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City of Providence
City of Providence Zoning Ordinance
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§ 1605

PROHIBITED SIGNS

1605 PROHIBITED SIGNS The following sign types are prohibited:

  • A. Abandoned signs and sign structures.

  • B. Balloon and air-infused/air-inflated signs.

  • C. Flashing or animated signs, except by waiver in the D-1 zone. This excludes permitted electronic message signs.

  • D. Illegally-affixed signs and snipe signs.

  • E. Moving signs, including signs intended or designed to be moved by wind or other natural elements. Clocks and barber poles are exempt from this provision.

  • F. Off-premise signs, both permanent signs (also known as billboards) and temporary off-premise signs. This prohibition does not include signs placed on public transit stations, bike-sharing stations, or carshare facilities when such signs are placed by the sponsors of such facilities. This prohibition does not include political/noncommercial message signs.

  • G. Portable signs. Portable signs include both signs mounted on a wheeled structure and those mounted on a stationary structure that can be moved and is not permanently installed on a site.

  • H. Strobe lights, moving or fixed spotlights, and floodlights.

  • I. Traffic hazard signs. Any sign that constitutes a traffic hazard is prohibited, including signs that:

  • 1. Interfere with, obstruct the view of, or may be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device because of its position, shape, or color, including signs illuminated in red, green, or amber color to resemble a traffic signal.

  • 2. Make use of the words STOP, LOOK, DETOUR, DANGER, CAUTION, WARNING, or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in a manner that misleads, interferes with, or confuses traffic.

    • J. Vehicle signs. Signs placed or painted on parked vehicles where the primary purpose is to advertise a product or service, or to direct the public to a business or activity located on or off the premises, are prohibited. Signs painted on vehicles, trucks, or buses, which are being operated and stored in the normal course of business, such as signs located on delivery trucks, promotional vehicles, moving vans, and rental trucks, are permitted, provided that the primary purpose of such vehicles is not the display of signs, and that they are parked or stored in areas related to their use as vehicles and all vehicles are in operable condition. Vehicle for-sale signs are exempt from this provision.

    • K. In the D-1 District, cabinet box wall signs and cabinet box projecting signs are prohibited.