Permitted total sign area and dimensions

[Ord. No. 13-23-A, § 2, 2-19-2014]

All permitted signs shall be measured as follows:

(a) Determination of sign area. The size or area of a sign face shall be measured in square feet, the entire area within a square, rectangle, circle, triangle or any other polygon enclosing the extreme limits of graphic, writing or similar representation, emblem or any fixture of similar character, together with any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the background against which it is placed; excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which such sign is placed. Where a sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign, except that where two such faces are placed back to back and are at no point more than two feet from one another, the area of the sign shall be taken as the area of the one face if the two faces are of equal area, or as the area of the larger face if the two faces are of unequal area.
(b) Height. Measured in feet, the overall height of a sign is measured from the grade directly below the sign to the highest point of the sign or any of its supports.
(c) Setback. Measured in feet from the outermost edge of the sign to the public right-of-way.
(d) Projection over public right-of-way. Measurement in feet, perpendicular to the property line, from the property line to the outermost edge of the sign, over any public right-of-way. Any projection over the public right-of-way shall be reviewed by the director of the department of public works.

(e) Maximum total sign areas. In commercial and industrial zones, the maximum permitted area for signs on a building shall be based on the building frontage. Where a building fronts on two or more streets, the total area for signs shall be based on the longer(est) building frontage.

(1) Agricultural and residential districts. One wall or window sign to identify each permitted home occupation use shall be allowed. Such signs may not be internally illuminated. The total area of all such signs shall not exceed four square feet on any lot.

(2) Commercial and industrial districts. Canopy, awning, freestanding, projecting, and wall signs that identify on-site permitted uses. The maximum total area of all signs on any premises shall not exceed 1 1/2 square feet per one foot of building frontage. Each individual business or activity shall be allowed a projecting or wall-mounted sign meeting the requirements of this article with regard to placement and size, and may be either externally illuminated, except however:

a. An additional wall-mounted sign, no more than 16 square feet in area, is allowed for a second public entrance on the side or rear of the building.
b. Separate freestanding signs shall not be allowed for individual businesses in a multi-tenant building or on a parcel used by more than one business or activity.
c. One freestanding directory sign shall be allowed for a multitenant building or parcel used for more than one business or activity (such as a shopping plaza) in addition to individual business signs (projecting or wall-mounted).

d. In addition to the principal signage, window signs, meeting the requirements of subsection 13-7(f), are allowed.

Individual businesses in a multitenant building should all have either projecting or wall signs, and shall be of uniform size, shape, and placement on the building. Whenever a new development is proposed which consists of a building with multiple businesses, and/or buildings as part of multi-business commercial center, the applicant shall submit a common signage plan to the Planning Board which provides standards for the design, style and placement of all proposed tenant signage.

(f) Maximum permitted sign dimensions by sign type.

(1) Freestanding sign: May not be greater than eight feet in height, measure from the ground to the top of the sign or its supporting structure and not located closer than four feet from any street right-of-way or property line.
(2) Directional sign: Four square feet in area per sign; and a maximum of 25 square feet for all directional signs.
(3) Projecting sign: Twenty-four square feet.
(4) Awning or canopy sign: Twenty-four square feet in area, regardless of the length of the awning.
(5) Wall sign. Fifty square feet per building occupied by a single business or activity or 18 square feet for each entrance facade of a single business or activity in a multi-tenant building.

(6) Window signs may not be greater than one-third of each total window area.

In a new development requiring Planning Board review, a waiver exceeding the foregoing dimensional requirements may be granted by the Planning Board, only if it is demonstrated that the proposed signs will promote the safety of drivers and pedestrians.