[Adopted 1-18-1971 as Ch. XXVII of the Revised General Ordinances, as amended through 8-4-1975]
[Amended 1-24-1994 by L.L. No. 1-1994]
A. 
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BUILDING INSPECTOR or INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
The Inspector of Buildings of the Village of Larchmont or other officer, person or persons duly authorized to perform his/her duties.
EXTERIOR SIGN
Any material or structure or part thereof composed of lettered, numbered and/or pictorial matter and/or of lines, shapes and/or designs, or upon which such matter is placed, which is used outside of or on the exterior of any building, including the face of a building, for display, advertisement, announcement, notice, directional matter or otherwise (other than merely a building's address). This definition includes but is not limited to billboards, signboards, lettering, designs, symbols or ground signs, projecting signs, roof signs, banners, pennants, clocks, thermometers, devices, canopies, marquees and awnings, except awnings above the ground floor of a building, but does not include signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental function. "Sign," as used in this article, shall also include any material or structure or part thereof composed of lettered, numbered and/or pictorial matter or upon which lettered, numbered and/or pictorial matter is placed, which is on the exterior of any vehicle or any mobile object located on the same zoning lot as a building and which lettered, numbered and/or pictorial matter is designed to serve as a sign for the nature of the business, the goods sold or services rendered on the premises and the price thereof or any or all of them. Such sign is hereby prohibited when it is customarily located on the same zoning lot as a building.
FRONT FACADE OR FACE OF A BUILDING
The general outer surface of the building abutting or fronting upon any street, highway or parking area.
GROUND SIGN
A sign supported by one or more uprights upon the ground, with or without braces, and not attached to a building or structure.
ILLUMINATED
Fabricated to be lit by bulbs or other electrically powered means, including but not limited to neon.
INTERIOR ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any illuminated material or structure or part thereof composed of lettered, numbered and/or pictorial matter and/or of lines, shapes and/or designs, and/or upon which such matter is placed, which is located within four feet of the inside of any window and is visible from any street or sidewalk and is used for display, advertisement, announcement, notice, directional matter, name or otherwise. This definition includes but is not limited to signs, billboards, signboards, lettering, designs, symbols, clocks, thermometers and devices, but does not include signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any government function.
PERSON
Includes one or more persons, corporations, partnerships, associations, joint-stock companies, societies and all other entities of any kind capable of being sued.
PROJECTING SIGN
Any sign which is erected or maintained over any street, sidewalk, alley, highway, premises or structure or parking area.
ROOF SIGN
A sign erected upon or above the roof of a building.
B. 
As used in this article, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular.
[Amended 1-24-1994 by L.L. No. 1-1994]
A. 
After the effective date of this article and except as otherwise herein provided, it shall be unlawful and a violation of this article for any person to erect, construct, paint, alter, relocate, reconstruct, display or maintain or cause to be erected, constructed, displayed or maintained in the RC, RB, LC, MF and RROC Zoning Districts within the village any interior illuminated sign(s), exterior sign(s), awning(s) and/or marquee(s) without first having obtained approval of the Board of Architectural Review and a written permit from the Building Inspector for such sign(s), awning(s) or marquee(s) and without having complied with the provisions of this article and with all other applicable ordinances, regulations or laws.
B. 
Except for white tubular lighting encased in channels, all illuminated exterior signs shall have shielded light or shall be covered with translucent material (not transparent).
C. 
No exterior sign and no interior illuminated sign shall be altered as to wording, design, size, color, location or otherwise, except upon approval of the Board of Architectural Review following all of the procedures and subject to the standards for a new sign set forth in this chapter.
[Amended 1-24-1994 by L.L. No. 1-1994]
Any person desiring to procure a permit for a sign shall file with the Inspector of Buildings of the Village of Larchmont a written application, which shall contain:
A. 
