The Proposed Occoquan Sign Ordinance Changes

The main points of the Architectural Review Board Task Force's recommendations for changes to the Occoquan Sign Ordinance, as presented in a handout at the Oct. 6 Occoquan Town Hall meeting.

They are grouped into seven headings.

Flags

Current: Flags briefly mentioned under definition of banner. Lack of clarity and specificity confusing. Recommended: Flags clearly defined separate from banners.

Current: Only flags for governmental, religious and charitable organizations allowed and exempt. Recommended: Types of flags clearly described: Commercial, Non-Commercial and Decorative.

Current: Commercial flags prohibited as type of sign. Recommended: Commercial flag added to list of accepted sign types. (Each business now allowed to use a flag as one of its signs.)

Current: Decorative flags prohibited in historic district. Recommended: Decorative flag option allowed.

Current: Because Commercial and Decorative flags currently prohibited, no further guidance exists. Recommended: Total number of flags allowed per business clearly indicated. (Each business allowed a total of two flags, from the three categories of flags--commercial, non-commercial, and decorative.)

Current: Regulation and responsibility for signs in state of disrepair and/or dilapidation non-specific and difficult to enforce. Recommended: Ordinance is clear and specific on sign maintenance, to include flags.

Banners

Current: Banner defined. Display time limited to 14 day display once a year. Recommended: Banner definition clarified. Display time extended to 10 days to display twice a year.

Current: Banner application process confusing and time consuming. Recommended: Banner application redesigned for efficiency of administration. More precise application form designed to expedite process and eliminate confusion.

Current: Town of Occoquan sponsored events follow current banner policy in current ordinance. Recommended: Added banner exemption for events sponsored by the Town of Occoquan.

Current: Five days to remove banner. No mounting instructions. Recommended: Two days to remove banner. Mounting instructions clarified, to include guidance indicating that banner must be secured on all four corners in a taut manner while displayed.

Neon and Electronic Signs

Current: Neon referenced in ordinance without being defined. LED and electronic signs broadly interpreted and prohibited under animated, flashing, blinking, glaring and/or illuminated signs. Recommended: Clarified definition of neon, electronic, illuminated, and digital signs and clarified restrictions of use. (Neon, LED or electronic message boards still prohibited in historic district.)

Current: Illuminated sign means a sign illuminated in any manner by an artificial light source, whether internally or externally lit. Recommended: Illuminated sign redefined as a sign with its own internal or external light source. Recommend allowing low light portrait lamp (such as on a dining menu board) or studio lamp.

Current: Broad and non-specific interpretation of digital displays under animated, flashing, blinking, glaring and illuminated signs. Recommended:  Prepared ARB for potential future requests for digital media as a form of signage. Prohibition of digital displays clarified to address illuminated signs and digital displays outside the building structure or within one foot of an exterior window.

Signs Exempt From Regulation - No Permit Required

Current: Exempt signs section of current ordinance lacks clarity in key areas and requires re-examination for currency. Recommended: More specific descriptions of certain exempt signs, including how many and how long they can be used. New options for merchants proposed.

Current: Defines specific and limited elements of identification signs. Recommended: Added option for merchants to include phone number, web address, and QR code to the elements of identification signs.

Current: Balloons not exempt. Recommended: Balloons now allowed within proposed standards.

Current: Seasonal signs cannot be displayed for longer than 30 days. Recommended: Extended period of time seasonal signs can be displayed.

Current: Web address strip in window not addressed. Recommended: Web address strip now allowed within proposed standards.

Current: Restaurant menu boxes not exmpt. Recommended: Restaurant menu boxes now allowed within specific standards (menu boxes are not the same as menu boards/A-frames/sandwich boards.)

Current: Three governmental, religious, etc. flags allowed and exempt per zoning lot. Recommended: Two flags of any designated type now allowed per business (rather than per zoning lot); but government institutions exempt from flag limitations.

Current: Allows directional signs to be illuminated. Recommended: Directional signs not illuminated.

Current: No mention of VDOT mounting regulations relative to security and warning signs. Recommended:  Added VDOT reference for clarity: No signs of any type shall be attached to VDOT right-of-way poles.

Current: No mention of number of temporary political signs allowed. Recommended: Number of signs limited to three per business or residential property in the historic district.

Current: No mention of VDOT mounting regulations relative to temporary yard sale signs. Recommended: Added VDOT reference for clarity: No signs of any type can be attached to VDOT right-of-way poles.

Current: No requirement that real estate signs indicate what is for sale or rent. Recommended: For Sale or Rent signs shall clearly state what is for sale or rent.

Current: Ambiguity in current sign ordinance on new development signage. Recommended: Clarified signs for new development fall under signs requiring temporary or interim sign permit.

Current: Chalkboard signs exempt in accordance with standards for size, placement, and "architectural compatibility." Recommended: Clarity provided on chalkboard number, size, placement and "architectural compatibility" (e.g., material, color).

Current: Digital signs not exempt. Recommended: Digital media devices for window displays allowed within specific standards.

Current: Vehicle signs not exempt. Recommended: Defines exempt and prohibited vehicle signs, including use, parking, and time limitations of vehicle with business signage.

Outdoor Merchandise

Current:  Current Sign Ordinance does not address outdoor merchandise displays. Recommended:  State in the Signs and Advertising Ordinance: "Merchandise shall not be placed in the public right-of-way. Merchandise shall not obscure the architectural features of a building."

Current: Current Streets, Sidewalks, and Other Public Places Ordinances (Chapter 50) addresses obstruction of streets, sidewalks, or other public places in terms of building materials (Sec 50-1), dirt/ashes/stone/wood/snow and other materials (Sec 50-3; Sec 50-5), trees/shrubs/vines/hedges (Sec 50-7), and horses/ponies on the sidewalks (Sec 50-4). Recommended: That merchandise shall not be placed in the public right-of-way reflects current VDOT regulations.

Noise and Architectural Features

Current: The current sign ordinance does not address signs that emit sound or noise. Chapter 18, Environment, (Sec 18-1) lists specific violations of the noise ordinance. It does not include signs that emit sound or noise. Recommended: Signs that emit sound, odor, and/or smoke are prohibited in the historic district.

Current:  Ordinance current states that no wall sign shall cover, cross, or otherwise hide columns, belt courses, or other decorative architectural features of the buildings, including balconies. Recommended: The guidance regarding the obstruction of architectural features by signs applies to all types of signs listed in section 42-41 of the current ordinance, (e.g. projecting, awning, etc.), not just wall signs.

Portable Signs

Current:  Portable signs prohibited except for chalkboard signs. No specifics on materials for chalkboard or number of boards allowed. Recommended:  Clarified types and number of chalkboards allowed. Increased number to maximum of two if business has more than one public entrance. Introduced A-frame chalkboards as a pilot project.

Current: Off premise signs prohibited. Recommended: Continue to prohibit off premise signs. Encourage town to invest in way-finding signs that will benefit entire business district.

Current: Vehicle signs prohibited. Recommended: Define vehicle signs to allow for their use and clarified when the use was not allowed (e.g.: when used primarily as a sign.)