It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, repair, replace or alter any sign or other advertising structure as defined in the Chapter, except those signs exempted under this section of the Chapter, without first obtaining a building permit.

All signs shall be limited to the lot or parcel to be sold or the premises where the business or service is conducted.

The maximum permitted area of each sign shall be the size of one side only. The area of the sign shall include each and every part of the sign including mouldings and frames. Where the sign is supported by a post or pylon whose surface is being used for advertising purposes, the area of the post, pylon or other supporting members shall be considered as part of the total allowable sign area. Wherever the name or advertising message on a sign is divided between the number of panels or parts, all of the panels or parts shall be considered as one sign. Where a sign consists of individual letters or numbers, the area of the sign shall be considered as the total area of the smallest rectangle, or rectangle which can enclose all of the letters or numbers.

Signs erected flat against the side of a building shall not extend above the height or beyond the sides of the vertical wall or cornice to which they are attached. Such facade signs shall not extend from the face of the wall on which it is attached more than eight inches.

Where the side or rear of a business structure adjoins a public parking area or a private parking area intended for the use of the structure in question, signs may be placed on the side or rear wall to identify the business use in the structure, subject to the maximum sign requirements of this Chapter.

No sign or any part thereof shall be located closer than 15 feet to any lot line.

Any sign erected in conjunction with a specific use will be removed upon the discontinuation or removal of that use.

The following types of signs shall not be permitted in any zone:

All signs shall conform to the character of the neighborhood.

One nonilluminated temporary sign advertising the prospective sale or rental of the premises upon which the sign is maintained, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed three square feet, shall not exceed four feet in height above ground level and shall be removed within 10 days after consummation of a lease or sale transaction, and further provided that the words "For Sale" or "For Rent" or similar words must be the largest wording on the sign. When the premises, upon which such sign is to be placed, fronts upon two arterial (arterial to be defined as a paved roadway accepted and maintained by the State of New Jersey, County of Monmouth or Borough of Brielle, a waterway accessible to boat traffic or a rear yard which fronts on an area of open space where there is a high volume of pedestrian traffic and the placement of a sign would have a positive benefit to the seller) one additional sign shall be permitted, provided that each individual sign fronts on a separate arterial and is in compliance with all the provisions of this section.

One additional sign, commonly known as an "Open House" sign may be permitted, but only for the duration of the event and with the prior written approval of the Code Enforcement Officer.

Professional signs indicating the name and profession of the occupancy of a dwelling, provided such signs do not exceed one square foot.

Temporary signs inside windows or commercial establishment not covering more than 15% of the total window area. Whenever a new business opens in the Borough of Brielle or an existing business, operating with an approved mercantile license, wishes to conduct a special event, such business or commercial venture may make application for one fifteen-day special event permit per annum.

Said permit may be purchased for a fee of $25 from the Code Enforcement Officer and said permit shall allow a vendor to display flags or banners to publicize a specific commercial activity conditioned by a fifteen-day limitation that begins on the date that the permit takes effect.

The permittee must post a $200 cash bond, refundable no sooner than the 16th day, after the permit has taken effect and upon the completion of an inspection by the Code Enforcement Officer to verify that all banners, flags or any other such device employed to publicize the event, have been removed. Failure to do so shall result in the forfeiture of the bond and the permittee shall be subject to the penalty provisions of this Chapter.

Any signs forbidding trespassing, hunting, fishing or trapping as authorized by the Fish and Game Laws.

Temporary signs indicating a political preference or a political cause not to exceed four square feet in residential zones or 12 square feet in any other zone. Such signs shall not be erected prior to 30 days before an election and shall be removed within seven days after the election. A cash bond of $50 is required for the posting of political signs and will be refunded provided that all political signs are removed within the time period specified above. For purposes of this section a political sign shall mean a sign which indicates the name, cause or affiliation of anyone seeking public office, or which refers to an issue for which a public election is scheduled to be held.

Temporary charitable signs.

Decorative non-illuminated signs showing name and/or address of house or family.

Illumination devices such as, but not limited to, floor or spot lights shall be so placed and so shielded so as to prevent the rays of illumination thereof from being cast into residential properties or into a public right-of-way.

No portion of any sign shall be located within or suspended over a public right-of-way including a pedestrian walk.

When signs in a non-residential district are located along the district boundary line of any residential district, they shall be set back not less than 50 feet from such residential district boundary line.

Any sign that is or shall become dangerous or unsafe in any manner whatsoever shall be repaired, made safe and attractive in conformity with this Chapter or shall be removed by the owner, lessor, agent or occupant of the building, property or land upon which it is placed or to which it is attached. A written notice shall be served upon the owner, lessor, agent or occupant of a building, property or land upon which a dangerous or unsafe sign is located. The notice shall require necessary action to be taken within 10 days from the date of service of the notice upon such person, or within such lesser time as shall be deemed reasonable in cases where the danger to public health, safety, and general welfare is so imminent as to require more immediate abatement. All signs shall be painted and maintained in good repair at all times. Failure to keep signs painted, illuminated or in good repair for a period of 12 consecutive calendar months shall constitute abandonment, and such sign may not then be repaired or re-used and must be removed.

No sign shall be erected or located to obstruct the vision of drivers entering a public street; nor shall any sign be erected which obstructs existing signs on adjacent properties to a degree that the message contained on the obstructed sign is no longer visible for a reasonable distance therefrom.

In any residence zone, the following types of signs shall be permitted: