Permits for Signs. Except for signs as permitted in Subsections b, d, p, and r below, no sign shall be constructed or displayed unless a permit shall have first been obtained from the Construction Official and/or Zoning Officer, as applicable. If there is any question as to the suitability of any sign or as to its meeting the requirements of this chapter, either the Construction Official or the Zoning Officer may refer the application for the sign to the Planning Board, who shall submit a report of its findings to the Construction Official or the Zoning Officer, as the case may be, immediately after its first regular meeting following receipt of the sign application. Any sign permit issued by the Construction Official shall be put into effect or work commenced within one year after the date issued or the permit shall be null and void.

Temporary safety, traffic, directional and warning signs approved by the Governing Body shall be permitted in all zones.

Any moving sign or device designed to attract attention, including fluttering or rotating devices such as but not limited to pennants, flags, propellers, discs, etc., are prohibited in all zones; provided, however, that moving signs associated with the opening of a new establishment may be permitted for a period not to exceed 15 days. No sign or advertising structures may be erected which direct attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than upon the premises upon which the sign is located.

Signs which are required by any provision of law and signs deemed necessary to the public welfare by the Governing Body may be located in any zone.

No sign shall be placed as to interfere with or be mistaken for a traffic light or similar safety device or interfere with traffic visibility.

All illuminated signs must comply with the following regulations:

No sign as permitted shall extend or project above the highest elevation of the wall to which it is attached nor shall any sign be erected on or attached to the roof of a building.

Any illuminated tubing or strings of lights outlining roof lines, doors, windows or wall edges of any building, except Christmas decorations, is prohibited.

Any sign that uses the word "stop" or "danger" or otherwise presents or implies the need or requirement of stopping or caution or the existence of danger or which is likely to be confused with any sign displayed by public authority is prohibited.

No banner-type sign shall be permitted in any location in the Township, except where in celebration of public events or to call attention to dates of holidays of public significance and in such cases only when erected by the Township itself or authorized by the Governing Body.

The following exemptions shall apply only to the requirement for a sign permit and shall not be construed as relieving the owner of the sign from the responsibility for its erection and maintenance in good and safe condition:

No advertising sign shall be erected or located on, within or over any public right-of-way.

There shall be permitted one wall or ground identification sign, not to exceed 24 square feet, located on the premises of places of worship; Sunday school buildings; public libraries; hospitals; museums; art galleries; parish houses; buildings used exclusively by Federal, State, County and local government for public purposes; public, private and parochial schools; and public recreational and community center buildings and grounds. No such sign shall be located closer than 15 feet to a property line or street right-of-way line.

Wall or ground traffic directional and traffic safety signs containing such wording as "one-way," "do not enter," "stop," "enter" and "exit" may be located on a property in any zone, provided that the locations and sizes of such signs are approved by the Planning Board.

Customary warning or "no trespassing" signs, not more than one square foot in area, may be displayed in any zone.

Not more than four signs advertising the sale and price of seasonal farm produce, provided that the total area of such signs does not exceed 32 square feet, are permitted in all zones.

A temporary sign advertising the prospective sale or rental of the premises upon which it is located, not to exceed six square feet in area, and provided that it shall be maintained and removed within seven days after consummation of a lease or sale transaction, is permitted in any zone.

Overhanging signs, attached and perpendicular to a building are prohibited.

Any strings of lights or illuminated tubing outlining property lines, open sales areas, wall edges, roof lines, doors or windows or a building are prohibited in all zones.

Any portable sign, including any sign displayed on a vehicle when such vehicle is used primarily for the purpose of such display, is prohibited in all zones.

Temporary signs for advertising public functions or fundraising events for government, nonprofit or charitable organizations shall be permitted in all zones provided the nonprofit or charitable organization is registered with the Zoning Officer on an annual basis. Registration will include proof of nonprofit or charitable status. Said signs shall:

A name plate sign, situated within the property lines and bearing only the name and address of the principal occupant, provided that the sign does not exceed 72 square inches in total area.

Either one wall sign or one ground sign, not to exceed four square feet in area, advertising or indicating the home or office of a member of a recognized profession or home occupation as permitted in the district.

One sale or rent sign erected only on the property to be sold or rented, but not to be placed on any tree and not to exceed four square feet in area. No fee or permit shall be required for such sign.

Approved residential housing developments may display one freestanding identification sign at each street entrance to the development, designating only the name of the development, the address and name of the owner and the names of any buildings located therein, provided that the area of the sign shall not exceed 35 square feet and shall be set back 15 feet from a street or property line. Provided however, that all such signs shall be removed and the area restored (graded, planted and/or seeded) within 90 days of the date of the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the last residence to be constructed therein. Provided, additionally, that the maintenance guarantee required by § 30-13.1k to be posted with respect to all public improvements shall not be released until all such signs shall have been removed.

Conditional uses and permitted farming uses may display one freestanding identification sign, not to exceed nine square feet in area, designating the name of the use and the address and name of the owner. The sign may be placed in the front yard, but not closer than 15 feet to any street right-of-way or property line as designated on the adopted street plan. A freestanding identification sign shall not exceed one square foot in area per linear foot of setback from the property line but in no event shall be closer than 15 feet to any street right-of-way or property line as designated on the adopted street plan.

Wall Signs. Wall signs are permitted on each commercial building wall that faces on a street, subject to the following limitations and requirements:

Ground Signs. One ground sign shall be permitted for each commercial building, subject to the following limitations and requirements:

Freestanding Signs. Provided that there is no ground sign, a commercial property having a street frontage of at least 300 feet shall be permitted one freestanding sign, subject to the following limitations and requirements:

Covered Walk Signs. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, a commercial building containing a canopy or overhang along the building wall and over a sidewalk shall be permitted one sign suspended from or attached to the ceiling of the canopy or overhang for each business establishment; subject to the following limitations and requirements:

Signs for Motor Vehicle Service Stations. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, motor vehicle service stations may display only the following signs:

Other Signs. Also permitted are the following signs:

Wall Signs. Each industrial building may contain one wall sign, subject to the following limitations and requirements:

Ground Signs. Each industrial property may display one ground sign, subject to the following limitations and requirements:

Other Signs. Also permitted are signs as provided in § 30-83.3.