Business zones., Chapter 34. Zoning, Revised General Ordinances, Code of Ordinances, Ramsey

In the B-1, B-1A, B-2, and B-3 Zones for office, retail, banking and service establishments, one sign, located on the facade and/or canopy/awning of the building, shall be permitted for each establishment that has its own exterior public entrance and shall refer only to that establishment. The sign on the facade and/or canopy/awning shall be limited in size to one square foot of surface display area for each foot of the building frontage of the retail or service establishment, with a maximum display area of 40 square feet, and a length of not more than 75% of the building frontage. In the B-1 and B-1A Zones, and in those portions of the B-2 and B-3 Zones that front on Main Street, Lake Street, and Franklin Turnpike, facade signs shall not be internally illuminated.

Any exterior lighting of a sign shall be installed so that there is no light spillover onto adjacent properties. Light fixtures shall be shielded so as to prevent light spillover and glare to the public.

In the B-1 and B-1A Zones and in that portion of the B-2 Zone which fronts on East Main Street, office, retail, banking and service establishments which are located on a lot of more than 10,000 square feet in area shall be permitted to have one ground sign per lot, not internally illuminated, in addition to the facade signs. The ground sign shall be limited in area to 12 square feet and shall be limited in height to eight feet from ground level and shall be set back at least eight feet from the property line.

Shopping centers in the B-1, B-1A, and B-2 Zones shall be permitted one ground sign, which may be a directory sign, limited in area to 25 square feet, limited in height to eight feet, and set back a minimum of eight feet from the property line.

Businesses in the B-3 Zone may have a pylon sign, not exceeding 40 square feet in area and not exceeding 20 feet in height, set back a minimum of 10 feet from the property line, plus individual facade signs for individual office, retail, banking and service establishments within the building. Each individual facade sign shall be limited to one square foot of display area for each foot of building frontage occupied by the retail, service or banking establishment, and to a maximum of 40 square feet per establishment.

Shopping centers in the B-3 Zone shall also be permitted one ground sign, which may be a directory sign for the main customer entrance from the street, limited in area to 40 square feet, limited in height to eight feet from ground level and set back at least 10 feet from the property line. Shopping centers within the B-3 Zone providing a second major entrance for customers from a different street shall be permitted one additional ground sign, which may be a directory sign, limited in area to 25 square feet, to eight feet from ground level, and set back a minimum of 10 feet from the property line.

A shopping center for the purpose of this chapter is defined as the entirety of five or more distinct retail, banking, or service establishments on one lot within one contiguous structure plus any additional establishment within additional structures, all of which share an adjacent, paved, off-street parking area for in excess of 40 automobiles and available for use in common by their customers.

A single office, business, commercial or professional building having more than one tenant may erect and maintain a directory of the tenants in the form of one wall or ground sign comprising a series of horizontal panels, uniform as to color and dimensions and as to the type of lettering. The number of panels shall not exceed the number of tenants. No tenant shall be listed more than once. No other signs shall be permitted on such a multi-use building except one sign displaying the name of the building and conforming to the sign requirements in that zone. The directory sign must be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the property line, limited in height to eight feet from ground level, limited in area to 12 square feet for lots less than 20,000 square feet and limited in area to 25 square feet for lots of 20,000 square feet or more.

Canopies and awnings must have a minimum clearance of eight feet above the public right-of-way.

Entrance and exit signs. One double-faced or single-faced or freestanding sign shall be permitted at each entrance or exit driveway for the purpose of directing motorists safely into and out of the property. Said signs shall not exceed four square feet in area nor extend more than three feet above ground level. Such signs must have reflective surface or low-voltage interior illumination; exterior illumination shall not be permitted. The content of each sign shall consist only of directional arrows and/or the word "In" or "Enter" or "Exit", with the sole addition of a one-word name or other identification. Said signs shall be located within the property line.

Restaurants and food establishments located in the B1 Zone may be permitted one outside menu sign. This sign may be double-faced and shall be a chalkboard-type sign, maximum of three feet high and 1 1/2 feet wide. The following limitations apply:

[Added 8-24-2011 by Ord. No. 16-2011]

The sign shall be removed each evening 1/2 hour before dusk.

There shall be no illumination of any type within the sign or directed to the sign.

The sign cannot impede sidewalk pedestrian traffic and must comply with ADA regulations.

The sign cannot be displayed anywhere other than in front of the business.

No pricing of menu items is permitted on the sign.

The sign shall be for the express purpose of informing the public of menu items or food items for sale at businesses where food items are the main use and where food is prepared on site. No advertisement, political or social statements shall be permitted as a condition precedent for the placement of a sign as contemplated by this subsection.

A hold harmless agreement shall be executed by the sign owner, establishment placing the sign, and the establishment whose name is posted to the Borough of Ramsey in the event of any accidents, falls or injuries of any kind incurred by the placement of the sign.

A permit shall be obtained for each sign through the Zoning Department.