In all zoning districts within the jurisdiction
of this chapter, signs may be used, erected, maintained, altered,
relocated, removed or demolished only in compliance with the provisions
of this article and any and all ordinances and regulations of the
municipality relating to the use, erection, maintenance, alteration,
moving or removal of signs or similar devices.
The purpose of this article is:
A.
To promote the safety, comfort and well-being of the
users of streets, roads and highways in the Borough;
B.
To reduce distractions and obstructions from signs
which would adversely affect traffic safety and to alleviate hazards
caused by signs projecting over or encroaching upon public ways;
C.
To discourage excessive visual competition in signage
and ensure that signs aid orientation and adequately identify uses
and activities to the public; and
D.
To preserve or enhance town character by requiring
new and replacement signage which is:
A.
Permitted signs. Only signs which promote or draw
attention to a product, article of business or services offered, sold
or rendered at or in the place or premises where such sign is located
shall be permitted in the municipality.
B.
Prohibited signs.
(1)
Billboards, streamers, pennants, ribbons, spinners
or other similar devices shall not be constructed, posted or erected
in any district. Exceptions include flags and buntings exhibited to
commemorate national patriotic holidays and temporary banners announcing
charitable or civic events.
(2)
Flashing signs, roof signs, signs containing moving
parts and signs containing reflective elements which sparkle or twinkle
in the sunlight are not permitted. Signs indicating the current time
and/or temperature are permitted, provided that they meet all other
provisions of this article.
(3)
Any sign advertising or identifying a business or
organization which is either defunct or no longer located on the premises
is not permitted. Exceptions are granted to landmark signs, which
may be preserved and maintained even if they no longer pertain to
the present use of the premises.
(4)
No sign, except for a traffic, regulatory or information
sign, shall use the words "stop," "caution" or "danger" or shall incorporate
red, amber or green lights resembling traffic signals or shall resemble
"stop" or "yield" signs in shape and color.
C.
Illumination standards.
(1)
No person may erect a sign which flashes, rotates
or has motorized moving parts.
(2)
No person may erect a sign with exposed electrical
wires.
(3)
Strings of bulbs are not permitted, except as part
of a holiday celebration. In addition, strings of bulbs may be permitted
to decorate trees at the discretion of the Planning Board, provided
that such display does not interfere with neighboring land uses.
(4)
No sign shall be illuminated between the hours of
11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless the premises on which it is located
is open for business.
(5)
No person may erect a sign that constitutes a hazard
to pedestrian or vehicular traffic because of intensity or direction
of illumination.
D.
Placement standards.
(1)
No person may erect a sign which is affixed to a fence,
utility pole or structure or tree, shrub, rock or other natural object.
(2)
Signs shall not be mounted on roofs or extend above
the roofline (unless mounted on a parapet wall which extends above
the roofline, in which case the sign may not extend above the top
of said parapet).
(3)
No projecting sign shall extend into a vehicular public
way or be less than 10 feet above a pedestrian way.
(4)
No sign, together with any supporting framework, shall
extend to a height above the maximum building height allowed in a
district.
(5)
There shall be a minimum distance of 20 feet between
any side property line and sign erected under the provisions of this
article.
(6)
Any sign located along the right-of-way of Route 31
shall comply with any more restrictive requirements of the state government
relating thereto.
(7)
Signs shall not cover architectural details, such
as but not limited to arches, sills, mouldings, cornices and transom
windows.
E.
Safety standards. No person may erect a sign which
is structurally unsafe; constitutes a hazard to public safety and
health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment,
obstructs free entrance or exit from a required door, window or fire
escape; obstructs light or air or interferes with proper functioning
of the building; or is capable of causing electrical shock.
F.
Exceptions. For the purpose of this section, the term
"sign" shall not include:
(1)
Signs erected or posted and maintained for public
safety and welfare pursuant to any governmental function, law or other
regulations.
(2)
A bulletin board or similar sign not exceeding 20 square feet in display area, in connection with any church, museum, library, school or similar public or semipublic structure, provided that the top of such sign shall not be more than eight feet above ground level and provided that it does not possess any of the characteristics listed in Subsection B above.
(3)
Directional signs solely indicating ingress and egress
placed at driveway locations, containing no advertising material and
where display area does not exceed three square feet or extend higher
than four feet above ground level. Such sign will conform in all respects
with the requirements of this article.
(4)
Signs relating to trespassing and hunting, not exceeding
two square feet in area.
G.
Nonconforming signs.
(1)
Continuance. A nonconforming sign lawfully existing
at the time of adoption of this chapter may continue, although such
sign does not conform to the provisions of this article.
