[Amended 8-13-1991 by Ord. No. 7-91; 1-5-2009 by Ord. No.
3-09]
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 Oaklyn for the following purposes:
A.
To provide a pleasing overall environmental setting
and good community appearance deemed vital to the continued economic
attractiveness of Oaklyn by:
(1)
Encouraging signs in areas of high sign concentration,
such as 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)
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 architectural
character of the building.
(3)
Permitting signs that not only identify the presence
of the business or use upon a thoroughfare, but also generate a positive
collective impact upon the streetscape of an area.
B.
To create a more productive, enterprising, professional
business atmosphere.
C.
To ensure that permitted signs do not become a safety
hazard or nuisance.
D.
To promote traffic safety.
E.
To promote the design of signs in pedestrian corridors
that focus upon pedestrian viewers and not automobile operators.
F.
To prevent business and advertising signs from conflicting
with public safety signs.
G.
To prevent the overcrowding of land through multiple
proliferation of signs on a single parcel of land.
H.
To promote the public safety and welfare of Oaklyn.
For the purpose of this article, the following
definitions shall apply:
A sign no longer used for its original intent or a sign on
a vacant, unoccupied, or abandoned property.
A temporary sign composed of lightweight material either
enclosed or not enclosed in a rigid form secured or mounted so as
to allow movement of the sign caused by movement in the atmosphere.
That portion of any exterior elevation of a building extended
from grade to the top of the parapet wall or eaves and the entire
width of the building elevation.
A sign located on or within close proximity of a business
or commodity for sale or to a profession, service or entertainment
rendered thereto.
A sign which by manual, mechanical or lighting effects can
have its copy or message changed apart from any reworking of the sign.
A flag displayed for decorative, and not official or patriotic,
purposes.
A pole, ground or pylon sign not attached to a building or
structure.
A directional sign containing no advertising other than a
name, either temporary or permanent, which serves as a convenience
to the public to show direction to a place or activity, including,
but not limited to, the location of rest rooms, telephones, first
aid stations; and signs located on mechanical dispensing equipment
that identifies a product.
Any sign which is located and designed to be seen at night
by virtue of an artificial light source from within, behind or upon
such sign, but not including reflector-type signs unless the source
of illumination is made a part of or is related to such sign.
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.
Any sign attached to a fixed shelter or roof, extending over
a building line, which is supported by the building to which it is
attached.
A sign not permanently attached to the ground or a building,
including any sign mounted on or attached to a vehicle which is not
capable of self-propulsion and registered with the New Jersey Division
of Motor Vehicles.
That portion of a building wall that rises above the roof
level.
A sign mounted on or supported by or suspended from a freestanding
column, pipe or pole.
A sign expressing support for or opposition to a candidate
for public office or an issue specific to a current (within the calendar
year) election or referendum, and shall include such political paraphernalia
as posters, bumper stickers (stationary), banners or the like.
A sign which is cast, reflected or shown on a wall, screen
or other surface, whether for a continuous period or not.
A sign erected upon, against or directly above a roof or
on top of or above the parapet of a building.
A name, identification, description, illustration or any
other visual display which is affixed to, painted on or represented
directly or indirectly upon any building, structure or land and which
directs attention to an organization, business, product, service or
individual. Includes banners, streamers, whirling or illuminated devices
or any other type of attention-attracting device and may be a single-display,
double-display, multiple-display, or V-type structure.
The entire space within a sign's continuous perimeter, enclosing
the extreme limits of all words, devices or emblems but not passing
through or between any adjacent elements. In computing the area of
a sign with two display surfaces, the area of the larger surface shall
be considered the sign area. In computing the area of a sign with
two display surfaces that are identical, only one side should be considered.
In computing the area of signs with three or more display surfaces,
the area shall be computed by adding the total surface area of the
sign and dividing by the number of display surfaces utilized by the
sign. The "display surface" of a sign shall mean all sides and faces
of a sign that can be viewed from one location. In computing the area
of a V-type sign, if both sides are identical and the interior angle
of which is less than 45°, only one side should be considered;
a V-type sign which does not have two identical sides and the interior
angle of which is 45° or greater shall be computed as both display
faces comprising the sign area.
A sign erected for a relatively short period of time, which
period shall be terminated by the work, event, or occurrence of the
event to which it refers, and in all respects the same as a sign which
is not temporary insofar as matters of location, construction and
public safety are concerned.
A sign attached to the underside of a canopy.
A permitted V-type sign means a sign in which the V is in
a horizontal plane; an inverted V-type sign or one which rests upon
the two edges spread apart on the ground with no other support or
anchorage shall not be permitted in the interest of public safety.
