Raritan Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIX
Signs
§ 296-159 Intent.
It is the intent of these regulations to:
A.
Control the size, location, character and other pertinent features of all exterior on-premises signs (street graphics).
B.
Promote signs (street graphics) which are:
(1)
Compatible with surroundings and expressive of the identity of individual proprietors and of the character of the community.
(2)
Orderly, readable and appropriate to the activity to which they pertain.
(3)
Nondistracting to motorists so as not to contribute to traffic accidents.
(4)
Safe from hazard.
(5)
Aesthetically pleasing.
§ 296-160 Permit required; exceptions; application procedure.
A.
Permits required. No signs shall be erected, structurally altered, or moved without a permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this section. A permit shall not be required for the following signs provided that they meet the requirements of § 296-162, and provided that each meets the stated additional requirements:
(1)
Signs of a public, noncommercial nature, including safety signs, "No Trespassing" signs, signs indicating scenic or historic points of interest, and signs for philanthropic, fraternal or religious organizations.
(2)
Memorial signs and tablets. Nonilluminated memorial signs or tablets indicating the name of a building or date of erection, not exceeding two square feet in surface area, which are part of the building construction or are attached as wall signs.
(3)
Nameplates and identification signs less than two square feet and nonilluminated or shielded (illuminated not to exceed 75 watts) nameplate.
(4)
Seasonal decorations. Seasonal decorations shall be permitted for display purposes on public or private property provided that such decorations are safely maintained. When on municipal property, approval of the Township Committee is required.
(5)
Grave markers.
(6)
Private "No Trespassing" and "No Hunting" signs placed on private property shall be permitted, provided that each sign does not exceed one square foot.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original § 16.72.020A(7), which immediately followed this subsection and listed temporary signs, grand opening banners and celebration bunting, was repealed 3-19-2019 by Ord. No. 19-04.
(7)
Garage sale signs, when in accordance with § 296-163A(1)(f).
(8)
Directional signs pursuant to § 296-165C(6).
(9)
Directory signs erected as part of a municipally sponsored program, location and size approved by the Municipal Planner.
(10)
Political signs.
B.
Permit applications. A sign permit may be obtained upon application to the Construction Official, and, where applicable, the advertiser shall obtain a permit from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, outdoor advertising section, for graphics adjacent to interstate and federal aid primary highways. The advertiser shall be responsible for obtaining the permit.
§ 296-161 Prohibited signs.
No sign shall be constructed, reconstructed, erected or maintained which:
A.
Bears or contains statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent or immoral character which will offend public morals or decency.
B.
Purports to be, or is an imitation of, or resembles, an official traffic sign or signal, or which bears the words "stop," "go slow," "caution," "danger," "warning," or similar words other than those contained in the name of the business.
C.
By reason of its size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or which hides from view any traffic or street sign or signal.
D.
Advertises or publicizes an activity, business, product, real estate or service not conducted on the premises upon which such sign is maintained.
E.
Is in any way animated, except time and temperature devices, or emits smoke, visible vapor, particles, sound or odor.
F.
Is located in a public right-of-way or approved sight easement (if sign is taller than 30 inches), except those owned and operated by a duly constituted governmental agency as a traffic control or warning sign.
I.
Is located (painted, affixed, etc.) on a water tower, storage tank, smokestack, utility pole or other similar structure.
J.
Is located (painted, stapled, affixed, etc.) on trees, rocks or other natural features, or on fences, dividing walls or other accessory structures, unless it is a directional sign.
K.
Is placed above the eaves of a building or structure or on a flat roof.
[Amended by Ord. No. 04-20]
L.
Is a projecting sign, except as utilized as residential nameplate and identification signs pursuant to § 296-163A(1)(a).
§ 296-162 General sign requirements.
A.
Conformance with Construction Code. All signs shall conform to the requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code.
B.
