In all zoning districts within the borough, signs may be erected, altered, maintained, used, removed or moved only when in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and any and all other ordinances and regulations of the borough relating to the erection, alteration, maintenance, use, removal or moving of signs and similar devices. None of the regulations which are contained in this chapter shall apply to temporary signs (not to exceed forty-five (45) days) which are in the nature of traditional holiday or seasonal greetings or decorations not advertising a specific product, service or establishment.

(Prior code § 105-70)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

"Flag" or "banner" means any piece of cloth, vinyl, plastic, canvas or similar material, commonly bunting; any size, shape, color, design; hanging or fixed in place; used to identify, promote, advertise, announce the interests of any person, business or establishment when the same is placed in view of the general public. Not to include any official U.S., state, county or municipality flag.

"Functional sign" means directional, information or public service signs, such signs advertising locations of rest rooms, telephones or similar facilities of public convenience, and signs located on mechanical dispensing equipment that identify its product.

"Official sign" means any sign, symbol or device erected and maintained by federal, state, county or local governmental agencies for the purpose of informing or guiding the public or for the protection of health, safety, convenience and general welfare.

"Sign" means any conspicuous outdoor notice designed to identify, inform, guide or advertise; includes every outdoor sign, billboard, ground sign, roof sign, illuminated sign, projecting sign, temporary sign, pylon or pole sign and marquee and every awning, canopy and street clock which includes any announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration or insignia used to identify or promote the interests of any person when the same is placed in view of the general public.

(Prior code § 105-71; Ord. No. 98:08, § 1, 1998)

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, alter, relocate or maintain within the borough any sign, as set forth and defined in this chapter, except those hereinafter exempted, without first making application for and obtaining annually a permit from the borough clerk, which permit shall be in addition to any other licenses or permits which may be required by other ordinances.

A.

Application. Application for permits shall be made on borough forms and shall contain the following information:

1.

Name, address and telephone number of the applicant and of the sign erector.

2.

Location of building, structure or lot to which the sign is or is to be attached or erected.

3.

Position of the sign in relation to nearby buildings or structures.

4.

Name of person, firm, corporation or association erecting the sign if new construction.

5.

Name of owner of property on which sign is located and written consent of owner if other than applicant.

6.

Scale drawing of the sign showing all details, including message, color, lighting, structural design and anchorage.

7.

Other such information as the borough shall require to show full compliance with this chapter and all other ordinances.

B.

Procedure. The borough clerk, upon receipt of an application, shall refer the same to the planning board, which shall examine or cause to be examined the application and, when necessary, examine or cause to be examined the lands and/or premises upon which the sign is erected or proposed to be erected and determine whether the structure or proposed structure is in compliance with all of the requirements of this chapter and all other laws and ordinances of the borough. The planning board's determination shall be noted on the application which shall be returned to the borough clerk. If the determination is favorable, the borough clerk shall accept the prescribed fee and issue a permit. If the determination is unfavorable, the application shall be rejected by the borough clerk. Signs requiring a building permit under this chapter shall not be issued a sign permit until the requirements for a building permit have been met.

C.

Exemptions.

1.

The following signs shall not require an application, permit or fee: Those signs authorized by subsections 17.60.040A.2., 3., 4., 5., 9., 12. and 13.

2.

The following signs shall require an application and permit but no fee: Those signs authorized by subsections 17.60.040A.8. and 11.

3.

Functional signs shall not require a permit or fee and shall be permitted to be erected and maintained in addition to signs permitted in the various zones.

D.

Fees, expirations and computation of size.

1.

There shall be an application fee of five dollars ($5.00) per sign.

2.

The fee for permits issued hereunder for new signs shall be one dollar ($1.00) per square foot of the surface area of the sign, provided that the minimum fee shall be twenty-five dollars ($25.00). In the case of double-faced signs, the area of the surface of only one (1) side of the sign shall be used for purposes of the fee computation.

3.

The annual renewal fee shall be computed as the sum of one dollar ($1.00) per square foot of surface area of the sign, provided that the minimum fee shall be twenty-five dollars ($25.00). The same shall be due and owing, and payable, on the first day of July of each year. A late fee charge shall be due thirty (30) days after renewal date and shall be ten (10) percent of the renewal fee.

4.

Computation of size of signs. The size of any sign, for the purpose of determining its compliance with the provisions of this chapter, shall be computed by multiplying its greatest height by its greatest length, exclusive of supporting structures, unless such supporting structure is illuminated or is in the form of a symbol or contains any advertising copy; but for the purpose of making such determination, the applicant may block portions of the sign to not more than three (3) rectangles in order to exclude large area of open space caused by the particular design or shape of the sign. The sign's greatest height and greatest length shall include any lettering, symbols and/or any advertising copy, whether or not that lettering, symbol or advertising copy exceeds the background of the sign. No permit shall be issued for the sign until a final determination is made as its size.

5.