In the case of exterior signs, a drawing showing the lettering, numbers and pictorial matter composing the sign; a description of the appearance, material and construction details of the sign and its structure, including size and layout of letter forms, numbers and graphic symbols; a location plan showing the position of the sign on the building or premises; photograph(s) of the building facade and the adjacent properties on the same side of the street within 50 feet of the building in question; samples of each material and accurate color samples; and, in the case of illuminated signs, intensity data; and such other information as the Building Inspector and/or Architectural Board of Review may require to show compliance with the provisions of this article.
B. 
In the case of awnings or marquees, a drawing showing the proposed awning or marquee, including any lettering, numbers, symbols and/or pictorial matter to be placed thereon; a description of the appearance, material and construction details of the awning or marquee, including its structure and a location plan showing the position of the awning or marquee on the building or premises; photograph(s) of the building facade and the adjacent properties on the same side of the street within 50 feet of the building in question; samples of each material and accurate color samples; and such other information as the Building Inspector and/or Architectural Board of Review may require to show compliance with the provisions of this article.
C. 
In the case of interior illuminated signs and in the case of all illuminated signs, drawing(s) showing all lettering, numbering, symbols or pictorial matter; a description of the appearance, material and construction detail of the signs and its structure, including size and layout of letter and number forms and graphic symbols; a location plan showing the proposed position of the sign; photograph(s) of the building facade and the adjacent properties on the same side of the street within 50 feet of the building in question; accurate color information and intensity data; and such other information as the Building Inspector and/or Architectural Board of Review may require to show compliance with the provisions of this article.
D. 
A written statement showing the names of the owner or of the person in control of the building or premises where such sign(s), awning(s) or marquee(s) are to be located and the right or authority of the applicant to obtain a permit, together with the building owner's written approval of the proposed sign(s), awning(s) or marquee(s).
[Amended 3-20-1990 by L.L. No. 3-1990]
Except as otherwise provided herein, no sign, awning or marquee permit shall be issued by the Building Inspector until the applicable fee as set by resolution of the Board of Trustees from time to time is paid to the Village Treasurer.
[Amended 3-20-1990 by L.L. No. 3-1990]
The Building Inspector may, at any time for a violation of this article, revoke any sign, awning or marquee permit. Notice of such revocation and the reason or reasons therefor, in writing, shall be served by the Building Inspector upon the person named in the application by mailing the same to the address given in the application and upon the last known owner of the premises on which the sign, awning or marquee is placed or attached by mailing the same to his/her name and address as shown on the assessment roll of the village and by filing a copy of said notice immediately in the office of the Village Clerk.
[Amended 9-14-1987 by L.L. No. 4-1987; 3-20-1990 by L.L. No. 3-1990; 2-25-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
A. 
Repair or removal.
(1) 
Whenever it shall appear to the Building Inspector that any sign, awning or marquee has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of any of the terms of this article, is no longer in good repair, or is unsafe and insecure or is in such condition as to be a menace to the safety of the public, he/she shall thereupon issue a notice to the owner of the premises on which such sign, awning or marquee is located or attached informing such person of the violation of this article or the dangerous condition of the sign, awning or marquee and directing him/her to make such alteration or repair thereto or to do such things or acts as are necessary or advisable to place such a structure in a safe, substantial and secure condition and to make the same comply with the requirements of this article within 48 hours from receipt of the notice.
(2) 
Upon the failure to comply with such notice within the time specified, the Building Inspector may cause such sign, awning or marquee or such part thereof as is constructed or maintained in violation of this article to be removed and may charge the expense of such removal to the person so notified; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall prevent the Building Inspector from adopting such precautionary measures as may be necessary or advisable in case of imminent danger to place such sign, awning or marquee in a safe condition, the expense of which shall be paid by the owner.
B. 
No sign shall be painted on a building.
C. 
No roof signs are permitted.
D. 
Every person maintaining a sign shall, upon vacating the premises where the sign is maintained, forthwith remove such sign. In the event that a sign is not removed from a vacated premises within 48 hours after written notice by the Building Inspector, addressed to the owner of the building, the Building Inspector shall remove the sign at the owner's expense.
E. 
Signs advertising going out of business sales, liquidation, bankruptcy, fire or other sales of like nature shall be permanently removed after a period of one month.
