Definitions. Words and phrases used in this section shall have the meanings set forth herein. Words and phrases not defined herein, but defined in the Town of Southwick Zoning Bylaw, shall be given the meanings set forth in such Bylaw. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Headings or captions are for reference purposes only and shall not be used in the interpretation of this section.
ADDRESS SIGN Number(s) and/or letter(s) to identify the street address that are a minimum of four inches high in clear block style and of contrasting color with the background and mounted on the side of the building facing the street in accordance with §
83-6 of the Code of the Town of Southwick.
AGRICULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL SIGNS A free standing sign advertising farm business and/or agricultural products and/or agricultural recreation and/or commercial recreation (See Table 6.1, Table 6.2 and Table 6.5.).
[Amended 12-6-2016 STM by Art. 5]
AGRICULTURAL RETAIL USE An on-premise retail outlet for Agricultural Use commodities that is subordinate to the primary Agricultural Use and designed to bring the public to the premise for the purchase of any Agricultural Use commodities, including, but not limited to, agricultural, horticultural, floricultural and/or viticultural products, baked goods, ice cream and ice cream-based desserts and beverages, jams, honey, and other items promoting Agricultural Uses.
[Added ATM 5-18-2021 by Art. 27]
AGRICULTURAL USE Same definition as contained in Section
140-2 of the Town of Southwick Bylaws for "agriculture."
[Added ATM 5-18-2021 by Art. 27]
AUDIBLE SIGN Any sign which emits a sound which is audible or emits a signal which can be converted into audible sounds, whether by radio or other means.
AWNING SIGN A permanent sign affixed to or consisting of a permanent or retractable awning or marquee permanently mounted to the exterior surface of a building (See Subsection
L. and Table 4.).
BANNER A sign usually made of lightweight fabric, plastic or other flexible materials and mounted on a building or hung from a pole or suspended over a street.
BARBER POLE A striped, oftentimes rotating, cylindrical sign used to identify a hair cutting establishment.
BUILDING SIGN Any sign attached to any part of a building, as contrasted to a free standing sign.
CANOPY SIGN A sign painted on or incorporated into the cover of a fixed or retractable protective cover attached to a building or structure, and typically located over a door, entrance, or outdoor service area (See Subsection
L. and Table 4.).
CONTRACTOR SIGN A non-illuminated sign not in excess of 12 sq. ft. in area displayed at a construction site. Such sign shall be removed after the construction is completed.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN Any sign limited solely to directing either vehicular or pedestrian traffic (See Table 4.).
DIRECTORY SIGN A sign located on a building that identifies individual tenant(s) or occupant(s) of a building or group of buildings and that indicates their respective profession(s), business activities or location of such tenant (See Table 4.).
DISPLAY AREA The total surface area of a sign, including all letters, wording, designs, symbols, background and frame, but not including any support structure or bracing incidental to the sign.
DRIVE-THRU MENU BOARD SIGN A non-movable sign that is located on the premises of a food service establishment at the rear of the lot and that displays menu items and prices (See Table 6.).
ERECT To install, construct, reconstruct, replace, alter, relocate or extend any sign and shall not include sign repair or maintenance.
FREE STANDING SIGN A self-supporting sign not attached to any building, wall or fence, but in a fixed location. This does not include portable or movable signs (See Subsection
L. and Table 2.).
GROUND SIGN A sign which does not extend or project into or over a public way and is supported by one or more uprights or braces that are in or upon the ground.
ILLUMINATED SIGN Any sign artificially illuminated, either internally or externally, by means of electricity, gas, oil or fluorescent paint.
INSTITUTIONAL USES Uses that include governmental, religious, social, civic and educational facilities.
MENU BOARD SIGN A non-movable sign that is located on the premises of a food service establishment and that displays menu items and prices (See Table 6.).
MOVABLE SIGN A sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure and designed to be transported, including but not limited to: signs mounted on a chassis and wheels; unregistered motor vehicles and trailers with signage; and balloons and other inflatable devices used as signs.
NEON SIGN A sign made of shaped glass tubing, illuminated by electrically charged neon or similar inert gasses.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN Any sign that directs attention to an occupant, business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered at a location other than the lot on which the sign is located.
ON-PREMISES SIGN Any sign that directs attention to an occupant, business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered at a location where the sign is erected or maintained.
OUT-OF-STORE MARKETING DEVICE An out-of-store marketing device is any facility or equipment which is located outside of a primary building on a site zoned for non-residential uses, which is used for the primary purpose of providing a product or service without the owner's or agent's immediate presence, and which is manufactured to include a color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol, and/or writing thereon to communicate information regarding the product or service provided thereby to the public. Examples of out-of-store marketing devices include: fuel pumps, bank ATM units, vending machines, newspaper racks, drink machines, ice boxes, and phone booths (See Table 6.).
PENNANT/FLAG A sign made of flexible material hung on a pole or on the face of a building, decorated with graphics, designs, artwork, symbols and/or lettering. Pennants that contain advertising messages, logos, or symbols are not considered signs under this bylaw. Bunting and patriotic flags, such as United States, Massachusetts or Town flags, are not considered signs and are exempt from this bylaw.
POLITICAL SIGN A sign relating to a candidate for public office, an issue to be voted on at a Town Meeting or an election, or some other issue which may be of general concern, interest or controversy.
PORTABLE SIGN A two-sided sign not permanently affixed to the ground or a structure including signs supported by legs, including A-frames, T-frames; menu and sandwich board signs (See Table 5.).
REAL ESTATE SIGN A non-illuminated sign not in excess of four sq. ft. in area advertising the sale, rental or lease of only the premises on which it is located.
RECREATIONAL USE Any use contained in Section 185-34(F) of the Town of Southwick Bylaws for "commercial recreation," whether operated by a licensed commercial recreation business pursuant to a special permit under Section
185-34 of the Town of Southwick Bylaws, or by the Town of Southwick.
[Added ATM 5-18-2021 by Art. 27]
ROOF SIGN A sign located above, or projected above, the lowest point of the eaves or the top of the building wall of any building, or fastened to a roof (See Table 2.).
SEASONAL SIGN An on-premises sign advertising only agricultural products or services in season to be sold on the premises (See Table 4.).
SPECIAL EVENT SIGN A noncommercial promotional sign displayed for special events which shall meet the specifications of a portable sign (See Table 5.).
TEMPORARY SIGN Any sign, including its support structure, not permanently mounted and displayed for a limited amount of time. These signs are regulated by the Building Inspector (See Subsection
L. and Table 5.).
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGN A sign for the control of vehicular traffic, such as Stop, Yield, and similar signs.
WALL SIGN Any sign that is incorporated into, or affixed to the wall of a building or structure (See Subsection
L. and Table 3.).
WAY-FINDING SIGN A permanent off-premises sign that provides direction and information on public facilities; shared commercial developments; individual businesses, agencies and farms; and temporary public events. These signs are regulated by the Department of Public Works or Mass DOT.
WINDOW SIGN A sign affixed to the surface of a window (inside or outside) or displayed behind a window so as to attract attention from the outside (See Table 5.).