A.
Intent. The following design, size and setback requirements
have been established in order to prevent clutter, confusion and adverse
visual impacts.
B.
Permit required. It shall be unlawful for any person
to erect, structurally alter, enlarge, rebuild or relocate any sign
without first obtaining a permit from the Construction Official.
[Amended 6-29-1993 by Ord. No. 1285]
C.
BILLBOARD
BUSINESS SIGN
DIRECTORY SIGN
EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
FLASHING SIGN
FREESTANDING SIGN
IDENTIFICATION SIGN
INSTITUTIONAL SIGN
INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
MOBILE SIGN
NAMEPLATE SIGN
PROFESSIONAL SIGN
ROOF SIGN
SIGN AREA
TEMPORARY SIGN
WALL SIGN
WINDOW SIGN
Definitions. As used in this article, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A sign which directs attention to a business, industry, profession,
commodity, service or entertainment which is not sold, offered or
manufactured upon the premises where the sign is located.
A sign which directs attention to a business, industry, profession,
commodity, service or entertainment which is sold, offered or manufactured
upon the same premises where such sign is located.
A sign identifying two or more persons, agencies or establishments
located on the premises.
Any illuminated sign whose illumination is derived from an
external artificial source outside the display portion of the sign.
A sign in which the illumination varies in intensity when
in use.
Any sign attached to a structure, the sole purpose of which
is to support the sign. Freestanding signs must be permanently attached
to the ground.
A sign identifying the name of an attached housing development.
A sign identifying a club, association, nursery school, church,
firehouse, nursing home, day care facility or other institution or
quasipublic use.
Any sign whose sole source of artificial illumination is
contained within the display portion of the sign.
Any sign which is neither a freestanding, wall, nor window
sign and which can be transported from one location to another.
A sign which states the name and/or address of the occupant
of the lot where the sign is located.
A sign listing the name, profession and/or specialty of each
practitioner.
A sign constructed or supported upon the roof of any building
or structure.
The area enclosed by the outermost frame or edge of a sign.
In case of lettering attached to building facades, the sign area shall
be the product of the maximum vertical dimension multiplied by the
maximum horizontal dimension of all lettering and symbols which form
the sign, including the empty space between. For double-faced, freestanding
signs, the sign area of only one display face shall be measured in
computing total sign area. In determining the maximum permitted sign
area for a wall sign, the wall area utilized for calculation purposes
shall include any applicable mansard.
A sign which is intended to advertise for a limited period
of time either community or civic projects, real estate for sale or
lease, a special offer of products or services, a political cause
or candidate or a contractor doing work on the premises. Temporary
signs shall not remain in place for in excess of six months.
Any sign attached to a building facade.
A business sign which is comprised of lettering painted directly
on a window.
D.
Permitted signs. All permitted signs shall be classified
as either freestanding signs, wall signs or window signs. The following
regulations shall apply in the specific districts to all signs other
than those specifically exempted.
(1)
Residential districts.
(a)
Institutional signs. Institutional signs may
be erected, provided that the size of any freestanding sign shall
not exceed 20 square feet, and not more than one such sign shall be
placed on each road upon which such use fronts. Signs attached to
the facade of the structure shall be permitted, provided that the
area of the sign shall not exceed 5% of the building facade. Freestanding
signs shall not exceed 10 feet in height and shall be set back a minimum
of 10 feet from all property lines.
(b)
Identification signs for attached housing developments.
One nonilluminated project identification sign shall be permitted
for each access road into the development. Such sign must generally
conform to the design of the proposed project and shall not exceed
35 square feet in area. Such signs shall be set back a minimum of
five feet from the public right-of-way and 20 feet from all adjacent
properties.
(c)
Nameplate signs. Residential nameplate signs
and professional nameplate signs indicating the name and profession
of the occupant of a dwelling, provided that such signs do not exceed
two square feet in area and are not lighted between the hours of 9
p.m. to 8 a.m.
(d)
Nonresidential business signs permitted in the
R-T District:
[1]
One sign advertising a nursery or other permitted
use shall be permitted in the R-T District. Said sign shall comply
with the requirements for institutional signs.
[2]
One freestanding directory sign shall be permitted
in the R-T District. Such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in
area on any one side and shall be located not less than 10 feet from
any street or property line.
(e)
Illumination. Signs may be either internally
or externally illuminated in all residential zones, including in the
R-T District.
[Amended 6-29-1993 by Ord. No. 1285]
(2)
Commercial and industrial districts.
(a)
Wall business signs. Wall signs attached to
the main building shall be permitted subject to the following conditions
and regulations:
[1]
Such sign or signs shall be restricted in area
to 10% of the wall area upon which such sign is attached or affixed.
[2]
Where a sign extends more than three inches
from the face of said wall, the bottom edge of said sign shall not
be less than 10 feet from the ground.
[3]
Such sign shall not have a vertical dimension
in excess of five feet.
[4]
No wall sign shall exceed the building's roofline.
(b)
Freestanding business signs. Freestanding signs
shall be permitted, subject to the following conditions and regulations:
[1]
Only one freestanding sign shall be permitted
per property.
[Amended 6-29-1993 by Ord. No. 1285]
[2]
Such sign shall not exceed 15 feet in height
and shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from all property lines.
[3]
The permitted sign area of a freestanding sign
shall be equal to 0.25 square foot for every foot of roadway frontage
but shall not exceed 100 square feet.
[Amended 6-29-1993 by Ord. No. 1285]
[4]
Freestanding signs shall be located not less
than 10 feet from all property lines.
(c)
Window signs. Window signs shall be permitted,
provided that said sign area does not exceed 50% of the window area,
and further provided that said window sign area shall be limited by
and deducted from any permissible wall sign area.
(d)
Directory signs. One freestanding directory
sign shall be permitted on each property consisting of multiple nonresidential
uses. Said sign shall comply with the requirements for freestanding
business signs.
(e)
Illumination. Business signs may be either internally
or externally illuminated.
[Amended 9-27-2016 by Ord. No. 1898]
[1]
Internally illuminated signs shall have characters, letters,
figures and designs which are illuminated by electric lights as part
of the sign proper.
[2]
Signs lit by external sources shall be allowed but shall be
located in such a manner so as to avoid any glare on adjacent property.
Sources of sign illumination shall be completely shielded from the
view of vehicular traffic using the road or roads abutting the lot
on which the sign is located.
[3]
External lights used for the illumination of any sign on a building,
whether or not such light fixtures are attached to or separate from
the building, shall not extend above the highest elevation of the
front wall of the building or more than 18 feet above the street level
of the premises, whichever is less.
[4]
No electric wiring associated with a sign shall be visible to
public view.
[5]
No signs using bare bulbs, rope lights, tubing or strip lights
shall be permitted.
[6]
No sign shall be lighted by means of a flashing light, nor shall
any sign be in whole or in part moving, mobile or revolving or electrically
or mechanically activated.
[7]
No electric message centers shall be permitted and no other
sign shall be allowed with optical illusion of movement by means of
a design which presents a pattern capable of reverse perspective,
giving the illusion of motion or changing of copy.
[8]
Signs on municipally owned property are exempt from the provisions
of this subsection.
[9]
Business signs may be either internally or externally illuminated;
however, no business or commercial establishments or structures used
for business or commercial activities shall be permitted to outline
windows, doors, signs or any other framework with string lighting,
flashing lighting or continuous lighting of any type. All lighted
signage used by any business or commercial establishment within the
RT Zone shall be extinguished no later than 10:00 p.m.
(f)
Street number. At least one of the signs identifying
the business or industrial establishment must contain the street address
number on the sign, or such number must be displayed elsewhere on
the building in an area visible from the street. The minimum size
of the street number shall be six inches.
