Evesham Township City Zoning Code

Permitted signs. The following regulations shall be observed for all signs in all zoning districts in the municipality:

Location on buildings. All signs attached to a building shall be attached flat against the facade of the building and shall not project or extend beyond the edge of the facade to which it is attached. Signs erected flat against the side of a building shall not extend above the height of a vertical wall or eave to which they are attached. Signs located on a mansard facade shall be attached in the following manner:

Wiring for illuminated signs shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the UCC of the Township.

Where illuminated signs are permitted, illumination may be provided by floodlights or spotlights provided off-site glare is restricted. Free-form exposed LED (or similar exposed light source), neon, or faux neon lights are specifically prohibited. Regardless of the type of illumination employed, all illuminated signs, and/or the light fixtures illuminating the 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.

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, the appropriate Township official shall serve written notice upon the property owner and owner of the sign, directing the correction of the condition within 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.

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.

Signs using any material which sparkles or glitters, but nothing herein contained is intended to prohibit the use of reflective paint on signs directing traffic or identifying various locations within a lot or parcel. Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor.

Roof signs, except mansard facade signs.

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 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.

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

Flags, string of banners, pinwheels and any sign within the public right-of-way.

Signs attached, affixed or painted on trees, fences, utility poles, light poles, attached to or painted on motor vehicles which are continuously or repeatedly parked in a conspicuous location to serve as a sign, but nothing herein contained is intended to prohibit the placement of signs directing traffic or identifying various locations within a lot or parcel on light poles and utility poles erected therein.

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.

Other than those presently existing outside the Pinelands Area, no new billboard or billboard-type signs shall be erected.

No billboards shall be permitted in the Pinelands Area, except that:

Unless otherwise permitted by this chapter, portable signs of a nonpermanent nature are prohibited.

Off-premises real estate directional signs.

Signage using words, symbols, numbers or other depictions of cannabis leaf or leaves, including but not limited to the use of such terms as "420," "marijuana," "pot," "head shop," or any other common terms for cannabis.

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 2 1/2 square feet in area nor 4 1/2 feet in height.

Nonilluminated or internally illuminated information or public service signs, such as those advertising the availability of rest rooms, telephone, or similar public conveniences, provided that such signs do not advertise any commercial establishment, activity, organization, product, goods or services, except those of public utilities. Informational signs provided for the guidance and convenience of the public within commercial properties may also be erected. Any sign covered by this subsection shall not exceed two square feet.

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.

Trespassing signs; signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway, or premises; and signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling the fishing or hunting upon a particular premises, provided that area of one side of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.

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, except no American flags shall be used for advertising purposes.

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

Lawn signs identifying occupants, 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.

Illuminated and nonilluminated signs which are an integral part of vending machines, including gasoline pumps and milk machines, provided that they do not exceed two square feet in area.

Nonilluminated real estate signs announcing the sale, rental or lease of the premises on which the sign is located. The sign may be double-faced and, except as noted below, only one sign shall be permitted on each lot or parcel.

Temporary signs for advertising public functions or fund-raising events for charitable or religious organizations shall be permitted for a period of 30 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 12 square feet in area, not exceeding eight feet in height and may be erected flat against the building or freestanding.

Temporary political signs for a period of 60 days prior to an election, which shall be removed within 15 days after the election. Political signs in residential zones shall not exceed 16 square feet, the dimension shall not exceed four feet on any side 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.

Path-marking signs for garage sales, provided that not more than six signs not exceeding two square feet in size are posted no earlier than one week before the beginning of the sale, are removed the day following the sale and are not otherwise prohibited.

The street address in block numbers may be placed on the top of the outside edge of the sign frame in a commercial zone except in an Historic District Overlay. 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.

