[Added 10-5-2004 by Ord. No. O-04-38]
[Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
A. Purposes. The purpose and intent of this section is to regulate the use of signs so that they are compatible with their surroundings, to promote the aesthetic character of the Township, to establish signs that are compatible with the architectural requirements for nonresidential buildings and uses, to preserve the natural appearance of the Township, to promote traffic safety, to maintain property values, to express the identity of individual proprietors and of the Township as a whole, and to regulate signs so that they are legible in the circumstances in which they are seen and are constructed to standards which promote the safety, health and general welfare of the public.
B. Restrictions. It shall be unlawful to erect, display or maintain any sign that does not comply with the standards and regulations hereinafter set forth.
C. Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ADVERTISING STRUCTURE Any rigid or semirigid material with or without a sign displayed thereon situated upon or attached to real property or mobile objects and vehicles outdoors for the purpose of furnishing a background, base or support on which a sign may be posted or displayed.
FUNCTIONAL SIGN TYPES
(1) DIRECTORY OF OCCUPANTS SIGN A sign or plate attached to or painted upon the facade of a building listing the tenants or occupants thereof and their respective professions or business activities.
(2) DIRECTIONAL SIGN A sign or device intended to direct or point toward a place or which gives verbal directions, of any sort.
(3) IDENTIFICATION SIGN Any sign, symbol, trademark, structure or similar device used to identify the occupant or any structure, the product made, or the activity being pursued by any individual business service, commercial or industrial activity.
(4) OFFICIAL SIGN Any sign, symbol or device erected and maintained by the federal government, the State of New Jersey, County of Monmouth or the Township of Freehold for the purpose of informing or guiding the public or for the protection and promotion of health, safety, convenience and general welfare; or any sign of a civic, fraternal or religious organization specifically authorized by the Township Committee.
IMMORAL SIGN A sign that has the quality of any description or representation, in whatever form, of nudity, sexual conduct or sexual excitement, when it:
(1) Predominately appeals to the prurient, shameful or morbid interest of minors in sex; and
(2) Is patently offensive to contemporary standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable sexual material for minors; and
(3) Taken as a whole, lacks literary, artistic, political or scientific value.
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN COMPANY A company in the business of leasing outdoor advertising space and under the licensing power of the Outdoor Advertising Tax Bureau of the Department of Treasury of the State of New Jersey.
PHYSICAL SIGN TYPES
(1) GROUND OR MONUMENT SIGN A self-supporting sign connected to the ground and independent of any other structure, including pylon, pedestal or individual post-type supports.
(2) PROJECTING SIGN A sign attached to the building wall which neither extends more than 15 inches from the face of the wall, nor projects nearer to the ground surface than 10 feet, nor projects above the roofline or storefront facade line, nor extends beyond the ends of the facade or building.
(3) WALL SIGN A flat sign attached to or painted upon a building wall which extends not more than 15 inches from the wall and is not extended above the top or beyond the ends of the facade.
(4) WINDOW SIGN Any sign mounted inside a window for display to the public passersby outside the window.
(5) ROOF SIGN A sign located wholly upon or over the roof of any building.
POLITICAL SIGN Temporary signs supporting candidates for office or urging action on any other matter on the ballot of primary, general and/or special elections.
PORTABLE SIGN Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted to "A" or "T" frames; menu and sandwich board signs; balloons or helium- or air-filled material or plastic devices used as signs or advertising; umbrellas used for advertising; signs attached to or painted on vehicles and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used with such sign in the normal day-to-day operations of the business; and pole or wind flags of plastic or other lightweight material whether or not containing a message of any kind.
SIGN The outdoor or indoor display of any writing, printing, picture, painting, emblem, drawing or similar device intended to invite or draw the attention of the public to any activity, goods, merchandise, property, business, services, entertainment, amusement or industrial activity or establishment.
