§ 17.270-17. Signs.

The purpose of this section, entitled "signs", is:

A.

To promote the safety of the users of streets and highways in the community by providing adequate, readable signage that has been properly located to allow sufficient decision and vehicular maneuver time.

B.

To reduce distractions and obstructions from signs which would adversely affect traffic safety and to alleviate hazards caused by signs projecting over or encroaching upon public ways.

C.

To discourage excessive visual competition in signage and to ensure that signs adequately perform their primary function of orientation and the identification of uses and activities to the public.

D.

To preserve and/or enhance local character and visual design objectives by requiring signage which is:

(1)

Creative and distinctive;

(2)

Compatible with its particular surroundings;

(3)

Appropriate to the type of activity to which it pertains;

(4)

Expressive of the identity of the use and the community; and

(5)

Appropriately sized for its context and location.

E.

Applicability. A sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created or maintained only in conformance with the standards, procedures, exceptions, and other requirements of this chapter.

F.

Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless otherwise required by the context, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Advertising sign: A sign structure which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, activity or entertainment not necessarily conducted, sold, or offered upon the premises where such sign is located.

Administrative officer: The zoning officer of the Borough of Magnolia or other person so designated by the borough council of the Borough of Magnolia.

Awning sign: A sign that is mounted or painted or affixed to an awning.

Banner sign: A temporary sign composed of lightweight pliable material.

Billboard: A sign advertising a product or service not sold or available on the property on which it is situated.

Business sign: A sign which directs attention to a business or profession or to a commodity, service or entertainment sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located.

Canopy: A roof-like cover, open to the elements on all four sides, which is used to protect outdoor equipment.

Changeable copy: A sign that is designed so that the message on the sign can be easily and periodically altered.

Commercial message: Any sign, wording, logo, figure, symbol, color, illumination, fixture, protection, or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business product, service, or other commercial activity.

Directional: Signs limited to directional messages and that do not contain a commercial message, principally for directing pedestrian and vehicular traffic, such as "one-way", "entrance", and "exit".

Directory: A sign that lists the tenants in a multi-use building or indicates the location of buildings and uses in a business or industrial complex.

Façade area: The total area of a façade including walls, windows, doors, and fixtures below the top of the parapet of a building with a flat roof, the cornice line of a building with a gambrel, gable, or hip roof, or the upper slope line of a building with a mansard roof that faces a public street, pedestrian walkway, or mall.

Façade sign: A sign fastened to or painted on the façade of a building or structure in such a manner that the façade becomes the supporting structure for, or forms the background surface of the sign and which does not project more than 12 inches from such building or structure.

Figures/figure signs: Any structure, edifice, frame, statue or shape that depicts a person, character, symbol, animal, plant or any other animate or inanimate object, which figure is used to attract attention or otherwise identify a business or property, or which by its nature and size so attracts attention or otherwise stands out above and beyond a normal sign, and which otherwise exceeds the allowable sign size and dimensions, especially if such depiction greatly exceeds the normal size of said object (e.g. a giant man).

Flashing sign: Any illuminated sign on which such illumination is not kept stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times when such sign is in use.

Freestanding sign: Any sign supported by permanent structures or supports that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that are independent from any building or other structure.

Illuminated sign: Any sign which has characters, figures, designs, or outlines illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as a part of the sign.

Incidental: A sign, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as "No Parking", "Loading Zone", "Telephone", "Rest Room", "Hours of Operation", or other similar directive information. No sign that contains a commercial message legible from any property line of said lot shall be considered incidental.

Off-premises: A sign containing a commercial message which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered at a location other than the property on which the sign is located.

Person: Includes corporations, companies, associations, societies, firms, and partnerships as well as individuals.

Portable: Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure; or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted to "A" or "T" frames; menu and sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless such vehicles are used in the normal day-to-day operation of the business.

Real estate: A sign pertaining to the sale or lease of a property or portion thereof on which the sign is located.

Residential: A sign located in a district zoned for residential purposes that does not contain any commercial message except for goods or services legally offered on the premises on which the sign is located.

Roof sign: A sign that is mounted on the roof of a building or which is wholly dependent upon a building's roof for support and which projects above the parapet of a building with a flat roof, the cornice line of a building with a gambrel, gable, or hip roof, or the upper slope line of a building with a mansard roof.

Rotating sign: A sign, any part of which rotates or revolves on its axis by mechanical means.

