[Amended 4-5-2004 by Ord.
No. 1330; 7-5-2005 by Ord. No. 1380; 3-6-2006 by Ord. No. 1387; 11-3-2014 by Ord. No. 1557; 12-27-2018 by Ord. No. 1653; 10-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1717; 5-2-2022 by Ord. No. 1737]
The provisions of this article shall apply to the construction,
erection, alteration, use, type, number, location, size, design, and
maintenance of all signs. This article is intended to regulate and
control signs and their placement and construction throughout the
Borough of Collingswood for the following purposes:
A.Â
To provide a pleasing overall environmental setting and good community
appearance, deemed vital to the continued economic attractiveness
of Collingswood by:
(1)Â
Encouraging signs in areas of high sign concentration, such as downtown,
neighborhood retail areas, and highway corridors, so that the placement,
color, shape, brackets, support structures, mountings, design and
lighting promote good civic design that supports the visual quality
and positive collective impact and image of such areas.
(2)Â
Promoting signs that, in addition to the standards herein, are also
integrated with the overall design of their host building in a way
respectful of and complimentary to the historic and architectural
character of the building.
(3)Â
Permitting signs that not only identify the "presence" of the business
or use on a thoroughfare, but also generate a positive collective
impact upon the streetscape of an area.
B.Â
To create a more productive, enterprising, professional business
atmosphere.
C.Â
To allow signs appropriate to the architectural and planned character
and development of each zoning district.
D.Â
To ensure that permitted signs do not become a safety hazard or nuisance.
E.Â
To promote traffic safety.
F.Â
To promote the design of signs in pedestrian corridors that focus
upon pedestrian viewers and not automobile operators.
G.Â
To prevent business and advertising signs from conflicting with public
safety signs.
H.Â
To prevent the overcrowding of land through multiple proliferation
of signs on a single parcel of land.
I.Â
To facilitate fire and police protection by proper sign identification.
J.Â
To protect and enhance the value of properties by eliminating visual
chaos and pollution.
K.Â
To promote the public safety and welfare of Collingswood.
A.Â
Sign permits required. It shall be unlawful to erect, alter, maintain,
use, reletter, move or otherwise have a sign in the Borough of Collingswood
without first obtaining a sign permit. It shall be also unlawful to
mount, hang, attach, erect, alter, maintain, use, reletter, move or
otherwise have a sign in the Borough of Collingswood which protrudes
from, is perpendicular to or is otherwise mounted to the outside wall
or doorway of any structure without prior approval from the appropriate
Borough official on the method of installation. Further, any sign
described in the immediately preceding sentence shall be subject to
regular inspection by the appropriate Borough officials. However,
a permit shall not be required of any sign expressly exempted from
that requirement by this article. A sign must also meet all requirements
imposed by the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code and other applicable
statutes, regulations and ordinances.
B.Â
Exempted signs.
(1)Â
The following signs shall be permitted in all districts and exempted
from a required sign permit:
(a)Â
Official flags and signs;
(b)Â
Holiday and seasonal decorations, displays, and lights containing
no advertising matter for a period not to exceed 45 days;
(c)Â
Residential occupant name and address signs identifying a house,
apartment, or mailbox not exceeding one square foot;
(d)Â
Warning, no trespassing signs, private parking, and traffic
directional signs on private property not exceeding two square feet;
(e)Â
Traffic circulation and directional signs on private property
not exceeding two square feet;
(f)Â
Temporary business identification signs which meet the conditions of § 141-101D(1);
(g)Â
Door signs which meet the conditions of § 141-101D(2);
(h)Â
Temporary advertising signs and permanent interior advertising
signs which meet the conditions of § 41-101D(3);
(i)Â
Community event announcements, which meet the conditions of § 141-101D(5);
(j)Â
Real estate signs which meet the conditions of § 141-101D(6);
(k)Â
Construction signs, which meet the conditions of § 141-101D(7);
(l)Â
Political signs which meet the conditions of § 141-101D(8); and
(2)Â
Notwithstanding the above, historical identification signs must receive a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission as provided in § 141-104B(4).
C.Â
Prohibited signs. The following types of signs shall be prohibited:
(1)Â
Signs, lights and similar devices which imitate official traffic,
warning or governmental signs or may be generally confused or construed
as such.
(2)Â
Signs located in any manner or place which constitute a hazard to
pedestrian and vehicular traffic, block visibility, or obscure any
traffic sign, signal, or device.
(3)Â
Signs or lights reflecting or emitting a glaring light which could
impair driver vision, reflected signs, and light-projected signs.
(4)Â
Signs placed, reflected, or cast on any curb, sidewalk, utility pole
or structure, chimney, post, tree, rock, natural feature, fence, gate,
abutment, retaining wall, embankment, hydrant, bridge, another sign,
or other surface located on, over, or across any public right-of-way
or property.
(5)Â
Signs that obstruct openings intended as a means of entrance or exit;
signs that obstruct light or air from any room or building; or signs
located so as to provide less than seven feet clearance over a pedestrian
walkway or head of an entry door, whichever is greater;
(6)Â
Signs placed above a structure's roofline or on an angled section
of a roof, except projecting and icon signs.
(7)Â
Changeable copy signs, except as otherwise permitted in § 141-101C(4) through (6).
(9)Â
Moving signs, sequentially placed signs, or devices designed to attract
attention, all or any part of which move by flickering, rotating,
spinning, or moving in some other manner, and are set in motion by
movement of the atmosphere or by mechanical, electrical, or any other
means.
(10)Â
Floodlights, spotlights, and directed lights as part of a business
ornamentation or sign illumination system that are not hooded or shielded
so that the light source is not visible from any public right-of-way
or adjacent property.
(11)Â
Signs which contain or utilize a beacon, spot, search, or stroboscopic
light or reflector which is visible from any public right-of-way or
adjacent property, except as may be authorized by public agents.
(12)Â
Consecutively strung lights on nonresidential properties that
form any individual letters or numbers or blink, flash, or track,
except existing time and/or temperature signs.
(13)Â
Except as permitted in the Highway Business District and Highway
Industrial District, internally illuminated signs, i.e., light box
or backlit signs, or illuminated signs which contain or utilize nonopaque
material in any zoning district. Opaque channel-lettered signs with
interior lights that shine back onto a wall or signboard are, however,
permitted.
(14)Â
Billboards and other off-premises signs, regardless of whether they are a principal or accessory use for a tax lot, except for community bulletin boards on public property and unless otherwise permitted under § 141-93F.
(15)Â
An automobile, trailer (attached or unattached), or any vehicle
of any nature bearing signs or advertisements, parked or left stationary
for more than 24 hours at any location, or any such automobile, trailer,
or vehicle stored on an occupied lot that is not ordinarily and customarily
used to transport persons or property of the advertised business on
said lot or its employees.
(16)Â
Signs which advertise or promote a specific individual, product
or brand name or off-premises business, service, or corporation, except
for temporary advertising signs and permanent interior advertising
signs.
(17)Â
Signs, located in the CBD, POD, HBD, HID district or a home
professional office, which incorporate LED light strips or a continuous
series of lights in order to outline windows, signs, or other building
feature of an associated business.
(18)Â
Any sign displaying flashing or intermittent lights, rotating
beams or lights of changing degrees of intensity of color, except
signs indicating time, temperature.
D.Â
Sign permit application process.
(1)Â
The application for a sign permit shall be on such forms as may be required by the Borough, include a site plan indicating the location of the proposed signage, and shall be fully completed. One sign permit application shall include all existing and proposed nonexempted signs on a tax lot for which the application has been made. Permits for banners and temporary freestanding signs shall be administered under § 141-93F. If the sign permit application is part of a site plan, subdivision, or variance application, the following procedures shall be incorporated into the standard review procedures in this article for those other types of development review applications.
(2)Â
A completed sign permit application shall include a scale drawing of the proposed sign, logo and lettering, with specifications for lettering typeface and colors, position on the building or structure and methods of attachment, calculations of sign sizes, sign construction materials, lighting and coloring. A complete application for an illuminated sign must include information required in § 141-101A(4). A complete application shall include one full-colored copy of the application form, drawings or plans, and any attachments thereto, as well as the signature of the applicant and the owner of the tax lot for which the application is made. The Zoning Officer shall determine whether an application is complete within 30 days of its submission. An applicant may install temporary business identification signs in accordance with § 141-101D(1) and other exempted signs in accordance with § 141-93B without a sign permit.
(3)Â
After the application is deemed to be complete, and no waivers or
variances are necessary, the Zoning Officer shall administratively
grant a permit. In the event that a sign requires design waivers or
a variance to standards from this or any other article, the Zoning
Officer shall refer the application to the Planning Board for approval.
(4)Â
In approving a sign design waiver or variance, the Planning Board
shall consider the zone in which the sign is to be located, the surrounding
streetscape, the architectural and historic characteristics of the
host building and adjacent buildings, visibility, other existing or
proposed signs, the proposed sign's size, appearance, materials, placement,
color, lettering, and lighting and the purposes of this article in
makings its decision.
E.Â
Sign permit application fee: $35.
[Amended 8-1-2022 by Ord.
No. 1741]
F.Â
Banner permits.
(1)Â
Banner permits shall be required for the erection of any banner within
Collingswood. The application for a banner permit shall be on such
forms as may be required by the Borough and shall be fully completed.
(2)Â
The application shall be signed by the applicant and by the owner
of the tax lot for which the application is made.
(3)Â
The application shall include a scale drawing of the proposed banner,
logo and lettering, with specifications for lettering typeface and
colors, position on the building or structure and methods of attachment,
calculations of banner size, banner construction materials, and coloring.
(4)Â
The application shall include 10 full-colored copies of the application
form, drawing or plan, and any attachments thereto. The wording on
the banner shall exactly match the wording shown on the banner application
and permit. Applications must be received at least 21 days' prior
to the proposed erection of the banner.
(5)Â
A banner must meet all requirements imposed by the New Jersey Uniform
Construction Code and other applicable statutes, regulations and ordinances.
Banners' installations shall be reviewed and approved by the Construction
Code Officer prior to their erection.
(6)Â
After the application is deemed to be complete by the Zoning Officer
and approved by the Construction Code Officer, the Zoning Officer
the applicant shall then contact the Department of Public Works to
arrange erecting the banner across the street.
A.Â
It is the intent and purpose of this chapter that, as soon as legally
possible, all existing signs not conforming to the provisions of this
chapter be eliminated or brought into conformity with the provisions
of this chapter.
B.Â
Legal nonconforming signs. Any sign located within the Borough which
does not conform to the provisions of this chapter but which did conform
to the applicable ordinance on signs at the time that it was erected
shall be a legally nonconforming sign. It may continue in use until
it has lost its legal nonconforming status under this chapter.
C.Â
Status of legal nonconforming signs.
A.Â
No lawfully existing permanent sign shall be enlarged, redesigned,
or altered in any way, except to conform to this chapter and to provide
ordinary sign maintenance. Alteration of the lettering or message
on an approved changeable copy sign is exempted from this requirement.
Any sign replacing an existing sign shall conform to the provisions
of this chapter.
B.Â
No nonconforming sign shall be replaced in the event of its removal
or destruction. If a nonconforming sign is deemed damaged badly enough
to reduce its insurable value by 50%, it must not be reconstructed
or repaired except in conformance with this chapter.
C.Â
All nonconforming signs shall be removed in the event of a change
in use, new certificate of occupancy, change of business license,
or change of tenancy on the premises. All nonconforming signs shall
be removed if a building permit is issued for any construction on
said property, sign-related or not.
D.Â
No new signs may be approved for any property while a nonconforming
sign remains in use on that property. Approval and erection of any
new signs for a property shall be contingent upon simultaneous removal
of all nonconforming signs for said property.