(2)
Maintenance. Any lawfully existing sign cannot be
enlarged, reworded (other than in the case of cinema or theater signs
or signs with automatically changing messages), redesigned or altered
in any way, including repainting in a different color, except to conform
to the requirements of this article, and provided further that any
such sign which has deteriorated to such an extent that the cost of
restoration would exceed 35% of the replacement cost shall not be
repaired or rebuilt or altered except to conform to the requirements
of this article.
(3)
Replacement. Any sign replacing a nonconforming sign
shall conform with the provisions of this section, and the nonconforming
sign shall no longer be displayed.
A.
Permits.
(1)
No sign shall be erected, displayed, altered or enlarged
until an application has been filed and until a permit for such action
has been issued. Applications shall be obtained from the Zoning Officer.
At a minimum, all applications shall include a scale drawing specifying
dimensions, materials, illumination, letter sizes, colors, support
systems and location on land or building, with all relevant measurements.
(2)
Permits shall be issued only if the Planning Board
determines that the sign complies or will comply with all applicable
provisions of this article and the requirements of the BOCA Building
Code. Such application may be filed by the owner of the land or building
or any person who has the authority to erect a sign on the premises.
(3)
The Planning Board shall act within 45 days of receipt
of such application, together with the required fee.
B.
Fees. A schedule of fees for such permits may be established
and amended from time to time by the Borough Council.
C.
Enforcement. The Planning Board is hereby designated
as the authority to enforce this article. The Board is authorized
to order the repair or removal of any sign and its supporting structure
which is judged dangerous or in disrepair or which is erected or maintained
contrary to this article.
D.
Removal of signs. Any sign which has been ordered
removed by the Planning Board, or is abandoned or discontinued, shall
be removed by the person, firm or corporation responsible for the
sign within 30 days of written notice to remove.
F.
Measurement of sign area.
(1)
Sign measurement shall be based upon the entire area
of the sign, with a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme
limits of the actual sign surface.
(2)
For a sign painted on or applied to a building, the
area shall be considered to include all lettering, wording and accompanying
designs or symbols, together with any background of a different color
than the natural color or finished material of the building.
(3)
For a sign consisting of individual letters or symbols
attached to or painted on a surface, building, wall or window, the
area shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other
shape which encompasses all of the letters and symbols.
(4)
The area of supporting framework (for example, brackets,
posts, etc.) shall not be included in the area if such framework is
incidental to the display.
(5)
When a sign has two or more faces, the area of all
faces shall be included in determining the total maximum area.
G.
Measurement of height. The height of any sign shall
be measured from the finished grade at the base of the sign supports
up to the highest point of the sign.
A.
Address. One sign displaying the street number or
name of the occupant of the premises or both.
(1)
Such sign may include identification of an on-premises
professional office or customary home occupation.
(2)
Such sign may be attached to the building or may be
on a post not more than four feet high and set back at least three
feet from the ultimate right-of-way.
(3)
Such sign may not exceed two square feet in area.
B.
Awning/canopy. A sign painted on or attached to the
cover of a movable metallic frame of the hinged, roll or folding type
of awning or a permanent canopy structure.
(1)
Such sign must be painted on or attached flat against
the surface of the awning, but not extend beyond the valance or be
attached to the underside.
(2)
Letters shall not exceed 10 inches in height.
(3)
A minimum of eight feet above sidewalk level must
be allowed for pedestrian clearance for awning signs, and a minimum
height of 16 feet must be allowed for canopy signs for vehicular clearance.
C.
Construction. An on-premises sign identifying the
contractor, architect, landscape architect and/or engineer's name,
address and other pertinent information.
(1)
Such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area
and shall be set back at least 10 feet from the street lot line or
1/2 the building setback distance, whichever is less.
(2)
Such a sign may be maintained on the building or property
for the interim of construction and not more than 30 days following
the completion of said construction.
D.
For sale/rent/lease. An on-premises sign advertising
the property being sold or rented.
(1)
Such signs shall not exceed six square feet.
(2)
Such signs shall advertise only the property on which
the sign is located.
(3)
A maximum of two such signs may be maintained on any
property being sold or rented, and they shall be removed by the owner
or agent within 30 days of sale, rent or lease.
E.
Freestanding. A self-supporting sign not attached
to any building, wall or fence, but in a fixed location. This does
not include portable or trailer-type signs. Dimensional standards
for freestanding signs in different districts are specified in the
table at the end of this article, which relates requirements to the
character of each area and the speed at which traffic usually travels
within them.
F.
Illuminated signs.
(1)
Signs shall be illuminated only with steady, stationary,
shielded light sources directed solely onto the sign without causing
glare.
(2)
Internal illumination.
