It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation,
common carrier or governmental agency to erect, paint, alter, locate
or relocate; reconstruct or change in any manner by rewording or otherwise;
or maintain or cause to be erected, painted, located or relocated,
reconstructed or changed in any manner by rewording or otherwise,
or maintain any sign or sign structure without first having obtained
and paid for, and having in force or effect, a permit from the Construction
Official. Every sign for which a permit has been issued pursuant to
this chapter shall show the permit number thereon.
Before any permit is granted for the erection
or alteration of a sign or sign structure, an application, together
with plans and specifications, shall be filed with the Construction
Official providing the following information:
A.
The name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
B.
The location of building, structure or lot to which
or upon which the sign is to be attached or erected.
C.
The position of the sign in relation to nearby buildings
or structures.
D.
The name of person, firm, corporation or association
erecting the sign.
E.
If the applicant is not the owner of the premises in Subsection B above, the written consent of said owner or lessee of the premises.
F.
The dimensions, materials and details of construction,
including loads, stresses, support and anchorage.
G.
Certification by an architect or a professional engineer
of its structural adequacy unless deemed unnecessary by the Construction
Official or the approving authority.
See § 82-3 of the Code of Saddle Brook.
It shall be the duty of the Construction Official
to examine the application and other data and the premises upon which
it is proposed to erect the sign; and, if it shall appear that the
proposed structure is in compliance with all the requirements of this
Article and all other laws and ordinances of the Township of Saddle
Brook, he shall then issue the erection permit. If the work authorized
under an erection permit has not been completed within four months
after date of issuance, the permit shall become null and void.
Permits shall not be required for the following:
A.
Subject to size limitations hereinafter provided,
permits will not be required for temporary signs.
B.
Parking lot markers, directional signs or entrance
and exit signs not exceeding three square feet in area and provided
the number and locations of such signs are approved by the Saddle
Brook Police Department in writing.
C.
Residential nameplate signs.
The following regulations shall apply to all
permitted and preexisting nonconforming signs:
A.
Only those signs identifying the name, business, occupant,
service, address or product offered or sold on the premises shall
be permitted to be erected. Coming events, community bulletin boards
and time and temperature signs shall also be permitted.
B.
Signs within the interior of a structure designed
to be seen and read from the exterior shall be considered as part
of any maximum sign area.
C.
Signs, whether portable, permanent or temporary, other
than municipal, county or state signs, shall not be erected within
the right-of-way of any street or approved sign easements, nor shall
any sign be located so as to constitute a traffic hazard.
D.
No ground or other freestanding sign shall be closer
to the point of intersection of any two street lines than 50 feet.
E.
Requirements for side yards and setbacks which apply
to the principal structure on any lot shall apply to all signs as
permitted in this section.
The following signs shall be prohibited in all
districts:
A.
Any advertisement, structure, billboard of other object
erected, used or maintained which in any way simulates official, directional
or warning signs erected or maintained by the State of New Jersey,
County of Bergen, Township of Saddle Brook or by any railroad or public
utility or similar agency concerned with the protection of the public
health or safety.
B.
Any advertisement which is of such a form, character
or shape as to confuse or dangerously distract the attention of the
operator of a motor vehicle.
C.
Signs on which the colors red or green are used either
in direct illumination or in high reflection by the use of special
preparation such as fluorescent paint or glass, if located within
200 feet of a traffic light.
D.
Signs which contain statements, words or pictures
of an obscene, indecent or immoral character, such as will offend
public morals or decency.
E.
Neon flashing, revolving or oscillating signs.
F.
Signs which contain or are an imitation of an official
traffic sign or signal or contain the words "stop," "go slow," "caution,"
"danger," "warning" or similar words.
G.
Signs which are of a size, location, movement, content,
coloring or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed
as a traffic control device or which obstruct from view signs or signals
or vehicular traffic on a public street.
H.
Signs which move in any manner or have a major moving
part, except action signs containing time and temperature changes.
I.
Signs which contain or consist of banners, posters,
pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, balloons,
kites or other similarly moving devices. These devices when not part
of any sign are similarly prohibited. This provision shall not prohibit
the installation of a temporary banner properly secured, in accordance
with the Construction Official's approval.
J.
Signs which may swing or otherwise noticeably move
as a result of wind pressure because of the manner of their suspension
or attachment.
K.
Signs which are within the definition of a projecting
sign.
L.
Signs which use or extend over the line or the surface
of sidewalks, roads, driveways and trees, utility poles, traffic sign
posts and parking meters shall be prohibited except municipal traffic
control signs.
M.
Pole signs, projecting signs, advertising flags and
any modification thereof.
N.
