# Sign Regulations in Asbury Park, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Asbury Park, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/asbury-park
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/34673108#34673108)

## At a glance

Asbury Park, New Jersey regulates 38 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Sign (aka Sidewalk Sign)s in the Commercial Districts, Mixed-Use Zoning District, Redevelopment Area, Nonresidential Districts, Non-residential or mixed-use zones zoning district are capped at 42 in (per §30-61.14l) or 48 in (§16-4) tall, 2.5 sq ft (30" x 12") per §16-4, but 5 sq ft per §30-61.14l, and 30 in wide, with a Min 10 ft from side property line; center if <<20' frontage; within 4 ft of curb or bldg; at least 60 in unobstructed public path (§16-4.3c); min 5 ft clear passage (§30-61.14l6). setback (Sec. §16-4.3; §30-61.14l). Most commercial signs in Asbury Park require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 22 | 35 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 3 | 4 ft | 9 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts, Mixed-Use Zoning District, Redevelopment Area, Nonresidential Districts, Non-residential or mixed-use zones | 13 | 42 in (per §30-61.14l) or 48 in (§16-4) | 40 sq ft (per business) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Vehicle Sign (when not used in business and >10 square feet, parked >5 hrs) | — | 10 sq ft | — | Within 100 feet of ROW | — | On vehicle visible from street ROW, within 100 ft | — | §30-61.3r |
| Temporary On-Site Special Event Sign | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per event | On site of special event, must not obstruct uses/signs, not conflict with permitted uses, or distract vision; location subject to safety. | — | §30-61.12 |
| Temporary Garage/Yard Sale Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot line | 1 per event | Onsite at residence, not in ROW. | — | §30-61.14i; §4-12.5 |
| Street Address Sign (Residential use) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On building/lot | — | §30-61.14a |
| Street Address Sign (Business or nonresidential use) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On building/lot | — | §30-61.14a |
| Nameplate/Occupant Identification Sign (Residence or Business) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On building/lot | — | §30-61.14b |
| On-site Directional Sign | 3.5 ft | 2.5 sq ft | — | — | — | On site (noncommercial, not off-premises) | — | §30-61.14c |
| Flagpole | 35 ft | — | — | Same as building | 1 per lot | On lot (one per lot) | — | §30-61.14f |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 per premises | On same lot/building, five feet inside property line. | — | §30-61.13a |
| Entrance/Exit Parking Sign (Residential use, 5+ spaces) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance/exit | Entrance/exit to a parking area. | — | §30-61.15a |
| Parking Area Identification Sign (Residential use, 5+ spaces) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per area | Parking area | — | §30-61.15b |

### Commercial Districts, Mixed-Use Zoning District, Redevelopment Area, Nonresidential Districts, Non-residential or mixed-use zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Building Sign (Wall Sign) (Commercial/Nonresidential use) | — | 40 sq ft (per business) | — | — | 2 per business | On building (primary facade, not side/rear walls within 100 ft of residential) | — | §30-61.16a/b |
| Entrance/Exit Parking Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance/exit | Entrance/exit of parking area | — | §30-61.16d |
| Parking Area Identification Sign (5+ spaces) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per area | Parking area | — | §30-61.16e |
| Sandwich Board Sign (aka Sidewalk Sign) | 42 in (per §30-61.14l) or 48 in (§16-4) | 2.5 sq ft (30" x 12") per §16-4, but 5 sq ft per §30-61.14l | 30 in | Min 10 ft from side property line; center if <<20' frontage; within 4 ft of curb or bldg; at least 60 in unobstructed public path (§16-4.3c); min 5 ft clear passage (§30-61.14l6). | 1 per business per frontage | On public sidewalk or boardwalk in close proximity to entrance, within 4 ft of curb/building, with 5 ft min clear sidewalk (per §30-61.14l, §16-4.3c). | — | §16-4.3; §30-61.14l |
| Special Category: Construction Sign (Ground, Pole, or Wall Mounted) | 8 ft from grade | 40 sq ft (per street frontage, total construction and real estate signs combined) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On site of minor or major development after project approval; removed after CO | — | §30-61.13b (table, footnotes) |
| Special Category: Construction Fence Sign | 8 ft from grade or fence top (lesser) | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Mounted on construction fence after project approval | — | §30-61.13b (table, footnotes) |
| Special Category: Real Estate Sign for Minor/Major Development (Ground, Pole, or Wall) | 8 ft from grade | 40 sq ft (with construction sign) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On site after project approval; removed after 80% units sold/leased. | — | §30-61.13b and table |
| Sandwich Board Sign (see above Sidewalk Sign) | 42 in | 5 sq ft | — | As above | 1 per property address | On public sidewalk/right-of-way, close to entrance. | — | §30-61.14l and §16-4.3 |

