§ 28-379
Nonconforming signs
(a) Continuance. A nonconforming sign lawfully existing at the time of adoption or subsequent amendment of this article may continue, although such sign does not conform to the provisions of this article.
(b) Replacement. Any sign replacing a nonconforming sign shall conform with the provisions of the article, and the nonconforming sign shall no longer be displayed.
Editor's note— See editor's note for § 28-374.
ILLUSTRATIVE DIAGRAM—SIGN BOARD
Copy from "Dealing with Change in the Connecticut River Valley: A Design Manual for Conservation and Development."
TABLE 1—SIGNS BY TYPE AND BY ZONING DISTRICT
| Type of Sign | Residential* | Downtown, Waterfront, and Limited Business* | General Business* | Manufacturing* | Public Institutional |
| Wall: A sign which is painted on or permanently affixed to the wall of a building or structure and not extending more than 6 inches from the surface of the wall | |||||
| Primary—Facing the main street. Vertical format—Width smaller or equal to height | Not to exceed 4 square feet | Not to exceed 8 square feet | 15 square feet; however, signs may increase 25 percent for every 100 feet of building setback from the street line | 15 square feet; however, signs may increase 25 percent for every 100 feet of building setback from the street line | Permitted |
| Horizontal format—Width greater than height | Not to exceed 6 square feet | Not to exceed 8 square feet | 15 square feet; however, signs may increase 25 percent for every 100 feet of building setback from the street line | 15 square feet; however, signs may increase 25 percent for every 100 feet of building setback from the street line | Permitted |
| Signboards: Not exceeding 2 feet in height with lettering not to exceed ¾ of the total sign height | Not to exceed 6 square feet | 1 square foot per lineal foot of building face; not to exceed 20 square feet | 1.5 square foot per lineal foot of building face; not to exceed 20 square feet | 1.5 square foot per lineal foot of building face; not to exceed 20 square feet | Not permitted |
| Secondary—Facing a second street (corner lots only). Vertical format—Width smaller or equal to height | Not to exceed 2 square feet | Not to exceed 6 square feet | Not to exceed 8 square feet | Not to exceed 8 square feet | |
| Horizontal format—Width greater than height | Not to exceed 4 square feet | Not to exceed 6 square feet | Not to exceed 8 square feet | Not to exceed 8 square feet | |
| Window: Any sign which is painted directly inside the window. | Not to exceed 4 square feet | Not to exceed 10 percent of window area | Not to exceed 15 percent of window area | Not to exceed 15 percent of window area | Not permitted |
| Projecting: Any sign supported by a building wall which projects from the wall. See also subsection 28-373(g)(5) regarding signs over public streets or rights-of-way | Not to exceed 4 square feet; minimum clearance 10 feet over sidewalks and 13 feet over driveways | Not to exceed 6 square feet; minimum clearance 10 feet over sidewalks and 13 feet over driveways | Not to exceed 15 square feet; minimum clearance 10 feet over sidewalks and 13 feet over driveways | Not to exceed 15 square feet; minimum clearance 10 feet over sidewalks and 13 feet over driveways | Not to exceed 6 square feet; minimum clearance 10 feet over sidewalks and 13 feet over driveways |
| Awning/canopy: A sign painted on or attached to the cover of a structural frame; movably hinged, rollable, folding or rigid. The sign text shall be only on the vertical portion of the apron which is parallel to the building. See also section 28-373 regarding signs over any street or public right-of-way | Not permitted | Not to exceed 6 square feet; minimum clearance 8 feet over sidewalks and 13 feet over driveways | Not to exceed 8 square feet; minimum clearance 8 feet over sidewalks and 13 feet over driveways | Not to exceed 8 square feet; minimum clearance 8 feet over sidewalks and 13 feet over driveways | Not permitted |
| Freestanding: A self-supporting sign not attached to any building wall or fence but in a fixed location. See also section 28-373 regarding number and placement of freestanding signs | Not to exceed 6 square feet; maximum height 10 feet; minimum ground clearance 6 feet; minimum 5 feet from all lot lines | Not to exceed 6 square feet; maximum height 10 feet; minimum ground clearance 3 feet; minimum 5 feet from all lot lines | Not to exceed 15 square feet; maximum height 12 feet; minimum ground clearance 4 feet; minimum 10 feet from lot lines—50 feet from residential zones | Not to exceed 15 square feet; maximum height 12 feet; minimum ground clearance 4 feet; minimum 10 feet from lot lines—50 feet from residential zones | Not to exceed 6 square feet; maximum height 10 feet; minimum ground clearance 3 feet; minimum 5 feet from all lot lines |
