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.
ANIMATED SIGN
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.
AWNING
Any temporary or retractable covering or shelter which is
supported entirely by the exterior wall of a building. (See also "canopy
sign.")
BALLOON
Any object and/or sign filled with helium or other gas used
to expand its shape and/or form.
BANNER
Any sign of fabric or similar material that is mounted to
a pole, building or other structural support.
BILLBOARDS
Any off-premises sign exceeding 15 square feet in area.
BRACKET
The device used to attach and support a sign face to a building
or freestanding structure.
BUILDING MARKER
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.
BULLETIN BOARD
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.
CANOPY
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.
CANOPY SIGN
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.
COMMERCIAL MESSAGE
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.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN
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.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
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.
DIRECTORY SIGN
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.
EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any sign whose light source is located outside of the sign.
This includes, but is not limited to, spotlights.
FLAG
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.
FREESTANDING 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.
GAS AND SERVICE STATION SIGNS
Signs necessary to the operation of filling and service stations,
limited to the following:
(1)
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.
(2)
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.
(3)
A credit card sign not exceeding one square foot in area, affixed
to the building or window.
(4)
Other signs as permitted by this chapter.
GOVERNMENT SIGNS
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.
INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
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.
INCIDENTAL 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.
LEGAL NONCONFORMING SIGN
(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.
LOT FRONTAGE
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.
MONUMENT SIGN
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.
MOVING SIGN
Any sign moved by mechanical or natural means, such as wind.
MURALS
A picture or painting applied directly to a wall or roof
of a structure, containing no written copy or text.
NAMEPLATE
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.
NEON SIGN
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.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
Any sign that is either a commercial off-premises sign or
a noncommercial off-premises sign.
(1)
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.
(2)
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.
PEDDLER'S SIGNS
Any wall sign or perpendicular sign which is a part of and
affixed to a permitted peddler's vehicle.
PENNANT
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.
PORTABLE SIGN
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.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING
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.
PROJECTING SIGN
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.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
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.
RESIDENTIAL SIGN
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.
RESIDENTIAL ZONE USE SIGN
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.
ROOF SIGN
Any sign erected over or on the roof of a building and which
is supported by the roof structure.
SANDWICH BOARD SIGN
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.
SEARCHLIGHT
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.
SEASON'S GREETINGS SIGN
Any temporary sign which promotes holiday greetings. Signs
promoting businesses, products, services or sales do not constitute
season's greetings.
SIGN
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.
SUBDIVISION IDENTIFICATION SIGNS
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.
TEMPORARY SIGN
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.
TOWN
Refers to all governmental entities of the Town of East Greenwich,
including, but not limited to, Town municipal offices and the School
Department.
TRADEMARK
Any trademark that is registered with the United States Patent
Office under 15 U.S.C. § 1051.
WALL SIGN
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.
WINDOW SIGN
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.