A. 
Permitted signs. The following signs are permitted in accordance with the specified standards:
(1) 
Official traffic signs and any other sign required by law.
(2) 
Temporary, nonilluminated real estate signs advertising the sale, lease, or rental of the property on which such signs are located, provided:
(a) 
The size of such sign shall not exceed six square feet in a residential district and eight square feet in a commercial or agricultural district.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(b) 
The sign shall be in compliance with side yard requirements, shall not exceed six feet in height, and shall be set back 10 feet from the right-of-way.
(c) 
Not more than one sign shall be erected for any one property.
(d) 
Such sign shall be removed within 10 days of settlement of the sale or consummation of the lease.
(3) 
Temporary, nonilluminated real estate signs pertaining to the sale of homes or home sites within a development of five or more lots and pertaining to sponsors and/or supporting agencies for publicly funded projects, provided:
(a) 
The size of such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet.
(b) 
The sign shall be in compliance with side yard requirements, shall not exceed 10 feet in height, and shall be set back 10 feet from the right-of-way.
(c) 
Not more than one such sign shall be placed within any such development unless the development fronts on more than one street, in which case one such sign may be erected on each street frontage.
(d) 
The sign(s) shall be removed when all property has been transferred with single-family or townhouse developments and when all units have been constructed with apartment projects. In no case shall such a temporary sign remain standing for over one year except with the approval of the Planning Board.
(4) 
Temporary signs of architects, engineers, contractors, mechanics, tradesmen or other engaged in construction work, provided:
(a) 
The size of such sign(s) shall not exceed six square feet. One sign is permitted for each trade or profession and allowable areas may be combined, except that no sign shall exceed 20 square feet in area.
(b) 
The sign shall be in compliance with side yard requirements, shall not exceed 10 feet in height, and shall be set back 10 feet from the right-of-way.
(c) 
Such signs shall be located only on the property where such work is being performed.
(d) 
Such signs shall be removed within seven days of the completion of work.
(5) 
Identification signs for public and semipublic uses such as churches, schools, parks, and golf courses, provided:
(a) 
The size of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(b) 
The sign shall be located in compliance with side yard requirements, shall not exceed six feet in height, and shall be set back 10 feet from the right-of-way.
(c) 
Not more than one such sign shall be placed on any property unless such property fronts on more than one street, in which case one such sign may be erected on each street frontage.
(6) 
Identification signs for permitted professional offices, provided:
(a) 
The size of such sign does not exceed two square feet in residential districts or four square feet in commercial districts.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(b) 
Not more than one such sign shall be placed on any property.
(7) 
Project identification signs for a residential development of five or more units, provided:
(a) 
The size of such sign shall not exceed 14 square feet.
(b) 
The sign shall be located in compliance with side yard requirements, shall not exceed 10 feet in height, and shall be set back 25 feet from the right-of-way.
(c) 
Such sign shall not contain information other than the name of the project, the street address, and the presence or lack of available dwelling units.
(d) 
Not more than one such sign shall be placed within any such development unless the development fronts on more than one street, in which case one such sign may be erected on each street frontage.
(8) 
Identification signs for a permitted business, provided:
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(a) 
The size of such sign shall not exceed an area equivalent to 5% of the front facade of the building or 100 square feet, whichever is smaller.
(b) 
Such sign shall be attached flat against front facade of the building except if the building is set back more than 150 feet, in which case it may be freestanding.
(c) 
If attached, it shall not project more than one foot above the roofline or away from the building.
(d) 
Such sign shall only display the name of the use.
(e) 
Only one such sign shall be erected for each business use.
(9) 
Identification signs for shopping centers, office buildings, or professional office centers, provided:
(a) 
The size of such sign shall not exceed 5% of the first-floor portion of the front facade or 150 square feet, whichever is smaller.
(b) 
Only one freestanding sign shall be permitted for each office or shopping complex and it shall be erected only on the premises to which the sign relates.
(c) 
The sign shall not exceed 35 feet in height and shall be set back at least 50 feet from all property lines and street lines.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Sec. 3.8A10, regarding identification signs for industrial parks, which immediately followed, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
(10) 
Identification signs for service stations, provided:
(a) 
Each service station may be permitted one freestanding and one attached sign.
