A. Any owner of a recreational vehicle, as defined by this ordinance, may park or store one (1) such recreational vehicle upon premises on which the owner of such recreational vehicle resides in a residential district as follows:
(1) Within an enclosed building meeting all Building Code and Zoning Ordinance requirements.
(2) In the rear yard of the lot upon which such recreational vehicle is parked or stored and not closer to any side or rear lot line or other structure than required for an accessory building within such zoning district. However, in no case shall such recreational vehicle be located closer to a side or rear lot line than five (5) feet.
(3) No recreational vehicle parked or stored in a residential district in accordance with this section shall be used for any type of commercial or business use, nor shall it be registered with any motor vehicle department as a commercial vehicle.
(4) All such recreational vehicles must be kept in good repair and carry a current year's license and/or registration. No major overhaul or body work shall be permitted on any recreational vehicle when parked on the residential premises.
(5) No recreational vehicle shall be occupied or used for human habitation while parked or stored on any lot.
(6) No recreational vehicle shall have fixed connections to electricity, water, gas or sanitary sewer facilities.
B. Notwithstanding the above provisions, a recreational vehicle may be parked on a driveway in a residential district for the purpose of loading and unloading for a period not to exceed forty-eight (48) hours in any one (1) week.
Residential-professional practice, provided that there is no depository of goods or advertising on the premises, except for the residential-professional's nameplate which may appear on the outside of the premises, and provided that the professional person resides at the location. A residential-professional is restricted to no more than 4 assistants other than members of his family, and provided further that no colleagues shall be allowed to practice within said structure.
A. General Regulations
(1) All signs erected within the City shall conform to this Chapter, including the schedule of Permitted Signs herein, and the Uniform Construction Code.
(2) No sign shall be erected or altered within the City of Hackensack without first obtaining a permit from the Construction Official of the City. A sign permit application shall include structural drawings of how the sign is to be erected and electrical drawings of how the sign is to comply with the National Electric Code.
(3) Removal of Certain Signs:
In the event that a business ceases to operate for a period of time in excess of ninety (90) days, the sign owner, lessee, or the property owner shall immediately remove any sign identifying or advertising the business or any product sold thereby; provided, however, this requirement shall not apply where under the provisions of this Ordinance an existing conforming sign may remain when evidence is presented to the Zoning Officer that a new business will be in operation on the premises within ninety (90) days. Upon failure to comply with this section, the appropriate City Official shall take the legal steps outlined in the enforcement sections of this Chapter. For the purpose of this Chapter, "removal" shall mean the dismantling and relocation from the site in question of the sign face, posts, supports, sign box and all other structural members of the sign.
(4) Sign Illumination:
Direct illumination or backlighting shall not exceed seventy-five (75) foot candles when measured with a standard light meter perpendicular to the face of the sign from a distance equal to the narrowest dimension of any sign.
(5) Glare.
All signs shall be so designed, located, shielded and directed so as to prevent the casting of glare or direct light from artificial illumination upon streets, driveways and surrounding property.
(6) Exempt Signs.
Exempt signs as provided herein shall be permitted within all zoning districts of the City of Hackensack.
(7) No sign shall be lighted so as to flash, blink or have a intermittent variable message.
(8) All signs hereafter erected in connection with nonresidential uses within all residential districts, where permitted, shall be limited to one (1) flat sign on the front wall of the building, not to exceed two (2) square feet.
B. Signs, Permit Required; Issuance of Permit; Fees
1. Application
a. No sign shall be erected, altered, located or relocated within Hackensack except upon application and the issuance of a permit as hereinafter provided:
(1) Application for a permit for residential signs.
Application for a permit for a sign for premises used for residential purposes shall be made in writing to the Zoning Officer and presented together with the appropriate filing fee. Such application shall be sufficient to describe the premises and the location at which the sign is to be affixed, together with a rendering of the sign, inclusive of its dimensions, design and color. There shall also be provided a statement as to the means by which said sign shall be constructed on the premises. The Zoning Officer shall act upon such application within fifteen (15) days of the receipt thereof.
(2) Application for a permit for nonresidential signs.