SNIPE SIGN Any sign, generally of a temporary nature, made of any material when such a sign is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued or otherwise attached to a tree, pole, stake or fence or to any other structure.
Only those signs which are exactly described in this section shall be allowed without a permit. Any sign, whether temporary or permanent, not listed or described herein, shall be permitted within the purview of this section.
A. Directional signs for the convenience of the general public to identify parking areas, loading zones, entrances and exits and similar type signs, which shall not exceed eight square feet in area. Business names or personal names are allowed but shall not include advertising messages.
B. Traffic signs, whether temporary or permanent, for the purpose of regulating traffic, when installed by persons authorized by the Township, by the County of Monmouth, by the State of New Jersey or by the United States government.
C. Transportation signs, including public transportation stops, including bus stops, when installed by the Township or a public transportation agency.
D. Historical tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques, and emblems which do not exceed six square feet in surface area and which are installed by government agencies, religious or other authorized organizations. [Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
E. Warning and no trespassing signs, not to exceed two square feet in surface area.
F. Flags or emblems of religious, educational, governmental organizations or individuals, which flags or emblems shall be flown from supports on the buildings or grounds being occupied by the organization.
G. Name and number plates identifying the residents on a house, apartment or mailbox, not to exceed 60 square inches.
H. Lawn signs identifying resident's name or street number, not to exceed two square feet in surface area; if double face, a total of three square feet for both sides; signs to be nonilluminated, except by light which is an integral part of a lamppost if used as support; no advertising messages permitted. [Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
I. Signs posted by governmental agencies pursuant to governmental statute, order or regulation. [Amended 12-27-2005 by Ord. No. O-05-48]
J. Signs which are an integral part of vending machines, including gasoline pumps and milk machines, which shall not exceed two square feet.
K. Real estate signs, announcing the sale, rental or lease of the premises on which the sign is located, such sign not to exceed four square feet of surface. If double-faced, the sign shall not exceed a total of eight square feet for both sides. The sign shall be nonilluminated. Such sign shall not be closer to the lot line than one-half the distance between the building line and the lot line, as defined by the zoning provisions of this chapter. Such signs shall not be located closer to other such signs than one in every 200 feet, measured either along the front of a lot or along the sidelines of a lot. [Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
L. Political signs. Signs pertaining to federal, state, county or local political candidates or questions to be voted upon by the residents of the Township at an upcoming election, provided that: [Amended 5-23-2006 by Ord. No. O-06-17; 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
(1) Erection/placement of the sign is with permission of the person(s) or entity/entities who/which own or have legal control over the property upon which the sign is to be erected/placed.
(2) Erection/placement of sign is removed not more than 14 days after the election.
(3) Placement of signs on public property shall comply with each of the following:
(a) There shall be at least 100 feet of separation between signs of a particular candidate or campaign; and
(b) All signs must be farther than two feet from the curb, or, if no curb, from the edge of the paved roadway; and
(c) No political sign shall be located or placed closer than 10 feet to any other sign of a candidate or campaign.
(4) Notwithstanding the penalty prescribed by § 190-185 for violations of the above standards, signs in violation are subject to removal by any interested party without prior notice.
The following signs or types of signs shall be prohibited in all areas of the Township:
A. Signs using red, amber or green lights placed within 100 feet of traffic control signals.
B. Signs using blinking, flashing, vibrating, moving, rotating or flickering lights or illuminations, or varying in intensity of color or brightness, except for time-temperature-date signs. [Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
C. Signs using reflective material which sparkles, glitters or reflects lights in such a manner as to be deemed by the Zoning Officer and Chief of Police of the Township to be a traffic hazard.
D. Signs with visible moving, revolving or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement of any description, or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic or mechanical means.[Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
E. Immoral signs or advertising matter of an indecent or obscene nature. [Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
F. Signs using words such as "stop," "look," or "danger," which are placed in a manner or position which, in the judgment of the Zoning Officer of the Township and the Chief of Police, interferes with traffic or acts as a traffic hazard.
