A.
Intent and purpose. In order to preserve the Township as a desirable community in which to live, farm and do business, a pleasing, visually attractive environment is of foremost importance. The regulation of signs within the Township is a highly contributive means by which to achieve this desired end. These sign regulations are prepared with the intent of enhancing the overall environment, specifically the aesthetic values, and promoting the continued well-being of the Township. It is the purpose of this article to promote the public health, safety and general welfare through a comprehensive system of reasonable, consistent and nondiscriminatory sign standards and requirements. These sign regulations are intended to:
(1)
Enable the identification of places of residence and business.
(2)
Allow for the communication of information necessary for the conduct of commerce.
(3)
Lessen hazardous situations, confusion and visual clutter caused by proliferation, improper placement, illumination, animation and excessive height, area and bulk of signs which compete for the attention of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
(4)
Enhance the attractiveness and economic well-being of the Township as a place to live, farm and conduct business.
(5)
Protect the public from the dangers of unsafe signs.
(6)
Permit signs that are compatible with their surroundings and aid orientation, and preclude placement of signs in a manner that conceals or obstructs adjacent land uses or signs.
(7)
Encourage signs that are appropriate to the zoning district in which they are located and consistent with the category of use to which they pertain.
(8)
Curtail the size and number of signs and sign messages to the minimum reasonably necessary to identify a residential or business location and the nature of any such business.
(9)
Establish sign size in relationship to the scale of the lot and building on which the sign is to be placed or to which it pertains.
(10)
Preclude signs from conflicting with the principal permitted use of the site or adjoining sites.
(11)
Regulate signs in a manner so as to not interfere with or obstruct vision of or distract motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians.
(12)
Require signs to be constructed, installed and maintained in a safe and satisfactory manner.
(13)
Preserve and enhance the natural aesthetics and scenic characteristics of this farming community.
B.
Any sign, banner, billboard, or signboard hereafter erected or maintained shall conform with the provisions of this chapter and any other ordinances or regulations of the Township of Woolwich. A sign/signboard is defined as "a display (as a lettered board or a configuration of neon or lighted tubing) used to identify or advertise a place of business or a product." A banner is defined as "a strip of cloth, canvas or other flexible material which is durable and weather-resistant, on which a sign or an advertisement graphic is painted or displayed." A billboard is defined as "a large flat panel designed to carry outdoor advertising."
C.
The limitations on signs as set forth for the various zones by this chapter shall not apply to any sign or directional device erected by the federal, state, county or Township government, or agency thereof, nor to any "no trespassing" sign erected in accordance with the applicable statutes of the State of New Jersey.
D.
The limitations on sign location and area as set forth by this chapter for the business, commercial, professional and light industry zones shall not apply to parking lot markers, directional signs and entrance and exit signs which are erected on the premises, provided that each such sign does not exceed two square feet in area and does not contain any advertising of the use on the premises; and further provided that the number and location of said signs are approved by the Joint Land Use Board.
[Amended 11-17-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-15]
E.
Substitution clause. Subject to the landowner's consent, a noncommercial message/copy of any type may be substituted for any duly permitted or allowed commercial message/copy or any duly permitted or allowed noncommercial message; provided that the sign structure or mounting device is legal without consideration of message content. Such substitution of message may be made without any additional approval or permitting. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary in this chapter and section. The purpose of this substitution clause provision is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over noncommercial speech, or favoring of any particular noncommercial message over any other noncommercial message. This provision does not create a right to increase the total amount of signage on a parcel, nor does it affect the requirement that a sign structure or mounting device be properly permitted. This substitution clause provision does not allow for the substitution of offsite commercial messages in place of onsite commercial messages. Additionally, this provision only allows for a change of message as any change in structure must comply with all relevant building codes and permit process.
F.
Severability generally and specific to severability of prohibition on billboards. If any part, section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, phrase, clause, term or word of this article and/or any other code provisions and/or laws are declared invalid or unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, the declaration of such unconstitutionality shall not affect the prohibition on billboards as contained herein.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection G, regarding sign regulations in the Township's Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Ordinance, which immediately followed, was repealed 6-5-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-14.