Any sign associated with a change in occupancy or ownership necessitates an application for a sign permit. Application for a permit for a permitted nonresidential sign conforming to the regulations set forth herein shall be made in writing to the Zoning Officer. Such application shall be sufficient to describe the premises and location at which the sign is to be affixed and shall include at minimum the following items:
The name and address of the applicant;
The name and address of the owner of the premises;
A.statement as to whether the owner has consented to the application, if the applicant is other than the owner;
A.rendering to scale of the sign, reflecting its composition, colors, dimensions, elevation from grade level and lighting; the address of the premises; specification and location of all existing signs; the sight distances, in the case of freestanding signs, with relation to access ways to the premises on which such sign is to be located and adjacent premises; the information to be stated on sign, and the method by which said sign shall be secured.
(3) Application for a permit for a sign which does not comply with the provisions of this Article shall be submitted to the appropriate approving authority including any sign associated with a change in occupancy or ownership which does not comply with the provisions set forth herein. Such application shall be in writing and, upon notice and a public hearing where the same is required by law, submitted at least ten days before the next meeting preceding the succeeding public meeting date of the appropriate authority, together with a filing fee as hereinafter set forth. Such application shall be in triplicate and accompanied by no less than fifteen (15) sketch plats in the case of an application for a free standing sign, and fifteen (15) building elevations where the application is for other than a freestanding sign, each of which shall be drawn to scale and reflect the sign location and designation.
2. Issuance of Permit
a. A permit shall be issued by the Zoning Officer upon the favorable action of the approving authority, subject to any other applicable governmental regulations, or as otherwise provided herein.
b. A permit for the replacement of an existing sign may be issued by the Zoning Officer without the necessity of Board approval only upon satisfaction of all of the following conditions:
(1) There is no physical alteration or expansion to the existing sign beyond the limits permitted herein;
(2) The sign conforms in all respects to the ordinance provisions specified herein;
(3) No other signage is proposed to be added to the premises beyond that which is permitted herein.
3. Exceptions
a. The provisions and regulations of this Section shall not apply to the following signs:
(1) Real estate signs not exceeding eight (8) square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are located only;
(2) Residential nameplates identifying a single-family residence and/or street address, not to exceed two
(2) square feet in area;
(3) Professional nameplates not exceeding two (2) square foot in area for lawful occupants of the premises under the Zoning Ordinance;
(4) Bulletin boards or signs not over sixteen (16) square feet in area for public, charitable or religious institutions when same are located on the premises of said institutions;
(5) A sign identifying the architect, engineer or contractor, when placed upon a work site under construction, not to exceed twelve (12) square feet in area, provided the sign is set back at least fifteen (15) feet from the curb, and further provided that same are removed within twenty-four (24) hours after final certificate of occupancy is issued;
(6) Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials;
(7) Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger signs and such temporary, emergency or non-advertising signs, or signs of any governmental agency deemed necessary to the public welfare;
(8) Flags of the United States, State of New Jersey or other governmental or quasi-public agencies;
(9) Holiday decorations and lights on residential premises;
(10) Signs erected to control the movement of traffic on a premises, provided these signs shall provide traffic directions only and shall not be used for any advertising purpose. These signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area and shall have been approved by the appropriate approving agency;
(11) Election or political signs provided that said signs are placed entirely on private property and do not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area.
4. Fees
a. At the time of the filing for a permanent sign permit, the applicant shall pay to the City of Hackensack the following: two dollars per square foot of surface area of sign, computed by one (1) side only for double-faced signs.
b. At the time of the filing for a temporary sign permit, the applicant shall pay to the City of Hackensack twenty five dollars ($25.00). Temporary signs for and in connection with special events in the community will be issued permits without fee.
The following principles shall control the computation of sign area and height.
(a) Computation of Area of Individual Signs.
The area of a sign face shall be computed by drawing a square or rectangle that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with the sign frame and any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed; or, by delineating the area established by reason of distinctive variation in background color or by borders, whichever is greater.
(b) Computation of Area of Multifaced Signs.
The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 42 inches apart at any point, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.
(c) Computation of Height.
The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign.
C. Regulations Governing Signs for Particular Uses.
(1) Automobile Service Stations.