F. 
All signs and awnings shall be maintained in good order and condition, and must appear clean and free from dirt, debris and defects.
[Amended 3-20-1990 by L.L. No. 3-1990]
In residential, multifamily and limited commercial districts, as established by Chapter 381, Zoning, no signs shall be erected or maintained except the following; no fee shall be required for such signs, and no Board of Architectural Review approval shall be required therefor:
A. 
Signs customarily incident to churches and places of worship, libraries or public museums, municipal buildings and structures, parks and playgrounds of the Village of Larchmont.
B. 
Professional nameplates; provided, however, that such professional nameplates shall not exceed one square foot in area.
C. 
On a private dwelling, a single sign stating the name of the owner or occupant of the premises or the street number of the owner or occupant of the premises or the street number of the premises or both. Such signs shall not be more than one square foot in area, limited to one sign per plot, attached to a building, or a ground sign located not less than three feet back from the property line.
D. 
On a multifamily or limited commercial building, one sign which shall be attached to the building. Such sign shall not exceed six square feet in area and may state the name and address of the building, the name and address of the owner or agent and, on a multifamily building, the apartments available. A corner building is permitted one sign on each street frontage.
E. 
Illuminated signs are prohibited in the above districts.
F. 
Color, lettering, material, design, location and construction shall be controlled as set forth in § 357-11 and other sections of this article, except as otherwise provided in this section.
[Amended 5-1-1978 by L.L. No. 3-1978; 3-20-1990 by L.L. No. 3-1990; 1-24-1994 by L.L. No. 1-1994; 2-25-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
In RB, RC, LC, MF and RROC Districts, as established by Chapter 381, Zoning, no interior or exterior sign shall be erected or maintained unless and until it complies with the following provisions (in addition to such other requirements as the Architectural Review Board may reasonably require):
A. 
An exterior sign may be placed only upon the front or face of a building and must be constructed and maintained flat or parallel with the building wall to which it is attached and shall not extend more than 12 inches from such exterior building wall.
B. 
Any exterior sign shall have a maximum twenty-four-inch vertical dimension or height. The maximum horizontal dimension or length of an exterior sign shall not exceed 75% of the face or front of the business establishment upon which such sign is erected or maintained. No letter on such sign shall be more than 12 inches in height or width; provided, however, that an exception may be made for letters up to 18 inches in height or width, on a case-by-case basis where such increase in size would be warranted based on the proportionality of the letters to the face of the building. In any case, however, the maximum horizontal dimension or length of such sign shall not exceed 50 feet on any face or frontage for the same business establishment. The upper edge of such an exterior sign shall not be located above the floor or level of the floor of the second story of the building upon which the sign is placed or maintained, and no such sign shall extend beyond the top or ends of the building surface upon which it is placed. No more than one exterior sign on each face or front of a business establishment is permitted.
C. 
Signs, awnings, canopies or marquees may advertise the name of the owner or title of the business. In the event the nature of the business is not evident from the name of the owner or the title of the business, a few key descriptive words may also be included on a sign, awning, canopy or marquee. By way of example, if the title of the business is "Smith's," and the business is engaged in selling stationary and gifts, the words "stationary" and "gifts" may be included on a sign, awning, canopy or marquee in lettering at least 25% smaller than the name of the business.
D. 
On the exterior of buildings with business establishments above the first floor, entrance nameplates of uniform design and appearance at each such building and not more than 18 inches in length and nine inches in height may be mounted at the sides of such entrance, provided that they are placed flat against the exterior masonry wall. Such business establishment shall be allowed interior window signs, not covering over 25% of the window, as set forth in Subsection E below, and shall not be permitted to have any other exterior or interior illuminated signs.
E. 
Interior window signs for business establishments above the first floor may bear either the name of the proprietor of the business conducted, the nature of the business rendered on the premises, the name of the business or any or all of them. A single interior window sign for business establishments on the first floor may include a brief list of services rendered, which may not be larger than 8.5 inches by 11 inches, and may not include pricing for such services.
