Lynn's Building Dept. requires that a license application be submited along with the permit application to begin the process for a sign installation. A finished,colored drawing scaled at 1/8" = 12" with the sign's message was drawn for the customer's OK.
SIGN DIMENSIONS WERE 36"X144" SQ. FOOTAGE 36
At the time the applications were submited I gave them a sketch (free-hand) of the tri- angular frame supports for the sign, the facade or false mansard roof it was being attached to as well as a very small thumb nail of the sign area (design excluded) etc.
The lady at the office determined it was a wall sign and told me only 32 sq.ft. was allowed... fine with me although I'm not 100% sure that its a wall sign..(SQ.FT.?) Now she explains it has to be reviewed by the City Council when they meet again in a few weeks,the license in a month...sigh!
Are the council members that bored? The staff in the Building Dept.is'nt that why their there?
This was back in March. Time is what I have...How easily it wasted and now this procedure syndrome .
Toward the end of April the permit has been REJECTED! In order to have the permit approved they now require that I have an engineer's stamp of approval and that requires...
Weight, Square Footage, Fasteners Blah Blah Blah, etc.
The sign weighs 36lbs. The sq.ft.is 31.8641 Support Frame weighs 42lbs.
Some nice Finished Drawings are in order and copies are now with a civil engineer for re- view. It will be another month for approval.
What kind of license do I need? Will a Mass. License work through out the State?
I have some experience in other Building trades.
Boston's has a test for installations of signs based on the same Bible as the Mass test but Boston's Inspectional Services tells me the Mass. License will not work in Boston.
Lynn's Building Dept. did say they'd give some kind of license that is temporary.
Is there anybody who can differentiate a $1300 Sign and a $500,000 Home?
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
My sister lives in Mass. From what she tells me, it's a bureaucrat's heaven there. You guys have a fee for everything but breathing up there, and the government is about to rectify that soon.
While living in Plymouth, she said that they spent nearly $8000 in permits, inspections and reviews to build a small home. When my wife and I built our previous home, I think we spent about $500 for the same. We also got a house that was twice as large as my sister's and it still cost us less.
I'm told you aren't allowed to die there until you've received approval from the government and "your fair share" of taxes have been paid.
Posted by Mike Kelly (Member # 2037) on :
James.......hopefully Capt.Ken McTague will post here as his shop is in Salem and I'm sure he's done plenty of work in Lynn. Or you can email him at conceptsign@yahoo.com I'm out here in central MA and haven't run into that kind of problem...........yet! Good luck.
Posted by Jeffrey Vrstal (Member # 2271) on :
Perhaps you already did this but you can get a copy of the code along with definitions (or should be able to) from City Hall. This does not mean that the bureaucratic crap will change but it might give you a better understanding of what the code says and whether or not this person that you talked to is giving you the correct interpretation of the code. Perhaps you also have a lawyer buddy that can take a quick look at it.
Reading many of the codes from around the country I have discovered that many installers ARE required to pass individual city examinations of some sort along with the usual proof of insurance in order to erect signs in a particular city.
[ May 14, 2002, 09:00 AM: Message edited by: Jeffrey Vrstal ]
Posted by Bill Preston (Member # 1314) on :
Seems to the kid and me, that we heard once upon a once that the Commonwealth Of Mass. was where "whiplash" injuries in car accidents originated. Does this say something about the legal/bureaucratic system there? Just wondering. Posted by james perkins (Member # 2628) on :
Just trying to make a living...the bureacratic **** around here reminds me of the old obsolete saying " Its not what you...... The new one is: "Its not who you know but whores you know"
Is'nt choosing a sign-painter, contractor or whatever you want to call yourself the "CUSTOMERS CHOICE"? and is'nt my choice whether to be bonded & insured in order to attract more customers? I like playing the game as long as I know the rules! The lady at the Building Dept....thats probably her life
P.S. Hey Preston thanks again for the book " How to Paint Victorian Signs & Posters" Syracuse, N.Y. Letterheads Meet at the Mall 199?
Thanks to All for the Replys Posted by Robert Thomas (Member # 1356) on :
James, This may sound obvious, but sometimes it is easier to have another shop install, pull permits, etc., if it's in another town than the one you are used to doing buisness with, and are licenced, insured to do buisness in. Cheers, and good luck.
Posted by james perkins (Member # 2628) on :
YEAH THATS A GREAT IDEA...I WISH THAT WAS THE PLAN FROM THE BEGINNING ... I DID INTRODUCE MYSELF TO A LOCAL SHOP NEARBY JUST IN CASE. SEE ITS WORK I CAN HANDLE...YOU HAVE TO BE EXACTING & BESIDES THAT, I COULD USE THE BREAD FOR A LITTLE CUSHION.
SIX OF ONE, HALF A DOZEN OF ANOTHER, AFTER SIX WHO'S GONNA BEAT THE CURSE ?
GONNA MAKE PIE
THANKS Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
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