Signs for automobile service stations shall be permitted to display only the following signs which are customary and necessary to their business:
a. One freestanding identification sign which may include the company or brand name, insignia or emblem, and unit prices, provided that the sign not exceed 32 square feet in area on each side. The freestanding sign shall be located a minimum of ten feet from all property lines and shall not exceed twenty feet in height. The sign shall have an open area of not less than ten feet between the baseline of the sign and the ground level.
b. The gasoline pump structure may include signage which is limited to an emblem or insignia, brand name of gasoline, lead warning sign, price indicator, and any other sign required by law. This signage shall be limited to two (2) square feet per pump.
c. One wall identification sign shall be permitted, except where a building has street frontage on more than one street, one additional sign (facing the second street) shall be permitted. The wall sign shall not project more than six (6) inches from the building, nor be attached to a wall at a height less than eight (8) feet above the sidewalk. The wall sign shall be limited to twelve (12) square feet in size.
d. In the event that there is a canopy that is located over the pump island, one (1) sign limited to the brand name, insignia or emblem of the station shall be permitted per canopy side, provided that each sign does not exceed an area of ten (10) percent of the canopy face.
(2) Shopping Centers and other Multi-Tenant Developments.
In addition to the signage requirements for the each zone district, shopping centers and other multi-tenant developments shall be governed by the following regulations:
a. A sign plan shall be submitted to the approving authority for approval and shall include the following: Letter style and size, illumination details, color, construction materials, locations, and height above grade; Location relative to lot lines, landscaping and on-site lighting fixtures; An indication of the location of site identification signs and, for shopping malls, internal directional signs (as determined to be necessary).
b. A unified design theme shall be provided which integrates the architectural design, materials and colors of the primary structure, facade signs, freestanding signs, landscaping, and lighting fixtures.
(3) Institutional Signs.
Signs associated with houses of worship, hospitals, nursing homes, continuing care facilities, schools, or other similar public or semi-public uses, as permitted by this chapter, may be erected with the following provisions:
a. One (1) freestanding sign for each public street frontage shall be permitted;
b. Freestanding signs shall be a maximum twelve (12) square feet, with a maximum height of eight (8) feet;
c. The minimum setback required is one half of the minimum required building setback for the zone in which the use is located.
(4) Residential Signs for residential land uses shall comply with the following regulations.
a. The following signs shall be permitted: Residential signs, including name and address plates, professional nameplates, real estate signs, temporary campaign signs and contractor signs as provided herein, are permitted in accordance with the size limitations as set forth herein.
b. Residential nameplates identifying a single-family residence and/or street address, not to exceed two (2) square feet in area. Street addresses larger than two square feet shall be construed to be advertising signs for the purposes of this ordinance;
c. Professional nameplates not exceeding two (2) square feet in area for lawful occupants of the premises under the Zoning Ordinance;
d. Residential signs for multi-family developments shall be permitted if they comply with the following:
(1) One (1) freestanding or monument sign, not exceeding eight (8) square feet, is permitted for each vehicular entrance to the development;
(3) All such signs shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from any street right-of-way. Monument signs shall be placed perpendicular to the street right-of-way property frontage to ensure visibility;
(4) The sign shall be an identification sign only, limited to the name of the development or project on-site.
D. Regulations Governing Nonresidential Zone Districts.
The following supplemental regulations shall apply as noted.
(1) Signs in the B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5, M1 and M2 Zone Districts.
Signs in these districts shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) Each commercial industrial or institutional use shall be entitled to one wall mounted sign, canopy or awning, except that where a building has street frontage on more than one street, one additional sign may be permitted;
(b) The lettering or graphic panel shall not exceed seventy-five percent of the linear width of the storefront on which it is located. Letters shall not be more than two feet in height;
(c) Wall signs shall advertise only the permitted use, products or service on the premises on which they are displayed;
(d) Canopies, perpendicular signage and awnings shall be permitted to overhang the pedestrian right-of-way, with a minimum vertical clearance of 8.5 feet, a maximum overall height of five (5) feet, and a minimum setback of three (3) feet from the curbline. Lettering on a canopy or awning shall be limited to the valance area and shall not exceed 75 percent of the linear width of the valance. The valance shall be no more than one foot in height, and lettering on the valance shall be limited to six (6) inches in height.
