Source: https://www.ecode360.com/10221523
Timestamp: 2017-11-21 02:50:29
Document Index: 230792029

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203', '§ 203']

Township of Hamilton, NJ Signs
Ch 203 Art XIII Signs
§ 203-136 Purpose.
§ 203-137 Scope.
§ 203-138 Certificate of zoning compliance required.
§ 203-139 General standards.
§ 203-140 Classification of signs.
§ 203-141 Signs permitted without certificate or fee.
§ 203-142 Unlawful signs.
§ 203-143 Regulations for residential districts.
§ 203-144 Regulations for commercial and industrial districts.
Chapter 203: Land Use and Development Article XIII Signs
The regulation of signs by this chapter is intended to promote and protect the public health, safety and welfare by reducing the depreciation of property values caused by signs which are incompatible with surrounding land uses; by creating a more attractive economic and business climate within the commercial, resort and industrial area of the township; by enhancing and protecting the physical appearance of all areas of the township; and by reducing the distractions, obstructions and hazards to pedestrian and auto traffic caused by the indiscriminate placement and use of signs.
The regulations of this article shall govern and control the erection, enlargement, expansion, alteration, operation, maintenance, relocation and removal of all signs within the township visible from any street, road, sidewalk or public or private property. Any sign not expressly permitted by these regulations shall be prohibited. The regulations of this section relate to the location of signs, by function and type, within zoning districts and shall be in addition to provisions to the Hamilton Township Building Code and the Hamilton Township Electrical Code[1] applicable to the construction and maintenance of signs. Regulations concerning the use and termination of nonconforming signs appear in other sections of this chapter.
Except as expressly provided in this article, no sign shall be erected, enlarged, expanded, altered or relocated unless a certificate of zoning compliance evidencing the compliance of such work with the provisions of this article and other applicable provisions of this chapter shall have first been issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter; provided, however, that routine sign maintenance, changing of parts designed to be changed or changing the content of a sign in any manner which does not change the functional classification of the sign shall not, standing alone, be considered an alteration of the sign requiring the issuance of a certificate of zoning compliance hereunder.
In addition to the information and documents required by other sections of this chapter, every application for a certificate of zoning compliance for a sign shall be accompanied by a copy of plans and specifications showing the method of construction, illumination and support of such sign and a sketch, drawn to scale, showing sign faces, exposed surfaces and proposed message and design, accurately represented as to size, area, proportion and color; by black and white photographs of the street side of the property in question, showing all existing signs on the property; by a calculation of the total amount of sign area presently existing on the property; and by the applicant's attestation that the number of and the sum of the areas of the requested sign or signs and the existing signs do not exceed the maximum allowable by the provisions of this chapter.
The following general standards shall apply to all signs:
Illumination. In no event shall a sign be illuminated by other than a shielded or otherwise indirect, nonflashing light, preferably a white light or a light from the interior of a sign with a translucent face. In no event shall an illuminated sign be placed or directed so as to permit the beams and illumination therefrom to be directed or beamed upon any adjacent public or private premises so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a nuisance or traffic hazard. No illuminated sign located on a lot adjacent to or across the street from any residential district and visible from such residential district shall be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless the use to which the sign pertains is open for business.
Electrical elements. All wiring, fittings and materials used in the construction, connection and operation of electrically illuminated signs shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Township Electrical Code.[1] An Underwriters' Laboratories Label shall be affixed to every sign having any electrical component.
Structural elements. The construction and structural components of all signs shall be in accordance with the standards and regulations of the Township Building Code.[2] In no case shall the structural elements of a pole sign extend above the top of the sign face. Any movable parts of a sign shall be securely fastened by screws or hinges.
Obstruction of accessways. No sign or sign structure shall obstruct free ingress to or egress from a fire escape, door, window or other required accessway. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
[Amended 7-7-1997 by Ord. No. 1261-97[3]]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection E, Obstruction of light and air, which immediately followed this subsection, was deleted 7-7-1997 by Ord. No. 1261-97.
