[Amended 2-22-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-2]
A.Â
Any sign hereafter erected or maintained shall conform
to the provisions of this article and any other ordinance or regulation
of Mansfield Township not inconsistent herewith.
B.Â
The purpose of this article is to establish a legal
framework for a comprehensive system regulating all exterior signs
and interior signs placed for exterior observance so as to protect
the aesthetic character of the Township, to protect the health, safety
and welfare of residents and to ensure the availability to citizens
of on-premises signs of an adequate quality.
C.Â
Any sign placed on land, water or a building for the
purpose of identification or for advertising a use conducted therein
or thereon shall be deemed to be accessory and incidental to such
land, building or use. It is intended that the display of signs will
be appropriate to the land, building or use to which they are appurtenant
and will be adequate, but not excessive, for the intended purpose
of identification or advertisement.
D.Â
It is further intended that in proposed commercial
and industrial areas, all signs within one complex be coordinated
with the architecture in such a manner that the overall appearance
is harmonious in color, form and proportion.
E.Â
All proposed signs associated with site plan and subdivision
applications shall first be reviewed and approval granted by the Consolidated
Land Use Board of Mansfield Township prior to issuance of a sign permit.
[Added 3-14-1991 by Ord. No. 1991-5; 3-5-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-5]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Wood or materials not more combustible than wood and approved
combustible plastics.
Only those plastics which, when tested in accordance with
the American Society for Testing and Materials standard method for
test for flammability of plastics over 0.050 inch in thickness (C635-44),
burn no faster than 2.5 inches per minute in sheets of 0.060 inch
in thickness.
A sign generally made of flexible material that is usually
fixed to a permanent structure or strung between fixed objects with
string, rope, wires, hooks, etc. Materials which do not contain letters
but whose purpose is to focus attention are also banners.
[Added 11-12-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-9]
Any sign attached to and deriving its major support from
a building and including but not limited to the following: arcade
signs, awning signs, canopy signs, projecting signs, wall signs, window
signs and signs painted on the surface of walls.
A material attached to the structure as an architectural
feature, which may also contain sign data, also known as an "awning."
Any sign which combines the characteristics of two or more
types of signs, including roof, projecting and ground signs.
The total area made available, by the sign structure or otherwise,
upon, against or through which the message of the sign is exhibited.
A sign which indicates the name of an individual enterprise
or business or any of its affiliates and which may or may not indicate
the products, services or entertainment offered by that business.
To build, construct, attach, place, suspend or affix and
shall also include the painting of wall signs and the painting of
signs or displays on the exterior surface of a building, structure
or natural surfaces.
The same as a "building-mounted sign."
Any sign supported by structural members or by braces in
the ground and not attached to a building, including but not limited
to the following: bulletin board signs, outdoor advertising signs,
pole or pylon signs or ground signs.
Directional, information or public service signs, such as
signs advertising locations of rest rooms, telephone or similar facilities
or public conveniences, and signs located on mechanical dispensing
equipment that identify its products.
A sign that gives the name or the name and address of a building,
business, development or establishment. Such a sign may be wholly
or partly devoted to a readily recognized symbol or trademark.
Any sign, symbol or device erected and maintained by the
federal, state, county or local governmental agency for the purpose
of informing or guiding the public or for the protection of health,
safety, convenience or general welfare.
Any sign on which is portrayed information which directs
attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment not related
to uses existing or permitted on the lot upon which the sign is located.
This definition includes billboards.
Any sign painted or affixed to the pavement surface.
Any sign not affixed to the ground nor to a building, including
any sign attached to or displayed on a vehicle that is used solely
for the purpose of advertising a business establishment, product,
service or entertainment when that vehicle is so parked as to attract
the attention of the motoring or pedestrian traffic.
Any sign advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises
or part of the premises on which the sign is displayed.
Any sign erected, constructed or maintained wholly upon or
over the roof of any building with the principal support on the roof
structure.
A freestanding sign which identifies only the name of the
shopping center and does not identify the individual enterprises or
their products, services or amusements.
A structure, building wall or any writing, letter work or
numeral, pictorial or graphic presentation, illustration or decoration,
emblem, device, symbol or trademark, flag, banner or pennant or any
other structure, device, figure or similar character which is:
A sign which advertises or presents information to the public
of a location, event or occurrence which will take place at a certain
time or date or within a certain period.
Any sign painted or attached to the glass area of a window
or placed behind the glass of a window so that it can be read from
out of doors.
