§ 17.32.020. General regulations.

The sign ordinance shall apply to all city signs and their supporting devices, including signs located in the Historic Commercial districts. No permanent sign with a size of two square feet or less shall be prohibited by this chapter, except if it conflicts with the location, number of signs allowed or other requirements specified in this chapter. All other permanent signs require a permit.

Signs in the Historic district will require an additional approval by the historic district commission.

No limitation shall be placed on public safety devices or signs erected by government agencies for the safety and direction of the public.

Sign copy, including logos or symbols, may indicate the name and type of establishment, and the major product(s), goods or services offered.

Any sign or any related frame, structure, or mounting device, deemed to be abandoned by the department of inspectional services must be removed from the premises by the owner of the premises upon cessation of the business, activity, trade, product or service unless the sign has been declared historic by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Historic Commission.

A street or mailing address must be displayed for each ground floor premises and at the main entry for multi-tenant buildings. The address sign may be erected without permit if the sign copy and/or sign panel is not greater than two square feet. If the street name is included in the sign address copy, then the maximum size allowed increases to four square feet.

All signs erected in conjunction with this chapter and requiring a building permit shall clearly display the number of said permit permanently attached to the sign as required by Article 29, Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR). The letters and numbers of said permit shall be no less than one inch in height and shall be in a contrasting color.

(Ord. 98-024 § 2 (part))