Obstruction of window surface. No sign shall project over, occupy or obstruct any window surface required for light or ventilation by any applicable law, ordinance or regulation.
No sign shall be maintained at any location where, by reason of its position, size, shape, content or color, it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of or be confused with any traffic control sign, signal or device or where it may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
No sign, nor any part of a sign other than a supporting pole or brace no greater than 10 inches in width or diameter, shall obstruct the sight triangle required under the provisions of this chapter.
Signs in rights-of-way. No sign except publicly owned signs or signs for municipally sponsored events shall be placed in or extended into or over any public right-of-way, unless a conditional use permit therefor shall have been issued in accordance with the applicable section of this chapter.
Signs painted on walls. No sign shall be painted directly on a building wall except a sign pertaining to a use carried on within such building. A mural shall not be considered a sign.
Sign identification. Except for nameplates and identification signs for residential uses, all signs shall be plainly marked with the name of the person, firm or corporation hanging or erecting the sign and the sign permit number.
In the case of advertising signs as defined herein, the owner of a sign, and in the case of all other signs, the owner of a sign and the owner of the premises on which such sign is located shall be jointly and severally liable to maintain such sign, including its illumination source, in neat and orderly condition and good working order at all times and to prevent the development of any rust, corrosion, rotting or other deterioration in the physical appearance or safety of such sign.
Unsafe signs. Unsightly, damaged or deteriorated signs or signs in danger of falling shall be put in order or removed upon written notice. Immediate compliance is expected for the repair or removal of unsafe signs. If compliance is not achieved within the time period specified in such notice, the sign shall be repaired or removed by the township and the costs assessed to the property owner.
Sign measurement.
Area to be included.
The supporting structure or bracing of a sign shall be omitted in measuring the area of the sign unless such structure or bracing is made part of the message or face of the sign. Where a sign has two display faces back-to-back, the area of only one face shall be included in determining the area of the sign.
Where a sign has more than one display face, the area of which can be viewed simultaneously from any location, i.e., side-by-side sign faces, all faces which can be viewed simultaneously shall be included in determining the area of the sign.
Area of signs with backing. The area of all signs with backing shall be measured by computing the area of the sign backing.
Area of signs without backing. The area of all signs without backing shall be measured by computing the area of the smallest regular geometric figure which can encompass all words, letters, figures, emblems and other elements of the sign message.
Area of signs with and without backing. The area of all signs formed by a combination of elements with and without backing shall be measured by combining the area of such elements measured in accordance with the foregoing subsections.
Height of signs. Sign height shall be measured between grade and the highest point of the highest element of the sign, excluding any incidental structural element such as uplift cable for a projecting sign.
Total sign area. Each use in a building shall be entitled to a sign; but in no case shall the total square footage of all signs exceed 10% of the square footage of the facade or 300 square feet, whichever is less.
Projecting signs. All projecting signs shall be supported from the wall or vertical support in accordance with the standards and regulations of the Township Building Code, including the Electrical Code.[4] No projecting sign shall extend more than four feet from the wall nor shall be nearer the curbline than two feet. Projecting signs shall project from the wall at a ninety-degree angle and shall not project from any building corner. No part of any projecting sign shall extend lower than 10 feet above grade.
Signs near landmarks and landmark sites. No ground, pole, roof or projecting signs shall be located within 50 feet of any lot line of a designated landmark or landmark site if the sign or sign structure is visible from such lot line at a point five feet above ground level.
Sign materials. All signs shall have a surface or facing of incombustible material or be of approved combustible material. Any glass forming a part of any sign shall be safety glass, wired glass or plate glass of thickness in compliance with the Building Code.[5]
Functional types. For purposes of this chapter, signs shall be classified as follows according to functions defined in Article III, Definitions and Word Usage:
Advertising vehicle sign.