G. Any sign which causes confusion with existing governmental or duly authorized signs.
H. Signs causing radio, television or other communication systems or signal interference due to light or control mechanisms. [Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
I. Signs or sign structures that interfere in any way with free use of any fire escape, emergency exit, stairway or standpipe, or that obstruct any window to such an extent that light or ventilation is reduced to a point below that required by any provision of the Uniform Construction Code, this Code or other ordinance of the state or of the Township. [Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
J. Flags, banners, strings of banners, streamers or captive balloons, pennants, ribbons, pinwheels or spinners, or other objects or material fastened in such a manner as to move upon being subjected to pressure by wind; A-type signs, sandwich-type signs, sidewalk signs, curb signs or similar advertising devices. [Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
K. Any sign spanning a public street except those temporary signs advertising or drawing attention to a legitimate and recognized charitable or official Township function. [Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
L. Signs or poles maintained by public utilities, or on trees and fences or attached to signs or buildings owned by other persons.
M. Any series of two or more signs placed along a street or highway, or all carrying a single advertising message, part of which is contained on each sign.
N. No sign shall be located in any public right-of-way or in such a position as to cause an obstruction of the view of traffic or otherwise to be injurious to the public safety.
O. Signs directing people to a housing development (real estate directional signs), except those meeting the conditions set forth in § 190-176H.
P. Signs placed or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers which are parked on a public right-of-way, public property or private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property. [Added 7-29-2008 by Ord. No. O-08-18]
Q. Signs with the optical illusion of movement by means of a design that presents a pattern capable of giving the illusion of motion or changing of copy. [Added 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
R. Strings of light bulbs used on commercially developed parcels for commercial purposes, other than traditional holiday decorations used during holiday seasons. [Added 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
S. Signs that incorporate projected images, emit any sound that is intended to attract attention, or involve the use of live animals. [Added 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
T. Signs that emit audible sound, odor or visible matter such as smoke or steam. [Added 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
U. Signs that obstruct the vision of pedestrians, cyclists or motorists traveling on or entering public streets or are judged to be a traffic or pedestrian hazard by the Zoning Officer or Chief of Police. [Added 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
V. Signs that are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair the vision of any motorist, cyclist or pedestrian using or entering a public way, or that are a hazard or a nuisance to occupants of any property because of glare or other characteristics. [Added 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
W. Searchlights used to advertise or promote a business or to attract customers to a property. [Added 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
X. Signs that are painted, pasted or printed on any curbstone, flagstone, pavement or any portion of any sidewalk or street, except house numbers and traffic control signs. [Added 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
Y. Signs placed upon benches, bus shelters or waste receptacles. [Added 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
Z. Signs on a tower except "no trespassing" signs and identification signs. [Added 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
AA. Portable signs as defined in this chapter. [Added 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
BB. Snipe signs as defined in this chapter. [Added 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
A. Permits.
(1) All signs and advertising displays other than those expressly excluded in § 190-175 of this article shall require sign permits renewable annually. To obtain such permit, the owner of the proposed sign shall make application to the Construction Official on forms provided by him. The applicant shall also provide a sketch of the proposed construction and shall pay the required fee.
(2) When the name or advertising message is divided between the number of panels or parts it shall be considered as one sign. When the sign has been installed, the Construction Official shall be notified so that he may make a final inspection. After a permit has been obtained, the copy, wording or pictures on a sign may be changed without the necessity of obtaining a new permit or the payment of additional fees provided such change does not create a violation of § 190-175 of this article. If such sign becomes the property of another person, no new permit shall be required for the term of the existing permit. No sign may be enlarged without obtaining a new permit which permit shall be issued and renewed annually.
B. A permit to erect or maintain a sign may be revoked in accordance with the provisions of the State Uniform Construction Code.
C. Construction. Freestanding signs shall be constructed in the manner as set forth in the State Uniform Construction Code.
