[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council
of the Borough of Alpine as Ch. XX (Ord. No. 410) of the 1970 Revised
General Ordinances. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter may be cited as the "Sign Ordinance
of the Borough of Alpine."
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Any sign supported by uprights or braces placed upon the
ground independent of any other structure.
[Amended 6-24-2009 by Ord. No. 702]
Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs
or outlines illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as a
part of the sign proper.
[Amended 6-24-2009 by Ord. No. 702]
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization of any kind.
Any announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration
or insignia used to advertise or promote the interests of any person,
firm or corporation when the same is placed out-of-doors in view of
the general public or when of a permanent nature and placed within
the window of a commercial or other structure so as to be visible
to persons from the outside of such structure for the purposes aforesaid
whether called a sign, billboard, ground sign, wall sign, roof sign,
sign painted on the exterior of a building or structure, illuminated
sign, projecting sign, temporary sign, or sign on awnings and canopies.
[Amended 6-24-2009 by Ord. No. 702]
The total area of the entire sign, including border and embellishments,
but excluding supports on which there is displayed neither advertising
matter nor lighting. For signs which are not rectangular in shape,
the area shall be calculated by the smallest trapezoidal shape, four-sided,
which completely encloses the sign.
Any sign which is intended to be displayed for a short period
of time not in excess of 180 days, and shall include any sign, banner,
pennant, flag or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas,
light fabric, cardboard display, wallboard or other light material
with or without frames.
A.
Permitted signs. Upon receipt of a duly issued permit
as provided herein, the following signs may be erected:
(1)
In the R-4 Zone. One ground sign for an existing,
nonconforming nonresidential use, provided the sign shall not exceed
nine square feet or three feet on a side. In the event there are two
existing, nonconforming nonresidential uses on the premises, one general
directory ground sign shall be permitted which shall not exceed 12
square feet or four feet on a side. The sign shall only identify the
nonresidential occupants of the premises. The bottom height of a sign
shall not exceed three feet six inches above ground surface. No sign
shall be illuminated from within nor by illumination affixed to the
sign or structure from which the sign is suspended. No sign shall
be illuminated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. local time each day
and 6:00 a.m. local time the following day. No sign shall be erected
closer than 10 feet to any property line. The sign must be located
on the lot on which the occupants are located.
[Amended 6-24-2009 by Ord. No. 702]
(2)
In the R-R Zone. Two identification or directional
signs, provided that each sign does not exceed six square feet in
area and does not exceed a height of eight feet above ground level.
The sign or signs shall be affixed to the entrance gate or wall and
shall not project more than six inches from the gate or wall.
(3)
In any zone. One temporary nonilluminated ground sign
identifying owners or general contractors working on a principal structure
in the process of completion. Such sign shall not exceed four square
feet or two feet on a side. The maximum height shall be four feet.
Such sign shall be removed within two weeks after completion of the
work or the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, whichever is sooner.
Such sign shall be erected within the lot lines of the property where
the work is being performed.
[Amended 6-24-2009 by Ord. No. 702]
B.
Permitted signs not requiring permits or fees. The
provisions and regulations of this chapter concerning permits and
fees shall not apply to the following signs:
[Amended by Ord. No. 468; Ord. No. 483]
(1)
Political signs. In any zone, one nonilluminated temporary
political ground sign erected on private property in connection with
a political cause or a general, primary or special election or referendum.
In residential zones, a political sign shall not exceed eight square
feet or four feet on a side. The maximum height shall not exceed six
feet from the ground level. No such sign shall be erected within 15
feet of the edge of the pavement of an improved street abutting the
property or if there is a curb on an improved street abutting the
property then within 15 feet of the property side of the curb or if
the property does not abut an improved street then within 15 feet
of the edge of an unimproved street abutting the property. Such signs
shall be removed within seven days following the date of the political
event, the election or referendum. No such signs shall be located
in the public right-of-way or on public property.
[Amended 6-24-2009 by Ord. No. 702]
(2)
Real estate signs. In any zone, one nonilluminated
temporary real estate ground sign, identifying the property upon which
it is located as being for rent or for sale. Such sign shall not exceed
four square feet or two feet on a side. The maximum height shall be
four feet. No such sign shall be erected within 10 feet of the property
line. Such sign shall be removed by the owner or the person erecting
the same within two days after the sale, lease or other withdrawal
of the property from the market.
(3)
Signs for name and address of owner.
(a)
In any residence zone. One sign which shall
have an area of not more than two square feet, identifying the name
and/or address of the house, or owner or lessee of the premises upon
which the sign is located, and provided such sign has an area of not
more than two square feet and is attached to the dwelling or to a
post or other supporting device at a bottom height not to exceed six
feet from the ground level.
(b)
In an R-4 Zone. If there are two residences
on the premises, one sign, which shall have an area of not more than
three square feet, identifying the names and/or addresses of the house,
or owners or lessees of the premises on which the sign is located.
[Amended 6-24-2009 by Ord. No. 702]
(c)
No sign shall be illuminated, except that illumination
primarily serving some purpose other than the illumination of the
sign shall not be deemed illumination of the sign.
(4)
Other signs.
(a)
Municipal signs, traffic signs, legal notices,
danger and such temporary emergency or nonadvertising signs as may
be approved by the Borough Council.
(b)
Official signs erected by the municipality,
county, state or federal government.
[Amended 6-24-2009 by Ord. No. 702]
(c)
Bulletin boards or signs not over 16 square
feet or four feet on a side for public, charitable or religious institutions
when the same are located on the premises of such institution.
(d)
Memorial signs or tablets, name of buildings
and dates of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed
of bronze or other incombustible materials.
(e)
Directional ground signs located on the premises
of a permitted use not exceeding one square foot in area may be used
for a driveway entrance or exit or direction to parking areas. Not
more than two such signs shall be permitted.
(f)
Professional nameplates not exceeding six inches in height nor 18 inches in length for lawful occupants of the premises under Chapter 220, Zoning.
(g)
Garage sale signs or personal property sale
signs not to exceed four square feet or two feet on a side. The maximum
height shall be four feet. No such sign shall be erected within 10
feet of the property line. Such sign shall be removed within two days
after the sale. Such signs must be located on the premises on which
the sale is occurring.
[Amended 6-24-2009 by Ord. No. 702]
(5)
Flags. Flags of the United States, the State of New
Jersey or other governmental or quasi-public agencies.
C.
Prohibited signs. The following signs shall be prohibited
in the borough:
(1)
Signs using the colors red, amber or green either
in direct illumination or in high reflection by the use of special
preparation such as fluorescent paint or glass.
(2)
Any sign visible from a public right-of-way which
uses an arrow or the word "Stop," excepting highway directional signs
erected by public agencies.
(3)
Any sign of which all or any part thereof is in motion.
(4)
Any sign displaying flashing or intermittent lights.
(5)
Any sign that interferes with or obscures a sign erected
by a public agency, traffic instructions or directions or other public
information.
(6)
Signs with more than two display surfaces, sides or
faces such as hinged, triangular or box signs.
(7)
Signs which are attached to or within 24 inches of
a window, and contain an area greater than 20% of such window area.
(8)
Signs posted on poles, posts, trees, sidewalks or
curbs or on any borough property in any fashion.
(9)
Billboards
of any kind.
[Added 6-24-2009 by Ord. No. 702]
(10)
Roof
signs or signs which extend above the highest elevation of the wall
to which they are attached.
[Added 6-24-2009 by Ord. No. 702]
(11)
Sequential
signs.
[Added 6-24-2009 by Ord. No. 702]
(12)
Balloon
signs.
[Added 6-24-2009 by Ord. No. 702]
(13)
Any
sign not specifically permitted by this chapter.
[Added 6-24-2009 by Ord. No. 702]
D.
Annual inspection. All signs may be inspected annually
by the Building Inspector for the purpose of ascertaining whether
the same are secure or in need of removal, repair or repainting.
E.
Unsafe and illegal signs. If the Building Inspector
shall find that any sign is unsafe, insecure, in need of repair or
violates any of the provisions of this chapter or of a permit granted
for the erection thereof, (s)he shall give written notice to the permittee,
owner or lessee thereof or the person having the beneficial use of
the premises, building or structure upon which such sign may be found.
If such person fails to remove, alter or repair it within 24 hours
after such notice, such sign may be removed, altered or repaired by
the Building Inspector at the expense of such person.
[Amended by Ord. No. 468]
F.
Removal of signs. Any sign now or hereafter existing
which no longer advertises a bona fide business being conducted shall
be taken down and removed by the permittee, owner or lessee thereof
or person having the beneficial use of the building, premises or structure
upon which such sign may be found within 10 days after written notification
from the Building Inspector and, upon failure to comply with such
notice within the time specified in such order, the Building Inspector
is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign, and any expense
incident thereto shall be paid by such person.
A.
Required. Except as otherwise set forth herein, it
shall be unlawful for any person to erect, alter, relocate or maintain
within the borough any sign as defined in this chapter without first
making application for, and obtaining, a sign permit from the Building
Inspector.
B.
Permits and applications.
(1)
Fee; information required. An application with signed
permit shall be made by the owner of the premises and the person responsible
for the erection of the signing, and both shall be responsible for
compliance with this section. The application, accompanied by a fee
of $60 per $1,000 estimated cost of work for each permanent sign,
provided that the minimum fee is $200 and $100 for a temporary sign,
shall be made to the Building Inspector and shall contain the following
information:
[Amended 4-23-2008 by Ord. No. 680; 4-22-2015 by Ord. No. 754; 3-27-2019 by Ord. No. 781]
(a)
Name, address and telephone number of the owner
or the occupant of the premises and the name of the person, firm,
corporation or association erecting the sign, and both shall be considered
applicants.
(b)
Location of building, structure or lot to which,
or upon which, the sign is to be attached or erected.
(c)
Position of the sign in relation to nearby buildings
or structures, sidewalks and streets.
(d)
Such other information as the Building Inspector
shall require to show full compliance with the section.
(2)
Examination by Building Inspector; issuance. The Building
Inspector shall examine the application and the premises upon which
the sign is to be erected, and, if it shall appear that the proposed
structure is in compliance with all the requirements of this section
and all other laws and ordinances of the borough, the Building Inspector
shall then issue the sign permit. The sign permit shall be issued
or denied within 45 days of the date of application. If the Building
Inspector shall not act within 45 days, the sign permit shall be deemed
to have been granted.
(3)
Time limit on work. If the work authorized under a
sign permit has not been completed within 180 days after the date
of issuance, the permit shall become null and void.
C.
Permits revocable. The Building Inspector is hereby
authorized and empowered to revoke any permit issued by him/her upon
failure of the holder thereof to comply with any provisions of this
chapter, and all permits shall contain a provision to this effect.
Any person aggrieved by any decision of the
Building Inspector in conjunction with the enforcement of this chapter
may appeal to the Mayor and Council by filing an appeal, in writing,
with the Borough Clerk within 30 days, at which time the Mayor and
Council will provide the appellant with an opportunity to be heard.
The Mayor and Council will hear such appeal within 30 days of the
filing thereof and shall decide such appeal within 60 days of the
hearing. If no decision is made within such period the appeal shall
be considered denied.