Signs that are attached to or placed on a vehicle
that are parked on public or private property. This provision is not
to be construed as prohibiting the identification of a firm or its
principal products on a vehicle during normal hours of business; provided,
however, that no such vehicle shall be parked on public or private
property with signs attached or placed on the vehicle for the purpose
of advertising a business or firm or calling attention to the location
of a business or firm.
O.
Illuminated signs within 100 feet of and facing and
adjoining a residential district.
P.
Billboards.
[Added 12-5-1996 by Ord. No. 1134]
The following kinds of signs will be permitted
in residential zones:
A.
One residential nameplate sign situated within the
property lines, and not to exceed 144 square inches is permitted for
single-family detached dwellings, two-family dwellings and individual
townhouses.
B.
For multifamily dwelling structures, one sign may
be placed or inscribed upon the facade of the building, provided that
such sign shall not project outward more than 12 inches or be of a
greater area than 20 square feet. The illumination or lighting of
such sign is prohibited.
D.
Official signs of the federal government or the State
of New Jersey or any of their agencies, the County of Bergen or the
Township of Saddle Brook.
E.
Signs designating entrances or exits to or from a
parking area are permitted and shall not exceed two square feet each.
F.
Temporary signs, including:
(1)
One temporary sign indicating vacant real property
for sale or rent, which shall not be larger than 32 square feet, and
one temporary sign indicating improved real estate for sale, which
may not be larger than four square feet.
(2)
Not more than two temporary ground signs on a subdivision
which has been approved by the Township, provided that each such sign
does not exceed 24 square feet in area. In no case is any such sign
to be located closer than 20 feet to any street line. Temporary subdivision
signs will not be permitted after residences have been erected on
75% of the lots in the subdivision or after more than 75% of the lots
have been sold by the developer.
(3)
Any temporary sign erected in connection with the
above must be removed within 30 days after the temporary need has
ceased to exist.
The following kinds of signs and advertisements
will be permitted in business, industrial and CH zones under the following
conditions:
A.
All types of signs permitted in the residential zones.
B.
All signs shall be premises or point of sales signs
except for permitted commercial advertising signs or roof signs.
[Amended 9-5-1996 by Ord. No. 1124; 12-5-1996 by Ord. No. 1134]
C.
Wall signs, provided that:
(1)
Except as hereinafter provided, there shall be no
more than one sign per building frontage, with an aggregate area not
exceeding one square foot for every one foot of street frontage.
(2)
All wall signs shall be placed flat against the wall
of the building and shall not project above the roof line of the parapet
nor extend more than 12 inches from the wall to which it is attached.
D.
Canopy and marquee signs, provided that the area of said sign together with the area of any wall sign placed on the building shall not exceed the aggregate area as permitted in Subsection C(1) above.
E.
Commercial advertising wall signs in industrial, CH
or business zones, provided that there shall be a display area of
not more than 300 square feet for every 500 feet of lot frontage.
On corner lots, there shall be a display area of not more than five
square feet of the average of the two street frontages. Said sign
or signs may be illuminated in accordance with the provisions of this
article dealing with illumination.
F.
Ground signs, provided that:
(1)
Only one such sign shall be permitted for each lot.
(2)
The lot upon which the sign is to be placed shall
have a minimum street frontage of 100 feet.
(3)
No such sign shall be erected closer to any front
or side lot line than 15 feet.
(4)
The maximum height of said signs shall be 20 feet.
(5)
Ground signs shall not exceed a height of 20 feet.
The maximum area for such signs shall be 40 square feet for one face,
and a total of 80 square feet for two or more faces of a multifaced
sign.
G.
As they exist, gasoline service stations and public
garages only may display, in addition to the signs permitted in the
zone use district wherein they are located, the following signs, which
are deemed customary and necessary to their respective business:
(1)
One freestanding or pylon sign advertising the name
or product sold of the gasoline station or garage, provided that such
sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in area on each side and shall
be erected not less than 10 feet from the property line and not less
than 10 feet nor more than 20 feet above the ground.
H.
Temporary signs, including:
(1)
Signs advertising premises for sale or rent shall
not exceed 15 square feet in area and may be erected only on the premises
for sale or rent.
(2)
For automobile service stations, one temporary sign
located inside the property line and specifically advertising special
seasonal servicing of automobiles, provided that such sign does not
exceed seven square feet in area and further provided that said sign
is located no closer than 25 feet to any property line of the premises.
(3)
Window signs, except during the course of repairs
or alterations, not more than one-third ( 1/3) of the square
footage of any window or window display area shall be covered by such
temporary signs.
Institutional signs shall be permitted within
all zoning districts, subject to the following limitations:
A.
One ground sign identifying a school, church, park
or public building set back from the street property line at least
25 feet and not exceeding 60 square feet in area. Such sign may be
illuminated.
B.
Religious and other institutions also may have a changeable
letter sign which may be illuminated, not over 10 square feet in area,
provided that such sign is erected or displayed inside the property
line.
C.
