[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council
of the Borough of Dumont 10-6-2020 by Ord. No. 1580[1]. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded former Ch. 350,
Signs, which consisted of Art. I, General Regulations, adopted by Ord. No. 1091(Ch. 16B
of the 1970 Revised Ordinances), as amended; Art. II, Political Signs,
adopted 4-4-1995 by Ord. No. 1214, as amended; and Art. III, Commercial
Political Advertisement Signs, adopted 9-18-2007 by Ord. No. 1345, as
amended.
This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Sign Ordinance
of the Borough of Dumont."
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
To make a change, modify, vary in some degree or change some
of the elements, ingredients or details without substituting an entirely
new sign or components or destroying the identity of the sign being
changed.
The area enclosed by the perimeter of the sign, including
its background, if any, but excluding the structure of the sign, and
its supports. For wall signs having no background, an imaginary rectangle
shall be calculated surrounding each letter or symbol. The summed
area of each said rectangle shall be considered the total area of
the sign. For parallel double-faced ground signs erected as a single
or joined units, the maximum area permitted shall be calculated on
one (the largest) side only.
"Awning sign" shall mean a roof-like covering extending over
a walkway, sidewalk or exterior place, supported by a frame attached
to the building and/or ground with a surface made of fabric or more
rigid material and either retractable or fixed in place. The sign
area of an awning or canopy sign shall be the total length times the
total width of the area(s) of the canopy covered by any lettering,
logo or other characters, symbols or figures.
"Banner" shall mean any temporary sign printed or displayed
upon cloth or other flexible material, with or without frames.
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered at a location
other than the premises on which the sign is located.
See "awning sign."
Static signs that have individual letters that are changed
manually by hand and not by any electronic means.
The principal enforcement and administrative agent of the
Borough of Dumont under this chapter.
A sign of a non-commercial nature which directs the reader
to the location of public or educational institutions or to the location
of historical structures or areas or to the location of public parks
or buildings.
A sign which directs attention to a business conducted on
the premises or to a product sold or service supplied by such business.
One of any zones or use districts as designated in Chapter 455 of the Code of the Borough of Dumont.
Electrical Subcode (per N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.16) National Electrical
Code (NFPA 70)/2017 or as amended and adopted by the State of New
Jersey.
A variable message sign that utilizes a computer or other
electronic controlled means (whether digital, analog, incandescent
lamp LCD, LED or other display technologies) to change and control
a message displayed. "EMC" does not refer to the internal or external
illumination of the sign, to a directly illuminated sign, or to an
illuminated sign.
To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix
and the painting of wall signs.
A sign supported directly on the ground by a footing, base
and pedestal or by pole(s) or upright(s) set in or on a footing and/or
base.
Any sign having a source of light for illumination either
externally or internally or a combination of both. An illuminated
sign includes reflectorized, glowing and radiating signs.
"External illumination" shall mean a front-lit sign where a
light source shines on the graphics.
"Internal figure illumination" shall mean a backlit sign where
the letters and symbols are translucent, and the background is opaque.
"Internal ground illumination" shall mean a backlit sign where
the letters and symbols and opaque and the background is translucent.
Building Code (per N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.14) International Building
Code/2018, NJ ed (IBC w/NJ edits from 3.14) or as amended and adopted
by the State of New Jersey.
Replacement without substantial change of any parts or supports
of any signs and repainting without change of text, design or size
of any sign, without removal of the sign from the wall or structure
supporting it.
A sloped roof or roof-like facade, architecturally comparable
to a building wall
Ground-mounted sign with a permanent foundation form the
base of the sign that rests on grade.
A sign illuminated by the means of neon or other gases which
produce a glowing sign.
A sign legally erected but not complying with a subsequently
enacted sign ordinance or a sign which does not conform to this chapter
but for which a special permit or variance was granted.
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered or existing elsewhere
than upon the same lot where such sign is displayed. The term "off-site
sign" shall include an outdoor advertising sign (billboard) on which
space is leased or rented by the owner thereof to others for the purpose
of conveying a commercial message.
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered or existing on
the same lot where such sign is displayed; provided, however, that
an on-site sign may also display a noncommercial message.
A person listed as the owner on official public records.
The owner of the property on which a sign is located shall be presumed
to be the owner of the sign, unless facts to the contrary are officially
recorded or brought to the attention of the Construction Official.
The extension of a false front or wall above a roofline.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization of any kind.