A.Â
The property owner shall be responsible for maintaining all signs
erected on a tax lot. This maintenance shall include repainting, repairing
and cleaning, as necessary. No sign shall be permitted to exhibit:
B.Â
If the Zoning Officer determines that any sign is in a state of disrepair
so as to no longer be reasonably capable of presenting its message,
or abandoned or a danger to the public health or public safety, he
shall give written notice of the condition of the sign to the owner
of the sign and to the owner of record of the tax lot.
C.Â
The property owner shall thereafter have 10 days to repair or remove
said sign.
D.Â
If said sign is not satisfactorily repaired or removed within the
ten-day period, the Zoning Officer may thereafter take such actions
as are permitted pursuant to § 141-94E.
Abandoned signs and their supporting structures shall be removed within 30 days. The Borough may thereafter take such actions as are permitted pursuant to § 141-94C and E.
A.Â
The Borough shall enforce this chapter.
B.Â
Upon the discovery of a violation of this chapter, the Zoning Officer
shall give written notice to the owner of the sign and to the owner
of record of the tax lot that the sign is in violation of this chapter
and to bring the sign into conformity with this chapter or to remove
it or to apply for a sign permit to allow the sign as existing within
10 days of the notice.
C.Â
In the event that any sign continues to be in existence after notice,
the Borough may file a Municipal Court complaint against the owner
of the sign and the owner of record of the tax lot and take such other
action as may be permitted by law.
Failure to satisfactorily repair or remove a sign cited by the Zoning Officer shall constitute a violation of this chapter as per § 141-11.
The following definitions shall apply to the regulation and
control of signs within Collingswood:
A sign no longer used for its original intent or a sign on
a vacant, unoccupied, or abandoned property.
A sign stretching across a public right-of-way which temporarily
promotes an activity, special event, or otherwise promotes a special
event or the public good.
A flag displayed for decorative, and not official or patriotic,
purposes.
The portion of a sign message made up of internally illuminated
components capable of changing the message periodically. Digital displays
may include but are not limited to LCD, LED, or plasma displays.
A sign containing directional information that does not contain
advertising and is not used as such. Signs may include business name
and arrows.
A permitted sign that does not require a sign permit.
A display of cloth or fabric with symbols, icons, and/or
designs attached to a pole.
A sign supported permanently upon the ground by poles, pylons,
braces, or a solid base and not attached to any building.
The vertical distance measured from the surrounding grade
to the highest point of the sign.
A sign or marker identifying a historic site or structure
listed on Collingswood, New Jersey, or National Historic Registers,
or otherwise approved by the Historic Preservation Commission for
public educational purposes.
A sculptural or three-dimensional image or symbol that is
representative of the business being advertised, e.g., eyeglasses
for an optometrist; scissors, needle and thread for a tailor; mortar
and pestle for a pharmacy; barber pole for a barbershop.
A sign illuminated by a separate light fixture that casts
light directly on the face of the sign.
A sign illuminated directly or indirectly by a light fixture
located within the sign structure. Internal illumination includes
illumination designed to project light against the surface behind
the sign lettering or graphic, commonly referred to as backlit channel
lettering or halo lighting.
A formally organized, nonprofit, philanthropic, charitable,
civic, or religions organization.
The area within the smallest quadrilateral that be drawn
to contain the letters, numbers, and characters of the sign message,
exclusive of decorative borders and other design elements.
A sign listing the names and/or uses or locations of more
than one business, activity, or professional office conducted within
a building, group of buildings, or shopping center.
A uniquely designed sign, such as a double-sided sign or
icon sign, which hangs and/or protrudes perpendicular to the face
of the building via architecturally designed ornamental mountings,
such as but not limited to scrolled ornamental iron, steel brass braces,
etc. Also known as a "hanging sign."
A sign fabricated using a letter or graphic which is cut
out, then pushed through a corresponding space that has been removed
from a sign substrate. The push-through is typically different color
and/or material than the rest of the sign. Typically used with an
opaque sign cabinet and internal lighting. "Push-through letters"
are most often translucent acrylic letters that are pushed through
a sign face panel to be flush or over-flush with the front surface
of the sign face.
A moveable sign not secured or attached to the ground or
surface upon which it is located, but supported by its own frame and
most often forming the cross-sectional shape of an A.
Any identification, description, illustration or device,
illuminated or nonilluminated, which is visible from any public place
and which directs attention to a product, service, place, activity,
person, institution, business or solicitation. This definition does
not include nonlighted displays in the windows of commercial establishments.
The total dimensions of a sign surface used to display information,
messages, advertising, logos, or symbols, exclusive of any sign supporting
structure.
A horizontal area above a multitenant building entrance,
architecturally designed to accommodate signage.
Height shall be the distance from the top of the sign structure
to the lowest grade level of the base of the sign. The height of any
monument base or other structure erected to support or ornament the
sign shall be measured as a part of the sign height.
A professionally drawn scale plan showing the full facade
of the building, its architectural features, if any, and the location
of the sign on the face of the building, color, texture, lettering
style, mounting techniques, etc.
Poles, posts, walls, frames, brackets, or other supports
holding a sign in place.
An advertising sign or commercial special event banner temporarily
erected for a limited time for promotional purposes for an on-premises
business establishment.
A temporary sign provided for new businesses pending approval
of a formal sign application.
A sign which is either attached to, displayed on, or painted
on an exterior wall in a manner parallel with the wall surface. A
sign installed on a false or mansard roof is also considered a wall
sign.
A.Â
General sign design standards.
(1)Â
Sign content. Unless otherwise indicated in this chapter, a
sign may include only the following information:
(a)Â
The principal name of the business, proprietor, owner, or resident;
(b)Â
A brief description of the principal goods, services, products,
or uses offered in trade;
(c)Â
A logo or trademark by which the on-premises business, proprietor,
or owner is identified;
(d)Â
The premises' street number;
(e)Â
The premises' street name; and
(f)Â
Any other notice or information required to be provided by law
or regulation.
(2)Â
Location of signs.
(a)Â
A sign must be on the tax lot, building, or storefront with
which it is identified. No signs shall be allowed for or on accessory
buildings or structures.
(b)Â
No sign shall be erected in a public right-of-way or between
the street curb and a sidewalk, other than an easel sign, projecting
sign, or awning sign, as permitted in this chapter.
(c)Â
Freestanding signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from the
public right-of-way or the front curb line, whichever is greater,
except in the Professional Office District and all residential districts,
where they shall be set back at least five feet from the public right-of-way
or the front curb line, whichever is greater. All freestanding signs
shall be set back at least 10 feet from the property's side yard line.
(d)Â
No freestanding sign taller than three feet shall be erected
in any sight triangle at a street intersection or ingress or egress
points to a lot.
(e)Â
No wall sign shall extend over any window or door, nor shall any wall sign be suspended or project over any part of a building or structure unless it meets the conditions of § 141-101D(11).
(f)Â
A sign must be positioned on a building facade's architectural
sign band, if provided.
(3)Â
Computation of sign area. The sign area of any sign shall be
computed by determining the area of the smallest quadrilateral into
which the sign can be fit, inclusive of decorative borders and other
design elements, as permitted by this chapter. In the case of double-sided
signs, the sign area shall be measured by using the area of only one
side of the sign. The sign structure shall not be included as a portion
of the sign area, provided that no identifying or advertising message
is displayed on the sign structure.
(4)Â
Lighting.
(a)Â
Illumination of a sign shall be arranged so that no substantial
light or glare is directed or reflected onto adjacent streets or properties.
The installation and assembly shall meet all applicable building and
electrical codes.
(b)Â
An application for an illuminated sign must include a lighting
fixture catalogue cut or manufacturer's product description sheet
with isolux or lumens specifications and mounting information. It
shall indicate the lighting intensity (lumens) that would be generated
by any lighting devices shining onto the sign and the rest of the
property and neighboring properties and the lumens that would be projecting
from any illuminated signs as part of the sign plan. (This information
is part of the manufacturer's data sheet.) Externally illuminated
signs consisting of three or fewer one-hundred-watt incandescent light
bulbs, or compact fluorescent lights of comparable wattage, shall
be exempt from submitting a lumens plan. In no instance shall the
lighting intensity of any sign, whether resulting from internal illumination
or external illumination, exceed 20 footcandles when measured with
a standard light meter perpendicular to the face of the sign from
a distance measured one foot from the face of the sign.
(5)Â
Design guidelines. Each sign shall be reviewed under the general sign design guidelines in § 141-101B in terms of type, size, appearance, materials, placement, color, lettering, and lighting. Specific sign design guidelines shall be reviewed under the zoning district design standards in § 141-101C and specific design standards in § 141-101D. Every sign shall be constructed of durable and weather-resistant materials with noncorrosive fastenings; and shall be maintained in safe condition and good repair at all times to maintain legibility. No sign shall be permitted if it reduces or impairs pedestrian or vehicular traffic safety or the visual or architectural integrity of its building or streetscape in which it is situated.
(6)Â
Banners and temporary freestanding signs.
(a)Â
Banners and temporary freestanding signs not to exceed 32 square
feet may be erected in any zoning district by an institutional or
public use which has its base of operations or principal office in
the Collingswood. Banners and temporary freestanding signs must meet
the following conditions:
[1]Â
An application must be submitted and approved in accordance with § 141-93F. Only one banner or temporary freestanding sign shall be permitted per applicant per permit period.
[2]Â
The wording on the banner or freestanding sign must be related
to promotion of a Collingswood activity that will take place in Collingswood.
[3]Â
The wording shall include the name of the institution or public
use sponsoring the banner, which shall be the permit applicant of
record. It shall not contain any lights, flags, pennants, streamers,
or other fluttering or spinning attachments, lighting or sound-generation
equipment.
[4]Â
The banner or freestanding sign shall be displayed on the premises
of the applicant's primary building for a period not to exceed 30
days. It shall be installed by the applicant, which shall also remove
the banner immediately upon the expiration of the permit.
(b)Â
Banners not to exceed 100 square feet may be erected in the
Central Business District and Professional Office District zones across
a public right-of-way for an institutional or public use which has
its base of operations or principal office in the Collingswood. Such
banners must meet the following conditions:
[1]Â
An application for a banner permit must be submitted and approved in accordance with § 141-93F. Only one banner shall be permitted per applicant per permit period.
[2]Â
The wording on the banner must be related to promotion of a
Collingswood activity that will take place in Collingswood.
[3]Â
The wording shall include the name of the institution or public
use sponsoring the banner, which shall be the banner permit applicant
of record. It shall not indicate any off-premises commercial endorsement
or sponsorship. It shall not contain any lights, flags, pennants,
streamers, or other fluttering or spinning attachments, lighting or
sound-generation equipment.
[4]Â
The banner shall be installed by the Collingswood Department
of Public Works at least 14 feet above the center of the right-of-way
for a period not to exceed 30 days. The Department shall also remove
the banner immediately upon the expiration of the permit. The Borough
may charge a nominal fee for this service.
(c)Â
Banners not to exceed 24 square feet may be erected on a primary
structure in a nonresidential zone for "grand opening," "going-out-of-business"
and other types of similar special events. Such banners must meet
the following conditions:
[1]Â
An application for a banner permit must be submitted and approved in accordance with § 141-93F. Only one banner shall be permitted per business per permit period.
[2]Â
The wording on the banner may contain the words "grand opening,"
"now open," "going out of business" or comparable announcement, the
name of the business, proprietor, or owner, and/or a short description
of the business. The banner shall be displayed on the premises of
the applicant's primary building for a period not to exceed 30 days.
[3]Â
The banner shall not indicate any off-premises commercial endorsement
or sponsorship. It shall not contain any lights, flags, pennants,
streamers, or other fluttering or spinning attachments, lighting or
sound-generation equipment.
[4]Â
It shall be mounted no higher than 15 feet from grade or the
bottom of the second floor windowsill, whichever is lower, and shall
not cover any window or door.
[5]Â
The banner shall be installed by the applicant, which shall
also remove the banner immediately upon the expiration of banner permit.
B.Â
General sign design guidelines.
(1)Â
General guidelines. The sign's design should complement the
design of its host building or site and the overall character of the
business district. Signs should be designed and painted by professional
sign makers or experienced artists. Each sign should be designed in
accordance with the following standards.
(2)Â
Appearance. Signs should be compatible with their surroundings.
In Collingswood's Central Business District zones, signs should match
traditional early and mid-twentieth century sign patterns, i.e., flush-mounted
wall signs; window signs; awning signs; projecting and icon signs;
and murals. Small freestanding signs, which are usually displayed
on the lawn in front of a former dwelling, are more appropriate in
the Professional Office District zones. All of these signs also would
be compatible with the highway streetscape in the Highway Business
District and Highway Industrial District zones, as well as freestanding
signs illuminated signs. Signs for businesses in a common building,
shopping, office, or industrial center should be compatible with each
other too. Signs that relate to and complement their surroundings
will capture the attention of a pedestrian or motorist better than
a poorly designed one, which may give a negative impression of the
business and the community as a whole. Signs attached to the same
building should be the same shape, color and height, regardless of
individual business ownership or tenancy in the building.
(3)Â
Materials. High-quality materials will ensure that a sign will
look attractive, reduce maintenance costs, and last longer. Sign materials
and architectural style shall be compatible with and complementary
to the architectural design of the building they are associated with.
Permanent signs should be made of wood, high-density urethane (HDU),
medium-density overlay (MDO), high-quality plastic, such as acrylic,
PVC, and polycarbonate, metal, such as brass, copper, bronze, stainless
steel, and aluminum, or other type of similar high-quality materials.
No permanent signs shall be constructed of paper, nylon, fabric, or
any other type of nondurable, lightweight, and fragile, material.
Cotton, vinyl, and mixed fabrics should be used for awning signs.
Signs made of inferior grade unfinished wood and plastic are inappropriate
and not permitted. Wood, high-quality plastic, metal, high-density
urethane (HDU), lexan, or other type of similar and suitable high-quality
materials should be used for internally illuminated signs.
(4)Â
Placement. Many buildings have spaces that are specifically
designed for signs, such as the area below the second floor windowsill
or on a building or sign fascia. Signs should be integrated with the
building without obscuring important architectural details or storefront
windows. Signs should be mounted so as to minimize damage to historic
materials. Sign supports should be finished with architectural details
to complement the sign, such as ornamental iron or brass supports
and routed wood posts and edges to provide detail and relief. Window
and door signs should avoid cluttering and blocking views. This will
help increase customer interest and business visibility, viability,
and safety.
(5)Â
Lettering. Lettering and character typefaces should match the
scale of the building and size of the sign. Signs should be legible
from a typical viewing position and travel speeds. For example, lettering
in the Central Business District zone should be visible to pedestrians
and slower moving traffic. Signs along highway corridors may have
lettering that is legible from quicker moving traffic. Inappropriate
typefaces have characters that are difficult to read and incompatibly
styled for their host building, site, or district. While cursive style
typefaces may be appropriate for pedestrian-oriented signs, they would
be difficult to read in an automobile-oriented business zone. Hard-to-read,
faddish, and intricate typefaces should be avoided.
(6)Â
Color. Colors influence a sign's legibility, character, and
general appearance. The colors should be compatible with the style
and color scheme of the building and its neighbors. Color schemes
should be kept simple, limited to two or three colors, and based on
a host building's painted exterior detailing, such as window trim
and cornices. Earth tones, primary colors, and pastels are appropriate
and can be designed with subtle combinations and variations. Fluorescent,
luminescent, and iridescent colors and tones should only be used for
traffic safety signs. Signs with a strong color contrast are more
legible. A sign with a dark background will make lighter lettering
more visible. Because storefront windows usually appear dark, window
signs should be done in light colored paint or gold leaf.
(7)Â
Lighting. Collingswood encourages the use of decorative light
fixtures, such as gooseneck, hooded, historic reproduction, and alcove
fixtures, complimentary to the design of building, sign, or site.
Direct external illumination should be used in all districts. Internally
illuminated signs, however, are appropriate in the Highway Business
District and Highway Industrial District zones. Signs should be evenly
lit with no isolated bright or dark spots. No substantial light or
glare may be directed or reflected onto adjacent streets or properties.
C.Â
Zoning district design standards.
(1)Â
Historic districts. In addition to conforming to the other regulations contained in this chapter, historic identification signs and internally illuminated signs, except as permitted in the Highway Business District and Highway Industrial District, are subject to the review by the Historic Preservation Commission in accordance with Article X of this chapter.
(2)Â
Central Business District (CBD).
(a)Â
Permanent signs should be made of wood, high-density urethane
(HDU), medium-density overlay (MDO), high-quality plastic, such as
acrylic, PVC, and polycarbonate, metal, such as brass, copper, bronze,
stainless steel, and aluminum, or other type of similar high-quality
materials.
(b)Â
A business in the Central Business District zoning district
may erect a total of two nonexempt signs, one of which may be a sign
painted on a first floor window not to exceed: in area, 20% total
window area of any single storefront may be used for permanent signs
that are etched, painted, or otherwise permanently affixed to the
window of the glass area; and in letter height, six inches. The second
sign may be one of the following:
[1]Â
A wall sign not to exceed: in total sign area, 0.75 square feet
for each linear foot of building frontage or 24 square feet, whichever
is less; in height, 15 feet or the bottom of the second floor windowsill,
whichever is lower; and in lettering height, 12 inches. Such signs
may be made of dimensional opaque elements not to extend more than
three inches from the wall surface and may be lighted from behind;
[2]Â
A multiple occupant/tenant sign, in accordance with § 141-101D(9);
[3]Â
An awning sign, which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(10);
[4]Â
A projecting or icon sign, which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(11);
[5]Â
A decorative flag, which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(12).;
[6]Â
A sandwich board sign which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(13);
[7]Â
A temporary banner sign that meets the conditions of § 141-101D(14);
[8]Â
A freestanding pole sign that meets the conditions of § 141-101D(15);
[9]Â
A window sign which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(4).
