[1982 Code § 134-80]
Uniformity in the exterior design and appearance of dwellings erected in the same neighborhood tends to adversely affect the desirability of the immediate and neighboring areas for residential purposes; tends to impair the value of both improved and unimproved real property in such areas with attendant deterioration of conditions affecting the health, safety and morals of the inhabitants and the general welfare of the community at large; and tends to destroy a proper balance between the taxable value of real property in such areas and the cost of providing municipal services.
[1982 Code § 134-81]
No building permit shall be issued by the Construction Official except in conformity with the zoning laws. Approved building plans shall be signed by the Chairman and the Secretary of the Planning Board. A building plan submitted to the Board shall contain floor plans, front elevation, height and size of the buildings.
[1982 Code § 134-82]
a. 
In acting upon the building plans, the Planning Board shall find that the dwelling is not substantially uniform in exterior design and appearance (as provided by the standards hereafter established in paragraph b below) with any adjacent existing or proposed dwelling for which a building permit has been issued or is pending, situated on the same or opposite side of the street within a radius of one hundred fifty (150) feet. The distance shall be measured from the nearest point of the proposed dwelling, including any attached accessory building, to the nearest point of any other existing or proposed dwelling, including any attached accessory building.
b. 
Determination of Uniformity.
1. 
Dwellings within such specified distance from each other shall be considered uniform in exterior design and appearance if they have any of the following characteristics:
(a) 
The same basic dimensions and floor plans are used without substantial differentiation in the height or length of the elevation.
(b) 
The design of the main roof or height of the main roof ridges is without substantial differentiation.
(c) 
The size, type and location of windows in the front elevation are without substantial differentiation with respect to any door, chimney, porch and attached garage in the same elevation.
2. 
Buildings between which the only difference in relative location of elements is end-to-end or side-to-side reversal of elements shall be deemed to be like each other in relative location of such elements.
[1982 Code § 134-83]
a. 
Garden Apartment Dwellings. No dwelling unit situated in a garden apartment or apartment dwelling group shall contain less than five hundred (500) square feet of livable floor area.
b. 
One-Family Dwellings. Each one-family structure shall contain a total livable floor area of not less than one thousand (1,000) square feet.
c. 
Two-Family Dwellings. Each unit within a two-family dwelling shall contain at least eight hundred fifty (850) square feet of livable floor area.
[1982 Code § 134-84]
The keeping of customary household pets is permitted in any residential district. The care or breeding of same for commercial purposes is prohibited.
[1982 Code § 134-85]
No person shall strip, excavate or otherwise remove topsoil for sale or for use other than on the premises from which the same shall be taken except in connection with the construction or alteration of a building on such premises and excavation or grading incidental thereto.
[1982 Code § 134-86; Ord. No. 1402-10-14]
Notwithstanding any other requirements or provisions of this chapter pertaining to building setbacks from property lines, setbacks shall be not less than as specified below, and no building or structure or parts of buildings or structures other than eaves, steps or permitted signs shall extend nearer to the property line than the distance specified:
a. 
State Highway 46, both sides, full length: twenty-five (25) feet from right-of-way line on Route 46. This requirement shall apply to the location of vehicles on used car lots.
b. 
I-L Light District properties which border residential properties fronting on Monnet Street and Conchon Drive: eighty (80) feet from residential property line.
[1982 Code § 134-87; Ord. No. 1346-01-12; Ord. No. 1402-10-14]
a. 
No building or premises shall be used nor shall any building be erected, built, altered or expanded unless there is provided off-street parking spaces upon the same or nearby premises upon which the use or structure is located, in accordance with the provision of Article 500, Section 35-501b3. In no case shall the required parking spaces be more distant from the principal structure than two hundred (200) feet in the case of a business, two hundred fifty (250) feet in the case of a residence and five hundred (500) feet in the case of an industry. All parking spaces not located on the same lot as the use to which they are appurtenant shall be located on premises which is under the control of the owner or operator of the use to which such parking spaces are appurtenant, and such required parking shall not be reduced below the minimum requirements of this chapter.
b. 
For places of public assembly and other places where seating capacity is used to determine the number of parking spaces required, where benches or pews are used, each twenty-four (24) inches of bench or pew shall be counted as one (1) seat.
c. 
