[Amended 9-24-2001 by Ord. No. 714; 2-27-2006 by Ord. No.
762; 5-22-2006 by Ord. No. 767; 4-9-2007 by Ord. No. 783; 11-8-2010 by Ord. No. 809; 4-14-2014 by Ord. No. 834]
A.Â
Authority for this article is granted under the Rhode Island Zoning
Enabling Act, Title 45, Chapter 24. Additional authority for this
article is granted by Rhode Island General Laws Title 24, Chapter
7, § 24-7-1 (Power of towns to establish and regulate sidewalks).
B.Â
The purpose of this article is to regulate the installation and/or
replacement and/or alteration of signs for the purpose of providing
information and advertising in an orderly, effective, legible, aesthetic
and safe manner. Restrictions on number, type, location, size, material
and illumination of signs protect the public from hazardous and distracting
displays, protect property values, enhance the traditional qualities
and characteristics of the Town, and create an attractive environment
which is conducive to business, industry and tourism. The minimum
criteria for review for signs regulated by the Historic District Commission
shall be as described in the Historic District Commission's Guidelines
for Review.
A.Â
ALTERATION, SIGN
ANIMATED SIGN
AWNING
AWNING SIGN
BACK-LIT SIGN
BALLOON
BANNER
BILLBOARDS
BRACKET
BUILDING MARKER
BULLETIN BOARD
CANOPY
CANOPY SIGN
COMMERCIAL MESSAGE
CONSTRUCTION SIGN
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
DIRECTORY SIGN
EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
FINANCING SIGN
FLAG
FLASHING SIGN
FREESTANDING SIGN
GAS AND SERVICE STATION SIGNS
(1)Â
(2)Â
(3)Â
(4)Â
GOVERNMENT SIGNS
INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
INCIDENTAL SIGN
LEGAL NONCONFORMING SIGN
LOT FRONTAGE
MONUMENT SIGN
MOVING SIGN
MURALS
NAMEPLATE
NEON SIGN
NONCONFORMING SIGN
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
(1)Â
(2)Â
PEDDLER'S SIGNS
PENNANT
PORTABLE SIGN
PRINCIPAL BUILDING
PROJECTING SIGN
REAL ESTATE SIGN
RESIDENTIAL SIGN
RESIDENTIAL ZONE USE SIGN
ROOF SIGN
SANDWICH BOARD SIGN
SEARCHLIGHT
SEASON'S GREETINGS SIGN
SIGN
SUBDIVISION IDENTIFICATION SIGNS
TEMPORARY SIGN
TOWN
TRADEMARK
WALL SIGN
WINDOW SIGN
Definitions. Words and phrases used in this chapter shall have their plain and ordinary meaning unless otherwise specifically defined below or in Article XIII of this chapter. Section headings or captions are for reference purposes only and shall not be used in the interpretation of this chapter.
Any change to the sign display.
Any sign that uses movement or the visual impression of movement,
sound or change of lighting to depict action or create a special effect
and/or scene. Such signs include but are not limited to those that
give the impression of flashing, running, blinking, oscillating, twinkling,
scintillating, expanding or contracting.
Any temporary or retractable covering or shelter which is
supported entirely by the exterior wall of a building. (See also "canopy
sign.")
See "canopy sign."
See "internally illuminated sign."
Any object and/or sign filled with helium or other gas used
to expand its shape and/or form.
Any sign of fabric or similar material that is mounted to
a pole, building or other structural support.
Any off-premises sign exceeding 15 square feet in area.
The device used to attach and support a sign face to a building
or freestanding structure.
Any sign indicating the name of a building and/or date and/or
incidental information about its history or construction, which sign
is incombustible material and is attached parallel to the surface
of the building. Building markers may not exceed four square feet
in area.
A board or wall area on which bulletins, notices or displays
are temporarily posted. Such signs may not exceed five square feet
in area for public, charitable or religious institutions when located
upon the premises of said institutions.
A roof-like projection or portico over a door, entrance,
window or outdoor service area, including but not limited to industry-standard
gas station roofs independent of an enclosed structure. Such projections
shall provide at least eight-foot clearance to grade from the bottom
edge of the canopy.
