Signs Permitted Or Prohibited.
§ 218-62. Signs Permitted Or Prohibited.
A. Signs Permitted In Any Zoning District. The following new signs are allowed for legally existing uses with a permit required as issued by the Building Official. Such new signs shall be neither illuminated nor indirectly illuminated, except as otherwise specified herein and meet the setback and sideline requirements for the districts in which they are located. Signs in existence prior to the effective date of this Ordinance, are waived the permit fee, but must obtain a permit number for the sign.
(1) The following signs require a permit:
(a) Awning signs. A legal use business may have awning signs less than ten (10) square feet in area when such awning is designed to be used for the walkway or main entrance of a business or legal use. Individual window awnings shall not contain advertising, but may have a monogram not to exceed three (3) letters which may occupy no more than 10% or six (6) square feet, whichever is less, of the window awning.
(b) Bulletin Boards. For club/service organizations, such as libraries, churches and schools, when located on-premises, provided such signs do not exceed 15 square feet total and bear no commercial advertising. There shall be not more than one bulletin board per site. Such sign may be indirectly illuminated with downward directed lighting. Where a bulletin board has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the bulletin board, except that where two such faces are placed back to back and are at no point more than 16 inches from one another, the area of the bulletin board shall be taken as the area of the larger face.
(c) Analog Clocks and/or Time and Temperature Displays. Only analog clocks and/or time and temperature displays are allowed if they are on the property of a legal use. Face displays may not exceed sixteen (16) square feet and must have no advertising on the unit. The same setbacks and heights for signs in the zone must be observed and may use indirect illumination by down-lighting only. Notwithstanding, the above displays in historic districts shall be regulated by Site Plan Review.
(d) Farm Operations. Signage must comply with all specifications and limitations of ARTICLE XI, Signs.
(e) Kiosk. A free standing structure designed to provide advertising space for two or more businesses on a single premises or group of contiguous premises as follows:
[1] In areas where the speed limit is less than 35 miles per hour, the upper sign board of the kiosk bearing the name of the building or business complex shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet, and each business in the complex may have one lower sign board under the kiosk top board with a maximum square footage of six (6) square feet each. In areas where the speed limit is less than 35 miles per hour, the overall width of the upper sign board shall not exceed six (6) feet. By design, the signage of the kiosk is intended to be on both sides non-cumulative.
[2] In areas with speed limits 35 miles per hour and above, the top board may be 32 square feet and the lower sign boards may be eight (8) square feet. In areas with speed limits 35 miles per hour and above, the overall width of the upper sign board shall not exceed eight (8) feet.
[3] These kiosks must be configured so that there is at least a 4-foot sight window from grade level to the lowest sign board and the top edge of the kiosk top sign board must not exceed a twelve (12) foot height from grade level.
[4] It is further required that kiosks use uniform coloration and lettering styles for each kiosk allowed. It is not intended to restrict one style throughout the town, only uniformity of size is sought throughout town. It is expected that each business complex would have their own uniqueness.
[5] It may further be required to file a building permit application and pay an appropriate fee for the sign structure. Unless otherwise required by this article, no Site Plan Review will be required as the result of the issuance of a building permit for a sign.
[6] One kiosk may be erected at each major entrance separated by a minimum of two hundred (200) feet and shall only count as one sign.
(f) Neighborhood or Named Development. A neighborhood or named development may have a sign at each main road entrance, denoting only the name of the development. It must be permanently affixed to the ground on property owned by the development or land donated by a property owner for such use, be architecturally and historically appropriate and meet all other specifications and limitations of ARTICLE XI. The sign shall contain no more than fifteen (15) square feet of signage, per side if free standing and be elevated no more than one (1) foot above grade.
(g) Real Estate "For Sale" Signs. Real Estate "For Sale" signs in industrial or commercial zones which advertise the sale, lease or rental of the real property on which it is located and which may not be maintained for more than six (6) months in any twelve (12) month period.
