The purpose of this article is to regulate and control the design,
use, erection and maintenance of signs in such a manner as to support
and complement the goals and objectives expressed both within this
chapter, as well as the Master Plan of the City of Brigantine. The intent is to permit such signs that will not, by their
size, location, construction or manner of display, endanger the public
safety of the general public; obstruct the clear views necessary for
traffic safety; or lead to the deterioration of the visual environment
of the City.
Except as otherwise provided, signs permitted shall be as enumerated
in the following sections:
The following requirements, provisions or design criteria are
applicable to all zoning districts with the City of Brigantine or
those specific zone districts, uses or structures enumerated:
A. Height restriction. No sign shall be located on a roof or extension
thereof.
B. Illumination. All illuminated signs shall be shielded to prevent
any glare, and no sign shall be illuminated by lighting of intermittent
or varying intensity.
C. Building graphics. Letters, numerals, symbols and designs of any
structure cut in the shape which are an integral part of that structure
and not intended to draw attention to any goods, merchandise, business,
entertainment or amusement activity or establishment shall be considered
as a part of that structure and shall be subject to the regulations
of this chapter. Signage mounted on or attached to awnings shall also
be considered as part of the structure and shall be subject to the
regulations of this chapter.
D. Calculation of sign area.
(1) Sign area shall be considered the entire face of the sign, including
the advertising surface and any framing, trim or molding, but not
including the supporting structure.
(2) In the case of two or more business uses occupying the same structure,
the front wall area to be used in determining permitted sign area
shall only include that portion of the front wall area occupied by
the use in question.
(3) On a freestanding two-sided sign, only one face is counted in computing
the sign area.
E. Side and rear wall sign.
(1) Where the side or rear of a business structure adjoins an off-street
parking area, or a private area intended for the use of the structure
in question, identification signs may be placed or inscribed on said
side or rear wall.
(2) Where a business structure is located at the intersection of two
public streets, an additional identification sign may be erected or
inscribed upon the side wall on the second street side, provided that
the combined areas of two signs do not exceed the sign area permitted
in that zone district.
(3) Except as permitted in Subsection
E(1) and
(2), no signs shall be permitted to be placed, erected or inscribed on a side or rear wail of any structure.
F. Special event displays. Portable signs and banners may be utilized
on the property of an establishment having a grand opening or special
event, provided that such signs shall be displayed for a period not
to exceed seven calendar days within any six-month period.
G. Clearances.
(1) Signs shall maintain all clearances from electrical conductors and
communication equipment in accordance with the regulations of the
public utility in question as well as any applicable municipal or
state codes.
(2) Signs and their supporting structures shall maintain clearance and
noninterference with all surface and underground facilities or utilities.
In addition, such placement shall not interfere with either natural
or artificial drainage or surface water or groundwater.
H. Maintenance. Every sign, including those signs erected prior to the
adoption of this chapter, shall be maintained in a safe, presentable
and good structural material condition at all times, including the
replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning and
other acts required for the maintenance of said sign. The owner of
any property on which a sign is located and those responsible for
maintenance of the sign shall be equally responsible for the conditions
of the area in the vicinity of the sign and shall be required to keep
this area clean, sanitary and free from noxious or offensive substances.
I. Feather flags are limited to two per street frontage and shall only
be permitted to be on display during business hours.
Within the residential zone districts of the City of Brigantine,
no sign or signs shall be erected or altered in whole or in part unless
in compliance with the following regulations; all heights are to top
of sign:
A. Address sign. Address signs shall not be larger than one square foot
in area. The sign shall be limited to showing the name and/or address
of the occupant of the dwelling unit without direct illumination;
it shall be limited to five feet in height where freestanding and
12 feet in height where wall-mounted and located within the property
lines of the dwelling unit or units it identifies.
B. Construction sign. Construction signs shall not be larger than nine square feet in area. Said sign shall be limited in use as defined in Article
IV of this chapter without direct illumination; it shall be limited to eight feet in height where freestanding and 12 feet in height where wall-mounted. A construction sign shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any property line. The sign shall be installed after a construction permit is issued and removed from the premises within seven days of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
C. Directional sign. Directional signs shall be designed and constructed
according to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets
and Highways.
D. Governmental sign. Governmental signs shall be designed and constructed
according to the needs and standards of the City of Brigantine, County
of Atlantic and State of New Jersey.
