Editor's Note: Prior ordinance history includes portions
of Ordinance Nos. 1/19/40 and 6/20/73.
[Ord. #2003-13, § 1]
As used in this chapter:
Shall mean a sign that is mounted or painted on or attached
to an awning, canopy or marquee that is otherwise permitted by ordinance.
Such sign shall not project above, below or beyond the awning, canopy
or marquee.
Shall mean a sign limited to directional messages, principally
for pedestrian, bicycle or motor vehicular traffic, including but
not limited to "One-Way," "Entrance" and "Exit." No such sign shall
exceed four (4') feet in area.
Shall mean any nonmovable sign not affixed to a building,
that is supported by one or more columns, poles or uprights which
are firmly embedded in the ground. The area of such sign shall be
considered to be the maximum height times the maximum width. In no
event shall either dimension be more than twice that of the other.
The height of such signs shall be measured from the finished grade
directly below the sign to the top of the sign. Exposed guy wires,
chains or other connections shall not be used in the support of such
signs. The base of the columns, pole or uprights supporting a freestanding
sign shall be landscaped so as to minimize the visual effect and impact
of said supports.
Shall mean a temporary sign announcing or supporting political
candidates or issues in connection with any national, State, County
or local election. Such a sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in
area. No political sign shall be erected on any municipality owned
property.
[Amended 10-19-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-06]
Shall mean a sign, other than a wall sign, suspended from
or supported by a building or structure or sign structure and projecting
out therefrom.
Shall mean a sign attached to roof framing, walls and/or
columns of the building on which the entire advertising display is
above the roof level.
Shall mean every sign, billboard, freestanding sign, wall
sign, roof sign, illuminated sign, projecting sign, temporary sign,
marquee, awning, canopy and street clock, and any announcement, declaration,
demonstration, display, illustration or insignia used to advertise
or promote the interests of any person when the same is placed in
view of the general public, and shall also include any flag, banner,
badge or insignia of any quasi-public, civic, charitable or religious
group but shall not include the flag of the United States of America
or the State of New Jersey.
Shall mean the area on the facade of a building, usually
below the roofline, which is free of openings, such as doors and windows,
and which may be used for a sign without disrupting major architectural
details.
Shall mean any sign attached to or erected against or painted
upon the exterior wall of a building or structure so that the display
surface of the sign is parallel with the plane of the wall.
[Ord. #2003-13, § 1]
a.
No sign shall be erected in such a manner as to confuse or obstruct
the view or interpretation of any official traffic sign, signal, or
device, nor obstruct free and clear vision of an intersection and/or
roadway.
b.
Except as provided in Section 13-4 of this chapter, only signs which are incidental to the use of the property or which advertise the business or merchandise for sale on the premises or the process of manufacture conducted on the premises shall be permitted.
c.
Signs may be illuminated (where so indicated in this chapter) internally
or externally, but may not be flashing; and no animation shall be
permitted other than such action signs containing time and temperature
changes.
d.
Illuminated signs shall be arranged to reflect the light and glare
away from adjoining lots and streets. No sign shall be permitted beam,
beacon or flashing illumination. All signs lighted exteriorly shall
have the light source shielded from adjoining lots, streets, and interior
drives. All lights shall be either shielded or have translucent fixtures
to reduce offsite effect. No illuminated sign shall be of such color,
location, shape or size as to cause confusion or driver perception
and traffic safety.
e.
At the termination of a business, commercial or industrial enterprise,
all signs pertaining thereto shall within 30 days be removed from
the public view. Responsibility for the removal of the signs shall
be that of the property owner, according to the latest official tax
rolls of the Borough.
[Ord. #2003-13, § 1]
a.
No signs shall hereafter be erected, re-erected, constructed, altered
or maintained except as provided in this chapter and a permit for
same has been issued by the Zoning Officer and/or Construction Code
Official.
b.
Application Procedure. Plans and detailed information shall be submitted
with each application for sign permit, stating the weight and dimensions
of the sign, the materials incorporated in its construction, the method
materials used to support the sign, the type of illumination, if any,
and its exact location on the building or premises. A sketch, in color,
of the proposed sign, drawn to a scale of not less than one-fourth
(1/4") inch to one (1') foot, shall be provided.
c.
Structural features of signs shall be specified in the Building Code,
but this chapter takes precedence with respect to area, location,
illumination and other characteristics.
d.
All illuminated signs shall bear the label of the National Board
of Fire Underwriters so as to attest to the proper construction. The
necessary electrical inspection certificate of approval shall be submitted
before the sign is lighted.
e.
The application for permit shall be accompanied by the written consent
of the owner or lessee of the property.
f.
A fee established and determined by the existing Borough fee schedule
shall be paid before a permit for the erection of each sign requiring
a permit is issued.
g.
Exempt Signs. No permit shall be required for the signs as follows:
2.
