Hope Township City Zoning Code

No more than two signs advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises, hereafter referred to as " Real Estate Signs," which shall be defined as lot and block, upon which the sign is placed shall be permitted. Such sign shall be for the purpose of selling, leasing or renting a property. Such sign shall be removed within 48 hours after closing of title or leases have been signed by all parties. The sign shall be no more than six square feet per side. No such signs are permitted on any property other than the subject property.

Signs advertising real estate "Open House" events shall be permitted on the day of the open house. Up to three signs will be permitted: one located at the subject property and the other two signs serving as directional aids located in remote locations. The signs shall be self-standing, portable and have a printed surface no larger than 24 inches in width by 18 inches in height. Signs may be printed on both sides. No attention attracting devices, such as, but not limited to, balloons, ribbons, streamers or banners may be affixed to the sign or displayed anywhere in conjunction with sign's location. Signs may only be displayed between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the day of the event.

The sign's placement shall not block the line of sight for motorists. Signs shall not be permitted to be placed within 500 feet of the intersection in the center of the Village of Hope (intersection of County Route 519, County Route 521 and County Route 609). Signs at the intersection of County Route 519, County Route 611 and Millbrook Street shall only be permitted to be displayed on the school corner of the intersection. Signs are not permitted on private property without the property owner's permission.

Any open house signs placed within the Township of Hope that do not conform to the standards set forth above shall be removed and the offender shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsection 20-24.7.

A sign no greater than three square feet per side identifying the name and occupation of an occupant. The identification of a permitted and approved home occupation may be included on the sign. There shall be only one per dwelling unit permitted in addition to one mailbox identification sign.

A sign shall be permitted for farms, which shall be no greater than six square feet per side identifying the name of the farm only. Seasonal, temporary signs may be permitted in addition to the within defined sign. Said seasonal, temporary signs may be utilized without the necessity of a permit. Said signs are to be removed once the appropriate season has ended. Total Area per side of said temporary signs shall not exceed nine square feet. (Example: three signs at one (1') foot height by three (3') feet long).

One sign per institutional building located upon the premises and not exceeding 10 square feet per side shall be permitted provided that said sign shall not be less than twenty-five (25') feet from the side lot line and shall not adversely affect the line of sight of vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic, nor shall said sign extend beyond seven (7') feet above ground level. Such signs may be illuminated by not more than 80 watts of indirect lighting per side.

Construction Sites. Temporary identification signs placed upon construction sites shall not exceed eight square feet per side, shall not extend more than eight (8') feet above ground level, and are to be removed upon completion of work.

Temporary signs of identification, historical events or advertising functions of religious or charitable or fraternal organizational or other temporary Hope-based organizational events, shall be no greater than eight square feet per side, not less than twenty-five (25') feet from the side lot line and shall not adversely affect the line of sight of vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic. Said sign shall be located upon the lot of the owner of record. If not located upon the lot of the owner of record, the owner of record shall submit a letter of consent/authorization to the Zoning Officer permitting the use of said lot for the erection of said temporary sign. Said signs must be removed within 48 hours after the conclusion of the event. All signs shall be constructed of wood or other weather resistant composition, be neatly painted and adequately secured for aesthetic safety purposes. Temporary signs may not be affixed to utility poles, trees located in a public right-of-way or any other public property. Municipalities, event sponsors, schools, churches and the like from outside Hope Township desiring signage for functions of religious and/or charitable, fraternal or social events shall apply to the Hope Township Committee for recommendation, advice, and appropriate requirements for approval. Said municipality, event sponsor, school and/or church shall follow the procedures for application as set forth in subsection 20-24.4.

An applicant may make no more than six requests per year for temporary signage. No temporary sign shall be permitted to remain in place for a period in excess of 14 days. All temporary signs shall be removed within 48 hours of the event.

The Township of Hope shall permit the placement of temporary multi-business directory sandwich board signs. The size, design criteria and hours of placement are the same standards as set forth in subsection 20-24.5d3, Sandwich Board Signs. The location of up to two temporary multi-business directory sandwich board signs shall be determined by the governing body and noted on the permit. It shall be the obligation/responsibility of the Hope Area Chamber of Commerce and the local merchants of the Township of Hope as to participation, cost incurred and upkeep of the subject signs. This provision will be abolished upon the completion of the permanent directory sign project to be established by the Township of Hope.

Signs relating to traffic, municipal events, legal notices, dangers and other events when approved by the governing body.

Newspaper delivery tubes are allowed.

All political signs exceeding six square feet per side shall not be less than twenty-five (25') feet from the side lot line and ten (10') feet from any curbline. No political sign may be illuminated in any way. Political signs for candidates in any election shall be removed within 10 days after the subject election. Political signs may not be affixed to any utility poles or trees, located in a public right-of-way.

Banners, with the exception of the American flag, and other flags depicting armed forces, states and countries, and "Welcome" or "Open" shall be allowed by permit only. The flag shall be taken down at the close of each business day.

Signs for properties requiring site plan approval shall submit a sign plan to the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment where applicable for approval. Such sign plan shall include specifications including, but not limited to letter styling, lighting, color, construction materials, height and width of sign, location of sign and zoning standard/ requirements/recommendations. No zoning or construction permit shall be issued until the plan has been approved by the appropriate board. However, no sign permit shall be required for signage approved during and in connection with an application for site plan approval.