Searchlight: Any lights with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere or directed at one or more points not on the same lot as the light source; also any light with one or more beams that rotate or move or that creates an illusion of such rotation or movement.

Shopping center: A group of two or more commercial establishments planned, constructed, and managed as a total entity and which includes customer and employee parking on the same site, provision for the delivery of goods separated from customer access, protection from the elements, and a unified architectural treatment of the building or buildings.

Surface area of sign: The entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the actual sign surface. It does not include any structural elements outside the limits of such sign and not forming an integral part of the display.

Temporary sign: A sign to be used for a limited period of time and not to exceed 30 days, and posted upon the exterior or interior of a display window or main entrance door, or a sign pertaining to the lease or sale of the real estate on which said sign is situated.

Time and temperature: A sign or portion thereof whose sole purpose is the indication of the time and/or temperature.

Vehicle sign: A sign affixed or painted on a vehicle or trailer and parked at a specific location for a period in excess of 96 hours.

Window sign: A sign that is affixed to the interior or exterior of a window or located so that it can be seen from the exterior of the building through the window.

G.

General regulations.

(1)

Accessory uses. Signs shall be permitted as accessory uses in all zoning districts provided that any sign hereafter erected in the Borough of Magnolia conforms with the provisions of this section and any other ordinance or regulations of the municipality, or the state or federal government relating to the erection, alteration, or maintenance of signs. In the event of conflicting regulations, the most restrictive shall apply.

(2)

Sign permit. A permit shall be required for the installation of all signs unless exempted from such requirements under subsection K of this section in accordance with this subsection.

(a)

Application and permit fee. Each application for a permit to install a sign or signs shall be accompanied by a fee in accordance with the annual fee schedule of the Borough of Magnolia.

(3)

Maintenance. All signs shall be kept in a proper state of repair, in accordance with the requirements of the International Building Code/NJ, National Electrical, the Magnolia Property Maintenance Code or other pertinent regulations. Signs which fall into such a state of disrepair as to become unsightly may be removed by the borough 30 days after notice by certified mail to the owner of record. The borough shall have the right to recover from said owner the full costs of the removal and disposal of such signs.

(4)

Nonconforming signs.

(a)

Any signs, billboard or advertising device legally existing prior to the adoption of this section or any amendment thereto which does not conform in use, type, location, height or size to the regulations of the district in which it is located as a result of such adoption or amendment may be maintained; however, such sign, billboard or advertising device shall not be replaced.

(b)

Every sign or other advertising device lawfully in existence on the date of the adoption of this section or any amendment thereto shall not be repaired, altered or moved unless it is made to comply with the provisions of this section. The provisions of this section shall not exempt the owner of a nonconforming sign from the requirements of subsection G(5) pertaining to liability insurance and in any event, said nonconforming signs shall be removed no later than five years from the date of adoption of this ordinance unless at the date of the adoption of this ordinance a bona fide lease or other contract is in existence that would guarantee such continuance beyond said five-year period, in which case said lease or contract date shall apply.

(5)

Sign permit expiration. Any of the following shall invalidate a sign permit:

(a)

An expiration or invalidation of a certificate of occupancy for the use to which the sign relates.

(b)

A change in the copy of a sign, unless such sign is a changeable copy sign approved under subsection S of this section. A change in copy shall include:

1.

Any change of an existing face;

2.

Any addition or subtraction of any of the elements that convey meaning in the sign;

3.

Any alteration in the structure of a sign support; and

4.

For the purpose of this subsection, the painting in the same colors or the exact replacement of a sign face for maintenance purposes, pursuant to subsection G of this section shall not constitute a change in the copy of a sign.

(c)

Vacation of the premises by the user to which the sign relates.

(d)

Failure to maintain any sign, billboard or advertising device in good repair over a period of 90 days shall be considered abandonment, and said sign shall be removed after written notice by the construction code official and/or zoning officer.

H.

Prohibited signs. Any sign that is not permitted by the provisions of this section is hereby prohibited, with the following signs specifically prohibited.

(1)

A flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, scrolling, moving or projected sign of any type or a sign that presents the illusion of movement with a change at a regulated rate of more than 30 seconds. LED signs are permitted, but must comply with the above.

(2)

Pennants, streamers, and searchlights, displayed for the purpose of attracting the attention of pedestrians and motorists, are prohibited except by a special zoning permit valid for a period not to exceed 30 days with two consecutive renewals or three renewals if separated by 60 days.

