The following sign regulations are intended
to serve these objectives: to facilitate efficient communication to
ensure that people receive the messages they need or want; to promote
good relationships between signs and the visual qualities of their
environs and the buildings to which they relate; to maintain visual
diversity within commercial areas by avoiding requirement of uniformity;
and to support business vitality within nonresidential zones by accomplishing
the above objectives without burdensome procedures and restrictions.
[Added 10-21-2013 ATM by Art. 14; amended 10-20-2014 ATM by Art. 12]
A.
CORRELATED COLOR TEMPERATURE (CCT) — A specification of the
apparent color of the light emitted by a lamp, as measured in kelvins
(K). A CCT of 3,000K provides a slightly yellowish hue, and a CCT
of 5,000K provides a slightly bluish hue.
B.
DAYTIME OPERATION — The time interval beginning 30 minutes
before sunrise and ending 30 minutes after sunset.
C.
NIGHTTIME OPERATION — The time interval beginning 30 minutes
after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise.
D.
LUMINANCE — The surface brightness of internally or externally
illuminated sign elements, measured in nits (candela per square meter).
E.
NIT (Nit) — A unit of apparent surface brightness equal to
one candela per square meter. Nits are measured using methods and
equipment commonly employed by lighting professionals.
F.
SIGN — See § 195-108, Word usage and definitions. For purposes of legal notices or informational devices erected or required by public agencies, it is the Town's preference that signage for public agencies comply to the maximum extent practicable.
H.
SIGN TYPES —
(1)
INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN — A sign whose light source
is located in the interior of the sign so that the light becomes visible
by shining through a translucent surface, but not including changing-image
signs. The luminance of sign elements shall not exceed 2,000 nits
during daytime operation nor 200 nits during nighttime operation.
Internally illuminated signs on the premises shall collectively total
no more than 15,000 lumens.
(2)
EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN — A sign that is illuminated
from an external source such as a floodlight directed toward or across
or by backlighting from a source not within the sign. The luminance
of sign elements shall not exceed 200 nits during nighttime operation.
The correlated color temperature of the illumination source shall
not exceed 3,000K, except that an illumination source with a CCT not
exceeding 4,000K may be granted by special permit.
(3)
NEON SIGN — An illuminated sign containing neon, argon
or any other similar gas to illuminate transparent or translucent
tubing or other materials to create a colored light.
(4)
BULLETIN-BOARD SIGN — A freestanding, wall or window sign
with letters, words or numerals that are manually moveable, indicating
the names of persons associated with, or events conducted upon, or
products or services offered upon the premises upon which such sign
is maintained. Such sign is permitted in all zoning districts as applicable.
(5)
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE/IMAGE BOARD — A sign or portion thereof
using digital, electronic or other methods to create characters, letters,
illustrations or images that can be changed, altered or rearranged
without altering the face or the surface of the sign. Such signs shall
not be changed, altered or rearranged more than once per day. A digital
display of time, temperature, or fuel prices shall not be considered
a changing message/image sign. The luminance of sign elements shall
not exceed 2,000 nits during daytime operation nor 200 nits during
nighttime operation.
(6)
TEMPORARY SIGN — A sign which is not permanently affixed
to a building or mounted in the ground, or placed on the ground, which
is designed to be movable and/or portable. Temporary signs may include
small ground signs such as A-frame, H-frame, T-frame (also known as
sandwich signs), small wall signs (also known as banner signs) and
special signs. Portable temporary signs shall not include trailers
or motorized vehicles. Such a sign shall not be lit, erected on a
sidewalk, walkway or driveway, or within five feet from the sideline
of a street or right-of-way customarily used by the general public.
Such signs shall not block vision of vehicles entering or exiting
driveways, and the Building Commissioner has the discretion to request
portable signs be moved when there is a safety issue.
(7)
SPECIAL SIGN — A temporary sign used for advertising,
identification or promotion such as an opening, reopening, under new
management, sale or service, product, commodity, entertainment or
activity. Such sign is not intended to advertise a continuing or regularly
reoccurring operation.