Maintenance. All signs, including official signs, together with all their supports, braces, hooks, guys and anchors, shall be of substantial and sturdy construction, shall be kept in good repair, and shall be painted or cleaned as often as necessary to maintain a clean, neat, legible, safe and orderly appearance. All lighting elements shall be kept in good working order when lighting is provided. The area surrounding ground signs shall be kept neat, clean and landscaped. The owner of the property, or his designee, upon which the ground sign is located shall be responsible for maintaining the condition of the area.
C.
Obstruction of doors, windows or fire escapes. No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign, other than warning signs, shall be attached to a fire escape or standpipe.
D.
Obstruction of architectural features. No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained in such a manner as to cover or intrude upon any architectural features of a building, such as windows, columns, moldings, railings or any major decoration or structural feature.
E.
Graphics not to constitute traffic hazards. In order to secure and maintain reasonable traffic safety, no sign shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision or distract the attention of the driver of any vehicle by reason of the position, shape, color, reflection, illumination, etc., thereof.
F.
Lighting of signs. Indirect or interior lighting may be used to illuminate any sign, provided that the source of light shall concentrate the illumination upon the area of the sign so as to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent property.
G.
Unsafe signs. Whenever a sign shall become structurally unsafe or endanger the safety of the building or the public, the Construction Official shall order such sign to be made safe or removed. Such order shall be complied with within 10 days of the receipt thereof by the person owning or using the sign or by the owner of the building or premises on which such unsafe sign is affixed or erected.
H.
Nonconforming sign. Any lawful nonconforming permanent sign which existed on the date of this chapter may be continued and, except as provided in Subsection I of this section, may be restored whenever it is damaged in any manner whatsoever.
I.
Removal of damaged signs. Any sign damaged, destroyed or deteriorated in any manner whatsoever to the extent of more than 75% of its replacement value shall be removed or alternatively reconstructed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and thereafter utilized only in such a manner as to conform to all provisions of this Township Code.
J.
Removal of derelict signs. Any location where business goods are no longer sold or produced or where services are no longer provided shall have 90 days to entirely remove any remaining or derelict on-premises signs following notification by the Township and at the expense of the owner of such property. Where due written notification has been given by the Township and compliance has not been made within the required ninety-day period, the Township may cause removal of such sign, with the cost for such removal to be attached to the property.
K.
Measurement of gross advertising area of a sign. The entire square footage of the space within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of such sign, and in no case passing through or between any adjacent elements of the same. However, such perimeter shall not include any structural or framing elements lying outside the limits of such sign and not forming an integral part of the display.
(1)
Cutout letters or numbers supported independently on a wall shall be measured by the smallest rectangle which encompasses the entire letter. Ground, hanging and window signs which have no background shall be measured by the smallest rectangle which encompasses all of the lettering, illustration or total display, exclusive of any supporting members used solely for such purpose. Ground signs consisting of opaque or translucent backgrounds and having cutout letters mounted on them shall be measured by the outside dimensions of the background.
(2)
Ground signs carrying the same message on two sides shall be considered a single sign, provided that the two sides are parallel and of the same size.
(3)
Ground signs with four sides are permitted, provided that parallel sides carry the same message. Two sides may contain a message, and the opposite two sides may contain a logo. The total square footage of all four sides shall not be greater than twice the permitted square footage of a single ground sign, and each side may not be greater than that permitted for a single ground sign.
L.
All street graphics shall, in addition to complying with this chapter, comply with all appropriate county, state and federal regulations. Should any county, state or federal regulations be applicable, said regulations shall apply in lieu of this chapter to the extent that such regulations are more restrictive.
§ 296-163 Permitted signs by zoning district.
A.
Residential zones.
(1)
Single-family attached and detached dwellings.
(a)
Nameplate and identification sign. A sign of any type indicating the name or address of the occupant may be permitted, provided that the sign shall be no larger than two square feet. A permitted home occupation may be included with the name of the occupant. Only one sign per dwelling unit is permitted in addition to a mailbox identification sign.
