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City of Providence
City of Providence Zoning Ordinance
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§ 1606

SIGNS AND ACTIVITIES EXEMPT FROM PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

1606 SIGNS AND ACTIVITIES EXEMPT FROM PERMIT REQUIREMENTS The following signs and activities do not require a permit, but shall still follow the applicable requirements of this section and this Ordinance. No sign may be illuminated unless specifically allowed by this section. No sign may encroach into the public right-of-way unless permitted by this section and obtaining approval of an encroachment permit.

  • A. Alteration and Maintenance Operations The following activities are exempt from the permit requirement:

  • 1. Painting, repainting, cleaning, changing permitted items of information, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign, not involving structural alterations are exempt from permit requirements. Repairs to existing illumination components are also exempt from permit requirements, including changes to type of illumination, for example, from fluorescent lighting to LED lighting.

  • 2. Changing the message of an existing changeable message sign or electronic message sign.

  • 3. Changing the sign face within an existing legal sign structure, provided no alterations are made to the sign structure and the sign area, sign height, or any other dimension of the sign.

    • B. A-Frame Signs

      1. A-frame signs are permitted for non-residential uses within the non-residential districts.

  • 2. One A-frame sign is permitted per establishment. A minimum 20 foot separation is required between all A-frame signs.

  • 3. An A-frame sign shall be placed within 15 feet of the primary entrance of the business, and shall not interfere with pedestrian traffic or violate standards of accessibility as required by the ADA or other accessibility codes. A-frame signs may be placed in the public right-of-way but shall maintain a five foot sidewalk clearance at all times and require a right-of-way encroachment permit (Section 1914).

  • 4. A-frame signs are limited to six square feet in area per side and four feet in height.

  • 5. The use of A-frame signs is limited to business hours only. Signs shall be stored indoors at all other times. A-frame signs shall not be used outdoors when high winds or heavy snow conditions exist.

    • C. Attention Getting Devices

      1. Attention getting devices are permitted for non-residential uses in the C-2 and C-3 Districts.

  • 2. Attention getting devices are limited to a maximum of one per lot, a maximum of eight feet in height and ten square feet in area, and shall be located a minimum of five feet from a lot line.

  • 3. Attention getting devices are not permitted in the public right-of-way.

  • 4. Attention getting devices may be erected on a lot for no more than 30 days in a single display period, with a maximum of three display periods in a calendar year with a minimum of 30 calendar days between each display period.

    • D. Banners

      1. Banners are permitted for all non-residential uses.

  • 2. A maximum of one banner is permitted per structure.

  • 3. Banners are limited to 32 square feet in area.

  • 4. Banners are limited to the following display periods: a. When related to a time-specific event: A combined display period of seven days prior to the event, the time period of the event, and two days following the event.

    • b. When not related to a time-specific event: Ten days.

    • c. A maximum of five display periods per calendar year with a minimum of 30 days between displays.

    • E. Construction Signs

      1. Construction signs are permitted in all districts.

  • 2. A maximum of one construction sign per street frontage for an on-premises construction project is permitted.

  • 3. The construction signs are limited to 32 square feet in area and six feet in height if freestanding, with the exception of a construction sign in a residential district, which is limited to 12 square feet in area. Freestanding construction signs shall be set back ten feet from any lot line.

  • 4. Construction signs may be erected only after approval of a building permit, and shall be removed within 60 days of completion of construction.

    • F. Directory Signs

      1. Directory signs are permitted in all districts for any multi-tenant development.

  • 2. A maximum of one building directory sign is permitted per public entrance.

  • 3. A building directory sign shall be wall-mounted and is limited to six square feet in area.

  • 4. A building directory sign may be externally illuminated.

    • G. Government Signs Signs placed or authorized by a government agency, including, but not limited to, traffic signs and signals, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, or signs regulating the traffic of, or giving information to, motorists, transit riders, cyclists, or pedestrians, are permitted in any number, configuration, or size in any district. Such signs may be illuminated as required by the agency.

