[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Paramus 7-9-2020 by Ord. No. 20-11[1]. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 367,Signs,
adopted 5-14-1969 by Ord. No. 608 Ch. 19 of the 1969 Code), as amended.
This chapter may be cited as the "Amended Sign Ordinance of
the Borough of Paramus."
The purpose and objectives of this Amended Sign Ordinance of
the Borough of Paramus shall be to preserve the public health, welfare
and/or safety within the Borough of Paramus by providing a comprehensive
plan of regulation by coordinating the type, placement and scale of
signs within different land use zones within the Borough of Paramus;
establishment of a clear and orderly pattern of signs that are appropriately
designed to be compatible and not competitive with other signs; reduction
of obstructions, distractions and other conditions which cause confusion
or otherwise threaten to compromise pedestrian and vehicular safety;
promotion of ready identification of governmental and institutional
sites and events; promotion of safety on highways and roadways; coordination
of signs with prevailing speed limits and highway or roadway conditions;
to recognize the communication requirements of all sectors of the
community; to encourage the innovative use of design and advancing
technologies; to promote both renovation and proper maintenance; promotion
and protection of the Borough's visual resources by creation of a
pleasing streetscape, encouragement of artistic, creative, expressive
and distinctive signage of appeal and quality appropriate to the respective
environs, encouragement of signage compatible and reflective of desirable
architectural buildings and features, eradication and prevention of
visual clutter caused by the competitive proliferation of signs, disorderly
placement, excessive height, size and illumination and redundancy;
promotion of commerce in Paramus by 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 and creating
a distinctive commercial environment which attracts business because
of a heightened visual quality and image; to allow for special circumstances;
and to guarantee equal treatment under the law. These shall be accomplished
by regulation of the display, erection, use and maintenance of signs.
The use of signs is regulated according to zone. The placement and
scale of signs are regulated, primarily, by type and length of street
frontage, and surrounding conditions must also be considered. All
signs hereafter erected and/or maintained, except official traffic
and street signs, shall conform with the provisions of this chapter.
Any signs not specifically permitted are and shall be prohibited.
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.
An off-premises sign displayed outdoors which is used to
advertise, identify, display, direct or attract attention to an object,
person, institution, organization, product, event, location, business,
industry, profession, commodity, service or entertainment not necessarily
sold or offered upon the premises where the sign is located or to
express a point of view. 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. For the purposes of this chapter, the term
"billboard" shall include the sign face, border, hardware and other
physical items constructed for the purpose of facilitating a billboard.
A billboard advertising copy design element that protrudes
beyond the confines of a billboard sign face area.
The Borough of Paramus.
The Building Inspector of the Borough or his designee.
The designated 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 construct, build, raise, assemble, place, affix, attach,
create, paint, draw or in any other way bring into being or establish,
but not any of the foregoing activities when performed as an incident
to the change of an advertising message or normal maintenance or repair
of a sign or sign structure.
Any rehabilitation, construction or alteration of a building
facade.
Any fabric or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns
or symbols.
Any flag of the United States of America, the State of New
Jersey, the County of Bergen, the Borough of Paramus, 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 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.
A permanent roof-like shelter extending from part or all
of a building face over a public right-of-way and constructed of some
durable material such as metal, wood or plastic.
Not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to light.
The extension of a false front or wall above a roofline.
Any individual, association, partnership, firm or corporation.
A monument sign base that rests directly on the ground designed
as a support unit, architectural unit, or decorative design element.
Any inscription, design or lighting arrangement, written,
printed or otherwise placed on a board, object, balloon, banner, device,
display, fixture, placard, building, structure or part thereof, or
upon any material object or device, or in a window, situated outdoors,
which by reason of its form, color, working or otherwise, attracts
attention or otherwise intends 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, graphics, symbols, fixtures, colors,
illumination or projected images, but excluding the flag of the United
States of America or other governmental flags, athletic scoreboards
on school premises, or official announcements and signs of government.
The total sign area shall be measured as per § 367-12A.
The wording or graphics on a sign surface.
See "sign area."
The Borough of Paramus Sign Review Committee shall be an
advisory committee consisting of four individuals, each a member of
the Borough Planning Board, appointed to review and provide recommendations
to the Borough Zoning Signage Officer, the Borough Planning Board,
and then only on applications submitted to the Borough Planning Board
concerning sign, facade, and/or streetscape improvements, or as otherwise
provided for within the Borough Ordinances. The Borough Zoning Signage
Officer shall not be an appointed member of the Sign Review Committee
but shall chair all meetings of the Borough Sign Review Committee.
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. Works of art unrelated to business or
other activity conducted at the property shall not be considered as
signs.
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 or utilizes a trademark.
A sign which has its illumination maintained at a constant
intensity at the source of such illumination, and the animation is
created by other means than the increase or decrease of the intensity
of its illumination at its source.
A fireproof space frame structure with translucent flexible
reinforced vinyl covering designed in awning form, but whose principal
purpose and use is signage. Such signs are internally illuminated
by fluorescent or other light sources in fixtures approved under National
Electrical Code and BOCA Code.
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 or a two-sided sign hanging under a building
eave/overhang.
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 by manual
or electric, electromechanical or electronic means (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.
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 containing directional information about public places
owned or operated by federal, state or local governments or their
agencies; publicly or privately owned natural phenomena or historic,
cultural, scientific, educational and religions sites; and areas of
natural beauty or naturally suited to outdoor recreation; and a sign
containing directional information whose purpose it is to regulate
and control the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
A freestanding 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.
One sign painted on both sides or two signs of identical
size and shape attached to each other back-to-back. Whenever there
is an angle between the two sign faces, it shall be considered as
two separate signs.
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.
A sign attached to, painted on or erected against the exterior
wall or window of a building or an awning.
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 poles, columns, uprights, foundations
or other supports of any kind that is placed on, or anchored in, the
ground and that is independent from any part of 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.
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, house of worship, 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.
Historical tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques and emblems
which do not exceed six square feet in surface area and which are
installed under the auspices of public or quasi-public bodies and
religious organizations.
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.
A sign which states the name or address of the occupant where
a sign is located.
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 and listing only the name and recognized
profession of each resident practitioner.
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."
See "sign, pole."
Any sign constructed or supported on or above a roof of any
building or structure, 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.
A sign which is attached to or painted on the wall of a building
with the face in a place parallel to such wall and extending from
the face of such wall more than one foot at one end and no more than
three feet at the other end. That side which projects more than one
foot shall be covered with the same material as the remainder of the
sign and shall be at a right angle to the facade or side of said building.
The space between the sign face and the building wall shall be enclosed
so that the sign face and sign sides are flush with the building wall.
A sign internally or externally affixed on a window or located
inside the window which faces the exterior of the building.
Signs or an assemblage of materials used for holidays or
promotion of civil welfare or charitable purposes.
See "frontage."
Any structure which supports or is capable of supporting
any sign or signs.
A.
Any sign which lawfully existed on the effective date of this chapter
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.
B.
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.
C.
Any existing sign which was legally erected and maintained may continue
to exist at its present location but shall not be altered, rebuilt,
relocated, enlarged or extended, unless the change results in a more
conforming sign, in any aspect. A legally nonconforming sign shall
immediately lose its legal nonconforming status if:
(1)
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
(2)
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.
(3)
The sign is replaced.
(4)
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.
D.
If any existing sign is repainted or the sign panels are replaced
for the sole purpose of changing the business, occupation, or tenant
it shall not be considered a new sign. 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.
E.
In owner-occupied or one-tenant cases, no permit shall be issued
for any additional sign if the property contains a nonconforming sign.
A.
It is unlawful for any person to erect, alter, relocate, maintain,
reconstruct or cause to be erected, altered, relocated or reconstructed
any sign of any type or description unless it shall conform to the
requirements of this chapter and shall have applied for and secured
a permit from the Borough Zoning Signage Officer and making payment
of the required fee. All signs hereafter erected or maintained, except
official traffic and street signs, shall conform to the provisions
of this chapter. Any sign(s) not specifically permitted by this chapter
are hereby prohibited.
B.
