A.sign permit shall be required before the erection, reerection, construction, alteration, or placement or location of any permanent sign permitted by this Chapter. No sign shall be constructed or displayed unless a permit shall have been obtained from the administrative official, or unless the signs have been approved of as part of a site plan or subdivision. All applications shall be signed by the owner of the sign and the property owner on whose premises the sign is to be erected. All applications shall contain a sketch of the proposed sign, drawn to scale, the wording or message and, where the sign will be attached to a building. A plot plan shall also be provided showing the location of the proposed sign with dimensions to the nearest building, lot lines and existing freestanding signs within one hundred (100) feet of the proposed sign. All applications shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee. As soon as the sign has been erected, the applicant shall notify the construction official for a final inspection.

A.A permit shall not be required for the following, provided such items are subject to all other provisions of this Chapter:

1. Repainting or resurfacing of signs.

2. Relocation of signs as required by the municipality.

3. Exempt signs pursuant to Section 13-8.910.

B. In hearing any application for a variance or design waiver pertaining to signage, the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment may consider modification to the overall sign design for the site. This may include a reduction in the quantity of signs, and/or a reduction in advertising area of signs in order to promote the purpose of this section and so the benefits of granting relief will outweigh the detriments.

Signs shall be removed in the following instances:

A.Signs on vacant premises or for discontinued use.

The owner of a property shall remove the advertising, message, symbol or other information conveyed by signs within 30 days after the activity, business or use it advertises or calls attention to is no longer conducted in or upon the premises.

B. Illegal signs.

Any sign erected or applied in violation of this Chapter shall be immediately removed by the owner. Any sign illegally placed in a public right-of-way shall be subject to removal by the Township and forfeiture at the owner's expense.

**Webmasters Note: The previous subsection has been amended as per Ordinance No. 4-06.

Except where specifically prohibited, all signs may be double-faced, and the maximum area shall apply to each side. The area of the sign shall include each and every part of the sign, including moldings and frames, computed in a rectilinear area as the product of the largest horizontal width and the largest vertical height of the sign. Where the sign is supported by a post or pylon whose surface is being used for advertising purposes, the area of the post, pylon or other supporting members shall be considered as part of the total allowable sign area. Wherever the name or advertising message on a sign is divided between a number of panels or parts, the total area of all of the panels or parts shall be considered as one (1) sign, and where a sign consists of individual letters, logos or numbers attached to a building or structure, the area of the sign shall be considered as the total area encompassed by a rectilinear area of no more than six (6) sides which can collectively enclose all of the letters, logos or numbers.

If and when any sign is moved, altered or replaced, except for purposes of minor and nonstructural maintenance and/or repairs, the sign shall thereafter conform to all of the requirements of this Ordinance.

The following regulations shall be observed for all signs in all zoning districts in the municipality:

A. Any sign not specifically permitted is hereby prohibited.

B. No sign shall be erected on any lot or building which does not pertain to the use of the lot or building, unless provided for elsewhere in this subsection.

C. Identification signs of a prototype design and corporation logos shall conform to the criteria established within this Ordinance.

D. A sign should compliment the architectural style and scale of the building and should be designed as an integral architectural element of the site to which it principally relates. As an architectural element, the sign should reflect the period of architecture and should be in harmony with a building's character and use. It must not interfere with architectural lines and details and shall conform to landscape standards associated with signs. Components of signs (supporting structures, backs, etc.), not bearing a message shall be landscaped and constructed of materials or painted a neutral color, to blend with the natural environment.

E. Where a building requires several different signs, a consistent design theme shall be created utilizing similar elements such as material, size, background and lettering color, lettering style, illumination and borders.

F. Any sign located along the right-of-way of a state or federal highway shall comply with any more restrictive requirements of the state and federal government relating thereto. Limitations on signs as set forth in this section shall not apply to any sign or directional device erected by the Federal, State, County or Township government or agency thereof.

G. No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic by obscuring view or by confusing with official street signs or signals because of position, color or reflective surface and no sign other than street signage or of governmental authority shall be placed within a sight triangle.

H. No sign shall project over a public walkway, except for signs of governmental authority. For those exceptions where a sign is permitted, the lowest edge of such sign shall be at least eight (8) feet above the sidewalk elevation.

1. Only one (1) sign of a permitted type for which a permit is required shall be erected on any one (1) premises held in single and separate ownership unless otherwise specified in this Ordinance.

J. No sign shall have a dimension greater than as approved by the Board as part of site plan approval.

K.Flags other than official national, state, county, or municipal flags shall be considered to be signs and shall comply with applicable regulations. Flagpoles shall not exceed thirty (30) feet in height nor be located closer than thirty (30) feet to a right-of-way.

L. Every permitted sign must be constructed with durable materials, must conform with the requirements of the BOCA Building Code, and must be kept in good condition and repair. Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated may be removed by the municipality at the expense of the owner or lessee of the property on which it is located.

M. Except where more restrictive, no sign or any part thereof shall be located closer than ten (10) feet to any street right-of-way or lot line.

N. All signs shall have a border a minimum of two (2) inches in width on all sides of the sign. The structural frame may be used to meet the requirement for a border.

0. Parking, traffic control, directional and warning signs as approved or deemed necessary to the public welfare shall be permitted in all zones, provided that they do not exceed four (4) square feet in area and do not contain advertising.

A. Only one freestanding sign is permitted for each property.

B. Freestanding signs shall be set back a minimum of thirty (30) feet from any residential district. Freestanding signs shall be placed in a location which will allow sufficient reaction time for drivers on the adjacent roads, and not obstruct the visibility of cars entering and exiting the site.

C. In no case shall a freestanding sign be located closer than ten (10) feet to any street right-of-way or thirty (30) feet to any side or rear property line unless otherwise noted in the particular zone district.

D. Freestanding signs shall comply with the freestanding sign setback requirement of the zone where the sign will be located.

E. No freestanding, ground, monument or pylon sign shall have more than two (2) sign faces. The maximum distance between the faces of a double faced sign shall not exceed eighteen (18) inches.

F. Freestanding sign components relating to an assemblage of businesses such as a shopping center shall be grouped in an aesthetically compatible and visually coordinated manner.

G. Freestanding signs shall consist of materials and colors similar to and compatible with the primary structure.

H. Freestanding signs shall be supported utilizing durable materials which may include concrete, steel, treated wood, other suitable material or combination of same. Supports for freestanding signs shall be set securely in the ground or concrete so that the sign will be capable of withstanding high winds.

A.The width of a wall sign extending perpendicular from the building face shall not exceed twelve (12) inches. Signs erected flat against a building wall shall not extend above the height of a vertical wall, parapet or eave to which they are attached.

B. There shall not be more than one facade or wall sign as herein regulated to each separate tenant of the premises, except where the tenant's unit 'fronts on two streets, then one facade or wall sign shall be permitted per frontage.

C. No sign shall be placed upon any roof surface, except for roof surfaces constructed at an angle of 75 degrees or more from the horizontal. Such signage shall not exceed a three (3) feet height nor extend beyond the roof line to which it is attached.

D. The maximum height of any facade sign shall not exceed five (5) feet and the maximum width shall not exceed sixty-five (65) percent of the width of the wall upon which the sign is erected, attached or painted.

Where a business establishment has a canopy or awning, a sign may be attached to the face of the canopy or awning instead of a wall mounted sign provided the sign does not extend above the highest point of the canopy or awning and further provided that:

A.Signs attached to, painted on or part of the face of the canopy or awning shall not extend above, below, or to the sides of the face of the canopy or awning nor extend more than four (4) inches from the face of the canopy of awning.

B. For the purpose of this section, canopy or awning shall mean a covering extending from a building wall, having horizontal or nearly horizontal top and bottom surfaces, located at least eight (8) feet above the sidewalk or the ground below, but not including any extension of the building roof.

C. Maximum sign area and size shall be determined by the size and dimensions of the wall to which the canopy or awning is attached.

D. The maximum height of any canopy or awning sign shall not exceed three (3) feet and the maximum width shall not exceed seventy-five (75) percent of the width of the canopy or awning upon which the sign is erected, attached or painted.

A.Signs shall be non-rotating and contain no advertising.

B. The area of the sign shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet nor be located on a lot with less than two hundred (200) feet of road frontage.

C. There shall not be any other time and temperature sign within one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet of another such sign.

Unless specifically prohibited, all signs may be illuminated as provided for below:

A. Wiring for illuminated signs shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the electrical codes of the municipality.

B. Illuminated signs shall be either indirectly lighted or shall be of the diffused lighting type. No sign shall be [it by means of flashing or intermittent illumination, except for intermittent illumination necessary to show time and temperature changes on signs intended for that purpose. Floodlights used for illumination of any sign, whether or not such floodlights are attached to or are separate from a building, shall not project light above the highest elevation of the front wall of the building or more than eighteen (1 8) feet above the ground level, whichever is less. All illuminated signs shall be properly shielded and so located as to prevent glare or blinding effects upon motor vehicle traffic and so as not to cause a nuisance to residents of the area.

C. Whenever the chief of police, his designee or the Township Engineer determines that the lighting on any sign now or hereafter erected constitutes a safety hazard to motor vehicle traffic in the vicinity, he shall serve written notice of his determination upon the property owner and owner of the sign, directing them to correct the condition within fifteen (15) days from the date of the mailing of the notice. Failure to correct the condition or file an appeal within the time specified shall constitute a violation of this section by both the sign owner and property owner.

D. Where illuminated signs are permitted, signs facing a residence or residential zone shall not be illuminated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., unless the business or uses advertised are open to the public later than 10:00 p.m., in which event such establishment may keep a sign illuminated until business is closed to the public but not thereafter.