A sign announcing any political event or campaign.
A sign which is affixed to any building and projecting beyond
the building wall or parts thereof, structure, building line or property
line more than eight inches, but which is not constructed or erected
so as to extend above the roofline of the structure to which it is
affixed.
The sideline of any street, road or highway in which the
public has acquired rights of use, which sideline marks the division
line between such street, road or highway and lands privately owned.
A structure in the form of a tower or pier, the chief purpose
of which is to attract attention and display a sign.
A temporary sign placed upon the property for the purpose
of advertising to the public the sale or lease of the property.
To change the lettering or descriptive symbols on a sign
without changing any of the structural parts or components of the
sign.
A sign erected, constructed and maintained on or above the
roof of any building or structure.
The top edge of a roof or building parapet, whichever is
higher, excluding any minor decorative details or projections.
Any device, structure, fixture or placard, made of combustible
or incombustible materials, using electronic, stationary, lighted,
painted or printed symbols and/or written copy for the purpose of
informing or directing members of the public or advertising, promoting
or identifying any institution, establishment, product, goods, services
or person. This definition shall not include any form of artwork painted
on a building independent of and unrelated to a particular business,
on and off premises, provided further that such artwork shall not
be otherwise incorporated, in any way, as part of a business brand
in any advertising or materials relating to a business, in which case
the artwork shall be considered a sign.
A sign not intended for use for more than 60 days. This shall
include any sign, banner, pennant, flag, valance or advertising display
constructed of cloth, canvas, cardboard, wallboard or other light
materials, with or without frames.
Any sign not meeting the requirements of this chapter and
which has not received legal nonconforming status.
A sign attached to the exterior surface of a structure, parallel
to and not extending more than 12 inches from the wall nor projecting
beyond the top of the wall and at least eight feet above the sidewalk
or ground beneath it. This definition includes individual-letter,
painted and cabinet-mounted signs and signs on a mansard.
A sign installed only by painted lettering, without a contrasting
background, inside a window or glazed door and intended to be viewed
from the outside. The lettering may not occupy more than 15% of the
glazed area of any window or door panel.
A.Â
Permit. No sign shall be erected or constructed until a permit has been issued by the Construction Official and the bond, if required, shall have been filed in accordance with § 350-6.
B.Â
Plans and specifications. Prior to the issuance of a permit plans
and specifications showing the dimensions, materials and required
details of construction, including loads, stresses and anchorage,
shall be filed with the Construction Official.
C.Â
Owner's consent. All applications for the erection or construction
of a sign shall be accompanied by the written consent of the owner
or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is to be erected.
D.Â
Alterations. No sign shall be enlarged or relocated except in accordance
with the provisions of this chapter. The changing of movable parts
of an approved sign that is designed for such changes or the repainting
or reposting of display matter shall not be deemed an alteration,
provided that the conditions of the original approval and the requirements
of this chapter are not violated.
E.Â
Time limits. Erection or alteration of a sign shall be completed
within four months after the issuance of a permit. If the work is
not completed within such time, the Construction Official may renew
the permit for an additional four months, after which date the permit
shall expire and be of no force and effect.
A.Â
Maintenance. All signs, together with all their supports, braces,
guys and anchors, shall be kept in repair in accordance with the provisions
of this chapter and the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code. When
not galvanized or constructed of approved corrosion-resistive noncombustible
materials, signs shall be painted when necessary to prevent corrosion.
B.Â
Responsibility to maintain signs in good condition. It shall be the
duty and responsibility of the owner or lessee of every sign to maintain
the immediate premises occupied by the sign in a clean, sanitary and
healthful condition.
C.Â
Inspection. Every sign shall be subject to the inspection and approval
of the Construction Official.
D.Â
Time and fees.
(1)Â
The Construction Official shall inspect, at least once every two
years or at such time as he deems necessary, each sign for the purpose
of ascertaining whether the same is secure or whether it is in need
of removal or repair.
(3)Â
No inspection fee shall be charged during the calendar year in which
the sign is erected.
(4)Â
Failure to pay the inspection fee shall automatically revoke the
permit for such sign, and the Construction Official shall order the
removal of the sign forthwith.
A.Â
Unsafe signs. If any sign becomes insecure, in danger of falling
or otherwise unsafe, the owner, lessee or person maintaining the same
shall, upon written notice from the Construction Official, forthwith
make the sign conform to the provisions of this chapter or remove
it.
B.Â
Unlawful signs. If any sign is unlawfully installed, erected or maintained
in violation of this chapter, the owner, lessee or person maintaining
the same shall, within 10 days after written notice from the Construction
Official, make the sign conform to this chapter or remove it.
C.Â
Enforcement. If the order of the Construction Official is not complied
with, he shall remove the sign at the expense of the owner, lessee
or person maintaining the sign.
A.Â
Filing. A person shall not erect, install, remove, rehang or maintain
over public or quasi-public property any sign for which a permit is
required until an insurance policy issued to such person by a public
liability insurance company authorized to do business in the State
of New Jersey affording the coverages set forth below in the amounts
specified. Such insurance policy shall name the Borough of Dumont,
50 Washington Avenue, Dumont, New Jersey 07628, its agents, officers,
servants, representatives and employees as additional insured with
respect to the operation and maintenance of the sign for bodily injury
and property damage in the amount of $1,000,000 combined single limit.
The insurance coverage required by this section shall at all times
be maintained for the full amount. The policy or certificate of insurance
required by this section to be filed with the Building Department
shall contain a clause obligating the company issuing the same to
give not fewer than 30 days' written notice to the Building Department
by certified mail, return receipt requested, before cancellation or
amendments of any of the terms thereof. Notice of cancellation shall
not relieve the company issuing such policy of liability for any injury
or claim arising before the cancellation becomes effective. The cancellation
of any such policy shall have the immediate effect of suspending the
permit of such person to maintain such encroachment unless a new policy
complying the provisions of this section is filed with the Building
Department within seven days of the effective date of the cancellation
notice.
B.Â
Conditions. No sign permit shall be issued until a statement agreeing
to indemnify and hold harmless the Borough of Dumont, its agents,
servants, representatives or employees from any or all claims, damages,
judgment costs or expenses, including attorney's fees, which
they or any of them may incur or be required to pay because of any
personal injury, including death, or property damage suffered by any
person or persons as a result of or related in any way to the operation
and maintenance of the proposed sign.
A.Â
The following signs are prohibited:
(1)Â
Banners, except as a temporary sign.
(2)Â
Billboards.
(3)Â
Electronic message centers.
(4)Â
Changeable copy signs except as permitted by this chapter.
(5)Â
Illuminated signs in which a device causes flashing, spelling or
movement of all or part of the sign.
(6)Â
Pylon signs except as permitted by this chapter.
(7)Â
Roof signs.
(8)Â
Off-site signs.
(9)Â
Signs which compete for attention with or may be mistaken for a traffic
sign or signal.
(10)Â
Signs which are a menace to public safety, or which obstruct
the views of any street, intersection or crosswalk.
(11)Â
Temporary advertising signs affixed to the window of a door,
but not including information signs such as "push" and "pull" and
hours of operation.
(12)Â
Signs placed on sidewalks or public rights-of-way.
(13)Â
Signs placed above or below another sign or attached to another
sign with the exception of directory signs.
(14)Â
Signs erected or suspended across a street or alley, unless
otherwise authorized by the Borough.
(15)Â
Signs on fences, posts, utility poles or trees.
(16)Â
Signs on abutments, retaining walls and embankments.
(17)Â
It shall be unlawful to use a vehicle or trailer as the "structure"
to which a sign is attached or placed.
(18)Â
No revolving, rotating or moving signs are permitted.
(19)Â
No signs shall project beyond any property line into public
rights-of-way unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate governmental
agency.
(20)Â
No projecting sign shall be constructed or erected so as to
extend above the roof line of the structure to which it is affixed.
(21)Â
Wall painted signs.
(22)Â
Signs using red, green, blue or amber illumination in a beam,
beacon or flashing form resembling an emergency light or traffic light.
(23)Â
Signs that resemble traffic safety devices.
B.Â
Lighting.
(1)Â
No outside signs on any property abutting or visible from a residential
district shall be lighted or remain lighted between the hours of 12:00
midnight and 6:00 a.m. This prohibition shall not apply to any establishment
which is open for business to the public later than 12:00 midnight,
in which event such establishment may continue the operation of the
sign until the establishment is closed to the public.
(2)Â
Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
A.Â
Construction. All signs shall be designed and constructed in conformity
with the provisions of the International Building Code as adopted
and amended by the State of New Jersey.
