[Amended 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
This bylaw allows adequate communication through signage while encouraging aesthetic quality in the design, location, size and purpose of all signs. This bylaw must be interpreted in a manner consistent with the First Amendment guarantee of free speech. It is hereby declared to be remedial and protective, and is to be so construed and interpreted as to secure the beneficial interests and purposes defined in § 195-6.2 of this bylaw.
[Amended 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30; 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
A. 
The regulation and restriction of signs within the Town of North Andover in order to protect and enhance the visual environment of the Town for purposes of safety, convenience, information, and the welfare of its residents.
B. 
The restricting of signs and lights which overload the public's capacity to receive information, which violate privacy, or which increase the probability of accidents by distracting attention or obstructing vision.
C. 
The reduction of visual and informational conflict among private signs and lighting and between the private and public information systems.
D. 
A sign placed on land or on a building for the purpose of identification, protection or directing persons to a use conducted therein must be deemed to be an integral but accessory and subordinate part of the principal use of land or building unless otherwise specifically provided for under the Zoning Bylaw. Therefore, the intent of this article is to establish limitations on signs in order to ensure they are appropriate to the land, building or use to which they are appurtenant unless otherwise specifically provided for under this Zoning Bylaw, and are adequate for their intended purpose while balancing the individual and community interests identified in this section.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A-FRAME SIGN; SANDWICH BOARD
A portable, temporary sign or device capable of standing without support or attachments.
[1]
ANIMATED SIGN
Any sign that uses movement or a change of lighting to depict action or create a special effect or scene.
BUILDING FRONTAGE
The length in feet of a ground floor level of a building front or side facing a street (or facing a right-of-way accessible from a street) that is occupied by an individual business.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign containing and giving direction to community (noncommercial) activities, buildings, areas, such sign not to exceed 12 inches by 30 inches.
[Amended 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30]
DISPLAY WINDOW SIGNS
Temporary signs on the surface of or inside display windows, lighted only by the general building illumination.
ERECT
Includes to construct, place, relocate, enlarge, alter, attach, suspend, and post.
FLAGPOLE
A pole erected on a roof, or projecting from a building or structure or on the ground.
FREESTANDING SIGN
Includes any sign not attached to a building or the ground.
GROUND SIGN
Any sign erected on the ground which is self-supported and anchored to the ground.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any sign illuminated by electricity or other artificial light, including reflective or phosphorescent light, and shall include the location of the source of illumination.
MARQUEE
Any sheltering structure of permanent construction projecting from and totally supported by the wall and/or roof of a building.
[2]
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
A sign or outdoor display that advertises products or services that are not sold, produced, manufactured or furnished on the property where the sign is located.
PERMANENT SIGN
Any sign permitted to be erected and maintained for more than 60 days.
PRIMARY SIGN
The principal accessory sign which may be a wall, roof, or ground sign, as allowed in § 195-6.6.
PROJECTING SIGN
Any sign which is attached to or suspended from a building or other structure and any part of which projects more than 12 inches from the wall surface of that portion of the building or structure.
ROOF SIGN
Any sign erected, constructed, and maintained wholly upon, connected to, or over the roof or parapet of any building, with the entire support on the roof or roof structure.
SECONDARY SIGN
A wall, roof, or ground sign intended for the same use as a primary sign but smaller dimensions and lettering, as allowed in § 195-6.6.
SIGN
Any structure, mechanically or electrically driven, still or moving device, light, letter, figure, word, model, banner, pennant, trade flag, or representation that is designed to be seen from outside the lot on which it is erected. It advertises activities, goods, places, persons, objects, institutions, organizations, associations, businesses or events, products, services, or facilities available either on the property where the sign appears or in some other location. The definition includes electric signs in windows or doors, but does not include window displays or merchandise. A sign may be permanent or temporary.
SIGN SIZE (AREA)
A. 
For a sign, either freestanding or attached, the area shall be considered to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background, whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed but not including any supporting framework and bracing which are incidental to the display itself.
B. 