| Directory: A projecting, wall or freestanding sign for 2 or more commercial establishments which are located on the same site or which share a common entrance (building or driveway) | Not permitted | Wall, projecting or freestanding not to exceed 6 square feet in total. Freestanding signs refer to above | Freestanding not to exceed 15 square feet for plaza name and 8 square feet for each business name: Refer to above for height, ground clearance and location | Freestanding not to exceed 15 square feet for plaza name and 8 square feet for each business name: Refer to above for height, ground clearance and location | Wall, projecting or freestanding not to exceed 6 square feet in total. Freestanding signs refer to above |
| Bulletin board: In connection with any church, museum, library, school, or similar public or semi-public structure | Not to exceed 6 square feet and not blocking any views | Not to exceed 6 square feet and not blocking any views | Not to exceed 12 square feet | Not to exceed 12 square feet | Not permitted |
| Home occupation sign | See section 28-153 | See section 28-153 | Not permitted | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Residential subdivision or land development sign: To identify each of the entrances to the development from each direction of a major roadway | Not to exceed 6 square feet in R-6 or R-8, or 15 square feet in all other R zoning districts | Not to exceed 8 square feet | Not to exceed 15 square feet | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Temporary signs: | |||||
| Banners and portable signs—Type B, as defined in this chapter, may be erected by nonprofit and civic organizations for an upcoming event for a period not to exceed 2 weeks prior to the event. See also subsection 28-373(g)(5) regarding signs over any street or public right-of-way. Note: Portable signs—Type A, as defined in this chapter, are prohibited in all districts. (See section 28-374) | There shall be no more than 3 such signs advertising such event; and they shall not be directly or indirectly illuminated | There shall be no more than 3 such signs advertising such event; and they shall not be directly or indirectly illuminated | There shall be no more than 3 such signs advertising such event; and they shall not be directly or indirectly illuminated | There shall be no more than 3 such signs advertising such event; and they shall not be directly or indirectly illuminated | Not permitted |
| Banners by commercial businesses (see also subsection 38-375 regarding signs over any street or public right-of-way) | Not permitted | There shall be no more than 1 such sign, located on the subject property advertising an event. The sign may be displayed up to 4 times a year not to exceed two weeks per time | There shall be no more than 1 such sign, located on the subject property advertising an event. The sign may be displayed up to 4 times a year not to exceed two weeks per time | There shall be no more than 1 such sign, located on the subject property advertising an event. The sign may be displayed up to 4 times a year not to exceed two weeks per time | Not permitted |
| Portable signs—Type B, as defined in this chapter erected by commercial businesses. See also subsection 28-375(a) regarding additional sign requirements. Note: Portable signs—Type A, as defined in this chapter, are prohibited in all districts. (See section 28-374) | Not permitted | There shall be no more than 1 such sign, located on the subject property, or on the sidewalk in compliance with section 28-374 | There shall be no more than 1 such sign, located on the subject property, in compliance with section 28-374 | There shall be no more than 1 such sign, located on the subject property, in compliance with section 28-374 | Not permitted |
| On-site construction sign as defined in this chapter may be maintained on the building or property for the interim of construction, but shall not be maintained for more than 30 days following the completion of such construction | There shall be no more than 1 such sign per contractor. Signs shall not exceed 9 square feet and shall be set back at least ½ the building setback | There shall be no more than 1 such sign per contractor. Signs shall not exceed 9 square feet and shall be set back at least 10 feet from the street; or, affixed to the building | There shall be no more than 1 such sign per contractor. Signs shall not exceed 12 square feet and shall be set back at least ½ the building setback | There shall be no more than 1 such sign per contractor. Signs shall not exceed 12 square feet and shall be set back at least ½ the building setback | Not permitted |
* All signs in the historic district must also be reviewed and approved by the historic district commission for design and scale in relation to the building. Creativity is encouraged.
(Amend. of 1-27-21)
Editor's note— See editor's note for § 28-374.