(3)

Any sign so erected, constructed, or maintained as to obstruct any fire escape, window, door, or other opening used as a means of ingress and egress.

(4)

Any message or advertisement which uses a series of two or more signs placed in a line parallel to a street each of which contains part of such message or advertisement.

(5)

Any portable, bench and any signs that emit smoke, vapor, or noise; and any portable electric signs of any kind (except A-Frame signs as written in subsection K(22)).

(6)

Any signs which, when applying contemporary community standards, has a dominant theme or purpose which appeal to prurient interests.

(7)

Any sign attached to the roof of a building, or a façade sign that projects above the lowest level of a roof or beyond the corner of a wall. No permanent sign or sign structure shall project over a street, alley, or other public right-of-way line.

(8)

Off-premises signs (with the exception of window signs when advertising for a Magnolia business only).

(9)

Rights-of-way. No sign other than traffic control or similar official governmental signs shall be erected within or project over the right-of-way of any public street or sidewalk, except as hereinafter provided.

(10)

Imitation of official signs. No sign shall be erected that is of such character, form, shape, or color that it imitates or resembles any official traffic sign, signal or device, or that has any characteristics which are likely to confuse or dangerously distract the attention of the operator of a motor vehicle on a public street.

(11)

Sight triangles. No sign shall be erected at the intersection of any streets improved for vehicular traffic within the triangular area formed by the right-of-way lines, and a line connecting them at points 30 feet from their intersection, unless the topmost portion of said sign is less than two and one-half feet high. In no case shall any sign be so erected that it impedes the vision of motorists or pedestrians, or otherwise endangers their safety.

(12)

Prohibited placement. No sign shall be placed on any tree, telegraph, electric light or public utility pole, or upon rocks or other natural features, or in the public right-of-way.

(13)

Permitted uses. No sign shall be erected containing a message that states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted in the zoning district in which said sign is located under the provisions of this section.

(14)

Public property. Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with the requirements of this chapter, shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation. In addition to other remedies that may be imposed under this section, the borough shall have the right to recover from the owner or person placing such sign the full costs or removal and disposal of such sign.

(15)

Figures/figure signs. No figure or figure signs, whether decorative, informational, advertising, identical or otherwise, shall be constructed, erected or placed upon any property within the Borough of Magnolia.

I.

Computation of sign area. For the purposes of this chapter, surface are of sign shall mean the area expressed in square feet within a rectangle enclosing the extreme limits of writing, symbols, logos, letters, figures, emblems, or other representations plus all material or color forming an integral part of the sign or used to differentiate the sign from the background against which it is placed, provided that:

(1)

In the event a sign is designed with more than one face, the area shall be computed by including only the maximum surface display area visible from any one point, provided that the message is the same on each face.

(2)

The supports, uprights or other structure on which any sign is attached shall not be included in the calculation of sign area unless such structure is designed in such a manner as to form an integral part of the sign or conveys meaning.

J.

Restrictions for all signs.

(1)

All signs shall be of substantial workmanlike design and construction and securely anchored in position in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code.

(2)

The written permission of the owner of the property on which the sign is to be or has been erected shall be filed with the borough clerk.

(3)

Area of signs.

(a)

Signs in residential districts. No signs shall be permitted in residential districts except the following:

1.

One nameplate not more than two square feet in area bearing the name and profession or home occupation of a person residing on the premises.

2.

One temporary sign not exceeding six square feet in area pertaining to the lease or sale of the lot or building on which it is placed.

3.

A sign not exceeding 12 square feet in area, nor eight feet in height erected upon the premises of a church or other non-profit institution for the purpose of displaying the name and activities thereof or the services therein provided. Any pre-existing sign may be moved to a new location with approval by the zoning officer.

4.

Multiple dwellings shall be permitted one square foot of signage per apartment, but not to exceed 40 square feet.

5.

Any sign or nameplate permitted by this subsection shall be at least 15 feet back from the curb line.

(b)

Signs in "C1" commercial districts. In commercial districts, no signs shall be permitted except the following:

1.

Signs permitted in residential districts.

2.

A commercial establishment may have one sign located on or attached to the principal façade of said commercial building on each street frontage. The sign shall not project more than 12 inches beyond the building line. The sign shall not exceed either 15 percent of the principal façade area, including window and door area on which, or in front of which they are displayed, or 40 square feet, whichever is smaller.

3.

