All signs shall conform to all applicable codes and ordinances of the Township of Buchanan and shall be approved by the Building Inspector or Zoning Administrator and a permit issued under § 300-21.06.

Sign area. The area of a sign shall be measured within a single, continuous rectilinear perimeter composed of straight lines which encloses the extreme limits of the advertising message, together with any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display, message, drawing, or similar device, or used to differentiate same from the background against which it is placed, excluding the necessary supports, braces and/or uprights of the sign. When two sign faces are placed back-to-back so that both faces cannot be viewed from any one point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 24 inches apart at any point, the sign area shall be computed by the measurements of one of the faces.

Height. Sign height shall be measured as the vertical dimension from the finished grade to the highest point of the highest attached component of the sign. A sign shall not extend beyond the edge of the wall to which it is affixed nor above the roof line of a building to which it is attached.

Sign setbacks. All signs shall be set back a minimum of 1/2 of the minimum front yard setback. All signs shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from any other property line. In addition, no sign shall be located where, in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator, it will obstruct clear vision and 20 feet from the road edge.

Illumination. When illumination of signs is permitted, illumination shall comply with the following requirements:

Maintenance. All signs shall be maintained in a safe condition with proper bracing, anchorage and foundation and be subject to inspection by the Building Inspector or Zoning Administrator or other designated representative. A sign which no longer serves the purpose for which it is intended or is abandoned or is not maintained in accordance with applicable regulations of the Township of Buchanan shall be removed by the owner, or by the Township at the expense of such owner, upon written notice by the Township of Buchanan.

Where a proposed sign appears to meet the definition of more than one sign, the most restrictive requirements and limitations of the defined sign types shall apply.

Wall signs. Wall signs shall not extend further than 12 inches from the face of the wall to which it is attached. The maximum width of a wall sign shall not exceed 90% of the width of the wall to which the sign is attached.

Where a projecting sign, awning or canopy sign or suspended sign protrudes over any public or private sidewalk or walkway, the bottommost point of the sign structure shall be at least nine feet from the sidewalk.

Signs for approved home occupations shall be subject to § 300-21.05.

Electronic message boards. Electronic message boards are permitted in accordance with the following standards:

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

Property address and owner identification up to three square feet in area.

Any sign wholly located within a building and not visible from outside the building. This does not include window signs.

Holiday lights and decorations.

Works of art.

Directional signs including stop, yield, one-way, and similar signs, provided the following standards are met:

Flags up to 24 square feet in area.

All yard signs, as defined herein, provided such yard signs shall be limited to one sign per frontage, not greater than 12 square feet in area. If the subject lot or parcel has more than 100 feet of frontage, one additional sign shall be permitted per frontage.

One temporary sign or portable sign, limited to a maximum of 15 days, provided that the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in sign area per frontage and not exceed six feet in height.

Special event signage on public property.

All yard signs, as defined herein, provided such yard signs shall be limited to one sign per frontage, not greater than 12 square feet in area. If the subject lot or parcel has more than 100 feet of frontage, one additional sign shall be permitted per frontage. Such signs shall be removed after seven days from which the event occurs.

Flags or insignia of any nation, state, local government, community organization, education institution.

Farm crop hybrid signs.

One temporary sign or portable sign for the promotion of special event activities by churches, nonprofit or educational institutions, provided that the sign is displayed no more than two weeks prior to the event or activities and that it must be removed within two days of the conclusion of the event or activity provided that the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in sign area per frontage. Such signage shall not exceed six feet in height.

Land and building For Sale or For Lease signs, provided such signs do not exceed six square feet in area in the AG, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4L, R-4R, R-5 and RE Districts or 20 square feet in the CS and IND Districts.

Signs which are illegal under state laws or regulations and applicable local ordinances or regulations, and which are not consistent with the standards in this chapter.

Signs affixed to public utility poles within the right-of-way, which are not public notices, or traffic control or warnings required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.

Animated or moving signs, as defined herein.

Signs that are not clean and in good repair and signs that are out of compliance with applicable building and electrical codes.

Signs not securely affixed to a supporting structure.

Signs that are not official traffic signs which interfere with any official traffic sign, signal, or device and which may obstruct a motorist's vision.

Pole signs, bench signs and roof signs, as defined herein.

No sign shall be painted on or be attached to a motor vehicle used primarily for the display of such sign, including, but not limited to, a billboard truck.

The following uses in the following districts may be permitted signage in accordance with the following:

A sign permit shall be required for the erection, use, construction or alteration of all signs, except for those exempted by the terms of this chapter. For purposes of this section, alteration shall mean any substantial change therein, but shall not include normal maintenance or repair thereof.

An application for sign permit shall be made to the Zoning Administrator, and shall include submission of a fee as may be required by resolution or other action by the Township Board. The application shall include the following:

All signs requiring electrical service shall be reviewed for compliance with the electrical code applicable in the Township.

The Zoning Administrator shall issue a sign permit if all provisions of this article and other provisions of this chapter and other applicable ordinances are satisfied. A sign authorized by the permit shall be installed or shall be under construction within six months of the date of issuance of the sign permit or the permit shall expire. A new permit may be issued upon the filing of a new application and payment of the required fee.