[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Rockville Centre 5-20-1991 by L.L. No. 3-1991. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building Code — See Ch. 112.
Signs and posting bills — See Ch. 335.
Zoning — See Ch. 340.
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Rockville Centre declares and finds it to be in the public interest and for the public good to protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business climate, enhance and protect the physical appearance of the community, preserve the scenic and natural beauty and for other aesthetic considerations to provide for the regulation of awnings and awning signs within the business districts of the Incorporated Village of Rockville Centre. The Board of Trustees further intends to reduce visual clutter, advertising distractions and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents and injuries, as well as help provide for the safety of pedestrians.
As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
AWNING
An unenclosed roof-like structure, supported entirely by the building to which it is attached and which may be of a stationery or retractable type.
AWNING SIGN
Any lettering and/or numbers sewn, attached, painted, inscribed or otherwise directly applied on an awning.
BUSINESS DISTRICTS
Areas wholly or partly within the following use districts as defined in Chapter 340 of the Village Code:
[Amended 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
A. 
Business AAA.
B. 
Business AA.
C. 
Business A.
D. 
Business A-1.
E. 
Business B.
F. 
Urban Renewal Commercial or Light Manufacturing A.
G. 
Urban Renewal Recreational and Limited Commercial.
DROP AWNING
A retractable awning.
FIXED AWNING
A fixed-frame awning that is not retractable.[1]
STREET LINE
The dividing line between the street and a lot.
SUPERINTENDENT
The Village Superintendent of Buildings.
[Added 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
[1]
Editor's Note: The definition of "front property line," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021.
[Added 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
A. 
No awning, whether fixed or retractable, shall be erected, installed in a Business District unless a permit for the same has been approved by the Superintendent, after consultation with design consultants designated by the Board of Trustees, and before commencement of installation.
B. 
Every awning must be constructed so that it may be detached from the supporting building or structure.
[Added 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
In addition to any awning sign permitted by this chapter, signs not exceeding six inches in height, painted, applied, affixed or attached to the front valance of a retractable awning facing a public street, shall be permitted. The area of such sign shall be measured from the borders or exterior locations of the lettering or graphics of such sign, and such area shall not be counted as part of the maximum permitted sign area. It shall not be necessary to affix a sign permit number to an awning sign. No sign may be hung from an awning.
A. 
Drop awnings may extend beyond the street line but may not extend over the sidewalk past a point that is within two feet of the curbline.
B. 
A drop awning, including its valance, if any, when let down to its full extent, may not be less than seven feet six inches above the sidewalk at any point.
C. 
Only lettering and numbering that is no more than six inches in height is permitted. Such letters and numbers may set forth only the name and street number of the entity transacting business in the building to which the awning is attached.
A. 
The framework for fixed awnings shall not be less than seven feet six inches above the sidewalk at any point.
B. 
The awning shall be constructed so that the projection outwards to height against the building ratio shall not exceed a ratio of 1:2.
C. 
Frames shall be constructed of galvanized metal or aluminum tubing, round or square stock, with a minimum cross-sectional dimension of 3/4 inches and designed in accordance with generally accepted standards.
[Added 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
D. 
New awnings may not project further from the building line, nor closer to the street line, than any lawfully existing awning located within 350 feet on the same side on the block. A uniform design and character shall be sought within the same grouping of stores.
[Added 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
A. 
No more than one fixed awning sign shall be allowed on each premises. All lettering and symbols or images installed, placed or affixed to a fixed awning sign on or after March 1, 2021, shall first be approved by the Superintendent, after consultation with design consultants designated by the Board of Trustees.
[Amended 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
B. 
Lettering.
(1) 
Such sign shall:
(a) 
Consist of one row of letters or numbers on the front side of the awning.
(b) 
Be limited to the name of the premises and its street address.
(2) 
The letters and numbers shall be painted, sewn, inscribed or attached directly to the front of the awning.
(3) 
Individual lettering and/or numbers shall not exceed 24 inches in overall height, with the bottom of each letter and/or number situated within two inches of the lowest edge of the awning or its valance, if any, and parallel to such edge or valance.
C. 
Lettering and/or numbering shall not be permitted on any other part of the awning.
D. 
A fixed awning sign is not permitted on the same facade of a building onto which a wall sign is attached. A fixed awning sign is permitted, upon compliance with this chapter, after the removal of any wall signs that are on the facade to which the awning sign is to be attached. A facade of a building may not have both a wall sign and a fixed awning sign at the same time per § 335-5(B) of this Code.
A. 
Every awning must be constructed so that it may be detached from the supporting building, and every awning is subject to removal by its owner upon notice by the Board of Trustees.
B. 
A permit issued by the Superintendent must be obtained before beginning the installation of any type of awning.
[Amended 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
[Amended 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
A. 
No more than three colors, or shades of colors, including the awning, lettering and/or numbering, may be used on any awning or awning sign. In consultation with the Building Department and the design consultants designated by the Board of Trustees, the Village shall establish and maintain a palette of preferred colors, which shall be made available to applicants at the Building Department. Applicants shall be encouraged to choose from said preferred colors in order to promote uniformity and favorable aesthetics for the Village.
B. 
Awnings may be made only of canvas, wood or cloth-type materials chosen from the Village's suggested palette, as determined by the Superintendent after consultation with design consultants designated by the Board of Trustees. Samples of materials, styles and colors are required to be submitted with each permit application.
[Amended 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
A. 
Awnings lawfully existing at the time of the adoption of this chapter or any amendment thereto, and which are not in compliance with this chapter, are hereby declared to be nonconforming. Such awnings may remain until such time as 1) the covering is replaced, 2) the occupant of the premises is changed, or 3) the ownership of the premises is transferred, whichever first occurs, at which time the awning must be in conformity with this chapter.
B. 
Whenever an awning frame is replaced, the entire new awning, both covering and frame, must be in conformity with this chapter.