Lacey Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
Signs
§ 335-43 Sign regulations.
A.
General regulations.
[Amended 6-23-1994 by Ord. No. 94-34]
(1)
No sign shall be erected, constructed, altered or maintained in whole or in part except in accordance with the requirements, standards and regulations of this article. The changing of movable parts of a sign designed for such changes or the repainting or reposting of display matter shall not be deemed an alteration, provided that the requirements of this article are not violated.
(2)
Flashing signs prohibited. All signs, whether illuminated or nonilluminated, shall be nonflashing and nonblinking.
(3)
Design loads for wind. The effect of special local wind pressures shall be thoroughly considered in the design of all signs. In any event, all signs except temporary signs shall be designed and maintained so as to withstand the following wind loads without any part of such sign becoming insecure, in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe:
(4)
Illumination and illuminated signs:
(a)
No sign shall be artificially illuminated by other than electrical means, and the use of any open spark or flame for illumination of signs is not permitted under any circumstances.
(b)
All electrically illuminated signs shall be certified, as to electric wiring and devices, by the Township agency or official having jurisdiction thereof.
(5)
Use of combustibles.
(a)
All roof signs, wall signs and projecting signs, including structural supports for such signs, shall be constructed entirely of metal or other noncombustible materials, except that wood, plastic or other materials of combustible characteristics similar to wood may be used for moldings, cappings, nailing blocks, letters and for other purely ornamental features. Sign facings shall be constructed as hereinafter set forth in Subsection A(5)(b) below. Provisions shall be made for the electrical ground of all metallic parts of roof signs. Where combustible materials are permitted, all electrical wiring shall be kept free and insulated therefrom.
(b)
Sign facings. Sign facings may be made of combustible plastics, provided that all electrical wiring is entirely enclosed in metal conduits and installed with a clearance of not less than two inches from the facing material and all other combustible materials used in the sign.
B.
Signs permitted in the R-75, R-75A, R-80, R-100, R-100A, R-150 and VR Residence Zones:
[Amended 2-14-1994 by Ord. No. 5-91; 2-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-12; 6-23-1994 by Ord. No. 94-34]
(1)
One nonilluminated sign identifying a resident's name and/or address, not larger than one square foot in area.
(2)
One sign, which may be illuminated, identifying a home occupation or professional office located on the premises, not larger than two square feet in area.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(3), concerning marine commercial service uses within the R-75 Zone, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 12-22-1998 by Ord. No. 98-49.
C.
Signs permitted in the C-150, C-300, C-100, C-200 and M-1 Commercial Zones:
[Amended 2-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-12]
(1)
All signs permitted in residential zones.
(2)
For each commercial or professional use, either of the following, which may be illuminated:
(a)
One enterprise identification or advertising sign, parallel to and attached or otherwise affixed to any three facades of each separate principal building on site, which signs shall be flat against the building and not larger than 20% of the gross area of the facade of the building or 75 square feet in area, whichever is less.
(b)
One enterprise identification or advertising sign, perpendicular to and attached to and projecting from any facade of each separate principal building on site, which sign shall not project more than five feet into the minimum front yard setbacks for the zone in which it is located and which shall not be larger than 32 square feet in area.
(3)
One freestanding ground sign which shall be an enterprise identification or advertising sign, which may be illuminated, and which shall not be larger than 32 square feet in area.
(4)
Where applicable, one enterprise identification or advertising shopping center sign, which may be illuminated, not larger than 80 square feet in area.
(5)
In the C-150 and C-300 Zones only, commercial signs consisting of billboards or like outdoor advertising structures, which may be illuminated, which shall not be larger than 250 square feet in area. Such a commercial sign is considered a structure, and a zoning permit is required for the construction thereof. In addition, the commercial sign must abide by the setback requirements for structures in the C-150 or C-300 Zone, whichever is applicable.
D.
Signs permitted in the M-2 Limited Industrial Zone:
[Amended 2-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-12]
(1)
Either of the enterprise identification or advertising signs, which may be illuminated, the respective size, nature and extent of which are set forth under the foregoing Subsection C(2).
(2)
Freestanding ground signs, which may be illuminated, located at each entrance to and separate exit from any limited industrial use, none of which signs shall be larger than 32 square feet in area. In the case of a common entrance to or separate common exit from more than one limited industrial use, there shall be permitted no more than one enterprise identification or advertising sign at such common entrance or exit, which sign may be illuminated and shall not be larger than 40 square feet in area.
E.
