A. 
Accessory uses. Signs shall be permitted as accessory uses in all zoning districts, provided that any sign hereafter erected in the Borough of Gibbsboro conforms to the provisions of this chapter and any other ordinance or regulation of the municipality or the state or federal government relating to the erection, alteration or maintenance of signs. In the event of conflicting regulations, the most restrictive shall apply.
B. 
Sign permit; escrow. A permit shall be required for the installation of all signs, unless exempted from such requirements under § 318-6 of this chapter, in accordance with this subsection.
[Amended 12-8-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-16]
(1) 
Application and permit fee. Each application for a permit to install a sign or signs shall be accompanied by a fee in accordance with the schedule for application fees established in Chapter 160, Fees.
(2) 
) Escrow fee. All signs for which a permit is issued and installed shall be inspected by the Borough Engineer, in addition to any inspection required for conformance with Chapter 125, Construction Codes, Uniform; for the purposes of compliance with Chapter 324, Site Plan Review, and Chapter 358, Subdivision of Land, unless the Borough Engineer determines that such review is unnecessary. An applicant filing an application for a sign shall be responsible for all reasonable costs related to the review of plans and documents by professional personnel for technical and policy concerns, including but not limited to engineering, legal and planning review. An escrow account shall be established by the Borough for each application made to the appropriate board for sign review in accordance with the schedule established in Chapter 160, Fees.
C. 
Maintenance. All signs shall be kept in a proper state of repair, in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 125, Construction Codes, Uniform; Chapter 107, Brush, Grass and Weeds, or other property maintenance code as may be promulgated by the Borough Council of the Borough of Gibbsboro, and other pertinent regulations. Signs which fall into such a state of disrepair as to become unsightly or to pose a threat to public safety may be removed by the Borough 30 days following notice by certified mail to the owner of record, and the Borough shall have the right to recover from said owner the final costs of the removal and disposal of such signs.
D. 
Rights-of-way. No sign other than traffic control or similar official governmental signs shall be erected within or project over the right-of-way of any public street or sidewalk, except as hereinafter provided.
E. 
Imitation of official signs. No sign shall be erected that is of such character, form, shape or color that it imitates or resembles any official traffic sign, signal or device or that has any characteristics which are likely to cause or dangerously distract the attention of the operator of a motor vehicle on a public street.
F. 
Sight triangles. No sign shall be erected at the intersection of any streets improved for vehicular traffic within the triangular area formed by the right-of-way lines and a line connecting them at points 30 feet from their intersection, unless the topmost portion of said sign is less than 2 1/2 feet high. In no case shall any sign be so erected that it impedes the vision of motorists or pedestrians or otherwise endangers their safety.
G. 
Prohibited placement. No sign shall be placed on any tree, telegraph, electric light or public utility pole or upon rocks or other natural features.
H. 
Permitted uses. No sign shall be erected containing a message that states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted in the zoning district in which said sign is located under the provisions of this chapter.
I. 
Public property. Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with the requirements of this chapter, shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation. In addition to other remedies that may be imposed under this chapter, the Borough shall have the right to recover from the owner or person placing such sign the full costs of removal and disposal of such sign.
J. 
Color limitations. Signs shall be limited to two colors plus black and white.
K. 
Sign permit expiration. Any of the following shall invalidate a sign permit or require a nonconforming sign to conform to the provisions of this chapter:
(1) 
The removal of an existing sign from the premises. The replacement of a sign panel or the repainting of a sign to reflect a change in an establishment or business shall not constitute removal.
(2) 
An alteration in the structure of a sign support.
(3) 
A change in the material of the sign; for example, from wood to plastic.
(4) 
Abandonment pursuant to § 318-22 of this chapter.
L. 
Illumination. Signs exempt from permits in accordance with § 318-6 of this chapter shall not be illuminated, unless otherwise excepted. Any other sign may be illuminated, unless otherwise prohibited.
M. 
Ratio. The ratio of width to length of the rectangle enclosing a sign pursuant to § 318-4 of this chapter shall be no greater than 1:10.
Sign area shall be expressed in square feet, and shall be the area within a rectangle enclosing the extreme limits of writing, symbols, logos, letters, figures, emblems or other representations plus all material or color forming an integral part of the sign or used to differentiate the sign from the background against which it is placed, provided that:
A. 
In the event that a sign is designed with more than one face, the area shall be computed by including only the maximum surface display area visible from any one point, provided that the message is the same on each face.
B. 
The supports, uprights or other structure on which any sign is attached shall not be included in the calculation of sign area unless such structure is designed in such a manner as to form an integral part of the sign or conveys meaning.
C. 
The area of lamps, neon tubing or other artificial illumination visible on a sign shall be counted as part of the total allowable sign area.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
Any sign that is not permitted by the provisions of this chapter is hereby prohibited, with the following signs specifically prohibited:
A. 
A flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, moving or projected sign of any type or a sign that presents the illusion of movement, with the exception of time-and-temperature displays as otherwise permitted.
