Definition; permit required; nonconforming signs

A. The term "sign" means any display of lettering, logos, colors, lights or illuminated neon tubes visible to the public from outside of a building or from a traveled way, which either conveys a message to the public or intends to advertise, direct, invite, announce, or draw attention to, directly or indirectly, a use conducted, goods, products, services, or facilities available, either on the lot or any other premises, whether permanent or temporary, but excluding window displays and merchandise. The following regulations shall apply to all signs over two square feet in area, except those exempted in § 400-91 of this article.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, display, alter or enlarge any sign without first obtaining a permit from the Zoning Enforcement Officer and paying the appropriate fees.
- (1) A sign application shall be obtained from the Zoning Enforcement Officer and shall include:
  - (a) Name, address and telephone number of applicant;
  - (b) Name of person performing the work;
  - (c) A scale drawing of the proposed sign, giving dimensions, colors, materials, and details, including the size of the letters and graphics, at a scale of 3/8 inch equals one foot;
  - (d) A scale drawing of the building or lot showing where the proposed sign is to be located on it, including, but not limited to, all physical entities, at a scale of one inch equals 50 feet;
  - (e) A scale drawing of the plans, at a scale of 3/8 inch equals one foot, and specifications and method of construction and attachment to the building or in the ground;
  - (f) Any electric permit required and issued for said sign;
  - (g) Written consent of the owner of the building, structure, or land to which or on which the sign is to be erected;
  - (h) Verified review of land evidence records, and planning documents, for restrictive covenants or conditions, imposed by predecessors of title or by the Town of West Greenwich during any subdivision.
- (2) The following signs may be authorized by special use permit, upon application to the Zoning Board of Review:
  - (a) Changeable copy signs, defined as signs having a fixed area upon which the content is not permanently affixed.
  - (b) Off-site directional signs, except for signs erected by the Town, the State or United States government, any sign giving directions to the location of any use or activity not located upon the property upon which the sign is erected, and which may contain only the name of the use and necessary information giving directions to the use; provided, however, that no advertising shall be contained in such sign.
- (3) Any freestanding sign less than 20 feet from the edge of any Town street, road or right-of-way, or within 50 feet of a street intersection, shall be reviewed by the Planning Board. Upon receipt of a sign application, the Zoning Enforcement Officer shall forward a copy of the application to the Planning Board. At a public informational meeting, the Planning Board shall review the sign application and render an advisory opinion to the Zoning Enforcement Officer or the Zoning Board of Review.
C. Issuance of sign permit. Permits shall be issued only if the Zoning Enforcement Officer determines the sign complies or will comply with all applicable provisions of this article. The Zoning Enforcement Officer's decision, or failure to act, may be appealed to the Zoning Board of Review. If the work authorized under the sign permit has not been completed within six months after the date of issuance, said permit shall become null and void.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
D. Nonconforming signs.
- (1) Any sign which does not conform to the provisions of this article, and which lawfully existed at the time of adoption or subsequent amendment to this article, may be continued or be repaired, provided that said nonconforming sign shall comply with § 400-86C of this article.
- (2) Nonconforming signs which are structurally altered, relocated or replaced shall comply immediately with the provisions of this article.