For a sign painted upon or applied to a building, the area shall be considered to include all lettering, wording, and accompanying designs or symbols, together with any backing of a different color than the finish material of the building face.
C. 
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted on a surface, building, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other convex shape which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign permitted to be used on a short-term basis for a duration of no longer than 60 days unless otherwise specifically provided herein.
WALL SIGN
Any sign affixed to, suspended from or painted on a wall, window, marquee, or parapet.
[1]
Editor's Note: The definition of "accessory sign," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30.
[2]
Editor's Note: The former definitions of "nonaccessory sign" and "obscene," which immediately followed this definition, were repealed 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30 and 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31, respectively.
A. 
Enforcement. The Building Inspector is the enforcing authority for this bylaw.
[Amended 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30; 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
(1) 
The Building Inspector and his/her duly authorized agents shall, at reasonable times and upon presentation of credentials, have the power to enter upon the premises on which any sign is erected or maintained in order to inspect said sign.
(2) 
The Building Inspector may, upon notice as herein provided, order the repair or removal of any unpermitted sign, or sign which is dangerous, unsafe, or in disrepair, or which is erected or maintained contrary to this bylaw. The Building Inspector shall serve a written notice and order upon the owner of record of the premises where the sign is located and any tenant, or other persons known to him/her having control of or a substantial interest in said sign, directing the repair or removal of the sign within a time not to exceed 30 days after giving such notice. If such notice and order is not obeyed within such period of time, the Building Inspector and his duly authorized agents may enforce this section through any court of competent jurisdiction.
B. 
Permits.
(1) 
No permanent sign shall be erected, enlarged, or structurally altered without a sign permit issued by the Building Inspector. Permits shall only be issued for signs in conformance with this bylaw. Permit applications shall be accompanied by two prints of scale drawings of the sign, supporting structure and location. A copy of any relevant special permit shall also accompany the application. All ground or roof signs shall be registered and identified as required by Section 1407.0 of the State Building Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(2), which immediately followed this subsection and permitted the display of lawful, noncommercial messages on permanent signs, was repealed 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30.
C. 
Nonconformance of accessory signs. Any nonconforming sign legally erected prior to the adoption of this provision may be continued and maintained. Any sign rendered nonconforming through change or termination of activities on the premises shall be removed within 30 days of order by the Building Inspector. No existing sign shall be enlarged, redesigned, or altered in any way unless it conforms to 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 destruction shall not be repaired, rebuilt, restored or altered unless in conformity of this bylaw.
[Amended 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
D. 
Street banners or signs. No street banners or signs shall be permitted unless authorized by the Select Board. Street banners and signs across public ways are not permitted.
[Amended 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30; 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
[Amended 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30; 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
A. 
No sign shall be lighted, except by steady, stationary light, shielded and directed solely at the sign. Internally lit signs are not allowed.
B. 
No illumination shall be permitted which casts glare onto any residential premises or onto any portion of a way so as to create a traffic hazard.
C. 
No sign shall be illuminated in any residential district between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. unless indicating time or temperature or an establishment open to the public during those hours.
D. 
No sign having red or green lights shall be erected within sight of a traffic signal unless approved as nonhazardous by the Chief of Police.
E. 
No animated, revolving, flashing, or exterior neon sign shall be permitted.
F. 
No pennants, streamers, advertising flags, spinners or similar devices shall be permitted.
G. 
Corner visibility shall not be obstructed.
H. 
No sign shall be erected, displayed, or maintained upon any rock, tree, fence, or utility pole.
I. 
No sign shall obstruct any means of egress from a building.
J. 
Off-premises signs are prohibited except for directional signs as allowed in § 195-6.6B.
K. 
No signs shall be attached to motor vehicles, trailers or other movable objects regularly or recurrently located for fixed display.
L. 
A property owner may not accept a fee for posting or maintaining a sign allowed under § 195-6.6, and any sign that is posted or maintained in violation of this provision is prohibited.
M. 
In residential zones or on property used for nontransient residential uses, commercial signs are prohibited.
Permitted signs (fee required):
A. 
Residential Districts: The following signs are allowed in a Residence District as well as all other districts:
[Amended 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
(1) 
Primary wall and roof signs attached to or part of the architectural design of a building shall not exceed, in total area, more than 10% of the area of the dimensional elevation of the building as determined by the building frontage multiplied by the floor-to-ceiling height of the individual business or as specified in applicable sections of the bylaw.
(2) 
One sign, either attached or ground, indicating only the name of the owner or occupant, street number and permitted uses or occupations engaged in thereon, not to exceed two square feet in area. Such sign may include identification of any accessory professional office, home occupation, or other accessory uses permitted in a Residence District. Ground signs shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from all property lines and a minimum of 40 feet from all residential districts or structures.
(3) 
One sign oriented to each street on which the premises has access, either attached or ground, pertaining to an apartment development or a permitted nonresidential principal use of the premises, such sign not to exceed 10 square feet in area.
(4) 
One unlighted contractor's sign, not exceeding 25 square feet in area, maintained on the premises while construction is in process and containing information relevant to the project. Such sign shall be removed promptly after completion of the construction.
(5) 
One unlighted identification sign at each public entrance to a subdivision, not exceeding 12 square feet in area; to be removed when the subdivision roadway is accepted by the Town.
(6) 
Ground signs shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from all property lines and a minimum of 40 feet from all residential districts or structures.
B. 
Temporary signs. Temporary signs shall be allowed as provided below, and provided that they comply with the following. Unless otherwise specified in the bylaw, temporary signs must comply with all applicable requirements for permanent signs, including issuance of a sign permit.
(1) 
Temporary signs, of not more than 12 square feet in area, require no sign permit and are to be removed within 30 days of erection. The Building Inspector shall maintain placement controls.
[Amended 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30]
(2) 
One temporary sign may be located on a property when:
[Amended 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
(a) 
The owner consents and that property is being offered for sale through a licensed real estate agent;
(b) 
If not offered for sale through a real estate agent, when the sign is owned by the property owner and that property is offered for sale by the owner through advertising in a local newspaper of general circulation;
(c) 
For a period of 15 days following the date on which a contract of sale has been executed by a person purchasing the property;
(d) 
The sign shall be no larger than 12 square feet. The Building Inspector shall allow a sign larger than 12 square feet if the property fronts on a state highway, such as Route 114 or Route 125, and a larger sign is needed for legibility purposes; the total area or the sign does not exceed 10% of the wall area upon which it is to be located; or
(3) 
One temporary sign may be located on a property when:
[Amended 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
(a) 
The owner or tenant intends to hold a yard sale or sell goods for one day limited to the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(b) 
For a period of two days, including the day of the sale. The sign must be removed within two hours of the end of the sale.
(c) 
A temporary sign may be on the property for only three times per address per year.
(4) 
Temporary signs not meeting requirements for permanent signs may advertise a time event and shall be removed promptly within 24 hours of the time events. In any event, the sign(s) must be removed within 30 days of erection.
[Amended 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30]
(5) 
When a construction activity is taking place on a lot, one temporary unlighted sign no larger than 25 square feet is permitted and must be removed within 15 days of an issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
[Amended 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30; 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
(6) 
Temporary A-frame sign permit. The Building Inspector may issue a permit for the temporary placement of a freestanding A-frame/sandwich sign prior to an event, performance or activity; the sign i) must be securely anchored so as to not blow over; ii) must be removed at the close of each business day and at the expiration of the permit; iii) may not obstruct a public or private walkway, or be placed on public property. The maximum area shall not exceed eight square feet on each side, and a maximum height of five feet above the ground. The temporary permit may impose limiting conditions, including among other matters the number allowed at each business property location.
[Amended 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
(7) 
Unless otherwise specified in this bylaw, temporary signs pertaining to other noncommercial issues shall require no sign permit and shall be allowed in all zoning districts. Such signs shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Subsection B(5) above.
(8) 
Identification signs or entrance markers shall not exceed a combined total of 30 square feet; and provided that there shall be no more than two signs allowed on the premises.
[Amended 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This article also repealed former Subsection B(9), which immediately followed and pertained to signs erected for the posting of land.
