Exemptions
The following signs shall be allowed in any zoning district without the necessity of obtaining a sign permit. Noncompliance with the terms of this section shall cause such a sign to forfeit its exempt status and require the owner to follow the permit procedure set forth in this article. Owners or lessees of such signs shall ensure that exempt signs conform to all other applicable regulations, and the owners and lessees shall be responsible for the safe and proper erection and maintenance of such signs:
(1) One sign not to exceed two square feet when identifying a residence.
(2) A memorial sign or tablet, or a sign not exceeding eight square feet indicating the name of a building or the date of its erection.
(3) Signs identifying churches and places of worship or certified nonprofit organizations when located on the property thereof and not larger than 15 square feet.
(4) Bulletin boards for public or religious institutions when located on the property thereof, provided that such signs do not exceed 15 square feet and bear no commercial advertising.
(5) Pennants, spinners, streamers, banners and decorative flags when associated with events of religious, public or charitable organizations or new business openings for a period not to exceed ten days. Such advertising device may be located off premises provided it is erected and maintained in a safe and proper condition.
(6) One sign customary and necessary in the offering of real estate for sale or to let by the owner or the owner's licensed broker or agent, which shall not exceed six square feet in residential zones or 20 square feet in nonresidential zones. Signs indicating the property has been sold must be removed within two weeks after the sale is closed.
(7) Construction or contractor signs where there is only one per location identifying the project, the building and subcontractors, not exceeding nine square feet in area. Such a sign must be removed upon completion of the job.
(8) Development/subdivision signs, one wall-mounted or freestanding sign, erected at the development/subdivision entrance from a major artery. The sign shall not exceed 15 square feet and may bear decorative or logo devices, but not commercial advertisement.
(9) Signs erected by or on behalf of the United States of America, this state or the town pursuant to and in the discharge of any governmental function or required by any law, ordinance or governmental regulation.
(10) Political and preelection signs shall be permitted in any zone provided, however, that any such sign shall not exceed the maximum permitted size for residential or commercial sign located in the applicable zoning district. No signs may be posted on trees, utility poles, traffic or regulating signs of any nature.
(11) The following signs customary and necessary to the operation of filling and service stations:
a. Lettering on buildings displayed over individual entrance doors consisting of the words "washing," "lubrication," "repairing" or words of similar import, provided that there shall not be more than one such sign over each entrance and that the letters shall not exceed ten inches in height.
b. Lettering or other insignia which is a structural part of a gasoline pump or lighting fixture consisting only of a brand name, lead-warning sign and other signs as required by law.
c. A credit card sign not exceeding two square feet in area, affixed to the building or a permanent sign structure.
d. One sign bearing the brand or trade name of the station, of a design specified by the manufacturer, permanently affixed to the building or its own metal substructure, such sign not to exceed 30 square feet.
e. All point of purchase materials or signs located no further than ten linear feet from the gasoline islands or ten linear feet from the physical structure.
(12) Time/temperature clocks when bearing no commercial advertising and not exceeding 20 square feet of surface area.
(13) Professional nameplate on the door or adjacent to the door, but not to exceed eight inches by 20 inches per occupant.
(14) Integral decorative wall graphics or architectural features which are a part of the building insofar as no visible moving parts are included.
(15) Holiday signs and decorations 60 days prior to and 15 days after the specific holiday. The term "holiday" means and includes all federal or state legal holidays and all recognized religious holidays.
(16) Farm and home products for sale signs in residential zoning districts or properties used for residential purposes when up to six square feet in area, located on site, and which advertise the sale of farm, garden, nursery or home craft products grown, raised or produced on the premises.
(17) Flags of all nations, states, counties, towns and cities when flown in compliance with the United States flag code.
(18) Public transit shelter signs when located on one double-faced sign panel not exceeding an area of 48 inches by 69 inches per side, and when illuminated in compliance with this article.
(19) Temporary signs as an interim use until such time as all sign permits can be secured, provided the signs do not violate any lettering or lighting methods prohibited by this article and the signs do not cover more than 60 percent of the total window space. A temporary sign for purposes of this subsection shall be defined as a sign not permanently adhered to or painted on any window and the sign is removed within 30 days.
(20) Decorative flags or banners not exceeding 15 square feet.
(21) All decorative flags in a residential district.
(22) One directory sign per shopping center or office building. Directory sign alterations may be made without application, provided changes are in keeping with the directory design and graphics.
(23) Neon signs not to exceed five square feet, except in residential districts or the Wickford Business District where such signs shall be prohibited.
(24) Barber poles not to exceed three feet in height.
(25) Any sign required by another section of this chapter.
(26) The numerical street address provided the height of numbers does not exceed six inches and that the numbers are not internally illuminated.
(27) One "open" or decorative flag per business not exceeding 15 square feet in area, provided such flags are not less than eight feet above a public sidewalk.
(28) Temporary signs associated with advertising a farmers' market which are displayed only during market hours.
(Ord. No. 94-14, § 1, 8-15-1994; Ord. No. 01-1, § 12, 2-12-2001; Ord. No. 02-20, § 7, 11-18-2002; Ord. No. 08-19, § 3, 8-4-2008; Ord. No. 11-25, § 1, 12-5-2011)