[Amended 8-17-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-41; 8-21-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-34]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of these sign regulations is
to preserve the public health, welfare and/or safety within the Borough
of Fort Lee by the following:
(1)
Promotion of safety on highways and roadways by:
(a)
Establishment of a clear and orderly pattern
of signs that are appropriately designed to be compatible and not
competitive with other signs;
(b)
Reduction of obstructions, distractions and
other conditions which cause confusion or otherwise threaten to compromise
pedestrian and vehicular safety;
(c)
Promotion of ready identification of governmental
and institutional sites and events;
(d)
Coordination of signs with prevailing speed
limits and highway or roadway conditions.
(2)
Promotion and protection of the Borough's visual resources
by:
(a)
Creation of a pleasing streetscape;
(b)
Encouragement of artistic, creative, expressive
and distinctive signage of appeal and quality appropriate to the respective
environs;
(c)
Encouragement of signage compatible and reflective
of desirable architectural buildings and features;
(d)
Eradication and prevention of visual clutter
caused by the competitive proliferation of signs, disorderly placement,
excessive height, size and illumination and redundancy.
(3)
Promotion of commerce in Fort Lee by:
(a)
Affording each Borough profession, business,
industry and service a fair and protected opportunity to communicate,
identify and safely and effectively direct traffic to its site by
means which are expressive of identity and appropriate to the nature
of the enterprise and the surroundings;
(b)
Creating a distinctive commercial environment
which attracts business because of a heightened visual quality and
image.
B.
AWNING
BANNER
BILLBOARD
BILLBOARD SIGN EXTENSION (aka CUT-OUT)
BUILDING INSPECTOR
BOROUGH
CONSTRUCTION OFFICIAL
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTERS
ERECT
FACADE IMPROVEMENT
FLAG
FLAG, OFFICIAL
FLAG, TRADEMARK
FRONTAGE
GARAGE SALE
GASOLINE SERVICE STATION
GASOLINE SERVICE STATION CANOPY
OPAQUE
PARKING AUTHORITY
PLINTH
SIGN
SIGN, ABANDONED
SIGN, ADVERTISING
SIGN, ANIMATED
SIGN AREA
SIGN, AWNING
SIGN, BLADE
SIGN, BUSINESS
SIGN, CHANGEABLE COPY
SIGN, CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION
SIGN COPY
SIGN, DAILY ADVERTISING
SIGN, DIRECTIONAL
SIGN, DIRECTORY
SIGN, DRIVE-THROUGH MENU BOARD
SIGN FACE
SIGN, FLASHING
SIGN, FLUTTERING
SIGN, FREESTANDING
SIGN, GARAGE SALE
SIGN, GASOLINE SERVICE STATION PRICE
SIGN, HELP WANTED
SIGN, ILLUMINATED
SIGN, INFORMATION
SIGN, INSTITUTIONAL
SIGN, INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED
SIGN, MEMORIAL or TABLET
SIGN, MONUMENT or GROUND SIGN
SIGN, NEON
SIGN, OCCUPATIONAL/IDENTIFICATION
SIGN, POLE
SIGN, POLITICAL
SIGN, PORTABLE
SIGN, PROFESSIONAL
SIGN, PROJECTING
SIGN, PYLON
SIGN, ROOF
SIGN, SANDWICH BOARD
SIGN, TEMPORARY
SIGN, WALL
SIGN, WINDOW
SIGN/FACADE REVIEW COMMITTEE
SPECIAL DISPLAYS
STREET FRONTAGE
Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the
following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed
to them by this section.
A roof-like cover made of nylon, canvas, or other such material
or fabric that projects from the wall of a building for the purpose
of shielding a doorway or window from the elements.
A temporary paper, plastic, or cloth device hung to attract
attention to a business or special event.
A sign that advertises products or services which are not
on the premises of the owner or place of business to which they apply.
Billboards may include signs attached to walls and those otherwise
attached to buildings and structures as well as those not attached
to buildings and supported by uprights or braces on the ground.
A billboard advertising copy design element that protrudes
beyond the confines of a billboard sign face area.
The Building Inspector of the Borough or his designee.
The Borough of Fort Lee.
The Construction Official of the Borough or his designee
or other authorized agency.
A sign whose alphabetic, graphic, or symbolic informational
content can be changed or altered on a fixed display surface composed
of electrically illuminated or mechanically driven changeable segments
either by means of preprogramming or by computer-driven electronic
impulses.
To build, construct, reconstruct, attach, hang, rehang, alter,
place, affix, enlarge, move or relocate.
Any rehabilitation, construction or alteration of a building
facade.
[Added 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
Any fabric or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns
or symbols.
Any flag of the United States, the State of New Jersey, the
County of Bergen, the Borough of Fort Lee, or any other governmental
unit or recognized nonprofit organization.
Any flag that displays only a registered trademark, logo,
corporate name or any combination of the former three. No other wording
or display of any kind shall be considered a trademark flag.
The side of a lot abutting a street; the front lot line.
On lots with multiple street fronts, the frontage shall include the
length of the lot abutting all such streets.
The offering for sale of multiple items of personal property
on property designed, used or intended as a residence.
Any business that dispenses, or is designed, used, or intended
to dispense, gasoline and oil for use in motor vehicles and boats.
A freestanding structure located on the same premises as
a gasoline service station affording protection from the elements
to persons or property thereunder.
Not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to light.
The Parking Authority of the Borough of Fort Lee.
A monument sign base that rests directly on the ground designed
as a support unit, architectural unit, or decorative design element.
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, but excluding the American
flag or other governmental flags, athletic scoreboards on school premises,
or official announcements and signs of government.
A sign that, after a period of 30 days, no longer correctly
directs or exhorts any person, advertises a bona fide business, lessor,
owner, project or activity conducted or product available on the premises
where such sign is displayed.
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than
upon the same lot on which the sign is located.
Any sign that includes action or motion or any changes in
physical position of its whole or parts or a change in light intensity
by rotation or movement.
The total sign area shall be measured as per § 410-51A.
A sign that is painted, mounted or otherwise permanently
affixed to an awning.
A two-sided projecting sign extending in a perpendicular
plane from a vertical wall, in which said sign is mounted directly
to the building wall or suspended from an arm or bracket attached
to the building wall.
[Added 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered upon the premises
where the sign is located.
Any sign designed to allow the sign copy to be changed or
altered without undertaking a physical alteration to the sign (such
as changing sign panels or repainting the sign), i.e., through the
use of movable letters, electronic displays, interchangeable parts,
or other means. Changeable copy does not include copy pertaining to
the business, occupation, or tenant advertised or identified.
A temporary sign used during the construction of new buildings
or reconstruction of or additions to existing buildings which identifies
the project or future use of a site and provides information denoting
the owner, architect, engineer, contractor, financing institutions
or similar individuals or firms having a role or interest in the project.
The wording or graphics on a sign surface.
A freestanding sign (e.g., A-frame, sandwich boards) that
is displayed during hours in which a business is open and removed
during hours in which a business is closed.
A sign that is limited to directional messages principally
for vehicular or pedestrian traffic or other movement.
A sign listing the tenants or occupants of a building or
group of buildings that may indicate their respective professions
or business activities, and containing two or more names within a
single sign.
A sign displaying food, beverages or other services offered
for sale at a business with drive-through service, and located adjacent
to the drive-through lane on the premises upon which such service
is offered.
See "sign area."
Any sign which contains an intermittent or flashing light
source or which includes the illusion of intermittent or flashing
light by means of animation or an externally mounted intermittent
light source. Automatic changing signs such as public service time,
temperature and date signs or electronically controlled message centers
are not defined as "flashing signs."