(c)Â
Where a property fronts on more than one street, three nonexempt
signs shall be permitted. No more than two nonexempt signs shall be
erected on any single building frontage. Where a property has an entrance
from a rear parking area, one additional nonexempted sign to front
that parking area is permitted.
(3)Â
Professional Office District (POD). A business in the Professional
Office District zoning district may erect a total of one of the following
nonexempt signs:
(a)Â
A sign painted on a first floor window not to exceed: in area,
20% of the glass area; and in letter height, six inches;
(b)Â
A wall sign not to exceed: in total area, 24 square feet, whichever
is less; in height, 15 feet or the bottom of the second floor windowsill,
whichever is lower; in lettering height, 12 inches; and in projection
from wall surface, one inch.
(c)Â
A freestanding sign not to exceed: in total area, 12 square
feet; and in height, five feet; and in lettering height, six inches;
(d)Â
A multiple occupant/tenant sign, in accordance with § 141-101D(9);
(e)Â
An awning sign, which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(10);
(f)Â
A projecting or icon sign, which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(11);
(g)Â
A decorative flag, which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(12);
(h)Â
A sandwich board sign which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(13);
(i)Â
A temporary banner sign that meets the conditions of § 141-101D(14);
(j)Â
A window sign which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(4).
(4)Â
Highway Business District (HBD) and Highway Industrial District
(HID).
(a)Â
A business in the Highway Business District or Highway Industrial
District zoning district may erect a total of two of the following
nonexempt signs:
[1]Â
A sign painted on a first floor window not to exceed 20% of
the glass area;
[2]Â
A wall sign not to exceed: in total area, 40 square feet; in
height, 15 feet or the bottom of the second floor windowsill, whichever
is lower; and in projection from the wall surface, four inches;
[3]Â
A freestanding sign not to exceed: in total area, 30 square feet; and in height, 20 feet; A freestanding sign may include a digital display, which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(15);
[4]Â
A multiple occupant/tenant sign, in accordance with § 141-101D(9);
[5]Â
An awning sign, which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(10);
[6]Â
A projecting or icon sign, which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(11);
[7]Â
A sandwich board sign which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(13);
[8]Â
A window sign which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(4).
(b)Â
Where a property fronts on more than one street, three nonexempt
signs shall be permitted. No more than two nonexempt signs shall be
erected on any single building frontage. Where a property has an entrance
from a rear parking area, one additional nonexempted sign to front
that parking area is permitted.
(5)Â
Residential Zoning Districts (SF-D1, SF-D2, SF-D3 and MFD).
(a)Â
Any business, except a home personal office or home professional
office, in a residential zoning district may erect a total of one
of the following nonexempt signs:
[1]Â
A wall sign not to exceed: in total area, two square feet; in
height, six feet; in lettering height, four inches; and in projection
from wall surface, one inch;
[2]Â
A freestanding sign not to exceed: in total area, 10 square
feet; in height, five feet; and in lettering height, six inches;
[3]Â
A multiple occupant/tenant sign, in accordance with § 141-101D(9).
(6)Â
Institutional and public use signs.
(a)Â
An institutional or public use in any Collingswood zoning district
may erect a total of two of the following nonexempt signs:
[1]Â
A wall sign not to exceed: in total area, 0.75 square feet for
each linear foot of building frontage or 24 square feet, whichever
is less; in height, 15 feet or the bottom of the second floor windowsill,
whichever is lower; in lettering height, 12 inches; and in projection
from wall surface, one inch;
[2]Â
A freestanding sign not to exceed: in total area, 24 square
feet; in height, five feet; and in lettering height, 12 inches;
[3]Â
A manual changeable copy sign not exceeding 16 square feet;
[4]Â
A window sign which meets the conditions of § 141-101D(4).
(b)Â
Where a property fronts on more than one street, three nonexempt
signs shall be permitted. No more than two nonexempt signs shall be
erected on any single building frontage. Where a property has an entrance
from a rear parking area, one additional nonexempted sign to front
that parking area is permitted.
(7)Â
Restaurants, delis, and prepared food sales signs. In addition
to those permitted nonexempt signs by zoning district in this section,
restaurants, delis, and businesses selling prepared food items in
any Collingswood zoning district shall be permitted to display one
of the following changeable copy signs. Such signs shall not be counted
in the total number of permitted signs or sign area.
D.Â
Specific sign design standards.
(1)Â
Temporary business identification signs. A temporary business
identification sign shall meet the following conditions:
(a)Â
The Zoning Officer may permit a new business to display one
such sign per business, pending the necessary approvals for the business's
permanent signage.
(c)Â
The temporary business identification sign shall be placed in
the same location as the permanent sign would.
(d)Â
The temporary business identification sign must be removed upon
installation of approved permanent signage or business expiration
or 90 days, whichever is sooner.
(2)Â
Door signs. A door sign, which may include the premises' days
and hours of operation and contact numbers by which the business,
proprietor or owner may be contacted, shall meet the following conditions:
(a)Â
There shall be only one such sign permitted per entry door.
(b)Â
The sign area shall not exceed 1.5 square feet, not including
any portable "open" sign under 0.25 square feet in area.
(c)Â
The sign shall be painted, applied, or hung from the inside
of the door. Lettering on door glass shall be painted in gold leaf
or a light color.
(d)Â
No other signage, including exempt signs, shall be placed on
the door.
(3)Â
Temporary advertising signs.
(a)Â
The combined sign area shall not exceed 10% of the total window
area. Sign area shall include the signboard or mounting structure,
regardless of whether it contains letters, characters, or other illustrations.
(b)Â
Signs shall be mounted on a signboard or otherwise displayed
indoors inside the business premises. Signs shall not be affixed to
or supported on any window or door, and shall be separated from store
window and door surfaces by at least 12 inches.