(Reserved)

Permanent and temporary window signs and internal signs visible from the exterior of the building; permanent window signs including electric signs and/or vinyl or painted lettering and designs that do not exceed 10% of the exterior glass area. Temporary window signs and internal signs advertising or describing sales or special merchandise are permitted, provided that the same sign does not remain visible from the exterior of the building for a period of longer than 20 days and that all of the signs individually or collectively do not exceed 33 1/3% of all available window space on the wall on which the signs are located.

A temporary facade sign, pending the erection of a permanent sign, when it has been determined by the Zoning Officer that a sign is permissible and a permit is issued, but for a period of no longer than 30 days.

A-type signs and sandwich signs occupying an area not greater than 16 square feet of the sidewalk area in front of a business premises shall be allowed if an outdoor sales/display permit is first obtained and the use of such signs does not compromise the effective use of any pedestrian right-of-ways, handicap ramps, handicap spaces, handicap facilities or handicap accommodations.

Temporary signs of contractors, mechanics, painters and artisans, erected and maintained on the premises during the duration of the work only, one such sign per trade, each having an area of not more than six square feet and not greater than five feet in height. Each sign shall be removed promptly upon completion of the work to which it refers; however, under no circumstance shall the sign remain posted longer than three months. Such signs shall not be illuminated.

Temporary barricade signs on safety fence barricades (that are required as part of a construction project). Signage must relate to the existing shopping center and/or approved business and/or construction company performing the work. Signage/colors images are encouraged to represent the final architectural facade work area when complete. The temporary barricade and temporary barricade signs must be removed at/or prior to issuance of the UCC certificate of occupancy or certificate of approval. For temporary contractor signs on-site that are not on a required safety barricade fence, see § 160-75M(5).

All signs and displays shall be maintained in good order with periodic painting, repairing and cleaning. In the event that the Zoning Officer of the Township determines that any sign now or hereafter erected has fallen into a state of disrepair, has become dilapidated or constitutes a safety hazard, the sign owner and property owner shall be given written notice, by certified return receipt mail, to correct the condition within 20 days from the date of the mailing of the notice. Failure to correct the condition or file an appeal within the time provided shall constitute a violation of this section.

If a sign other than a billboard advertises a business, service, commodity, accommodation, attraction, or other enterprise or activity that is no longer operating or being offered or conducted, that sign shall be considered abandoned and shall, within 30 days after such abandonment, be removed by the sign owner, owner of the property where the sign is located, or other party having control over such sign.

Within the right-of-way of any public street or road, unless the work is done pursuant to the express written authorization of the Township or agency having jurisdiction over the streets.

On property that is not under the ownership or control of the person doing or responsible for such work, unless the work is done pursuant to the express authorization of the person owning the property where such trees or shrubs are located.

In any area where such trees or shrubs are required to remain under a permit issued under this chapter.

All signs shall require sign permits except as otherwise set forth in this chapter.

All applications for sign permits shall be made to the Department of Community Development on forms provided by the Township. All applications shall be signed by the owner of the sign and the property owner, or his designee, 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 plan showing the location of the proposed sign with dimensions to the nearest building and lot lines. As soon as the sign has been erected, the applicant shall notify the Department of Community Development for a final inspection.

After a sign permit has been obtained, the copy, wording or pictures may be changed without the necessity of obtaining a new permit or paying any additional fees, as long as the new copy, wording or picture complies with the provisions of this section; but no change shall be made in the size or shape of a sign nor shall any structural alterations be made without first obtaining a new sign permit.

Subject to the remaining restrictions of this section, nonconforming signs that were otherwise lawful on the effective date of this article may be continued except as provided below.

No person may engage in any activity that causes an increase in the extent of nonconformity of a nonconforming sign. No nonconforming sign may be enlarged or altered in such a manner as to aggravate the nonconforming condition, nor may illumination be added to any nonconforming sign.