## Prohibited signs in Asbury Park

- Billboards are prohibited.
- Revolving signs are prohibited.
- Flashing, sparkling or glittering signs, or accent lights that flash, sparkle or glitter are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Wind signs are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited except those specifically permitted (e.g., sandwich board signs).
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Abandoned and discontinued signs are prohibited.
- Snipe signs and bandit signs are prohibited.
- Projecting signs are prohibited except as expressly allowed.
- Bus bench advertising signs and bus shelter advertising signs that exceed 25% of the area of the vertical face of a bus shelter structure are prohibited.
- Signs that emit smoke, vapor, sound, odor, visible particles or gaseous matter are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct, conceal, hide or obscure official traffic or governmental signs, signals or devices are prohibited.
- Signs within a sight triangle are prohibited.
- Signs in the public right-of-way, other than permitted types such as traffic control device signs, warning signs, safety signs, EVSE signs, or permitted sandwich board signs are prohibited.
- Signs using the word 'stop', 'danger', or any similar wording implying the need or requirement of stopping or danger, or which copy/imitate official traffic control device signs, adjacent to the right-of-way, are prohibited.
- Signs prohibited by State or Federal law are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs exceeding 10 square feet on vehicles not regularly used in the conduct of the advertised business, parked for more than 5 consecutive hours within 100 feet of a street right-of-way, are prohibited.
- Signs located on real property without the permission of the property owner are prohibited.
- Beacon signs are prohibited except as required by Federal or State law.
- Intermittent signs are prohibited.
- Signs located, painted or affixed on bridges, abutments, walls, fences, towers or accessory structures visible from a public street or from an adjacent residential use are prohibited.
- Signs with changeable copy/graphics that (1) change more frequently than once every 24 hours; (2) exceed 12 sq. ft. in area; (3) are accessory to a non-permitted principal use; (4) would otherwise be prohibited or nonconforming; (5) transition with scrolling, fading, dissolving, pixilation, zooming, wiping, moving copy or graphics except instantaneous static replacement; (6) contain/exhibit more than a single color of copy/graphics; (7) have more than a single-color background; (8) have a background lighter than the copy/graphics; (9) use more than one font; (10) are located in a residential district; are prohibited.
- Banners are prohibited except for temporary 'grand opening' events as regulated.
- Signs containing a message that states or implies a property may be used for any prohibited purpose are prohibited.
- Any sign installed or placed on public property, other than official governmental signs or as otherwise permitted, shall be forfeited and subject to removal, and the city may recover full costs of removal and disposal from the owner or placer.
- No sign other than traffic control or similar official signs shall be erected within or project over the right-of-way of any public street or sidewalk except as provided.
- No sign shall be erected so as to obstruct vision of traffic.
- Attaching sidewalk signs to the sidewalk, structures, poles, or objects by bolts, chains, cords, rope, wire, cable, etc. is prohibited.
- Sidewalk signs must not prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or lawfully parked vehicle.
- Sidewalk signs must be removed if there is any snow accumulation.
- Sidewalk signs must not be illuminated, nor have moving parts, balloons, streamers, pennants, or similar adornments.
- Signs in violation of provisions may be removed immediately and permit privileges may be revoked for the remainder of the year.
- No signs (including garage sale signs) may be affixed to trees or utility poles.
- Signs for garage sales must be removed within 48 hours after the sale.
- No pay telephone may be placed or maintained on or above any public street/sidewalk without a permit.
- No pay telephone installations may unreasonably impede pedestrian or vehicular flow, ingress/egress, traffic sign/signal use, hydrants, mailboxes, or reduce the pedestrian passageway to less than 6 feet.

## Signs exempt from permit in Asbury Park

- Temporary real estate signs (one non-illuminated ground sign per lot/building for lease, rental or sale not exceeding 9 sq.ft., at least 5 feet inside the property line, not mounted on trees) are permitted in all zones and are exempt from other sign requirements.
- Signs permitted as-of-right without permits include: street address signs (2 sq.ft. for residence, 6 sq.ft. for business unless otherwise required), nameplate/occupant identification signs (2 sq.ft.), noncommercial on-site directional signs (2.5 sq.ft./3.5 ft high), parking space number signs (1 sq.ft.), temporary viewpoint signs (with size/duration requirements), flagpoles (one per lot, up to 35 ft high), flags (two per flagpole, up to 15 sq.ft.), warning/safety signs (4 sq.ft.), one temporary garage-yard sale sign (residential, 4 sq.ft./3 ft high, setback 5 ft, up to 3 days three times/year), government agency signs, 'Private Driveway' signs (2 sq.ft.), sandwich board signs (subject to detailed requirements).
- Street address signs and occupant identification signs are specifically exempted from permit requirements as long as they comply with size and location restrictions.
- Temporary viewpoint signs (≤4 sq.ft., not illuminated, up to 60 days, not hazardous) are permitted as-of-right.
- Warning and safety signs up to 4 sq.ft. are permitted in all districts.
- Temporary garage/yard sale signs (one per lot, subject to size, location, and time limits) are permitted as-of-right.
- Government or government agency signs are permitted as-of-right.
- Sandwich Board Signs are allowed in non-residential/mixed-use zones under specified conditions (one per business, no illumination, up to 5 sq.ft., up to 42 in high, minimum 5 ft passage, etc.).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Signing Plan is required for multi-use and multi-building developments. The Signing Plan must include details regarding letter style, lighting, color, construction/materials, sign height, height above grade/below roofline, locations, and standards. The Plan must exhibit an integrated design theme, harmony and consistency, and integration with building architecture and landscape design.
- Signing Plans for multi-use and multi-building developments require approval by the City.
- Temporary on-site special event signs require approval by the Zoning Officer. Appeals of Zoning Officer decisions regarding special event signs may be made to the Board of Adjustment.
- Construction and real estate signs for minor/major developments (including fence-mounted) require permits; details are specified regarding timing, removal, and integration if different sign types are present.
- For permitted temporary signs that are denied, an appeal/variance can be made to the Board of Adjustment, which must be heard and determined within 30 business days (per Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:550-70).

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Asbury Park, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Asbury+Park+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-asbury-park

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