Montville Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXVII
Signs
§ 230-206 Compliance required.
A.
Unless otherwise exempted within this article, no person shall erect, alter, relocate, maintain, reconstruct, or cause to be erected, altered, relocated, or reconstructed any sign of any type or description unless he/she shall have applied for and secured a sign permit from the Zoning Officer/Construction Code Officer.
[Amended 12-9-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-33]
B.
All signs hereafter erected or maintained, except official traffic and street signs, shall conform to the provisions of this chapter. Any signs not specifically permitted are hereby prohibited.
§ 230-207 Application; fees; expiration of permit.
A.
All applications for a sign permit shall be filed on forms available from the Zoning Officer. Such applications shall be accompanied by plans containing information sufficient to confirm compliance with this article, including, at a minimum, the proposed sign location, sign area and dimensions, sign height, including distance between grade and bottom of sign and to top of sign, construction and illumination details, colors and materials, and existing sign location and size, if any. In addition, the plans shall include the following:
(1)
Property lines of the land upon which said sign is to be erected;
(2)
Structures, if any, located on such lands;
(3)
The nearest street, highway, or public or private driveway;
(4)
In case of wall signs, the plans shall include building elevations with height and width dimensions shown for the face of the building that the sign is proposed to be installed upon; and
(5)
In case of freestanding signs, the plans shall include:
(a)
Elevation with height and dimension of the sign and the length of the street frontage in linear feet with curb cuts;
(b)
The general location and height of any freestanding signs on an adjoining property in order to determine if the proposed sign will block an existing sign on an adjoining property; and
(c)
The required sight distances, with relation to accessways to the premises on which the sign is to be located and adjacent premises.
B.
The plan information required in Subsection A above may be waived by the Zoning Officer if there is no change to an existing sign other than the content included on the sign face. In such cases, the application shall be accompanied by plans containing only the proposed changes to the existing sign.
C.
Based on the application information submitted, the Zoning Officer/Construction Code Officer will then determine the compliance of the proposed signage with this chapter.
(1)
If the proposed sign is in full conformance with the regulations set forth herein, the Zoning Officer/Construction Code Officer shall issue the permit upon receiving the appropriate fees, as set forth herein.
(2)
If the proposed sign does not comply with the provisions of this article, the application and accompanying plans shall be submitted to the appropriate approving authority, including any sign associated with a change of occupancy or ownership which does not comply with the provisions set forth herein. Upon notice and scheduling of a public hearing where same is required by law, said application shall be submitted at least 10 days before the scheduled public hearing date of the approving authority, together with a filing fee as set forth herein. The Zoning Officer/Construction Code Officer shall not issue the permit unless upon the favorable action of the approving authority.
(3)
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no permanent freestanding sign, including monument signs, shall be permitted without site plan approval.
[Added 12-9-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-33]
D.
All applications shall be accompanied by the appropriate fees, as set forth in Chapter 169, Fee Schedule, of the Township Code of Ordinances.
E.
Any sign permit issued pursuant to this article shall lapse and expire one year from the date of issuance unless within said time the work or action approved thereunder shall have been completed.
§ 230-208 Exemptions.
[Amended 3-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-04; 4-8-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-05]
A.
The following signs shall not require permits or the payment of fees, but are subject to the other provisions of this article and may require review of the Zoning Officer as determined by that office:
(1)
Signs inside windows or storefronts of commercial establishments indicating "Help Wanted," "Open/Closed," or the business hours of the establishment.
(2)
Signs erected to control the movement of traffic on premises, provided these signs shall provide traffic directions only and shall not be used for any advertising purpose and shall not contain the name or logo of the associated business. These signs shall not exceed two square feet and shall have been approved by the appropriate approving authority.
(3)
Name and number plates identifying the residents on a house, apartment or mailbox, not to exceed one square foot.
(4)
Holiday decorations and lights on residential premises.
(5)
Any signs forbidding trespassing, as well as those forbidding hunting, fishing or trapping as authorized by the fish and game laws, provided that such signs shall not exceed two square feet.
(6)
Any signs containing directional information about public places owned or operated by federal, state, county or local governments or their agencies; publicly owned natural phenomena; historic, cultural, scientific, educational and religious sites; and areas of natural beauty or naturally suited to outdoor recreation. Such signs shall not exceed 10 square feet.
(7)
Signs for official governmental or quasi-governmental business, including signs or banners advertising special public or quasi-public events that are posted or displayed with the permission of the governing body or its designee(s).