Animated or moving sign.
Attention-getting device.
Bulletin board sign.
Governmental signs.
Historical or architectural designation signs.
Home occupation sign.
Identification sign.
Memorial sign.
Nameplate sign.
Off-site commercial advertising sign.
On-site information sign.
Political sign.
Private sale or event sign.
Structural types. For purposes of this chapter, signs shall be classified as follows according to structure, as defined in Article III, Definitions and Word Usage:
Awning, canopy or marquee sign.
Pole sign.
Roof sign.
Temporary sign.
Except as expressly prohibited in Subsection G of this section and notwithstanding any other contrary provision of this chapter, the following signs may, subject to the conditions and limitations hereinafter set forth, be erected and maintained in any district without obtaining a certificate of land use compliance or a certificate of occupancy or paying the fee required for such certificates:
Governmental signs, provided that the content and size of any such sign shall not exceed the requirements of the law, ordinance or regulation pursuant to which such sign is erected.
Nameplate signs, provided that such signs are limited to no more than one wall, projecting or ground sign per occupancy, are no more than one square foot in area and are illuminated only by an indirect source of light. No projecting sign shall extend more than six inches from the face of a wall. No ground sign shall be higher than three feet.
Warning signs, provided that such signs are limited to no more than two wall or ground signs per occupancy, are not more than four square feet in area each and are illuminated only by an indirect source of light.
Memorial signs, provided that such signs are limited to no more than one wall or ground sign per occupancy, are made of durable materials, such as bronze, stone or concrete, are not more than four square feet in area and are illuminated only by an indirect source of light.
Historical or architectural designation signs, provided that such signs are limited to no more than one wall or ground sign per occupancy, are no more than five square feet in area, are illuminated only by an indirect source of light and contain no commercial advertising.
Holiday decorations, provided that such signs shall be displayed for a period of not more than 60 consecutive days nor more than 30 days following the holiday in connection with which they are displayed.
Construction signs, provided that such signs are limited to no more than one wall or ground sign per zoning lot, are no more than 20 square feet in area, are illuminated only by an indirect source of light and are maintained for no more than 14 days following the conclusion of the construction in question.
Window signs. Temporary nonilluminated window signs advertising coming events, special sales, contests, promotional activities and civic or political activities maintained for a period of not longer than 45 days before such event nor more than three days after such event and permanent nonilluminated window signs calling attention to compliance with standards, association with credit groups or premium stamp promotions, and the like, provided that the aggregate area of all window signs shall not exceed 25% of the area of the window in which they are exhibited nor block any window area required for light, ventilation or emergency exit by any applicable code.
Real estate signs, provided that such signs are limited to not more than one wall or ground sign per lot, are not more than six square feet in area per residential lot or 16 square feet in area per nonresidential lot and are removed within seven days following the sale or rental of the property. The name, address and telephone number of the person responsible for such removal shall be marked on the sign.
On-site informational signs, provided that such signs are limited to a wall, window or ground sign of not more than two square feet in area and not more than 12 feet in height above grade.
Multifamily identification signs. Identification signs accessory to a multiple-family dwelling, provided that such signs are limited to no more than one wall or ground sign per lot, are no more than six square feet in area each, are not more than five feet in height above grade and are illuminated by only a concealed light source.
Flags and emblems of a government or of a political, civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization.
Private sale and event signs, provided that such signs are no more than four square feet in area, are located entirely on the premises where such sale or event is to be conducted or on the private property pursuant to the owner's consent, are clearly marked with name, address and telephone number of the person responsible for the removal of such sign, are erected not more than 12 hours in advance of such sale or 45 hours in advance of such event and are removed on the day following the conclusion of such sale or event.
