# Sign Regulations in Allentown Borough, New Jersey

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Allentown Borough, New Jersey, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Allentown Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/allentown-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/35605465#35605465)

## At a glance

Allentown Borough, New Jersey regulates 24 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (Construction)s in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 15 feet above ground tall and 15 square feet, with a 10 feet from all property lines if not affixed to building setback (Sec. §28-10.10.2d[1]). Most commercial signs in Allentown Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts | 10 | 15 feet above ground | 15 square feet | — |
| Business District, Commercial Zones | 11 | 15 feet (for construction) | See schedule: Up to 200 sf facade = 30 sf; 201-350 sf facade = 45 sf; 351-500 = 50 sf; 501-750 = 55 sf; 751-999 = 60 sf; 1000+ = 70 sf | — |
| Historic Business District (HB-D) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 3 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional Sign | — | 3 square feet | — | — | — | On building advertising the permitted use | — | §28-10.10.2h[1], §28-10.10.2b[9] |
| Medical Practitioner Sign | — | 1 square foot | — | — | — | On home or office | — | §28-10.10.2h[2], §28-10.10.2b[9] |
| Tourist Home Sign | — | 1 square foot | — | — | — | On building for tourist home use | — | §28-10.10.2b[2] |
| Customary Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Building or use permitted under this chapter | — | §28-10.10.2b[2] |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | 1.5 times area in feet | 1 | On property offered for sale or rent | — | §28-10.10.2b[2], §28-10.10.2d[2] |
| Temporary Sign (Construction) | 15 feet above ground | 15 square feet | — | 10 feet from all property lines if not affixed to building | 1 | On lot under construction | — | §28-10.10.2d[1] |
| Political Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | — | On property | — | §28-10.10.2e |
| Directional Sign | — | 1 square foot | — | 5 feet from any property line for those under 2 square feet | — | On property to which the public is directed | — | §28-10.10.2b[6], §28-10.10.2a[DIRECTIONAL SIGN] |

### Business District, Commercial Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | See schedule: Up to 200 sf facade = 30 sf; 201-350 sf facade = 45 sf; 351-500 = 50 sf; 501-750 = 55 sf; 751-999 = 60 sf; 1000+ = 70 sf | — | — | 3-5, see schedule by facade area | On principal or secondary business facade | — | §28-10.10.2b[3], §28-10.10.2b[3](b), §28-10.10.2k, §28-10.10.2g[1] |
| Freestanding Sign (Institutional Use) | — | 10 square feet (per street frontage) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On site of school, college, house of worship, or similar public/semi-public institutions | — | §28-10.10.2g[4](c)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Institutional Use) | — | 25 square feet or 2% of wall area, whichever is less | — | — | 2 per building | On wall of school, college, house of worship or similar use | — | §28-10.10.2g[4](c)(2) |
| Window Lettering and Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 20% of window area (not to exceed sign area for the property as calculated) | — | — | — | Interior of window | — | §28-10.10.2f[1], [2], [5] |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | In conjunction with permanent, max 50% of window area and not to exceed total allowed sign area | — | — | — | Interior of window | — | §28-10.10.2f[4] |
| Projecting Sign (Over Sidewalk) | 10 feet minimum to bottom, max 15 feet top edge | 20 square feet | — | Erected at least 10 feet above sidewalk; maximum 15 feet at top edge; maximum 5 feet extension over sidewalk | — | Over sidewalk or public way; cannot extend more than 5 feet from building | — | §28-10.10.2b[4] |
| Directional Sign (Parking Areas) | — | 2 square feet (entrance/exit); 6 square feet (parking area conditions/identity) | — | — | See additional requirements | At each entrance/exit to institutional public use parking | — | §28-10.10.2g[4](a) |
| Temporary Sign (Construction/Business) | 15 feet (for construction) | 15 square feet (construction); 8 square feet (for sale/lease); 30 day max for grand opening/closure sign | — | 10 feet from all property lines if not affixed to building (construction signs); 1.5 times sign area for for sale/lease signs | 1 per lot | As specified for use (construction/on sale lot) | — | §28-10.10.2d |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Non-Residential >2sf) | — | 3 square feet | — | 5 feet from property line if under 2 sf | — | On property for direction only, 5 feet from property line if under 2 square feet. | — | §28-10.10.2a[DIRECTIONAL SIGN], §28-10.10.2b[6] |
| Street Sign | — | — | — | — | — | At intersection of 2 or more streets, within street right-of-way | — | §28-11.8 |
| Smoking Prohibited By Law Sign | — | — | — | — | Sufficient number to be conspicuous | On premises wherever required by state smoking regulations (public meeting rooms, elevators, conveyances, etc.) | — | §3-17.1, §3-17.3 |
| Sign for Protection/Public During Construction, Repairs, or Emergencies | — | — | — | — | — | On site of construction/repair/emergency | — | §28-10.10.2g[4](e) |

## Prohibited signs in Allentown Borough

- No person shall place advertising signs of any description on any post, tree, fence, sidewalk, telegraph pole, or electric light pole in the streets of the Borough, except on authorized boards.
- Signs that do not advertise a permitted business or use located in the same premises are prohibited.
- Roof signs and signs extending above the wall to which they are attached are prohibited.
- Permanent marquees extending over the sidewalk beyond the street line, except as allowed, are prohibited.
- Signs posted on fences, posts, utility poles, or trees are prohibited.
- Signs posted on Borough property, except where specifically authorized by the Borough, are prohibited.
- Signs installed or painted on sidewalks or curbs are prohibited.
- Signs using mechanical or electrical devices or wind to revolve, flash, display movement, or spell alternating messages are prohibited.
- Signs on abutments, retaining walls, or embankments are prohibited.
- Signs painted directly on buildings which obstruct any windows are prohibited.
- Signs which constitute a hazard to the traveling public by obstructing driving vision or regulatory directional signs or signals are prohibited.
- Pylon signs, except as permitted, are prohibited.
- Billboard signs are prohibited.
- Automobile trailers or vehicles bearing signs or advertisements parked or stationary for more than 24 hours on vacant land or public street are prohibited.
- Signs using any lighting or control mechanism causing radio or television interference are prohibited.
- Illuminated signs where the source of the light is directly visible from adjoining properties or streets are prohibited.
- Neon, internally illuminated, or other fluorescent signs are prohibited.
- All temporary signs, except as specifically allowed, are prohibited.
- Sidewalk signs are prohibited.
- No sign using red, green, blue, or amber illumination in a beam, beacon, or flashing form resembling emergency lights shall be erected in any location.
- No sign that fails to conform to these regulations shall be rebuilt, enlarged, changed, or moved.
- No sign (except temporary, window, political, community bulletin board, or directional signs) shall be erected prior to the issuance of a permit.
- No person shall remove, deface, or conceal any placard required or erected by or under authority of any section requiring posting.
- No sign shall be erected, enlarged, or relocated except in accordance with regulations and until a permit has been issued, unless specifically exempted.
- Window lettering and signs with exterior source of illumination are prohibited.
- Moving window signs are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Allentown Borough

- Directional signs having an area of less than two square feet are exempt from any location regulations except that they should be located a minimum of five feet from any property line.
- Signs required by the U.S. Department of Transportation Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Motor Vehicle, Pedestrian Safety, and U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act are exempt.
- No provisions prohibit signs which issue warnings or safety messages such as 'no hunting,' 'no trespassing,' 'beware of dog,' or traffic directional signs.
- Signs designating entrance or exit to and from parking areas for institutional public use, limited to one sign (max area two square feet per exit or entrance), and one additional sign (max six square feet) per parking area designating the conditions of use or identity thereof, do not require a sign permit.
- A sign (max two square feet) indicating the name and address of the occupant of a dwelling and/or professional activity therein does not require a sign permit.
- Signs identifying names of schools, colleges, houses of worship, or similar public or semipublic institutions meeting area and number restrictions do not require a sign permit.
- Any sign erected by Allentown Borough, Monmouth County, State of New Jersey, or Federal government does not require a sign permit.
- Signs used for protection of the public during construction, repairs, and emergencies do not require a sign permit.
- The owner of properties with parking for handicapped persons must install and maintain signs according to the Manual on Uniform Control Devices; these requirements are not subject to the sign permit process.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For signs requesting illumination, the application must be submitted to the Planning Board for review.
- If an additional structure is needed to mount a proposed sign or if the sign is to be illuminated, site plan review may be required before permit issuance.
- All applications for sign permits must include sketches and drawings showing details of construction, support, attachment, size, shape, design, coloring, lettering, lighting, and position in relation to the building.
- Sign plans for signs in the Historic Business District may be referred to the Historic Preservation Commission for comment prior to permit issuance at the enforcing officer's discretion.
- Issuance of a sign permit does not relieve the owner or lessee from the duty to apply for a construction permit if required by the Uniform Construction Code, nor from the duty to maintain any structure in safe condition.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 4 zoning districts in Allentown Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Allentown+Borough+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-allentown-borough

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