(b)
Multifamily developments. One ground sign, not to exceed 32 square feet, may be erected at the primary entrance to an apartment complex.
(c)
Farms. In addition to a nameplate and identification sign meeting the requirements of Subsection A(1)(a) of this subsection, one additional sign (ground sign) not to exceed 15 square feet may be erected at the entrance of an active farm. The existence of a farm stand shall not permit any additional signs over that for a farm, except that the permitted 15 square feet of sign area may be a wall or roof sign rather than a ground sign.
(d)
Planned residential developments (PRD). Ground signs not to exceed 32 square feet each may be placed at the primary entrances to PRDs in locations approved by the Planning Board. A sign plan for the entire development shall be submitted in accordance with the criteria set forth in Subsection C(4) of this section. Commercial uses within a PRD shall be regulated pursuant to § 296-165B.
(e)
Residential subdivisions. One ground sign of a permanent nature and not exceeding 32 square feet may be erected at the primary entrance to a residential subdivision having a homeowners' association and where the association or developer shall maintain the sign.
(f)
Temporary garage sale signs. One temporary garage sale sign is permitted if it does not exceed eight square feet and is displayed only during the time the sale is being conducted. No off-premises garage sale signs are permitted.
B.
Public zone and uses.
(1)
Signs of schools, churches, colleges, libraries and other institutions and for parks and public uses of a similar nature may be erected and maintained, provided that:
(a)
The size of any ground sign shall not exceed 32 square feet, and not more than one such sign is placed on a property unless such property fronts upon more than one street, in which instance a sign may be erected on each frontage. Sixteen square feet of the gross advertising of one ground sign may be devoted to changeable copy and may be a separate sign attached in an aesthetically pleasing manner to the same ground sign structure.
(b)
Signs affixed to the facade of the principal structure shall be permitted, provided that the signs shall not exceed 5% of the prime building facade.
(2)
These requirements shall also apply to public uses established in residential zones. The Planning Board may permit ground signs of up to 100 square feet if, in the Planning Board's judgment, a sign of greater size is required to safely and conveniently indicate the location of a public use and the sign will not have an effect upon surrounding uses.
C.
Office, industrial and commercial zones for single-tenanted and single-structure developments.
(1)
Wall signs. The total gross advertising area of all wall signs on any one property shall not be greater than 5% of the area of the building facade fronting on the street. On corner lots, the area of the facade which fronts on the more heavily traveled or higher classification road shall be utilized. The maximum area of all wall and roof signs shall not exceed 100 square feet.
[Amended by Ord. No. 04-20]
(2)
Ground signs. One ground sign, excluding directional signs, shall be permitted on a single lot. Adjacent lots in common ownership shall be considered one lot pursuant to § 296-136. The total advertising area shall not exceed 65 square feet in the Professional Office Zone and 100 square feet in the other nonresidential zones under this category. The Planning Board may permit a total sign area of 100 square feet in the Professional Office Zone for nonoffice uses if the Planning Board finds that such additional area is appropriate to the site and necessary for reasonable visibility of the business or activity.
(4)
Design. All signs erected on a single lot shall be coordinated as to color, materials, construction, lighting, general quality and appearance and shall be compatible with the architecture of the main buildings.
D.
Office, industrial and commercial zones for multi-use, multi-structures and multi-tenanted structures and developments. Within the office, industrial and commercial zones of the Township, multi-use, multi-structure and multi-tenanted structures and developments require sign regulations which will ensure that all signs and graphics erected within the development will enhance each other and will not detract from the overall unified appearance of the complex.
(1)
Each such development shall submit a sign coordination plan to the Planning Board for approval. The sign coordination plan shall include details as to how all future signs on the property will be coordinated. Coordination shall be evaluated on the basis of a consistent sign design theme throughout a particular project. The design theme shall include one or more of the following:
(2)
Wall signs.
(a)
Conventional (nonenclosed) developments. One wall sign shall be permitted for each tenant. Tenants occupying corner locations may display one wall sign on each of two facades, with a maximum of two signs per corner location. The total gross advertising area of each tenant on the ground floor shall not exceed 5% of the facade containing the main entrance to the tenant's portion of the building.
(b)
Enclosed malls or similar structures, where the primary entrances to the individual tenants of the building are internal, shall not be permitted to have an external wall sign erected on the facade of the building (except the prime tenants) unless the tenant has a private customer or client entrance to the exterior. Said sign shall be a wall sign and shall be placed immediately adjacent to the private external entrance and shall not exceed six square feet. Prime tenants shall be permitted a wall sign pursuant to Subsection D(2)(a) of this section, except that the Planning Board may permit a 7% gross advertising area for individual prime tenant wall signs if such additional area shall assist in developing a harmonious and integrated sign plan in accordance with § 296-159.
[Amended by Ord. No. 04-20; Ord. No. 04-23]
(3)
Ground signs. One ground sign (excluding directional signs) shall be permitted on any single lot. However, the Planning Board may permit one additional ground sign if the property has vehicular access to more than one public street. Adjacent lots in common ownership shall be considered one lot pursuant to § 296-136. The total advertising area shall not exceed 100 square feet. Shopping centers containing eight or more tenants on the ground floor, enclosed malls, industrial parks or office parks may have one ground sign with a total advertising area not exceeding 150 square feet.
(4)
Canopy signs. Signs hanging from overhangs above the entrance to a tenant may be permitted, provided that each sign does not exceed two square feet. Such signs shall only be permitted where wall signs are not easily visible to pedestrians such as in covered walkway situations. Notwithstanding the above or § 296-164C, wall signs otherwise permitted by this section may be affixed to a covered walkway rather than a wall provided that:
(a)
Such sign location affixed to a covered walkway is approved by the Planning Board as part of a sign coordination plan and a uniformity of sign locations results.
(b)
The area of such sign affixed to a covered walkway does not exceed in size the area of a wall sign otherwise permitted for such development.
§ 296-164 Sign type regulations.
A.
Ground signs. An activity may display one or more ground signs of the area indicated under the appropriate requirements as set forth in §§ 296-162 and 296-163 and as set forth in the following:
(1)
The maximum height of the ground sign shall not exceed 25 square feet. However, ground signs in industrial, office and neighborhood business zones shall not exceed 10 feet in height, and shall not exceed six feet in height in residential zones. The Planning Board may permit a sign height of up to 20 feet where it finds that such height is appropriate to the site and is necessary for reasonable visibility of the activity on the premises. The height of the ground sign shall be measured from the base of the sign to the extreme top of the sign, including framing and structural members. Where the grade from the edge of the existing pavement (of the street from which vehicles primarily view the sign) to the base of the sign differs by three feet or more, height of the sign shall be measured from the grade at the edge of the pavement to the extreme top of the sign, including framing and structural members.
(2)
No portion of a ground sign (excluding directional signs) shall be located closer than the following distances to street rights-of-way, provided that the ground sign (including directional signs) is not located within a dedicated sight easement (unless less than 30 inches high) or a sight distance as set forth in other sections of this chapter.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
Area of Sign (square feet) | Minimum Distance (feet) |
|---|---|
Less than 26 | 5 |
26 to 75 | 10 |
More than 75 to 100 | 15 |
More than 100 | 20 |
(3)
Ground signs shall be a minimum of 75 feet from any other ground sign (excluding directional signs) on the same or adjacent properties.
(5)
Ground signs shall be located so as to safely guide the motorist to the vehicular entrance to the activity. Any ground sign which proves to be confusing to the motorist in this respect shall be relocated to a more appropriate location as required by the Planning Board where physically possible.
(6)
The location or relocation of a ground sign (except directional signs) shall be approved by the Planning Board after submission of a site plan which accurately shows the proposed sign and its relationship to paved and landscaped areas, parking, access drives and buildings within 200 feet of the sign.
