The purposes of this chapter are to:
A.
Promote the safety, comfort and well-being of the
users of the streets, roads and highways in the Town of Falmouth.
B.
Reduce distractions and obstructions from signs which
would adversely affect traffic safety, and to alleviate hazards caused
by signs projecting over or encroaching upon public ways.
C.
Discourage excessive visual competition in signage
and ensure that signs aid orientation and adequately identify uses
and activities to the public.
D.
Preserve or enhance Town character by requiring new
and replacement signage which is:
This chapter is adopted pursuant to Article
89 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and MGL
C. 40, § 1(1).
A.
Words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the meanings set forth in this section. Words and phrases not defined in this chapter but defined in Chapter 240, Zoning, shall be given the meanings set forth in such chapter. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Section headings or captions are for reference purposes only and shall not be used in the interpretation of this chapter.
B.
BILLBOARD
COMMUNITY SERVICES
FACADE
FLASHING SIGN
FREESTANDING SIGN
HOME OCCUPATION
INDUSTRIAL BUILDING
ILLUMINATED SIGN
LANDMARK SIGN
LINTEL
MOVABLE, PORTABLE OR MOBILE SIGN
MULTIPLE OR LADDER SIGNS
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
ON-PREMISES SIGN
POLITICAL SIGN
PUBLIC SERVICE SIGN
PROJECTING SIGN
ROOF SIGN
SANDWICH BOARD SIGN
SHOPPING CENTER
SHOPPING MALL
SIGN
STORE
TEMPORARY SIGN
WALL AREA
WALL SIGN
WINDOW SIGN
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated:
A freestanding sign larger than forty (40) square feet in
gross area, or a wall sign covering more than ten percent (10%) of
the area to which is is affixed; exception: shopping mall sign.
Churches, schools, public libraries, public museums, parish
houses, hospitals, sanitoria, educational, research and philanthropic
institutions, cemeteries; parks, playgrounds, fire and police stations,
armories, beaches, Town forests, watersheds, water towers and reservoirs,
and recreation buildings; passenger stations, Town wharves and landings.
The exterior surface of a building.
A sign whose illumination is not kept constant in intensity
at all times when in use, and which exhibits changes in light, color,
direction or animation. A sign whose illumination changes to indicate
the date, time and temperature will not be considered a "flashing
sign."
A self-supporting sign not attached to any building, wall
or fence, but in a fixed location. This does not include movable,
portable, mobile or trailer-type signs.
Any activity customarily carried on by the occupants of a dwelling unit, as defined and allowed by Chapter 240, Zoning.
A building occupied and used primarily for the purpose of
manufacturing or warehousing and which may also include a limited
amount of office space used in conjunction with the industrial operations.
Any sign lit by electrical bulbs, fluorescent lights or neon
tubes. Neon tubes used as abstract, graphic, decorative or architectural
elements shall be considered to constitute an illuminated sign. Christmas
lighting shall not be deemed to be "illuminated signs."
An older sign of artistic or historic merit, uniqueness or
extraordinary significance to the Town as identified by the Falmouth
Historical District Commission.
The horizontal support member across the head of a door or
window.
A sign capable of being readily moved or relocated, including
portable signs mounted on, attached to or painted on a chassis and
wheels, a truck, trailer or other vehicle if placed at a location
especially prepared for display through special lighting or elevation,
or in the case of commercial vehicles having lettering, logos or similar
devices, if such vehicles are placed at a location more prominent
than a feasible alternative on the site, or any sign supported by
legs; also signs converted to A- or T-frames, menu and sandwich board
signs, balloons used as signs and umbrellas used for advertising.
A freestanding sign with a vertical support(s), with two
(2) or more horizontal crosspiece signs, or two (2) or more hanging
horizontal signs, serving as individual signs for identification or
advertising purposes.
Any sign which is not on the premises of the business, including
a billboard or movable sign.
Any sign that advertises, calls attention to or identifies
the occupant of the premises on which the sign is maintained, or the
business transacted thereon, or advertises the property itself or
any part thereof as for sale or rent.
A sign designated to influence the action of voters for the
passage or defeat of a measure, or the election of a candidate to
a public office at a national, state or other election.
A sign located for the purpose of public information, providing
directions towards or indication of a use not readily visible from
the street (e.g., rest rooms, telephone, etc.); signs prohibiting
trespass, hunting and the like, and signs warning of danger, such
as "high voltage"; street name signs, and signs erected by the Town,
County or commonwealth for the direction and control of traffic.
A sign which is affixed to a building, tree, pole or other
structure and which extends more than six (6) inches beyond the surface
to which it is affixed.
A sign which is located above, or projects above, the lowest
point of the eaves or the top of a parapet wall of any building, or
which is painted on or fastened to a roof.
A portable sign constructed of two (2) boards connected at
the top, to form an "A" shape when positioned on the ground.
[Added ASTM 4-7-1997, Art. 38, approved 6-27-1997]
A group of three (3) or more separate business buildings
or five (5) or more stores, shops and/or service centers, built as
a plaza, Village or office complex, located on one (1) lot.
A roofed-over common pedestrian area serving more than one
(1) tenant located within a covered mall building. It consists of
a pedestrian walk between two (2) facing strips of stores, with anchor
tenants placed at either end [or, if there are more than two (2),
spotted throughout the mall]. Consumer traffic is generated back and
forth along the walk.
Any display of lettering, logos, colors, lights, flags, banners,
pennants, ribbons, spinners (or similar devices) or illuminated neon
tubes visible to the public from outside of a building or from a traveled
way, which either conveys a message to the public or intends to advertise,
direct, invite, announce or draw attention to, directly or indirectly,
a use conducted, goods, products, services or facilities available,
either on the lot or on any other premises. This shall not include
vending machine signage or temporary holiday displays.
[Amended STM 4-6-1993, Art. 8, approved 7-16-1993]
A commercial establishment for the sale of goods and merchandise.
A sign intended to be used for a period of no more than thirty
(30) days.
The sum of the gross vertical area, in square feet, of the
pertinent wall measured from the exterior faces of the wall, which
shall include doors and windows therein. A parapet (that part of a
wall that extends above the roof level) shall not be included in the
calculations for "wall area."
Any sign which is painted on, incorporated into or affixed
parallel to the wall of a building, and which extends not more than
six (6) inches from the surface of that building.
A sign affixed to the surface of a window (inside or outside)
or displayed behind a window so as to attract attention from the outside.
A sign shall be deemed a "window sign" if it is within the display
or show case of the window, or within four (4) feet of the inside
surface of a window through which it is intended to be viewed.
