All signs within the Borough of Raritan shall be erected, constructed
or maintained in accordance with the provisions of this article. No
existing sign shall be enlarged, rebuilt, structurally altered or
relocated except in accordance with the provisions of this article
and until a permit has been issued by the Construction Official. The
issuance of a permit shall not relieve the owner or lessee of the
premises from the duty of maintaining safely any of such structures.
Any sign of any description shall be plainly marked with the name
of the person, firm or corporation erecting or maintaining such sign.
A. Objectives of sign regulations:
(1) To protect the public health, safety, and welfare by restricting
signs which impair the public's ability to receive information, which
violate privacy, or which increase the probability of accidents by
distracting attention or obstructing vision.
(2) To encourage signs that promote a desirable visual environment through
creative yet orderly design arrangements.
(3) To encourage signs that aid orientation, identify activities, describe
local history and character, or serve other educational purposes.
(4) To encourage the replacement of nonconforming signs through the strict
enforcement of the procedures and requirements of this article.
B. Permit required for signs.
(1) An application must be made to the Zoning Officer for the issuance
of a zoning permit by any person wishing to erect, alter, modify,
or expand any sign, except for exempt signs as described in this article.
(2) A construction permit and any other permits that may be required
for the erection or modification of a sign may only be issued subsequent
to the issuance of a zoning permit by the Zoning Officer.
(3) This article regulates the size, height, width, placement, materials,
and the method of illumination for all signs in the Borough. If the
Zoning Officer determines that the proposed sign does not conform
to the requirements contained herein, the applicant shall be informed
that Planning Board approval of an application for development is
required.
[Amended 7-26-2011 by Ord. No. 11-07]
(4) On properties involved in an application for site plan review, all
signs shall be approved by the Board which has jurisdiction as part
of the site plan application prior to the issuance of permits for
signs.
C. Filing procedures.
(1) Application for permits to erect, hang or place a sign shall be submitted
on forms obtainable from the Construction Official. Each application
shall be accompanied by plans showing the area of the sign, size and
character, method of illumination, if any, the exact location proposed
for such sign, and, in the case of a projecting sign, the proposed
method of fastening such sign to the building structure, the vertical
distance between such sign and the finished grade and the horizontal
distance between such sign and the curb, and also between such sign
and the right-of-way line.
(2) Additional information. Each applicant shall, upon the request of
the Zoning Officer, submit any additional information deemed necessary.
D. Signs not requiring permits. The following signs may be erected,
constructed, placed and maintained without a permit from the Construction
Official:
(1) Any temporary real estate sign. Such sign shall not be illuminated
nor exceed 12 square feet.
(2) Any incidental sign advertising the sale of farm products grown or
produced on the premises, provided that such sign shall not exceed
12 square feet in area and shall be at least 100 feet from the nearest
intersection of a street, road or highway and at least five feet from
the nearest property line. Such sign shall not be illuminated.
(3) Any temporary construction site sign erected on the site during the
period of construction to announce the name of the owner or developer,
contractor, architect, landscape architect or engineer. Such signs
shall not be illuminated.
(4) Temporary signs of mechanics, painters and other artisans, provided
that such signs shall be erected only on the property where such work
is being performed, do not exceed 12 square feet and shall be removed
promptly upon completion of the work.
(5) Signs incident to the legal process of law and necessary to the public
welfare.
(6) Customary warning, trespassing and posted signs or signs indicating
the private nature of a driveway or property, provided that the size
of the sign does not exceed three square feet.
(7) Directional or informational signs of a public or semipublic nature,
not exceeding eight square feet in area. Not more than one such sign
shall be placed on each property unless such property fronts on more
than one street, in which case one such sign may be erected on each
street frontage. Such signs shall only be used for the purpose of
stating or calling attention to:
(a)
The name or location of a hospital, community center, public
or private school, church, synagogue or other place of worship.
(b)
The name or place of meeting of an official or civic body such
as a Chamber of Commerce or service club.
(c)
An event of public interest such as a public or general election,
church or public meeting, local, county and state fair, volunteer
fire department fair, and other similar community activities and campaigns.
(d)
Soil conservation, 4-H and similar projects.
E. Computation of sign area.
(1) The size of any sign shall be computed by determining the total area
of any signboard, sign face, or sign background at its largest horizontal
and vertical dimensions, including framing, trim, or molding. Where
there is no framing, the sign area shall be deemed to be the area
of the smallest rectangular figure that can encompass all of the figures
and their supporting logos or elements, if any.
