Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 974 CMR - DEVENS ENTERPRISE COMMISSION › Title 974 CMR 6.00 - Sign Control › Section 6.03 - Regulations

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(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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				image
(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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				image
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				image
(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.