No sign permit will be issued without the written consent of the
landowner or the one in control of the premises.
C.
Unless specifically exempted by the provisions of this chapter, all
signs shall require a permit from the Borough Zoning Signage Officer
as set forth in this chapter. Prior to the granting of a permit by
the Borough Zoning Signage Officer, any sign requiring review and
approval by the Planning Board shall first appear before the Sign
Review Committee for review and recommendation. The Sign Review Committee
shall not review any applications for a sign permit that do not require
review and approval by the Planning Board.
D.
The Borough Zoning Signage Officer shall only issue a permit for
the erection or construction of a sign which meets the requirements
of this chapter and, where applicable, in accordance with site plans.
E.
Applications for permits to erect or place a sign or make improvements
or alterations to an existing sign conforming to the regulations set
forth in this chapter shall be submitted on forms obtainable from
the Borough Zoning Signage Officer. Each application shall be accompanied
by plans showing the area of the sign; its size and character; the
method of illumination if any; the exact location proposed for such
sign; and in the case of an attached sign, the proposed method of
fastening such sign to the building structure; and the color scheme
of the sign. The application must include the name and address of
the applicant, as well as the name, address and written consent of
the owner of the property, and the name and address of the person,
firm or corporation erecting the sign or structure; furthermore the
applicant must specify whether the sign shall be an advertising sign,
identification sign or directional sign.
F.
Prior to the issuance of any permit requiring review and approval
by the Planning Board, the Borough Zoning Signage Officer shall forward
the application materials to the Sign 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:
(1)
The name and address of the applicant and, if a corporation, the
application shall show the name and address of a duly authorized agent
thereof upon whom process may be served;
(2)
The name and address of the owner of the premises;
(3)
A statement, including the consent of the owner, if the applicant
is other than the owner; and
(4)
Signed by the owner of the sign and the owner of the land upon which
the sign is to be located and the lessee of the land and/or any structures
existing on the land, if any.
G.
Applications for permits shall be submitted and accompanied by two
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.
Property lines of the land upon which any sign is be erected along
with location of any existing structures on the land, along with identification
of the nearest street, highway or public or private driveway. 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. When proposing
wall signs, the sign plan shall include building elevation with height
and width dimensions shown on the face of the building that the sign
is proposed to be installed upon. The pavement elevation measurement
shall be at the closest point perpendicular to the subject sign location.
H.
All illuminated signs shall be subject to the provisions of the Electric
Code and permit fees required thereunder.
I.
Any permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall lapse and expire
six months from the date of issuance unless within said time the work
or action approved thereunder shall have been completed or an extension
has been granted.
J.
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 Zoning Signage Officer, and/or the Sign Review Committee for
those permit applications requiring review and approval by the Planning
Board, 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.[1] 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.
[1]
Editor’s Note: See N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.
K.
Issuance of permit.
(1)
A permit for signage or facade improvements may be issued by the
Borough Zoning Signage Officer after review and recommendation and/or
the granting of a variance by the Planning Board, subject to any other
applicable governmental regulations, or as otherwise provided herein.
(2)
On an application for replacement of an existing sign, the Borough
Building Department shall issue a permit without the necessity of
Planning Board approval only upon satisfaction of all of the following
conditions:
(a)
There is no physical alteration or expansion to the existing
sign beyond the limit permitted herein and previously approved;
(b)
The sign conforms in all respects to the article provisions
specified herein or was previously the recipient of a variance approval;
(c)
No other signage is proposed to be added to the premises beyond
that which is permitted herein; and
(d)
The applicant shall notify the Borough Building Subcode Official
for a final inspection within five days of completion of the installation
of the sign.
L.
Anyone denied a permit for a sign 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.
M.
Following the erection of a sign or signs for which a permit was
required and obtained, the Borough Zoning Signage Officer shall inspect
a sign or signs after erection is completed for compliance with this
chapter. All other necessary permits shall be obtained and inspections
shall be performed as applicable.
A.
The following sets forth the permit fees and escrow fees to be submitted
for a sign permit:
(1)
In addition to any and all other permit fee(s) to be paid as may
be required, a nonrefundable zoning review fee of $75 per sign shall
be due and collected by the Borough Zoning Signage Officer at the
time of filing any sign permit application. This fee shall cover the
cost of reviewing the sign permit application for compliance with
this chapter.
(2)
A flat fee of $150 per sign permit will be charged and collected
by the Borough Zoning Signage Officer at the time of filing any application
requiring involvement of the Sign Review Committee before the Planning
Board.
B.
The applicant for a temporary sign permit shall pay a $30 fee, which
may be for a maximum period of one year from the date of issuance
and which may not be renewed. Any applicant which obtains a temporary
sign permit may re-apply for a new temporary sign permit with a term
commencing upon expiration of the previously issued temporary sign
permit. Temporary signs for and in connection with houses of worship,
public and private schools and not-for-profit organizations in the
community will be issued a permit without the requirement to pay a
fee as provided for in this section.
C.
Temporary signs in nonresidential zones:
[Added 7-21-2021 by Ord.
No. 2021-28]
(1)
Construction sign or real estate sign:
(a)
Between six and 24 square feet in size in the NB, LB, HCC and
HCC-2 Zones with a fee of $20 for a single-sided sign and a fee of
$40 for a double-sided sign.
(b)
Between 25 and 32 square feet in size in the HCC/HCC-2 Zones
with a fee of $30 for a single-sided sign and a fee of $40 for a double-sided
sign.
A.
The Sign Review Committee is hereby recreated and reconstituted to
act as an advisory committee appointed to review and provide recommendations
to the Borough Zoning Signage Officer and the Borough Planning Board
concerning signs in accordance with the standards set forth within
this chapter. The Sign Review Committee shall only undertake a review
and provide its recommendations where an application under this chapter
is submitted to, and pending before, the Borough Planning Board.
A.
The Borough Zoning Signage Officer, Borough police officers and/or
any authorized Borough employee may at any time revoke any sign permit
in respect to a sign erected, altered, relocated or reconstructed
in violation of the provisions of this chapter.
B.
The Borough police officers and the Borough Zoning Signage Officer
or any other authorized Borough employee shall be charged with the
enforcement of all provisions of this chapter.
C.
Except for signs which are legally nonconforming or which are exempt
from obtaining a permit, the Borough Zoning Signage Officer may take
the necessary steps to remove those signs which:
D.
If any sign is deemed to require removal under the provisions of
this chapter, the Borough Zoning Signage Officer 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 affect compliance with the provisions
of this chapter and with rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
E.
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 comply therewith in
any way, the Borough Zoning Signage Officer 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 Paramus.
F.
The Borough Zoning Signage Officer is authorized to go upon any premises
in the Borough of Paramus for purposes of removing signs under the
provisions of this section. Signs removed by the Borough Zoning Signage
Officer 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 of Paramus 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 of Paramus shall in no way be held financially responsible
for any damages that may be incurred as a result of said removal.
Any person violating this chapter or any of its provisions shall,
upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $2,000 per
sign per day 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 Borough Zoning Signage Officer, a summons
may be issued for each separate offense. This chapter may also be
enforced in an action at law or equity for injunctive relief, pursuant
to applicable law.
Any summons issued pursuant to this chapter shall be under the
jurisdiction of the Borough of Paramus Municipal Court.
The following signs shall not require permits or the payment
of fees but are subject to the other provisions of this chapter:
A.
Temporary signs inside windows of commercial establishments covering
not more than 20% of any given window and which shall be removed within
30 days of the date of the erection, which date shall be indicated
thereon in a prominent manner. These signs shall not unreasonably
obstruct light and visibility.
B.
Public directional signs containing directional information about
public places owned or operated by federal, state, county or local
governments or their agencies; publicly owned natural phenomena or
historic, cultural and educational sites.
C.
Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and dates of erection
when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or
other durable material not to exceed six square feet of surface area.
D.
Any signs forbidding trespassing, hunting, fishing or trapping as
authorized by the fish and game laws, dumping and the use of all-terrain
vehicles (ATVs), not to exceed two square feet in area.
E.
