Sign Standards and ​Guidelines

If you are planning to erect, repair, replace, alter, or relocate a sign or other advertising structure within the Design Review District (see map right), you must apply through WRAP for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) and – if approved – receive a permit from the City of Warren prior to commencing with the work. ​See below for general sign information and a link to an application for a COA. You can contact WRAP to discuss the Design Review Guidelines, which provide specific protocols for each Zone in the Design Review District. ​

If you would like to speak with a WRAP representative, please call our office at (330) 841-2566.

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Not Sure if Your Property is In the Design Review District? Ask Us. ​

General Sign Information

The purpose of the Signage Standards and Guidelines is to create a legal framework for a comprehensive system of sign graphics and advertising structures throughout the Design Review District.  ​The Design Review Board has the to authority to approve sign construction and graphics. To that end, the Design Review Board will ensure that all signs are are compatible with their surroundings; appropriate to the type of activity to which they pertain; and expressive of both the identity of the individual proprietor(s) and of the District/Zone as a whole. 

Existing Signs

​Existing signs that received an installation permit from the City of Warren will be allowed to remain in the financial interests of the property owner but will be prohibited from being repaired or replaced in any fashion that disagrees with the stated purpose and parameters of these regulations. However, existing signs that were installed or erected without receiving a permit from the City of Warren and do not adhere to these Design Review Guidelines will be subject to review and penalties.

Design Review Approved Sign

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Penalties and Assessments

For sign projects in the Design Review District, you will not be issued a permit from the City's Building Department until you apply for and receive a COA from WRAP’s Design Review Board. Accordingly, the City may impose penalties and/or assessments related to the following: 

1. Applying for a COA and permit after initiating a sign installation
2.  Completing a sign installation without securing a COA and a permit
3.  Failing to make changes or alterations to a project mandated by the Design Review Board as a condition of an approved COA.

Penalties and assessments are civil in nature and are imposed and enforced by the City of Warren – with input from the Design Review Board – and apply to property owners, contractors, sign companies, and other responsible parties who do not follow the procedures necessary to obtain a COA. Please contact WRAP for more information - (330) 841-2566.

COA APPLICATION (SIGN)

Note: Please fill out this application, save it to your computer, and email it to dd@wrapcorp.org.

Design Review Approved Sign

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Repairs to Existing Signs

​Repairs or maintenance to existing signs not involving structural changes or changes of color, lighting, size do not require a COA. The scope of the project, though, still may require a permit and fees, so please contact the Warren Engineering, Planning, and Building Department to determine if this is the case. 

Design Review Approved Sign