West Long Branch City Zoning Code
§ 18-7.1
Sign Regulations.
[Ord. #513; Ord. #O-01-12, S 4; Ord. #O-04-2, SS 1—3; Ord. #O-07-16, SS 1—4; Ord. #O-07-17, S 1; Ord. #O-08-7, S XV; Ord. #O-09-10; Ord. #O-11-12, S 2; amended 6-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-15]
a.
Permitted Signs in R-22, R-15 and R-10 Residential Zones; Institutional Zone; RP Residential Professional Zone:
1.
Decorative non-illuminated signs showing name and/or address of house or family not larger than one square foot in area.
2.
Nonilluminated temporary signs advertising the prospective sale or rental of the premises upon which it is maintained, not exceeding four square feet in area, provided that it shall be removed within seven days after consummation of lease or sale transaction. Any such signs shall be placed at least six (6') feet from the curb; and, if there is no curb, then six (6') feet from the end of the pavement.
2A.
There may be a maximum of two temporary signs advertising an "open house" in connection with the sale of any residential dwelling.
The following restrictions shall apply to such "open house" signs:
(a)
Only one sign may be placed on the lot or building being sold; and one directional sign may be placed off site, but shall not be placed on private property owned by another person without that other owner's written permission.
(b)
The "open house" sign shall not be larger than eighteen (18") inches by twenty-four (24") inches, and the top of each such sign shall not be higher than forty-two (42") inches above the ground. If the open house is being conducted by a realtor, both signs shall contain the name, business office address, and telephone number of such realtor.
(c)
The open house may be for either the public or for realtors only.
(d)
The "open house" sign shall be placed only on the day of the open house and shall be removed immediately, that day, upon the conclusion of the open house. Both signs shall contain the day of the week on which the open house is being conducted.
(e)
No "open house" sign shall be illuminated.
(f)
Violations and penalties.
(1)
These regulations may be enforced by the Zoning Officer, Housing Inspector, or Police Department of the Borough of West Long Branch.
(2)
Any person or the entity, including the selling realtor, for which such open house is being conducted who is in violation of these regulations shall be subject to the penalties set forth in Section 1-5.
(3)
Any person or entity, including the selling or rental realtor, for which any sale or rental sign has been placed on the property and not removed within the time provided in subsection 18-7.1a2A shall be subject to the following penalties:
$100 for first offense;
No less than $500, and not more than $2,000 for a second and subsequent offense; and
Removal of the signage.
3.
Non-illuminated temporary signs on new construction sites, not exceeding 12 square feet in total area and provided they shall be removed within seven days after completion of the construction work.
4.
Official signs erected by the Borough of West Long Branch, Monmouth County, the State or Federal Government.
5.
Signs identifying a permitted recreation area provided each is a non-flashing sign, and not exceeding 12 square feet in area on any one side and bearing only the name of the recreation area.
6.
No more than one sign shall be permitted for each use or activity permitted in this zone.
7.
One non-flashing sign identifying a school, church, public building, public and private parks, or other such permitted use, not to exceed eight square feet in area on any one side and situated within the lot not closer than fifteen (15') feet from any street or property line.
8.
No temporary signs are permitted in the zones referred to in 18-7.1a above, unless they are specifically permitted and comply with the stated conditions for such permission. This means that contractor and tradesman signs for providing of services such as landscaping, painting, siding, construction, plumbing, heating, electrical or any other similar service are specifically prohibited, regardless of whether or not the property owner consents to the same.
The penalties for placement of non-permitted signs are as follows:
The fine for a first offense shall be $35. The fine for a second offense shall be $100. The fine for a third or subsequent offense shall be between $100 and the maximum permitted by Section 1-5.
b.
Permitted Signs in NC Neighborhood/Commercial Zones.
1.
One facade sign may be placed or inscribed upon the front facade of a building for each permitted use or activity. The sign shall not exceed an area equal to 10% of the front wall area of the building or portion thereof devoted to such use or activity and shall not project more than two (2') feet in front of the facade of the building.
2.
One free-standing sign is permitted, provided that such sign shall not exceed 30 square feet on any one side. Any sign shall not be located closer than twenty (20') feet to any street line or boundary of a residence zone. No free-standing sign shall have any part thereof at a height greater than twelve (12') feet above ground level, and the sign shall not obstruct vision in the area defined in Subsection 18-6.5c.
3.
The above permitted business signs may be illuminated but shall not be of the flashing type, and shall in no way interfere with the safe functioning of any traffic control signal or directional device.
4.
One temporary sign pertaining to the lease or sale of the same lot or construction of the building on which it is placed. Such sign shall be non-flashing, shall be situated within the property lines of the premises to which it relates and shall not exceed eight square feet in total area and no sign shall be displayed for a period of more than six months.
5.