Signs permitted in the M-6 Industrial Zone:
[Amended 2-14-1991 by Ord. No. 5-91]
(2)
In the M-6 Industrial Zone, the freestanding ground signs may be located at each common or other entrance to and separate exit from any industrial activity, and none of such signs shall be larger than 200 square feet in area.
F.
Signs permitted in the O-C Office-Commercial Zone:
(1)
All signs permitted in residential zones.
(2)
For single buildings intended to be or actually used by more than one commercial or professional enterprise occupant, whichever of the following is applicable:
[Amended 2-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-12]
(a)
For each single building having a common entrance area to all commercial or professional enterprise uses within the building, one enterprise identification or advertising sign which may identify the name or other designation of the building or the name or other designation of all or any number of the commercial or professional enterprise occupants of the single building. Such sign may be illuminated, shall be parallel to and attached or otherwise affixed to the facade of the single building, shall be flat against the single building and shall not be larger than 50 square feet in area. As used in this section, a "common entrance area" shall be defined as a single foyer or like area common to all uses within the building. One sign shall be permitted for each facade of each building, but not more than three signs shall be permitted per building, and no sign shall be permitted on any facade facing residentially zoned property.
[Amended 12-22-1998 by Ord. No. 98-49]
(b)
For each single building having more than one entrance area, either of the following:
[1]
One enterprise identification or advertising sign of the size, nature and extent described in the foregoing Subsection F(2)(a). In addition, there shall be permitted one enterprise identification or advertising sign, which may be illuminated, at or near each exterior entrance area, which sign shall be parallel to and attached or otherwise affixed to the facade of the building and shall be flat against the building and none of which shall be larger than 15 square feet in area.
[2]
One enterprise identification or advertising sign, which may be illuminated, at or near each exterior entrance area, which sign shall be parallel to and attached or otherwise affixed to the facade of the building, shall be flat against the building and shall not be larger than 20 square feet in area.
(3)
For single buildings used by one commercial or professional enterprise, one enterprise identification or advertising sign, which may be illuminated, which shall be parallel to and attached or otherwise affixed to the facade of the building, shall be flat against the building and shall be not larger than 20 square feet in area.
[Amended 2-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-12]
(4)
For each single building intended to be or actually used by one or more commercial or professional enterprise occupants, one freestanding ground sign which shall be an enterprise identification or advertising sign, which may be illuminated, and which shall not be larger than 32 square feet in area.
[Amended 2-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-12]
G.
Signs permitted in connection with public and quasi-public principal uses, except those located in the PA Zone. The following regulations shall apply to signs in connection with the following permitted principal uses:
(1)
A church and other places of worship, Sunday school building, parish house for the presbyter and ministerial staff, public library, public museum, public recreational building, community center building, rest home, convalescent home, private nonprofit recreational community building, club or activity of a quasi-public, social, fraternal or recreational character, which are not of a commercial character:
(a)
One sign identifying the name or other designation of the principal use, which sign may be illuminated, and which shall be parallel to and attached or otherwise affixed to the front facade of the principal building, shall be flat against the building and shall be not larger than 20 square feet in area. This regulation shall apply to such principal uses in all zones.
(b)
One freestanding ground sign, which may be illuminated, which shall be a sign identifying the name or other designation of the principal use and which shall be located at or near each street entrance to the principal use. Such sign(s) shall not be larger than 20 square feet in area in any zone; provided, however, that within the exterior boundary lines of a planned residential cluster development, planned unit residential development (PRD) or planned residential retirement community (PRRC), such sign(s) shall not be larger than 15 square feet in area.
(2)
Hospitals:
(a)
Such signs as are permitted under the foregoing Subsection G(1), in accordance with the regulations set forth thereunder.
(b)
One sign, which may be illuminated, identifying each emergency room or like facility and which shall be either parallel to and attached or otherwise affixed to the facade of the building where such facility is located or projecting perpendicular to such facade, and said sign shall be not larger than 20 square feet in area.
[2]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also deleted former Subsection G, entitled "Signs permitted in the RA, RIA and RRIA Rural Zones."
H.
Signs permitted in the PA Preservation Area Zone:
[Added 2-14-1991 by Ord. No. 5-91]
(1)
Official public safety and information signs displaying road names, numbers and safety directions.
(2)
On-site signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises, provided that the area on one side of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet and that no more than one sign is located on any parcel of land held in common ownership.
(3)
On-site identification or advertising signs for schools, churches, hospitals or similar public service institutions, provided that the size of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet and that no more than one sign is placed on any single property.
[Amended 2-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-12]
(4)
Trespassing signs or signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or premises and signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling fishing or hunting, provided that the size of such signs does not exceed 12 square feet.