Temporary signs indicating a political preference or a political
event, for a period of 60 days prior to an election or political event,
which shall be removed within 14 days after the election or political
event, provided that such signs do not exceed 32 square feet in area
on any one surface.
F.
Name and number of plates identifying the residents on a house, apartment
or mailbox, not to exceed 60 square inches.
G.
Garage sale signs. See § 367-12G(1)(g).
H.
Temporary signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon
which they are situated, provided that such signs do not exceed eight
square feet and which shall be removed when the purpose of the sign
is fulfilled.
I.
Temporary and permanent traffic signs and signals installed by the
Borough, county and state for the purpose of directing and regulating
the flow of traffic.
J.
Signs indicating public transportation stops when installed by the
Borough or a public transportation utility.
K.
Flags or emblems of religious, educational, civic or governmental
organizations flown from supports on the buildings or grounds occupied
by the organization and the American flag whenever and wherever flown
in accordance with the laws and rules promulgated by the federal government.
L.
Lawn signs identifying residents, not exceeding 1 1/2 square
feet in area for each side. The signs shall not contain any advertising
message and shall be nonilluminated except by a light which is an
integral part of a lamppost if used as support.
M.
Signs posted by governmental agencies or pursuant to governmental
statute, order or regulation.
N.
Temporary "Open House" signs.
O.
Signs erected inside a building not visible through windows.
P.
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 the HCC, HCC-2,
NB and LB Zones.
Q.
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.
R.
Customary holiday seasonal decorations and lighting shall be permitted
within a continuous period of no more than 90 days per year and shall
be exempt from site plan approval. Such building, landscaping or site
accent lighting which is installed or used at times outside of the
permitted ninety-day period shall be subject to site plan approval.
S.
Flags honoring and remembering military and servicemen and women
of the United States of America.
T.
Public safety signs.
U.
Any public notice or warning or safety sign required by a valid and
applicable federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance.
V.
Regulation mailboxes of the United States of America Postal Service.
W.
Flags of the United States of America and/or the State of New Jersey.
X.
Signs of the County of Bergen, the Borough of Paramus, the Paramus
School District, the Paramus Volunteer Fire Department or any other
governmental unit, provided approvals are received from the individual,
entity and/or governmental unit(s) having jurisdiction over the area
where placed and adjacent rights of way, respectively.
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 drawing a rectangle around the whole sign from
highest point to the lowest point, 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, backdrop or extent of lettering. Sign area includes
any decoration which is an integral part of the sign but excludes
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 Borough Zoning Signage Officer 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)
No banners, streamers, pennants, flags, 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, or any other such similar attention gathering
devices of any kind shall be permitted on the exterior of any structure
except wherein permitted by the Borough's Land Use Board.
[Amended 12-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-53]
(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)
Notice, handbill, poster, paper or painted signs applied directly
or affixed on to any curbstone, flagstone or any other portion of
any street or sidewalk or upon any tree, rock, natural feature of
any kind, or upon any fence, wall, building, pole, lamppost, telegraph,
electric light or telephone pole or fire hydrant within the limits
of any street or sidewalk area within the Borough.
(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)
Rotating, moving signs or 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. When the owner or lessee of a sign vacates the
premises upon which the sign is located, the lettering on said sign
must be removed. If the owner or lessee of said sign does not remove
it, then the owner of the building or property shall be held responsible
for the removal of the lettering within 30 days of vacancy.
(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)
Electronic message centers, including signs used to display
time and weather information.
(21)
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.
(22)
Signs erected or painted or composed of day-glow or phosphorescent
or similar material.
(23)
Exhibiting statements, words, pictures or images of an obscene
or pornographic nature.
(24)
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.
(25)
Mobile marketing devices where the sign occupies more than 30%
of the vehicles surface area, and/or where the vehicle uses inflatable
billboards or logos, trailer billboards, any apparatus which attaches
to the vehicle and/or any vehicle wrapped in signage, are not permitted
to be located on any site in the Borough.
C.
The Borough of Paramus shall hold the following individuals and/or
entities responsible for the posting of a prohibited sign:
(1)
The actual person who placed or posted the advertisements, signs
or posters;
(2)
The person or entity whose name, business name, telephone number
or address is contained on the advertisements, signs, or posters as
a contact person; or
(3)
Any individual or entity that may profit from a response to the commercial
advertisement.
D.
Each posting of a prohibited sign(s) represents a separate and distinct
offense.
E.
The Borough Zoning Signage Officer is permitted to contact any of the individuals or entities identified in § 367-12C(1) through (3) and provide 24 hours' notice to remove the prohibited sign(s), which notice may be by made by written notice, electronic notice or verbal notice.
(1)
If, after the expiration of the twenty-four-hour period the prohibited
sign(s) are not removed, the Borough Zoning Signage Officer is authorized
to issue summon(es) to any of the above individuals or entities for
failing to remove said sign(s).
F.
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 six colors, including
black and white.
(3)
Illumination.
(a)
No sign shall be illuminated except as provided herein.
(b)
All light shall be designated to minimize glare, and light levels
from sign lights shall be less than 0.1 footcandle at all property
lines.
(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. No sign within 150 feet
of any residential zone shall be illuminated between the hours of
11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless the business is open during these
hours.
(f)
All business signs and all spotlights and floodlighting used
in connection with the operation of any business shall be extinguished
by 11:00 p.m. or upon the close of business serviced by said signs
or lighting, whichever last occurs. Extinguishing of such lights shall
be controlled by automatic means. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Chief of Police, subject to the approval of the Borough Engineer,
may authorize lighting specifically designed for the protection of
properties otherwise subject to this section, which lighting, when
authorized, shall be exempt from the provisions hereof.
(4)
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 seven days of notification by the Borough Zoning
Signage Officer and in such a manner as to maintain the appearance
and structure of the sign as it was approved for installation.
(5)
The Borough Zoning Signage Officer 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.
(6)
Signs of an obscene or pornographic nature shall be unlawful. The
Borough Zoning Signage Officer shall order the immediate removal of
such signs.
(7)
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, and otherwise permitted
in this chapter.
G.
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 on the day of a real estate
open house from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., consisting of a metal "A"
frame design with maximum face size of two feet by two feet, which
shall not be permanently affixed to the ground or other fixed object,
such as a tree or utility pole, and shall not obstruct any sight triangles
at intersections or driveways, but shall be properly ballasted so
as to remain in place and which shall identify the real estate broker
sponsoring the open house, to include his/her address and telephone
number.
(b)
Institutional signs and other signs for houses of worship, schools, fraternal organizations and other nonprofit organizations are subject to § 367-12F(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 § 367-11E; § 367-12K(1).
(e)
Residential subdivision identification signs. Prior to the issuance
of a permit for a residential subdivision identification sign, all
such applications shall require the review and approval of the Sign
Review Committee and the Planning Board. For any subdivision of greater
than 20 lots, one permanent subdivision identification sign not exceeding
24 square feet in size in face area and not more than eight feet in
height, inclusive of any logo, shall be allowed per development. At
the main entrance to the development, two illuminated freestanding
signs which shall state the name of the development and no further
advertising material. 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, but at each entrance other than
the main entrance only one nonilluminated freestanding sign not exceeding
15 square feet in area and not more than five feet in height. At the
rental or sales office of the development, one freestanding illuminated
sign advertising the office, not to exceed 15 square feet in face
area and not more than five feet in height. Subdivision identification
signs shall not exceed eight feet above the adjacent ground surface.
(f)
Multifamily identification signs. Prior to the issuance of a
permit for a multifamily identification sign, all such applications
shall require the review and approval of the Sign Review Committee
and the Planning Board. For any multifamily development of greater
than 20 units, 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 public 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 or on other
private property situated within 200 feet from the premises where
the sale is taking place, only after issuance of a permit allowing
such garage sale. Such sign shall only be displayed not more than
24 hours before the sale begins and shall be removed within 24 hours
after the sale is closed.
(h)
Special displays. Such displays shall not exceed 16 square feet
and shall be used for holidays or promotion of civil welfare or charitable
purposes and shall not be displayed for more than 90 total days in
any calendar year.