(8)
Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger signs and such temporary, emergency or nonadvertising signs, or signs of any governmental agency deemed necessary to the public welfare.
(9)
Flags of the United States, State of New Jersey or other governmental or quasi-public agencies.
(10)
Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible material, provided that such signs shall not exceed six square feet.
(11)
Temporary free expression signs on private property, provided that such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area. Nothing herein shall be deemed to permit the erection or installation of any temporary free expression signs less than five feet from the curbline/roadway or within a public right-of-way, and their erection or installation is hereby prohibited.
B.
The following signs shall not require the payment of fees, but shall require permits, are subject to the other provisions of this article and may require review of the Zoning Officer as determined by that office:
(1)
Temporary signs advertising sales or special merchandise inside windows or storefronts of commercial establishments, provided they shall not cover more than 1/3 of any given window or storefront.
(2)
Temporary banners advertising a special event, provided they are affixed to a building and limited to no more than three feet in height and 10 feet in length. Banners shall be erected no more than once per year and may remain in place for a period of no more than 30 days.
(3)
Temporary A-frame, or sandwich board, signs advertising a business, special event, or directional information, provided the use of such portable signage shall be limited to two weeks at a time, up to a maximum of four times per year. Each time period used for the display of portable signage shall be separated by a minimum of two weeks.
(4)
Signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor when placed upon work under construction and not exceeding six square feet in area, and which are to be removed within 10 days after the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
(5)
Temporary signs indicating the sale or rental of the premises upon which it is situated, provided that such signs shall not exceed four square feet and shall be removed within 48 hours of completion of sale or rental. Open house signs and directional signs to the open house shall also be permitted in the public right-of-way at the closest intersections to the property on weekends and legal holidays only, provided that such signs shall not impede traffic or present a safety hazard.
(6)
Garage sale signs located on the premises upon which the sale is to be held, provided that such signs shall contain the date of the sale, shall not exceed four square feet, and shall be removed within 24 hours after the last day of the sale.
§ 230-209 Nonconforming signs.
A.
Any sign existing at the time of the passage of this chapter and which violates any provisions thereof shall be deemed a nonconforming use. Any sign which is nonconforming for any reason shall not be reconstructed, enlarged or altered. However, such sign may be continued, maintained and repaired upon the present premises or location, provided that such sign was lawful under any prior ordinance. Any sign nonconforming under the prior ordinance shall remain nonconforming unless it complies with the provisions of this chapter and there exists an issued sign-erection permit by the Zoning Officer/Construction Code Officer for said nonconforming sign.
B.
Examples of prohibited alterations to nonconforming signs include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
C.
Any nonconforming sign to be modified in association with a change in occupancy or ownership shall be required to modify said sign to conform to the ordinance provisions provided for herein. However, a new tenant or owner shall be permitted to change the content included on the sign face of a nonconforming sign without having to bring the entire sign into conformance with this chapter, provided no additional changes are proposed.
D.
In the case of owner-occupied or single-tenant properties, no permit shall be issued for any additional sign if the property contains a nonconforming sign.
E.
Any sign which has been damaged to the extent that reconstruction of the original sign structure would exceed 50% of the sign shall be deemed as destroyed, and the owner thereof shall not be permitted to erect or restore said sign except in accordance with this chapter.
§ 230-210 Prohibited signs.
[Amended 4-8-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-05]
No person shall construct, erect, locate, use or maintain any of the following signs within any zone district of the Township, except as otherwise permitted elsewhere in this chapter, or unless the sign has been certified to be a legal nonconforming sign by the Zoning Officer/Construction Code Officer or a variance has been obtained for such sign:
A.
Any new sign erected in violation of any section of this chapter. Any sign not specifically permitted is hereby prohibited.
B.
Signs emitting a sound, odor or visible matter such as smoke or vapor. No sign erected shall contain audio equipment.
C.
Notices, handbills, posters, papers or painted signs applied directly or affixed on to any curbstone, flagstone or any other portion of any street or sidewalk or upon any tree, lamppost, telegraph, electric light, telephone pole or fire hydrant within the limits of any street or sidewalk area within the Township.
D.
Any sign erected, used or maintained in any way which simulates official, directional or warning signs erected or maintained by federal, state, county or local governments or by any public utility or similar agency concerned with the protection of the public health or safety.
E.