(a)
Internal illumination is generally discouraged,
but it may be appropriate in certain circumstances, such as:
(b)
However, such signs are generally suitable only
on contemporary buildings. The display of internally illuminated plastic
signs with dark-colored movable letters shall be strictly prohibited
in all districts. Movable rented signs of this nature, existing on
the effective date of this article, shall be permanently removed within
12 months of the passage of this chapter.
(3)
Neon window signs may be permitted in cases where
they are custom designed to be compatible with the building's historic
and/or architectural character and where their color has been selected
to harmonize with the building's exterior colors.
(4)
Signs shall not be illuminated directly or indirectly
between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless the premises
are open during such hours.
(5)
Illuminated signs shall not be permitted to shine
more than 0.1 footcandle onto residential properties and traveled
ways.
G.
Individual letters or symbols. These may be attached
to an awning, marquee, building surface, wall or signboard.
(1)
Letters or symbols shall not project more than 12
inches from the building surface.
(2)
Such letters and symbols shall not obscure the architectural
features of the building to which they are attached.
(3)
Such letters and symbols shall not extend above the
lowest part of the roof, nor beyond the ends of the wall to which
they are attached.
(4)
Letters or symbols shall have an aggregate area not
exceeding 11/2 square feet for each foot of building face parallel
to a street lot line or 10% of the wall area to which they are affixed,
whichever is less. When a lot fronts on more than one street, the
aggregate sign area facing each street frontage shall be calculated
separately.
H.
Landmark signs. An older sign of artistic or historic
merit, uniqueness or extraordinary significance to the Borough. The
character of such signs warrants their preservation in original condition
or their restoration.
I.
Marquee signs. A sign painted on, attached to or consisting
of an interchangeable copy reader, on a permanent overhanging shelter
which projects from the face of a building.
(1)
Such signs may be painted on or attached flat against
the surface of, but not extending beyond, or attached to the underside
of the overhang.
(2)
Letters or symbols shall not exceed 12 inches in height.
(3)
A minimum clearance of 10 feet above the sidewalk
level must be allowed for pedestrian clearance.
J.
Movable signs. Movable signs are not permitted in
any district except the Commercial Office and Mixed Use Districts.
In these areas, movable signs made only of wood and standing on legs
not over four feet in total height may be allowed by special permit.
K.
Multiple signs. A group of signs clustered together
in a single structure or compositional unit. Multiple signs are used
to advertise several occupants of the same building or building complex.
(1)
The display board shall be of an integrated and uniform
design.
(2)
The maximum sign area permitted is 16 square feet
for the sign bearing the name of the building or office park and two
square feet for the name of each business or office located there.
(3)
Complexes with over 300 feet of frontage will be allowed
two freestanding signs.
L.
Off-premises signs.
(1)
Informational and directional signs containing no
advertising are permitted to direct traffic flow, indicate parking
space, identify points of interest, locate businesses or provide other
essential information to guide vehicular or pedestrian traffic flow.
(2)
Off-premises signs not specifically identified above
shall be strictly prohibited.
M.
Painted wall signs. A permanent mural or message painted
directly onto a building surface. A special permit is required for
all new signs of this type and will comply with the dimensional requirements
of a wall sign. Exceptions are granted to landmark signs which may
be preserved and maintained, even if they no longer pertain to the
present use of the premises.
N.
Political signs. A sign designed to influence action
of voters for the passage or defeat of a measure or the election of
a candidate to a public office at a national, state or local election.
(1)
Such signs are permitted if they are stationary, unlighted
and temporary.
(2)
Such signs shall be displayed no earlier than 20 days
prior to a voting day and shall be removed within five days after
a voting day.
(3)
Such signs may not exceed four square feet in area.
(4)
A maximum of two signs per lot is permitted.
O.
Projecting signs. A wall-mounted sign perpendicular
to the building surface.
(1)
If flat, each face shall not exceed 10 square feet.
(2)
The total area of a three-dimensional sign shall be
determined by enclosing the largest cross section of the sign in an
easily recognizable geometric shape and computing its area, which
shall not exceed nine square feet.
(3)
Such sign shall be hung at right angles to the building
and shall not project closer than two feet to the curbline.
(4)
The supporting framework shall be in proportion to
the size of such sign.
(5)
Signs which overhang a public way (including sidewalks)
shall be covered by a public liability insurance policy which names
the Borough as the insured party.
(6)
The top of the sign may be suspended in line with
one of the following, whichever is the most successful application
of scale, linear continuity and visibility as determined by the Planning
Board:
(7)
Projecting signs shall have a minimum clearance of
eight feet above grade when located adjacent to or projecting over
a pedestrian way. If projecting over an alley or driveway, the clearance
must be at least 13 feet.
P.
Wall signs. A sign which is attached parallel to the
exterior surface of a building or structure.
(1)
No part of a wall sign, including the display surface,
shall extend more than six inches from the building surface.
(2)
Such sign shall not obscure architectural features
of the building, not limited to features such as arches, sills, mouldings,
cornices and transoms.
(3)
Such sign shall not extend above the lowest point
of the roof, nor beyond the ends of the wall to which it is attached.
(4)
Such signs shall have an aggregate area not exceeding
11/2 square feet for each linear foot of building face parallel to
a street lot line or 10% of the wall area to which it is attached,
whichever is less. Where a lot fronts on more than one street, the
aggregate sign area facing each street frontage shall be calculated
separately.
(5)
Where two or more wall signs are affixed to one wall,
the gross display area shall be the sum total area of all signs.
(6)
Wall signs shall not extend higher than the eave line
or top of the parapet wall of the principal building.
(7)
The size of signs attached to buildings may be increased
in area (over allowable size) by 25% for every 100 feet of building
setback. This shall apply to buildings set back more than 100 feet
from the road right-of-way, and the increase may be prorated according
to the actual setback distance.
Q.
Window signs. Any sign which is painted or mounted
onto a window pane, which is hung directly inside the window with
the purpose or effect of identifying any premises, from the sidewalk
or street.
A.
In the CM Conservation Management, RR Rural Residential,
VR-1 Village Residential 1, VR-2 Village Residential 2 and MR Multifamily
Residential Districts, the following types of signs shall be permitted:
(1)
One address sign limited to the names of residents
and/or property and the address, provided that the size of any such
sign does not exceed two square feet.
B.
In the PRO Professional Office District, the following
types of signs shall be permitted:
(2)
Signs for other permitted district uses, provided
that:
(a)
Signs shall advertise only the name of the establishment
or services rendered on the lot on which such signs are located.
(b)
Signs shall be stationary and shall not contain
any visible moving or movable parts.
(c)
Signs attached to buildings shall be permanently attached and shall be limited to one sign per facade. Attached signs (i.e. wall, projecting) shall follow the guidelines of § 104-60.
(d)
A maximum of one freestanding sign, not exceeding six square feet in area, shall be permitted, except that properties fronting on two or more streets may have one such sign per street. Size restrictions for freestanding signs shall be based upon measurement of one side only. Refer to § 104-60E for specific regulations regarding freestanding signs.
(e)
Signs shall be erected behind the setback lines.
C.
In the CO Commercial Office and MU Mixed Use Districts, the following signs shall be permitted as provided for in Subsection B above, except that:
(1)
Permanently attached signs shall not exceed 10% of
the area of the building facade.
(2)
A maximum of two freestanding signs, not exceeding
50 square feet in area, shall be permitted, except that properties
fronting on two or more streets may have one additional sign per street.
D.
In the I/OR Industrial/Office Research District, the following signs shall be permitted as provided for in Subsection C above, except that:
(1)
A maximum of two freestanding signs, not exceeding
30 square feet each in area, shall be permitted, except that properties
fronting on two or more streets may have one additional sign per street.
(2)
Awning/canopy, marquee and window signs are prohibited
in the Industrial/Office Research District.
E.
In the P Park District, the following signs shall
be permitted.
(1)
One address sign limited to the name of the park or
property, provided that the size of any such sign does not exceed
six square feet.
F.
For signs in a designated historic district, refer to Article XXV, § 104-177A(4).
|
Regulations for Freestanding
Signs
| |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PRO District
|
CO District
|
MU District
|
I/OR District
|
P District
|
Residential Districts
| ||
|
Freestanding
| |||||||
|
max. height
|
4 ft.
|
16 ft.
|
16 ft.
|
12 ft.
|
4 ft.
|
4 ft.
| |
|
max. area*
|
6 sq.ft.
|
50 sq.ft.
|
50 sq.ft.
|
30 sq.ft.
|
6 sq.ft.
|
6 sq.ft.
| |
|
min. ground clearance
|
0 ft.
|
8 ft.
|
8 ft.
|
7 ft.
|
0 ft.
|
0 ft.
| |
|
*per side
|
|
Sign Types Permitted by District
| ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PRO District
|
CO District
|
MU District
|
I/OR District
|
P District
|
Residential Districts
| |
|
Address
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Awning/canopy
|
X
|
X
| ||||
|
Construction
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
For sale/rent
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Freestanding
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Illuminated
|
X
|
X
|
X
| |||
|
Marquee
|
X
| |||||
|
Movable
|
X
|
X
| ||||
|
Multiple
|
X
|
X
|
X
| |||
|
Political
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
| |
|
Projecting
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
| ||
|
Wall
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
| ||
|
Window
|
X
|
X
| ||||
