Pitman, NJ Zoning Ordinance

[Ord. No. 1-2012]

Required Signs. In the interest of public safety, all commercial businesses, business offices, professional offices and institutions shall have at least one permanent sign no less than two square feet in area.

Sign Content. A sign may include only the following information:

The principal name of the business, proprietor or owner.

A brief description of the principal goods, services, products or uses offered in trade.

A logo or trademark by which the business, proprietor or owner is identified.

The street number and street name.

Phone number, website and operating hours.

Parking information.

Functional sign information.

Any other notice or information required to be provided by law, including current Fire Code regulations, and the Uniform Construction Code.

Number of Signs.

There shall be no more than two signs per storefront and no more than one of any type of sign, except as follows:

(a)

Multiple Frontages. Where a storefront has frontage on more than one public right-of-way, it shall be entitled to have one sign on each frontage. The size of the sign or signs permitted shall be calculated independently for each separate frontage. Permitted sign area is not transferable from one frontage to another.

(b)

Multiple Entrances. Where a storefront has multiple entrances on one frontage, each additional entrance shall be entitled to have one additional sign. The size of the sign or signs permitted shall be calculated independently for each separate entrance. Permitted sign area Is not transferable from one entrance to another.

A double-sided sign which is identical on both sides shall be counted as one sign.

(a)

Computation of size of signs. The size of any sign shall be computed by determining the area of the smallest rectangle into which the sign can fit, exclusive of supporting structure or decorative border, as permitted by this section. A double-sided sign which is identical on both sides shall be measured by using the area of only one side of the sign.

(b)

Signs not to be counted in determining number of signs or maximum size. The following shall not be counted as signs for the purpose of determining the total number of signs on a site or the maximum total area allowed for signs on a site:

(1)

Business banners limited to two.

(2)

Commercial informational signs.

(3)

Functional signs.

(4)

Historical identification signs.

(5)

Official signs.

(6)

Private parking signs.

(7)

Temporary signs.

(8)

Lettering on awnings located on the vertical face.

(9)

Election signs.

(c)

Lighting of signs. Illumination of a sign shall be arranged so that no unreasonable light or glare is directed or reflected onto adjacent streets or properties. All lighting shall be installed in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code.

Location of Signs. All signs must be on tax lot, building or storefront with which they are identified, except for official and functional signs.

Prohibited Locations. The following locations for signs are prohibited:

Any sign that obstructs any fire escape, door, window or any opening required by law.

Any sign affixed or painted on a tree, utility pole or other sign.

Any sign placed in a public right-of-way, walkway or park strip. In the absence of a park strip, the sign may not be placed within three feet of the street.

Any sign placed on private property without the owner's permission or consent.

Any sign placed on Borough-owned property without the approval of the Mayor and Council.

Any overhanging sign not conforming to the Uniform Construction Code.

Prohibited Signs. The following signs and types of signs are prohibited:

Any sign which flashes, blinks, twinkles, or is animated or which presents the illusion of movement, except a barber pole sign, and any sign with sound generating equipment.

Any sign which in any way simulates any official sign.

Any abandoned sign.

Maintenance.

All signs must be maintained by the owner of the sign. This maintenance shall include repainting, repairing and cleaning as necessary.

If the Zoning Officer or Code Enforcement Officer determine that any sign is in a state of disrepair so as to no longer be reasonably capable of presenting its message, or is a danger to the public health or public safety, the Zoning Officer or Code Enforcement Officer shall give written notice of the condition of the sign to the owner of the sign and to the owner of record of the tax lot. Either owner shall thereafter have 30 days to correct the unsatisfactory condition of the sign, or any time limit, as specified by the Code Enforcement Officer or Zoning Officer, should a safety issue be involved. If the unsatisfactory condition of the sign is not so corrected within such time period, the Zoning Officer or Code Enforcement Officer may thereafter take such actions as are permitted pursuant to Subsection 35-34.8.