The following signs are prohibited in all zones in the municipality:

A.Signs using red, yellow and green lights placed within one hundred (100) feet of any traffic control signal now or hereafter erected.

B. Moving or revolving signs and signs using blinking, flashing, vibrating, flickering, tracer, sequential or intermittent lighting, with the exception of any time or temperature displays.

C. Changeable copy displays and message boards except for public uses, quasi-public uses, theaters, and vehicular service station price signs.

D. Signs using any material which sparkles or glitters, but nothing herein contained is intended to prohibit the use of reflective paint on signs directing traffic or identifying various locations within a lot or parcel. Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor.

E. Roof and projecting signs except as noted in Sections 13-8.905C. and 138.906.

F. Signs having more than two sign faces.

G. Signs or advertising matter of an indecent or obscene nature.

H. Signs using words such as "stop", "look", "danger", etc., which are placed in a manner or position which in the judgement of the chief of police constitutes a traffic hazard or otherwise interferes with the free flow of traffic.

1. Signs which in any way simulate official, direction or warning signs or otherwise cause confusion with those erected or maintained by the State of New Jersey, Morris County or Roxbury Township or by any railroad, public utility or agency concerned with the protection of the public health or safety or signs which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal.

J. Any sign which may dangerously confuse or distract the attention of the operator of a motor vehicle.

K.Except where specifically permitted, signs advertising a product or service not sold on the premises, signs advertising or directing attention to another premises and any other signs unrelated to the premises on which the sign is erected.

L. Signs causing interference with radio or television reception.

M.Signs obstructing doors, fire escapes or stairways or keeping light or air from windows used for living quarters.

N. Streamers, flags, banners, pinwheels, wind driven signs, flapping signs, rotating signs, inflatable signs, A-type signs, sandwich-type signs, sidewalk signs, curb signs and similar advertising devices, except as may otherwise be permitted in this Ordinance.

0. Signs -which are portable or fixed on a movable stand; self-supporting without being firmly imbedded in the ground; supported by other objects; mounted on wheels or movable vehicle; or made easily movable in any other manner except as may otherwise be permitted in this Ordinance.

P. Signs attached, affixed or painted on trees, rocks, other natural features, utility poles, light poles, signs attached to other signs, and signs placed upon motor vehicles which are continuously or repeatedly parked in a conspicuous location to serve as a sign.

Q. Any series of two (2) or more signs placed along a street or highway carrying an advertising message, part of which is contained on each sign.

R. No billboard or billboard-type signs shall be erected.

S. Signs located in a public right-of-way, or approved site easement except those owned and maintained by a duly constituted governmental agency.

T. Signs located, painted or affixed on a water tower, storage tank, tower or other similar structure.

The following signs do not require a sign permit and are exempt from the provisions of this Chapter provided they meet state requirements, where applicable:

A.Signs posted by governmental agencies or pursuant to governmental statute, order or regulation.

B. Temporary and permanent traffic signs and signals installed by the municipality, county and state for the purpose of directing and regulating the flow of traffic.

C. Signs indicating public transportation stops when installed by the municipality or a public transportation facility.

D. One non-illuminated or shielded illuminated residential name plate attached to a wall, not exceeding one (1) square foot in surface area, shall be permitted for each single-family residence, multi-family residence or conditional home business use (Section 13-7.3501).

E. Parking, traffic control, directional, entrance, exit, loading zones, and warning signs when deemed necessary for the pubic welfare provided that they do not exceed four (4) square feet in area. With the exception of entrance and exit signs, traffic signage shall not contain advertising.

F. Non-illuminated or internally illuminated information or public service signs, such as those advertising the availability of rest rooms, telephone, or similar public conveniences, provided that such signs do not advertise any commercial establishment, activity, organization, product, goods or services, except those of public utilities.

G. Historic tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques and emblems which do not exceed six (6) square feet in area and which are installed by government agencies or religious organizations.

H. Trespassing signs; signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway, or premises; and signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling fishing or hunting upon a particular premises, provided that the area of one (1) side of any such sign shall not exceed two (2) square feet.

1. Flags or emblems of religious, educational, civic or governmental organizations flown from supports on the buildings or grounds occupied by the organization whenever and wherever flown in accordance with the laws and rules promulgated by the federal government, except that no flag may be placed closer than thirty (30) feet to any right-of-way nor exceed a thirty (30) foot height.

J. One lawn sign identifying the occupant and/or conditional home business use, not exceeding two (2) square feet in area for each side located ten (10) feet from the right-of-way and all property lines. A sign for a conditional home business use shall only indicate the name and profession of the resident.

K.Illuminated and non-illuminated signs which are an integral part of vending machines.

L. All temporary signs pursuant to the requirements of Section 13-8.91 1.

M.Signs, lighting and displays erected in connection with the observance of holidays. Signs shall be removed within fifteen (1 5) days following the holiday;