East Brunswick City Zoning Code

Freestanding Signs.

Facade Signs.

Awning Signs.

Wiring for illuminated signs shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the electrical codes of the Township of East Brunswick and shall be inspected by the Division of Construction Inspection of the Township. Any fee for an electrical inspection shall be in addition to the fee provided for in the sign permit.

Where illuminated signs are permitted, illumination may be provided by floodlights, spotlights, ordinary incandescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes or mercury vapor lamps. Regardless of the type of illumination employed, all illuminated signs shall be properly shielded and so located as to prevent glare or blinding effects upon motor vehicle traffic and so as not to cause a nuisance to residents of the area.

Decorative neon illumination is permitted.

Whenever it is determined that the lighting on any sign now or hereafter erected constitutes a safety hazard to motor vehicle traffic in the vicinity, written notice shall be served upon the property owner and owner of the sign, directing them to correct the condition within fifteen (15) days from the date of the mailing of the notice. Failure to correct the condition or file an appeal within the time specified shall constitute a violation of this section by both the sign owner and property owner.

Where illuminated signs are permitted, signs facing a residence or residential zone shall not be illuminated between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. the following morning, unless the business or uses advertised are open to the public later than 10:00 P.M., in which event any such establishment may keep a sign illuminated until the business is closed to the public but not thereafter. Except where otherwise permitted, signs installed at a height greater than fifty (50') feet shall not be illuminated.

In addition to any requirements under the Uniform Construction Code for construction permits, all signs and advertising displays, other than those expressly provided for in Section 228-252, shall require a zoning sign permit, to be issued by the Director of Planning and Engineering or his/her designee.

Editor's Note: See Ch. 75, Construction Codes, Uniform.

All applications for a sign permit shall be made to the Director of Planning and Engineering on forms provided by the Department. All applications shall be signed by the owner of the sign and the property owner on whose premises the sign is to be erected. All applications shall contain a sketch of the proposed sign, drawn to scale, the wording or message, and, where the sign will not be attached to a building, a plot plat showing the location of the proposed sign with tie-ins to the nearest building and lot lines. All applications shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee.

The application fee for a zoning sign permit is $25 and is in addition to any required construction permit fee.

When an applicant proposes to replace the face of a sign with no changes to the size, shape or location of the sign, the applicant shall submit an application to the Department of Planning and Engineering to amend the permit. If only the wording is to be changed, there shall be no additional fee for the amendment. The intent of this section is to keep the sign permit file consistent with the sign which is to be displayed.

All requirements, permits, inspections and fees of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, if any, are in addition to this zoning requirement and must be determined by the Division of Construction Inspection.

Nonilluminated or internally illuminated directional signs identifying parking areas, loading zones, entrances, exits and similar locations. The number of directional signs shall not exceed the number of curb cuts on a lot. The signs may include a business name or professional name but shall not include any advertising message. In shopping centers and multitenanted facilities, individual tenants shall not have their business or professional names on the directional signs. Only the name of such center or development is permitted on the sign. Signs shall not exceed three square feet in area nor five feet in height.

Temporary and permanent traffic signs and signals installed by the Township, county and state for the purpose of directing and regulating the flow of traffic.

Signs indicating public transportation stops when installed by the Township or a public transportation utility.

Historic tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques and emblems which do not exceed six square feet in area and which are installed by government agencies or civil or religious organizations.

Warning and no-trespassing signs, not exceeding three square feet in area.

Flags or emblems of religious, educational, civic or governmental organizations flown from supports on the buildings or grounds occupied by the organization and the American flag whenever and wherever flown in accordance with the laws and rules promulgated by the federal government.

Name and number plates identifying residents and affixed to a house, apartment or mailbox, not exceeding 50 square inches in area.

Lawn signs identifying residents, not exceeding 1 1/2 square feet in area for each side. The signs shall not contain any advertising message and shall be nonilluminated except by a light which is an integral part of a lamppost if used as a support.

Signs posted by governmental agencies or pursuant to governmental statute, order or regulation.

