8.0 Process
This section shall apply to all signs except those signs that are:
1) exempt under the provisions of Section 5.1, or
2) allowed without a permit by conforming to the criteria for temporary signs set forth in
section 5.2, or
3) entitled to a permit from the Building Inspector as provided in Section 5.3.
8.1 Permit from Building Inspector Required
8.1.1 No sign shall be erected, re-erected, constructed or altered, except as provided by this by-law, and after application has been made and a permit issued by the Building Inspector.
8.1.2 An application shall be deemed submitted on the day in which a complete application, as described in section 8.2 below, and associated fee has been received by the Building Inspector.
8.1.3 All signs relevant to a new business or an existing business undergoing site plan approval shall be reviewed by the Zoning Board of Appeals as set forth in section 8.3.
8.1.4. If a site is not undergoing site plan approval, the following signs require review (with the conditions noted) only by the Building Inspector:
Signs described in section 6.1.3
Signs described in section 6.1.4
Signs described in section 7.1.6 (unless requested by the Building Inspector)
Signs described in section 7.1.7 (face replacement of tenant nameplate only)
Signs described in section 7.1.8
Signs described in section 7.1.9
Signs described in section 7.1.10
8.1.5 At his discretion, the Building Inspector may request review by the
Zoning Board of Appeals, of signs described in section 8.1.4.
8.1.6 The Building Inspector shall cause four (4) copies of said application to be delivered to the Zoning Board of Appeals for review and recommendation. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall give written notice to the applicant and shall give public notice of the meeting at which the application will be reviewed by posting a notice at Community Hall at least two (2) business days prior to the meeting.
8.1.7 The building inspector shall not issue a sign permit except following an approval with or without conditions granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals, unless otherwise specified by this by-law
8.1.8 The Building Inspector shall approve or deny the application, in accordance with section 8.3 below. If the Zoning Board of Appeals fails to act within the time provided by section 8.3.2 below, the Building Inspector may forthwith issue a permit with or without conditions.
8.2 Submission Requirements
Six (6) copies of all required documents shall be provided to the Building Inspector.
8.2.1 Permit Application Form;
8.2.2 Scaled drawings or sketch plan of sign, including height, width, lettering and other features, footings or other supporting features and proposed landscaping at sign, as applicable;
8.2.3 Description, location and type of lighting, if applicable;
8.2.4 Plot plan or scaled sketch including sign location in relation to lot boundaries, building(s), grade elevation, streets, structures, vegetation, walks, parking area
8.2.5 Proposed construction specifications;
8.2.6 A narrative or graphic description responding to the review criteria specified in section 8.3.3;
8.2.7 Application fee
8.3 Review by the Zoning Board of Appeals
8.3.1 The Zoning Board of Appeals shall hold a meeting, open to the public and following public notice in Accordance with section 8.1.6 above, to which the applicant is encouraged to attend. The proposed sign shall be reviewed and comments shall be offered to the applicant, who may revise his or her proposal based on conditions or modifications requested in compliance with the intent of this by-law.
8.3.2 The Zoning Board of Appeals shall render comment and approval or disapproval based compliance with this by-law within 30 days of receipt of the application as defined in section 8.2 The Zoning Board of Appeals shall review each sign, for by-law compliance, and its compliance with Massachusetts Building Codes. In making its determination, the Zoning Board of Appeals may also make appropriate recommendations after considering the following:
- Bulk and mass of the sign;
- Materials;
- Design and graphics;
- Orientation;
- General location and compatibility with its surroundings;
- Frequency and proximity of other streets, signs and structures, in the immediate area
- Unanticipated circumstances in accordance with section 8.4.1.
Approval or disapproval is not dependent upon the applicant's following of recommendations and will solely be based upon bylaw and Massachusetts Building Code compliance.
8.3.3 The granting of the sign approval with or without conditions by the Zoning Board of Appeals shall be part of the permit issued by the Building Inspector.
8.4 Waivers
The Zoning Board of Appeals is given discretion in two instances not otherwise provided for herein: unanticipated signs and internally illuminated signs
8.4.1 Unanticipated Signs
Any sign that is clearly not anticipated by this by-law may be proposed for review and approval, consistent with the intent of this by-law, by submitting an application and request for opinion to the Building Inspector. If the Building Inspector determines that the type of sign is not anticipated by this by-law, he or she shall, in accordance with the
provisions herein, seek review by the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall consider the sign in accordance with Section 8.3 and render its findings to the building prior to issuance of a
permit.
8.4.2 Internally illuminated signs
The Zoning Board of Appeals may consider approval of internally Illuminated signs in nonresidential districts, where the intent of this by-law is supported and after reviewing and comparing alternatives. The applicant shall demonstrate that the internally illuminated sign is more suitable for its use and location than a non- internally illuminated sign and is in keeping with the purpose of this by-law where the Zoning Board of Appeals is satisfied that the internally
illuminated is the best alternative, it shall make a finding for approval of such sign to the Building Inspector who may then grant a permit for the sign. For suggested guidelines for internally illuminated signs, see attached appendix B.
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