(i)
Signs for home occupations or home professional offices. See § 367-12I(4).
(j)
One sign advertising a farm or nursery activity situated not
less than 20 feet from any street or property line, not exceeding
10 square feet in area on any one side and not exceeding 10 feet in
height.
(k)
One sign located on the principal building and is identifying
any permitted or conditional use other than a single-family detached
dwelling in a residential zone, not to exceed 1.5 square feet in area
on any one surface and located not less than 10 feet from any lot
line.
(l)
For business uses, one sign flat against the building or on
a single freestanding post, such as a lawn sign, is permitted. The
sign shall not exceed three square feet in area, and a freestanding
sign shall not exceed five feet in height. Where more than one use
is conducted on the premises, the area of the sign may be increased
by two square feet for each use up to a maximum of eight square feet.
The information on the sign shall be limited to the name of the occupant,
his or her business or profession and house number.
(m)
Farm stands for the sale of farm produce grown on the premises
may have two freestanding signs, each not larger than 12 square feet
in area and not exceeding eight feet in height. In addition, one sign
no larger than 20 square feet in area may be erected flat against
the face of the farm stand or farm building where the produce or products
are sold.
H.
Signs in nonresidential zone districts (Zones R-GC, MFAC, GOV, NB,
HCC, HCC-2, LB, CEM, HP, CR MU).
(1)
Wall signs. Wall signs are permitted for all business, industrial
or commercial establishments.
[Amended 7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-28]
(a)
Wall-mounted signs for establishments with a single tenant shall
comply with the following:
[1]
Only one wall sign shall be permitted per wall, for a total
of no more than four signs on a single-tenant building, provided that
the total sign area on the building shall not exceed 300 square feet,
and provided it does not exceed 10% of the total surface area of the
building face upon which it is placed or 100 square feet, whichever
is less.
[2]
(Reserved)
[3]
No sign shall project from the building to which it is attached
more than one foot at one end and no more than three feet at the other
end. That side which projects more than one foot shall be covered
with the same material as the remainder of the sign and shall be at
a right angle to the facade or side of said building. The space between
the sign face and the building wall shall be enclosed so that the
sign face and sign sides are flush with the building wall.
[4]
No business sign shall be erected or maintained upon the roof
of a building, including a mansard roof or parapet, nor shall any
sign project above the roof of a building, except that a wall-mounted
sign on the parapet wall of a one-story building is permitted above
a roof line elevation, provided that the sign shall be placed in symmetry
with the architectural lines and shape of the front wall. Where a
sign is mounted on a parapet wall, the parapet wall shall not extend
more than four feet above the abutting roof elevation.
[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. Interior
tenants can have one sign on the front and rear elevations and tenants
on end units can have one sign on the front, rear and side elevation.
(c)
General standards for wall signs.
[1]
Wall sign colors shall be limited to a range of six colors,
including black and white;
[2]
No sign shall be erected or maintained upon the roof of a building,
including a mansard or parapet roof, nor shall any sign project above
the roof of a building, except that a wall-mounted sign on the parapet
wall of a one-story building is permitted above a roofline elevation,
provided that the sign shall be placed in symmetry with the architectural
lines and shape of the front wall. Where a sign is mounted on a parapet
wall, the parapet wall shall not extend more than four feet above
the abutting roof elevation.
[3]
The sides of a wall sign must be positioned so as not to extend
past the length of the storefront area.
(2)
Freestanding business signs (Pertains to only the HCC and HCC-2 Zones):
(a)
A freestanding, double-faced sign, not to exceed 80 square feet,
is permitted in the HCC and HCC-2 Zones where necessary to identify
a group of stores or other commercial establishments.
[Amended 7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-28]
(b)
Freestanding signs shall not be externally illuminated.
(c)
The bottom of any freestanding sign shall be a minimum of eight
feet from the ground level and the top of said sign shall not exceed
18 feet from the ground level.
(d)
No freestanding sign panel shall exceed a height of eight feet,
a length of 12 feet, nor a depth of 18 inches.
(e)
No part of a freestanding sign shall be closer than 15 feet
to the curbline of an abutting street nor closer than 10 feet to the
street right-of-way.
(f)
Street address numbers. All freestanding signs and monument
signs referencing businesses shall contain the street address number
of the property on each face which displays information. Street address
numbers on business and all other freestanding signs (except entrance
signs) shall have a height of eight inches on state highways and a
height of four inches on other roads.
(g)
A freestanding sign may have a decorative sign base as long
as it meets the following requirements:
[1]
The color of the decorative sign base must be consistent with
the colors of the sign. The sign and decorative sign base, together,
may not exceed the maximum of four colors.
[2]
A decorative sign base may not contain any lettering, logo or
other advertising. The street address of the property required may
be located on a decorative sign base.
[3]
A decorative sign base must cover the entire length (the distance
between the bottom of the sign panel and the ground) of the support
structure to which it is affixed.
[4]
The width of a decorative sign base may not be greater than
1/3 the length of the sign panel or 42 inches, whichever is less.
[5]
The depth of a decorative sign base may not be greater than
the depth of the sign panel. The depth of the base shall be measured
to include the support structure.
[6]
A decorative sign base may not be illuminated.
(h)
A maximum of one freestanding business sign or a maximum of one monument
sign is permitted.
[Added 7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-28]
(3)
Freestanding entrance signs:
(a)
One double-faced or single-faced entrance sign shall be permitted
at each entrance driveway for the purpose of directing motorists safely
into business establishments located in the NB, LB, HCC and HCC-2
Zones. Such entrance signs shall be uniform in size and content as
follows:
[1]
Size: two feet in height; four feet in length and not more than
12 inches in depth.
[2]
Lettering and construction: The content of the sign and the
size of lettering shall conform to all of the aspects of the standard
entrance sign as shown in § 367-14I. Only the name of the
principal occupant may be inscribed thereon.
[3]
Coloring: Black letters on a white background shall be employed.
[4]
Illumination: All entrance signs under this chapter must be
of reflective surface and not lighted by interior illumination.
[5]
Height: Height of sign from mean ground level shall not exceed
four feet.
[6]
Location: Sign shall be placed on the far side of the entrance
driveway relative to the direction of traffic flow.
[7]
Shape: Rectangular shape shall be required.
[8]
All entrance signs shall contain the street address number of
the property on each face which displays information. Street address
numbers on entrance signs shall have a height of four inches.
(4)
Blade signs. Projecting blade signs are permitted for all business,
office, or commercial establishments. Projecting blade signs shall
comply with the following:
(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)
A projecting blade sign must not extend below the baseline of
an adjoining canopy or marquee.
(d)
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.
(e)
No projecting blade sign can be affixed to glass, awning or
canopy and must be fixed in a permanent and secure manner.
(f)
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.
(5)
Monument signs. Monument signs are permitted in HCC and HCC-2 Zone
Districts only and shall comply with the following:
[Amended 7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-28]
(a)
One monument sign per lot shall be permitted no greater than
80 square feet.
(b)
Such sign shall be located in any front yard area but in no
case less than 15 feet from the curbline of any abutting street nor
less than 10 feet to the street right-of-way.
(c)
The maximum height from the ground shall be 18 feet.
(d)
No internal illumination shall be permitted.
(e)
A monument sign may have a decorative sign base as long as it
meets the following requirements:
[1]
The color of the decorative sign base must be consistent with
the colors of the sign. The sign and decorative sign base, together,
may not exceed the maximum of six colors.
[2]
A decorative sign base may not contain any lettering, logo or
other advertising. The street address of the property required may
be located on a decorative sign base.
[3]
A decorative sign base must cover the entire length (the distance
between the bottom of the sign panel and the ground) of the support
structure to which it is affixed.
[4]
The width of a decorative sign base may not be greater than
1/3 the length of the sign panel or 42 inches, whichever is less.
[5]
The depth of a decorative sign base may not be greater than
the depth of the sign panel. The depth of the base shall be measured
to include the support structure.
[6]
A decorative sign base may not be illuminated.
[7]
A maximum of one monument sign or a maximum of one freestanding
business sign is permitted.
