Bound Brook City Zoning Code
21-10.5 Signs
1
[Ord. No. 04-12 § 2-10.5; Ord. No. 09-07; Ord. No. 2012-11]
NOTE: Sign ordinances for the Business/Residential (B/R) District: Refer to Section 21-10.15i, Signs. When there is a conflict between Section 21-10.15i and Section 21-10.5, Signs, Section 21-10.15i shall take precedence.
a. ADVERTISING BANNER, BUNTING OR FLAG ARTISAN OR CONTRACTOR SIGN BILLBOARD COMMUNITY EVENT SIGN MEMORIAL OR HISTORIC SIGN NONCONFORMING SIGN OFF-SITE SIGN PERMANENT FIXED SIGN PERMANENT FREESTANDING SIGN PORTABLE "A" FRAME SIGN PORTABLE "BOX"-TYPE LIGHTED SIGN PORTABLE LIGHTED TUBULAR OR COMPOSITE DIODE SIGN REAL ESTATE SIGN SEARCHLIGHTS SIGN TEMPORARY SIGN
Definitions.
Any piece(s) of cloth, vinyl, plastic, canvas or similar material; of any size, shape, color, design; hanging or fixed in place; used to identify, promote, advertise or announce the interest of any person, business establishment or charitable organization, when the same is placed in view of the general public. Examples are foreign flags, decorative or seasonal banners, or sporting team flags. Does not include any official US, State, County or municipal flag.
A temporary sign identifying a firm that is doing construction, decoration, or repair work on a property.
Any sign used to advertise, identify, display, or attract attention to a person, organization, business, product, service or event not located or taking place on the premises. An off-site sign.
A sign that announces a noncommercial, community event sponsored by a civic, non-profit, institutional or government organization.
A commemorative plaque, memorial tablet or emblem of an official historical body identifying the historical relevance or designation of a building or property.
A permanent sign existing at the effective date of the adoption of this subsection (Ordinance No. 09-07, adopted July 28, 2009) which could not be built or displayed under the terms of this subsection.
A sign which contains a commercial message, or 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. See also, Billboards.
Any sign which is, or is designed or required to be, permanently installed or mounted with hardware, brackets, epoxies or other permanent mounting materials or devices on the exterior of a structure or on the interior of a window. Included in this category are all painted or etched lettering and graphics on windows, lettering and graphics on canopies/awnings, sticker-type or adhesive lettering and signs and all lit signs with a dedicated electric supply, whether interior or exterior.
Any sign supported by permanent structures or supports that are placed or anchored in the ground, and which is independent from any building or structure.
Also referred to as a "sandwich sign," is a temporary, portable ground sign constructed with two sides joined/hinged at the top, allowing the sign to stand alone in an upright position.
An enclosed portable indoor sign unit that is lit from within, with translucent panels that allow light to pass through. This type of sign is typically hung in a window.
A neon, light emitting diode (LED) or other tubular electric or battery-powered unit designed to be hung inside a window as a sign. Examples of such units are liquor brand logos as are displayed in bar or restaurant windows, or custom-made units that have neon-tube words or graphics referencing products or services, or LED "open" signs.
A temporary sign placed upon a property for the purpose of advertising to the public the sale or lease of said property.
A controlled device containing a light and reflector on a swivel, for projecting a strong, far-reaching beam in any direction.
Any device, light, combination of materials, lettering, figures, marks, pictures, emblem, display, object, design, logo, symbol or trademark that is used or intended to be used to attract attention or convey information when the same is mounted, placed or installed for exterior observance. A sign shall be considered a single display surface or display device containing elements organized, related and composed to form a unit. Where matter is displayed without an organized relationship, or where there is doubt as to the relationship of elements, each element shall be considered to be a single sign.
Any sign which is not included in the permanent signage of a building or site, and which is not permanently installed with hardware or other permanent mounting materials, or which has not been approved for permanent display by the zoning officer as allowed by ordinance, or by resolution of the Planning Board. Temporary signs include banners, pennants, flags, flyers, posters and all display devices announcing a special event, promotion, sale, ad campaign or opening.
b.
