# Sign Regulations in Atlantic City, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Atlantic City, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/atlantic-city
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-12
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://njcrda.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/2021/06/Subchapter-5-Zone-District-Use-Standards.pdf#page=7)

## At a glance

Atlantic City, New Jersey regulates 20 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Auto Service Station/Gas Station & Convenience Center Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Wall, awning, canopy, pole, marquee, projecting: ≤20 feet or no higher than the roof eave or second-floor windowsill, whichever is less. Ground signs: ≤5 feet. Window signs: not higher than windows on ground floor unless a separate/distinct use exists on a higher floor. tall and Window signs: ≤33% of the area of the window., with a ≥5 feet from any lot line. setback (Sec. N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(k)1). Most commercial signs in Atlantic City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | Wall, awning, canopy, pole, marquee, projecting: ≤20 feet or no higher than the roof eave or second-floor windowsill, whichever is less. Ground signs: ≤5 feet. Window signs: not higher than windows on ground floor unless a separate/distinct use exists on a higher floor. | Window signs: ≤33% of the area of the window. | — |
| Lighthouse One (LH-1); Lighthouse Two (LH-2); Ducktown Arts (DA); Open Space (OS) | 3 | ≤15 feet or no higher than second-floor windowsill, whichever is less. | Aggregate window sign area ≤33% of the area of the window in which displayed. | — |
| Resort Commercial (RC); Central Business District (CBD); Marina (M); Thorofare Waterfront (TW); Bader Field (BADER) | 8 | ≤40 feet. | ≤650 square feet of display area. | — |
| Gateway (GWAY); Kentucky Avenue Renaissance (KAR); Gardner's Basin (GB); Absecon Inlet (AI) | 8 | ≤40 feet. | ≤650 square feet of display area. | — |
| Beach District (B) | 8 | ≤20 feet. | Aggregate window sign area ≤33% of the window area; business identification window signs in commercial districts ≤25% of the total window glass area used for identification (with accessory window signs total ≤33%). | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Sign Types (General Standards) | — | — | — | Sight triangle protection; no signs may extend into public ROW (except publicly owned). | — | All zones; applies to any sign visible from a street, road, sidewalk, public or private property. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(b), (c)1-4, (d)1-15, (e) |
| Temporary Sign | — | Not larger than the permitted sign and cannot exceed total width of display window(s). In retail uses, ≤10% of total window area. | — | — | No explicit numeric limit; subject to temporal limits and area constraints. | Must be placed on the property of the business it advertises. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(f) |
| Portable Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet above sidewalk surface. | 9 square feet (each side; each side is in addition to permitted maximum sign area). | Maximum width over public sidewalk: 2 feet 6 inches. | — | Spacing: ≥25 feet from any adjoining sandwich sign when in public ROW. | In front of the commercial establishment it advertises; permitted on private property and in public pedestrian ROW (sidewalk/boardwalk). | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(g)18 |
| Auto Service Station/Gas Station & Convenience Center Signs | Wall, awning, canopy, pole, marquee, projecting: ≤20 feet or no higher than the roof eave or second-floor windowsill, whichever is less. Ground signs: ≤5 feet. Window signs: not higher than windows on ground floor unless a separate/distinct use exists on a higher floor. | Window signs: ≤33% of the area of the window. | — | Wall, awning, canopy, marquee, projecting, and window signs: none. Ground signs: ≥5 feet from any lot line. | Per roadway frontage: two wall signs and one freestanding sign. | Accessory to auto service stations and gas station & convenience centers in any zoning district. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(k)1 |
| Parking Lot/Parking Garage Signs | Identification: 4–14 ft above grade; Current Rate: 4–8 ft; Tariff: ≤8 ft (no lower than can be seen unobstructed from all entrances when lot is full). | Identification: ≤16 square feet; Current Rate: ≤4 ft by 4 ft; Tariff: ≤2 ft by 3 ft; Public Prohibitory (Towing): 2 ft by 4 ft. | — | — | Identification: placement as needed for business; Public prohibitory: at all entrances (and additional locations as needed). | Accessory to parking lots and garages; posted in specified visible locations including entrances and attendant’s booth. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(k)2 |
| Time-and-Temperature Sign | ≤20 feet. | ≤16 square feet per sign face. | — | ≥10 feet from any street line; ≥5 feet from any other lot line. | Maximum one per frontage. | One pole, projecting, or ground sign per lot frontage. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(k)3 |
| Skyway Bridge Signs | — | — | — | — | Per side: one identification sign (max two signs total) and one temporary sign or wall sign with temporary message (max two signs total). | Attached to skyway bridge structures (pedestrian connectors between principal structures). | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(k)5 |

