[Amended 6-16-2015]
All signs shall comply with the regulations for the erection
and construction of signs contained in the Building Code of the City
of Rochester and other applicable City regulations, except as shall
be under the jurisdiction of RSA 236:69 to 236:89. Signs shall be
permitted in accordance with the following regulations.
The purpose of this article is to create a legal framework to
regulate the type, number, location, size, and illumination of signs
on private property in order to maintain and enhance the character
of the City's commercial district and residential neighborhood and
to protect the public from hazardous and distracting displays.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
A sign which was lawfully established prior to the adoption
or amendment of this article but which does not meet the requirements
of this article is considered a nonconforming sign. Nonconforming
signs and sign structures may remain or must be removed as follows:
A.Â
Applicable provisions of Article 30, Nonconforming Property, of this chapter shall apply unless superseded herein.
B.Â
No changes in the sign or sign structure are permitted except for
basic maintenance and repairs necessary to keep the sign in good working
order or other changes which bring the sign into compliance. No nonconforming
sign shall be reconstructed, modified, or relocated except for changes
to the sign face itself within the same size and shape to accommodate
a change of copy. A nonconforming sign which is damaged beyond repair
due to a cause beyond the control of the owner may be replaced within
one year of when damage occurs.
C.Â
Nonconforming signs may not be altered in any way.
D.Â
Existing temporary signs which are not in compliance with this article
are not considered to be "grandfathered" under this article. If any
notification of noncompliance is given from the Director of Building,
Zoning, and Licensing Services or his/her designee, these signs or
conditions must be brought into compliance within 60 days from that
notification.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
All signs, regardless of size, shall require the issuance of
a sign permit before public display unless otherwise specifically
exempt by this article.
Application for a sign permit shall be to the Building, Zoning,
and Licensing Services Department.
A.Â
The application should contain the following:
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
Before any permit is granted for the erection of a sign or sign
structure requiring such permit, construction documents shall be filed
with the Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services Department showing
the dimensions, materials and required details of construction, including
loads, stresses, anchorage and any other pertinent data. The permit
application shall be accompanied by the written consent of the owner
or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is to be erected and
by engineering calculations signed and sealed by a registered design
professional where required by the International Building Code.
No sign shall be structurally altered, enlarged or relocated,
except in conformity with the provisions herein, until a proper permit,
if required, has been secured. The changing or maintenance of movable
parts or components of an approved sign that is designed for such
changes, or the changing of copy, business names, lettering, sign
faces, colors, display and/or graphic matter, or the content of any
sign, shall not be deemed a structural alteration.
Permit fees to erect, alter or relocate a sign shall be in accordance
with the fee schedule adopted within this jurisdiction.
The following devices and locations shall be specifically prohibited:
A.Â
Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise interfere
with an official traffic sign, signal or device, or obstruct or interfere
with a driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.
B.Â
Except as provided for elsewhere in this article, signs encroaching
upon or overhanging public rights-of-way. No sign shall be attached
to any utility pole, light standard, street tree or any other public
facility located within the public right-of-way.
C.Â
Signs which blink, flash or are animated by lighting in any fashion
that would cause such signs to have the appearance of traffic safety
signs and lights, or to have the appearance of municipal vehicle warnings
from a distance.
D.Â
Any sign attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer parked on
public or private property, except for signs meeting the following
conditions:
(1)Â
The primary purpose of such a vehicle or trailer is not the
display of signs.
(2)Â
The signs are magnetic, decals or painted upon an integral part
of the vehicle or equipment as originally designed by the manufacturer,
and do not break the silhouette of the vehicle.
(3)Â
The vehicle or trailer is in operating condition, currently
registered and licensed to operate on public streets when applicable,
and actively used or available for use in the daily function of the
business to which such signs relate.
E.Â
Vehicles and trailers used primarily as static displays, advertising
a product or service, or utilized as storage, shelter or distribution
points for commercial products or services for the general public.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
F.Â
Snipe signs.
The following signs shall be exempt from the provisions of this
chapter:
A.Â
Official notices authorized by a court, public body or public safety
official.
B.Â
Directional, warning or information signs authorized by federal,
state, or municipal governments.
C.Â
Memorial plaques, building identification signs and building cornerstones
when cut or carved into a masonry surface or when made of noncombustible
material and made an integral part of the building or structure.
D.Â
The flag of a government or noncommercial institution, such as a
school.
E.Â
Works of fine art displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise
where the enterprise does not receive direct commercial gain.
F.Â
Street address signs and combination nameplate and street address
signs that contain no advertising copy and which do not exceed six
square feet (0.56m2) in area.
G.Â
Signs required, or deemed necessary for the public welfare and safety,
by a municipal, state, or federal agency such as traffic control and
directional signs.
H.Â
Interior signs.
For the purpose set forth in this article the following definitions
apply:
A sign structure that has ceased to be used and the owner
intends no longer to have used.
A sign employing actual motion or the illusion of motion.
Animated signs, which are differentiated from changeable signs as
defined and regulated by this article, include the following types:
ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATEDAnimated signs producing the illusion of movement by means of electronic, electrical or electromechanical input and/or illumination capable of simulating movement through employment of the characteristics of one or both of the classifications noted below.
FLASHINGAnimated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by a repetitive cycle in which the period of illumination is either the same as or less than the period of nonillumination. For the purposes of this article, "flashing" will not be defined as occurring if the cyclical period between on-off phases of illumination exceeds eight seconds.
MECHANICALLY ACTIVATEDAnimated signs characterized by repetitive motion and/or rotation activated by a mechanical system powered by electric motors or other mechanically induced means.
Any projection that is not intended for occupancy and that
extends beyond the face of an exterior wall of a building, but that
does not include signs as defined herein. See also "awning," "backlit
awning" and "canopy, attached and freestanding."
An architectural projection or shelter projecting from and
supported by the exterior wall of a building and composed of a covering
of rigid or nonrigid materials and/or fabric on a supporting framework
that may be either permanent or retractable, including such structures
that are internally illuminated by fluorescent or other light sources.
A sign displayed on or attached flat against the surface
or surfaces of an awning. See also "wall or fascia sign."
An awning with a translucent covering material and a source
of illumination contained within its framework.
A flexible substrate on which copy or graphics may be displayed.
A sign utilizing a banner as its display surface.
See "off-premises sign" and "outdoor advertising sign."
A structure which has a roof supported by walls for shelter,
support, or enclosure of persons, animals, or chattel.
A multisided overhead structure or architectural projection
supported by attachments to a building on one or more sides and either
cantilevered from such building or also supported by columns at additional
points. The surface(s) and/or soffit of an attached canopy may be
illuminated by means of internal or external sources of light. See
also "marquee."
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
A multisided overhead structure supported by columns but
not enclosed by walls. The surface(s) and/or soffit of a freestanding
canopy may be illuminated by means of internal or external sources
of light.
A sign affixed to the visible surface(s) of an attached or
freestanding canopy.
A sign with the capability of content change by means of
manual or remote input, including signs which are:
ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATEDChangeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed by means of remote electrically energized on-off switching combinations of alphabetic or pictographic components arranged on a display surface. Illumination may be integral to the components, such as characterized by lamps or other light-emitting devices, or it may be from an external light source designed to reflect off the changeable component display. See also "electronic message sign or center."
MANUALLY ACTIVATEDChangeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed manually.
A sign that is supported partly by a pole and partly by a
building structure.
Those letters, numerals, figures, symbols, logos and graphic
elements comprising the content or message of a sign, excluding numerals
identifying a street address only.
A freestanding sign identifying a multiple-occupancy development, such as a shopping center or planned industrial park, which is controlled by a single owner or landlord, approved in accordance with § 275-29.12G.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
Any sign that is designed and erected for the purpose of
providing direction and/or orientation for pedestrian or vehicular
traffic.
A sign with two faces, back to back.
Any sign activated or illuminated by means of electrical
energy.
An electrically activated changeable sign whose variable
message capability can be electronically programmed.
Any sign placed outside a building.
A sign constructed of cloth and attached to a staff or pole.
See "animated sign, electrically activated."
A sign principally supported by a structure affixed to the
ground and not supported by a building, including signs supported
by one or more columns, poles or braces placed in or upon the ground.
The length of an exterior building wall or structure of a
single premises orientated to the public way or other properties that
it faces.
The length of the property line(s) of any single premises
along either a public way or other properties on which it borders.
A sign characterized by the use of artificial light, either
projecting through its surface(s) (internally illuminated) or reflecting
off its surface(s) (externally illuminated).
Any sign placed within a building, but not including window
signs as defined by this article. Interior signs, with the exception
of window signs as defined, are not regulated by this chapter.
A permanent roof-like structure, including the structural
support system, projecting beyond a building wall at the entrance
to a building or extending along and projecting beyond the building
wall.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
A freestanding sign orientated to the drive-through lane
for a restaurant that advertises the menu items available from the
drive-through window, and which has no more than 20% of the total
area of such a sign utilized for business identification.
A sign containing three or more faces.
Any sign that existed lawfully prior to the adoption or amendment
of this article which now does not conform to the provisions of this
article.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
A sign which pertains to a business, industry, or other activity
which is not located on the premises upon which the sign is located.
A sign on private property whose only purpose is to direct
vehicular traffic for delivers and visitation and is not intended
to be used as a form of advertisement.
A sign erected, maintained or used in the outdoor environment
for the purpose of the display of messages appurtenant to the use
of, products sold on, or the sale or lease of, the property on which
it is displayed.
A permanent sign erected, maintained or used in the outdoor
environment for the purpose of the display of commercial or noncommercial
messages not appurtenant to the use of, products sold on, or the sale
or lease of, the property on which it is displayed.
A sign that is displayed for more than a total of 90 days
in any one year.
See "freestanding sign."
A temporary sign intended to advance a political statement,
cause or candidate for office. A legally permitted outdoor advertising
sign shall not be considered to be a political sign.
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or to a building
or building surface.[1]
A sign other than a wall sign that is attached to or projects
more than 18 inches (457 millimeters) from a building face or wall
or from a structure whose primary purpose is other than the support
of a sign.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
A temporary sign advertising the sale, lease or rental of
the property or premises upon which it is located.
A portable sign shaped like an A-frame with a sign pane on
one or both sides.
Any device visible from a public place that displays either
commercial or noncommercial messages by means of graphic presentation
of alphabetic or pictorial symbols or representations. Noncommercial
flags or any flags displayed from flagpoles or staffs will not be
considered to be signs.
The area of the smallest geometric figure or the sum of the
combination of regular geometric figures which comprise the sign face.
The area of any double- sided or V-shaped sign shall be the area of
the largest single face only. The area of a sphere shall be computed
as the area of a circle. The area of all other multiple-sided signs
shall be computed as 50% of the sum of the area of all faces of the
sign.
The surface upon, against or through which the sign copy
is displayed or illustrated, not including structural supports, architectural
features of a building or sign structure, nonstructural or decorative
trim, or any areas that are separated from the background surface
upon which the sign copy is displayed by a distinct delineation, such
as a reveal or border.
Any structure supporting a sign.
Any sign of any size, made of any material, including paper,
cardboard, wood and metal, when such sign is tacked, nailed, posted,
pasted, glued, or otherwise attached to trees, poles, fences or other
objects, and the advertising matter appearing thereon is not applicable
to the premises upon which said sign is located.
A temporary sign that is either on site or off site that
provides identification or information pertaining to a special event
or occurrence sponsored by a nonprofit or civic organization.
A sign not constructed for or intended for permanent use.
Temporary signs may not be displayed for more than a total of 30 days
in any one year.
A sign that is attached to a vertical wall of a building
that projects not more than 18 inches from the building or structure
wall.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
A sign within one foot of a window intended to be visible
to and readable from the public way or from adjacent property.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
A.Â
Conformance to codes. Any sign hereafter erected shall conform to
the provisions of this article or regulation within this jurisdiction.
B.Â
Signs in rights-of-way. No sign other than an official traffic sign
or similar sign shall be erected within two feet of the lines of any
street, or within any public way, unless specifically authorized by
other ordinances or regulations of this jurisdiction or by specific
authorization of the City Council after a recommendation is made by
the Licensing Board.
C.Â
Projections over public ways. Signs projecting over public walkways
shall be permitted to do so only subject to the projection and clearance
limits either defined herein or, if not so defined, at a minimum height
of eight feet from grade level to the bottom of the sign. Signs, architectural
projections or sign structures projecting over vehicular access areas
must conform to the minimum height clearance limitations imposed by
the jurisdiction for such structures.
D.Â
Traffic visibility. No sign or sign structure shall be erected at
the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free
and clear vision, nor at any location where by its position, shape
or color it may interfere with or obstruct the view of or be confused
with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
E.Â
Computation of frontage. If a premises contains walls facing more
than one property line or encompasses property frontage bounded by
more than one street or other property usages, the sign area(s) for
each building wall or property frontage will be computed separately
for each building wall or property line facing a different frontage.