(b) 
The freestanding sign shall not exceed 20 square feet, shall be located in compliance with all side yard requirements and shall not exceed 35 feet. The attached sign shall not project above the roofline or away from the building more than one foot and shall not exceed 25 square feet.
(11) 
Temporary, nonilluminated political signs giving notice of political campaigns, provided:
(a) 
The size of such sign shall not exceed 16 square feet.
(b) 
Such signs shall be located at least 15 feet from any street or property lines.
(c) 
Such signs shall only be permitted within 60 days prior to any municipal, county, state, or national election and shall be removed within four weeks of the election.
B. 
Prohibited signs. The following signs are prohibited as permanent installations:
(1) 
Off-site advertising signs (billboards). No sign may be attached to a building or erected independently for any purpose other than to advertise a permitted use conducted on the same premises.
(2) 
Signs using mechanical or electrical devices to revolve, flash or display movement or the illusion of movement.
(3) 
Signs with red, green or blue illumination in a beam, beacon, or flashing form resembling an emergency light in any direction.
(4) 
Pennants, banners, spinners, and valences.
(5) 
Portable signs of any type.
(6) 
Signs painted on the exterior walls of buildings having the physical characteristics of billboards, whether or not they relate to the business transacted on the premises.
C. 
Sign standards.
(1) 
No sign shall be erected, constructed, altered or replaced except as provided in this section.
(2) 
No sign shall be erected which will obstruct free and clear vision on any street, nor shall any sign obstruct the view of or be confused with any traffic sign, signal, or device.
(3) 
No sign shall be attached to trees, fence posts, stumps, utility poles, light standards, bridges or any part of an official traffic sign or device.
(4) 
No sign shall extend over any sidewalk or public right-of-way, nor shall any sign extend beyond any property line.
(5) 
Illumination. All sign lighting shall be designed and directed to protect the adjoining properties and streets from glare. No signs shall be illuminated with flashing lights, bare bulbs, or tubing such as neon or fluorescent. Reflectors and lights permitted in conjunction with signs will be equipped with restraining hoods or shields to concentrate the illumination of the sign.
(6) 
All signs shall require the issuance of a zoning permit. Applications to erect or construct a sign shall be part of site plan review or shall be directed to the Zoning Officer for an existing use. The application shall include sufficient information and sketches to indicate compliance with this section.
(7) 
Maintenance. All signs, together with their supports, braces, guys, and anchors, shall be maintained in good condition. Whenever a sign is deemed to be dilapidated or structurally unsafe, the Zoning Officer shall order the owner, in writing, to repair said sign or remove it. The owner shall comply with the order within 10 days or be subject to the penalties stipulated in this chapter.
A. 
Fences and walls may be erected, altered, or reconstructed in accordance with the following regulations:
(1) 
Fences shall not encroach upon public rights-of-way or adjacent properties.
(2) 
All fencing shall be in conformance with the requirements for visibility at intersections and driveways listed in § 115-45.
(3) 
The height of a fence on a property line in a residential area shall not exceed four feet in the front and side yards and six feet in the rear yard. Fences which need to exceed the height (tennis courts, swimming pools, dog runs) shall meet the required yard setbacks. Security fences around commercial or institutional uses shall not exceed 10 feet.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
B. 
Construction. All fences shall be constructed in accordance with the following standards:
(1) 
All fences shall be permanent construction and shall withstand a wind load of 15 pounds per square foot.
(2) 
Fences shall not be erected of barbed wire, topped with metal spikes, nor constructed in any manner which may be dangerous to persons or animals, except that these provisions shall not apply to a farm and except further that fences around commercial uses may be topped by a protective wire barrier.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(3) 
All fences shall be maintained in sound condition. Whenever a fence or portion thereof is determined to be structurally unsafe, the Zoning Officer shall order the owner, in writing, to repair said fence or remove it within 10 days or be subject to the penalties stipulated in this chapter.
A. 
Adequate off-street parking and loading, open air or indoor, shall be provided with all new construction, the creation of new uses, or the expansion or alteration of existing uses, according to the standards specified Part 4, Site Plan Review.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 115-72, Off-street parking, and § 115-73, Off-street loading.