E. Identification sign. Identification signs shall not be larger than
20 square feet in area for churches, municipal or recreational facilities.
Lodges and public utility installations shall not have a sign larger
than 12 square feet in area. All identification signs shall be limited
to eight feet in height where freestanding and 12 feet in height where
wall-mounted.
F. Real estate sign. Real estate signs shall not be larger than nine square feet in area. Said sign shall be limited in use as defined in Article
IV of this chapter without direct illumination; it shall be limited to eight feet in height where freestanding and 12 feet in height where wall-mounted. A real estate sign shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any property line. The sign shall be removed from the premises within seven days of the completion and execution of an agreement of sale for the property in question. See §
198-77, Sight triangles.
G. Informational sign. Signs conveying information for the convenience
of the general public using the facility or structure shall not be
larger than five square feet in area. Said sign shall be limited to
six feet in height where freestanding and eight feet in height where
wall-mounted. No direct illumination of the sign shall be located
within property in question in such a position to maximize its use
without being a visual nuisance or obstruction to sight. No informational
signs are permitted in the R-1 and R-2 Zones.
H. Clarification of signs not permitted in the R-1 and R-2 Residential
Zones on City property, including recreation areas and any other public
areas. Advertisement signs and any other sign that publicizes any
use and/or activity either on the site or any other site are not permitted.
Within the commercial zone district of the City of Brigantine,
no sign or signs shall be erected or altered in whole or in part unless
in compliance with the following regulations; all heights are to top
of sign.
A. Address sign. Refer to §
198-112A, Address sign, for residential districts.
B. Construction sign.
(1) Construction signs shall not be larger than nine square feet in area.
(2) Said sign shall be limited in use as defined in Article
IV of this chapter without direct illumination.
(3) The sign shall be limited to eight feet in height where freestanding
and 12 feet in height where wall-mounted.
(4) A construction sign shall be set back a minimum of five feet from
any property line.
(5) The sign shall be installed after a construction permit is issued
and removed from the premises within seven days of the issuance of
a certificate of occupancy.
C. Directional sign. Directional signs shall be designed and constructed
according to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets
and Highways.
D. Governmental sign. Governmental signs shall be designed and constructed
according to the needs and standards of the City of Brigantine, County
of Atlantic and State of New Jersey.
E. Identification sign. Refer to §
198-112E, Identification sign.
F. Real estate sign.
(1) Real estate signs shall not be larger than 12 square feet in area.
(2) Said sign shall be limited in use as defined in Article
IV of this chapter without direct illumination.
(3) The sign shall be limited to eight feet in height where freestanding
and 12 feet in height where wall-mounted.
(4) A real estate sign shall be set back a minimum of five feet from
any property line.
(5) The sign shall be removed from the premises within seven days of
the completion and execution of an agreement of sale for the property
in question.
G. Informational sign.
(1) Signs conveying information for the general public using the facility
shall not be larger than five square feet in area.
(2) Said sign shall be limited to six feet in height where freestanding
and eight feet in height where wall-mounted.
(3) No direct illumination of the sign shall be located within property
in question in a position to maximize its use without being an obstruction
to sight.
H. Business signs.
(1) Signs identifying a commercial use may be placed or inscribed upon
the facade or front wall of the building in question.
(2) Such signs shall not exceed an area equal to an area of three-square
feet for each one foot in width of the building upon which the sign
is to be placed.
(3) No sign shall project more than 12 inches beyond the building facade.
(4) Such a sign may be directly illuminated.
(5) The sign shall be limited to 15 feet in height where wall-mounted
and located within the property lines of the premises.
Within the conservation zone districts of the City of Brigantine,
no sign or signs shall be erected or altered in whole or in part unless
in compliance with the following regulations. A permit shall be obtained
from the City Engineer.
A. Directional sign. Directional signs shall be designed and constructed according to standards in §
198-113C.
B. Governmental sign. Governmental signs shall be designed and constructed
according to the needs and standards of the City of Brigantine, County
of Atlantic and State of New Jersey.
C. Informational sign. Signs conveying information for the convenience
of the general public using the facility or structure shall not be
larger than five square feet in area. Said sign shall be limited to
six feet in height and must be freestanding. No direct illumination
of the sign shall be permitted unless required for safety reasons.
It shall be located within property in question in such a position
to maximize its use without being a visual nuisance or obstruction
to sight.