Signs which are an integral part of vending devices, including gasoline pumps, as well as signage utilized for the sale of merchandise or services being sold or rendered on the premises, provided the signs are securely fastened to a structural face or the vending device and provided that they do not exceed three square feet in area. The contents of the sign may only reflect the contents of the vending device or the item being sold on the premises. The sign must be permanent and may not be interchangeable with other signage.

Nonilluminated real estate signs announcing the sale, rental or lease of the premises on which the sign is located. The sign shall only contain the announcement of sale, lease or rental, the name of the broker and phone number. No other advertising material shall be permitted on the sign. Signs shall be removed 10 days following sale, rental or lease. The sign may be double-faced, and, except as noted below, only one sign shall be permitted on each lot or parcel. The maximum size of the sign shall be in accordance with the following schedule:

Window signs and interior floor displays which obstruct the window area shall be restricted in order to assure adequate visibility from outside the building, subject to the following:

Temporary signs and posts for advertising public functions or fundraising events for charitable or religious organizations shall be permitted for a period of 60 days prior to and during the event and shall be removed within five days after the event. The sign shall be nonilluminated, not larger than 24 square feet in area, not exceeding eight feet in height and may be erected flat against the building or freestanding.

Temporary political signs and posts for a period of 30 days prior to an election, which must be removed five days after the election. Political signs in residential zones shall not exceed six square feet, the dimension shall not exceed 2 x 3 feet, and they shall not exceed the height limitation for residential zones. Political signs in all other zones shall not exceed the maximum size and height limitation for the zone in which they are placed.

The street address in block numbers may be placed on the top of the outside edge of the sign frame in a C-2, C-3, HC-1, HC-2, and HC-3 Zone. The number shall be a uniform twelve-inch height on all freestanding signs and shall not be considered as part of the area of the sign.

Relocation information signs for a period of 30 days. Relocation signs shall be restricted to the present location of the relocating business and the future location of the relocating business. The signs, one each at the present and the future business sites, shall not be in excess of standards set forth for the zone in which the business is located in.

Construction signs. One sign announcing the name of architects, engineers and/or contractors and the building enterprise shall be permitted at a site under construction, alteration or repair, provided the sign shall not exceed the standards set forth for the zone in which the construction site is situated and that the sign shall be removed before a certificate of occupancy is issued. The sign shall not exceed 45 square feet in area and eight feet in height.

Menu boards not visible from the right-of-way as part of a drive-through facility.

One price sign per vehicle, not to exceed one square foot in area.

"Help wanted" signs. One sign announcing an available position, the establishment (employer) and contact phone number, not to exceed six square feet in area. The sign may be of a temporary nature but must be securely and safely fastened to the building facade or an existing freestanding sign on the premises of the establishment. The sign must be removed within five days of filling the announced position.

Farm stands for the sale of farm produce grown on the premises may have two freestanding signs, each not larger than 12 square feet in area and not exceeding eight feet in height. In addition, one sign no larger than 20 square feet in area may be erected flat against the face of the farm stand or farm building where the produce or products are sold.

Signs painted on or attached to motor vehicles or trailers or other portable devices. Signs painted on or attached to motor vehicles or trailers or other portable devices are exempt, provided that such signs pertain to the function of the vehicle or to the business of its owner. The parking or storing of these motor vehicles, trailers or portable devices is prohibited, except:

Signs using red, yellow and green lights placed within 100 feet of any traffic control signal now or hereafter erected.

Moving or revolving signs and signs using blinking, flashing, vibrating, flickering, tracer or sequential lighting.

Any sign which, in the judgment of the Director of Public Safety, unreasonably tends to distract drivers or otherwise constitutes a traffic hazard.

Roof signs on buildings, structures, and vehicles.

Signs or advertising matter of an indecent or obscene nature.

Signs using words such as "stop", "look", "danger", etc., which are placed in a manner or position which, in the judgment of the Director of Public Safety, constitutes a traffic hazard or otherwise interferes with the free flow of traffic.

