A.
It is the intent of this section, in accordance with
the goals and objectives of the Master Plan, to minimize the number
and size of signs in the Borough of North Arlington, consistent with
safety and convenience requirements.
B.
Signs in all zones shall comply with all applicable
county, state and federal sign regulations as well as the following:
(1)
All signs shall be kept in good repair, which shall
include replacement or repair of broken or malfunctioning structural
elements, casings, faces or lighting elements and the maintenance
of legibility. Upon determining that a sign has become structurally
unsafe or endangers the safety of the building or the public, the
Construction Code Official shall order such sign be made safe or removed.
Such order shall be complied with within 10 days of the receipt thereof
by the owner of the building or premises on which such unsafe sign
is affixed or erected.
(2)
Public service devices such as clocks and temperature
indicators shall be devoid of advertising.
(3)
Signs should be compatible with the building's style
in terms of location, scale, color and lettering.
(4)
There should be consistent sign design theme throughout
a particular project. The design theme would include style of lettering,
construction material, a type of pole or standard, size and lighting.
(5)
Color shall be subdued in tone. Contrasting primary
colors are not encouraged.
C.
Required signs. All principal buildings in all districts
shall be clearly identified as to house or street number or name by
means of an unobstructed sign no larger than one square foot, clearly
visible and legible from the main and abutting street. Such signs
shall not require a construction permit.
D.
Sign permits required.
(1)
No sign shall be placed, constructed, erected or modified
unless a sign permit shall have been obtained from the Zoning Officer
and, where required by the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, a
building permit shall have been obtained from the Construction Code
Official, except for signs exempted from regulation under this section
of this chapter.
(2)
Any application for sign permit shall contain the
following information for each existing and proposed sign:
(a)
Sign (i.e., length, height, width, area, thickness).
(b)
Letter style and size.
(c)
Illumination.
(d)
Color (i.e., letter, background, trim).
(e)
Construction, materials, structural integrity
and installation details.
(f)
Window size (if applicable).
(g)
Location (i.e., height above grade, distance
from roofline, building width, location from sides).
(h)
Comparison of requirements and proposed conditions.
(3)
The sign permit application shall include a sketch
or photograph showing the dimensions of each facade, window and canopy
of the building to which a sign is to be attached, in sufficient detail
to show the location, dimension and area of all existing and proposed
permanent signs affixed to the walls, windows and canopies of the
building. These dimensions shall either be shown on the sketch or
photograph or on an attached table. In the case of a freestanding
sign, the Zoning Officer shall require a plot plan of the lot as part
of the Master Signage Plan, showing the location of buildings, parking
lots, driveways, landscaped areas and all other existing and proposed
signs. The applicant shall provide any additional information which
may be deemed necessary to determine whether the signage plan complies
with the purpose of the sign regulations.
(4)
When installation or modification of a sign has been
approved by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment as part
of a development application, the Construction Code Official shall
issue a sign permit only if the proposed sign is consistent with the
reviewing board's approval.
E.
Signs permitted without permit.
(1)
Directional signs having an area of less than two
square feet and located a minimum of five feet from any property line.
Directional signs shall not block the line of sight from driveways
and roads.
(2)
Information or public service signs, such as those
advertising meeting places, dates, temperature, the availability of
rest rooms, telephone, or similar public conveniences, provided that
such signs do not exceed two square feet in size and do not advertise
any commercial establishment, activity, organization, product, goods
or services, except those of public utilities. Information signs provided
for the guidance and convenience of the public within commercial properties
may also be erected.
(3)
Historic tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques and
emblems which do not exceed six square feet in area and which are
installed by government agencies or civil or religious organizations.
(4)
Signs which issue warnings or safety messages, such
as but not limited to "no hunting," "no trespassing," "beware of dog,"
"private road," "private driveway," etc., provided that they do not
exceed two square feet in area.
(5)
Signs which are an integral part of vending machines,
provided that they do not exceed two feet in area.
F.
Measurement of sign area.
(1)
Signs may be double-faced, but the maximum permitted
area shall apply to one side only. The area of the sign shall include
each and every part of the sign, including moldings and frames. Where
the sign is supported by a post or pylon whose surface is being used
for advertising purposes, the area of this post or pylon shall be
considered as part of the total allowable sign area. Wherever the
name or advertising message on a sign is divided between a number
of panels or parts, the total area of all the panels and parts shall
be considered as one sign. Where a sign consists of individual letters
or numbers, the area of the sign shall be considered as the total
area of the smallest rectangle or rectangles which can collectively
enclose all of the letters or numbers.