B. 
Banners, pennants, streamers or similar devices constructed of cloth, light fabric, cardboard or other like material and searchlights, displayed for the purpose of attracting the attention of pedestrians and motorists, unless otherwise excepted.
C. 
Any sign so erected, constructed or maintained as to obstruct any fire escape, window, door or other opening used as a means of ingress and egress.
D. 
Any message or advertisement which uses a series of two or more signs placed in a line parallel to a street each of which contains part of such message or advertisement.
E. 
Any portable, bench or sidewalk sign; or signs that emit smoke, vapor or noise.
F. 
Any sign which, when applying contemporary community standards, has a dominant theme or purpose which appeals to prurient interests.
G. 
Any sign attached to the roof of a building or a facade sign that projects above the lowest level of a roof or beyond the corner of a wall.
H. 
Off-premises signs.
The following signs are exempt from the need to secure permits:
A. 
Holiday decorations. Decorations for a generally designated holiday, provided that they do not create a traffic or fire hazard, and provided that such decorations are not installed more than 45 days prior to the holiday and are removed within seven days after the holiday. Such signs may be illuminated.
B. 
Official governmental signs, including banners. Such signs may be illuminated.
C. 
Election signs. Such signs may not exceed 32 square feet in area; may not be erected more than 45 days prior to the day of the election, referendum or other plebiscite; and shall be removed within seven days after such election, referendum or other plebiscite. No more than one sign per street frontage shall be permitted on any one property.
D. 
Markers. Building markers that may contain only the building name, date of construction or historical data, provided that such marker does not exceed six square feet and is made of cut or etched masonry, bronze or similar durable material and is approved by the Historical Preservation Commission.
E. 
Change in the copy of a changeable-copy sign, once a permit for that sign has been issued.
F. 
Yard or garage sales. Such signs shall not exceed four square feet; shall not be erected more than seven days prior to such sale; and shall be removed within 48 hours after the sale. No premises shall be permitted to erect such signs more than two times in any calendar year.
G. 
Real estate and contracting. Temporary real estate signs and signs of contractors, mechanics, painters, paperhangers and/or artisans, on the lot on which the real estate for rent or sale is located or the lot on which the contracting work is being performed. Said signs shall not be larger than six square feet nor more than four feet high. They shall be removed within seven days of the completion of the sale or rental of the premises or completion of the work to which the sign relates.
H. 
Hunting and trespassing. Signs that relate to the control of hunting or trespassing on property, provided that they do not exceed two square feet in area nor are spaced closer than 50 feet to each other.
I. 
Emergency. Emergency warning signs erected by a governmental agency, public utility, pipeline company or contractor doing such work authorized or permitted by such agency, utility or company. Such signs may be illuminated.
J. 
Public notice. Any public notice required by a valid and applicable federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance.
K. 
Interior signs. Any sign within a building, not attached to a window or door, that is not legible from the lot line of the building on which it is located.
L. 
Art. Works of art that do not contain a commercial message. Art may be illuminated.
M. 
Traffic control. Traffic control devices on private property, such as "stop," "yield" and other such signs, provided that the face of the sign meets the standards of the New Jersey Department of Transportation for such signs and which do not contain a commercial message of any type, and provided that their location has been approved by the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be.
N. 
Flags. Flags of the United States, the states, county or municipality and foreign nations having diplomatic relations with the United States and any other flag adopted or sanctioned by an elected legislative body of competent jurisdiction, provided that such flag shall not exceed 60 square feet in area and shall not be flown from a pole that exceeds 40 feet in height. Other flags shall be considered freestanding signs and shall be governed by such regulations that may apply in the applicable zoning district in which such flag is located. Flags may be illuminated.
O. 
Name and address. Name and address signs attached to the facade of a building or on a mailbox, provided that the size of the sign does not exceed one square foot.
P. 
Incidental. Incidental signs, provided that they do not exceed two square feet in area.
Q. 
Residential. Residential freestanding signs, provided that the size of the sign does not exceed four square feet in area or three feet in height and shall be set back a minimum of 15 feet from a curbline or edge of cartway.
R. 
Project development. Project development signs, where final approval of a site plan or subdivision has been granted by a board of competent jurisdiction and which indicate the name of the development, developer, financier or major contractor; provided that no more than one sign per street frontage is erected and the sign area does not exceed 32 square feet or eight feet in height. All such signs shall be removed within 14 days of the issuance of a conditional certificate of occupancy that permits the occupation of a building in the case of a nonresidential development or when 75% of the dwelling units in a residential development have been issued certificates of occupancy.
S. 
Window. Window signs pursuant to § 318-14.
T. 
Replacement of previously approved signs. Existing signs, previously approved by the Planning Board, that comply with current ordinance requirements may be replaced without the issuance of a sign permit, provided an application for sign permit is filed with the Administrative Officer and the conditions of prior approval are verified by Borough professionals. A fee for verification may be charged in accordance with the schedule established in Chapter 160, Fees. A replacement sign must exactly match the footprint and location of the sign it is replacing.