(h) Signs Customary and Necessary to the Operation of Gasoline Filling Stations. The following signs customary and necessary to the operation of gasoline filling stations — wall-mounted signs displayed over individual entrance doors consisting of the words "wash", "lubrication", "repair" or words of similar import, provided that there shall be not more than one such sign over each entrance, and that the letters of such sign do not exceed ten (10) inches in height; signs which consist of lettering or other insignia which are a structural part of a gasoline pump, consisting only of a brand name, lead warning sign and other matter as required by law; one 2.5 square foot/side (maximum) sign indicating price per gallon of gasoline to be attached to the pump; also there may be one (1) sign no larger than eight (8) square feet per side using numbers no larger than eighteen (18) inches in height indicating price per gallon of gasoline along highways on which the legal speed limit is less than 35 mph, or one sign no larger than twelve (12) square feet per side using numbers no larger than eighteen (18) inches in height indicating price per gallon along highways on which the legal limit is 35 mph or more, which such sign shall be freestanding and shall have a clearance of at least seven (7) feet from the ground.
(i) Portable Signs. One portable sign is permitted per road frontage, during business hours only, not to exceed nine (9) square feet per side.
(2) Signs Permitted In Any Zoning District With No Permit Required. The following new signs are allowed for legally existing uses with no permit. Such signs shall be neither illuminated nor indirectly illuminated, except as otherwise specified herein and meet the setback and sideline requirements for the districts in which they are located.
(a) Election Signs and Political Signs. Political signs are non-illuminated and must be incidental to a town, state or federal election or referendum. Such signs shall be constructed of durable material and shall not be affixed or attached to trees, traffic signs or utility poles and shall not be located upon any public right-of-way nor upon public property. Such signs shall be erected not more than 60 days prior to such election or referendum. Political signs relating to any election or referendum shall be removed within fourteen (14) days after said election or referendum. In all districts, such signs shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area per side. Signs must have permission of the property owner to be erected. However, the political party or candidate is responsible for removal.
(b) Flags. No flag shall contain any advertising. Flags that indicate a "welcome," "open" or similar greeting are not signs. Such flags shall not exceed approximately fifteen (15) square feet. These flags shall be limited to two (2) per business and permitted to fly only during business hours. The area of the flag is the product of the hoist and fly. The flag need not be rectangular in shape. The flags of any nation, state, town, club, service or military organization are exempt from any restrictions contained in this Ordinance.
(c) Governmental Signs. Signs erected by the Town of Charlestown, the State Of Rhode Island or the United States of America provided such signs bear no commercial advertising. Such signs may be indirectly illuminated with downward directed lighting.
(d) Instructional, Directional and Safety Signs.
[1] Instructional or directional signs identifying parking, or other functional activity such as bathroom facilities, telephones, entrances, offices, etc, bearing no commercial advertising. There shall be no more than one sign for each applicable activity and each sign shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area, either wall mounted or free standing. Such signs may be indirectly illuminated with downward-directed lighting.
[2] Safety. For licensed events in town and the protection of public safety, traffic control and pedestrian control signs are permitted. The need for these signs must be approved by the Department of Public Safety (police) as a temporary measure only with the approval of the Building Official to interpret the intent of ARTICLE XI.
(e) Lawfully Existing Non-Conforming Use. Signage that at time of erection conformed to existing Town ordinance and is for a legal use.
(f) Memorial Signs or Tablets. Memorial signs, tablets or signs denoting the date of erection of buildings shall be wall-mounted and shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area.
(g) Name and Address of Resident. Name and address of resident shall not include any commercial advertising. Such signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area in any Residential zone, shall be limited to one (1) sign per household and may be elevated as much as one (1) foot from grade.
(h) "No Trespassing" and the Posting of Land. No Trespassing signs or other such signs regulating the use of the property on which they are located, provided such signs do not exceed three (3) square feet in area in any residential zone or five (5) square feet in any non-residential zone. Such signs must meet all setback and sideline and or rear line requirements for the zone they are in. The top of the sign must not be more than five (5) feet from grade.
(i) Sale of Produce. Sale of produce raised on the premises signs shall be no larger than twelve (12) square feet or two signs no larger than six (6) square feet each and shall not be lighted in any manner. No off-site signs advertising the produce will be permitted.