(e) Window Signs.
In addition to any sign or signs permitted pursuant to this section, window display signs, as well as affixed window signs limited to indicate membership in a retail or professional organization or credit card or credit association, to show manufacturers' or required licenses, or advertisements referable to sales within, shall be permitted to be attached to windows on the interior of the business use provided that the aggregate area employed for such purpose shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total window area on which it is located.
(f) Each commercial use shall be entitled to a wall sign, but in no event shall the total square footage of all wall signs exceed two hundred square feet or ten (10%) of the square footage of the front facade whichever is the lesser.
(1) Wall signs shall not exceed two (2) square feet of signage for every linear foot of the front facade of the portion of the building occupied by the use being advertised. No wall sign shall exceed a vertical dimension (height) of greater than two (2) feet;
(2) The maximum letter size of any wall mounted sign shall be two (2) feet;
(3) Wall signs which are placed parallel to the building wall shall be permitted to project forward no more than six (6) inches from the building nor be attached to a wall at a height of less than eight (8) feet above the sidewalk or ground;
(4) Canopies, perpendicular signage and awnings shall be permitted to overhang the pedestrian right-of-way with a minimum vertical clearance of 8.5 feet, a maximum overall height of five (5) feet, and a minimum setback of three (3) feet from the curbline. Lettering on a canopy or awning shall be limited to the valance area and shall not exceed 75 percent of the linear width of the valance. The valance shall be no more than one foot in height, and lettering on the valance shall be limited to six (6) inches in height.
(2) Signs in the UN, HRO and O Districts. Signs in these districts shall comply with the following requirements.
(a) One (1) freestanding or monument sign identifying the development shall be permitted;
1) The sign shall be limited to twenty-four (24) square feet and shall not exceed a height of eight (8) feet above the grade;
2) The freestanding sign shall be setback a minimum of ten (10) feet from any property line. Monument signs shall be placed perpendicular to the street right-of-way to ensure visibility;
(b) One (1) wall mounted building identification sign is permitted, subject to the following requirements:
1) The area of the sign shall not exceed twenty square feet;
2) The maximum letter size shall be a maximum two (2) feet in height.
E. Temporary Signs
Temporary signs shall comply to the following:
(1) All temporary signage, except as specifically exempted under this Article, shall require a permit. Said permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days from the issuance thereof and may be renewed for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days.
(2) No temporary sign shall exceed an area of eight (8) square feet, provided that temporary signs, such as banners, which are permitted by permit by the Mayor and Council within the public right-of-way may exceed eight (8) square feet in size.
F. Insurance for temporary signs may be required by the Mayor and Council.
Any person obtaining a permit for the erection of a temporary sign, where the Mayor and Council requires insurance, shall provide proof to the satisfaction of the Construction Code Official that the person, firm or corporation actually doing the erection shall have in force a public liability insurance policy with limits of no less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for property damage and three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) for bodily injury per occurrence.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to permit the erection or installation of any political signs upon any pole or tree located on public property or within the public right-of-way within the City of Hackensack, and their erection or installation is hereby specifically prohibited. This section shall not be deemed to prohibit temporary lawn signs or street banners as set forth elsewhere in this ordinance.
Streamers of flags or pennants and banners shall be permitted as temporary signs subject to the permit requirements of the City of Hackensack.
G. Illumination
(1) No sign shall be an illuminated sign except as provided herein.
(2) No sign shall be illuminated externally by more than one (1) floodlight per surface of said sign. Such lighting shall be at grade and properly directed and shielded so as not to produce glare or offensive light off the property.
(3) Flashing signs, highly reflective glass or fluorescent paint (red or green) and illuminated tubing outlining roofs, doors windows or wall edges of a building are prohibited.
(4)No sign shall be artificially illuminated after 11:00 pm or before 7:00am unless said premises are occupied and attended.
H. Other Regulations for Signs
(1) Billboards shall be considered a conditional use in the following zones: R1A, R2A, R2, R3B, B3, B4, B5, HRO, M1 and M2. The conditions placed on this land use in these zones it they must be located along or adjacent to Route 4, Route 17 or Route 80 and are regulated by the state and/or federal government. No sign otherwise lawful under this ordinance shall be prohibited because of this section.
