It shall hereafter be unlawful for any person to erect, place, or maintain a sign in the City of Norwich except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
The following types of signs are prohibited in all districts:
A. 
Abandoned signs.
B. 
Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs or signals.
C. 
Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said sign. (This does not apply to allowed portable signs or to signs or lettering on buses, taxis, or vehicles operating during the normal course of business.)
D. 
Signs projecting above the roof.
Unless otherwise provided by this chapter, all signs shall require permits and payment of fees as described in Article VI of this chapter. No permit is required for the maintenance of a sign.
The following types of signs are exempt from permit requirements but must be in conformance with all other requirements of this chapter:
A. 
Construction signs. One construction sign per construction project not exceeding four square feet in sign area in residential districts, 20 square feet in business districts or 32 square feet in industrial districts, provided that such signs shall not be erected more than 30 days prior to the beginning of construction, shall be confined to the site of construction, and shall be removed within 30 days after completion of construction.
B. 
Holiday or special events decorations.
C. 
Nameplates of one square foot or less.
D. 
Political signs. One political sign per lot, not to exceed four square feet in sign area per sign. Such signs shall not be erected more than 30 days prior to the election or referendum concerned and shall be removed within seven days following such election or referendum. Political signs may be placed only on private property and only with the permission of the property owner.
E. 
Public signs or notices, or any sign relating to an emergency.
F. 
Real estate signs. One sign per street frontage not exceeding four square feet each in residential districts, or eight square feet each in other districts, advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises on which displayed.
G. 
Incidental signs not to exceed two square feet in sign area per building.
H. 
Memorial signs of six square feet or less.
I. 
Garage/yard sale signs. These signs must be removed within 24 hours of the conclusion of a garage/yard sale (as defined in § 575-5).
[Added 11-18-2014 by Ord. No. 2-2014]
A. 
The owner of the sign and the owner of the premises on which such sign is located shall be jointly and severally liable to maintain such sign, including its illumination sources, in neat and orderly condition and good working order at all times, and to prevent the development of any rust, corrosion, rotting or other deterioration in the physical appearance or safety of such sign.
B. 
Unsightly, damaged, deteriorated signs; unsafe signs; or signs in danger of falling shall be put in order or removed upon written notice. Immediate compliance is required for the repair or removal of unsafe signs. If compliance is not achieved within the time period specified in such notice, the sign shall be repaired or removed by the City and the costs assessed to the property owner.
Unless otherwise specified by this chapter, all signs may be illuminated. However, no sign regulated by this chapter may utilize:
A. 
A lighting device so placed or directed so as to permit the beams and illumination therefrom to be directed or beamed upon a public street, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance.
B. 
Any revolving beacon or flashing light.
C. 
The lighted portion of such sign or signs between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. if located in or adjacent to a residential district, unless such business is open during those hours.
[Amended 2-15-2000 by Ord. No. 1-2000]
Manual changeable copy signs may be used in B-1 Districts, excluding the Business Improvement District, B-2 Business Districts or in conjunction with institutional signs or cultural center signs as long as the following conditions are met.
A. 
Signs must be constructed as a permanent fixture on the property on which they are located.
B. 
Sign material and design must be compatible with the building facade and the area aesthetics in which it is placed.
C. 
Sign material must be colorfast and corrosion resistant. The sign must be maintained by the owner.
D. 
Signs shall be placed so as to utilize existing architectural features of a building without obscuring them.
E. 
Signs shall be oriented for pedestrian and slow-moving vehicular traffic.
F. 
Signs shall meet the setback, height and clearance requirements for the district in which they are located.
G. 
Businesses located in business zones shall be permitted one wall or freestanding changeable copy sign. The changeable copy sign shall be only one- or two-sided and shall not exceed 32 square feet in sign area per side. The changeable copy sign shall be attached to and incorporated into the allowed wall or freestanding sign. The size of the changeable copy sign shall be included in the total signage area allowed.
H. 
Institutional or cultural center signs located in residential zones shall be permitted to utilize 20% of allowed sign area for changeable copy. The changeable copy sign shall be attached to and incorporated in the permitted sign, and the size of the changeable copy sign shall be included in the total signage area allowed.
All persons involved in the maintenance, installation, alteration, or relocation of signs near or upon any public right-of-way or property shall agree to hold harmless and indemnify the City, its officers, agents, and employees against any and all claims of negligence resulting from such work insofar as this chapter has not specifically directed the placement of a sign.