(j) Service Signs. Accessory signs incidental to a business or a profession conducted on the premises indicating hours of operation, credit cards, business affiliations and the like, provided the total area of all such signs for a single business does not exceed two (2) square feet per public entrance (non-cumulative), and is wall-mounted at or immediately adjacent to the entrance to the building on the premises.
(k) String Lights. A business may use non-flashing holiday-type mini clear outdoor string lights to enhance landscaping; however, they must be used in such a way as to not create a public safety, health or welfare concern and must not detract from the village character of the town.
(l) Window Signs. A legal use business may have window signs permanently erected or maintained in one window of their establishment, which is visible to any public street or highway, provided the following:
[1] No such signs (cumulative) shall comprise more than fifteen (15) square feet in total area;
[2] No more than thirty percent (30%) of the window is covered by the signs.
(m) Real Estate "For Sale" Signs. Real Estate "For Sale" Signs in Residential Zones shall be permitted on the lot for sale for up to six (6) months in any twelve month period without a permit. Signs maintained in excess of six (6) months shall require a temporary sign permit issued in accordance with § 218-68 of this Ordinance.
B. Signs Prohibited in All Zoning Districts, Unless Permitted by Special Use Permit as indicated. The following signs shall NOT be permitted in any zoning district:
(1) Signs With Moving Parts. Signs which have any visible moving parts, including signs which are designed to achieve movement by action of wind currents, or which have mobile or revolving parts or which have animated parts are not allowed. Exceptions are time or temperature devices, barber poles ordinarily and customarily used in connection with barber shops, wind socks, Open flags, and Welcome flags which contain no advertising are allowed if they comply with all other provisions of this Ordinance.
(2) Flashing Signs. Illuminated or indirectly illuminated signs which incorporate in any manner any flashing or moving illumination, animation or illumination which varies in color.
(3) Hazards to Public Safety. Any sign or sign support which constitutes a hazard to public safety or health, including signs which by reason of size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination obstruct the vision of a driver, or obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads; or which obstruct free ingress to or egress from a fire escape, door, window or other required exit way; or which make use of words such as stop, look, one way, danger, yield, or any similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters, in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic. No sign shall be placed so as to interfere with clear vision through a sight triangle as described by ARTICLE VI § 218-37F of this Ordinance.
(4) Pennants. String pennants are prohibited. Except for the opening of a new business, which shall not exceed 14 days.
(5) Search Lights. Search lights are by Special Use Permit only. They may be allowed for special events.
(6) Projecting Signs. Projecting signs which are erected so as to project approximately perpendicular from the exterior of any building or wall, and which exceed twelve (12) square feet in area, or which project more than four (4) feet from the exterior of said building or wall. Nothing herein shall be construed to permit the erection of any projecting sign over a public right of way.
(7) Trailer Signs. Trailer signs, including portable billboards.
(8) Off-Site Directional Signs. Off-site directional signs, including billboards are not allowed, except by Special Use Permit.
(9) Inflatable Signs/Devices. Not allowed in any zone.
(10) Franchise or Licensed Trademark Signs. All licensed signs or signs required by franchise agreement as to color, shape, or other trademark features shall be prohibited unless they shall be installed in a manner consistent with the restrictions as to number, size, construction method and materials, location and placement structures as set forth in this Ordinance. Trade signs displaying corporate logotypes, trademarks, or mandated to be used under franchise or other form of license shall conform to this ordinance, or if not conforming, shall be used only upon issue of a Special Use Permit. An applicant for such a Special Use Permit for a non-conforming sign shall demonstrate to the Zoning Board that no other reasonable, conforming alternative is possible.
(11) Roof Signs. All "signs-roof mounted" as defined in ARTICLE I § 218-5, are prohibited in all zoning districts.
(12) Internally Illuminated Signs. All "Signs-Illuminated" as defined in ARTICLE I § 218-5, are prohibited in all zoning districts.
(13) All other signs not specifically authorized by this Ordinance are prohibited.