(2) No sign shall be placed, located or displayed upon any sidewalk or area between sidewalk and curb.
(3) No roof sign, often known also as a "sky sign", shall be permitted.
(4) No signs shall be erected or painted or composed of fluorescent or phosphorescent or similar material.
(5) No sign shall be, in whole or part, moving, mobile, revolving or flashing, except for signs commonly known as barber poles and are ordinarily and customarily used in connection with barber shops.
(6) No sign shall have more than two (2) colors, inclusive of its background, frame and decorative parts. However, varying tones or gradients of the two main colors may be utilized on a sign and shall not constitute additional colors. For the purposes of this ordinance, black and white shall be considered colors. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in such instance where black or white shall be used in the formation of a sign as aforesaid, then in such instance either of such may be used as a third color.
(7) Canopies, awnings and marquees with signage embossed upon them shall be considered to be a business sign.
(8) No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
(9) Strings or streamers of flags, pennants, spinners or other similar devices strung across, upon, over or along any premises or building, whether as a part of any sign or not.
(10) No sign or other advertising structure, as regulated by this chapter shall be erected at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, cause an optical illusion or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device, or which makes use of words, phrases, symbols, or characters in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
(11) In order to preserve the basically residential character of this community and to facilitate the improvement of its commercial and industrial areas in a safe and orderly manner, no commercial outdoor advertising signs, billboards or other signs which are not expressly and directly related to the business being conducted on the premises and which do not conform to the applicable requirements and standards set forth in other sections of this chapter shall be permitted, and all other such commercial outdoor advertising signs, billboards and other nonconforming signs are specifically prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person to display upon any sign or other advertising structure any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
(12) If the Zoning Officer shall find that any sign is unsafe or insecure, the Zoning Officer shall give written notice to the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the premises upon which such sign may be erected. If such owner, agent of person fails to remove or alter the sign so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within ten (10) days after such notice, such sign or other advertising structure may be removed or altered to comply, by the Zoning Officer, at the expense of the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the premises upon which such sign may be erected. The Zoning Officer may cause any sign or other advertising structure which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice.
I. Nonconforming Signs
(1) Any signs existing at the time of the passage of this ordinance and which violate any provisions thereof shall be deemed a nonconforming use and may be continued, maintained and repaired upon the present premises or location; provided, however, that such sign was lawful under any prior ordinance. Any nonconforming sign which is associated with a change in occupancy or ownership shall necessitate an application to the approving authority. Any sign unlawful under any prior ordinance shall remain unlawful unless it complies with the provisions of this ordinance and there is issued by the Zoning Officer a sign-erection permit therefore.
(2) Any sign which has been damaged to the extent that the cost of repairs shall exceed fifty percent (50%) of the current value of said sign shall be deemed as destroyed, and the owner thereof shall not be permitted to erect or restore said sign except in accordance with this ordinance.
J. Removal of signs.
(1) Whenever there is a change in occupancy of a building or premises, including any vacancy of such building or premises, the message of any sign or signs which identify or advertise an individual, business, service, product or other item that is no longer present or available in the building or on the premises shall be removed within 30 days. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to require the removal of any sign structure, except as required by § 175-7.14J(2)(d) and J(3)(b).
(2) The manner of removal of sign messages shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) In the case of a sign with a painted message, the sign message shall be painted over to match the background.
(b) In the case of a sign with projecting or movable letters or symbols, the letters and/or symbols shall be removed.
(c) In the case of a sign where the message is contained on a panel that is inserted into the sign frame or structure, the message panel shall be replaced with a blank panel.
(d) In the case of a sign where the message cannot be removed without also removing the sign structure, the structure shall be removed unless the owner demonstrates that the sign message could reasonably apply to the next occupant of the building or premises. If the sign message does not accurately identify or advertise the next occupant of the building or premises or any product, service or other item available at the premises, the sign structure shall be removed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for said occupant.
(3) Nonconforming signs.
