(1)
General Regulations.
(a) No exterior sign or advertising device
shall be erected except as provided by
974 CMR
6.00.
(b)
No sign shall be erected except in the location and manner described in
974 CMR
6.00 and in accord with the conditions of the Permit
from the DEC.
(c) No sign shall be
erected that in any way creates a traffic hazard or obstructs
traffic.
(d) Signs shall be not
exceed the maximum size or height allowed by
974 CMR
6.00 unless the DEC determines that exceptional site
conditions such as topography, location of existing preserved vegetation, or
lot configuration necessitate a larger or taller sign, provided however, the
maximum increase allowed shall not exceed 50% more than otherwise
allowed.
(e) Signs may be one-sided
(with information, lettering, or design on a single face) or two-sided, with
sign faces mounted back-to-back. If two-sided, the maximum size is calculated
as though it is a one-sided sign. The sides of a two-sided sign may be mounted
such that the faces are perpendicular or splayed, with a maximum angle of
separation between faces of 25° or less. Otherwise, the thickness or depth
of a two-sided sign shall not exceed the depth required by the construction of
the sign and the mechanics associated with the illumination of the sign. No
words, graphics, symbols, or other representations may be placed on the "edges"
or supporting structure of any sign.
TWO SIDED AND SPLAYED SIGNS
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(f)
Illuminated signs shall be lit by steady, white light through the use of sharp
cutoff fixtures and top-down lighting. Lights for externally illuminated signs
may not be ground-mounted. Illuminated signs must comply with
974 CMR
4.04:
Illumination and Astrophysical
Compatability. Unless necessary for the location of public safety
facilities, illuminated signs shall be turned off when the facility is not in
active use or not later than 11:00 P.M., whichever is the earlier. Pursuant to
974 CMR
4.04:
Illumination and Astrophysical
Compatability, only the individual letters
etc. may
be illuminated and no luminous backgrounds are permitted.
(g) Signs should be simple, neat and avoid
distracting elements, so that contents can be quickly and easily read. Signs
shall not contain selling slogans or other advertising that is not an integral
part of the name or other identification of the enterprise.
(h) Signs shall be located so as not to
interrupt, obscure, or hide the continuity of columns, cornices, roof eaves,
sill lines, or other elements of building structure and where possible, should
reflect and emphasize building structural form. Sign materials, colors, and
lettering should be reflective of the character of the building to which the
sign relates.
BUILDING-MOUNTED SIGNS: SIGN TYPE 4: COMPATIBILITY WITH
BUILDING ELEMENTS
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(i)
Awnings or canopies connected to a building shall not be considered a sign if
the lettering on them does not exceed three inches in height and the lettering
is not internally illuminated or illuminated from light fixtures attached to
the structure or building.
(j)
Building markers, or signs identifying the building or indicating the name, the
date of construction, or other incidental information about the building's
construction or history shall not be regulated as signs.
(k) Signs or other advertising devises
legally erected may continue to be maintained provided, however, that no sign
enlarged, reworded (other than in the case of theater or cinema signs or
permitted signs with automatically changing messages), redesigned or altered in
any way including repainting in a different color except to conform with
974 CMR
6.00 and provided further that any such sign which has
deteriorated to such an extent that the cost of restoration would exceed 35% of
the replacement cost of the sign at the time of restoration shall not be
repaired, rebuilt, or altered except to conform with
974 CMR
6.00. Any exemption or protection provided by 974 CMR
6.03 shall terminate with respect to any sign or other advertising device
which:
1. shall have been abandoned
2. advertises or call attention to any
products, businesses, or activities which are no longer sold or carried on at
the particular premises or
3. shall
not have been repaired or properly maintained within 30 days after notice to
that effect have been given by the Commission.
(2)
Temporary Signs.
(a) Up to three un-illuminated temporary
signs not exceeding four square feet in area may be erected off-premises for
the duration of construction and for the first three months of the operation of
a business. These signs may be located at the outer line of the street
right-of-way of the major collector street nearest the premises. These are the
only temporary sign that requires a permit from the DEC. The DEC reserves the
right to prohibit particular sign locations or limit the number of signs
proposed by the applicant.
(b) A
temporary sign not exceeding 32 square feet in area and ten feet in height may
be erected on-premises during construction, identifying the premises and giving
information on sales or leases. Such sign shall be removed prior to the
erection of permanent signs on site and/or to issuance of a Certificate of
Occupancy.
(c) Temporary signs,
including "moveable changeable letter message boards" (which are otherwise
prohibited) and "community banners," may be erected by Mass Development or duly
authorized event sponsor in conjunction with events and activities. Such signs
may be erected only for the duration of the event or activity.
(d) Real estate signs erected on-premises,
advertising the sale or lease of the premises or a portion thereof, may not
exceed four square feet for residential premises or 32 square feet for
commercial, industrial and office uses, and shall be removed upon the sale or
lease being transacted. During construction, real estate sales and leasing
information shall be included on the temporary construction sign described in
974 CMR
6.03(2)(b). Such signs must be removed within 15 days after the closing
of the sale, rental or lease.
(e)
Off premises real estate signs may only be erected by Mass
Development.
(f) Signs advising the
public of employment opportunities may be erected, provided that they do not
exceed eight square feet in area and erected for a maximum of two
months.
(g) Temporary window signs,
describing products for sale, services available, community activities, or
other information may be erected within a window so that the information is
visible from the exterior of the building. Window signs may not cover more than
25% of the window, and may not be internally illuminated .
(3)
Exempted Signs.
(a) Signs for public use do not require
permits from the DEC.
