No exterior sign shall be erected, hung, painted or otherwise
located in any zone district unless it complies with all provisions
as hereinafter set forth.
No exterior sign shall hereafter be erected, placed, hung, painted,
refurbished, altered or replaced until the sign has been approved
by the Zoning Officer and, when required, a permit has been granted
by the Construction Official. Plans and detailed information for the
sign(s) shall be submitted in triplicate with each application for
a permit, and the written consent of both the owner and lessee of
the property shall be included with the application. The information
submitted with the application shall be sufficient to demonstrate
the type, location, dimensions, colors and illumination of all proposed
signs, as well as existing signs to remain.
A.
Calculation of sign dimensions, area, height and setback. For purposes
of administering this article, sign dimensions and area shall be calculated
as set forth below:
1.
The dimensions of a sign shall be construed to include the sign
message and any background to such message. Excluded from the foregoing
calculation shall be any base, frame, minor decorative elements or
similar structures, provided such features are used only for supporting
the sign and are not used as a sign background or for attracting attention.
2.
The terms "area" or "display area" as used in this article shall
be construed to include the sign message and any background to such
message. The area of signs shall be calculated as follows:
a.
In cases where a sign has a clearly defined border, edge, etc.,
the area shall be calculated as the plane surface within such border,
edge, etc.
b.
In cases where a sign does not have a clearly defined border,
edge, etc., the area shall be calculated by multiplying the greatest
vertical dimension of the sign by the greatest horizontal dimension
of the sign.
c.
In cases other than set forth in Paragraphs 2.a or 2.b above,
the area shall be calculated by the Zoning Officer, who shall determine
the area based upon the visual effect of the sign.
d.
If a sign contains two sides as permitted herein, only one side
shall be used in the calculation of sign area.
3.
The height of a sign shall be calculated as defined in Article
2, "height of building or structure." For purposes of clarification,
the term "height" as used in this article refers to the distance between
the highest elevation of any part of the sign structure or message
and normal grade at the base of said sign, whereas the term "vertical
dimension" refers to the distance between the highest and lowest elevations
of a portion of the sign, such as the sign background, sign panel,
sign letters, numbers and symbols, all as indicated in the respective
provisions.
[Amended 8-10-1999 by
Ord. 1743]
4.
The setback of a sign shall be measured to the nearest part
of the sign, including any base, frame, or decorative elements.
B.
Freestanding signs. Where permitted by this article, freestanding
signs shall be subject to the following regulations, in addition to
any other applicable requirements:
1.
No freestanding sign shall be located or designed so as to interfere
with adequate sight distance at street intersections, driveway entrances
and exits at the street, or at the intersection of internal driveways
and access aisles.
2.
To the maximum extent practical, freestanding signs shall be
located so as to not block the view of other freestanding signs, both
existing or which could reasonably exist in the future, on the subject
property or on other properties in the vicinity. The Board shall make
this determination as part of the required site plan review for the
freestanding sign.
3.
Freestanding signs shall be located a sufficient distance from
the edge of curbs and pavement so as to avoid being damaged by automobiles,
trucks, snow plows or other vehicles.
4.
No freestanding sign shall contain more than two display faces.
If a sign has two display faces, the angle of intersection of the
two faces shall not exceed 30° and the design of each face shall
be identical.
5.
The height of any freestanding sign shall not exceed eight feet,
unless more restrictive standards in this article or elsewhere apply.
[Added 8-10-1999 by Ord.
1743]
C.
Signs attached to walls. Except for projecting signs as regulated
elsewhere by this article, where permitted by this article, signs
attached to walls shall be subject to the following regulations, in
addition to any other applicable requirements:
[Amended 11-12-2019 by G.O. No. 2151]
1.
No wall sign shall project more than eight inches from the building
wall to which it is affixed.
2.
No sign shall be placed or oriented with the display face perpendicular
to the wall to which it is affixed; signs shall be placed flat against
the wall.
3.
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 other device. No sign shall be placed on the lower slope of a mansard
roof.
D.
Certain interior signs regulated as exterior wall signs. Signs located
within the confines of a building or structure shall be subject to
the requirements of this article in the same manner as exterior wall
signs if both of the following conditions exist:
E.