One non-flashing sign identifying an administration office or a professional office as permitted on each lot in this zone, provided that each sign does not exceed eight square feet in area on any one side and further provided that such sign be located not less than ten (10') feet from any street or property line.
6.
Special signs serving the public convenience, such as "Notary Public," "public telephone," et al, provided that each sign does not exceed one square foot in area and only one sign for each type is displayed.
7.
Two business signs painted on the windows and/or doors of each business, bearing the name, street number, and/or type of business of the principal occupants, provided that there shall be no more than one such sign on each window or door frame and the total area of such signs shall not exceed six square feet.
8.
Business signs painted on the valance of an awning bearing only the name of the principal occupant and/or the street number of each business, but not exceeding a total of eight square feet in area.
9.
No temporary signs are permitted in the zones referred to in 18-7.1a above, unless they are specifically permitted and comply with the stated conditions for such permission. This means that contractor and tradesman signs for providing of services such as landscaping, painting, siding, construction, plumbing, heating, electrical or any other similar service are specifically prohibited, regardless of whether or not the property owner consents to the same.
The penalties for placement of non-permitted signs are as follows:
The fine for a first offense shall be $35. The fine for a second offense shall be $100. The fine for a third or subsequent offense shall be between $100 and the maximum permitted by Section 1-5.
c.
Permitted Signs in HC Highway Commercial Zone.
1.
One sign may be placed or inscribed upon each of two facades of a building, showing only the name of the building of its occupants, provided that the sign shall not exceed an area equal to 15% of the area of the facade upon which it is placed. The sign may be illuminated, but shall not be of the flashing or animated type, and shall not project more than twelve (12") inches in front of the facade nor extend above the top or beyond the end of the facade.
2.
One free-standing sign may be erected to identify permitted buildings, and in the case of office buildings, to list individual occupants, provided that the aggregate area of the sign's two sides shall not exceed 50 square feet. Such signs may be illuminated, but shall not be of the flashing or animated type, shall not be located within twenty (20') feet of a public street or parking area, driveway or within fifty (50') feet of the boundary of a residence zone, and shall in no way interfere with the safe functioning of any traffic control signal or directional device, provided further that said signs may be subject to further restriction by the Planning Board or Borough Engineer based upon the overall site plan of the application.
3.
Free-standing signs necessary to control the movement of traffic on the premises may be erected. These signs shall provide traffic directions only, and shall not be used for any advertising purpose. They shall not exceed a height of six (6') feet, nor an area of four square feet on each of two sides.
4.
Free-standing signs shall have a space of not less than four (4') feet between the lower edge of the sign and ground level. No free-standing sign shall have any part thereof at a height greater than twenty (20') feet above ground level, and the sign shall not obstruct vision in the area defined in Subsection 18-6.5c.
5.
One temporary sign pertaining to the lease or sale of the same lot or construction of the building on which it is placed. Such sign shall be nonflashing; shall be situated within the property lines of the premises to which it relates; and shall not exceed eight square feet in total area; and no sign shall be displayed for a period of more than six months.
6.
No temporary signs are permitted in the zones referred to in 18-7.1a above, unless they are specifically permitted and comply with the stated conditions for such permission. This means that contractor and tradesman signs for providing of services such as landscaping, painting, siding, construction, plumbing, heating, electrical or any other similar service are specifically prohibited, regardless of whether or not the property owner consents to the same.
The penalties for placement of non-permitted signs are as follows:
The fine for a first offense shall be $35. The fine for a second offense shall be $100. The fine for a third or subsequent offense shall be between $100 and the maximum permitted by Section 1-5.
d.
Permitted Signs in MF-1 and SH-1 Zones. Multi-family dwelling structures shall comply with the following sign requirements:
1.
Multi-family dwelling developments may maintain:
(a)
One wall identification sign which may be illuminated but shall not exceed 10 square feet in area.
(b)
One ground identification sign which may be illuminated but shall not exceed 30 square feet in area on either side nor a height of twelve (12') feet. Any sign shall not be located closer than twenty (20') feet to any street line or boundary of a single-family residence zone. The sign shall not obstruct vision in the site triangular area formed by the curbline of the main entrance and a line joining thirty (30') feet distant along said street and entry point.
2.
All multi-family developments shall provide one street address sign in numerical and alphabetical format for the development clearly visible from the street not to exceed 10 square feet in area.
3.
All multi-family structures shall provide numerical or alphabetical signs identifying each structure. The sign letter or numerals shall be a minimum of one foot but not greater than two (2') feet in height for clear identification from the street or internal driveway.
e.
Enforcement.
1.
These paragraphs a,8, b,9 and c,6 may be enforced by any member of the West Long Branch Police Department, the Code Enforcement Officer or Zoning Officer. Enforcement may include the removal of the sign or taking it down and returning it to the property owner or anyone residing or doing business at the property.