    • H. Holiday Decorations Temporary holiday decorations are permitted in all districts. Temporary holiday decorations may be internally or externally illuminated but shall comply with the lighting standards of Section 1301.

    • I. Home Occupation Signs

      1. Home occupation signs are permitted for all residential uses with a home occupation on the premises.

  • 2. A maximum of one home occupation sign is permitted per home occupation.

  • 3. The home occupation sign shall be wall-mounted and is limited to two square feet in area.

    • J. Memorial Plaques

      1. Memorial plaques commemorating a historical person, event, structure, or site are permitted in any district.

  • 2. A memorial plaque may be freestanding or wall-mounted and is limited to six square feet in area. A freestanding memorial plaque is limited to four feet in height.

  • 3. External illumination of a memorial plaque is permitted.

    • K. Nameplates

      1. A maximum of one nameplate indicating the name and address of a building or occupant is permitted per dwelling for all residential uses.

  • 2. The nameplate shall be wall-mounted and no more than two square feet in area.

    • L. Parking Lot Signs

      1. Parking Lot Directional Signs a. Parking lot directional signs are permitted for each entrance/exit, driveway intersections, drivethrough lanes, and similar circulation points for any parking lot, whether a principal or ancillary use.

      • b. Parking lot directional signs are limited to four square feet in area.

      • c. A freestanding parking lot directional sign is limited to four feet in height and shall be three feet from any lot line.

      • d. Parking lot directional signs may be internally or externally illuminated.

  • 2. Parking Lot Information Signs

    a. Parking lot information signs providing information on the operation of a parking lot, such as “No Parking” or “Unauthorized Users Shall Be Towed,” are permitted as needed for any parking lot, whether a principal or ancillary use.

    • b. Parking lot information signs are limited to ten square feet in area.

    • c. Freestanding signs are limited to six feet in height and shall be three feet from any lot line.

    • M. Political/Noncommercial Message Signs

      1. Political/noncommercial message signs are permitted in all districts.

  • 2. Political/noncommercial message signs in residential districts are limited to 16 square feet in area on each side. Political/noncommercial message signs in all other districts are limited to 30 square feet in area on each side.

  • 3. Political/noncommercial message signs shall be posted on private property only, and only with the permission of the property owner.

    • N. Property Identification Signs

      1. A maximum of one property identification sign identifying the property management company is permitted per building in all districts.

  • 2. A property identification sign shall be wall-mounted and is limited to two square feet in area.

    • O. Real Estate Signs

      1. A maximum of one real estate sign is permitted per street frontage in all districts.

  • 2. Real estate signs may be wall-mounted or freestanding. If freestanding, real estate signs are limited to six feet in height.

  • 3. Real estate signs are limited in area and display as follows: a. Within all residential districts and the W-1 District, real estate signs are limited to a maximum of six square feet in area and shall be removed within 14 days of the real estate closing or lease transaction.

    • b. Within all commercial districts, real estate signs are limited to a maximum of 12 square feet in area and shall be removed within 30 days of the real estate closing or lease transaction.

    • c. Within all downtown, industrial, and institutional districts and the W-2 and W-3 Districts, real estate signs are limited to a maximum of 32 square feet in area and shall be removed within 30 days of the real estate closing or lease transaction.

    • P. Reserved

    • Q. Window Signs

      1. Window signs are permitted for all non-residential uses in all districts.

  • 2. All window signs, whether temporary or permanent, are limited to no more than 25% of the surface of each window area. Window area is counted as a continuous surface until divided by an architectural or structural element. Mullions are not considered an element that divides window area.

  • 3. Window signs that are internally or externally illuminated require a permit. Neon and LED window signs are permitted only in the commercial, waterfront, and downtown districts.

    • R. Yard Sale Signs

      1. Yard sale signs are permitted for all residential uses when a yard sale is taking place on the property.

  • 2. No yard sale signs are permitted in the public right-of-way.

  • 3. Yard sale signs are limited to 12 square feet in size.

  • 4. Two yard sale signs are permitted per lot.

  • 5. Yard sale signs shall be posted no earlier than 48 hours prior to the event and all signs shall be removed within 24 hours after the event.