Definitions. Words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the meanings set forth in this section. Words and phrases not defined in this section but defined in this chapter shall be given the meanings set forth in this chapter. Principles for computing sign area and sign height are contained in Subsection
D. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
A-FRAME OR SANDWICH SIGN
An A-shaped temporary and easily movable ground sign, usually
two-sided, used for advertising commodities, services or entertainment
usually conducted upon the premises where the sign is located.
ANIMATED SIGN
Any sign that uses movement or change of lighting to depict
action or the illusion of movement or create a special effect or scene.
AREA IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign to identify a common area containing a group of structures,
or a single structure, such as a residential subdivision, apartment
complex, industrial park, mobile home park or shopping center, located
at the entrance or entrances of the area. Such signs may or may not
consist of a fence or wall or archway with letters or symbols affixed
thereto.
AWNINGS AND CANOPIES
Roof-like coverings extending over a walkway, sidewalk or
exterior place, supported by a frame attached to the building and/or
ground with a surface made of fabric or a more rigid material, such
as plastic or metal, and either retractable against the building or
fixed in place.
AWNING SIGN
Any sign that is part of, attached to or printed on an awning,
canopy or other fabric, plastic or structural protective cover over
a door, entrance, window or outdoor service area.
BANNER
Any sign printed or displayed upon cloth or other flexible
material, with or without frames. National flags, state or municipal
flags or the official flag of any not-for-profit institution shall
not be considered banners for the purposes of this chapter.
BEACON
A stationary or revolving light which flashes or projects
illumination, single color or multicolored, in any manner which is
intended to attract or divert attention; except, however, this term
is not intended to include any kind of lighting device which is required
or necessary under the safety regulations described by the Federal
Aviation Agency or similar agencies.
BILLBOARD or OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN
A sign which directs attention to a business, industry, profession,
commodity, service or entertainment not necessarily sold or offered
upon the premises where the sign is located.
BUILDING MARKER
Any sign indicating the name of a building and date and incidental
information about its construction, which sign is cut into a masonry
surface or made of bronze or other permanent material.
BUILDING SIGN
Any sign attached to any part of a building, as contrasted
to a freestanding sign.
BULLETIN BOARD
Any sign erected by a charitable, educational or religious
organization or a public body, which is erected upon the same property
as said institution for purposes of announcing changing events.
BUSINESS SIGN
A sign which directs attention to a business, industry, profession,
commodity, service or entertainment sold or offered upon the premises
where such sign is located.
CANOPY
See "awnings and canopies."
CHANGEABLE MESSAGE
A sign or portion thereof with characters, letters or illustrations
that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or the
surface of the sign. A sign on which the message changes more than
eight times per day shall be considered an animated sign and not a
changeable message sign for purposes of this chapter. A sign on which
the only copy that changes is an electronic or mechanical indication
of time or temperature shall be considered a time and temperature
portion of a sign and not a changeable message sign for purposes of
this chapter.
COMMERCIAL MESSAGE
Any sign wording, logo or other representation that, directly
or indirectly, names, advertises or calls attention to a business,
product, service or other commercial activity.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign intended to direct or point toward a place or which
gives directions. Such signs shall carry no advertising copy describing
the activities carried on at the premises where such signs are located.
DISPLAY SURFACE AREA
The net geometric area enclosed by the display surface of
the sign, including the outer extremities of all letters, characters
and delineations, the surfaces upon which they are presented, voids
between elements of the sign or any element of the display that goes
beyond the primary surface, whichever is greatest; provided, however,
that display surface area shall not include the structural supports
for freestanding signs; provided, further, that only one face of a
double-faced sign as defined shall be considered in determining the
display surface area.
ERECT
To construct, build, raise, assemble, place, affix, attach,
create, paint, draw or in any other way bring into being or establish,
but not including any of the foregoing activities when performed as
incidental to the normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure.
EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any illuminated sign whose illumination is derived from an
external artificial source outside the display portion of the sign.
FACADE
The total wall surface, including door and window area of
a building's principal face. A mansard roof shall be considered as
part of the facade.
FLAG
Any fabric or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns
or symbols, used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision
or other not-for-profit institution.
FLASHING SIGN
An illuminated sign, the illumination of which is not kept
constant in intensity at all times when in use. Illuminated signs
which indicate the time, temperature, weather or similar public service
information shall not be considered flashing signs.
FREESTANDING OR GROUND SIGN
Any sign supported by permanent structures or supports that
are placed on or anchored in the ground and that are independent from
any building or other structure.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign which is lighted by a self-contained interior light
or by lights projected or directed onto it.