Any sign that is part of or attached to an awning, canopy
or other fabric, plastic or structural protective cover over a door,
entrance, window or outdoor service area. (A marquee is not a canopy
sign.) Where canopy signs are permitted, they shall be allowed in
lieu of wall signs. The maximum width of the area of sign display
shall be 70% of the linear frontage associated with the business.
The maximum height of the sign display shall be 36 inches. A canopy
sign shall not be lit from underneath or behind. A canopy sign shall
provide at least eight-foot clearance to grade from the bottom edge
of the canopy.
Any sign wording, logo or other representation that, directly
or indirectly, names, advertises or calls attention to a business,
product, service or other commercial activity.
Any sign whose purpose is to display the name of the contractor
and/or subcontractors employed on a work site and/or the consultants
and/or financial institutions participating in the project. Such signs
shall be either freestanding or attached to the structure and shall
not exceed 12 square feet in residential zones or 30 square feet in
all other zones. Such signs shall be temporary in nature and shall
be removed upon completion of construction. Such signs shall not be
erected until building permits for the relevant project are pulled.
This definition does not include signs located on the premises of
the general offices of a contractor.
Any sign whose purpose is to direct vehicles and/or pedestrians
onto, around and off of a premises. Such signs shall be limited to
four square feet in area including any attached corporate logos or
other symbols. Such signs shall be limited to three feet in height
from the top of the sign to grade. These signs may contain the name
or logo of an establishment but no advertising copy. Such logos shall
not comprise greater than 20% of the total sign area.
A sign which provides dedicated space for listings of two
or more professional, service, business and/or commercial activities
and is designed and constructed with provision to allow changes of
occupancy to be reflected on the sign. One such sign shall be permitted
per building, either as a wall directory sign or as a freestanding
directory sign. Freestanding directory signs are permitted in lieu
of individual freestanding signs and shall not exceed 15 feet in height
or 60 square feet in sign area.
Any sign whose light source is located outside of the sign.
This includes, but is not limited to, spotlights.
See "construction sign."
Any fabric or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns,
words and/or symbols. One flag shall be permitted for every 150 feet
of frontage associated with the property, with a maximum of three
flags permitted per business or residence. Flags attached to a building
shall be displayed at a height where the lowest portion of flag material
is a minimum of seven feet off the ground if hanging over a public
right-of-way. Flags containing a commercial message or business name
shall not exceed 12 square feet in area. Standing flags shall be allowed
in existing flag holes in the sidewalk within the Commercial Downtown
(CD) Zone without a minimum clearance restriction.
See "animated sign."
Any sign supported by a structural device or devices that is placed on or anchored into the ground and that is independent from any building. One freestanding sign shall be permitted per lot with a maximum visible sign area of 40 square feet. (See also Subsection B, Computations, for multifaced signs.) Where more than one business is located on a lot, up to three freestanding signs shall be permitted, provided that the total square footage of visible sign area does not exceed 40 square feet. A minimum sign clearance of eight feet is required between the grade and the base of the lowest part of the sign to ensure adequate site clearance for pedestrians and vehicles. Maximum sign height shall be 15 feet, and all such signs shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from all lot lines. The area immediately underneath and around the base of the sign shall be landscaped per the landscaping requirements found in § 260-28G of this chapter.
Signs necessary to the operation of filling and service stations,
limited to the following:
Lettering on buildings displayed over individual entrance doors
consisting of the words "washing," "lubrication," "repairing" and/or
words of similar relevance, provided that there shall not be more
than one such sign centered over each entrance and that the sign area
shall not exceed 12 inches in height.
Lettering or other insignia which are part of a gasoline pump,
consisting only of a brand name, lead warning sign, price and other
signs as required by law.
A credit card sign not exceeding one square foot in area, affixed
to the building or window.
Other signs as permitted by this chapter.
Signs erected by or on behalf of the United States of America,
the State of Rhode Island and the Town of East Greenwich, traffic
controls, legal notices or other signs required by law, including
all signs erected under the authority of the Town of East Greenwich.
The Town shall have the ability to erect such signs without sign approval.
