Glen Rock City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VIII
Signs and Billboards
[Added 3-14-2018 by Ord. No. 1778[1]]
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also repealed former Art. VIII, Signs and Billboards, of the 1997 Code, as amended.
§ 230-42 Applicability to signs.
The following regulations shall apply to all stationary signs and outdoor advertising and shall be in addition to other regulations for specific uses elsewhere in this chapter. For the protection of property values and the character and stability of the various residential, business and industrial districts and for the protection and enhancement of the Borough as a prospective place of residence, employment and commercial, industrial and civic activity and investment, the following requirements are set forth regulating signs in the Borough of Glen Rock.
§ 230-43 Definitions.
[Amended 12-13-2023 by Ord. No. 1915]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANNIVERSARY
An event held to mark and celebrate the date on which a business opened in a previous year.
GRAND OPENING
An event held to mark and celebrate the opening of a new business.
ONE-DAY MERCHANDISING EVENT
A store or community-wide event held to mark and celebrate the promotion of products for one business day.
SIGN
Any object, device, display or structure or part thereof, situated outdoors or indoors, which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event, location, idea, issue or point of view by any means, including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination or projected images, but excluding seasonal holiday displays, the American flag or other governmental flags, athletic scoreboards on school premises, or official announcements and signs of government.
TWO-DAY EVENT
An event occurring over 48 consecutive hours.
§ 230-44 General restrictions.
The following general provisions are applicable to all zones:
A.
Unless otherwise provided for, all signs shall relate to the premises on which they are erected.
B.
Any signs not specifically permitted are hereby prohibited.
C.
No sign shall be located less than 15 feet from the street, unless no other placement location is feasible to the property owner due to the size and shape of the lot or the existence of previously existing structures on the property. In the case where no other placement is feasible, notice must be given to the Zoning Officer of the Borough so that an alternate location for the sign may be set. This shall not apply to traffic signs and/or other signs installed by governmental agencies.
D.
No sign shall exceed 20 feet in height above ground level, except signs erected against the side of a building, which signs shall not extend above the height of the vertical wall or cornice to which they are attached.
E.
Signs may be double-faced, in which case the maximum sign area will apply to only one side.
F.
The area of a sign shall include every part of the sign, including moldings, frames, posts, pylons or other supporting members.
G.
Where the face of a sign has openings or is of an irregular shape, the area of the sign, exclusive of supporting members, shall be considered as the total area of the smallest rectangle that can enclose the sign.
H.
Freestanding signs shall be supported by posts or pylons of durable materials, which may include concrete, steel, treated wood or other suitable material, and shall be set securely in the ground or concrete so that the sign will be capable of withstanding high winds.
I.
Any sign attached flat against the surface of a building shall be constructed of durable material and attached securely to the building with nonrusting hardware. The use of wood or fiber plugs is prohibited.
J.
Advertising or identification of an establishment painted on the surface of a building shall be considered part of the total allowable sign area and shall be subject to the regulation of this article.
K.
Signs attached to the side of the building shall not exceed more than 12 inches from the face of the building.
L.
Building permits for signs.
(1)
As per the provisions of N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14(b)6, a sign that meets all of the following conditions shall not require a building permit to be erected:
(a)
It is supported by uprights or braces upon the ground surface;
(b)
It is not served by an electrical circuit directly connected to the sign;
(c)
It is not greater than 25 square feet in surface area (one side); and
(d)
It is not more than six feet above the ground (mounted height).
(2)
All signs not meeting all of the above criteria shall require a building permit. In addition, signs not meeting all of the above criteria shall also require a zoning approval.
M.
Whenever a sign becomes structurally unsafe or endangers the safety of the building or the public, the Construction Official shall order such sign to be made safe or removed. Such order shall be in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.32, Unsafe Structures.
N.
Signs shall not be painted on or affixed to water towers, storage tanks, smokestacks or similar structures.
O.
The area surrounding ground signs shall be kept neat, clean and landscaped. The owner of the property upon which the sign is located shall be responsible for maintaining the condition of the area.
P.
Facade signs and freestanding signs for office, commercial and industrial uses, as permitted in this article, may be internally illuminated.
Q.
Temporary signs advertising Borough-sponsored events and/or functions, public functions, fund-raising events other than a building fund for charitable, nonprofit or religious organizations, or political signs as permitted by this article shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1)
A temporary sign, other than a political sign, may be placed not more than 60 days prior to the function, event, or election to which it applies; and
(2)
A temporary sign, other than a political sign, must be removed not more than seven days after the function, event, or election to which it applies; and
(3)
The owner of the property on which the temporary sign is placed shall be responsible for its removal; and
(4)
The temporary sign must comply with all other regulations related to signs; and
(5)
The temporary sign advertising a building fund for a charitable nonprofit or religious extension organization may be placed for not more than 10 days from its erection;
(6)
With regard to a Borough-sponsored event, the following is required:
(a)
Consent of property owner must be obtained;
(b)
The sign may be placed no closer than 15 feet from the street;
(c)
The sign must comply with all other regulations related to signs;
(d)
The property owner or sponsoring organization shall be responsible for its removal within seven days from the end of the event.
