No sign shall be constructed or displayed unless a building permit shall have first been obtained from the Building Inspector provided, any sign as permitted or regulated in § 600-185A, B, C and D will not require a building permit. When occupant vacates from a business location, all nonconforming signs pertaining to that business are to be removed and the new tenant to comply with the requirements of this article. If such sign is not removed within 30 days after such vacation or termination of use, the Building Inspector shall, upon 10 days' notice, in writing, to the landlord, cause such sign to be removed and the cost of such removal shall be a lien on such premises.
The area of a sign shall be computed as the total square foot
content of the background upon which the lettering, illustration or
display is presented. If there is no background, the sign area shall
be computed as the product of the largest horizontal width and the
largest vertical height of the lettering, illustration or display.
This shall not be construed to include the supporting members of any
signs which are used solely for such purpose. For signs with two display
faces, the maximum area requirement shall be permitted on each side.
Signs with more than two display faces are prohibited.
The largest vertical height of the background upon which the
lettering, illustration or display is presented. This shall not be
construed to include the supporting members of any signs which are
used solely for such purpose. If the letters, illustration or display
are attached directly to the face of a building, the height of the
sign shall be the height of the largest letter, illustration or total
display, whichever is the greater.
[Amended by Ord. No. 18-05; Ord. No. 16-07]
A.
Signs, whether portable, permanent or temporary, other than municipal,
county or state signs, shall not be erected within the right-of-way
of any street or approved sight easements, nor shall any sign be located
so as to constitute a traffic hazard or to interfere with or be mistaken
for a traffic light or similar safety device.
B.
All illuminated signs shall be either indirectly lighted or of the
diffused lighting type. No sign shall be lighted by means of flashing
or intermittent illumination. All lights used for the illumination
of any use or building or the areas surrounding them, or for the illumination
or display of merchandise or products of business establishments,
shall be completely shielded from the view of vehicular traffic using
the road or roads abutting such business properties. Floodlights used
for the illumination of the premises or of any sign thereon, whether
or not such flood lights are attached to or separate from the building,
shall not project above the highest elevation of the front wall of
the building, or more than 18 feet above the street level of the premises,
whichever is less. There shall be no illumination of any pylon sign
or structure after the business to which the sign is related is closed
to the public for the business day of that particular business.
C.
No sign as permitted shall extend or project above the highest elevation
of the wall to which it is attached.
D.
All signs shall be neat, constructed of durable materials and maintained
at all times in safe condition and good repair by the owner. The Township
may require necessary repair and painting of any sign which has been
neglected.
E.
Any semipermanent structures, i.e., awning or canopy, which has lettering
or logo on it and is therefore functioning as a sign, shall meet the
requirements of this article.
F.
No sign shall be permitted which shall rotate upon a fixed base,
provide for movement in any other manner or create the illusion of
movement.
G.
Electronic signs shall be permitted in the B Business Districts only
provided the following standards are complied with.
(1)
Maximum one electronic sign per business establishment.
(2)
Shall be located interior to an exterior window. Exterior locations
on building facade are prohibited.
(3)
Sign may not exceed 2.5 square feet in area, nor 10 inches in
height, nor 36 inches in width.
(4)
A minimum of 15 minutes between message changes are permitted.
No electronic sign shall blink, scroll or rotate except as permitted
at the time of message change.
H.
Within all zone districts, neon signs shall be prohibited with the
exception of the B Business Districts, where one neon sign shall be
permitted provided that the following standards shall be met:
(1)
A neon sign shall not exceed 5% of the area of the window in
which it is displayed nor more than four square feet.
(2)
A neon sign shall contain no more than two colors, including
white.
(3)
Neon signs shall not be operated with flashing or intermittent
illumination.
(4)
The message or wording of the sign shall be limited to the words
of information or direction, such as, "open," "closed," "entrance,"
and the like.
I.
Neon tubing is prohibited where used as an accent to building facades,
roof and/or window treatment accent.
In all the residential districts, only the following signs shall
be permitted.
A.
One customary professional sign or nameplate sign not more than two
square feet in area and if illuminated the direct source of light
shall be shielded in such a manner that it is not visible from the
street or any adjoining residential property, unless a porch light
or lamp post light.
B.
One single-faced sign not more than 12 square feet in area for conditional
uses.
C.
A sign deemed necessary to the public welfare by the Township Council.
D.
A sign not more than 12 square feet in area advertising the name
of a church on the premises, its pastor and its coming activities.
E.
None of the signs permitted in the residential district shall be
erected nearer any street or road than half the setback required for
the principal building to be erected on the plot, provided that a
nameplate sign not more than 72 square inches in area as regulated
above may be placed anywhere within the front yard.
In the business zones, signs are permitted as regulated in § 600-185A and B and in addition other business signs as hereinafter regulated are permitted, provided no sign shall be permitted which is not accessory to the business conducted on the property and then only if the following requirements are complied with:
A.
No business establishment shall be permitted a total of more than
three signs. The total sign area for the sign or signs permitted on
the face of any wall shall not exceed 10% of the area of the face
of the wall upon which such sign or signs are attached, provided,
where the building wall sets back a distance of 75 feet or greater
from the nearest parallel street line, the sign shall not exceed 20%
of the exposed area of the building wall upon which such sign is attached.
B.
All signs permitted by this section shall be erected parallel to
the face of the building and shall not extend further than 15 inches
from the face of the building, provided that where a building has
a permanent canopy or marquee constructed as an integral part of said
building, a sign as required in this subsection may be placed on the
top of the marquee provided no part of the sign extends beyond the
front edge of the canopy or marquee. For the purpose of administering
this section, the area of the sign on the marquee or canopy shall
be determined by the area of the wall from which said canopy or marquee
extends.
C.
The maximum height of any single sign shall not exceed five feet
and the maximum width shall not exceed 90% of the width of the wall
to which the sign is attached.
D.
Freestanding signs. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
article, one freestanding pylon or tower sign which is accessory to
the business conducted on the premises shall be permitted if the business
building sets back at least 75 feet from the street right-of-way.
Any freestanding sign as permitted by this subsection must meet all
of the following requirements:
(1)
The height of the pylon or freestanding sign shall not exceed
20 feet and no part of the sign illustration shall be less than 10
feet above the ground.
(2)
No freestanding sign shall be nearer than 10 feet from any abutting
street right-of-way or property line.
(3)
The area of the sign shall not exceed 30 square feet in area
on each side.
(4)
In the event there is more than one tenant in the business building,
each tenant is entitled to one nameplate sign on the pylon below the
principal name of the building or shopping center, provided, however,
each such nameplate sign shall be of uniform dimensions and lettering
and no nameplate sign shall exceed four square feet in area.
(5)
All elements of the sign shall be of the trans-illuminated type.
The illumination shall be of continuous (non-intermittent) nature
and of a uniform color value.
(6)
There shall be no illumination after the business to which the
sign is related is closed to the public for the business day of that
particular business.
E.
Public garages and service stations may display in addition the following
signs which are deemed customary and necessary to their respective
business:
(1)
One freestanding or pylon sign advertising the name of the station
or garage and for the principal products sold on the premises, including
any special company or brand name, insignia or emblem, provided that
each such sign shall not exceed 35 square feet in area on a side and
shall be hung within the property line and not less than 10 nor more
than 20 feet above the ground.
(2)
One temporary sign located inside the property line and specifically
advertising special seasonal servicing of automobiles, provided that
the sign does not exceed seven square feet in area.
(3)
Directional signs or lettering displayed over individual entrance
doors or bays, consisting only of the words, "washing," "lubrication,"
"repair," "mechanic on duty" or other words closely similar in import,
provided that there shall be not more than one such sign over each
entrance or bay, the letters thereof shall not exceed 12 inches in
height, and the total of each such sign shall not exceed six square
feet.
(4)
Customary lettering on or other insignia which are a structural
part of a gasoline pump, consisting only of the brand name of gasoline
sold, lead warning sign, a price indicator, and any other sign required
by law, and not exceeding a total of three square feet on each pump.
F.
In addition to the above regulations, all signs permitted in the
residential districts are also permitted in the business districts.
In the O-B Districts, each building is permitted one sign not
more than eight square feet in area provided all of the following
requirements are complied with:
A.
If lighted, the direct source of light shall be shielded in such
a manner that it is not visible from the street or any abutting residential
use.
B.
Only flood lights shall be used for illumination.
C.
The sign shall be attached parallel to the face of the building and
shall not extend more than 12 inches from the face.
D.
Each tenant in the building is permitted a professional sign as regulated
in the residential zones.
No signs shall be permitted which are not related to the use
on the premises and then only if the following requirements are complied
with:
A.
Signs attached to a building may be permitted as regulated in the
business zone.
B.
One freestanding sign is permitted provided no sign structure, including
the supporting members, shall exceed 13 feet in height or 25 feet
in length and shall not be placed in the required side yard or the
front 1/2 of the required front yard. The area of the sign shall not
exceed one square foot for each linear foot of front yard setback
of the principal building.
C.
In addition to the above regulations, all signs permitted in the
residential districts are also permitted in the industrial districts.
[Amended by Ord. No. 23-10; Ord. No. 27-10]
Temporary signs are permitted as hereinafter regulated, provided
a bond is posted with the Township Council in the form of a certified
check drawn on a bank which is a member of the federal Reserve System
payable to the Township in an amount sufficient to cover the cost
of removal of such signs as estimated by the Zoning Officer, to ensure
the prompt removal of such temporary signs.
A.
Construction signs. One temporary construction sign announcing construction
on the premises is permitted in any district, provided such sign does
not exceed 32 square feet in area, is properly maintained to the satisfaction
of the Zoning Officer and is removed from the premises prior to the
issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the use of the structure
on the premises.
B.
Directional signs. Temporary directional signs not to exceed three
square feet in area are permitted in any district for a period of
up to 90 days, which period is renewable upon application to the Zoning
Officer.
C.
Real estate signs. Real estate signs are permitted in all districts,
provided they comply with all of the following requirements:
(1)
One such sign per street frontage of a lot shall be permitted.
(2)
Such signs shall not be illuminated.
(3)
Such signs shall pertain only to the lease or sale of the lot
upon which they are placed.
(4)
Such signs shall not exceed nine square feet in area in residential
districts, nor 12 square feet in area in nonresidential districts.
(5)
Such signs shall be removed within seven days after the consummation
of the lease or sale transaction.
(6)
All temporary residential real estate open-house signs are subject
to the following conditions:
(a)
Size. The total face area of the signs shall not exceed 24 inches
in size.
(b)
Height. The vertical distance measured from the ground level
to the highest point of such sign or sign structure or other support
shall not exceed three feet.
(c)
Local address. Signs shall only advertise a residence in the
Township of Denville.
(d)
Limit. No more than four signs per property for sale, lease
or rent shall be posted within the public rights-of-way.
(e)
Type. Signs shall be mounted either on stakes placed in the
ground or with an A-frame support of sufficient weight so that the
sign remains upright when mounted. Signs and any supporting structures
shall be maintained in good condition at all times and shall be constructed
out of quality materials normally used in professional signage.
(f)
Time. Signs shall only be displayed during the "open house"
and only on Saturdays or Sundays (or federal or state holidays) not
earlier than 9:00 a.m. the day of the open house with removal occurring
no later than 6:00 p.m. of the same day.
D.
Political signs. Campaign signs for public office, or other noncommercial
political signs may be posted on a private premises, either residential
and/or commercial, provided that the following standards shall be
met:
(1)
The total area of all such signs posted may not exceed 16 square
feet;
(2)
Any campaign signs for public office shall be removed within
five days after the day of election;
(3)
Consistent with the intent of the sign ordinance to reduce sign
clutter in order to promote an attractive visual environment for all
citizens of the Township, while leaving open adequate channels of
communication for Township residents to freely express their political
and other noncommercial viewpoints, the Township encourages, but does
not require that residents limit the posting of campaign signs for
public office to a thirty-day period prior to the election.
E.
Other temporary signs.
(1)
Additional temporary sign regulations — prohibited signs.
(a)
Banner-type signs except where in celebration of public events
or to call attention to dates of holidays of public significance and,
in such cases, only when erected by the Township itself or authorized
by the Township Council.
(b)
Signs erected or located on, within, or over any public right-of-way
except when erected by the governmental agency having jurisdiction
or authorized by said governmental agency and except for signs or
awnings as hereinafter regulated.
