§ 270-3. Exemptions.

The following signs are exempt from any permit requirements under this chapter.

A. 

Directional or informational signs not more than three square feet in area, bearing no advertising message and located wholly within the site to which the sign is appurtenant; signs not exceeding one square foot in areas erected for the convenience of the public, such as signs identifying rest rooms, public telephones, walkways and similar features or facilities. Accessory directional and informational signs as required by the New Rochelle Zoning Ordinance and the Code of the City of New Rochelle.

B. 

Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and the date of erection when cut into masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials, provided that said signs, tablets or letters do not project more than two inches.

C. 

Legal notices, signs required by law, railroad crossing signs and such temporary, danger, emergency or nonadvertising signs and temporary signs and banners for civic purposes, as may be authorized by the City Council or the City Manager.

D. 

Signs of public utility companies indicating danger or which serve as an aid to public safety or which show the location of underground facilities or of public telephones.

E. 

Time and temperature devices, not higher than permitted detached signs, located on private property and bearing no advertising message. Any advertising message would require that the time or temperature device be included in the number and area of permitted signs.

F. 

One real estate sign on any site. In a residential zone such sign shall be located entirely within the property, no more than four feet above grade, and not less than five feet from any street property line. All real estate signs under this section shall be unlighted, and shall not exceed four square feet in residential areas and 25 square feet in commercial areas. All real estate signs under this section shall be removed within 15 days after the sale or rental or lease has been accomplished.

G. 

Barber poles not more than nine feet in height, located on private property in conjunction with a barber shop and bearing no advertising message. Any barber pole on City property will require the approval of City Council.

H. 

House numbers and nameplates, nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated "no trespassing," "no parking" and other warning signs located on the site to which the sign is appurtenant and not exceeding three square feet each in area.

I. 

Signs located in the interior of any building or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building or group of buildings, which signs are designed and located to be viewed exclusively by patrons of such use or uses, and shall not be visible from the street.

J. 

Professional nameplates not exceeding three square feet in area.

[Amended 9-16-1997 by Ord. No. 191-97]

K. 

Existing signs for public, religious, charitable or fraternal organizations when the same are located on the premises of said institutions; and new signs for public, religious, charitable or fraternal organizations, not over 12 square feet in area, when the same are located on the premises of said institutions. Such institutions may also erect a sign not over eight square feet in area on a street or streets with the permission of the City Council upon the recommendation of the Municipal Art Commission and the Building Official, except that any such signs erected at or near an entrance to the City shall not exceed two square feet in area. For the purposes of this subsection, a sign shall be considered existing if it was erected on or before July 31, 1997, and shall be considered new if it was erected or replaced on or after August 1, 1997.

[Amended 9-16-1997 by Ord. No. 191-97]

L. 

(Reserved)

Editor’s Note: Former Subsection L, regarding development signs placed upon work under construction, was repealed 7-18-2017 by Ord. No. 136-2017.

M. 

Bus shelter signs erected pursuant to authorization from the City Council of New Rochelle.

N. 

Movable awnings without signage, with the lowest portion at least seven feet six inches above the curb level or adjacent grade and projecting no closer than two feet to the curbline and projecting no further than four feet from the surface of the wall to which such awning is attached. Movable awnings shall be no greater than four feet in height measured from the lowest point when fully extended. Awnings without signage for residential purposes shall be exempt from all provisions of Chapter 270.

O. 

Signs placed on the inside of fences at City athletic facilities during sport seasons, which signs recognize contributions from sponsors of such athletic activities and which have been approved by the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation. Such signs shall not be affixed to such fences more than 10 days prior to the start of the sports season to which they pertain and shall be removed not more than 10 days following the end of such season.

[Added 9-21-1999 by Ord. No. 229-1999; amended 11-20-2007 by Ord. No. 259-2007]

P. 

Billboards located at any City-owned, City-leased, or City-approved locations, pursuant to City-granted license, including, without limitation, the following locations:

[Added 3-21-2006 by Ord. No. 59-2006; amended 6-19-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-119]

(1) 

Municipal Garage;

(2) 

New Rochelle Transit Center.