[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council
of the Borough of Leonia 7-10-2006 by Ord. No. 09-06.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fees — See Ch. 123.
Site plan review — See Ch. 236.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 250.
Zoning — See Ch. 290.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed
former Ch. 232, Signs, adopted 5-19-1980 by Ord. No. 874 (Ch. 168
of the 1982 Code), as amended.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
A sign directing attention to a business, commodity, service
or entertainment conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than upon the
premises where the sign is maintained, including a billboard sign.
An "advertising sign" also includes a sign directing attention to
a product or service offered upon the premises but which could be
offered elsewhere.
A sign or decoration made of cloth, paper, plastic, or similar
flexible material which is attached to a building or structure.
A structure primarily or principally erected for the display
of off-premises advertisements or noncommercial messages.
A sign with movable letters, words or numbers, indicating
the names of persons associated with or events conducted upon the
premises where such sign is maintained. This sign is incorporated
into the total square footage permitted under this chapter. The sign
may be either permanent or a mobile type.
A banner usually in the form of draperies or wide streamers.
A sign directing attention to the name of a business, commodity,
service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered upon the premises
where the sign is maintained.
A sign other than a projecting sign, mounted or painted on
the canopy or awning of any building and identifying the name or address
of the building or an establishment contained in the building herein.
An illuminated sign, whether stationary or rotating, which
exhibits changing light intensity or color effects.
A detached sign erected upon or supported by the ground.
A sign, other than a bulletin board sign, indicating the
name of a permitted use, the name or address of a building or the
name of the management thereof.
A sign designed to give forth any artificial light or to
reflect such light from an artificial light.
A sign conveying instructions with respect to the premises
where it is maintained, such as signs designating "no parking," "entrance,"
"exit," "keep off," "parking," "no trespassing" and similar signs.
Any box or container made from light brown paper with one
layer of alternating ridges or grooves for use in packaging articles.
A sign which identifies a principal activity, product or
service which is conducted, available, sold, offered or produced elsewhere
than upon the premises where the sign is located, including billboards,
signs which consist principally of brand name or trade name advertising
where the product or service advertised is only incidental to the
principal activity and signs which bring rental income to the premises.
A sign which identifies a principal activity, product or
service which is conducted, available, sold, offered or produced on
the premises where the sign is located, including a sign which exclusively
advertises the sale or lease of the premises on which the sign is
located, but excluding signs which consist principally of brand name
or trade name advertising where the product or service advertised
is only incidental to the principal activity or signs which bring
rental income to the business.
A business sign placed in a window, or within 18 inches of
a window, which will be used for an indefinite period of time.
A sign erected perpendicular to the wall of a building, including
a sign similarly erected at the corner of a building and projecting
out over a public sidewalk.
A sign erected on the roof of any building.
Includes any painted or mounted surface sign, banners, streamers
or lighting devices or any other type of attention-attracting device
and may be a single-faced or double-faced panel.
The area of any sign shall be calculated as the smallest
area that can be enclosed in a rectangle that includes lettering,
illustration and any other graphic representation.
A business sign placed in a window which will be used for
a limited time and which indicates the date of its first use.
A sign painted on or a structure erected against the wall
of any building with the exposed face of the sign in a parallel plane
with the face of the wall at a distance of 18 inches or less from
the wall, measured perpendicularly.
An exhibition, showing or arrangement of articles or merchandise
in a business window, designed to advertise or attract consumers or
customers.
A.
No sign or sign structure shall be positioned in such
a manner as to materially impede the view of any street or highway
intersection.
B.
No sign, other than official traffic signs, shall
be erected within or shall project over the lines of any street unless
specifically authorized by other Borough ordinances or regulations.
C.
No sign or structure, other than official highway
markers, shall be placed within any street or highway right-of-way.
D.
No sign shall be erected or maintained as to prevent
free and safe ingress and egress from any window, door or fire escape,
and no sign shall be attached to a fire escape.