A.Â
In keeping with the purpose and intent of this article,
all signs shall be regulated in accordance with the provisions that
follow and in accordance with the provisions of the zoning district
in which the sign is to be located.
B.Â
No sign, except for those signs listed in § 65-109 below, shall be painted, constructed, erected, remodeled, relocated or expanded until a sign permit for such sign has been obtained.
[Amended 11-12-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-9]
D.Â
All applications for sign permits shall be made to
the Construction Official. Proposed signs associated with site plan
and subdivision applications shall first be reviewed and approval
granted by the Consolidated Land Use Board of Mansfield Township prior
to issuance of a sign permit.
[Amended 3-14-1991 by Ord. No. 1991-5; 3-5-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-5]
E.Â
All new businesses shall be required to obtain a permit
for all signs, including existing conforming and nonconforming signs,
whether or not such existing signs are to be changed.
F.Â
Permits shall be issued by the Zoning Officer within
five business days of the application unless there must also be approval
by the Consolidated Land Use Board of Mansfield Township, whereupon
said permit shall issue not later than five business days from the
granting of that approval.
[Added 11-12-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-9; 3-5-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-5]
A.Â
The following operations shall not be considered as
creating a sign and, therefore, shall not require a sign permit.
(1)Â
The changing of the advertised copy or message on
an approved painted sign or billboard or a theater marquee and similar
approved signs which are specifically designed for the use of replaceable
copy.
(2)Â
Painting, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance
and repair of a conforming sign or a conforming sign structure, unless
a structural change is made.
B.Â
The following enumerated signs, allowed in all districts,
shall be exempt from the requirements of this article:
(1)Â
Signs of a constituted governmental body, including
traffic signs and signals or similar regulatory devices, legal devices
or warnings at railroad crossings.
(2)Â
Memorial tablets or signs and historic markers as
approved by the Township Committee.
(3)Â
Signs required to be maintained by law or governmental
order, rule or regulation, with a total surface area not exceeding
10 square feet on any lot or parcel.
(4)Â
Signs which are within public recreation facilities,
such as but not limited to signs setting forth rules and regulations
of play, hours of use, parking facilities, directional signs, scoreboards,
park names and sponsor signs.
(5)Â
Flags, emblems or insignia of the United States of America, the State of New Jersey, the County of Burlington, other counties or states, foreign nations, religious groups, civic organizations or service clubs and any other flags or banners, subject, however, to the limitations of Subsection C if applicable.
[Amended 3-14-1991 by Ord. No. 1991-5; 11-12-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-9]
(6)Â
Signs which post or display address numbers and occupant
names, with a total area not to exceed two square feet.
(7)Â
Signs displayed for the direction or convenience of
the public, including signs which identify rest rooms, the location
of public telephones, freight entrances or the like, with a total
area not to exceed two square feet, except that banners commemorating
an event shall not exceed 32 square feet.
[Amended 11-12-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-9]
(8)Â
Signs, each of which has a total area not exceeding
two square feet, placed by a public utility showing the location of
underground facilities.
(9)Â
Seasonal displays and decorations not advertising
a product, service or entertainment, limited to 45 days.
(10)Â
Freestanding signs or signs attached to fences
at approximate eye level, no larger than four square feet, warning
the public against hunting, fishing, trespassing, dangerous animals,
swimming or the like.
(11)Â
Any information or directional sign or historical
marker erected by a public agency, which may include signs displayed
by a public agency for the purpose of giving directions and distances
to commercial districts in which are located the following types of
commercial facilities for the convenience of the traveling public:
restaurants, motels and establishments for the servicing of motor
vehicles, provided that no such sign shall give direction or distance
to any specific business establishment.
(12)Â
Signs, each of which has a total area not exceeding
two square feet, identifying parking for the handicapped, except when
the handicap logo is painted on the specific parking stall pavement.
(13)Â
Parking lot markers, internal traffic control
signs and entrance and exit signs erected on the same premises to
which they apply, provided that each such sign does not exceed three
square feet and does not contain any advertising.
(14)Â
Nonresidential property building numbers in
excess of two square feet.
C.Â
Except where specifically qualified below, no permit
shall be required for any of the following temporary signs, which
are allowed in all districts:
(1)Â
Official notices or advertisements posted or displayed
by or under the direction of any public or court officer in the performance
of his official or directed duties or by trustees under deeds of trust,
deeds of assignment or other similar instruments, provided that all
such signs shall be removed not later than 10 days after the last
day of the period for which the same are required to be displayed
in order to accomplish their purpose.