(6)
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 HCC, HCC-2, NB and LB Zones, subject
to the following conditions:
(a)
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.
(b)
Such signs shall be contained entirely within the ground level
interior of the building in which the business is located.
(c)
No sign, temporary or otherwise, on the inside of a window shall
be greater than two feet in height nor cover more than 20% of the
square footage of said window, but in no case shall such sign be greater
than the total of 16 square feet of the total glass area of each wall.
(d)
No window sign shall be permitted above the first floor of any
building.
(e)
Such signs shall be maintained in an orderly manner at all times.
(7)
Directory signs.
(a)
Directory signs in the HCC and HCC-2 Zone Districts shall be
permitted as follows: for strip malls only with five or more businesses
or tenants, a directory sign may be used subject to the following
provisions:
[1]
Buildings containing not fewer than five and no more than nine
tenants may have one directory sign containing a maximum of 60 square
feet of sign area. Buildings containing 10 or more tenants may have
one directory sign containing a maximum of 100 square feet of sign
area.
[2]
Directory signs shall be a wall sign. The minimum height for
a directory sign shall be eight feet from the surrounding grade to
the highest point on the sign.
(8)
Signs on awnings. Signs on awnings shall be permitted for commercial
establishments in the HCC, HCC-2 and NB Zone Districts. The location
and design of awnings shall comply with this chapter.
(a)
An awning must not display any graphic other than the name of
the business, the logo, and the street number.
(b)
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 this chapter.
(c)
Awning signs shall not be permitted if the establishment also
has a wall sign.
(d)
An awning sign shall be a maximum of 36 square feet in area
and shall fully comply in all respects with the "Awning Detail" guideline
document issued by the Building Department of the Borough.
(9)
Gasoline service station signs. See § 367-12I(1).
I.
Standards for specific uses.
(1)
Gasoline service station signs. In addition to the other signage
allowed in this chapter, the following signs shall be allowed for
gasoline service stations:
(a)
Freestanding sign.
[1]
A maximum of one freestanding sign consisting of a pole sign
is permitted.
[2]
A freestanding pole sign shall not exceed a height of 30 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 130 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 changeable copy sign for the purpose of indicating gas price
is permitted.
[Amended 7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-28]
(b)
Gasoline service station canopy signs.
[1]
A gasoline service station with a canopy shall be permitted
and two canopy signs shall be permitted in total.
[2]
The canopy sign or signs shall collectively not exceed 20 square
feet in area per canopy face.
[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.
(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.
(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 of 250 square feet.
[3]
A freestanding pole sign shall not exceed a height of 30 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. No other information shall
be provided on such sign, and changeable copy signs are not permitted.
[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.
[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 5% of
the building face area devoted to the tenant or 100 square feet, whichever
is less.
[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 250 square feet,
whichever is less.
(d)
Regulations governing interior site directional signs:
[1]
Directional signs designed to direct visitors to specific buildings
and parking areas shall be permitted and shall be appropriately designed
and located to promote safe and efficient site circulation;
[2]
Directional signs shall have a minimum setback of 10 feet from
property lines;
[3]
Directional signs depicting multiple references to buildings,
(main entrance, other buildings, parking areas, etc.) or to emergency
services or departments shall have a maximum sign area of 40 square
feet and maximum height of 10 feet from grade. Such signage may be
internally or externally illuminated; and
[4]
Directional freestanding or monument signs depicting a single
service (valet, pick-up, parking) shall have a maximum sign area of
12 square feet and maximum height of six feet from grade. Such signage
shall not be illuminated.
(e)
Any directional freestanding or monument sign that provides
either on-site or off-site regulatory or directional information shall
require the approval of the Planning Board, the Borough Engineer and/or
the Borough Police Department as determined by the Borough Zoning
Signage Officer.
(3)
Office buildings. Additional provisions applicable to freestanding
office buildings.
(a)
Identification signs.
[1]
One wall-mounted identification sign, with the copy limited
to a company name and/or corporate logo, and building address, 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.
[Amended 7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-28]
[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]
Wall signs shall not exceed in area 10% of the area of the wall
on which it is located or 100 square feet, whichever is less, less
the area of any nonconforming sign, shall be permitted.
(b)
Monument signs.
[1]
One monument sign shall be permitted per each street frontage.
[2]
The maximum size for each monument sign shall be 30 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 or outside
the vehicle driver's sight line at any point of ingress/egress to
the property.
(4)
Signs for home occupations or home professional offices. A professional
or announcement sign of a home professional office on a residence
building shall be fixed on the main wall of such building or on a
signpost not more than six feet in height above ground and set back
not less than 20 feet from the curbline and shall not project more
than 24 inches. Such sign may be internally lighted between the hours
of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; or, as to a sign of a physician, surgeon
or dentist, without any time restriction. Such lighting shall be arranged
so as to prevent glare, and no sign shall be illuminated by lighting
of intermittent or varying intensity.
(5)
Institutional signs and other signs for houses of worship, 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. No internal
illumination shall be permitted.
[Amended 7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-28]
[1]
An institutional sign shall contain the street address number
of the property on each face which displays information and a height
of four inches.
(b)
Institutional wall signs. 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.
(6)
The following shall govern signs for health care facilities and hospital/health
care campuses in the HCC Zone:
(a)
General sign regulations: Where there is an inconsistency between
this section and the general sign code provisions elsewhere in the
chapter, this section governs.
[1]
Hospitals and health care campus signs, including, but not limited
to, wall-mounted, digital, freestanding/monument, and "emergency"
signs, may have internal, halo-lit, indirect lighting or reflective
illumination. Such signs shall be permitted to be illuminated 24 hours
daily.
[2]
For the purposes of ensuring a safe and efficient circulation,
"emergency" and "hospital" signs (i.e., those signs directing vehicles
to the emergency entrances of a hospital or the hospital itself) at
building entrances, driveways and other on-site and off-site locations
shall be permitted without limitation as determined to be reasonable
and necessary. Such signs shall not be considered in the calculation
of number of permitted signs, total sign area, or number of sign colors.
[3]
The installation of a building's street address on a sign shall
not be calculated as part of the overall sign size.
[4]
Supportive or structural sign components including, but not
limited to, posts, pylons and masonry bases shall not be included
in calculating sign area.
[5]
Logos shall be permitted on any permitted sign.
[6]
Monument signs, freestanding signs, and wall signs shall have
a maximum of four colors, provided that the color of the base of a
monument sign shall not be counted as a color, and further provided
that this limit on number of colors shall not apply to banner signs.
(b)
Regulations governing monument identification signs:
[1]
A monument double-faced identification sign shall be permitted
at each driveway entrance to a hospital and health care facilities
campus. Such sign, on a single side, shall not exceed 55 square feet
in area, provided that any masonry base shall be allowed but not included
in the sign area calculation, and further provided that the identification
sign shall be distinctly different in color and visual character from
the masonry base upon which it is situated.
[2]
The following regulations shall apply to the masonry base of
a sign as described above:
[a]
A masonry base may not contain any lettering, logo
or other advertising, provided that the street address may be located
on the masonry base.
[b]
A masonry base must cover, at a minimum, the entire
length of the sign that is affixed to it.
[c]
The maximum number of permitted colors on a monument
identification sign shall be four colors, excluding the sign base.
[3]
The height of a monument identification sign shall not exceed
10 feet, as measured from grade, nor shall such sign exceed a length
of 15 feet nor a depth of 36 inches.
[4]
Monument identification signs shall be permitted in any required
yard or buffer.
[5]
No part of a monument identification sign shall be closer than
15 feet to the curbline of an abutting street nor closer than five
feet to the street right-of-way.
[6]
Monument identification signs shall have a minimum setback of
five feet from side and rear property lines.
[7]
Monument identification signs shall be placed on the far side
of the entrance driveway relative to the traffic flow, where feasible.
[8]
All monument identification signs shall contain the street address
number of the property on each face which displays information.
[9]
No monument identification sign shall interfere in any way with
a vehicle driver's sight lines at any point of ingress/egress to the
property.
(c)
Regulations governing freestanding identification signs:
[1]
A freestanding double-faced identification sign shall be permitted
at each driveway entrance to a hospital and health care facility campus
at locations where a monument identification sign is not provided.
Such sign, on a single side, shall not exceed 55 square feet in area.
[2]
Freestanding identification signs shall be permitted to have
a maximum height of 16 feet, and a minimum clearance height of eight
feet below the sign. Sign height shall be measured from grade.
[3]
Freestanding identification signs shall be permitted in any
required yard or buffer.
[4]
No part of a freestanding identification sign shall be closer
than 15 feet to the curbline of an abutting street nor closer than
five feet to the street right-of-way.
[5]
Freestanding identification signs shall have a minimum setback
of five feet from side and rear property lines.
[6]
Freestanding identification signs shall be placed on the far
side of the entrance driveway relative to the traffic flow, where
feasible.
[7]
All freestanding identification signs shall contain the street
address number of the property on each face which displays information.
Street addresses shall be a height of four inches.
[8]
No freestanding identification sign shall interfere in any way
with a vehicle driver's sight lines at any point of ingress/egress
to the property.
(d)
Regulations governing wall-mounted (building) identification
signs:
[1]
Two wall-mounted signs shall be permitted for each building
elevation. The total permitted signage shall be the lesser of 10%
of the total surface area of the building elevation, inclusive of
any parapet and other rooftop screening elements, or 200 square feet
per sign provided that:
[a]
No individual wall-mounted sign shall exceed 200
square feet, unless the building that the wall-mounted sign is located
on is set back more than 50 feet from the roadway; then a wall-mounted
sign of a maximum of 300 square feet is permissible.
[b]
One donor specialized naming recognition sign shall
be permitted on each building elevation over and above the limitation
of two wall-mounted signs. Such signage shall not exceed 100 square
feet in size.
[2]
Wall-mounted signs may be located on building facades, except
that no sign shall extend above the top of the wall face or parapet
to which it is affixed.
[3]
Wall-mounted identification signs shall be permitted on parking
structures.
[4]
Internally illuminated signs which identify parking structure
entrances shall be permitted as wall signs and at ground level entrances
to parking structures, each not to exceed 36 square feet.
[5]
Internally illuminated wall-mounted or roof-mounted "emergency"
signs placed on and above a canopy at the entrance doors of emergency
rooms shall be permitted at a size not to exceed 45 square feet.
[6]
Suspended "clearance" bar and "exit only" bar signs shall also
be permitted in parking garages.
[7]
Wall-mounted identification signs that are exclusively "emergency"
signage shall be excluded from limitations regarding their size, number
of colors and permitted number of signage.
(e)
Regulations governing interior site directional signs:
[1]
Directional signs designed to direct visitors to specific buildings
and parking areas shall be permitted and shall be appropriately designed
and located to promote safe and efficient site circulation;
[2]
Directional signs shall have a minimum setback of 10 feet from
property lines;
[3]
Directional signs depicting multiple references to buildings,
(main entrance, other buildings, parking areas, etc.) or to emergency
services or departments shall have a maximum sign area of 25 square
feet and maximum height of six feet from grade. Such signage may be
internally or externally illuminated; and
[4]
Directional freestanding or monument signs depicting a single
service (valet, pick-up, parking) shall have a maximum sign area of
12 square feet and maximum height of six feet from grade. Such signage,
if illuminated, shall be internally illuminated.
(f)
Regulations governing flags and banners:
[1]
Flags:
[a]
Flags and flagpoles shall be permitted in appropriate
locations as freestanding flags.
[b]
The number of permitted flagpoles in front of an
individual building shall be limited to a maximum of three.
[c]
Freestanding flagpoles shall not exceed a height
of 50 feet above grade.
[d]
Flags may be illuminated, provided that the American
Flag shall be illuminated.
[e]
The size of the flag shall be limited to a maximum
of 150 square feet, provided the American Flag area shall not be restricted
in size.
[2]
Banners:
[a]
Banners are to be located along the roadways and
driveways.
[b]
Banners are to be constructed of vinyl or similar
fabric.
[c]
Banners shall be no more than 24 inches by 48 inches
in dimension.
[d]
Banners are to be placed a minimum of 50 feet apart
from each other as measured on the same side of the street.
[e]
Banners may be placed either on their own pole
or on a light pole
[f]
Banner poles shall not exceed a height of 20 feet.
[g]
Banners shall be excluded from any limitation on
the number of sign colors.
(g)
Regulations governing specialized naming recognition signs:
[1]
Specialized naming recognition signs are signs that recognize
donors who have contributed to the hospital construction program or
who otherwise deserve special recognition by the hospital.
[2]
Specialized naming recognition signs shall not be placed higher
than the second story of any building upon which it is located.
[3]
Such signage shall be permitted as wall signage. They shall
not be counted towards the number of permitted signs on a wall, provided
that such signage shall not exceed 100 square feet in area for each
such sign, and further provided that such name may be permitted on
directional signs as regulated above.
[4]
Specialized naming recognition signs may be illuminated in the
same manner as permitted at section for hospital and health care facility
campus signs.
(7)
The following shall govern signs for commercial establishments, including
but not limited to restaurants, drug stores, banks and financial institutions,
and car wash and oil change facilities, permitted to use drive-through
lanes for the offering of their respective goods and/or services:
[Added 7-21-2021 by Ord.
No. 2021-28]
(a)
Restaurants with permitted drive-through facilities are permitted
one drive-through menu board sign per drive-through lane, which may
include the name, corporate logo and/or colors of the restaurant to
which the drive-through lane is attached, and shall conform to the
following:
[1]
The drive-through menu board sign shall not be visible from
any public roadway.
[2]
The maximum area permitted for a drive-through menu board sign
is 35 square feet.
[3]
The maximum height permitted for a drive-through menu board
sign is eight feet.
[4]
The maximum height for a clearance bar or canopy is 12 feet.
(b)
Small directional signs meant to direct visitors or patrons
to the permitted drive-through lane component of an establishment
shall be permitted and shall not be counted towards the allowable
sign area, provided each such sign is no more than four square feet
in area and no more than four feet in height, and such directional
signs may include the name, corporate logo and/or colors of the establishment,
provided the directional purpose of the directional sign is achieved.
[Amended 12-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-51]
(c)
For each permitted drive-through lane attached to any establishment
permitted to use a drive-through lane, there shall be no more than
two permitted information signs with the permitted information signs
being allowed in order to provide traffic flow, height clearance and
other similar information.
(d)
Drive-through-lane directional signs may be internally illuminated.
[Added 12-21-2021 by Ord.
No. 2021-51]
J.
Size of permitted signs. In all zone districts, maximum permitted
sizes of each type of sign shall be in accordance with the regulations
set forth and contained in this chapter, and which are summarized
as follows:
[Amended 7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-28]
|
Business Identification Signs
| ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
District
|
Professional Sign on Residence
(square feet)
|
Freestanding Sign
(square feet)
|
Monument Sign
(square feet)
|
Institutional Sign/Wall Sign
(square feet)
|
Wall Sign*
(percentage of wall area)
|
For Sale or Rent Sign
(square feet)
|
|
Residential
|
20
|
Prohibited
|
Prohibited
|
18 (monument sign)
24 (wall sign)
|
Prohibited
|
10
|
|
NB
|
N/A
|
Prohibited
|
Prohibited
|
24
|
10
|
10
|
|
LB
|
N/A
|
Prohibited
|
36
|
24
|
10
|
10
|
|
HCC and HHC-2
|
N/A
|
80
|
80
|
24
|
10
|
32
|
K.
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 Borough Zoning Signage Officer.
L.
Billboard signs. The following standards, provisions, requirements
and restrictions shall apply to all billboard signs within the Borough
of Paramus and these regulations are being adopted in furtherance
of the Borough of Paramus Master Plan and to guide the appropriate
use and development of lands in the Borough in a way that will: balance
the promotion of the safety, convenience and enjoyment of safe travel
on highways while promoting development and economic vitality and
facilitating the flow of free speech and expression, of which providing
messages of commercial, public and social value conveyed through the
medium of roadside signs and outdoor advertising is an important part
and constitutionally required; and minimize the possible adverse effect
of off-premises and outdoor advertising signs on nearby residential
zone districts:
[Amended 4-13-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-14]
(1)
The Borough shall not accept a billboard sign application for consideration
and issuance unless accompanied by a valid State of New Jersey permit
issued by the Department of Transportation to be accompanied by 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.
