§ 240-65.1. Signs in BA Districts., Article VII. Sign Regulations, Chapter 240. Zoning, Part I. General Ordinances, Code of Ordinances, Barnstable

Business identification signs.

(1)

Each business establishment is allowed two signs.

(2)

The area of all signs for each individual business establishment shall not exceed 10% of the area of the building facade associated with the business establishment that contains the establishment's primary customer entrance or 100 square feet, whichever is the lesser amount.

(3)

In instances where multiple business establishments share a customer entrance on the same facade, the following requirements shall apply:

(a)

The total square footage for all signs of all business establishments attached to each facade shall not exceed 10% of the total area of the facade associated with the business establishments that contains the establishments' shared customer entrance or 100 square feet, whichever is the lesser amount.

(b)

In instances where a building facade with a shared customer entrance does not have a ground-floor window belonging to each and all business establishments within the building, the following additional requirements shall apply:

[1]

Business establishments with a window on the ground floor of the building facade that includes a shared customer entrance shall be allowed one sign attached to that building facade.

[2]

Up to two directory signs shall be allowed for all businesses within the building. That sign may have multiple panels for each business tenant within the building. The total size of the directory sign(s) shall not exceed 20 square feet.

(4)

Additional standards for each sign type. In addition to the number and size limitations of Subsection (A), signs shall be subject to the following requirements. The most restrictive requirement shall apply.

(a)

Wall signs.

[1]

The maximum size of a wall sign shall not exceed 50 square feet.

(b)

Projecting signs.

[1]

The maximum size of a projecting sign shall not exceed six square feet.

[2]

The sign may be double-faced.

[3]

The bottom of a projecting sign shall be a minimum of 8 feet from grade and the height of the projecting sign shall not exceed 12 feet where the sign projects over a pedestrian walkway.

[4]

The projecting sign must be secured and located so as to preclude it from becoming a hazard to the public.

[5]

Each business establishment may only have one projecting sign on a facade.

[6]

Any sign projecting over Town property must have adequate public liability insurance coverage. Proof of such insurance must be provided to the Building Commissioner prior to the granting of a permit for such sign.

(c)

Roof signs.

[1]

The maximum size of a roof sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.

[2]

A roof sign shall be no higher than 1/5 of its length.

[3]

The roof sign shall be located above the eave, and shall not project below the eave, or above a point located 2/3 of the distance from the eave to the ridge.

(d)

Freestanding signs.

[1]

One freestanding sign is allowed on each lot where the building is set back a minimum of five feet from the property line.

[2]

The sign may be double-faced.

[3]

The maximum size and height of freestanding signs shall be as follows:

[a]

For properties that contain one business establishment, a freestanding sign shall not exceed four square feet in area and seven feet in height.

[b]

For properties that contain two or more business establishments, a freestanding sign shall not exceed eight square feet in area and 10 feet in height.

[c]

For properties that are located in the portion of the BA District south of Osterville-West Barnstable Road and north of Pond Street, a freestanding sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in area and 12 feet in height.

[4]

When a lot is located on two or more public ways, the Building Commissioner may allow a second freestanding sign, provided the second freestanding sign also conforms to the requirements of Subsection A(4)(d)[3] above.

(e)

Awning signs.

[1]

Signage may be displayed on a maximum of two awnings per facade per business establishment.

[2]

For the purposes of this section, two awnings with signage on the same facade shall constitute one sign.

[3]

When a business establishment elects to put signage on two awnings on the same facade pursuant to Subsection A(4)(e)[2] above, that business establishment shall be limited to one of the following additional signs:

[a]

One wall sign, not to exceed six square feet in area; or

[b]

One projecting sign, subject to the requirements of Subsection A(4)(b); or

[c]

One freestanding sign, subject to the requirements of Subsection A(4)(d).

[4]

Lettering on an awning sign shall not exceed six inches in height.

[5]

Any logo, symbol, graphic, or image incorporated into an awning sign shall not exceed two square feet.

(5)

Special permit for dimensional relief. Within the BA Zoning District, the Special Permit Grant Authority (SPGA) may provide relief subject to the provisions of § 240-125C herein, from the size and dimensional requirements of § 240-65.1A. The grant of any special permit for dimensional relief within the BA District shall require the SPGA to make the following findings:

(a)

There are unique features affecting the property or structure containing the business establishment that make it distinctly different in character from other development in the district. Such features may include, but are not limited to, the visibility of a structure or primary customer entrance from a public way, the size of the structure containing the business establishment, orientation of the structure on the lot, access to the structure, or the number of tenants located on a single lot.

(b)

The proposed sign is consistent with the visual character of surrounding neighborhood and the community.

Identification signs. Identification signs shall not count toward the total number of signs allowed for a business establishment in § 240-65.1A.

(1)

Identification signs for secondary customer entrances.

(a)

Each business establishment with a second customer entrance on a second facade oriented to a public way, parking lot, or publicly used walkway is allowed one identification sign.

(b)

The area of the sign shall not exceed 5% of the area of the building facade associated with the business establishment that contains the establishment's secondary customer entrance or 20 square feet, whichever is the lesser amount.

(c)

The identification sign shall be limited to either a wall sign, projecting sign, or awning sign, subject to the requirements set forth in § 240-65.1A(4) above.

(d)

The sign shall be attached to the building facade containing the second customer entrance.

(e)

In instances where the multiple business establishments share a secondary customer entrance, identification signs shall be subject to the requirements of § 240-65.1A(3), except that size limitations of Subsection B(1)(c) above shall apply.

(2)

Identification signs for delivery or service entrances.

(a)

Each business establishment is allowed one identification sign attached to a building facade oriented to a public way, parking lot, or publicly used walkway, providing that such facade has a delivery or service entrance serving that business establishment.

(b)

The identification sign shall be a wall sign located near the delivery or service entrance.

(c)

The maximum size of an identification sign shall not exceed two square feet.

Trade signs and temporary signs. These signs shall be permitted in addition to the signs permitted in Subsections A and B above. All trade signs and temporary signs shall be made of high-quality materials and kept clean and properly maintained so as to avoid peeling, rusting or other forms of decay.

(1)

Menu signs.

(a)

Each restaurant or food-service establishment may have one menu sign not to exceed three square feet.

(b)

The menu sign shall be attached to the building.

(2)

A-frame menu boards.

(a)

A-frame menu boards are permitted for restaurants and other food service establishments.

(b)

One A-frame menu board sign per establishment is permitted.

(c)

The maximum size of the A-frame menu board shall not exceed two feet by three feet. The sign may be double-sided.

(d)

The sign must be A-frame style, and the frame must be made out of solid wrought-iron and may incorporate a chalkboard.

(e)

Where the A-frame menu board is proposed on private property, proof shall be submitted demonstrating to the satisfaction of the Building Commissioner that explicit written permission has been given by the owner of the property proposed for locating the A-frame menu board.

(f)

Where the A-frame menu board is proposed on Town property, the following additional criteria shall be met:

[1]

Proof of receipt of a license from the Town Manager or designee for the sign at the proposed location.

[2]

Proof of insurance consistent with this license from the Town Manager or designee shall be provided to the Building Commissioner prior to placing any approved sign.

(g)

A-frame menu boards may not be used in conjunction with trade figure/symbols, open/closed signs or menu signs.

(h)

A-frame menu boards must comply with the following performance standards:

[1]

Shall be secured as necessary so as not to create nuisance or hazard to pedestrians, motorists or business patrons under any conditions.

[2]

Shall not obstruct safe passage or impede accessibility on the sidewalk.

[3]

Shall not obstruct views to another business or business sign.

[4]

Shall be professionally made and well maintained. Hand-lettered signs shall not incorporate informal, irregular hand lettering.

[5]

Shall not be illuminated.

[6]

Shall not have lights, banners, flags or similar objects placed on or adjacent to the sign.

[7]

Shall be placed on the sidewalk leading to the public business entrance.

[8]

Shall be removed at the close of business each day.

[9]

Shall not be displayed outside of business hours.

(3)

Trade figure or symbols.

(a)

One trade figure or symbol per business establishment is permitted.

(b)

The trade figure or symbol shall represent the business and/or its services and shall be based on historic trade representations.

(c)

Trade figures or symbols shall comply with the following requirements:

[1]

The trade figure or symbol shall be placed at the public entrance immediately abutting the building front or affixed to the front facade of the building in which the business is located. Trade figures or symbols may also be incorporated into a freestanding sign.

[2]

The maximum size of any trade figure or symbol shall be three cubic feet.

[3]

The trade figure or symbol shall be secured as necessary so that it does not create nuisance or hazard under any conditions to pedestrians, motorists or business patrons.

[4]

The trade figure or symbol shall not obstruct safe passage or impede accessibility on the sidewalk and shall not obstruct views to another business or business sign.

[5]

Trade figures or symbols may not be used in conjunction with A-frame menu boards.

(d)

Proof shall be submitted demonstrating to the satisfaction of the Building Commissioner that explicit written permission has been given by the owner of the property proposed for locating the trade figure or symbol.

(e)

Where the trade figure or symbol is proposed on Town property, the following additional criteria shall be met:

[1]

Proof of receipt of a license from the Town Manager or designee for the sign at the proposed location.

[2]

Proof of insurance consistent with this license from the Town Manager or designee shall be provided to the Building Commissioner prior to placing any approved trade figure or symbol.

(4)

Open/closed signs.

(a)

Each business establishment is allowed one open/closed sign on each building facade oriented to a street or parking lot, providing that such facade has a customer entrance serving that business establishment.

(b)

The open/closed sign shall either be attached at the customer entrance, in a display window or door of the building in which the business is located or attached to a freestanding sign. Open/closed signs may also be incorporated into a trade figure or A-frame menu board.

(c)

The maximum size of an open/closed sign shall not exceed 22 inches by 14 inches.

(5)

Incidental business signs.

(a)

Incidental business signs indicating the business, hours of operation, credit cards accepted, and business affiliations shall be permitted so long as the total area of all signs does not exceed one square foot.

(b)

"Sale" signs and other temporary signs shall be permitted so long as the total area of all such signs does not exceed three square feet.

(6)

Trade flags. Trade flags are prohibited in the BA District.

Illumination, design and materials.

(1)

No neon or LED signs are permitted in the BA District.

(2)

Internally illuminated signs are prohibited in the BA District.

(3)

The lettering, shape, and color employed in a sign shall be compatible with the form, color, and materials of the building housing the business establishment that the sign is identifying. Signs for different businesses within the same building or for multiple business establishments in multiple buildings on the same property shall be of harmonious style and design.

(4)

Wall signs, projecting signs, roof signs, and freestanding signs shall be made primarily of wood, PVC composite, medium-density or high-density overlay plywood or HDPE sign board.