[1]
Editor's Note: This article, originally adopted 9-14-1977 by Ord. No. 431 (Ch. 58 of the 1969 Code) was previously included as Ch. 156. Ordinance No. 749-2000, adopted 3-8-2000, provided for the relocation of these provisions to this chapter.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DIGITAL SIGN
A type of ground, monument, wall, or window sign which provides a message made up of internally illuminated components. Digital sign displays may include LCD, LED, or plasma displays.
[Added 12-29-2020 by Ord. No. 1028-2020]
DOUBLE-SIDED SIGN
A sign with the same lettering on both sides. For purposes of construing the provisions of this chapter, a double-sided sign shall be considered to be one sign.
ERECT
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 or structure, and the change in any sign shall be considered as the erection of a new sign.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign which is supported by poles, pylons, or other structural components so that the bottom edge of the sign face is six feet or more above grade.
[Added 11-10-2020 by Ord. No. 1025-2020]
GROUND SIGN
A sign in which the entire bottom is in contact with or is close to the ground and is independent of any other structure.
[Amended 11-10-2020 by Ord. No. 1025-2020]
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Any development which shall have been or shall be classified as a major subdivision by the Borough of Northvale Planning Board.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as a part of the sign proper.
MONUMENT SIGN
A sign in which the entire bottom is in contact with the ground and is independent of any other structure.
[Added 8-27-2019 by Ord. No. 1007-2019]
PERSON
Includes any person, firm or partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign which is not permanently installed and which is located inside the property lines.
ROOF SIGN
Any sign erected, constructed and maintained wholly upon or over the roof of any building with the principal support on the roof structure.
SHOPPING CENTER DEVELOPMENT
A group of commercial establishments which provide for the sale of the daily living needs such as food and drugs as well as personal services such as apparel and furniture, banking, professional services and recreation. Such a center should be developed as a unit. A shopping center development shall be comprised of no less than 20,000 contiguous square feet of ground space and shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 200, Zoning, of the Code of the Borough of Northvale.
[Amended 8-10-1994 by Ord. No. 675-94]
SIGN
Includes every sign, billboard, ground sign, wall sign, roof sign, sign painted on the exterior surface of a building or structure, illuminated sign, projecting sign, temporary sign and sign on an awning or canopy and shall include any announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration or insignia used to advertise or promote the interests of any person, firm or corporation when the same is placed out of doors in view of the general public or when of a permanent nature and placed within the window of a commercial or other structure so as to be visible to persons from the outside for the purposes aforesaid.
SIGN AREA
For projecting signs or ground signs, the actual outside dimensions of the sign erected; for wall signs, that rectangular area bounded by the lines in a horizontal and vertical plane delineating the extreme limits of lettering or border constitutes the sign surface on any wall space, awning or canopy.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Includes any sign which is intended to be displayed for a period not in excess of 90 days.
WALL SIGN
A sign which is affixed to or painted on an exterior wall of any building, when such sign shall project not more than six inches from the building or parts thereof. For purposes of this chapter, an attached sign shall be considered to be a wall sign.
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign that is painted upon a window or placed in a window in such a manner or proximity that is intended to be viewed by the public.
[Added 10-11-2000 by Ord. No. 757-2000]
[Amended 8-10-1994 by Ord. No. 675-94]
Except as otherwise set forth herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, alter, relocate or maintain within the Borough of Northvale any sign, as set forth and defined in this chapter, without first making application for and obtaining a sign permit from the Construction Official.
Signs within each district shall be permitted as follows:
A. 
Residential A and B Districts:
(1) 
A nameplate sign, situated within the property lines and bearing only the name and address of the principal occupant, provided that the sign does not exceed 72 square inches in total area. No application or fee or permit shall be required for signs under this subsection.
(2) 
Not more than two temporary or ground signs for and located within any subdivision which has been approved by the Planning Board, provided that each such sign does not exceed 25 square feet in area. In no case shall any such sign be located closer than 25 feet to any street or side lot line. Any such sign shall be removed within 30 days after 50% of the lots in the subdivision have been either sold or residences built thereon.
(3) 
One wall or ground sign not exceeding 20 square feet located on the premises of a place of worship, school buildings, public libraries, museums, art galleries, parish houses, etc., giving only the name and nature of occupancy and information as to the condition of use or occupancy, provided that said use is for nonprofit purposes. No fee shall be charged for any application or permit for signs under this subsection.
(4) 
One sale or rent sign erected only on the property line to be sold or rented, but not to be placed on any street and not to exceed four square feet in area. No application or fee or permit shall be required for a sign under this subsection.
B. 
Business and industrial districts.
[Amended 11-10-2020 by Ord. No. 1025-2020]
(1) 
The following signs shall be permitted:
(a) 
One ground sign per street frontage with an overall width of not more than six feet and an overall height not exceeding six feet above ground. Ground signs may be internally illuminated.
(b) 
One wall sign per establishment per street frontage. Said sign shall be not more than two feet high nor more than 24 square feet in area Wall signs shall not project more than six inches from the façade of the building.
(c) 
A window sign shall be permitted in a window. No window sign shall exceed 25% of the total window area nor 10% of any door window. In no event shall any window sign exceed the limits of permitted wall sign area requirements.
[Added 10-11-2000 by Ord. No. 757-2000]
There shall be permitted no more than a total of one ground sign or a total of three signs of all types for each applicant.
(2) 
Illumination of signs shall be in such a manner as to cause no glare or blinding light to adjacent properties or roadways.
(3) 
All signs shall be set back a minimum distance of 20 feet from the edge of the right-of-way of any public road and 10 feet from any side lot line and shall not be located so as to interfere with the view of adjacent properties.
(4) 
Customary warning, trespassing and posted signs shall be allowed.
(5) 
Illumination of signs shall be in such a manner as to cause no glare or blinding light to adjacent properties or roadways. Digital signs are permitted, but shall not blink, flash, scroll, or animate. The message displayed on a digital sign shall not change more than once per day.
[Added 12-29-2020 by Ord. No. 1028-2020]
C. 
Shopping center developments.
(1) 
Not more than two wall signs per established business shall be allowed in shopping center developments, and such signs shall not exceed a total of 10% of the area of that portion of the face of the building or buildings used in such business at the location in question, the face being the front side of the place of business and the area to include the window and door areas, provided that all signs shall advertise only the business carried on or the products made or sold on the premises, or both.
(2) 
In shopping center developments, one freestanding sign shall be permitted, advertising the name of the shopping center, as defined in this chapter, or the uses found within; provided, however, that they meet the following specifications:
(a) 
The total height of each sign shall not exceed 15 feet.
(b) 
The total area of the sign shall not exceed 75 feet.
(c) 
The lowest edge of any sign shall not be less than three feet above the ground.
(d) 
The freestanding sign shall be internally illuminated as to prevent any glare or blinding effect upon any adjacent property or roadways.
[Amended 11-10-2020 by Ord. No. 1025-2020]
(e) 
All signs shall be set back a minimum distance of 20 feet from the edge of the right-of-way of any public road and 10 feet from any side lot line and shall not be located so as to interfere with the view of adjacent properties.
(3) 
Digital signs are permitted provided that they do not blink, flash, scroll, or animate and the message displayed does not change more than once per day.
[Added 12-29-2020 by Ord. No. 1028-2020]
A. 
Directional signs.
(1) 
Directional signs, meaning those signs which are located off the premises to which traffic or persons are to be directed, will be permitted in any district, provided that they do not exceed five square feet in area and:
(a) 
They are reasonably necessary to direct any traffic or persons to public or semipublic facilities, such as churches and other places of worship, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, libraries, museums, art galleries and parks and recreation areas, within or adjoining the Borough;
(b) 
They are reasonably necessary to direct any traffic or persons to any real estate developments; provided, however, that no more than two such signs will be permitted for each real estate development, and further provided that any such sign shall be removed within 30 days after 50% of the lots in the subdivision have been either sold or residences built thereon; or
(c) 
They are reasonably necessary to promote health, safety and welfare and provide traffic control as determined by the Planning Board upon application made thereto.
(2) 
Directional signs shall require a permit, and nothing herein shall relieve the owner of such sign or the owner of the property on which such sign is to be erected from the responsibility for its erection and maintenance in a good and safe condition.
B. 
In any case where a permitted use is located on premises which do not front on a public street, road or highway and it is reasonably necessary to direct traffic or persons to such premises or to identify such use, or both, ground signs for such purposes, not exceeding 16 square feet in area, may be permitted off said premises at driveway entrances or exits by special permit upon application to the Planning Board, which shall have the power to impose such conditions as to location, size, type, colors, lighting and design as it may find necessary to preserve the character of the neighborhood in which said signs are located.
C. 
Except as otherwise provided in Subsections A and B of these general regulations, no sign shall be erected or exhibited within the Borough of Northvale except for the purpose of advertising a business or other use being conducted on the same property.
D. 
In addition to other signs permitted, wall or ground signs not exceeding one square foot in area may be used for a driveway entrance or exit or for warning purposes on the grounds of libraries, schools, churches or other public buildings or uses. No application or fee shall be required in connection with the permit for such a sign.
E. 
No advertising sign shall be permitted on or within any traveled right-of-way or any sidewalk.
F. 
Floodlights or similar outside illumination are permitted, provided that all lighting, including sign lighting, shall be so arranged as to protect adjoining and nearby properties, streets and highways and traffic from direct glare and hazardous interference of any kind.
G. 
There shall be permitted one wall or ground sign not exceeding 20 square feet located on the premises of places of worship, school buildings, public libraries, museums, art galleries, parish houses, buildings used exclusively by federal, state, county and local government for public purposes, public, private and parochial schools or public recreational and community center buildings and grounds. No application or fee shall be required in connection with the permit for such a sign.
H. 
Gasoline station and public garage signs.
(1) 
In addition to other signs permitted in this chapter, gasoline service stations and public garages only may display the following special signs which are deemed customary and necessary to their respective business:
(a) 
One freestanding or pylon sign advertising the name of the station or garage and the principal products sold on the premises, or both, including any special company or brand name, insignia or emblem, provided that such sign shall not exceed 30 square feet in area on a side and shall be erected not less than 20 feet from the right-of-way line and not less than 10 feet from any side lot line and not less than 10 feet nor more than 25 feet above the ground. High-rise or turnpike-height signs are prohibited.
(b) 
One portable sign located inside the property line and specifically advertising special seasonal servicing of automobiles, provided that said sign does not exceed 12 square feet in area. No fee shall be required in connection with a permit for such a sign.
(2) 
Any permit may be denied where, by virtue of its location, size or structure, the sign would obstruct the view or motion of any pedestrian or vehicle driver so as to create a traffic hazard or would interfere with the use and enjoyment of an adjoining property owner.
I. 
Awnings or canopy signs. One awning/canopy is permitted subject to the following:
[Added 10-11-2000 by Ord. No. 757-2000]
(1) 
Canopies or awnings must have a clearance of at least 10 feet above the sidewalk.
(2) 
All canopies or awnings must be of a single, neutral color and be constructed of non-glare canvas or canvas-look material which has a fire resistant rating. In no event shall awnings or canopies be made of any Day-Glo, fluorescent or multicolor material.
(3) 
An awning/canopy may contain lettering subject to the same size constraints as a wall sign.
The following types of signs are specifically prohibited:
A. 
Any sign of which all or part is in motion by any means, including fluttering, rotating or moving devices set in motion by movement or atmosphere.
B. 
Any sign displaying flashing or intermittent light or lights of changing intensity. No neon or similarly illuminated signs shall be of red, yellow or green color or located in such a fashion as to diminish or detract in any way from the effectiveness of any traffic signal or similar safety or warning device.
C. 
Any illuminated tubing or strings of lights outside rooflines, doors, windows or wall edges of any building, except for holiday decorations during December and January.
[Amended 8-10-1994 by Ord. No. 675-94]
D. 
Any sign that uses the words "stop" or "danger" or otherwise presents or implies the need or requirement of stopping or caution or the existence of danger, which sign is likely to be confused with any sign displayed by a public authority.
E. 
No banner-type sign shall be permitted in any location in the Borough of Northvale except where in celebration of public events or to call attention to dates of holidays of public significance and in such cases only when erected with approval of the governing body itself.
F. 
All pylon or freestanding signs.
G. 
High or turnpike-height signs.
[1]
Editor's Note: All Borough facilities/properties are exempted from the provisions of this section.
The following exemptions shall apply only to the requirement for a sign permit and shall not be construed as relieving the owner of the sign from the responsibility for its erection and maintenance in a good and safe condition.
A. 
Memorial tablets or signs, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials.
B. 
Traffic or other municipal signals or legal notices, railroad crossing signals or danger signs and such temporary emergency signs as may be erected by governmental or public utility employees in carrying out their official work.
C. 
Names on mailboxes.
D. 
Signs used on property warning the public against hunting or trespassing thereon.
E. 
Any temporary signs advocating or advertising any candidate for public office.
A. 
Application for sign permits shall be made by the owner of the premises or the person responsible for the erection of the sign, and both shall be responsible for compliance with the terms as herein set forth. Such application, accompanied by a fee as set forth in Chapter 84, Uniform Construction Codes, § 84-2H, shall be made to the Construction Official and shall contain the following information on forms supplied by him:
(1) 
The name, address and telephone number of the owner or lessee of the premises and the name of the person, firm, corporation or association erecting said sign, and both shall be considered applicants.
(2) 
The location of the building, structure or lot to which or upon which the sign is to be attached or erected.
(3) 
The position of the sign in relation to nearby buildings or structures, sidewalks and streets.
(4) 
Such other information as the Construction Official shall require to show full compliance with this chapter.
B. 
It shall be the duty of the Construction Official to examine the application and other data regarding the premises upon which it is proposed to erect the sign, and if it shall appear that the proposed structure is in compliance with all the requirements of this chapter and the other laws and ordinances of the Borough of Northvale, he shall then issue the sign permit. The sign permit shall be issued or denied within 45 days of the date of application.
[Amended 8-10-1994 by Ord. No. 675-94]
C. 
If the work authorized under a sign permit has not been completed within 180 days after date of issuance, the permit shall become null and void.
A. 
Whenever, in the opinion of the Construction Official, any sign becomes unsafe or endangers the safety of a building or premises or endangers the public safety, the Construction Official shall send a letter by certified mail to the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises on which the sign is located, ordering that such sign be made safe or be removed within 30 days of receipt of the letter. If the permittee fails to remove, alter or repair it within 30 days after such notice, such sign may be removed by the Construction Official with the reasonable expense thereof charged to the holder of the permit. The Construction Official may cause any sign structure to be removed summarily and without written notice if it is an immediate peril to persons or property by virtue of its construction or moorings.
[Amended 8-10-1994 by Ord. No. 675-94]
B. 
Subject to the provisions of the next subsection, any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a business or profession conducted or product sold or which is not used for a permitted use shall be taken down and removed by the permittee, owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure or land upon which such sign may be found within 30 days after written notification from the Construction Official. If, in the discretion of the Construction Official, said sign does not comply with the terms of this chapter and upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the Construction Official is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign, and any reasonable expense incurred for the purpose shall be paid by the permittee or owner of the premises where such sign is located.
[Amended 8-10-1994 by Ord. No. 675-94]
C. 
Any signs now in existence, the erection or placing of which would be prohibited hereunder, may be continued on such building, structure, lot or land so occupied. However, at no time shall such sign be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended or relocated unless such action changes a nonconforming sign into a conforming sign as provided herein. This subsection shall not be construed to allow a nonconforming sign to be erected despite the fact that said sign would not extend the nonconforming use beyond 25% of the existing floor space.
D. 
The failure to keep a nonconforming sign painted or in good repair for a period of six months shall constitute abandonment, and such sign may not be reused and must be removed.
E. 
The owner of the premises on which the sign is located shall be responsible for the general maintenance of the sign.
A. 
Appeals to the Planning Board may be taken by any person aggrieved by a decision of the Construction Official. Each appeal shall be taken within 45 days by filing a notice of appeal with the Construction Official from whom the appeal was taken, together with three copies of said notice with the Secretary of the Planning Board. Said notice of appeal shall specify the grounds for said appeal. The Construction Official from whom this appeal is taken shall forthwith transmit to the Board all the papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed from was taken.
[Amended 8-10-1994 by Ord. No. 675-94; 4-8-1998 by Ord. No. 726-98]
B. 
The owner of any premises or the person responsible for the erection of the sign who is aggrieved by a decision of the Construction Official may apply to the Planning Board for a variance. Said application procedure shall be in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 29, Land Use Procedures, and the provisions of Chapter 291 of the Laws of New Jersey 1975 and any subsequent amendments or supplements thereto.[1]
[Amended 8-10-1994 by Ord. No. 675-94; 4-8-1998 by Ord. No. 726-98]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.
C. 
The Planning Board shall follow the procedural provisions of P.L. 1975, c. 291, and any subsequent statutes or ordinances adopted in accordance therewith.[2]
[Amended 8-10-1994 by Ord. No. 675-94; 4-8-1998 by Ord. No. 726-98]
[2]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.
D. 
Any variance granted pursuant to the terms of this chapter shall expire within 180 days of the day of its granting unless the permitted use has actually been commenced.
[Amended 8-10-1994 by Ord. No. 675-94]
Any person or persons, firm or corporation who or which violates any provision of this chapter shall be punishable as provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article II, General Penalties. Each and every day such violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
[Added 10-11-2000 by Ord. No. 757-2000]
All permitted signs within the Borough of Northvale which contain letters, numbers or symbols in a language other than English shall also include an English translation or Arabic numbers with appropriate visibility to allow the reasonable identification of the location and means of egress from and ingress to the premises and the nature of the activity conducted therein. In addition, such signs shall comply with all other requirements of the Borough of Northvale.