It is recognized that signs perform important functions in identifying
residences and businesses. It is hereby found and declared, however,
that control of signs is necessary to promote the health, safety and
general welfare by lessening hazards to pedestrian and vehicular traffic,
by preserving property values, by preventing unsightly and detrimental
development which has a blighting influence upon residential, business
and industrial uses, by preventing signs from reaching such excessive
size that they obscure one another to the detriment of all concerned
and by securing certain fundamentals of design for the Borough.
[Amended 9-16-1997 by Ord. No. 97-13; 6-16-1998 by Ord. No. 98-9]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
SIGN
Any permanent or temporary structure or part thereof or any
device attached, painted or represented directly or indirectly on
a structure or other surface that shall display or include any letter,
word, insignia, flag or representation used as or which is in the
nature of an advertisement, announcement, visual communication, or
direction or which is designed to attract the eye or draw the attention
of the public.
A.
Exception. Flags patriotic in nature and limited to federal,
state and local government flags are exempted from the provisions
of this chapter, provided that:
(1)
The maximum number of patriotic flags in business districts
shall be limited to five for each building; the area of any one flag
shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(2)
Flags shall be displayed no lower than eight feet from the bottommost
portion of the flag to the sidewalk.
[Added 6-16-2015 by Ord.
No. 2015-5]
The following regulations shall apply to temporary signs which
are permitted in any zone:
A. Nonilluminated real estate signs announcing the sale, rental or lease
of the premises on which the sign is located and real estate signs
announcing an open house. The sign may be double-faced and, except
as noted below, only one sign announcing the sale, rental or lease
of the premises shall be permitted on each lot or parcel unless it
fronts on more than one street right-of-way or property line, unless
attached to a portion of a building that may be nearer to said street
right-of-way or property line. Temporary real estate signs announcing
an open house may be located so as to provide directions to the open
house; however, in no event shall such signs remain in place for a
period exceeding 24 hours. Temporary signs shall not be located so
as to obstruct traffic in any way, and such signs shall not be located
in any landscaped traffic island. Any temporary sign erected pursuant
to this subsection may be erected on private property only with the
authorization of the owner of the property.
(1) The maximum size of the sign shall be in accordance with the following
schedule:
(a) Residential districts: eight square feet.
(b) Business, COS and H-C/I Districts: 12 square feet.
(2) All real estate signs announcing the sale, rental or lease of the
premises shall be removed within seven days after closing or settlement
on said property or the execution of the lease. Temporary real estate
signs announcing an open house or providing directions therefor shall
be removed within six hours from the end of the open house event.
(3) Developments with four or more homes for sale may be advertised on
a sign not to exceed 24 square feet nor a twelve-foot height. One
such sign shall be permitted on each frontage if the development fronts
on more than one street. The sign shall be removed when all of the
homes or lots have been initially sold or rented.
(4) No temporary "For Sale" or "For Lease" sign shall exceed six feet
in height.
(5) The advertised use of the structure shall be in accordance with the
zoning in the district in which it is located.
(6) The penalty for a violation of this subsection shall be as provided in §
450-88 of this chapter for each violation. Each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues shall be deemed a separate offense. Each sign erected in violation of this subsection shall be deemed a separate offense. The owner of any sign as identified on such sign shall be liable for any penalty assessed for any sign deemed to be in violation of this subsection.
[Amended 7-5-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-5]
B. Temporary signs for advertising public functions or fund-raising
events for charitable or religious organizations shall be permitted
for a period of 30 days prior to and during the event and shall be
removed within five days after the event. The sign shall be nonilluminated,
not larger than 24 square feet in area, not exceeding eight feet in
height and may be erected flat against the building or freestanding.
C. Temporary political signs and signs not related to a political campaign
but containing political expressions may be erected for a period of
60 days prior to any scheduled election date. Campaign signs shall
be removed within 15 days after the election. Political signs in residential
zones shall not exceed 16 square feet, the dimension shall not exceed
four feet on any side, and they shall not exceed the height limitation
for residential zones. Political signs in all other zones shall not
exceed the maximum size and height limitation for the zone in which
they are placed. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 19:44A-22.3, temporary
political signs aiding or promoting the nomination, election or defeat
of any candidate or providing political information on a political
candidate or aiding the passage or defeat of any public question or
providing political information on any public question shall clearly
state on the face thereof the name and business or residence address
of the committee, group or person that financed the temporary political
sign and shall contain a statement that the temporary political sign
has been financed by that group, committee or person.
D. Relocation information signs for a period of 30 days. Relocation
signs shall be restricted to the present location of the relocating
business and the future location of the relocating business. The signs,
one each at the present and the future business sites, shall not be
in excess of standards set forth for the zone in which the business
is located.
E. Construction signs. One sign announcing the name of architects, engineers
and/or contractors, the building enterprise and related information
shall be permitted at a site under construction, alteration or repair,
provided that the sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area and
that the sign shall be removed before a certificate of occupancy is
issued.
F. Commercial temporary signs and banners. The construction, erection,
replacement or alteration of any temporary sign or banner advertising
a grand opening or special sales event on a commercial premises shall
be permitted subject to the following standards:
(1) One temporary sign or banner not exceeding 24 square feet designed
to advertise a grand opening celebration of a commercial establishment
may be erected and maintained on the commercial premises which is
the subject of said grand opening celebration for a period of 14 days
prior to said event and for seven days thereafter. Streamers, pennants,
balloons and other like accessory decorations may also be erected
during the above time period.
(2) One temporary sign or banner not exceeding 24 square feet designed
to advertise a special sales event may be erected and maintained on
the commercial premises conducting said event for a period not in
excess of 30 calendar days. The erection of a temporary sign or banner
advertising a special sales event shall be limited to four events
per year per commercial establishment.
(3) Temporary signs or banners shall not be so installed as to create
a traffic or fire hazard to create a condition that adversely affects
public safety.
(4) Temporary signs or banners not permitted by this chapter are prohibited.
[Amended 7-5-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-5]
(5) Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this Subsection
F shall be subject to a penalty as provided in §
450-88 of this chapter. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
[Amended 7-5-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-5]
(6) It is the duty of the Zoning Officer to enforce these regulations
and the penalties hereunder and to investigate all banners which are
alleged to be unsafe, a menace to the public, or erected or displayed
in violation of the provisions of this section.
G. Noncommercial banners. Nonprofit and public organizations and agencies
shall be permitted to erect or display a banner which shall comply
with the standards and procedures as set forth this section.
H. There shall be no fees imposed or approvals required for the erection
of any temporary sign which satisfies the requirements of this section.