B.Â
Permitted signs. Unless specifically permitted by this chapter, all
signs and the location thereof shall be prohibited.
C.Â
Illumination. A sign shall not be illuminated by other than electrical
means and electrical devices. All wiring shall be installed in accordance
with the requirements of New Jersey Electrical Code, NFPA 70/2017,
or as amended. Any open spark or flame shall not be used for display
purposes unless specifically approved by the Construction Official
and Fire Official of the Borough for locations outside the fire limits.
(1)Â
Wall signs and ground signs may be illuminated only in the B2 Zoning
District.
(2)Â
All illuminated signs shall be illuminated by indirect lighting through
translucent letters, symbols or panels, or, if directly lighted, the
light source shall be shielded to project only onto the sign area.
(3)Â
Any light source used on or in signs shall be constant in its output
and shall operate without generating audible sound or electronic emissions.
(4)Â
In no event shall red, yellow or green illumination be permitted,
whether flashing or not, on any sign located in the same line of vision
as a traffic-control signal.
(5)Â
Illumination tubing formed to make letters or symbols or installed
to outline any building shape or strings of lights are prohibited.
The only exception shall be for winter holiday decorative lighting,
permitted in all zoning districts without a permit application or
fee, for a period not exceeding 45 days.
(6)Â
All lighting of signs shall be extinguished by 11:00 p.m., prevailing
time, or at the close of business served by said sign; provided, however,
that the Construction Official may authorize exterior lighting at
additional hours to assist in the protection of properties when so
recommended, in writing, by the Chief of Police.
D.Â
Except for election signs, temporary signs and garage and yard sale
signs, the content of all signs shall pertain only to the use within
the premises upon which the sign is located.
A.Â
Area. No freestanding sign shall exceed 36 square feet, and there
shall be no more than one such sign per property.
B.Â
Height limitation. It shall be unlawful to erect any freestanding
sign which has a total height greater than 15 feet above the level
of the street upon which the sign faces or above the adjoining ground
level if such ground level is above the street level.
C.Â
Space between sign and ground and other sign and structures. Freestanding
signs shall have an open space not less than two feet between the
baseline of said sign and the ground level. This open space may be
filled in with a platform or decorative lattice work which does not
close off more than 1/2 of any square footage of such open space.
No ground sign shall be nearer than five feet to any other sign, building
or structure.
D.Â
Setback line. No ground sign shall be nearer to the street than 15
feet from the property line and shall be placed further back if practicable.
No ground sign may be erected within the triangular area formed by
connecting with straight lines each of two points situated 40 feet
distant along the curbing from the point of intersection of two streets
forming a corner.
E.Â
Sign materials. No ground sign shall be erected of combustible material,
except structural trim.
A.Â
Area. No monument sign shall exceed 32 square feet, and there shall
be no more than one such sign per property.
B.Â
Height limitation. It shall be unlawful to erect any monument sign
which has a total height greater than six feet, inclusive of the base,
above the level of the street upon which the sign faces or above the
adjoining ground level if such ground level is above the street level.
C.Â
The monument sign may be externally or internally illuminated.
D.Â
The base of the monument sign shall be landscaped.
E.Â
No monument sign shall be nearer to the street than 15 feet from
the property. No monument sign may be erected within the triangular
area formed by connecting with straight lines each of two points situated
40 feet distant along the curbing from the point of intersection of
two streets forming a corner.
A.Â
Materials. Wall signs shall be constructed of metal or other approved
noncombustible materials, except for structural trim.
B.Â
Extension. Wall signs shall not be erected to extend above the top
or beyond the ends of the wall to which they are attached.
C.Â
Size and design.
(1)Â
Size. All signs shall not exceed two square feet of sign for every
lineal foot on the front facade of the structure occupied by the use
advertised and shall conform to all other area limitations as hereinafter
described.
(2)Â
Projection above sidewalk and setback line. No wall sign shall be
permitted to extend more than 10 inches beyond the building and shall
not be attached to a wall at a height of less than eight feet above
the sidewalk or ground.
A.Â
Pylon signs. Gasoline stations and automobile dealers shall, notwithstanding
other provisions of this chapter, be permitted one freestanding pylon
sign advertising the name of the station, agency or garage and for
the principal products sold on the premises, including any special
company or brand names, insignia or emblem, provided that each such
sign shall not exceed 35 square feet in area on a side nor be erected
within five feet of the property line and not less than 10 nor more
than 20 feet above the ground. Such pole or pylon signs shall be illuminated
only by internal illumination and shall be constructed of noncombustible
materials, except that approved combustible faces may be permitted.
