[Amended 3-22-1982 by Ord. No. 1329; 7-11-1983 by Ord. No. 1358; 3-19-1984 by Ord. No. 1379; 9-23-1985 by Ord. No. 1422; 12-12-1988 by Ord. No.
1491; 5-18-1989 by Ord. No. 1549; 12-8-1997 by Ord. No.
1622; 1-8-2001 by Ord. No. 1656; 1-17-2011 by Ord. No. 1796; 11-17-2014 by Ord. No. 1851]
From the effective date of this article, any sign erected shall
conform to the provisions of this article and any other ordinance(s)
or regulations of the City of Warren that relate to it.
See Article XVI of this chapter.
The following restrictions and regulations shall be applicable
to all signs unless otherwise specified:
A.
Materials. All signs, excluding awning and window signs, shall be
constructed only from wood, metal, stone, or other material as determined
by the City which has the general appearance of structures composed
primarily of wood, metal or stone with painted, engraved or raised
messages. Sign materials should complement the original construction
materials and architectural style of the building facade on which
they are to be displayed. If plywood is used, medium density overlay
shall be used as a minimum grade. Bare plywood is prohibited.
B.
Color. In selecting the principal colors for a sign, colors that
compliment the color of the building should be used.
C.
Illumination.
(1)
Light sources shall be shielded from all adjacent properties and
streets and shall not be of such intensity as to cause glare distracting
to pedestrians or motorists.
(2)
Each display of internally illuminated changing display signs must
be static and activated for a minimum of 30 seconds. Scrolling signs
are permitted.
(3)
Permits for illuminated signs will not be issued without an approved
electrical permit.
D.
Electrical connections. The electrical supply to all exterior signs,
whether to the sign itself or to lighting fixtures positioned to illuminate
the sign, shall be provided by means of concealed electrical cables.
Electrical supply to freestanding signs shall be provided by means
of underground cables. Applications for electrical permits shall be
filed at the time of the sign permit application.
E.
Nuisance. No sign shall create a public nuisance by emitting smoke,
sound, vapor, beams or rays, particle emissions, or odors.
F.
Sign removal. Any business that has closed shall remove any signs
associated with the business within 60 days after it closes. The owner
of the premises shall have the responsibility to ensure such signs
are removed within the sixty-day period.
G.
No sign or sign structure shall be erected unless it complies with
all applicable requirements of the City of Warren Building Code.
H.
All signs and sign structures shall be kept in good repair and in
a presentable condition, so that all sign information is clearly legible.
Any sign found by the Zoning Officer to show deterioration, including
rust, faded colors, discoloration, holes, and missing parts or informational
items, shall constitute a violation of this article.
I.
No sign or structure shall be placed in the public right-of-way except
for permitted sandwich boards, projecting signs, and civic event signs
as provided for in this article.
J.
Supplemental signs shall not exceed 25% of the total allowable sign
square footage.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to
erect any sign in the City of Warren unless it is specifically permitted
in this article. Unlawful signs include, but are not limited to:
A.
Any sign which by color, shape, or location conflicts with or resembles
a traffic signal device.
B.
Signs attached to rocks, utility poles, parking meters, traffic signposts,
traffic signals or control devices, street signs, or historical markers.
C.
Signs attached to trees, shrubs or any living vegetative matter.
D.
Signs erected without the permission of the property owner or authorized
agent.
E.
Signs that create a hazard by obstructing the clear view of vehicle
and pedestrian traffic.
F.
Animated, changing display, and scrolling signs within the Historic
District.
G.
Any sign that obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required
door, window, fire escape, or other required exit.
H.
Vehicular signs on vehicles parked in the same location in excess
of 30 days.
I.
Abandoned signs.
J.
Signs that exhibit statements, words, or pictures of an obscene or
pornographic nature.
K.
Beacon lights.
L.
Pennants longer than 150% of the street frontage of the premises.
Unless otherwise provided by this article, all signs shall require permits and payment of fees as described in § 470-59. No permit is required for the maintenance of a sign or for a change of copy on a legally conforming painted, printed, or changeable copy sign. For the purposes of this section, "maintenance" shall include any repainting of a sign that does not otherwise change its message or appearance.
The following signs shall be allowed without a sign permit and shall not be included in the determination of the number or sign area of other signs allowed within a zoning district, subject to the restrictions in § 470-59.
A.
Government/regulatory signs.
B.
Real estate signs.
C.
Political signs.
D.
Public interest signs.
E.
Memorial signs.
F.
Yard sale signs.
G.
Address signs.
H.
Interior signs.
I.
Incidental signs.
J.
Civic event signs on premises.
K.
Personal expression signs.
L.
Pennants as permitted in this article. Pennants may only be used
on nonresidential premises.
M.
Artisan signs.
N.
Home-based business signs smaller than two square feet.
O.
Supplemental signs.
The following signs shall be allowed as permitted by City Council:
A.
Murals.
B.
Marquee signs. City Council shall ensure the proposed sign is appropriate
to the style, period, type, size, and scale of the building for which
it is proposed. Council shall weigh testimony from other property
owners in the vicinity regarding the merits of the sign. Council shall
weigh whether the sign will enhance the traditional town character
of Warren or detract from it in determining whether the sign shall
be permitted.
Signs on the premises of legally nonconforming uses, such as
an office in a residential area, may remain until the existing use
of the premises is discontinued. If a sign wears out or is damaged,
or is changed for any other reason, the number, size and area of all
signs relating to the premises shall not be increased beyond the size
they were at the time this article was adopted.
A.
If a legally nonconforming sign lists more than one business, new
businesses may be added without affecting the nonconforming status
of the sign. However, the sign may not be altered in any way that
extends the sign's nonconformity in any manner.
B.
Nothing in this article shall relieve the owners or users of legally
nonconforming signs, or the owners of the property on which legally
nonconforming signs are located, from any provisions of this article
regarding the safety, maintenance, and repair of signs.
C.
Should 50% or more of any legally nonconforming sign be damaged by
any means, it shall be removed and not reconstructed except in conformity
with the provisions of this article.
D.
Any business that has closed shall remove any signs associated with
the business within 60 days after it closes. The owner of the premises
shall have the responsibility to ensure such signs are removed within
the sixty-day period.
E.
The existence of a legally nonconforming sign on a single- or multiple-occupancy
premises shall not prevent the erection or placement of another sign
on the premises, if the new sign meets the requirements of this article.
However, the total number of signs and the size and area of the signs
shall not exceed the requirements of this article.
F.
A legally nonconforming sign shall immediately lose its legally nonconforming
designation if the sign message or appearance is altered in any way.
At that time the sign shall be immediately brought into compliance
with this article and a new permit secured, or the sign shall be removed.
G.
City Council may determine that a sign existing before this article
was enacted which is nonconforming, but is not a serious detractor
to the City's character, may be conditionally accepted as legally
nonconforming.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect,
alter, repair, or relocate any sign within the City of Warren without
first obtaining a sign permit, unless the sign is specifically exempt
from the permit requirements.
B.
Applications for sign permits shall be made upon forms provided by
the Zoning Officer and shall contain and/or have attached the following
information where relevant:
(1)
Name, address, telephone number and signature of the owner or duly
authorized agent for the property owner.
(2)
Name, address, telephone number and signature of the owner of the
sign.
(3)
Name, address and telephone number of the sign contractor.
(4)
Property address and applicable zoning district.
(5)
Two copies of a plan drawn to scale depicting:
(a)
Lot dimensions, building frontage, and existing cartways, rights-of-way,
and driveways.
(b)
The design of each sign face and sign structure, including dimensions,
total area, sign height, depth, color scheme, structural details,
materials, lighting scheme, and proposed location.
(c)
Sign message.
(d)
Building elevations, existing and proposed facades, parapet
walls, cornices, and the location and size of all proposed and existing
permanent signage.
(e)
Current photographs showing existing signs on the premises and
certifying the date on which photographs were taken.
C.
A permit fee, to be established from time to time by resolution of
City Council, shall be paid.
D.
Such other information which may be required by the Zoning Officer
to show full compliance with this and all other ordinances of the
City.
Zone
|
Purpose
|
Form
|
Restrictions/ Guidelines
|
---|---|---|---|
R-1
|
Home occupation
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign, nonilluminated, name and address of occupant,
attached to building. Maximum 2 square feet.
|
Real estate
|
Temporary
|
Must be removed within 72 hours of closing on the sale of property.
Maximum 6 square feet per side of sign.
| |
Contractor
|
Temporary
|
Must be removed within 72 hours of completion of the project.