Sign illumination. All permitted exterior signs as defined by Article
2 may be illuminated only by an external light source, unless otherwise
provided herein. The following requirements shall apply:
1.
Internally illuminated signs of any kind, as defined in Article
2, whether freestanding or wall mounted, shall be prohibited unless
specifically permitted herein. The foregoing shall not be construed
to prohibit "halo" signs, utilizing a hidden light source which illuminates
only the wall or other background to the sign message, but not the
face of the sign message.
2.
The light source of illuminated signs shall be shielded so that
the light source shall not be visible.
3.
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
or warning device.
4.
No sign illumination or other illumination shall be used or
designed for use as an attraction device in itself, but shall be used
and designed for use solely to illuminate the sign to which it is
accessory. The foregoing shall be construed to prohibit light bulbs,
singly or in combination, used as an attraction device; strobe lights;
black (i.e., ultraviolet) lights; string lights; flashing or moving
lights of any kind; and similar uses of illumination as attraction
devices.
5.
The hours of illumination of any sign shall be limited to the
hours when the use is open for business to the public, or between
the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., whichever is less restrictive.
F.
Sign materials. Wood, metal, and masonry are the preferred sign material.
Contemporary materials such as plastic and vinyl are permitted if
they are of a high quality, sturdy material. All signs shall be constructed
of weather resistant materials. Paper, fiberboard, foam core board,
corrugated paper, or unfinished wood materials shall be prohibited.
[Amended 6-6-2017 by Ord.
No. 2082]
The following signs shall be permitted and regulated as set
forth below:
A.
Street number signs. In addition to any other permitted signs, street
number signs shall be permitted in all of the zone districts, subject
to the following:
1.
Only one street number sign shall be permitted for each property,
building or space having an address.
2.
The street number sign may be freestanding or wall mounted.
3.
The message of the street number sign shall be limited to only
the street number.
4.
The sign shall be located to face toward the street to which
the street number refers.
5.
The vertical dimension of the numbers shall not exceed four
inches, otherwise the sign shall not be considered a street numbers
sign for purposes of this article, but shall be subject to the sign
regulations in the district and/or for the particular use, as applicable.
B.
Signs for dwellings housing up to four families. Regardless of the
zone district, each lot containing a lawful dwelling housing up to
four families shall be permitted the following sign:
1.
Only one sign shall be permitted.
2.
The sign shall be permitted to display only the name of the
dwelling occupant(s) and the street address.
3.
The sign may be freestanding or wall mounted. If freestanding,
the sign shall be located in the front yard. If wall mounted, the
sign shall be located on the wall of the dwelling at the front entrance.
4.
The area of the sign shall not exceed one square foot.
5.
The height of any such freestanding sign shall not exceed five
feet.
[Amended 8-10-1999 by
Ord. 1743]
6.
The vertical dimension of any sign letters, numbers or other
symbols shall not exceed four inches.
C.
Signs for multifamily dwellings containing more than four units.
Regardless of the zone district, each lot containing a lawful, multifamily
dwelling containing more than four units shall be permitted the following
sign(s):
[Amended 8-10-1999 by
Ord. 1743; 2-8-2022 by G.O. No. 2022-03]
1.
One sign identifying the name of the multi-family dwelling development,
and regulated as follows:
a.
The sign may be freestanding or wall mounted. If freestanding,
the sign shall be located at least 10 feet from any property line
and shall be placed parallel to the street.
b.
The area of the sign shall not exceed 16 square feet.
c.
The height of the freestanding or wall mounted sign shall not
exceed six feet.
2.
In addition to the sign permitted in C.1 above, one sign at
each building entrance shall be permitted, displaying the name of
the dwelling occupant(s) and the street address or the letter designation
of the building in a multiple building development, regulated as follows:
D.
Signs for residential apartments in mixed residential/non-residential
development. Regardless of the zone district, each building containing
lawfully permitted residential apartment(s) together with offices,
retail business or other permitted non-residential use shall be permitted
one sign displaying the name of the occupant(s) and the street number,
and regulated as follows:
E.