Any sign, exclusive of gas-filled signs, whose light source
is located behind and/or within the sign itself or behind and/or within
any individual element(s) of a sign.
A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as "no parking," "loading zone," "open," "telephone" and other similar directives. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in area and shall not count toward the maximum visible sign area as addressed in § 260-28A below.
(1) A sign which was erected legally prior to the enactment
of this article; (2) a sign which does not conform to the sign code
requirements, for which zoning relief has been granted through the
Zoning Board of Review.
Roadway frontage on a local access road. Frontage along limited
access highways such as Routes 4 and 1-95 shall not be considered
as lot frontage.
Any sign whose base is in contact with or within one foot of the ground. Where permitted, only one monument sign shall be allowed per lot in lieu of a freestanding sign and shall have a maximum sign area of 50 square feet and shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from all property lines. Maximum sign height shall be eight feet. The area immediately underneath and around the base of the sign shall be landscaped per the landscaping requirements found in § 260-28G of this chapter.
Any sign moved by mechanical or natural means, such as wind.
A picture or painting applied directly to a wall or roof
of a structure, containing no written copy or text.
Material on which a name and/or professional designation
is inscribed or painted. Professional nameplates shall indicate a
name and/or professional designation and/or affiliation and shall
not exceed one square foot per professional occupant. Residential
nameplates shall display the name and address of a resident and shall
not exceed one square foot in area. All such nameplates shall be affixed
either to a door, an adjacent wall of the premises, or a lamppost/mailbox.
An electronic sign illuminated by inert gas confined to a
glass tube. Such signs may be classified as "window" signs or as "projecting"
signs and must meet all definitions and requirements of those sign
types as addressed in this article.
Any sign that does not conform to the requirements of this
chapter.
Any sign that is either a commercial off-premises sign or
a noncommercial off-premises sign.
COMMERCIAL OFF-PREMISES SIGNAny sign advertising or calling attention to a business, product or service not sold, produced, manufactured, furnished or conducted at the property where the sign is located.
NONCOMMERCIAL OFF-PREMISES SIGNAny sign containing a noncommercial message about an event, position or point of view that is not in direct support of the primary use of the property where the sign is located. Noncommercial off-premises signs that also meet the definition of a temporary sign shall be permitted in all zoning districts and may be of any type and size of sign allowed therein and shall be subject to the same requirements, restrictions and setback limitations applicable to other sign types in those zones. Noncommercial off-premises signs that do not meet the definition of a temporary sign are not allowed. Off-premises signs are prohibited from all public rights-of-way, municipal buildings and Town-owned property, and shall not be affixed to any traffic signs, utility poles nor to any trees located in public rights-of-way or on Town property.
Any wall sign or perpendicular sign which is a part of and
affixed to a permitted peddler's vehicle.
Any lightweight plastic, fabric or other material, whether
or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire,
string or line, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
Any mobile sign not permanently attached to the ground or
permanent structure or a sign which may be transported, including,
but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels;
balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs
attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public
right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day
operations of the business. Sandwich board signs as described and
regulated elsewhere in this chapter shall not be considered portable.
The building in which the principal use of the lot is conducted.
Lots with multiple principal uses may have multiple principal buildings,
but storage buildings, garages and other clearly accessory uses shall
not be considered principal buildings.
Any sign affixed to a building or wall in such a manner that
it extends more than 10 inches beyond the surface of such building
or wall. Such signs shall be permitted in lieu of freestanding signs
or monument signs. Only one projecting sign shall be permitted per
business and shall be perpendicular to the wall to which it is attached,
its nearest edge being no less than three inches and its furthest
edge projecting no greater than 48 inches from the wall. The projecting
sign shall have a maximum sign area of 10 square feet and its lowest
edge shall be a minimum of eight feet from the ground.
