As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
FLAG
A display of cloth or fabric with symbols, icons, and/or
designs which is affixed to a flagpole that is freestanding or mounted
to the exterior of a building. Pennants and windsocks are considered
to be flags.
SIGN
Any object, device, display or structure, or part thereof,
situated outdoors or indoors, which is used to advertise, identify,
display, direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution,
organization, business, product, service, event or location by any
means, including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures,
colors, illumination or projected images.
SIGNABLE FACADE AREA
The rectangular, continuous area on the wall of a building
which extends from the top line of windows and doors on one floor
and the bottom line of windows, roof, or cornice above it and which
is uninterrupted by architectural details or openings.
SIGN, ANIMATED OR MOVING
Any sign or part of a sign which changes physical position
by any movement or rotation or which gives the visual impression of
such movement or rotation.
SIGN AREA MEASUREMENT
The area of any sign or sign face shall be computed as the
product of the largest horizontal width and the largest vertical height
of the lettering, illustration, display or background. Where there
is no geometric frame or edge to the sign, the area shall be defined
by a projected, enclosed, four-sided (straight sides) geometric shape
which most closely outlines the sign. This shall not be construed
to include the supporting members of any sign which are used solely
for such purpose. The sign area measurement shall not include any
framing, trim or molding. If lettering, illustration, display or background
is attached directly to the face of a building, the height or width
of the sign shall be the height or width of the largest letter, illustration,
display or background, whichever is the greater. For the purpose of
computing the allowable area of a double-faced sign, one sign face
shall be considered. If sign faces are not parallel (e.g., V-shaped
sign), both faces shall be considered in computing the sign area.
SIGN, AWNING
A sign that is mounted or painted on or attached to an awning
that is otherwise permitted by ordinance.
SIGN, BANNER
A temporary sign constructed of canvas, plastic sheeting,
paper, cardboard, cloth or other flexible and foldable material without
its own supporting frame or structure, and attached to a flat surface
such as an exterior wall of a building by cords, ropes, elastic bands
or other temporary fasteners.
SIGN, BENCH
A sign located on the seat or back of a bench or seat placed
on or adjacent to a public right-of-way.
SIGN, CANOPY
A sign that is mounted or painted on or attached to a canopy
that is otherwise permitted by ordinance.
SIGN, CHANGEABLE COPY
A sign that is designed so that the message on the sign can
be easily and periodically altered, but not more than once a day.
SIGN, CONVENIENCE STORE
Retail mercantile establishment for the sale of food, general
goods and supplies for household consumption, open to the public.
SIGN, DIRECTIONAL
Signs limited to directional messages that do not contain
a commercial message, principally for pedestrian or vehicular traffic,
such as "one-way," "entrance," and "exit."
SIGN, DIRECTORY
A freestanding or wall sign that is designed to identify
and list the name and location of tenants within a multi-use building
or within a multiple building complex on the same lot, with or without
an accompanying map, in order to aid in the internal circulation within
the lot.
SIGN, FARM MARKET
A display sign identifying the establishment, the product
sold, hours of operation, freestanding or mounted on a building, but
capable of being removed during the non-farm-market season.
SIGN, FOOD-SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT
A display sign identifying the establishment, including any
logo, freestanding or mounted upon a building sign, excluding, however,
convenience stores, which are separately defined. This establishment
includes the sale and preparation of foods, retail and for catering,
excluding the sale of other goods.
SIGN, FREESTANDING
Any nonmovable sign not affixed to a building, which is erected,
constructed, supported or maintained on a base, post(s), pole(s) or
other bracing or supporting device(s).
SIGN, IDENTIFICATION
A sign giving the nature, logo, trademark or other identifying
symbol; address; or any combination of the name, symbol and address
of a building, business, development or establishment on the premises
where it is located or a noncommercial message.
SIGN, ILLUMINATED
A sign lighted by or exposed to artificial lighting either
by lights or in the sign or directed towards the sign.
SIGN, INSTITUTIONAL
A sign for any formally recognized house of worship, any
charitable, fraternal or eleemosynary organization or agency, or any
public school or public building.
SIGN, MARQUEE
A sign that is mounted, or painted on, or attached to a marquee
that is otherwise permitted by ordinance.
SIGN, MOBILE
A sign that is designed to be easily transportable, including
but not limited to signs designed to be displayed while mounted or
affixed to a trailer by which it is transported, or with wheels remaining
otherwise attached during display; signs mounted on transportable
frames with wheels removed; signs attached or affixed to a chassis
or other movable support constructed without wheels.
SIGN, OFF-PREMISES
A sign containing a commercial message which directs attention
to a business, commodity service or entertainment conducted, sold
or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign
is located.
SIGN, ON-PREMISES
A sign which identifies a principal activity, product or
service which is conducted, available, offered or produced on the
property where the sign is located, including a sign which exclusively
advertises the sale or lease of the property on which the sign is
located.
SIGN, POLITICAL
A temporary sign announcing or supporting political candidates
or issues in connection with any national, state or local election,
referendum, or plebiscite.
SIGN, PORTABLE
A sign that is not permanently affixed to a structure or
the ground (e.g., A-frame or sandwich board signs). The A-frame or
sandwich-board-type sign is constructed with two faces which rest
at an angle less than 45° to each other.
SIGN, PROJECTING AND HANGING
A sign that is wholly or partially dependent upon a building
for support and which projects more than 12 inches from such building.
SIGN, REAL ESTATE
A sign pertaining to the sale or lease of the premises, or
a portion of the premises, on which the sign is located.
SIGN, ROOF
A sign that is mounted on the roof of a building or which
is wholly dependent upon a building for support and which projects
above the point of a building with a flat roof, the case line of a
building with a gambrel, gable or hip roof, or the deckline of a building
with a mansard roof.
SIGN, SEASONAL
A sign of greater permanence than a temporary sign, but not
intended for year-round identification or advertising use, typically
used for the sale of Christmas trees, firewood, Easter flowers, or
other similar products of a seasonal nature.
SIGN, TEMPORARY
A sign intended to be displayed for a period of time, not
in excess of 30 days in any one calendar year, unless an additional
period of time is approved. Temporary signs shall be removed within
24 hours of the date specified in the approval.
SIGN, VEHICLE
A sign attached, affixed or painted on a vehicle or trailer,
currently registered and tagged that is parked or adjacent to any
property, the principal purpose of which is to attract attention to
a product sold or business located on the property.
SIGN, WALL
A sign fastened to or painted on the wall of a building or
structure in such a manner that the wall becomes the supporting structure
for or forms the background surface of the sign and which does not
project more than 12 inches from such building or structure or above
the roofline or eaves of the structure.
SIGN, WINDOW
A sign that is applied or attached to the exterior or interior
of a window or located in such manner within a building that it can
be seen from the exterior or the structure through a window.
The intent of this article is to provide standards for the regulation
of all signs within the various zoning districts of Harrison Township.
The purpose of this article is to encourage the effective use of signs
as a means of communication, to encourage signage compatible with
the character of a building and integrated with the building's architectural
design and other signs on and in the vicinity of the building, to
promote creativity in signage design, utilizing high-quality materials
and craftsmanship and to develop a distinctive image, to maintain
and enhance the aesthetic environment and the Township's ability to
attract economic development and growth, to improve pedestrian and
vehicular safety, to minimize the possible adverse effects of signs
on nearby public and private property, to encourage efficient use
of signage to avoid visual clutter, and to enable the fair and consistent
enforcement of the regulations of this article.
In all residential zoning districts, signs are permitted for
the following purposes only, and only under the following conditions:
A. General provisions.
(1) No freestanding sign shall exceed eight feet in height.