If a nonconforming sign is destroyed by natural causes, it may not thereafter be repaired, reconstructed, or replaced except in conformity with all the provisions of this chapter, and the remnants of the former sign structure shall be cleared from the land. For purposes of this section, a nonconforming sign is "destroyed" if damaged to an extent that the cost of repairing the sign to its former stature or replacing it with an equivalent sign equals or exceeds 50% of the value (tax value if listed for tax purposes) of the sign so damaged.

The message of a nonconforming sign may be changed as long as this does not create any new nonconformities.

Subject to the other provisions of this section, nonconforming signs may be repaired and renovated as long as the cost of such work does not exceed within any twelve-month period 50% of the replacement value of such sign.

If a nonconforming sign other than a billboard advertises a business, service, commodity, accommodation, attraction, or other enterprise of activity that is no longer operating or being offered or conducted, that sign shall be considered abandoned and shall be removed within 30 days after such abandonment by the sign owner, owner of the property where the sign is located, or other party having control over such sign.

If a nonconforming billboard remains blank for a continuous period of 180 days, and an intent exists to terminate the use of that billboard, that billboard shall be deemed abandoned and shall, within 30 days after such abandonment, be altered to comply with this article or be removed by the sign owner, owner of the property where the sign is located, or other person having control over such sign. For purposes of this section, a sign is "blank" if:

Removal of any nonconforming, prohibited or nonpermitted signs.

Any existing billboard which does not conform to § 160-75E(13) shall not be permitted to continue beyond December 8, 1996.

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 20 square feet in area, not to exceed five feet in height, on each major street bordering the property. In addition, 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 shall be permitted.

For permitted or existing legal nonconforming 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 three square feet in area, and a freestanding sign shall not exceed five feet in height. Where more than one business use is conducted on the premises, the area of the sign may be increased by two square feet for each use up to a maximum of eight square feet. The information on the sign shall be limited to the name of the occupant, his business or profession and house number.

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

Religious institutions, public school and municipal properties are permitted to have one electronic sign on the property. The maximum size of sign is 16 square feet. The message contained on the electronic sign may not change more than one time per hour. The electronic display may contain only one color. The sign shall be turned off between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. if any of the surrounding properties are a residential use or within a residential zoning district.

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 5% of the area of that side of the building to which the sign is attached.

Each office center or office park may have one double-faced, freestanding, internally illuminated sign not exceeding six feet in height, nor 16 square feet in area for the advertisement of all or some of the tenants in the center or park.

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 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 residential zone.

Uses in the C-1 District:

Uses in the C-2 district.

Uses in any C-3 District outside of an Historic District shall be permitted one major sign, either freestanding, attached, or projecting. If freestanding, the sign shall be set back from all street and property lines a distance equivalent to one linear foot for each two square feet of sign area, shall not exceed 20 square feet in area and a maximum height of five feet. If projecting, the sign shall not extend more than five feet from the building and shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, 15 feet to its highest point and no closer than eight feet at its lowest point to the walkway or finished surface below. Attached signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, 15 feet in height and a minimum of eight feet at its lowest point. Where a principal use occupying at least 750 square feet of segregated area has direct access from the outside, a sign not exceeding four square feet in area, identifying the name of the activity, may also be attached to the building at the entrance or suspended from a pent roof or a porch ceiling.

Opening signs. Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, a newly established business, a business which is located in a commercial zoning district which has expanded its floor area or a business which has relocated may display temporary signs but only if such temporary signs meet the following criteria:

Construction signs (promoting project designers and contractors).

Now hiring banners.

Service stations/gasoline fueling stations.

For cannabis-related businesses, signage may contain the name of the entity only and no signage reflecting a cannabis leaf or leaves or other symbol will be permitted. The word "cannabis," "apothecary," "green store" or "greenery outlet" may be used, but not "marijuana," "pot" or any other common terms for cannabis; the word "dispensary" may not be used. No advertising signs shall be permitted. No display of pricing shall be permitted.

