SIGNS
Signs throughout Newport are regulated through the existing zoning Ordinance for the city. These regulations detail the appropriate types, sizes, and locations for signs and must be followed in order to receive a sign permit. The following guidelines are designed specifically to promote appropriate signs for corner commercial buildings in the East Row Historic District.
SIGN GUIDELINES
- Styles of signs will not be restricted.
- Signs which are designed to be historically appropriate shall not predate the facade to which they are applied. (For example, an early 1900s building shall not have a reproduction of a Colonial or 1700s sign.)
- Numbers or colors shall not be restricted, however, color selection should complement but not necessarily match the building in question as well as other buildings within the block.
- Lettering styles and combinations shall not be restricted.
- Only shielded, incandescent external lights, or concealed incandescent lighting will be allowed.
TYPES OF ALLOWABLE SIGNS
- Wall signs: any sign affixed in such a way that its exposed face and sign area is parallel to the plane of the building to which it is attached.
- Window Signs: signs painted on or attached to, or suspended behind any window or door that serves as an identification of a business.
- Neon Signs: neon will be allowed as interior signage only.
PLACEMENT OF SIGNS
- Signs shall not obscure architectural details.
- Space on the building facade specifically designed to contain signage shall be the most appropriate location for signs.
WALL SIGNS
- A wall sign shall be confined to the flat, unadorned surfaces of the facade.
- Wall signs should be placed where they best complement the building, for example, on blank expanses of wall or building areas clearly designed as potential sign locations, covered transoms, or broad plain fascias in the cornices. Such areas vary depending on the building's architectural style and/or date of construction.
- Wall signs mounted above or incorporated into the storefront cornice shall be acceptable.
- Wall signs mounted on building piers shall be acceptable.
- Wall signs may extend not more than six inches from the building surface.
- Wall signs in the East Row area which measure one square foot or less shall require no review by the Historic Preservation Commission.
Wall signs appropriate for the historic district.
WINDOW SIGNS
- Window signs shall be located within eighteen inches from the top or bottom frame of the display window.
- Another acceptable location shall be where the center-line of the sign is five feet, six inches above the sidewalk.
Window signs appropriate in the district.
NEON SIGNS
Neon signs shall be allowed only within the interior of the building. Mounting behind the window glass is appropriate.
SIGN MATERIALS
- Inappropriate materials and finishes generally include interior grade wood, unfaced plywood, plastic substrates, and unfinished wood.
- Sign brackets shall be constructed of painted wood or pre-finished, pre-painted metal. Guy wires, if needed, shall be as inconspicuous as possible.
- Signs shall be mounted in such a way so as to be reversible and to minimize damage to historic materials. (For example, bolts should extend through mortar joints and not through masonry units.
YARD SIGNS FOR BUSINESSES, CHURCHES, FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS, ETC.
This Guideline pertains to businesses, churches, fraternal organizations, etc., which are located in the East Row Historic District, are not located in corner commercial buildings, and which require signs to be placed in yards. City zoning setback requirements will apply. In an effort to maintain the residential environment, yard signs shall be set in wrought iron frames (or material designed to resemble wrought iron) and frames shall be of a dark color (black or dark green). Sign frames shall not exceed five feet in length and four feet in height above ground level, but permitted size will vary and be in proportion and scale to the building and site as determined by the NHPC. Sign panels shall be of a subdued color such as cream, dark green, or black, with compatible lettering in white, cream, gold, brown, dark green or black. Lighting shall be by external ground lights. All such sign permits must be approved by the Newport Historic Preservation Commission at a regularly scheduled commission meeting.
Yard signs appropriate in the district.
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