Signs for non-residential uses on the ground floor. In all zone districts,
except the residential zone districts and the P-1, P-2, O-1, O-2 and
O-3 zone districts, lawfully permitted non-residential uses located
on the ground floor shall be permitted the following signs:
1.
Main entrance signs. One wall sign at the main public entrance,
regulated as follows:
[Amended 6-6-2017 by Ord.
No. 2082; 8-11-2020 by G.O. No. 2180]
a.
The sign shall be located on the wall or awning at the main
public entrance.
b.
The height of the sign shall not exceed the height of the ground
floor, or 17 feet, whichever is less.
c.
The horizontal dimension of the sign shall not exceed 20 feet,
or 75% of the width of the building frontage occupied by the use,
whichever is less.
d.
The vertical dimension of the sign shall not exceed 2 1/2
feet (30 inches).
1.1.
Signs on corner lots. In the event the building is
located on a corner lot and fronts on two or more intersecting streets,
additional wall-mounted signs shall be permitted in addition to the
sign(s) permitted in Subsection E1 above, regulated as follows:
[Added 8-11-2020 by G.O. No. 2180]
a.
One wall-mounted sign shall be permitted on each additional wall
which has a direct street frontage.
b.
The height of the sign shall not exceed the height of the ground
floor, or 17 feet, whichever is less.
c.
The horizontal dimension of the sign shall not exceed 20 feet, or
75% of the width of the building frontage occupied by the use, whichever
is less.
d.
The vertical dimension of the sign shall not exceed 2 1/2 feet
(30 inches).
2.2.
Projecting signs. One projecting sign shall be permitted
on each building wall on which public access to the non-nonresidential
use located on the ground floor exists, regulated as follows:
[Added 11-12-2019 by G.O. No. 2151]
a.
The sign shall not exceed six square feet in area.
b.
The sign shall be located at least eight feet above grade and shall
not extend vertically above the window sill of the second story, or
17 feet, whichever is less.
c.
The sign must be separated from the wall by at least six inches and
must project from the wall at an angle of 90°.
[Amended 12-13-2022 by G.O. No. 2022-20]
d.
The sign shall not extend more than 2/3 of the width of the sidewalk
within or adjacent to the street right-of-way; provided, however,
that no sign shall project more than four feet from the surface of
the building upon which it is mounted.
e.
The sign shall not extend horizontally along the building wall beyond
the portion of the building occupied by the referenced business.
f.
No part of the sign or the installation hardware shall extend above
the height of the building wall upon which it is placed.
g.
The sign shall be located a minimum of three feet from the side lot
lines and/or tenant space demising wall.
h.
The sign shall not interfere with any pedestrian, vehicular, utility,
or municipal use of the public right-of-way.
i.
The sign shall not have more than two faces.
j.
Internally illuminated blade signs are not permitted.
3.
Wall sign alternatives. In the GB-1, GB-2, GB-3 and C zone districts,
as an alternative to the sign(s) permitted in Subsections E.1 and
E.2 of this section, there shall be permitted the following:
[Amended 6-6-2017 by Ord.
No. 2082]
a.
One sign on each exterior building side wall, the facade of
which is perpendicular to the street, up to two such walls, regulated
as follows:
(1)
Any such signs shall be clearly visible from an
automobile approaching on the street upon which the building fronts.
(2)
The area of any such sign shall not exceed 25 square
feet.
(3)
The height of any such sign shall not exceed the
height of the ground floor, or 17 feet, whichever is less.
(4)
The horizontal dimension of any such sign shall
not exceed 10 feet.
(5)
The vertical dimension of any such sign shall not
exceed 2 1/2 feet (30 inches).
b.
In addition to the sign permitted in paragraph a. above, one
sign located on a third wall, which wall has a direct street frontage,
regulated as follows:
(1)
The sign shall be located on the wall or awning
at said entrance.
(2)
The height of the sign shall not exceed the height
of the ground floor, or 17 feet, whichever is less.
(3)
The horizontal dimension of the sign shall not
exceed 20 feet, or 75% of the width of the building frontage occupied
by the use, whichever is less.
(4)
The vertical dimension of the sign shall not exceed
30 inches.
4.