B.Â
A canopy sign identifying the gasoline service station brand including
its logo is permitted on each side of the canopy provided that no
such sign or logo or combination thereof shall exceed 35% of the area
of the canopy face.
A.Â
Construction material. Awnings shall be constructed of cloth or metal;
provided, however, that all frames and supports shall be of metal.
B.Â
Location.
(1)Â
Height above sidewalk. All awnings shall be constructed and erected
so that the lowest portion thereof shall not be less than eight feet
above the level of the sidewalk or public thoroughfare.
(2)Â
Setback from property line. No awning shall be permitted to extend beyond property line except as permitted per § 350-13C(2) below, and provided further that proper bonding is provided pursuant to § 350-6.
C.Â
Advertising. Permitted awning signs shall comply with the following
standards:
(1)Â
Awnings are permitted to extend the length of the building frontage.
(2)Â
Awnings shall not extend any further than four feet from a building.
(3)Â
Awning signs must comply with the regulations of this chapter as
to surface display area. An awning sign shall represent no more than
60% of the total permitted surface display area for signs for the
subject premises. Advertising shall be limited to the front of the
awning and no advertising or lettering is to be permitted on the sides
of the awning facing away from the building entrance.
(4)Â
No awning or awning sign shall be illuminated with a built-in source
of lighting through a translucent face or panel. Only the individual
letters or symbols of an awning sign may be internally illuminated.
(5)Â
No awning or awning sign shall have illumination involving intermittent
or flashing lights.
A.Â
Canopy signs are subject to the following regulations:
(1)Â
Shall have a maximum height of two feet and a maximum area of 50
square feet.
(2)Â
Canopy signs may not project more than one foot from the face of
the canopy.
(3)Â
Canopy signs shall not extend beyond the ends of the canopy.
(4)Â
Signs shall be limited to one sign per canopy and only permitted
if no wall or awning sign exists on the facade.
(5)Â
Canopy signs may be internally or externally illuminated. Internal
illumination shall be limited to the letters and/or logo and subject
to the same limitations as applied to awnings.
A.Â
Removing or reconstructing signs. A sign heretofore approved and
erected shall not be repaired, altered or moved, nor shall any sign
or substantial part thereof which is blown down, destroyed or removed
be re-erected, reconstructed, rebuilt or relocated unless it complies
with all the applicable requirements of this chapter.
B.Â
Repair of unsafe signs. This section shall not be construed to prevent
the repair or restoration to a safe condition of any part of any existing
sign when damaged by storm or other accidental emergency, as directed
by the Construction Official.
C.Â
Relocating signs. Any sign that is moved to another location on the
same or other premises shall be considered a new sign, and a permit
shall be secured for any work performed in connection therewith when
required by this chapter.
Any sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted
or a product sold shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent
or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon
which such sign may be found within 10 days after written notification
from the Construction Official, and, upon failure to comply with such
notice within the time specified in such order, the Construction Official
is authorized to cause the removal of such sign, and any expense incident
thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building or structure to
which such sign is attached.
A.Â
Permission to erect temporary signs on or over any Borough-owned
property or public right-of-way shall be granted only by approval
of the Mayor and Council. All temporary sign permits shall be issued
by the Construction Official.
B.Â
Duration of permits. Temporary sign permits shall authorize the erection
of said signs and their maintenance for a period of not more than
60 days and shall be removed sooner if torn or damaged. No more than
two permits may be issued to the same person in any calendar year.
C.Â
No temporary sign shall be placed to extend more than six inches
over any sidewalk or public right-of-way, nor, in the case of street
banners, shall they be suspended less than 16 feet above the street.
D.Â
The construction of all temporary signs, except temporary window
signs, must be approved by the Construction Official.
F.Â
Temporary window signs. Temporary window signs may only be located
on the interior of a window and shall not occupy more than 1/3 of
the aggregate area of said window. No permit or fees shall be required
for their use, but such signs shall not remain more than 28 consecutive
days.
G.Â
Special temporary signs.
(1)Â
Signs announcing or advertising any educational, charitable, philanthropic,
civic, religious or similar campaign, drive, movement or event may
be erected for one period not exceeding 28 consecutive days in any
calendar year.
