Cinnaminson Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
§ 525-118
Temporary signs.
[Amended 9-17-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-13]
A.
Purpose and findings. The Township finds that temporary signs provide an important medium through which individuals may convey a variety of noncommercial and commercial messages. However, left completely unregulated, temporary signs can become a threat to public safety as a traffic hazard and a detriment to property values and the Township's overall public welfare as an aesthetic nuisance. By enacting this section, the Township intends to:
(1)
Balance the rights of individuals to convey their messages through temporary signs and the right of the public to be protected against the unrestricted proliferation of signs;
(2)
Further the objectives of the Township's Master Plan;
(3)
Protect the public health, safety, and welfare;
(4)
Reduce traffic and pedestrian hazards;
(5)
Protect property values by minimizing the possible adverse effects and visual blight caused by temporary signs;
(6)
Promote economic development; and
(7)
Ensure the fair and consistent enforcement of temporary sign regulations.
B. BUILDING LOT COMMERCIAL SIGN MOBILE SIGN POST PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY REAL ESTATE SIGN SIGN(1) (2) (3) (4) TEMPORARY SIGN
Definitions. For the purposes of § 525-118, the following words have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Any piece or parcel of land or a portion of a subdivision, the boundaries of which have been established by some legal instrument of record, that is recognized and intended as a unit for the purposes of transfer of ownership.
A sign which identifies, advertises, or directs attention to a business, or is intended to induce the purchase of goods, property, or service, including, without limitation, any sign naming a brand of goods or service or directing a reader to another location for additional information by the inclusion of a phone number, email or website address, and real estate signs, as further defined below.
Any sign which is posted to a vehicle or trailer, is on wheels or another similar attachment such that the sign may be moved from place to place, either within the lot or to another location.
To erect, attach, or affix in any manner, including by way of example and not by way of limitation, nailing, tacking, tying, gluing, pasting, painting, staking, marking, or writing.
The entire area between property boundaries which is owned by or under the legal jurisdiction of a government entity, dedicated to public use, or impressed with an easement for public use; which is primarily used for pedestrian or vehicular travel; and which is publicly maintained, in whole or in part, for such use; and includes without limitation the street, gutter, curb, shoulder, sidewalk, sidewalk area, parking or parking strip, planting strip, and any public way, including any poles, light standards or other similar structures within said right-of-way.
A sign indicating the availability for sale, rent, or lease of the specific lot, building, or portion of a building.
Any writing, pictorial representation, illustration, decoration (including any material used to differentiate sign copy from its background), landscaping form, emblem, symbol, design, trademark, banner, flag, pennant, captive balloon, streamer, spinner, ribbon, sculpture, statute, or any other figure or character that:
Is a structure or any part thereof (including the roof or wall of a building); or
Is written, printed, projected, painted, constructed, or otherwise placed or displayed upon or designed into landscaping or a structure or a board, plate, canopy, awning, marquee, or vehicle, or upon any material object or device whatsoever; and
By reason of its form, color, wording, symbol, design, illumination, or motion attracts or is designed to attract attention to the subject thereof or is used as a means of identification, advertisement, or announcement or political or artistic expression or decoration; but
Landscaping constitutes a sign only to the extent that it is planted, trimmed, graded, arranged, or installed in such a manner as to convey an explicit commercial message.
A sign which is not permanently attached to a building or not placed in the ground in such a fashion as to be permanent in a manner conforming to the Uniform Construction Code; or
C.
Temporary signs permitted in all zones subject to restrictions. Temporary signs may be posted on property in all zones of the Township, subject to the following requirements and those applicable provisions stated elsewhere in this chapter:
(1)
The total square footage for temporary signs posted on a building lot in any residential zone, in the aggregate, shall not exceed 12 square feet, with no individual sign exceeding six square feet. The total square footage for temporary signs posted on a building lot in all other zones, in the aggregate, shall not exceed 12 square feet, with no individual sign exceeding six square feet. The total square footage of a sign is measured to include all of the visible display area on one side of the sign.
(2)
No temporary sign shall obstruct or impair access to a public sidewalk, public or private street or driveway, traffic control sign, bus stop, fire hydrant, or any other type of street furniture, or otherwise create a hazard, including a tipping hazard.
(3)
A temporary sign shall be designed to be stable under all weather conditions, including high winds.