As a condition for the issuance or renewal of any license or permit issued or requiring the approval of the municipality, except for the issuance or renewal of any permit by the construction code official, that area of regulation having been preempted by the state, the applicant, if he or she is the owner thereof, must pay any delinquent property taxes, tax liens or assessments on the property wherein the business or activity for which the license or permit is sought or wherein the business or activity is to be conducted.

(Prior code § 105-72; Ord. No. 98:08, § 2, 1998; Ord. No. 98:15, § 1, 1998; Ord. No. 2005:10, § 01, 4-12-2005; Ord. No. 2006:21, § 1, 11-14-2006)

Within these zones, no sign shall be erected in whole or in part unless it complies with the following regulations:

A.

In all residential zones no signs, other than the following, shall be permitted:

1.

No more than one (1) permanent sign per lot shall be permitted for each use or activity permitted in this zone unless otherwise specified herein.

2.

A nameplate, situated within the property lines and not exceeding one (1) square foot in area.

3.

A nonilluminated temporary sign advertising the prospective or completed sale or rental of the premises upon which it is located, not exceeding six (6) square feet in area and provided that it shall be maintained and removed within seven (7) days after consummation of a lease or sale transaction.

4.

Official signs by any governmental agency.

5.

Temporary signs announcing or advertising any political, educational, charitable, civic, professional, religious or like campaign or event for a consecutive period not to exceed thirty (30) days in any calendar year, provided that they do not exceed fifty (50) square feet in size.

6.

Nonilluminated temporary signs on new construction sites not exceeding twelve (12) square feet in total area and provided that they shall be removed within seven (7) days after completion of the construction work. Signs advertising major subdivisions that have received preliminary plot approval by the planning board shall not exceed two (2) in number, shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in area and shall be removed within ninety (90) days after completion of the construction work.

7.

Signs advertising the sale or development of the premises upon which they are erected, when erected in connection with the development of the premises by a builder, contractor, developer or other person interested in such sale or development, or a sign advertising alterations to a structure, provided that:

a.

The size of any sign is not in excess of twelve (12) square feet per each twenty-five thousand (25,000) square feet of lot area in the subject premises or thirty-two (32) square feet, whichever is smaller.

b.

No more than two (2) signs are placed upon any property in a single and separate ownership. All such signs shall be removed upon completion of development or earlier if required by borough council.

8.

Identification signs for churches, hospitals, schools, playgrounds, parks and public utility installations, which shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in area.

9.

Signs advertising the sale of products grown on the property of the person who operates the roadside stand, provided that such signs do not exceed three (3) in number, are not more than eight (8) square feet in area and are not located in any public right-of-way. Signs must be removed during seasons when products are not offered for sale.

10.

Signs identifying a permitted professional office or home occupation. Such signs shall bear only the name of the person residing on the premises and the profession or home occupation being conducted on the premises, shall not be of neon, shall be situated within the property lines of the premises they identify and shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area.

11.

Signs advertising private clubs, lodges and the like, which shall not be neon, shall be situated within the property lines of the premises to which they relate and shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area.

12.

Signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling trespassing upon particular premises or indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or premises, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet.

13.

Signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling fishing, hunting, etc., upon particular premises, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed four (4) square feet.

14.

One (1) project identification sign on each side of an apartment development which has frontage on a public street and which may bear only the name of the project, the address and the presence or lack of vacant units. Such signs shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet in area on either side and six (6) feet in height and shall be situated not closer than forty (40) feet to any street or property line but not attached to any building.

(Prior code § 105-73)

Within commercial zones, no signs shall be erected or altered in whole or in part unless it complies with the following regulations:

A.

Those signs permitted in residentially zoned areas shall be permitted.

B.

Each commercial use may have one (1) identification sign located on or attached to the facade of said uses. Such sign shall not project more than two (2) feet beyond the building line and shall not exceed an area equal to either fifteen (15) percent of the front wall area, including window and door area on which they are displayed, or two hundred (200) square feet, whichever is smaller.

C.

Each business may have one (1) freestanding sign, provided that such sign shall not exceed seventeen (17) feet in height and shall not be larger than one-half square foot of sign area per linear front foot of building, with a maximum of one hundred fifty (150) square feet of area, shall be located so as not to obstruct, confuse or interfere with vehicular traffic and shall be erected within the property lines of the premises to which it relates. Where there are two (2) or more stores joined, only one (1) such freestanding sign shall be permitted on any single property, regardless of the number of establishments on the property, except that the planning board may authorize an additional freestanding sign if the property has access from more than one (1) public street.

D.

Signs required by law to be exhibited by the occupants of the premises shall be permitted.

E.

No sign, except such directional devices as may be required by the federal aeronautical authorities, shall be placed, inscribed or supported upon the roof of any structure or upon the roof of any structure which extends above the roof of any building.

(Prior code § 105-74)

Within these zones, no sign shall be erected or altered in whole or in part unless it complies with the following regulations:

A.

