Purpose and intent
This article establishes the comprehensive regulations and conditions under which signs are permitted in the Town of Wrentham in accordance with the powers permitted set forth in MGL c. 40A and MGL c. 93, § 29. It is intended that these regulations shall act as guidelines for the protection of the visual environment of the Town; the safety, convenience, and welfare of the public.
Noncommercial message signs
A. Signs bearing noncommercial messages shall be allowed in all districts and are subject to the rule that no sign shall be posted more than 30 days in advance of the date of the subject to which it refers and shall be removed within seven days of the subject to which it refers, if the subject matter (issue) is of topical/temporal matter. (No permit required.)
B. Residential Districts (R-30, R-43 and R-87). Noncommercial signs in residential districts, excluding those permitted by
§ 390-18.4A, shall be no more than 14 square feet in area.
C. Business (B-1) and Commercial (C-1 and C-2) Districts. The provisions of
§ 390-18.5A notwithstanding, noncommercial signs in business and commercial districts shall be governed by the same size and setback restrictions which govern commercial signs permitted by
§ 390-18.5B through D.
On-premises signs permitted in Residential Districts (R-30, R-43 and R-87).
A. Residential uses (No permit required.):
(1) One sign per lot which displays the name of the house or the names of the people residing therein and the Assessor's residence number or street/road/lane/way number, not to exceed two square feet in area on each side and located on the lot; or
(2) Two signs not to exceed two square feet in area placed on either side of an entrance drive and located on the lot; or
(3) One quarterboard sign attached to a building or fence, not to exceed six square feet in area.
B. Signs identifying other lawful or lawfully nonconforming uses:
(1) One double-faced sign which displays the name of the activity or business conducted therein, said sign not to exceed six square feet on each side and located on the lot; or
(2) A quarterboard sign or other sign attached to a building; said sign not to exceed 12 square feet in area.
C. One nonilluminated sign for an approved accessory use (home occupation business or bed-and-breakfast), not to exceed eight square feet in area and located on the lot.
D. Permitted antique, secondhand, junk dealers shops are allowed one nonilluminated sign, not to exceed eight square feet in area.
E. One freestanding sign for each Town-owned community facility or other nonprofit facility, not to exceed 14 square feet and located on the lot; and one wall, projecting, or roof sign, not to exceed eight square feet in area.
F. One freestanding sign for each public road frontage of a Town conservation area, not to exceed 14 square feet in area and located on the lot.
G. A sign denoting the name of a way may be placed at the intersection of a public way and a private way and/or at the intersection of two nonposted private ways. Said sign shall not exceed one square foot in area; if more than one sign is necessary at such intersections, then all such signs shall be affixed to a single sign post, frame, structure, or other support. (No permit required.)
H.Public safety, informational, street and highway signs may be placed by the Board of Selectmen, Department of Public Works (DPW), Chief of Police, Fire Chief or School Committee. In addition, those boards or commissions where the majority of the members are appointed by the Board of Selectmen may cause signs to be placed, upon written approval of the Board of Selectmen. Wherever possible, the placement, size, type, construction of said sign shall be in the spirit and harmony of the regulations contained in this article. The repair and maintenance shall be at all times in conformance with this article. (No permit required.)
Note: Signs of a permanent nature placed on Town-owned land may require a public hearing in accordance with the provisions contained in the Town bylaws.
I. Site plan approval. Wherever site plan approval is required, it will include review and approval of sign; location, type, size, use and illumination plus any other criteria deemed appropriate by the approving authority.
On-premises signs permitted in Business (B-1 and B-2) and Commercial (C-1 and C-2) Districts
A. Any sign permitted in the Residential Districts (R-30, R-43 and R-87) and subject to the same provisions.
B. In general, two signs are permitted for each business in a Business or Commercial District. For businesses that have frontage on more than one public way, one additional freestanding sign of not more than 1/2 the square-foot area of the first freestanding sign is permitted, but must be placed at least 200 feet away from the first sign. Freestanding signs shall be set back at least 20 feet from any lot line.
C. A single business on a single lot in a B-1 District is permitted one freestanding sign, not to exceed 10 square feet; and either one wall, projecting, roof, or awning sign not to exceed eight square feet. If a freestanding sign is not used, then the total square-foot area of the other sign shall not exceed 18 square feet. In a C-1 District, signs may be increased by 50% in size. Freestanding signs shall be set back at least 20 feet from any lot line.
D. Sign permitted for row commercial and planned business developments (more than one business on a single lot):
(1) Multiple business or activities on a single lot may establish one freestanding sign for the complex according to the following Table 18.5D(1):
Frontage
(feet)
|
Size of Sign
(square feet)
|
Up to 160
|
20
|
Over 160
|
40
|
(a) Freestanding signs shall be set back at least 20 feet from any lot line. Freestanding signs located at a corner shall have at least six feet of vertical clearance from the ground to the bottom of the sign, to allow for a line of sight through the sign. This area shall not be blocked with plantings or the like.
(b) On lots with 320 feet frontage and over, two freestanding signs, not less than 160 feet apart, each not to exceed 40 square feet, are permitted. Freestanding signs shall be set back at least 20 feet from any lot line.
(2) Each business is permitted one wall, projecting, roof, or awning sign. The square-foot area of said sign shall be dependent upon its distance from the center line of the nearest public way according to the following Table 18.5D(2):
Distance
(feet) |
Size of sign
(square feet) |
Less than 50 |
6 is permitted |
More than 50 |
8 is permitted |
More than 100 |
10 is permitted |
E. Site plan approval. Wherever site plan approval is required, it will include review and approval of signs; location, type, size, use and illumination. The Planning Board shall have the authority to vary the terms of this
Article XVIII: Sign Regulations in connection with the granting of any site plan approval upon finding that such variance shall not be detrimental to the intent of
§ 390-18.1: Purpose and intent.
Off-premises signs
A. A sign denoting the name of a way may be placed at the intersection of a public way and a private way and/or at the intersection of two nonposted private ways. Said sign shall not exceed one square foot in area and, if more than one sign is necessary at such intersections, then all such signs shall be affixed to a single sign post, frame structure, or support.
B. Signs indicating name of resident(s) or activity are not permitted.
C. Signs are permitted at the intersections of public ways which service commercial areas, lawfully nonconforming businesses in residential areas, or Town community facilities.
(1) Signs shall be of a uniform design with a dark green background [Wrentham Department of Public Works (WDPW) Dark Green Glossy as used in WDPW/Town signs or equal], white letters all in a non "day-glo" paint, and supported by unpainted ground treated four-inches-by-four-inches post(s) or metal pole(s) or such as approved by the WDPW.
(2) Signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and three feet in width between the support posts, nor be more than six feet in height.
(3) Signs shall be constructed of a series of horizontal panels six inches in height and constructed in a manner that as many as eight panels may be placed above the other and be separately removable.
(4) The subject matter of a sign shall be generic in nature such as "Drug Store", identifying an activity or service, not a specific business name.
(5) Each six-inch-by-thirty-six-inch panel can identify several activities depending upon lettering requirements, and all lettering shall be of uniform character.
(6) A sign may be installed by a single business or group of businesses and, whether one or several, it shall be the responsibility of the party or parties whose name(s) appear on the sign permit application(s) to ensure that the sign is maintained in good repair and appearance.
(7) The lettering on the sign shall be simple block lettering as in the manner of recent signs installed by the WDPW with letters not more than 3.5 inches in height.
(8) If the sign is to be located on a public way or on private property within public view of any highway, public park or reservation, a permit from the state shall be obtained by the applicant as required by MGL c. 93, § 29 before application is formally made to the Sign Inspector. A copy of said permit shall form part of the application.
(9) If the sign is to be placed upon private property, written authorization therefor shall be obtained from the owner before application is formally made to the Sign Inspector. Said authorization shall form part of the application.
(10) The location of all signs shall be selected by the Sign Inspector with the advice of Town highway safety experts (DPW and Police/Fire Departments) to assure traffic safety. No signs shall be placed on any public land without the prior consent of the governmental unit charged with responsibility for the use, care and responsibility for that land. Said authorization shall form part of the application.
(11) There shall be no more than one sign at any intersection.
(12) When the public convenience and necessity require it, the Board of Appeals may grant a special permit for signs at other intersections providing directions to scenic areas, recreational areas, nonprofit institutions other than educational or similar activities of a predominantly nonprofit nature.
(13) Any traffic or directional sign owned and installed by a governmental agency shall be permitted.
(14) All privately owned signs shall have the approval date and permit number affixed to it, and if space allows the permittee's name shall also appear. If no permit is required, then owner's name and phone number shall be affixed to the sign.
Sign height
A. No sign shall be in excess of 15 feet in height.
B. No sign shall be constructed in a manner that obstructs public passage. Freestanding signs located at a corner shall have at least six feet of vertical clearance from the ground to the bottom of the sign, to allow for a line of sight through the sign. This area shall not be blocked with plantings or the like.