[Amended 6-29-1993 by Ord. No. 1285]
(g)
Temporary banners. The construction, erection, replacement or alteration
of any temporary banner advertising a grand opening or special sale
or event on a commercial premises shall be permitted upon approval
of the Zoning Officer, together with a fee of $50 for a thirty-day
period, under the following conditions:
[Added 4-12-2011 by Ord. No. 1794; amended 8-11-2020 by Ord. No. 2004]
[1]
One temporary banner per business not exceeding 36 square feet designed
to advertise a grand opening celebration of a commercial establishment
may be erected and maintained on the commercial premises which is
the subject of said grand opening celebration for a period not to
exceed 30 days. For businesses that front on more than one street,
one banner per street may be permitted. Streamers, pennants, balloons
and other like accessory decorations may also be erected during the
above time period.
[2]
One temporary banner per business not exceeding 36 square feet designed
to advertise a special sales event may be erected and maintained on
the commercial premises conducting said event for a period not in
excess of 30 calendar days. For businesses that front on more than
one street, one banner per street may be permitted. Said temporary
banner(s) must be removed for a minimum of 15 days before a new banner
can be erected. The erection of a temporary banner advertising a special
sales event shall be limited to eight events per year per commercial
establishment.
[3]
No person shall construct, erect, replace or alter any temporary
banner under the provisions of this subsection without first obtaining
a zoning permit. An application for a temporary banner shall be made
to the Zoning Officer upon forms provided by the Borough at least
10 days before said temporary banner is to be erected.
(h)
Temporary signs. The placement of "sandwich board" or "A-frame" signs
used to advertise a special sale or event on a commercial premises
shall be permitted upon approval of the Zoning Officer, together with
a fee of $100 for the year, under the following conditions:
[Added 4-12-2011 by Ord. No. 1794; amended 8-11-2020 by Ord. No. 2004]
[1]
Only one sandwich board or A-frame sign per business not exceeding
10 square feet shall be permitted to be placed in front of the entranceway
of the business. For businesses that front on more than one street,
one sign per street may be permitted.
[2]
An unobstructed pathway of at least four feet in width shall be maintained
on the sidewalk at all times.
[3]
All sandwich board or A-frame signs must be removed when said business
is not opened to the public.
[4]
All sandwich board or A-frame signs must be maintained at all times
and may not be illuminated.
[5]
No person shall construct, erect, replace or alter any sandwich board
or A-frame sign under the provisions of this subsection without first
obtaining an annual zoning permit. An application shall be made to
the Zoning Officer upon forms provided by the Borough before any sign
is permitted to be used.
E.
Prohibited signs and sign features.
(1)
Mobile signs. Mobile signs are specifically prohibited.
(2)
Location in public right-of-way. No sign shall be
erected within or encroach upon the right-of-way of any street.
(3)
Animated or flashing signs. Animated or flashing signs
using mechanical or electrical devices to revolve, flash or display
movement or the illusion of movement, except for clocks or weather
information, are prohibited.
(4)
All signs shall comply with the requirements of § 420-20, entitled "Obstruction of vision on corner lots."
[Added 6-29-1993 by Ord. No. 1285]
(5)
No
off-site advertising sign shall be erected, used or maintained within
the Borough of Middlesex; provided, however, that this regulation
shall not apply to temporary signs, otherwise permitted by this subsection,
that advertise special events sponsored by nonprofit social, religious,
political or cultural organizations or institutions.
[Added 4-12-2011 by Ord. No. 1794]
(6)
No
sign shall be placed on utility poles, trees, railway or road bridges,
bridge supports or abutments, retaining walls or water towers unless
approved by the Borough Council and otherwise permitted by law.