A sign which flutters or is made of flexible materials which
moves with the wind or by some other artificial means, including,
but not limited to, pennants, banners, balloons, spinning devices,
streamers, and flags other than official and trademark flags.
Any sign supported by structures or supports that is placed
on, or anchored in, the ground and that is independent from any building
or other structure, but excluding monument signs.
A sign posted on a residential lot on which the garage sale
is to be held.
A sign containing thereon the price per gallon of gasoline
or diesel fuel sold at said station.
A sign advertising the employment opportunities of a business.
Any sign that is illuminated by light source mounted on or
in the sign or at some other location.
A sign that gives parking, building address, fire protection,
traffic flow (other than directional signs), height clearance, pedestrian
or other similar information and that does not advertise a business
or use located on the lot or parcel.
A sign that identifies or describes the services or functions
of premises or facilities used, maintained, or owned by any not-for-profit
educational institution, church, religious society, fraternal organization,
public utility, hospital or any other similar organization.
Any sign lighted by or exposed to artificial lighting by
lights within such sign.
The permanent part of a building that denotes the name of
the building, date of erection, historical significance, dedication,
or other similar information.
Any detached sign on the same lot or parcel as the use it
advertises which has its bottom portion attached to a proportionate
base or plinth, integrated ground planter box, or structural frame.
An illuminated sign, typically constructed of a glass discharge
tube that has been shaped to form letters or symbols, and which contains
a gas or vapor (typically neon or mercury) that emits light when voltage
is applied across electrodes at either end of the tube.
A wall sign identifying the name of a person occupying a
building and mounted adjacent to the main entrance of the building.
One or more stationary poles or pylons supporting a freestanding
sign located on the same lot or parcel as the use it advertises.
A temporary sign advocating or opposing any political proposition
or candidate for public office.
A sign that is not permanently affixed to a building or structure,
or the ground, and that may be readily moved or relocated.
A sign directing attention to the office of a recognized
profession located on the same lot.
Any sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building
for support and projects more than 14 inches from such building. See
"sign, blade."
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
See "sign, pole."
Any sign erected on or above a roof, excluding wall signs.
The generally vertical plane of a mansard-type roof shall be interpreted
as the same as a wall of a building.
A portable sign, also known as an A-frame sign, that consists
of two hinged sign boards with information on each side designed to
be placed on the ground or hung from the shoulders of an individual.
Any sign intended for a limited or intermittent period of
display.
Any painted sign, letter, word, model, device or representation
that may be affixed to the front, side or rear wall of any building
and in the same plane as the face of the wall and which does not project
more than 12 inches from that wall.
A sign internally or externally affixed on a window or located
inside the window which is designed or intended to be visible from
the exterior of the building.
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
The Borough of Fort Lee Sign/Facade Review Committee shall
be an advisory committee appointed to review and provide recommendations
to the Borough Construction Official, the Borough Planning Board,
and the Borough Zoning Board concerning sign, facade, and/or streetscape
improvements.
Signs or an assemblage of materials used for holidays or
promotion of civil welfare or charitable purposes.
See "frontage."
C.
Nonconforming signs.
(1)
Any sign which lawfully existed on the effective date
of this article or an amendment thereto which renders such sign nonconforming
because it does not conform to all of the standards and regulations
of the adopted or amended article shall be considered a legally nonconforming
sign.
(2)
Any sign which was erected unlawfully prior to the
adoption of this article or amendment thereto or which is erected
hereafter in contravention of the standards or regulations of this
article without obtaining the required permits or variances shall
be considered an illegal nonconforming sign.
(3)
Loss of legally nonconforming status. A legally nonconforming
sign shall immediately lose its legal nonconforming status if:
(a)
The sign is altered in any way in structure
which tends to or makes the sign less in compliance with the requirements
of this chapter than it was before the alteration; or
(b)
The sign structure is relocated to a position
making it less in compliance with the requirements of this chapter,
except that any such sign which is hereafter required to be moved
by a governmental body for the purpose of construction, relocation,
widening, or improvement of a street, highway, or other public purpose
may be relocated once on the same lot and allowed to be maintained
and used as before. Such a sign, once relocated, is still considered
a legally nonconforming sign and bound by this section.
(c)
The sign is replaced.
(d)
Should any nonconforming sign be damaged by
any means, other than vandalism, to the extent of over 50% of its
surface area or structure, it shall not be reconstructed except in
conformance with the requirements of this chapter. Nonconforming signs
which are damaged by vandalism to the extent of over 50% of their
physical value shall be restored within 60 days or removed or brought
into compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(4)
If any existing sign is repainted or the sign panels
are replaced for the purpose of changing the business, occupation,
or tenant advertised or identified, it shall be considered a new sign
and shall be brought into compliance with this chapter. However, the
repainting or replacement of panels on a billboard shall not be considered
a new sign. Ordinary maintenance or repair of an existing sign to
a safe condition shall not be cause to classify the sign as a new
sign.
D.
Sign permits and recommendation required. Unless specifically exempted by the provisions of this chapter, all signs shall obtain a permit from the Borough Construction Official as set forth in § 410-50. Prior to the granting of a permit by the Construction Official, any sign requiring a permit shall first appear before the Sign/Facade Review Committee for review and recommendation.
E.
The Sign/Facade Review Committee is hereby recreated and reconstituted
to act as an advisory committee appointed to review and provide recommendations
to the Borough Construction Official, the Borough Planning Board and
the Borough Zoning Board concerning sign, facade, and/or streetscape
improvements in accordance with the standards set forth within this
chapter.
[Amended 3-10-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-7]
(1)
Said committee shall consist of five members appointed by the Borough
of Fort Lee Mayor and/or Mayor and Council, as indicated. Selection
to the committee shall be limited to a combination of the following
members:
(2)
At least three of the committee members shall be residents of the
Borough of Fort Lee, and up to two members of the committee may be
business owners in the Borough of Fort Lee.
(3)
Terms of members.
(a)
Upon the effective date of this section, the Sign/Facade Review
Committee shall be reconstituted to provide for staggered terms of
the members. All members shall immediately serve for a term of two
years except for the following members:
[1]
The Mayor's designee, who shall sit on the committee only in
the absence of the Mayor, and his appointee, who shall be appointed
to a one-year term annually by the Mayor; and
(b)
The committee members shall be held over until such time as
the Mayor and Council hold their annual reorganization meeting, which
shall be held no later than is allowed by law.
F.
Inspections. Following the erection of a sign or signs
for which a permit was required and obtained, the Construction Official
shall inspect a sign or signs after erection is completed for compliance
with this chapter. All other necessary permits, such as electrical
permits, shall be obtained and inspections shall be performed as applicable.
G.
Sign removal.
