Westminster City Zoning Code
ARTICLE X
Signs
[Amended 5-4-2019 ATM by Art. 29]
§ 205-44.1 Compliance required.
No signs or advertising devices of any kind or nature shall be erected on any premises or affixed to the outside of any structure or be visible from the outside of any structure in Westminster, except as specifically permitted in this section.
§ 205-44.2 Purpose.
The purposes of this article are to:
Encourage signs that provide information and advertising to the public in an orderly, effective and safe manner.
Help simplify the permitting process for signs that require permits.
Encourage signs that are harmonious and compatible with the architectural and environmental character of the property.
Encourage signs that complement the rural character and natural beauty of the Town.
§ 205-44.3 Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A sign that no longer identifies a bona fide business, lessor, service, owner, product or activity for which the time of event passed, and/or for which no legal owner can be found. This definition also includes any structure which no longer supports the sign for which it was designed.
A sign that is subordinate to the principal sign and customarily incidental to, and on the same lot as the principal use.
A nonilluminated sign painted on or attached to a fabric or vinyl cover on a rigid frame. Only business names and/or logos may be attached to, painted, stenciled or otherwise placed on an awning.
A temporary or permanent sign made of flexible material that may be freehanging or attached to poles and/or structures.
The exterior trim of a structure at the meeting of a roof and a wall.
A sign erected and maintained by local officials within the public right-of-way used to indicate to the traveling public the route and distance to public accommodations, facilities, commercial services and points of interest. Such signs shall conform to all applicable state regulations regarding the placement of signs within the public right-of-way.
A sign with two faces or panels, which are not visible at the same time and which, unlike a V-shaped sign, are directly back to back.
A sign that does not require a permit.
The exterior face of a building.
A sign self-supported by a pole or post and not attached to any building, wall or fence, but in a fixed location. Types of freestanding signs include post and arm, monument, and pole signs.
An on-premises sign indicating a business, trade, occupation or profession conducted at the proprietor's residence or within a structure accessory to a residence.
A sign lighted or exposed to artificial light either by lights on or in the sign and directed towards the sign including halo lighting, direct/external lighting, indirect lighting, or internal illumination.
Illumination by means of a light source completely enclosed by the sign panel(s).
A freestanding ground sign with two vertical supports and two or more crosspieces serving as individual signs.
A sign painted on, attached to, or consisting of interchangeable letters on the face of a permanent overhanging shelter that projects from the face of a building.
An outside sign identifying a development, business, service, or homes made of brick, masonry or stone, the bottom is attached directly and permanently to the ground and physically separated from any other structure.
Any sign or advertising device legally erected as of March 5, 2019, but not abiding by this article.
Any sign that advertises or indicates a person/business that is not located on the same premises as the person/business.
Any sign that advertises or indicates the person/business occupying the premises on which the sign is located, the merchandise for sale or the activity conducted thereon.
A sign, including its support and structure, used for a period of time greater than 60 days.
Any sign designed to be moved easily and not affixed to the ground or structure.
A sign that is not allowed in the Town of Westminster as described in § 205-44.8.
A sign attached to the roof of a building.
A sole sign for a business displayed at least 60 days but no more than 120 days each year. Such signs shall be governed by the same regulations as all other permitted non-temporary signs.
Any permanent or temporary object, device, structure, billboard, placard, painting, drawing, poster, design, letter, work, banner, pennant, insignia, trade flag, picture or representation, or the painting of any of the foregoing on the surface of a building or structure used as, or which is in the nature of, an advertisement, announcement, or direction or for the calling of attention to the premises, which is on a public way or on private property within public view from a public or private way or public park, public or private parking lot, or property available for public use.
The person appointed by the Select Board to enforce this article, referenced within the article as the SBO.
[Amended 11-16-2021 STM by Art. 4]
A plan for all signs referring to a single building or group of contiguous commercial, industrial and/or residential units.
A permanent sign requiring a permit that conforms to a permitted use as described in § 205-44.6 and requiring approval by the Sign Bylaw Officer (SBO).