A sign attached to or erected against the wall of a building
with the face in a parallel plane to the plane of the building wall.
The following regulations shall govern signs
for all uses within the Borough:
A.
All signs shall be subject to the provisions of the
Building, Construction, Maintenance and Fire Codes of the Borough.
B.
The text of all signs shall be limited to identification
and functional purposes only. Identification signs shall contain the
principal name of the establishment, firm or proprietor, its address
and a brief description of the principal goods or services offered.
The text of a sign may also include a logogram or symbol of the use
which it identifies.
C.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to works of art, statues, sculpture, fountains, holiday decorations and similar objects which do not fall within the definition of a sign contained in § 125-49 of this article.
D.
Maintenance. The area surrounding a sign shall be
kept clean, free of litter and landscaped. Whenever a sign shall become
structurally unsound or a hazard to the public or a building, the
Building Inspector shall order that the sign be made safe or removed.
Such order shall be complied with within 10 days of the receipt thereof
by the person owning or using the sign or the owner of the building
or premises on which such unsafe sign is affixed or erected. Failure
to comply with such order within 10 days of the receipt thereof will
be deemed a violation of this chapter and subject to the penalties
stated within said Code, as administered and enforced by the Borough.
E.
No sign, except official street or highway signs or
functional signs, shall be located within 20 feet of the existing
or proposed right-of-way of any public road or street.
(1)
In Block 60, Lots 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20
of the Redevelopment Area Overlay Zone, no sign, except official street
or highway signs or functional signs, shall be located within three
feet of the existing or proposed right-of-way of any public road or
street.
[Added 12-8-2020 by Ord.
No. 10-20]
F.
No sign shall exceed 20 feet in height.
G.
No wall sign shall extend beyond three feet of the
building facade on which it is mounted. This should conform to handicap
compliance and unless it is higher/lower than the constraints of ADA
and ANSI it should not be permitted.
H.
All signs shall conform to the provisions of Title
27 of the New Jersey State statutes.
I.
No sign shall be erected or placed in a position which
will cause danger to traffic on a street or within a parking lot by
limiting the vision of drivers or obstructing the flow of traffic;
nor shall any sign be so located as to obstruct a clear view at street
intersections, at driveway entrances or other locations deemed to
be hazardous.
J.
Signs advertising or identifying a business or use
no longer in existence or a product no longer available shall be promptly
removed.
K.
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 the Borough's Zoning Ordinance
as it applies to the property on which the sign is located.
L.
No sign shall be illuminated between the hours of
10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following morning unless the business
or use so advertised is open to the public later than 10:00 p.m.,
in which case the establishment may keep its sign illuminated until
the business closes, but not after.
(1)
In Block 60, Lots 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20
of the Redevelopment Area Overlay Zone, this provision is not applicable
inasmuch as the proposed business is anticipated to be open to the
public 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
[Added 12-8-2020 by Ord.
No. 10-20]
M.
No sign shall be so erected or located as to obstruct
free access to a doorway, fire escape or window.
N.
Any business sign adjacent to a dwelling or a residential
district shall be so illuminated that the glare will not extend upon
such residential use or district.
O.
Permits. A sign permit shall be required for all signs
in excess of eight square feet in area; all illuminated signs, regardless
of size, shall not only require a permit but shall meet all requirements
of the current Electrical Code as adopted by the Borough of Oaklyn.
Signs incorporated as a part of a building design shall be covered
by the building permit. All applications for signs requiring sign
permits shall be the subject of review of the Planning and Zoning
Board of the Borough of Oaklyn.
P.
Permit fees. No sign shall be reviewed by the Planning
and Zoning Board nor a sign permit issued until a plan and elevation
drawing has been submitted with details as to location, type of illumination,
text of the sign and name of the owner and erector of the sign. Fees
shall be in accordance with the Borough of Oaklyn Schedule of Fees
which can be obtained in the Borough Clerk's office.
The following signs shall be permitted within
the Borough of Oaklyn in accordance with the provisions of this article:
A.
Signs erected by governmental agencies; court or public
notices; traffic control devices approved or installed by the appropriate
governmental agencies; and flags, emblems and insignias of governmental
and religious institutions.
B.
One nonilluminated or white-lighted sign not exceeding
nine inches by 18 inches and either freestanding or affixed to a building
which:
C.
One nonilluminated or white-lighted nonflashing sign
for schools, churches, hospitals, clubs, lodges or other similar use,
provided that the size of any one side of the sign shall not exceed
12 square feet. When a building or lot fronts on more than one street,
an additional sign may be erected which meets the requirements of
this subsection.
