[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
As used in this chapter:
Shall mean a ground sign placed at the intersection of an
arterial street and intersecting street in proximity to a commercial
area located off the arterial street, which sign contains the names
of businesses in the commercial area but no advertising or descriptive
material.
Shall mean to build, construct, attach, place, suspend or
affix, including the painting of signs or displays on the exterior
surfaces of a structure.
Shall mean a wall surface itself and the surface of a sign
upon, against or through which the message is displayed or illuminated
on the sign.
Shall mean any illuminated sign emitting intermittent, noncontinuous
light.
Shall mean any sign supported by uprights or braces inserted
in or anchored to the ground and not attached to any building. Included
herein are signs known as "freestanding", "pylon" and "pole signs"
used for the purpose of identification, announcement, advertising
and direction.
Shall mean any lighted sign.
Shall mean any sign which has its light source within the
sign projecting outward.
Shall mean any material which will not ignite at or-below
a temperature of 1,200° F. and will not continue to burn or glow
at that temperature.
Shall mean any device, item, structure, fixture, or other
personal property, and including a marquee, canopy, awning, or clock,
bearing advertising which is placed on the property by the owner or
operator, whether placed to attract attention to the business activity
or for any other purpose.
Shall mean any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company, or organization.
Shall mean any sign, whether or not supported by uprights
or braces, which is not permanently inserted or anchored into the
ground or not permanently attached to any structure.
Shall mean any attached sign other than a wall sign.
Shall mean any sign erected, constructed, and maintained
wholly upon or above the roof of any building with the principal support
of the sign on the roof structure.
Shall include all lettering, wording, coloring and accompanying
designs and symbols, together with the background, whether open or
enclosed, but not including any supporting framework and bracing incidental
to the display itself. A freestanding sign with two exposures shall
have a total sign area consisting of the area of one side of the sign,
but both sides may be used.
Shall mean any sign, banner or other advertising device,
with or without structural frame, intended for a limited period of
display, including, but not limited to, decorative displays for holidays
or public demonstrations, signs pertaining to the lease or sale of
real estate on which the sign is situated and construction signs setting
forth information about architects, engineers, contractors and artisans
associated with building, construction or renovation work at the site.
Shall mean flat signs placed against the exterior wall of
any structure with the face of the sign not more than 15 inches from
the surface of the wall.
Shall mean any permanent or temporary sign attached or otherwise
displayed on or through the window or any building.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
a.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful
for any person to erect, alter, relocate or to permit to exist on
his premises any sign as defined in this chapter without first making
application for and obtaining a sign permit from the Code Enforcement
Officer.
b.
Where site plan approval is required prior to the issuance of a building
permit from either the Planning Board or the Board of Adjustment,
all applications for sign permits shall be made to the Board having
jurisdiction to hear the site plan application. The sign permit application
shall be made a part of the site plan application and upon approval
of the site plan, the approving Board shall certify in writing to
the Code Enforcement Officer that the sign conforms to this chapter
or that a variance from same has been granted. Thereupon, the Code
Enforcement Officer shall issue the sign permit. It shall be the obligation
of all applicants to immediately display the sign permit number on
the face of the sign.
c.
Where site plan approval is not required, the Code Enforcement Officer
shall examine the application and determine whether the application
and the proposed sign comply with the applicable provisions of this
chapter and other regulations. In addition, the Code Enforcement Officer
shall be satisfied that the proposed sign shall be erected so as not
to constitute any hazard to the public or cause any damage to property.
d.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall issue or deny a sign permit within
15 days of receipt of a properly completed application, including
the paid fee, or certification of approval from the approving authority.
e.
In the event the sign permit is denied, the denial shall be in writing,
setting forth the reasons. The applicant shall have the right to appeal
the determination to the Board of Adjustment.
f.
If the work authorized by the sign permit shall not be completed
within one year of the date the sign permit is issued, the sign permit
shall be null and void.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
Application for a sign permit shall be made in duplicate on
forms to be furnished by the Borough and shall be accompanied by a
nonrefundable fee of $25. The application shall contain the following
information:
a.
Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant as well as the
owner of the premises upon which the sign is sought to be erected.
b.
Name, address and telephone number of the person or firm erecting
the sign.
c.
Written consent of the owner of the structure or land to which or
on which the sign is to be erected, if applicant is other than the
owner.
d.
Attached to each copy of the application shall be plans prepared
by the applicant or on his behalf, which shall include the following:
1.