[Amended 10-20-2014 ATM by Art. 12]
No sign shall be erected, enlarged or structurally
altered without a sign permit issued by the Inspector of Buildings,
with the exception of unlighted signs one square foot or smaller in
area and temporary construction signs less than 12 square feet in
area. Temporary unlighted real estate signs require no sign permit
if the erecting agent has obtained a one-year permit from the Inspector
of Buildings for erecting such signs.
[Amended 10-20-2014 ATM by Art. 12]
All signs shall be maintained in a safe and
neat condition to the satisfaction of the Inspector of Buildings and
in accordance with Sections 1404.0 and 1405.0 of the Massachusetts
State Building Code.
Any sign legally erected may be continued and
maintained despite being made nonconforming through change in this
chapter, except that no off-premises signs may be maintained after
June 1, 1980. Any sign rendered nonconforming through erection of
additional signs on the premises or through change or termination
of activities on the premises shall be removed within 30 days of order
of the Inspector of Buildings. No existing sign shall be enlarged,
reworded (unless equipped with movable letters), redesigned or altered
in any way except in conformity with the provisions contained herein.
Any sign which has been destroyed or damaged to the extent that the
cost of repair or restoration will exceed 1/3 of the replacement value
as of the date of the destruction shall not be repaired, rebuilt,
restored or altered unless in conformity with this chapter.
All signs approved by the Inspector of Buildings
will have an identifying number affixed to the face of the sign in
the lower right-hand corner, said number to be at least one inch in
height.
A.
No moving, animated, revolving, moving-light, blinking,
or flashing sign or sign elements shall be permitted, except for traditional
illuminated barbershop poles with revolving pillars. Only registered
and licensed barbershops are allowed to display a barber pole, and
the barber pole shall not exceed 18 inches in height. No pennants,
streamers, advertising flags, spinners or similar devices shall be
permitted.
[Amended 10-20-2014 ATM by Art. 12]
B.
No sign shall be located within 25 feet of the intersection
of side lines of intersecting streets unless entirely less than 3 1/2
feet or more than eight feet above grade.
C.
No part of any sign shall be more than 20 feet in
height above ground level or exceed the height of the building to
which it relates, whichever is less, unless granted a special permit
for an exception by the Board of Appeals.
[Amended 10-20-2014 ATM by Art. 12]
D.
No part of any sign shall overhang a public way by
more than 12 inches, except that on special permit from the Board
of Appeals such overhang may be increased up to four feet.
E.
No sign shall be erected or maintained unless its
subject matter relates exclusively to the premises on which it is
located or to products, accommodations, services or activities on
those premises.
[Amended 10-20-2014 ATM by Art. 12]
F.
Laser-projected signs are not permitted.
[Added 10-21-2013 ATM by Art. 14; amended 10-20-2014 ATM by Art. 12]
[Amended 10-21-2013 ATM by Art. 14]
The following signs are permitted in Residential
Districts RA, RB, RC and RM:
A.
One non-internally-illuminated sign for each family residing on the
premises indicating the owner or occupant or pertaining to a permitted
accessory use, provided that no such sign shall exceed one square
foot in area.
[Amended 10-20-2014 ATM by Art. 12]
B.
One non-internally-illuminated sign not over nine square feet in
area pertaining to a permitted use or building other than dwellings
or their accessory uses.
[Amended 10-20-2014 ATM by Art. 12]
C.
One unlighted temporary sign not over six square feet in area pertaining
to the sale, rent or lease of the premises, provided that it shall
be removed within seven days after the sale, rent or lease thereof.
Such signs may be externally illuminated only if granted a special
permit by the Board of Appeals upon its determination that such illumination
serves public safety and convenience without damage to neighborhood
character. These signs require no sign permit if the erecting agent
has obtained a one-year permit from the Inspector of Buildings for
erecting such signs.