Any temporary sign advertising the real estate upon which
the sign is located as being for rent, lease or sale. Residential
real estate signs shall be permitted for individual residential properties
and shall not exceed six square feet in area. Only one residential
real estate sign per lot shall be permitted. Commercial and industrial
real estate signs shall be permitted for industrial and commercial
properties and shall not exceed 32 square feet in area. All residential,
commercial and industrial signs shall be removed within two weeks
of the sale or lease of the property or unit. Subdivision real estate
signs shall be permitted for subdivisions of five or more lots. One
common sign with a maximum sign area of 32 square feet per side shall
be permitted in lieu of individual real estate signs and shall not
be in place for greater than two years.
Any single-faced wall sign or freestanding sign in a residential
zone, including, but not limited to, preservation plaques and bed-and-breakfast
signs. Freestanding signs of this nature shall have an area not exceeding
four square feet, shall be no greater than four feet in height overall,
and shall be located a minimum of five feet from all property lines.
A wall sign or freestanding sign whose sign display is not
to exceed 12 square feet and is used on premises for church, hospital,
library, museum, art gallery or charitable purposes.
Any sign erected over or on the roof of a building and which
is supported by the roof structure.
Any double-sided portable sign designed as an "A" or "T"
frame, typically hinged or joined at one or more points. One such
sign shall be permitted per business and shall be located so as to
provide a public passage of a minimum of three feet on any public
right-of-way. Each face of the double-sided sign shall not exceed
six square feet in area. No driveways, doorways, walkways or handicap
ramps may be blocked by the sign. Sandwich board signs shall not be
attached to any public structure or street furniture.
Any light with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere
or directed at one or more points not on the same lot as the light
source; also, any light with one or more beams that rotate or move.
Any temporary sign which promotes holiday greetings. Signs
promoting businesses, products, services or sales do not constitute
season's greetings.
Any device, fixture, display, placard or structure that uses
any color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol and/or writing to advertise,
announce the purpose of, or identify the purpose of a person or entity,
or to communicate information of any kind to the public. A wall sign
shall consist of both a sign face and a bracket. A freestanding sign
shall consist of the sign face(s), bracket(s), post(s) and frame.
A monument sign shall consist of the sign face(s) and support base.
One freestanding permanent sign may be installed at all exclusive
entrances to a development. Each sign shall have a maximum sign area
of 16 square feet. These signs shall not be located within the public
right-of-way or on Town-owned or -controlled land.
Any sign not permanently installed or any sign only intended
for use for a limited period of time. Such signs shall be permitted
in all zoning districts and may be of any type and size of sign allowed
therein and shall be subject to the same requirements, restrictions
and setback limitations applicable to other sign types in those zones.
Temporary signs are prohibited from all public rights-of-way, municipal
buildings and Town-owned property, and shall not be affixed to any
traffic signs, utility poles, nor to any trees located in public rights-of-way
or on Town property. Such signs shall not remain in place for more
than 120 days in any calendar year.
Refers to all governmental entities of the Town of East Greenwich,
including, but not limited to, Town municipal offices and the School
Department.
Any trademark that is registered with the United States Patent
Office under 15 U.S.C. § 1051.
Any sign attached parallel to but within 10 inches of a wall,
painted on the wall surface, or erected and confined within the limits
of an outside wall of any building or structure which is supported
by such wall or building, and which displays only one sign surface
and is supported by such wall or building. One such sign shall be
permitted per business per building face with a maximum of three per
business. The maximum width of the sign display shall not exceed 70%
of the linear frontage associated with the business unit. In the CD-1
and CD-2 (Commercial Downtown 1 and 2) and W (Waterfront) Zones, such
signs may be either a total of 30 square feet in area or a maximum
of 36 inches in height and no greater than six inches from the wall.
In the Route 2 corridor, MUPD (Mixed Use Planned Development), CH
(Commercial Highway) and L1/O (Industrial) Zones, wall signs may either
total 30 square feet in area or be a maximum of 48 inches in height
and no greater than 10 inches from the wall. For businesses located
within shopping centers having greater than 100,000 square feet of
gross floor area, such signs shall not be limited in height or width
but shall not exceed 30% of the building's facade associated with
the business. This provision shall only apply to those businesses
located within the main structure(s) and shall not apply to any other
freestanding structures (i.e., pad sites, kiosks, outbuildings, etc.).
All wall signs must directly advertise or promote the business, entity
or enterprise located within the building or structure to which they
are attached, painted or erected as described above. Any wall signs
that do not directly advertise or promote said business, entity or
enterprise are strictly prohibited.
Any sign that is placed inside a window, upon the window panes or glass, or within 12 inches of the window (exclusive of merchandise display). Permanent window signs may be applied to, painted on or attached to the inside of each window associated with a business. The area of such window signs shall be counted toward the maximum visible sign area as addressed by § 260-28A herein. Temporary interior signs advertising business openings, specials, sales, events and greetings shall be permitted in accordance with the definition above of "temporary sign" for a period not to exceed 14 days.
B.Â
Computations. The following principles shall control the computation
of sign area and sign height.
(1)Â
Sign display. The sign display is a portion of the permitted sign
area. The area of a sign display shall be computed by means of the
smallest square or rectangle that will encompass the extreme limits
of the writing, representation, emblem or other display.
(2)Â
Sign area, single-faced signs. The area of a sign face (which is
also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face)
shall be computed as the area of sign display together with any material
or color forming an integral part of the background of the display
or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against
which it is placed.
(3)Â
Sign height. The height of a freestanding sign shall be computed
as the distance from the base of the sign pole at normal grade to
the top of the sign area. The height of a monument sign shall be computed
as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top
of the sign area. Normal grade shall be construed to be: a) the lower
of existing grade prior to the construction; or b) the newly established
grade after construction.
A.Â
Maximum sign area. The maximum visible sign area associated with
any business, or any product or service available therein, shall not
exceed 100 square feet for properties in the CD-1 or CD-2 and Waterfront
Districts and shall not exceed 140 square feet for properties in the
Route 2 corridor and the MUPD, RHF, CH and L1/O Zones. This provision
applies to all sign types requiring approval, including wall signs,
freestanding and projecting signs. Directional and incidental signage
is not included. For businesses located within shopping centers having
greater than 100,000 square feet of gross floor area, the maximum
visible sign area shall not exceed 30% of the building's facade (building
face providing primary ingress/egress) associated with the tenant
space. No business in such shopping centers shall have greater than
300 square feet of visible sign area, taking into account all sign
types excluding directional and incidental ones. This provision shall
apply only to those businesses located within the main structure(s)
and shall not apply to any other freestanding structures (i.e., pad
sites, kiosks, outbuildings, etc.).
B.Â
Signs other than those affecting historic properties. The installation,
enlargement, reduction or relocation of permitted signs in all zones
are allowed as indicated in the Sign Table following approval and
the issuance of a building permit from the Building Official unless
otherwise indicated elsewhere in this article.
C.Â
Signs affecting historic properties. All new signs proposed on properties included in the Article XI, Historic Districts, either as part of a district or individually or on properties individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, shall require sign approval from the Historic District Commission in addition to a building permit unless otherwise indicated elsewhere in this article. All requests shall be submitted for review as part of an overall sign proposal for the business and/or property.
D.Â
Changes to nonconforming sings. Enlargement or relocation of legal
nonconforming signs requires additional approval from the Zoning Board
of Review as described elsewhere in this chapter.
E.Â
Rhode Island Building Code. Within all zones and districts, all signs
shall comply with applicable provision(s) of the Rhode island State
Building Code and the National Electric Code.
F.Â
Sign maintenance. Within all zones and districts, all signs shall be maintained in good structural condition, in compliance with Subsection D and in conformance with this article (unless otherwise allowed through the Zoning Board of Review) at all times.
G.Â
Landscaping requirements. For the purposes of this article, "landscaping"
shall include any combination of living plants such as grass, ground
cover, shrubs, vines or hedges and nonliving landscape materials such
as rocks, pebbles, sand mulch or decorative paving material. In the
case of freestanding or monument signs, the requirement shall be that
the area immediately underneath the sign and the entirety of an area
extending two feet radially from the sign base or supports shall be
landscaped. Landscape materials may not obstruct the view of the sign
message.
H.Â
Illumination. Within all zones, except as provided elsewhere in this
article, all signs may be illuminated under the following criteria:
(1)Â
Internal illumination or backlighting of signs is prohibited in the
Commercial Downtown (CD) and Waterfront (W) Districts.
(2)Â
Internal illumination or backlighting of signs is permitted in other
zones only where any of the following exist:
(3)Â
Signs may be illuminated by a stationary white or off-white steady
light only. These lights shall not provide glare, nor shall they direct
light or shine off the premises.
I.Â
Alterations. Any legally existing sign (including legal nonconforming
signs) may be altered either to update the sign content or to reflect
new information, provided that the alteration does not result in any
change in the sign's size, extent, location or illumination. Such
updates do not require review or approval by the Historic District
Commission or a sign permit.
J.Â
Criteria for review.
(2)Â
In addition to the criteria listed in Subsection H(1) and (2), all proposals reviewed by the Historic District Commission shall conform with the Historic District Commission's Guidelines for Review.
|
Sign Table
| |||
|
KEY:
| |||
|
Y
|
=
|
Yes; signs permitted
| |
|
N
|
=
|
No; signs prohibited
| |
|
R
|
=
|
Residential and Farm Zones
| |
|
LI/O-RHF
|
=
|
Light Industry/Office and Rocky Hill Fairgrounds Zones
| |
|
Rte. 2
|
=
|
South County Trail
| |
|
W
|
=
|
Waterfront Zone
| |
|
CH
|
=
|
Commercial Highway Zone
| |
|
CD
|
=
|
Commercial Downtown CD 1 and CD 2 Zones
| |
|
RHF
|
=
|
Rocky Hill Fairgrounds Zone
| |
|
MUPD
|
=
|
Mixed Use Planned Development
| |
|
PD
|
=
|
Planned Development
| |
|
Type
|
CD
|
CH
|
W
|
RTE. 2
|
LI/O-RHF-MUPD
|
R-PD
| ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Addresses2
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
| ||
|
Animated signs
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
| ||
|
Banners
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
| ||
|
Billboards
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
| ||
|
Building markers2
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
| ||
|
Canopy signs
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
N
| ||
|
Construction signs1
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
| ||
|
Directional signs2
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
| ||
|
Directory signs
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
N
| ||
|
Flags2
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
| ||
|
Freestanding signs
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
N
| ||
|
Gas station signs1
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
| ||
|
Government signs1
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
| ||
|
Incidental sign
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
| ||
|
Monument signs
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
| ||
|
Moving signs
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
| ||
|
Murals1
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
| ||
|
Neon signs
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
N
| ||
|
Nameplates2
| ||||||||
|
Professional
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
| ||
|
Residential
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
| ||
|
Off-Premises Signs:
| ||||||||
|
Commercial off-premises
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
| ||
|
Noncommercial off-premises
| ||||||||
|
Temporary
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
| ||
|
Permanent
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
| ||
|
Peddler signs2
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
| ||
|
Portable signs
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
| ||
|
Private parking lot signs2
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
| ||
|
Projecting signs
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
N
| ||
|
Real estate signs:
| ||||||||
|
Residential1
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
| ||
|
Commercial/ industrial1
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
| ||
|
Subdivision1
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
| ||
|
Residential signs2
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
Y
| ||
|
Residential zone use signs
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
Y
| ||
|
Roof signs
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
| ||
|
Sandwich board signs2
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
N
| ||
|
Subdivision identification signs1
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
| ||
|
Wall signs
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
| ||
|
Window signs:
| ||||||||
|
Permanent signs2
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
N
| ||
|
NOTES:
| |
|---|---|
|
1
|
Sign approval not required.
|
|
2
|
Sign approval and building permit not required.
|
K.Â
Town signs. Governmental signs authorized by the Town may be used
for the display of private commercial messages with the approval of
the Town Council. The commercial message display area may be for a
business, product, service or other commercial activity that is not
located on the same premises. The display area of the commercial message
may be equal to but shall not exceed the display area of the governmental
message.
For the purposes of regulating unauthorized signage, protecting
the health, safety and welfare of residents, promoting the safety
of the traveling public, protecting existing property values, preventing
the overcrowding of land, encouraging positive economic development
and promoting a positive community appearance as part of a concerted
effort to protect and enhance the aesthetics of the Town for the enjoyment
of all citizens, certain sign types are not allowed.