Purpose. The purpose of this subsection is to promote orderly and appropriate signage that aids orientation, identifies activities, promotes a desirable visual environment, protects property values and enhances the Borough's ability to attract beneficial sources of economic development; to protect the public health, safety and welfare by restricting signs which are unsafe, impair the public's ability to receive information or increase the probability of accidents by distracting attention or obstructing vision; and to maintain adequate light and visibility through windows for both passive illumination, visibility and safety and security purposes.
c.
Applicability. All signs within the Borough of Bound Brook that are placed for exterior observance shall be erected, constructed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. In the case of externally illuminated signs, the location, intensity, orientation and type of illumination of any sign must also conform to the provisions of this subsection. No existing sign shall be altered, enlarged, rebuilt, or relocated except in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.
d.
Measurement of sign area and height. The area of a sign shall be computed as the total square footage of the background upon which the lettering, illustration or display is presented, including any base support or frame. If there is no background, the sign area shall be the rectangle which is the product of the largest horizontal and vertical dimensions of the lettering, illustration or display.
The height of a freestanding sign shall be computed as the distance from the normal grade to the top of the highest point of the sign, including any mounting device. Normal grade shall be the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.
e.
Permit required. No sign, except those qualifying for permit exemption shall be displayed, installed, painted, constructed, erected, remodeled, relocated or expanded until a zoning (sign) permit for such sign has been obtained from the Zoning Officer in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.
f.
Permit exemptions. The following signs shall not require a zoning (sign) permit: real estate signs; election signs; memorial or historic markers; flags of the US or the State; signs which display or post address numbers as permitted or required by this subsection; seasonal displays and decorations which do not advertise product or services; wall or ground signs not exceeding four square feet warning the public against hunting, fishing or trespassing on property, but only where such activities are likely; community event signs that do not exceed six square feet; routine maintenance and repair of a conforming or nonconforming sign; change of copy on an advertising sign or marquee designed for such purpose and approved by the Planning Board; signs of a constituted governmental body; construction, artisan or contractor firm signs displayed on a site during the period of construction; and temporary window signs that do not exceed eight square feet per sign, but which conform to all provisions of this subsection.
g.
Permit application process and fees. Zoning (sign) permit applications may be secured at the Borough Municipal Building.
1.
A zoning (sign) permit shall be obtained for any exterior sign or device, whether permanent or temporary, and for any interior/window sign, including temporary signs, except for portable lighted signs, or interior temporary signs with an area of eight square feet or less. The permit fee may be waived by Borough Council for tax-exempt organizations.
2.
A zoning (sign) permit shall become null and void if the work for which the permit was issued has not begun within six months. One six-month extension may be granted by the Zoning Officer. Permits for temporary signs will be valid for only the specific forty-five-day interval designated on the permit.
3.
An applicant seeking a zoning permit for a sign shall submit a scale drawing and at least the following information to the Zoning Officer, and to the Construction Code Official if a construction permit is required:
(a)
Sign area and dimensions;
(b)
Height above grade, below roofline, and from each edge of the wall and/or window on which it is displayed/mounted;
(c)
Width (horizontal measurement, in feet) of building frontage(s);
(d)
Description of sign materials, including type, color and texture;
(e)
Style and dimensions of letters and other graphics/symbols/elements;
(f)
Method of illumination, if any, including a detail showing the number, location and wattage of bulbs or other light sources, reflectors and shields, and type of light source, etc.
(g)
Detail showing construction base, pole and any other supports, brackets or frame;
(h)
Location, including sight triangle easement areas;
(i)
For freestanding signs greater than eight feet in height, computations for structural strength and stability of entire structure.
4.
Temporary signs.
(a)
Where there is an application for a zoning (sign) permit for the installation or mounting of a temporary sign, there shall be one annual fee for the installation or mounting of temporary sign, such annual fee will be valid for up to six applications for temporary signs within one year from the date of issuance of the zoning (sign) permit.