One freestanding sign, including grade level signs, may be installed for each street frontage that contains direct vehicular access from the street. The sign shall be no larger than one square foot of sign per two lineal front footage of building, not to exceed a maximum of 100 square feet. The sign shall not exceed a height of 35 feet; however, a grade level sign shall not exceed a height of six feet. The sign shall only be located in the front yard and shall not be closer to the side yard lot lines than the required side yard setback. The sign cannot obstruct the line of sight from any intersecting streets or any driveways.

4.

The area on one side of a directional sign shall not exceed 12 square feet. Directional signs shall not contain advertising and may be installed only on the lot to which it relates. The maximum height of the bottom of a directional sign shall be three feet. The number of directional signs shall not exceed the number of approved entrances and exits.

5.

Awning signs. Awning signs shall not be used in conjunction with wall signs. The area of the awning sign shall not exceed 20 percent of the entire portion of the building covered by the awning in its extended position and shall not be larger than the area permitted for a wall sign.

6.

Canopy sign. Canopy signs are permitted only in conjunction with gasoline stations where the canopy is used to provide cover for outdoor equipment. No more than one canopy sign shall occur in any yard area. The area of the sign shall not exceed 50 percent of the canopy face or 50 square feet, whichever is less.

7.

Window sign. The total area of window signs for any single enterprise shall not exceed 25 percent of the window area.

(c)

Signs in light industrial districts. In these districts, no signs shall be permitted except for the following:

1.

Any sign permitted in residential and commercial districts.

2.

A shopping center may erect two freestanding signs for the purpose of identifying the site as a shopping center or other commercial or professional use. Such a sign shall be no larger than 200 square feet. The sign shall not exceed a height of 35 feet. Any freestanding sign located in the front yard shall not be closer to the side yard lot lines than the required side yard.

3.

An individual commercial establishment located on an individual parcel may erect one freestanding sign for the purpose of identifying the site as a shopping center or other commercial or professional use. Such a sign shall be no larger than 100 square feet. The sign shall not exceed a height of 35 feet. The freestanding sign shall be located in the front yard and shall not be closer to the side yard not lines than the required side yard setback.

4.

A commercial establishment may have one sign located on or attached to the principal façade of the building that fronts on a street. Each commercial establishment part of a shopping center may have one sign attached to the primary façade of the shopping center. The total area of a façade sign shall not exceed 15 percent of the signable façade area of the ground floor of the area of the building that it occupies or 40 square feet, whichever is smaller.

(d)

Temporary signs. Temporary signs shall not be considered in computing allowable sign areas, provided that temporary signs shall not exceed 12 square feet. Signs should be removed seven days after the completion of all work on the property. No more than one sign shall be erected on each street that the property fronts.

(e)

Real estate signs. One real estate sign shall be permitted per lot and shall be removed immediately upon the completion of the signing of an agreement of sale or rental. The maximum dimensions of a real estate sign shall be six square feet. The height of the sign above the ground shall not exceed five feet. The sign shall not be illuminated.

K.

Signs exempt from permits. The following signs are exempt from the need to secure permits:

(1)

Holiday decorations. Decorations for a generally designated holiday provided they do no create a traffic or fire hazard, and provided that such decorations are not installed more than 45 days prior to the holiday and are removed within 14 days after the holiday. Such signs may be illuminated.

(2)

Official governmental signs, including banners. Such signs may be illuminated.

(3)

Marker. Name or history markers that may contain only the building name, date of construction, or historical data, provided that such marker does not exceed three square feet and is made of cut or etched masonry, bronze, or similar durable material.

(4)

Change in the copy of a changeable copy sign, once a permit for that sign has been issued.

(5)

Yard or garage sales. Such signs shall not exceed four square feet; shall be erected more than seven days prior to such sale; and shall be removed within 48 hours after the sale. No premises shall be permitted to erect such signs more than four times in any calendar year.

(6)

Real estate and contracting. Temporary real estate signs and signs of contractors, mechanics, painters, paperhangers and/or artisans, on the lot on which the real estate for rent or sale is located, or the lot on which the contracting work is being performed. Said signs shall not be larger than six square feet nor more than four feet high. They shall be removed within seven days of the completion of the sale or rental of the premises or completion of the work to which the sign relates.

(7)

Trespassing. Signs that relate to the control of trespassing on property, provided they do not exceed two square feet in area or are spaced closer than 25 feet to each other.

(8)

Emergency. Emergency warning signs erected by a governmental agency, public utility, pipeline company or contractor doing such work authorized or permitted by such agency, utility, or company. Such signs may be illuminated.

(9)

Public notice. Any public notice required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation or ordinance.

(10)

Interior signs. Any sign within a building, not attached to a window or door that is not legible from the lot line on which is located said building.

(11)

Art. Works of art that do not contain a commercial message. Art may be illuminated with the approval of the planning board.

(12)

Traffic control. Traffic control devices on private property, such as "Stop", "Yield" and other such signs, provided that the face of the sign meets the standards of the New Jersey Department of Transportation for such signs and which do not contain a commercial message of any type, provided that their location has been approved by the planning and zoning board.

(13)

The flag of the United States shall not exceed 150 square feet and the flagpole shall not exceed 50 feet in height. Other flags shall be considered freestanding signs and shall be governed by such regulations that may apply in applicable zoning district in which such flag is located. Flags may be illuminated.

(14)

Flags of the states, county, municipality, POW, foreign nations having diplomatic relations with the United States and any other flag adopted or sanctioned by an elected legislative body of competent jurisdiction, provided that such flag shall not exceed 60 square feet in area and shall not be flown from a pole that exceeds 50 feet in height.

(15)

Name and address. Name and address signs attached to the façade of a building or on a mailbox, provided that the size of the sign does not exceed one square foot.

(16)

Incidental. Incidental signs shall be permitted provided they do not exceed two square feet in area.

(17)

Residential. Residential freestanding signs shall be permitted provided that the size of the sign does not exceed four square feet in area.

(18)

Project development. Project development signs shall be permitted where final approval of a site plan or subdivision has been granted by a board or competent jurisdiction and which indicate the name of the development, developer, financier, or major contractor provided that no more than one sign per street frontage is erected and the sign area does not exceed 32 square feet or eight feet in height. All such signs shall be removed within 14 days of the issuance of a conditional certificate of occupancy that permits the occupation of a building in the case of a nonresidential development, or when 75 percent of the dwelling units in a residential development have been issued certificates of occupancy.

(19)

Window. Window signs pursuant to subsection N.

(20)

Political signs. Political signs not exceeding 16 square feet to be erected not more than 45 days prior to election and must be removed not more than 14 days after election.

(21)

Banners. As defined in subsection F. Banners must be attached at each corner with a minimum of four attaching points.

(a)

One banner permitted per stand along business, a maximum of 30 square feet.

(b)

When multiple businesses are on one property, one banner permitted per business with a maximum banner of 15 square feet.

(22)

Portable A-frame signs are allowed; limited to six square feet per side, with a maximum height of five feet. Sign must be weighted down or anchored and can only be displayed during regular business hours.

(23)

Other allowable temporary, portable, lightweight fabric signs. Only one per business and only on business property. Placement prohibited in or on any public right-of-way. Sign limited to ten square feet with a maximum height of eight feet. Temporary signage must be maintained in good condition or will be removed immediately.

L.

Provisions relating to "Grand Opening" signs. Grand opening signs shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and the following additional requirements:

(1)

Grand opening signs shall be permitted for a period of time not to exceed 90 days from the initial opening of a business or a change in the ownership of the premises on which the sign is located.

(2)

Grand opening signs may be façade signs, freestanding signs or banners.

(3)

Grand opening signs shall not exceed the total sign area permitted on the premises for permanent signs. Such signs shall be permitted in addition to any permanent signage allowed. For the purposes of this subsection, the total sign area of banners shall not exceed that for façade signs.

M.

Provisions relating to signs in windows. The total area of all window signs, unless further restricted by district regulations, shall not exceed 25 percent of the glass area of the window in which placed.

N.

Provisions relating to directional signs. Directional signs, where permitted, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and the following additional requirements:

(1)

Directional signs that are freestanding shall not exceed two and one-half feet in height and may be located at the streetline, provided that such signs do not obscure the vision of motorists.

(2)

Directional signs shall not exceed three square feet in area.

(3)

Directional signs shall contain no commercial messages.

O.

Provisions relating to directory signs. Directory signs, where permitted, shall comply with the provision of this chapter and the following additional requirements:

(1)

The sign will be located within the site or complex so as to allow motorists to leave the flow of traffic and safely read the directory, or shall be placed at the main entrance to a building.

(2)

The sign may contain a map or floor plan diagram, as the case may be, indicating the location of the building or office listed on the directory.