(2)Â
Temporary political signs relating in any way to a
person's candidacy for elected public office but not exceeding 32
square feet in area may be erected on any privately owned lot or parcel.
All political campaign signs on cardboard not exceeding six square
feet in area are permitted in all districts; provided, however, that
no such sign may be erected more than 30 days prior to the nomination,
election or referendum to which said sign pertains; and all such signs
must be removed within 10 days after the event.
[Amended 11-12-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-9]
(3)Â
Temporary signs not exceeding 32 square feet in area
announcing a campaign, drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational
or religious organization, provided that the sponsoring organization
shall ensure proper and prompt removal of such sign. No such sign
shall be erected more than 30 days prior to the event advertised,
and all such signs shall be removed within 10 days after the event.
(4)Â
Nonilluminating temporary real estate signs advertising
the sale, rental or lease of the premises or part of the premises
on which the sign is displayed. Such signs shall not exceed eight
square feet (all sides combined) in all residential districts and
64 square feet (all sides combined) in all other districts. Such signs,
not to exceed one in number per lot, shall be permitted for a period
not to exceed six months and shall be removed in any event within
14 days of the sale, rental or lease. In the event that a sale or
letting has not occurred upon expiration of said six-month period,
a sign permit shall be obtained for each additional period not to
exceed six months.
(5)Â
Temporary construction signs which identify the architects,
engineers, contractors and other individuals or firms involved with
the construction and, during the construction period, signs announcing
the character of the building, enterprise or the purpose for which
the building is intended. Such signs shall not include any advertisement
of any product and shall be limited to a maximum area of 32 square
feet on each side for each sign. The signs shall not exceed three
in number per site and shall be confined to the site of the construction
and shall be removed within 14 days following completion of construction.
In no case, however, shall such signs be displayed for a period of
more than one year.
(6)Â
Temporary signs, not exceeding 20 square feet on each
side, announcing "Grand Opening," "Under New Management" or "Going
Out of Business," or sale signs mounted to the inside of windows,
for a period not to exceed 15 days. The applicant has the right to
request a fifteen-day extension, with the maximum time not exceeding
30 days. However, all of these temporary signs are prohibited in the
C-3 Office-Residential District.
[Amended 3-14-1991 by Ord. No. 1991-5]
(7)Â
Nonilluminating temporary real estate signs advertising
the sale, rental or lease of the premises or part of the premises
on which the sign is displayed.
[Added 12-27-1996 by Ord. No. 1996-13]
(a)Â
Such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet (all
sides combined) in all residential districts and 64 square feet (all
sides combined) in all other districts. Such signs, not to exceed
one in number per lot, shall be permitted on each major road frontage.
(b)Â
Temporary open house signs may be placed on
the lot no sooner than 24 hours before and shall be removed within
two hours after the open house is closed. Only one such sign shall
be permitted per lot. No more than three off-site directional signs
are allowed. These signs shall include the day and time of the open
house on the sign.
(c)Â
All temporary real estate signs shall be removed
no later than five days after settlement. The realtor or listing broker
shall be the entity cited if there is a violation of this regulation.
[Amended 3-14-1991 by Ord. No. 1991-5; 11-12-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-9]
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning
districts:
A.Â
Signs with a lighting arrangement which is more than
that which is necessary for the primary illumination of the sign.
This shall include exposed lighting which is intended to attract attention
as well as to illuminate the sign.
B.Â
Any portable sign, as defined.
D.Â
Any sign so located as to obscure all or any portion
of a sign or traffic signal erected by a governmental authority.
E.Â
Any sign (except fire signs) so erected, constructed
or maintained as to obstruct or be attached to any fire escape, window,
door or opening used as a means of egress or ingress or for fire-fighting
purposes or placed so as to interfere with any opening for ventilation
required by law.
F.Â
Any sign or illumination that causes any direct glare
into or upon any road or any building other than the building to which
the sign may be related.
G.Â
Any sign of which all or any part is in motion by
any means, including fluttering or rotating. This shall not apply
to the hands of a clock, a weather vane or a windmill or to those
devices erected in one's yard or attached to one's house for ornamental
or decorative purposes.
H.Â
Any sign displaying flashing or intermittent lights,
rotating beams or lights of changing degrees or intensity of color,
except signs indicating time, temperature, barometric pressure or
air pollution index, but only when the sign does not constitute a
public safety or traffic hazard.