In all cases where units of measurement determining the required number of parking spaces shall result in the requirement of a fraction of a space less than fifty (50%) percent, no space shall be required. When the fraction is over fifty (50%) percent, one (1) additional space shall be required.
d. 
Parking shall not be located between a building line and a public street.
e. 
Shared access and parking with neighboring nonresidential lots shall be strongly encouraged. Where provided, an access easement to facilitate shared parking shall be provided.
f. 
Where a mix of uses is proposed and where shared access and parking is provided (including the necessary cross access easements) and where an applicant demonstrates that two or more parking generators have complementary parking demand, as demonstrated using accepted shared parking analyses, the approving authority may permit a 20% percent reduction in the required total number of parking spaces.
g. 
Parking areas for five (5) or more automobiles shall be paved according to specifications established for this purpose by the Borough Engineer. Each space shall be lined, and arrows indicating the direction of flow shall be marked in the aisle.
h. 
The garaging, storing or parking of commercial vehicles with a registered gross vehicle weight of seven thousand (7,000) pounds or more, when loaded, on any premises within a residential district is prohibited unless parked in an enclosed garage. Nothing herein shall prohibit the parking of a commercial vehicle for such reasonable time as may be required for pickup or delivery service to premises within such district.
i. 
The outside parking or storage of trailers or boats within twenty-five (25) feet of any street on any premises within a residence or park district is prohibited.
j. 
The width of any entrance or exit drive shall not exceed thirty (30) feet in an R-M, B-N, B-H, I-L or P District and shall not exceed twenty (20) feet in an R District.
k. 
Each off-street parking area accessory to a multifamily dwelling, business or industrial use shall be illuminated. Flashing or intermittent lighting shall not be permitted.
l. 
Each parking space shall have a minimum area of two hundred (200) square feet and shall be a minimum of nine (9) feet in width.
m. 
RA and RB Districts.
1. 
RA and RB Districts, excepting between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., no automobile or any other motor vehicle of any nature shall be parked or left standing on residential premises, unless it shall be parked or left standing on a driveway constructed or installed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
2. 
During the hours between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. only a noncommercial automobile may be allowed to be parked or be left standing on private property on the front yard or on a front yard surface subject to the restrictions set forth in subsection 18-1.11i, 1—7.
[1982 Code § 134-88]
Unless otherwise specified, the definitions contained in the Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-3 et seq., shall apply to the terms in this article.
[Ord. No. 1249-08-08 § A]
The attractiveness of the Borough of Little Ferry contributes to the general welfare and economic well-being of its citizens, property owners and business people. Reasonable control of signs promotes a desirable visual environment and enhances public safety. The purposes of the regulations and standards that follow are: to encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication; to maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment and the Borough's ability to attract beneficial sources of economic development; to improve pedestrian and traffic safety; to minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property values; and to enable fair and consistent enforcement of these sign regulations.
All permanent signs which are permitted within the Borough of Little Ferry and contain letters, numbers or symbols in a language other than English shall so include Roman lettering, symbols in an English translation and Arabic numbers of sufficient visibility and substance to allow the reasonable identification of the location and means of egress and ingress to the premises, and the nature of the activity conducted therein readily apparent to the public, emergency personnel, law enforcement personnel and other municipal personnel, and such signs shall comply with all other sign requirements of the Borough of Little Ferry.
This section is adopted under the zoning authority of the Borough in furtherance of the more general proposes set forth in this chapter.
[Ord. No. 1249-08-08 § B(1)]
a. 
Applicability. The effect of this section as more specifically set forth herein is:
1. 
To establish a permit system to allow a variety of types of signs subject to the standards and the permit procedures of this section;
2. 
To allow certain signs that are small, unobtrusive and incidental to the principal use of the respective buildings on which they are located, subject to the requirements of this section, but without a requirement for permits;
3. 
To provide for temporary signs without commercial messages in limited circumstances;
4. 
To prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by this section; and
5. 
To provide for the enforcement of the provisions of this section.
[Ord. No. 1249-08-08 § B(2)]
a. 