(b)
An applicant will be required to make an application for each temporary sign that the applicant wishes to install or mount.
(c)
If an applicant seeks to submit more than six applications for a zoning (sign) permit for the installation or mounting of a temporary sign within the year during which the applicant's zoning (sign) permit is valid, the applicant must pay an additional $25 per application until such time as the annual zoning (sign) permit expires, at which time the applicant must seek a new annual zoning (sign) permit for the new year.
The annual fee for the installation or mounting of a temporary sign shall cover a period of one year from the date of the issuance of the zoning (sign) permit.
h.
Permit review.
1.
The Zoning Officer shall review and grant/deny zoning permits for signs, including temporary signs and permanent freestanding signs on existing developed sites where the sign conforms to all requirements of this subsection, or for replacement or relocation of existing permanent freestanding signs where the sign conforms to all requirements of this subsection, in accordance with the regulations contained in this subsection, for signs on existing developed properties for which no change to the site other than the sign is being proposed, and if the proposed sign conforms to all regulations in this subsection. If the sign does not conform to the provisions in this subsection, the applicant must obtain a waiver from the Planning Board.
i.
Prohibited signs. The following signs shall be prohibited:
1.
Signs, such as billboards, which advertise products, services or activities conducted off premises, except for IP Zone along Route 287 as delineated in Exhibit A (on file in the office of the Borough Clerk). Unless in conformance with all provisions of Subsection 21-10.3, Conditional Use, no sign shall be permitted which is not directly related to the business conducted on the property;
2.
Permanent changeable copy displays are prohibited in residential and historic districts;
3.
All signs which move, rotate, have moving parts, reflecting materials, flashing/blinking lights or mechanically changing displays except in the B1 Zone and that part of the OB Zone west of Church Street. No such sign shall have blinking, flashing, strobe or fluttering lights or any other illuminating devices which have a changing light intensity, brightness or color, except for time and temperature;
4.
Fully-lighted canopy signs subject to the regulations of Paragraph n7;
5.
All signs in a residential district other than those permitted in paragraphs q and r of this subsection;
6.
Window "surround" lighting of any kind. Linear lighting (neon, LED, festoon, string lights or other) that frames or outlines a window or building feature is prohibited;
7.
Signs that in any way obstruct pedestrian or driving vision, traffic signals or street signage, other places of business, or other signs (or windows) of the building on which they are located;
8.
Signs that have a shape, color or construction that resembles emergency, regulatory or warning signs;
9.
Wind socks and all types of inflatable or wind-driven sign devices;
10.
Signs erected, painted or otherwise posted on trees, rocks, other natural features, or public utility poles, except those used for a garage sale as discussed in paragraph q,2(c).
j.
General sign limitations.
1.
Total sign coverage of any type shall not exceed 20% of any window, window panel or glass area on any building. Community event signs are not included in this limitation, but total sign coverage in no case shall exceed 50% in any window.
2.
No sign shall project over, occupy or obstruct any other sign.
3.
Any mounted sign affixed to a structure, or display device extending over pedestrian areas must allow a minimum seven feet of vertical clearance.
4.
All signs shall be maintained in good condition, which shall include replacement or repair of broken structural elements, casings or faces, maintenance of legibility and all lighting elements as determined by the Zoning Officer.
k.
Temporary signs. Establishments in business districts shall be permitted to display temporary signs, as follows:
1.
Temporary window signs. Businesses may display temporary signs in ground floor windows, including glass doors, for the advertising of goods and services available on the premises. Such signs shall be placed only on the interior of the windows.
(a)
Temporary window signs shall not exceed four feet in any dimension.
(b)
Temporary window signs with an area greater than eight square feet require a zoning (sign) permit, which shall allow display for a forty-five-day period. The permit for a sign must be available for inspection on the premises during all times that the sign is displayed. The permit number and date shall be written clearly on a lower back corner of the sign.