[Added 4-12-2011 by Ord. No. 1794]
(7)
The
use and display of temporary portable signs or flags, windsocks, banners,
strings, streamers, pennants, spinners or similar objects and devices
across, upon, over or along any premises or building, whether as part
of any sign or for advertising or public attraction, is prohibited
in any nonresidential zone, except for:
[Added 4-12-2011 by Ord. No. 1794]
(a)
Temporary displays in business or commercial zones as provided in § 420-61D(2)(g); or
(b)
Temporary decorations customarily used in holidays or for special
events as may be approved by the Borough Council.
(8)
No inflatable signs or balloons shall be allowed except for a grand opening as provided in § 420-61D(2)(g).
[Added 4-12-2011 by Ord. No. 1794]
(9)
Prohibited signs and sign features. No business or commercial establishments
or structures used for business or commercial activities shall be
permitted to outline windows, doors, signs or any other framework
with string lighting, flashing lighting or continuous lighting of
any type.
[Added 9-27-2016 by Ord.
No. 1898]
F.
Exempt signs. The provisions and regulations of this
section shall not apply to the following signs; provided, however,
that said signs shall be subject to the following provisions:
(1)
Temporary signs inside windows of commercial establishments
not covering more than 25% of any given window area.
(2)
Temporary signs of nonprofit or charitable organizations,
provided that such signs do not exceed 32 square feet in area. Said
signs shall be removed within seven days after completion of said
event or function.
(3)
Bulletin boards not over 24 square feet in area for
public, charitable or religious institutions when the same are located
on the premises of said institutions.
(4)
On-site directional and parking signs, warning signs
and signs posting property as "private property," "no trespassing"
or similar signs not to exceed two square feet in area.
(5)
Temporary signs denoting the architect, engineer or
contractor, when placed upon work under construction, and not exceeding
16 square feet in area. Said signs shall be removed within seven days
of issuance of certificate of occupancy.
(6)
Garage sale signs located on the premises only, not
exceeding two square feet and containing the date of sale. Such sign
shall be removed within 24 hours after the last day of sale.
(7)
Real estate signs temporarily advertising the sale,
rental or lease of the premises or portion thereof, provided that
such signs do not exceed nine square feet in area. Such signs shall
be removed within seven days after the purpose of the sign is fulfilled.
(8)
Subdivisions of more than two contiguous lots and
attached housing developments may have one sign along each road which
the tract in question abuts. Such signs shall not exceed 40 square
feet in area and shall be removed within seven days after the purpose
of the sign is fulfilled.
(9)
Temporary signs indicating a political preference
or political event, provided that such signs do not exceed 32 square
feet in area on any one side. Said signs shall be removed within 30
days after the completion of said political function.
(10)
The animated informational electronic sign erected
by the Borough of Middlesex in front of the Borough Hall facing Mountain
Avenue and the animated informational electronic sign erected by the
Middlesex Board of Education in front of the Middlesex High School
facing Bound Brook Road (Route 28) are exempt from the requirements
of this ordinance. No animated informational electronic signs shall
be permitted in the M Municipal Zone District or in any other zone
district unless the governing body determines by resolution that the
erection of such a sign at a proposed location will have benefits
to the general public that outweigh any detriments that may arise
resulting from the erection of said proposed sign.
[Added 6-27-2006 by Ord. No. 1693]
G.
Nonconforming signs. Legally nonconforming signs which
were in existence at the time of adoption of this chapter shall be
permitted to be relocated or structurally altered, provided that said
alteration or relocation will not increase the extent of nonconformity.
However, failure to keep signs painted and in good repair for a period
of six consecutive calendar months shall constitute abandonment, and
such sign may not then be replaced or reused and must be removed by
the owner upon notice in writing from the Construction Official.
H.
Maintenance. Signs which are illegible or are in the
state of disrepair shall be repaired, replaced or removed.
[Added 6-29-1993 by Ord. No. 1285]
I.
Signs which are no longer valid or have been abandoned
shall be removed by the owner of the property.
[Added 6-29-1993 by Ord. No. 1285]