Generally. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, repair, alter, relocate or keep within the Borough of Little Ferry any sign as defined in this section, except as exempted under subsection 35-710.8, without obtaining a sign permit from the Construction Official and payment of the fee as required by this section. All illuminated signs shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of the Electrical Code, and the permit fees required thereunder. Sign permit numbers will be issued and must be displayed on the sign in question when erected. The Construction Official shall issue permits only for such signs as are specifically allowed for the particular premises and zone district in which the premises are located or as have been approved by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment during site plan or subdivision review.
[Ord. No. 1249-08-08 § B(2)]
a. 
The Planning Board acting as the Zoning Board of Adjustment shall have jurisdiction over all appeals or variances requested from the terms of this section (unless the variance requested is in association with a site plan within the jurisdiction of the Planning Board). The Planning Board acting as the Zoning Board of Adjustment shall have the following powers and it shall have its duty:
1. 
To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision or interpretation made in the enforcement of this section.
2. 
To hear requests for variances from the literal provisions of this section for the erection of a new sign in instances where strict enforcement of this section would cause practical difficulties due to conditions unique to the individual circumstances under consideration, and grant variances only when it is clearly demonstrated that such variances will be in keeping with the spirit and intent of this section.
(a) 
The Board shall not permit as a variance any sign the erection of which or the continuance of which is prohibited by subsection 35-710.8 of this section. The Board may grant a variance from other provisions of this section where strict enforcement of said section would be unreasonable.
(b) 
The Board may impose reasonable conditions in the granting of a variance to ensure compliance and to protect adjacent property. A violation of such conditions shall constitute a violation of this section.
b. 
In exercising the above-mentioned powers, the Board may reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the order, requirement, decision or determination appealed from, and may make such order, requirement, decision or interpretation as ought to be made.
c. 
The concurring vote of a majority of a quorum Board shall be necessary to reverse any order, requirement, decision or determination of the Code Enforcement Officer or to decide in favor of the applicant on any matter upon which it is required to pass under this section or to effect any variation in this section.
[Ord. No. 1249-08-08 § B(2)]
Application for sign permits shall be made upon blanks provided by the Construction Official and shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:
a. 
Name, address and daytime telephone number of the applicant, building owner, business owner and contractor.
b. 
Street address or location of the building, structure or lot to which or upon which the sign or other advertising structure is to be attached or erected.
c. 
Position of the sign or other advertising structure in relation to the site and adjacent buildings or structures.
d. 
A detailed drawing of the proposed sign indicating construction techniques, materials, colors, lighting details, structural supports and graphics.
e. 
Written consent of the owner of the building, structure or land to which or on which the structure is to be erected.
f. 
Any electrical permit required and issued for said sign. Application requesting electrical permit for proposed sign must accompany sign application.
g. 
If the application is for an existing building, current color photographs of all exposed exterior walls of the building shall be submitted.
h. 
Such other information as the Construction Official shall require to show full compliance with this section.
[Ord. No. 1249-08-08 § B(2)]
Every applicant, before being granted a permit hereunder, shall pay to the Borough Building Inspector's Office the fee for each sign which shall be in accordance with the ordinance in effect, and the permit number shall be displayed in the lower right-hand corner.
[Ord. No. 1249-08-08 § C]
Words and phrases used in this section shall have the meanings set forth in this subsection. Words and phrases not defined in this subsection 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 35-710.8. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
As used in this section:
A-FRAME OR SANDWICH SIGN
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean any sign that is a 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
Shall mean any sign, symbol, or mark 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 section.
BEACON
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean any sign attached to any part of a building, as contrasted to a freestanding sign.
BULLETIN BOARD
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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.
CANOPY SIGN
See awning sign.
CHANGEABLE MESSAGE
Shall mean 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 (8) times per day shall be considered an animated sign and not a changeable message sign for purposes of this section. 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 section.
COMMERCIAL MESSAGE
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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.
DIRECTORY SIGN
Shall mean a sign listing the tenants or occupants of a building.
DISPLAY SURFACE AREA
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean any illuminated sign whose illumination is derived from an external artificial source outside the display portion of the sign.
FACADE
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean a sign which is lighted by a self-contained interior light or by lights projected or directed onto it.
INCIDENTAL SIGN
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean any sign attached to, in any manner, or made a part of a marquee.