(2)
All billboard signs may only be applied for and shall only be permitted
in the Billboard Overlay Zone with frontage along NJ State Highway
4 East i) which area is a maximum of 50 feet from the southern right-of-way
(ROW) line of NJ State Highway 4 from Block 103, Lot 1, east to Block
108, Lot 7, and ii) which area is a maximum of 50 feet from the southern
right-of-way (ROW) line of NJ State Highway 4 from Block 607, Lot
20, east to Block 902, Lot 13. For further reference see map annexed
hereto as "Attachment 1" and "Attachment 2."[2]
[Amended 11-21-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-45A]
(a)
Billboard signs shall be prohibited elsewhere within the Borough
of Paramus;
(b)
Billboard signs shall be constructed to confine their lines
of sight to NJ State Highway 4;
(c)
The billboard sign panel may extend outside the fifty-foot permitted
area, subject to the provisions elsewhere in this chapter;
(d)
No part of the billboard sign, including but not limited to
the sign panel or support structures, shall be closer than 10 feet
to the Route 4 right-of-way.
[2]
Editor's Note: Attachments 1 and 2 referenced herein
are on file in the Borough offices.
(3)
On-premises billboard signs. On-premises billboard signs, whether static billboard signs or multiple message billboard signs, are strictly prohibited. All on-premises signs located in nonresidential zone districts are governed by Subsection H above.
(4)
Off-premises billboard signs. An off-premises billboard sign is a
sign that identifies or communicates a commercial or noncommercial
message related to an activity conducted, a service rendered, or a
commodity sold at a location other than where the sign is located.
A sign shall be considered an off-premises billboard sign used for
the purpose of the business of outdoor advertising in the following
circumstances:
(a)
If the property owner or sign owner receives compensation for
the use of the sign. However, if the payment of compensation for the
use of the sign is a condition of a bona fide and principal use of
the property and the compensation is paid by the entity whose use
or activity is displayed on the sign, the sign shall be considered
an on-premises sign and strictly prohibited; or
(b)
If a sign consists principally of brand name or trade name advertising
and the product or service advertised is only incidental to the principal
activity conducted on the premises where the sign is displayed.
[1]
The premises on which an activity is conducted shall be determined
by physical facts rather than property lines. The following are not
part of the premises on which an activity is conducted, and any signs
located on such lands shall be deemed off-premises advertising:
[a]
Land separated by a roadway, highway, or other
obstruction shall not be considered part of the premises. However,
where lands are developed into one integrated and commonly identified
site, the lands shall not be deemed to be separated. An integrated
site shall have a unified overall site design, shared parking, integrated
roadway, and pedestrian systems, common management and rights of constituent
businesses to use the common facilities. Examples of an integrated
site are a shopping mall divided by an internal street or a pedestrian
overpass connecting a development with its parking garage; or
[b]
Narrow strips of lands that are contiguous to the
property but separated from the activity.
[2]
The following general requirements shall apply to off-premises
billboard signs:
[a]
The evaluation of a sign's compliance with the
minimum spacing requirements shall only consider off-premises billboard
signs that are visible on the same side of the highway, except as
stated below:
[i]
Directional signs, service club signs and religious
signs, school bus stop shelter signs, and transit bus shelter signs
shall not be considered in evaluating spacing requirements.
[ii]
Wall signs that are located on opposite sides
of the same building or on opposite sides of adjacent buildings shall
not be considered in evaluating spacing requirements between them,
provided that no parts of these signs can be seen simultaneously by
traffic travelling in the same direction. Such signs shall be considered
in evaluating the spacing requirements to roof signs and ground signs
located on the same side of the highway.
[iii]
Signs that are located on opposite sides of the
structural steel of the same bridge shall not be considered in evaluating
spacing requirements between them provided that no part of one sign
can be seen simultaneously with a part of the other sign.
[iv]
A sign on a railroad bridge, overpass, building,
or other structure that spans a highway or ramp shall be considered
in evaluating spacing requirements to any other sign if both signs
are visible to motorists traveling in the same direction, and the
other sign is located on the driver's right side.
[b]
The measurement of distance between signs shall
be made in the following manner:
[i]
The minimum spacing distance between permitted
locations shall be measured along the nearest edge of the pavement
between points directly opposite the edge of the sign face nearest
the pavement edge and shall apply only to permitted locations on the
same side of the highway. The point of measurement for back-to-back
signs shall be the midpoint between the nearest edge of the back-to-back
sign faces.
[ii]
Where a sign located over a highway is considered
in measuring the spacing between permitted locations, the minimum
distance between it and another sign shall be measured from the sign
face of the overhead sign to the point of measurement specified in
[2][b][i] above. Measurements shall only be made to permitted locations
on the driver's right side based on the direction of travel to view
the overhead sign.
[c]
Not more than one sign face or display at a permitted
location shall be visible to traffic traveling in the same direction.
If sign faces are not visible to traffic travelling in the same direction
(placed back-to-back or in a V-type construction), the maximum advertising
surface area and dimensions shall apply to the sign faces on each
side of the sign.
(5)
Static billboard signs: Static billboard signs include, but is not
limited to, any graphics that are painted or otherwise, supergraphics,
building wraps, and wall drop signs that do not change electronically.
A static billboard sign shall comply with the provisions of this chapter
and the following requirements:
(a)
All applications pertaining to static billboard signs shall
be preconditioned on the issuance of a valid State of New Jersey permit
issued by the Department of Transportation to be accompanied by a
scaled site plan sealed by an engineer licensed and registered in
the State of New Jersey.
(b)
Static billboards signs shall have a maximum sign face area
of 672 square feet.
(c)
The maximum permitted height of a static billboard sign shall
not exceed the maximum height for a principal structure permitted
in the subject zone where the billboard sign is located or 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, 60 feet if the
distance from any part of a billboard sign is greater than 500 feet
from the closest residential use within the Borough of Paramus, whichever
is greater.
(d)
A static billboard sign 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.
(e)
A static billboard sign face, including border and trim, shall
be no greater than 16 feet in height and shall be no greater than
60 feet in width.
(f)
No more than one static billboard sign shall be permitted on
any lot. For the purposes of this subsection, double-faced billboards
visible from opposite directions but built on a common frame shall
be considered one billboard sign.
(g)
Static billboard signs may be permitted on the same lot as another
principal permitted use, provided that no billboard sign shall be
constructed on any other structure on the lot and the billboard sign
shall be supported by a single pole affixed to or embedded in the
ground.
(h)
Only single-sided and back-to-back or V-type construction billboards
with a single display per facing shall be permitted.
(i)
No static billboard sign may be placed any closer than 2,000
feet to any other billboard sign within the overlay zone(s). Existing
billboard signs located outside of the overlay zone do not count toward
this requirement.
[Amended 11-21-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-45A]
(j)
There shall be no more than two billboard signs within any one
linear mile as measured along Route 4 within the Billboard Overlay
Zone within the Borough. Existing billboard signs located outside
of the overlay zone do not count toward this requirement.
[Amended 11-21-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-45A]
(k)
No static 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, or of any overpass
or underpass that traverses an interstate highway or freeway, including
but not limited to NJ State Hwy 4, as measured at a point closest
to any portion of the above and the closest portion of the subject
billboard sign as measured from the property line.
(l)
The minimum setback of any static billboard sign as measured
from all points of the billboard sign shall be 250 feet from all residentially
zoned property or property being utilized for residential purposes
within the Borough of Paramus, any public property not to include
public streets, any public or private parks, or any registered historical
sites or historical districts, within the Borough of Paramus.
(m)
A static billboard sign may be multi-colored, and illumination
shall be installed only to reasonably illuminate the subject billboard
sign face and shall be directed and back-shielded 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.