R.
No person shall erect a sign on or over any public property, roadways or public right-of-way other than traffic directional signs or signs erected by a governmental entity.
§ 230-45 Prohibited signs.
The following signs are prohibited:
A.
Moving or revolving signs and signs using waving, blinking, flashing, vibrating, flickering, tracer or sequential lighting except for a movie theater or Borough property.
B.
Signs using words such as "stop," "look" or "danger" or any other sign which in the judgment of the Police Chief of the Borough constitutes a traffic hazard or otherwise interferes with the free flow of traffic.
C.
Roof signs.
D.
Signs advertising a product or service not sold on the premises, signs advertising or directing attention to another premises and any other sign not related to the premises on which the sign is erected, except for approved signs on Borough property.
E.
Signs causing interference with radio or television reception.
F.
Signs obstructing doors, fire escapes or stairways or keeping light or air from windows used for living quarters.
G.
Signs placed in awnings, trees, fences or utility poles or signs attached to other signs.
H.
Temporary mobile message signs.
§ 230-46 Signs in residential districts.
The following signs are permitted in residential districts:
A.
Nonilluminated directional signs identifying parking areas, entrances, loading zones, exits and similar locations and not exceeding three square feet in area are permitted in residential districts except the A-1 and A-2 Zones.
B.
Name and number plates identifying residences and affixed to a house, apartment or mailbox and not exceeding 50 square inches in area.
C.
Lawn signs identifying residents and not exceeding 1 1/2 square feet in area.
D.
Nonilluminated real estate signs announcing the sale, lease or rental of the premises on which the sign is located. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in area in a residential zone and shall be limited to one sign per property.
E.
Temporary and permanent traffic signs and signals or other signs installed by a government agency.
F.
Temporary signs advertising public functions or fund-raising events for charitable, nonprofit or religious organizations, the combined total area of all such signs not exceeding an area of 32 square feet in total on one premises.
G.
Religious institutions, hospitals, nursing homes, private schools and service organizations may have one freestanding or wall sign not exceeding 20 square feet in area.
H.
Housing developments or garden apartment developments may place one temporary sign at each entrance to the project and at the rental or sales office during the course of the development. One sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in area or six feet in height. Other signs shall not exceed 15 square feet in area or five feet in height.
I.
One nonflashing sign identifying farms, public and private parks and recreation areas, and not exceeding 30 square feet in area on any one side, and further provided that such sign shall not be closer than five feet to any street or curbline.
J.
Temporary political signs shall be permitted under this section, pursuant to the regulations set forth herein:
(1)
"Temporary political signs" shall be defined as signs pertaining to federal, state, county or local candidates or questions to be voted upon by the residents of the Borough at an upcoming election and shall be subject to the following conditions:
(a)
If any temporary political signs are placed on residential properties, consent of the property owners must be obtained; and
(b)
No temporary political signs may be placed within a distance of 15 feet of any street; and
(c)
The combined total area of all such temporary political signs shall not exceed a total of 50 square feet on any one tax lot where such temporary signs are placed and shall not exceed 32 square feet for any individual temporary political sign; and
(d)
No temporary political signs shall be permitted on Borough property;
(e)
The owner of the tax lots, and/or the registrant for the signs, on which a temporary political sign is placed shall be responsible for its removal; and
(f)
The temporary political sign must comply with all other regulations related to signs; and
(g)
Signs for candidates shall be removed no later than 20 days after date of the election in which the candidate was considered for vote. In the case of primary elections, the signs of all candidates who fail to remain as candidates in the ensuing general election shall be removed no later than 10 days after the date of the primary election;
(h)
One temporary sign per 0.25 acre of land may be located on the owner's property for a period of 30 days prior to an election involving candidates for a federal, state or local office that represents the district in which the property is located or involves an issue on the ballot of an election within the district where the property is located per issue and per candidate. Where the size of the property is smaller than 0.25 acre, these signs may be posted on the property for each principal building lawfully existing on the property.
K.
Signs pertaining to a cause subject to political judgment or statement are permitted in residential districts subject to the same requirements as political signs but without the time constraints. If these signs are to be displayed for a period of more than one year, it is advisable, but not required, that the sign be located within 10 feet of the front of the residential home where it is displayed.
L.
Signs in the AHO-1 and AHO-2 shall be permitted. Signs erected for nonresidential uses shall be regulated pursuant to the underlying district limitations in which the property is located. Signs erected for residential uses shall conform to the requirements established for the Senior Housing District.
