[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees
of the Village of Rockville Centre 5-20-1991 by L.L. No. 3-1991.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Rockville
Centre declares and finds it to be in the public interest and for
the public good to protect property values, create a more attractive
economic and business climate, enhance and protect the physical appearance
of the community, preserve the scenic and natural beauty and for other
aesthetic considerations to provide for the regulation of awnings
and awning signs within the business districts of the Incorporated
Village of Rockville Centre. The Board of Trustees further intends
to reduce visual clutter, advertising distractions and obstructions
that may contribute to traffic accidents and injuries, as well as
help provide for the safety of pedestrians.
As used in this chapter, the following words
and phrases shall have the following meanings:
An unenclosed roof-like structure, supported entirely by
the building to which it is attached and which may be of a stationery
or retractable type.
Any lettering and/or numbers sewn, attached, painted, inscribed
or otherwise directly applied on an awning.
Areas wholly or partly within the following use districts as defined in Chapter 340 of the Village Code:
[Amended 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
A retractable awning.
A fixed-frame awning that is not retractable.[1]
The dividing line between the street and a lot.
The Village Superintendent of Buildings.
[Added 3-18-2021 by L.L.
No. 3-2021]
[1]
Editor's Note: The definition of "front property line," which
immediately followed this definition, was repealed 3-18-2021 by L.L.
No. 3-2021.
[Added 3-18-2021 by L.L.
No. 3-2021]
A.
No awning, whether fixed or retractable, shall be erected, installed
in a Business District unless a permit for the same has been approved
by the Superintendent, after consultation with design consultants
designated by the Board of Trustees, and before commencement of installation.
B.
Every awning must be constructed so that it may be detached from
the supporting building or structure.
[Added 3-18-2021 by L.L.
No. 3-2021]
In addition to any awning sign permitted by this chapter, signs
not exceeding six inches in height, painted, applied, affixed or attached
to the front valance of a retractable awning facing a public street,
shall be permitted. The area of such sign shall be measured from the
borders or exterior locations of the lettering or graphics of such
sign, and such area shall not be counted as part of the maximum permitted
sign area. It shall not be necessary to affix a sign permit number
to an awning sign. No sign may be hung from an awning.
A.
Drop awnings may extend beyond the street line but
may not extend over the sidewalk past a point that is within two feet
of the curbline.
B.
A drop awning, including its valance, if any, when
let down to its full extent, may not be less than seven feet six inches
above the sidewalk at any point.
C.
Only lettering and numbering that is no more than
six inches in height is permitted. Such letters and numbers may set
forth only the name and street number of the entity transacting business
in the building to which the awning is attached.
A.
The framework for fixed awnings shall not be less
than seven feet six inches above the sidewalk at any point.
B.
The awning shall be constructed so that the projection
outwards to height against the building ratio shall not exceed a ratio
of 1:2.
C.
Frames shall be constructed of galvanized metal or aluminum tubing,
round or square stock, with a minimum cross-sectional dimension of
3/4 inches and designed in accordance with generally accepted standards.
[Added 3-18-2021 by L.L.
No. 3-2021]
D.
New awnings may not project further from the building line, nor closer
to the street line, than any lawfully existing awning located within
350 feet on the same side on the block. A uniform design and character
shall be sought within the same grouping of stores.
[Added 3-18-2021 by L.L.
No. 3-2021]
A.
No more than one fixed awning sign shall be allowed
on each premises. All lettering and symbols or images installed, placed
or affixed to a fixed awning sign on or after March 1, 2021, shall
first be approved by the Superintendent, after consultation with design
consultants designated by the Board of Trustees.
[Amended 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
B.
Lettering.
(2)
The letters and numbers shall be painted, sewn, inscribed
or attached directly to the front of the awning.
(3)
Individual lettering and/or numbers shall not exceed
24 inches in overall height, with the bottom of each letter and/or
number situated within two inches of the lowest edge of the awning
or its valance, if any, and parallel to such edge or valance.
C.
Lettering and/or numbering shall not be permitted
on any other part of the awning.
D.
A fixed awning sign is not permitted on the same facade
of a building onto which a wall sign is attached. A fixed awning sign
is permitted, upon compliance with this chapter, after the removal
of any wall signs that are on the facade to which the awning sign
is to be attached. A facade of a building may not have both a wall
sign and a fixed awning sign at the same time per § 335-5(B)
of this Code.
A.
Every awning must be constructed so that it may be
detached from the supporting building, and every awning is subject
to removal by its owner upon notice by the Board of Trustees.
B.
A permit issued by the Superintendent must be obtained
before beginning the installation of any type of awning.
[Amended 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
[Amended 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
A.
No more than three colors, or shades of colors, including the awning,
lettering and/or numbering, may be used on any awning or awning sign.
In consultation with the Building Department and the design consultants
designated by the Board of Trustees, the Village shall establish and
maintain a palette of preferred colors, which shall be made available
to applicants at the Building Department. Applicants shall be encouraged
to choose from said preferred colors in order to promote uniformity
and favorable aesthetics for the Village.
B.
Awnings may be made only of canvas, wood or cloth-type materials
chosen from the Village's suggested palette, as determined by
the Superintendent after consultation with design consultants designated
by the Board of Trustees. Samples of materials, styles and colors
are required to be submitted with each permit application.
[Amended 3-18-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
A.
Awnings
lawfully existing at the time of the adoption of this chapter or any
amendment thereto, and which are not in compliance with this chapter,
are hereby declared to be nonconforming. Such awnings may remain until
such time as 1) the covering is replaced, 2) the occupant of the premises
is changed, or 3) the ownership of the premises is transferred, whichever
first occurs, at which time the awning must be in conformity with
this chapter.
B.
Whenever
an awning frame is replaced, the entire new awning, both covering
and frame, must be in conformity with this chapter.