Temporary signs as appropriate.
A.
The light from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded,
shielded or directed that the light intensity or brightness will not
be objectionable to surrounding areas.
B.
No sign shall have blinking, flashing or fluttering
lights or other illuminating device which has a changing light intensity,
brightness, or color except for time and temperature and changeable
copy. Beacon lights are not permitted.
C.
Neither the direct, nor reflected light from primary
light sources shall create a traffic hazard to operators of motor
vehicles on public thoroughfares.
D.
No exposed reflective-type bulbs and no strobe light
or incandescent lamp which exceeds 15 watts shall be used on the exterior
surface of any sign so as to expose the face of the bulb, light or
lamp to any public street or adjacent property.
A.
All signs shall be designed and constructed in conformity
with the provisions for materials, loads and stresses as contained
in this chapter and the standards of accepted engineering practices.
(1)
Wind. The effect of wind pressure shall be thoroughly
considered in the design; but in no case shall the design windload
be less than 28 pounds per square foot of the area of any sign applied
to either side.
(2)
Illumination. No sign shall be illuminated by other
than electrical devices, and wiring shall be installed in accordance
with the requirements of the current edition of the National Electrical
Code. In no case shall any open spark or flame be used for display
purposes.
B.
Electrical signs shall be constructed of noncombustible
materials; provided, however, that facings, letters, figures, decorations
and structural trim thereof, may be made of approved plastics. Electric
signs shall be constructed in accordance with prevailing Standards
For Electric Signs of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Such signs,
wiring and all electrical connections shall be inspected by the Electrical
Inspection Agency under contract with the Township and a card of inspection
approval shall be filed with the Construction Official.
C.
No sign shall be erected, constructed or maintained
so as to obstruct any fire escape, window, door or other openings;
or so as to prevent free passage from one part of a roof to any other
part thereof. No sign shall be attached in any form, shape or manner
to a fire escape, or shall be placed as to interfere with an opening
which is required for legal ventilation. No part of any electrical
wall sign shall be closer than 10 feet above a public sidewalk and
15 feet above a driveway.
A.
The Construction Code Official shall enforce this
Article and shall inspect every new sign within 30 days after the
permit is issued and all other signs on a periodic basis. All signs,
together with all supports, braces, guys, anchors and lighting elements
shall be kept in repair and in proper state of preservation and operation.
B.
The area surrounding ground signs shall be kept neat,
clean and landscaped. The tenant, owner or occupant to which the sign
applies shall be responsible for maintaining the condition of the
area.
A.
If the Construction Official shall find that any sign
regulated herein is unsafe, insecure or in need of repair, he shall
give written notice to the permittee thereof. If the permittee fails
to remove, alter or repair it within 30 days after such notice, such
sign may be removed, altered or repaired by the Construction Official
in order to comply, at the expense of the permittee or owner of the
property upon which it is located.
B.
If the Construction Official removes, alters or repairs
the owner's or permittee's sign as set forth herein because of the
failure of the permittee or owner to comply with the notice given
by the Construction Official, then the Construction Official shall
certify the costs of such removal, alteration or repair to the Township
Council, which shall examine such certificate and, if it finds the
same correct, shall cause the costs as shown thereon to be charged
against the lands. The amount so charged shall forthwith become a
lien upon said lands and premises and shall be added to, form and
become part of the taxes next to be assessed and levied upon said
lands and shall bear interest at the same rate and shall be collected
and enforced in the same manner as taxes.
A.
After 30 days any sign now or hereafter existing which
no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or a product sold
on the premises shall be taken down and removed by the permittee,
owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building or
structure upon which such sign may be found within 10 days after written
notification from the Construction Official, and upon failure to comply
with such notice within the time specified in such order, the Construction
Official is hereby authorized to cause the removal of such sign, and
any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the permittee or owner
of the building or structure to which such sign is attached.
B.
If the Construction Official removes the owner's or
permittee's sign as set forth herein because of the failure of the
permittee or owner to comply with the notice given by the Construction
Official, then the Construction Official shall certify the costs of
such removal to the Township Council, which shall examine such certificate
and, if it finds the same correct, shall cause the costs as shown
thereon to be charged against the lands. The amount so charged shall
forthwith become a lien upon said lands and premises and shall be
added to, form and become part of the taxes next to be assessed and
levied upon said lands and shall bear interest at the same rate and
shall be collected and enforced in the same manner as taxes.
C.
Any signs now in existence, the erection or placing
of which is prohibited hereunder, may be continued in relation to
such building, structure, lot or land so occupied. However, at no
time shall such signs be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended or relocated
unless such action changes a nonconforming sign into a conforming
sign as provided herein.
D.
The failure to keep a nonconforming sign painted,
illuminated or in good repair for a period of one year shall constitute
abandonment, and such sign may not be reused and must be removed.