The location and dimension of all boundary lines of the premises
and all buildings and structures, including existing signs, on said
premises, showing their respective setbacks from the boundary lines.
2.
The location of the proposed sign, showing distances for all boundary
lines, sidewalks, streets, buildings, structures and existing signs.
3.
A diagram of the proposed sign, showing all dimensions and the heights
above ground with a graphic illustration of the proposed sign content.
4.
The method of construction and materials to be used, including the
mode of illumination, if any, and the manner in which it will be connected
to the ground or building.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the lawful use of any sign existing at the date of the adoption of this chapter, which is not a portable or temporary sign as defined in Section 13-1 above, may be continued although such sign does not conform to this chapter, provided that no nonconforming signs shall be enlarged, extended, increased or changed in material, character, location, illumination or message. Signs of a portable or temporary nature existing as of the date of the adoption of this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter and as such same shall be removed upon this chapter becoming law.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
A nonconforming sign shall be presumed to be abandoned when there occurs a cessation of any use or activity to which the sign is accessory pursuant to Section 13-8, paragraph h below.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
In the event any nonconforming sign shall be partially destroyed
by reason of windstorm, fire, explosion, or act of God, such sign
may be restored or repaired, provided there is no change in size or
location. In the event a nonconforming sign shall be totally destroyed
by reason of any of the above elements, the sign shall not be rebuilt
or reconstructed except in conformance with the provisions of this
chapter. Totally destroyed for purposes of this subsection shall be
defined as a sign which is more than 70% destroyed.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
No nonconforming sign shall, once it has become a conforming
sign, be changed or altered in any manner so that it again becomes
a nonconforming sign.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
In the event the Code Enforcement Officer shall determine that
any sign, including any nonconforming sign, is unsafe, insecure, in
need of repair, not maintained in proper condition or has been constructed,
erected or installed in violation of any of the provisions of this
chapter, the Code Enforcement Officer shall give written notice of
such violation to the permit holder and owner of the premises. If
the violation(s) is not remedied within 10 days after receipt of the
notice, a complaint shall be filed against the person(s) responsible
for the violation in the Municipal Court. In the event such sign violation
constitutes an immediate danger to the safety of persons or property,
the Code Enforcement Officer shall have the sign removed immediately
at the expense of the person(s) responsible for the violation. In
such event, notice to the person(s) responsible for the violation
shall not be required prior to the ordering of the work.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
All signs in the Borough shall be well maintained, clean and
all painted surfaces shall be repainted as needed.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
a.
Not more than one "for sale" or "for rent" sign may be erected or
maintained on a property located in a residential zone, provided such
sign does not exceed the size of four square feet and that the sign
shall be removed within seven days of the execution of any contract
of sale or lease with regard to these premises. No sign permit shall
be required for the "for sale" or "for rent" sign.
b.
Not more than one nameplate sign identifying the occupant of the
building. Such sign may designate the profession of the occupant in
the R-4 and R-5 residential zones. Signs permitted by this paragraph
shall not exceed two square feet. No sign permit shall be required
for such nameplate sign.
c.
A construction sign shall be permitted indicating information about
architects, engineers, contractors, or artisans associated with the
project. The sign may be installed upon the commencement of construction
and shall be removed within seven days of its completion. Such sign
shall not exceed an area of four square feet and a sign permit shall
not be required.
d.
All signs and signals owned or operated by the Borough, County, State
or United States of America are permitted. No sign permit shall be
required.
e.
Posted "warning", "no trespassing" and "danger" signs not exceeding
two square feet are permitted, and no sign permit shall be required.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
a.
One wall sign per business shall be permitted for each street frontage,
not exceeding a total of 10% of the wall area on which it is to be
erected, including the window area, but not to exceed five feet in
height, and advertising only the business carried on and/or the services
and products made or sold on the premises. A sign permit is required.
b.
In any single building containing one or more separate established
businesses, only one nonflashing and nonrotating ground sign not exceeding
25 square feet in area shall be permitted. A permit is required.
c.
No window sign shall be permitted except those limited to business
advertising, announcements or posters advertising civic affairs and
political campaign literature, provided the signs do not exceed 25%
of the gross glass area of any one wall or 10% of the glass area of
any one door. A sign permit shall be required where the window areas
will be used for a permanent sign, even if the content of the sign
changes on a regular basis.
d.