[Added 12-8-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-16]
Canopy signs, where permitted, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and the following additional requirements:
A. 
Canopy signs are only permitted in conjunction with gasoline service stations and similar commercial uses where the canopy is required to provide cover and protection for outdoor equipment and service areas.
B. 
No more than one canopy sign shall be allowed per canopy fascia, and no more than two such signs per canopy shall be permitted.
C. 
No part of the canopy sign shall be less than 12 feet nor more than 17 feet above ground level.
D. 
The area of a canopy sign shall not exceed 50% of the area of the canopy fascia or 40 square feet, whichever is less.
E. 
A canopy sign shall not be used in conjunction with a freestanding sign.
Changeable-copy signs, where permitted, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and the following additional requirements:
A. 
The need for the changeable-copy sign is demonstrated on the basis of the public's need to be apprised of special events, attractions or similar time-related notices. Changeable copy shall not be used to advertise merchandise or special sales events, with the exception that the prices of motor fuel may be displayed on a changeable-copy sign.
B. 
All such signs shall be permanently affixed to the ground or to a structure.
C. 
Copy shall be changed electronically or by means of movable lettering which is more than 1/8 inch in thickness and shall not be changed more than once every 24 hours. Changeable-copy signs that are changed more frequently shall be considered animated signs.
D. 
Changeable-copy signs may not be located in any residential zoning district, excepting institutional uses.
E. 
Changeable-copy signs may be either freestanding signs or canopy signs and shall conform to the height limitations of such signs.
F. 
No more than one freestanding changeable-copy sign shall be permitted per street frontage.
G. 
The changeable portion of the sign shall be limited to three lines of wording or, in the case of a cinema with more than one theater, two lines per theater.
H. 
The sign area of a changeable-copy sign shall be included in the total permissible sign area for freestanding or canopy signs, as the case may be, excepting institutional uses. Changeable-copy signs for institutional uses shall not exceed 12 square feet in area.
Directional signs, where permitted, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and the following additional requirements:
A. 
Directional signs that are freestanding shall not exceed 2 1/2 feet in height and may be located at the streetline, provided that such signs do not obscure the vision of motorists.
B. 
Directional signs shall not exceed three square feet in area.
C. 
Directional signs shall contain no commercial message.
D. 
Directional signs shall be required at public streets where one-way driveways intersect.
Directory signs, where permitted, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and the following additional requirements:
A. 
The sign shall be located within the site or complex so as to allow motorists to leave the flow of traffic and safely read the directory or shall be placed at the main entrance to a building.
B. 
The sign may contain a map or floor plan diagram, as the case may be, indicating the location of the buildings or offices listed on the directory.
C. 
Any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in sign area.
D. 
No more than one sign per entrance driveway, street intersection or main entrance to a building shall be permitted.
E. 
A freestanding directory sign shall not exceed five feet in height.
Freestanding signs, except for directional signs, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and the following additional requirements:
A. 
Freestanding signs shall be permitted only in the front yard.
B. 
No freestanding sign shall be erected closer to the curbline or edge of paving than 15 feet or five feet to a street line, whichever is more, except as otherwise provided herein. For all lots fronting on Rt. 561 (a.k.a. Lakeview Drive and Haddonfield-Berlin Road) and within the Office Technical Park District, no sign shall be set back farther than the minimums enumerated above unless the requirement places the sign within a clear sight triangle as described in § 318-3F.
[Amended 6-22-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-10]
C. 
With the exception of directory and directional signs, no freestanding sign shall be erected closer than 80 feet to another freestanding sign.
D. 
A freestanding sign shall not be used in conjunction with a canopy sign.
Grand-opening signs shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and the following additional requirements:
A. 
Grand-opening signs shall be permitted for a period of time not to exceed 14 days from the initial opening of a business or a change in the ownership of the premises on which the sign is located. A grand opening of another establishment in the same chain of stores or under the same ownership shall not be grounds for permission to install grand-opening signs for existing businesses.
B. 
Grand-opening signs may be facade signs, freestanding signs or banners.
C. 
Grand-openings signs shall not exceed the total sign area permitted on the premises for permanent signs. Such signs shall be permitted in addition to any permanent signage allowed. For the purposes of this subsection, the total sign area of banners shall not exceed that for facade signs.
Time-and-temperature signs shall be permitted in any district in which commercial uses are permitted, provided that they do not encompass more than 20% of the allowable sign area for the type of sign upon which they are placed. Time-and-temperature signs shall be permitted in addition to any other allowable signage for the property. The time-and-temperature display may change, provided that the period of time that one display is shown is not less than one second.
The total area of all window signs, unless further restricted by district regulations, shall not exceed 25% of the glass area of the window in which placed. No window sign with the same message shall be displayed for more than 30 days.