(2)
Where a wall sign is permitted, and based on a maximum
percentage of the wall area, the wall area shall be measured from
ground level to the bottom of the roof eaves from one side of the
building to the other.
G.
Nonconforming signs. Any nonconforming permanent sign
which can be shown to have lawfully existed on the date of enactment
of this chapter may be continued and may be restored, unless the sign
has been abandoned.
H.
Abandoned signs. Signs shall be removed by the owner
at the owner's expense within ninety days following written notification
by the zoning officer for any location where the sign no longer relates
to an activity conducted on the site. In the event the sign is not
removed within this time period, the Borough may remove the sign at
the expense of the property owner and for this purpose the Borough
shall have a lien in the amount of the removal cost.
I.
Prohibited signs. The following signs are prohibited
in all zones:
(2)
Signs using red, green, blue or amber illumination
in a beam, beacon or flashing form resembling an emergency light.
(3)
Signs that rotate, gyrate, blink, move, or appear
to move in any fashion.
(4)
Signs attached to the exterior glass of a building.
(5)
Roof signs and signs extending above the wall to which
they are attached.
(6)
Permanent marquees extending over the sidewalk beyond
the street line.
(7)
Signs posted on fences, posts, utility poles or trees.
(8)
Signs posted on Borough property except where specifically
authorized by the Borough.
(9)
Signs installed or painted on sidewalks or curbs.
(10)
Signs on abutments, retaining walls and embankments.
(11)
Signs painted directly on buildings or which
obstruct any windows.
(12)
Signs on accessory buildings.
(13)
Signs which constitute a hazard to the traveling
public by obstructing driving vision, regulatory or directional signs
or signals.
(14)
Pylon signs, except as permitted herein.
(15)
Billboards.
(16)
Automobile, trailer (attached or unattached)
or vehicle of any nature bearing signs or advertisements, parked or
left stationary for more than 24 hours upon any vacant land or public
street.
(17)
All outside lighted signs operating after 1:00
a.m. with the exception of signs in the commercial zones.
(18)
Illuminated signs where the source of light
is directly visible from adjoining properties or streets.
(19)
All temporary signs, except as set forth herein.
J.
Temporary signs or banners.
(1)
One temporary sign identifying the architects, engineers,
builders, brokers, contractors and others connected with the construction
or repair of any building on such lot may be erected or installed
without any permit. No such sign shall be displayed beyond the effective
date of any certificate of occupancy affecting the premises. Unless
affixed to the principal building, such signs shall be set back at
least 10 feet from all property lines. Such temporary sign shall not
exceed 15 square feet in area or five feet in height above ground
level.
(2)
One temporary "for sale" or "for rent" sign may be
erected or installed without any permit. Such sign shall not exceed
an area of six square feet on a tract of less than three acres or
12 square feet on a tract larger than three acres. Such sign shall
be set back at least 10 feet from the street line. The "for sale"
or "for lease" sign shall be removed within seven days following the
completion of the sale or lease transaction.
(3)
Temporary political signs shall be permitted in all
zones for a period of two months prior to a primary, general or special
election and for one week thereafter. Said signs shall not exceed
12 square feet, and no side or diameter of any sign shall exceed six
feet.
Only the following types of signs shall be permitted
in residential districts:
A.
One sign, with a maximum area of two square feet and
a maximum height of eight inches, indicating the name and address
of the occupant of any dwelling and/or any professional activity carried
out therein. Signs shall be constructed of natural materials (i.e.,
wood and stone) and the base shall be appropriately landscaped.
B.
Signs identifying the names of schools, colleges,
houses of worship and other similar public or semipublic institutions:
(1)
The area of any freestanding sign shall not exceed
24 square feet, and not more than one such sign shall be placed along
any street on which such property fronts at least five feet from the
curb.
(2)
Not more than one additional sign may be located on
the wall of any structure on the site. The area of each such sign
shall not exceed 25 square feet or 2% of the area of the wall to which
it is affixed, whichever is less.