F. 
No interior or exterior sign shall have intermittent, moving or flashing lighting. All interior and exterior sign lighting shall be of constant color and intensity, except with permission of the Board of Architectural Review.
G. 
No business establishment shall have interior illuminated signs which occupy in total more than an area of six square feet on each street upon which the establishment has frontage. No interior sign shall be powered through a transformer exceeding 30 milliamps.
H. 
No business establishment shall have more than two interior illuminated signs, unless it has window(s) on more than one street, in which case it may have no more than two interior illuminated signs on each street.
I. 
Interior illuminated signs shall be limited to name, logo and/or pictorial matter. Bands or lines of light may not be used to outline or frame windows.
J. 
At a gasoline filling station, in addition to the signs herein permitted, one illuminated yard sign may be erected not more than 20 square feet in area with the largest dimension not more than five feet and the bottom of the sign not more than 12 feet above the ground, provided that:
(1) 
No letter on such sign shall be more than 12 inches in height or width.
(2) 
Such sign shall be so located that the entire sign shall lie within the property line of the premises on which the sign is sought to be erected.
K. 
Illumination of buildings and off-street parking areas shall be subject to approval by the Board of Architectural Review, provided that such lighting shall be so screened as not to cause danger or nuisance to passersby or to shine into the windows of any adjoining or nearby residence(s) or business establishment(s).
L. 
Exterior signs shall have no more than four colors.
M. 
Exterior signs shall not use luminous, sparkling or DayGlo™ paint. Bright yellow shall not be used as a background color on exterior signs.
N. 
No exterior signs having moving, rotating, revolving, fluttering or reflecting parts shall be employed.
O. 
No signs shall be suspended from a marquee, awning or other sign.
P. 
Any interior illuminated sign in existence at the effective date of this article must be removed by January 1, 1997, unless it has been approved by the Architectural Board of Review by that date.
[Amended 2-25-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
A. 
Projecting signs may not be made of fabric but instead must be made of wood or some other rigid material.
B. 
No projecting sign or part thereof shall be erected or maintained over any street, sidewalk, alley or highway, except the following;
(1) 
Signs which do not extend or project more than 48 inches over a street, sidewalk, alley or highway in the village and which otherwise comply with this article.
(2) 
Theater marquees erected and maintained in compliance with the Building Code of the village.
(3) 
Hoods or shields for lighting by reflection signs attached to buildings or structures, provided that such hoods or shields do not extend more than 12 inches beyond the face of the building, and reflection lights on projecting arms for lighting such signs, provided that such projecting arms do not extend more than two feet beyond the face of the building.
A. 
No sign, awning or marquee shall be erected in such a manner as to obstruct free ingress or egress to or from any window, door or fire escape or so as to become a menace to life, health or property.
B. 
All signs, awnings or marquees affixed to any wall or building shall be securely fastened thereto.
[Amended 3-20-1990 by L.L. No. 3-1990]
C. 
All wiring, fitting, materials and electrical or other installations or illuminated or lighted signs shall be subject to inspection by and approval of the Building Inspector.
D. 
No sign or lighting device shall be placed in such a position as to endanger vehicular or pedestrian traffic or obscure or cause confusion with official street or highway signs, lights or signals.
A. 
No bills or notices shall be posted within the village except on bulletin boards or signboards maintained by the village or other governmental authority for that purpose.
B. 
No banner or pennant shall be displayed over any street, sidewalk, highway or from any premises or structure. Signs or banners erected or maintained for a limited period of time for public or charitable purposes may be permitted by the Board of Architectural Review, and any fee for same may be waived. A public liability bond or policy in the sum of at least $25,000 shall be required.
[Amended 5-1-1978 by L.L. No. 3-1978]
C. 
Signboards or sandwich boards may be temporarily placed on the sidewalk in front of a storefront; however, such signboards or sandwich boards may not be made of plastic and must be removed from the sidewalk at the close of business each day.
[Added 2-25-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
[Amended 1-17-1983 by L.L. No. 1-1983; 2-25-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
A. 