Political signs, provided that such signs are not more than 16 square feet in area if located in a commercial district or 16 square feet in area if located in any other district, are limited to not more than one per lot, are located entirely on private property pursuant to the owner's consent, are clearly marked with the name, address and telephone number of the person responsible for the removal of such sign, are erected not more than 45 days prior to such election and are removed within 14 days following such election.
Home occupation signs, provided that such signs are limited to no more than one wall sign per occupancy, are no more than one square foot in area and are not lighted.
Advertising vehicle signs, but only on public transportation vehicles.
Agricultural commercial signs, provided that such signs are for the purpose of advertising the sale of seasonal agricultural products at an agricultural commercial (roadside stand) establishment. Agricultural commercial signs shall not be placed in the road right-of-way and can be no farther from the sale area than 300 feet. There shall be not more than three signs per establishment, not to exceed a total sign area of 200 square feet, with a maximum area of 16 square feet for any individual sign.
Agricultural identification signs, provided that such signs are limited to one sign per driveway, are no more than 16 square feet in area and are not placed in a road right-of-way or do not obstruct sight triangles at the intersection of the road and the driveway. Agricultural identification signs may contain the name of the farm, trademark of the farm, owner's name, farm address and specialized products produced.
The following signs are prohibited in all districts and shall not be erected, maintained or permitted to continue in any district:
Animated or moving signs, except as expressly authorized by specific district regulations.
Attention-getting devices, except as expressly authorized by specific district regulations.
Advertising vehicle signs. Except as provided in § 203-141P above, no person shall operate or park any advertising vehicle on any street, on any public property or on any private property so as to be visible from any street.
Portable signs, except advertising vehicle signs to the extent permitted by § 203-141P above.
Temporary signs, except as expressly authorized in this section.
Discontinued business or products: any outdoor sign, except a lawfully existing advertising sign, which advertises, identifies or pertains to a business no longer conducted or product no longer sold on the premises where such sign is located. Such signs shall be removed within 30 days following cessation of the relevant activity.
In the Pinelands Area, new and existing off-site commercial advertising signs shall be subject to § 203-144H(4) of this article.
Miscellaneous prohibited signs.
Any sign on a tree or utility pole or painted on or otherwise directly affixed to any rock, ledge or other natural feature, whether on public or private property.
Signs which contain statements, words or pictures of any obscene character or which contain advertising which is untruthful.
A-frame sandwich board, sidewalk and curb signs, except as specifically authorized by specific district regulations.
[Amended 7-7-1997 by Ord. No. 1261-97; 11-19-2007 by Ord. No. 1613-2007]
Signs shall be permitted in the FA-10, FA-25, FA-70, RD-1, RD-2.5, RD-4, RD-5, MV, R-22, R-9, GA-I, GA-M, GA-L and AG Districts as follows:
Functional types permitted.
All signs permitted in any district without certificate or fee, as provided in § 203-141 of this article.
Bulletin board signs, when accessory to an institutional use permitted or permissible in the district.
Identification sign, when accessory to a residential subdivision, planned unit residential development or an institutional use permitted or permissible in the district.
Business signs, when accessory to a commercial use permitted in the district.
Structural types permitted.
As provided in § 203-141 of this article for signs permitted pursuant to that section.
Number of signs permitted:
All signs permitted by § 203-141 of this article.
One wall sign or ground sign per lot when accessory to an institutional use permitted or permissible in the district.
Maximum gross surface area of signs permitted:
Thirty-two square feet per face for a wall sign or ground sign. No ground sign shall have more than two faces.
Maximum height of signs permitted:
Ground signs: six feet.
Wall signs: 15 feet or no higher than the second floor windowsill, whichever is less.
Minimum setback required: for ground signs, five feet from all lot lines.
Type of illumination permitted:
As provided in § 203-139A for signs permitted pursuant to that subsection.
No sign shall be illuminated except indirectly or internally with white light.
No flashing, animated, moving or bare-bulb signs are permitted.
Special regulations applicable to specified signs. Signs accessory to nonconforming uses in residential districts shall be subject to the provisions of this section.