NAMEPLATE SIGN
Shall mean a sign which states the name or address, or both, of the occupant of the premises where the sign is located and not exceeding one and one-half (1 1/2) square feet in area.
NEON SIGN
Shall mean self-luminous electric signs usually constructed of glass tubing containing a vapor or gas configured to form a display or lettering.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
Shall mean any sign that does not conform to the requirements of this section.
OFFICIAL SIGN
Shall mean any sign, symbol or device erected and maintained by the federal government, State of New Jersey, County of Bergen, Borough of Little Ferry 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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. Pennants include, but are not necessarily limited to banners or streamers.
PERSON
Shall mean any association, company, corporation, firm, organization or partnership, singular or plural, of any kind.
POLITICAL SIGN
Shall mean a sign advancing the candidacy of any candidate or group of candidates for public office or a cause subject to political judgment.
PORTABLE SIGN
Shall mean 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
Shall mean a sign listing only the name, profession and/or specialty of each practitioner.
PROJECTING SIGN
Shall mean any sign affixed to a building or wall in such a manner that its leading edge extends more than one (1) foot beyond the surface of such building or wall.
PUMP ISLAND CANOPY SIGN
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean 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
Shall mean a building or group of related buildings of more than three (3) units having a common entrance or with more than one (1) entrance not on a public road or highway.
SIGN
Shall mean and include every object, device, frame, figure, character, mark, point, fixture, graphic design, picture, stroke, stripe, trademark, model, emblem, placard, symbol, banner, streamer, pennant, 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 section, when placed in such a way as to be used to attract attention or convey information to motorists or pedestrians.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Shall mean any sign that is used only temporarily and is not permanently mounted.
WALL SIGN
Shall mean 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 section, 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
Shall mean total glass area presented to public view for purposes of display.
WINDOW SIGN
Shall mean 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.
[Ord. No. 1249-08-08 § D; amended 9-11-2018 by Ord. No. 1503-14-18]
a. 
Exempt signs. The following signs shall not require permits and are exempt. Exemptions shall not be construed as relieving the owner of such signs from the responsibility of complying with certain applicable provisions of this section. The exemption shall apply to the requirement for a sign permit only.
1. 
Official signs.
2. 
Lights and strings of illuminated devices and graphics used to celebrate a national or religious holiday for a period not to exceed 25 days before the holiday and 15 days following the holiday.
3. 
Residential nameplate and professional nameplate signs, not exceeding 1 1/2 square feet in area for each side. The signs shall not contain any advertising message and shall be nonilluminated except by a light which is an integral part of a lamppost if used as a support. Such sign shall not be erected closer than five feet to any property line. The post light or lantern shall not exceed 30 inches in height by 24 inches in width or 24 inches in diameter. The post on which the lantern is erected shall not exceed four inches in diameter or seven feet in height (total height with lantern). The light source shall not exceed 20 footcandles on the nameplate/sign.
4. 
Historic tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques and emblems which do not exceed six square feet in area and which are installed by government agencies or civil or religious organizations.
5. 
Temporary signs of nonprofit or charitable organizations, provided that such signs do not exceed 24 square feet in area. Said signs shall be put in place no earlier than 28 days before the event and shall be removed upon completion of the public phase of said event or function.
6. 
Bulletin boards not over 15 square feet in area for public, charitable or religious institutions when the same are located on the premises of said institutions and are used solely for temporary notices.
7. 
On-site directional and parking signs, warning signs and signs posting property as "private property," "no trespassing" or similar signs, not to exceed two square feet in area.
8. 
Temporary signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor when placed upon the site under construction and not exceeding nine square feet in area. Said signs shall be in place only while work is in progress and shall be placed at least 10 feet from the curbline. The sign may be placed for a maximum period of three weeks.
9. 
Garage sale signs located on the premises only, not exceeding two square feet and containing the date of sale. Such sign shall be removed within 24 hours of the last day of sale.
10. 
Decorations for opening day of a new business, to be displayed for a period not to exceed eight days. Decorations shall consist of string pennants, small grand opening banners and small balloons.
11. 
Flags or emblems of religious, education, civic or governmental organizations flown from supports on the buildings or grounds occupied by the organization and the American flag whenever and wherever flown in accordance with the laws and rules promulgated by the federal government.
12. 