### Resort Commercial (RC); Central Business District (CBD); Marina (M); Thorofare Waterfront (TW); Bader Field (BADER)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | No higher than the roofline of the wall supporting the sign. | — | — | None. | Two per street frontage. | On building wall; commercial/special purpose districts. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(j)2.i, (j)3.i, (j)4.i, (j)5.v, (j)7 |
| Ground Sign | ≤5 feet. | — | — | ≥5 feet from all lot lines. | Either one ground sign or one pole sign per street frontage. | Freestanding at grade. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(j)2.i, (j)3.i, (j)5.iii, (j)6.ii, (j)7 |
| Pole Sign | ≤20 feet. | — | — | ≥5 feet from all lot lines. | Either one pole sign or one ground sign per street frontage. | Freestanding on poles. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(d)3, (j)2.i, (j)3.i, (j)5.iv, (j)6.ii, (j)7 |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign | ≤20 feet or no higher than the second-floor windowsill, whichever is less. | — | — | None. | One per premises. | On awning/canopy/marquee attached to building. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(j)2.i, (j)3.ii, (j)5.i, (j)7 |
| Projecting Sign | ≤20 feet or no higher than the second-floor windowsill, whichever is less. | — | — | None (subject to curb-line clearance). | One per premises. | Projects from building wall. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(d)12, (j)2.i, (j)3.iii, (j)5.ii, (j)7 |
| Window Sign (Accessory to Commercial Use) | — | Aggregate window sign area ≤33% of the window area; business identification window signs in commercial districts ≤25% of the total window glass area used for identification (with accessory window signs total ≤33%). | — | — | One per use (commercial accessory). | On interior of windows of commercial uses. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(j)3.iv; (g)8-10 |
| Electronic Billboard Sign | ≤40 feet. | ≤650 square feet of display area. | — | ≥5 feet from all lot lines. | One electronic billboard sign. | Freestanding; permitted in these districts. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(j)2.ii, (j)4.ii, (j)5.vi, (j)6.ii; (d)15 |
| Advertising Sign | — | — | — | As applicable to the structural form used (e.g., ground/pole/electronic billboard ≥5 ft; wall/awning/canopy/marquee/projecting/window: none). | Subject to structural sign limits: two wall signs; either one ground or one pole per street frontage; one awning/canopy/marquee; one projecting; one window sign; one electronic billboard. | Commercial/special purpose districts as permitted herein. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(j)1.vi (permitted except within specified districts); (j)2 |

### Gateway (GWAY); Kentucky Avenue Renaissance (KAR); Gardner's Basin (GB); Absecon Inlet (AI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | No higher than the roofline of the wall supporting the sign. | — | — | None. | Two per street frontage. | On building wall. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(j)2.i, (j)3.i, (j)4.i, (j)5.v, (j)7 |
| Ground Sign | ≤5 feet. | — | — | ≥5 feet from all lot lines. | Either one ground sign or one pole sign per street frontage. | Freestanding at grade. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(j)2.i, (j)3.i, (j)5.iii, (j)6.ii, (j)7 |
| Pole Sign | ≤20 feet. | — | — | ≥5 feet from all lot lines. | Either one pole sign or one ground sign per street frontage. | Freestanding on poles. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(d)3, (j)2.i, (j)3.i, (j)5.iv, (j)6.ii, (j)7 |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign | ≤20 feet or no higher than second-floor windowsill, whichever is less. | — | — | None. | One per premises. | On awning/canopy/marquee attached to building. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(j)2.i, (j)3.ii, (j)5.i, (j)7 |
| Projecting Sign | ≤20 feet or no higher than second-floor windowsill, whichever is less. | — | — | None (subject to curb-line clearance). | One per premises. | Projects from building wall. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(d)12, (j)2.i, (j)3.iii, (j)5.ii, (j)7 |
| Window Sign (Accessory to Commercial Use) | — | Aggregate window sign area ≤33% of the window area; business identification window signs in commercial districts ≤25% of the total window glass area used for identification (with accessory window signs total ≤33%). | — | — | One per use. | On interior of windows of commercial uses. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(j)3.iv; (g)8-10 |
| Electronic Billboard Sign | ≤40 feet. | ≤650 square feet of display area. | — | ≥5 feet from all lot lines. | One electronic billboard sign. | Freestanding; permitted in these districts. | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(j)2.ii, (j)4.ii, (j)5.vi, (j)6.ii; (d)15 |
| Advertising Sign (Prohibited in these districts) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N.J.A.C. 19:66-5.7(j)1.vi |