Maximum 16 square feet per side of sign.
| |
Special event
|
Temporary
|
Erected for a period not to exceed 4 weeks. Maximum 4 square
feet per side of sign.
| |
Church
|
For church or other permitted public use, regulations of the
district in which a sign is located shall be in effect except that
the size of a permanent sign or bulletin board may be a maximum of
16 square feet.
| ||
R-2
|
Home occupation
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign, nonilluminated, name and address of occupant;
attached to building. Maximum 2 square feet.
|
Rooming house
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign, illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source;
4 square feet.
| |
Bed-and-breakfast
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign, illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source;
4 square feet.
| |
Freestanding
|
Maximum 1 sign with a maximum of 2 faces; illuminated indirectly
by a hooded light source; 10 square feet per side.
| ||
Convalescent homes
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign, illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source.
Maximum 4 square feet
| |
Freestanding
|
Maximum 1 sign with a maximum of 2 faces; illuminated indirectly
by a hooded light source. Maximum of 16 square feet
| ||
Gallery
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source
or backlit. Maximum of 50 square feet.
| |
Museum
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source
or backlit. Maximum of 50 square feet.
| |
Philanthropic institutions
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign, illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source.
Maximum of 4 square feet.
| |
Freestanding
|
Maximum 1 sign with a maximum of 2 faces; illuminated indirectly
by a hooded light source. Maximum of 16 square feet.
| ||
Private or parochial schools
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign, illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source.
Maximum of 4 square feet.
| |
Freestanding
|
Maximum 1 sign with a maximum of 2 faces; illuminated indirectly
by a hooded light source. Maximum of 16 square feet per side with
a maximum of 2 sign faces.
| ||
Public/semipublic uses
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign, illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source.
Maximum of 4 square feet.
| |
Freestanding
|
Maximum 1 sign with a maximum of 2 faces; illuminated indirectly
by a hooded light source. Maximum of 4 square feet
| ||
Real estate
|
Temporary
|
Must be removed within 72 hours of closing on the sale of property.
Maximum of 6 square feet per side of sign.
| |
Contractor
|
Temporary
|
Must be removed within 72 hours of completion of the project.
Maximum of 16 square feet per side of sign.
| |
Special event
|
Temporary
|
Erected for a period not to exceed 4 weeks. Maximum of 4 square
feet.
| |
Church
|
For church or other permitted public use, regulations of the
district in which a sign is located shall be in effect except that
the size of a permanent sign or bulletin board may be a maximum of
16 square feet.
| ||
R-3
|
Home occupation
|
Wall Sign
|
Maximum 1 sign, nonilluminated, name and address of occupant;
attached to building. Maximum of 2 square feet.
|
Rooming houses
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign, illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source.
Maximum of 4 square feet.
| |
Bed-and-breakfast
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign, illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source.
Maximum of 4 square feet.
| |
Freestanding
|
Maximum 1 sign with a maximum of 2 faces; illuminated indirectly
by a hooded light source. Maximum of 10 square feet.
| ||
Convalescent homes
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign, illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source.
Maximum of 4 square feet.
| |
Gallery
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source
or backlit. Maximum of 50 square feet.
| |
Museum
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source
or backlit. Maximum of 50 square feet.
| |
Philanthropic institutions
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign, illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source.
Maximum of 4 square feet.
| |
Private or parochial schools
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign, illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source.
Maximum of 4 square feet.
| |
Public/semipublic uses
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign, illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source.
Maximum of 4 square feet.
| |
Permitted offices
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign; 6 square feet in area on 1 side; may have a
separate support not more than 4 feet in height and at least 5 feet
from the street right-of-way or property line.
| |
Temporary
|
Maximum of 6 square feet per side.
| ||
Real estate
|
Temporary
|
Must be removed within 72 hours of closing on the sale of property.
Maximum 6 square feet per side of sign.
| |
Contractor
|
Temporary
|
Must be removed within 72 hours of completion of the project.