[Amended 10-20-2014 ATM by Art. 12]
D.
Unlighted directional signs not exceeding one square
foot in area each and pertaining to permitted building, uses of the
premises other than dwellings and their accessory uses or prohibiting
use of the premises or certain portions of it.
E.
One temporary unlighted sign not larger than 25 square
feet in an area indicating the name and address of the parties involved
in construction on the premises. This sign requires no permit if it
is not more than 12 square feet in area and is removed within 30 days
of erection.
[Amended 10-21-2013 ATM by Art. 14]
The following internally or externally illuminated
signs are permitted in Business Districts CA, CB, CC, and CD:
A.
Attached signs. One sign may be attached to any one
wall of a building, not to exceed an area equivalent to 15% of the
front wall area of said building or 60 square feet, whichever is greater.
(1)
Allowable sign area may be divided between two signs,
each sign to be attached to a different wall of the building, and
the total allowable sign area shall not exceed an area equivalent
to 20% of the front wall area of said building or 80 square feet,
whichever is smaller.
(2)
In the case of buildings with multiple occupants,
each occupant is allowed one sign, with the above total allowable
sign area divided among them in proportion to their share of total
floor area.
(3)
No attached sign shall extend above the wall to which
it is attached. No sign shall be attached to a roof, real or simulated.
(4)
A building located at an intersection fronting on
two public ways may divide the allowable sign area between two signs,
each sign to be attached to a different wall of the building, and
the total allowable sign area shall not exceed an area equivalent
to 20% of the front wall area of said building or 80 square feet,
whichever is smaller.
B.
Freestanding signs.
(1)
One freestanding sign located within the front yard
area of the lot and not exceeding 5% of the front wall of the building
or 40 square feet, whichever is smaller, provided that the building
has a minimum setback of 30 feet and the sign is so located as to
be set back 15 feet from the street line and 20 feet from any side
lot line. On special permit from the Board of Appeals the allowable
sign area may be increased to 60 square feet.
(2)
Directory signs. A freestanding directory sign, representing
multi-tenants, must have uniformity of size and color, and the overall
sign must meet the criteria for freestanding signs.
[Amended 10-20-2014 ATM by Art. 12]
C.
Directional signs. No more than two directional signs
per driveway. Said signs shall contain no advertising and shall not
exceed an area of five square feet each.
D.
Window signs. One unlighted window sign for each window
of the building not to exceed in area 20% of the area of any window
upon which located.
E.
Lighted window signs. One internally or externally
illuminated window sign, including a neon sign, conforming to the
following standards:
[Amended 10-20-2014 ATM by Art. 12]
(1)
Such signs shall not exceed five square feet in area
or cover more than 20% of the window in which they are situated, whichever
is less, and shall only be allowed in ground-floor windows.
(2)
Such signs shall be equipped with a timer which shall
permit illumination no longer than 30 minutes before opening or after
closing of the business.
(3)
Such signs shall not flash or blink or use lights
changing in intensity.
(4)
Such signs illuminated by a neon source shall be composed
of primarily single-strand glass tubing with a maximum outside diameter
of one inch.
(5)
Such signs within three feet of a window shall be
considered to be a window sign for purposes of these standards.
(6)
Such signs shall not have a lit background.
F.
Bulletin boards and electronic message/image boards are permitted.
Such signs may not exceed one square foot in area.
[Amended 10-20-2014 ATM by Art. 12]
[Added 10-21-2013 ATM by Art. 14]
Any sign permitted in a business district is permitted in the
Center Village District (CV), with the exception of electronic message/image
boards. All signage located within the Historic District shall receive
approval from the Historic District Commission, and the applicable
Commission regulations shall prevail.
[Added 10-21-2013 ATM by Art. 14]
Although signs for public agencies are exempt, per § 195-108, definition of a "sign," it is the Town's preference that the signage complies to the maximum extent practicable and shall take into consideration the surrounding area, public need and public benefit.
Any sign permitted in a business district is
permitted in an industrial district (IA or IS), excepting window signs.
However, a freestanding sign oriented parallel to the street line
and not more than 30 square feet in area need be set back only five
feet from the street line.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 195-33.5, Billboard Overlay District,
added 4-27-2009 ATM by Art. 19, which immediately followed this section,
was repealed 4-29-2013 ATM by Art. 26.
[Amended 10-16-2000 ATM by Art. 19]
A.
Purpose. This section recognizes the benefits of outdoor
lighting and provides clear guidelines for its installation, so as
to help maintain and complement the character of the town. The intent
of this section is to encourage lighting that provides safety, utility
and security; prevent glare on public roadways; protect the privacy
of residents; promote energy-efficient outdoor lighting; and to reduce
atmospheric light pollution.
B.
Applicability. The requirements of this section shall
apply to all new lighting and any new construction. With the exception
of single-family dwellings and two-family dwellings, if modifications
or additions exceed 25% of the gross floor area, dwelling units or
parking spaces, all lighting on the property shall be made to comply
with the provisions of this section. For the purposes of this section,
if the aggregate of any additions or modifications within the five
previous calendar years exceeds 25%, the provisions of this section
shall apply. The requirements of this section may be reduced by special
permit issued by the Planning Board upon a finding that such reduction
will not detract from the objectives of this section.
[Amended 10-21-2013 ATM by Art. 14]
C.
Standards.
(1)
Any luminaire with a lamp or lamps rated at a total
of more than 2,000 lumens, and all flood or spot luminaires with a
lamp or lamps rated at a total of more than 1,000 lumens, shall be
of a full cutoff design, with the lamp or lamps surrounded and shielded
such that no direct light is emitted above a horizontal plane through
the lowest part of the luminaire emitting direct light. If any spot
or flood luminaire rated 1,000 lumens or less is directed or focused
such as to cause direct light from the luminaire to be cast toward
residential buildings on adjacent or nearby land, or to create glare
perceptible to persons operating motor vehicles on public ways, the
luminaire shall be redirected or its light output controlled as necessary
to eliminate such conditions.
(2)
Illuminated signs, parking lot lighting, building
floodlighting or other exterior lighting shall be so designed and
arranged that their collective result does not create so much light
overspill onto adjacent premises that it casts observable shadows
and so that it does not create glare from unshielded light sources.
(3)
Luminaires used primarily for sign illumination may
be mounted at any height to a maximum of 25 feet, regardless of lumen
rating.
(4)
The maximum height of the luminaire shall not exceed
25 feet. A maximum luminaire height of 35 feet may be allowed by special
permit from the Planning Board upon a finding that the increase in
luminaire height will not negatively impact abutting properties, particularly
property used or zoned for residential purposes.
(5)
Internally illuminated signs on the premises shall
collectively total no more than 15,000 lumens.
(6)
No sign or building in any residential district or
within 300 feet of any residential district if within sight from it
shall be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
unless indicating an establishment open to the public during those
hours.
(7)
Luminaires intended solely to illuminate any freestanding
sign or the walls, roof or any other architectural feature of any
building shall be shielded so that its direct light is confined to
the surface of such sign or building, and its lumen output shall be
such that the average illumination on the ground or on any vertical
surface is not greater than 0.5 footcandle or five lux.
[Amended 10-21-2013 ATM by Art. 14]
(8)
No flashing, moving, color (white only) or revolving
lights shall be maintained.
[Amended 10-21-2013 ATM by Art. 14]
D.
Exceptions.
(1)
All temporary emergency lighting needed by the Police
or Fire Departments or other emergency services, as well as all vehicular
luminaires, shall be exempt from the requirements of this article.
(2)
All hazard-warning luminaires required by federal
regulatory agencies are exempt from the requirements of this article,
except that all luminaires used shall be red and shall be shown to
be as close as possible to the federally required minimum lumen output
requirement for the specific task.
(3)
Luminaires used to illuminate nighttime sporting events
shall not exceed 35 feet. A greater luminaire height may be allowed
by special permit from the Planning Board upon a finding that the
increase in luminaire height will not negatively impact abutting properties,
particularly property used or zoned for residential purposes. Such
luminaires shall not be illuminated after 11:00 p.m.
E.
Submission. The applicant for any permit under this
section shall submit evidence that the proposed work will comply with
this section. The submission shall contain, but shall not necessarily
be limited to, the following:
(1)
Plans indicating the location on the premises of each
illuminating device, both existing and proposed.
(2)
Description of all illuminating devices, fixtures,
lamps, supports, reflectors, both existing and proposed. The description
may include, but is not limited to, catalog cuts and illustrations
by manufacturers (including sections where required).
(3)
Photometric data, such as that furnished by manufacturers,
or similar showing the angle of cut off of light emissions.
F.
DIRECT LIGHT
FIXTURE
FLOOD OR SPOT LIGHT (OR LUMINAIRE)
FULL CUTOFF
GLARE
HEIGHT OF LUMINAIRE
LAMP
LUMEN
LUMINAIRE
OUTDOOR LIGHTING
Definitions. The terms used in this section shall
be defined as follows:
Light emitted directly from the lamp, off the reflector or
reflector diffuser, or through the refractor or diffuser lens of a
luminaire.
The assembly that houses the lamp or lamps, which can include
all or some of the following parts: a housing, a mounting bracket
or pole socket, a lamp holder, a ballast, a reflector or mirror and/or
a refractor or lens.
Any light fixture or lamp that incorporates a reflector or
a refractor to concentrate the light output into a directed beam in
a particular direction.
A luminaire designed with an opaque shield surrounding and
extending below the lamp, such that no direct light is emitted above
a horizontal plane.
Light emitting from a luminaire with an intensity great enough
to reduce a viewer's ability to see and in extreme cases causing momentary
blindness.
The vertical distance from the ground directly below the
center line of the luminaire to the lowest direct-light-emitting part
of the luminaire.
The component of a luminaire that produces light.
A unit of luminous flux. One footcandle is one lumen per
square foot; one lux is one lumen per square meter. For the purposes
of this section, the lumen-output value shall be the initial lumen
output rating of a lamp.
A complete lighting system; that is, a lamp (or lamps) and
a fixture.
The nighttime illumination of an outside area or object by
any device located outdoors that produces light by any means.
[Amended 4-29-2013 ATM by Art. 27; 10-21-2013 ATM by Art. 14]
Temporary signs (including those mounted on
wheels, trailers or motor vehicles if those vehicles, trailers or
wheeled signs are regularly located for fixed display) are prohibited
unless complying with all requirements of this chapter as applicable
to permanent signs or as may be allowed herein.
A.
By-right
temporary signs for which a permit is NOT required.
(1)
Political signs. Temporary, freestanding political
signs, not exceeding in aggregate 24 square feet in area, which are
designed to influence the action of voters for the passage or defeat
of a referendum question or other measure appearing on the ballot
of an election duly called in the Town of Chelmsford or designed to
influence the action of voters for election of a candidate whose name
appears on the ballot of an election duly called in the Town of Chelmsford
are allowed in all districts. It is the Town's preference that such
signs be erected no sooner than 21 days prior to the date of election
and be removed not later than 14 days after such election. Signs permitted
by this subsection shall not be higher than three feet above ground
level; shall not be artificially illuminated; shall be freestanding
and not attached to a building, tree, utility pole or fence; shall
be set back at least 15 feet from the street line; and shall only
be located within the front or side yard area of the property. These
signs require no sign permit.
(2)
Construction signs. Temporary, freestanding signs
may be erected on the premises to identify any building under construction
and its owner, architect, builder or other associated with it, provided
that such sign shall not exceed 60 square feet in area and shall not
be erected to interfere with sight lines along the public way. Such
sign shall be removed within seven days of the issuance of an occupancy
permit. These signs require no sign permit if they are not more than
12 square feet in area and are removed within 30 days of erection.
(3)
Real estate signs. A temporary freestanding sign or
signs attached to the front wall of the building and pertaining to
the sale, rental or lease of the premises are allowed in all districts.
Such sign shall be removed within seven days of the sale, rental or
lease of said premises. These signs require no sign permit if the
erecting agent has obtained a one-year permit from the Inspector of
Buildings for erecting such signs. Signs advertising an open house
shall be situated only on the property which is for sale and/or at
nearby intersections to guide potential buyers to that location and
only during the hours of the open house.
(4)
Yard sale signs. A sign advertising a yard sale shall
not exceed two square feet in area, shall not be erected more than
72 hours before the sale and shall be removed immediately thereafter.
No permit is required for a yard sale sign.
B.
Temporary signs for which registration is required. The following
signs do not require a permit; however, registration is required.
Such signs shall comply with all applicable signage provisions unless
specifically provided otherwise in this section.
(2)
Sign registration for special signs. The following procedures and
standards apply:
(a)
Prior to installation, signs shall be registered and receive
written approval from the Building Commissioner.
(b)
Each use/business located on a site may have one sign at a time.
(c)
A sign may be registered for no more than 14 consecutive calendar
days.
(d)
Each use/business may register a sign once per quarter of the
calendar year. Such quarter is defined as the periods from January
1 to March 31, from April 1 to June 30, from July 1 to September 30
and from October 1 to December 31, or as determined by the Building
Commissioner.
(e)
There shall be at least 30 days between the display of registered
signs.
(3)
Nonmunicipal signs on Town property and within or over Town-owned
rights-of-way. Signs related to community based events, sponsored
by public, charitable, religious or agricultural organizations and/or
businesses and the like, may erect signs as follows:
(a)
A ground sign not to exceed 12 square feet in sign area and
a height of four feet as measured from the average grade.
(b)
A banner-type sign over a street right-of-way.
(c)
The sign shall not be in place for more than 14 days prior to
the event.
(d)
Wall signs are prohibited.
(e)
Prior to installation, signs shall be registered and receive
written approval by the Select Board or its designee in accordance
with adopted policies or regulations.
[Amended 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 30]
These guidelines are not mandatory, but the
degree of compliance with them shall be considered by the Board of
Appeals in acting upon special permits authorized under this article,
as shall consistency with the basic sign objectives and any specific
criteria cited above.
A.
Design.
(1)
Any increase above the basic maxima for the size and
number of signs should be justifiable because of multiple frontages,
development scale or other special needs and should be appropriate
in relation to street width, signage on nearby structures and speed
of vehicular travel.
(2)
Sign content normally should not occupy more than
40% of the sign background, whether a signboard or a building element.
(3)
Signs should be simple, neat and avoid distracting
elements so that contents can be quickly and easily read.
(4)
Signs should be sized and located so as not to interrupt,
obscure or hide the continuity of columns, cornices, roof eaves, sill
lines or other elements of building structure and, where possible,
should reflect and emphasize building structural form.
(5)
Sign materials, form, colors and lettering shall be
reflective of the character of the building to which the sign relates.
(6)
Clutter should be avoided by not using support brackets
extending above the sign or guy wires and turnbuckles.
B.
Content.
(1)
Signs should not display brand names, symbols or slogans
of nationally distributed products except in cases where the majority
of the floor or lot area on the premises is devoted to manufacturing,
sale or other processing of that specific product.
(2)
Premises chiefly identified by a product brand name
(such as a gasoline or auto brand) should devote some part of their
permitted sign area to also displaying the identity of the local outlet.
(3)
Signs should not contain selling slogans, product
descriptions, help wanted notices or other advertising that is not
an integral part of the name or other identification of the location
or the enterprise.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 195-37, Sign Advisory Committee,
was repealed 10-28-2019 ATM by Art. 28.