D. Construction of signs erected flat against buildings.
(1) Any sign to be attached flat against the surface of a building shall be constructed of durable materials. The sign shall be attached securely to the building with nonrusting metal hardware.
(2) When a sign is to be installed on a masonry building, holes shall be drilled in the masonry and proper nonrusting metal hardware of the expansion type shall be used. Wood plugs shall not be used in the drilled holes. Moldings or frames shall be considered as part of the total allowable sign area.
E. Illumination. [Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3[2]]
(1) Wiring of illuminated signs shall meet the electric standards of the Township and shall be inspected by the Department of Fire Underwriters.
(2) Where illuminated signs are permitted, signs shall be illuminated as follows:
(a) By lights placed inside a cabinet sign with an opaque or a translucent background and translucent copy.
(b) By lights placed inside individual pan-channel letters.
(c) By halo lights placed behind individual reverse pan-channel letters.
(d) By spotlights or floodlights which are directed to shine directly on the sign. Such lights shall be directed and/or shielded so as not to shine directly onto neighboring property or into the eyes of passing motorists.
(e) By exposed incandescent bulbs, if such signs give time and/or temperature.
(3) Illumination may be provided by floodlights, spotlights, ordinary incandescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes or mercury vapor lamps, however, regardless of the type of illumination employed, the sign shall be properly shielded and located so as to prevent glare or blinding effects upon any line of moving traffic and so as not to be offensive to residents of the area.
(4) Nonconforming illumination, whether used for existing signs or new signs, shall be corrected within 30 days from the mailing to the owner by the Zoning Officer of a written notice to correct. Failure to correct such illumination so as to make it conform with the requirements of this section shall result in the removal of the nonconforming sign at the expense of the owner of same.
F. Temporary signs of permanent type materials.
(1) Temporary signs making use of permanent materials such as wood or metal shall require a permit.
(2) The conditions and limitations regulating the number, size, location, and duration of temporary signs are set forth in the various sections governing the areas of use.
G. Real estate directional signs. Any residential housing development project located within the Township of Freehold or within one mile of the Freehold Township border, offering residential housing units for initial sale, and any individual residential unit owner or authorized agent of such owner shall be permitted to erect real estate directional signs providing there is compliance with all of the following regulations: [Amended 12-27-2005 by Ord. No. O-65-48; 10-27-2009 by Ord. No. O-09-31]
(1) Each sign shall not exceed two square feet in surface area, shall be of a freestanding type supported by one or two temporary posts.
(2) Overall height of the sign shall not exceed four feet above ground level.
(3) No such eligible housing development project nor individual residential unit owner or agent shall display more than six such real estate directional signs within the Township of Freehold.
(4) There must be a distance of at least one-half mile separating each sign for each housing development. [Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
(5) Each eligible housing development need apply for one permit annually which shall be deemed to apply to all conforming signs permitted under these regulations and must designate the specific locations for each such sign. No such permit shall be required for an individual residential unit which is located within the Township.
(6) Any such sign shall be considered in violation of this section if erected in any other manner or if attached to any public utility pole, other sign, fence, tree or wall.
H. Temporary signs for commercial establishments. No commercial establishment shall be permitted more than two twenty-four-square-foot signs or other temporary advertising displays for the purposes of promoting sales of seasonal-type products or to advertise the opening of a new commercial establishment. Such signs may be displayed outside the building itself for a period not to exceed 15 days. All temporary signs and advertising displays shall require sign permits. To obtain a permit, the owner of the proposed sign or advertising display shall submit an application to the Zoning Officer. The applicant shall provide a sketch of the proposed sign or display, shall submit a survey or plot plan indicating where the sign or display will be installed on the site, and shall pay a fee of $10 for a temporary sign permit. Signs using wording such as "stop," "look," "danger," or displays which are placed in a manner or position which, in the judgment of the Zoning Officer interferes with traffic or acts as a safety or traffic hazard shall not be permitted. All signs and advertising displays shall be removed by the date specified on the temporary sign permit. The penalty for failure to remove such signs and other advertising displays shall be as specified in § 190-185.