C. 
Residence Districts: Directional signs by special permit from the Select Board, limited as follows:
[Amended 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30; 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
(1) 
Two signs for each activity, not exceeding six inches by 30 inches in size.
(2) 
Ground signs not exceeding eight feet in height.
D. 
Business and Industrial Districts: accessory signs. All signs permitted in Residence Districts as provided in Subsections A and B, except that temporary signs may be as large as 25 square feet. Each owner, lessee, or tenant shall be allowed a primary and a secondary sign. Said sign may be used as ground, wall, or roof signs. No lot shall be allowed to have more than one ground sign structure.
[Amended 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30]
(1) 
Primary wall and roof signs attached to or part of the architectural design of a building shall not exceed, in total area, more than 10% of the area of the dimensional elevation of the building as determined by the building frontage multiplied by the floor-to-ceiling height of the individual business or as specified in applicable sections of the bylaw.
(2) 
One permanent ground sign of not more than 25 square feet in area and extending not more than eight feet above ground level. Larger or taller signs may be allowed by special permit of the Board of Appeals, if said Board determines that the particular sign will not be incongruous with the district in which it is to be located nor injurious to traffic and safety conditions therein.
(3) 
For premises having multiple occupants, a single sign, either attached or ground, identifying those occupants. The total area of attached signs, including this one, shall not exceed 10% of wall area, and the area of any freestanding sign allowed under this subsection shall not exceed 25 square feet.
(4) 
Temporary unlighted signs inside windows, occupying not more than 20% of the area of the window, require no sign permit.
(5) 
No sign shall project more than one foot over any public right-of-way, and all such signs shall be covered by appropriate liability insurance as determined by the Building Inspector and verified by a certificate of insurance filed with the Town Clerk.
(6) 
Service stations or garages may divide the allowed wall sign area into separate, smaller wall signs as identifier signs. A freestanding ground identification sign of 50 square is allowed.
[Amended 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
(7) 
For active fuel-dispensing service stations, seeking to identify multiple tenants on the same lot and provide pricing information, such stations may install one single freestanding ground identification sign of 50 square feet. The maximum height (including pylons) of this freestanding ground sign shall be 16 feet from ground level.
[Amended 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
(8) 
Building directories (if located outside) may be affixed to the exterior wall of a building at each public entrance. Such directory shall not exceed an area determined on the basis of one square foot for each establishment occupying the building.
(9) 
Traffic control orientation and guidance signs located on private property, up to four square feet in area, displayed for purposes of direction or convenience, including signs identifying parking, fire lanes, rest rooms, freight entrances and the like.
E. 
Shopping centers.
(1) 
Signs that are permitted in Residence Districts are permitted in shopping centers, except that temporary signs may be as large as 10 square feet.
[Amended 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30; 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
(2) 
Signs attached to a building or its canopy, parallel with the facade and not projecting above the roofline, provided that the total area of all signs erected on any wall by any occupant may not exceed 20% of the portion of the wall area assigned to that occupant. In no case shall any occupant's sign total more than 200 square feet facing any single street.
[Amended 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
(3) 
For any retailing complex comprising three or more enterprises on a single lot and 50,000 square feet floor area or more, one ground sign for each street on which the development fronts. Each sign shall be no larger than 100 square feet. Such sign shall not be located within 10 feet of any property line or the line of any way, and no part of the sign shall be more than 20 feet above the ground level.
[Amended 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
(4) 
Temporary, unlighted signs, inside windows, occupying not more than 50% of the area of the window require no sign permit.
F. 
Office parks.
(1) 
Signs that are permitted in Residence Districts are permitted in office parks, except that temporary real estate signs may be as large as 10 square feet.
[Amended 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
(2) 
One sign for each street upon which the premises has frontage, identifying a subdivision of lots for office development. This sign shall be no greater than eight feet in height and no larger than 20 square feet in area except where the property fronts on a high-speed, limited-access highway, in which case a special exception may be granted for a larger sign if required for legibility.