(2) For double-faced signs, only one display face shall be measured in
computing the total sign area where the sign faces are parallel. Maximum
permitted size does not include the supporting structure, as long
as the supporting structure is not designed to convey a message. The
supporting structure shall not in itself convey any type of message.
F. Computation of sign setback. The sign setback shall be measured from
the property line to the nearest part of the sign, including any base,
frame, or decorative elements.
G. Computation of sign height. Maximum sign height shall be measured
between average grade immediately below the sign and the highest point
of the highest element of the sign. Wall signs shall not project above
the top or beyond the ends of the wall surface upon which they are
placed, nor shall wall signs be placed on a parapet or similar architectural
device such that the sign would project above the elevation of the
roof behind such parapet or device.
H. Sign illumination. Illuminated signs may be floodlighted, spotlighted,
or internally illuminated with a diffused light source, unless such
illumination is specifically prohibited elsewhere in this chapter.
For example, awning signs and canopy signs may not be backlit. All
illumination shall be subject to the following:
(1) All lighting sources shall be completely shielded from the view of
vehicular traffic.
(2) Such illumination shall not project light above the highest elevation
of the front wall of the building for wall-mounted signs or more than
five feet above ground level for freestanding signs.
(3) Backlit/internally lit signs shall not have a white or light-colored
background or signboard.
(4) Where a sign is located on a lot with residential uses or on a lot
adjacent to a lot used primarily for residential purposes, such shall
not be illuminated in a manner that permits any light to shine or
cause a nuisance to the adjacent residential use.
(5) No illuminated sign located on a lot adjacent to or across the street
from any single-family residential district and visible from such
residential district shall be illuminated between the hours of 11:00
p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(6) No sign shall contain blinking, flashing, flickering, tracer, or
sequential lighting. All signs shall remain stationary and constant
in intensity and color at all times.
(7) All wiring for permanent illuminated signs shall be installed and
maintained so that it is not within public view. The running of wiring
or conduit along the exterior wall of a building to access a sign
is specifically prohibited unless, in the judgment of the Construction
Official, there is no practical way to run the conduit so that it
is not within public view.
(8) No illuminated sign shall be of such a color or located in such a
manner as to be confused with, or to diminish or detract in any way
from, the effectiveness of any traffic signal or similar official
safety warning or device.
I. Sign content. The content or advertising which may be displayed on
signs shall be limited to the identification and location of the premises,
identification of its owners or occupants, and information concerning
the activities conducted on the premises or the goods and services
offered in connection therewith. All sign graphics shall be made by
a qualified professional.
J. Sign maintenance. Signs shall be constructed of durable materials,
maintained in good condition, and not allowed to become dilapidated.
All signs, together with all supports, braces, anchors, and other
parts, shall be kept in continual repair, including cleaning, painting,
replacing of defective parts, and otherwise maintaining a presentable
condition. Lack of proper maintenance shall be considered abandonment,
and the sign shall be repaired, painted, cleaned, or otherwise returned
to a presentable condition or removed within 10 days upon notification
by the Zoning Officer or Construction Code Official.
K. Sign removal for change or termination of use. In the event a business
or commercial use ceases operation for a period of time in excess
of 60 consecutive days, the property owner shall be responsible for
the removal of any sign identifying or advertising the business or
commercial use or any products sold thereby.
(1) This section may be enforced by the Zoning Officer, Building Inspector
or Property Maintenance Code Official. Upon such official having probable
cause to believe that a business or commercial use has ceased in accordance
with the provisions of this section, such officer shall issue a written
notice to the property owner as identified in the records in the Tax
Assessor's office. Such notice shall advise the property owner that
the official believes the business or commercial use to have been
terminated for a period of time in excess of 60 consecutive days and
shall further advise of the requirements of the removal of signs in
accordance with this section. The notice shall provide that the property
owner shall have 15 days from the date of the notice to remove all
signs or to present such evidence to the official as the property
owner deems appropriate to establish that the use has not been terminated
or abandoned for the period of time as set forth in this section.
In the event the official is not satisfied with the evidence of the
property owner and continues in his determination, the property owner
shall have the right to make application to the Planning Board to
appeal such determination. Such application to the Planning Board
must be made within 30 days of the determination of the official.
During the time of such appeal to the Planning Board, no action shall
be required by the property owner as to removal of signs. In the event
that the Planning Board affirms the decision of the official, the
property owner shall remove all signs within 15 days of being advised
of the decision of the Planning Board.