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 two feet by 1 1/2 feet. Any relocation signs shall be installed on the inside of the windows.
13. 
Temporary window signs, not to exceed more than 35% of total storefront window area; provided, however, that temporary signs may not exceed 50% of the area of the window on which they are displayed. These signs must have the date that the sign is installed in the lower left corner, written legibly. The area of a temporary window sign is not included in the maximum allowable area permitted for permanent signs. In any case, they shall be removed promptly upon termination of the sale or event, and they shall not be displayed for any period of time exceeding 15 days. No such temporary signs shall be displayed on entrance doors. All temporary signs shall be on the inside of the windows.
14. 
All signs located within a building that are not visible to the public outside said building and are not designed to attract from the outside.
15. 
Fuel price informational signs, provided that they comply with the following regulations:
(a) 
In any district, signs advertising the price of motor vehicle fuel sold from a fuel pump located on the premises shall be permitted, subject to the following conditions:
(1) 
Each fuel price informational sign shall be affixed directly and firmly to a fuel pump and shall be stationary.
(2) 
Only one fuel price informational sign shall be permitted per fuel pump.
(3) 
Fuel price informational signs shall be limited in size to an area of 216 square inches.
(b) 
Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the advertisement of fuel prices on any other sign meeting the requirements of this section.
16. 
Temporary signs indicating a political preference or a political event, provided that such signs do not exceed 32 square feet in area on any one side in nonresidential zones. Exempt status shall apply to such signs posted or displayed on existing commercial billboards by or with the consent of the owner thereof and any such signs posted or displayed on licensed motor vehicles in operating condition; provided, however, that no such vehicle is parked or placed in any location for the primary purpose of displaying any such sign. Such signs may not be displayed on any trees, telephone poles or lighting stanchions or other public property. All such signs shall be removed within five days after the completion of said political function.
17. 
Real estate signs temporarily advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises or portion thereof, provided that such signs do not exceed nine square feet in area. Such signs shall be removed upon passing of title or completion of rental or lease agreement and shall be placed at least 10 feet from the curbline.
b. 
Prohibited signs. The following signs are prohibited unless otherwise permitted by this section:
1. 
No sign shall be erected, used or maintained which in any way simulates official directional or warning signs erected or maintained by the state, the county or the Borough or by any public utility or similar agency concerned with the protection of the public health or safety.
2. 
No sign of any type shall be permitted to obstruct or otherwise confuse directional and identification signs, other places of business or other signs, and all signs shall be located to allow a clear, unobstructed sight triangle at intersections.
3. 
Signs using red, yellow or green lights placed within 100 feet of any traffic control signal now or hereafter erected or placed so as otherwise to create confusion with respect to such signals.
4. 
Signs using words such as "stop," "look," "danger," etc., which are placed in a manner or position which constitutes a traffic hazard or confusion or otherwise interferes with the free flow of traffic.
5. 
Any advertisement which uses a series of two or more signs placed in a line parallel to the road or in a similar fashion, all carrying a single advertisement message, part of which is contained on each sign.
6. 
No sign may obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway or opening intended to provide ingress and egress to or from any building or structure except as herein provided.
7. 
Animated, moving or revolving signs and signs using blinking, flashing, vibrating, flickering, tracer or sequential lighting, which display movement or the illusion of movement, including interior signs visible from the exterior of the premises, except for large, freestanding clocks or weather information.
8. 
Signs projecting more than one foot from the wall of a building.
9. 
Signs, other than officially authorized signs, attached to poles, trees, posts, fences, sidewalks or curbs.
10. 
No portion of any sign shall be located within or suspended over a public right-of-way or pedestrian walkway with the exception of covered walkways in shopping centers.
11. 
A permanent canopy extending from the building, across the sidewalk and to the curbline shall not be permitted. However, a permit may be granted for such a canopy to be in use for up to 24 hours.
12. 
Roof signs are not permitted.
13. 
Signs advertising a product or service not sold on the premises, signs advertising or directing attention to another premises and any other signs unrelated to the premises on which the sign is erected.
14. 
Flags, banners, strings of banners, pinwheels, balloons, wind sock flags with the word "open" or any other attention-getting item except national or state flags.
15. 
Beacons.
16. 
A-frame and sandwich-type signs.