E.
No sign shall be of a flashing type. No rotating beam,
beacon or flashing illumination shall be used in connection with any
signs or sign display.
F.
All signs shall be stationary and not a revolving
type.
G.
Roof signs are prohibited.
H.
Signs which are in a state of disrepair, including
illuminated or neon signs, or signs which are abandoned, shall be
removed within 45 days following such disrepair or abandonment.
I.
Such signs as "no-parking," "entrance," "exit," "keep
off," "parking" and similar devices for the convenience or protection
of the public shall not be considered in computing total sign area
on the premises. The maximum size of such sign shall be five square
feet.
J.
In addition to the other requirements of this chapter,
every business and advertising sign referred to in this chapter must
be kept in good condition and repair and shall not be allowed to become
dilapidated.
K.
Except as otherwise permitted in Chapter 290, Zoning, within District LI-2, off-premises advertising signs are prohibited.
L.
All permanent business and electrified signs placed
on or within 18 inches of a window shall not be erected or maintained
until approved and after issuance of a permit by the Zoning Official.
M.
The illuminated background panel of any sign may not
exceed the allowable sign area by more than 20%.
N.
(Reserved).
O.
Neon signage shall not consist of more than three
colors per occupancy.
P.
The light intensity of any illuminated sign, including
neon or displays, shall not exceed 50 footcandles, measured with a
standard light meter at any point in front of the sign at a distance
that is no greater than the smallest horizontal or vertical dimension
of the sign.
Q.
Neon-type bands on the exterior of a building and
neon bands or bare bulbs on the inside perimeter of a window are prohibited.
R.
Illuminated window signs shall not exceed 15% of the
total window area.
S.
Temporary signs, posters, or placards announcing a
neighborhood event, such as a garage sale or block party, are permitted
but must be removed within 12 hours after the conclusion of the event.
Signs and posters reporting lost property or a pet are permitted for
a period not to exceed 14 days.
T.
No sign shall be affixed to any public utility pole,
public information sign, bus shelter, public bench, or public building
or erected in any public space, such as a street or right-of-way,
without the express approval of the Mayor and Council.
U.
Time-and/or-temperature devices attached to a building
and freestanding shall not exceed 25 square feet in area, shall not
project five feet from the face of the building, and shall have nine
feet of clearance above the ground.
V.
Strung lights and windblown devices, such as pennants,
spinners and streamers, are prohibited.
A.
Professional, accessory use or name signs indicating
the name, profession or activity of the occupant of a dwelling and
trespassing signs or signs indicating the private nature of a driveway
or premises shall be permitted, provided that the area on one side
of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.
B.
Identification signs for schools, churches, hospitals,
clubs, lodges or similar uses shall be permitted, provided that the
area on one side of any sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
C.
Temporary signs of contractors, architects, mechanics
and artisans may be erected and maintained during the period such
persons are performing work, provided that such signs shall be erected
only on the premises where such work is being performed and the area
of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet and such signs shall
be removed promptly upon completion of the work.
D.
One nonilluminated real estate sign, including signs
advertising the sale or rental of premises, shall be permitted, provided
that the area on one side of any such sign shall not exceed three
square feet in residence districts and 16 square feet in commercial
and manufacturing districts. Corner lots may have one such sign on
each street frontage. These signs must be removed within five days
after the property is sold.
E.
Signs indicating the premises available for or in
the process of development and having inscribed thereon the name of
the owner, builder or agent may be erected and maintained, provided
that:
F.
Political signs and other noncommercial signs are
permitted, provided that no person, firm or corporation shall affix,
paint, post, hang or otherwise attach or cause to allow any of his,
her, their or its subordinates or employees or allow anyone acting
on his/her, their or its behalf to affix, paint, post, hang or otherwise
attach any political banner, poster, placard or political advertising
of any type whatsoever to any hydrants, traffic signs, street signs,
signposts, electric wires, telephone wires, public sidewalks, public
thoroughfares, public monuments situated in or upon any of the public
thoroughfares or public places in the Borough of Leonia or upon any
structure or building of the Borough of Leonia. Such signs shall be
further subject to the following limitations:
(1)
No more than one such sign shall be permitted on any
premises per candidate per election. All such signs shall be removed
within 24 hours after the election is held.