A temporary sign announcing the bona fide opening of or closing of
a new business may be used for one consecutive period of 30 days in
any calendar year. A sign permit is not required.
e.
Not more than one temporary ground sign for and located within any
construction site may be erected in a commercial zone, provided that
such sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in area. Any such sign shall
be removed within seven days after construction has been completed.
The aforesaid sign shall advertise only the business and product occupying
the site. A sign permit is required.
g.
Directional signs and pavement markings designed and used to control
or divert the flow of traffic upon or within any premises shall be
permitted.
h.
A construction sign shall be permitted indicating information about
architects, engineers, building contractors, or artisans associated
with the project. Such sign shall be permitted upon the commencement
of construction and shall be removed within seven days of completion.
Such sign shall not exceed an area of 16 square feet and a sign permit
shall be required.
i.
All signs or signals owned or operated by the Borough, County, State
or United States of America are permitted. No sign permit shall be
required.
j.
Posted "warning," "no trespassing" and "danger" signs not exceeding
two square feet are permitted, and no sign permit shall be required.
k.
Directory signs are permitted when erected with the written permission
of the owner of the property. The sign shall not exceed 16 square
feet in area with lettering a maximum of three inches in height and
shall otherwise comply with all other requirements of this chapter
as to setback, etc. There shall be not more than two directory signs
for any one area or park, and a sign permit is required.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
a.
In the case of a two-faced sign, each side shall not exceed the permitted
area.
b.
No wall sign shall project higher than the highest point of the parapet,
facade or roof eave of the building to which it is affixed nor project
over 15 inches from the facing of the building nor beyond the property
line bounding the property upon which it is erected, nor shall it
overhang the public street or sidewalk.
c.
All signs shall be constructed of weatherproof materials and placed
so as not to prevent free ingress to and egress from any door, window
or fire escape.
d.
All wall signs shall be safely and securely attached to the building.
e.
All ground signs shall be securely built, constructed and erected
upon posts and standards sunk at least three feet below the natural
surface of the ground, and shall be properly supported. All posts,
anchors, and bracing of wood shall be treated to protect them from
moisture by using generally accepted methods when they rest upon or
enter into the ground. All ground signs and the premises surrounding
the same shall be maintained by the owner thereof in a clean, sanitary,
and inoffensive condition, and free and clear of all obnoxious substances,
rubbish, and weeds.
f.
No permitted sign shall be an internally illuminated sign. Illumination
for all permitted signs shall be of an external nature by either direct
or indirect lighting. If any permitted sign shall be illuminated,
the illumination shall cause no glare or blinding light to adjacent
properties or roadways. Furthermore, no ground sign shall be illuminated
by more than two floodlights on the ground or on individual poles
or in combination.
g.
Signs which project more than 15 inches from buildings, flashing
signs, portable signs, billboard signs, rotating signs, roof signs
and a sign on a motor vehicle or trailer parked or designated to be
parked for advertising purposes are all prohibited.
h.
Any sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business or product
sold shall be taken down or removed by the owner, agent or person
having the beneficial use of the building or structure or premises
on which such sign is located within 30 days of the cessation of business
at the premises.
Upon failure to comply, the Code Enforcement Officer is authorized
to file a complaint in Municipal Court against the person(s) responsible
for the violation.
i.
Other advertising structures not expressly permitted in this section
are prohibited.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, all permitted ground
signs in any zone shall be no lower than four feet in height and shall
not exceed 20 feet in height as measured from the average grade at
the base of the sign to the top of the sign. Ground signs shall be
located only in the front yard, shall comply with the side yard requirements
of the zoning regulations and shall be located not less than seven
feet from the street line.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
Public and quasi-public signs and historical markers shall be
permitted in all zones and exempt from payment of fee. Signs may be
illuminated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and shall not
exceed 12 square feet in total area. The permit shall be issued only
upon a determination by the approving authority that the sign is necessary
to the public convenience and its erection is in accordance with standards
herein set forth.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
No sign shall be permitted within any sight triangle except
directional signs not exceeding two square feet in area and three
feet in height whose location shall be approved, in writing, by the
approving authority, and also except signs owned or operated by the
Borough, County, State or the United States of America.
[Ord. #2-1985, § 1]
No sign shall be erected at the intersection of any streets
in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision; or at any location
where, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere
with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic
sign, signal or device; or which makes use of the words "STOP," "LOOK,"
"DRIVE-IN," "DANGER" or any other word, phrase, symbol or character
in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