D.
One nonilluminated real estate sign advertising the
sale or rental of a building or lot, provided that such sign does
not exceed 12 square feet. When a building or lot fronts on more than
one street, an additional sign may be erected which meet the requirements
of this subsection.
E.
One nonilluminated real estate sign bearing the word
"sold" or "rented" with the name of the person or firm affecting the
sale or rental, provided that such sign does not exceed 12 square
feet.
F.
One nonilluminated sign bearing the name and profession
or trade for each person or firm performing construction or repair
work on the premises, provided that such individual signs do not exceed
12 square feet in area and are promptly removed upon completion of
the work.
G.
For business, office, commercial/industrial and institutional uses, functional signs as defined in § 125-49, provided that no functional sign shall exceed 12 square feet in sign area and that no functional sign shall contain advertising.
(1)
In Block 60, Lots 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20
of the Redevelopment Area Overlay Zone, signs are permitted to contain
advertising.
[Added 12-8-2020 by Ord.
No. 10-20]
H.
For business, office, commercial, institutional and industrial uses, one wall sign or facade sign on each side of a building which faces an approved public street or public parking lot having an entrance generally used by the public, provided that the sign area does not exceed 10% of the building facade area, as defined in § 125-49, on which it is mounted or 50 square feet, whichever is less.
(1)
In Block 60, Lots 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20
of the Redevelopment Area Overlay Zone, 70 square feet of sign area
is permitted.
[Added 12-8-2020 by Ord.
No. 10-20]
I.
(Reserved)
J.
For shopping centers or strip stores, one under-canopy
sign for each business use, provided that the dimensions of the sign
shall not exceed one foot in width or four feet in length.
L.
Temporary signs announcing or advertising any political,
educational, charitable, civic, professional, religious or like campaign
or event for a consecutive period not to exceed 60 days or any calendar
year, provided that they do not exceed 50 square feet in size.
M.
Signs identifying a residential area or apartment
complex, provided that not more than one sign shall be located at
each principal entrance to the project, that not more than three signs
shall be permitted for any one project, that the sign contain only
the name of the development and a logogram or symbol and that its
size not exceed 50 square feet in area.
N.
Only a merchandise advertising sign shall be permitted
in a window, provided that the sign area does not exceed 20% of the
area of the window or obstruct any of the functional mechanisms of
said window.
O.
In Block 60, Lots 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20
of the Redevelopment Area Overlay Zone, one freestanding sign is permitted
per street frontage.
[Added 12-8-2020 by Ord.
No. 10-20]
Although it should be understood that any sign
not complying with the provisions of this article is prohibited, the
following types of signs are specifically prohibited:
A.
Flashing, moving or apparently moving signs, except the changeable-copy signs permitted by § 125-51 and time-and-temperature signs.
B.
Signs with any lighting or control mechanism which
may cause radio or television interference.
C.
Any series of two or more signs or sign units placed
in a line along a roadway or in similar fashion, all carrying a single
message, part of which is contained on each sign.
D.
Any sign which in any way simulates official, directional
or warning signs erected or maintained by the federal or any state,
county or local government or by any railroad or public utility or
similar agency concerned with the protection of the public health
or safety.
E.
Any sign located on a lot other than the lot occupied
by the use, event or product which the sign advertises. All signs
within the Borough shall be limited to on-premises signs only.
F.
Any sign attached to or painted on trees, fences,
utility poles, rocks, curbs, walls, lamps, hydrants, benches or bridges.
L.
Any sign near a street intersection that contains
red, amber or green illumination of any kind.
M.
Any sign that obstructs openings intended as a means
of entrance or exit; any sign that obstructs light or air from any
room or building; or any sign located so as to provide less than seven
feet clearance over a pedestrian walkway or head of any door.
N.
Floodlights, spotlights, and directed lights as part
of a 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.
B.
All nonconforming signs shall be removed in the event
of a change in use, change of business license, or change of tenancy
on the premises.
C.
No new signs needing a permit may be approved for
any property while a nonconforming sign remains in use on that property.
Approval for permit and erection of any new signs for a property shall
be contingent upon simultaneous removal of all nonconforming signs
for said property.
A.
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.
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.
The property owner shall thereafter have 10 days to
repair or remove said sign.
A.
Upon the discovery of a violation of this article,
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 article and to bring the sign into conformity with this article
or to remove it or to apply for a sign permit to allow the sign as
existing within 10 days of the notice.
B.
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 the property, as listed in
the tax records of the Borough, and take such other action as may
be permitted by law.
