Hopewell City Zoning Code
§ 12-17A.5
Signs Permitted in Nonresidential Zones.
In zones R-O, B-R and S, the following signs shall be permitted in addition to those permitted in all zones:
a.
Each structure is permitted a total of 50 square feet of combined sign area, limited to a maximum of three total signs in accordance to the provisions set forth below (subsection 12-17A.5,a, 1-9):
1.
Wall Sign. Each permitted use may have one wall sign, provided that the sign shall not exceed an area equal to 5% of the area of the facade upon which it is erected, or 50 square feet, whichever is smaller. In computing permitted sign area, only one face of a building may be used as the principal face. In the case of a use located on the ground floor of a multi-story building, only the first floor facade area shall be used for the purposes of calculating the permissible sign area.
In the case of a multi-occupancy structure, the allowable sign area shall be distributed among occupants having street level frontage. Single tenant structures shall use the first floor facade area for purpose of calculating permitted sign area.
2.
Wall Sign - Corner. Corner uses may have a second wall sign, provided that such sign is located on the secondary street facade and does not exceed an area equal to one-half of the area of the primary street facade wall sign, or 25 feet, whichever is smaller.
3.
Directory of Occupants Sign. Each multi-occupancy structure may display one directory-of-occupants sign not exceeding eight square feet in area, providing that the directory is located within a side or rear yard and providing the property contains five or more tenants.
4.
Shingle Sign. One shingle sign not exceeding six square feet in area is permitted for each use provided the permitted wall sign area is reduced by the size of the shingle sign.
5.
Awning and Window Signs. Awning and window signs are permitted provided the total area of said signs is consistent with the provisions of paragraph subsection 12-17A.5a. The area of signs shall be calculated by multiplying the largest horizontal and vertical dimensions of any lettering, display or graphic.
6.
Ground Sign. The following restrictions shall apply:
(a)
Only one ground sign shall be permitted on any single lot, regardless of the number of establishments on the property,
(b)
Corner uses may have a second ground sign, provided that such sign is located on the secondary street frontage and does not exceed an area equal to one-half of the area of the primary ground sign.
(c)
Size. The area of freestanding signs is limited as follows:
(1)
Signs may not exceed 12 square feet.
(2)
No part of the sign shall be permitted to protrude more than one foot from either side of the surface on the sign;
(3)
If more than one business is located on a lot, the sign area permitted shall be as follows:
[a]
The single freestanding sign may be a directory sign with a total area as regulated in subsection 17A.5a,3 above or, if that does not accommodate a minimum of one square foot panel for each tenant, a sign area sufficient to do so shall be allowed; or
[b]
The single freestanding sign may identify the building or the primary occupant and a nonilluminated directory sign not exceeding one square foot per tenant may be permitted on the ground floor facade.
(d)
Height. The height of a freestanding sign shall not exceed seven feet. Height shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of the existing grade prior to construction or the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavation solely for the purpose of locating the sign.
(e)
Location. The sign shall be at least five feet from any property line and no case closer than three feet from the sidewalk.
7.
Off-Broad Street Directional Signs. Off-Broad Street directional signs, installed and maintained by the Hopewell Business Association (HBA), or other organization as authorized by the planning board, shall be permitted in accordance with the following standards, regulations and procedures:
(a)
Such signs shall be nonilluminated painted or engraved wood single pole ground signs, subject to size and design specifications approved by the planning board. However, no sign shall exceed seven feet in height nor eight square feet in area.
(b)
Authorized sign locations are the following intersections or locations along Broad Street: Mercer Street, Greenwood Avenue, Blackwell Avenue, Seminary Avenue, Hamilton Avenue, Princeton Avenue, Hopewell Village Square.
(c)
Signs shall be located within street rights-of-way, unless permission for location on private property is obtained by the HBA. Signs shall not be located within any street intersection sight triangles and shall not otherwise interfere with traffic visibility. All specific sign locations shall be approved by the borough engineer.
(d)
Any fees charged by the HBA for the cost and maintenance of such signs shall be subject to Borough Council approval.
8.
Gasoline Service Station Sign. Gasoline service stations may display, in addition, the following signs:
(a)
One ground sign not exceeding 16 square feet in area and not exceeding 15 feet in height.
(b)
Two temporary nonilluminated signs advertising special seasonal services, provided said signs each do not exceed nine square feet in area.
(c)
Customary lettering or other insignia which constitutes a structural or functional part of a fuel pump.
(d)
One nonilluminated sign indicating gasoline price information, provided that said sign does not exceed 20 square feet in area or six feet in height.
(e)
Internally lighted signs shall provide no more than 1.0 foot-candles when measured two feet from any sign surface. Internally lighted signs, shall provide a dark background and light lettering; in no case shall internally lighted signs use stark white graphics of any kind. Whenever necessary, the approving authority may require submission of a sample of the material to be used for any sign.
9.
Vending Machine Signs. Where attached to coin operated vending machines located in conformance with the Borough Code, vending machine signs shall be permitted in all nonresidential zones; however, all such signs located within the front yard of a use and exceeding one square foot in area shall subtract the aggregate vending machine sign area in excess of one square foot from the permitted sign area for wall, ground or other permitted sign types.