(3) 
Signs for individual properties or tenants shall be limited to a single sign no larger than three square feet per tenant. Individual tenants must have a letter of permission from the property owner. The Board of Appeals may grant a special permit for an exception for a larger area where this will not impair the legibility of other signs or be incongruous with the surroundings, based upon a consideration of the number of occupants and signs per building, size of building and integration of sign and building design.
G. 
Industrial Districts.
(1) 
Signs that are permitted in Residence Districts are permitted in industrial parks, except that signs placed on the property when the property is for sale, lease or otherwise may be as large as 25 square feet. The Building Inspector shall allow a sign larger than 25 square feet if:
[Amended 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
(a) 
The property fronts a state highway, such as Route 114 or Route 125, and a larger sign is needed for legibility purposes;
(b) 
The total area of the sign does not exceed 10% of the wall area it is to be located upon. Such sign shall be removed 14 days after sale, rental or lease.
(2) 
Signs attached flat against the wall or canopy of a building, or projecting not more than six feet above such wall, advertising the name of the firm or goods or services available or produced on the premises; provided that the total area of all such signs does not exceed 20% of the area of the side of the building to which they are attached or 200 square feet, whichever is less.
(3) 
One ground sign, containing the name or other identification of the use on the property, for each street on which the property fronts; each sign is limited to an area of 100 square feet. Such sign shall not be located closer than 40 feet to any property line or 20 feet above ground level.
(4) 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this bylaw, the Planning Board may approve a comprehensive signage master plan by special permit for a redevelopment project located within the Industrial 2 (I-2) Zoning District which, if approved by the Planning Board in accordance with this § 195-6.6G(4), may allow for signage (including off-premises signage) which deviates from the specific sign requirements of the Zoning Bylaw, including § 195-6.6, provided that such signage would, in the opinion of the Planning Board, be consistent with the general purpose and intent of the sign bylaw criteria described under § 195-6.2, as well as the special permit criteria described under § 195-10.7 (special permits) of this bylaw. An application for a signage master plan special permit, which can be proposed for each parcel within the redevelopment project individually, should show proposed sizes, locations, and general design approach for signs, banners, awnings, etc., for each parcel included in such application in such detail as the Planning Board may deem reasonably necessary to make a decision to approve such special permit. Following approval of a signage master plan special permit, signs may be installed, removed, and replaced with the approval of the Building Inspector, provided that such signage conforms to the signage master plan approval. For purposes hereof, a "redevelopment project" shall be defined to be a project which encompasses one or more parcels of land which collectively consist of at least 100 acres, and involves new construction and/or renovations, where the parcels included may be separated by public or private rights-of-way, easements or other privately held land, and which parcels are not required to be held in common ownership.
[Added 6-16-2020 ATM by Art. 30]
[Amended 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 30; 6-17-2021 ATM by Art. 31]
The following are further means by which the objectives for signs can be served. These guidelines are not mandatory, but the degree of compliance with them shall be considered by the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals in acting upon special permits authorized by the Zoning Bylaws and by the Building Inspector in issuing a sign permit authorized under this Article 6 of the Zoning Bylaw.
A. 
Sign design elements.
[Amended ]
(1) 
(Reserved)
(2) 
(Reserved)
(3) 
(Reserved)
(4) 
Sign content normally should not occupy more than 40% of the sign background, whether a signboard or a building element.
(5) 
Signs should be simple, neat and avoid distracting elements, so that contents can be quickly and easily read.
B. 
Environmental relationship.
(1) 
Sign design should take into consideration the scale of the street to which the sign is oriented and the size, brightness, style, height and colors of other signs in the vicinity.
(2) 
Sign brightness should not be excessive in relation to background lighting levels, e.g., averaging not in excess of 100 foot-lamberts in the downtown or similarly bright areas and not in excess of 20 foot-lamberts in unlighted outlying areas.
C. 
Building relationship.
(1) 
Signs should be sized and located so as to not 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.
(2) 
Sign material, colors and lettering should be reflective of the character of the building to which the sign relates, just as sign size should be related to building size.
(3) 
Clutter should be avoided by not using support brackets extending above the sign or guy wires and turnbuckles.