electronic displays with moving images including video, animation, scrolling messages, and/or flashing messages that change more frequently than once every 30 seconds.
Shall mean any visual representation, including structures, devices, objects, flags, costumes, or other means of communication designed to attract the attention of others.
Shall be the distance from the grade below a free-standing sign, measured at the center of the sign footprint, to the lowest point of the sign.
Shall mean the distance from the grade below a free-standing sign, measured at the center of the sign footprint, to the highest point of the sign.
§ 265-10.3 General provisions.
Pre-Existing Non-Conforming Signs. Signs existing at the time of the adoption of this bylaw may continue as non-conforming uses with the condition that upon their alteration, as herein defined, they must conform with this bylaw. Signs that are non-conforming and exempt under this provision shall cease to exempt upon the occurrence of any of the following:
§ 265-10.4 Prohibited signs.
Off Premise Signs. No sign which does not advertise or indicate the person occupying the premises or the business transacted thereon, or advertise the premises or part thereof for sale or lease, shall be erected within public view of a public or private way or public park without a permit lawfully issued by the outdoor advertising authority of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Signs on Government Property. No signs will be permitted on Town or state property, including the rights of way for streets, roads, and highways without the specific authorization of the Board of Selectmen or of the Massachusetts Highway Dept.
Portable Signs. Signs capable of being readily moved or relocated, including signs on wheels or supported by legs which are not permanently attached, affixed, or secured to the ground or to a building, shall not be allowed except as temporary signs subject to the requirements of this bylaw regulating temporary signs.
Mobile Signs. Mobile signs, as defined herein, shall not be allowed except as temporary signs subject to the requirements of this bylaw regulating temporary signs.
Moving Signs. Moving Signs, as defined herein, are not allowed.
Roof Signs. Signs erected on top of or which rise above the facade of the building upon which they are mounted are not allowed.
§ 265-10.5 Signs allowed without permit.
Governmental Signs. Traffic or warning signs erected or required by government agencies or bodies, including signs directing traffic to hospitals, parking areas, highways, cultural institutions, and commercial areas are allowed in all districts.
Construction Site Signs. Signs on active construction sites which denote the contractor, architect, engineer, or funding agency shall be permitted, but shall not exceed 24 square feet in area in non-residential districts or 12 square feet in residential districts.
Real Estate Signs. Signs indicating that a property is for sale or lease are allowed in residential districts if they do not exceed three square feet in area and in other districts if they do not exceed 12 square feet in area.
Home Occupation Signs. One sign indicating a home occupation is permitted if it does not exceed two square feet in area.
Legal Notices. Legal notices and signs, such as No Trespassing and No Hunting signs, are allowed if they do not exceed two square feet in area.
Political Signs. Signs advertising a candidate or candidates for public office, a political party, or promoting a ballot referendum or public issue are allowed.
Access Signs. Signs indicating the entrance to or exit from commercial, social, governmental, fraternal, religious, or other public places are allowed if they do not exceed two square feet in area.
§ 265-10.6 Signs allowed with permit from Building Inspector.
Commercial Signs. In non-residential districts, businesses may erect the following signs with a permit issued by the Building Inspector:
One free standing sign not to exceed 18 feet in height and 20 square feet in area.
One belt sign not to exceed two feet in height running across the facade of the building housing the business and not to exceed the length of the building.
Window signs provided that they do not exceed 33% of the window area.
Temporary signs not to exceed 32 square feet in area that will be erected for a period not to exceed 30 days. Upon the expiration of the permit for a temporary sign, the Building Inspector may issue one thirty-day extension.
Illuminated and Electronic Signs.
Timing: No illuminated sign, whether electronic, internally illuminated, or externally illuminated shall be lit from 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m., except signs on premises open for business.
Sign Intensity: The maximum daytime brightness for any electronic sign shall be 4,000 NITs, except that signs utilizing the color red shall have a maximum daytime brightness of 2,500 NITs. At dusk, all such signs shall be reduced in brightness to 500 NITs and at 10:00 p.m. shall be extinguished. All such signs are required to be equipped with the necessary capabilities to automatically comply with these requirements.
Public Information Signs. Public Information signs announcing events, locations or activities of churches, charitable and fraternal organization, hospitals, public buildings, or civic associations that do not exceed three square feet of area shall be allowed with a permit issued by the building inspector.
§ 265-10.7 Signs requiring special permit from Zoning Board of Appeals.
Any sign other than those allowed under this bylaw and those allowed by permit of the Building Inspector under this bylaw shall be allowed only by a special permit issued by the Zoning Board of Appeals after a determination that the sign fills a substantial need, does not detract from the general attractiveness of the Town, will not adversely affect public safety, and that its granting does not derogate from the intent and purpose of this bylaw.