In any location where the business in which the sign advertised is no longer operational, the owner of said building shall have 60 days, from notification from the Zoning Officer, to remove any signage associated with the now-defunct business or operation. If, in the event notice is given, and the signage remains after said 60 day period, then, in that event, the Township may cause the removal of any said signs and the cost of said removal shall be reimbursed by the building owner to the Township.

In residential zones permitted signs shall include signs permitted in paragraph a1, 2 and 4 above.

Name or announcement signs are limited to one per lot. Such signs of not more than two square feet per side may be attached to a front wall of a dwelling or may be attached to a suitable post in the front yard provided said sign shall not be less than twenty-five (25') feet from the side lot line and not less than ten (10') feet from the curbline. Name or announcement signs for dwellings may be illuminated by not more than 40 watts of indirect lighting per side. Name and announcements signs for institutional buildings shall be illuminated by not more than 80 watts of indirect lighting per side.

The use of neon, xenon, or other tube type lighting shall be specifically prohibited.

One freestanding sign identifying a business complex shall be authorized. Said sign shall be no greater than 25 square feet per side, supports shall not exceed sixteen (16") inches per side. The overall sign and supports shall not exceed seven (7') feet in height. No freestanding sign shall be closer than fifteen (15') feet from the curbline or side property line. The use of said freestanding sign shall not be used to list individual tenants located within the buildings or complex but instead shall serve as a site identification sign and may be illuminated by not more than 80 watts of indirect lighting per side.

On-site commercial directory signs are permitted for business complexes which sign shall be no more than two square feet per tenant or a maximum of 12 square feet, whichever is less. Directory signs must be located within the building envelope, including required bulk setbacks, and may not be illuminated by more than 80 watts of indirect lighting per side.

Signs, other than directory signs, are permitted on units which provide individual entrances from the outside for each tenant advertising the individual name or business housed within that unit. There shall be no more than one sign advertising a business name or use for each tenant of the building and the total area of all signs shall not exceed 5% of the front area of the building. No individual sign shall exceed 24 square feet, and in no event shall said sign exceed three (3') feet in height. All signs must be attached to the building's front façade, except as provided elsewhere in this section, and shall not project beyond the sides or front of the building nor above the first level of the building. No such signs shall be illuminated by lighting of intermittent or varying intensity. Such signs may be illuminated by not more than 80 watts of indirect lighting.

Units sharing a common entrance shall be prohibited from affixing signs advertising the individual tenants to the exterior of the building.

In the case of a gasoline filling station, a customary freestanding, double-faced identification sign shall not contain more than a total of 25 square feet per side; supports shall not exceed sixteen (16") inches per side. The overall sign and supports shall not exceed seven (7') feet in height. Signs shall be set back at least thirty (30') feet from the curbline and shall not rotate, being completely stationary at all times. Such signs may be illuminated by not more than 80 watts of indirect lighting per side.

Signs necessary for traffic regulations and parking and loading areas shall have an underneath clear space of not less than four (4') feet for their entire length.

In addition to the signs permitted in subsection 20-24.5a above, business signs advertising only products or service available on the premises upon which they are displayed, shall be permitted. Such signs shall not glitter, blink, revolve, or contain moving parts. The use of neon, xenon, or other tube-type lighting shall be specifically prohibited. Signs may be illuminated by not more than 80 watts of indirect lighting per side. They shall not be attached to fences, trees or utility poles. They must be kept clean and well maintained at all time.

One flat, nonprojecting sign of weather-resistant composition may be erected on any business building. Such sign may occupy space between, below or above windows and doors or one overhanging sign that is attached to and perpendicular to the building. In the event that a business has two public entrances, a nameplate shall be permitted on the rear door.

Sandwich boards displaced only during regular business hours and brought in each evening and days in which business is not in operation. Sign must be constructed of wood, or other weather-resistant material and must be adequately secured to the property upon which they are displayed and shall contain professionally drawn lettering. There shall be no more than one sign per lot and no sign larger than two and one-half (2-1/2') by three and one-half (3-1/2') feet from the ground. Sandwich board signs, other than municipal, county or State signs shall not be located so as to create a traffic hazard.

If, in the event the location of the building restricts the use of a sandwich board as hereinabove defined, then, in that event, an application may be made to the Zoning Officer for permission to erect a sign of similar import upon the building. Said sign shall be no larger than six square feet and must be adequately secured to the building. Said signs can be displayed only during regular business hours and must be brought in each evening and on days when the business is not in operation.

Permits for sandwich board and signs of similar import as described above must be renewed annually so as to ensure the safety of the general public as well as the viability of the sign. The fee for this annual renewal shall be paid upon the submission of the application for renewal. Religious, charitable, nonprofit, and fraternal organizations are exempt from this fee.

No sign shall be permitted upon the roof of any building.

Whenever an existing sign shall become structurally unsafe or endanger the safety of the building or the surrounding areas, the Construction Official and/or the Zoning Officer shall order such sign to be removed. Such order shall be complied with within 10 business days of the receipt of said order from the Construction Official and/or Zoning Official.

Window signs shall be permitted up to a maximum of 15% of cumulative window frontage. All window signs shall be affixed to the interior of the window.