The sign area(s) thus calculated shall be permitted to then be applied
to permitted signs placed on each separate wall or property line frontage.
F.Â
Maintenance, repair and removal. Every sign permitted by this article
shall be kept in good condition and repair. When any sign becomes
insecure, in danger of falling or is otherwise deemed unsafe by the
Director of Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services, or if any sign
shall be unlawfully installed, erected or maintained in violation
of any of the provisions of this article, the owner thereof or the
person or firm using the same shall, upon written notice by the Director
of Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services, forthwith in the case
of immediate danger, and in any case within not more than 10 days,
make such sign conform to the provisions of this article, or shall
remove it. If within 10 days the order is not complied with, the Director
of Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services shall be permitted to
remove or cause such sign to be removed at the expense of the owner
and/or the user of the sign.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
G.Â
Master sign plan required. All landlord or single-owner controlled
multiple-occupancy development complexes, such as shopping centers
or planned industrial parks, shall submit to the Building, Zoning,
and Licensing Services Department a master sign plan prior to issuance
of new sign permits. The master sign plan shall establish standards
and criteria for all signs in the complex that require permits and
shall address, at a minimum, the following:
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
H.Â
Illumination.
(1)Â
No internally illuminated sign shall be used within 100 feet
of any residential zone.
(2)Â
On externally illuminated signs, the light source shall be steady,
stationary, shielded, downcast, and directed solely at the sign. The
sign surface shall be nonreflective.
(3)Â
Illuminated signs shall send no glare onto the road or onto
any neighboring residential properties.
I.Â
Removal of portable and other movable and temporary signs.
(1)Â
The Zoning Administrator, or other City personnel designated
by the City Manager, shall cause to be removed any sign placed on
or over any public right-of-way or public property that is without
a valid permit or is not in compliance with the terms of a valid permit,
or where such a sign is exempt from permit requirements, the sign
is not in compliance with the standards and provisions of this article.
(2)Â
Signs related to an adjacent principal use. Where a sign that
is placed on or over any public right-of-way or public property in
violation of this article is related to a principal use of adjacent
private property, the Zoning Administrator, or other City personnel
designated by the City Manager, shall notify the owner of the principal
use or the property that a violation exists and shall specify a time
limit for removal of the sign. If the owner fails to comply with the
order for removal, the Zoning Administrator, or other City personnel
designated by the City Manager, shall remove the sign and the owner
shall be liable for the cost of said removal and subsequent storage.
If the owner does not redeem the sign within 30 calendar days from
the date that the sign is removed, the sign shall be deemed to be
abandoned and may be disposed of by the City as abandoned property.
(3)Â
Other signs. Where a sign that is placed on or over any public
right-of-way or public property in violation of this article is not
erected in connection with elections or political campaigns, and is
unrelated to a principal use of adjacent private property, the Zoning
Administrator, or other City personnel designated by the City Manager,
shall remove the sign and it shall be deemed to be abandoned and may
be disposed of by the City as abandoned property.
A.Â
Animated signs. Animated signs, except as prohibited in § 275-29.9C, are permitted in Granite Ridge Development, commercial and industrial zones only. Changeable signs, manually activated, are permitted for nonresidential uses in all zones. Changeable signs, electrically activated, are permitted in all nonresidential zones.
B.Â
Awning signs.
(1)Â
The copy area of awning signs shall not exceed an area equal
to 25% of the background area of the awning or awning surface to which
such a sign is affixed or applied, or the permitted area for wall
or fascia signs, whichever is less.
(2)Â
Neither the background color of an awning nor any graphic treatment
or embellishment thereto, such as striping, patterns or valances,
shall be included in the computation of sign copy area.
C.Â
Canopy signs.
(1)Â
The permanently affixed copy area of canopy or marquee signs
shall not exceed an area equal to 25% of the face area of the canopy,
marquee or architectural projection upon which such sign is affixed
or applied.
(2)Â
Graphic striping, patterns or color bands on the face of a building,
canopy, marquee or architectural projection shall not be included
in the computation of sign copy area.
D.Â
Directory signs. For businesses located on secondary streets within
the Downtown Commercial District.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
E.Â
Directional signs. No more than two directional signs shall be permitted
per street entrance to any lot. There shall be none in residential
zones. For all other zones, the maximum area for any directional sign
visible from adjacent property or rights-of-way shall be 10 square
feet. Not more than 25% of the area of any directional sign shall
be permitted to be devoted to business identification or logo, which
area shall not be assessed as identification sign area.