Includes all letters and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background on which they are displayed, any frame around the sign, any cutouts or extensions, but shall not include any support structure or bracing. Only one side of a double-faced sign is used for computing sign square footage.
A sign, including its support structure, intended to be maintained for a continuous period of 60 days or less in any calendar year.
A registered graphic or logo for a specific commodity.
A sandwich sign that is connected at a side edge, with two panels, neither of which is visible at the same time, and which unlike a double-faced sign, are not flush or parallel.
A departure from the requirements of this article as the Zoning Board of Appeals, upon appeal in specific cases, is empowered to authorize under the terms of this article.
A sign mounted parallel to the exterior surface of a building.
Any sign, picture, symbol or combination thereof, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale, or service that is permanently affixed inside a window or upon the window panes or glass, and is visible from the exterior of a window.
§ 205-44.4 General design guidelines for all signs.
Construction: All signs must be constructed according to these guidelines.
Letters shall be carefully formed and adequately spaced, so that the message is easily readable and the overall appearance is neat, orderly and uncluttered.
No more than 60% of the total sign area shall be accompanied by lettering.
Sign materials should be durable and easy to maintain. These may include wood, paper, metal, slate, marble, gold leaf, glass, canvas, stained glass, or other natural-looking materials.
All freestanding signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 30 pounds per square inch of surface area.
Signs shall be designed to be compatible with the surroundings and appropriate to the architectural character of the building on, or near, which they are placed.
Trademarks that are registered for a specific commodity and do not reflect the name of the business may occupy no more than 10% of the sign area.
Maintenance: All signs shall be maintained in good condition and repair at all times.
All signs, supports and electrical work shall be kept clean, neatly painted, and free from hazards, such as, but not limited to, faulty wiring and loose supports, braces, guys and anchors.
Failure to maintain any sign may be examined by the SBO and, if found in disrepair, the SBO shall give written notice of failure to maintain. If the sign is not repaired within 30 days from the receipt of the notice, then the SBO may order the sign be removed.
Location.
Signs must be placed at least five feet from any property line.
No sign shall obstruct the vision between a height of three feet and 10 feet above the surface of the street on a corner of two street rights-of-way.
No private sign shall be placed on public property.
No sign shall be placed on private property without written permission of the property owner.
Signs mounted on a roof shall not extend above the ridgeline.
No sign together with any supporting device shall extend to a height above 20 feet.
Signs must not dominate building facades or obscure any architectural details (including but not limited to arches, sills, moldings or cornices).
Signs shall be placed so as not to obstruct the view of traffic.
If a building fronts on two or more streets, the sign area for each street frontage will be computed separately.
Supports and brackets shall not extend needlessly above the cornice line of the building to which the sign is attached.
Except as otherwise permitted, all information conveyed by any sign shall pertain to the premises on which the sign is located.
Signs in the Commercial/Village Center/Industrial Zoning Districts:
The total number of signs requiring permits on a single business or industrial complex is two, of which one may be freestanding.
A wall sign for each business may be a maximum of 32 square feet.
The total cumulative area of all signs permitted on any lot shall be two square feet of sign area per lineal foot of building frontage, but in no case shall exceed 80 square feet, whichever is less. Thirty-two square feet shall be permitted on any lot regardless of building frontage.
The top edge of any freestanding sign may be no higher than 20 feet vertical measure above ground.
Signs must be at least five feet from any lot line.
In addition to the above provisions, signs in the Village Center Zoning District shall also comply with the following standards:
Signs in residential zoning districts.
One sign, except for mailbox identification, the letters of which shall not exceed four inches in height and shall identify only the box holder, displaying the street number, or name of the occupant of premises, or both, not exceeding two square feet in area. Such sign may be attached to a building or may be on a rod or post not more than six feet high and not less than 10 feet from the street line. Such sign may include identification of an accessory studio or professional office in the dwelling or on the premises, or may identify other permitted accessory uses, including customary home occupations.
One bulletin or announcement board or identification sign for a permitted nonresidential building or use, with not more than six square feet of signboard area. For churches and institutions, two bulletin or announcement boards or identification signs are permitted for each building. Each such church or institution sign shall have not more than 10 square feet of signboard area. No such signs shall be located nearer street than 1/2 the required front yard depth.
On the premises with a lawfully nonconforming nonresidential use, one sign with not more than six square feet of signboard area.
Two "for sale" or "for rent" or "for lease" signs with not more than six square feet of signboard area each and advertising only the premises on which the sign is located.
Two building contractor's signs on a building while actually under construction not exceeding six square feet of signboard area each.
In residential districts, all signs or advertising devices shall be stationary and shall not contain any visible moving or movable parts. No sign or advertising device in such districts shall be of neon or illuminated-tube type. Lighting of any sign or advertising device shall be continuous (not intermittent nor flashing nor changing) and shall be so placed or hooded as to prevent direct light from shining onto any street or adjacent property. No sign or advertising device shall be illuminated after 11:00 p.m.
Sign master plans: Owners of single businesses or groups of contiguous commercial, industrial or residential units located together in a development may adopt a sign master plan to govern advertising. Application of these provisions should not detract from the rural character of the Town.
Total sign area permitted for the entire development shall be calculated at the rate of two square feet per foot of lineal building frontage.
Each planned development may have one common freestanding sign denoting the name of the facility not exceeding 80 square feet per side and with the bottom panel not less than five feet above road level and a maximum height of 15 feet.
All other signs shall be attached to buildings, a wall, projecting or soffit type, and coordinated in material, shape, lettering, color, and/or decorative elements.
Information and directional signage shall be consistent with the general sign design of the development and is exempt from the sign area calculation provided that it does not contain advertising.
Groups of signs shall express uniformity, create a harmonious appearance, and provide a visual and aesthetic coordination of the information presented to the public.
Height and physical placement of signs shall be consistent throughout the master plan area.
The sign master plan shall be approved by the Planning Board through the site plan review process specified in § 205-43, at a public hearing, and give details regarding sign placement, design, color, coordination, visibility, information messages and compatibility with the general design of the development.
§ 205-44.5 Exempt signs.
Signs that require no permit may be erected and maintained without permits or fees, provided that such signs comply with the general requirements of this article and other conditions specifically imposed by other regulations. If in question, the SBO shall determine whether or not a sign is exempt. The following types of signs, permanent and temporary, are exempt from needing a permit:
Temporary or permanent signs, including banners, erected and maintained by the Town, county, state or federal government for traffic direction, direction to or identification of an historic site or structure, government facility or event as approved by the Select Board.
[Amended 11-16-2021 STM by Art. 4]
Permanent: signs used for a period of time greater than 60 days.
Historic markers, tablets, statues, memorial signs and plaques containing the names of buildings, and dates of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when installed on the building that do not exceed six square feet in total size.
Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
On-premise directional signs as long as they do not exceed six square feet per face and six feet in height when included as an integral part of an approved sign master plan for a development or complex. Business names and personal names shall be allowed not to exceed one square foot in area.
Nonilluminated warning and private drive signs shall be no larger than two square feet.
Posted or no trespassing signs shall be no larger than two square feet. One sign per 50 feet of frontage is allowed.
Name plates identifying residents and numbers identifying houses, mounted on a house, apartments or mailboxes, not exceeding two square feet in area.
Lamppost signs identifying residents, with no more than two faces and not exceeding one square foot per face. Such signs are to be nonilluminated, except by a light which is an integral part of the lamppost.
Temporary signs: signs intended to be maintained for a continuous period of less than 60 days in any calendar year. A maximum of two temporary signs per lot are allowed in each of the following cases, unless specified otherwise in this article.
Within residential zones, the sign must be less than four square feet in area.
Temporary identification signs for approved subdivisions shall not exceed 32 square feet and shall be removed upon the sale of the last remaining lot within the subdivision.
Within commercial and industrial zones, the sign must not to exceed 32 square feet, set back at least five feet from all property lines and highway rights-of-way.
Temporary nonilluminated window signs and posters must not exceed 16 square feet in area or 30% of the window surface area.
The sign must be removed within one week after the event to which it relates.
Flag business signs made of fabric, provided that:
Only one such flag is permitted per business.
Flag size shall be no greater than three feet by five feet.
The flag is displayed only during business hours of operation.
Pole or support for the flag shall not exceed 10 feet in height.
Such flags shall not project or hang over a public right-of-way, including the sidewalk.
New business signs or new business location.
While awaiting installation of a permanent sign, a business may utilize a temporary sign for a period of not more than 30 days or until the installation of a permanent sign, whichever occurs first.
Grand opening signs: pennants, banners, and flags may be displayed for a period not to exceed 30 days after the business first opens, as long as these temporary signs do not create a safety hazard.
Flags or decorations which are considered to be home flags that are placed to show spirit, pride or some type of seasonal activity.
§ 205-44.6 Signs requiring permits.
The following signs shall require the issuance of a sign permit from the SBO:
Projecting sign: any affixed perpendicularly to a wall surface, building or structure.
All parts of such signs and the brackets which attach it to the wall shall be higher in height than 10 feet and lower in height than 15 feet above the pedestrian traffic area. However, such signs must be located below the bottom of the second-floor windowsills. On a one-story building, the top of the sign must be lower than the lowest point of the roof.
Such signs and the brackets that attach it to a wall must project no more than four feet from the building face and shall not extend over the sidewalk or public way.
Such signs must hang at least six inches away from the wall.
Such signs must not extend into vehicle traffic areas, such as parking lots or driveways, excluding drive-through facilities.
The total surface area of such signs must not exceed 12 square feet each side.
Wall-hung sign: any sign incorporated into, or attached to, the wall of a building or structure with the face of the sign parallel to the wall. This may include three-dimensional letters applied directly to the surface.
Such signs shall be mounted no more than six inches from the wall surface and extend no more than 15 inches from the wall.
Such signs can be no larger than one square foot for each linear foot of building face parallel to the street on the front of the building to a maximum of 80 square feet.
Such signs cannot obscure architectural details of the buildings, such as cornices, windows, arches, lintels, and transoms.
Such signs must be attached to the building, not the parapet, cornice or trim.
Such signs cannot extend over the top of the walls or beyond the ends of the walls to which they are attached. On a two-story building, all parts of such signs must be located below the sill of the second-floor windows.
Freestanding signs: Any self-supporting sign in a fixed location and not attached to any building or structure.
Such signs shall have no more than two faces.
The area of each face shall not exceed 30 square feet.
The top of such signs must be less than 15 feet in height, as long as the sign does not obstruct the visibility for vehicles and pedestrians.
A lot with frontage of 300 feet or more may have two such signs, which be located at least 100 feet from the other.
Such signs shall be erected so that free egress to and from any building public right-of-way is not obstructed.
Such signs shall not extend over or into the public right-of-way, pedestrian walkway or driveway (excluding drive-through facilities), nor shall they hang over any property line.
Such signs shall be located no less than five feet from any property line.
Multiple sign: More than one sign clustered into a single group, and usually sharing a common heading. It can be wall-mounted, projecting, or freestanding.
The display boards shall be an integrated and uniform design.
The allowable sign area for each side shall be computed at 10% of the building front face square footage (the length times the height of the building facade), to achieve the base square footage, or 32 square feet, whichever is smaller.
(Reserved)
Painted wall sign: A permanent message painted directly on the outside surface of a building or structure.
Portable sign: Any sign designed to be transported.
These signs include but are not limited to the following:
Sandwich board signs in an A-shape with a message on both sides.
Signs converted to an A- or T-frame sign.
Signs with wheels removed.
Signs with chassis or support constructed without wheels.
Signs designed to be transported by trailer or wheels.
Signs attached temporarily to the ground, structure, or other sign.
Signs mounted on a vehicle for advertising purposes, parked, and visible from the public right-of-way, except signs identifying the related business when the vehicle is being used in the normal day-to-day operations of said business.
Only one of this type of sign is allowed per business.
Such signs shall not be located within a street or public right-of-way.
The sign shall not obstruct visibility of vehicles or pedestrians.
Such signs shall not obstruct pedestrian traffic. If located on a sidewalk, it shall be placed adjacent to the building so as to allow for a thirty-six-inch-minimum walkway.
The total height of such signs will be less than six feet.
The total area of each side is not to exceed 12 square feet.
Such signs must be an on-premises sign.
§ 205-44.7 Illumination for signs.
All electrically illuminated signs shall conform to the Massachusetts Electrical Code and be inspected by the Town's Wiring Inspector.
All illumination must be a continuous external white light (spot, track, over-hang, or wall lamps are acceptable).
No signs shall be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless the commercial or industrial establishment on which it is located is open for business at that time.
No form of illumination that is flashing, moving, animated or intermittent is allowed.
Neon signs are not allowed.
Internally illuminated signs are not allowed.
No connecting wires shall be exposed.
Illumination must not produce direct glare beyond the limits of the property line.
§ 205-44.8 Prohibited signs.
Awning signs: Any sign painted on or attached to fabric over a frame.
Billboards: An off-premises sign used for the display of printed or painted advertising matter.
Internally illuminated signs: Signs with flashing, intermittent, rotating, moving or animated lights, except to show time and temperature.
Signs with moving parts.
Any sign or sign structure that is structurally unsafe, or constitutes a hazard to safety or health because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or abandonment.
Any sign advertising or identifying a business, service, or organization that is either defunct or no longer located on the premises.
§ 205-44.9 Nonconforming signs.
Any sign located within the political boundaries of Westminster as of October 5, 2019, that does not conform to this article is a "legal nonconforming" sign, if the sign was in compliance with the applicable bylaw at the time the sign was erected.
A legal nonconforming sign shall lose its nonconforming status if:
The sign is altered in any way that makes the sign substantially different from its structure prior to alterations.
The sign is relocated.
The sign is abandoned based on circumstances indicative of an intention to abandon the use and vested rights.
All legal, nonconforming signs may be expanded upon a finding from the Zoning Board of Appeals that the expansion is not more detrimental to the neighborhood than the existing sign.
§ 205-44.10 Sign permit application procedure.
A sign permit is to be obtained from the SBO.
Applications may be filed by the property owner, business owner or any person who has the authority to erect a sign on the premises.
The SBO will review the permit application and accompanying materials to ensure that the proposed sign complies with all applicable sections of this article, other Town bylaws, and the State Building Code.
The SBO shall act within 30 days of receipt of a completed application. The SBO's failure to act may be appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Fees: A schedule of fees for sign permits may be established and amended from time to time by the Select Board.
[Amended 11-16-2021 STM by Art. 4]
If the erection of a sign authorized under a sign permit has not been completed within two years from the date of permit issuance, the permit shall become null and void, but may be renewed upon filing a subsequent sign permit application.
§ 205-44.11 Penalties and enforcement.
Violation of any provision of this article or any lawful order of the SBO shall be subject to a fine of not more than $50 per day for each offense for the first five days. Each day thereafter that such violation continues shall incur a fine of $100 per day for each offense.
A sign shall be designed, erected, altered, reconstructed, moved and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this section unless specifically modified by another section of the Zoning Bylaw.
The SBO may require design changes for any sign or decline to issue a building permit if he/she determines the sign would be inappropriate as measured by the purposes of this article. His decision shall be subject to appeal as is provided in Chapter 40A, § 8 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
Permits required: A building permit shall be required for the construction, erection, relocation or alteration of any sign except as specifically exempted by this section. A sign shall comply with all applicable zoning, building, electrical and fire codes.
Maintenance of signs: Every sign, whether requiring a permit or not, shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and structurally sound condition at all times, including the replacement of defective parts and painting and cleaning of said sign.
Removal of dangerous or defective signs: The SBO may immediately remove or cause to be removed any sign deemed to be defective and/or to be a danger to public health and/or safety. The cost of said removal shall be charged to the owner of the property where said sign is located.
§ 205-44.12 Appeal process.
Any person aggrieved by a decision by the SBO relative to the provisions of this article may appeal such decision, in writing, to the Zoning Board of Appeals as provided by the Zoning Bylaw (§ 205-49) and shall comply with all procedural requirements prescribed by the Board.