Retail or commercial freestanding sign alternative. In the GB-2,
GB-3 and C zone districts, as an alternative to the sign(s) permitted
in Subsections E.1, E.2 and E.3 of this section, lawfully permitted
retail sales, services and other commercial uses except for administrative,
business and professional offices, shall be permitted one freestanding
sign 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 such sign shall be permitted on any lot.
b.
The sign shall be located in the front yard or, in the case
of a corner lot, in the front yard or street side yard.
c.
The sign shall be located at least five feet from any property
line.
d.
The area of the sign shall not exceed 16 square feet.
e.
The height of the sign shall not exceed eight feet.
[Amended 8-10-1999 by
Ord. 1743]
f.
Neither the horizontal or vertical dimension of the sign shall
exceed six feet.
5.
Office freestanding sign alternative. In the GB-2, GB-3 and
C zone districts, as an alternative to the sign(s) permitted in Subsections
E.1, E.2 and E.3 of this section, lawfully permitted administrative,
business and professional offices as defined in Article 2 shall be
permitted one freestanding sign 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 such sign shall be permitted on any lot.
b.
The sign shall be located in the front yard or, in the case
of a corner lot, in the front yard or street side yard.
c.
The sign shall be located at least five feet from any property
line.
d.
The area of the sign shall not exceed 10 square feet.
e.
The height of the sign shall not exceed eight feet.
f.
Neither the horizontal or vertical dimension of the sign shall
exceed six feet.
6.
Wall signs for entrances facing parking areas or other pedestrian
approaches. In addition to projecting signs as regulated elsewhere
by this article, any wall containing an exterior public ground floor
pedestrian entrance accessible from an approved parking area, sidewalk
or other safe pedestrian approach, serving a lawfully permitted nonresidential
use on the ground floor shall be permitted one sign as follows; provided
that no other wall or freestanding sign exists which identifies said
entrance to such nonresidential use:
[Amended 11-12-2019 by G.O. No. 2151]
a.
The sign shall be located on the wall at the public entrance.
b.
The sign message shall be limited to identifying the entrance
to the use in question.
c.
The height of any such sign shall not exceed the height of the
ground floor, or 12 feet, whichever is less.
d.
The vertical dimension of the sign shall not exceed 1 1/2
feet (18 inches).
e.
The horizontal dimension of the sign shall not exceed four feet.
F.
Signs for non-residential uses in the P-1, P-2, O-1, O-2 and O-3
Zone Districts. In the P-1, P-2, O-1, O-2 and O-3 zone districts,
permitted non-residential uses shall be permitted one sign, regulated
as follows:
1.
No more than one such sign shall be permitted on any lot. If
there is more than one non-residential use, all of the uses shall
utilize the same sign.
2.
If the front yard on the property is at least 20 feet in depth,
the sign shall be freestanding. If the front yard is less than 20
feet in depth, the sign may be freestanding or wall mounted.
3.
If a freestanding sign is erected as permitted above, the following
regulations shall apply:
a.
The sign shall be located in the front yard or, in the case
of a corner lot, in the front yard or street side yard.
b.
The sign shall be located at least five feet from any property
line.
c.
The area of the sign shall not exceed 10 square feet.
d.
The height of the sign shall not exceed eight feet.
e.
Neither the horizontal or vertical dimension of the sign shall
exceed six feet.
4.
If a wall mounted sign is erected, as may be permitted above,
the following regulations shall apply:
a.
The sign shall be located on the wall of the main front facade.
b.
The height of the sign shall not exceed the height of the ground
floor, or 12 feet, whichever is less.
[Amended 8-10-1999 by
Ord. 1743]
c.
The area of the sign shall not exceed six square feet, if used
for one use, or 12 square feet, if used for more than one use.
d.
The horizontal dimension of the sign shall not exceed six feet.
e.
The vertical dimension of the sign shall not exceed two feet.
G.
Directory signs for entrances serving multiple non-residential uses.
Regardless of the zone district, any building occupied by lawfully
permitted non-residential uses shall be permitted one directory sign
for each exterior public entrance which serves more than one non-residential
use, regulated as follows:
1.
Any such sign shall be mounted on the wall at the public entrance.
2.
Any such sign shall be divided into panels identifying each
non-residential use served by the entrance; one such panel for each
use. The panels shall be arranged above and below each other.
3.
The horizontal dimension of any individual panel or the entire
directory sign shall not exceed 2 1/2 feet (30 inches).
4.
The vertical dimension of any individual panel shall not exceed
four inches. The vertical dimension of the entire directory sign shall
not exceed the product of four inches times the number of individual
panels on the sign.
5.
The vertical dimension of the letters, numbers or other symbols
on the sign shall not exceed three inches.
6.
The sign shall not be illuminated.
H.
Window signs for non-residential uses on upper floors. In all zone
districts, except in the residential zone districts or the P-1 and
P-2 zone districts, lawfully permitted non-residential uses located
on the upper floors shall be permitted sign(s) having no opaque signboard
or background, painted on exterior windows which are reasonably visible
from a public street or an approved parking area, regulated as follows:
1.
One sign per business per window shall be permitted, up to a
maximum two signs per business on any wall.
2.
The sign shall be limited to the name and/or type of business
and the street number.
3.
The area of any and all such signs shall not exceed four square
feet in any window.
4.
The sign(s) shall not be illuminated.
I.
Gasoline filling stations and gasoline service stations. Notwithstanding
any other provision herein, lawfully permitted gasoline filling stations
and gasoline service stations shall be permitted the following sign(s):
1.
One freestanding sign structure consisting of up to two separate
signs ancillary to the retail sale of gasoline or diesel motor vehicle
fuel and regulated as follows:
a.
One part of the sign may identify the brand of gasoline or the
name of the business. The other part of the sign may advertise the
price for up to three fuel grades sold on the premises.
b.
The area of all parts of such sign shall not exceed 25 square
feet.
c.
Neither the horizontal nor vertical dimension of such sign shall
exceed six feet.
d.
Any and all parts of the sign structure shall be located at
least five feet from any property line.
e.
The height of the sign shall not exceed six feet.
[Amended 8-10-1999 by
Ord. 1743]
2.
Wall mounted sign(s) as permitted and regulated in § 16.04E.1,
2 and 3.
3.
On any canopy which may be permitted, no sign shall be permitted
except for the freestanding sign permitted by I.1 above, which may
be incorporated into the canopy structure. The foregoing shall not
be construed to permit more than one freestanding sign structure for
any gasoline filling station or gasoline service station.
4.
All other requirements of this article that do not conflict
with this subsection shall apply to such signs.
J.
Freestanding signs for new automobile sales dealers. Notwithstanding
any other provision herein, lawfully permitted new automobile sales
dealers shall be permitted one freestanding sign advertising the make(s)
of automobiles sold on the premises, in addition to any other signs
which may be permitted in the district, and regulated as follows:
1.
The area of such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet.
2.
Neither the horizontal nor vertical dimension of such sign shall
exceed six feet.
3.
Any and all parts of the sign structure shall be located at
least five feet from any property line.
4.
The height of the sign shall not exceed six feet.
[Amended 8-10-1999 by
Ord. 1743]
5.
All other requirements of this article that do not conflict
with this subsection shall apply to such sign.
K.
Signs for houses of worship, public schools and private non-profit
schools. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, lawfully permitted
houses of worship, public schools and private non-profit schools shall
be permitted the following sign(s):
L.
Signs for non-profit chartered membership organizations and the offices
of charitable organizations. Lawfully permitted non-profit chartered
membership organizations and the offices of charitable organizations
shall be permitted the same sign(s) as permitted for office uses in
the same location.
M.
Governmental signs. Official signs erected or required by the Federal
government, the State of New Jersey or any of its agencies, and any
county or municipality of the State shall be exempt from the regulations
in this article to the extent that such governmental requirement conflict
with the requirements of this article.
N.
Flags. Official flags of the United States, the State of New Jersey,
Union County, the Town of Westfield and the Downtown Westfield Corporation
shall be permitted in all of the zone districts. A maximum of two
decorative flags accessory to a residential use may be displayed on
a residential lot; provided such flags do not contain any advertising
or identification related to a commercial use.