F.Â
Development and construction signs; planned unit development signs.
[Amended 9-4-2018]
(1)Â
Development and construction signs. Signs temporarily erected
during construction to inform the public of the developer, contractors,
architects, engineers, the nature of the project or anticipated completion
dates shall be permitted in all zoning districts, subject to the following
limitations:
(a)Â
Such signs on a single residential lot, residential subdivision or
multiple residential lots, and nonresidential uses shall be limited
to one sign, not greater than 10 feet in height and 32 square feet
in area.
(b)Â
Such signs for commercial or industrial projects shall be limited
to one sign per street front.
(c)Â
Development and construction signs may not be displayed until after
the issuance of building permits by the Building, Zoning, and Licensing
Services Department and must be removed not later than 24 hours following
issuance of a certificate of occupancy for any or all portions of
the project.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
(2)Â
Planned unit development signs. These signs shall be used to
identify a project and/or inform the public of the name of a development.
(a)Â
Such signs shall only be used for planned unit developments.
(b)Â
Such signs shall be no greater than 16 square feet.
(c)Â
Such signs may not be lit.
(d)Â
Such signs are allowed in open space.
(e)Â
Such signs shall require approval from the Planning Board. The Board
may require specific materials, landscaping, or other features.
(f)Â
This subsection shall also apply to previously approved planned unit
developments.
G.Â
Electronic message centers. All permitted electronic message centers
(EMCs) shall be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically
determines the ambient illumination and be programmed to automatically
dim according to ambient light conditions at all times of the day
or night. Electronic changing signs may be freestanding or building
mounted, one- or two-sided, may be a component of a larger sign or
billboard, and shall conform to the following minimum requirements
along with all other requirements for signage within this article:
(1)Â
Electronic message center portion of the sign shall not make
up more than 75% of the actual sign surface. In no case shall an electronic
message center exceed 32 square feet.
(2)Â
Animation on static EMCs shall be limited to the actual changing
of the message. No flashing, blinking, or pulsating of lights shall
be allowed. Electronic message centers must be equipped to freeze
in one position or discontinue the display in the event that a malfunction
occurs.
(3)Â
Minimum display time. All illumination elements on the face
of static electronic changing signs shall remain at a fixed level
of illumination for a period of not less than eight seconds.
(4)Â
Software for operating the EMC must be able to show current
and factory brightness levels upon request. The owner/installer of
electronic message displays shall certify as part of the application
that signs will not exceed the brightness levels specified in this
subsection.
(5)Â
The brightness shall not exceed 0.3 footcandle at night.
(6)Â
Flashing or animated signs (including temporary interior window
displays or banners) of red, amber, or green colored lights shall
not be permitted.
H.Â
Flags. Each store front may be allowed one "open" or "welcome" flag
that is positioned at a height so as not to impede the flow of pedestrians.
I.Â
Home occupation signs. See Article 24, Home Occupations.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
J.Â
Marquee. No marquee shall be erected unless designed by a registered
structural engineer and approved by the Director of Building, Zoning,
and Licensing Services. It may extend over the sidewalk across the
right-of-way to the curbline provided it has a minimum height above
the sidewalk of 10 feet above the curb level and does not exceed five
feet in height.
K.Â
Off-premises signs. Off-premises signs are prohibited except for
the following signs if permission is granted from the owner of the
off-premises location. A setback of at least five feet is required
for these signs and they shall not be placed in the road right-of-way
(i.e., they must be placed on private property).
(1)Â
One freestanding sign per business directing people to the site.
The sign may not exceed two square feet per side or four feet in height.
No illumination is allowed. It may include only the name and/or logo,
with simple directions. The sign must be durable and constructed of
solid, finished materials.
(2)Â
A real estate sign, one per premises, shall not exceed six square
feet per side.
(4)Â
A sign for an office park or industrial park may be erected
at the entrance to the park on an out parcel or within the road right-of-way,
with the approval of the City Manager.
(5)Â
A promotional banner for a special event may be placed anywhere
in the City, including across a public road, if approved by the City
Manager.
