[Amended 6-9-1997 by Ord.
No. 998; 5-13-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-8]
The purpose of these provisions is to enhance the appearance
of the Town by lessening the haphazard placement and clutter of signs,
as well as to provide a business-friendly climate that is compatible
with the surrounding environment. Signs perform important functions
for way-finding, communicating messages, and providing information
about goods and services; however, if not properly regulated, signs
may have detrimental impacts on the visual and perceptual environment.
Therefore, the Town regulates signs in order to:
A.
Promote the safety, comfort, and well-being of the users of streets,
roads, and highways;
B.
Reduce distractions and obstructions from signs which would adversely
affect traffic safety, and alleviate hazards caused by signs projecting
over or encroaching upon public ways;
C.
Discourage excessive visual competition in signage and ensure that
signs aid orientation; and,
D.
Enhance municipal character by encouraging new and replacement signage
which is creative and distinctive, compatible with the surroundings,
appropriate to the type of activity to which it pertains, and, appropriately
sized in its context so as to be easily legible.
The following definitions supplement those words defined in § 340-4 of this chapter and as used in this section have the following meanings:
Any sign that uses movement, the visual impression of movement,
sound or change of lighting to depict action or create a special effect
and/or scene. Such signs include, but are not limited to, those that
give the impression of flashing, blinking, oscillating, expanding,
or contracting.
Any sign that is part of or attached to an awning, canopy,
or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective covering of a door,
an entrance, a window, or an outdoor service area. The areas of an
awning sign/canopy sign will be counted as part of the area allowed
for wall signs.
A sign made of nonrigid material hanging from or otherwise
attached to a building, structure or pole.
Any notice or advertisement, pictorial or otherwise, used
as an outdoor display not related to the use of the lot upon which
the billboard is located.
A board or wall area on which bulletins, notices, or displays
are temporarily posted. Such signs shall be for public, charitable,
or religious purposes, and shall be located upon the premises of said
institutions.
Any sign whose purpose is to display the name of the contractor
and/or subcontractors employed on a work site, and/or the consultants
and/or financial institutions participating in the project. Such signs
shall be temporary in nature and shall be removed upon completion
of the project.
A sign identifying, by name or symbol, one or more credit
cards which are accepted by an establishment.
An on-premises sign that directs vehicles and/or pedestrians
onto, around, and/or off a property, and which may contain the name
or logo of an establishment, but not advertising copy.
A sign identifying two or more persons or establishments
occupying a structure.
Any sign that utilizes computer-generated messages or some
other electronic means of changing copy. These signs include displays
using incandescent lamps, LEDs, LCDs, or a flipper matrix. The images
and messages displayed must be static (not change for at least 25
seconds), and the transition from one static display to another must
be instantaneous to the human eye without having any transition effects.
Transition effects include wipes, fades, or other special effects.
A sign supported by one or more poles, columns, or braces
or other supporting devices placed in or on the ground and not attached
to any building.
All signs erected by or on behalf of the federal, state or
local government; traffic controls; legal notices; or other signs
required by law, including all signs erected under the authority of
the Town of Johnston on Town owned or controlled land.
A sign that is made a permanent and integral part of a building,
to identify a property of historic significance by name, date of erection,
and so forth.
A sign illuminated by a separate light fixture that casts
light directly on the face of the sign.
A sign lighted directly or indirectly by a light fixture
located within the sign structure and designed to project light against
the surface on which the sign lettering or graphics are located.
A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary
to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as "no parking,"
"private driveway," "loading zone," "no trespassing," and other similar
directives. No sign having a commercial message or a logo shall be
considered incidental.
A distinctive emblem, symbol or insignia identifying a particular
product, service, business, activity, or entity.
Any sign attached to, in any manner, or made part of a permanent
roof-like structure projecting beyond a building which is used as
a theater. Such signs shall not extend beyond or be attached to the
underside of the overhang.
A sign mounted on a structure erected for that purpose, not
attached to any building, which is used for the listing of available
menu items at an establishment with a drive-through window.
