Waltham City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
Special Provisions Relating to Signs
Sec. 6.1 Intent and purpose.
[Amended 12-11-1978 by Ord. No. 24442; 6-10-1991 by Ord. No. 27156]
It is the intent and purpose of this Article to control and regulate signs in order to better protect property values, to create a more attractive business climate, to enhance and protect the physical appearance of the City, to provide a more enjoyable and pleasing environment, to encourage the most appropriate use of land, to minimize hazards to vehicular and pedestrian traffic and to reduce conditions which may have a blighting influence and may contribute to declining property values. The following authorizations and restrictions are hereby established and made applicable to all signs, as hereinafter defined, except those signs which are subject to the Riverfront Overlay District special permit provisions of Section 8.459.
Sec. 6.2 Definitions.
[Amended 5-13-1991 by Ord. No. 27135]
6.21.
AREA OF SIGN — Includes all lettering and designs, together with background, but shall not include any supporting or structural framework or bracing. The area shall also include any backing of different color than the finish material of the building face. If the sign consists of individual letters, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other shape which encompasses all the letters and symbols.
6.22.
AWNING — Any structure, retractable or not, attached to a building and projecting out from the face of said building, consisting of a metal frame covered with canvas or other durable fabric. An awning shall be considered retractable if so erected as to permit its being retracted to a position flat against the building when not in use.
6.24.
DIRECTORY SIGN — A sign which combines in one panel the names of several business establishments or activities located in a building or on a premises.
6.25.
ERECT — Build, construct, attach, hang, place, alter, suspend or affix. Repainting, repairing, maintenance, cleaning or rearranging the letters of a changeable letter sign, not involving structure change, shall not be considered "erection."
6.26.
FACING — The surface of the sign upon, against or through which the message is displayed or illustrated.
6.27.
INDUSTRIAL PARK — An area of land with buildings devoted to nonresidential uses generally developed by a single developer with the land sold or leased to several owners or tenants.
6.28.
MARQUEE — Any hood, canopy or other permanent nonretractable structure projecting from a building. A nonretractable awning shall be considered to be a "marquee" when it protrudes more than three feet from the facade of the building.
6.29.
PERSON — Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation or company organization of any kind.
6.210.
SHOPPING CENTER — For the purpose of this chapter, "shopping center" shall mean a group of stores, shops, restaurants and offices or similar activities generally developed as a single unit with a common parking area available to the customers or visitors to the various activities present.
6.211.
SIGN (in general) — Any announcement, declaration, illumination, demonstration, display, illustrations or insignia used to advertise or identify any person, premises or product when the same is in view of the public. For definition of particular types of signs, see the specific provisions hereinafter established and respectively applicable thereto.
Sec. 6.3 Permits and certificates required.
6.31.
New signs. Prior to the erection of any new sign, a permit shall be obtained from the Inspector of Buildings. Every applicant, before being granted a permit, shall present the Inspector of Buildings a deposit in the form of a check payable to the City of Waltham in an amount equal to $20 dollars, plus $0.25 per square foot of sign area.
(a)
Inspection; certificate of completion. Upon completion of a sign authorized by an erection permit, the holder of such permit shall apply to the Inspector of Buildings for a certification of completion. Immediately upon receipt of such application, the Inspector of Buildings shall make or cause to be made an inspection for the purpose of verifying conformity with this chapter. If the sign is found to be in order, the Inspector of Buildings shall issue a certificate of completion and place a mark on said sign with a seal which indicates the year and month of such certificate. He shall order immediate removal of any sign not found to be in conformity with the provisions hereof, unless corrective measures are initiated forthwith and completed within 10 days or within such further time as he deems reasonable to accomplish the required work. In no case shall this period exceed the six-month period provided for completion as set forth in Subsection (b) following.
(b)
Permit void after six months; incomplete signs. If the work authorized under an erection permit has not been commenced within three months after the date of issuance and completed within six months, said permit shall become null and void and the fee deposited with the application shall be forfeited. If work on a sign has not been completed in conformity with the provisions of the sign permit, the sign shall be declared abandoned and the Inspector of Buildings shall order its removal, unless a renewal permit on the same terms as the original issuance is applied for and granted.
6.32.
