A.
Sign design begins with the building. Is there an obvious space on
the building where the sign would look appropriate? Many of Nantucket's
Nineteenth Century commercial buildings were designed with a horizontal
lintel "sign space" across the top of the storefront. A building's
proportions, as well as the street character and neighboring buildings,
will determine the appropriate size of the sign.
B.
Where no "sign space" exists on a building, a wall sign with a vertical
format or a projecting sign may be appropriate. Signs should be located
at or near the public entrance and should not cover, obscure, or become
inharmonious with existing architectural features and proportions.
Any sign that is moved to another location, either on the same structure
or to another, shall be considered a new sign and a new permit shall
be required. Signs on Town property shall conform to the Sign Code
and shall be submitted to the Commission for approval.
C.
Sign detail requires careful attention, often involving input from
a designer or sign builder. A scaled drawing of the proposed sign
must be produced and must include the lettering type, layout, artwork,
and colors. A scaled drawing or photograph should depict the sign's
location on the building.
D.
All signs and parts thereof, including but not limited to framework,
supports, background, anchors, and wiring system, shall be constructed
and maintained in compliance with applicable building, electrical,
and fire prevention codes.
The use of subdued colors is encouraged. In order to allow for
creative artwork there is no specific limitation on the number of
colors used. A darker background with lighter lettering and graphics
is encouraged as a traditional and aesthetically pleasing presentation.
A.
A sign may provide the name of a business or facility, the nature
of the business or service conducted on the premises, the street number
of the premises, and the year the business was established.
B.
No sign shall include the telephone number, e-mail, or web address
of a business, rates, other business locations on or off the Island,
or list more than one specific product or service.
C.
A sign designed with a registered trademark of a specific commodity
that uses a nonhistorical font style may be used, provided that the
trademark occupies no more than 15% of the total area of the sign.
Sign brackets and standards traditionally are made of wrought
iron or wood. A sign bracket shall extend the full length of the sign.
Lettering which is traditional in appearance and style and has an historic precedent is preferred. Lettering that is too bold, too harsh in its simplicity, or "trendy" is discouraged and rarely approved. The application of § 340-10C is relevant to the design of lettering on signs.
A sign may be illuminated for a business operating after sunset,
provided that the wattage used does not exceed 450 lumens (under a
thirty-watt incandescent bulb), is not fluorescent in style, and that
the source of illumination shall be shielded and directed downward
at the sign. Lighting options can be further discussed with the office.
Signs shall be made of wood except as required by state or federal
law. No particleboard, plastic, or baked enamel on metal shall be
used. "Medium density overlay" plywood or marine plywood may be used,
but it must be edge-banded. Solid wood is recommended over plywood
since plywood tends to delaminate with age. Other materials will be
considered on a case-by-case basis.
All surfaces must be painted. No vinyl lettering is permitted.
If gold lettering or ornamentation is desired, 23K gold leaf should
be considered. Gold paint will tarnish in a very short period of time.
If necessary, tan paint is preferable to gold paint.
A.
No sign shall be positioned on a structure so that it obscures any
architectural feature, including but not limited to the cornice, window
trim, door trim, or porch railings. Temporary signage exceptions are
considered on a case-by-case basis.
B.
A sign shall not interfere with or obstruct any official traffic
sign, signal, or marking for any reason.
The following signs shall not be permitted, constructed, erected,
or maintained:
A.
Signs with flashing, moving, or intermittent lighting of any kind;
for example, such signs displaying time and temperature. This includes
signs that are backlit and signs that are electric or neon.
B.
Portable signs, including any sign mounted on wheels.
C.
Signs that are erected in such a way as to obstruct a door, window,
or fire escape of the building to which the sign is affixed.
D.
Signs that are tacked, posted, or painted to poles, benches, barrels,
buildings, posts, trees, sidewalks, curbs, rocks, or any structure.
E.
Off-premises signs which advertise commercial activities taking place
or businesses located on another lot.
F.
Signs that are placed on the public sidewalks or public property,
e.g. sandwich boards, menu boards, and chalkboards, except for signs
erected by the Town.
H.
Roof signs.
I.
Signs that name a complex of buildings or businesses.
J.
Freestanding signs, except for those that are grandfathered (See
Appendix C.[1]).
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix C is included as an attachment to this chapter.
L.
Attachment signs.
M.
Real estate signs.
N.
Subdivision signs.