[Amended 7-26-2011 by Ord. No. 11-07]
(2) If the property owner fails to comply with the notice to remove all
signs and fails to appeal such determination, the official is hereby
authorized to cause the removal of all such signs, and any expenses
incidental to such removal shall be charged to the property owner
and shall constitute a lien upon the property.
(3) For the purpose of this section, the word "remove" shall mean:
(a)
Removal of the sign face, along with posts, columns, and/or
other supporting structures of the freestanding signs, projecting
signs, roof signs, or wall signs; or
(b)
Painting over a painted wall sign in such a manner as to completely
cover and hide the sign in question and in such a manner that such
painting over shall be consistent with the design and aesthetics of
the property.
L. Sign appurtenances. Sign appurtenances shall be permitted only when
designed as an integral part of the sign, constructed of similar materials,
and graphically compatible in color, shape, position, and scale with
the permitted sign face. Sign appurtenances, such as the supporting
structure, brackets, and decorative elements, cannot increase the
proposed sign area by greater than 15%. Appurtenances cannot extend
above or below the sign face by a distance greater than 25% of the
sign face height. Sign appurtenances cannot project outward beyond
the face of the proposed sign.
M. Sign placement. No signs, illustrations, or symbols shall be placed
so as to interfere with the opening of an existing door of any building
or to obstruct any window opening, except for window signs as regulated
herein. No sign shall be placed to interfere with the use of any fire
escape or to create a hazard to pedestrians, and no portion of any
sign shall be located within or suspended over a pedestrian walk within
a ten-foot clearance.
N. Setback to residential district. When signs are located along the
district boundary of any residential district, they shall be set back
not less than 10 feet from such residential district boundary line,
and they shall be screened from the adjoining residential district
by shrubbery, a wall or other suitable device.
O. Projection of wall-mounted signs. No wall sign may project more than
nine inches from the outer face of a wall and shall not extend over
any public right-of-way, unless otherwise provided for in this article.
Any desired wall sign which projects more than nine inches from the
outer wall face shall be considered a projecting sign and must conform
to all applicable provisions for projecting signs set forth in this
article. No canopy used as an internally illuminated wall-mounted
sign shall project more than nine inches from the building face to
which the canopy is attached. An awning sign shall not be construed
in any way to be a wall sign.
P. Lighting plan and off-premises effects.
(1) Any other outdoor lighting, such as building and sidewalk illumination,
driveways with no adjacent parking, the lighting of signs and ornamental
lighting, shall be shown on a lighting plan in sufficient detail to
allow a determination of the effects upon adjacent properties, traffic
safety, and overhead sky glow. The objective of these items is to
minimize undesirable off-premises effects.
(2) No light shall shine into building windows nor onto streets and driveways
so as to interfere with or distract driver vision. To achieve these
requirements, the intensity of such light sources, the light shielding
and similar characteristics shall be subject to approval by the Zoning
Officer or appropriate board of jurisdiction when applicable. Wall-mounted
figures are only permitted if directed into a site and not positioned
towards neighboring properties or public streets.
Q. Street address numbers required. All buildings shall display street
address numbers in a manner that is clearly legible from the public
street. Individual street address numbers for nonresidential properties
shall be a minimum of six inches high; higher if deemed necessary
due to visibility circumstances.
R. Nonconforming signs.
(1) Any sign, billboard, signboard or advertising device existing at
the time of the passage of this chapter that does not conform, in
use, location, height or size, to the regulations of the district
in which such sign is located shall be considered a nonconforming
use and may continue in such use in its present location until replacement
or rebuilding becomes necessary, at which time a permit will be required
and the sign brought into conformity with this article.
(2) If and when any sign is altered, except for purposes of minor and
nonstructural maintenance and/or repairs, the sign shall thereafter
conform to all requirements of this article.
(3) Whenever any change of use, occupancy, or vacancy occurs, all existing
signs no longer relating to the current use and occupancy of the premises
shall be immediately removed. In addition, any sign not conforming
to any requirement of this article and removed in accordance to this
requirement shall not be replaced unless it conforms to all signage
requirements of this article.
(4) Any lawfully preexisting nonconforming sign may be repaired or relettered
containing the same specific message or letters. However, any change
in the message or letters on the sign occasioned by a change of business,
change of use, change of tenant, change of product or service offered
or for any other reason must comply with the applicable provisions
of this article.
S. Temporary signs. Except for temporary real estate signs, a temporary
sign shall not remain in place for a period exceeding six months.
A temporary sign shall be removed by the person, firm or corporation
owning such sign or structure or by the owner of the building or premises
on which such sign is affixed or erected within 10 calendar days following
expiration of the time allowed for maintenance of said sign.
