A.

Address sign. A sign displaying no more than the following: (1) the name or names of any occupant of the premises; (2) the street number and name; and (3) identification of a use or activity conducted on the premises.

B.

Awning sign. A sign painted on or attached to an awning.

C.

Banner. A sign fabricated from cloth-like material and secured to a structure using string, rope, or other temporary fastening device. The material can be man-made or synthetic, with paint or stickers relaying the message presented. A banner shall be categorized as a temporary sign and shall not be larger than three (3) feet wide by six (6) feet long.

D.

Billboard. An off-premises sign for hire.

E.

Construction sign. An on-premises sign identifying the nature of a construction project and the name/address of one or more of the following: (1) contractor; (2) subcontractor; (3) architect; (4) landscape architect; and/or (5) engineer.

F.

Date/time/temperature sign. An LED or LCD sign that displays date, time, and/or temperature and does not change more frequently than every five (5) seconds.

G.

Directional sign. An on-premises sign indicating the directions of vehicle or pedestrian traffic or the location of parking, buildings, offices, entrances, activities or amenities, such as restrooms and public telephones. A directional sign shall contain no advertising.

H.

Facade. The front of a building unless otherwise specified.

I.

Flashing sign. An illuminated sign which exhibits changes or variations in light intensity, color, direction, or animation. Excluded from this definition are illuminated signs on which the only variations in light intensity, color, direction or animates are to display the date, time and/or temperature.

J.

Flush-mounted sign. A sign attached parallel to the wall of any structure or to a fence, screen or free-standing wall, including a sign mounted flush or parallel to the building facade.

K.

For sale/rent/lease sign. A sign advertising the availability of all or a portion of the premises for sale, lease, and/or rent.

L.

Free-standing sign. A permanent, self-supporting sign not attached to any building, wall or fence, but in a fixed location.

M.

Grand opening sign. A temporary sign announcing the opening or reopening of a business.

N.

Internally illuminated sign. A sign which utilizes light fixtures affixed within the frame and skin of the sign structure. This definition shall not apply to neon lights.

O.

Multi-use sign. A free-standing sign that advertises more than one business, service, or organization, contained in a single mounted frame.

P.

Non-conforming sign. A sign lawfully existing when the sign ordinance was adopted or amended, that does not conform to this ordinance.

Q.

Off-premises sign. Any temporary or permanent sign not on the premises of the business or activity to which it relates.

R.

Portable sign. A sign capable of being moved, carried or relocated, including signs mounted on a chassis and wheels, or supported by legs. Examples of portable signs are A-frame signs, sandwich board signs, reader board signs, trailer signs, temporary announcement signs.

S.

Projecting sign. A sign mounted perpendicular to the building surface.

T.

Reader board sign. A sign mounted on a chassis and/or wheels, or supported by legs, with characters, letters or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged manually or electronically, without altering the structure of the sign. The sign may or may not have wheels, but is not fixed in one place.

U.

Roof-mounted sign. A sign placed upon the roof of any building, or erected on a framework supported by the roof of a structure.

V.

Sign. Any permanent or temporary display of one or more letters, words, pictures, graphics, logos, colors or lights visible from public ways or places, whether free-standing, or attached to or displayed upon a structure or any other thing, which is intended to convey a message, except for:

1.

Pavement marking or driveway arrows painted on the ground, which contain no advertising; and

2.

Window displays that do not include lettering, graphic symbols or affixed signs within the window or affixed to the window. Window displays are not "window signs."

W.

Symbol sign. An object that by common usage expresses the presence of a given service and understanding (a barber pole is an example).

X.

Temporary sign. A sign intended to be used for no more than thirty (30) days in a calendar year.

Y.

Trailer sign. A sign affixed to a movable trailer that can be towed or pulled.

Z.

Window sign. A sign painted or affixed in another manner to the window pane or hung directly inside the window structure.

A.

The following apply to all zoning districts:

1.

No sign may be erected, altered, or relocated without issuance of a permit from the Warren Building Official, unless said sign is specifically exempted by this article. Application for a sign permit shall include a graphic representation of all existing and proposed signage, including material, lighting and dimensions. All signs erected, altered, or relocated must comply with this article unless a variance is otherwise granted under article IV of this ordinance.

2.

No sign shall be placed or located on any sidewalk or public right-of-way except as provided in section 18-5 of the Warren Town Code.

3.

Flashing signs, animated signs containing moving parts, and signs containing reflective elements which sparkle or twinkle in the sunlight are prohibited. This prohibition shall include signs located inside a building when such signs are intended to be visible by pedestrians or motorists. An exception is signs that display only date/time/temperature.

4.

Neon-lighted signs twenty-four (24) inches by eighteen (18) inches, that do not flash or feature animation shall be permitted in non-residential districts.

