The following temporary signs shall be permitted in all districts of the Borough subject to general regulations applicable to all signs.
A. Election, special election and referendum
signs. Such
signs may be erected not more than three weeks prior to an election. Election
signs shall be removed within 48 hours after the completion of the event.
Signs shall not exceed six square feet on a side.
[Amended 5-18-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-13]
B. Land development signs. Signs advertising the sale of property or structures in developments of two or more lots and signs advertising the opening or construction of a new business shall be permitted for a period up to three months, or until the signing of the contract or transaction of sale or lease of the last lot or structure in the development. Signs shall not exceed six square feet on a side.
C. "For Sale" and "For Rent" signs. One temporary sign is permitted per lot for a lot not exceeding two acres. The sign may contain the word "owner" and the telephone number, or alternatively, it may identify by name and telephone number the New Jersey licensed real estate broker, if any, given the right to sell or lease property and/or the word "broker." The following additional criteria shall apply:
(1) If relating to a residential lot or building, the
sign shall not exceed four square feet in area on any one side. If relating to a lot or building, the
sign shall not exceed two square feet for each foot of front wall width or six square feet, whichever is less, except as otherwise provided in Subsection
G, below.
[Amended 5-18-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-13]
(2) The sign shall be removed from the premise within two days after closing of sale or signing of lease for the premises.
(3) "Open House"
signs are permitted for a forty-eight-hour period immediately preceding the open house and must be removed within 24 hours from their original posting. Such
signs are not to exceed six square feet in size; one may be located on site, and up to three may be located off site. No more than four such
signs may be posted in total.
[Amended 5-18-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-13]
D. Banners on Main Street. Such banners are considered
temporary signs. Banners are subject to the general regulations regarding
temporary signs as well as the following additional regulations:
[Added 10-5-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-29]
(1) Only nonprofit organizations that benefit the Chesters may apply for a permit to erect these banners.
(2) No more than two banners shall be allowed on Main Street at any one time. No banner shall be attached to any utility pole having a streetlight.
(3) Banners shall not be placed earlier than two weeks before the event which they announce and shall be removed within five days after the event has occurred.
(4) The dimensions shall not exceed four feet by 30 feet.
(5) A banner shall be removed immediately upon notice to the permit holder from the Chief of Police that it has created a traffic or other hazard.
(6) The organization applying for a banner permit shall obtain the written consent to the placement of the banner from:
(a) The Morris County Board of Freeholders;
(b) Any utility or private owners included in suspending the banner; and
(c) Borough Zoning Officer or, in his absence, the Police Chief.
(7) A certificate of insurance shall also be filed with the Borough Clerk naming the Borough as an additional insured party.
(8) There shall be a fee of $50 for a permit to erect the banner.
[Amended 6-6-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-14]
E. Nonprofit organizations.
[Amended 5-18-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-13]
(1) Nonprofit organizations may display no more than one sign per event on site no earlier than two weeks before an event and must be removed within 24 hours after the event has occurred. A permit must be obtained from the Borough Zoning Officer, and all fees may be waived. Such sign shall not exceed 15 square feet.
(2) Nonprofit organizations may additionally utilize up to four temporary lawn signs on other property no earlier than one week before an event, and must remove the same within 24 hours after the event has occurred. A permit must be obtained from the Borough Zoning Officer and all fees may be waived. Such sign shall not exceed six square feet.
F. Window
signs. Establishments in business districts shall be permitted
temporary signs displayed in windows for the advertising of community events and for advertising and promotion of special services and goods available on the premises. Such
signs shall not be placed on doors and may only be located on the interior of the windows. The total
sign coverage cannot exceed 30% of the business's interior window. Such
temporary signs shall be permitted for no more than 30 days in duration.
[Amended 5-18-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-13]
G. "For Sale" or "Lease" signs for a commercial or industrial site of over two acres. Such signs shall be permitted, provided that they shall not exceed a total of 15 square feet in size and there shall not be more than one sign on each street frontage of any parcel of land.
H. Temporary signs identifying architect, builders, realtors and contractors of premises. Only one sign per project is permitted for a period not exceeding the time required for such construction to be completed and such shall be removed within 48 hours after the work is completed. Such sign shall not exceed six square feet.
The following signs shall be prohibited in all zoning districts of the Borough:
A. Signs painted on exterior walls of any structure.
B. Signs higher than 30 feet.
C. Signs which impede, interfere with or distract from the operation of any traffic control device.
D. With lights; exceptions.
[Amended 5-18-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-13]
(1) Signs which include any flashing, blinking of series lights or any rotating or moving parts, or neon sign or signs containing reflective enhancing materials. Exceptions are limited to traffic control and seasonal decoration for the months of November through January.
(2) Interior use of lit signs or lights within 15 feet from the exterior windows and doors. Exceptions are limited to traffic control and seasonal decoration for the months of November through January.
E. Signs erected or used upon the top or roof of any building.
F. Signs which extend in height or project higher than the roofline of any building.
G. Signs with more than two display faces are prohibited.
H. A double face sign having an included angle of over 45° is prohibited.
I. Signs mounted, erected or maintained on a utility pole, trees in public right-of-way or on municipal property except as otherwise specifically authorized [except trespass
signs described in §
163-89A(6)], water tower, standpipe, tower or other similar structure.
J. Pylon signs exceeding 15 feet.
K. Attached signs other than perpendicular signs projecting more than 12 inches from the building wall.
L. The use of pennants, streamers, balloons, windmills or other moving devices, banners or flashing
signs is prohibited, other than for a period of two weeks from the date of opening of a new establishment. Searchlights and animated
signs are prohibited at all times. A business may display one national flag and one other flag, each no larger than five feet by eight feet. All flags must be displayed so that they do not impede the flow of pedestrian traffic.
[Amended 5-18-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-13]
M. Signs extending more than three inches from the surface of a wall but less than 10 feet from the ground level below the sign.
N. Signs, illustrations or symbols shall not be placed so as to interfere with the opening of an exit door of any building, to obstruct any window opening of a room in a dwelling to interfere with the use of any fire escape or to create a hazard to pedestrians.
O. Signs erected, painted, affixed, located, or maintained on any box van, cube van, bob truck, or cube truck (i.e., a chassis cab-truck with an enclosed cuboid-shaped cargo area) parked in an area visible to the general public, other than parked or stopped temporarily for active loading or unloading, which identifies or advertises a business within the immediate area of the parked vehicle is prohibited. In no case may vehicle
signs extend above the top of the vehicle or impair its safe operation. Trailers or vehicles whose main use is the display of
signs or media are prohibited.
[Amended 6-20-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-06]
P. Except as otherwise specifically provided for herein, changeable information signs are only permitted in the commercial zones.
Q. No sign may impede the flow of pedestrian traffic.
R. No window
signs or lettering on windows shall be permitted in any residential zone.
[Added 5-18-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-13]
In the event that a proposed sign does not comply with the provision of this article, an application for a variance may be made and decided by the Zoning Board of Adjustment, in the same manner as any other variance. Signs constructed under a variance must obtain a permit and permit number after the granting of said variance and before sign installation is begun.