One nonflashing, nonilluminated, temporary sign pertaining to the
lease or sale of the same lot or building upon which it is placed,
situated within the property lines and the premises to which it relates
and not exceeding four square feet in area on any one side. The sign
must be removed from premises within two days after the property has
been sold. Real estate signs do not require a building permit. No
more than one sign shall be permitted along each street on which the
building has frontage. Real estate signs shall be permitted only on
the lot which the sign is advertising.
3.
Federal, State, County and Municipal signs and historical markers.
4.
Signs identifying a church, public building, playground or other
such permitted use, situated on the property to which it relates.
5.
Political signs.
6.
Temporary signs advertising grand openings, sales, premiums, special
events or other temporary activities. These may be mounted on the
window or door surfaces of a structure in the business zones, provided
that the total area of such signs at any time does not exceed 20%
of window or door area. Such signs shall be removed within 48 hours
after the special event or temporary activity has taken place. Grand
openings signs shall be removed 60 days after the original Certificate
of Occupancy is issued.
7.
Temporary signs advertising the name of the building under construction,
general contractor, subcontractor, financing institution, any public
agencies or officials, and the professional personnel who worked on
the project are permitted on a construction site beginning with the
issuance of a building permit and terminating with the issuance of
Certificate of Occupancy for the structure or the expiration of the
building permit, whichever comes first. Such signs shall not exceed
a gross area of 16 square feet.
[Ord. #2003-13, § 1]
Only the following signs shall be permitted in any residential
zone:
a.
One nameplate, which may be illuminated and may include the address,
situated within the property lines and not exceeding one square foot
in area on either two sides.
b.
One sign, which may be illuminated, identifying a permitted professional
office, which shall indicate only the name and profession of the resident,
shall be situated not closer than ten (10') feet to any property line,
and shall not exceed two square feet in area on either of two sides.
c.
One sign, which may be illuminated, identifying a school, church,
public building, playground, hospital or other such permitted use,
which is situated on the property to which it relates, not less than
twenty-five (25') feet from a street (unless the building is closer
than that to the street, in which case it shall be not less than 1/2
the distance from building to street) and does not exceed 10 square
feet in area on either of two sides.
d.
One temporary sign pertaining to the development of more than one
residential structure or a group of adjacent lots or properties, which
shall not be illuminated, shall not exceed 20 square feet in area
on either of two sides, and shall be situated not closer than ten
(10') feet from any property line.
e.
Signs advertising a golf course, country club, private swimming club,
marina, tennis club, equestrian trail, private stable or related open
area, provided no such sign exceeds 10 square feet on any one side
and not more than two such signs will be placed upon the property.
f.
No sign permitted in a residential zone shall exceed ten (10') feet
in height as measured from the adjacent grade level.
g.
Political Signs are permitted in all residential zones.
[Added 10-19-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-06]
[Ord. #2003-13, § 1]
Only the following signs shall be permitted in commercial zones:
a.
All signs permitted in residential areas.
b.
One wall sign, which may be illuminated but not flashing, animated
or moving in any way, upon the front facade(s) of a building for each
permitted use or activity.
1.
A wall sign shall not exceed an area of 40% of the signable area
but shall not exceed 20% of the total wall area.
Awning, canopy, marquee, and window signs placed or painted
on the inside of windows shall be included in calculating the maximum
allowable wall sign area. Window signs shall not exceed 25% of each
individual window area on each facade.
2.
A wall sign shall not project more than twenty-four (24") inches
beyond the building facade on which or in front of which it is displayed,
shall be at least eight (8') feet above the sidewalk, shall not be
higher than the highest point of the front facade of the building
and in no case shall any overhang violate or extend beyond a property
line. No wall sign shall extend above or beyond the end of the wall
to which it is attached.
3.
No wall sign shall block, interrupt or otherwise obscure, in whole
or in part, any major architectural detail of a wall.
c.
One freestanding sign shall be permitted when the main building is
set back a minimum of twenty-five (25') feet from the property line.
Such sign shall not exceed an area of 25 square feet plus five square
feet for each separately operated use or activity in the structures
if there be more than one. In no case shall any such sign exceed 40
square feet in area on either of two sides. Such signs shall be for
no purpose other than identifying the facility and listing the individual
occupants, and may be located within any required yard area, be provided
with a minimum ten (10') foot property line setback and shall not
exceed twenty (20') feet in height.
d.
One projecting sign per street frontage shall be permitted, provided
that all of the following conditions are met for each sign:
1.
The sign shall clear the finished grade or sidewalk by at least ten
(10') feet.
2.
The sign shall not project more than four (4') feet from the building
wall or 1/3 the width of the sidewalk, whichever is less.
3.
The sign shall be clear of the wall to which it is attached by a
minimum of six (6") inches.
4.
The sign shall be attached to a building which is at least twenty
(20') feet in width and shall be no closer than forty (40') feet to
another projecting sign, unless either sign consists only of a logo,
symbol or store identification.
5.