(1)
Except for signs which are legally nonconforming or
which are exempt from obtaining a permit, the Construction Official
may take the necessary steps to remove those signs which:
(2)
If any sign is deemed to require removal under the
provisions of this chapter, the Construction Official shall give notice
of any alleged violation to the person or persons responsible therefor
as hereinafter provided. Such notice shall be put in writing, include
a statement of the reasons why it is being issued, allow a reasonable
time for the performance of any act it requires, and be served upon
the owner or his agent or upon the occupant, as the case may require;
provided that such notice shall be deemed to be properly served upon
such owner or agent or upon such occupant if a copy thereof is served
upon him personally, or if a copy thereof is sent by registered mail
to his last known address, or if a copy thereof is posted in a conspicuous
place in or about the premises affected by the notice, or if he is
served with such notice by any other method authorized or required
under the laws of this state. Such notice may contain an outline of
remedial action which, if taken, will effect compliance with the provisions
of this chapter and with rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
(3)
Any person affected by any notice which has been issued
in connection with the enforcement of any provision of this chapter
or of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto may request
and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the Mayor and
Council or their designee, provided that: such person shall file,
with the Borough Clerk, a dated and written petition requesting such
hearing and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds therefore
within 10 days after the day the notice was served; upon receipt of
such petition the Mayor and Council or their designee, shall set a
time and place for such hearing and shall give the petitioner written
notice thereof; at such hearing, the petitioner shall be given an
opportunity to be heard, submit evidence, witnesses (under oath),
cross-examine witnesses and submit oral argument or brief(s), and
to show why such notice should be modified or withdrawn; the hearing
shall be commenced not later than 20 days after the day on which the
petition was filed, provided that upon application of the petitioner,
the date of the hearing may be postponed for a reasonable time beyond
such twenty-day period for good cause shown; after hearing, the Mayor
and Council shall decide the appeal directly on the record, or if
a designee heard the appeal, the Mayor and Council may consider any
report and recommendation filed by the designee, if any, with oral
argument at the option of the Mayor and Council; if the Mayor and
Council sustains or modifies such notice, it shall be deemed to be
an order. Any notice served pursuant to this chapter shall automatically
become an order if a written petition for a hearing is not filed in
the office of the Borough Clerk within 20 days after such notice is
served. The proceedings at such hearing, including the findings and
decision of the Mayor and Council, shall be summarized, reduced to
writing and entered as a matter of public record in the office of
the Construction Official. Such record shall also include a copy of
every notice or order issued in connection with the matter.
(4)
Any person aggrieved by the final decision of the
Mayor and Council may seek relief therefrom in any court of competent
jurisdiction, as provided by the laws of the state.
(5)
Whenever the Construction Official finds that an emergency
exists which requires immediate action to protect the public health
or safety, he may, without notice or hearing, issue an order reciting
the existence of such an emergency and requiring that such action
be taken as he deems necessary to meet the emergency. Notwithstanding
the other provisions of this chapter, such order shall be effective
immediately. Any person to whom such order is directed shall comply
therewith immediately, but upon petition to the Borough Clerk, shall
be afforded a hearing before the Mayor and Council or their designee
as soon as practical. After such hearing, depending upon the finding
as to whether the provisions of this chapter and of the rules and
regulations adopted pursuant thereto have been complied with, the
Mayor and Council shall direct the Construction Official to continue
such order in effect, or cause it to be modified or revoked, pending
a plenary hearing.
(6)
If any person affected by any notice which has been
issued in connection with the enforcement of any provision of this
chapter or of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto fails
to request a hearing in a timely manner and/or fails to comply with
the final order of the Mayor and Council, the Construction Official
shall have the sign removed at the expense of the person responsible
for the erection or maintenance of the sign, and in the event that
all costs associated with the Borough having such sign removed is
not recovered from the responsible party, said cost shall become an
assessment and a lien on the property; such lien to be certified by
the Tax Assessor of the Borough of Fort Lee.
(7)
The Construction Official is authorized to go upon
any premises in the Borough for purposes of removing signs under the
provisions of this section. Signs removed by the Construction Official
shall be retained for the owner's account for a period of 60 days
and shall be returned to the owner upon payment of the expenses of
removal. If not claimed within that time, they shall become the property
of the Borough and may be destroyed or sold for the payment of the
expense of removal. If sold, any excess from the proceeds of the sale
shall be returned to the owner. In addition, the Borough shall in
no way be held financially responsible for any damages that may be
incurred as a result of said removal.
H.
Violations; penalty. Any person violating this article
or any of its provisions shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine
of not more than $200 or imprisonment of not more than five days,
or both. Each day and instance of violation shall constitute a separate
offense, and at the discretion of the Construction Official, a summons
may be issued for each separate offense. This article may also be
enforced in an action at law or equity for injunctive relief, pursuant
to applicable law.
A.
Recommendation and permit required. Unless otherwise
provided for, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect any sign
or complete any facade improvements without obtaining a permit from
the Construction Official and making payment of the fee as herein
required. Prior to receipt of a permit from the Construction Official,
any applicant for a permit shall first appear before the Borough Sign/Facade
Review Committee for review and recommendation.
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
(1)
Application to permit signage or facade improvements
conforming to the regulations set forth herein shall be made in writing
to the Construction Official. Prior to the issuance of any permit,
the Construction Official shall forward the application materials
to the Sign/Facade Review Committee, and the applicant shall be required
to appear before said Committee for review and recommendation. Such
application shall be sufficient to describe the site and location
in which the sign is to be affixed and/or facade improvements are
to be made and shall include at a minimum the following:
(2)
Applications for permits shall be submitted and accompanied
by five sets of plans. Said plans shall provide the location and nature
of proposed facade improvements and/or proposed signage, with location,
sign area, construction details, materials and illumination details.
Existing sign locations and sizes, if any, shall also be provided.
In addition, plans for monument signs (and pole signs if applicable)
shall include the length of street frontages (and street facings if
applicable), in linear feet, and plans for wall signs shall include
building elevation with height and width dimensions shown for the
face of the building that the sign is proposed to be installed upon.
When proposing pole signs, the sign plan shall include the elevation
of the proposed pole sign location and the adjacent pavement elevation.
The pavement elevation measurement shall be at the closest point perpendicular
to the subject sign location.
(3)
All illuminated signs shall be subject to the provisions
of the Electric Code and permit fees required thereunder.
(4)
Any permit issued will expire in six months if construction
is not completed or an extension has not been granted.
(5)
Application for a permit for a sign or facade improvement
that is determined not to comply with the provisions of this article
by the Borough Construction Official and/or the Sign/Facade Review
Committee shall be submitted with recommendation to the appropriate
Borough governing board for review and approval pursuant to the requirements
of the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law. Such application shall be
in writing and, where a noticed public hearing is required by law,
shall be submitted at least 10 days before the succeeding public meeting
date of the board, together with a filing fee required by the Borough.
Such application shall be in triplicate and accompanied by no less
than 15 copies of the sign or facade design, which shall be drawn
to scale. In addition, on such drawing or a separate sheet, the information
set forth herein shall be provided.
(6)
Issuance of permit.
(a)
A permit for signage or facade improvements
may be issued by the Construction Official after review and recommendation
by the Sign/Facade Review Committee and/or the granting of a variance
by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, subject to any
other applicable governmental regulations, or as otherwise provided
herein.
(b)
An application for replacement of an existing
sign shall be issued a permit by the Construction Official only after
an appearance before the Sign/Facade Review Committee for review and
recommendation. Following recommendation by the Sign/Facade Review
Committee, a permit may be issued by the Construction Official without
the necessity of Planning or Zoning Board approval only upon satisfaction
of all of the following conditions:
[1]
There is no physical alteration or expansion
to the existing sign beyond the limit permitted herein and previously
approved;
[2]
The sign conforms in all respects to the article
provisions specified herein or was previously the recipient of a variance
approval;
[3]
No other signage is proposed to be added to
the premises beyond that which is permitted herein.
[4]
The applicant shall notify the Construction
Official for a final inspection within five days of completion of
the installation of the sign.
B.
Right of appeal. Anyone denied a permit for a sign
or facade improvement under the provisions of this chapter or who
has been ordered by the Borough to remove any existing sign or facade
improvement may appeal to the Board of Adjustment. Owners or operators
of signage under appeal are not exempt from being issued violation
citations.
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
C.
Fees.
[Amended 3-12-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-15; 10-8-2009 by Ord. No.
2009-32]
(1)
A
flat fee of $150 per sign permit will be charged and collected by
the Construction Official upon the filing of the application.