I.Â
Any sign which by reason of its location, position,
size, shape or color may obstruct, impair, obscure, confuse or interfere
with any traffic control sign, signal or device. Accordingly, no sign
shall use the words "stop," "slow," "caution," "yield," "danger,"
"warning" or "go" when such sign may be confused with a traffic control
sign used or displayed by a public authority.
J.Â
Signs advertising any business or industry not conducted
within the Township.
K.Â
Signs extending above the roofline.
L.Â
Pavement signs, except for identification of handicap
parking stalls and fire zones and areas.
M.Â
Signs located off the property which they advertise.
N.Â
Signs immediately adjacent to Interstate 295 and the
New Jersey Turnpike.
O.Â
Neon window signs.
The area of a sign shall mean and shall be computed
as the area to the outside edge of the frame surrounding the sign
or by the edge of the sign if no frame exists. When no frame or edge
exists, the area shall be defined by a projected, enclosed parallelogram
drawn to include all figures, letters, pictures and graphics on such
sign. Multifaced signs shall not exceed the area allowed for standard
signs.
[Amended 6-26-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-12]
The following sign regulations shall apply to
all single-family residential and institutional uses within the above
specified zoning districts:
A.Â
One nameplate sign indicating a professional use,
accessory use or home occupation or name sign indicating the occupant
of a dwelling and trespassing signs or signs indicating the private
nature of a driveway or premises shall be permitted, provided that
the area on one side of any such sign shall not exceed two square
feet, the sign shall not be illuminated and the sign shall be situated
within the property lines of the premises it identifies.
B.Â
Residential development permanent identification sign.
Signs for each residential development shall not exceed 64 square
feet on each side. If the sign consists of additional architectural
features or improvements which are intended to establish a theme,
logo or special identification for the project, then the 64 square
feet may be applicable only to the area of the lettering. Architectural
features which are harmonious with the sign may include but shall
not be limited to brick, stone or wood focal features, fences, walls
and pedestrian shelters. All signs shall be located within the development
and may be located adjacent to any street bounding the development
and shall not exceed one in number per project. All signs and architectural
features shall not exceed five feet in height from ground level.
C.Â
Institutional uses may be permitted one identification
building-mounted sign, not exceeding a total of 32 square feet in
area. Freestanding signs, limited to one per use, with or without
bulletin board or reader board for religious uses, shall be permitted,
provided that the sign does not exceed 24 square feet on each side.
D.Â
No more than one permanent sign per lot shall be permitted,
unless otherwise specified, for each use permitted in these zones.
E.Â
No freestanding sign, including support, shall extend
more than five feet above the ground unless otherwise specified.
F.Â
Temporary construction signs, not to exceed 32 square
feet, shall be permitted.
G.Â
Signs advertising roadside stands selling farm products,
produce and related products shall be permitted, provided that such
signs shall not exceed two in number, shall not exceed an area of
10 square feet on each side of each sign and shall not be located
in any public right-of-way. Such signs must be removed during seasons
when products are not offered for sale.
H.Â
Any multifamily sections shall be permitted one wall-mounted
sign per building, totalling 12 square feet per building. Such signs
shall indicate only the number or name of the building.
The following sign regulations shall apply in
the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District:
A.Â
Each commercial use or tenant may have one facade
sign as follows:
(1)Â
Attached strip stores.
(a)Â
If the building consists of a series of strip
stores attached to each other, the owner shall submit a master sign
program for the entire project. A facade sign board or area shall
be provided. The master sign program shall show the proposed color
combinations, location and size of all signs. Individual facade sign
boxes shall be not more than three feet high. The length may vary
in accordance with the width of store frontage, but there shall be
six feet of open area between any two signs.
(b)Â
If individual channel letters are used, they
shall not exceed three feet in height. Spacing between tenant signs
shall be as noted above.
(c)Â
No more than one facade sign per tenant shall
be allowed.
(2)Â
For individual buildings, not part of the strip store center, each tenant shall be allowed one facade sign not to exceed 40 square feet in size. The regulations above in Subsection A(1) shall apply where applicable.
(3)Â
Signs shall be limited to identifying or advertising
the property, the individual enterprises, the products, services or
the entertainment available on the same property where the sign is
located.
B.Â
Each group of stores approved as a single subdivision
or site plan application may have one freestanding sign which shall
not exceed 36 square feet in area on each side. A group of stores
shall consist of two or more different business or professional occupants
in the same building structure.
(1)Â
The freestanding sign shall contain only the name
and logo of the project. Individual tenants shall not be located on
the freestanding sign.