Regulations for specific types of signs
A.Changeable-copy signs. When necessary to inform the public of changing events, activities, dates, times, and other matters of important interest; the Sign Inspector may issue a permit for a changeable-copy sign not to exceed eight square feet in area for a period of up to 14 days. No person(s) and/or group shall receive an additional permit prior to 30 days after the last permit granted to said person(s) and/or group. Permits may be granted without a waiting period to different users of a sign with common ownership; e.g., rental firm. Signs must be legible and in good repair at all times. Signs may be located either on-premises or off-premises.
B. Accessory signs. Accessory signs are permitted. Total area cannot exceed seven square feet. No one sign can exceed six square feet in area. Must be on-premises only.
C.Directional, informational, or safety signs. In addition to the other permitted signs, directional, warning or traffic signs necessary for the safety and convenience of residents, customers, employees, and visitors are permitted in all areas. Signs shall not exceed one square foot in area, and a maximum of four will be allowed per site. The Sign Inspector may grant exceptions to this subsection on a case-by-case basis if he finds that the site requires more or larger signs. May be located either on-premises or off-premises. In addition, any SPGA may specify a larger sign during the site plan approval process. (No permit required.)
D.Inflatable sign. Permits for inflatable signs shall issue subject to the same regulations as for changeable-copy signs (Subsection A), except that total surface area cannot exceed 32 square feet and must be on-premises. The applicant shall state the size (dimensions) of the sign as follows: total surface area, maximum height of principal structure and length of any supports/tethers and, if the sign is to be flown above the ground, the height at which it is to be elevated, in the unit of measure specified.
E. Temporary signs. Temporary signs cannot be used for more than 90 days (except subdivision lot plan signs, which shall be removed within 30 days from the date of the last lot being sold), but temporary signs are permitted in all zones; some may require a permit from the Sign Inspector. The sign shall be removed at the end of the period unless a renewal application has been approved. The Sign Inspector shall ensure that signs shall be legible.
(1) Construction signs and real estate signs. (No permit required.)
(a) Signs are permitted in all zones.
(b) Not more than one sign is permitted on a single site per street frontage.
(c) Signs may not exceed five square feet in area for residential lots. Signs advertising the availability of land (lots) for a commercial or business site may not exceed 136 square feet. The Sign Inspector shall take into account the distance from the public way, in approving the size of the sign. The maximum size may only be used for those signs located at least 150 feet from the public way.
(d) Signs must be placed on the site and in an appropriate manner.
F. Signs shall be removed within seven days of issuance of occupancy permit or transfer of ownership.
(1) Subdivision lot plan signs. These are permitted if not in excess of 12 square feet in area on any subdivision with eight lots or more, provided no "For Sale" signs are placed on the individual lots. The sign shall be placed within the subdivision and not easily visible from the abutting way. Individual lot number signs not in excess of one square foot may be placed on each lot. Site plan approval, wherever site plan approval is required, will include review and approval of sign; location, type, size, use and illumination.
(2) Door and/or window signs. Door and/or window signs are permitted as long as the total area of all such signs does not exceed 25% of all "glass" area on which the signs appear. (No permit required.)
(3) Special event signs. When an activity is to be opened in a nonresidential district, the owner may put up informational sign not in excess of 12 square feet in area, which may remain in place for not more than 15 days.
G.Illumination of signs. If signs are illuminated, it shall be done so by an external or direct light source. Light bulbs or tubes shall not be visible to the motoring public from a public way. Signs may also be illuminated by internal lighting (indirect lighting), provided that the light source is shielded and focused not to extend beyond sign border. At no time shall the lighting of any sign constitute a safety hazard or a public nuisance. Directional signs, internally lighted, are permitted when not in excess of two square feet in area. No illumination of a sign shall interfere with an abutter's use of his property.
H. Animated and/or flashing signs. Animated and/or flashing signs or signs with beacons attached are prohibited.
I. Mailboxes. Numerals identifying street numbers and/or letters naming the occupant of a building may be placed on both sides of a mailbox or on a door; letters not to exceed 2.5 inches in height, numerals not to exceed four inches in height. Advertising on mailboxes is not permitted.
J. Banners or flags. The use of banners or flags to call attention to a business or activity are prohibited, unless determined to be an accessory sign by the Sign Inspector. Banners used for Town festivals are permitted. The use of established governmental flags is allowed, provided the use is consistent with the established standards of display and the intent is to demonstrate "patriotic" support for that governmental unit. The area of any governmental flags displayed shall not be included in the total square footage allowed at a site for signs. Flag-type signs for accessory use is permitted in accordance with the regulation for accessory signs.
Administration and enforcement; violations and penalties; removal
A. Enforcement, permits, and penalty.
(1) The Sign Inspector is hereby authorized to enforce this article.
(2) Permits and certificates of appropriateness. All signs regulated by this article require a sign permit issued by the Sign Inspector, with the exception of
§ 390-18.3A,
§ 390-18.4A,
§ 390-18.4G,
§ 390-18.4H,
§ 390-18.8C,
§ 390-18.8E(1). All signs which require a sign permit shall be marked with an identification sticker supplied by the Sign Inspector. All signs which require a sign permit and lie within an accepted and defined historical district or exterior architectural control district must first obtain a certificate of appropriateness and/or approval from any commission or board having design or appearance jurisdiction over the district. A sign without a permit is illegal.
(3) Fees. Fees for sign permits shall be set by the Board of Selectmen as required and may be based on use, size, type or any other criteria it deems appropriate.
(4) Repair. The Sign Inspector is authorized to order the repair or removal of any sign and its supporting structure which the Sign Inspector judges dangerous or in disrepair or erected or maintained contrary to this article and 711 CMR 3.17.
(5) Citations. The Sign Inspector is authorized to issue citations for violations of these regulations by the methods provided in MGL. c. 40, § 21D.
(6) Failure to respond to a properly issued citation within 21 days will make the person, trust or other enterprise exhibiting a sign not in compliance with the article, unless afforded protection under these bylaws, subject to the following penalties:
(a) First offense: written warning.
(b) Second offense: $25 fine.
(c) Third offense: $50 fine.
(d) Fourth and subsequent offense: $200 fine starting on the 31st day after the issuance of said citation.
B. Signs not complying with this article.
(1) Signs without a valid permit shall be removed within 60 days of passage of this article.
(2) Signs with valid permits.
(a) A sign with a valid permit issued prior to enactment of this article must remain in compliance with the requirements and conditions that enabled the valid permit to be originally issued.
(b) Where a sign identifying a business has approved subsidiary signs, the subsidiary signs may be replaced, provided they remain in compliance with the requirements and conditions that enabled the valid permit to be originally issued.
(c) Failure of compliance will result in automatic revocation of the prior issued valid permit and require compliance with this article for the issuance of a current valid permit.
(d) Upon termination of any business or use which has employed a sign, that sign shall be removed. Any subsequent use shall use signs that are in compliance with this article.
C.Maintenance. A sign shall be maintained in a safe and secure manner and in a good state of repair, including paint or surface material. If the Sign Inspector finds that a sign does not comply with this (maintenance) section of this article, written notice of noncompliance and the reasons therefor shall be sent, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person or persons to whom the permit was issued. If the specified defects in the sign have not been corrected or the sign removed within 30 days, the Sign Inspector shall revoke the permit and shall notify the person(s) to whom the permit was issued that the sign is now in violation of this article and must be removed.
D. Abandoned signs. When the Sign Inspector finds that a sign has been abandoned, whether or not a permit has been issued, written notice ordering its removal shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested:
(1) To the owner of the property on which the sign is located; and
(2) To the person to whom the permit was issued if not the owner.
E. Removal of abandoned signs or signs in violation of this article. If a sign on public property is not removed within 21 days of issuance of an order, the Sign Inspector shall remove or arrange for the removal of the sign. The sign shall be stored by the Sign Inspector in a safe location for 60 days, after which time it may be appropriately disposed of. Any costs incurred shall be borne by the sign owner.
F. Appeals. Any individual aggrieved by a decision of the Sign Inspector may appeal to the Wrentham Zoning Board of Appeals as provided under MGL c. 40A.
G. Severability. Should any provision of the article be held invalid, such provision shall be considered severable and such invalidity shall not affect the remainder of the provisions herein.
H. As part of any site plan approval application for a project in a Business or Commercial Zone, the Planning Board shall have the authority to waive strict compliance with the terms and provisions of
Article XVIII: Sign Regulations, provided such waiver will not be detrimental to the intent of
§ 390-18.1: Purpose and intent.; provided, further, that the Planning Board shall have no authority to grant by waiver an off-premises sign located in any Residential District in Town.