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Warren
Town of Warren Zoning Ordinance
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§ 32-169

Signs

  • A. Design requirements.

    • 1. Signs for developments with more than one (1) use or primary building shall have a uniform signage design. A combination of no more than two (2) types of signage may be displayed per use, regardless of the number of occupants.

    • 2. Developments housing a single use shall be permitted no more than two (2) signs of any type.

    • 3. One (1) freestanding sign per development shall be permitted.

    • 4. Internally illuminated signs are prohibited.

    • 5. The area surrounding freestanding signs shall be landscaped.

  • B. Size.

Maximum signage area. Total amount of signage per development shall not exceed thirty (30) square feet. In calculating total square feet of signage, area of freestanding signs, wall-mounted signs and awning signs shall be taken into consideration for each development. Symbols shall count toward the calculation of total area.

Freestanding signs—Individual business development.

      • 1. Maximum height—Eight (8) feet. Height will be measured from the natural level of the ground at the base of the sign to the highest point of the sign or sign support, whichever is taller.

      • 2. Area (maximum square footage)—Twelve (12) feet. In the case of two-sided signs, each side shall be measured in calculating the maximum square footage.

Freestanding signs—Multi-use business development.

      • 1. Maximum height—Ten (10) feet. Height will be measured from the natural level of the ground at the base of the sign to the highest point of the sign or sign support, whichever is taller.

      • 2. Area (maximum square footage)—Eighteen (18) feet. In the case of two-sided signs, each side shall be measured in calculating the maximum square footage.

Wall-mounted signs.

      • 1. Sign shall not project more than six (6) inches from the surface upon which it is mounted.

      • 2. Sign shall not extend above the lowest point of the roof, nor beyond the ends of the wall to which it is attached.

      • 3. Sign area shall be determined by multiplying the measured length of the sign board or total length of affixed letters and symbols, by the height of sign board or affixed letters and symbols.

Awning signs.

      • 1. Lettering shall be contained within the valance of the awning, or in the case of an awning with no valance, within the lowest extended portion of the awning, closest to the ground.

      • 2. Lettering and symbols on awning sign shall not exceed ten (10) inches in height.

      • 3. Awning sign area shall be determined by measuring the length of the printed area of the awning and multiply by the letter and symbol height.

  • C. Sign placement.

    • 1. No sign shall be placed within ten (10) feet of street curb.

    • 2. No sign shall be affixed to a fence, utility pole, or traffic control structure, tree, shrub, rock or other natural object.

    • 3. Signs affixed to a structure shall not obscure arches, sills, molding, cornices and other similar architectural features.

    • 4. Off-premise signs shall be permitted through the provisions of article XX, subsection 32-113A of this ordinance. An off-premise sign shall count as one of the two (2) permitted signs per use.

  • D. Prohibited signs.

    • 1. Billboards.

    • 2. Temporary window signs.

    • 3. Streamers, pennants, ribbons, banners, balloons, strings of lights, spinners; except in the case of a grand opening announcement, and shall be removed within two (2) weeks of opening.

    • 4. Internally illuminated signs.

    • 5. Neon and day-glow signs.

    • 6. Signs with moving parts.

    • 7. Flashing signs.

    • 8. Projecting signs.

    • 9. Roof-mounted signs.

    • 10. Portable signs.

  • E. Exemptions.

    • 1. Signs posted for public safety.

    • 2. Non-business informational and directional signs.

    • 3. Signs relating to trespassing and hunting—Such signs shall not exceed two (2) square feet.

    • 4. Real estate signs—One (1) allowed per property for sale/rent, only while the property is offered.

    • 5. Memorial sign or tablet.

    • 6. Flags of national, state, local origin.

    • 7. Address signs.

  • F. Nonconforming signs.

    • 1. Continuance. A nonconforming sign lawfully existing at the time of adoption or subsequent amendment of this article, may continue until such time that said sign is in need of structural improvements or replacement, in part or whole.

    • 2. Replacement. Any sign replacing a nonconforming sign shall conform with the provision of this article, and the nonconforming sign shall not longer be displayed. Any sign deemed unsafe the building official shall be replaced.

  • G. Permitting of signs. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, display alter or enlarge any sign as defined in this ordinance without first obtaining a permit from the building official. Any signs erected within the district shall be reviewed and approved by the building official for compliance with the article and other provisions of the zoning ordinance, town code, and all state building codes. No permit need be applied for exempt signs (subsection E of this section). Permits shall be issued only if the building official determines the sign complies, or will comply, with all applicable ordinances and building codes.