Any sign placed in such a position as to cause a danger to traffic by obstructing visibility.
F.
Signs that are in such a state of disrepair as to constitute an immediate threat to the public health, welfare and safety.
G.
Billboards or outdoor advertising signs.
H.
Portable or movable signs, except portable signs utilized by restaurants to indicate valet service, A-frames permitted in accordance with § 230-208B(3) or signs permitted in accordance with § 230-208A(11).
I.
Any advertisement which uses a series of two or more signs placed in a line parallel to the right-of-way or in a similar fashion all carrying a single advertisement message, part of which is contained on each sign.
J.
Animated, rotating, moving or revolving signs of any type, including searchlights.
K.
Balloons, spinners, flags and pennants, inflatable figures or other such similar attention-gathering devices, with the exception of clocks and weather information. Banners shall only be permitted in accordance with § 230-208B(2).
L.
Signs with flashing lights or exposed high-intensity illumination or reflective material.
M.
Signs erected or maintained upon the roof of any building.
N.
Signs which obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway or opening intended to provide light or ingress or egress to or from any building or structure, with the exception that 1/3 of any window may be occupied by signage.
§ 230-211 General regulations.
A.
No signage may be erected or maintained in such a way as to obstruct ingress/egress to buildings, driveways, sidewalks, street or other rights-of-way.
B.
Unless specified otherwise herein, all nonresidential signs shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from residential zone districts, or a minimum of 40 feet if the sign is illuminated. No sign shall be located in a required buffer area.
C.
No sign permitted in this chapter shall consist of more than four colors, inclusive of its background, frame, logo and decorative parts. For the purposes of this chapter, black and white shall be considered colors. Should the color be shown as a faded gradient of the same color, said color shall be considered one color.
D.
The following shall apply to all multitenant buildings or shopping centers:
(1)
All signage shall conform to a sign program authorized by the property owner of the entire building and is required to be submitted during the application for approval.
(2)
A unified design theme shall be provided which integrates the architectural design and materials and colors of the primary structure, facade signs, freestanding signs, awnings, landscaping and lighting fixtures.
E.
Directional signs for the convenience of the general public to identify parking areas, loading zones, entrances, exits and similar signs shall not exceed two square feet in area and shall not exceed four feet in height.
F.
In addition to all other permitted signage, all businesses may be permitted to erect one wall sign along each street frontage which contains the street address number of the property. No additional information shall be permitted. Street address numbers shall have a height of eight inches on state highways and a height of four inches on other roads. The street address number sign shall not count towards sign area.
[Amended 12-9-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-33]
G.
The following shall apply to all wall signs:
(1)
No sign shall be erected or maintained upon the roof of a building, including a mansard or parapet roof, nor shall any sign project above the roof of a building, except that a wall-mounted sign on the parapet wall of a one-story building is permitted above a roofline elevation, provided that the sign shall be placed in symmetry with the architectural lines and shape of the front wall. Where a sign is mounted on a parapet wall, the parapet wall shall not extend more than four feet above the abutting roof elevation.
(2)
In the case of multistory buildings, or buildings containing fenestration giving the appearance of multiple stories, the top edge of the sign shall not be located above the lower edge of the second-story window sills.
[Amended 12-9-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-33]
(3)
No sign shall project more than 12 inches from the building facade to which it is attached, and the bottom edge of the sign shall not be less than 10 feet from the ground.
(4)
The sign must not cover or obscure any architectural feature or detail of the building on to which it is placed. Architectural details shall not be removed from any building to accommodate a sign with the approval of the appropriate authority.
(5)
The sides of a wall sign must be positioned so as not to extend past the length of the storefront area.
H.
The following shall apply to all freestanding signs:
(1)
The base of all freestanding signs must be consistent with the colors of the sign panel. The sign and the base together may not exceed the maximum of four colors permitted per Subsection C above.
(2)
The base must not contain any lettering or logo or other advertising.
(3)
All freestanding signs shall contain the street address. Street address numbers shall have a maximum height of eight inches along highways and four inches along other roads.
(4)
In the case of monument signs, the depth of the sign base may not exceed the depth of the sign panel by more than 1/3 of the panel depth. The height of the base shall be limited to a maximum of two feet.
(5)
All freestanding signs must incorporate base plantings, the species, quantity and size of which to be approved by the approving authority.
§ 230-212 Computation of sign area and height.
[Amended 12-9-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-33]
The following principles shall control the computation of sign area and height:
A.
Computation of area of individual signs. The area of a sign face shall be computed as the total square foot content of the background or panel upon which the lettering, illustration or display is presented, excluding any base support or frame, unless the support or frame is an integral part of the sign. If there is no background or panel, the sign area shall be the rectangle which is the product of the largest horizontal and vertical dimensions of the lettering, illustration or display.
B.
Computation of area of multifaceted signs. The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any one point at the same time, and when such faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 42 inches apart at any point, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.
C.
Computation of sign height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at street grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. The sign height shall include the height of its base.
D.
The following diagrams identify how to calculate the area of individual signs, as well as the sign height, for both wall and freestanding signs:
 | Wall Signs With Panel: Sign Area = L x H Not to Scale Maximum dimensions are unless otherwise noted in this article. |
 | Wall Signs With Panel: Sign Area = L x H Not to Scale Maximum dimensions are unless otherwise noted in this article. Wall Signs With Panel: Sign Area = L x H Not to Scale Maximum dimensions are unless otherwise noted in this article. |
Wall Signs With Panel: Sign Area = L x H Not to Scale Maximum dimensions are unless otherwise noted in this article. |  |
§ 230-213 Illumination.
A.
All illuminated business signs and all spotlights and floodlighting used in connection with the operations of any business shall be extinguished by 11:00 p.m. or upon one hour after close of the business serviced by said signs or lighting, whichever occurs later.
B.
Extinguishing of such lights shall be controlled by automatic means.
C.
No sign with flashing lights, exposed high-intensity illumination, or reflective material shall be permitted.
D.
One neon, LED, or other electronic message sign shall be permitted per street frontage for all permitted nonresidential uses, with the exception of home occupations, for which signage is prohibited at § 230-158N. Where permitted, neon, LED, or other electronic message signage shall be limited to three square feet in area, no more than two colors, and containing no blinking or flashing parts. Exposed neon tubing shall be prohibited, and any LED light source shall be shielded from view. All other electronic signs shall be prohibited.
[Amended 12-9-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-33]
E.
All lights shall be designed to minimize glare. Any sign that is illuminated shall be shielded in such a manner so as to prevent direct rays of light from being cast beyond the property.
F.
The type of illumination permitted for each type of sign shall be as follows:
(1)
All types of temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
(2)
Awning signs shall not be illuminated.
(3)
Wall signs shall either be internally or externally illuminated. Traditional types of fixtures such as gooseneck lighting, track lighting, accent lighting or other such types may be used.
(4)
Freestanding signs, with the exception of monument signs, may be internally illuminated.
(5)
Monument signs shall be externally illuminated by spotlighting, floodlighting or other such types of lighting. Internal illumination of monument signs is prohibited, except for backlighting, which shall be limited to accenting of the sign text and/or emblem only.
[Amended 12-9-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-33[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Subsection F(6), which immediately followed this subsection.
§ 230-214 Signs permitted in R Zone Districts.
[Amended 3-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-04; 12-9-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-33; 4-8-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-05]
The following signs shall be permitted in the R-120, R-80, R-43, R-27, R-20 and R-15 Zone Districts:
A.
One residential nameplate sign per lot, not to exceed one square foot.
B.
Temporary signs advertising the sale, rental or development of a lot or premises, provided that:
(1)
Not more than one sign may be erected per lot.
(2)
The sign shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the curbline of the abutting street.
(3)
No sign shall exceed four square feet in area.
(4)
No sign shall exceed five feet in height.
(5)
The sign shall be removed within 48 hours of completion of sale or rental.
(6)
In the case of a lot or tract of three acres or more which is the subject of subdivision or site plan approval, one sign advertising said development shall be permitted on the site. This sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in area and six feet in height. The provisions set forth in Subsection B(2) and (5) above shall also apply.
C.
One sign per lot advertising a farm or agricultural activity, not to exceed 10 square feet, and to be set back no closer than 20 feet from any property line.
D.
Temporary construction signs, provided that:
(1)
Not more than one sign may be erected per lot.
(2)
The sign shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the curbline of the abutting street and shall be placed in such a way that it does not cause hindrance towards construction.
(3)
No sign shall exceed six square feet in area.
(4)
No sign shall exceed five feet in height.
E.
Temporary free expression signs, provided that:
(1)
At no time whatsoever may free expression signs or stickers of any type or size be within a public right-of-way or any public property.