Office buildings, research and engineering activities shall be permitted one sign not larger than the equivalent of 5% of the area of the front wall of the building or 75 square feet, whichever is smaller. If attached, the sign shall be attached flat against the building and shall not be higher than the roofline; if freestanding, the sign shall not exceed 15 feet in height and shall be set back at least 30 feet from all property and street right-of-way lines. 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.

Each subdivided development park may have one sign along each arterial or collector road which the tract in question abuts, provided there exists at least 250 feet of unbroken frontage. Such sign(s) shall not exceed 20 feet in height, shall be set back from the street rights-of-way, driveways and property lines at least 50 feet, shall not exceed an area of 100 square feet, and shall be used only to display the development's or industrial park's name.

Entrance, exit, shipping, receiving and other directional signs, each not to exceed six square feet in area and not to exceed three feet in height, shall be permitted.

For cannabis-related businesses, signage may contain the name of the entity only and no signage reflecting a cannabis leaf or leaves or other symbol will be permitted. The word "cannabis," "apothecary," "green store" or "greenery outlet" may be used, but not "marijuana," "pot" or any other common terms for cannabis; the word "dispensary" may not be used. No advertising signs shall be permitted. No display of pricing shall be permitted.

One freestanding sign is permitted on each roadway frontage, except that tracts with more than 400 feet of continuous frontage along Route 70 or Route 73 may have up to two freestanding signs along one frontage, spaced at least 300 feet apart and consistent with the requirements below.

Freestanding signs along the Route 70 and Route 73 right-of-way.

Freestanding signs along county and municipal roadways.

The base and support structure of freestanding signs shall be designed to complement the building and site design.

Freestanding signs may be either externally illuminated with a shielded light source or internally illuminated such that only the letters, numbers, and symbols are illuminated (i.e., the copy is transparent and the background area is opaque).

Freestanding and ground signs shall have a landscaped area around the base. The landscaped area shall be a minimum of 1.5 times the area of the sign. For example, a twenty-four-square-foot sign must have a minimum thirty-six-square-foot landscaped area at the base consisting of evergreen shrubs, ground cover and seasonal flowers.

Facade signs.

Each business use shall be permitted a projecting sign (adjacent a common walkway) not greater than four square feet in area identifying the name of the use or business. Such sign shall be attached flat against the building at the entrance to the business or shall be suspended in a perpendicular fashion from the wall, roof or canopy adjacent the walkway; suspended signs shall be no closer than eight feet at their lowest point to the walkway below.

A temporary sign may not exceed 12 square feet in size and must conform to § 160-75B(1)(a), (c), (f), (g), (h), (j), (k). These signs are limited to the commercial zoning district and shall not be permitted in residential zoning districts.

One temporary sign is permitted for the advertisement of an award granted to a business for a duration not to exceed three months within any calendar year. An award may be of a nature of "Best of South Jersey" or similar recognition of a business or service offered. The sign shall be located on the premises of the business receiving the award.

Temporary signs shall not be installed in any municipal, county or state right-of-way. Signs shall not be placed in a manner that restricts the use of any pedestrian path.

Temporary signs shall only be constructed of a durable material and must be kept in good condition and repair. The temporary sign shall not be illuminated unless applicable electrical permits have been issued for the illumination work.

No temporary sign shall be affixed to a utility pole, telephone pole, light standard, traffic sign, fire hydrant or other public utility or structure or posted, painted or otherwise affixed to trees, rocks or other natural features on any lot or within any street right-of-way or in another manner placed within any street right-of-way or placed on any property owned by the Township. Violations of this section will be removed and disposed of by Township personnel at the Township's discretion as deemed appropriate.

The organization, owner and/or tenant owning or erecting or causing or permitting to be erected a temporary sign in violation of this subsection who does not cause such violation to be removed and/or corrected within 48 hours after receipt of notice, either oral or written, of the existence of such violation shall also be subject to receiving a summons to municipal court for noncompliance with this subsection. The erection, posting and/or placing of each individual sign shall constitute a separate offense.

Temporary signs to promote special public events may be approved by the Township Manager or the Director of Community Development.

Permitted signs. The following types of signs, subject to the limitations prescribed for them, shall be the only signs permitted for office and commercial uses authorized in the locally designated Historic District Zones or for individually designated historic structures in the Township of Evesham.

Opening signs.

Construction signs. During the course of physical construction under a valid building permit issued by the Township of Evesham, a ground construction sign not to exceed 24 square feet in face area shall be permitted. Construction signs shall be no greater than six feet in height and located on the premises no less than 30 feet from the face of curb or edge of the cartway. If the distance is less than 30 feet, then the construction sign shall be mounted against the wall on the first floor level of the building. Said construction signs shall be permitted to stand no longer than the period during which construction is physically in progress under a valid building permit.

Exterior directory signs.

Real estate signs. In the Historic District Zone, one ground or wall sign advertising the sale or lease or real estate shall be permitted upon the premises of the property for sale or lease, provided said sign does not exceed four square feet in face of sign area. If not attached to a building, said sign shall not exceed five feet in height and shall be set back no less than 30 feet from the face of curb or edge of the cartway. Real estate signs shall be removed within five days of the closing of the sale, rental or lease of the premises or as determined by the Township Zoning Officer in the case of multiple lease or rental spaces in a single project.

Show window signs. Show window signs shall be permitted in commercial businesses in the Historic District Zone. Show window signs shall not occupy more than 20% of the window opening. The area of the sign shall be calculated as indicated in § 160-75B(1).

Site plan review. In all instances where site plan review is a requirement of any applicable municipal ordinance, the type of signs planned or proposed to be a permanent part of such development shall be presented at the time of the site plan review to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Civic signs.

Construction signs.

Real estate signs. In all areas of residential and institutional uses within the locally designated Historic District Zones or individually designated historic structures, one temporary ground sign shall be permitted upon the premises of the property for sale or lease. Said signs shall not exceed the dimensions of two feet by two feet, with a total maximum sign face area of four square feet per face, with a maximum of two faces on a single panel of material. The maximum height of said signs shall be five feet, and said signs shall be set back no less than 15 feet from the curb face or edge of the cartway.

General. The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:

Intent. Signs which were legally in existence prior to the adoption of this chapter which do not conform to the provisions of this chapter are declared nonconforming signs. It is the intent of this section to recognize that the eventual elimination, as expeditiously and fairly as possible, of nonconforming signs is as much a subject of health, safety and welfare as is the prohibition of new signs that would violate the provisions of this chapter. It is also the intent of this section that any elimination of nonconforming signs shall be effected so as to avoid any unreasonable invasion of established property rights.

General nonconforming sign provisions. Subject to the exceptions hereinafter set forth, any nonconforming signs may be continued in operation and maintenance after the effective date of this chapter, provided that nonconforming signs shall not be:

Termination of nonconforming signs.

General. The following styles or types of signs or signage is specifically prohibited within the areas of the locally designated Historic District Zones or individually designated historic structures in the Township of Evesham:

Portable and flashing signs.

General. Externally illuminated signs shall adhere to the following provisions and restrictions in addition to those stated in the sign requirements by zone:

Inspection. All signs shall be inspected periodically by the Township Zoning Officer for compliance with this chapter.

Maintenance. All signs and components thereof shall be kept in good repair and in safe, neat, clean and attractive condition.

Removal of sign. The Township Zoning Officer shall give written notice for the removal of any permanent sign erected or maintained in violation of this chapter. Upon failure to comply with this notice within 10 calendar days of the date of the notice, the Township Zoning Officer shall issue a summons to the property and/or business owner into the Evesham Municipal Court. Temporary signs erected or maintained in violation of this chapter may be removed by the Zoning Officer without notice. The Zoning Officer shall remove any sign immediately and without notice if the sign presents an immediate threat to the safety of the public. Any sign removal shall be at the expense of the property owner.

Abandoned signs.