(c)
All signs shall be maintained in good condition. Faded, torn, yellowed, crooked or other deteriorated or unsightly signs are not permitted, and shall be removed. Clear adhesive materials, only, shall be used to mount temporary signs, and adhesives must be removed when the sign is removed. No duct tape or similar opaque adhesives shall be permitted. If a temporary sign is not in good condition, it must be removed at the request of the Zoning Officer, whether or not it has been displayed for a full 45 days.
2.
Exterior temporary business signs.
(a)
A temporary sign of any size or type such as an advertising banner, bunting, flag or string banner, that is displayed outside of a building, whether or not such sign includes lettering or graphics, requires a zoning (sign) permit, and is limited to a forty-five-day display period that coincides with the event or promotion as stated on the sign. Exterior temporary signs shall be permitted only for a special event or promotion, with a maximum of one per establishment displayed at any time. Any exterior temporary sign shall display the time period of the event or promotion being advertised.
l.
Portable "A-Frame" signs. Each ground floor commercial establishment may display one portable A-frame sidewalk sign; only if the positioning of such sign allows for a minimum of five feet of clear adjacent walkway/sidewalk access in the pedestrian areas associated with the building and does not block parking, parking meters or other public amenities, or obscure vision for traffic. A zoning (sign) permit shall be required for an A-frame sign.
1.
The A-frame sign display surfaces shall be made of dark-colored writable/erasable materials only, such as slate, "dry erase" board, or a dark surface covered by Plexiglas, on which erasable writing can be displayed.
2.
Maximum dimensions of each side panel shall be two feet wide by three feet high.
3.
No paper or other materials shall be affixed to the exterior surface of the A-frame sign.
4.
No other portable standing signs are permitted.
5.
The sign shall be maintained in good condition.
6.
The sign may be displayed outdoors only during hours the establishment is open for business.
m.
Window lighted signs. Each commercial establishment may display one distinct box-type, tubular/neon or composite LED portable lighted sign per ground floor window panel.
1.
Maximum area of each portable lighted sign shall be four square feet, with a three-foot maximum in any dimension, but total window coverage of sign(s) of any kind shall not exceed 20% per window.
2.
Power cords and other electrical components shall be minimized as to visibility from outside the building, to the extent practicable. Excess cord shall be out of sight from the building exterior.
3.
Each establishment is limited to one "open" sign.
4.
No blinking or moving lights or changing displays shall be permitted.
5.
Lighted signs require a permit and shall not be permitted above the ground floor level.
n.
Permanent fixed signage in Business/Commercial Districts. Unless otherwise regulated in this subsection, only those signs identifying the name, business, occupant, service, address or product offered or sold on the premises shall be permitted. Permanent fixed signs shall be of professional, permanent quality, and shall be maintained in good aesthetic and structural condition, as originally permitted and installed. If the Zoning Officer determines that a sign is not in good condition, the Officer shall issue an order for removal.
1.
Required signs. Each business shall have at least one permanent fixed sign, located on the building frontage, displaying the name of the business, and one permanent fixed sign (external or window) displaying its street number(s). The street number(s) shall be a minimum of three inches by two inches, and shall be located on the door.
2.
Size and area limits. In all commercial districts excepting the Regional Business/Senior Residential Zone, the total area of all permanent fixed signs, not including permanent freestanding signs, shall not exceed two square feet per linear feet of frontage of the building. In addition, any permanent fixed sign is limited to 75% of the width (or first floor height, if the sign is vertical) of the building frontage. The maximum of all permanent fixed signage for any building shall be 40 square feet, except for businesses with frontage along two public streets. For businesses with frontage along two public streets, the maximum allowed permanent fixed signage shall be 60 square feet, not to exceed 40 square feet on any side.
3.
Characters (lettering and numbering) on permanent fixed signs shall be a minimum of six inches in height, except on etched or painted window signs.
4.
Internally lit signs are not permitted in the BR, NBR or OB zones.