17. 
Balloons and inflatable signs, except as permitted for temporary use.
18. 
Signs on vehicles. It should be unlawful to use a vehicle or a trailer as a sign in circumvention of this section.
19. 
Signs painted directly on any part of any building wall or roof.
20. 
Neon-type signs shall be prohibited, except that one standard logo or trademark sign shall be permitted per storefront (as defined for main and supplementary signs), to be limited to 600 square inches each.
21. 
Signs using any material which sparkles or glitters or displaying phosphorescent colors.
22. 
No sign shall be erected on the side of any building.
23. 
Light-emitting-diode (LED) lighting or signs shall be prohibited, except that that one standard logo or trademark sign shall be permitted per storefront (as defined for main and supplementary signs). Such signs shall be white in lighting, permitted in the window area only on the first floor, and shall not be more than 10% of the window area. Flashing, blinking or moving lights are not permitted. LED lighting and signs must be turned off at the close of business and may not be kept on overnight.
c. 
Nonconforming signs. For the purpose of this section, a "nonconforming sign" shall be defined as a lawfully existing sign at the effective date of this section or under the terms of this section.
d. 
Reference to zoning districts. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no outdoor sign or other form of exterior advertising shall be erected or maintained unless the same complies with the requirements of this subsection and those established for the zoning district in which such sign is located.
e. 
Setback from residential district. No sign permitted in a nonresidential district but not permitted in a residential district shall be located closer than 10 feet to any residential zone boundary, and, further, no sign shall be located in a required buffer area.
f. 
Maintenance. The issuance of a permit shall not relieve the owner or lessee of the premises from the duty of maintaining any such structure. Every sign constructed or maintained shall be plainly marked with the permit number of such sign. All signs shall be properly illuminated and maintained in good repair at all times. Any sign that is or shall become dangerous or unsafe in any manner whatsoever shall be repaired and made safe, in conformity with this section, or shall be removed by the owner, lessor, agency or occupant of the building, property or land upon which it is placed or to which it is attached. A written notice shall be served upon the owner, lessor, agency or occupant of a building, property or land upon which a dangerous or unsafe sign is located. Said notice shall require necessary action to be initiated within 10 days from the date of service of the notice upon such person and completed within 30 days from the issuing of the original notice, or within such lesser time as shall be deemed reasonable in the case where the danger to public health, safety and general welfare is so imminent as to require more-immediate abatement.
g. 
Illumination. All externally illuminated signs shall be lighted from below, with said source of illumination so placed and screened as to prevent direct rays of light from being cast beyond the premises.
h. 
Awnings and canopies.
1. 
Fixed awnings and canopies attached to buildings shall not extend from the building more than 38 inches nor be greater than 48 inches in height. Drop or retractable awnings shall not extend from the building more than five feet. The lower edge of the curtain of any awning or canopy shall be no closer to the ground or sidewalk than seven feet. No part of the iron or other supporting framework shall be closer than seven feet six inches to the ground or sidewalk.
2. 
Two signs are permitted per establishment if one consists of an awning or canopy; provided, however, that the lettering on any such awning or canopy must be located on the vertical fringe and must be no more than five inches in height. If any lettering exceeds five inches in height or any lettering, symbol, logo or graphic appears anywhere on the awning or canopy other than on the vertical fringe, then the awning or canopy shall be considered to be the one sign permitted per establishment and per building front. Lettering or other graphics on the ends of a canopy or awning are specifically prohibited.
3. 
No internal lighting for awnings or canopies shall be permitted.
i. 
Computation of area of individual signs.
1. 
Computation of area of individual signs. The display surface area (or area) of a sign face (which is also the display surface area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, or any voids in the layout, but not including any supporting framework, bracing or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets this section's regulations and is clearly incidental to the display itself.
2. 
Computation of area of multifaced signs. The display surface area (or area) for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back-to-back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 12 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.
3. 
Computation of height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of the existing grade prior to construction or the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding or excavation solely for the purpose of locating the sign. In cases in which the normal grade cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the crown on a public street or the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the principal structure on the zone lot, whichever is lower.
[Ord. No. 1249-08-08 § D]
The following regulations shall apply in the specific districts to all signs other than those specifically exempted.
a. 