Signs shall be permitted in the RC, DC, NC, HC, GC and IBP District as follows:
Bulletin board signs.
Joint identification signs.
As provided in § 203-140 of this article for signs permitted pursuant to that section.
All structural types specified in Subsection B of this section, except pole and roof signs.
Pole signs shall be permitted, as set forth in the following Subsection H(7).
All signs permitted in § 203-141 of this article.
Window signs: any number, subject to the area limitations of Subsection D(2) below.
Building-mounted signs parallel to the street frontage: one per street line per occupancy.
Building-mounted signs perpendicular to the street frontage: one per street line per occupancy.
Building-mounted structural combinations: Where a single sign structure, such as an awning or marquee sign, contains sign faces both parallel and perpendicular to the street line, such structure shall be considered as two separate signs in applying subsections C(3) and (4) hereof.
Freestanding signs: one per site.
Maximum gross surface area of signs permitted.
As provided in Section 203-141 of this article for signs permitted pursuant to that section.
Window signs. Window signs shall not exceed 25% of the window in which they are exhibited, nor block any window area required by any applicable code for light, ventilation or emergency exit.
Building mounted signs. For each occupant, one square foot per linear foot of building frontage occupied by the use, up to a maximum sign area of 300 square feet per occupant. The primary identification sign for any occupant shall not exceed 200 square feet.
Ground signs: 100 square feet.
Maximum height of signs permitted.
Wall, awning, canopy or marquee signs: 20 feet or no higher than the second floor windowsill, whichever is less.
Projecting signs: 20 feet or no higher than the second floor windowsill, whichever is less.
Ground signs: 10 feet to the top of the sign face, excluding architectural elements.
Window signs: no higher than in a window on the level at which the principal use takes place.
Minimum setback required.
Wall, awning, canopy, marquee, projecting and window signs: none.
Ground signs: five feet from all lot lines.
Type of illumination permitted.
Indirect and internal illumination with white light is permitted.
Neon and other gas-type illumination is permitted.
No window sign installed in a window above the ground floor shall be illuminated.
Special regulations applicable to specified signs.
Automobile service station signs. The following regulations, rather than the foregoing regulations generally applicable, shall apply to signs accessory to automobile service stations located in the district:
Functional types permitted: any functional type permitted in the district.
Structural types permitted: any structural type listed in § 203-140B of this article, except projecting and roof signs.
Number of signs permitted: same as provided in Subsection C above.
Total area for all signs, permanent and temporary, but not including signs permitted pursuant to Subsection F of this section, shall not exceed one square foot per linear foot of building frontage facing any street line.
Window signs shall not exceed 25% of the area of the window in which they are exhibited nor block any window area required by any applicable code for light, ventilation or emergency exit.
All permanent, nonilluminated window signs or decals calling attention to compliance with standards, association with credit groups, premium stamp promotions and the like shall not exceed a total of 10% of the window in which they are exhibited in square feet.
No ground or pole sign shall have more than two faces.
Wall, awning, canopy, marquee and projecting signs: 20 feet or no higher than the roof eave or second floor windowsill, whichever is less.
Window signs: no higher than in windows on the ground floor, unless there is a separate and distinct use on any higher floor.
Ground signs: five feet.
Pole signs: 15 feet.
Ground or pole signs: five feet from any other lot line.
Indirect or internal illumination with white light is permitted.
Neon and other gas-tube illumination is permitted.
No flashing, animated, moving or bare-bulb illumination is permitted.
No sign installed above the second floor shall be illuminated.
Revolving signs: Revolving signs are prohibited.[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection H(2), Parking lot and parking garage signs, which immediately followed this subsection, was deleted 7-7-1997 by Ord. No. 1261-97.
Time and temperature signs.
