The provisions of this article shall apply to the construction,
erection, alteration, use, type, number, location, size, design, and
maintenance of all signs. This article is intended to regulate and
control signs and their placement and construction throughout the
Borough of Collingswood for the following purposes:
A. To provide a pleasing overall environmental setting and good community
appearance, deemed vital to the continued economic attractiveness
of Collingswood by:
(1) Encouraging signs in areas of high sign concentration, such as downtown,
neighborhood retail areas, and highway corridors, so that the placement,
color, shape, brackets, support structures, mountings, design and
lighting promote good civic design that supports the visual quality
and positive collective impact and image of such areas.
(2) Promoting signs that, in addition to the standards herein, are also
integrated with the overall design of their host building in a way
respectful of and complimentary to the historic and architectural
character of the building.
(3) Permitting signs that not only identify the "presence" of the business
or use on a thoroughfare, but also generate a positive collective
impact upon the streetscape of an area.
B. To create a more productive, enterprising, professional business
atmosphere.
C. To allow signs appropriate to the architectural and planned character
and development of each zoning district.
D. To ensure that permitted signs do not become a safety hazard or nuisance.
E. To promote traffic safety.
F. To promote the design of signs in pedestrian corridors that focus
upon pedestrian viewers and not automobile operators.
G. To prevent business and advertising signs from conflicting with public
safety signs.
H. To prevent the overcrowding of land through multiple proliferation
of signs on a single parcel of land.
I. To facilitate fire and police protection by proper sign identification.
J. To protect and enhance the value of properties by eliminating visual
chaos and pollution.
K. To promote the public safety and welfare of Collingswood.
Abandoned signs and their supporting structures shall be removed within 30 days. The Borough may thereafter take such actions as are permitted pursuant to §
141-94C and E.
Failure to satisfactorily repair or remove a sign cited by the Zoning Officer shall constitute a violation of this chapter as per §
141-11.
The following definitions shall apply to the regulation and
control of signs within Collingswood:
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign no longer used for its original intent or a sign on
a vacant, unoccupied, or abandoned property.
BANNER
A sign stretching across a public right-of-way which temporarily
promotes an activity, special event, or otherwise promotes a special
event or the public good.
DECORATIVE FLAG
A flag displayed for decorative, and not official or patriotic,
purposes.
DIGITAL DISPLAY
The portion of a sign message made up of internally illuminated
components capable of changing the message periodically. Digital displays
may include but are not limited to LCD, LED, or plasma displays.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign containing directional information that does not contain
advertising and is not used as such. Signs may include business name
and arrows.
EXEMPTED SIGN
A permitted sign that does not require a sign permit.
FLAG
A display of cloth or fabric with symbols, icons, and/or
designs attached to a pole.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign supported permanently upon the ground by poles, pylons,
braces, or a solid base and not attached to any building.
HEIGHT OF SIGN
The vertical distance measured from the surrounding grade
to the highest point of the sign.
HISTORICAL IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign or marker identifying a historic site or structure
listed on Collingswood, New Jersey, or National Historic Registers,
or otherwise approved by the Historic Preservation Commission for
public educational purposes.
ICON SIGN
A sculptural or three-dimensional image or symbol that is
representative of the business being advertised, e.g., eyeglasses
for an optometrist; scissors, needle and thread for a tailor; mortar
and pestle for a pharmacy; barber pole for a barbershop.
ILLUMINATED SIGN, INTERNALLY
A sign illuminated directly or indirectly by a light fixture
located within the sign structure. Internal illumination includes
illumination designed to project light against the surface behind
the sign lettering or graphic, commonly referred to as backlit channel
lettering or halo lighting.
INSTITUTIONAL USE
A formally organized, nonprofit, philanthropic, charitable,
civic, or religions organization.
LETTERING AREA
The area within the smallest quadrilateral that be drawn
to contain the letters, numbers, and characters of the sign message,
exclusive of decorative borders and other design elements.
MULTIPLE OCCUPANT TENANT (MOT) SIGN
A sign listing the names and/or uses or locations of more
than one business, activity, or professional office conducted within
a building, group of buildings, or shopping center.
PROJECTING SIGN
A uniquely designed sign, such as a double-sided sign or
icon sign, which hangs and/or protrudes perpendicular to the face
of the building via architecturally designed ornamental mountings,
such as but not limited to scrolled ornamental iron, steel brass braces,
etc. Also known as a "hanging sign."
PUSH-THROUGH OR ROUTED SIGN
A sign fabricated using a letter or graphic which is cut
out, then pushed through a corresponding space that has been removed
from a sign substrate. The push-through is typically different color
and/or material than the rest of the sign. Typically used with an
opaque sign cabinet and internal lighting. "Push-through letters"
are most often translucent acrylic letters that are pushed through
a sign face panel to be flush or over-flush with the front surface
of the sign face.
SANDWICH BOARD SIGN
A moveable sign not secured or attached to the ground or
surface upon which it is located, but supported by its own frame and
most often forming the cross-sectional shape of an A.
SIGN
Any identification, description, illustration or device,
illuminated or nonilluminated, which is visible from any public place
and which directs attention to a product, service, place, activity,
person, institution, business or solicitation. This definition does
not include nonlighted displays in the windows of commercial establishments.
SIGN AREA
The total dimensions of a sign surface used to display information,
messages, advertising, logos, or symbols, exclusive of any sign supporting
structure.
SIGN BAND
A horizontal area above a multitenant building entrance,
architecturally designed to accommodate signage.
SIGN HEIGHT
Height shall be the distance from the top of the sign structure
to the lowest grade level of the base of the sign. The height of any
monument base or other structure erected to support or ornament the
sign shall be measured as a part of the sign height.
SIGN PLAN
A professionally drawn scale plan showing the full facade
of the building, its architectural features, if any, and the location
of the sign on the face of the building, color, texture, lettering
style, mounting techniques, etc.
TEMPORARY ADVERTISING SIGN
An advertising sign or commercial special event banner temporarily
erected for a limited time for promotional purposes for an on-premises
business establishment.
WALL SIGN
A sign which is either attached to, displayed on, or painted
on an exterior wall in a manner parallel with the wall surface. A
sign installed on a false or mansard roof is also considered a wall
sign.