## Prohibited signs in Atlantic City

- Any sign not expressly permitted by §19:66-5.7 is prohibited.
- Illuminated signs must use shielded or indirect, non-flashing light and may not cast light onto other properties or roadways; if adjacent to or across from residential districts and visible from them, they may not be illuminated between 11:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. unless the use is open.
- No sign may obstruct ingress or egress to fire escapes, doors, windows, or other required accessways; no sign may be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign may be erected or maintained within the window light-obstruction cone for any habitable room of a residential unit.
- No sign may project over, occupy, or obstruct any window surface required for light or ventilation.
- No sign may be located or designed such that it obstructs, impairs, or is confused with traffic control devices; signs must comply with sight triangle requirements (no part within the triangle except a support ≤ 18 inches wide/diameter).
- No sign, except publicly owned signs, may be placed in, extend into, or over any public right-of-way.
- No sign may be painted directly on a building wall except a sign pertaining to a use carried on within that building.
- No ground, pole, roof, or projecting sign may be located within 50 feet of a lot line of a designated landmark or landmark site if visible from that lot line at five feet above grade.
- Electronic message or digital display signs may not exceed 5,000 nits in daylight or 250 nits at night and must have automatic brightness control.
- Projecting signs may not extend more than 4 feet from the wall, be nearer than 2 feet to the curb line, project from building corners, or be lower than 8 feet above grade; they must project at 90 degrees.
- Animated or moving signs are prohibited unless expressly authorized by specific zoning district rules.
- Advertising vehicle signs are prohibited on any street, public property, or private property so as to be visible from any street (except on public transportation vehicles).
- Signs on trees or utility poles or painted on/affixed to rocks, ledges, or other natural features are prohibited.
- Any sign (including advertising vehicle signs) that advertises or promotes a use prohibited within the district is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Atlantic City

- Routine sign maintenance, changing parts designed to be changed, or changing sign content without changing the functional classification does not require a CLUC.
- Governmental signs (content and size limited to the enabling law/ordinance/regulation).
- Nameplate signs (max 1 per occupancy; ≤ 1 sq ft; indirect illumination only; projecting sign extends ≤ 6 inches; ground sign ≤ 3 ft high).
- Warning signs (max 2 per occupancy; ≤ 4 sq ft each; indirect illumination only).
- Memorial signs (max 1 per occupancy; durable materials; ≤ 4 sq ft; indirect illumination only).
- Historical or architectural designation signs (max 1 per occupancy; ≤ 6 sq ft; indirect illumination; no commercial advertising).
- Holiday decorations (display ≤ 60 consecutive days and ≤ 20 days after the holiday).
- Construction signs (max 1 per street frontage; ≤ 60 sq ft; indirect illumination; removed within 14 days after construction concludes).
- Temporary non-illuminated window signs for events/promotions (display ≤ 45 days before event and ≤ 3 days after; aggregate window sign area ≤ 33% and must not block required window area).
- Permanent non-illuminated window signs for compliance/associations (aggregate window sign area ≤ 33% and must not block required window area).
- Real estate signs (residential ≤40 ft or vacant land: max 1 sign ≤ 8 sq ft; residential >40 ft: max 2 signs ≤ 24 sq ft each; commercial property: max 2 signs ≤ 32 sq ft each).
- On-site informational signs (wall/window/ground; ≤ 2 sq ft; height ≤ 12 ft).
- Flags or emblems of governments or political, civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizations.
- Private sale or event signs (≤ 4 sq ft; on premises or other private property with owner consent; labeled with responsible party; erected ≤ 12 hours before sale or ≤ 45 hours before event; removed the day after).
- Political signs (≤ 10 sq ft in commercial/resort/industrial districts; ≤ 4 sq ft in other districts; max 1 per lot; private property with owner consent; labeled with responsible party; erected ≤ 45 days before election; removed within 14 days after).
- Home occupation signs (max 1 wall sign per occupancy; ≤ 1 sq ft; not lighted).
- Advertising vehicle signs are allowed only on public transportation vehicles.
- Portable sandwich signs (allowed on private property and in public pedestrian ROW subject to width ≤ 2 ft 6 in, height ≤ 4 ft, area ≤ 9 sq ft per side, not blocking pedestrian access, ≥ 25 ft from another sandwich sign, placed only in front of the establishment advertised, removed daily at closing; City license required if encroaching into public ROW; must be durable and maintained).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Certificate of Land Use Compliance (CLUC) is required before erecting, enlarging, expanding, altering, or relocating any sign (routine maintenance/part changes/content changes that do not alter functional classification are exempt).
- CLUC applications must include plans/specifications for construction, illumination, and support; a scaled sketch of sign faces and exposed surfaces with message/design size/area/proportion/color; photographs of street sides showing existing signs; a calculation of total existing sign area; and an attestation that requested plus existing signs do not exceed maximums.
- CLUC processing timeline: completeness review with deficiency notice within 10 business days if incomplete; approval/disapproval within 10 working days; CLUC sent to applicant and City officials.
- Non-compliant signage requires a variance application and a hearing; applicant must provide statutory proofs under MLUL standards.
- Temporary signs require a CLUC and submission at least 14 days prior to installation with details on installation/removal dates, sizes/number, locations/attachment method, proposed message, and percent area; the sign must display the install and removal dates in 1-inch numbers.
- Projecting or sandwich signs that encroach into the public pedestrian right-of-way require a City license; enforcement may remove signs that block pedestrian access.
- No master sign plan requirement is specified in the provided text.

## 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 6 zoning districts in Atlantic City — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Atlantic+City+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-atlantic-city

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