The following provisions shall apply to any sign which was lawful prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of this chapter but which fails to conform to the requirements of this chapter by reasons of such adoption, revision or amendment.
(a) Routine maintenance.
Routine maintenance for any nonconforming sign shall be permitted, provided that such maintenance shall comply with the provisions of Subsection J(3)(c) and (d) below. The term "routine maintenance" is intended to include such activities as cleaning, replacement of lightbulbs, removal of rust and corrosion and repainting. Specifically prohibited is the replacement of the sign structure or message, in whole or in part.
(b) Restoration or repair of partial destruction.
Any nonconforming sign existing at the time of the passage of this chapter or any amendment thereto may be continued upon the lot so occupied and any such sign may be restored or repaired in the event of partial destruction thereof, provided that such restoration or repair shall comply with the provisions of Subsection J(3)(c) and (d) below. For purposes only of administering this provision, the term "partial destruction" shall be defined as any condition affecting less than 50% of the area or volume, whichever is more restrictive, of the sign message or structure in such a manner that the appearance or structural characteristics of the sign are substantially altered from the originally approved and installed sign.
(c) Effect of removal.
The following provisions shall regulate removal of nonconforming signs:
(1) Nothing contained herein shall be construed to permit the removal and subsequent replacement of a nonconforming sign structure for purposes of maintenance, restoration, repair or alteration. Removal of a sign structure for any purpose shall terminate the nonconforming rights of said sign.
(2) Sign messages may be removed only for purposes of routine maintenance, restoration or repair as permitted herein.
(d) Alterations.
The following provisions shall regulate alterations of nonconforming signs:
(1) Signs nonconforming because of use shall not be enlarged, extended, relocated or altered in any manner.
(2) Alteration of nonconforming sign structure or sign message. A nonconforming sign structure or sign message may not be altered unless the alteration will result in both the sign structure and the message conforming in all respects with the provisions of this chapter. Alterations covered by the above provisions include, but are not limited to, alteration of sign area, dimension, height or location; alteration of sign letters, logos, symbols or other design or construction; alteration of any aspect of sign illumination; and. alteration of sign material or color.
(e) Reversion to nonconforming sign prohibited. A nonconforming sign structure and/or message which is changed to a conforming structure and/or message may not thereafter be changed back to a nonconforming structure.
K. Lighting and illumination.
Any sign permitted by the provisions of this chapter may be nonilluminated or nonflashing illuminated, except that real estate signs shall be nonilluminated. Illuminated sings may be directly or indirectly lighted, provided that they comply with the following standards. For the purpose of administering this section, a "directly lighted sign" shall be defined as a sign that is illuminated by a light source that shines through the letters or logos from the back of the sign. An "indirectly lighted sign' shall be defined as a sign that is illuminated by a light source that shines directly on the surface of a sign, which light source is designed specifically to illuminate only the sign.
(1) Directly lighted signs.
(a) Illumination of any sign shall be of the diffused-lighting type, and only the letters or logos in the sign shall be illuminated.
(b) No sign shall be lighted by means of flashing or intermittent illumination.
(c) Neon signs in which the tubes are exposed are prohibited.
(2) Indirectly lighted signs.
(a) Indirectly lighted signs shall be permitted only where the sources of illumination are shielded in such a manner that the same are not visible from the street or adjoining property.
(b) No sign shall be lighted by means of a flashing or intermittent illumination source.
(c) Floodlights or spotlights used for the illumination of signs, whether or not such lights are attached to or separate from the building, shall not project light beyond the sign. Gooseneck reflectors and lights shall be permitted; provided, however, that the reflectors shall be provided with proper glass lenses concentrating the illumination upon the area of the sign so as to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent property.
(d) In no instance shall the light intensity of any illuminated sign exceed 75 footcandles measured with a standard light meter measured at any point in front of the sign at a distance that is no greater than the smallest horizontal or vertical dimension of said sign. There shall be no electric conduit located on the exterior facade of a building used to provide electric power to any sign.
L. Business Signs In Nonresidential Districts.
Businesses shall be permitted to have signs in accordance with the following provisions, except in the case of multiple business uses with a common entrance, which are regulated in Subsection F(6) below.
(1) Number of principal signs.