(2)
At no time whatsoever may a free expression sign be erected in a way that interferes with traffic visibility in a sight triangle, or that interferes with the clear passage of a sidewalk.
(3)
No sign shall exceed 32 square feet in area.
(4)
No sign shall exceed six feet in height.
(5)
All free expression signs shall be located at least five feet from the curbline/roadway and on private property.
§ 230-215 Signs permitted in AH and PURD Zone Districts.
[Amended 4-8-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-05]
The following signs shall be permitted in the AH-1, AH-2, AH-4 and PURD Zone Districts:
A.
Monument signs for multifamily residential developments, pursuant to the following requirements:
(1)
One monument sign shall be permitted per multifamily development. However, when the development has an access on two or more streets or has more than one entrance on one street, one monument sign shall be allowed at each entrance.
(2)
No monument sign shall exceed 20 square feet in area.
(3)
No monument sign shall exceed four feet in height.
(4)
The monument sign shall be set back a minimum of 15 feet from the curbline of the abutting street.
B.
Temporary signs advertising the sale, rental or development of a lot or premises pursuant to § 230-214B, provided that one sign may be located at the entrance to a multifamily residential development and one additional sign may be located immediately in front of the unit for sale or rent.
D.
Temporary construction signs, provided that:
(1)
Not more than one sign may be erected per development.
(2)
The sign shall be set back a minimum of 15 feet from the curbline of the abutting street and shall be placed in such a way that it does not cause hindrance towards construction.
(3)
No sign shall exceed 16 square feet in area.
(4)
No sign shall exceed six feet in height.
§ 230-216 Signs permitted in TC1, TC2, B-1 and B-2 Zone Districts.
[Amended 12-9-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-33; 4-8-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-05]
The following signs shall be permitted in the TC1, TC2, B-1 and B-2 Zone Districts:
A.
Wall signs, pursuant to the following requirements:
(1)
Wall signs for single-tenant buildings shall be regulated as follows:
(a)
One wall sign shall be permitted on the front facade of the building.
(b)
No sign shall exceed 50 square feet in area when set back 75 feet or less from the property line, or 70 square feet in area when set back more than 75 feet from the property line.
(c)
In those cases where a lot has more than one street frontage, one wall sign may be placed on each building facade which faces on a street, provided that the area of the sign on the secondary street frontage shall not exceed 65% of the area of the sign on the primary street frontage.
(2)
Wall signs for multitenant buildings or shopping centers shall be regulated as follows:
(a)
Where each business tenant occupies a physically distinct first floor space or has a separate entrance to the exterior, each business or tenant may have one wall sign conforming to the requirements of this section.
(b)
For the purposes of determining the sign size permitted, only the front facade of each leased unit to which the respective sign will be attached shall be calculated in utilizing the formulas below. Each sign must be attached to the leased unit containing the business tenant identified.
(c)
The maximum sign length shall not exceed 60% of the length of the associated facade. The permitted sign length shall be calculated as follows:
Leased Unit Facade Length x 60% = Permitted Sign Length |
(d)
The maximum sign height shall not exceed 20% of the height of the associated facade, measured to the roofline, not including parapets. The permitted sign height shall be calculated as follows:
Leased Unit Facade Height x 20% = Permitted Sign Height |
B.
Monument signs, pursuant to the following requirements:
(1)
No more than one monument sign shall be permitted on any one street frontage.
(2)
The maximum sign area shall not exceed 20 square feet, except for signs fronting on Changebridge Road, which shall have a maximum sign area of 50 square feet.
(3)
The maximum height from the ground shall not exceed four feet, except for signs fronting on Changebridge Road, which shall have a maximum height from the ground of six feet.
(4)
No monument sign shall be located closer than 15 feet from the curbline of the abutting street, nor closer than 10 feet from the street right-of-way.
(5)
Such signs shall identify or advertise only such businesses as are conducted on the premises.
C.
Awnings and awning signs, pursuant to the following requirements:
(1)
Awning signs shall be subject to the area and dimension requirements listed in Figure 8, located in the Appendix of this chapter.
(2)
Awnings shall be limited to one solid color.
(3)
In cases of multitenant buildings, all awnings shall be the same color, size and style.
(4)
The area permitted for awning signs shall be in addition to the total area permitted for wall signs as specified in Subsection A above.
(5)
Awning signs shall be mounted on the wall facing the primary street frontage.
(6)
An awning sign shall not extend closer than six inches from the edge of a building, except that when a building is located at the corner of two or more streets, the awning may wrap around the corner of the building as part of a single continuous awning.
(7)
Awning signs may project into the front yard setback, but shall not extend closer than four feet to the inside edge of the curb along the street.
(8)
Awning signs shall be located no higher than the first floor level of a building.
(9)
Sign text shall be permitted only on the front valance of an awning sign and company logos may be permitted on the roof (top) of the awning as specified below:
(a)
No more than two awnings may be used for valance signs or logo signs on any building wall.
(b)
Where valance signs are used, logo signs may only be located on the awning roof that has the valance sign.
(c)
Valance signs shall display only the name of the business occupying that space as it is recorded on the certificate of occupancy.
(d)
Text for valance signs shall not exceed six inches in height, and may not exceed a length of 2/3 the total length of the awning.
(e)
Logos shall not exceed six square feet in area as measured as a rectangle around the limits of the logo.
(f)
All awning signage shall be limited to two colors, exclusive of the background of the awning.
(g)
Awnings attached to a building shall be permitted to extend a maximum of three feet into the front yard setback.
D.
Hanging signs in the TC1 and TC2 Zone Districts, pursuant to the following requirements:
(1)
Hanging signs shall be subject to the area and dimension requirements listed in Figure 9, located in the Appendix of this chapter.
(2)
The maximum area for a hanging sign shall be four square feet.
(4)
Hanging signs may be attached to an awning or awning sign, attached to the building facade below an awning or awning sign, or attached to the building facade above an awning or awning sign, as shown in Figure 9. All hanging signs shall comply with the requirements for minimum and maximum height from grade as shown in Figure 9.
(5)
One hanging sign shall be permitted for each first floor business or commercial use.
(6)
A hanging sign may not extend beyond the front edge of any awning or awning sign.
(7)
The lettering on hanging signs shall be no more than six inches in height.
(8)
Hanging signs shall be designed and constructed as either painted signs on metal or wood, incised or carved lettering on wood background, or individual letters arranged on painted wood or metal backgrounds. Flashing, oscillating and moving signs, boxed or fluorescent signs, and formed plastic signs are not permitted.
E.
Temporary signs advertising the sale, rental or development of a lot or premises, provided that:
(1)
Not more than one sign may be erected per street frontage. This sign may be a window sign or a freestanding sign.
(2)
The sign shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the property line.
(3)
No sign shall exceed 24 square feet in area.
(4)
No sign shall exceed six feet in height for freestanding signs, or 10 feet in height for window signs.
K.
Gasoline station signs in the B-1 and B-2 Zone Districts, pursuant to the following requirements:
(1)
Freestanding sign:
(a)
One freestanding sign is permitted per lot.
(b)
The maximum freestanding sign area shall be 60 square feet, comprised of a maximum of 36 square feet for gas station identification purposes (including the company or brand name, insignia or emblem) and a maximum of 24 square feet for price display and related purposes.
(c)
The bottom of any freestanding sign shall be a minimum of eight feet from ground level and the top of said sign shall not exceed 18 feet from ground level.
(2)
Canopy sign:
(a)
Where a canopy is provided over pump islands, one business sign may be mounted to the canopy fascia, provided the sign has a maximum area of 12 square feet.
(b)
Where a gasoline station with a canopy is on a corner lot, two business signs may be mounted to the canopy fascia, each with a maximum area of 12 square feet.
(c)
The canopy sign(s) shall be permanently affixed to the vertical face of the canopy and shall not project above, below or from any side of the vertical face of the canopy.
(d)
The canopy sign(s) shall be internally illuminated.
(e)
A business logo, including any striping or other symbols, will be considered as part of the sign area.
(3)
Pump signs:
(a)
Each fuel dispenser shall be permitted to contain the company or brand name, insignia or emblem, product pricing information, type of fuel and other signage required by federal and state law.
(b)
In no event shall any fuel dispenser signage exceed an area of two square feet per side of the pump structure.
(c)
Fuel dispenser signage shall not be illuminated.
§ 230-217 Signs permitted in B-3, B-4, and B-5 Zone Districts.
[Amended 12-9-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-33; 4-9-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-08;[1] 4-8-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-05]
The following signs shall be permitted in the B-3, B-4, and B-5 Zone Districts:
A.
Wall signs, pursuant to the following requirements:
(1)
Wall signs for single-tenant buildings shall be regulated as follows:
(a)
One wall sign shall be permitted on the front facade of the building.