(5)
On-site professional, home occupation or name signs indicating the profession and/or activity of the occupant of the dwelling, provided that the size of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet and no more than one sign is permitted for any individual parcel of land.
(6)
On-site business or advertising signs, provided that no more than two signs are located on any one premises or on the premises leased or utilized by any one business establishment and that the total of such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet per side, with the maximum height to the top of the sign not to exceed 15 feet from the ground level.
(7)
Temporary signs advertising political parties or candidates for election, provided that the size of any such sign does not exceed four square feet.
(8)
Temporary on-site and off-site signs advertising civil, social or political gatherings and activities, provided that the size of such signs does not exceed four square feet.
I.
Pinelands Area (PA, FA, RD, VR and VRC Zones).
[Added 6-23-1994 by Ord. No. 94-34]
(1)
Moving signs prohibited in Pinelands Area. No sign, other than warning or safety signs, which changes physical position by any movement or rotation or which gives the visual impression of such movement or rotation shall be permitted in the Pinelands Area (PA, FA, RD, VR and VRC Zones).
(2)
Off-site signs prohibited in Pinelands Area. No outdoor, off-site commercial advertising sign, other than signs advertising agricultural commercial establishments, shall be permitted in the Pinelands Area (PA, FA, RD, VR and VRC Zones). Off-site, outdoor signs advertising agricultural commercial establishments shall be permitted in the Pinelands Area of the Township, provided that:
(3)
Changing signs prohibited in Pinelands Area. No sign, other than warning or safety signs, which is designed or intended to attract attention by sudden, intermittent or rhythmic movement or physical or lighting change, shall be permitted in the PA, FA, RD, VR and VRC Zones.
(4)
Construction materials for signs in the Pinelands Area. To the maximum extent practical, the character and composition of construction materials for all signs shall be harmonious with the scenic values of the Pinelands.
§ 335-44 Signs permitted in all zones.
[Amended 2-14-1991 by Ord. No. 5-91]
The following signs are permitted in all zones except for the PA Zone:
A.
Government building signs, which may be illuminated, consisting of signs erected on a Township, county, state or federal building which announce the name, nature of the occupancy and information as to use of or admission to the premises.
B.
Transit direction signs, which may be illuminated, consisting of signs designating the location of a transit line, railroad station or other public carrier and which shall not be larger than three square feet in area.
C.
Street signs, consisting of signs erected by the Township, county, state or federal government for street direction.
D.
Small wall signs, consisting of a wall sign erected on a building or structure, which shall not be larger than two square feet in area.
E.
Direction signs, consisting of such signs which, in connection with a nonresidential principal or accessory use, may be necessary to provide direction to specific buildings, places and off-street parking areas. Such signs may be illuminated and may be either freestanding ground signs or signs attached or otherwise affixed to a building or other structure. All such signs shall be located on the premises which they are intended to serve, and no such sign shall be larger than four square feet in area.
F.
Permitted temporary signs:
(1)
One temporary sign, not larger than four square feet in area, advertising the sale, lease or rental of the residential premises on which it is located. This regulation shall apply to all residentially zoned land and to all residential uses of land in any zone in which such residential use is permitted.
(2)
One temporary sign, not larger than 12 square feet in area, advertising the sale, lease or rental of the commercial or industrial premises on which it is located. This regulation shall apply to all land zoned for commercial or industrial use and to all commercial or industrial uses of land in any zone in which such commercial or industrial use is permitted.
(3)
Not more than two temporary freestanding ground signs on a subdivision which has been approved by the Township, provided that each such sign is not larger than 200 square feet in area.
(4)
Temporary construction signs, engineers' and architects' signs and other similar signs which shall be authorized by the Construction Official in connection with construction operations and which shall be located on the premises subject to such construction operations.
(5)
Temporary special decorative displays used for holidays, public demonstrations or promotion of civic welfare or charitable purposes, when authorized by Township authorities, on which there is not any commercial advertising, and provided that the Township is held harmless for any damage resulting therefrom.
(6)
Removal of temporary signs. All permitted temporary signs shall be removed by the person or party which erected such sign in accordance with the following schedule:
(a)
Temporary signs advertising sale, lease or rental of premises: within five business days after sale, lease or rental of the premises.
(b)
Temporary subdivision signs: within 10 business days after 75% of the lots have been sold or dwellings have been erected on 75% of said lots, whichever shall first occur.
(c)
Temporary construction, engineers', architects' and other similar signs: within five business days after completion of construction operations on the premises.
(d)
Temporary special decorative displays: within 10 business days after the holiday or holidays, public demonstration or promotion, as the case may be.