(3)

Any such sign shall not exceed 18 square feet in sign area.

(4)

No more than one sign per entrance driveway, street intersection or main entrance to a building shall be permitted.

(5)

A freestanding directory sign shall not exceed five feet in height.

P.

Provisions relating to freestanding signs. Freestanding signs, except for directional signs, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and the following additional requirements:

(1)

Freestanding signs shall be permitted only in the front yard.

(2)

No freestanding sign shall be erected closer to the curbline or edge of paving than 15 feet except as otherwise provided herein.

(3)

With the exception of directory and directional signs, no freestanding sign shall be erected closer than 50 feet to another freestanding sign.

Q.

Provisions relating to canopy signs.

(1)

Canopy signs are only permitted in conjunction with gasoline service stations and similar uses where the canopy is required to provide cover and protection for outdoor equipment and service areas.

(2)

No more than one canopy sign shall be allowed per canopy fascia, and no more than two such signs per canopy shall be permitted.

(3)

No part of the canopy sign shall be less than 12 feet nor more than 18 feet above ground level.

(4)

The area of a canopy sign shall not exceed 50 percent of the area of the canopy fascia or 40 square feet, whichever is less.

R.

Provisions relating to changeable copy signs. Changeable copy signs, where permitted, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and the following requirements:

(1)

All such signs shall be permanently affixed to the ground or to a structure.

(2)

Changeable copy signs may not be located in any residential zoning district except for institutional uses.

(3)

No more than one freestanding changeable copy sign shall be permitted per street frontage.

(4)

The sign area of a changeable copy sign shall be included in the total permissible sign area for freestanding or canopy signs.

(5)

Changeable copy signs may be either freestanding signs or canopy signs.

(6)

The changeable portion of the sign shall be limited to three lines of wording, or, in the case of a cinema with more than one theater, two lines per theater.

(7)

The sign area of the changeable copy sign shall be included in the total permissible sign area for freestanding or canopy signs, as the case may be, except for institutional uses. Changeable signs for institutional uses shall not exceed 12 square feet in area.

(8)

Changeable copy signs cannot be changed more than once every 30 seconds.

S.

Pedestrian oriented directory sign standards. The following standards will be applicable to pedestrian oriented directory signs:

(1)

Maximum size shall be 20 square feet and signs may be two sided.

(2)

Maximum letter height shall be two inches and shall be intended to be legible to pedestrians from a distance of ten feet from the sign face.

(3)

Signs may contain color or black and white map or diagrams of the facilities for which the directory sign is intended to provide detail.

(4)

Signage should be designed in a manner to complement the architectural styles and permissible building materials, regardless of the zone in which the sign is proposed.

(5)

Elevation views and color renderings of all proposed pedestrian oriented directory signs as well as associated buildings must be submitted to the planning board with all site plan applications or submitted with sign permit application packages.

(6)

When submitted with a complete site plan application or when submitted as an individual sign permit application, color renderings of the proposed directory sign and the associated building or buildings must be provided to demonstrate compatibility as indicated in subsection H. above.

(7)

The location of all proposed pedestrian oriented signs shall be designated on a scalable site plan drawing and their relationships to the sidewalks, crosswalks, parking area and buildings for which the directory sign is intended shall be clearly labeled.

(8)

Sign locations shall not obscure the view of motorists or pedestrians with respect to safe crossings of internal or public roadways. Clear sight triangles shall be shown at the intersection of internal or public roadways to demonstrate the suitability of the location of proposed pedestrian oriented signage.

(9)

Sign structures shall also not encroach upon the clear passage of pedestrian or bicyclists on sidewalks and alleys. The edge of any sign or column supporting any sign shall be a minimum distance of three feet from the edge of any sidewalk or alley.

(10)

Sign locations shall be selected to provide clear information to customers regarding the location and the presence of individual commercial or retail tenants within larger single unit structures. Locations shall be adjacent to parking fields where sidewalks begin, public gathering spaces within or at a site, crosswalks leading to individual sections of large-scale retail or commercial development having multiple tenant structures.

T.

[Pedestrian oriented electronic reader boards.] The following establish standards for pedestrian-oriented electronic reader boards:

(1)

Maximum size shall be 24 square feet and signs may be two sided.

(2)

The electronic LED letter height shall be of the appropriate size to be legible to pedestrians from a distance of ten feet from the sign face. Lettering may not scroll and message text shall slowly change from one topic to another by utilizing a fade technique or other methods so as to eliminate the appearance of flashing.

