Pennsauken Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
§ 141-86
Signs.
Any sign erected or maintained after the effective date of this chapter shall conform to the following regulations:
A.
Types and area of signs. A sign shall include banners, streamers, whirling or lighting devices or any other type of attention-attracting device and may be a single-faced, double-faced or a V-type structure.[1]
(1)
Business sign. A sign which directs attention to a business or commodity for sale, or a profession, service or entertainment rendered or offered upon the premises where such sign is located.
(2)
Billboard. A sign, in excess of 24 square feet in area, which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment or facility not located, conducted, sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located.
(a)
The term "digital billboards" references those using digital technology to create an advertising message which in all other ways conforms to the requirements of this section. Digital billboards shall contain no animation or other moving features or contain any other effects that would make the advertising message appear unlike traditional existing billboards, it being the understanding of the Mayor and Township Committee that digital billboards will allow the owner or operator of the billboard to change advertising content without replacing paint, paper or other materials incident to traditional billboards.
[Added 7-25-2007 by Ord. No. 07-24]
(3)
Flashing sign. Any illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity or color at all times when such sign is in use, including but not limited to moving, rotating, flashing, oscillating, shuttered or similar signs.
(4)
Directional sign. A sign containing no advertising other than a name, either temporary or permanent, which served as a convenience to the public to show direction to a place or activity.
(5)
Campaign sign. A temporary sign advertising the name of a candidate for election, including the name of a political party.
(6)
Temporary sign. A sign erected for a relatively short period of time, which period shall be terminated by the work, event, sale of the premises or product advertised or occurrence of the event to which it refers, and in all respects the same as a sign which is not temporary insofar as matters of location, construction and public safety are concerned.
(7)
Illuminated sign. Any sign which is designed to be seen at night by virtue of artificial light from within, behind or upon such sign, but not including reflector-type signs unless the source of light is made a part of, or is related to, such sign.
(8)
Sign area. The gross area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of such sign. However, such perimeter shall not include any structural elements lying outside the limits of such sign and not forming an integral part of the display unless such structural elements are purposely illuminated to form a part of the display. In the case of an open sign, made up of individual letters, figures or designs, the space between such letters, figures or designs shall be included. In computing the area of a double-faced sign, only one side shall be considered, provided that both sides are identical, and a V-type sign the interior angle of which is less than 45º shall be considered a double-faced sign. A V-type sign the interior angle of which is greater than 45º shall not be deemed to be a double-faced sign, and both sides shall be computed as sign area.
(9)
Wall sign. A sign attached to or painted on a wall and subject to all sign regulations herein.
[1]
Editor's Note: Sign regulations as they apply to the Crossroads Overlay District were amended 12-10-2007 by Ord. No. 07-36. See § 141-85.2A(10).
B.
Signs in residential districts. The following signs may be erected and maintained in residential districts, subject to the conditions specified:
(1)
One nonilluminated nameplate not exceeding one square foot in area announcing the name and address of the occupants of the residence.
(2)
One professional sign of a physician, dentist, healer, justice of the peace or person conducting a home occupation on the premises, having no greater dimension than 18 inches by nine inches which sign may be illuminated.
(3)
One bulletin board not exceeding 24 square feet in area for a place of worship, school, clinic or a public or semipublic institution, which sign may be illuminated by nonflashing, uncolored, diffused or indirect lighting, and such sign shall be set back at least 1/3 the distance of any required yard from any property line.
(4)
One nonilluminated real estate "for sale" or "for rent" sign not exceeding six square feet in area; corner lots may have one of such signs on each street frontage.
(5)
"No trespassing" signs and signs indicating private ownership of a property or a road, not exceeding 1 1/2 square feet in area.
(6)
One incidental sign shall be permitted for any multifamily dwelling in which a business or rental office is located, which sign shall have an area not exceeding two square feet; and, in addition, one sign announcing the name of the multifamily dwelling project having an area not exceeding eight square feet, which sign may be illuminated with nonflashing, uncolored, diffused or indirect light.
(7)
Temporary signs of contractors, mechanics, painters and artisans, erected and maintained on the premises during the duration of the work only, one such sign per trade, each having an area of not more than eight square feet; and provided, however, that each such sign shall be removed promptly upon completion of the work to which it refers, and such signs shall not be illuminated.
(8)
For advertising on the premises the sale or development of property within a subdivision the record plat of which contains less than 10 lots, one sign for the entire subdivision not more than 15 square feet in area; and, where the record plat of which contains 10 or more lots, two signs for the entire subdivision each not more than 25 square feet in area; provided, however, that neither or none of such signs shall be illuminated.
C.
Signs in commercial districts. The following signs may be erected and maintained in commercial districts, subject to the conditions specified:
(1)
Any sign permitted in residential districts: provided, however, that real estate "for sale" and "for rent" signs may be increased to an area not exceeding 12 square feet for each street frontage.
(2)
Business signs or signs for any permitted commercial activity. A sign may be erected and maintained on the same building or premises as the use to which it refers, provided that:
(a)
The number of such signs shall not exceed two in C-1 Commercial Districts and four in C-2 Commercial Districts.
(b)
The maximum total area of all permitted signs shall not exceed an area equal to two square feet for every one lineal foot of building frontage; and signs shall be permitted on a building wall or roof; provided, however, that no sign shall extend higher above the building height, as defined herein, than four feet.
(c)
Temporary window signs shall not be considered in computing the allowable sign area, provided that such interior window signs do not cover more than 10% of any single window and are not permanently affixed to the windows.
(d)
In the case of four or more retail establishments arranged as a shopping center, one additional ground sign shall be permitted, for the entire group of such establishments, having not more than 50 square feet in area and extending not more than 10 feet above the maximum permitted building height in the district in which it is located.
(3)
Billboards shall be permitted as conditional uses in the C-I, C-2, T-1 and HI Zones if the following conditions are met:
[Added 9-25-2002 by Ord. No. 02-28; amended 1-29-2003 by Ord. No. 03-01; 5-11-2005 by Ord. No. 05-01]
(a)
That the billboards be located only on properties abutting Routes 130, 73, 38, 70, 90 or 30 and that no support post or sign face shall be closer than 10 feet from the right-of-way line of said roadways;
(b)
That they be located on property abutting any of the following described areas abutting the above roadways.
[1]
On Route 130 from the Township boundary line with the Borough of Collingswood, north to the intersection of Route 130 and Marlton Pike and further, from the Township boundary line with the Township of Cinnaminson, south, to the conjunction of Route 130 and Commerce Highway.
[2]
On Route 73 from the Township boundary line with the Borough of Palmyra, generally east to the Township boundary line with the Township of Cinnaminson.
[3]
On Route 38 from its starting point at the Airport Circle, generally east to the northerly property line of that property identified on the Municipal Tax Map as Block 6208, Lot 1.
[4]
On Route 70 from its beginning at the Airport Circle, generally east to its intersection with McClellan Boulevard.
[5]
On Route 90 for its entire length through the Township.
[6]
On Route 30 (Admiral Wilson Boulevard) from its starting point at the Airport Circle, generally west to the Township boundary line with the City of Camden.
(c)
No portion of any billboard shall be located within 250 feet of any residential zone or residential use, and the distance allowed from any billboard to any other billboard shall be not less than 750 feet, measured in all directions from any point on the billboard or pole. Where a property within 250 feet contains a mixed use which includes a residential use, the residential use may be ignored if the residential use is inconsequential.
(d)
That the maximum size of each sign face of a billboard shall be 14 feet high and 48 feet wide.
(e)
That the total height be as allowed for other structures in the same zoning district as measured from the bottom of the sign face to the top of the roadway to which the billboard is oriented. The billboard shall be oriented only in the direction of the permitted or allowed roadways mentioned above; that any lighting shall be directed onto the advertising surface of the billboard.
(f)
That no billboard shall be constructed on any other structure, and that all billboards be supported by a single pole affixed to or embedded into the ground and that shall be suitably landscaped to include:
[1]
Evergreen species planted adjacent to the support at a planting height of at least 25% of the pole height and a variety selected to grow to reach a maximum height of at least 50% of the pole height; and
[2]
The flowering materials such as annuals or perennials be used as bedding around the evergreens; and
[3]
All landscaping shall be maintained by the owner of the billboard; and
[4]
The area of the landscaping shall not be less than 20 feet by 20 feet.
(g)
That all billboards shall likewise conform with all other state regulations and rules governing billboards, including the requirement of an off-site premises sign permit.
(h)
That no billboard shall be erected within the clear sight triangles of any public street or road and shall not in any manner obstruct or impede traffic safety, including ingress and egress, nor block the view from the road or street of any traffic sign, signal, device, directional sign or existing or proposed business sign, logo or sign.
(i)
No billboard shall overhang any building structure.
(j)
All billboards shall be subject to site plan review. Billboards will not be allowed on properties that already have two uses.
(k)
That billboards will not be allowed on properties that fail to have a minimum of 200 feet of frontage along the permitted or allowable highways mentioned above.
D.
Signs in industrial districts. The following signs may be erected and maintained in industrial districts, subject to the conditions specified:
(1)
Any sign permitted in any other district, provided that the use to which it refers is permitted in the Township.
(2)
Signs for commercial use in industrial districts shall be in accordance with the provisions of Subsection C hereinabove.
(3)
For any other permitted use, one sign to display the name of the occupant of the premises and the activity conducted or product produced thereon, and on the same lot therewith, which sign shall not exceed 10 feet in height and 20 feet in length, and the distance between the bottom of the sign and the ground shall be not less than 10 feet.
(4)
In HI Heavy Industrial Districts, on any lot, one billboard extending not more than 30 feet in height, such billboard having a display area no greater than 10 feet high and 40 feet long, the bottom of the sign not less than 10 feet above the ground, and provided that none of the above signs shall be permitted within a required yard, except that "entrance" and "exit" signs and the name of the occupant on a sign having an area not greater than eight square feet shall be permitted adjacent to any property line.
E.
General sign regulations. The foregoing regulations to the contrary notwithstanding, the following shall apply to all signs in the Township:
(1)
No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free and safe ingress to and egress from any window, door or fire escape; and no sign shall be attached to a fire escape.
(2)
No sign shall be erected or maintained at the intersection of streets or at a driveway entrance or exit so as to obstruct free and clear vision, and, if located near or within a direct line of vision of any traffic control sign or signal, such sign shall have no red, green or amber illumination.
(3)
Signs may be painted on or affixed flat against the walls of buildings or may project therefrom not more than 14 inches, in which case the latter shall be deemed to be projecting signs; the lowest part of any projecting sign shall be not less than 10 feet above the ground.
(4)
Directional signs of a public or semipublic nature, not exceeding 10 feet in area may be erected in any district; provided, however, that no advertising matter shall be contained thereon, which signs may be used for the following purposes:
(a)
The name or location of a municipality, village, community center, school, place of worship, service club and the name and place of a meeting.
(b)
As an event of general public interest, a temporary sign for a fair, benefit, general election, and similar event, which signs may be erected for a period not exceeding 30 days, upon approval of the Construction Official.
(5)
Directional signs, not exceeding two square feet in area, referring to sample homes, openings, and the like, shall be permitted in any district; provided, however, that such signs shall refer to such events within the Township only, and further provided that the spacing of such signs along a straight line shall be not closer together than 1,000 feet, except that one sign may be placed at each change in direction or at street intersections.
(6)
Whenever a sign becomes dilapidated or structurally unsafe or endangers the safety of the public, a building or premises, the Construction Official shall give written notice to the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises upon which such sign is located, and such sign shall be made safe, repaired or removed, as applicable, within a period of 10 days from receipt of such written notice, otherwise such owner shall be in violation of this chapter.
(7)
Any nonconforming use may continue to maintain such signs as may, have existed on the effective date of this chapter, but after such date none of such signs shall be increased in number or total area.
(8)
No flashing sign shall be permitted in any district of the Township.
(9)
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any permitted sign, building or structure, in any district, may be illuminated, subject to the following regulations:
(10)
Such signs as "no parking," "entrance," " exit," "keep off," "beware of dog," "parking" and similar devices for the convenience or protection of the public shall not be considered in computing total sign area on the premises.
F.
Height of signs. The regulations pertaining to maximum height of structures in each of the various districts to the contrary notwithstanding, the following shall prevail with respect to signs:
(1)
No ground sign shall extend above the ground to a height more than four feet above the maximum permitted building height as defined in the zoning district; provided, however, that for shopping centers containing five or more establishments, one identifying ground sign may extend to a greater height, as specified in Subsection C(2)(d) hereinabove, than four feet above the building height as defined in the district regulations, accompanied by complete working drawings when the sign extends more than 10 feet in height or the sign area exceeds 50 square feet in surface area.
G.
Sign permits, bond and license.
(1)
Permits. Any sign not requiring a permit under the Uniform Construction Code of the State of New Jersey, a zoning permit shall be required for all signs which exceed more than eight square feet in residential districts and 12 square feet in other districts; provided, however, any illuminated sign and any sign incorporated into the architectural design of a building and made part thereof shall, as far as the permit is concerned, regardless of size, be covered under the Uniform Construction Code[2] of the State of New Jersey.
[Amended 12-20-2018 by Ord. No. 2018:18]
(2)
Permit fees. No sign permit shall be issued until a sketch showing the size, location, text and owner has been indicated in writing, together with a fee, as follows, has been submitted to the office of the Construction Official, together with license or bond, if required:
(a)
Signs in any district containing eight square feet to 25 square feet shall require a permit prior to erection, and the fee shall be $25.
(b)
Signs in any district containing more than 25 square feet up to 100 square feet shall require a permit prior to erection, and the fee shall be $75.
(c)
All signs containing more than 100 square feet shall require a permit prior to erection, and the fee shall be $100.
(3)
Bond or liability insurance policy and license. For any sign in any district containing more than 100 square feet and for any sign of any size which projects over public property, a liability insurance policy or an indemnity bond in an amount of $10,000 payable to Pennsauken Township and in a form satisfactory to the Township Solicitor shall be posted by the owner or erector of such sign; and any such sign, and any roof sign of whatever size, shall be erected by a licensed sign erector, which license shall be issued by the Construction Official for a period of one year, January 1 to December 31, at a license fee of $5, and each applicant for such license shall show proof of his or her experience and qualifications for sign erection.
H.
Temporary signs and temporary sign permits. In all zones within the Township of Pennsauken, temporary signs may be permitted for a period not to exceed 20 days only to promote a charitable, educational, civic, cultural or religious special event upon application to the office of the Construction Code Official for a temporary sign permit. All other temporary signs are expressly prohibited.
[Added 12-15-2003 by Ord. No. 03-37]
(1)
All approved temporary signs must be removed within 24 hours after the event which is the subject of the sign.
(2)
The size material and number of signs permitted shall conform with the requirements of permanent signs for the zone in which the temporary signs may be located.
(3)
Only one temporary sign shall be permitted on any individual lot.
(4)
No more than two temporary signs shall be permitted in different locations for any one special event.
(5)
All applications for a permit for a temporary sign shall be filed with the office of the Construction Code Official at least 30 days prior to the date that the sign will be erected or installed.
(6)
Temporary functional signs for special events shall not require an additional permit but shall require an approved application for the special event.
(7)
All applications shall state the location of the temporary sign as well as a description, including the wording, coloring and materials to be used in the construction of the temporary sign.
(8)
All applications shall be approved by the Code Official to insure that the health, safety and general aesthetics as they affect nearby properties are not adversely affected.
(9)
No application for a temporary sign shall be granted unless real estate taxes on the lot in question are paid in full as of the date of the application.
(10)
All temporary sign applications shall be accompanied by an application fee in the amount of $25.
(11)
Any sign erected or maintained in conflict with this subsection shall be removed within 24 hours of written notice of violation from the Township.
(12)
Any person who directly or indirectly by his or her agent or representative violates any of the provisions of this subsection shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500 and shall be charged with all costs of removal of the offending temporary sign. The erection, posting and placing of each individual sign shall constitute a separate offense.
I.
Cannabis establishments. The following additional sign regulations shall apply to all cannabis establishments:
[Added 7-21-2022 by Ord. No. 2022:16]
(1)
One sign shall be permitted per cannabis establishment; provided, however, that a maximum of two signs shall be permitted if a cannabis establishment is to be located on a corner lot with frontage on two or more public roadways.
(2)
The maximum total area of all permitted signs shall not exceed an area equal to two square feet for every one lineal foot of building frontage or 75 square feet, whichever is less.
(3)
Signs shall be permitted on a building wall; provided, however, that no sign shall extend above the roofline.
(4)
Any sign located in a publicly visible location is encouraged to display only the following information:
(5)
Signs affixed to building roofs shall be prohibited.
(6)
Banners, steamers, spinners, whirling and similar attention-attracting devices shall be prohibited.
(7)
Portable signs shall be prohibited.
(8)
Digital signs shall be prohibited.
(9)
The foregoing sign regulations supplement and are in addition to all other sign regulations of this code.
(10)
Where a provision in this subsection contradicts another sign regulation of this code, the most restrictive regulation shall apply.