(2)
Should
an application for a sign permit be approved, the permit holder must
submit an escrow fee to the Construction Official prior to construction
of the sign(s). The escrow fee shall be $500 for a single sign and
$750 for multiple signs. Said escrow fee will be refunded in full
to the permit holder no more than 30 days after the issuance of the
certificate of occupancy and/or final inspection. Permit holders are
not entitled to any interest associated with the escrow fee.
(3)
Any new tenant or occupant proposing facade improvements or any new tenant or occupant that agrees to complete facade improvements recommended by the Sign/Facade Review Committee per §410-53.1 of this chapter may be issued a certificate of occupancy by the Construction Official prior to the completion of said improvements, provided that an escrow fee of $2,500 is submitted to the Building Department. The escrow fee shall be refunded in full no more than 30 days after completion of the facade improvements.
D.
Exemptions.
(1)
The following signs shall be exempt from permits and
fees:
(a)
Signs relative to the sale, lease or rental
of property erected on the offered property as follows:
[1]
Residential zones: a maximum of one, not exceeding
10 square feet in outline area per facing for single-family residences
or 10 square feet in outline area per facing for other uses and providing
sign does not exceed five feet in height from grade to the highest
point on the sign.
[2]
Commercial zones: a maximum of one per street
frontage, provided each sign has a maximum of 10 square feet in outline
area per facing, and providing such signs do not exceed five feet
in height from the surrounding grade to the highest point on the sign.
(b)
Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings
and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed
of bronze or other incombustible materials.
(c)
Signs erected inside a building not visible
through windows.
(d)
Trespassing or privacy signs. Signs which prohibit
trespassing or indicate privacy of premises, driveways or streets,
not exceeding two feet in size per side nor a height of five feet
from grade.
(e)
Help wanted signs. One sign advertising employment
opportunities, located on the lot or parcel of the business advertising
employment opportunities, and not larger than one square foot in a
commercial zone and six square feet in an industrial zone.
(f)
Open/closed signs and signs indicating business
hours. Such signs shall not exceed one square foot and shall contain
no other information than that necessary to highlight business hours
and the open/closed status of a business.
(g)
Customary holiday decorations displayed for
a normal duration.
(h)
Residential nameplates.
(i)
Traffic control signs, the face of which meets
the standards of the Department of Transportation and which contains
no commercial message.
(j)
Directional and informational signs for nonresidential
uses, provided the area of such sign is not more than three square
feet, and provided the number of such signs on site is limited to
that which is reasonably necessary and appropriate for safety, circulation,
information or other noncommercial purposes. Such directional or informational
signs shall not contain advertising, logo, symbols, business identification
or other nondirectional copy.
(k)
Signs for official governmental or quasi-governmental
business, including signs or banners advertising public or quasi-public
events that are posted or displayed with the permission of the governing
body or its designee(s).
(l)
Flags of the United States, State of New Jersey,
Borough of Fort Lee, foreign nations having diplomatic relations with
the United States, other flags adopted or sanctioned by any elective
legislative body of competent jurisdiction and flags flown in conjunction
with the flag of the United States, provided that no such flag shall
exceed 60 square feet in area, nor shall any such flag be flown from
a pole in excess of 35 feet in height. The flag's area shall be in
reasonable proportion to the height of the pole from which it is displayed.
Not more than three flags may be flown from any one pole. Statutory
requirements associated with flags and the generally accepted standards
of flag display protocol shall be observed.
(m)
Flags honoring and remembering military and
servicemen and women of the United States.
(n)
Public safety signs.
(o)
Identification signs displayed by houses of
worship.
(p)
Any public notice or warning or safety sign
required by a valid and applicable federal, state or local law, regulation
or ordinance.
(q)
Pump-mounted fuel price informational signs
subject to the following:
[1]
Only one fuel price informational sign shall
be permitted per fuel pump; each such sign shall be limited in size
to an area of 260 square inches; each such sign shall be affixed directly
and firmly to a fuel pump and shall be stationary.
(r)
Regulation mailboxes of the United States Postal
Service.
(2)
The following signs shall be exempt from fees. Sign
permits shall be required.
(a)
Banners or signs of the United States, the State
of New Jersey, the County of Bergen, the Borough of Fort Lee, the
Fort Lee School District, the Fort Lee Volunteer Fire Department or
any other governmental unit affixed to utility poles, provided approvals
are received from the utilities and governmental units having jurisdiction
over the poles and adjacent rights-of-way, respectively.
(b)
Building construction information signs, identifying
the architect, engineer, contractor, or institution providing financing,
when placed upon a worksite under construction, only after a building
permit for the construction has been issued. Each individual building
will be allowed one building construction information sign, not to
exceed 24 square feet in outline area per facing. The sign shall be
set back 10 feet from any property line. The maximum height of such
signage shall not exceed 15 feet in height above the average existing
finished grade elevation of the sign or the elevation of the adjacent
street, whichever is higher. Such signage shall be removed within
10 days after the issuance of an occupancy permit.
(3)
Occupational/identification/professional signs. One
wall sign or one window sign not exceeding two square feet in size
displaying the name, occupation and/or service located upon the premises
and the address. Such sign shall not be internally illuminated nor
contain any colors other than black and white backgrounds and lettering.
External illumination may be utilized, provided such illumination
is turned off when the office is closed for business. No other signage
shall be permitted for any home professional office or home occupation.
E.
Revocation. The Construction Official may revoke any
sign permit which violates any provision of this chapter or which
has been secured by subterfuge or is void or which has been issued
by mistake, misunderstanding or error of the Borough.
A.
Computation of sign area and sign height. The following
principles shall control the computation of sign area and height:
(1)
Computation of area of individual signs. The area
of a sign face shall be computed by measuring the total area of the
space utilized for sign purposes including the spaces between all
letters, figures, numbers, images or symbols. Where a sign frame and
any material or color forming an integral part of the background of
the sign display is used as a backdrop against the structure in which
it is placed, sign area shall be measured to the extreme limits of
the sign frame or backdrop. Sign area shall also include the ground
structure or any decoration which is an integral part of the sign,
but excluding supports.
(2)
Computation of area of multifaced signs. The sign
area for any double-faced sign shall be computed based on one face
only, except in the case of a double-faced sign with unequal sides,
in which the area of the larger side shall be used to determine sign
area.
(3)
Computation of height. The height of a sign shall
be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at grade to
the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Grade shall
be construed to be the newly established grade after construction.
B.
Prohibited signs generally. No person shall construct,
erect, locate, use or maintain any of the following signs within any
zone district of the Borough, except as otherwise permitted elsewhere
in this chapter, or unless the sign has been certified to be a legal
nonconforming sign by the Construction Official or has obtained a
variance for such sign:
(1)
Any new sign erected in violation of any section of
this chapter. Any sign not specifically permitted is hereby prohibited.
(2)
Signs emitting a sound, odor or visible matter such
as smoke or vapor. No sign erected shall contain audio equipment.
(3)
Exterior use of advertising devices such as banners,
streamers, pennants, flags, and balloons, lights (whether flashing,
flickering, blinking, or rotating), wind-operated devices and any
other type of fluttering or flashing devices or emitting an unsteady
or glaring light.
(4)
Signs placed or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers
which are parked on a public right-of-way, public property or private
property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way where the
apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business
or activity located on the same or nearby property. However, this
is not in any way intended to prohibit signs placed on or affixed
to vehicles and trailers, such as permanent lettering on motor vehicles,
where the sign is incidental to the primary use of the vehicle or
trailer.
(5)
Animated signs and mechanical contrivances. No sign
erected shall contain flashers, animators or mechanical movement or
contrivances of any kind, including clocks and time and weather information.
(6)
Paper posters and painted signs applied directly to
a tree, rock or natural feature of any kind or to a wall of a building,
fence or pole or other support.