[Added 12-9-2020 by Ord. No. 1832]
M.
Identification signs in the A-2MF shall be permitted. All said identification signs erected within the A-2MF District shall conform to the requirements established for the S-1 Senior Housing District.
[Added 12-9-2020 by Ord. No. 1834]
§ 230-47 Signs in nonresidential districts.
The following are permitted signs in nonresidential districts:
A.
Nonilluminated directional signs identifying parking areas, entrances, loading zones, exits and similar locations and not exceeding three square feet in area.
B.
Nonilluminated real estate signs announcing the sale, lease or rental of the premises on which the sign is located. Such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet in area for commercial and office uses and 50 square feet in area for industrial properties.
C.
Temporary signs advertising public functions or fund-raising events for charitable, nonprofit or religious organizations or political signs and not exceeding a combined total area of all such signs of 32 square feet in total on one premises.
D.
Temporary and permanent traffic signs and signals or other signs installed by a government agency.
E.
No person shall erect a sign on or over any public property or public right-of-way other than traffic directional signs or signs erected by a governmental entity.
F.
Religious institutions, hospitals, nursing homes, private schools and service organizations may have one freestanding or wall sign not exceeding 20 square feet in area.
G.
Each office, commercial use or industry not exceeding two stories in height may have one or more exterior signs identifying or advertising the names of tenants or uses occupying the premises.
(1)
In addition to the foregoing, a sign or signs referring to or advertising the premises upon which it is located or displayed, or to the identity of the occupant thereof, or to a service rendered thereon or therein, or to a product or item available therein, or to a trade, business or profession carried thereon or therein, one such sign may be erected on any entrance wall and one on any wall facing on a street, and one on any wall facing a municipal or public parking area, and shall be erected parallel to the face of such wall, not extending more than three inches from the face of said wall shall have the bottom of said sign structure not less than eight feet above the ground level.
(2)
The maximum aggregate total sign area of all signs shall not exceed 1 1/2 square feet for each linear foot of that portion of the building front occupied by the applicant. The maximum height of such sign shall not exceed two feet if the building front is 40 feet or less in width, 2 1/2 feet high if building front is more than 40 feet but less than 80 feet in width, and three feet high if the building front is 80 feet or more in width.
(3)
The maximum width of such sign shall not exceed 90% of the width of the storefront or wall of that portion of the premises occupied by the occupant erecting the sign and upon which it is attached. In determining maximum width of the storefront or main entrance wall of the premises or the width of the wall upon which any such sign shall be erected, whichever is less, shall govern.
(4)
Awnings are permitted, provided that they comply with the 2015 IRC and the requirements of this section. Signage is permitted on the front vertical edge only, and the lettering shall not be more than eight inches in height.
(5)
Signs are to be removed within two weeks after a vacancy of premises.
(6)
Signs painted or placed or hung within 48 inches from the inside window glass of any building shall be limited to 20% of the area of said glass, but in no event shall they exceed a total area of 36 square feet; the more restrictive limitation shall apply.
H.
Freestanding signs.
(1)
Any office, commercial or industrial building shall be permitted one freestanding sign, provided that the area of such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet per side. Where more than one use is conducted in a building or attached buildings on the same lot, only one freestanding sign shall be permitted. Said freestanding sign shall not exceed a height of five feet and shall not be closer than 30 feet to any street or curbline. No flashing signs are permitted and said sign shall not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Additionally, no angled signs are permitted, and the signs must be one- or two-faced only.
I.
Temporary portable signs. Temporary portable signs shall be permitted in the Central Business District, subject to the following requirements:
(1)
Uses to which such signs must be accessory. Such signs shall be accessory to retail sales and retail service uses open to the general public and permitted in the C-1, C-2 and C-3 Zones located in and operating from the building.
(2)
Central Business District location required.
(3)
General location. Such signs shall be permitted in the front yard of the storefront of the business to which the sign is accessory and/or within the public street right-of-way in front of said business, provided that when located within the street right-of-way, such signs shall be located between the right-of-way line and the street curb or, in the event that no street curb exists, between the right-of-way line and the edge of the street pavement. Such signs shall not be permitted to be placed in the vehicular traveled way or within any parking area located within the street right-of-way.
(4)
Maximum quantity. Not more than one sign shall be permitted for each business establishment. For purposes of administering this provision, a business establishment shall be construed to be a commercial operation and all accessory or subsidiary operations at a single location.
(5)
Dimensions.
(a)
Height. All signs shall have a minimum height of 36 inches and a maximum height of 42 inches, with the height measured vertically from the sidewalk or other surface located beneath the base of the sign. If the point of height measurement is at a different level from the surface of the traveled way, the height shall be measured from the public level of the traveled way.
(b)
Width. The maximum width of the sign panel shall be 24 inches.
(c)
Depth at base of sign. The maximum depth of the sign and supporting structure shall be 30 inches.