B.
Wall signs. An activity may display one or more wall signs of the total area indicated under the appropriate requirements as set forth in §§ 296-162 and 296-163 and as set forth in the following:
(1)
Wall signs shall only be located within the signable area of the facade of a structure. The signable area of the facade of a structure is that portion of the facade up to eaves or second-floor windows, whichever is lower, which is free of windows and doors or major architectural detail.
(2)
Wall signs are not permitted for activities located on the second or higher floors. (See Subsection D of this section.)
(3)
The width of a wall sign or roof sign may not exceed the width of the building or section of a building occupied by the tenant or activity.
[Amended by Ord. No. 04-20]
C.
Canopy signs. Canopy signs are only permitted pursuant to § 296-163D(4) and in accordance with the following:
D.
Window signs. Window signs of a permanent or temporary nature are permitted as follows:
§ 296-165 Special signs and sign regulations.
A.
Organization sign display. Organization sign displays are permitted in lieu of the placement of many scattered prohibited organization signs along the many thoroughfares of the community. Organization sign displays shall be located as approved by the Planning Board in accordance with the following regulations:
(1)
Location: at or near the major entrances to the municipality or at a prominent and visible location on public, institutional or other nonresidential property.
(2)
Maximum size: 100 square feet.
(3)
Sign type: ground sign only.
(4)
The display shall be landscaped and may be lighted.
(5)
The design of the display shall be approved by the Planning Board in accordance with § 296-163D(1).
(6)
The Planning Board may reject the location of an organization sign display if the location has poor visibility or will create a hazardous situation for vehicular traffic.
B.
Signs for commercial uses within a PRD. Signs for commercial uses within a PRD shall be regulated by § 296-163D, except that only one ground sign shall be permitted which does not exceed 32 square feet and a maximum of 10 feet in height.
C.
On-premises directional signs. On-premises directional signs are on-premises signs designed to direct motorists and pedestrians within a site and governed by the following regulations in addition to §§ 296-161 and 296-162.
(1)
Directional signs shall be approved during site plan review procedures by the Planning Board and in accordance with § 296-163D(1). Changes and additions to the approved plan for directional signs may be approved by the Municipal Planner.
(2)
Entrance and exit signs may contain the name of the activity but shall not advertise the activity in any way.
(3)
Directional signs may contain a logo used throughout the project.
(4)
Entrance and exit signs shall not exceed three square feet. However, the square footage may be increased to 16 square feet if the Planning Board finds that the scale of the project or volume of traffic attracted by the activity warrants enlarged signs for safety.
(5)
Sign messages shall be clear and concise.
(6)
Directional signs of three square feet or less shall not require sign permits.
(7)
Directional signs which are found by the Planning Board to be confusing or inappropriately placed shall be removed or relocated as required by the Planning Board.
D.
Grand opening banners; celebration bunting.
(1)
Grand opening banners. Grand opening banners are permitted if attached to the building in which the new activity has been established. Grand opening banners may be in place for four weeks from the date of opening of the activity.
(2)
Celebration bunting. Celebration bunting is permitted on state holidays and days of public celebration. Bunting shall be removed within seven days of the date of celebration.
E.
Temporary signs. Temporary signs are permitted as notification of special events on the premises of public, fraternal, charitable or religious organizations only in accordance with Subsection E(1) below; temporary real estate signs only in accordance with Subsection E(2) below; pennants, banners (other than grand opening banners) and temporary signs on the premises of commercial establishments only in accordance with Subsection E(3) below; temporary signs advertising the future construction or location of a use upon a site only in accordance with Subsection E(4) below; and temporary signs for commercial establishments during periods of long-term public roadway construction projects in accordance with Subsection E(6) below.
[Amended by Ord. No. 03-31; Ord. No. 00-35; 3-19-2019 by Ord. No. 19-04]
(1)
Temporary public or organization signs shall be removed within five days after the event shall have taken place. No permit shall be required for such temporary sign, provided that there is only one such sign per premises, the sign does not exceed 32 square feet, and provided that the sign shall not remain in place more than four weeks. Only two events may be advertised by a temporary sign per calendar year. A temporary sign is not permitted on a premises that has a changeable copy sign erected upon it.
(2)
Temporary signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which they are located may be permitted, provided that:
(3)
Pennants; banners; sandwich boards; temporary ground signs; feather signs.
(a)
Pennants, a banner (other than a grand opening banner), sandwich boards, and/or a temporary ground sign is permitted accessory to a commercial establishment in the I-1, I-2, O-1, O-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, and B-5 Zoning Districts for a total of eight weeks in any calendar year for notification only of special events, special promotional purposes, temporary sales, grand openings, etc., provided that such pennants, banner, sandwich boards or temporary ground sign does not cause a danger to the general public in accordance with § 296-162G or otherwise impede sight triangles or foot traffic during business hours.
(b)
The total area of a banner and/or temporary ground sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in area. The height of a ground sign shall not exceed five feet. Sandwich boards and temporary ground signs carrying the same message on two sides shall be considered a single sign, provided that the two sides are of the same size. The total square footage shall be determined by adding together both sides of the sign and dividing by two.
(c)
Feather signs.
[1]
Notwithstanding the foregoing, feather signs (defined for purposes of this subsection as temporary advertising signs made of lightweight cloth that are supported by a lightweight freestanding pole or frame) are permitted accessory to a commercial establishment in the I-1, I-2, O-1, O-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, and B-5 Zoning Districts for a total of eight weeks in any calendar year for notification of special events, special promotional purposes, temporary sales, grand openings etc., provided that said proposed feather sign:
[a]
Shall be limited to one feather sign per lot or, where there are multiple tenants on one lot, one feather sign for every 75 linear feet of road frontage;
[b]
Shall be placed in a manner so as to ensure pedestrian safety;
[c]
Shall not be more than 12 feet in height or greater than 36 inches in width;
[d]
Shall not block any windows or doors;
[e]
Shall be secured in a manner that prevents displacement from the wind which shall be shown on a catalogue sheet setting forth how the feather sign is anchored; and
[f]
Shall be placed no closer than 20 feet to an adjacent property line.
[2]
No feather sign shall be permitted to become tattered or tom.
(d)
Any display of such pennant, feather sign and/or banner and/or temporary ground sign for a period from one day to seven consecutive days shall constitute a total display period of one week.
(e)
An application for a sign permit shall be filed and approved for such pennants, banner, feather sign, sandwich board or temporary ground sign from the Township Land Use Enforcement Officer before such display is permitted. However, pursuant to § 296-160A(7), no permit shall be required for temporary garage sale signs that comply with § 296-163A(1)(f).
(4)
Temporary signs advertising the future construction or location of a use may be permitted upon a site, provided that:
(5)
Developments with four or more homes for sale may be advertised on a sign not to exceed 32 square feet. One such sign shall be permitted on each frontage if the development fronts on more than one street. All development signs shall be removed when 95% of the lots have been initially sold or initially rented.
(6)
Commercial uses located in any area of roadway construction that is undertaken by a public agency and that is scheduled to exceed or has exceeded a period of one year from the start date of construction to the completion date of construction as estimated by the federal, state, county, or local agency that has primary jurisdiction over said roadway and/or project may place upon their premises temporary signage not to exceed 16 square feet in area and not to exceed five feet in height for the duration of the construction project. The area of construction shall be that area delineated on the construction drawings showing the limits of construction for the federal, state, county, or local agency that has primary jurisdiction over said roadway. Said temporary signs must be removed upon the completion of the construction project in that area in front of the specific commercial enterprise. Said temporary signs shall be in addition to any temporary signs permitted elsewhere is this section or direction signs placed by the governmental agency undertaking the roadway construction.