Businesses Allowed Sandwich Board Signs, Open Flags Temporarily

The Bedford Board of Selectmen is allowing businesses to allow sandwich board signs and open flags until Nov. 1. This is to help businesses that don't allow them to "easily and visibly display their business signs."

Here is the commercial moveable freestanding signs plan that's now in effect, according to the Board of Selectmen...

This temporary Selectmen’s exemption would permit Commercial Movable Freestanding Signs to be displayed by local businesses on the property at which they conduct business. The types of signs which could be displayed would include, but are not limited to: A-frame signs, sandwich board signs, wire stake and wire frame signs and bicycle-mounted signs.

Duration: July 2, 2013 – November 1, 2013

Residential Districts:

Commercial, movable freestanding signs are prohibited in Residential Districts.

Business, Commercial and Industrial Districts:

Commercial, movable freestanding signs are permitted in the Business, Commercial and Industrial Districts, subject to the following requirements:

• One sign is permitted per business;
• The sign may only be displayed at the property where the business is located when the business opens for the day and must be removed no later than 8:00 p.m. that same evening;
• The sign shall not be erected on public property (i.e., the sidewalk or the grass strip between the sidewalk and the street);
• The sign shall be designed and/or temporarily anchored to resist being overturned or blown away in high winds;
• The sign shall not obstruct or impede pedestrian, bicycle or vehicular traffic;
• The sign shall not visibly obstruct one’s view of oncoming traffic;
• Size: The sign shall be a maximum of nine (9) square feet in area. The sign’s dimensions shall measure a maximum of 40-inches high by a maximum of 30-inches wide. The top of the sign, when erected, shall not be more than 48-inches above finished grade;
• Illuminating movable freestanding signs are prohibited.

“Open” Flags Proposal

This temporary Selectmen’s exemption would permit “Open” flags to be displayed by local businesses on the property at which they conduct business. Such flags shall not overhang and/or be placed on or within the public way. The Sign Bylaw Review Committee seeks to codify this activity by amending the Sign Bylaw to permit these flags in the Business, Commercial and Industrial Districts.

“Open” Flags:

Flags indicating that the business is open may be displayed in the Business, Commercial and Industrial Districts, subject to the following requirements/limitations:

• The open for business flag may only be displayed when the business is open to the public and conducting business;
• One (1) open for business flag per business is permitted, to be located at or near the main entrance to said business;
• The open for business flag’s dimensions shall not exceed 5’-wide x 3’-high;
• The open for business flag’s colors shall adhere to the prohibitions noted under Section 40.4, Paragraph 1.B (4), which prohibits luminescent, phosphorescent “Day-Glo” or equivalent paints, dyes or other materials from use on signs;
• The open for business flag shall be removed promptly when the business is closed.
• Open for business flags are prohibited in Residential Districts.