All signs shall conform to the provisions of this subsection and to the applicable requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code.
a. General Objectives.
1. To protect the public health, safety and welfare by restricting signs which impair the public's ability to receive information, violate privacy, or which increase the probability of accidents by distracting attention or obstructing vision.
2. To encourage signs which promote a desirable visual environment through creative yet orderly design arrangements.
3. To encourage signs which aid orientation, identify activities, describe local history and character or serve other education purposes.
4. To encourage the replacement of nonconforming signs by conforming signs through the strict enforcement of the procedures and requirements of this subsection.
b. Application Procedures. Application for development permit.
1. Application shall be made to the Administrative Officer (Zoning Officer) for the issuance of a development permit by any person wishing to erect, alter, modify, or expand any sign, except "Exempt Signs".
2. If the Administrative Officer (Zoning Officer) determines that a sign requires the issuance of a development permit, is not part of an application for site plan, subdivision, conditional use, or variance approval, is permitted as an accessory structure within the zone and meets the applicable Sign Schedule requirements, the officer shall issue a development permit. The applicant may then apply for a sign construction permit and any other permits that may be required.
3. If the Administrative Officer determines that the proposed sign is part of subdivision, site plan, or conditional use application or that it does not comply with applicable regulations, Sign Schedule requirements or other sign regulations, the officer shall instruct the applicant that Planning Board or Board of Adjustment approval of an application for development is required and the officer shall further advise the applicant which Board has jurisdiction in accordance with the following schedule:
c. General Standards. The following general standards shall apply to all signs:
1. Prohibited Signs. All signs not specifically permitted are prohibited.
2. Signs to Relate to Use of Property. All signs, un-less specifically stated otherwise in this section, shall relate to the use or occupancy of the property upon which the sign is located.
3. Modification of Graphic Content. The graphic content of a sign may be modified without obtaining a development permit, provided that the proposed graphic content complies with all applicable provisions of this subsection, except that any condition of approval contained in a resolution of either the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment, which specifies graphic content of the sign, shall require that a new or amended approval be issued by said Board prior to graphic content modification.
4. Illumination.
(a) Unless specifically stated otherwise in this section, all signs may only be illuminated in accordance with the performance standards found in this section.
(b) An illuminated sign located on a lot adjacent to or across the street from any residential district and visible from such residential district shall not 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 during those hours.
(c) No sign shall contain blinking, flashing, flickering, tracer or sequential lighting and shall remain stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times.
(d) All wiring for permanent illuminated signs shall be installed and maintained so that it is not within public view. The running of wiring or conduit along the exterior wall of a building to access a sign is specifically prohibited except that the Construction Official may permit exterior conduit if in the judgment of the Official there is no practical way to run the conduit so that it is not within public view.
5. Obstruction of Access Ways. No sign or sign structure shall obstruct a fire escape, door, window, or other required access way. No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape, except those signs required by the Municipal Authority.
6. Obstruction of Window Surface. No sign shall project over, occupy or obstruct any window surface required for light or ventilation by any application by any applicable law, ordinance or regulation.
7. Traffic Safety.
(a) No sign shall be maintained at any location where by reason of its position, size, shape, content or color, it may, in the opinion of the Chief of Police, 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.
(b) No sign which uses the words "Stop", "Look", "Caution", "Danger", or any similar wording, which may confuse or mislead the public, shall be permitted.
(c) No sign, nor any part of a sign, shall obstruct a sight triangle required by Section 22-9 of this Chapter.
8. Signs in Rights-of-Way. No sign or any part of a sign, except publicly owned or authorized signs, shall be placed in or extend into or over any public right-of-way.
9. Sign Permanency. All signs shall be securely affixed in a permanent manner to either the ground or building, unless specifically stated otherwise in this subsection.
10. Signs Affixed to Certain Structures. No sign shall be affixed to any roof, tree, fence, utility pole, or other similar structure nor placed upon motor vehicles which are continually or repeatedly parked in a conspicuous location to serve as a sign, however, nothing is intended to prohibit the placement of signs not exceeding three (3') feet in any dimension, directing traffic or identifying various parking locations within a lot on light poles and utility poles erected therein. Signs painted on pavement surfaces shall be restricted to traffic control markings only.
11. Advertising Flags, Banners, Pinwheels. No advertising flags, banners, pinwheels, portable signs, or similar advertising devices shall be permitted.
12. Animated or Moving Signs. No animated or moving signs shall be permitted, except for the required movement of time and temperature displays.
