Ridgewood City Zoning Code
§ 190-128.3
Storefronts.
[Added 9-14-2022 by Ord. No. 3914]
A.
Purpose.
(1)
To promote an active pedestrian district by incorporating approved and functional storefronts on the ground floor within the B-1 and B-2 Retail Business Districts.
(2)
Multiple tenants with storefronts within a single building shall be architecturally consistent, but defined and separated through structural bays, horizontal lintels, vertical piers or other architectural features within existing bays or up to thirty-foot intervals for new construction.
(3)
Individual storefronts shall not be used for storage or left empty without window displays.
(4)
Window glass shall not be frosted or covered with paper, curtains or other material that block the window or display unless specifically authorized in writing by the Building Department which request for authorization shall not be unreasonably withheld if requested for new tenancy or interior alterations.
B.
Requirements.
(1)
Ground floor storefronts within the B-1 and B-2 Retail Business Districts that are vacant because of lack of tenancy for over three months are required to install approved window displays. These displays may contain local artwork, local school projects, or cultural/historic interpretative displays, and subject to the review and approval of the Site Plan Exemption Committee.
(2)
Owners of buildings with vacant ground floor storefronts shall be required to register the vacant space with the Village of Ridgewood Construction Office within 30 calendar days of the vacancy and maintain the following conditions:
(a)
The storefront is enclosed and secured from unauthorized entry until the storefront is legally occupied, repaired or rehabilitated.
(b)
The exterior grounds of the property and exterior features of the building and storefront are clean and well maintained and otherwise consistent with the requirements of the Village Property Maintenance ordinance at all times.
(c)
All areas of the vacant storefront visible by the public from the public street or sidewalk shall be maintained in broom cleaned condition and free of litter and debris at all times.