(2)Â
The total area of such signs shall not exceed 18 square feet and
shall not be installed less than 10 feet from the curbline. Such signs
may be erected anytime, without fee, on property owned or leased by
the sponsoring organization. They may be erected in all zoning districts
with the permission of the property owners, except District Nos. 1
and 2.
H.Â
Garage and yard sale signs.
(1)Â
Application shall be made to the Construction Official for special
permits to erect garage or yard sales signs. Upon payment of the required
fee, a number shall be assigned to each permittee.
(2)Â
No more than two such permits will be issued to any one address in
the Borough in each calendar year.
(3)Â
No more than four temporary signs may be erected under each permit,
and each sign must show the permit number on the upper right-hand
corner of the sign.
(4)Â
Such signs shall not exceed three square feet in size and can only
be displayed during a period beginning the day before such sale and
ending the day after, at which time they must be removed.
(5)Â
Such signs shall not be affixed to any tree or utility pole. They
shall be mounted on their own stakes or stanchions along any public
street in a safe manner, without projecting over the property line
or pedestrian walkway.
(6)Â
Any garage or yard sale sign not conforming to this chapter and found
along the Borough right-of-way shall constitute prima facie evidence
that the addressee shown on the sign has violated this chapter.
I.Â
Real estate signs.
(1)Â
Signs indicating premises for sale or rent shall be no larger than
six square feet in area, set back at least five feet from the property
line, and shall not be illuminated.
(2)Â
Such signs shall be removed within 14 days from a signed contract
of sale or rental lease.
(3)Â
For developments of three or more dwelling units, a sign may be installed
by the developer, after application for a permit is granted by the
Construction Official and the required fee is paid, not to exceed
32 square feet of area. Said sign shall not be closer than 10 feet
to the property line and must be removed at the time the last dwelling
unit is sold.
J.Â
No street banner or other temporary sign shall exceed 100 square
feet.
K.Â
The Construction Official shall have the discretion to prohibit erection
and/or order the removal of any temporary sign he deems to present
a hazard to the public.
L.Â
Grand opening signs, including flags, bunting and pennant strings,
as well as other temporary wall signs, shall be permitted for no more
than 60 consecutive days, only on advertised premises.
M.Â
Mobile signs of any kind are expressly prohibited if they are displayed
in the street or on properties in close proximity thereto in all zones,
except as provided herein.
N.Â
Sandwich board signs or menu signs are permitted provided they do
not exceed 12 square feet in area, are no higher than four feet and
shall be placed so as to maintain at least four feet of sidewalk clearance
so as to not obstruct pedestrian traffic flow.
A.Â
The following signs and none other, unless expressly permitted by
another section of this chapter, are permitted to be erected in Zoning
Districts RA and RB:
(1)Â
House numerals not exceeding one square foot per individual numeral.
(2)Â
Professional nameplates not exceeding six inches in height or 18
inches in length identifying lawful occupants of the premises.
(3)Â
Bulletin boards or signs not to exceed 16 square feet in area for
public, charitable or religious institutions, where the same are located
on the premises of said institutions.
(4)Â
Signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor or prospective
use when placed upon work under construction and not exceeding 20
square feet in area, provided that the same are set back at least
15 feet from the curb, and, further, provided that the same are removed
within 24 hours after the final certification of occupancy is issued.
(5)Â
Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection,
when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or
other incombustible materials.
(6)Â
Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing
signs and danger and such temporary emergency or non-advertising signs
as may be approved by the Construction Official.
(7)Â
Flags of the United States, State of New Jersey or other governmental
or quasi-public agencies.
(8)Â
Signs of any governmental agency deemed necessary to the public welfare.
(9)Â
Temporary election signs.
(10)Â
Garage and yard sale signs.
(11)Â
Special temporary signs.
(12)Â
Real estate signs.
B.Â
The following signs and none other, unless expressly permitted by
another section of this chapter, are permitted to be erected in Zoning
Districts B2 and LI:
(1)Â
All signs permitted in Districts RA and RB.
(2)Â
Freestanding signs.
(3)Â
Monument signs.
(4)Â
Wall signs shall not exceed two square feet of sign for every lineal
foot of the front facade of the structure occupied by the use advertised.
(a)Â
No such sign shall exceed 36 square feet of area.
(b)Â
If the building is located on a corner lot, it may have a second
sign on the wall facing the side street. Said second sign shall not
exceed 50% of that permitted on the principal frontage or facade.
