[Amended eff. 1-17-2017 by Ord. No. 914]
A. Temporary signs.
(1) During construction. During construction of a building or buildings,
not more than one temporary sign may be erected on the premises where
such construction is being carried on, identifying the buildings,
the intended occupants and those engaged in the construction. All
such signs shall be removed within seven days after completion of
construction.
(2) Temporary accessory signs. Temporary signs relating to a business,
service, product or activity on the premises on which the sign is
located shall be removed from public view within seven days after
the activity has ceased, or after substantial damage to the sign,
whichever comes first.
(3) Temporary nonaccessory signs. Temporary nonaccessory signs shall
be permitted only for noncommercial events, not including elections,
and the organization sponsoring such signs shall be required to obtain
a permit from the Building Commissioner. The display of such signs
is limited to a period of 30 days preceding and one day after the
relevant event, whereupon they shall be removed. No such sign shall
be attached to a tree or utility pole.
(4) Temporary nonaccessory political campaign signs. Signs announcing
a person's candidacy for election to a municipal, county, state or
federal office shall be allowed but exempt from the permit requirements,
provided they comply with the following conditions:
[Added eff. 2-4-1994 by Ord. No. 498]
(a)
Time limitation:
[1]
In the instance where there is a primary election, no sign shall
be erected sooner than 30 days before the primary election. As to
those at-large or district races where there is no primary election,
no sign shall be erected sooner than 30 days before the general election.
[Amended eff. 1-3-1996 by Ord. No. 556]
[2]
The signs of a candidate who is successful in a primary election
may remain in place during the period between the primary election
and the Election Day following.
[3]
The signs of a candidate who was unsuccessful in a primary election
shall be removed no later than seven days after that primary election.
[4]
All candidates' signs shall be removed no later than seven days
after Election Day.
[5]
The authority for enforcement of this ordinance shall be vested
in the Inspectional Services Department staff who are empowered to
enforce such violations and the Methuen Police Department, under the
direction of the Chief of Police, whose Inspectional Services Department
staff members, so empowered, shall work under the direction and supervision
of the Inspectional Services Director and Director of the Department
of Economic and Community Development for the City of Methuen.
[6]
Enforcement shall include the removal of any and all signs,
placards and/or other such items that are in violation of this ordinance,
immediately upon the discovery of the violation. When determined to
be necessary, enforcement shall also include written notification
to the sign owner or party responsible for the origination and/or
placement of the sign.
(b)
General conditions:
[1]
No sign shall be erected upon, above or across any part of any
highway, avenue, street, alley or trailer.
[2]
Signs located near a corner shall be subject to the traffic
visibility across corners.
[3]
No sign shall be illuminated or electrified.
[4]
Exemption from the permit requirements shall not relieve the
owner of a sign, or the owner of the premises upon which it is erected,
from the responsibility for erecting and maintaining the same in a
safe manner, and the City shall not be held liable for any claims
resulting from the existence of such sign.
[5]
Ground or pole signs shall not exceed an overall height of seven
feet above the underlying grade.
[6]
Wall signs shall not be so placed as to obstruct any opening
required for ventilation.
[7]
Window signs shall not be so fixed as to impede the operation
of the window upon which they are applied.
[8]
No sign shall be placed on public property, including, but not
limited to, properties, roadways or public ways belonging to the City
of Methuen, Commonwealth of Massachusetts or United States (Federal)
Government.
[9]
No sign shall be placed on trees, telephone poles, electric
light poles, cell tower poles (or cell towers in general), tree stumps,
wetlands, traffic islands, traffic signal poles, traffic sign holders
and/or markers (e.g., stop signs; pedestrian way signs, etc.).
[10]
Residential (house) "For Sale" signs, located on or at an actual residence or contiguous premises, shall be placed on the property for a time period that is deemed necessary to effectuate a sale of the residence by the real estate sales office or person; or the homeowner who is selling the residence without the aid of a realty sales professional. However, no sign shall be placed on a street, public way or public area, as described and designated herein at Subsection
A(4)(b)[8]. "Open House" signs are permitted and shall be removed at the end of the day or at the end of the time period for the "Open House;" whichever event shall occur earlier.
[11]
Yard, garage, estate, rummage, moving or other like type signs
shall be posted no earlier than 24 hours prior to the named event,
and shall be removed at the end of the posted time period for the
sale's termination.
(c)
Political campaign signs are allowed in all districts. In addition
to the conditions above, the following shall apply:
[1]
No political sign shall be permitted in side or rear yards.
[2]
No political sign shall be placed closer to a street lot line
than one-half the minimum front yard required for the district, or
one-half the actual yard between a street lot line and an existing
building, whichever is less, but in no case less than five feet from
the street lot line.
(d)
Violation of any of the provisions of this section shall render
the owner of a sign, or the owner of the premises upon which it is
affixed, subject to an action under § 10.7.
B. Directional signs. Directional signs accessory to a use on the premises
are not limited as to number or placement on the lot, provided:
(1) Such signs contain no words or symbols other than those required
for the direction of traffic.
(2) The signs are not so placed or designed as to obscure approaching
traffic or pedestrians.
(3) Signs, such as street signs, traffic signs and safety lights, erected
by the Methuen or Massachusetts Department of Public Works for the
convenience and safety of the public are not restricted.
The following shall not be considered signs within the context
of this ordinance:
A. Signs referring to the owner or occupant of a dwelling and/or professional
signs, provided said sign is two square feet or less in area;
B. Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection
with commercial promotion;
C. Standard gasoline pumps bearing thereon in usual size and form the
name, type and price of gasoline;
D. Legal notices, or informational devices erected or required by public
agencies;
E. Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except
letters, trademarks, moving parts or parts internally illuminated
or decorated with gaseous tube or other lights;
F. On awnings or similar devices, lettering not exceeding three inches
in height, or symbols not exceeding four square feet in area.