5.

Roof-mounted signs are allowed only in non-residential districts and only by special use permit.

6.

Signs identifying a business or organization which is either defunct or no longer located at the premises shall be prohibited and removed within ninety (90) days of the business closing or relocating.

7.

Billboards, reader board signs and trailer signs are prohibited, except as specifically provided in this ordinance.

8.

Permanent signs for private organizations, events or services placed on public property shall be prohibited unless granted approval by the town council.

9.

Signs suspended over public sidewalks shall have the height of the bottom of the sign at least nine (9) feet above the ground.

10.

Day/time/temperature signs are allowed in non-residential districts. Size cannot exceed eighteen (18) inches by twenty-four (24) inches and they must not change more frequently than every five (5) seconds.

B.

Signs permitted by right in all zoning districts are exempt from the provisions of section 32-112 include:

1.

One (1) address sign not exceeding one (1) square foot per dwelling unit or commercial use.

2.

Signs indicating hours of operation, credit cards accepted, business or professional affiliations, prohibitions and general use of the premises, such as prohibiting not patrons without shirts, no trespassing, and the like provided that such signs do not exceed a total of two (2) square feet in area.

3.

Directional signs. Directional signs shall contain no advertising.

4.

For sale/rent/lease signs, provided, however, that the number of for sale/rent/lease signs per dwelling or commercial use shall not exceed two (2). The size of the two signs shall not exceed a total of 12 square feet.

5.

Temporary signs announcing a charitable or civic event and yard/garage sale. These signs shall be removed within 48 hours after the event has taken place.

C.

Signs permitted in all residence districts by right, which are exempt from provisions of section 32-112 shall be limited to the following:

1.

A name plate, not exceeding one and one half (1½) square feet in area, indicating the name of the occupant or identifying a permitted home occupation or home professional office. Such nameplate may not be lighted.

2.

An unlighted sign, not exceeding twelve (12) square feet in area, pertaining to the prospective sale or lease of the premises upon which such sign is located.

3.

Regulatory signs, not exceeding one and one half (1½) square feet in area, indicating restrictions on or prohibiting the use of public or private property.

D.

Nonconforming signs:

1.

Continuance. A nonconforming sign lawfully existing at the time of adoption or subsequent amendment to this article may continue, although such sign does not conform to the provisions of this article, until such time as the nonconforming sign is either abandoned or replaced, or there is a change of use.

2.

Replacement. Any sign replacing a nonconforming sign shall conform to the provisions of this article, and the nonconforming sign shall no longer be displayed. Refacing of signs with existing framework is permitted, except for properties and structures undergoing a change of use.

3.

Signs erected for non-conforming uses in residential districts shall continue as non-conforming signs. If a sign for a non-conforming use within a residential district is altered, it shall meet the following requirements:

a.

The sign shall be located at least fifteen (15) feet from any side or rear lot line and at least five (5) feet from any front lot line, except where such sign is located on the wall of a building.

b.

Signs shall be externally illuminated and lights shall be oriented so as to reflect away from neighboring properties.

c.

Non-conforming free-standing signs within residential districts shall be no larger than six (6) square feet and be limited to a height of six (6) feet.

E.

Off-premises signs:

1.

Off-premises signs shall be prohibited in all residential districts.

2.

An applicant may request an off-premises sign in nonresidential districts by filing an application for a special use permit with the zoning board of review under article V of this ordinance. At the public hearing the zoning board of review may grant the application as a special use permit per provisions of article V, if the board determines:

a.

That the sign is necessary to inform the general public of the location of the business;

b.

That the sign does not interfere with pedestrians walking on the sidewalk;

c.

That the sign does not created any type of danger to motor vehicles; and

d.

That no other off premises sign is located within two hundred (200) feet.

3.

Off premises signs shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in the case of a two-sided sign, or six (6) square feet in the case of single-sided signs, and shall be no taller than six(6) feet. Suspended off-premises signs shall not exceed two (2) square feet per business or use.

(Amd. of 1-8-08)

Portable signs shall be allowed in all nonresidential districts. One (1) portable sign per permitted use shall be allowed. The size shall be limited to twelve (12) square feet, and the sign shall not be placed in a public right-of-way or in a manner which creates a vehicular or pedestrian hazard. A sign permit must be received from the building official prior to the display of a portable sign. A portable sign shall be considered in the calculation of total signage. Off-premises portable signs are not permitted in nonresidential districts.

(Amd. of 1-8-08)

A.

Measurement of sign area. The measurement of sign area shall be as follows:

1.

Sign measurement shall be based upon the entire area of the sign, or signs in combination, if more than one (1) sign is erected in regard to a single use, with a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the actual sign surface. Awning signs and window signage shall be included in calculation. Date/time/temperature signs shall be excluded from the calculations.

2.

For signs painted on or applied to a building, window or awning, the area shall be considered to include all lettering, wording or accompanying designs or symbols, together with any background of different color than the natural color, or finish material of the building or window.

3.

For a sign consisting of individual letters or symbols attached or printed on a surface, building, wall, window or awning, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other shape which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.

4.

The area of supporting framework shall not be included in the sign area calculation, if such framework is incidental to the display.

5.

In the case of multi-sided or double-faced signs, each surface containing graphics, letters, logos, etc. shall be calculated separately, then added together for the total signage measurement.

B.

Measurement of height. The height of a sign shall be measured from grade up to the highest point of the sign structure, including brackets and supports. Clearance from grade to bottom rail of sign (excluding signs permitted by right or hanging over a right-of-way) shall be a minimum of three (3) feet in all districts.

C.

Illumination. Illumination standards shall be as follows:

1.

Signs shall not be illuminated directly or indirectly after the closing of business and shall not be illuminated until such time as the business opens the following day.

2.

Internally illuminated signs are prohibited in all zoning districts with the exception of the business district (B) that fronts on Metacom Avenue.

D.

Placement standards. Placement of signs shall be as follows:

1.

Signs shall not be erected or affixed to a utility pole, traffic or regulating sign, tree, or shrub. The building official, police chief, director of public works, or their designees, shall have the authority to remove any sign affixed to a utility pole, traffic, regulatory sign, trees or shrubs.

2.

No sign shall extend above the roof line of a structure

3.

Signs shall not cover architectural details such as, but not limited to, arches, sills, moldings, cornices, transom windows.

4.

Signs shall not be placed in any manner which may impede vision or obstruct access to any street, sidewalk, driveway, off-street parking or loading facility and other required access.

5.

Signs over public sidewalks shall provide nine (9) feet of clearance.

(Amd. of 1-8-08)

A.

See article XXVIII, section 32-169 of this ordinance.

(Amd. of 1-8-08; Amd. of 2-7-08)

A.

Sign design/types allowed, with the listed restrictions, in the zoning districts indicated as follows:

*Free standing signs in the business district are subject to the regulations set forth above, but are allowed one (1) free standing sign per principal building,

All of the following conditions apply:

1.

The additional sign must be placed in any yard fronting on a street of the building it serves

2.

The site must have a minimum of three (3) or more separate businesses on the site to have a second sign

3.

The sign may be single or double faced sign, not to exceed thirty-six (36) square feet per side

4.

The top of the sign, including the supporting structure, does not exceed fifteen (15) feet above the ground

5.

The free standing signs may not be closer than seventy-five (75) to one hundred (100) feet of one another.

Neighborhood grocery store is defined as a retail establishment that primarily sells groceries. "Groceries" are defined as food products, dry groceries (such as household products and paper goods) and other items typically sold (such as meats, poultry, seafood, sushi, dairy products, frozen foods, fruits, vegetables, deli items, prepared food and baked goods) and excluding gasoline.

B.

Subject to the restrictions set forth in section 32-113 of this article, maximum square footage of signage allowed is as follows;

(Amd. of 1-8-08)

A.

Permits. Unless specifically exempted in this article, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, display, alter or enlarge any sign as defined in this article without first obtaining a permit from the building official and paying the fee required. The building official shall issue a permit only once it is determined the sign complies or will with all applicable provisions of this article. The building official's failure to act within sixty (60) days from the date on which the applications submitted may be appealed to the zoning board of review. If the work authorized under the sign permit is not completed within six (6) months after the date of issuance, the permit shall become void.

B.

Applications shall be on forms prescribed by the building official and shall contain or have attached the following information, WITHOUT EXCEPTION:

1.

Name, address, telephone number of applicant and/or owner

2.

Name of person performing work;

3.

A scale drawing of all existing and proposed signs, including dimensions, colors, materials and details including size and letters of the graphics;

4.

A scale drawing of the building or lot showing where the proposed sign is to be located;

5

A scale drawing of the planes and specifications and method of construction and attachment to the building or in the ground;

6.

Any electrical permit required and issued for sign;

7.

Written consent of the owner of the property on which the sign is to be erected.

(Amd. of 1-8-08)

A.

The building official shall have the authority and responsibility for:

1.

Determining conformance with this ordinance for all proposed and presently existing signs;

2.

Issuing a permit for all signs which comply with this ordinance;

3.

Issuing notice to any owner of a nonconforming sign that they are in violation of this ordinance; and

4.

Removing nonconforming signs which have been allowed to remain beyond the period stipulated in this ordinance. Cost of removal shall be borne by the property owner.

B.

Appeals. The decision of the building inspector may be appealed to the zoning board of review. The decision of the zoning board of review will replace that of the building official.

(Amd. of 1-8-08)