Southampton Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
12-5.15 Signs
[Amended 2-20-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-01]
a.
Statement of applicability.
1.
Scope. Signs may be erected, altered, maintained, used, replaced, removed, or moved only in compliance with the provisions of this section, except that any sign inside a structure or building which is not visible from outside the building or structure is excluded from the requirements hereinbelow.
The limitations on signs prescribed in this chapter shall not apply to any sign or additional device erected by any recognized local, County, State or Federal government agency. Existing signs erected prior to the adoption of this chapter are not subject to the standards provided below.
b. ATTACHED SIGN DEVELOPMENT SIGN ERECT EXTERNALLY LIGHTED FREESTANDING SIGN FUNCTIONAL SIGN INTERNALLY LIGHTED MOBILE SIGN MULTIPLE OCCUPANCY AND TENANCY SIGN OFFICIAL SIGN REAL ESTATE SIGN ROOF SIGN SIGN HEIGHT SIGN SIZE TEMPORARY SIGN WARNING SIGN WINDOW SIGN
Definitions.
Any sign erected, constructed or maintained on a building with the principal support of said sign being the building, including specifically the painting of signs or displays on the exterior surface of a building. Attached signs shall not be more than 10 inches off the building to which they are attached.
A sign designating the name of a subdivision of residential homes, whether a single-family or multifamily, attached or detached, or an apartment complex.
To build, construct, attach, place, suspend or affix, and shall also include the painting of wall signs and the painting of signs or displays on the exterior surface of the building, structure, or material surface.
Any sign whose sole source of artificial illumination is outside the display portion of the sign.
Any sign not attached to a building, erected, constructed or maintained on a post or pole, or other bracing or supporting device, being to support the sign.
Directional, informational or public service signs, such as signs advertising locations of rest rooms, telephones, or similar facilities of public convenience, including entry and exit signs from parking areas. Functional signs shall not include any name or business or message other than the directional or informational material as noted above.
Any sign whose sole source of artificial illumination is contained within the display portion of the sign.
A sign which is not permanently attached to a building or not placed in the ground in such a fashion as to be permanent in a manner conforming to the Uniform Construction Code or which is located or attached to a trailer, on wheels, or other similar attachment such that the sign may be removed from place to place, either within the lot or to another location.
A single sign relating to a use or facility, such as a shopping center, industrial park or office complex, where there is more than one occupancy and/or tenancy of uses, where said multiple occupancy and tenancy use a common parking facility and/or a common private drive or roadway and where the names and professions or business names of the various tenants and/or occupants are displayed.
Any sign, symbol or device, erected, constructed, or maintained by the Federal, State, County or local government, or any agency thereof, for the purpose of informing or guiding the public or for the protection of public health, safety and welfare.
A sign of an owner of real property or of a licensed real estate broker designating a property "For Sale" or "For Lease."
An attached sign erected, constructed or maintained upon or over the roof of any building, where the principal support of said sign is the roof structure.
In the case of a freestanding sign, the height of the sign will be computed from grade level to the greatest height at any one point in the sign. In the case of an attached sign, no sign can be higher than the level of a second floor windowsill in a two-or-more-story building, nor can it be higher than the lowest point of the roofline in a single-story building, except where a roof sign is expressly permitted in certain districts.
The square foot area of a sign is computed by multiplying its greatest width by its greatest length, exclusive of supporting structures and bracing devices, unless such supporting structures and bracing devices are illuminated or are in the form of a symbol or contain words or symbols, in which case the supporting structure shall also be computed in determining sign size. Two or three-sided signs carrying exactly the same message on each side shall be measured by using the surface area of one side in the case of two-sided signs, or two sides in the case of three-sided signs. When there is a different message on each side of the sign, each side will be considered and used in computing sign size or each sign will be considered a separate sign.
A sign which is not permanently attached to a building structure or permanently affixed to a freestanding structure, and which may be erected for a period of time in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. A changeable copy sign shall be considered a temporary sign except when it identifies gas station pricing, is permanently installed and for new development pursuant to the adoption of this chapter is the subject of site plan review.
A sign indicating no trespassing or no fishing and/or hunting, and an existing danger where a warning is legally required.
Any sign erected, constructed or maintained in or on a window of a building, visible from outside the building, whether illuminated or nonilluminated.
c.
General regulations. The following general regulations shall be applicable to all signs in all zoning districts, except as specifically limited herein:
1.