(7)
Signs painted or otherwise affixed on the inside or
outside of automobile windows except for pricing information associated
with the sale of new and used cars and only when such vehicles are
located on the premises of an establishment which has been approved
for such use.
(8)
Portable or movable signs, such as sandwich board
signs, except portable signs utilized by restaurants to indicate valet
service.
(9)
Signs advertising an article or product not manufactured,
assembled, processed, repaired, serviced or sold upon the premises
upon which the sign is located.
(10)
Revolving signs of any type, including searchlights.
(11)
Neon signs of any kind, whether located on the
exterior or interior of a wall or window if visible from the street
upon which the premises fronts.
(12)
Signs on parking lot light standards not relating
to traffic control.
(13)
Signs within the public street right-of-way
(other than public notices and unless otherwise allowed in this chapter).
(14)
Signs that are in such a state of disrepair
as to constitute an immediate threat to the public health, welfare
and safety.
(15)
Business signs for businesses which are discontinued
for a period in excess of 30 days.
(16)
Signs or other advertising structures, as regulated
by this chapter, erected at the intersection of any streets in such
a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location
where, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere
with, obstruct the view of, cause optical illusion or be confused
with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device, or which makes
use of words, phrases, symbols, or characters in such manner as to
interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
(17)
Roof signs.
(18)
Any sign not in compliance with the Borough
Building or Electrical Codes, as amended, as to design, structural
members and connections.
(19)
Pole signs, except as otherwise provided for
in this chapter.
(20)
Electronic message centers, including signs
used to display time and weather information.
(21)
Billboard or billboard signs, except in the
C-5 Zone.
(22)
Any sign located or displayed upon any sidewalk
or street or area between the sidewalk and curb or projecting on or
over a sidewalk or street, except as provided in this chapter.
(23)
Signs erected or painted or composed of day-glow
or phosphorescent or similar material.
(24)
Hand-lettered interior window signs.
(25)
Exhibiting statements, words, pictures or images
of an obscene or pornographic nature.
(26)
Signs attached to, projecting from or hanging
underneath a building eave.
(27)
Any changeable-copy sign, except for gasoline
service station price signs permitted by the ordinance, that are designed
to allow the sign copy to be changed or altered without undertaking
a physical alteration to the sign (such as changing sign panels or
repainting the sign), i.e., through the use of movable letters, electronic
displays, interchangeable parts or other means. Changeable copy does
not include copy pertaining to the business, occupation, or tenant
advertised or identified.
C.
Standards generally.
(1)
No sign may be erected or maintained so as to obstruct
free ingress or egress to building openings, driveways, sidewalks
or other passageways.
(2)
All signage shall be limited to a maximum of three
colors.
(3)
No signage shall include phone numbers, unless the
commercial business on which it is located includes a delivery business.
(4)
Illumination.
(a)
No sign shall be illuminated except as provided
herein.
(b)
All light shall be designated to minimize glare,
and light levels off site from sign lights shall be less than 0.1
footcandle.
(c)
Flashing signs, highly reflective glass or fluorescent
paint (red or green) and illuminated tubing outlining roofs, doors,
windows or wall edges of a building are prohibited.
(e)
Any permitted sign may be illuminated 1/2 hour
before and after closing. No sign within 150 feet of any residential
zone shall be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00
a.m. unless the business is open during these hours.
(f)
The Borough of Fort Lee encourages illumination
of signs from external sources, provided glare is minimized. Wherever
it is impractical to provide such a source of illumination, and only
as specifically permitted by this chapter, internally illuminated
signs may be permitted. Light sources from internally illuminated
signs shall not be visible from outside the sign, and the light from
the light source shall be diffused to eliminate hot spots. Light sources
shall be protected from damage. Light levels at property lines shall
be less than 0.1 footcandle.
(5)
Every sign in the Borough, including signs exempted
from obtaining a sign permit, shall be maintained in good repair and
good structural condition at all times, including painted or otherwise
finished surfaces, as well as all parts and supports which must be
maintained in their design condition and position. Broken parts of
signs must be replaced or repaired within 15 days of notification
by the Construction Official and in such a manner as to maintain the
appearance and structure of the sign as it was approved for installation.
(6)
The Construction Official shall have the authority
to order the painting, repair, alteration or removal of signs which
have not been properly maintained or repaired or which have become
dilapidated or are abandoned or which constitute a hazard to public
safety.
(7)
Signs of an obscene or pornographic nature shall be
unlawful. The Construction Official shall order the immediate removal
of such signs.
(8)
No permanent signage, other than allowable temporary window signs, shall be constructed of paper, nylon, fabric or any other type of nondurable material, except awning signs, as permitted in § 410-51E(6).
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
D.
Signs in residential zone districts.
(1)
The following signs are allowable in residential zoning
districts:
(a)
Signs relative to the sale, lease or rental
of property. A maximum of one sign not exceeding six square feet in
outline area per facing for single- or two-family residences or 10
square feet in outline area per facing for other uses. No sign shall
exceed five feet in height from grade to the highest point on the
sign. Such signs shall be removed within 48 hours of completion of
the sale, lease or rental of the property. This includes the posting
of such property as sold, leased or rented. Signage advertising an
open house for the sale, lease or rental of property may be erected
three hours prior to the event and shall be removed at the conclusion
of the event.
[Amended 9-25-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-42]
(b)
Institutional signs and other signs for churches, schools, fraternal organizations and other nonprofit organizations are subject to § 410-51F(5).
(c)
Construction information signs.
[1]
One construction information sign not to exceed
24 square feet in outline area per facing. The maximum height of such
signage shall not exceed 15 feet in height above the average existing
finished grade elevation of the sign or the elevation of the adjacent
street, whichever is higher. Such signage shall be removed within
30 days after the last lot or building is sold within the development.
(d)
Political signs. See § 410-51G(1).
(e)
Residential subdivision identification signs.
One permanent subdivision identification sign not exceeding 24 square
feet in size per face, inclusive of any logo, shall be allowed per
development. Where the development has access on two or more streets
or has more than one entrance on one street, identification shall
be allowed at each entrance. Subdivision identification signs shall
not exceed eight feet above the adjacent ground surface.
(f)
Multifamily identification signs. One sign not
more than one square foot for each 10 linear feet of street frontage,
but in no case to exceed 32 square feet in size per face shall be
allowed per multifamily development project except where the project
fronts on two or more streets. One sign shall be permitted on each
frontage, provided that the project has a major traffic entrance on
the street where the sign is to be erected. Multifamily identification
signs shall not exceed eight feet above grade.
(g)
Temporary residential garage sale signs not
to exceed six square feet in area nor a height in excess of five feet
from the ground and located upon the premises where the sale is taking
place, only after issuance of a permit allowing such garage sale.
Such sign shall only be displayed for one week prior to such sale
and shall be removed within 24 hours after the sale is closed.
(h)
Special displays. Such displays shall not exceed
32 square feet and shall be used for holidays or promotion of civil
welfare or charitable purposes.
(i)
Signs for home occupations or home professional offices. See § 410-51F(4).
E.
Signs in nonresidential zone districts.
(1)
Wall signs. Wall signs are permitted for all business,
office, industrial or commercial establishments.
(a)
Wall-mounted signs for establishments with a
single tenant shall comply with the following:
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
[1]
Signs fronting or facing any street on which
the speed limit is less than 50 miles per hour shall include the following:
[a]
One wall sign may be placed along the street frontage, provided
it does not exceed 10% of the total surface area of the building face
upon which it is placed or 32 square feet, whichever is less.
[b]
Lowercase letters and numbers no greater than eight inches in
height, except for letters b, d, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, p, q, t and
y, which may reach a maximum height of 10 inches in height.
[c]
Capital letters no greater than 10 inches in height.