The sign shall project only at right angles to the building wall
to which it is attached.
e.
A shopping center may have one directory sign at any location, which
shall not exceed five square feet on any one side for each acre of
land associated with said shopping center and, likewise, a sign not
exceeding two square feet on one side for each acre of land at the
shopping center may be located at each major point of entrance into
the shopping center. These signs shall not exceed three in number.
1.
In the interior common area of a shopping center which contains more
than one building, there may be one directory sign not exceeding eight
square feet on one side for each building unit therein.
2.
In a shopping center having walkways roofed over with a permanent
canopy or some similar other structural device, there may be one illuminated
sign or nonilluminated sign for each structure or occupant in the
shopping center. The sign may be hung from the underside of the canopy
and shall not exceed eight square feet on one side.
f.
Motor vehicle service stations and hotels or motels shall be limited
to the following signs not-withstanding anything to the contrary contained
in this chapter:
1.
One freestanding identification sign which does not exceed 25 square
feet in area on either of two sides, not more than twenty (20') feet
in height. Such sign may be set at corner of property if station or
resort facility is a corner location, in which case the base shall
be set in a planted area. If station or resort facility is an interior
location, then the sign may be erected in any required yard area,
but shall not extend over the property line.
2.
Two signs may be placed on the front facade of building, provided
that the total of such signs does not exceed 20% of the area of the
facade, including window and door areas.
[Ord. #2003-13, § 1]
a.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the removal or
discontinuance of a legally existing display sign that is not altered,
rebuilt, enlarged, extended or relocated; but all such signs shall
be subject to inspection and maintenance. The terms "altered," "rebuilt,"
"enlarged," "extended" or "relocated" shall not be deemed to include
ordinary repairs and maintenance. Failure to keep painted, illuminated
or in good repair for a period of one year shall constitute abandonment,
and sign or appurtenance may not then be replaced or reused and must
be removed.
b.
Any new, altered or relocated sign pertaining to a nonconforming
use in a residential zone shall conform to the restrictions governing
the use if it were in a business zone, except that the permitted sign
area shall be 1/2 that which would be permitted if the use were located
in the business or industrial zone.
[Ord. #2003-13, § 1]
The Zoning, Construction Code and/or Fire Official shall require
the proper maintenance of all signs and shall inspect every sign for
which a permit has been issued within 30 days after it is erected.
All signs, together with all their supports, shall be kept neatly
painted or posted at all times. The Construction Code Official may
order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance
with the provisions of this chapter.
[Ord. #2003-13, § 1]
a.
The following signs shall be prohibited in all zones: Roof signs,
portable A-frame-type signs.
b.
Awnings must have a clearance of at least seven (7') feet above the
sidewalk.
c.
The outdoor use of pennants, windmills, banners, flashing, moving,
reflective or animated signs is prohibited. Upon application of the
Construction Code Official, a permit shall be issued, without charge,
for the limited use of such devices in conjunction with a special
event. There shall be no more than four special events during any
calendar year. In no event shall the period of such permit exceed
30 days.
d.
Freestanding directional signs which are necessary to control and
regulate the movement of traffic on the interior roadways and the
parking areas in the Borough are permitted; provided, however, the
number, location and size are approved by the Planning Board.
e.
Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona
fide business now being conducted on the premises shall be removed
from the premises by the present owner or occupier of the premises
within 10 days from receipt of a written order from the Construction
Code Official to do so. In default thereof, the Mayor and Borough
Council may order the removal thereof and charge all costs incidental
thereto to the owner or occupier of the premises.
f.
If the Mayor and Borough Council shall determine that any sign in
the Borough constitutes a menace to health, safety, morals or general
welfare of the Borough, it shall notify the record owner or occupier
of the premises, by written notice, to rectify or remedy the condition
within 10 days. If the condition is not remedied, the Mayor and Borough
Council shall undertake the necessary procedures to rectify or remedy
the same, charging all costs to the record owner or occupier.
g.
Any person, firm or corporation which proposes a use or an addition
to a use which requires site plan approval by the Planning Board,
and intends to utilize any sign, as defined herein, shall submit the
information and data to the Planning Board, showing the location,
size and nature of all proposed signs. Such data and information may
appear on the site plan submittal. Site plan review shall not excuse
the applicant from submitting plans as stated herein to the Zoning
Officer and/or Construction Code Official for approval, nor shall
the applicant be excused from paying any fee set forth in this chapter.
[Ord. #2003-13, § 1]
Any person, firm or corporation which shall erect or construct or permit the erection of any sign, or other outdoor display structure in violation of the provisions of this chapter, or shall permit the maintenance of such structure in violation of this chapter, or shall neglect or refuse to remove, repair or alter any such structure in accordance with the provisions of this chapter when so ordered by the Zoning Officer and/or Construction Code Official shall be subject to the General Penalties established in the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of Beachwood, subsections 1-5.1 through 1-5.4.