Existing signs. The owner of every sign which falls under the definition of signs covered herein and exists at the time of the adoption of this chapter shall submit to the Inspector of Buildings an application for an existing sign permit. Such application shall provide sufficient information to the Inspector so he can determine whether such sign complies with this chapter and with Article 14 of the State Building Code, such as dimension, structural support, method of illumination and text. With such application, the owner shall file an application fee in the amount of $10, plus $0.10 for each square foot of sign area.
(a)
Inspection; certificate of compliance. Upon receipt of such application, the Inspector of Buildings shall arrange for an inspection to be made, and if he is satisfied as to the correctness of the application and the compliance of the sign with the State Building Code, he shall issue a certificate of compliance and place a mark on said sign with a seal which indicates the year and month of such determination and whether such sign complies with the zoning provision of this chapter.
(b)
Noncompliance procedure. When, in the judgment of the Inspector of Buildings, there is uncertainty as to the condition of the sign as regards compliance with the State Building Code, he shall order the owner to have the sign inspected by a licensed sign erector who shall certify as to the compliance of said sign or inform the Inspector of Buildings and the owner of any deficiencies in said sign. In the latter instance, the owner shall forthwith repair or remove said sign. Upon failure to repair or remove said sign, the Inspector of Buildings may arrange for the removal of said sign and the costs thereof shall be charged against the owner.
6.33.
Continuing signs. The owner of every sign for which a new sign permit or existing sign permit has been issued hereunder shall submit, one month in advance of one year from the granting of said permit and annually thereafter, an application for a continuing sign permit. Said application shall be accompanied by a fee of $5, plus $0.10 per square foot of sign area, and shall be processed in the same manner as in the case of the existing sign permit above.
6.34.
Signs authorized in single residence districts. The above fees schedule shall not be required for signs as authorized in single residence districts and such signs when placed in other zoning districts, but a sign recording fee of $1 for each square foot of sign area shall be paid for all existing signs and a sign permit shall be obtained for any new sign and a permit fee of $1 for each square foot of sign area shall be paid therefor, except that this chapter shall not apply to residential identification signs or numbers indicating no business, professional or other activity and signs advertising property for sale or rent or signs erected by federal, state or municipal agencies.
6.35.
Directional signs. The above fees schedule shall not be required for directional signs, but a sign recording fee of $1 per square foot of sign area shall be paid for all existing signs and a sign permit shall be obtained for any new sign and a permit fee of $1 per square foot of a sign area shall be paid therefor.
6.37.
Billboards. No sign fees shall be required for billboards holding permits from the Outdoor Advertising Board.
6.38.
Real estate signs. No fees shall be required for real estate signs which advertise a property as for sale or rent.
6.39.
Premises identification sign. No fees shall be required for signs which identify a building in a manner which does not advertise a business.
6.391.
All permits revocable. All rights and privileges acquired under this section are to be construed as licenses merely, revocable for violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or for other good cause shown on order of the Inspector of Buildings. All permits which are issued hereunder shall contain this provision.
6.392.
Advertising copy. Copy on all signs shall be limited to identification, trademarks and slogans of the person occupying the premises at or on which the sign is maintained or the activity or business being carried on at the premises. Where the business or activity is primarily devoted to the sale or distribution of the products of one company, the name, trademark or slogan of that company may occupy up to one-half (1/2) of the sign area authorized. In the case of gasoline filling stations, whether or not owned by gasoline distributors, the brand name of the product may account for one-half (1/2) of the sign area authorized. Up to one-third (1/3) of the authorized area may be allocated to other than the persons, activity or business or to the principal product. Copy may advertise the property itself or any part thereof as for sale or rent, but any such for sale or rent signs shall not contain any other advertising copy, except for the name, address and telephone number of the realtor. A convenience food store in a retail gasoline station may have signage advertising the store or a specific product it sells, provided that the total area of all signs on the premises shall not exceed the permissible maximum.
[Amended 5-13-2019 by Ord. No. 34446]
Sec. 6.4 Hazards prohibited.
6.41.
Moving signs. No swinging, flashing on and off or other animated signs and no revolving beacons or searchlights shall be permitted. This section shall not be construed so as to prohibit signs wherein the only movement is for the purpose of indicating time, temperature or changing message.
6.42.
Obstructing signs. No signs shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free access to any door, window or fire escape.
6.43.
Traffic hazards. No sign shall be erected or maintained so as in any way to create a traffic hazard or so as to obscure or make difficult the reading of signs or signals designed to regulate and control traffic.
6.44.
Political signs. Political signs and advertising shall be exempt from the regulations established by this chapter, except in the following particulars:
6.441.
