Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs

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A Newsletter by the City of Saco, Maine	April, 2005	Return to newsletter index

The City of Saco, through its Zoning Ordinance, regulates the size, number, type and locations of signs that can be erected in various parts of the City. Generally signs in business and industrial zones are permitted to be substantially larger than those in the residential and rural areas of the City.

Sign sizes in the business and industrial districts are based on the size of the principal building on the lot. These signs are allowed to be 2 square feet in size per linear foot of width of the structure, up to a maximum size depending on the district the building is in. For example, if a business occupies a building that is 24 feet in width, the amount of signage permitted for that business would be 48 square feet. Owners of that business can decide how they would like to use the 48 square foot allowance by either placing a single sign with 48 square feet on it or splitting it up between a maximum of 2 signs, one free standing and one building mounted, that would total 48 square feet. There are different maximums allowed depending on what district you are located in, so check with us before you order your sign. A sign permit and, if the sign is lighted, an electrical permit are required before any sign is installed or replaced.

Here are a few other tips you need to know about signs:

Freestanding signs cannot be taller than 25 feet measured from the ground to the topmost section of the sign.
Any sign must be set back a minimum of 5 feet from any property line, including the front property line. This is measured from the leading edge of the sign to the property line.
All signs that are electrified must bear an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.
Prohibited signs in Saco include any chassis-mounted (portable) sign, billboard, banners, streamers, pennants, ribbons, spinners, flashing, moving or animated signs, roof signs, strings of lights (not including Christmas lights), any off-premise signs except State of Maine Official Business Directional Signs (those blue signs you generally see at intersections), and certain signs on motor vehicles or trailers.
Signs are strictly regulated (as to size, scale, and visual compatibility) in the Historic zone.
Projecting signs must be at least 10 feet above the sidewalk, measured to the bottom edge of the sign.
Existing signs are "grand fathered" and do not have to be removed unless they are being altered.
Generally, signs in a residential district can be no larger than 4 square feet, not including the supports.
Real estate for sale signs can be no larger than 32 square feet. Directional real estate signs are not permitted and will be removed by the City.
Once a business moves out and the product or service advertised on the sign is no longer available there, the sign must be removed from the premises.