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Warren
Town of Warren Zoning Ordinance
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§ 32-112

General

  • A. The following apply to all zoning districts:

    • 1. No sign may be erected, altered, or relocated without issuance of a permit from the Warren Building Official, unless said sign is specifically exempted by this article. Application for a sign permit shall include a graphic representation of all existing and proposed signage, including material, lighting and dimensions. All signs erected, altered, or relocated must comply with this article unless a variance is otherwise granted under article IV of this ordinance.

    • 2. No sign shall be placed or located on any sidewalk or public right-of-way except as provided in section 18-5 of the Warren Town Code.

    • 3. Flashing signs, animated signs containing moving parts, blow-up signs, feather banners, and signs containing reflective elements which sparkle or twinkle in the sunlight are prohibited. This prohibition shall include signs located inside a building when such signs are intended to be visible by pedestrians or motorists. An exception is signs that display only date/time/temperature.

    • 4. Neon-lighted signs twenty-four (24) inches by eighteen (18) inches, that do not flash or feature animation shall be permitted in non-residential districts.

    • 5. Roof-mounted signs are allowed only in non-residential districts and only by special use permit.

    • 6. Signs identifying a business or organization which is either defunct or no longer located at the premises shall be prohibited and removed within ninety (90) days of the business closing or relocating.

    • 7. Billboards, reader board signs and trailer signs are prohibited, except as specifically provided in this ordinance.

    • 8. Permanent signs for private organizations, events or services placed on public property shall be prohibited unless granted approval by the town council.

    • 9. Signs suspended over public sidewalks shall have the height of the bottom of the sign at least nine (9) feet above the ground.

    • 10. Day/time/temperature signs are allowed in non-residential districts. Size cannot exceed eighteen (18) inches by twenty-four (24) inches and they must not change more frequently than every five (5) seconds.

  • B. Signs permitted by right in all zoning districts are exempt from the provisions of section 32-112 include:

    • 1. One (1) address sign not exceeding one (1) square foot per dwelling unit or commercial use.

    • 2. Signs indicating hours of operation, credit cards accepted, business or professional affiliations, prohibitions and general use of the premises, such as prohibiting not patrons without shirts, no trespassing, and the like provided that such signs do not exceed a total of two (2) square feet in area.

    • 3. Directional signs. Directional signs shall contain no advertising.

    • 4. For sale/rent/lease signs, provided, however, that the number of for sale/rent/lease signs per dwelling or commercial use shall not exceed two (2). The size of the two signs shall not exceed a total of 12 square feet.

    • 5. Temporary signs announcing a charitable or civic event and yard/garage sale. These signs shall be removed within 48 hours after the event has taken place.

  • C. Signs permitted in all residence districts by right, which are exempt from provisions of section 32-112 shall be limited to the following:

    • 1. A name plate, not exceeding one and one half (1½) square feet in area, indicating the name of the occupant or identifying a permitted home occupation or home professional office. Such nameplate may not be lighted.

    • 2. An unlighted sign, not exceeding twelve (12) square feet in area, pertaining to the prospective sale or lease of the premises upon which such sign is located.

    • 3. Regulatory signs, not exceeding one and one half (1½) square feet in area, indicating restrictions on or prohibiting the use of public or private property.

  • D. Nonconforming signs:

    • 1. Continuance. A nonconforming sign lawfully existing at the time of adoption or subsequent amendment to this article may continue, although such sign does not conform to the provisions of this article, until such time as the nonconforming sign is either abandoned or replaced, or there is a change of use.

    • 2. Replacement. Any sign replacing a nonconforming sign shall conform to the provisions of this article, and the nonconforming sign shall no longer be displayed. Refacing of signs with existing framework is permitted, except for properties and structures undergoing a change of use.

    • 3. Signs erected for non-conforming uses in residential districts shall continue as non-conforming signs. If a sign for a non-conforming use within a residential district is altered, it shall meet the following requirements:

      • a. The sign shall be located at least fifteen (15) feet from any side or rear lot line and at least five (5) feet from any front lot line, except where such sign is located on the wall of a building.

      • b. Signs shall be externally illuminated and lights shall be oriented so as to reflect away from neighboring properties.

      • c. Non-conforming free-standing signs within residential districts shall be no larger than six (6) square feet and be limited to a height of six (6) feet.

  • E. Off-premises signs:

    • 1. Off-premises signs shall be prohibited in all residential districts.

    • 2. An applicant may request an off-premises sign in nonresidential districts by filing an application for a special use permit with the zoning board of review under article V of this ordinance. At the public hearing the zoning board of review may grant the application as a special use permit per provisions of article V, if the board determines:

      • a. That the sign is necessary to inform the general public of the location of the business;

      • b. That the sign does not interfere with pedestrians walking on the sidewalk;

      • c. That the sign does not created any type of danger to motor vehicles; and

      • d. That no other off premises sign is located within two hundred (200) feet.

    • 3. Off premises signs shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in the case of a two-sided sign, or six (6) square feet in the case of single-sided signs, and shall be no taller than six(6) feet. Suspended off-premises signs shall not exceed two (2) square feet per business or use.

(Amd. of 1-8-08; Ord. of 11-12-2025(4))