# Sign Regulations in Atlantic Highlands Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Atlantic Highlands Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/atlantic-highlands-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/13509571#13509571)

## At a glance

Atlantic Highlands Borough, New Jersey regulates 27 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Commercial Zone zoning district are capped at 10 feet tall and 18 square feet, with a 10 feet from property line setback (Sec. § 150-69I(3)). Most commercial signs in Atlantic Highlands Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Harbor Area | 1 | — | — | — |
| Noncommercial Zone | 7 | — | 20 square feet (total for all signs on property) | — |
| Commercial Zone | 10 | 10 feet | 18 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 6 inches for lettering/graphics | 32 square feet (total area on any one lot) | — |

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

### Noncommercial Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (For Sale or Rent) | — | 9 square feet | — | — | 1 per property | On property to be sold or rented | — | § 150-69H(1) |
| Professional/Home Use Sign (Wall or Other) | — | 4 square feet per face | — | — | 1 | On site of use/home/office | — | § 150-69H(2) |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | On building; identifies occupant and street number | — | § 150-69H(3) |
| Ground Sign (Advertising Permitted Use/Professional Office) | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 | On property; ground-mounted | — | § 150-69H(4) |
| Freestanding Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per driveway | At each driveway providing entrance/exit for off-street parking | — | § 150-69H(5) |
| Freestanding Institutional Sign | — | 20 square feet (total for all signs on property) | — | — | Up to area limit | For school, hotel, medical facility, philanthropic institution, nonprofit, or church; may be on public parking area or entrance driveway; posts/columns by permit | — | § 150-69H(6) |
| Apartment House Identification Sign | — | Up to 20 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line | — | Facing the street(s) upon which entrances are located, set back 10 ft from property line | — | § 150-69H(7) |

### Commercial Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 5 feet, or not higher than parapet or building facade | 10% of building face (including window area), not exceeding 5 feet in height | — | — | 1 per street frontage per business | On wall, per street frontage per business | — | § 150-69I(1), (2) |
| Ground Sign | 10 feet | 18 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line | 1 per street frontage per business | Per street frontage, set back 10 feet from property line | — | § 150-69I(3) |
| Wall Sign (Side or Rear Wall) | — | 12 square feet (including borders) | — | — | 1 per side or rear wall | On side or rear wall of building | — | § 150-69I(4) |
| Freestanding Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per driveway | At each driveway for off-street parking access | — | § 150-69I(6) |
| Projecting Sign (Regular) | — | 12 square feet (including borders) | — | — | — | Projecting from face of building, not more than 6 ft from wall | — | § 150-69I(7) |
| Projecting Sign (Self-contained Light Box) | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | Projecting from face of building, not more than 6 ft from wall | — | § 150-69I(7) |
| Fence Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | 1 per business | On business fence | — | § 150-69I(8) |
| Directional Sign | 5 feet | 2 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | § 150-69I(9) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Theater Bill / Changeable Copy Sign (Established Frame Within Theaters) | — | — | — | — | — | On established frame within theaters | — | § 150-69B(1) |
| Interior Building Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Within a building, not attached or painted on a window | — | § 150-69B(2) |
| Show Window Sign (Interior, Commercial Zone) | — | 30% of window area | — | — | — | In interior of a show window, commercial zones | — | § 150-69B(3) |
| Show Card (Public Activity) | — | 28 x 22 inches | — | — | — | Show windows of occupied business establishments | — | § 150-69B(4) |
| Real Estate Sign (General Exemption) | — | 9 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | § 150-69B(5) |
| Vacated Property Relocation Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 | — | — | § 150-69B(6) |
| Church Bulletin Board | — | 20 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | § 150-69B(7) |
| Canopy/Awning Lettering | 6 inches for lettering/graphics | 10% of total awning/canopy area; letters/graphics <6 in. height | — | — | — | On awnings/canopies | — | § 150-69B(10) |

## Prohibited signs in Atlantic Highlands Borough

- The painting of signs and the marking up of piers with paint is prohibited.
- No sign shall be placed within the harbor area without first obtaining permission from the Harbor Commission.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, alter or relocate any nonexempt sign without first making application, paying the appropriate fee, and obtaining a permit.
- No signs, illustrations or symbols shall be placed so as to interfere with the opening of an exit door of any building, to obstruct any window of a dwelling, to interfere with the use of any fire escape, or to create a hazard to pedestrians.
- No illustrated sign shall be of such a color or located so as to diminish or detract from a traffic signal or official safety/warning device.
- No illuminated signs shall flash or rotate.
- Exposed sources of illumination shall be prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited, except such directional devices as may be required by federal authorities.
- Any sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or product sold shall be removed within 30 days after cessation of business.
- Nonconforming signs may not be enlarged, and failure to keep a nonconforming sign painted or in good repair for one year constitutes abandonment and requires removal.
- A sign shall not be illuminated by other than electrical means, devices, and wiring in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association.
- It is the owner's or lessee's duty to maintain the sign in good repair and paint; failure to do so for 30 days constitutes abandonment and requires removal.
- Signs found in dangerous structural conditions must be repaired or removed; otherwise, the Borough may remove them at owner's expense.
- Signs found in nonconformance must be corrected or removed within 30 days; otherwise, Borough may remove at owner's expense.
- Pylon signs supported by pyramidal towers supports are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited except as specified (Subsection G).
- Marquee signs are prohibited except as specified (Subsection B(1)).
- Banners, streamers, advertising flags and twirlers are prohibited except as specified (Subsection B(8)).
- Signs or posters on poles, posts, trees, sidewalks or curbs are prohibited.
- Signs producing glare that unreasonably interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or that are detrimental to welfare, are prohibited.
- Signs standing, painted or installed on sidewalks are prohibited.
- Exterior moving signs are prohibited.
- Outdoor neon signs with neon tube directly exposed to view are prohibited.
- Vinyl, cloth, or similar signs are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Atlantic Highlands Borough

- Theater bills and changeable copy signs: changing feature bills on established frames at theaters, and changing copy of authorized changeable copy signs that do not conflict with regulations.
- Signs located within a building, and not attached directly to or painted on a window.
- Signs upon the interior of a show window or any window within the commercial zones, advertising only occupant name, business, or products and covering less than 30% of the window area.
- Show cards not to exceed 28 x 22 inches displayed in show windows for up to 30 days before and 7 days after a public activity.
- One real estate sign per lot not exceeding nine square feet in area.
- One sign (not exceeding 6 sq ft) giving name, business, and new address of former occupant, for not more than 60 days.
- Church bulletins not exceeding 20 square feet.
- Banners, streamers and flags advertising openings and sale days, not displayed more than 30 days per calendar year.
- Signs concerning a matter of public interest, provided the total area on one lot does not exceed 32 square feet. Political signs for elections must be removed within 7 days after the election.
- Lettering or graphics on any canopy or awning not exceeding six inches in height and area of such lettering or graphics is 10% or less of the total square footage of the awning or canopy.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs must conform to the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code and the provisions of this article.
- Permit required for any nonexempt sign; must apply to the Construction Official, pay the fee, and obtain approval from both Code Enforcement Officer and Construction Official.
- Applicant must prepay Municipal Engineer's review fees if Zoning Officer determines engineering review is needed.
- If more than four colors are used on any sign, a color rendering must be submitted and approved by the Borough Zoning Officer and/or Borough appeal board (e.g., Planning Board).

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

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