(b)
The total gross floor area of the building shall be used to calculate the maximum wall sign area, as follows:
[1]
For individual tenants with less than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area, the maximum sign area shall be 5% of the tenant facade or 30 square feet, whichever is less. The maximum width of any wall sign shall not exceed eight feet.
[2]
For individual tenants with gross floor area between 10,000 and 30,000 square feet, the maximum sign area shall be 5% of the tenant facade or 75 square feet, whichever is less. The maximum width of any wall sign shall not exceed 15 feet.
[3]
For individual tenants with gross floor area between 30,000 and 45,000 square feet, the maximum sign area shall be 5% of the tenant facade or 100 square feet, whichever is less. The maximum width of any wall sign shall not exceed 20 feet.
[4]
For individual tenants with more than 45,000 square feet of gross floor area, the maximum sign area shall be 5% of the tenant facade or 150 square feet, whichever is less. The maximum width of any wall sign shall not exceed 25 feet.
(c)
In those cases where a lot has more than one street frontage, one wall sign may be placed on each building facade which faces on a street, provided that the area of the sign on the secondary street frontage shall not exceed 65% of the area of the sign on the primary street frontage.
(2)
Wall signs for multitenant buildings or shopping centers shall be regulated as follows:
(a)
Where each business tenant occupies a physically distinct first floor space or has a separate entrance to the exterior, each business or tenant may have one wall sign conforming to the requirements of this section.
(b)
For the purposes of determining the sign size permitted, only the front facade of each leased unit to which the respective sign will be attached shall be calculated in utilizing the formulas below. Each sign must be attached to the leased unit containing the business tenant identified.
(c)
The maximum sign length shall not exceed 60% of the length of the associated facade. The permitted sign length shall be calculated as follows:
Leased Unit Facade Length x 60% = Permitted Sign Length |
(d)
The maximum sign height shall not exceed 30% of the height of the associated facade, measured to the roofline, not including parapets. The permitted sign height shall be calculated as follows:
Leased Unit Facade Height x 30% = Permitted Sign Height |
B.
Freestanding signs, pursuant to the following requirements:
(1)
No more than one freestanding sign shall be permitted on any one street frontage.
(2)
The maximum sign area shall not exceed 32 square feet, except for monument signs fronting on Route 46 or Bloomfield Avenue, which shall have a maximum sign area of 50 square feet.
(3)
With the exception of monument signs, no freestanding sign shall exceed a maximum height from ground level of 12 feet, nor shall the bottom of the sign be closer than seven feet from ground level. Monument signs shall not exceed a height of four feet, except for monument signs fronting on Route 46 or Bloomfield Avenue, which shall have a maximum height of six feet.
(4)
No monument sign shall be located closer than 15 feet from the curbline of the abutting street, nor closer than 10 feet from the street right-of-way.
(5)
Such signs shall identify or advertise only such businesses as are conducted on the premises.
(6)
Freestanding signs in the B-5 Zone District shall be limited to monument signs.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also removed the B-6 Zone from the title of this section.
§ 230-218 Signs permitted in OB Zone Districts.
[Amended 12-9-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-33; 4-8-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-05]
The following signs shall be permitted in the OB-1, OB-1A, OB-2A, OB-3, OB-4 and OB-5 Zone Districts:
A.
Wall signs, pursuant to the following requirements:
(1)
One wall sign shall be permitted on the front facade of the building.
(2)
No sign shall exceed 60 square feet in area when set back 80 feet or less from the property line, or 80 square feet in area when set back more than 80 feet from the property line.
(3)
In those cases where a lot has more than one street frontage, one wall sign may be placed on each building facade which faces on a street, provided that the area of the sign on the secondary street frontage shall not exceed 65% of the area of the sign on the primary street frontage.
B.
Monument signs, pursuant to the following requirements:
(1)
No more than one monument sign shall be permitted on any one street frontage.
(2)
The maximum sign area shall not exceed 20 square feet, except for signs fronting on Changebridge Road, Route 46 or Bloomfield Avenue, which shall have a maximum sign area of 50 square feet.
(3)
The maximum height from the ground shall not exceed four feet, except for signs fronting on Changebridge Road, Route 46 or Bloomfield Avenue, which shall have a maximum height from the ground of six feet.
(4)
No monument sign shall be located closer than 15 feet from the curbline of the abutting street, nor closer than 10 feet from the street right-of-way.
(5)
Such signs shall identify or advertise only such businesses as are conducted on the premises.
§ 230-219 Signs permitted in I Zone Districts.
[Amended 12-9-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-33; 4-8-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-05]
The following signs shall be permitted in the I-1A, I-1B, I-2 and I-2A Zone Districts:
A.
Wall signs, pursuant to the following requirements:
(1)
One wall sign shall be permitted on the front facade of the building.
(2)
No sign shall exceed 60 square feet in area when set back 80 feet or less from the property line, or 80 square feet in area when set back more than 80 feet from the property line.
(3)
In those cases where a lot has more than one street frontage, one wall sign may be placed on each building facade which faces on a street, provided that the area of the sign on the secondary street frontage shall not exceed 65% of the area of the sign on the primary street frontage.
(4)
Wall signs for multitenant buildings in the I-2A Zone District shall be permitted, subject to the regulations set forth in § 230-216A(2).
B.
Monument signs, pursuant to the following requirements:
(1)
No more than one monument sign shall be permitted on any one street frontage.
(2)
The maximum sign area shall not exceed 20 square feet, except for signs fronting on Changebridge Road, Route 46 or Bloomfield Avenue, which shall have a maximum sign area of 50 square feet.
(3)
The maximum height from the ground shall not exceed four feet, except for signs fronting on Changebridge Road, Route 46 or Bloomfield Avenue, which shall have a maximum height from the ground of six feet.
(4)
No monument sign shall be located closer than 15 feet from the curbline of the abutting street, nor closer than 10 feet from the street right-of-way.
(5)
Such signs shall identify or advertise only such businesses as are conducted on the premises.
§ 230-220 Signs permitted in LR Zone District.
[Amended 4-8-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-05]
The following signs shall be permitted in the LR Zone District:
A.
Monument signs, pursuant to the following requirements:
(1)
No more than one monument sign shall be permitted in connection with a country club.
(2)
The maximum sign area shall not exceed 10 square feet.
(3)
The maximum height from the ground shall not exceed four feet.
(4)
No monument sign shall be located closer than 15 feet from the curbline of the abutting street, nor closer than 10 feet from the street right-of-way.
(5)
Such sign shall identify or advertise only such businesses as are conducted on the premises.
§ 230-221 Maintenance; additional regulations.
A.
All signs shall be maintained in good repair; i.e., lettering legible, properly painted, properly illuminated and all features operable and consistent with the permit issued. No sign shall be allowed to become a danger to public health, safety or general welfare.
B.
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.
C.
Any sign that is or shall become dangerous or unsafe or is maintained in violation of this article shall be repaired or made safe in conformity with this article or shall be removed by the owner, lessor, agent or occupant of the building, property or land upon which a dangerous or unsafe sign is located.
D.
Nonconforming signs shall be required to be maintained in accordance with this article.
E.
All signs attached to a building shall be thoroughly and rigidly secured in a manner approved by the Building Inspector and shall be repaired and maintained as necessary to keep them secure, safe and free from danger.
F.
All electrical wiring of signs shall conform to the requirements of the municipality.
§ 230-222 Violations and penalties; appeals.
A.
Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer identifies or advertises the business conducted or product sold or fulfills the purposes provided for herein shall be removed, modified or obliterated so that the message contained thereon is no longer visible. These actions shall not relieve the owner from the responsibilities of maintenance and repair as required by this article.
B.
It shall be the responsibility of the Zoning Officer/Construction Code Officer to issue notices, summonses and complaints for violations of the provisions of this chapter.
C.
Notice requirements and abandonment:
(1)
The Zoning Officer/Construction Code Officer shall issue a written notice to identify and require necessary action to be taken within 15 days from the date of service of the notice, or within such lesser time as shall be deemed reasonable, in any case where danger to public health, safety, and general welfare is imminent.
(2)
Any notice of the Zoning Officer/Construction Code Officer provided for herein which is not complied with within 30 days after such notice shall cause a conclusion that the sign or advertising structure has been abandoned, in which event it may not be replaced or reused, but must be removed by the owner upon issuance of a notice to remove from the Zoning Officer/Construction Code Officer.
(3)
Any notice served upon the permittee, owner, lessor, agent or occupant shall be deemed notices upon all.
D.
Appeals, in writing, may be taken from the action of the Zoning Officer/Construction Code Officer within 65 days after the date of such action.