5.
Mounting and height limits. Building-mounted signs shall not extend above the roofline or parapet, or above the floor in which the business operates. No sign shall project more than 15 inches from the face of the wall upon which it is attached, nor closer than 10 feet from ground level below the sign. Signs shall be mounted parallel to walls or perpendicular to the right-of-way.
6.
Sign illumination. All illuminated signs shall comply with the following:
(a)
External sign illumination. Direct light shall be completely shielded from view of vehicular traffic. The width of the beam of a spotlight-type light may be no wider than the object of illumination (sign), and all illumination shall be shielded or made translucent to avoid spillage to neighboring properties, or light projecting in any direction except directly onto the sign.
(b)
Internal sign illumination. Internally-lit signs shall be designed to minimize glare. The light source shall not be visible from outside the sign and shall be diffused to eliminate hot spots. The background of the sign shall be opaque and the lettering or graphics shall be translucent.
7.
Canopy and awning signs. Establishments may utilize canopies or awnings as signs only as follows:
(a)
No fully-lighted canopy signs shall be permitted. Where canopies have internal lighting, they are considered to be an internally-lit sign. Canopy background shall be opaque, and lettering or graphics shall be translucent. Sign text and graphics on the canopy are limited in total width to 75% of the width of the business building frontage, centered on the awning. No translucent materials shall be used anywhere on the awning/canopy except for the sign text and graphics.
(c)
Torn, faded or otherwise deteriorated canopies/awnings utilized as signs shall not be permitted. The Zoning Officer shall have the same authority to require removal of such awnings as for other signs unless the applicant obtains a waiver from the Planning Board.
o.
Permanent freestanding signs.
1.
A commercial establishment that conforms to all applicable bulk standards of the zone, and which is a minimum of 10 feet from the street right-of-way line, may erect or display one permanent, vertical-format, freestanding sign according to the following schedules:
2.
A freestanding sign shall not exceed 25 square feet, with a maximum of eight feet in any dimension.
3.
The edge of the sign nearest to the highway/road right-of-way shall be no closer than five feet to the right-of-way.
4.
No freestanding sign shall block a sight easement, or inhibit pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
p.
Sign removal. All signage shall be removed from a business/commercial site when the business has ceased to operate for a period exceeding 60 days. When permanent exterior signage is removed, all mounting and other associated devices shall also be completely removed, and the underlying surfaces shall be painted and/or otherwise restored to match the adjacent building surface, such that there is no appearance of a missing sign. This restoration requirement applies whenever a sign is removed (excepting temporary removal for sign repair or replacement), regardless of the reason for removal. In cases of temporary closures, the business owner may appeal to the Zoning Officer for relief of up to six months. Where due written notification has been given by the Borough and compliance has not been achieved within 30 days from notification, the Borough may cause removal of such sign and charge the cost to the owner.
q.
Other signs.
1.
Real estate, artisan/contractor, and election signs.
(a)
Election signs. Election signs may not exceed four feet in any dimension, and must be removed within one week after the election. Placement shall not block visibility for traffic or create a pedestrian or traffic impediment, and may not block any other sign.
(b)
Real estate signs shall pertain only to the lease or sale of the lot upon which they are placed. No more than one such sign shall be displayed for each street frontage of a structure, whether residential or commercial.
(c)
Artisan/contractor signs. No more than one such sign shall be displayed on a lot, and the sign shall not exceed four square feet. The sign may be displayed only during the period when the contracted work is in process, and must be removed within seven days of completion of work.
(d)
No lighted real estate, artisan/contractor or election signs are permitted.
2.
Community event signs.
(a)
A sign zoning permit shall be obtained for any community event sign(s) greater than six square feet, or if the sign is displayed in a public right-of-way. The permit fee is waived. Signs shall be removed within one week after the event.
(b)
Commercial establishments may display signs announcing community events. Such signs shall not be counted toward the establishment's 20% limit on window coverage, but total coverage in no case shall exceed 50% on any window. A business may display signs for multiple community events, but shall display no more than one sign announcing any one event.
