The sign regulations section is designed to provide standards
for the installation of signs so as to reduce traffic safety hazards,
protect property values, promote economic development, and encourage
the creation of an aesthetic appearance along the street frontages
in the Town of Hadley. The sign regulations, as set forth in this
section, are designed to be both logical and equitable for the various
uses and identification needs. These sign standards and regulations
help to effectuate an aesthetic and safe street environment. Restrictions
on type, location, and size of signs protect the public from hazardous
and distracting devices.
[Amended 5-22-2021 ATM
by Art. 3]
See § 1.2.
In Residence Districts, the following signs and no others are
permitted:
7.5.1.
One sign per lot indicating the names of the occupants thereof
shall be permitted. This sign shall not exceed two square feet of
area.
7.5.2.
One sign per lot relating to an allowed accessory use under
this Zoning Bylaw shall be permitted. This sign shall not exceed four
square feet of area.
[Amended 10-26-2023 ATM by Art. 10]
7.5.3.
Signs in the residence districts must be located at least 10
feet away from the front lot line.
In any Limited Business, Local Business, Business and Industrial
Districts only signs that meet the following standards shall be permitted:
7.6.1.
Signs must be farther than 20 feet from the front lot line.
7.6.2.
The surface area of any and all signs allowed on each building
shall not exceed 10% of the area of the wall on which it is displayed.
7.6.3.
Single-tenant properties: For single-tenant businesses accessed
directly from the street, right-of-way or parking area, the following
standards apply:
7.6.3.1.
Up to four wall signs are permitted per business establishment,
provided they shall be attached to and parallel to the walls of the
building.
7.6.3.2.
A business establishment shall have a total sign area allowance
of 40 square feet in Limited Business and Local Business Districts,
and 64 square feet in Business and Industrial Districts.
7.6.3.3.
One freestanding ground sign is permitted, provided it does
not exceed 40 square feet in surface area in Limited Business and
Local Business Districts, and 64 square feet in surface area in Business
and Industrial Districts. The sign area of this freestanding ground
sign does not count towards the business establishment's sign area
allowance.
7.6.4. Multi-tenant
properties in Limited Business and Local Business Districts: For multi-tenant
properties in the Limited Business and Local Business Districts, the
following standards apply:
7.6.4.1. One wall sign shall be allowed for each tenant with access and frontage
along a street, right-of-way or parking area, provided they shall
be attached to and parallel to the walls of the building.
7.6.4.2. The total sign area allowance shall not exceed a total of 20 square
feet.
7.6.4.3. One freestanding ground sign or directory sign is permitted for each
lot, provided it shall not exceed 40 square feet in surface area.
Directory signs shall be designed and constructed with provisions
to allow for changes of occupancy without reconstruction of the entire
sign. The sign area of this freestanding ground sign does not count
towards the business establishment's sign area allowance.
7.6.5.
Multi-tenant properties in Business and Industrial Districts:
For multi-tenant properties in the Business and Industrial Districts:
7.6.5.1.
One attached wall sign shall be allowed for each tenant with
direct exterior entrance available for public use along a street,
right-of-way or parking area, provided it shall be attached to and
parallel to the main wall of the building.
7.6.5.2.
The total sign area allowance shall not exceed a total of 40
square feet.
7.6.5.3.
One freestanding ground sign or directory sign is permitted
for each lot, provided the sign shall not exceed 64 square feet in
surface area. Directory signs shall be designed and constructed with
provisions to allow for changes of occupancy without reconstruction
of the entire sign. The sign area of this freestanding ground sign
does not count towards the business establishment's sign area allowance.
7.6.6.
Specialty signs: The following specialty signs will also be
allowed:
7.6.6.1.
Canopies that do not appear as internally lit signs. Lighting
under canopies must be recessed and directed downward. No signs may
appear on canopies.
7.6.6.2.
Gas station pricing pods (signs which display the current price
of gasoline) which do not exceed 16 square feet. These may be incorporated
on the same post or pylon as the freestanding stand.
7.6.6.3.
One "Open" flag per business not to exceed three feet by five
feet in size.
7.6.6.4.
Banners for special events such as grand openings, charitable,
religious, or civic events, provided they conform to § 7.8.
7.6.7.
Light-emitting signs: The following are the only light-emitting
signs that are allowed under this bylaw:
7.6.7.1.
Signs behind an exterior-facing window where the aggregate display
surface on any one sign does not exceed six square feet and provided
that it is not illuminated past 10:00 p.m. local time or 30 minutes
after the closing of the business, whichever is later. No more than
two of such signs will be allowed per business.
No new signs shall be permitted in the Floodplain District.
Signs legally existing at the time this bylaw is adopted may
continue as nonconforming uses subject to the provisions of § 5.1
of the Zoning Bylaw of the Town of Hadley.
[Added 5-5-2022 ATM by
Art. 24]
7.10.1.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, it shall be unlawful
for any person to place a sign on public property where said sign
fails to comply with any of the restrictions stated in this bylaw.
Unlawful signs shall be removed by Zoning Enforcement Officer and
forfeited.
7.10.2.
Placement of signs on public property shall be approved by the
Board of Selectmen.
7.10.2.1.
Permits for signs on public property shall be issued through
the Building Inspector and the Building Inspector may charge an appropriate
fee for said permit.
7.10.3.
Restrictions applicable to signs on public property (unless
specified elsewhere in this bylaw):
7.10.3.1.
No sign shall exceed 42 inches in height.
7.10.3.2.
No sign shall exceed six square feet in area per side, no more
than two sides.
7.10.3.3.
All signs shall be constructed or anchored to prevent movement
of the sign, except that an anchor shall not be permanent and shall
not damage the property on which it is placed.
7.10.4.
Restrictions applicable to the placement of signs:
7.10.4.1.
No sign shall be attached to, or leaned against, any street
furniture, utility facility (including poles and boxes), street light
or any other sign.
7.10.4.2.
No sign shall be placed in such a manner as to reduce or obstruct
the path of travel on any road, sidewalk ramp or any Town- or state-owned
sidewalk.
7.10.4.3.
There shall be no illumination of any type on the sign, external
nor internal.
7.10.4.4.
Signs may not exceed one sign per lot, or one sign per business
on tenant lots.
7.10.4.5.
No sign shall be placed in such a manner that it impedes the
visual ability or line of sight of vehicles or pedestrians exiting
or entering any public or private way.