Signs which attempt to imitate or otherwise cause confusion with existing signs erected by any governmental board, body or agency.

Except where specifically permitted, signs advertising a product or service not sold on the premises, signs advertising or directing attention to another premises and any other signs unrelated to the premises on which the sign is erected, except for billboards as a conditional use in the P-I and C-2 zones.

Signs causing interference with radio or television reception.

Signs obstructing doors, fire escapes or stairways or keeping light or air from windows used for living quarters.

Flags, banners, string of banners, pinwheels, A type signs, sandwich type signs, sidewalk signs, curb signs and similar advertising devices, except as provided for in § 228-256C.

Any sign or banner spanning a public street.

Signs placed on trees, fences, utility poles, light poles, signs attached to other signs and signs placed upon motor vehicles which are continuously or repeatedly parked in a conspicuous location to serve as a sign.

Any series of two or more signs placed along a street or highway carrying an advertising message, part of which is contained on each sign.

Signs on vacant property advertising a proposed use without prior issuance of Township Planning or Zoning Board approval for the proposed use.

Signs with manual or electronic changeable type or symbols except for movie marquees and signs indicating the time and temperature only.

Except where specifically permitted any sign which is inflatable, airborne, floating or of a balloon type including but not limited to search lights, balloons, dirigibles and blimps.

Except where specifically permitted, portable or permanent search lights.

Religious institutions, nursing homes, private schools, service organizations and public buildings and facilities may have one freestanding informal sign or bulletin board, not more than thirty five (35) square feet in area, not to exceed six (6') in height, on each major street bordering the property, together with incidental signs, not to exceed four, necessary to provide directions or describe the use, provided that each such sign does not exceed three square feet in area.

For business uses, one sign flat against the building or on a single freestanding post, such as a lawn sign, is permitted. The sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area, and a freestanding sign shall not exceed five (5) feet in height. Where more than one use is conducted on the premises, the area of the sign for multiple users may be a maximum of 10 square feet. The information on the sign shall be limited to the name of the occupant, his business or profession and house number.

Signs are permitted in connection with each housing or land development, as follows

One (1) sign, either freestanding or flat against the building, not exceeding 20 square feet in area and eight (8) feet in height above the ground.

Each business use may have one sign flat against the front of the building facade, facing the street on which the lot fronts not to exceed five (5%) percent of the area of that side of the building to which the sign is attached.

Each business use may have one double faced, freestanding, internally illuminated sign not exceeding 10 feet in height, nor twenty four (24) square feet in area.

On a corner lot an additional freestanding sign and an additional building facade sign may be permitted for each major street on which the lot fronts; provided, however, that no additional signage shall be authorized on a side of such building, which side borders on a residence or residential zone.

All signs, displays or advertising devices to be erected in an area zoned Historic District-Commercial and visible from the public right-of-way shall be subject to the regulation of this ordinance. No signs, displays, or advertising devices shall be erected which contain a brand, trademark, slogan, symbol or other similar device unrelated to the specific business or service provided on the premises. Each sign, display or advertising device proposed for erection within a Historic District Commercial Zone shall be judged on its size, color, design, quality, placement and method of hanging according to the particular character of the building, its neighbors and the subject sign, display or advertising device. In general, such devices may consist of hanging signboards or fascia boards, awnings or similar devices; provided, however, that no such device shall be of a flashing type, although either interior or exterior shielded illumination of such devices shall be allowed. It is the intention of this control to encourage superior graphic design of signs, displays or advertising devices as a means of emphasizing the quality of the environment.

Each non residential use may have one sign placed flat against the front of the building facade, facing the street or streets on which the lot fronts, not exceeding in area five (5%) percent of the area of such facade.

Each non residential use may have one double faced, freestanding, externally or internally illuminated sign.

All freestanding signs shall be a maximum of six (6) square feet in area, height not to exceed four (4') feet and a maximum of five (5') feet from the street right-of-way and all adjacent property lines. If the freestanding sign can be set back a minimum of ten (10') feet from the street right-of-way and all adjacent property lines, the sign may have an area of twenty four (24) square feet and may not exceed ten (10') feet in height.