Residential Districts.
1. 
No signs shall be permitted in the Residential Districts except as otherwise specifically permitted by this section except as follows:
2. 
Signs on churches, schools and other institutions of a public or quasi-public nature may be erected, provided that the size of any freestanding sign shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet and not more than one such sign shall be placed on each road upon which such use fronts. Signs attached to a wall of a building shall not exceed ten (10%) percent of the area of wall or fifty (50) square feet, whichever is less.
3. 
All signs in residential districts, as specifically permitted, shall have a setback of at least ten (10) feet from all lot lines; no sign shall be greater than five (5) feet in height from the ground to the top of the sign.
4. 
Area identification signs for garden apartments shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet.
5. 
Permanent signs otherwise permitted in residential districts may be externally lighted only and limited to one hundred fifty (150) watts per surface.
b. 
Office Professional Districts.
1. 
Any sign permitted in the residential districts shall be permitted.
2. 
Signs must be accessory to the main use, advertising only businesses conducted on the premises where the sign is located. Such sign shall state only the name of the occupant of the premises and, in concise form, the nature of the business or professional activity or activities conducted there.
3. 
One sign may be attached to the wall of the main building advertising the business or businesses conducted on the premises. Such sign shall not project more than twelve (12) inches from the building facade to which it is attached; however, where a sign extends more than three (3) inches from the face of said wall, the bottom of said sign shall not be closer than eight (8) feet to the ground level below said sign. Signs attached to a wall of a building shall not exceed ten (10%) percent of the area of wall or fifty (50) square feet, whichever is less. No wall sign shall extend higher than the first story. Whenever a building has a second public entrance from a municipal parking lot, an additional sign shall be permitted for identification of the secondary public entrance. The second sign shall be limited in area to fifteen (15) square feet and shall contain no back or internal lighting. Any external lighting of the additional sign shall be shielded so that the light is directed onto the sign, and the light bulb or other light source shall not be visible from adjacent properties.
4. 
Not more than one freestanding sign per business premises shall be permitted on any one street frontage. Such sign may be internally or externally illuminated and shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet in area. No ground sign shall be located closer than ten (10) feet to a lot line or be greater than seven (7) feet in overall height.
c. 
General Business.
1. 
Any sign permitted in residential and office professional districts shall be permitted.
2. 
Signs must be accessory to the main use, advertising only businesses conducted on the premises where the sign is located. All off-premises advertising or announcements shall be prohibited.
3. 
One sign may be attached to the wall of the main building advertising the business or businesses conducted on the premises. Such sign shall not project more than twelve (12) inches from the building facade to which it is attached; however, where a sign extends more than three (3) inches from the face of said wall, the bottom of said sign shall not be closer than eight (8) feet from the ground level below said sign. Signs attached to the wall of a building shall not exceed ten (10%) percent of the area of wall or fifty (50) square feet, whichever is less. Whenever a building has a second public entrance from a municipal parking lot, an additional sign shall be permitted for identification of the secondary public entrance. The second sign shall be limited in area to fifteen (15) square feet and shall contain no back or internal lighting. Any external lighting of the additional sign shall be shielded so that the light is directed onto the sign, and the light bulb or other light source shall not be visible from adjacent properties.
4. 
Signs for uses above the first floor shall conform to this section, except that their dimensions shall be in proportion to the area of such use, and no signs shall be placed above the line of the window ledges of the third floor.
5. 
Rear Businesses. Signs on the primary facade of a building for businesses that do not share that primary facade shall conform to the secondary-entrance requirements and all other requirements of this section.
6. 
Not more than one (1) freestanding sign per business premises shall be permitted on any street frontage. Such sign may be internally or externally illuminated and shall not exceed forty (40) square feet in area. No freestanding sign shall be located closer than ten (10) feet to a lot line or be more than fifteen (15) feet in height or the height of the principal building on the lot, whichever is less.
7. 
Shopping centers in the General Business District shall be governed by these additional regulations:
(a) 
A shopping center may have one (1) freestanding, lighted sign identifying the shopping center, along each road which the tract in question abuts.
(b) 
Each individual use may also have a facade sign, but may not have a freestanding sign.
(c) 
There shall be a consistent design theme among signs in a shopping center.
[Ord. No. 1402-10-14]
a. 
Outdoor storage shall be screened from adjacent lots in a zone district that does not permit outdoor storage and public rights-of-way by a masonry wall or a principal or accessory building.
b. 
The maximum height of stored materials shall be 10 feet or the height of the screening wall, whichever is less. Stored equipment may exceed this height.
c. 
Any wall used to screen outdoor storage shall meet the following:
1. 
The wall shall have a minimum setback of 125% its own height.
2. 
A planted buffer shall be provided on the outward facing side of the wall. The buffer shall be a minimum of fifteen (15) feet in width, composed of trees and evergreen shrubs,
3. 
The masonry wall shall be composed of concrete block, stone or brick; stucco finish is prohibited.
4. 
The finish of the masonry wall and access gate(s) shall match or complement the building materials used for the principal building.
5. 
The wall shall have a minimum height of six (6) feet and a maximum height of 10 feet.
6. 
The color of the masonry units shall be integral; it shall not be applied (painted on).
[Ord. No. 1402-10-14]
a. 
Displays shall be located on a public sidewalk and in front of the building to which the display is accessory.
b. 
Displays shall provide for an unobstructed path of not less than four (4) feet in width on the public sidewalk that it is located to ensure adequate pedestrian movement.
[Ord. No. 1402-10-14]
a. 
Refuse enclosures shall be sufficiently sized to provide space for the orderly deposit, storage and collection of trash, garbage, recyclables and other waste material generated by the use to which it is accessory.
b. 
Refuse shall be stored in suitable containers and surrounded by walled enclosures.
1. 
Refuse enclosures shall consist of a masonry wall that is composed of concrete block, stone or brick; stucco finish is prohibited.
2. 
The finish of the masonry wall and access gate(s) shall match or complement the building materials used for the principal building.
3. 
The enclosure shall have a minimum height of six (6) feet and a maximum height of eight (8) feet.
4. 
The color of the masonry units shall be integral; it shall not be applied (painted on).
5. 
One (1) access per refuse enclosure shall be provided by an opaque gate(s).
c. 
Materials or equipment stored within the refuse enclosure shall not exceed the height of the refuse enclosure.
d. 
Refuse enclosures shall not be located between a principal building and private or public street or right-of-way.
e. 
Refuse enclosures shall be located at least 15 feet from a property line abutting a residential use or district.
f. 
Refuse enclosures shall be located at least 5 feet from a property line abutting a non-residential district.
g. 
Refuse enclosures may have a 0.5 foot setback where the following are met:
1. 
The refuse enclosure wall is integrated with a wall along a property line shared with a nonresidential use in a nonresidential district;
2. 
The wall along the property line is at least four (4) feet in height; and
3. 
The wall along the property line is composed of the same materials and finish as the refuse enclosure wall.
[Ord. No. 1402-10-14]
a. 
All outdoor light fixtures, other than those serving one- and two-family dwellings, shall comply with the requirements specified in this section.
b. 
This section shall not be applicable to holiday or special event lighting.
c. 
Exterior lighting fixtures and other components shall be integrated with the architecture, material and color of the principal building.
d. 
Searchlights and flashing lights are prohibited.
e. 
Footings supporting light fixtures shall not protrude more than six (6) inches above finished grade.
f. 
The maximum permitted mounting height of light fixtures on lots adjacent to a residential use or zone district shall be 14 feet. The maximum permitted mounting height of light fixtures in all other locations shall be 25 feet or the height of the principal building, whichever is less.
g. 
Site light fixtures shall have a minimum setback of 15 feet to a residential use, residential zone district or public right-of-way. This excludes building-mounted light fixtures.
h. 
All site light fixtures shall consist of downward facing, full cut-off luminaires.
i. 
Illumination generated by site lighting shall not exceed the following:
1. 
0.1 footcandle at property boundaries with a residential use or district.
2. 
0.3 footcandle at property boundaries with a nonresidential district.
j. 
Hours of Operation. Dusk-to-dawn illumination is prohibited. Site lighting shall be permitted to operate not more than one (1) hour prior to the start of business and one (1) hour after the close of business. If photocells are used for the control of light fixtures, then the system shall also be equipped with timers that can override the photocell commands in order to facilitate compliance.