No political sign shall be affixed or attached to any tree, post, building or other structure on public property or on property of public utility.
6.442.
No political sign shall be in violation of any of the following sections:
Section 4.211 | Use, height and area provisions | |
Section 4.224 | Corner clearance | |
Section 4.228 | Corner lot side yards | |
Section 6.443 | Maintenance: all signs | |
Section 6.4 | Hazards prohibited | |
Sections 3.264 through 3.267 | Conservation/Recreation Districts [Amended 12-27-1983 by Ord. No. 25399; 6-11-1984 by Ord. No. 25502] |
6.443.
Maintenance: all signs. All signs shall be kept in good general repair and properly maintained. The sign and immediate surrounding premises shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary and inoffensive condition, free of any obnoxious substances, rubbish and weeds. Display surfaces shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times.
Sec. 6.5 Number of signs limited.
[Amended 4-28-2008 by Ord. No. 30876]
Signs shall be limited in number as follows:
6.51.
Primary signs. Except as hereinafter provided in Section 6.52, each business establishment or activity occupying a single building or part thereof shall be entitled to not more than one principal sign, wall or individual letter type, the size of which shall be controlled by the width of the building or part thereof occupied upon its principal street frontage. A business establishment or activity may also have projecting or ground signs or other signs or the size authorized elsewhere in this chapter, but the area of wall signs shall be reduced by the area of such other signs where this chapter so specifies. (See Section 6.672.)
6.52.
Secondary wall sign(s). Each business establishment or activity which abuts at least one exterior wall of the building in which it is located may have one secondary wall or individual letter sign(s) on another exterior wall of that building, provided that no such secondary wall sign shall exceed 18 square feet, provided than not more than three (3) such secondary signs shall be affixed to the same wall, and further provided that the area of wall and other signs authorized under Section 6.51 above shall be reduced by the area of such secondary sign or signs.
[Amended 4-28-2008 by Ord. No. 30876; 6-23-2014 by Ord. No. 33107]
6.53.
Directory signs. There may be one directory sign of an area not exceeding one square foot for each occupancy at each entrance. The area of such directory signs shall be deducted from the primary wall sign area.
6.54.
Signs on more than one building. Where a business or industry is operated from more than one building in a complex, a secondary sign may be affixed to one wall of each such building, but no such secondary sign shall exceed in area 35% of the maximum area permissible for a single principal sign at such location.
6.55.
Signs on attached buildings. In the case of an attached building, each business occupant shall be entitled to one principal sign of identification, wall or individual letter type.
6.56.
Signs for businesses not fronting on a street. Each building establishment or activity occupying an attached or unattached building located to the rear of another business building with no face on the street side visible from the street shall be entitled to signage with an area related to the total wall sign area authorized under Sections 6.51 and 6.52, based upon the percentage of the business floor area occupied by such business or activity in relation to the total floor area used by all the businesses or activities on the lot. Such sign area may be of wall, projecting or ground type as the business or activity elects. When the floor areas used for businesses are altered, the signs should be altered to represent the new floor area proportions.
6.57.
Gasoline filling stations and garages. Gasoline filling stations and garages may divide the maximum permissible area of the principal sign allowed under Section 6.51 above into separate signs indicating separate operations or departments of the business, provided that the total area of the separate sign shall not exceed the permissible maximum. Standard gasoline pumps and attached prices will not be deemed a sign for the purposes of compliance with this section.
Sec. 6.6 Regulations governing particular types of signs.
[Added 12-9-1991 by Ord. No. 27261; 5-13-1991 by Ord. No. 27135; amended 10-9-1979 by Ord. No. 24636; 12-9-1991 by Ord. No. 27261; 4-28-2008 by Ord. No. 30876; 5-13-1991 by Ord. No. 27135; 6-10-1957 by Ord. No. 18829; 12-11-1978 by Ord. No. 24442; 6-10-1991 by Ord. No. 27156]
6.61.
Wall signs.
6.611.
Definition. "Wall sign" shall mean and include any sign attached to or erected against a building or other structure with the face of the sign in a plane parallel to such building or other structure and not projecting more than 12 inches therefrom. Individual letters or devices cut into masonry or so affixed as to form an integral part of an exterior wall shall not be considered "wall signs" if they are cut into or project out of said wall for a depth of one-fourth (1/4) of an inch or less.
6.612.
