# Sign Regulations in Avalon Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Avalon Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/avalon-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/34655528#34655528)

## At a glance

Avalon Borough, New Jersey regulates 30 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Real Estate Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 36 inches (3 ft) above ground tall and 4 sq ft, with a ≥8 ft from curbline setback (Sec. §26-7.21a2(a)). Most commercial signs in Avalon Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | 48 inches (4 ft) | 32 sq ft OR 30 in x 20 ft (banner at 30th & Dune Drive) | — |
| Residential Districts and Uses (R-1AA, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2A, R-2B) | 2 | — | 32 sq ft (total, both signs combined) | — |
| Public Use District (P-U), Public Conservation District (P-C) | 1 | — | 25 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts and Uses (R-M (Hotel-Motel), B-1, B-2, M-B) | 10 | 15 ft above ground | 50 sq ft | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | 36 inches (3 ft) above ground | 4 sq ft | — | ≥8 ft from curbline | 1 per property (or 1 per dwelling unit under separate ownership); see text for detail | On premises; not in Borough right-of-way; ≥8 ft from curbline | — | §26-7.21a2(a) |
| Construction Sign (One- or Two-Family) | 36 inches | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises; not in right-of-way | — | §26-7.21a2(b)(1) |
| Construction Sign (Multiple Lot, One- or Two-Family Developments) | 48 inches (4 ft) | 12 sq ft (3 ft high x 4 ft wide) | 4 ft | — | 1 aggregated sign | On premises; supported by no more than 2 posts (max 4 in x 4 in) | — | §26-7.21a2(b)(2) |
| Construction Sign (Nonresidential, Mixed-Use, or Multifamily Residential) | 48 inches (4 ft) | 12 sq ft (3 ft high x 4 ft wide) | 4 ft | — | 1 | On premises; supported by no more than 2 posts (max 4 in x 4 in) | — | §26-7.21a2(b)(3) |
| Demolition Sale Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | §26-7.21a2(h) |
| Open House Directional/Streamers/Banner - Option 1 | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 per intersection, 2 total | Per intersection, max 2 at nearby intersections and within public ROW (between curb and sidewalk); banner on premises only | — | §26-7.21a2(m) |
| Yard Sale Sign/Directional | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 per intersection (2 total) | At intersection and public right-of-way (between curb and sidewalk) | — | §26-7.21a2(n) |
| Temporary Banner (Nonprofit Event) | — | 32 sq ft OR 30 in x 20 ft (banner at 30th & Dune Drive) | — | — | 1 per event | On buildings (general); at 30th & Dune Drive (special) | — | §26-7.21a2(o) |

### Residential Districts and Uses (R-1AA, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2A, R-2B)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional Office/Home Occupation Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | ≥3 ft from all property lines | 1 | — | — | §26-7.21d1 |
| Church/Nonprofit Organization Identification Sign | — | 32 sq ft (total, both signs combined) | — | ≥3 ft from all property lines | 2 (1 ID, 1 changeable copy) | On property | — | §26-7.21d2 |

### Commercial Districts and Uses (R-M (Hotel-Motel), B-1, B-2, M-B)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (B-1, B-2, M-B, R-M, with County Road frontage) | 15 ft above ground | 30 sq ft per side max | — | ≥5 ft from all property lines | 1 | Min 5 ft from all property lines; fronting County road if in B-1 | — | §26-7.21f2 |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | Between top line of first floor windows/doors and bottom of second floor/cornice; not beyond roof or side walls; project ≤ 6 in from wall | — | §26-7.21f3(a), (b), (c) |
| Suspended Sign | — | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per storefront/business | Suspended from structure on building exterior | — | §26-7.21f3(a), (g) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per storefront/business | Freshly projecting from building | — | §26-7.21f3(a), (f) |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 25% of window area | — | — | 1 per retailer/commercial business | In window | — | §26-7.21f3(h) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 | On vertical fringe of awning/canopy | — | §26-7.21f3(i), b14 |
| Neon or Gas Tubing Sign (Window) | — | 25% of window area | — | — | — | In window | — | §26-7.21f3(l) |
| Temporary Banner (Retail/Business) | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per event | At least 7 ft above grade; on exterior | — | §26-7.21f3(d) |