T. Prohibited signs. The following signs shall be prohibited within
the Borough:
(1) Signs utilizing inert ionized-gas sign lighting, commonly called
"neon," when the neon tube is visible, including window surrounds
and similar inert gas illumination, with or without a distinct message.
(2) Signs in the public right-of-way unrelated to the public health,
safety and welfare.
(3) Any sign for advertising purposes that mimics or is substantially
similar to a public purpose sign.
(4) Signs with lights or illumination which flash, move, rotate, scintillate,
blink, flicker, vary in intensity, vary in color, or use intermittent
electrical pulsation.
(5) Signs within designated sight triangles and signs which directly
obstruct drivers' lines of sight.
(6) Nonpublic banners which stretch across a public right-of-way between
telephone poles, trees or other structures.
(9) Any sign that, in the opinion of the Planning Board officer, presents
an immediate danger to the public health, safety or welfare.
[Amended 7-26-2011 by Ord. No. 11-07]
(10)
Signs with visible moving, revolving or rotating parts or visible
mechanical movement of any description or other apparent visible movement.
(11)
Signs that advertise or identify a use which has ceased operation.
(12)
The continuous parking or storage of a motor vehicle or other
mobile unit displaying an advertising message.
(13)
Any flag not specifically identifying a local, state or federal
government agency.
(14)
Any sign containing obscene, pornographic or lewd messages.
(15)
Signs that obstruct a fire escape, door, window or other required
accessway.
(16)
Signs that are not accessory to a principal use on a property.
(17)
Signs for a commercial purpose painted on a wall.
(18)
Signs within 100 feet of the property line of any historical
site or monument.
(19)
No sign shall be placed by any person within any public right-of-way
within the Borough of Raritan. No signs shall be placed on any property
owned by the Borough of Raritan unless authorization is received by
the appropriate officials of the Borough of Raritan. No sign shall
be placed on property owned by the County of Somerset or State of
New Jersey unless authorization is received from officials of the
Borough of Raritan and the appropriate officials of the County of
Somerset or State of New Jersey. This prohibition shall not apply
to signs placed on behalf of or by any political subdivision of the
State of New Jersey. Nor shall this prohibition apply to temporary
signs placed in connection with construction on a right-of-way or
made necessary because of said construction.
The following types of signs shall be permitted in the B-1,
B-2, B-3, B-4 and B-5 Business Districts and the P-1 and P-2 Office
Districts:
A. Signs permitted in all B Business and P Office Districts:
(1) Signs specified in §
207-96D, signs not requiring a permit.
(2) Wall signs. One wall sign is permitted for each ground-floor business
use maintaining street frontage, regulated as follows:
(a)
The sign shall be located on the wall at the main public entrance
or centered along the street frontage.
(b)
The maximum height from the ground level to the uppermost portion
of the sign shall not exceed the height of the sill or bottom of any
second-story window or 20 feet, whichever is less. In the case of
single-story buildings, the maximum height shall not exceed 14 feet
or the top of the building face, whichever is less.
(c)
The minimum height from the ground level to the lowermost portion
of the sign shall be no less than eight feet.
(d)
Maximum permitted sign area shall be no greater that one square
foot per lineal foot of building frontage occupied by the use on that
particular building face, not to exceed 10 square feet in the B-1
Zone, 50 square feet in the B-2 and 20 square feet in the B-3, B-4,
B-5, P-1 and P-2 Zones.
(e)
Maximum permitted horizontal sign dimension shall be no greater
than 75% of the width of the building frontage occupied by the use
on that particular building face, not to exceed 10 feet in the B-1
Zone, 30 feet in the B-2 and 15 feet in the B-3, B-4, B-5, P-1 and
P-2 Zones.
(f)
Maximum vertical sign dimension shall not exceed five feet.
(g)
The sign may be internally or indirectly illuminated.
(3) Secondary wall-mounted signs.
(a)
Ground-floor business uses located on corner lots and having
a second facade fronting on a public street shall be permitted to
have one additional sign on the facade of the building facing the
side street. The secondary wall-mounted sign shall meet all of the
standards for the primary wall sign.
(b)
Ground-floor business uses having a side or rear public entrance
fronting on a parking lot shall be permitted to have one additional
sign on the facade of the building facing the parking lot, provided
that such sign meets all of the following standards:
[1]
The sign shall be centered above the secondary public entrance.
[2]
The maximum height from the ground level to the uppermost portion
of the sign shall not exceed the height of the sill or bottom of any
second-story window or 16 feet, whichever is less. In the case of
single-story windows, the maximum height shall not exceed 14 feet
or the top of the wall, whichever is less.
[3]
The minimum height from the ground level to the lowermost portion
of the sign shall be no less than eight feet.
[4]
Maximum sign area shall not exceed five square feet.
[5]
Maximum horizontal sign dimension shall not exceed five feet.
[6]
Maximum vertical sign dimension shall not exceed two feet.
[7]
The sign may be internally or indirectly illuminated.
(4) Freestanding signs. One freestanding sign is permitted only if the
depth of the yard in which the sign is located is at least 20 feet.
Such freestanding sign shall be regulated as follows:
(a)
No more than one freestanding sign shall be permitted on any
lot.
(b)
The sign shall be located in the front yard; however, no element
of the freestanding sign shall be located within one foot of the front
property line.
(c)
In the B-1, B-3, B-4, B-5 and P-2 Zones, the sign shall be located
at least four feet away from any side property line abutting a nonresidential
zone or use or at least 10 feet away from any side property line abutting
a residential zone. In the B-2 and P-1 Zones, such sign shall be located
at least 10 feet away from any side property line abutting a nonresidential
zone or use or at least 15 feet away from any side property line abutting
a residential zone.
(d)
The area of the sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in the
B-1, B-3, B-4, B-5 and P-2 Zones or 36 square feet in the B-2 and
P-1 Zones.
(e)
The maximum height to the top of the sign shall not exceed 16
feet.
(f)
The minimum mounting height to the bottom edge of the sign face
shall not be less than eight feet.
(g)
Neither the horizontal nor the vertical dimension of the sign
shall exceed six feet.
(h)
The sign may be indirectly illuminated or may be lit by an internal
source.
(5) Awning signs. Ground-floor business uses may display signs on awnings,
provided that the following standards are met:
(a)
Awning signs shall only be permitted on first-story awnings
that provide roof-like shelter and/or solar shielding above doorways
and windows.
(b)
The dimensions of the awning shall be in conformance with applicable
regulations set forth elsewhere herein for awnings.
(c)
The sign shall only be located on the front portion of the awning
that is generally parallel to the building wall face to which it is
attached. This portion is more commonly known as the "valance." In
the case of dome, convex, or long dome awnings, where a valance might
not be provided, the sign graphics shall be restricted to the lowest
14 inches of the awning, which must be shown to be nearly parallel
to the building wall face. In the case of dome awnings, the sign graphics
shall additionally be restricted to the middle 1/5 of the awning,
when viewed from the front elevation, which must be shown to be nearly
parallel to the building wall face.
(d)
An awning sign shall be professionally sewn or painted.
(e)
The maximum vertical dimension of the sign face (valance) shall
not exceed 14 inches.
(f)
The maximum height of letters, individual numbers, or other
characters or images on the awning shall not exceed 12 inches.
(g)
The total aggregate horizontal dimension (width) of all individual
letters, numbers, or other characters shall not exceed 15 feet or
60% of the length of the awning occupied by the use, whichever is
less.
(h)
Maximum width of individual letters, numbers, or other characters
or images on the awning shall not exceed 18 inches.
(i)
The awning shall be limited to a total of two colors, plus white,
including the color of sign lettering and all other graphics.
(j)
No single awning shall contain sign messages for more than two
business establishments.
(6) Window signs. Only retail or personal service business uses located
below the third story of a building shall be permitted to display
a permanent window sign. Such sign may be painted on the inside of
a window or may be visible from a public street or an approved parking
area, provided that the following standards are complied with:
(a)
No window sign shall be permitted in a window above the second
story of a building.
(b)
Maximum area of any and all such signs shall not exceed 20%
of the total window area, not to exceed six square feet in area per
business use.
(c)
One sign per business window shall be permitted, up to a maximum
of two signs per business on any wall.
(d)
The sign(s) shall be limited to the name and/or type of business
and the street address number.
(7) Temporary window advertising signs. Temporary window advertising
signs for ground-level retail and personal service business uses are
exempt from zoning permit requirements, subject to the following conditions:
(a)
Such signs may be constructed of paper, cardboard, or plastic,
and any written, numerical, graphic, or photographic material shall
constitute such a sign.
(b)
Such signs shall be removed after a period of 30 days and shall
have the date of installation printed clearly in the lower right-hand
corner of such, as viewed from the exterior.
(c)
Such signs shall be contained solely within the ground-level
window of the subject business.
(d)
Maximum total area of such signs shall not exceed 40% of the
total area of ground-level windows, excluding window portions of doors,
fronting on a public street. For the purposes of this subsection,
any window area covered with a permitted permanent window sign, pursuant
to this article, shall be excluded from the calculation of the total
area of all ground-floor windows.
(e)
Information on such signs shall be limited to advertisements
for special promotions, temporary sales, and other such similar nonpermanent
sales promotions.
(f)
Such signs shall be maintained in an orderly manner at all times.
(g)
This section shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to
limit or prohibit any business from displaying merchandise in an interior
window display area.
(8) Wall-mounted directory signs. For buildings containing more than
one nonresidential tenant, one wall-mounted directory sign at each
ground-floor entrance to a building shall be permitted, whether such
entrance fronts on a street or parking lot.
(a)
The maximum size of the directory sign shall not exceed four
square feet in area.
(b)
Such sign may identify all building occupant names and their
addresses; however, no individual business shall occupy greater than
one square foot in area of such sign.
(c)
A wall-mounted directory sign may not be illuminated.
(9) Projecting signs. A projecting sign may be substituted for the permitted
wall sign for each ground-floor business use maintaining street frontage.
Such sign shall be regulated as follows:
(a)
The sign shall be attached to the wall along the frontage such
use occupies.
(b)
Such sign face and all signage must be oriented in a position
that is perpendicular to the wall to which it is attached.
(c)
No such sign shall have a thickness that exceeds nine inches.
(d)
Maximum size of each sign face shall not exceed eight square
feet in area.
(e)
Minimum height from the ground level to the lowermost portion
of the sign shall be eight feet. Where such sign projects over the
public sidewalk, the minimum height shall be 10 feet.
(f)
Maximum height from the ground level to the uppermost portion
of the sign shall not exceed the height of the sill or bottom of any
second-story window or 16 feet, whichever is less. In the case of
single-story buildings, said maximum height shall not exceed 14 feet
or the top of the wall, whichever is less.
(g)
Maximum horizontal projection from the building wall, including
any sign appurtenances, shall not exceed four feet. Such sign may
project over a public sidewalk only and shall not extend over any
other portion of any other public right-of-way.
(h)
Maximum horizontal dimension of the sign shall not exceed 3 1/2
feet.
(i)
Maximum vertical dimension of the sign shall not exceed six
feet.
(j)
Maximum height of letters, individual numbers, or other characters
or images on the signboard shall not exceed 18 inches.
(k)
Maximum width of letters, individual numbers, or other characters
or images on the signboard shall not exceed 18 inches.
(10)
Portable sidewalk signs. Only retail and personal service business
uses and eating and drinking establishments shall be permitted to
display sandwich board signs and other types of portable signs, subject
to the following conditions:
(a)
Maximum size of such signboard shall not exceed five square
feet in area. If such sign is two-sided, only one side of each shall
be used for the purpose of calculating the permitted sign area.
(b)
Maximum height and width of letters, numbers, or other characters
or images on the signboard shall not exceed eight inches.
(c)
Such signs shall be located within six feet of an entrance to
the business they advertise and shall not be placed so as to interfere
with pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a street, sidewalk, walkway,
or public right-of-way. An unobstructed pathway of at least five feet
in width must be maintained on a sidewalk at all times.
(d)
Such signs shall be constructed of wood, slate board, and/or
finished metal.
(e)
Information contained in such signs shall be limited to advertisements
for special promotions, sales, and other such similar nonpermanent
sales promotions.
(f)
Such signs shall be maintained in an orderly manner at all times.
(g)
In a building with multiple business occupants who share a common
entrance, no more than two such signs shall be permitted, which may
be shared among the applicable businesses entitled to a portable special
promotion sign under the provisions of this section.
(h)
Any business use that places or installs such sign, pursuant
to this section, shall be required to conform to all other applicable
provisions of this article; otherwise, such business shall be prohibited
from displaying such sign.
(i)
No such sign shall be displayed when the business it relates
to is not open for business.
(j)
Such signs shall not be illuminated.
B. Specialty signs:
(1) Signs advertising the sale or development of the premises when erected
in connection with the development of premises by a building developer,
contractor or other person interested in such sale or development,
provided that:
(a)
The size of such sign is not in excess of 32 square feet.
(b)
The sign shall be 25 feet from a street or property line.
(c)
Not more than one such sign shall be placed on any property
unless the property fronts on more than one street, in which event
not more than one sign may be erected on each street frontage.
(d)
The sign is removed when a certificate of occupancy is issued
for the last tenant or owner.
(2) Automobile and gasoline service stations, where permitted, shall
only display the following 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 for the principal products sold on the premises, including
any special company or brand name, logo or emblem, provided that each
such sign shall not exceed 35 square feet in area on a side and shall
be hung within the property line and not less than 10 feet nor more
than 20 feet above the ground.
(b)
No more than three logos or emblems, located either on the canopy
or building, not to exceed four square feet.
(c)
Signage on the pumps, as required by law.
(d)
Two temporary signs located inside the property line along each
such street frontage and specifically advertising special seasonal
servicing of automobiles, provided that such sign does not exceed
three feet in height and 2 1/2 feet in width.
(3) Shopping centers, where permitted, shall only display the following
signs:
(a)
Each permitted use may have a sign located on or attached to
the principal facade of said use. Such sign shall not project more
than two feet beyond the building or structure line and shall not
exceed an area equal to 15% of the front wall area. The bottom of
said sign shall not be closer than 10 feet from the ground.
(b)
Each shopping center may have one freestanding or pylon sign
for each street frontage, provided that such sign shall not exceed
150 square feet in area on any one side, shall not exceed 30 feet
in height, shall be not less than 10 feet from the ground, shall not
be placed closer than 50 feet from a sideline of a street or property
line and shall be within the property line of the premises to which
it relates.
(c)
Supporting frames for all such signs shall be of permanent materials,
such as steel or concrete.
(d)
Freestanding or pylon signs may be interior lighted with nonglaring
lights or may be illuminated by shielded floodlights or spotlights.
No lights of the intermittent or flashing type shall be permitted.
The following types of signs shall be permitted in the OMR,
OM-2 and OM-3 Districts:
A. Signs permitted in the OMR District:
(2) Wall signs. One wall sign is permitted for each ground-floor business
use maintaining street frontage, regulated as follows:
(a)
The sign shall be located on the wall at the main public entrance
or centered along the street frontage.
(b)
The maximum height from the ground level to the uppermost portion
of the sign shall not exceed the height of the sill or bottom of any
second-story window or 16 feet, whichever is less. In the case of
single-story buildings, the maximum height shall not exceed 14 feet
or the top of the building face, whichever is less.
(c)
The minimum height from the ground level to the lowermost portion
of the sign shall be no less than eight feet.
(d)
Maximum permitted sign area shall be no greater that one square
foot per lineal foot of building frontage occupied by the use on that
particular building face, not to exceed 20 square feet.
(e)
Maximum permitted horizontal sign dimension shall be no greater
than 25% of the width of the building frontage occupied by the use
on that particular building face, not to exceed 15 feet.
(f)
Maximum vertical sign dimension shall not exceed two feet.
(g)
The sign may be internally or indirectly illuminated.
(3) Secondary wall-mounted signs.
(a)
Ground-floor business uses located on corner lots and having
a second facade fronting on a public street shall be permitted to
have one additional sign on the facade of the building facing the
side street. The secondary wall-mounted sign shall meet all of the
standards for the primary wall sign.
(b)
Ground-floor business uses having a side or rear public entrance
fronting on a parking lot shall be permitted to have one additional
sign on the facade of the building facing the parking lot, provided
that such sign meets all of the following standards:
[1]
The sign shall be centered above the secondary public entrance.
[2]
The maximum height from the ground level to the uppermost portion
of the sign shall not exceed the height of the sill or bottom of any
second-story window or 16 feet, whichever is less. In the case of
single-story windows, the maximum height shall not exceed 14 feet
or the top of the wall, whichever is less.
[3]
The minimum height from the ground level to the lowermost portion
of the sign shall be no less than eight feet.
[4]
Maximum sign area shall not exceed four square feet.
[5]
Maximum horizontal sign dimension shall not exceed four feet.
[6]
Maximum vertical sign dimension shall not exceed one foot.
[7]
The sign may be internally or indirectly illuminated.
(4) A freestanding sign advertising a permitted use within the district,
subject to the following regulations:
(a)
Such sign shall not exceed a height of 15 feet measured from
the ground line and shall not be erected within 10 feet of a street,
highway or residential district.
(b)
Supporting frames shall be of permanent materials such as steel,
concrete or masonry.
(c)
The area of such sign shall not exceed 16 square feet.
(d)
Not more than one such sign shall be permitted.
(e)
Such sign may be interior lighted with nonglaring lights or
may be illuminated by shielded floodlights or spotlights. No lights
of the intermittent or flashing type shall be permitted.
B. Signs permitted in the OM-2 District:
(2) Wall signs. One wall sign is permitted for each ground-floor business
use maintaining street frontage, regulated as follows:
(a)
The sign shall be located on the wall at the main public entrance
or centered along the street frontage.
(b)
The maximum height from the ground level to the uppermost portion
of the sign shall not exceed the height of the sill or bottom of any
second-story window or 16 feet, whichever is less. In the case of
single-story buildings, the maximum height shall not exceed 14 feet
or the top of the building face, whichever is less.
(c)
The minimum height from the ground level to the lowermost portion
of the sign shall be no less than eight feet.
(d)
Maximum permitted sign area shall be no greater that one square
foot per lineal foot of building frontage occupied by the use on that
particular building face, not to exceed 30 square feet.
(e)
Maximum permitted horizontal sign dimension shall be no greater
than 25% of the width of the building frontage occupied by the use
on that particular building face, not to exceed 30 feet.
(f)
Maximum vertical sign dimension shall not exceed three feet.
(g)
The sign may be internally or indirectly illuminated.
(3) Secondary wall-mounted signs.
(a)
Ground-floor business uses located on corner lots and having
a second facade fronting on a public street shall be permitted to
have one additional sign on the facade of the building facing the
side street. The secondary wall-mounted sign shall meet all of the
standards for the primary wall sign.
(b)
Ground-floor business uses having a side or rear public entrance
fronting on a parking lot shall be permitted to have one additional
sign on the facade of the building facing the parking lot, provided
that such sign meets all of the following standards:
[1]
The sign shall be centered above the secondary public entrance.
[2]
The maximum height from the ground level to the uppermost portion
of the sign shall not exceed the height of the sill or bottom of any
second-story window or 16 feet, whichever is less. In the case of
single-story windows, the maximum height shall not exceed 14 feet
or the top of the wall, whichever is less.
[3]
The minimum height from the ground level to the lowermost portion
of the sign shall be no less than eight feet.
[4]
Maximum sign area shall not exceed four square feet.
[5]
Maximum horizontal sign dimension shall not exceed four feet.
[6]
Maximum vertical sign dimension shall not exceed one foot.
[7]
The sign may be internally or indirectly illuminated.
(4) A freestanding sign advertising a permitted use within the district,
subject to the following regulations:
(a)
Such sign shall not exceed a height of 15 feet measured from
the ground line and shall not be erected within 15 feet of a street,
highway or residential district.
(b)
Supporting frames shall be of permanent materials such as steel,
concrete or masonry.
(c)
The area of such sign shall not exceed 16 square feet.
(d)
Not more than one such sign shall be permitted.
(e)
Such sign may be interior lighted with nonglaring lights or
may be illuminated by shielded floodlights or spotlights. No lights
of the intermittent or flashing type shall be permitted.
C. Signs permitted in the OM-3 District:
(2) Wall signs. One wall sign is permitted for each building face providing
public access to that building, regulated as follows:
(a)
The sign shall indicate the specific occupant, building name
or building number, shall be located so as to be visible to the public
from the access driveway or designated parking area and may indicate
the main public entrance.
(b)
The maximum height from the ground level to the uppermost portion
of the sign shall not exceed 25 feet.
(c)
The minimum height from the ground level to the lowermost portion
of the sign shall be no less than eight feet.
(d)
Maximum permitted sign area is not to exceed 30 square feet.
(e)
Maximum permitted horizontal sign dimension shall not exceed
20 feet.
(f)
Maximum vertical sign dimension shall not exceed three feet.
(g)
The sign may be internally or indirectly illuminated.
(3) Ground signs. One ground sign is permitted for each separate business
entity occupying a tract, subject to the following regulations:
(a)
There is a minimum of 150 feet of road frontage for each sign
proposed.
(b)
Such sign shall not exceed a height of eight feet measured from
the ground line and shall not be erected within 40 feet of a street,
highway or residential district or 25 feet of an internal driveway.
(c)
The area of such a sign shall not exceed 50 square feet.
(d)
Such sign may be interior lighted with nonglaring lights or
may be illuminated by shielded floodlights or spotlights.
(4) A freestanding sign advertising a permitted use within the district,
subject to the following regulations:
(a)
Such sign shall not exceed a height of 15 feet measured from
the ground line and shall not be erected within 40 feet of a street,
highway or residential district.
(b)
Supporting frames shall be of permanent materials such as steel,
concrete or masonry.
(c)
The area of such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet.
(d)
Not more than one such sign shall be permitted.
(e)
Such sign may be interior lighted with nonglaring lights or
may be illuminated by shielded floodlights or spotlights.