(d)
The following diagrams illustrate the maximum sign dimensions:
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(6)
Orientation. The faces of the sign containing the sign message shall be oriented to be perpendicular to the direction of travel on the street.
(7)
Obstructions prohibited.
(a)
Such signs shall not obstruct ingress or egress to/from buildings, driveways, access aisles, parking spaces, fire lanes or other locations that require access by vehicles or pedestrians.
(b)
For the purpose of ensuring adequate pedestrian movements, such signs shall be required to be located so as to maintain a minimum clear traveled way width of 52 inches.
(8)
Placement restrictions.
(a)
Such signs shall not be permanently affixed and shall be capable of being removed on a daily basis.
(b)
Such signs shall not be chained, cabled, tied or otherwise attached or connected to any tree, pole, hydrant, planter, container, chair, bench, table or other item but shall be wholly self-supporting.
(c)
Such signs shall be internally ballasted/weighted in such manner so as not to create or present a hazard to pedestrian safety and to be secure in windy conditions and to prevent accidental relocation by other means.
(9)
Hours of display. Such signs shall be permitted to be displayed during the hours when the business to which the sign is accessory is open to the public. Such signs shall be removed when the business is closed to the general public.
(10)
Removal during weather events. Such signs shall be removed in the event of a weather forecast for high winds, snow or ice. The signs may be returned to their approved location after the weather event has passed and, in the case of snow, once snow removal from the street, sidewalks and other paved areas in the immediate vicinity is complete.
(11)
Prohibited design features. The following design features shall be prohibited:
[Amended 12-13-2023 by Ord. No. 1915]
(a)
Any type of artificial illumination of such signs shall be prohibited.
(b)
Highly reflective or refractive materials.
(c)
Fluorescent or luminescent materials.
(d)
Three-dimensional materials.
(e)
Water-soluble materials.
(f)
Balloons, pennants, flags, streamers, banners and similar items except for grand openings, anniversary, two-day events and one-day merchandising events.
(12)
Duration. Temporary portable signs may be displayed only for one business day except for the following:
[Amended 12-13-2023 by Ord. No. 1915]
(a)
Grand opening events for a duration not in excess of three weeks.
(b)
Anniversary events for a duration not in excess of one week.
(c)
Two-day events for a duration not in excess of 48 consecutive hours.
(d)
One-day merchandising events for a duration not in excess of one business day.
(13)
Permit required. Prior to the placement of any such temporary portable sign, a permit shall be applied for and obtained from the Borough Code Enforcement Officer/Zoning Officer at least one week prior to the event/sign placement.
[Added 12-13-2023 by Ord. No. 1915]
§ 230-47.1 Sponsorship signs.
[Added 12-11-2019 by Ord. No. 1811]
A.
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
SPONSORSHIP SIGNS
Those signs advertising the name of a particular business wherein a donation is made for the right to advertise said business in accordance with the regulations of this chapter.
B.
Sponsorship sign regulations. The following regulations shall apply to all nonprofit sponsorship signs in the Borough of Glen Rock:
(1)
Sponsorship signs can only be solicited for nonprofit organizations of the Borough of Glen Rock.
(2)
They shall be permitted on all Borough parks and fields, placed by nonprofit organizations with regular use of said field having sold said sponsorships.
(3)
The Recreation Director must approve design and placement of said signs on the particular park or field. Design elements shall be specified in sponsorship application packet.
(4)
They shall be removed from the park or field at the end of each applicable playing season or year as determined by the Director of Parks and Recreation.
(5)
They shall be self-supporting and temporary, not placed on fences, and cannot damage the field or Borough property.
(6)
They shall be no higher than six feet from the ground.
(7)
They shall not be larger than 20 square feet.
(8)
There shall only be one sign per organization permitted per playing season or year, whichever is applicable as determined by the Director of Parks and Recreation.
(9)
No sponsorships shall be granted to a business which may have negative effects on public health, safety or the general welfare of the community.
C.
Exemptions. The following are exempted from the regulations of this section subject to approval of the Parks and Recreation Director and the Borough Council Recreation Committee of the Borough of Glen Rock:
(1)
Sponsorships of permanent structures or items;
(2)
Sponsorships and/or other signs related to organizations listed in Schedule A.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule A is included as an attachment to this chapter.
§ 230-48 Violations and penalties; enforcement.
[Amended 12-13-2023 by Ord. No. 1915; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Any violation of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable by a fine of not less than $100 and not to exceed $2,000 or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days, or by a term of community service not to exceed 90 days, or any combination, for each violation committed hereunder. Every day that a violation continues after service of written notice by ordinary mail on the owner of the subject property or the sign registrant or a posting of a copy of said notice on the subject property shall be deemed a separate offense hereunder. The Code Enforcement Officer/Zoning Officer is the officer charged with the enforcement of this article.