O.
Credit card signs. In addition to any other signs which may be permitted,
credit card signs and trading stamp signs shall be permitted on the
premises of a non-residential use if such use accepts such credit
cards and trading stamps. The following regulations shall apply:
P.
Public convenience signs. In addition to any other signs which may
be permitted, special signs serving the public convenience, such as
"Public Telephone," "Public Restroom," or words or directions of similar
import shall be permitted and regulated as follows:
Q.
Signs in parking and loading areas. No sign other than entrance,
exit, identification and condition of use signs shall be maintained
in any parking area, regulated as follows:
1.
Signs in parking and loading areas on same lot as principal
use. The Board of Adjustment or Planning Board, as the case may be,
shall decide on the necessity for such signs and the number required.
No such sign shall be larger than 1 1/2 square feet in area.
2.
Remote parking area signs. On private parking lots or private
parking facilities which are not adjacent to the non-residential use
which they serve, one freestanding sign for each entrance to the separate
parking lot or parking facility shall be permitted. The purpose of
this sign shall be to announce that the parking lot or parking facility
is available for use by the patrons or employees of the non-residential
use. This section shall not apply to municipal parking lots, which
shall have their signage designed by the municipal authority responsible
for their operation and approved by the Westfield Town Council Parking
Committee. The following regulations shall apply:
R.
Temporary signs. In addition to any other permitted signs, the following
temporary signs shall be permitted as regulated below:
1.
Real estate signs. In all zone districts, one sign shall be
permitted announcing that the premises on which it is located is available
for sale or rental, subject to the following requirements:
a.
The sign shall be located only in the front yard.
b.
The sign shall be located at least 20 feet from the curb line
on a street with curbs, or from the edge of the pavement, gravel or
dirt shoulder where it abuts grass or other vegetation on streets
without curbs. On premises in which the principal building is set
back less than or equal to such twenty foot requirement, the sign
shall be either affixed to the building or erected within six inches
of the front of the building.
c.
The area of the sign shall not exceed four square feet.
d.
The height of the sign shall not exceed three feet.
e.
The sign shall not be illuminated in any manner.
f.
The sign and its supports shall be constructed exclusively of
wood, metal or plastic.
g.
The sign shall not remain on the premises after the property
is sold. For the purposes of administering this provision, the premises
shall be deemed to be sold when a contract has been signed and the
property withdrawn from the market.
h.
Signs announcing that the property has been sold, rented or
otherwise withdrawn from the market are prohibited.
i.
One sign announcing an "open house" may also be placed in the
front yard of the property, but only on the day that such open house
is being conducted, and only during daylight hours. Such sign may
be displayed on the premises only once in any seven-day period. Such
sign shall not exceed four square feet in area. The top of such sign
shall be no higher than three feet above the surface of the ground,
and shall be displayed with the face parallel to the roadway upon
which the property fronts.
2.
Signs for public events and public holidays. Temporary placard
signs for special events sponsored by the Mayor and Council or sponsored
by a non-profit or charitable organization shall be permitted. Banners
shall be prohibited, except when erected by the Town or authorized
by the Mayor and Council.
3.
Signs for private sales events, grand openings, going out of
business, and similar events. In conjunction with a lawful permitted
non-residential use, the following temporary signs shall be permitted
as regulated below:
a.
Signs displayed on the interior of windows to give notice of
sales or special functions.
(1)
Such signs shall be permitted up to one week before
the event and during the event; provided, however, that in no case
shall the sign be displayed for a period exceeding 30 days.
(2)
No more than 30% of the total area of the window
on which such signs are displayed shall be covered.
(3)
Such signs shall not be illuminated.
b.
Signs displayed on the exterior of a building for purposes of
announcing of a new business or tenant.
(1)
Such signs may include up to two strings of pennants,
one "grand opening" or similar sign, and up to two balloon clusters.
(2)
Such signs shall not be illuminated.
(3)
Such signs may be displayed for a period of no
more than 30 days, beginning no sooner than the first day the establishment
is open for business and ending no later than 30 days thereafter.
(4)
A permit shall be required from the Zoning Officer
stating the nature and location of the sign(s), and the time period
within which the sign(s) may be displayed.