No sign shall be erected or maintained on a lot, tract or parcel, including any improvement thereon, unless the message on the sign directly relates to the use, sale, or lease of said lot, tract, or parcel. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit off-tract signs for churches or fraternal organizations, setting forth the location of the church or the meeting place and meeting hours of the church or fraternal organization.
2.
All mobile signs, billboards, and blinking signs are prohibited.
3.
No sign shall be placed in such a position that it causes or is likely to cause danger to vehicular or pedestrian traffic on any street, sidewalk or right-of-way. No sign other than an official sign may be placed within the right-of-way of any Township or County street.
4.
Maintenance. All signs shall be periodically maintained by the owner of said sign, including painting, repairing and cleaning as necessary. Any sign that, because of improper maintenance, is deemed to be in a state of disrepair, such that the sign is no longer functional, visible or dangerous to the safety of others, in the discretion of the Township Zoning Officer, shall be repaired by the owner of the said sign within 14 days of a notice requiring said repair. Otherwise, the sign shall be removed.
5.
Illuminated signs. Illuminated signs shall be arranged such that no light or glare is directed or reflected to adjoining lots or streets or into residential windows. Any beam or beacon, lighted exteriorly, shall be directed downwards and shall be shielded to prevent spillage off the lot or onto streets, parking and driveway areas; however, no sign with red, green, blue or amber illumination in a beam or beacon resembling an emergency light shall be erected or used in any location.
6.
Real estate signs. One real estate sign for each lot is temporarily permitted in all districts, provided that it shall be removed within seven days after closing or settlement on said property or the execution of the lease.
7.
Temporary signs.
(a)
Temporary signs advertising events such as fairs, bazaars, auctions, garage sales, seasonal harvest activities, or other special activities, including political signs or posters, shall not obstruct or obscure visibility at corners or intersections or cause a traffic safety hazard. Such signs are allowed one month prior to the event and must be removed within three days following the conclusion of the event. This excludes signs erected by an ongoing business or individual as a means of furthering its business activity or selling of real property.
[Amended 9-16-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-23]
(b)
One temporary development sign is permitted only for major subdivisions. Said sign is subject to the following standards:
(1)
The temporary development sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in size and six feet in height.
(2)
The temporary development sign may be installed only after final subdivision approval has been granted and before or at the same time as the first building permit is issued on the first lot sold. The sign must be removed within 10 days of the issuance of the last Certificate of Occupancy or the sale of the last lot and replaced, if desired, with a permanent development sign in accordance with the chapter standards if the permanent development sign has not already been installed. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no temporary development sign shall remain longer than two years from the date of final subdivision approval unless an extension is granted by the Board that granted said final approval.
8.
Signs for nonprofit institutions. Notwithstanding the sign standards for the district in which the property is located, any property used for church, school, lodge, club, veterans organization or similar use which is organized and operated not for profit pursuant to Title 15 of the New Jersey Statutes Annotated may have one sign per street frontage identifying the use by name. Said sign may be freestanding or attached and may contain messages describing upcoming events, times of service, or meetings, inspirational messages and the like. The maximum size of a freestanding sign shall be 15 square feet, with a maximum height of 10 feet. An attached sign may not exceed 10% of the wall surface area of the wall on which said sign is placed.
9.
Development signs.
(a)
One permanent development sign stating the name of the subdivision only shall be permitted in major subdivisions. The development may have two signs provided there are two entrances on two different roadways. The total square footage permitted for one development sign is 15 square feet.
(b)
The location of the permanent development sign must be approved by the Land Development Board at the time of preliminary subdivision, and other development, approval. The sign may be installed at the entrance (or the main entrance to the subdivision if there is more than one entrance) and may be located within an island or other entrance design on land specifically dedicated to the Township or homeowners association specifically for the purpose of the sign location.
10.
Commercial and industrial signs.
(a)
If a multiple occupancy and tenancy sign is required, the building-mounted, attached signs for the uses or businesses shall be all uniform in size, scale, color and design.
(b)
If a business or use is located on a lot with more than one street frontage, each business or use may have either one additional attached sign or one additional freestanding sign, unless the multiple occupancy and tenancy sign is required, in which case the additional multiple occupancy and tenancy sign shall be located on a separate entrance or drive or a separate part of the parking facility.