13. Painted Signs. No sign may be painted directly on the surface of any building, wall, fence or similar structure.
14. Sparkling and Glittering Signs. No sign may utilize reflection enhanced or fluorescent colors or contain any material which sparkles, reflects or glitters, however, nothing herein is intended to prohibit the use of reflective paint on signs directing traffic or identifying various locations within a property.
15. Sign Measurement.
(a) 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 sign face and provided that such structure or bracing has a total horizontal projected width less than twenty (20%) percent of the sign width or six (6") inches. Where a sign has two (2) sign faces back-to-back and parallel to each other, the area of only one face shall be included in determining the area of the sign.
(b) Area of Signs with Backing. The area of all signs with backing shall be measured by computing the area of the sign backing.
(c) Area of Signs without Backing. The area of all signs without backing shall be measured by computing the area of the smallest geometric figure which can encompass all words, letters, figures, emblems and other elements of the sign message with a clearance of at least four (4") inches from any such element.
(d) Height of Signs. Sign height shall be measured between average grade and the highest point of the highest element of the sign.
16. Multiple Sign Faces. No sign may contain more than one sign face, except that two (2) sign faces back-to-back and parallel to each other (no angle between sign faces) (commonly known as a double faced sign) shall be permitted. No double faced sign shall be greater than eighteen (18") inches in thickness as measured between sign faces.
17. Graphic Content Coverage. The maximum coverage of any sign face by graphic contents shall not exceed sixty (60%) percent.
d. Permitted Signs.
1. Exempt Signs. The following signs shall be exempt from the requirement of obtaining a development permit.
(a) Governmental signs; erected or authorized by a governmental unit.
(b) Nameplate signs; provided that such signs are limited to no more than one (1) wall or ground sign per occupancy; are no more than seventy-five (75) square inches in area; are nonilluminated, or externally illuminated; and, it a ground sign are no more than three (3') feet in height.
(c) Warning signs; provided that such signs are limited to no more than two (2) wall or ground signs per occupancy; are no more than three (3) square feet in area each; are nonilluminated; and if a ground sign are no higher than three (3') feet in height.
(d) Construction signs; provided that such signs are limited to no more than one (1) wall or ground sign per parcel; are no more than thirty-two (32) square feet in area; are nonilluminated; and are maintained for no more than fourteen (14) days following the conclusion of the construction in question.
(e) Temporary window signs; provided the area of window signs displayed does not exceed twenty-five (25%) percent of the area of the window in which they are shown.
(f) Special events signs; provided that there are no more than three (3) placed in any business at any given time and they are nonilluminated, and are maintained for a period of no longer than forty-five (45) days before the applicable event nor more than three (3) days after such event.
(g) Real estate signs; provided that such signs are limited to no more than one (1) wall or ground sign per property; are not more than six (6) square feet in area per residential lot; are no higher than six (6') feet if a ground sign. Use of the word "sold" or any other notation to indicate that the real estate is no longer on the market is specifically prohibited.
(h) On-site informational signs; provided that each sign is limited to a wall, window or ground sign of not more than two (2) square feet in area and not more than seven (7') feet in height above grade. The sign may include a business name or logo but shall not include any advertising message. In locations where more than one (1) business share a common vehicular access, signs marking entrances and exits shall contain only the name of the shopping or business center. Multiple signs identifying each tenant or use are specifically prohibited.
(i) Flags and emblems of a government or of a political, civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization.
(j) Private sale and event signs; provided that such signs are no more than six (6) square feet in area; are located entirely on the premises where such sale or event is to be conducted or on other 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 thirty-six (36) hours in advance of such sale or forty-five (45) days in advance of such event; and are removed on the day following the conclusion of such sale or event. No more than four (4) signs may be placed on any business property nor more than one (1) on any residential property.
(k) Portable signs but only for motor vehicle service stations and subject to these restrictions:
(1) Maximum size forty-eight inches by sixty inches (48"x60").
(2) Maximum two (2) per motor vehicle service station.
(3) May only display price or special sale information.
(4) May only be displayed when station is open for business.
(l) Traffic signs and signals. Temporary or permanent traffic signs and signals installed or authorized by the Borough, County, or State for the purpose of directing and regulating the flow of traffic.
(m) Public transportation signs. Signs indicating public transportation stops when in-stalled or authorized by the Borough or a public transportation authority or agency.
(n) Vacated property signs. Provided that only one (1) such sign shall be provided either affixed to a building wall or located within a window; not exceeding six (6) square feet in area; nor displayed for longer than sixty (60) days following vacating the property.