[d]
Symbols, logos, or other images no greater than 12 inches in
height.
[2]
Signs fronting or facing any street on which
the speed limit is 50 miles per hour or greater shall include the
following:
[a]
One wall sign may be placed along the street frontage, provided
it does not exceed 10% of the total surface area of the building face
upon which it is placed or 64 square feet, whichever is less.
[b]
Lowercase letters and numbers no greater than 16 inches in height,
except for letters b, d, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, p, q, t and y, which
may reach a maximum height of 18 inches in height.
[c]
Capital letters no greater than 18 inches in height.
[d]
Symbols, logos or other images no greater than 24 inches in
height.
[3]
In those cases where a parcel or lot has more than one street frontage, one wall sign may be placed on each street frontage, provided such wall sign shall not exceed 10% of the total surface area of the building face upon which it is placed or 24 square feet, whichever is less. The height of all sign letters, numbers or symbols shall abide by the standards described in § 410-51E(1)(a)[1] and [2].
[4]
Wall signs shall be face-mounted or pin-mounted
on the building/structure, projecting not more than 14 inches from
the face of the building nor above the first floor of the building.
Such signs shall not project above the parapet wall, mansard or other
roofline and shall be located so as not to create a safety or traffic
hazard.
[5]
No establishment containing an awning sign shall be permitted to
have a wall sign.
(b)
Wall-mounted signs for buildings or establishments
with multiple tenants shall comply with the following:
[1]
For buildings and property containing more than
one business or tenant, and where each business tenant occupies a
physically distinct ground floor space or has a separate ground floor
entrance, each business or tenant may have one wall sign conforming
to the requirements of this section. For the purposes of determining
the sign area permitted, only the face of each respective lease unit
to which the respective sign will be attached shall be counted. Each
sign must be attached to the leased unit containing the business tenant
identified.
[2]
Signs attached to the same building must be
of the same size, shape, color and height.
[Amended 9-25-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-42]
(c)
General standards for wall signs.
[1]
Wall signs may be pin-mounted or printed onto
the facade onto a wood, metal or opaque glass panel that is mounted
flat and horizontally within or just above the enframed facade opening.
Signs should not extend beyond the width of the storefront opening.
[2]
Signs affixed to the ground-level facade should
be architecturally compatible with the style, composition, materials,
colors and details of the building, as well as with other signs used
on buildings in the vicinity. Signs should not obscure or destroy
the architectural details of a facade.
[3]
Whenever possible, signs located on buildings
within the same streetwall should be placed at the same height.
[4]
Sign colors shall be limited to a range of three
colors, and should be compatible with the color of the building facade
and of neighboring facades and signs. Garish and day-glow colors shall
be avoided.
(2)
Blade signs. Projecting blade signs are permitted
for all business, office, or commercial establishments. Projecting
blade signs shall comply with the following:
[Added 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32[1]]
(a)
A projecting blade sign may extend over a sidewalk or street right-of-way
but must not extend more than two feet from the building to which
it is attached.
(b)
The base of a projecting blade sign must not be less than eight feet
from the ground.
(c)
Projecting blade signs must not extend from a building at any angle
other than 90 degrees.
(d)
A projecting blade sign must not extend below the baseline of an
adjoining canopy or marquee.
(e)
A projecting blade sign may not exceed four square feet in size and
must not exceed a thickness of six inches. Any support, brace or bracket
utilized to hang said sign shall not be included in the calculation
of sign area.
(f)
No projecting blade sign can be affixed to glass, awning or canopy
and must be fixed in a permanent and secure manner.
(g)
There shall be only one projecting blade sign per establishment,
but an establishment may include a wall sign and a blade sign. No
projecting blade signs are permitted above the first floor of any
establishment.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the redesignation
of former Subsection E(2) through (7) as E(3) through (8), respectively.
(3)
Monument
signs. Monument signs are permitted in C-3, C-4 and C-5 Districts
only. Monument signs shall comply with the following:
(a)
One monument sign, not exceeding four feet in height from grade to
the highest point on the sign, shall be permitted.
(b)
The bottom of the sign face shall not exceed a height of 1 1/2
feet above grade at the base of the sign.
(c)
No monument sign shall be located any closer than five feet to a
front property line nor 10 feet to any other property line, except
that no monument sign shall be located closer than 25 feet to any
residentially utilized lot.
(d)
A maximum sign area, in square feet, equal to one square foot in
size for every 10 feet of linear street frontage shall be permitted
subject to a maximum area of 24 square feet.
(e)
The letter size and symbol size requirements for monument signs are subject to § 410-51E(1)(a)[1] and [2].
[Added 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
(4)
Window signs. Window advertising signs shall be prohibited
in all districts, with the exception of permitted ground level retail
and personal service business uses, supermarkets and eating and drinking
establishments located in the C-1, C-1A and C-2 Districts, subject
to the following conditions:
(a)
Information on such signs shall be limited to advertisements for special promotions, temporary sales and other such similar nonpermanent sales promotions. An exception shall be granted for restaurants, which may post one menu not larger than two square feet in size. In addition, an exception shall be granted for supermarkets which may post signage in accordance with § 410-51E(4)(e).
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
(b)
Such signs shall be permitted to be displayed for a period not to exceed 30 days and once every six months. A sticker showing the date of installation and date of required removal, to be issued by the Construction Official, shall be displayed on the lower right-hand corner of such signs as viewed from the exterior. An exception shall be granted for restaurant menus posted on site that meet the requirements of § 410-51E(4)(a).
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
(c)
Such signs may be constructed of paper, cardboard
or other such written, numerical, graphic or photographic material
or information displayed in the window of such establishment.
(d)
Such signs shall be contained entirely within
the ground level interior of the building in which the business is
located.
(e)
Window signs shall not exceed 15% of the total
area of the window to which they are affixed. No signs are permitted
on the glass area of any door. All letters, numbers and symbols of
window signage shall include lettering not more than five inches in
height. Windows and window signs shall not be more than 15% opaque.
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
(f)
Such signs shall be maintained in an orderly
manner at all times.
(5)
Directory signs.
(a)
Directory signs in the C-3, C-4 and C-5 Zone
Districts shall be permitted as follows: for office and mixed-use
commercial buildings with two or more businesses or tenants, a directory
sign may be used subject to the following provisions:
[1]
Buildings containing less than 50,000 square
feet and more than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area may have
one directory sign containing a maximum of 20 square feet of sign
area. Buildings containing more than 50,000 square feet but less than
150,000 square feet of gross floor area may have one directory sign
containing a maximum of 40 square feet of sign area.
[2]
Directory signs shall be either a monument sign
or wall sign. The maximum height for a directory sign shall be eight
feet from the surrounding grade to the highest point on the sign.
[3]
No directory sign shall be located any closer
than 10 feet to any property line, except that no directory sign shall
be located any closer than 25 feet to any residentially utilized lot.
[4]
The letter size and symbol size requirements for directory signs are subject to § 410-51E(1)(a)[1] and [2].
[Added 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
(b)
Directory signs for office or mixed-use commercial buildings in the C-1, C-1A and C-2 Districts shall be limited to one wall-mounted directory sign not exceeding six square feet in size and no higher than 12 feet above surrounding grade in addition to permitted wall, awning and/or projecting signs. The letter size and symbol size requirements for directory signs are subject to § 410-51E(1)(a)[1] and [2].
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
(6)
Signs on awnings. Signs on awnings shall be permitted for commercial establishments in the Downtown Overlay District and the Commercial Nodes and Corridors Overlay District. The location and design of awnings shall comply with § 410-52E(8).
(a)
An awning must not display any graphic other
than the name of the business, the logo, and the street number.