Maximum of 16 square feet per side of sign.
| |
Special event
|
Temporary
|
Erected for a period not to exceed 4 weeks. Maximum of 6 square
feet.
| |
Church
|
For church or other permitted public use, regulations of the
district in which a sign is located shall be in effect except that
the size of a permanent sign or bulletin board may be a maximum of
16 square feet.
| ||
C-1
|
The total area of all signs for one business shall not exceed
the total area permitted under "wall sign."
|
Wall Sign
|
4 square feet for each lineal front foot of building up to 30
lineal feet; 3 square feet for each lineal front foot in excess of
30 lineal feet up to 100 lineal feet; 2 square feet for each lineal
front foot in excess of 100 feet.
|
Sign regulations shall apply to each side of a building facing
on more than 1 street. Area calculations are not aggregate and shall
be applied to each side of a building
|
Freestanding
|
Maximum height of 25 feet and maximum total area of 1 side,
excluding base, frames and support, of 75 square feet; total of all
faces may not exceed 150 feet. Base, supports and sign shall be located
entirely within the property lines of the business for which the sign
was erected.
| |
Projecting
|
Maximum 72 inches into public right-of-way but not more than
72 inches from building to which it is attached and no closer than
4 feet from curb. Maximum area of 24 square feet per side; maximum
total area of all sides not to exceed 48 square feet per sign. Lower
edge shall be at least 10 feet from ground.
| ||
Temporary
|
Maximum of 10 square feet per side.
| ||
Real estate
|
Temporary
|
Must be removed immediately upon sale of property. Maximum of
16 square feet per side.
| |
Contractor
|
Temporary
|
Must be removed immediately upon completion of the contract.
Maximum of 16 square feet per side.
| |
Special event
|
Temporary
|
Erected for a period not to exceed 4 weeks. Maximum of 16 square
feet per side.
| |
Church
|
For church or other permitted public use, regulations of the
district in which a sign is located shall be in effect except that
the size of a permanent sign or bulletin board may be a maximum of
16 square feet.
| ||
Gallery
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source
or backlit. Maximum of 50 square feet.
| |
Museum
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source
or backlit. Maximum of 50 square feet.
| |
C-2
|
The total area of all signs for one business shall not exceed
the total area permitted under "wall signs."
|
Wall sign
|
4 square feet for each lineal front foot of building up to 30
lineal feet; 3 square feet for each lineal front foot in excess of
30 feet up to 100 lineal feet; 2 square feet for each lineal front
foot in excess of 100 feet.
|
Sign regulations shall apply to each side of a building facing
on more than one street.
|
Freestanding
|
Maximum height of 25 feet and maximum total area of 1 side,
excluding base, frames and support, of 75 square feet; total of all
faces may not exceed 150 square feet. Base, supports and sign shall
be located entirely within the property lines of the business for
which the sign was erected.
| |
Area calculations are not aggregate and shall be applied to
each side of a building
|
Projecting
|
Maximum 72 inches into public right-of-way; no more than 72
inches from building; no closer than 4 feet from curb. Maximum area
of 24 square feet per side; maximum total area of all sides not to
exceed 48 square feet. Lower edge shall be at least 10 feet from ground.
| |
Temporary
|
No limit on the size of an individual temporary sign as long
as the allotted square footage for signs of the business is not exceeded
by this and other signage.
| ||
Real estate
|
Temporary
|
Must be removed immediately upon sale of property. Maximum of
32 square feet per side.
| |
Contractor
|
Temporary
|
Must be removed immediately upon completion of the contract.
Maximum of 32 square feet per side.
| |
Special event
|
Temporary
|
Erected for a period not to exceed 4 weeks. Maximum of 32 square
feet per side.
| |
Church
|
For church or other permitted public use, regulations of the
district in which a sign is located shall be in effect except that
the size of a permanent sign or bulletin board may be a maximum of
16 square feet.
| ||
Gallery
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source
or backlit. Maximum of 50 square feet.
| |
Museum
|
Wall
|
Maximum 1 sign illuminated indirectly by a hooded light source
or backlit. Maximum of 50 square feet.
| |
M-1
|
Freestanding
|
The size of signs in the M-1 Industrial District shall not be
limited. Maximum of 35 feet in height.
| |
Projecting
|
Do not extend over the right-of-way; shall be subject to the
requirements of freestanding signs in the M-1 district.
| ||
Real estate
|
Temporary
|
Must be removed immediately upon sale of property. Maximum of
32 square feet per side.
| |
Contractor
|
Temporary
|
Must be removed immediately upon completion of the contract.
Maximum of 32 square feet per side.
| |
Special event
|
Temporary
|
Erected for a period not to exceed 4 weeks. Maximum of 32 square
feet per side.
| |
Church
|
For church or other permitted public use, regulations of the
district in which a sign is located shall be in effect except that
the size of a permanent sign or bulletin board may be a maximum of
16 square feet.
|