(c)
Except as otherwise permitted in this section, signs which are
not accessory to a use located on the premises.
(d)
Signs painted on a building wall.
(e)
Signs attached to trees or utility poles except for warnings,
statements or language required or installed by the utility.
(f)
Signs located in sight triangle easements.
(g)
Signs located within a municipal road right-of-way, and county,
state and interstate highway rights-of-way.
(2)
Temporary noncommercial signs. Annual activities or temporary
events sponsored by charitable, religious or civic organizations or
by government agencies shall be permitted, provided that each sign
shall not exceed a total of 16 square feet in area, nor a height of
six feet. The sign may be erected no sooner than 30 days prior to
the event and must be removed within seven days after the event. Signs
shall not interfere with traffic visibility and shall be set back
a minimum of 10 feet from the street curbline. Sandwich boards and
freestanding sign styles are permitted. Signage under this section
shall be exempt for obtaining a temporary sign permit from the building
department.
(3)
Temporary commercial signs. Contractors and home service providers
shall be permitted to erect one temporary business advertising sign
on-site during the progress of work. Only one sign per contractor
or home service provider shall be permitted at any one time. Signs
shall remain in place on site only while the contractor or home service
provider is active at the site, but in no case more than 30 consecutive
days in any twelve-month period. No sign shall exceed six square feet
in size nor three feet in height. Signs shall not be illuminated nor
in any way interfere with driver visibility. Signs shall be set back
a minimum of 10 feet from the street curbline.
[Added 9-4-2018 by Ord.
No. 21-18]
A.
GUY WIRE
SHINGLE SIGN
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
A tensioned cable designed to add stability to a freestanding
structure.
A sign that hangs from a canopy or awning, or from the roof
of an arcade or passageway, or projects from the building facade.
B.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to identify and promote businesses
located within the Business Improvement District (BID) to pedestrians
and to serve as a graphic and design enhancement to the area.
C.
Applicability. This section is applicable to any commercially utilized
property located within the BID.
D.
Design and construction.
(2)
Shingle signs shall be perpendicular to the business building
wall.
(3)
Shingles signs shall not be internally or externally lit.
(4)
Shingle signs shall not be less than 1/2 inch and not more than
one inch thick.
(5)
Brackets and decorative mounting features may exceed the thickness
requirements as reasonably required to create an attractive graphic
or design element. Guy wire cables and similar stabilization methods
shall not be permitted.
(6)
Shingle signs shall be limited to no more than two sign faces.
(8)
The material of the shingle must be wood or synthetic wood or
any other material whose design bears a resemblance to wood.
(9)
The bracket for the shingle must be ornamental in nature and
must be made of metal.
E.
Content.
(1)
Shingle signs shall not display the business phone number, address,
website, or merchandise pricing information. Symbols or logos used
to identify the business are encouraged.
(2)
Corporate logos shall be discouraged unless such logo is an
integral part of the store identification.
(3)
Logo size shall be limited to four inches by four inches.
(4)
Logos shall be to the left of any lettering.
F.
Location and dimensions.
(1)
Shingle signs shall be attached to a wall or the underside of
an awning, canopy, marquee, or building overhang.
(2)
Shingle signs shall be located as close as practical to the
storefront entrance.
(3)
No portion of a shingle sign shall maintain less than a ten-foot
horizontal separation from any other shingle sign.
(4)
No portion of a shingle sign shall maintain less than an eight-foot
vertical clearance over the pedestrian walkway.
(5)
No portion of a shingle sign shall exceed a height of 15 feet
above the pedestrian walkway.
(6)
On a two-story building, a second shingle sign shall be permitted
to be attached to the bottom of the first shingle sign.
(7)
A shingle sign shall not project more than four feet from the
building and shall not be closer than two feet from the face of the
curb.
(8)
A shingle sign attached to the underside of an awning, canopy,
marquee, or building overhang shall not extend out beyond the outer
edge of the element to which it is attached.
(9)
A shingle sign shall not be mounted in such a manner as to obstruct
vehicular traffic in any passageway, alleyway, or designated loading/unloading
area.
(10)
No portion of a shingle sign shall project above the top of
an eave or parapet.