Any freestanding sign having a support structure that is
a solid-appearing base constructed of permanent materials such as
concrete block, stone, or brick and is in contact with or within one
foot of the ground.
Any sign, including but not limited to billboards, advertising
or calling attention to an activity, product, or service not available
within a building or upon the parcel of land where the sign is located.
Except that, for the purpose of this article, subdivision identification,
political, government, and temporary signs shall not be deemed off-premises
signs.
Any sign used to identify entrances to parks and open space.
Such signs may include information relating to features and facilities,
interpretive signs informing visitors about what they may see or experience,
maps, and so forth.
A sign which advertises a candidate or candidates for public
elective office, a political party, or promotes a position on a ballot
question or public issue.
Any sign not permanently affixed to the ground or to a building;
any sign attached to or displayed on a vehicle that is used for the
expressed purpose of advertising a business establishment, product,
service, or entertainment, when that vehicle is so parked as to attract
the attention of the motoring or pedestrian traffic; any sign originally
designed and intended to be placed and used on a temporary basis.
A sign with no more than two faces attached to a building
wall which extends more than 15 inches from the face of the wall.
Any temporary sign advertising the real estate upon which
the sign is located as being for rent, lease, or sale.
A sign which is constructed and maintained on the roof of
a building or on the building wall in such a way that it extends beyond
the roof line.
A sign at the entrance of a single integrated development
consisting of two or more lots or a multifamily housing development,
which advertises or identifies, for example, the name of a residential,
commercial, or industrial subdivision or development, the address
and/or the commercial or industrial occupant of the premises, and/or
directional and parking instructions with respect to the development.
Any sign, including a portable sign, which is used for a
limited time and is not permanently installed or erected.
Any sign on or affixed to an inoperative bus, car, boat,
trailer, truck or other motorized vehicle, that is not used in the
activities of the business, that is parked on public or private property
with the primary purpose of providing advertisement of products, or
that is directing people to a business or activity located on the
same or nearby premises.
Any sign attached parallel to and within 10 inches of a wall,
painted on the wall surface, or erected and confined within the limits
of an outside wall of any building. Signs installed on first-story
mansard roof or mansard facades shall be considered wall signs.
Any sign which is painted on a window pane, mounted onto
a window pane, or hung directly (within 24 inches of the glass) inside
the window.
A.
Illumination standards for all signs:
(1)
The light source for all externally illuminated signs shall be effectively
shielded to prevent beams or rays from being directed at any roadway
or abutting residential property.
(2)
No lights or lighting effects shall be used on any sign if the Building
Official deems such light or lighting effect to pose a conflict with
those used in public safety or traffic control and thereby create
a hazard to the operation of motor vehicles.
(3)
No sign may be placed, constructed or erected if the Building Official
deems the illumination to constitute a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular
traffic because of intensity or direction of illumination.
(4)
All illuminated signs shall be turned off one hour after business
closing and shall not turn on again until one hour prior to business
reopening.
B.
Number of signs:
(2)
Wall sign.
(a)
There may be one wall sign, canopy sign or projecting sign affixed
to the exterior of a building for each occupancy therein.
(b)
Where one establishment is more than 75,000 square feet in gross
leasable floor area, there may be one or more wall-mounted signs for
that establishment provided that the total square footage of such
signs does not exceed the total amount of signage permitted.
C.
Placement standards:
(1)
Signs shall not obstruct any door, window, or fire escape.
(2)
Except as otherwise provided herein, the placement of signs is not
subject to yard setback regulations. No sign shall constitute a hazard
to pedestrian or vehicular traffic such as by obstructing sight lines
or by blocking free ingress to or egress from a required door, window,
fire escape or other required exit way element.
(3)
Signs, if illuminated, shall be so arranged as to reflect light away
from adjoining properties and/or streets, and shall not be located
within 25 feet of any residential district boundary line.
(4)
Signs shall not overhang the public right-of-way nor interfere with
adjoining properties or establishments.
D.