(o) Signs on machines. Signs which are an integral part of vending machines, including gasoline pumps, milk and ice machines, provided that they do not collectively exceed three (3) square feet in area per machine.
(p) Interior signs. Signs which are located within buildings and not within eighteen (18") inches of a window visible from a public street or public parking facility.
(q) Political signs. It is recommended that such signs are not more than twelve (12) square feet in area if located in a nonresidential district or more than six (6) square feet in area if located in a residential 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 forty-five (45) days prior to such election; and are removed within fourteen (14) days following such election.
(r) Historical or architectural designation signs; provided that such signs are limited to no more than one (1) wall or ground sign per occupancy; are no more than six (6) square feet in area; are not illuminated and contain no commercial advertising.
(s) Home occupation signs; provided that such signs are limited to no more than one (1) wall sign per occupancy; are no more than one (1) square foot in area; and are nonilluminated. (Ord. #1045, §7.24)
(SUBSECTION 22-7.24)
a. Fences and walls hereafter erected, altered or reconstructed in any zone shall not exceed six (6') feet in height above ground level except as follows:
1. Walls and fences which are open fences as defined in this Chapter located in a front yard or within twenty-five (25') feet of a roadway or within fifty (50') feet of any river, lagoon, or other body of water shall not exceed forty-eight (48") inches in height.
2. In any business zone, open wire fences not exceeding eight (8') feet in height may be erected in the rear or side yard areas and behind the building setback line.
3. On park, recreation or school properties, open wire fences not exceeding ten (10') feet in height may be erected in the rear or side yard areas and behind the building setback line.
4. Fences specifically required by other provisions of this Chapter and other municipal and State regulations.
5. Properties with frontage on at least two (2) improved intersecting public streets (a corner property) shall comply with the requirements of paragraphs a,1 and a,2 except as follows:
(a) No fence or wall shall be erected in the sight triangle affecting the property.
(b) The Zoning Officer of the Borough of Keansburg or his designee may permit, for corner properties only, the erection of a fence or wall not to exceed six (6') feet in height along a property line fronting an improved public street by designating a "front yard" which shall be that portion of the property where the structure thereon faces a public street. That designated front yard shall comply with the requirements of this section and be subject to the limitations of subsection 22-7.25a,1 and a,2.
(c) A fence or wall permitted under this subsection shall comply with a minimum setback of fifteen (15') feet.
(d) Landscaping shall be provided between the fencing and the public right-of-way.
(e) A permit fee of twenty-five ($25.00) dollars shall be required to obtain a permit for the construction of a fence.
b. All fences must be erected within the property lines, and no fence shall be erected so as to encroach upon a public right-of-way.
c. Barbed wire, razor wire, canvas or cloth fence and fencing construction are prohibited in all zones. No fence shall be installed in such a manner as to create sharp "barbed" points of wire at the top of any fence.
d. All supporting members of a fence shall be located on the inside of the fence, and if erected along or adjacent to a property line, the supporting members of the fence shall face the principal portion of the tract of land of the property upon which the fence is erected.
e. Tennis court fences, baseball and software backstops and spectator protective fencing are exempt from the requirements of this section provided they are not located within any required yard area. Located outside of any required yard area, they are subject to the height limitations of the particular zone district.
f. Fences which are painted shall be painted in only one color, harmonious with the surrounding area. Multi-colored fences are prohibited.
g. Fences shall be erected in a manner so as to permit the flow of natural drainage and shall not cause surface water to be blocked or dammed to create ponding. (Ord. #1045, §7.25; Ord. #1267, §1; Ord. #1323; Ord. #1408, §1)
a. A private garage accessory to a principal building is permitted in any zone district.
b. Private garage space may be provided for not more than three (3) motor vehicles accessory to a dwelling unit in a residential zone.
c. Except when actually engaged in connection with the pickup or delivery of goods or materials or in connection with construction or repairs, no commercial vehicle other than that of the owner or occupant shall be garaged, stored or parked in a residential zone. No more than one (1) commercial vehicle shall be garaged, stored or parked on one (1) lot.
d. No trucks, tractor-trailers, tractors (for use in pulling trailers) or trailers shall be parked, stored or garaged in any residential zone, provided however, that these provisions shall not be construed to prevent the delivery by the use of such vehicles to premises in the residential zones of merchandise, furniture or construction materials to be used in construction upon the premises. (Ord. #1045, §7.26)