(6)Â
Two seasonal agricultural directional signs not to exceed four
square feet each are permitted when intended to direct patrons to
a farm for the purpose of purchasing or picking seasonal agricultural
produce or products during the season within which the produce is
available for sale or harvest.
(7)Â
One portable sign on the sidewalk in front of businesses in
the Downtown Commercial District, Special Downtown Overlay District,
and Neighborhood Mixed-Use District lying in density rings.
(8)Â
Road signs.
L.Â
Political signs; political advertising. The following provisions
are in addition to the political advertising controls established
under RSA 664:14, 664:17, and 664:2, as amended:
(1)Â
Political advertising shall be defined in RSA 664:2, as amended.
No political advertising shall be placed or affixed upon any public
property, including City rights-of-way. No political advertising shall
be placed or affixed upon private property without the owner's consent.
(2)Â
Signature, identification, and lack of authorization shall be
in accordance with RSA 664:14, as amended.
(3)Â
Political signs shall not be erected in the City Adopt-A-Spots
or the Rochester Common.
(4)Â
Removal of signs shall be in accordance with RSA 664:17, as
amended.
(5)Â
The area and location of signs used in conjunction with uses
allowed by the Board of Adjustment as special exceptions shall also
be approved by the Planning Board and shall conform to the sign regulations
for the district in which they are located. The area and location
of such signs shall be in harmony with the character of the neighborhood
in which they are located.
(6)Â
Political signs shall not require a sign permit.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
M.Â
Portable signs. Portable signs shall be permitted only in the Downtown
Commercial District, Special Downtown Overlay District, and Neighborhood
Mixed-Use District lying in density rings, subject to the following
limitations:
(1)Â
No more than one such sign may be displayed on any property,
and the sign shall not exceed a height of four feet or an area of
eight square feet per side.
(3)Â
May be displayed during business hours only.
(4)Â
Appropriately placed to minimize appearance of clutter as determined
by the Director of Building, Zoning, and Licensing Services.
(5)Â
Only one sign per individual business.
N.Â
Projecting signs. Signs are permitted in the following zones:
(1)Â
Multiple projecting signs shall be permitted on buildings having
multiple occupants provided only that one projecting sign per occupant
will be permitted.
(2)Â
Projecting signs shall:
(a)Â
Not overhang any public property or public right-of-way.
(b)Â
Be attached to the side of a building with a decorative support
bracket engineered to and designed to withstand wind loads.
(c)Â
Extend from the side of the building no more than 11 feet.
(d)Â
Be part of the wall sign calculations, which cumulative total,
including both projecting and wall signs, shall not exceed 20% of
the wall area to which the sign is attached.
(e)Â
Maintain a clear vertical distance above any public sidewalk
a minimum of 10 feet.
O.Â
Roadside farm stand signs. No more than two signs with a maximum
combined total of 20 square feet are permitted.
P.Â
Real estate signs. Real estate signs shall be permitted in all zoning
districts, subject to the following limitations:
(1)Â
Real estate signs located on a single residential lot shall
be limited to one sign, not greater than eight square feet in area
and six feet in height.
(2)Â
Real estate signs may not be illuminated in residential districts.
(3)Â
There may be no more than one sign per street frontage, except
that on lots with more than 500 feet of street frontage a second sign
may be placed.
(4)Â
Real estate signs shall be removed not later than 10 days after
execution of a lease agreement in the event of a lease, or the closing
of the sale in the event of a purchase.
R.Â
Street banners. Temporary street banners used to inform the public
about community events and activities may be placed within or above
the road right-of-way or in other public locations if approved by
the City Manager and signed off from all departments.
S.Â
Special promotion, event and grand opening signs. Signs temporarily
displayed to advertise special promotions, events and grand openings
shall be permitted for nonresidential uses and for all commercial
and industrial districts subject to the following limitations:
(1)Â
Such signs shall be limited to one sign per street front.
(2)Â
Such signs may be displayed for not more than 30 consecutive
days in any twelve-month period, and not more than 30 days in any
calendar year. The signs shall be erected no more than five days prior
to the event or grand opening and shall be removed not more than one
day after the event or grand opening.
(3)Â
The total area of all such signs shall not exceed 32 square
feet.
T.Â
Special event signs in public ways. Signs advertising a special community
event shall be allowed in or over public rights-of-way, subject to
approval by the City Manager as to the size, location and method of
erection. The City Manager may not approve any special event signage
that would impair the safety and convenience of use of public rights-of-way
or obstruct traffic visibility.