(7)
Temporary signs used for commercial advertising, sales and promotions. One temporary sign, not larger than 16 square feet in area, double-sided, promoting a special sale or other advertising event on the site shall be permitted under the following schedule:
[Added 2-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-12]
(a)
A temporary advertising sign will be allowed up to one week maximum per month not to exceed six times per year.
(b)
An application for a permit for the temporary advertising sign must be obtained from the Land Use Office of the Township. Said application will include the name and address of the business enterprise, the date to which the sign will be erected and the date of the removal of the sign, together with a sketch or photo of the proposed sign.
(c)
Removal of temporary advertising sign. All permitted temporary advertising signs shall be removed at the end of the period allowed on the permit. Violation of this section will subject the violator to a fine not to exceed $500. Each separate day on which a violation continues shall constitute a separate violation. Upon conviction, the Municipal Court may suspend the ability of any violator to obtain additional temporary sign permits for up to one year.
(8)
Special requirements for temporary signs.
[Added 6-23-1994 by Ord. No. 94-34]
(a)
Banner and cloth signs. Except as otherwise specified in this article, all temporary signs and banners attached to or suspended from a building and constructed of cloth or other combustible material shall be strongly constructed and shall be securely attached to their supports.
(b)
Maximum size. Temporary signs of combustible construction shall not be more than 10 feet in one dimension nor more than 500 square feet in area.
(9)
Temporary political signs shall be permitted in all zones, including the PA Zone. The size of the temporary political signs shall not exceed the maximum size of the signs permitted in any designated zone.
[Added 6-23-1994 by Ord. No. 94-34]
G.
Use of more than one enterprise unit (store, office or business place) shall entitle the business to the same sign allowances as if they were individual units.
[Added 2-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-12]
§ 335-45 Location requirements.
[Amended 2-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-12; 6-23-1994 by Ord. No. 94-34]
A.
All temporary signs and all freestanding ground signs which are for enterprise identification or advertising or for identification or advertising of hospitals or other public or quasi-public uses shall be set back a minimum distance of 10 feet from the street or curbline.
B.
All direction signs permitted as necessary to provide direction to specific buildings, places and off-street parking areas shall be set back a minimum distance of five feet from the street or curbline.
C.
Bottom clearance.
(1)
For freestanding ground signs four square feet or smaller in area, the lower edge of such sign shall not be less than 30 inches above the ground level. The intervening space may be filled with open lattice work or platform decorative trim.
(2)
For freestanding ground signs larger than four square feet in area, the lower edge of such sign shall not be less than 60 inches above the ground level. The intervening space may be filled with open lattice work or platform decorative trim.
(3)
For roof signs, there shall be clear space of not less than six feet between the lowest part of the sign and the roof level, except for necessary structural supports.
(4)
For projecting signs, there shall be a clear space of not less than 10 feet below all parts of the sign. In addition, no projecting sign shall extend over a street or other public space more than 10 feet from the building or structure, nor in any case beyond a vertical plane two feet inside the curbline.
D.
Egress and access obstructions. In order to prevent obstruction to fire-fighting forces, no sign shall be erected, constructed, altered or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exitway, window or door opening used as an element of a means of egress or as to prevent free passage from one part of a roof to another part thereof or access thereto.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 108-30, entitled "Additional location requirements," § 108-31, entitled "Additional general requirements," and § 108-32, entitled "Special requirements for temporary signs," all of which immediately followed this section, was repealed 6-23-1994 by Ord. No. 94-34.
§ 335-46 Maintenance.
A.
Housekeeping. It shall be the duty and responsibility of the owner of every sign to maintain the immediate premises occupied by the sign in a clean, sanitary and healthful condition.
B.
Maintenance. All signs, together with all their supports, braces, guys, anchors and any devices for illumination, shall be kept in repair in accordance with this article and, when not constructed of galvanized or other corrosion-resistive materials, shall be painted when necessary to prevent corrosion.
C.
Termination. Any existing sign within the Pinelands Area (PA, FA, RD, VR and VRC Zones) which does not conform to § 335-31E, F, G and H[1] of this Code shall not be permitted to continue beyond January 14, 1991.
[Added 2-14-1991 by Ord. No. 5-91]
[1]
Editor's Note: This section was repealed 6-23-1994 by Ord. No. 94-34.
§ 335-47 Nonconforming signs.
[Added 2-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-12]
Except as otherwise provided in this article, the lawful use of signs existing at the date of the adoption of this chapter may be continued although such sign(s) does not conform to the regulations specified by this chapter for the zone in which the sign is located, provided that: