In the Borough of Swedesboro, signs shall be erected, altered, maintained, used, removed, relettered or moved only in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and approved by the Zoning Official and/or the Swedesboro Planning Board.
A. 
Applicability of definitions of the Code of the Borough of Swedesboro shall apply to this chapter in addition to the following definitions more specifically applicable to this chapter.
B. 
Additional definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BUSINESS BANNER
A temporary sign placed on the exterior of a business or inside the display window of a business advertising sales events, a new service or grand openings.
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
Also known as CBD. This is the designated area as per the Swedesboro Master Plan.
COMMERCIAL INFORMATION SIGN
A sign or decal located on, in, or visible through a window of an office, business or retail establishment which informs the public that the establishment accepts certain credit cards, is protected by a certain security agency or alarm system, has certain hours of operation, is a member of certain professional or business associations, or provides similar information regarding business operation.
DEVIATIONS
Approvals by the Planning Board for a sign permit, following an appeal from the Historic Preservation Commission, for items not specifically provided for by this chapter.
DOUBLE-SIDED SIGN
A sign with two back-to-back faces and identical on both sides. It shall be measured by using the area of only one side of the sign. Where a sign with two back-to-back faces has nonidentical sides, it shall be considered two signs.
ELECTRONIC DISPLAY SCREEN
A sign, or portion of a sign, that displays an electronic image, which may or may not include text. This definition includes television screens, multi-prism screens, plasma screens, digital screens, flat screens, LED screens, video boards, and holographic displays.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER
Any sign or portion of a sign that uses changing lights to form a sign message or messages in text form wherein the sequence of messages and the rate of change is electronically programmed and can be modified by electronic processes. This definition includes electronic changeable copy signs.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE DISPLAY
A sign capable of displaying words, symbols, figures, or images that can be electronically changed by remote or automatic means. Such signs shall include the following modes of operations:
(1) 
Static: signs which include no animation or effects simulating animation.
(2) 
Fade: signs where static messages are changed by means of varying light intensity, where the first message gradually reduces intensity to the point of not being legible, and the subsequent message gradually increases intensity to the point of legibility.
(3) 
Dissolve: signs where static messages are changed by means of varying light intensity or pattern, where the first message gradually appears to dissipate and lose legibility simultaneous to the gradual appearance and legibility of the subsequent message.
(4) 
Travel: signs where the message is changed by the apparent horizontal movement of the letters or graphic elements of the message.
(5) 
Scrolling: signs where the message is changed by the apparent vertical movement of the letters or graphic elements of the message.
FLAG
Includes a display of cloth or fabric with words, logos, symbols, icons, and/or designs which is affixed to a flagpole that is freestanding or mounted to the exterior of a building. Plastic shall not be used for a flag. Pennants and windsocks are considered to be flags.
FREESTANDING SIGN, PERMANENT
A sign that is not attached to any building but is mounted on a post or frame within the tax lot is a freestanding sign.
FUNCTIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE SIGN
A sign that provides directional, informational, safety or public service information, such as, but not limited to, a sign indicating the location of public restrooms, telephones or similar facilities of public convenience, or providing a place for the posting of public announcements. A functional sign shall not include any commercial name or commercial message, except as hereinafter expressly permitted.
HISTORICAL IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign or marker identifying an historic structure or site, and providing information about the significance of the structure or site, and posted by a governmental entity or agency, or by the Swedesboro-Woolwich Historical Society, the Gloucester County Historical Society, the New Jersey Historical Society, or the Swedesboro Historic Preservation Commission.
INSTITUTIONAL SIGN
A sign for any formally organized house of worship, any charitable, fraternal organization or any public school or public building.
INTERIM BUSINESS SIGN
A sign provided for new businesses pending approval of their formal sign application.
INTERNALLY LIGHTED SIGN
A sign with the source of artificial illumination within the sign and behind the text or message.
LED DISPLAY SIGN
A flat panel display, which uses an array of light-emitting diodes as pixels for a video display.
LEGAL NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign for which a valid sign permit has been granted prior to the effective date of this chapter, or which predates any regulation of signs in the Borough of Swedesboro.
MOBILE SIGN
An exterior temporary sign, with or without wheels, that is portable. This includes easel and sandwich board signs.
NEON SIGN
A sign that is electric that is lit by luminous gas discharged tubes that contain rarefied neon or other gases.
OFF-SITE SIGN
A sign located on a tax lot other than the lot occupied by the use, event or product which the sign identifies.
OFFICIAL SIGN
A sign erected, constructed or maintained by a federal, state, county or local government, or any agency thereof, or by any licensed public utility, for the purpose of informing or guiding the public, or for the protection of the public health, safety or welfare, or for the public's convenience.
POLITICAL SIGN
A sign expressing support for or opposition to a candidate for public office, an opinion about any public figure, or expressing support or opposition to a particular idea or belief.
PRIVATE PARKING SIGN
A sign providing directional or safety information and serving a parking area that is privately owned and reserved for the use of certain employees, patrons or other persons serving the premises.
PROFESSIONAL SIGN
A sign that identifies the location of the office of a member of a recognized and legal profession maintained for the conduct of that profession, including but not limited to attorneys, certified landscape architects, chiropractors, dentists, physicians, podiatrists, professional engineers, professional planners, psychologists, registered architects, or certified public accountants.
PUBLIC BANNER
A temporary sign located on a public building, on a building belonging to a house of worship, or a charitable, fraternal organization or agency, or stretching across a public right-of-way (and erected and maintained with the permission of the governing body), which temporary sign promotes an activity, event or festival of a governmental agency, house of worship, or charitable, fraternal organization or agency.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A sign of an owner of real property or of a licensed real estate broker that indicates that a particular parcel or portion of real property is available for sale or lease.
RESIDENTIAL SIGN
A sign at a place of residence, which may set forth the names of the residents, the address and street name, and also may include a logo or symbol.
SIGN
A lettered board or other display, or any portion thereof, on which any announcement, declaration, demonstration, logo, presentation, illumination or insignia is used to promote the interest of any person or entity.
STOREFRONT
A separate and individual volume for one office, commercial or business use, which has its own frontage on a public right-of-way, which is on a tax lot with other storefronts or uses, and which is occupied by a use or entity that is distinct and separate from the uses or entities occupying the rest of the tax lot.
TEMPORARY INTERIOR ADVERTISING SIGN
A temporary sign advertising or describing a sale or the availability of particular merchandise or services, which is located in the interior of a business or retail establishment, and which is primarily intended to attract the attention of persons outside the business or retail establishment.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign that is not permanently attached to a building, structure, post or land, and which is designed or intended to be displayed for a limited period of time.