U.Â
Window signs. Window signs shall be permitted for any nonresidential
use in all Downtown Commercial and Industrial Districts, subject to
the following limitations:
(1)Â
The aggregate area of all such signs shall not exceed 25% of
the window area on which such signs are displayed within the Historic
District.
The following special requirements shall apply in each respective
zoning district:
A.Â
Residential zoning districts.
(1)Â
For permitted nonresidential uses one freestanding sign with
a maximum area of six square feet per side plus one attached sign
not to exceed 12 square feet is permitted. Signs shall have a maximum
height of six feet.
(2)Â
Internally illuminated signs (including neon signs and signage
placed in a window) are not permitted.
B.Â
Nonresidential zoning districts.
(1)Â
Baseline. The following advertising signage is permitted for
one nonresidential use occupying a single building in commercial and
industrial zoning districts (except as otherwise indicated in this
article). Additional allowances beyond these limitations or other
restrictions for various situations are shown in the subsequent subsections.
Dimensional standards are as follows:
|
Zoning District
|
Maximum Area
(square feet)
|
Maximum Height
(feet)
|
|---|---|---|
|
Highway Commercial
General Industrial
Hospital
Granite Ridge Development
|
75
|
30
|
|
Airport
Recycling Industrial
|
50
|
20
|
|
Downtown Commercial
|
25
|
15
|
|
Neighborhood Mixed-Use
Office Commercial
|
20
|
8
|
|
Note: All signs that are to be located in the Historic District are also subject to the provisions of Article 14, Historic Overlay District.
|
(2)Â
Freestanding signs. Only one freestanding sign shall be permitted
on a lot even if there is more than one building or use on that lot.
No part of any freestanding sign shall be located within five feet
of any property line.
(3)Â
Wall signs. No wall sign shall exceed 10% of the area of the
building frontage as measured by the width of the wall containing
the main public entrance by the height (measured from the floor level
to the top of the first floor cornice area, or to one foot below secondary
story window) of the building to which it is attached. For buildings
with multiple tenants having store fronts only, the facade rented
by the tenant shall be considered as wall area for a sign.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
(a)Â
A maximum of four signs. Buildings located in the Granite Ridge
Development District, between the service road and Route 11, are allowed
one additional wall-mounted sign per tenant on the rear facade. The
same size restrictions as applied to the front facade shall determine
the size of sign.
(4)Â
Temporary signs. One temporary sign is allowed at any one time,
including portable and banner signs. For portable signs (where they
are permitted; see below) the maximum area is eight square feet and
the maximum height is four feet. Banner signs, not exceeding 60 square
feet, are permitted for grand openings of new business only, and may
be displayed for a maximum of 30 consecutive days. Permits are required
for these signs with a fee set by the City Council.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
(5)Â
Directory signs. For each additional independent enterprise
on a site beyond one, an additional 10 square feet may be added to
one freestanding directory sign not to exceed 100 square feet. Property
owners of separate adjoining lots may also elect to have one joint
directory sign.
(6)Â
Attached directory signs. One additional attached directory
sign of the principal uses within a multi-tenant building is permitted
on the exterior wall at each entrance to the building. It shall not
exceed three square feet plus one square foot for each independent
enterprise.
(7)Â
Upper floor units. Each upper floor occupant may use one attached
sign placed at no higher than the second floor level, not to exceed
six square feet per side for each occupant plus window signs. Window
signage shall not exceed 25% of the total window area.
(8)Â
Multiple occupant sites. On multiple occupant sites up to three
portable signs for independent enterprises may be placed at the same
time.
(9)Â
Secondary entrance. By conditional use permit issued by the
Planning Board, any site with at least 300 feet of linear lot frontage
and with a second driveway entrance located at least 200 feet from
the primary entrance may have a second freestanding sign at the second
entrance not to exceed 16 square feet and eight feet in height.
(10)Â
Corner or multiple frontage lots. By conditional use permit
issued by the Planning Board, any corner lot or a rear frontage lot
(or double frontage) may have one additional freestanding sign with
a maximum area of 24 square feet on the second frontage provided the
property across the street on that second frontage is not zoned residential.
(11)Â
Specific zoning districts. Internally illuminated signs are
permitted only in the Highway Commercial, Downtown Commercial, Granite
Ridge Development, and Industrial Districts.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Table 29-A, Signs, included as an attachment to this chapter.