(2) Only the following signs may be illuminated and then only in such
a manner that the source of light shall not be visible from the street
or from any normal vantage point:
(a)
An identification sign of establishments whose services in an
emergency are considered essential to public health, safety and welfare.
(b)
An identification sign of a school, church, club, residential
development or neighborhood, or a use other than an individual dwelling,
provided that said sign is illuminated only between the hours of dusk
and midnight, prevailing time.
B. Identification signs.
(1) Signs identifying a home occupation shall not be permitted.
(2) Permitted use signs. Signs identifying a school, college, church,
hospital, sanitarium, municipal building, club or other permitted
use other than an individual dwelling or a use accessory to a dwelling,
provided that such signs whether erected as wall signs or freestanding
signs do not exceed a total area along any one street equal to one
square foot for every 10 linear feet of street frontage or 24 square
feet, whichever is less.
C. Directional signs.
(1) Directional signs may be erected only in conjunction with a school,
college, church, hospital, sanitarium, municipal building, farm, club,
or other permitted use other than a dwelling or use accessory to a
building, and may be erected only on the lot to which it relates.
(2) No directional sign may exceed four square feet in area.
D. Seasonal signs as controlled by the general regulations.
E. Residential development signs.
(1) Permanent development identification signs:
(a)
May not exceed eight feet in height.
(b)
May be either wall-mounted or freestanding.
(c)
May not exceed a total area along any one street equal to one
square foot for every 10 linear feet of street frontage or 24 feet,
whichever is less.
(d)
May be illuminated, provided that said signs are illuminated
only between the hours of dusk and dawn. Such lighting must be shielded.
(e)
Must be described in the development application, and shall
be sufficiently described as part of the development application to
enable review by the Township to determine conformance with these
standards.
(2) Temporary sales signs for developments (on premises).
(a)
May indicate the name of the development, developer, financier
and major contractor.
(b)
May not exceed eight feet in height.
(c)
May not exceed a total area along any one street equal to one
square foot for every 10 linear feet of street frontage or 24 square
feet, whichever is less.
(d)
May be illuminated only between the hours of dusk and midnight,
prevailing time.
(e)
Shall be limited to one per development.
(3) Directional signs for developments (off premises).
(a)
No more than two off-premises directional signs shall be permitted
per development.
(b)
Each sign may not exceed 540 square inches (18 inches by 30
inches).
(c)
Sandwich board signs shall be permitted.
(d)
Off-premises signs shall be limited to one per tax lot.
(e)
Directional signs may be displayed only on Saturdays from 8:30
a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(f)
A sign permit must be obtained for each directional sign. The
application shall include a written statement from the property owner
indicating consent. Copies of any permits required by outside agencies
must be provided with the application. Sign permits for off-premises
directional signs must be renewed annually.
(g)
Off-premises directional signs may not be illuminated.
(h)
Directional signs shall not be permitted within an historic
district or on an historic site.
(4) "Sample," "Model," and "Office" signs shall be limited to one per
lot on which a certificate of occupancy has been issued for a sample,
model, or office. Each sign shall not exceed two square feet in area.
(5) Flags: One per development, designating "OPEN," not to exceed three
feet by five feet. Such flag must be firmly anchored. Such flag shall
not be illuminated. Such flags must be removed prior to the issuance
of the last certificate of occupancy within the development.
In addition to those signs otherwise allowed in residential
districts, the following signs shall be permitted in Professional
Office or Professional Office Overlay Districts:
A. One freestanding sign not to exceed 16 square feet on each side,
or one wall-mounted sign not to exceed six square feet. The use of
interior directory signs is encouraged.
B. Where a single tax lot with frontage only on one public right-of-way
has multiple entrances or uses, each with a separate entrance, such
entrance is entitled to either one wall sign not to exceed two square
feet or one window sign not to exceed 25% of the area of the window.
C. Signs within an historic district or on an historic site shall comply with the design standards of §
225-92.
D. A freestanding sign shall not exceed a height of six feet.
In C-1, C-2 and Village Business Commercial Districts, signs
are permitted for the following purposes only, and only under the
following conditions:
A. General provisions.
(1) No freestanding sign may exceed 20 feet in height.
(2) No freestanding sign may be erected within the side yard required
in the district in which it is located.
B. Identification signs for commercial uses.
(1) Freestanding signs.
(a)
One freestanding sign may be erected for each street frontage
that contains at least 150 feet of street frontage.
(b)
In no case shall the total area of a sign exceed one square
foot for each three linear feet of street frontage or 80 square feet.
(2) Wall signs.
(a)
The total area of all wall signs placed on or facing any one
street frontage on any lot shall not exceed the lesser of one square
foot for each linear foot of face of building facing the road, or
24 square feet.
(b)
Each establishment with a direct entrance to the outside shall
be entitled to a wall sign, provided that it does not exceed the total
area requirement above.
(c)
Multiple uses without direct outside entrance may be identified by means of a directory sign, in accordance with §
225-89B(8).
(3) Projecting signs: The total area of a projecting sign used to identify
a single commercial use or establishment shall not exceed four square
feet.
(4) Awning signs: as controlled by the general regulations.
(5) Canopy signs: as controlled by the general regulations.
(6) Window signs: as controlled by the general regulations.
C. Identification signs for the uses in §
225-90B of this article shall conform to the requirements thereof.
D. Directional signs.
(1) Directional signs may contain no advertising, and may be erected
only upon the lot to which they relate.
(2) No direction sign may exceed four square feet in area.
E. Signs for residential uses shall comply with the regulations of §
225-90 of this article.
F. Seasonal signs: as controlled by the general regulations.
G. Temporary development signs.
(1) Signs giving notice of the sale or rental of the property on which
the sign is located, provided that:
(a)
The area of the sign shall not exceed 18 square feet on each
side;
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on, adjacent to
or facing each street upon which the property fronts; and
(c)
Such signs are removed within 14 days of the signing of an agreement
of real estate sale or rental.
(2) Any such sign shall not remain for a period to exceed two years from
the date of the zoning permit issuance.
(3) The developer and/or property owner shall keep the sign in a proper
state of repair, in accordance with the requirements of the Uniform
Construction Code, Property Maintenance Code, and other pertinent
regulations. Signs which fall into such a state of disrepair as to
become unsightly or to pose a threat to public safety may be removed
by the Township at the owner's expense, 30 days following notice by
certified mail to the owner of record.
In the above districts signs are permitted for the following
purposes only, and under the following conditions:
A. General provisions.
(1) No freestanding sign may exceed 20 feet in height.
(2) No freestanding sign may be erected within the side yard required
in the district in which it is located.
B. Size, location and number of permitted signs.
(1) Lots not part of a planned community shopping center.
(a)
One freestanding identification sign shall be permitted for
each lot not part of a planned community shopping center which has
150 feet or more of frontage on a public street. A lot which has frontage
on two streets may have a second sign, provided that it has 150 feet
or more of frontage on the second street. In no case shall the total
sign area exceed one square foot for each two linear feet of street
frontage or 100 square feet, whichever is less.
(b)
No freestanding sign shall be located closer than 25 feet to
a street line nor within 15 feet of a side lot line.
(c)
The total area of all wall signs placed on or facing any one
street frontage on any lot shall not exceed 50% of the signable facade
area of the ground floor of the portion of the building which it occupies
or 80 square feet, whichever is less.
(d)
Awning signs: as controlled by the general regulations.
(e)
Canopy signs: as controlled by the general regulations.
(f)
Window signs: as controlled by the general regulations.
(2) Planned community shopping centers.
(a)
One freestanding identification sign shall be permitted on each
public street, provided that the development has a minimum of 300
feet of frontage on the street. The maximum permitted sign area shall
be 120 square feet.
