This article is complementary to, and shall not be construed
as inconsistent with, or in contravention of, MGL c. 93, §§ 29
to 33.
BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT
Any nonresidential use consisting of one or more buildings.
In a building with more than one nonresidential tenant, each tenant
is considered a separate business establishment.
CLEARANCE
A completely open and unobstructed space measured from the
ground level to the lowest portion of a hanging sign.
FACADE
See "lineal building frontage."
FLAG
Any fabric or bunting containing colors, patterns, or symbols
used as a symbol of an organization.
LINEAL BUILDING FRONTAGE
The length of a building or storefront, which abuts a street
or public right-of-way at its first floor or entrance level, as shown
in Diagram #4; also referred to as a "facade."
PROJECTION
An extension forward or out from a wall of a building.
SIGN
Any privately owned permanent or temporary structure, billboard,
device, fixture, illuminated fixture, electric bulb, tube, or similar
contrivance, medal, placard, painting, drawing, poster, letter, word,
banner, pennant, insignia, trade flag or any other representation
used as, or which is in the nature of, an advertisement, attraction,
announcement, or direction that is affixed to, supported by, or suspended
by a stationary object, building or the ground that uses any color,
form, graphic, illumination, symbol, or writing to communicate information
which is on a public way, or on private property within public view
of a public way, or public property. Specific sign types are further
described as follows:
A.
ACCESSORYAdvertises, calls attention to, or indicates the person occupying the premises on which the sign is erected or maintained, or the business transacted thereon, and which contains no other matter.
B.
ADDRESSIndicates the numeric and street location of a particular property or establishment.
D.
AWNING/CANOPYFixed or retractable, of any material, which extends over a sidewalk, courtyard, walkway, eating area, driveway, or other area or space, whether that area or space is intended for pedestrians, vehicles, or other purposes.
E.
BANNERConstructed of fabric or flexible material. For regulatory purposes, banners are considered wall signs.
F.
DIRECTIONALDirects or sets out restrictions for vehicular or pedestrian traffic relative to the use of sidewalks, driveways, and parking areas. A directional sign may be freestanding, wall mounted, or a pavement marker.
G.
DIRECTORYWall-mounted and utilized by multiple business establishments occupying a single building with a shared public entrance.
H.
FREESTANDINGStructurally separate from a building that is supported by itself, on a stand, or on legs.
I.
HANGINGAttached to, and projects from, the wall or face of a building, including an arcade or marquee sign.
J.
ILLUMINATEDLit by an external light source directed solely at the sign (i.e., externally illuminated, which may include a reverse lit source mounted within an opaque component of a sign so that no light passes through it) or an internal light source (i.e., internally illuminated, utilizing translucent panels, canvas or other fabric, letters, devices, or other similar components to create an image by allowing light to pass through).
K.
MOVINGMoves or is designed to move, in whole or in part, by any means.
L.
OFF-PREMISESDraws attention to, or communicates information about, a business, service, product, event, attraction, or other enterprise or activity that exists or is conducted, manufactured, sold, offered, maintained, or provided at a location other than on the premises where the sign is located.
M.
PENNANT/STREAMER/FEATHER BANNERAny sign made of lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether or not containing any writing, suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in a series, designed to move in the wind.
N.
PLAQUE or HISTORIC MARKERIdentifies a structure or site recognized by the Norwell Historical Commission as being historically and/or architecturally significant.
O.
ROOFErected or projecting above the lowest point of the eave or the top of a parapet wall of any building, or which is painted or otherwise affixed to a roof.
Q.
STANDARD INFORMATIONALIntended for nonpermanent display, such as a real estate, construction, or political sign, which contains no reflecting elements, flags, or projections.
R.
TEMPORARYIntended for a limited period of display, and by design and/or use is temporary in nature and thus not permanently mounted.
S.
WALLPainted on or affixed to, but which does not project from, a building wall, including those that consist of three-dimensional letters applied directly to a building surface.
T.
WINDOWEither affixed to the surface of the glass on the windows of a building, or located in the building interior within three feet of the window and visible from the outside of the building. Window displays of actual products or merchandise for sale or rent on the business premises are not considered window signs.
SIGN, AREA OF
The area, including all lettering, wording, and accompanying designs and symbols together with the background on which they are displayed, any frame around the sign and any "cutouts" or extensions, but not including any supporting structure or bracing if such structure or bracing is incidental to the function of the sign. See §
201-14.5A(3) below for illustrative purposes in calculating area.