INCIDENTAL SIGN
A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary
to the use of the zone lot on which it is located, such as "no parking,"
"entrance," "loading only," "telephone" and other similar directives.
No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off the
zone lot on which the sign is located shall be considered incidental.
INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any sign whose sole source of artificial illumination is
contained within the display portion of the sign, including neon-type
signs and internally and back-lit signs.
MARQUEE
A permanent roof-like structure projecting beyond a building
or extending along and projecting beyond the wall of the building
and supported in part from the ground, generally designed and constructed
to provide protection from the weather.
MARQUEE SIGN
Any sign attached to, in any manner, or made a part of a
marquee.
NAMEPLATE SIGN
A sign which states the name or address, or both, of the
occupant of the premises where the sign is located and not exceeding
1 1/2 square feet in area.
NEON SIGN
Self-luminous electric signs usually constructed of glass
tubing containing a vapor or gas configured to form a display or lettering.
OFFICIAL SIGN
Any sign, symbol or device erected and maintained by the
federal government, State of New Jersey, County of Essex, Borough
of Caldwell or a public utility for the purpose of informing or guiding
the public or for the protection and promotion of the health, safety,
convenience and general welfare of the public.
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN
Also known as "billboard." A sign which directs attention
to a business, industry, profession, commodity, service or entertainment
not necessarily sold or offered on the premises where the sign is
located.
OVERHANGING SIGN
A sign suspended from a marquee, awning, canopy or a wooden
or metallic bar where such sign is located within the public right-of-way
or other than parallel to the facade.
PENNANT
Any lightweight plastic, fabric or other material, whether
or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire
or string, usually, but not necessarily, in series, designed to move
in the wind.
PERSON
Any association, company, corporation, firm, organization
or partnership, singular or plural, of any kind.
POLITICAL SIGN
A sign advancing the candidacy of any candidate or group
of candidates for public office or a cause subject to political judgment.
PORTABLE SIGN
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other
permanent structure, or a sign designated to be transported, including
but not limited to signs designed to be transported by means of wheels;
A-frames and sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs; umbrellas
used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles
parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle
is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business.
PROFESSIONAL SIGN
A sign listing only the name, profession and/or specialty
of each practitioner.
PROJECTING SIGN
Any sign affixed to a building or wail in such a manner that
its leading edge extends more than one foot beyond the surface of
such building or wall.
PUMP ISLAND CANOPY SIGN
A flush-mounted sign on the vertical surface and canopy,
which is the ornamental or protective roof-like structure erected
above the pumps of a gasoline station.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A temporary sign placed upon the property for the purpose
of advertising to the public the availability for sale, rent or lease
of said property.
ROOF SIGN
Any sign erected, constructed and maintained upon or over
the roof of any building with the principal support of the roof structure
or parapet wall.
SETBACK
The distance from the property line to the nearest part of
the applicable building, structure or sign, measured perpendicularly
to the property line.
SHOPPING CENTER OR MALL
A building or group of related buildings of more than three
units having a common entrance or with more than one entrance not
on a public road or highway.
SIGN
Includes every object, device, frame, figure, character,
mark, point, fixture, graphic design, picture, stroke, stripe, trademark,
model, emblem, placard, symbol, display, light, logo or reading matter
which is used or intended to be used to advertise, identify, display,
direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization,
business, product, service, event or location by any means, including
words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, colors, illumination or
projected images, when the same is placed in the view of the general
public, either outdoors or indoors. Any of the above which is not
placed out of doors, but which is illuminated with artificial or reflected
color or otherwise made visible from out of doors, shall be considered
a sign within the meaning of this chapter, when placed in such a way
as to be used to attract attention or convey information to motorists
or pedestrians.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any sign that is used only temporarily and is not permanently
mounted.
WALL SIGN
Any sign that shall be affixed parallel to the wall or printed
or painted on the wall of any building in such a manner as to read
parallel to the wall on which it is mounted; provided, however, said
wall sign shall not project above the top of the wall or beyond the
end of the building. For the purposes of this chapter, any sign display
surface that is affixed flat against the sloping surface of a mansard
roof shall be considered a wall sign. Any sign that is affixed to
the face of a building marquee, building awning or a building canopy
shall be considered a wall sign.
WINDOW
Total glass area presented to public view for purposes of
display.
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign, pictures, symbol, or combination thereof, designed
to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity,
event, sale or service, that is placed inside a window or upon the
window panes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window.