Area restrictions.
(a)
Business A Districts. In Business A Zoning Districts, no wall sign shall have an area in square feet in excess of the product of the width of the building or store front as may be appropriate times four.
(b)
Business B, Commercial and Industrial Districts. In Business B, Commercial and Industrial Zone Districts, no wall sign shall have an area in square feet in excess of the product of the width of the building or store front as may be appropriate times six.
(c)
Business C District. In Business C Districts, no wall signs shall have an area in square feet in excess of the product of of the width of the building or store front as may be appropriate times three.
6.613.
Diagonal walls. Where a wall upon which a wall sign is located is not parallel to the street toward which it faces, the length of wall shall be calculated as the length of street frontage between two lines developed perpendicular to the street line from the ends of the diagonal wall.
6.62.
Ground signs.
6.621.
Definitions. "Ground sign" shall mean and include any sign having as supports wood or metal columns, pipes, angle iron framing, masonry, plastic or any combination of these materials unattached to any building or other structures.
6.622.
Area restrictions.
(a)
Business A Districts. In Business A Districts, no ground sign shall exceed one square foot in area for each linear foot of street line frontage of the lot upon which it is erected, but in no event shall such sign exceed 32 square feet in area, nor shall there be a distance of more than 12 feet from the ground to the bottom of the sign nor more than 24 feet from the ground to the top of the sign.
(b)
Business B, Commercial and Industrial Districts. In Business B, Commercial and Industrial Districts, no ground sign shall exceed one square foot in area for each linear foot of street line frontage of the lot upon which it is erected, but in no event shall such sign exceed 48 feet in area, nor shall there be a distance of more than 14 feet from the ground to the bottom of the sign nor more than 30 feet from the ground to the top of the sign.
(c)
Business C Districts. Ground signs of any type are not allowed in the Business C District.
6.63.
Location restrictions.
(a)
Projection. No ground sign shall project over a street.
(b)
Lot lines. No ground sign shall be located within 12 feet of an adjacent business establishment activity or property, and further, ground signs shall be set back at least six feet from the street line.
(c)
Only one ground sign shall be permitted per lot in the districts where they are allowed.
6.64.
Projecting signs.
6.641.
Definition. "Projecting sign" shall mean and include any sign that is suspended from or supported by a building or other structure more or less at right angles to the structure.
6.642.
Area restrictions.
(a)
Business A District. Double-faced projecting signs shall not exceed 10 feet in height, nor project more than six feet from the building to which they are attached. No such sign shall exceed 32 square feet. V-type projecting signs shall not exceed two feet in height, nor project more than six feet from the building to which they are attached. No such signs shall be longer than 75% of the store front to which they are attached, nor exceed 32 square feet.
(b)
Business B, Commercial and Industrial Districts. A double-faced projecting sign shall not be more than 14 feet in height nor project more than six feet from the building to which it is attached. No such sign shall exceed 64 square feet in area. A V-type projecting sign shall not be more than three feet in height nor project more than six feet from the building to which it is attached. No such sign shall be longer than 75% of the store front to which it is attached, nor exceed 64 square feet.
(c)
Business C Districts. One double-faced projecting sign per establishment shall be permitted by right, provided it meets the standards set out below. V-type projecting signs shall not be allowed.
[Added 12-9-1991 by Ord. No. 27261; amended 2-10-2014 by Ord. No. 33004]
[1]
Projecting signs may not exceed six square feet per side in area, or 12 square feet in total sign area (not including the area of the supporting bracket or hanger).
[2]
For single-story structures, projecting signs shall not project above the roofline or more than 18 feet above the ground, whichever is lower; for multistory structures, projecting signs may not extend vertically above the windowsill of the second story or more than 18 feet above the ground, whichever is lower.
[3]
Projecting signs must clear sidewalks by at least eight feet from the bottom of the sign and may project no more than four feet from a building or 1/3 the width of the sidewalk, whichever is less.
[4]
Projecting signs must clear the wall by at least six inches and must project from the wall at an angle of 90°. Angular projection from the corner of a building is prohibited.
[5]
No projecting sign shall be integrally lighted by fluorescent, incandescent, neon, LED, or other similar lighting methods, but it may be externally illuminated by means of floodlights or other such lighting methods which shall comply with all other provisions of this chapter.
6.643.
Location restrictions.
(a)
Projection. Projecting signs must clear sidewalks by at least eight feet from the bottom of the sign and may project no more than four feet from a building or 1/3 the width of the sidewalk, whichever is less.
[Amended 6-10-1991 by Ord. No. 27156; 6-23-2014 by Ord. No. 33107
(b)
Lot lines. No ground sign located within 12 feet of an adjacent business establishment activity or property shall encroach on the area between the street line and a line drawn between a point on the street line 12 feet from the adjacent business establishment activity or property and a point six feet back from the street line on the boundary between the two business establishments, activities or properties.
6.65.
Roof signs.
6.66.
Individual letter signs.
6.661.
Definition. "Individual letter signs" shall mean any sign made up of self-contained letters mounted on the face or suspended from the roof edge of a building or other structure or mounted on the top of a parapet or marquee.
6.67.
Miscellaneous provisions.
6.671.
Signs on marquees.
6.6711.
Parallel to wall. Signs on marquees generally parallel to the wall to which the marquee is attached shall be considered as wall signs. No such sign shall be placed more than 12 inches over a public way from the street line.
6.6712.
Right angles to wall. Signs on marquees which are generally at right angles to the wall to which the marquee is attached shall be considered as projecting signs.
6.6713.
Area calculations. Any area of sign, whether wall or projecting, attached above, on a face of or below a marquee shall be deducted from the authorized area of the principal sign of identification, wall or individual letter type.
6.6714.
Height limit. No sign on or above a marquee shall exceed 42 inches in height.
6.672.
Signs on awnings.
6.6721.
Classification. Advertising placed on an awning shall be consider to be a primary sign. The area of such a sign shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or square that could be drawn so as to encompass all of the component letters and symbols of the advertising comprising such sign.
6.6722.
Advertising limited. All advertising placed on an awning shall be confined to the front of the awning. No individual component letter or symbol of advertising on any awning shall exceed 30 inches in height, nor shall such advertising exceed 15 square feet in total area of coverage, nor shall such advertising have an area of coverage exceeding 50% of the total area of the front of the awning. When an awning is used as a primary sign, the area of any sign permitted under Section 6.51 shall be reduced by 50%. No such awning shall extend more than four feet from the wall to which it is attached if any part of that awning extends over any part of a public way.
6.6723.
Prohibition. No sign shall be attached to or hung from an awning.
6.6724.
Colors restricted. Any awning on which advertising is placed shall be one color only, except for the advertising placed thereon, which may be of different colors.
6.6725.
Materials. All awnings shall be constructed entirely of nonflammable or fire-retardant materials.
6.673.
Billboards. No land shall be used hereafter for the construction of a billboard structure. But nothing herein shall prevent the changing of a message or require the removal or prevent the replacement in substantially the same manner of an existing billboard structure controlled and regulated by the Outdoor Advertising Board under the provisions of MGLA c. 93, Sections 29 through 33, and any amendments thereto.
6.674.
Shopping center signs. Each shopping center is authorized to have ground sign area of the size allowed in the zoning district in which it is located. This sign may identify the shopping center or list the several business establishments or activities in the center, or a combination of the two. Each shopping center may divide the allowable sign area into as many as three ground signs, provided that no such signs are located within 50 feet of an abutting property. Separate ground signs identifying separate establishments are prohibited.
6.675.
Industrial park signs. An industrial park may have one ground sign on each street frontage whether or not access is available from such street, said signs not to be in excess of 64 square feet, identifying the name of the industrial park and such matters as the telephone number and mail address of the management. At any entrance street, a directory sign may be erected identifying, on signs not in excess of two square feet, the establishments in the industrial park which may be reached from such entrance street.
6.676.
Directional signs.
6.6761.
Definition: any sign which serves solely to indicate a path of travel by foot or wheel traffic containing no advertising copy.
6.6762.
Size. Directional signs shall not exceed four square feet in area.
6.6763.
Copy. The copy on directional signs shall be limited to arrows and/or such words as "entrance" or "exit."
6.6764.
Number. There shall be no more directional signs than are necessary to advise persons concerning the traffic plan involved.
6.677.
Portable signs.
6.6771.
Definition: any sign not permanently attached to the ground or a building.
6.6772.
Area allocation. Any sign area allocated to a portable sign shall be deducted from the areas authorized for wall, roof, ground or projected signs.
6.6773.
Removal. Any portable sign shall be removed after 30 days.
6.678.
Signs of nonconforming buildings. When a building used for business, commercial or industrial purposes exists in a residential district as a nonconforming use, wall signs in existence on January 1, 1978, may be maintained, repaired or replaced, provided that in the latter case, the sign area is neither increased nor larger than would be allowed in a Business A District, whichever is smaller. Projecting, roof or ground signs are prohibited.
6.679.
Other sign regulations. Controls and prohibitions concerning the installation and maintenance of miscellaneous signs are as follows:
6.6791.
Offices of physicians, surgeons and dentists within residential districts shall be limited to professional announcement signs not over one square foot in area.
6.6792.
Rooming houses. Interior signs only are permitted to advertise the use; provided, however, that such sign shall not be illuminated and shall not exceed one square foot in area.
6.6793.
Signs for farm stands shall be limited to advertising signs not more than four square feet in area.
6.6794.
In Residence A-1 and A-2 Districts, one real estate sign not more than six square feet shall be permitted within 10 feet of the street line, and no signs shall be displayed on public property, including but not limited to street rights-of-way, parkways, median strips or on any areas between a sidewalk or street. In the absence of any sidewalk, the street line shall be deemed to extend no less than 10 feet from the edge of the curb, street or pavement. Such signs shall be removed within seven days following the completion of the sale, rental or lease. No signs shall be permitted without prior approval of the property owner.
6.6795.
In Residence A-1 and A-2 Districts, signs in connection with any public activity shall be placed in or on buildings for a period of time not to exceed three months; provided, however, that such signs shall not be illuminated.
6.6796.
Signs in Residence C Districts. A display or advertising sign of not more than four square feet in area may be maintained in connection with any permitted use in this district and such sign may be illuminated; provided, however, that signs to advertise rooming houses and lodging houses shall not be illuminated and shall be limited to one square foot in area.
6.6797.
Real estate signs in Business A Districts: one real estate sign not in excess of 32 square feet, advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises on which they are located.
6.6798.
Signs in Limited Commercial Districts: firm name signs, no larger than five feet by 20 feet, attached to or flush to the building and non-illuminated. Where more than one occupant is involved, said sign area may be divided among the occupants, with each occupant restricted to that portion which is represented by the occupant's share of the total floor area of the building. One non-illuminated ground sign not in excess of 32 square feet may be constructed identifying a building or its occupants at the entrance or gates of the lot.
Sec. 6.7 Illumination of signs.
[Amended 10-26-1998 by Ord. No. 28658; 12-28-1981 by Ord. No. 25046]
6.71.
Residences protected from glare. Illumination of signs shall be so controlled as not to shine directly into the window of any residential premises.
6.72.
Lighting intensity in residential districts. In Residence A and B Districts, signs serving residential uses shall not be illuminated. Signs for public or semipublic buildings may be floodlighted by a bulb not in excess of 150 watts. Signs for uses authorized in Residence C Districts and public and semipublic buildings may be floodlighted by a bulb not in excess of 150 watts.
6.73.
Lighting intensity in other districts. In Business B, Business C, Limited Commercial, Commercial and Industrial Districts, signs may be floodlighted by bulbs not in excess of 300 watts for each four square feet of area. Where signs of Plexiglas or other similar translucent materials lighted from the interior are allowed, lighting shall be limited to lamps rated at no higher than 800 milliamps and spaced no closer than eight inches on center.
[Amended 6-23-2014 by Ord. No. 33107]
6.74.
Hours of illumination. No signs shall be illuminated after the hours established as follows in Sections 6.741 through 6.746.
6.741.
Residence Districts. Where allowed, illuminated signs shall not be lighted between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
6.742.
Business A Districts: same as for Residence Districts, except for such clock type and temperature signs as are permitted by this chapter.
6.743.
Business B Districts. Where allowed, illuminated signs shall not be lighted between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
6.744.
Business C, Limited Commercial, Commercial and Industrial Districts: Where allowed, illuminated signs shall not be lighted between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.
[Amended 6-23-2014 by Ord. No. 33107]
6.745.
Other permits. Permits for electrical work must be obtained before a sign permit will be issued.
6.746.
Extension special permit. The City Council may grant a special permit extending the hours of lighting as hereinabove set forth, if it determines that the location of the building with reference to the neighborhood or the nature of the use of the premises is such that hours of lighting should be extended in the public interest. In approving such special permit, the City Council shall specify the extent and duration of the permitted illumination and impose such other terms and restrictions as it may deem to be in the public interest.
Sec. 6.8 Special provisions relative to window signs.
[Amended 2-26-1990 by Ord. No. 26862; 2-26-1990 by Ord. No. 26862; 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. 27369; 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. 27369]
6.81.
Definitions.
6.811.
WINDOW SIGNS — Any sign visible through a window and located within 10 feet of the window, whether attached to, hanging behind, wall attached or standing on a shelf or sill.
6.812.
WINDOW ADHESIVE SIGNS — Any sign which is attached to a window pane by tape, glue or transfer methods, and whether permanently attached or not.
6.813.
WINDOW CARD SIGNS — Any sign which is part of or attached to a card set up inside a window on a sill, shelf or other support with the intention of being viewed from outside the window.
6.814.
WINDOW HANGING SIGNS — Any sign which is hung from the overhead inside any window with the intention of being viewed from outside the window.
6.815.
WALL ATTACHED SIGN — Any sign which is attached to an interior wall with the intention of being viewed from outside a window.
6.83.
Special prohibitions and allowances.
6.831.
(Reserved)
6.832.
Lighting. No window sign shall be integrally lighted by fluorescent, incandescent, neon or other similar light methods.
6.833.
(Reserved)
6.834.
Flashing. No window or window sign shall be bordered by lights which flash on and off.
6.835.
Menus. A restaurant or other eating establishment may display a standard size (unenlarged) copy of its menu or bill of fare in a window without obtaining a permit as described in Section 6.3.
6.836.
Open/closed signs. A business may display a window sign indicating that it is open or closed or indicating its hours of operation without obtaining a permit as described in Section 6.3, provided that such sign is otherwise in conformance with applicable provisions of Article VI and that such sign shall not exceed two square feet in area.
6.837.
Membership signs. A business may display a window sign indicating membership in a trade or professional organization without obtaining a permit as described in Section 6.3, provided that such sign is otherwise in conformance with applicable provisions of Article VI and that such sign shall not exceed one square foot in area.
6.838.
Decals. A business may display window decals or stickers indicating that the premises are protected by an alarm or security system and may display window decals or stickers indicating charge or credit cards accepted by that establishment without obtaining a permit as described in Section 6.3, provided that such decals and stickers are otherwise in conformance with applicable provisions of Article VI and that the total area of all such decals and stickers does not exceed one square foot in area when combined.
6.839.
Temporary signs. Temporary window signs shall mean and include any window sign advertising a sale, promotion or similar occasional event of limited duration. A business may display temporary window signs without obtaining permits as described in Section 6.3, provided that such signs otherwise conform to applicable provisions of Article VI and that such signs not be displayed for more that 30 consecutive days nor for more than a total of 60 days in any calender year.
6.84.
Signs not complying with this chapter.
6.841.
Continuance. Any sign heretofore erected and maintained which does not comply with the provisions of this chapter may continue to be maintained so long as it complies with Section 6.443 of this chapter, except as set forth below.
6.842.
Signs to be removed. The following signs which violate provisions of this chapter shall be removed according to one or the other time schedules set forth in Section 6.9, whichever is preferred by the owner.
6.843.
Signs projecting more than 12 inches over a street.
6.844.
Signs which flash or have border lights which flash on and off.
6.845.
Ground, roof and projecting signs serving nonconforming uses in residence districts.
Sec. 6.9 Amortization schedules.
[Amended 12-11-1978 by Ord. No. 24442; 8-19-1968 by Ord. No. 22297; 12-11-1978 by Ord. No. 24442]
Age of Sign (years) | Amortization Period (years) |
|---|---|
More than 10 | 3 |
6 to 10 | 5 |
3 to 6 | 7 |
Less than 3 | 9 |
Value Of Sign* | Amortization Period (years) |
|---|---|
Less than $100. | 3 |
$100. to $499. | 5 |
$500. to $999. | 7 |
Over $1,000. | 9 |
NOTES: | |
|---|---|
* | As determined by the Inspector of Buildings for new construction at the time of adoption of this provision. |
6.91.
Obsolete signs. No sign shall remain in position when it no longer serves the purpose for which it was installed, and the property owner shall remove any such sign and its supporting framework within 30 days after the cessation of the activity which it advertised. When a property owner can show the Inspector of Buildings that a sign has been in place for a long period of time and that it has historic or neighborhood meaning, the Inspector of Buildings may allow it to remain, provided that such sign is kept in good repair.