2003-03-24 to 2003-04-30 ATM-min

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2003 Annual Town Meeting,Adjourned Session of April 7,2003 A. Intent. This By-Law is intended to preserve and enhance the historical ambience and aesthetic character of the town, and to maintain public safety, consistent with constitutional requirements protecting freedom of speech. B. Scope. All outdoor signs and window signs are subject to the regulations of this By-Law unless specifically excluded in § 135-74(C). C. Exemptions. The following signs are not subject to this By-Law: (1) Any sign owned and installed by a governmental agency or required by any law, governmental order or regulation. (2) Government flags and insignia, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion. (3) Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts or moving lights. (4) Signs mounted on registered motor vehicles or carried by hand. D. Nonconforming signs. Signs legally existing on the effective date of this article, or of any amendment hereto, may continue to be maintained; provided however that any such sign that fails to conform to the current requirements of this by-law shall not be enlarged, altered, relocated or replaced except in accordance with the provisions of Article VI. § 135-75. General regulations. The provisions of this section shall apply to signs in all zoning districts. Additional specific regulations for residential and business districts are set forth in §§ 135-76 and 135-77, respectively. A. Illumination. No sign shall be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., except signs on premises open for business, and then only upon issuance of a special permit by the SPGA. Exterior illumination of signs shall be shielded, directed solely at the sign, and be steady and stationary. No internal illumination of a sign is permitted except upon issuance of a special permit by the SPGA. The illumination of any sign shall not exceed 150 foot lamberts. [Amended 4-1-1998 ATM by Art. 40] B. Signs cannot interfere with traffic. No sign, including window displays, or its illuminators shall by reason of its location, shape, size or color interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic or be confused with or obstruct the view or the effectiveness of any official traffic sign, traffic signal or traffic marking. No red or green lights shall be used on any sign if, in the opinion of the Building Commissioner or designee with the advice of the Chief of Police, such lights would create a driving hazard. C. Construction. No sign shall be painted or posted directly on the exterior surface of any wall. All exterior, attached signs, except awning signs, shall be painted, posted or otherwise securely affixed to a substantial intermediary removable surface and such surface shall be securely affixed to the wall of the building. The foregoing, however, shall not prevent installation of a sign by individual letters or devices cut into or securely affixed to the exterior wall of a building, provided that such letters or devices have a minimum depth of projection of 1/4 of an inch. The construction of the sign shall comply with the State Building Code. D. Maintenance. Every sign shall be maintained in good condition. If a sign shows corrosion or deteriorated paint over 25% of the area of one side or if damage to the sign causes the loss of 10% of its substance or if the sign suffers damage or deterioration which creates a risk of harm to the person or property of another, it shall be repaired or removed. E. Removal of temporary signs. Signs that advertise or otherwise relate to a particular event (for example, a real estate sign, an election campaign sign or a yard sale sign) shall be removed promptly, and in no event more than 7 days, after the conclusion of the event F. Window signs. Removable signs on the inside of windows or transparent doors are permitted.