(5)
Such signs shall be removed at the end date of
the time period as stated in the required permit.
4.
Construction signs. Notwithstanding the provisions in Section
16.04R.1, an additional, non-illuminated sign on each lot shall be
permitted on the premises on which a building is being constructed,
altered or repaired during the period such construction, alteration
or repair is ongoing, subject to the following requirements:
[Amended 7-11-2017 by Ord. No. 2085]
a.
Such sign may be affixed to a building, freestanding, or mounted
on a construction fence; however, freestanding signs shall be set
back at least 10 feet from any property line.
b.
In the RS-40, RS-24, RS-16, RS-12, RS-10, RS-8, RS-6, RM-12,
RM-8, RM-6, RM-6D, P-1, and P-2 zone districts, the area of the sign
shall not exceed nine square feet and the height of the sign shall
not exceed eight feet.
c.
In multi-family zone districts, and the C, CBD, GB-1, GB-2,
GB-3, O-1, and O-2 zone districts, the area of the sign shall not
exceed 40 square feet and shall not exceed the height of the structure
on which it is mounted, except that the height of a freestanding sign
shall not exceed eight feet.
5.
Residential subdivision signs. In any residential zone district,
one sign shall be permitted identifying a residential development
which has been approved by the Town Planning Board, subject to the
following:
a.
The sign shall be freestanding and shall contain a message on
only one side.
b.
The sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area.
c.
The sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from the street
sideline and shall be erected parallel to the roadway on which the
property fronts.
d.
The sign shall be removed after a certificate of occupancy has
been issued for the final dwelling in the development.
6.
Removal of temporary signs. Any authorized person enforcing
this ordinance who has probable cause to believe that a temporary
sign has been erected or displayed in violation of this section may
remove such sign to a suitable location under the control of the Town.
The rightful owner of such sign may reclaim the sign upon the payment
of a fee of $10 to defray the cost of removing and storing the sign.
Such fee shall be refunded to such person if, after trial in Municipal
Court, it is determined that no violation of the ordinance occurred.
This remedy shall be in addition to and not in substitution of any
other penalty provided for violation of the Land Use Ordinance of
the Town of Westfield upon conviction in Municipal Court.
S.
Identification and business signs on trucks and other vehicles.
1.
Identification signs. Signs on trucks and other vehicles that
display only a name and telephone number are permitted.
2.
Business signs. Signs which include mention of a profession,
business, trade, product, service, or other reference to a specific
activity or use, may be displayed on trucks and other vehicles providing
that, in all zones, vehicles displaying such business signs must be
parked or stored in a building, or in the rear yard only in a defined
driveway or parking area, and further providing that such outdoor
storage or parking is not otherwise prohibited.
T.
Restaurant menu signs. Full service restaurants (i.e., businesses
selling cooked food for on-premises consumption and having more than
15 seats for customers) may display their menu in a glass front case
attached to the exterior of the wall near one main public entrance.
The area of such menu sign case shall not exceed three square feet,
and no dimension shall exceed two feet.
Whenever there is a change or termination of occupancy of a
building or premises, the message on the sign or signs which identify
or advertise an individual, business, service, product or other item
that is no longer present or available in the building or on the premises
shall be removed. The manner of removal pursuant to this section shall
be as follows:
A.
In the case of a sign with a painted message, the sign message shall
be painted over to match the background.
B.
In the case of a sign with a removable message, the message shall
be removed.
C.
In the case of a sign where the message is contained on a panel that
is inserted into the sign frame or structure, the message panel shall
be replaced with a blank panel.
D.
In the case of a sign where the message can not be removed without
also removing the sign structure, the structure shall be removed unless
the owner demonstrates to the Zoning Officer that the sign message
could reasonably apply to the next occupant of the building or premises.
Subsequently, if such sign message does not accurately identify or
advertise the next occupant of the building or premises, or any product,
service or other item available at the premises, the sign structure
shall be removed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy
for said occupant.
E.
In other cases not specified herein, the Zoning Officer shall make
the determination as to the manner of removal of the sign message.