(b) All signs
erected by Mass Development within the rights-of-way of public ways are
exempt.
(c) No signs be allowed
within the public right-of-way except as follows and in conformance with the
following conditions:
1. Signs erected by
providers of public transportation or erected for the express purpose of
informing vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic.
2. Information signs erected by
MassDevelopment, Massachusetts Highway Department, or any public utility
regarding streets, intersections, poles, lines, pipes, or facilities.
3. Temporary warning signs alerting the
public of work within the right-of-way.
4. Directional signs in a size and form
specified in the Devens Signage Masterplan, dated May 1996, prepared by Cecil
& Rizvi and Jon Roll & Assoc. for MassDevelopment.
5. Temporary signs for construction, the
first year of business operation, and event and activities as described in
974 CMR
6.00.
(4)
Prohibited
Signs:
(a) Billboards.
(b) Portable signs including "moveable
changeable letter message boards" except for signs warning the public and for
signs in connection with events and activities.
(c) Roof-mounted signs.
(d) Animated signs, changeable copy signs
(except in connection with fixed signs for public entertainment and athletic
events), and signs with spinning, rotating, or flashing elements.
(e) All string lights used in connection with
nonresidential premises excepting temporary lighting for holiday
decoration.
(f) All other signs not
expressly allowed are prohibited.
(5)
Permanent Sign
Types.
(a)
Type 1:
"Freestanding Sign". This sign is supported by structures or
supports that are placed on or anchored within the ground and independent of
any building. They may be mounted from one or two poles, or ground-mounted on a
base or footing. The maximum sign message board area allowed is 48 square feet
per side, the total sign area is 72 square feet per side. Type 1 signs may be
two-sided signs, each side not exceeding 48 square feet, with the sign faces
one ach side installed parallel (or "back-to-back") to each other or splayed by
not more than 25°. They may be illuminated in compliance with
974 CMR 4.00:
Industrial Performance Standards. These signs may not be
erected within the public right-of-way of any street.
Note: Type 1 signs are only permitted
for certain retail and service uses as detailed in
974 CMR
6.04.
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(b)
Type 2: "On-premises Freestanding Sign" [also called "On-premises
Sign"]. This sign is a sign of specified size and form (see
diagram). It may be illuminated in compliance with the
974 CMR 4.00:
Industrial Performance Standards with a steady, top- down
sharp cutoff fixture. The maximum sign area shall not exceed 30 square feet
with the sign erected so that the overall height not greater than six feet and
the maximum size of the sign message board is 24 square feet. There is usually
a single on-premises sign per lot. It is located adjacent to the street
right-of-way in locations specified by
974 CMR
6.00. This sign should contain the name of the
business or entity occupying the premises, or in the case ofmultiple occupants,
the name of the building, the address, or other identifier for the premises.
SIGN TYPE 2: ON-PREMISES FREESTANDING SIGN
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(c)
Type 3: "On-premises Directional Sign". These signs
are for the convenience and safety of the public and indicate visitor parking,
service areas and drives, exits, fire lanes, entrances, and other information
to direct and inform the public. Such sign may contain a logo or other symbol
or name, if it is clearly secondary to the principle sign information. In
exceptional instances, certain directional signs may be illuminated. There is
no limit on the number of directional signs, but they may not exceed four
square feet in area or five feet in height. Directional signs shall be located
in such a way that they pose minimal danger to vehicular, pedestrian, or
bicycle traffic.
SIGN TYPE 3: ON-PREMISES DIRECTIONAL SIGN
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(d)
Type 4: "Building-mounted Sign" or "Building Sign".
Building signs are those whichare directly mounted to the building or any
portion of a building. They may be painted or affixed to a separate surface
which is then mounted securely to the building, painted or produced directly on
the building, or composed of separate letters, numbers, logos, or symbols
attached to the surface of the building. They may be illuminated in compliance
with
974 CMR 4.00:
Industrial Performance Standards. Type 4 signs shall be
located, if possible, within the "frieze" or "architrave" of the building, but
in any case, so as to complement the overall architectural design of the
building and not to interrupt, obscure, or hide the continuity of any building
element.
SIGN TYPE 4: BUILDING-MOUNTED SIGN
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(e)
Type 5: "Window Sign". Window signs may be painted or
affixed directly to the glass or be a separate material which is mounted to the
interior face of window panes or to the window frame. Window signs shall not be
located in such a way to limit the view into or out of the premises. More than
one window sign may be attached to or affixed to a window (including a mix of
temporary and permanent signs), provided the size limitations are not exceeded.
Window signs may contain the name of the premises, the name of the occupant,
services or goods available, other information which related directly to the
uses of the premises, and necessary emergency information. Window signs shall
not be internally illuminated. Window signs do not require permits from the
DEC.
SIGN TYPE 5: WINDOW SIGNS
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(f)
Type 6: "Perpendicular or Hanging Sign". Perpendicular
signs are signs erected perpendicular to the face of the structure. They may be
erected at a distance not exceeding nine inches from the building and not
exceed twelve square feet in area. If the bracket or supporting structure is
highly ornate or an integral part of the sign design, the size of the bracket
shall be included in the overall calculation of the sign size. If located in a
location where pedestrians will pass directly under the sign, the sign shall be
erected so that the lowest portion is ten feet above the finished grade.
Hanging signs may be erected over the sidewalk within a street right-of-way
with the consent of MassDevelopment. Hanging signs may be illuminated by
down-lighted, sharp cut-off type exterior lights complying with
974 CMR 4.00:
Industrial Performance Standards.
SIGN TYPE 6: HANGING SIGNS
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