One real estate sign is allowed for each improved parcel of land showing that the property is for sale or rent, provided that such sign shall be placed on the inside of the window and shall not exceed 24 by 36 inches in size. On unimproved land, one real estate sign not over 12 by 12 inches in size is allowed, with the location subject to the approval of the Building Inspector.
B. 
A sign advertising the name of the owner or the title of the business may be placed upon the valances of an awning, canopy or marquee, which valances shall be less than 12 inches in height. The bottom of a valance, awning, canopy or marquee shall be not less than seven feet six inches above the sidewalk.
C. 
Business establishments in multifamily districts are allowed signs as permitted in retail business districts.
D. 
Necessary entrances or direction signs are permitted for required parking areas. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in size, located on the exterior of the building or may be ground signs located within the property line.
E. 
No sign shall face any adjoining lot in a residential zone.
F. 
Notwithstanding any provisions of this article or any other local law heretofore enacted, temporary signs advertising candidates for political office or relating to other matters to be voted upon in public elections may be displayed on private property in the Village of Larchmont without the necessity of obtaining a permit, subject to the following restrictions:
(1) 
Such signs may not be displayed on any real property located in any residential zone as defined in the Village of Larchmont Zoning Law.
(2) 
Such signs shall be removed on or before five days after such election day.
[Amended 5-1-1978 by L.L. No. 3-1978]
A. 
The Board of Architectural Review may, in appropriate cases and after public notice and hearing and subject to appropriate conditions and safeguards, vary or modify the application of the sign regulations prescribed in this article in harmony with the general purpose and intent, as follows:
(1) 
Permit signs to be erected or maintained which do not comply with the regulations herein prescribed for residential, multifamily, retail business, industrial, limited commercial and railroad office-commercial districts or projecting signs or temporary signs, provided that the Board of Architectural Review determines that the applicant is entitled to some relief and that such relief will not be detrimental to the district in which the sign is located.
(2) 
Permit signs to be erected and maintained upon open, unoccupied areas between the front or face of the principal building of a lot and the public street or highway; provided, however, that such signs so permitted shall not exceed the equivalent of sign space allowed under the regulations prescribed for the district within which the sign is located.
(3) 
Any variance granted shall be limited to a period not to exceed two years from the date granted, with the right of appeal to the Board of Architectural Review for renewal.
B. 
The foregoing variance powers delegated to the Board of Architectural Review are expressly limited to the variance powers granted in this article.
[Amended 5-4-1981 by L.L. No. 3-1981; 1-17-1983 by L.L. No. 1-1983]
A. 
In addition to any other penalties or remedies prescribed herein or otherwise available to the Village of Larchmont, any person, corporation, firm or other entity who shall violate any of the provisions of this article, shall be subject to a fine of up to $250 or imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or to both such fine and imprisonment. Each day such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such.
[Amended 9-14-1987 by L.L. No. 4-1987]
B. 
The owner of the premises where the violation occurs or the tenant, if there is one, shall be responsible for any violation of this article occurring on the premises.
C. 
Any costs or expenses incurred by the Building Inspector of the Village of Larchmont in the enforcement of this article shall be assessable to the owner of the premises and shall be a lien on the premises.
[Amended 9-14-1987 by L.L. No. 4-1987]
No sign other than of a type provided for in this article shall be erected or maintained.
All notices shall be given in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known address of the owner and tenant.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Article 19, Nonconforming signs, as amended 5-1-1978 by L.L. No. 3-1978, and Article 20, Application of ordinance, which followed this section, were repealed 9-14-1987 by L.L. No. 4-1987.
[Added 5-1-1978 by L.L. No. 3-1978]
Any person aggrieved by a determination made by the Board of Architectural Review under the sign regulations may appeal to the Board of Trustees, provided that a written notice of appeal is served on the Village Clerk within 30 days from the date of filing with the Clerk of said determination of the Board of Architectural Review. A public hearing on said appeal shall be held by the Board of Trustees as promptly as possible.