(4)
No temporary sign shall be illuminated or painted with light-reflecting paint.
(5)
A temporary sign shall only be posted with the consent of the property owner or occupant.
(6)
A temporary sign may be posted on private property for a period of up to 14 days, at which time the sign shall be removed or replaced.
(7)
A temporary sign may be posted on public property or in the right-of-way for a period of up to 10 days, at which time the sign shall be removed or replaced.
(8)
A temporary sign shall not advertise or promote any commercial enterprise or event not conducted on the same building lot.
(9)
No commercial sign may be posted on public property or in the right-of-way.
(10)
No temporary sign may be posted on trees, utility poles and other structures within the right-of-way.
(11)
Temporary real estate signs shall not exceed six square feet and shall be permitted to remain until the property is sold and then removed within 14 days after the date of sale.
(12)
Temporary construction site signs for single structures may be erected on the site during the period of construction to announce the name of the owner or developer, contractor, architect, landscape architect or engineer. Such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet and shall be removed prior to a certificate of occupancy being issued.
(13)
Temporary signs of mechanics, painters and other artisans may be erected on the property where such work is being performed and shall not exceed 12 square feet. Such signs shall be removed within 14 days after the completion of the work. Lawn service, cleaning service and other like services are permitted one sign not to exceed six square feet which must be removed upon completion of the service visit to the property.
(14)
Temporary signs of a public or semipublic nature shall not exceed 20 square feet in area. Not more than one such sign shall be placed on any building lot. Such signs shall only be used for the purpose of stating or calling attention to:
(a)
The name or place of meeting of an official or civic body such as a Chamber of Commerce, board of trade or service club.
(b)
An event of public interest such as public or general election; church or public meeting; local, county or state fair; volunteer fire department fair; and other similar community activities and campaigns. Such signs shall be removed within 14 days following the occurrence of the event related to the sign.
(15)
Banners and pennants and not spinners or any moving objects used for advertising purposes may be placed on property owned or leased by businesses for advertising purposes, provided that a permit is obtained from the Zoning Officer and an application fee as set forth in Chapter 265, Fees, is filed. Said banners and pennants may be utilized and placed on the premises for no more than 11 days per permit, and no more than five permits per premises or business may be issued per annum. New businesses are permitted utilization and placement (one time only) for up to 30 days. The total square foot area of allowable banners and pennants is 100 square feet per premises or business, whichever applies.
(16)
No temporary sign shall use a series of two or more signs or units placed in a line parallel to the highway or in a similar fashion, all carrying a single advertising message, part of which is contained on each sign.
(17)
Mobile signs shall not be parked on public property or in the right-of-way.
(18)
Mobile signs shall not be parked on the same building lot for more than 14 days unless the mobile sign is being stored in such a manner that shields the sign completely from public view.
(19)
Customary warning and/or trespassing signs and signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or property are permitted, provided that the size of the sign does not exceed three square feet and provided that the sign is not illuminated and is maintained in a proper condition.
D.
Removal requirements for temporary signs.
(1)
In addition to the requirements stated above, any other temporary sign not specifically designated herein, including those announcing yard sales and special events to occur on one or more particular dates, shall be removed within one day of the conclusion of the event that the sign is promoting.
(2)
The person who has posted or directed the posting of a temporary sign is responsible for the removal or replacement of that sign in accordance with this section.
(3)
If that person does not remove or replace the temporary sign in accordance with this section, then the property owner or occupant of the building lot where the sign is posted is responsible for the sign's removal or replacement.
(4)
The Township Administrator, or the Township Administrator's designee, is authorized to remove any temporary signs posted in violation of this section that are not removed or replaced in accordance with the provisions above. Temporary signs posted on private property in violation of this section shall be deemed a public nuisance, and the Township Administrator, or the Township Administrator's designee, may abate that nuisance in accordance with the nuisance abatement and abatement cost recovery procedures of Chapter 583 of this Code.
(5)
The Township Administrator, or the Township Administrator's designee, may immediately remove temporary signs posted on public property or rights-of-way in violation of this section and file a civil complaint against the person who posted the sign to recover the cost of removing the sign.
E.
Variances. Any person seeking adjustment(s) to the strict application of this section to the posting of a temporary sign shall file an application for a variance in accordance with the zoning procedures established within this chapter.