I. Nonconforming signs. Existing permanent-type signs or displays which do not conform to the requirements or standards provided in this section may be displayed, maintained or copy changed (wording or pictures), provided that they are properly maintained. In the event, however, that such signs or displays are not maintained or as established to be unsafe or in a state of neglect by the Zoning Officer of the Township, and in the event that the condition has not been corrected within 30 days from the time that the owner has been notified in writing by the Zoning Officer of the condition, the sign or signs shall be removed at the expense of the owner, and no permit shall be issued for a similar nonconforming structure.
J. Maintenance of signs. All signs or displays shall be maintained. In the event any sign or display is not maintained or is permitted to become unsafe in the judgment of the Zoning Officer, or in the event that the maintenance contract provided for is permitted to expire, and the owner of such sign does not correct this situation within 30 days from written notification by the Zoning Officer, such sign or signs shall be removed at the expense of the owner.
K. Signs on a marquee, canopy or awning. [Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
(1) Signs on a marquee. Notwithstanding the limitations of this article on the projection of signs from the wall of a building, signs shall be permitted on marquees subject to the following limitations:
(a) Such signs shall indicate only the name of the building or the name of the principal occupant of the building or store front.
(b) Such signs shall be affixed flat to the face of the marquee, projecting no more than three inches therefrom.
(c) Such signs shall not extend above or below the structure of the marquee.
(d) Such signs shall be counted in determining the area of wall-mounted signs permitted on the wall from which the marquee projects.
(2) Signs on a canopy or awning. Notwithstanding the limitations of this article on the projection of signs from the wall of a building, signs shall be permitted on canopies and awnings subject to the following limitations:
(a) Such signs shall indicate only the name of the building or the name of the principal occupant of the building.
(b) Such signs shall be painted or printed directly on the canopy or on the front and/or side drop portion(s) of the awning or canopy.
(c) Such signs shall be counted in determining the area of wall-mounted signs permitted on the wall from which the canopy or awning projects.
L. Computation of sign area. [Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
(1) Computation of sign area and number. Computation of sign area for signs not covered by § 190-174, exempt signs, and except as provided in Subsection L(2) of this section: The area of each face of a sign shall be the area of the smallest circle, triangle or parallelogram, which contains all letters, content, background and structural elements of the sign. Sign area shall not include structural elements which function solely as support for the sign or cover of structural elements.
(2) Computation of sign area for signs which consist only of letters and numbers which are individually painted on or otherwise attached to a building wall, decorative landscape wall, screen wall, marquee, canopy or awning. The area of each face of a sign which consists only of letters and numbers which are individually painted on or otherwise attached to a building wall, decorative landscape wall, screen wall, marquee, canopy or awning shall be computed as in Subsection L(1) of this section. However, the maximum area of signs covered by this section shall be 20% larger than the maximum area otherwise permitted by this article.
(3) Certain support structures exempted from computation of area of freestanding signs. Support structures which are part of a decorative landscape wall or screen wall shall not be considered to be part of a freestanding sign.
M. Determination of the number of signs. Any collection of sign content, sign background and sign structure may be considered to be one sign face if the area of such sign face is measured as only one circle or only one triangle or only one parallelogram, provided that the area so measured conforms to the maximum sign area requirements of this article. [Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
N. Placement, vertical dimension, construction, finish and colors of signs. [Added 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
(1) It is the intent of the sign placement, vertical dimension, construction and finish regulations to preserve and enhance the aesthetic quality of the environment by reducing the visual discordance which can result from:
(a) The haphazard placement of signs on buildings; and
(b) The use of an array of different sign constructions on one building or connected stores or buildings. It is recognized that this intent may be met by approaches other than those specifically set forth in this section. Accordingly, this section makes provisions for approval of signs which conform to the intent of this section but which do not conform to the specific requirements of Subsection N(2) and (3) of this section.