There, shall be no more than one principal sign for each retail establishment or permitted use therein, except where the following conditions are met:
(a) Any permitted use within a building having an exterior wall facing an off-street parking area or railroad station platform may have a second principal sign on said wall if that wall contains an approved pedestrian entrance to said permitted use.
(b) Any permitted use within a building on a corner lot may have a second, principal sign. One sign shall be located on one street, and a second sign shall be located on the second or side street. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to permit more than two principal signs on a building located on a corner lot.
(2) Freestanding signs.
In the case of premises on which the structure is set back at least 40 feet from the public right-of-way, a freestanding sign is permitted, which shall comply with the standards hereinafter set forth. This provision shall not be construed to prohibit freestanding signs accessory to filling and service stations as provided in § 175-8.7 nor to signs erected in connection with nonresidential uses within all residential districts, where permitted, provided that same do not exceed two square feet and are either flat signs on the front wall of the building or are of the professional shingle type of sign on the front lawn of a premises of a professional office, and that all sources of lighting shall be extinguished no later than 10:00 p.m. prevailing time.
(a) The area of such a freestanding sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(b) The top of said sign shall not be more than 16 feet above the level of the ground.
(c) No part of the sign shall be located closer than five feet to the property line.
(d) The foregoing notwithstanding, no freestanding sign shall be placed on premises in such a manner as to create a traffic safety hazard due to inadequate sight angles.
(3) Nonilluminated interior signs.
Nonilluminated signs painted on or placed upon or hung within 24 inches from the inside window glass or door glass of any building shall be limited as follows. The coverage of nonilluminated interior signs shall not exceed 36 square feet or 20% of such total area of glass, whichever is less.
(4) Illuminated interior signs.
Directly illuminated interior signs located within six feet of the window glass or door glass of a building shall be considered a principal sign and shall meet all applicable requirements for exterior principal signs, including, but not limited to, the number of principal signs and the area permitted for principal signs. Indirectly illuminated interior signs located within two feet of the window glass or door glass of a building shall also be considered a principal sign and shall meet all applicable requirements for exterior principal signs, including, but not limited to, the number of principal signs and the area permitted for principal signs.
(5) Awning signs.
In the districts permitting retail sales or services, signs running in a horizontal direction are permitted on the flap or vertical plane of any permitted awning, provided that the following standards shall apply:
(a) Said signs shall not exceed a height of eight inches.
(b) No horizontal sign shall be permitted which exceeds 1/3 of the length of the flap which runs parallel to the street.
(c) No other signs besides those permitted above are permitted on the awning.
(6) Signs for business uses with a common entrance and other uses.
Signs for permitted uses in those districts permitting office uses for other than retail sales and services stores and shops and signs for retail sales and services stores and shops which share a common entrance shall be limited to tenant identification or directory signs which shall comply with the following:
(a) Said signs shall be unlighted.
(b) They shall be limited to one sign per tenant.
(c) They shall be uniform in appearance and shall be made of the same materials with the same background and contain the same letter type, style and materials as all other similar signs used by tenants in the building.
(d) Said signs shall not exceed an area of two square feet per sign nor a vertical height of eight-inches.
(e) Where there is more than one tenant in the building, all of said signs shall be abutting one another and not indiscriminately placed on the exterior walls of the building.
(7) Governmental signs.
In addition to any sign permitted pursuant to this section, a sign or signs as may be required by any federal, state, county or municipal law to be displayed as a license or permit may be attached to a store window or windows. The size of such governmental sign(s) shall not be included in any calculation of maximum area coverage.
M. Prohibited acts; administration; enforcement.
(1) No person, corporation, partnership, association, organization or other entity shall construct, erect, display, alter, maintain or illuminate any sign in violation of this section. Any person violating this section shall be subject to the penalties set forth in Chapter 1, § 1-15 of the Code of the City of Hackensack, New Jersey.
(2) Other than signs which are temporary in nature, such as real estate signs, temporary construction signs, nonilluminated interior signs and the like, which are in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, no type of sign regulated hereunder shall be constructed, erected, displayed, altered, maintained or illuminated without the application for, and the issuance of, a permit therefor by the Department of Community Affairs.