(c)
Garage sale signs shall not be erected more than five days prior to the date of sale and shall be removed within 24 hours of the completion of the garage sale as advertised. All signs must be self supporting;
r.
Signs for residential dwellings and institutional uses.
1.
Single and two-family residential uses. Each dwelling shall display its street number(s) in characters/numerals no less than four inches tall and no greater than six inches tall, in a location clearly visible from the street. Each dwelling is permitted to have one, and only one, non-illuminated identification sign, maximum two square feet in area.
2.
Three-, Four- and other multi-family residential dwellings. Each dwelling shall display its street number(s) in characters/numerals no less than four inches tall, in a location clearly visible from the street. Each dwelling is limited to one non-illuminated freestanding or attached identification sign no larger than eight square feet.
3.
Institutional uses. Schools, colleges, churches, hospitals and institutions of a similar public or semipublic nature may erect one sign per property where such property conforms to all bulk requirements of the zone. Such sign is limited to two square feet for each linear foot of frontage of the building, or 50 square feet, whichever is less, and is limited to 75% of the width (or first floor height, if the sign is vertical) of the building frontage. The sign may be illuminated, and may be freestanding or wall-mounted. A freestanding sign must conform in area, dimensions, orientation and distance from the right-of-way to paragraph o., on Permanent Freestanding Signs. Hospitals may also have two accessory information signs, not to exceed 20 square feet each.
s.
Searchlights.
1.
Searchlights or similar lights displayed to attract attention but unrelated to illumination of a permitted sign. Searchlights shall be prohibited except for grand openings and shall require a permit.
t.
Signs in the RB/SR Zone.
1.
Freestanding signs along a State highway shall not exceed 400 square feet and shall not exceed 20 feet in length. There shall be a maximum of one freestanding sign along Route 28 and one freestanding sign along Route 22. One additional freestanding sign on Route 28 may be permitted at the discretion of the Planning Board. Freestanding signs within the commercial development along an internal (non-local) road shall be limited to 200 square feet, 10 feet in length and 20 feet in height.
2.
Each principal building within the commercial area may have one major sign attached to the building not exceeding 24 inches in height and 250 square feet. A supermarket may have additional signage on the principal facade, not exceeding 50 square feet. Where an individual activity occupies at least 750 square feet of segregated area and has direct access from the outside, a sign not exceeding 50 square feet in area identifying the name of the activity is permitted. Identifying sign(s) for each activity shall also be permitted and may be suspended in perpendicular fashion from a roof over a common walkway, where and when such common walkway exists. All such signs must be similar in size, shape, color and lettering style and shall not exceed four square feet.
3.
If the additional discretionary signs described above are not permitted, then a principal building located within 100 feet of a State highway shall be permitted to have one additional sign attached to the building that faces the State highway not to exceed 250 feet.
4.
Within commercial areas, signs shall be coordinated so as to create an overall appearance of uniformity of style and color, and a proportionality of size and shape. In addition to the standards set forth in the general provisions of this subsection, signs with commercial areas for which a sign plan has not been approved by the Planning Board, shall comply with all the provisions relating to signs for the zone in which the commercial area exists.
5.
Design theme. There should be a consistent sign design theme throughout a particular project, except that national chains may employ their logo in keeping with the height and size criteria in this chapter. The design theme would include style of lettering, construction, material, type of pole or standard (wood or metal, for example), size and lighting. Color of letters and background is also important and should be carefully considered in relation to the color of the material or buildings or where the signs are proposed to be located.
u.
Historic Zone.
1.
All signs to be located in the Historic district shall be approved by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC), if constituted, or the Planning Board Site Plan Subcommittee if there is no ARC. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the ARC, in approving a sign, may further regulate such sign with respect to area, height, placement, materials, color, lighting, graphics, lettering or architectural styling.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Sign Designation Schedule and List of Permitted Types of Signs are included as attachments to this chapter.