(n)
A static billboard sign shall not be placed or operated to create
a safety, traffic, health or hazardous condition.
(o)
Any application received for a static billboard sign that is
intended to replace existing billboard sign shall be regulated by
these provisions and any other applicable regulations normally applied
to new billboard sign applications.
(p)
No regulations in this section or any portions thereof are intended
as being less restrictive than state or federal regulations.
(q)
Static billboard sign extensions:
[1]
The total square footage of static billboard sign's 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 five feet from
the billboard sign face;
[3]
Static billboard sign's 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; and
[5]
Static billboard sign's 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.
(r)
No static billboard sign shall be permitted which, because of
its size, shape and/or location, may obscure or obstruct the view
of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
(s)
No advertisements shall be permitted on any billboard sign that
is deemed to be in violation of existing laws, offensive to the moral
standards of the community, false, misleading or deceptive, or in
any way reflects upon the character, integrity or good standing of
any organization or individual.
(6)
Multiple message billboard sign: Multiple message billboard sign,
LED billboard, electronic billboard, and digital billboard are hereby
used interchangeably and shall refer to billboard signs that utilizing
digital message technology, capable of changing the static message
or copy on the sign electronically, such that the alphabetic, pictographic,
or symbolic informational content of which can be changed or altered
on a fixed display surface composed of electronically illuminated
or electronically actuated or motivated elements can be changed or
altered electronically. Multiple message billboard signs shall comply
with the provisions of this chapter and the following requirements:
(a)
All regulations herein pertaining to multiple message billboards
Signs shall be preconditioned on the issuance of a valid State of
New Jersey permit issued by the Department of Transportation and accompanied
by a scaled site plan sealed by an engineer licensed and registered
in the State of New Jersey.
(b)
Multiple message billboard signs shall have a maximum sign face
area of 672 square feet.
(c)
The maximum permitted height of a multiple message billboard
sign shall not exceed the maximum height for a principal structure
permitted in the subject zone where the billboard sign is located
or 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, 60
feet if the distance from any part of a billboard sign is greater
than 500 feet from the closest residential use within the Borough
of Paramus, whichever is greater.
(d)
A freestanding multiple message billboard sign 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.
(e)
A multiple message billboard sign face, including border and
trim, shall be no greater than 16 feet in height and shall be no greater
than 60 feet in width.
(f)
No multiple message billboard sign may be placed any closer
than 3,000 feet to another multiple message billboard.
(g)
There shall be no more than two billboard signs within any one
linear mile as measured along Route 4 within the Billboard Overlay
Zone within the Borough.
(h)
No more than one multiple message billboard sign shall be permitted
on any lot. For the purposes of this subsection, double-faced billboards
visible from opposite directions but built on a common frame shall
be considered one billboard sign.
(i)
Multiple message billboard sign may be permitted on the same
lot as another principal permitted use, provided that no billboard
sign shall be constructed on any other structure on the lot and the
billboard shall be supported by a single pole affixed to or embedded
in the ground.
(j)
Only single-sided and back-to-back or V-type construction multiple
message billboard sign with a single display per facing shall be permitted.
(k)
No multiple message 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 or of any
overpass or underpass that traverses an interstate highway or freeway,
including but not limited to NJ State Hwy 4, as measured at a point
closest to any portion of the above and the closest portion of the
subject billboard sign as measured from the property line.
(l)
The minimum setback of any multiple message billboard sign as
measured from all points of the billboard sign shall be 250 feet from
all residentially zoned property or property being utilized for residential
purposes within the Borough of Paramus, any public property not to
include public streets, any public or private parks, or any registered
historical sites or historical districts, within the Borough of Paramus.
(m)
A multiple message billboard sign may be multicolored and continuously
illuminated and shall be installed only to reasonably illuminate the
subject billboard sign face and shall be directed and back-shielded
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.
(n)
Multiple message billboard signs shall not be placed or operated
to create a safety, traffic, health or hazardous condition.
(o)
Any application received for a multiple message billboard sign
that is intended to replace existing billboard sign shall be regulated
by these provisions and any other applicable regulations normally
applied to new billboard sign applications.
(p)
No regulations in this section or any portions thereof are intended
as being less restrictive than state or federal regulations.
(q)
Multiple message billboard sign extensions:
[1]
The total square footage of multiple message billboard sign's
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 five feet from
the billboard sign face;
[3]
Multiple message billboard sign's 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; and
[5]
Multiple message billboard sign's' 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.
(r)
In accordance with N.J.A.C. 16:41C-11.1(a)(4), no multiple message
billboard sign with a digital sign shall display any image that is
flashing, animated moving or appears to move.
(s)
All digital signs and displays shall remain fixed for an interval
of at least eight seconds.
(t)
Multiple message billboard signs shall contain a default design
that will freeze the sign in one position if a malfunction occurs;
(u)
The change from one display to the next shall be completely
accomplished within one second or less and the entire display shall
change at the same time.
(v)
No multiple message billboard sign shall be operated so that
the meaning of one display is continued on the next display.
(w)
No multiple message billboard sign shall be permitted which,
because of its size, shape, or location, may obscure or obstruct the
view of any vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
(x)
No advertisements shall be permitted that are deemed to be in
violation of existing laws, offensive to the moral standards of the
community, false, misleading or deceptive, or in any way reflects
upon the character, integrity or good standing of any organization
or individual.
(y)
Every multiple message billboard sign shall be available to
the Borough to display emergency messages, such as, but not limited
to, Amber Alerts, at no cost or expense to the Borough.
M.
Severability. The phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and subsections
of this section are severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence,
paragraph or subsection of this section 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 section.
A.
For the purposes of promoting the opening of a business, one two-foot-by-twelve-foot
grand or re-grand opening banner/sign shall be allowed to be displayed
for a limited term of 14 consecutive days commencing and including
the initial date of erection and the sign shall:
C.
In addition to any sign allowed to be displayed pursuant to § 367-14A and B, two bunting flags shall be allowed to be displayed for a limited term of 14 consecutive days commencing and including the initial date of mounting of such a flag and one flag shall be mounted on each end of the permitted sign.
E.
A ribbon cutting event at, and/or the placement of balloons on, the
premises for the purposes of promoting the opening of a business thereon
shall only be permitted on the premises one day only and all balloons
and all items and materials associated with the ribbon cutting event
shall be removed from the premises not later than 30 minutes following
the close of that business on that day.
F.
A flat fee of $50 per grand opening sign permit shall be charged
and collected by the Borough Zoning Signage Officer at the time of
filing any application for a grand opening sign permit.
This section provides representative diagrams for certain signs
identified in this section which are subject to provisions of this
chapter and examples of the calculation of the sign area for certain
signs identified in this section which are subject to provisions of
this chapter:
[Amended 7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-28]
|
Zones
| ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Types of Signs
|
R-50, R-75, R-100, R-150, R-150ML, R-2F, R-AH, R-GC, RML
|
MFAC, MFML
|
GOV
|
NB
|
HCC, HCC-2
|
LB
|
CEM
|
HP
|
CR
|
MU
|
|
Temporary real estate signs
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
| |||
|
Temporary construction signs
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
| |||
|
Name or professional sign
|
X
| |||||||||
|
Multifamily monument sign
|
X
|
X
|
X
| |||||||
|
Wall sign
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
| ||
|
Directory sign
|
X
|
X
| ||||||||
|
Awning sign
|
X
|
X
| ||||||||
|
Hanging sign/blade sign
|
X
|
X
|
X
| |||||||
|
Freestanding monument base sign
|
X
| |||||||||
|
Freestanding pole sign
|
X
|
X
| ||||||||
|
Directional sign - interior
|
X
| |||||||||
|
Temporary political sign
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
| |||||
|
Institutional sign
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
| ||||||
|
Temporary "Grand Opening" or "Re-Grand Opening" signs
|
X
|
X
|
X
| |||||||
|
Billboard signs
|
X
| |||||||||
|
Entrance signs
|
X
|
X
|
X
| |||||||
|
Gasoline service station
|
X
|
X
| ||||||||