Sign area computations:
(1)
Sign area for single-faced signs shall be computed by measuring in
square feet, the entire area within a square, rectangle, circle, triangle
or any other polygon enclosing the extreme limits of graphic, writing
or similar representation, emblem or any fixture of similar character,
together with any frame or other material or color forming an integral
part of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the background
against which it is placed. The area of supporting framework (for
example brackets, posts, etc.) shall not be included in the area if
such framework is not included in the display.
(2)
When a sign has two or more faces, each side may contain the maximum
sign area permitted (as computed above), provided the sides are no
further than two feet from each other.
(3)
When calculating the total square footage of wall-mounted signage
in a development of two or more buildings, all wall signs, awning
or canopy signs and projecting signs for each establishment in the
development shall be included in the total amount of permitted signage.
The calculated number shall not exceed the amount of square feet of
wall signs permitted.
E.
Height and setback computations:
(1)
The height of any freestanding sign shall be measured from its base
at grade to the highest point of the sign. Grade shall be defined
as the naturally existing topography of the ground. Any filling or
mounding (such as a berm) above the naturally occurring grade to artificially
increase the height of a sign shall be counted towards the height
of the sign.
(2)
The setback of any sign shall be measured from the edge of the sign
that is closest to the property line.
(3)
A freestanding sign shall be set back a minimum of five feet from
all property lines.
F.
No sign shall emit any sound.
G.
No sign shall hereafter be created, erected, installed or altered
except in conformance with this article and upon receipt of a building
permit.
H.
Continuance: Any sign that advertises businesses or activities that
have not been carried on at the premises for two consecutive years
shall be deemed to be abandoned. An abandoned sign shall be considered
nonconforming and therefore prohibited and shall be removed by the
owner of the premises. Such obsolete signs shall be removed within
30 days after the date they become obsolete.
I.
Maintenance. All signs, banners, pennants, awnings, canopies and
other permitted advertising devices must be kept clean, neatly painted,
free from all hazards and must be properly maintained in safe condition,
not faded or tattered, and shall be securely fastened at all corners
and ends. If a sign is hazardous or obsolete, the Building Inspector
or Zoning Enforcement Officer shall give written notice to the owner
of the sign and to the owner of the land upon which the sign is erected
directing that the sign be brought into conformance or removed within
30 days from the date of said notice.
J.
Replacement. Any sign replacing a preexisting nonconforming sign
shall conform with the provisions of this article and the preexisting
nonconforming sign shall be removed.
K.
Alteration. The sign faces of any preexisting nonconforming signs
may be altered either to update the sign content or to reflect new
information, provided that such alteration shall not result in any
change in the sign's size, extent, location, or illumination.
The signs described below are permitted in all zoning districts:
A.
Signs identifying charitable, nonprofit, or private educational facilities
shall be permitted as follows:
(1)
Wall signs not exceeding 20 square feet in area.
(2)
Off-site directional signs not exceeding two square feet in area
per side of sign, nor eight feet in height.
(a)
Temporary on- or off-premises freestanding signs or wall signs
advertising public social events, not exceeding 32 square feet in
area per side of sign, nor six feet in height, and limited to one
sign per parcel. The display of said temporary signs shall be limited
to 21 days duration, shall be removed within three days after the
final day of the event, and shall not be permitted more than four
times in a calendar year.
(b)
A permit shall be obtained for each time a temporary sign is
desired and shall not be extended.
(c)
A cash bond of $50 shall be posted with the Building Inspector
for each temporary sign. This sum will be returned upon removal of
the temporary sign. If the sign is not removed when the permit expires,
the Building Inspector or Zoning Enforcement Officer shall cause the
sign to be removed and disposed of and the cash bond shall be forfeited
to the Town's general fund to help defray the cost of removal.
B.
Directional signs.
C.
Real estate signs. On-premises, temporary, nonilluminated, freestanding
or wall signs not exceeding nine square feet in area, nor six feet
in height, and limited to two signs per parcel. Said signs shall be
maintained in sound condition and shall be removed within 10 days
of the lease, sale or rental of the property to which they are related.
D.
Government signs.
E.
Political signs. Political signs of a temporary nature, not located
on utility poles, public property or within any right-of-way.
F.
