The Red Bank sign ordinance is currently undergoing an overhaul. The municipality is looking to balance the competing interests of attracting new businesses and protecting the character of the historic borough.
Most New Jersey municipalities have sign ordinances that dictate the type, location, and size of signage. The goals of local regulations generally include protecting the character of the community and preventing visual “clutter” in downtown and other commercial districts. For instance, Red bank currently prohibits all billboards and blinking signs. In order to comply with the First Amendment, sign restrictions must be content-neutral. They must also advance a “legitimate governmental interest,” such as protecting public health, safety, morals, and general welfare.
For businesses, signs not only help attract and direct customers to their location, but also serve to solidify the company’s identity. However, in order to avoid running afoul of local ordinances, companies must be sure to obtain the proper permits and verify that all proposed signage complies with the code. Failing to do so prior to ordering and installing signs can be a costly mistake.
Amending Red Bank’s Sign Ordinance
In Red Bank, government officials have been working for several years to streamline the municipality’s sign ordinance. The current debate is whether the proposal to amend the code goes far enough.
James Scavone, executive director of Red Bank River Center, has been a vocal critic. River Center, a non-profit organization, manages Red Bank’s Special Improvement District. “We feel the current draft is injurious to business development in Red Bank and I urge [the council] to reconsider its introduction,” Scavone told The Hub.
According to Scavone, the scaled-down version of the sign ordinance is still too burdensome on businesses and could hinder development. He notes that the sign code is still 14 pages long, which is twice the length of the sign regulations in towns like Princeton, Montclair and Cape May.
The proposed ordinance is scheduled for a public hearing on March 23, 2016. We will be closely following its progress and will post updates as they become available.
A Whistleblower Just Filed a Complaint Against Your Company: Here's What to Do Now
Few situations create more uncertainty than learning that an employee has filed a whistleblower complaint. Questions arise immediately: Is the allegation legitimate? Should the employee be placed on leave? Do we need to notify our insurance carrier? Are we now prevented from disciplining the employee if there are unrelated ongoing work related issues? There is […]
Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors: An Alternative to Bankruptcy for Distressed Businesses
When a business reaches the point where it can no longer service its debts or otherwise resolve its liabilities, management is often faced with a difficult question: is a bankruptcy filing necessary or is there another way to perform an orderly liquidation or sale of the business assets? While Chapters 7 and 11 of the […]
Breaking Down New Jersey’s “Mansion” Tax: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
For many years, the New Jersey Mansion Tax has been a significant consideration in high-value real estate transactions. Recent legislative changes, however, have substantially altered how the tax operates, including who is responsible for paying it and the amount owed in certain transactions. Whether you are purchasing, selling, or investing in New Jersey real estate, […]
Estate Planning for Digital Assets Under New Jersey Law
As our personal and financial lives increasingly move online, estate planning must evolve to address a new category of property: digital assets. From email accounts and social media profiles to cryptocurrency and cloud-stored business records, these assets often carry both financial and sentimental value. Yet, without proper planning, they can become inaccessible—or even lost—upon incapacity […]
The Role of Representation and Warranty Insurance in M&A Transactions
In today’s mergers and acquisitions market, representation and warranty (R&W) insurance has become a common feature of deal negotiations. Once used primarily in larger transactions, R&W insurance is now frequently incorporated into middle-market deals as buyers and sellers look for efficient ways to allocate risk and close deals. When structured properly, R&W insurance can help […]
You Just Received a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena in New Jersey: Now What?
Receiving a federal grand jury subpoena is not something most businesses or individuals anticipate. While it can be concerning, a federal grand jury subpoena does not necessarily mean that you are being accused of wrongdoing. It does, however, mean that a federal criminal investigation is underway and that federal prosecutors believe you may possess information […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