(3)

Signs may contain color or black and white maps or diagrams of the facilities for which the sign is intended to provide detail. Fixed sign panels with corporate or municipal logos may be incorporated above or below the LED text. Signs shall not flash or blink intermittently.

(4)

Signage should be designed in a manner to compliment the architectural styles and permissible building materials regardless of the zone in which the sign is to be constructed.

(5)

Elevation views and color renderings of all proposed electronic reader board signs, as well as associated buildings, must be submitted to the planning board with all site plan applications or submitted with sign permit application packages. Examples of the intended text messages must be provided for the board's review with the application.

(6)

Messages shall be limited to business names, date, time, temperature, community event schedules, and hours of operations or local public service announcements, including borough events. No off-premises advertising on the reader board will be permitted. No political advertising or endorsements shall be permitted. No profanity or messages that when applying contemporary community standards, would be considered inappropriate, shall be permitted.

(7)

When submitted with a complete site plan application or when submitted as an individual sign permit application, color renderings of the proposed sign and the associated building or buildings must be provided to demonstrate compatibility as indicated in T.(4), above.

(8)

The location of all proposed pedestrian oriented electronic reader board directory signs shall be designated on a scalable site plan drawing and their relationships to the sidewalks, crosswalks, parking areas and buildings, for which the directory sign is intended, shall be clearly labeled. The source of power shall be included on the scalable plan.

(9)

Sign locations shall not obscure the view of motorists or pedestrians with respect to safe crossings of internal or public roadways or sidewalks.

(10)

Sign structures shall not encroach upon the clear passage of pedestrians or bicyclists on sidewalks and alleys. The edge of any sign or column supporting any sign shall be a minimum distance of three feet from the edge of any sidewalk or alley.

U.

[Directory signs entering commercial sites.] The following standards apply to conventional directory signs that are intended primarily for motorists preparing to enter a commercial site: Directory signs shall be permitted in addition to signage otherwise specifically permitted in the applicable sections or this section when the following site-specific conditions exist or will exist as the result of the development of the property.

(1)

Multiple tenants numbering three or more sharing one common entrance into a single building.

(2)

When office or other business entrances are obscured from view by the fact that the building façade containing the entrance does not front a main or interval roadway.

(3)

In an office campus arrangement with two or more buildings sharing one or more off-street parking fields with the need to clearly delineate to the public the individual tenants in each building.

V.

[Directory sign construction.] The following standards for the directory sign construction shall apply and are correlated to building size and the number of tenants:

No. of Tenants	Min. Floor Area (sf)	Max Sign Area (sf)	Max Sign Height (ft)
3—4	7,500	50	6
5—6	20,000	80	7
7—8	40,000	110	8
9—10	100,000	140	9
11—12	150,000	170	10
13 or more	300,000	200	12

 

(1)

Signs shall be externally illuminated. The light fixtures shall be concealed from view by the sign base or, if ground mounted, by landscaping.

(2)

The façade of the sign base shall consist of or resemble brick, stone, or stucco. The height of the sign shall be, a minimum of 12 inches and maximum of 24 inches.

(3)

The area of the portion of the sign, which is not devoted to the tenant information; i.e. maps, logos, symbols, name of complex, artwork or graphics, shall not exceed 50 percent of the sign area.

(4)

The façade of area of the base and columns, normal to the sign face, shall not be included in the area of the sign.

(5)

The aggregate width of the sign columns shall not be more than 20 percent of the sign width. The height of the base shall not exceed 20 percent of the sign height. The width of the sign base shall not exceed past the outside edge of the column by more than 50 percent of the width of the column. These criteria shall not be applied when a monument type sign is being proposed.

(6)

The directory sign shall be, at least 30 feet from any other freestanding sign and shall be, at least ten feet from the street right-of-way and the principal building.

(7)

If there is a freestanding sign, the directory sign shall not exceed the area and height of the freestanding sign.

The number of directory signs shall be limited to one for each intersection of a site access driveway with an adjoining street or one per multiple unit building at a location within the site that provides clear direction to the public as to the building's tenants.

(Ord. No. 517, 3-6-1991; Ord. No. 2009-13, 7-1-2009; Ord. No. 2013:06, §§ 1, 2, 6-5-2013; Ord. No. 2013:16, § 1, 11-21-2013)