Temporary construction signs. Not exceeding 32 square feet in area
per side of sign nor eight feet in height and limited to two signs
per project site. Said signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet
from all property lines and shall be removed immediately upon completion
of the work to which they are related. All temporary construction
signs which are located within a road right-of-way shall conform with
the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
G.
Incidental signs.
H.
Clocks, thermostats and barber poles displaying no advertising.
I.
Landmark signs or commemorative tablets when made a permanent and
integral part of a building.
J.
Temporary holiday decorations for a period of up to 60 days per year.
The signs described below are prohibited in all zoning districts:
A.
All billboards, roof signs, A-frame signs and portable signs, strobe
lights, light bulb strings, steamers, spinners and devices of a similar
nature, and all moving, flashing, rotating or blinking signs.
B.
The use of fencing for advertising purposes.
C.
All signs displaying any explicit figures or words concerning specified
anatomical areas or sexual activities.
The signs described below are permitted in all residential zoning
districts. Exterior signs shall not be illuminated.
A.
Banners and pennant strings. Limited to a maximum of two banners
or pennant strings per establishment for a period of up to six months
in any calendar year, where the predominant, legally permitted use
of said premise is nonresidential. The occupants of any residential
portion of a property upon which a banner or pennant string is located,
and the occupants of any abutting residential property, may object
in writing to that banner. Upon receipt of said written objection,
the Zoning Officer shall order the removal of the objectionable banner
or pennant string, and the owner may appeal to the Zoning Board of
Review for relief of the removal order.
B.
Freestanding signs. Indicating the name of the owners or occupants,
or identifying a permitted nonresidential use, not exceeding two square
feet in area, nor five feet in height, and limited to one sign per
parcel.
C.
A freestanding subdivision identification sign. Up to 12 square feet
in area and up to eight feet in height and limited to two signs.
D.
Wall signs. Identifying a permitted nonresidential use, not exceeding
nine square feet in area, and limited to one sign per establishment.
Signs may be wall-mounted, freestanding, projecting, a flag
or banner. All signs shall conform to the following:
A.
Awning or canopy signs may be up to 36 square feet per establishment.
B.
Banners are limited to a maximum of two banners per establishment
for a period of up to six months in any calendar year.
C.
Credit card signs shall not exceed one square foot in aggregate area
per establishment and shall not be illuminated.
D.
Directory signs shall not exceed six square feet in aggregate area
per building and shall only identify permitted uses.
E.
Information flags shall be limited to one per establishment containing
the word "Open" and/or the business's logo, not exceeding 15 square
feet in area.
F.
Pennant strings shall be limited to two per establishment.
G.
Projecting signs may be up to 12 square feet in area, projecting
up to four feet from the building wall, with an unobstructed clearance
to a height of 10 feet above the ground, and limited to one sign per
establishment.
H.
Wall and freestanding signs shall conform to the following standards:
(1)
Building frontage is the length of the building on the side where
the main door to the establishment(s) is located.
(2)
When a parcel has two or more principal buildings, the total sign
area for each building is calculated based on the building frontage
of each building.
(3)
For any drive-in business that has a booth for employees only with
no public access, including a gas station, the maximum area of building
signs shall be one square foot of sign for every linear foot of street
frontage. On a corner lot, only one street frontage shall be used
to calculate the maximum sign area.
|
Zone
|
Freestanding Sign
|
Building Signs
| |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total Sign Area
(square feet)
|
Sign Height
(feet)
|
Total Sign Area on a Building
(square feet)
| |
|
B1
|
36
|
12
|
1.0 for every linear foot of building frontage
|
|
B2: buildings up to 25,000 square feet
|
50
|
15
|
1.0 for every linear foot of building frontage
|
|
B2: buildings 25,001 to 50,000 square feet
|
75
|
18
|
1.5 for every linear foot of building frontage
|
|
B2: buildings 50,001 to 75,000 square feet
|
100
|
20
|
2.0 for every linear foot of building frontage
|
|
B2: buildings 75,001 square feet and up
|
150
|
25
|
2.5 for every linear foot of building frontage
|
|
I Zones
|
100
|
20
|
2.0 for every linear foot of building frontage
|