B. 
Driveways. Any driveway providing access from a public street to any permitted use or structure shall comply with the following regulations:
(1) 
Driveways shall enter the street or road right-of-way at an angle between 75° and 105°.
(2) 
The portion of the driveway between the street line and the right-of-way line shall be paved according to Township specifications as a driveway extension.
(3) 
Any curb opening shall be properly reconstructed to the satisfaction of the Municipal Engineer or the County Engineer along county roads. Where curbing does not exist and conditions warrant, an adequate drainpipe shall be installed by the owner at the owner's expense, as determined by the Municipal Engineer.
(4) 
Driveway grades shall not exceed 8% for a distance 40 feet from any right-of-way line.
(5) 
Driveway widths shall conform to the design standards specified in § 115-72 of Part 4. For permitted uses which are not subject to site plan review, driveways shall have a minimum width of 10 feet and a maximum width of 20 feet.
(6) 
Driveways shall be maintained in adequate condition to permit access by emergency vehicles.
The following requirements shall apply in all districts and shall supplement the sight triangle easements required during site plan or subdivision review:
A. 
Nothing shall be erected, placed, or allowed to grow in such a manner as to materially impede vision between a height of 30 inches and 10 feet above the center-line grade of the abutting streets or driveways within the triangular area formed by the intersection street and driveway lines and:
(1) 
For corner lots, a straight line joining points located on said line a distance of one foot for each mile of allowed speed limit from the intersection of the street lines.
(2) 
For a driveway entering a public street, a straight line joining points located a distance of one foot for each mile of allowed speed limit along the street line and a point a distance of 15 feet along the driveway line from the intersection of the street and driveway lines.
115 Corner Lot.tif
"A" and "B" distances equal one foot for each mile of allowed speed limit.
B. 
Whenever a front yard requirement is modified under § 115-39E of this chapter, the measurement line from that subsection shall be used in defining the triangular area rather than the street line.
A. 
Swimming pools shall be permitted as an accessory use to a residential unit in accordance with the following standards:
(1) 
The swimming shall not be located in the front yard and shall be set back at least 20 feet from any side or rear property lines.
(2) 
Any portion of the perimeter of a private swimming pool that does not abut the principal dwelling or accessory building must be surrounded by a suitable fence at least five feet but less than seven feet in height to prevent access by small children or pets. The fence shall be set back at least 15 feet from all property lines.
(3) 
Any lighting used to illuminate a swimming pool shall be so directed and shielded to prevent glare on adjacent properties.
B. 
All swimming pools shall be constructed to the design standards as set forth by the State Uniform Construction Code.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
[Added 7-2-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-03]
A. 
Solar energy systems shall be accessory uses to the permitted principal and other accessory uses on a lot and shall not involve the production of power for off-premises consumption nor shall such a use constitute the principal use of any lot. This prohibition shall not be interpreted to preclude the occasional sale of excess power from a solar energy system back to the public electric utility provider. For systems intended for uses other than the ones stated, or for any commercial projects, site plan approval is required. (See Subsection L below.)
B. 
A person who owns a preserved farmland may construct, install and operate solar energy systems on the preserved portion of the farm or on any portion excluded from preservation in accordance with an approved Agricultural Management Practice (AMP), as adopted by the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC).
C. 
Either rooftop and building-mounted solar collectors or ground-mounted arrays and freestanding solar collectors are permitted to be installed, but not both.
D. 
Rooftop and building-mounted solar collectors are permitted in all zoning districts, subject to the following requirements:
[Amended 8-3-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-06]
(1) 
Installation of rooftop and building-mounted solar collectors shall require a zoning permit from the Zoning Officer and a building permit from the Construction Office prior to installation.
(2) 
Solar panels shall not be installed so as to be located above the highest point of the roof surface or structure. In no event shall the placement of solar panels or any part of the solar energy system result in a total height greater than what is permitted in the zoning district in which it is located for the principal building.
(3) 
No part of the solar panels or solar energy system shall extend beyond the edge of the roof.
(4) 
See Subsection S for zoning permit application requirements.
E. 