(c)Â
Signs must show beginning and expiration dates in one-half-inch
letters at the lower right hand corner of each sign. Signs shall be
removed after 30 days.
(d)Â
Individual sign letters and characters may not exceed nine inches
in height.
(e)Â
Signs shall not contain any lights, flags, pennants, streamers,
or other fluttering or spinning attachments.
(4)Â
Window signs.
(a)Â
The combined sign area shall not exceed 10% of the total window
area. Sign area shall include the signboard or mounting structure,
regardless of whether it contains letters, characters, or other illustrations.
(b)Â
Signs shall not contain any lights, flags, pennants, streamers,
or other fluttering or spinning attachments.
(5)Â
Community event announcements. Window signs relating to a community-oriented
event sponsored by an institutional or public use which has its base
of operations or principal office in Collingswood may be displayed
inside a first floor business window and shall meet the following
conditions:
(a)Â
Only two such signs shall be permitted per business frontage;
(b)Â
The total area of all such signs may not exceed 24 inches by
36 inches per business frontage.
(c)Â
The signs may be displayed for a period of no more than 30 days
before the event and must be removed by the business proprietor immediately
after the event.
(6)Â
Real estate signs. A real estate sign shall meet the following
conditions:
(a)Â
Only one such sign shall be permitted on the tax parcel advertised
for sale or lease and set back at least 10 feet from all streets.
(b)Â
It shall not exceed six square feet on each side and four feet
in height.
(c)Â
The realtor shall remove it at closing or completion of the
matter being advertised.
(d)Â
It may include the realtor's telephone and other contact numbers.
(e)Â
Open house signs are permitted 24 hours prior to the sales event
and must be removed immediately after the open house. No off-site
directional signs are permitted.
(7)Â
Construction signs. A construction sign shall meet the following
conditions:
(a)Â
Only one such sign shall be permitted on the tax parcel under
construction and set back at least 10 feet from all streets.
(b)Â
It shall not exceed six square feet for residential properties,
15 square feet for nonresidential properties, and five feet in height.
(c)Â
Signs are permitted at the start of said work and must be removed
at the completion of the work.
(d)Â
It may include the contractor's telephone and other contact
numbers.
(8)Â
Political signs.
(a)Â
Political signs relating to the candidacy of any person for
public office or pertaining to a public question which will appear
on a ballot shall be permitted on private property, provided that
such signs shall be displayed no earlier than six weeks' prior to
any election in which such person is a candidate or such issue is
submitted to the voters, and the sign shall be removed within one
week after the election. Any sign erected pursuant to this subsection
shall be unlit and shall not exceed nine square feet in area. No more
than one sign shall be permitted on any tax lot.
(b)Â
Political signs must be constructed of materials sufficient
to withstand the effects of the environment and must be maintained
while erected. No sign shall encroach upon sight triangles. All signs
shall be erected in conformance with this chapter as it relates to
setbacks and height restrictions.
(c)Â
The persons or organizations represented on the political sign
are responsible for their removal, maintenance and/or liability regardless
of whether or not authorization was given to erect the sign in the
affected location by the represented persons or organization.
(9)Â
Multiple occupant/tenant (MOT) signs. A flush-mounted wall,
projecting, or freestanding multiple occupant/tenant sign shall be
used where a building or site contains two or more different commercial
or office uses or tenants, and shall meet the following conditions:
(a)Â
Only one such sign shall be permitted for each tax parcel, except
for corner properties within the Central Business District zone where
one such sign may be erected on both frontages.
(b)Â
No more than one multiple occupant/tenant sign shall be erected
on any building frontage.
(c)Â
Except for projecting signs, as permitted in § 141-101D(10), such signs shall have a maximum height of six feet.
(d)Â
The principal heading or logo should not exceed 25% of the sign
area. A multiple occupant/tenant sign for two different uses shall
not exceed four square feet and may contain an additional one square
foot of area for each additional use in the building or site, up to
a maximum of eight square feet.
(e)Â
Maximum letter height shall not exceed four inches. The sign's
lettering style and coloring shall be the same for all uses and tenants.
(10)Â
Awning signs. An awning sign shall meet the following conditions:
(a)Â
Only one such sign is permitted per storefront, on the first
floor only.
(b)Â
Sign letters and characters shall be painted or sewn on awnings.
Maximum letter height shall be nine inches.
(c)Â
Awning signs may not be backlit. The awning fabric, including
sign lettering and characters, shall be made of an opaque material
such that no window or sidewalk lighting shall show through the fabric
material.
(d)Â
Maximum lettering area shall not exceed 0.5 square feet for
each linear foot of building frontage, or 16 square feet, whichever
is less. Inclusion of the premises' street address on the awning shall
not be counted towards the maximum permitted sign area or number of
signs.
(e)Â
Awnings attached to the same building must be the same shape,
color and height, regardless of individual business ownership or tenancy
in the building.
(f)Â
Installation of awning signs shall require a building permit.
(11)Â
Projecting signs and icon signs. A projecting sign or icon sign
shall meet the following conditions:
(a)Â
Only one such sign shall be permitted for each tax parcel, except
for corner properties within the Central Business District zone where
one such sign may erected on both frontages.
(b)Â
It shall be set back at least four feet from the street curbline,
extend no less than one foot and no more than four feet from the building's
wall surface, and not exceed six square feet.
(c)Â
The maximum height shall be 15 feet or the bottom of the second
floor windowsill, whichever is lower. The minimum height shall be
seven feet from grade.
(d)Â
The maximum lettering height shall be nine inches.
(e)Â
It must not project from a building at an angle other than 90,
except at a public street corner, where it also may project in an
angle to the center of the intersection.
(f)Â
Installation of projecting signs shall require a building permit.
(12)Â
Decorative flags. A decorative flag shall meet the following
conditions:
(a)Â
One such sign flag shall be permitted per business.
(b)Â
The flag dimensions shall not exceed three feet in width, five
feet in length, and 15 square feet in total area.
(c)Â
The decorative flag shall be displayed on a flagpole mounted
to the exterior of a building or store front so that the bottom edge
of the flag shall be at least seven feet above the sidewalk or ground
level and the top of the flag not exceed 12 feet above the sidewalk
or ground level.
(d)Â
The flag may contain an icon, name or symbol of the on-premises
business, description of on-premises business or services, and/or
the word "open." The flag shall not advertise or promote a specific
individual, product or brand name or off-premises business, service,
or corporation.
(e)Â
The flag shall not be made of plastic materials.
(13)Â
Sandwich board signs. A sandwich board sign shall meet the following
conditions:
(a)Â
Sandwich board signs are permitted curbside on the sidewalk
or in entrance alcoves. Only one such sign shall be permitted per
tax lot, located adjacent to the exterior of the business establishment,
and can only be used to advertise the business located on the premises.
(b)Â
It shall be artistically designed with a theme related to the
individual business or business district.
(c)Â
It shall not exceed three feet in height, and two feet in width.
(d)Â
It shall be located so as not to impair pedestrian or vehicular
traffic or as to block or obstruct any legally required fire exit,
curbside car door opening area, or other exit. It shall be placed
in locations to provide a minimum of four-foot pedestrian clearance.
(e)Â
It shall be constructed of wood, wrought iron or aluminum and
may contain chalkboard or other writable materials approved by the
Zoning Officer.
(f)Â
Once erected, the sign base must have no more than an eighteen-inch
separation.
(g)Â
It shall be taken inside at night after the closing of business
and during periods of inclement weather, such as rain, snow, and high
winds. The sign shall include a ten-pound-weighted stabilizing base
or other suitable mechanism to prevent accidental collapse or falling.
It shall not be strapped to any pole.
(h)Â
It shall not include any lighting or sound-generation equipment.
(i)Â
Applicant shall only be permitted to display one sign at a particular time, as described in § 141-101D(13) through (16).
(j)Â
Applications for signs must be applied for with Zoning Officer.
Applicants must include, at a minimum, a drawn design (to scale),
as to appearance, construction, location and dimensions.
(14)Â
Temporary banner signs. A temporary banner sign shall meet the
following conditions:
(a)Â
Temporary banner signs are permitted to be hung on the outside
of the business premises to advertise special events. Only one such
sign shall be permitted per tax lot and can only be used to advertise
the business located on the premises.
(b)Â
It shall be artistically designed with a theme related to the
individual business or business district.
(c)Â
Banners cannot exceed 72 inches by 18 inches and must be properly
secured. Letters may be no larger than 12 inches. Banners shall be
constructed of nylon, vinyl or plastic materials, as approved by the
Zoning Officer.
(d)Â
Banners cannot be hung for more than 30 days, and there must
be a minimum of 10 days between the hanging of different banners.
(e)Â
Banners may be hung a maximum of six times each year.
(f)Â
Applicant shall only be permitted to display one sign at a particular time, as described in § 141-101D(13) through (16).
(g)Â
Applications for signs must be applied for with Zoning Officer.
Applicants must include, at a minimum, a drawn design (to scale) as
to appearance, construction, location and dimensions.
(15)Â
Freestanding signs. A freestanding sign shall meet the following
conditions:
(a)Â
Freestanding signs are permitted curbside on the sidewalk or
in entrance alcoves. Only one such sign shall be permitted per tax
lot, located adjacent to the exterior of the business establishment,
and can only be used to advertise the business located on the premises.
(b)Â
It shall be artistically designed with a theme related to the
individual business or business district.
(c)Â
It shall not exceed 36 inches in height (with a base no more
than 15 inches).
(d)Â
It shall be located so as not to impair pedestrian or vehicular
traffic or as to block or obstruct any legally required fire exit,
curbside car door opening area, or other exit. It shall be placed
in locations to provide a minimum of four-foot pedestrian clearance.
(e)Â
It shall be constructed of metal or other materials approved
by the Zoning Officer and secured in a manner to prevent accidental
collapse or falling.
(f)Â
It shall be taken inside at night after the closing of business
and during periods of inclement weather, such as rain, snow, and high
winds.
(g)Â
It shall not include any flashing lighting or sound-generation
equipment.
(h)Â
Applicant shall only be permitted to display one sign at a particular time, as described in § 141-101D(13) through (16).
(i)Â
Applications for signs must be applied for with Zoning Officer.
Applicants must include, at a minimum, a drawn design (to scale) as
to appearance, construction, location and dimensions.
(j)Â
The minimum thickness of a freestanding sign shall be four inches.
(16)Â
Digital displays.
(a)Â
Signs containing a digital display are permitted as freestanding
or wall signs in the HBD and HID districts only.
(b)Â
The digital display shall not exceed 50% of the total permitted
sign area.
(c)Â
It shall have a minimum change over time of 10 seconds.
(d)Â
It shall have a minimum pixel spacing of 10 mm.
(e)Â
Brightness: Message center signs and digital displays are subject
to the following:
[1]Â
During daylight hours between sunrise and sunset,
luminance shall be no greater than 5,000 nits.
[2]Â
At all other times, luminance shall be no greater
than 250 nits.
[3]Â
Each sign must have a light sensing device that
will automatically adjust the brightness of the display as the natural
ambient light conditions change to comply with the limits set here
within.
(f)Â
Light sources to illuminate signs shall neither be visible from
any street right-of-way, nor cause glare hazardous or distracting
to pedestrians, vehicle drivers, or adjacent properties.
(g)Â
No more than 0.2 footcandle of light shall be detectable at
the boundary of any abutting property.
(i)Â
Such displays shall contain static messages only, changed only
through dissolve or fade transitions, or with the use of other subtle
transitions and frame effects that do not have the appearance of moving
text or images, but which may otherwise not have movement, or the
appearance or optical illusion of movement, of any part of the sign
structure, design, or pictorial segment of the sign, including the
movement of any illumination or the flashing, scintillating or varying
of light intensity.