The following provisions shall apply to any sign which was lawful
prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of the Land Use Ordinance,
but which fails to conform to the requirements of the Land Use Ordinance
by reasons of such adoption, revision or amendment:
A.
Routine maintenance. Routine maintenance for any nonconforming sign
shall be permitted, provided that such maintenance shall comply with
the provisions of Paragraphs B., C. and D. below. The term "routine
maintenance" is intended to include such activities as cleaning, replacement
of light bulbs, removal of rust and corrosion, and repainting.
B.
Restoration or repair of partial destruction. Any nonconforming sign
existing at the time of the passage of this chapter or any amendment
thereto may be continued upon the lot so occupied and any such sign
may be restored or repaired in the event of partial destruction thereof.
C.
Effect of removal. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to
prohibit the removal and subsequent reinstallation of a nonconforming
sign for purposes of maintenance, restoration, repair or permitted
alteration.
D.
Alterations. The following provisions shall regulate alterations
of nonconforming signs:
1.
Alteration of nonconforming sign use. Any sign which is nonconforming
because of use shall not be enlarged, extended, relocated or altered
in any manner.
2.
Alteration of nonconforming sign structure or sign message.
A nonconforming sign structure or sign message may be altered only
if such alteration reduces the extent of nonconformity or changes
the sign message to a conforming sign message, as applicable.
E.
Reversion to nonconforming sign prohibited. A sign which is a nonconforming
use and which is changed to a conforming use may not thereafter be
changed back to a nonconforming use. A nonconforming sign structure
and/or message which is changed to a conforming or less nonconforming
structure and/or message, may not thereafter be changed back to a
nonconforming or more nonconforming structure and/or message.
The following signs and activities shall be prohibited throughout
the Town of Westfield, unless otherwise permitted by this article
in specific circumstances:
A.
Any sign which is a principal use on the lot, including but not limited
to billboards;
B.
Signs which are not associated with and accessory to the use on the
same lot, including but not limited to billboards;
C.
The parking or storage of a motor vehicle or other mobile unit displaying
a sign or signs so as to be visible from the public right-of-way or
abutting residential zone district;
D.
Flashing, fluttering, animated, moving, vibrating, sequential, tracer,
rotating or revolving signs, except for barber poles;
E.
Signs attached to public buildings (except for official signs of
the governmental entities using such buildings), sidewalks, curbs,
traffic signs, trees, fences, retaining walls, freestanding walls,
utility poles, and other poles or posts which are not designed or
intended specifically and primarily for the support of such signs;
F.
Signs on railroad or vehicular overpasses, except for official railroad
or traffic signs;
G.
Signs which confuse or dangerously distract the attention of the
operator of a motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, signs
visible from the street using the words "stop", "danger" or any other
word, phrase, symbol, character, shape or color with the effect of
simulating public safety warning or traffic signs;
H.
Signs which simulate official, directional or warning signs erected
or maintained by the Federal government, the State of New Jersey,
any county or municipality thereof, or by any railroad, public utility
or similar agency concerned with the public health, safety and welfare;
I.
Signs, illustrations or symbols 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.
J.
Signs in a series which carry a single message, part of which is
contained on each sign;
K.
Signs placed, inscribed or supported upon any roof, including the
lower slope of a mansard roof, or upon any structure in a manner so
that the sign extends above the lowest portion of the roof of the
structure on the same side of the building; and
L.
The use of flags, banners, bunting, pennants, streamers, balloons,
multiple lights or similar devices or displays, either strung together
or hung separately;
M.
Any sign which falsely identifies the premises or occupant of any
premises or building, or which falsely advertises for sale on any
premises or in any building any product or service not available therein;
N.
Any sign accessory to a home occupation;
O.
Signs containing obscene, pornographic or lewd messages; and,
P.
Exterior signs, as defined by Article 2, utilizing ionized inert
gas sign lighting, commonly called "neon", when the neon tube is visible.
Included within the foregoing prohibition shall be window surrounds
and similar use of inert gas illumination with or without a distinct
message. The foregoing shall not be construed to prohibit "halo" signs,
utilizing a hidden neon tube to illuminate only the wall or other
background to the sign message, but not the face of the sign message.