(b)
Not more than 10 words, symbols or images shall
be permitted on a single awning or on awnings provided for a single
establishment. A phone number, a street address and an Internet address
each count as one word.
(c)
No awning sign shall be erected above the first level of a building, and the top of an awning may not project above the ceiling height of the first level, except on the upper floors of buildings in which a commercial tenant is present. Upper floor awnings shall also comply with § 410-52E(8)(e).
(d)
Awning signs shall not be permitted if the establishment
also has a wall sign.
(e)
An awning sign shall be no larger than 10% of the total building face on which it is placed or a maximum of 24 square feet in area, whichever is less. The letter size and symbol size requirements for awning signs are subject to § 410-51E(1)(a)[1] and [2].
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
(f)
For buildings and property containing more than one business or tenant, and where each business or tenant occupies a physically distinct ground floor space, upper floor space, or has a separate ground floor entrance, each business or tenant may have one awning conforming to the requirements of this section and § 410-52E(8)(e). Awnings attached to the same building shall be of the same shape, color and height. To the extent possible, awnings should also be of the same size. For the purposes of determining the awning sign area permitted, only the face of each respective lease unit shall be counted. Each awning must be attached to the lease unit containing the business tenant identified.
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
(7)
Gasoline service station signs. See § 410-51F(1).
(8)
Signs on secondary entrances. Each building or property may have one additional wall sign or directory sign identifying the tenant(s) in a single or multi-tenant building that faces customer parking areas or pedestrian walkways. The content of such sign shall be limited to the name(s) of the business(es). Said sign is not to exceed 16 square feet in area, and letter sizes are subject to § 410-51E(1)(a)[1]. Such signs shall be attached to the same wall as their respective entrances, and both the signs and the entrances must be upon the same plane of the building.
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
F.
Standards for specific uses.
(1)
Gasoline service station signs. In addition to the signage allowed in § 410-51E(1), (2), (3) and (4), the following signs shall be allowed for gasoline service stations:
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
(a)
Freestanding sign.
[1]
A maximum of one freestanding sign consisting
of either a pole sign or a monument sign is permitted.
[2]
A freestanding pole sign shall not exceed a
height of 20 feet measured to the topmost portion of the sign and
shall be set back a minimum of 15 feet from any property line.
[3]
The maximum sign area of a freestanding pole
sign, including the frame, shall not exceed 50 square feet, inclusive
of gasoline service station price sign. Such sign shall not be separated
from the gasoline price sign but shall appear as a single integrated
sign.
[4]
A monument sign shall not exceed six feet in
height and shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any property
line. A maximum sign area, in square feet, equal to one square foot
in size for every 10 feet of linear street frontage shall be permitted
subject to a maximum area of 24 square feet.
[5]
The letter size and symbol size requirements for freestanding pole and monument signs are subject to § 410-51E(1)(a)[1] and [2].
(b)
Gasoline service station canopy signs.
[1]
A gasoline service station with a canopy shall
be permitted two canopy signs in total.
[2]
The canopy sign or signs shall collectively not exceed 20 square feet in area. The letter size and symbol size requirements for canopy signs are subject to § 410-51E(1)(a)[1] and [2].
[3]
The canopy sign shall be a flat sign permanently
affixed to the vertical face of the canopy and shall not project above
or below or from any side of the vertical face of the canopy.
[4]
The canopy sign may be illuminated by internal
and nonintermittent light sources.
[5]
A business logo, inclusive of striping or other
symbols, may appear on this canopy sign as part of the allowable sign
area. Any striped area of the canopy shall be counted towards the
permissible area of the sign.
(c)
Pump signs.
[1]
Signs shall be allowed on gasoline pumps so
as to provide the required information to the public regarding octane
rating, price, type of fuel, federal and state stamps, pump use directions,
and no smoking.
[2]
The trade name and any associated symbols shall
be permitted on the sides of the pumps as flat signs located no more
than three feet above the ground and not to exceed one square foot
in sign area per pump.
[3]
Self-service, full-service or other information
signs may identify each pump island on the gasoline service station
property. The location of such signs shall be limited to the gasoline
pump or the canopy support located at each end of the pump island
or between the canopy supports as a spandrel panel.
[4]
A maximum of two such signs shall be allowed
per pump island, and each sign shall not exceed two square feet in
sign area when placed on the gasoline pump or when located at each
end of the pump island or between the canopy supports as a spandrel
panel.
(d)
Gasoline service station price signs. Gasoline service station price information may be incorporated into a monument sign or mounted on a pole sign, provided that the total area of the price sign does not exceed 20 square feet in area. The letter size and symbol size requirements for service station price signs are subject to § 410-51E(1)(a)[1] and [2].
(2)
Shopping center developments. Additional provisions
applicable to shopping centers containing 150,000 square feet or greater
floor space.
(a)
Freestanding signage.
[1]
A maximum of one freestanding sign consisting
of either a pole or a monument sign is permitted.
[2]
A maximum sign area, in square feet, equal to
one square foot in size for every five feet of linear street frontage
shall be permitted subject to a maximum sign area of 100 square feet.
[3]
A freestanding pole sign shall not exceed a
height of 20 feet measured to the topmost portion of the sign and
shall be set back a minimum of 15 feet from a property line except
that it shall be back a minimum of 50 feet from any residential use
or zone boundary.
[4]
The sign may identify the name of the shopping
center and may include a directory listing of tenants, provided no
lettering of less than six inches in height is provided. No other
information shall be provided on such sign, and changeable copy signs
are not permitted.
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
[5]
All sign area on a freestanding sign must be
contiguous. Sign elements separated by gaps shall not be permitted.
[6]
Temporary signage attached to a freestanding
sign, including real estate broker signs or vacancy signs, shall not
be permitted.
(b)
Signage attached to a building.
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
[1]
Each tenant of a shopping center shall be permitted
to have one wall sign identifying the name of the business only. No
other information on a wall sign is permitted.
[2]
For individual tenants with a gross floor area of less than 10,000 square feet, the maximum size for a wall sign shall be 10% of the building face area devoted to the tenant or 24 square feet, whichever is less. The letter size and symbol size requirements for wall signs are subject to § 410-51E(1)(a)[1] and [2].
[3]
For anchor tenants with a gross floor area greater than or equal to 10,000 square feet, the maximum size for a wall sign shall be 10% of the building face area devoted to the tenant or 64 square feet, whichever is less. The letter size and symbol size requirements for anchor tenant wall signs are subject to § 410-51E(1)(a)[2].
(3)
Office buildings. Additional provisions applicable
to freestanding multistory office buildings.
(a)
Identification signs.
[1]
One wall-mounted identification sign, with the
copy limited to a company name and/or corporate logo, is permitted
on office buildings with frontage on one street. For office buildings
with frontage on two or more streets, a maximum of two identification
signs are permitted.
[2]
Identification signs shall be located no more
than four feet below the parapet or uppermost roofline or facade of
the building. Signs shall not project above the roofline or parapet
of the building.
[3]
The maximum size of each identification sign
shall be one square foot for each 200 square feet of building space
for the first 10,000 square feet of building space and one square
foot for each 500 square feet of building space above 10,000 square
feet, up to a maximum of 200 square feet. No identification sign shall
exceed 200 square feet in size.
(b)
Monument signs.
[1]
One monument sign shall be permitted per each
street frontage.
[2]
The maximum size for each monument sign shall be 24 square feet. No monument sign may exceed six feet in height above grade and shall be set back no less than five feet from any property line. The letter size and symbol size requirements for monument signs are subject to § 410-51E(1)(a)[1] and [2].
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
(4)
Signs for home occupations or home professional offices.
One wall, nonilluminated sign or one window sign not exceeding two
square feet in size displaying the name, address, occupation and/or
service located upon the premises shall be permitted in all residential
districts.