On each zoning lot, one pole, projecting or ground sign wherein the current time or temperature, or both, is indicated by intermittent lighting shall be permitted; provided, however, that not more than one such sign shall be permitted on any one frontage. Lighting changes on any such sign shall be limited to the numerals indicating the item or temperature and to not more frequent changes than once in every 15 seconds.
No sign shall be larger than 16 square feet per sign face, nor shall any sign have a height in excess of 20 feet. Every sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from any street line and five feet from any other lot line.
Off-site commercial advertising signs. The following regulations, rather than the foregoing regulations generally applicable, shall apply to off-site advertising signs located in the district.
Off-site commercial advertising signs.
No new off-site commercial advertising sign shall be constructed at any location after the effective date of this chapter, except for off-site outdoor signs advertising agricultural commercial establishments in the Pinelands, provided that:
No more than two signs may be placed in any one direction along each road directly approaching the establishment.
Existing off-site commercial advertising signs, except for those advertising commercial establishments as provided in Subsection H(3)(a) above, in the Pinelands Area of Hamilton Township, shall not be permitted to continue beyond December 5, 1996, unless:
The sign was in existence as of January 14, 1981, and is located in the R-9, R-22, GA-L, GA-M, GA-I, RC, VC, GC or IBP Districts or in that portion of the HC District located in the Pinelands Regional Growth Area;
The sign was in existence as of January 14, 1981, and is located in that portion of the HC District in a Pinelands Rural Development Area consisting of Block 588, Lots 25-28 and p/o Lot 24; Block 591, p/o Lots 28-30, located within 1,000 feet of a Regional Growth Area; or
The Pinelands Commission issues a waiver of strict compliance authorizing the extension of that date for any particular sign.
Structural types permitted:
Location. No new off-site commercial advertising sign shall be located:
Within 200 feet of any other off-site commercial advertising sign structure located on the same side of the street or within 100 feet of any other advertising sign structure.
For signs having a gross surface area in excess of 300 square feet, within 500 feet of any other such sign on the same side of the street.
Within 100 feet from any lot line of any school, church, library or similar institution or public park, (parkway, square or circle, when located in a residential district) if the sign or sign structure is visible from any such lot line at a point five feet above ground level.
Within 100 feet of any residential district.
Maximum gross surface area permitted per sign face: 60 square feet in all districts where advertising signs are permitted with the exception of the HC District, where the signs may be up to 700 square feet.
Wall signs: 20 feet or no higher than the second-floor windowsill, whichever is less; provided, however, that if the wall area to be covered has no windows or openings, the sign may be as high as the roof eave, regardless of height.
Pole signs: 30 feet.
Minimum setback requirement: none.
Type of illumination permitted: no sign shall be illuminated except internally or indirectly by white light.
Signs accessory to nonconforming residential uses shall be subject to the regulations of § 203-143 of this article.
Signs accessory to any other nonconforming uses shall be subject to the regulations of this section.
Development in the Design Commercial District or Recreational Commercial District not requiring a lot area variance and regional or design commercial centers in the HC District complying with the lot area standards established in § 203-71 shall be permitted to erect a pole sign pursuant to the following regulations:
Number of signs per development: one sign per each frontage on a state highway or county arterial road.
Sign height: 35 feet.
Sign setbacks: 30 feet from all lot lines.
Maximum sign area: 200 square feet on one side.
In Historic Districts or for signs affixed to or on the lot of a landmark or Pinelands designated site, the sign controls of Article XVIII, § 203-214, shall apply.
Temporary signs for special events or sales. Temporary signs advertising special events or sales shall be permitted in all commercial districts subject to the following:
The sign shall be erected and maintained in compliance with all applicable general standards (§ 203-139).
Maximum time limit for temporary signs: 14 days.
Maximum number of temporary signs per establishment: one.
Maximum number of times temporary signs can be placed on site: two times per year.
Temporary signs in the Historic District shall comply with the provisions of § 203-214.
Size of such signs shall not exceed 50 square feet one side.