The following signs are allowed in all zones:
A. 
Institutional signs. One sign setting forth or denoting the name of any public, charitable, or religious institution, when located on the premises of such institution, provided such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in sign area.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
B. 
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. (No permit required.)
C. 
One attached nameplate per building not to exceed one square foot in sign area. (No permit required.)
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. (No permit required.)
E. 
Temporary signs. Special event displays, portable signs, banner signs and signs utilizing changeable copy may be erected on the premises of an establishment having a grand opening or special event, provided that such signs shall not be displayed for more than 30 consecutive days in any one calendar year per Tax Map number or on-site business principally owned by the same entity.
[Amended 2-15-2000 by Ord. No. 1-2000; 3-19-2002 by Ord. No. 1-2002]
F. 
Identification signs. One identification sign not to exceed four square feet per business or profession.
G. 
Community-wide special events signs. Certain events, including, but not limited to, Colorscape Chenango, Gus Macker Tournament, First Night, Pumpkin Festival or Blues Festival, which are sponsored by local not-for-profit entities and operate under a special events permit issued by the Common Council, are of such a nature that special and unique signage may be required. These events are for the general benefit of the greater Norwich community and are generally a fund-raising activity, not commercial or sponsored by for-profit entities. A complete signage plan must be submitted to the Common Council at the time the special events permit request is submitted. All signs will be approved by the Common Council under the supervision of the Administrator.
[Added 2-15-2000 by Ord. No. 1-2000]
A. 
Signs are allowed as follows in residential zones:
(1) 
All signs as permitted in § 465-11.
(2) 
Subdivision or tract name signs. One nonilluminated sign not to exceed 12 square feet in area, or two nonilluminated signs not to exceed six square feet each per exclusive entrance to a subdivision or tract. Such signs are restricted to the subdivision or tract name.
(3) 
Directional/information signs. The following will be allowed in residential districts:
(a) 
R-1 and R-1A: not permitted.
(b) 
R-2: two directional/information signs not to exceed two square feet in sign area each.
(c) 
R-3: three directional/information signs not to exceed two square feet in sign area each.
B. 
Special regulations for residential zones are as follows:
(1) 
All allowed freestanding signs shall have a maximum height limit of six feet and shall have a minimum setback of 10 feet from any public street curb.
A. 
Signs are allowed as follows in business and industrial zones:
[Amended 9-22-2009 by L.L. No. 2-2009]
(1) 
All signs as permitted in § 465-11.
(2) 
Freestanding signs and wall signs. One freestanding sign or one wall sign per premises, not to exceed an area equal to 1 1/2 square feet for each linear foot of building frontage, up to a maximum of 100 square feet, whichever is less. Freestanding signs shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet, a maximum height of 20 feet and a minimum setback of 20 feet. Ground signs are excluded from these specific clearance and height requirements.
(3) 
Awning signs. One awning sign per occupancy not to exceed 25% of the surface area of an awning, or one marquee sign not to exceed 1 1/2 square feet in sign area for each linear foot of marquee front. Minimum clearance shall be no less than eight feet.
(4) 
One under-canopy sign per occupancy not to exceed two square feet in sign area.
(5) 
Incidental signs not to exceed two square feet in aggregate sign area per building. (No permit required.)
(6) 
Time and temperature signs. One changeable copy sign (automatic) displaying time and temperature information, not to exceed 10 square feet, is allowed per lot.
(7) 
Directional/information signs. Four directional/information signs per lot not to exceed two square feet in sign area each.
(8) 
Barber poles. One traditional barber pole may be erected per lot.
B. 
Special regulations and allowances for business and industrial zones are as follows:
(1) 
Where a public entrance fronts on an additional street, customer parking lot, or highway, one additional wall sign or one additional freestanding sign is allowed on the additional frontage, not to exceed the size limitations of other allowed wall and freestanding signs.
(2) 
A projecting sign may be used instead of any allowed wall or freestanding sign, not to exceed a sign area of 1 1/2 square feet for each linear foot of an occupancy's building frontage up to a maximum of 10 square feet. Projecting signs may not extend more than 18 inches from wall.
(3) 
The total area of all signs cannot exceed an area equal to 1 1/2 square feet for each linear foot of building frontage up to a maximum of 200 square feet, whichever is less.
[Amended 9-22-2009 by L.L. No. 2-2009]
(4) 
A variance may be granted for buildings with a setback greater than 150 feet or building frontage greater than 200 feet. The Zoning Board of Appeals may place additional restrictions on the sign applicant if a variance is granted.
A. 
Pursuant to the effort of the City of Norwich and the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) to enhance the character and viability of downtown Norwich, the regulations listed below shall apply for commercial signage within the BID boundaries as defined in the Norwich Identity Study of 1996 and as may be recommended by the BID and approved by the City of Norwich Common Council.[1] These regulations shall include all signs allowed in §§ 465-11, 465-12, and 465-13 with the following exceptions:
(1) 
Section 465-13A(2) (freestanding signs only) shall apply only to buildings set back more than 15 feet from the curbline.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 26, Business Improvement District.
B. 
Because of the extreme importance of downtown image to the economic health of the City, illustrations are provided to better support the intent of these special district regulations.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: The illustrations are included as attachments to this chapter.
C. 
The regulations are as follows:
(1) 
Location.
(a) 
Signs must enhance architectural details. They must not obscure them.
(b) 
Signs must be placed where the building's architect intended a sign to be placed.
(c) 
Window signs must not obscure the display area.
(d) 
Window signs must be placed slightly higher than eye level.
(e) 
Projecting signs must be in line with other signs on the same block.
(f) 
Store hours signs must be posted on or near the entrance door, but not on signs or on display windows.
(2) 
Size and quantity.
(a) 
A storefront or commercial facade may have only two permanent signs, a primary one on a wall or an awning, and a secondary one such as a window sign.
(b) 
Show window signs may cover no more than 20% of the glass.
(c) 
Wall signs may extend the width of the storefront, but neither their height nor their width may obscure the building's architectural details. In no case may the sign exceed the dimensions allowed in § 465-13 of this chapter (including exceptions listed at the beginning of this section).
(d) 
Keep it simple. Signs must identify the business and its main product or service using words, pictures and symbols. No sign may include brand name advertising.
[Amended 9-19-2017 by Ord. No. 1-2017]
(3) 
Lettering and graphics.
(a) 
Sign graphics must be simple and neat.
(b) 
There may be no more than two lettering styles per sign.
(c) 
Signs must be made easy to read by carefully spacing the letters and words.
(d) 
Letter styles must be chosen for readability and should reflect the type of business represented.
(e) 
Overly large letters are to be avoided. Signs must be oriented toward pedestrians and slow-moving automobiles.
(4) 
Colors.
(a) 
Sign colors must complement the building facade and adjacent signs as per the chart included in the attached graphics section.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: The chart is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(b) 
Signs may have no more than three colors although black, white or gold may be added to any three color sign.
(5) 
Lighting.
(a) 
Signs may be externally illuminated with hooded incandescent fixtures.
(b) 
Illumination for window signage must also illuminate window displays.
(c) 
Back-lit plastic signs are not allowed. They are incompatible with most architectural styles.
(d) 
Flashing signs are not allowed.
(e) 
Neon lights are allowed in the windows of cafes, night clubs, and bars.
(6) 
Materials. Signs must reflect excellent or unique craftsmanship. Well designed ironwork, well designed woodwork and expert lettering make a good impression.