(c)
Individual tenants in shopping centers and other multiple-tenant commercial facilities shall be permitted one attached or wall sign, and an individual tenant with more than one facade facing a customer parking lot shall be permitted one attached or wall sign per such facade. Shopping centers and other multiple-tenant commercial facilities shall be permitted one freestanding sign per lot frontage advertising the name of the shopping center and meeting the following specifications:
(1)
Located on the same lot as the shopping center, but no closer to the intersection of two street lines than 50 feet, not exceeding 30 feet in height and no closer to the right-of-way line than 10 feet.
(2)
The sign area shall not exceed 150 square feet or one square foot for each linear foot of lot frontage abutting the location of the freestanding sign.
(3)
Individual tenant nameplates on the sign below the principal name of the shopping center are permitted, provided that each nameplate sign is of uniform dimension and lettering, no nameplate is larger than eight square feet in area and the aggregate sign area does not exceed the maximums set forth above.
(4)
No freestanding sign shall be within 100 feet of any other freestanding sign.
(d)
Each principal use not part of a shopping center may have one freestanding sign and one attached sign. Attached signs shall not exceed 10% of the wall surface area of the wall on which the sign is attached. Business or industrial signs may be erected and maintained in conjunction with farming, commercial or manufacturing use, provided:
(1)
That the area on one side of all such signs erected on one street frontage of any one premises, shall not exceed 50 square feet, unless authorized as a special exception by the Board of Adjustment;
(2)
Such sign, except a directional sign, is erected only on the premises on which the use, to which the sign relates, is conducted;
(3)
Not to exceed a height of 10 feet; and
(4)
Such sign shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from all street and property lines.
11.
Pinelands. All signs on lands under the jurisdiction of the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan promulgated pursuant to the Pinelands Protection Act (N.J.S.A. 13:18A-1 et seq.) shall conform to the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:50-6.106 et seq. of the Comprehensive Management Plan, except where other provisions of this chapter are more restrictive, in which case said other provisions shall control.
12.
Professional, accessory use, home occupation or name signs, indicating the name, profession, or activity of the occupant of a dwelling, and trespassing signs, or signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or premises, provided that the area on one side any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.
13.
Nonconforming signs.
(a)
Intent. It is the intent and purpose of this chapter that as soon as legally possible, all existing signs not conforming to the provisions of the chapter be eliminated or brought into conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
(b)
Legal nonconforming signs. Any sign located within the Township of Southampton which does not conform with the provisions of the chapter, but which did conform with the applicable laws and ordinances relating to signs at the time it was erected, shall be deemed a legal nonconforming sign and may continue in use until said sign loses its legal nonconforming status as defined below.
(c)
Loss of legal nonconforming status.
(1)
A legal nonconforming sign shall immediately lose its legal nonconforming status if:
(2)
Upon the happening of any one of the above events, the sign shall be immediately brought into compliance with this chapter with a new permit, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or shall be immediately removed.
(3)
Periodic maintenance shall not be considered an alteration resulting in the loss of a sign's legal nonconforming status.
d.
Design standards for signs.
1.
Signs affixed to the exterior of a building shall be architecturally compatible with the style, composition, materials, colors, and details of the building, as well as with other signs used on the building or its vicinity.
2.
Signs shall be either spotlight or blacklight with a diffused light source. Spotlighting shall require complete shielding of all light sources. Light shall not significantly spill over to other portions of the building or site. Backlighting shall illuminate the letters, characters, or graphics on the sign, but not its background. Warm fluorescent bulbs may be used to illuminate the interior of display windows. Neon signs placed inside the display windows shall insure low intensity colors.
3.
Signs shall be mounted so that the method of installation is concealed. Signs applied to masonry surfaces should be mechanically fastened to mortar joints only and not directly into brick or stone. Drilling to provide electrical service should also follow the same rule.
e.
Permitting.
1.
Requirements. The Zoning Official assigned by the Township shall only issue a permit for the erection or construction of a sign, which meets the requirements of this chapter.
2.
Permit issuance.
(a)
After zoning approval has been granted, the Building Official shall only issue a building permit for the erection or construction of a sign, which meets the requirements of the Uniform Construction Code in addition to chapter requirements. Applications for permits to erect, hang or place a sign shall be submitted on forms obtained from the Zoning Officer.
(b)
Each application shall be accompanied by plans showing the sign area; size; method of illumination, if any; the exact location proposed for each sign and, in the case of a projecting sign, the proposed method of fastening such sign to the building structure; the vertical distance between such sign and the finished grade, and the horizontal distances between such sign and the curb and also between such sign and the right-of-way line; and such other information as may be requested.