Those signs permitted by section 17.60.050 shall be permitted.

B.

Each main building in an industrial park or center may have one (1) freestanding sign, provided that such sign shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet in area on any one (1) side, shall not exceed seventeen (17) feet in height, shall be located so as not to obstruct, confuse or interfere with vehicular traffic and shall be within the property lines of the industrial park or center.

(Prior code § 105-75)

Within these zones, no sign shall be erected or altered in whole or in part unless it complies with the following regulations:

A.

Those signs permitted by section 17.60.040 shall be permitted.

B.

One (1) freestanding sign not exceeding seventeen (17) feet in height and not more than twenty (20) square feet in area located so as not to obstruct, confuse or interfere with vehicular traffic, or one (1) facade sign not to exceed ten (10) square feet shall be permitted.

(Prior code § 105-76)

In these zones, no sign shall be erected or altered in whole or in part unless it complies with the following regulations:

A.

Those signs permitted by sections 17.60.040 through 17.60.070 of this chapter shall be permitted.

(Prior code § 105-77)

Within these zones, no sign shall be erected or altered in whole or in part unless approved by the appropriate governmental body.

(Prior code § 105-78)

The following general regulations shall be applicable to all zones, except as specifically limited:

A.

All refuse and paper shall be constantly removed from the ground spaces at least fifteen (15) feet in all directions around the sign.

B.

No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause danger to traffic on a street or entering a street by obscuring the view. In no case shall any sign, other than an official sign or functional sign, be erected within the official right-of-way of any street unless specifically authorized by other ordinance or regulations of the borough. All signs over six (6) square feet in size, other than those permitted within the street right-of-way, shall be erected with the bottom of the sign at least eight (8) feet above the level of the road centerline or shall be set back from the edge of the improved cartway for a distance of not less than twenty (20) feet or shall be at least fifty (50) feet from the side of any street or driveway intersection.

C.

The following signs are prohibited in all zones:

1.

A flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, moving or projected sign of any type.

2.

Signs with any lighting or control mechanism which may cause radio or television interference or which may present a safety hazard (e.g., improperly grounded electrical wiring).

3.

Any sign which is of such form, character or shape as to confuse or dangerously distract the attention of the operator of a motor vehicle.

4.

Any advertisement which uses a series of two (2) or more signs or units placed in a line parallel to the highway, or in similar fashion, all carrying a single advertising message, part of which is contained on each sign.

5.

Any sign located on a lot other than the lot occupied by the use, event or product which said sign advertises.

6.

Any sign exceeding seventeen (17) feet in height or located more than seventeen (17) feet above grade level.

7.

Any sign attached to or painted on trees, fences, utility poles, rocks, curbs, walks, lamps, hydrants, benches or bridges. This provision shall not be applicable to signs permitted by subsections 17.60.040A.12. and 13.

8.

Any sign which, applying contemporary community standards, has as dominant theme or purpose an appeal to prurient interest.

9.

Any flag or banner attached to, or hanging on any structure, tree, fence, pole, rocks, curb, walk, lamp, hydrant, bench or bridge for a period exceeding thirty (30) days in any calendar year.

D.

Every sign permitted in this chapter must be constructed of durable materials and must be kept in good condition and repair. In order that no sign may be injurious to the public safety or morals, all unlicensed signs shall be removed within ten (10) days of notice in writing to the landowner or lessor or lessee of the sign.

E.

The following forms of outdoor advertising are prohibited in all zones: Billboards, balloons, inflatable objects, animated objects and temporary structures. These objects are prohibited whether or not they are temporary or can be maintained by the land owner and/or occupant on a permanent basis. They are prohibited whether or not they are lighted. These forms of outdoor advertising are prohibited whether or not they promote any business, commercial, industrial, governmental, residential, church, hospital and/or medical use. The appropriate Stratford Municipal Land Use Board may grant a variance pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(c), from these provisions, provided that the proposed form of outdoor advertising does not result in an expansion of a nonconforming use or where the use promoted by the outdoor advertising is not permitted by ordinance. All forms of outdoor advertising approved by variance must be constructed of durable materials and must be kept in good condition and repairs. Any form of morals, unlicensed or erected without an approved variance and/or permit shall be removed within ten (10) days of notice in writing to the land owner or lessor or lessee of the outdoor advertising. This provision may be enforced by the Stratford Construction Official, Site Plan Enforcement Officer, Code Enforcement Officer or any other appropriate officer so authorized by the Borough of Stratford. For purposes of this subsection, a billboard is defined as a sign on a vacant tract or other piece of land calling attention to a business or use on the premises on which it is located shall be treated as a freestanding sign and regulated as such. Accordingly, a billboard or other sign mounted on a movable object and not secured as specified elsewhere in this chapter is prohibited.

(Prior code § 105-79; Ord. No. 98:08, § 3, 1998; Ord. No. 98:15, § 2, 1998; Ord. No. 2008:09, § 1, 6-10-2008)