Purpose and intent
(a) The purpose of this article is to promote and protect public health, welfare and safety by regulating existing and proposed outdoor advertising, outdoor advertising signs and all outdoor signs of all types. It is intended to protect property values, create a more attractive economic business climate by allowing sufficient freedom to identify and promote the availability of goods and services, enhance and protect the physical appearance of the city and preserve the scenic and natural beauty of designated areas. It is further intended to reduce sign or advertising distraction and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents, reduce hazards that may be caused by unsafe signs, curb the deterioration of the natural environment, and enhance community development.
(b) This article authorizes the regulation of signs with regard to size, lighting, layout, style, typography, and arrangements compatible with their surroundings, appropriate to the identification of individual properties, occupants, or of the community, and as appropriate to traffic safety. Authority for this article is granted under the G.L. 1956, Chapter 45-24. Signs and appurtenances shall be contained within the legal boundaries of the property on which the sign is located.
(c) This article authorizes the installation and/or replacement and/or alteration to a sign or signs and/or requires the removal of obsolete and abandoned signs in order to provide for the orderly, harmonious and aesthetic display of signs within the city; ensure that signs are an effective means of communication which adequately identifies uses, activities and enterprises for the convenience of the public; avoid the erection of signs which produce deleterious light impacts to adjoining properties and roadways; encourage a positive visual environment; create an attractive environment which is conducive to business, industry and tourism, and improve and maintain the visual quality of commercial areas, which promotes the economic interests of the city, and promote the physical health, safety and welfare of the public.
(d) No sign shall be erected without the issuance of a building permit having first been approved by the permitting authority under either development plan review or as a land development project review. For properties located within the located with the East Providence Waterfront Special Development District and seeking permission to erect a sign or signs, applicants shall follow the processes of Article IX, Waterfront Special Development.
(e) Rhode Island General Laws § 24-7-1 "Sidewalks" grants the city the authority and power to make ordinances and regulations relative to the altering or repairing thereof, to the use, to the removal of posts, steps, and other obstructions therein, and to the maintenance and removal of awnings, signs and other structures projecting over the sidewalk. Signs shall be contained within the legal boundaries of the property on which the sign is located, and shall not be located on the public sidewalk.
(f) The requirements of this article shall be enforced by the zoning officer in accordance with the rules, regulations and practices of the city.
(Ch. 419, § I, 3-20-07; Ch. 914, § I(Att.), 12-19-23)