(b)
No freestanding sign shall be located closer than 25 feet to
a street line nor within 15 feet of a side lot line.
(c)
The total area of all wall signs placed on or facing any one
street frontage on any lot shall not exceed 50% of the signable facade
area of the ground floor of the portion of the building which it occupies
or 80 square feet, whichever is less.
(d)
Principal tenants leasing more than 20% of the total gross leasable
floor area of the development may have one or more wall signs, the
total sign area of which shall not exceed 20% of the signable facade
area with no one sign in excess of 100 square feet of sign area.
(e)
Awning signs: as controlled by the general regulations.
(f)
Canopy signs: as controlled by the general regulations.
(g)
Window signs: as controlled by the general regulations.
C. Directional signs.
(1) Directional signs may contain no advertising, and may be erected
only upon the lot to which they relate.
(2) No directional sign may exceed four square feet in area.
D. Signs for residential uses shall comply with regulations of §
225-90 of this article.
E. Seasonal signs: as controlled by the general regulations.
F. Temporary development signs.
(1) Signs giving notice of the sale or rental of the property on which
the sign is located, provided that:
(a)
The area of the sign shall not exceed 18 square feet on each
side;
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on, adjacent to
or facing each street upon which the property fronts; and
(c)
Such signs are removed within 14 days of the signing of an agreement
of real estate sale or rental.
(2) Any such sign shall not remain for a period to exceed two years from
the date of the zoning permit issuance.
(3) The developer and/or property owner shall keep the sign in a proper
state of repair, in accordance with the requirements of the Uniform
Construction Code, Property Maintenance Code, and other pertinent regulations. Signs which fall into
such a state of disrepair as to become unsightly or to pose a threat
to public safety may be removed by the Township at the owner's expense,
30 days following notice by certified mail to the owner of record.
In industrial zoning districts, signs are permitted for the
following purposes only, and only under the following conditions:
A. General provisions.
(1) No freestanding sign may exceed eight feet in height.
(2) No freestanding sign may be erected within the side yard required
in the district in which it is located.
B. Identification signs.
(1) Freestanding signs.
(a)
One freestanding identification sign shall be permitted on each
public street, provided that the development has a minimum of 150
feet of frontage on the street. The maximum permitted sign area shall
be 24 square feet per sign.
(b)
In the case of a complex of three or more office buildings constructed,
operated and identified as a unified project, one freestanding sign
identifying the complex may be erected on each street that the development
adjoins, provided that there is a minimum of 300 feet of street frontage,
and provided further that the street offers direct vehicular access
to the development. The maximum permitted sign area of the project
identification sign shall be 50 square feet per sign, and shall not
be permitted in conjunction with any other freestanding identification
signs.
(2) Wall signs. Wall signs identifying the building or uses of the building
upon which it was placed, provided that no more than one such sign
is placed upon any building facade, and provided that the total area
of any such sign shall not exceed 40% of the signable facade area
of 20 square feet, whichever is less.
C. Directional signs.
(1) Directional signs may contain no advertising, and may be erected
only upon the lot to which they relate.
(2) No directional sign may exceed four square feet in area.
D. Temporary signs.
(1) Signs giving notice of the sale or rental of the property on which
the sign is located, provided that:
(a)
The area of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet;
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on, adjacent to
or facing each street upon which the property fronts; and
(c)
Such signs are removed within 14 days of the signing of an agreement
of real estate or rental.
(2) Signs of contractors, mechanics, painters, paperhangers or artisans
performing work on the property upon which the sign is erected, provided
that:
(a)
The area of such sign shall not exceed six square feet on each
side;
(b)
Not more than one such sign shall be erected on, adjacent to
or facing each street upon which the property fronts; and
(c)
Such signs are erected and maintained only during the period
that such persons are performing work on the premises upon which the
sign or signs are erected and not to exceed two weeks.
E. Directory signs: in accordance with the general regulations.
F. Seasonal signs: as controlled by the general regulations.