For the purposes of this chapter, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to
them by this section:
GROUND SIGN
Any sign erected, constructed or maintained for purposes
of displaying outdoor advertising by means of poster, pictures, pictorial
or reading matter when such sign is supported by uprights or braces
placed upon the ground and not attached to any part of any building,
other than a real estate sign as hereinafter defined.
INSPECTOR
The Inspector of Buildings of the City.
MARQUEE SIGN
Any sign affixed to any hood or canopy over the entrance
to places of public assemblage, extending wholly or in part across
the sidewalk and supported from the building.
PERMANENT EXTENDING-TYPE AWNINGS
Awnings which cannot be raised or lowered and which are affixed
to any building as protection against the sun, rain or snow, extending
wholly or in part across a sidewalk or a public way and supported
from the building.
PROJECTING SIGN
A letter, word, model, sign, device or representation used
in the nature of an advertisement, announcement or direction, extending
over the sidewalk beyond the building line. Projecting illuminated
or nonilluminated signs shall be divided into two classes:
A.
Projecting signs which are affixed to the building
wall and which extend over the sidewalk.
B.
Flat signs which are attached in a rigid manner
parallel to the building wall and which project beyond the building
line.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A sign erected, constructed or maintained for the purpose
of displaying outdoor advertising, supported by uprights or braces
placed upon the ground, whether or not attached to any part of any
building, not exceeding 36 square feet in area, advertising real estate
for sale or for rent.
ROOF SIGN
Any sign erected, constructed or maintained upon the roof
of any building.
SIGN
Unless a more limited meaning is manifestly intended, every
type and kind of sign as herein defined.
WALL SIGN
Any painted sign or poster on any surface or plane that may
be affixed to the front, rear or side wall of any building.
No person shall erect, alter or maintain on
public ways or on private property within public view of any highway,
public park or reservation a sign except in accordance with the provisions
of this chapter and the zoning ordinances and building codes of the
City.
Prior to the erection, alteration and maintenance
of any sign, the person desiring to alter, erect or maintain the same
shall apply to the Inspector of Buildings for a permit therefor, and
no sign shall be erected or altered until such permit has been issued.
[Amended 12-17-2019 by Ord. No. 288-2019]
Permits for the erection and alteration of signs will be issued
by the Inspector of Buildings in compliance with the provisions of
this chapter, zoning regulations and the building codes of the City,
except for signs regulated by MGL c. 93, §§ 29 through
32, inclusive. To alter the content of a billboard, the alteration
shall be referred to the Planning Board for review.
[Amended 6-6-2017 by Ord.
No. 151-2017]
The fee for the permit required by §
149-3 of this chapter shall be per §
94-2, Sign fees.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to
relieve the owner of the sign from the duty of safely maintaining
the same.
All signs hereafter constructed shall be plainly
marked with the name and address of the person owning and maintaining
such sign.
In case any sign shall be constructed, erected,
altered or maintained in violation of any of the terms of this chapter,
the Zoning Ordinance and the building codes or shall become unsafe,
insecure or in danger of falling, in the opinion of the Building Inspector,
the Inspector shall forthwith notify the person owning or maintaining
such sign, by registered mail or personal service, to alter same so
as to comply with the terms of this chapter, Zoning Ordinance and
building codes or to make the same safe or remove same. If such notice
as may be given by the Inspector of Buildings is not complied with
within the time set forth therein, such Inspector may remove, alter
or make safe such sign as may be necessary, at the expense of the
person owning or maintaining the sign.
[Amended 12-17-2019 by Ord. No. 289-2019]
Any person placing or maintaining any such structure contrary
to the provisions of this chapter or of the zoning ordinances and
building codes of the City shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding
$300 for each day during which such structure is placed or maintained
contrary to such provisions after five days' notice to remove
the same has been given by the City Council or by a public officer
acting by the Chief of Police. Upon violation of this chapter or other
provisions regulating signs in the City, the City Council may revoke
any permit granted hereunder. (See MGL c. 85, § 8.)