Ground-mounted arrays and freestanding solar collectors are permitted as accessory structures in all zoning districts only if roof mounting is determined to be impractical by the Zoning Officer or Construction Code Official, subject to the following requirements:
[Amended 8-3-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-06]
(1) 
Installation of ground-mounted arrays and freestanding solar collectors shall require a zoning permit from the Zoning Officer and a building permit from the Construction Office prior to installation.
(2) 
The location of the ground-mounted arrays and freestanding collectors shall be set back a distance of 25 feet from all property lines.
(3) 
Ground-mounted arrays shall not be located between the principal building and the street and shall not be located in any minimum required side or rear yards. All ground-mounted solar energy systems shall be screened from view from adjacent properties and streets with a year-round vegetative screen, buildings and/or solid fencing.
(4) 
Ground-mounted arrays shall not exceed 10 feet in height, when oriented at maximum tilt.
(5) 
Ground-mounted arrays shall be excluded from the calculation of the lot (impervious) coverage if mounted on a lawn or a vegetated area.
(6) 
Submission of a plot plan survey that shows the location of the proposed ground-mounted array and freestanding solar collectors.
(7) 
See Subsection S for zoning permit application requirements.
F. 
Ground-mounted arrays and freestanding solar collectors are permitted to be installed on nonpreserved farmland as provided in N.J.A.C. 2:76-2A.12, Agricultural management practice for the construction, installation, operation or maintenance of solar energy generation facilities, structures and equipment on commercial farms.
(1) 
The location of ground-mounted arrays and freestanding collectors shall be set back a distance of 100 feet from all property lines.
(2) 
Ground-mounted arrays shall not exceed 10 feet in height when oriented at maximum tilt.
(3) 
A fifty-foot-wide, densely planted perimeter landscaped buffer that includes a combination of evergreen trees and shrubs with a six-foot-tall black vinyl-coated chain-link fence shall be provided. Plantings shall not be a lesser height than that of the solar array at time of plantings.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(4) 
No more than 75% of the total lot area shall be utilized for a solar array installation.
(5) 
All proposed ground-mounted equipment shall be screened from public view with a densely planted, landscaped buffer.
(6) 
The clearing of natural vegetation and trees shall be addressed in accordance with Subsections O and P below.
G. 
Ground-mounted arrays and freestanding collectors are permitted in historic districts, subject to the requirements found in this section and the following:
(1) 
Solar panels on roof surfaces shall not be visible from a public way. However, solar shingles may be added to a roof surface visible from a public way if low- or nonreflective shingles are used.
(2) 
Set solar panels and solar devices back from the edge of a flat roof to minimize visibility. Panels and devices may be set at a pitch and elevated if not visible from public streets.
(3) 
Select solar panels, solar devices, mechanical equipment and mounting structures with nonreflective finishes such as an anodized finish.
(4) 
Paint mechanical equipment attached to the building fascia the same color as the fascia in order to blend into the building.
(5) 
Locate detached arrays of solar panels and solar devices at a historic site in the rear or side yard if the arrays are not visible from the public streets and do not detract from other major character-defining aspects of the site. The location of detached solar arrays should also consider visibility from adjacent properties, which shall be reduced to the extent possible while still maintaining solar access.
(6) 
Use solar devices in nonhistoric windows, walls, siding or shutters which do not face public streets.
(7) 
For new structures within the historic district, include building-integrated solar panels and other solar devices into the initial design.
(8) 
Use solar panels and solar devices that are similar in color to roof materials.
(9) 
The installation of solar arrays and collectors shall not be permitted if it results in the removal of historic roofing materials in order to add solar panels or disturbing the original roofline, dormers, chimneys or other original features to add solar panels and alters the character-defining elements such as historic windows, walls, siding or shutters which face public streets or contribute to the character of the building.
H. 
Applications for a solar energy system shall include information demonstrating compliance with the provisions of this section.
I. 
To the extent reasonably possible, solar panels, regardless of whether they are roof-mounted or ground-mounted, shall be oriented and/or screened year-round so that glare is directed away from adjoining properties and streets.
J. 
To the extent reasonably possible, solar energy systems shall be designed using such features as colors, materials, textures, screening and landscaping so as to blend into their settings and avoid visual blight.
K. 
Solar energy systems shall not be used for the display of advertising.
L. 
Where site plan approval is required elsewhere in this Part 3 for a development or activity, the site plan review shall include review of the adequacy, location, arrangement, size, design, and general site compatibility of solar collectors.
M. 
All solar collector installations must be performed by a qualified solar installer, and prior to operation, the electrical connections must be inspected by the Construction Office or other appropriate electrical inspection agency as determined by the Township. In addition, any interconnection to the public utility grid must be inspected by the appropriate public utility.
N. 
When solar storage batteries are included as part of the solar collector system, they must be placed in a secure container or enclosure meeting the requirements of the New Jersey State Building Code when in use and when no longer used shall be disposed of in accordance with the laws and regulations of Salem County and other applicable laws and regulations.
O. 
Clearing of natural vegetation for the installation of a solar energy system shall be limited to that which is necessary for the construction, operation and maintenance of the system and as otherwise prescribed by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.
P. 
Any trees to be removed to accommodate the installation of a solar energy system shall be accompanied by a plan demonstrating the need to remove the trees. An applicant shall locate a solar energy system so that tree removal is not required to the extent practical.
Q. 
Any ancillary buildings and any outside storage associated with a solar energy system must, to the extent reasonably possible, use materials, colors, textures, screening and landscaping that will blend the facility into the natural setting and existing environment (i.e., in an agricultural setting, accessory buildings could be designed to look like barns). Appropriate landscaping and architecture shall be provided to screen accessory structures from roads and adjacent residences.
R. 
The solar energy systems shall remain painted or finished in the color or finish that was originally applied by the manufacturer. The exterior surface of any visible components shall be a nonreflective, neutral color, like white, grey or another nonobtrusive color. Finishes shall be matte or nonreflective.
S. 
The application for a zoning permit shall include all of the following documents and information which the Zoning Officer may submit to the Planning Board for a courtesy review. The information must demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this section. In the event the Zoning Officer does not believe the provisions of this section will be satisfied, an applicant may request a variance.
(1) 
A zoning permit shall be required for the installation of a solar energy system.
(2) 
Structural engineering information and data for rooftop and ground-mounted arrays from a licensed New Jersey engineer shall be provided.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(3) 
The zoning permit application shall be accompanied by a plot plan survey which includes the following:
(a) 
Property lines and dimensions.
(b) 
Location, dimension, and types of existing major structures on the property.
(c) 
Location, dimension, and type of the proposed solar energy system.
(d) 
Orientation of the solar energy system.
(e) 
The right-of-way of any public road that is contiguous with the property.
(f) 
Overhead utility lines and easements.
(g) 
Proposed screening for ground-mounted systems and equipment.
(h) 
Location and size of existing trees within and next to the area of the proposed ground-mounted system, as well as any tree proposed to be altered or removed.
(4) 
Fee. The application for a zoning permit for a solar energy system must be accompanied by the zoning permit fee.
(5) 
Expiration. A permit issued pursuant to this subsection shall expire if:
(a) 
The solar energy system is not installed and functioning within 24 months of the date the permit is issued; or
(b) 
The energy system is out of service or otherwise unused for a continuous twelve-month period.
T. 
Any solar energy system that has generated no electricity for a period of 12 months shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall be decommissioned within six months of such abandonment and subject to the following requirements:
(1) 
Decommissioning shall include the removal of the entire solar panel array and all associated facilities and equipment connected thereto from the premises and the cleaning and restoration of the area to a preinstallation condition.
(2) 
If said decommissioning has not been completed within the requisite six-month period, then the Township's Zoning Officer shall provide written notice by certified mail to the landowner requiring that decommissioning be completed within 30 days of the receipt of said notice.
(3) 
If the decommissioning has not been completed within 30 days of the receipt of said notice, the Township may either undertake the decommissioning and charge the landowner and/or facility owner and operator for all of the costs and expenses thereof, including reasonable attorneys' fees, or take appropriate legal action to compel the decommissioning. All costs incurred by the Township shall be billed to the landowner and, if not paid within 60 days of billing, shall become a lien against the property.