(2) Placement of signs attached to building walls in relation to building lines. Signs shall be placed on a building so as not to break important horizontal or vertical building lines.
(a) This requirement will be considered met if none of the following types of lines are broken:
[1] Cornice line.
[2] Lintel lines, actual and extended.
[3] Sill lines, actual and extended.
[4] Belt course lines.
[5] Column and pilaster lines.
(b) This requirement may be considered met even if one or more of the types of lines in Subsection N(2)(a)[1] through [5] of this section are broken if the building is designed so that a permitted sign cannot be located without breaking one or more of the above lines and the sign or signs are placed to minimize the breaking of important building lines.
(3) Vertical dimension of wall-mounted signs in relation to building facade elements. The maximum vertical dimension of a wall-mounted sign shall be no more than 40% of the vertical face dimension of the facade element (parapet, spandrel, fascia or other facade element) on which it is mounted. This requirement shall be considered met even if all or a portion of a sign exceeds in vertical dimension 40% of the vertical dimension of the facade element on which it is mounted if the building is designed so that a permitted sign cannot be located without exceeding the forty-percent limit of any building facade element.
(4) Coordination of construction type of wall-mounted signs. Whenever more than two wall-mounted signs are permitted on any one building or connected adjacent buildings comprised of several fronts, all may be and all except one must be of the same construction type (cabinet, individual pan-channel letters, individual reverse pan-channel letters, or other). In addition, all may be and all except one must have the same baseline if they are individual letters mounted on the building facade, and must have the same base and top line if they are of any other construction type.
(5) Finish of sign background and sign structure. Low freestanding signs shall have a background and structure which is of a material, color and finish that is used extensively in the building to which the sign is accessory. A material, color and finish will be considered to be used extensively if it covers more of the nonglass portions of the highly visible surfaces of the building than does any other material, or if it covers at least 30% of the nonglass portions of the highly visible surfaces of the building.
(6) Alternate approaches. Signs which do not conform to one or more of the requirements set forth in Subsection N(1) through (5) of this section may be approved if the review authority finds on the basis of sufficient facts that the purposes and intent set forth in § 190-173 are met. Such a finding shall only be made based on a written analysis and recommendation from a recognized design professional and review and recommendation by the Sign Committee to the Planning Board. [Amended 12-22-2015 by Ord. No. O-15-26]
O. Sign colors. The color of signs plays an important part in the overall appearance of buildings, sites and streetscapes. Sign color schemes should be uniform throughout the site. Colors must be from the approved color palette for signs which are intended to enhance the streetscapes in the Township. The color or colors of architectural details may suggest signage-compatible colors for signs, sign frames and or sign standards. [Added 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-3]
(1) Sign color requirements and guidelines:
(a) Signs with contrasting backgrounds color lettering are required for maximum legibility.
(b) More than three colors will not be permitted.
(c) A dull or matte finish is recommended to reduce the glare and enhance legibility.
(d) Sign supports shall be made of dark, neutral or subdued colors to minimize their visual impact.
(e) Color schemes should be compatible with but provide contrast to the colors of the building on the site.
(f) Dayglow or fluorescent colors are prohibited.
(2) Permitted sign colors. The following sign colors are permitted. Colors from other manufacturers are permitted, provided that the colors are the same as or very similar to the following approved colors from the Sherwin Williams Preservation Palette, the Martin Senour Colonial Williamsburg Paint Colors, and the 3M Palette as listed below by manufacturer identification and/or by the Federal Standard 595 Color Number which can be found at the Federal Standard 595B Specification Reference Site at: http://www.fed-std-595.com/FS-595-Paint-Spec.html. Permitted colors shall also include matte black, bronze, gold and silver for background and lettering.
(a) Background colors.
Martin Senour Paints -- Williamsburg Paint Colors
Sherwin Williams -- Preservation Palette