(c)Â
No separately leased area shall be permitted more than one wall
sign, notwithstanding the actual number of tenants occupying such
leased area.
(5)Â
Directory signs. Directory signs shall be permitted. The total area
shall not exceed eight square feet or one square foot per tenant,
with a maximum of eight square feet. A directory sign shall not count
in computing the footage of ground or wall signs.
(6)Â
Window signs.
(7)Â
Awnings.
C.Â
Limitation on number of signs.
(1)Â
For those buildings with principal street frontage of less than 75
feet, a maximum of two signs per building will be permitted, exclusive
of directory signs.
(2)Â
For larger buildings, one additional sign will be permitted for each
additional 50 feet of building frontage over 75 feet.
(3)Â
Any existing sign located in a district in which it would be prohibited
if it were erected after the effective date of this chapter shall
continue to have all rights to which it would be entitled if it were
located in a permitted district.
D.Â
The following signs and none other, unless expressly permitted by
another section of this chapter, are permitted to be erected in the
RP1 District:
(1)Â
Monument signs:
(a)Â
One monument sign shall be permitted per parcel to identify
the residential development.
(b)Â
The total area of the monument sign, including the sign face
and support structure, shall be limited to 40 square feet.
(c)Â
The height of the sign shall not exceed a height of five feet
above the grade.
(d)Â
Monument signs shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from any
property line.
(e)Â
A double-faced sign shall be counted as one sign.
(f)Â
Monument signs may be illuminated by shielded floodlights only.
Signs of schools, colleges, churches, hospitals, nursing homes
or other institutions of a similar public or semi-public type as permitted
by this chapter may be erected and maintained with the following provisions:
A.Â
The minimum sign setbacks for the zone in which they are located
are observed.
B.Â
The area of any freestanding or ground sign does not exceed 36 square
feet.
C.Â
The height of any freestanding signs shall not exceed eight feet
except along major arterial roadways where it shall not exceed 12
feet.
D.Â
All signs must be located on the premises which they identify.
E.Â
Changeable copy signage is permitted provided it is static and not
an EMC as defined in this chapter and is changed no more than once
per day.
A.Â
EMC signs shall be permitted only for displaying fuel prices at automobile
service stations. EMC signs shall not be permitted at any other type
of establishment nor for any other type of message or advertisement
other than fuel prices.
B.Â
EMC signs displaying fuel prices at automobile service stations shall
adhere to the following regulations:
(1)Â
EMC signs may not change until a change in the price of fuel has
occurred.
(2)Â
Electronic messages (text and logos) must be static or depicted for
a minimum of 24 hours.
(3)Â
Movement, including flashing, scrolling, or rotating so as to draw
attention, is prohibited.
(4)Â
Animated signs, signs that change images, video signs, or tri-vision
signs shall be prohibited.
(5)Â
The maximum brightness levels for electronic message boards and fuel
price signs shall not exceed 0.2 (2/10) footcandle over ambient light
levels measured within 150 feet of the source.
(a)Â
The owner/user shall reduce the level of brightness if determined
by the Borough Construction Official that the light level exceeds
the levels specified.
(b)Â
The electronic message area shall be programmed to dim and brighten
automatically in response to changes in ambient light.
(c)Â
Prior to the issuance of a permit for the sign, the applicant
shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer or
installer that the light intensity has been preset to automatically
adjust the brightness to these levels or lower. Reinspection and recalibration
may be periodically required by the Township in its reasonable discretion,
at the permittee's expense, to ensure that the specified brightness
levels are maintained at all times.
(6)Â
The electronic message area shall be controlled electronically by
a computer or other similar device that has a manual override.
(7)Â
The electronic message area shall be turned off at all times when
the business or use that its serves is closed.
Any interested party may appeal a decision of the Construction
Official with regard to this chapter by filing any appeal with the
Borough of Dumont Joint Land Use Board within 20 days of the decision
of the Construction Official, specifying the grounds of such appeal.
Such appeal shall be considered by the Joint Land Use Board in accordance
with the standards and time limitations of the New Jersey Municipal
Land Use Act.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter, upon conviction
thereof, shall be fined an amount not less than $200 nor more than
$2,000, or imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed
90 days, or both. Each day such violation is committed or permitted
to continue shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable
as such hereunder.
Note: See Appendix A for Illustrations of Sign Examples to be
encouraged within the Borough of Dumont.