(5)
Institutional signs and other signs for churches,
schools, fraternal organizations and other nonprofit organizations.
Such institutions shall be permitted one institutional monument sign
and one institutional wall sign pursuant to the following requirements:
(a)
Institutional monument signs. One monument sign per lot, not exceeding six feet in height from grade to the highest point on the sign. The bottom of the sign face shall not exceed a height of three feet above the surrounding grade at the base of the sign. No monument sign shall be located any closer than 10 feet to any property line, except that no monument sign shall be located closer than 25 feet to any residentially utilized lot. No institutional monument sign shall exceed 18 square feet in outline area per face. The letter size and symbol size requirements for monument signs are subject to § 410-51E(1)(a)[1] and [2].
[Amended 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
(b)
Institutional wall signs. One wall sign not
exceeding one square foot per 10 linear feet of street frontage of
the total square footage of the building face upon which it is placed
having street frontage. In no case shall the sign area exceed 24 square
feet.
[1]
In those cases where a parcel or lot has more
than one street frontage, one wall sign may be placed on each street
frontage.
[2]
Wall signs shall be face-mounted on the building/structure,
projecting not more than 14 inches from the face of the building.
Such signs shall not project above the parapet wall, mansard or other
roofline, shall be recessed where involving a pitched roof location
and shall be located so as to not create a safety or traffic hazard.
[3]
The letter size and symbol size requirements for wall signs are subject to § 410-51E(1)(a)[1] and [2].
[Added 10-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-32]
G.
Standards for other signs.
(1)
Political campaign signs.
(a)
At no time whatsoever may political campaign
signs or stickers of any type or size be affixed in any way to utility
poles, traffic signs, traffic signal boxes or poles, mailboxes, fire
hydrants or any public fixtures or be placed in any way on highway
dividers, islands or overpasses or above (across) streets or highways
or on any public property.
(b)
No political campaign sign shall be erected
or posted on private property without the express consent of the owner
or lawful occupant of the property, who shall then be responsible
for compliance with this section.
(c)
Individual, freestanding billboard-type political
campaign signs shall be permitted. Such signs may not obstruct traffic
or sign lines. At no time whatsoever may political campaign signs
of any type or size be lighted or be made of any reflecting materials.
(d)
Penalties. Any person, regardless of political
affiliation, found to be a perpetrator, including any business, political
party or entity violating the provisions of this section, may be fined
a sum not to exceed $250 per sign. Violation of any of the provisions
herein shall be deemed continuing and, for each and every day or part
thereof that a violation of this subsection is found to exist, the
court may impose a separate penalty as stated herein.
(e)
Enforcement. The provisions of this subsection
shall be enforced by the Construction Official.
(2)
Billboard signs. The following standards, provisions,
requirements and restrictions shall apply to all billboard signs within
the Borough:
(a)
The Borough shall not accept a billboard sign
application for consideration and issuance unless accompanied by a
valid State of New Jersey permit and scaled site plans sealed by an
engineer licensed and registered in the State of New Jersey. Such
plans shall include structural drawings, foundation specifications,
wind load calculations, electrical requirements and a survey depicting
the distance between the proposed billboard sign and existing billboard
signage installed as of the date of the subject application.
(b)
Billboard signage may only be applied for and
shall only be permitted in the C-5 Commercial District.
(c)
Billboards shall not exceed 400 square feet
per sign face.
(d)
A billboard shall not exceed a height of 35
feet at its highest point above the elevation of the adjacent street
or of the elevation at the base of the sign, whichever is higher (more
permissive).
(e)
A freestanding billboard shall have a minimum
height of 20 feet at the lowest point of the sign face as measured
from the elevation of the adjacent street or of the elevation at the
base of the sign, whichever is lower.
(f)
A billboard sign face, including border and
trim, shall be no greater than 12 feet in height and shall be no greater
than 50 feet in width.
(g)
Only single-sided and back-to-back or V-type
construction billboards with a single display per facing shall be
permitted.
(h)
No billboard sign may be placed any closer than
1,000 feet to another billboard sign on the same side of an interstate
highway or freeway.
(i)
No billboard sign may be placed any closer than
1,000 feet to another billboard sign, regardless of orientation, on
any Borough street or road.
(j)
No billboard sign may be placed within 200 feet
of an interchange, intersection at grade or the convergence of on-ramps
and off-ramps of an interstate highway or freeway, as measured at
a point closest to any portion of the above and the closest portion
of the subject billboard sign.
(k)
The minimum setback as measured from all points
of the billboard sign shall be 200 feet from all residentially zoned
property or property being utilized in a residential manner, any public
property, any public or private parks or any registered historical
sites or historical districts.
(l)
The minimum setback as measured from all points
of the billboard sign shall be 50 feet from any structure.
(m)
The minimum setback as measured from all points
of the billboard sign shall be 25 feet from any public right-of-way,
public or private road, public or private driveway, public or private
parking lot or railroad track or siding.
(n)
Billboard sign illumination shall be installed
only so as to reasonably illuminate the subject billboard sign face
and shall be directed and backshielded to transmit light only to same
to a degree that it does not create a light pollution visual nuisance.
No perimeter, strobing or other attracting type of lighting may be
operated in conjunction with a billboard sign.
(o)
Billboard signs shall not be placed or operated
so as to create a safety, traffic, health or hazardous condition.
(p)
Any application received for a billboard sign
that is intended to replace existing billboard signage shall be regulated
by these provisions and any other applicable regulations normally
applied to new billboard sign applications.
(q)
No regulations in this section or any portions
thereof are intended as being less restrictive than state or federal
regulations.
(r)
Billboard sign extensions.
[1]
The total square footage of billboard sign extensions
may not exceed 25% of the billboard sign face area for which such
extensions are sought.
[2]
Such extensions shall not protrude more than
three feet from the billboard sign face.
[3]
Billboard sign extensions shall not be considered
when calculating billboard sign face area or height requirements.
[4]
The sign contractor shall provide evidence to
the Borough that the extensions are structurally sound and do not
create or intensify any potentially hazardous or injurious conditions.
[5]
Billboard sign extensions shall be operated
only as a component of specific advertising copy, which use shall
expire with the removal of said specific advertising copy, and are
not intended to become a permanent portion of the billboard structure
or sign face area.
H.
Severability. The phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs
and subsections of this article are severable, and if any phrase,
clause, sentence, paragraph or subsection of this article shall be
declared unconstitutional or otherwise unlawful by the valid judgment,
decree or injunction order of a court of competent jurisdiction, such
ruling shall not affect any of the remaining phrases clauses, sentences,
paragraphs, and subsections of this article.
[Added 12-17-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-43]
A.
There shall be a designated architect (the architect) for the Borough
who may, at the option of the landowner and upon consent of the Borough
Administrator, advise the landowner on compliance with this article.
The assistance of the architect is voluntary and at the discretion
of the landowner. At all times, the architect shall act as an agent
of the Borough. The purpose of the architect is solely to ensure compliance,
and no other work by the architect shall fall within the scope of
his/her agency with the Borough. The architect may charge the landowner
for services in accordance with the following schedule of fees:
|
Position
|
Fee
(per hour)
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Senior Partner
|
$185
| |
|
Senior Designer
|
$125
| |
|
Designer I
|
$100
| |
|
Designer II
|
$85
|
B.
Expenses.
(1)
All reimbursable expenses, charged at 3% of invoice, are in
addition to charges for personnel and consultants and include actual
expenditures made by the architect, his employees, or his consultants
in the interest of the project for the following incidental expenses:
(2)
All large-format printing/plotting/scanning costs from local
reprographics shall be charged to the landowner at 100% of cost.