The background of all signs, whether or not illuminated, shall be of a neutral color, buff, white or tan, and the lettering thereon shall be either black or dark brown; provided, however, that the background of a sign may be black or dark brown with lettering having the neutral colors of buff, white or tan. Nothing herein shall preclude the placement of a logo having colors other than those set forth above, provided that the color and design have become identified by the public with a particular name. No colored lights may be used to illuminate the signs.

On a corner lot an additional freestanding sign and an additional building facade sign may be permitted for each major street on which the lot fronts; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply where the side of structure faces the residential zone. The size of such freestanding sign and building facade sign shall follow items A through E above.

Each business use may have one sign flat against the front of the building facade, not to exceed five (5%) percent of the area of that side of the building to which the sign is attached.

The entire development may have no more than two freestanding monument signs along the frontage of the property identifying the name of the development. Signs may be no more than eight (8) feet in height and a maximum of twenty-five (25) square feet in area. The size of the monument may be no more than 2 2 times the size of the sign.

The development may have no more than five (5) directory signs located inside the property, not visible from existing public roads, a maximum of twenty-five (25) square feet in area and no more than eight (8) feet in height.

Each business or commercial use may have one or more signs flat against the building and only permitted on a finished elevation of a building provided, however, that the total area of all such signs shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the area of that side of the building to which the sign is attached. No sign shall protrude above the building roof line or top of any parapet. No sign shall be permitted on the side of any building bordering on a residential zone unless the residential zone and the building are separated by a street.

Each business operating in a separate location may display temporary signs in connection with bona fide special sales promotions for a maximum of five weeks every six months. The use of plastic or cloth flags, banners, pennants, bunting or similar advertising devices shall be permitted, on a finished facade of the building actually occupied or on the freestanding sign utilized by the business or commercial use conducting the sales promotions as defined above. Pennants are permitted to be hung from the facade to another nonpublic structure on the property. All temporary signs shall not cause a sight obstruction.

Feather flag signs are for notification of special events, special promotional purposes, temporary sales, grand openings etc., provided that said proposed feather flag sign:

Temporary signs securely fastened to a building facade may not exceed 10% of the area of the facade up to a maximum of 200 square feet in addition to any existing facade signs for the business or commercial use conducting the sales promotion. Temporary signs securely fastened to an existing freestanding sign may be no greater than 24 square feet in area, may not obstruct any other signs on the existing pylon nor may it be erected without first obtaining consent from the property owner/landlord.

A temporary sign permit shall be required for the maximum time period of five weeks every six months. The fee for a temporary sign permit is $10.00 per week, per sign. The application shall be submitted to the Director of Planning and Engineering or his/her designee for approval. For a new business in the Township, an approved permanent sign permit is required before a temporary sign permit may be issued.

The following signs are permitted along State Highway 18 along the HC-2, HC-3 and MXD Districts

For business uses, portable and/or freestanding commercial searchlights, spotlights or floodlights may be used for advertising purposes, subject to the following conditions:

Signs or letters must be flat against the building and are only permitted on a finished elevation of a building; provided, however, that the total area of all such signs shall not exceed fifteen (15%) percent of the area of that side of the building to which the sign is attached. No sign shall be permitted on the side of any building bordering on a residential zone unless the residential zone and the business property are separated by a street.

One (1) freestanding sign in accordance with the table set forth in § 228-256B. Whenever the premises is bordered by more than one street, an additional freestanding sign shall be permitted on each street bordering the premises, except that no sign shall be erected on a side which borders on a residential zone unless the residential zone and the industrial property are separated by a street.

In addition to the signs provided for above, a planned industrial park may erect one (l) freestanding sign, identifying the industrial park, its occupants and their principal products, on each major street or highway bordering the park. The sign shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet in area.

Entrance, exit, shipping, receiving and other directional signs, each not to exceed 10 square feet in area and not to exceed five (5) feet in height.