(3)
Signs designating entrances or exits to or from parking
areas shall be limited to one sign with a maximum area of two square
feet for each such exit or entrance and located at least five feet
from a property line. One additional sign per parking area designating
the conditions of use or identity, with a maximum area of six square
feet, shall be permitted.
C.
For multifamily dwellings and for buildings other
than dwellings, a single identification sign not exceeding 12 square
feet in area and indicating only the name and address of the building
and the name of the management may be displayed, provided that on
a corner lot two such signs (one facing each street) shall be permitted.
D.
Any sign erected by the Borough, county, state or
federal government.
E.
Signs used for the protection of the public during
construction or repairs.
The following sign standards shall apply to
all properties in the C-1, C-2 and C-3 Zones:
A.
General standards.
(1)
No more than two signs, each of a different type,
shall be permitted per property, with a maximum letter size of six
inches.
(2)
Colors used for the sign shall match either the background
or the trim color of the structure it serves, with no more than three
colors used on one sign. When more than one sign is used, the colors
on the signs shall be coordinated with each other to present a unified
image. No fluorescent colors shall be permitted.
B.
Freestanding signs.
(1)
Freestanding signs must be located in the front yard
area and may be located on the property line but not in the street
right-of-way.
(2)
The maximum size of the sign face shall be 15 square
feet if the building is set back at least 15 feet from the right-of-way
and 30 square feet if the building is set back at least 75 feet from
the right-of-way.
(3)
The maximum height of the sign shall not exceed seven
feet if the building is set back at least 15 feet from the right-of-way
and 15 feet if the building is set back at least 75 feet from the
right-of-way.
C.
Wall signs.
(1)
Wall signs shall be located on the lintel of commercial
buildings, which extends horizontally across the top of the store
front. No wall sign shall obscure important architectural details
of the building.
(2)
Wall signs on residential buildings which have been
converted to commercial uses shall be located at the entrance to the
building between the windows and door and shall not exceed four square
feet and be in proportion to the space between the window and door.
(3)
For buildings originally built for commercial use,
the sign size shall be restricted to an area not more than five percent
of the wall area, or 30 square feet, whichever is less
(4)
Where a building has a permanent canopy or marquee
or has a moving awning, a canopy sign may be placed on the facade
of the canopy, marquee or awing, provided that the maximum height
of the sign is six inches and that no part of said sign extends three
inches beyond the front edge of the canopy, marquee or awning. The
bottom of the awning, canopy and marquee shall be at least eight feet
above the sidewalk.
D.
Window signs.
(1)
Window signs shall be limited to the name and function
of the business.
(2)
Permanent window signs shall be limited to 25% of
the total glass area of the building front, but shall not exceed a
maximum of four square feet.
(3)
Temporary window advertising signs shall be permitted
to advertise temporary sales, products and prices. These signs shall
be limited to 25% of the total glass area of the window in which the
sign is located and are limited to a two-week time period.
The following standards shall apply to all properties
in the I-1 Zone district:
A.
Freestanding signs.
(1)
Single-tenant buildings.
(a)
One freestanding sign per road frontage shall
be permitted.
(b)
The area of such sign(s) shall not exceed 1.5
square feet for each lineal foot of the front of the building or 30
square feet, whichever is less.
(c)
The height of such sign(s) shall not exceed
six feet.
(d)
The sign(s) shall be located at least 25 feet
from the cartway.
(e)
The area surrounding the base of the sign(s)
shall be appropriately landscaped.
(2)
Multitenant buildings.
(a)
General identification sign.
[1]
One freestanding general identification sign
per road frontage shall be permitted.
[2]
The area of such sign(s) shall not exceed 1.5
square feet for each lineal foot of the front of the building or 30
square feet, whichever is less.
[3]
The height of such sign(s) shall not exceed
six feet.
[4]
The sign(s) shall be located at least 25 feet
from the cartway.
[5]
The area surrounding the base of the sign(s)
shall be appropriately landscaped.
(b)
Directory sign.
[1]
One freestanding directory sign identifying
the occupants of the building shall be permitted for each driveway
entrance.
[2]
The area of such sign(s) shall not exceed 16
square feet.
[3]
Such sign(s) shall be located at least 50 feet
from the cartway.
[4]
The area surrounding the base of the sign(s)
shall be appropriately landscaped.