[Amended 5-3-2010 by Ord. No. 06-10]
(2)
Within residential districts, such signs shall not
be illuminated.
(3)
Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in residential
districts.
(4)
In commercial and industrial districts, the area of
such signs, together with the area of all other permissible signs
on the premises, shall not exceed the maximum square footage of signage
permitted within such districts.
(5)
Nothing shall be affixed to any sign in order to draw
attention to it, such as banners, balloons, streamers, pennants, reflectors,
lights or any similar device.
[Added 4-7-2008 by Ord. No. 14-08]
G.
Municipal signs necessary to the public welfare of
the Borough of Leonia shall be permitted.
H.
"For sale" and "for rent" signs: in residential zones,
freestanding signs only no larger than two feet by two feet, the type
of which shall be no more than four feet from the ground. Signs must
be located no closer than five feet from the property line or 15 feet
from the curbline, whichever is greater. In no instance may a sign
be located within the sight triangle at a street intersection or on
any street, sidewalk or right-of-way. All "for sale" or "for rent"
signs are permitted only on the property being offered for rent or
for sale.
I.
Each second-floor occupancy for a profession or office
shall be permitted one announcement sign per occupancy of not more
than 1 1/2 square feet at the main entrance to the building.
One nameplate or professional sign with an area of not more than 1 1/2
square feet may be mounted flat against the door of each secondary
entrance. Such sign may be lighted by interior or exterior lighting.
All signs in second-floor office windows shall not exceed 25% of glass
area of only one window.
J.
A common sign may be erected in a parking lot with
facilities for more than 40 cars which services a group of attached
stores or a professional building. None of the component announcements
shall be larger than any of the others, and the total area of the
signs shall not exceed 40 square feet. The common sign may be erected
as a freestanding sign within the parking lot, provided that it is
erected no closer than 10 feet to any property line.
K.
All entrance doors must display the street number
within 12 inches of the top of the door, and such street number shall
not be less than three inches or more than five inches high. Entrance
door glass must be clear and unobstructed by permanent or temporary
signs with only the following permitted, as long as they do not cover
more than 20% of the glass area: address number, business name or
logo, hours of operation, and open/closed signs. Electric signs are
not permitted.
L.
The total sign area of all permanent window signs
shall not exceed 20% of the total window area. The maximum area of
permanent window signs for one business shall not exceed 25 square
feet.
M.
Window displays shall not consist of neon or flashing
lighting, nor a television or video facing and viewable from the street
or right-of-way. Window displays shall be maintained in good condition
and appearance, and shall, if damaged, be repaired within 30 days.
Natural kraft cartons placed within three feet of the window display
shall not be visible from the exterior of the building.
N.
Temporary window signs may hang in a window for a
period not to exceed 60 days. Signs that do not have an expiration
date shall be assumed to be permanent and shall be subject to the
requirements of this chapter pertaining to permanent window signs.
The total area of temporary and permanent window signs shall not exceed
50% of the total window area. All signs and notices placed in a window
for the promotion of events or projects sponsored by nonprofit organizations
shall be exempt from the area restrictions of this subsection.
O.
Signs which advertise a "going out of business sale"
or "change of occupancy" shall not be permitted for a period in excess
of 90 days.
P.
Whenever there is a change in occupancy of business
premises, all signs and displays which identify or advertise a business,
product, or other item that is no longer present or available on the
premises shall be removed within 21 days from the date the previous
occupancy ceased. The manner of removal of sign messages shall include,
but not be limited to, the following:
(1)
In the case of a sign with a painted message, the
message shall be painted in a color which matches the background,
or in a light neutral color.
(2)
Window signs and displays shall be removed.
(3)
In the case of a sign where the message is contained
on a panel that is inserted into the sign frame or structure, the
message panel shall be replaced with a blank panel.
(4)
In the case of a sign where the message cannot be
removed without also removing the sign structure, the structure shall
be removed, unless the owner demonstrates to the Zoning Official that
the sign message could reasonably apply to the next occupant of the
premises.
Q.
Off-premises advertising signs subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in Chapter 290, Zoning, within the District LI-2.
R.
On-premises advertising signs within commercial and
industrial districts subject to the limitations and conditions set
forth herein.
A.
Prior to the erection of any sign, an application
must be filed with the Zoning Officer. When the application is submitted,
it must be accompanied by scaled sketches of the proposed sign and
existing signs. A plan showing the location and erection must also
accompany the application. Detailed information concerning copy, weight
and dimensions of the sign, the materials incorporated in its construction
and the type of illumination, if any, shall also be submitted.
B.
The application should include:
(1)
The name and address of the owner of the property.
(2)
The location of property where the sign is to be erected.
(3)
The zoning district in which the sign is to be erected.
(4)
The square footage of the proposed sign.
(5)
The name and address of the person constructing the
sign.
(6)
The name and address of the person erecting the sign
if different than the one constructing it.
(7)
The nature of the activity being announced by the
sign.
The cost of a permit will be as set forth in Chapter 123, Fees.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to
require the removal or discontinuance of a legally existing display
sign that is not altered, rebuilt, enlarged or relocated, but all
such signs shall be subject to inspection and maintenance as hereinafter
provided, and shall be considered nonconforming.
Regulations regarding signs in the Business
District shall be as follows:
A.
Wall signs may be between 8% and 12% of the wall area
at street level for the store that it is advertising, provided that
the sign shall not exceed 25 square feet in area.
B.
Lots fronting on two or more streets are permitted
signage along each street frontage, but the signage cannot be accumulated
and used on one street frontage.
C.
Wall signs may not be located higher than the bottom
of the windows of the second level of a multistory building.
D.
The area of any such wall sign painted upon the wall
of any building or structure shall be enclosed within a molding or
border which is clearly visible.
E.
For buildings with multitenants, signs shall have
the same area and height.
F.
Each sign is permitted to include a main title which
identifies the name of the store and one subtitle which is a description
of the business. The subtitle must be a smaller font size than the
main title.
G.
The subtitle of the sign may not include a telephone
number or e-mail address. Telephone numbers and e-mail addresses are
also not permitted on awnings and canopies. Facsimile, telephone numbers,
e-mail addresses, and Web sites are prohibited on all signs, awnings
and canopies. These may be included on windows or window signs in
letters not to exceed five inches in height.
H.
Signs may not be printed in more than two font styles
and different font styles on one sign must complement each other.
I.
Hanging signs are permitted.
J.
Hanging signs may not be located higher than the ceiling
of the first floor of a building and may not have an area more than
two square feet. Design, materials, and mounting methods must be approved
by the Building Department. Hanging signs may not be internally illuminated.
K.
The wall sign for an establishment with a hanging
sign may not be greater than 8% of the total wall area at street level
for the store.
L.
Wall signs may be externally illuminated.
M.
Wall signs shall be securely attached to the building
by means of metal anchors, bolts or expansion screws, provided that
signs exceeding 50 pounds in weight shall be secured at both top and
bottom with metal shelf angles.
N.
Each second-floor occupancy for a profession or office
shall be permitted one announcement sign per occupancy of not more
than 1 1/2 square feet at the main entrance to the building.
One nameplate or professional sign with an area of not more than 1 1/2
square feet may be mounted flat against the door of each secondary
entrance. Such signs may be lighted by interior or exterior lighting.
All signs in second-floor office windows shall not exceed 25% of the
glass area of only one window.
O.
A common sign may be erected in a parking lot with
facilities for more than 40 cars which service a group of attached
stores or a professional building. None of the component announcements
shall be larger than any of the others, and the total area of the
signs shall not exceed 40 square feet. The common sign may be erected
as a freestanding sign within the parking lot, provided that it is
erected no closer than 10 feet to any property line.
Regulations regarding signs in the LI District
shall be as follows:
A.
No sign shall project above the maximum height of
any building or structure on the premises. No rooftop signs shall
be permitted.
B.
Signs may be illuminated where the direct source of
light is not visible from any street or residential district, but,
in no event, shall flashing or animated signs be permitted.
C.
There shall be no illumination of any sign between
the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
D.
Only two signs, exclusive of directional and other
safety signs in parking and loading areas, relating to the operation
conducted on the premises, are permitted.
E.
The following types of signs are permitted:
(1)
Wall signs may be placed or inscribed upon the facade
of a building, showing only the name of the building or its occupant,
provided that the sign shall not exceed 10% of the area of the facade
on which it is attached. No such sign shall extend more than 12 inches
in front of the facade, nor shall the sign be more than three feet
in height. The area of the sign shall not exceed 36 square feet.
(2)
Freestanding signs may be erected to identify the
building or its occupants, but, in no event, shall there be more than
one sign on the premises. The area of the sign shall not exceed 15
square feet. A sign shall not be located within 20 feet from the curb
of a public street or parking area driveway or within 50 feet of a
boundary of a residence district and shall in no way interfere with
the safe functioning of any traffic control signal or directional
device. Freestanding signs shall have a clear space of at least two
feet from the lower edge of the sign to ground level and shall not
exceed four feet in height including its support above ground.
(3)
Directional and traffic control signs may be permitted
on the premises, provided that they do not exceed six feet in height
nor an area of four square feet on each of two sides.
Regulations regarding signs in the LI-2 District
are as follows:
A.
Temporary cloth or banner signs when placed on buildings
or suspended between buildings on private property shall be permitted
only during the opening of a new business or change in ownership or
management. The period of time that they may be erected is not to
exceed 30 days not more than once in any twelve-month period and shall
be removed as soon as torn or damaged.
B.
Construction signs, promotional signs for condominiums,
cooperatives, rentals, etc. shall be subject to the same limits as
described in § 168-3D.
A.
It shall be the duty of the Building Subcode Official
or his duly authorized agent to inspect each sign, billboard or outdoor
display structure for which a permit is required upon completion of
its installation.
B.
It shall be the duty of the Building Subcode official or his authorized agent to make an inspection of every sign, billboard or other outdoor display structure once each year in order to determine whether they are in a safe condition. The fee for each inspection shall be as set forth in Chapter 123, Fees.
C.
In the event that the sign, billboard or outdoor display
structure is found to be in a dangerous condition, the Building Subcode
Official shall notify the owner thereof, in writing, and advise in
what manner the owner shall make the structure safe and secure. In
case the owner thereof does not comply with the requirements of the
Building Subcode Official within 30 days, the permit shall be revoked,
the Building Subcode Official shall be obligated to remove the sign,
billboard or outdoor display structure and the owner thereof shall
be liable to a penalty hereunder provided.
D.
In case the Building Subcode Official shall be required
to remove any sign as herein provided, he shall keep a record of the
cost of such removal, and the owner of such sign and the owner of
the land shall be jointly and severally liable to the Borough of Leonia
therefor.
Any sign not permitted under this chapter is
expressly prohibited.
Any person, firm or corporation which shall permit the erection of any sign, billboard or other outdoor display structure in violation of the provisions of this chapter or shall permit the maintenance of such structure in violation of this chapter or shall erect or construct any such structure in violation of the provisions of this chapter or shall neglect or refuse to remove, repair or alter any such structure in accordance with the provisions of this chapter within the time herein provided shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a penalty as set forth in Chapter 1, Article I, General Penalty.
