City of Northfield - Procedures

Sign Permits

Full Text from eCode360®

Permits.

(1)

All signs and advertising displays, other than those expressly excluded herein, shall require a sign permit. To obtain such permit, the owner of the proposed sign shall make application to the Zoning Officer on forms provided by him/her. The applicant shall also provide all plans and specifications of the proposed construction as provided below.

[Amended 4-18-2023 by Ord. No. 3-2023]

(2)

It shall be the responsibility of the Zoning Officer to determine whether the proposed signs will be in compliance with all the provisions of this section and all other laws and ordinances of this chapter, and that the same will be erected in such manner as not to constitute any hazard to the public or not likely to cause damage to property. The Zoning Officer shall approve or deny the issuance of a sign permit within 30 days of the receipt by him/her of the completed application form and fee. In the event the Zoning Officer approves the issuance of the sign permit, he/she shall promptly forward the same to the applicant. In the event the Construction Official denies the issuance of the sign permit, the Zoning Officer shall so notify the applicant. Upon such denial, the applicant may appeal the determination of the Zoning Officer, pursuant to § 215-7 of this chapter and all other applicable sections thereof. If the work authorized under a sign permit shall not be completed within one year after the date of its issuance, the permit shall become null and void.

[Amended 4-18-2023 by Ord. No. 3-2023]

(3)

Application for sign permits shall be made on forms to be furnished by the City and shall be accompanied by a fee of $75 by cash or check payable to the order of the "City of Northfield," which fee shall not be returnable for any reason. The application shall contain the following information hereinafter set forth:

[Amended 4-18-2023 by Ord. No. 3-2023]

(a)

Name, address and telephone number of the owner of the premises upon which the sign is sought to be erected, and if the applicant is a person other than the owner, then the applicant, in addition, shall set forth his, her or its name, address and telephone number as well as his, her or its relationship to owner.

(b)

Name of person, firm, corporation or association erecting the sign.

(c)

Written consent of the owner of the building, structure or land to which or on which the sign is to be erected, if applicant is other than the owner.

(d)

Attached to each copy of the application shall be a sketch plat prepared by the applicant or on his behalf, which shall include the following information:

[1]

Location of the premises on which the sign is to be erected, in relation to surrounding properties, and showing the Tax Map block and lot numbers of said premises along with the names of the owners of all adjoining properties and their respective Tax Map block and lot numbers, and the names of all streets which abut said premises.

[2]

The location and dimension of all boundary lines of the premises.

[3]

The location and dimensions of all buildings and structures, including existing signs, on said premises, showing their respective setbacks from the boundary lines.

(e)

Also attached to each copy of the application shall be an additional sketch prepared by the applicant or on his behalf, which shall include the following information:

[1]

A diagram of the proposed sign, with all its dimensions and height above ground shown, and a description of the message, trademark, symbol or insignia to be contained thereon.

[2]

The method and materials of construction of said sign, including the mode of illumination, if any, and the manner in which it will be connected to the ground or building. In any business, commercial or industrial zone, this information shall be supplied by virtue of being set forth in blueprint plans.

(4)

Nonconforming signs.

(a)

Continuance. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the lawful use of any sign existing at the date of the adoption of this chapter may be continued, although such sign does not conform to the regulations specified by this section for said sign; provided, however, that no nonconforming signs shall be enlarged, extended or increased or changed in material, character, location or illumination, with the exception of any neon, LED or electronic light sign which was, and can be conclusively established by the owner thereof to have been, in existence prior to June 24, 1986; all neon, LED or electronic light signs within the City of Northfield must satisfy the requirements of this chapter pertaining to the placement and operation of neon, LED or electronic light signs; and all neon, LED or electronic light signs, whether preexisting the June 24, 1986, date, shall be subject to the permitting requirements of this chapter.

[Amended 6-18-2019 by Ord. No. 8-2019]

(b)

Abandonment. A nonconforming sign shall be presumed to be abandoned when there occurs a cessation of any use of activity pursuant to ordinance. Failure to keep signs in good repair for a period of 12 consecutive calendar months shall constitute abandonment and such sign may not then be replaced or reused and must be removed.

(c)

Restoration. If any nonconforming signs shall be destroyed by reason of windstorm, fire, explosion or other act of God or the public enemy, to an extent in excess of 50% of its then true value, said sign shall not be rebuilt or reconstructed except in conformance with the provisions of the section.

(d)

Reversion. No conforming sign shall, once changed into a conforming sign, be changed back again into a nonconforming sign.

This site is under active development. Got it!

MapLink™ | Procedures | Sign Permits

This site is under active development. Got it!

City of Northfield, NJ

MapLink™ | Procedures | Sign Permits