A.Â
It is recognized
here that, unlike on-premises identification signs which are actually
a part of a business being conducted at the property where the sign
is located, "off-premises signage" is a separate and distinct use
which is unrelated to the business, product or service being conducted
at the property where the sign is located. With a view to this distinction,
and in furtherance of the above-stated goals, off-premises signs are
regulated differently from on-premises signs.
B.Â
In addition to the signs described as prohibited under the Sign Table in § 260-28J, the following signs and sign materials are also expressly prohibited by this article:
(1)Â
Types of signs prohibited.
(a)Â
Signs which advertise an activity, business, product or service
no longer produced or conducted on the premises upon which the sign
is located. No such sign shall remain in place in or on vacated premises
for more than 90 days from the date the vacancy commenced.
(b)Â
Signs which are attached to natural features, stone walls, utility
poles, utility boxes, traffic signs, fences or highway structures.
(c)Â
Signs attached to or placed on or against trailers or vehicles,
whether registered or unregistered. This does not include signs adhered
or painted onto vehicles.
(d)Â
Signs in the public right-of-way, except for those installed
by the government.
(e)Â
Signs which imitate and may be confused with an official traffic
control sign or signal, or an emergency or road equipment vehicle.
(f)Â
All other signs which have not been expressly permitted within
this article.
(g)Â
All existing signs erected without the necessary approvals and/or
permits.
(h)Â
Commercial off-premises signs including billboards.
(2)Â
Additional signs prohibited. The total number of permitted exterior
signs at any business shall not exceed four. This number shall include
any combination of wall signs, freestanding signs, monument signs,
projecting signs, canopy signs, marquee signs, and sandwich board
signs.
A.Â
A sign shall immediately lose its legal nonconforming status when:
(2)Â
The sign is relocated without approvals. [See § 260-29B(1).]
(3)Â
The sign advertises or calls attention to any products, businesses
or activities which have not been carried on or sold at the premises
for the past 90 days.
(4)Â
The sign shall not have been repaired or properly maintained within
30 days after written notice to that effect has been given by the
Building Official and/or Director of Planning, or their designees.
(5)Â
The sign is removed and replaced with another nonconforming sign,
regardless of its size.
B.Â
A sign shall not lose its legal nonconforming status when:
(1)Â
A wall sign is removed for construction, painting and/or restoration
of the building, provided that the sign is returned to its location
within 30 days of completion of the building work.
(2)Â
The sign is removed to facilitate repair, maintenance and/or repainting
and replaced immediately upon completion of such work.
C.Â
No sign that had been erected in violation of any previously existing
sign ordinance shall, by virtue of adoption of this article, become
legal nonconforming.
Any permit granted or permission given pursuant to this article
shall be upon the express condition that the permittee and/or grantee
and every owner, person or entity maintaining any such sign shall
be liable for and save the Town harmless from and indemnify said Town
against any and all liability, costs and expenses incurred and any
damages sustained by persons or property caused by the construction,
existence or maintenance of any such sign.
A.Â
A permit may be required from the Building Department prior to erecting,
(re)placing, (re)building, (re)constructing, or (re)locating any sign.
A permit is not necessary for sign repair and maintenance, provided
that the work is done in conformity with this article.
B.Â
Application(s) for a sign permit(s) shall be accompanied by a sketch
plan of the site and elevation drawings of the proposed sign, caption
of the proposed sign, and such other data as is pertinent to the application
and consistent with this article, as determined by the Building Official.
C.Â
Any newly installed sign found to be in violation of these regulations is subject to removal by the Town of East Greenwich and/or other penalties consistent with § 260-79B of this chapter, specifically.
(1)Â
Where the ZEO determines a violation to have occurred, the ZEO shall
have the authority to issue an injunction and an order to restore
the property to its previolation state.
(2)Â
The ZEO shall also require the payment of a penalty fee for such violation. Each day any violation of any provision of this chapter (including the failure to perform any act or duty required by this chapter) continues shall constitute a separate offense. Penalties shall be as set forth in § 260-79, Violations and penalties.[1]