(2)Â
The freestanding sign shall be architecturally consistent
with the materials and design of the building.
(3)Â
A store or building on several lots shall not have
a separate freestanding sign on each lot.
(4)Â
All freestanding signs shall be monument signs as specified in § 65-113.2. The Construction Official may allow such signs to be raised to a height not exceeding 15 feet if visibility is poor or safety conditions warrant such modifications.
(5)Â
An individual enterprise shall not be permitted a
freestanding sign.
(6)Â
All freestanding signs shall be located not closer
than 10 feet to a street right-of-way or adjoining property line and
shall not create a visibility hazard for motorists.
D.Â
Signs for professional offices as specified in § 65-113.2. If the offices are on the second or greater floor above the retail occupants, then no exterior facade-mounted signs are permitted. All office tenants shall be contained on lobby directory signs.
E.Â
Banks shall be permitted one facade sign as specified in Subsection A(1) above. In addition, a separate facade sign, not to exceed 24 square feet, shall be permitted as part of a wall-mounted money access machine.
F.Â
The building address number shall be clearly shown
on each building.
G.Â
Banners on a permanent basis are permitted, subject
to the following regulations:
[Added 11-12-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-9]
The following sign regulations shall apply in
the C-2 Highway Commercial District:
E.Â
Building address numbers shall be clearly shown on
each building.
F.Â
All signs shall adhere to § 65-113A(3).
G.Â
Motor vehicle sales agencies shall be permitted freestanding
signs indicating "parts," "service," "customer parking," etc. Such
freestanding signs shall not exceed 15 square feet in size and shall
not be higher than six feet.
H.Â
Gasoline service stations shall be limited to the
following signs:
[Added 3-14-1991 by Ord. No. 1991-5]
(1)Â
One freestanding sign, which shall be a combination
identification and price sign. The total sign square footage shall
not exceed 50 square feet, and the maximum width of the sign may not
exceed eight feet. The maximum sign height shall not exceed 20 feet.
(2)Â
One facade sign on the face of the building,
indicating the identification name, food services or a combination
of both. Such sign letters shall not exceed three feet in height and
10 feet in length.
(3)Â
If there is a canopy, two sides of the canopy
may contain identification signs. Such sign letters shall not exceed
two feet in height and eight feet in length. Two project logos may
be included on the canopy in addition to the identification signs.
(4)Â
No more than three service bay banner signs,
which shall be located on the facade of individual service bays. These
signs shall advertise auto service only and not food or drink.
[Added 3-14-1991 by Ord. No. 1991-5]
The following sign regulations shall apply in
the C-3 Office-Residential District:
A.Â
It is the intent of these sign regulations that designs,
sizes and colors will be harmonious with the historic architectural
building themes established and promoted in this district. Therefore,
all signs should avoid a modern appearance and instead should reflect
the type of signs used during the colonial historic period of this
country.
B.Â
Signs should be made of wrought iron or wood, with
either carved letters or painted, or both. The sign background should
avoid brilliant colors such as white and yellow and instead use earth-tone
colors. The letter styles should also reflect the historic period.
Substitute sign materials may be used, provided that they give the
appearance of being made of wood or wrought iron.
C.Â
Sign lighting shall be indirect or external to the
sign. No internal back-lit signs are permitted, and no neon signs
are permitted. Rectangular box signs with internal letters are prohibited.
E.Â
For all other uses, the following sign criteria shall
apply:
(1)Â
Freestanding signs are prohibited.
(2)Â
Facade signs are limited to one per tenant.
Such facade sign letters shall not exceed two feet in height, and
the letters shall all be contained on one line. The location of the
facade sign shall be on a facade band area located above the first-floor
door. Tenants located above the first floor shall place facade signs
on the facade band noted above and not elsewhere on the building.
(3)Â
If more than one facade sign is proposed, the
applicant shall submit a master sign program for the entire project,
showing sizes, colors and locations of all signs.
(4)Â
As an alternative to a facade sign, a tenant
may have a sign mounted perpendicular to the face of the building.
This perpendicular-mounted sign shall not be an additional sign but
shall take the place of a facade sign. The perpendicular sign shall
be made of either wood or wrought iron and shall not exceed three
feet in length by two feet in height. Lettering may be contained on
more than one line but shall state just the name of the business.
(5)Â
Individual sign boxes are prohibited. Neon window
signs and illuminated and nonilluminated window signs are prohibited.
[Amended 6-26-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-12; 8-16-2017 by Ord. No.
2017-10]
A.Â
The following sign regulations shall apply in the
ODL, LI, GI and HI Districts:
(1)Â
In all projects, a master sign program shall
be submitted for review and approval. The master sign program shall
show the proposed color combinations, locations and sizes of all signs.
(2)Â
The overall project shall be permitted freestanding
project identification signs, one along each existing perimeter street
or highway. These signs shall identify only the name and logo of the
entire project. They shall be monument-based and ground-mounted horizontally
and shall not be raised in the air on poles. Permitted maximum length
is 10 feet and maximum height is six feet.
(3)Â
Each office building and industrial building
shall be permitted one freestanding sign indicating either the name
and logo of the building, the address of the building, or both. These
signs shall be located where they are visible from the adjacent street.
They shall be monument-based and ground-mounted horizontally and shall
not be raised in the air on poles. They shall be not greater than
12 feet long by three feet high or four feet long by eight feet high.
(4)Â
Each office building and industrial building
shall be permitted one or more tenant directory signs for multioccupied
buildings. These signs shall be located within the parking lot near
the vehicular access points. These signs shall be monument-based and
ground-mounted horizontally and shall not be raised in the air on
poles. These signs may list the occupants of the building and suite
numbers. Such signs shall not be greater than 3 1/2 feet high by 4
1/2 feet in length or three feet in length by six feet in height.
(5)Â
Each tenant in a multioccupied office or industrial
building shall be permitted a wall-mounted sign next to the entry
doors listing the occupant's name, suite number and logo. These signs
shall not be greater than 12 inches by 12 inches. These signs may
also be painted on the entry doors.
(6)Â
Office building name and logo.
(a)Â
Each office building or industrial building
may be permitted one facade sign on the face of the building indicating
the name and logo of the building. If the building name is the same
as a tenant's, then that tenant must occupy at least 60% of the rentable
area of the building.
(b)Â
These signs and logos shall be individual channel
letters, not exceeding 30 inches in height. The length may vary according
to the number of letters and logo necessary to spell the complete
name.
B.Â
The following standards are for uses located outside master planned multibuilding projects. If such uses are located within a master planned project, they shall follow standards in Subsection A above.
(1)Â
Restaurant facade sign in accordance with § 65-113A(2) and one freestanding sign in accordance with § 65-113B.
(3)Â
Hotel and motel facade signs in accordance with § 65-113A(2) and one freestanding sign in accordance with § 65-113B.
(5)Â
All signs shall adhere to § 65-113A(3).
(7)Â
Building address numbers shall be clearly shown
on each building.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 65-113.2.1, O-1 Planned
Office District, as amended, was repealed 8-16-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-10.
The provisions hereof to the contrary notwithstanding,
a permit may be issued and reissued for a sign lawfully existing on
the effective date of this article or authorized prior thereto, provided
that said sign is not enlarged or changed as to nature, purpose or
type; it being the intent of this provision that, as expeditiously
as legally possible, all nonconforming signs shall be eliminated.
[Amended 11-12-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-9]
The following general regulations shall be applicable
to all zones, except as specifically limited:
A.Â
Every sign permitted in this article must be constructed
of durable materials and must be kept in good condition and repair.
B.Â
No sign shall be erected containing information on
it which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose
not permitted under the provisions of this chapter in the zoning district
in which the property to which the sign relates is located.
Anything to the contrary in this article notwithstanding,
the Township of Mansfield shall have the right to erect any signs
needed or required in connection with the operation of the municipal
government, including but not limited to signs to preserve order,
protect the public health and welfare, regulate traffic, identify
Township limits, advertise Township police regulations and advertise
Township ordinances.
In order to provide directional assistance to
the public, the Construction Official is authorized to have installed
at the intersections of state, county and municipal highways within
the Township and at a charge sufficient to defray the costs thereof,
uniform ladder-type signs establishing the general direction of geographical
areas, public or semipublic uses, shopping centers, industrial parks
and businesses. Said signs shall be maintained and serviced upon completion
of initial installation by the Department of Public Works. The charge
for the installation of each slat shall be per Township ordinance.
Administrative procedures and sign design for instituting this section
shall be approved by the Township Committee, upon recommendation of
the Construction Official.
[Amended 11-12-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-9]
For all use variances granted, the signs permitted
shall be the same as specified for the zoning district where the use
is first permitted as a matter of right. For example, if a building
in a residential district is granted a use variance for offices, the
signs permitted would be the same as the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial
District since that is the district where offices are first permitted
by right.