## Prohibited signs in Avalon Borough

- No directional signs are permitted.
- Any sign hereafter erected in the Borough of Avalon, which is exposed to public view, shall conform to the provisions of this chapter and any other ordinance or regulation of Avalon, the County, State or Federal government relating to the erection and maintenance of signs. In the event of conflicting regulations, the most restrictive regulation shall prevail.
- No sign, other than exempt signs set forth in paragraph b. below, shall be erected without first obtaining a sign permit from the Zoning Office.
- No sign other than traffic or similar official signs shall be erected within or project over the right-of-way of any public street, sidewalk, median island, or public promenade, except as otherwise provided.
- All signs which are not expressly permitted or exempt from regulation in accordance with this section are prohibited.
- Signs using mechanical devices, electrical devices or both to revolve, flash, talk, play music, or display movement or the illusion of movement are prohibited in all zones. Time and temperature signs are exempt from this provision.
- No sign of any type will be permitted to obstruct driving vision, traffic signals, and traffic direction and identification signs.
- Freestanding signs shall not be internally illuminated, but illuminated by a shielded, exterior, downward-facing light source.
- All billboards and/or off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs or signs mounted on the roof are prohibited.
- Beacons are prohibited.
- Tethered balloons are prohibited.
- Strings of light (not including holiday lighting and decorations) are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs are prohibited.
- Animated or moving signs are prohibited.
- Vehicle(s) or trailer(s) located to serve as a sign in circumvention of this chapter are prohibited.
- Signs which present lewd language or graphic sexual depictions are prohibited.
- Bench signs which display a commercial message are prohibited.
- Bus shelter signs are prohibited.
- Temporary signs of builders, architects, engineers, developers, contractors, mechanics, painters, paperhangers and/or artisans, except where expressly permitted, are prohibited.
- Any signs on trees or utility poles are prohibited.
- Internally illuminated awning and canopy signs are prohibited.
- Internally illuminated wall, projecting, and suspended signs (except neon or gas tubing signs) are prohibited.
- Signs using red, yellow, and green lights which mimic the operation of any traffic control signal are prohibited.
- Signs using the words such as "stop," "look," "danger," which are placed to constitute a traffic hazard or interfere with the free flow of traffic are prohibited.
- Signs hung or attached to boardwalk railings are prohibited.
- No advertising for real estate agents, developers, contractors, builders, architects or tradesmen is permitted on neighborhood identification signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Avalon Borough

- One nonilluminated real estate sign advertising the sale, lease, or rent of the premises upon which the sign is located, or indicating the property is under contract, not exceeding four (4) square feet, subject to location and mounting requirements.
- One nonilluminated construction sign is permitted on any premises for which a zoning or construction permit has been issued, to be removed within seven (7) days of project completion or final inspection.
- Decorations for a recognized officially designated holiday or casual observance provided that they do not create a traffic or fire hazard.
- Official municipal, County, State or Federal governmental signs.
- Change in the copy of a changeable copy or time and temperature sign, once a permit for the sign has been issued.
- Political signs are permitted throughout the Borough provided that they do not create a traffic or fire hazard.
- Signs denoting the name and address of the occupants of the premises, not exceeding two (2) square feet in area.
- Signs for a demolition sale that has obtained a permit, not exceeding three (3) square feet, not attached to trees or utility poles, and subject to duration requirements.
- Portable signs, including a swinger, "A" frame, or sandwich sign, no larger than five (5) square feet, advertising daily specials, special events, restaurant menu specials, etc., only while establishment is open, located on related property, not impeding pedestrian flow or located in a sight triangle.
- Restaurant menus displayed in a glass case affixed to the exterior wall or on a signboard near restaurant entrance on private property, not exceeding four (4) square feet.
- Temporary window signs that do not impede a clear view through the total storefront window area, and are displayed for no longer than thirty (30) days.
- Directional and informational window signs (hours of operation, credit cards, business affiliations) that do not contain a commercial message legible from the street; not counted toward window sign area maximum.
- Open house directional signs, open house signs and streamers/pennants may be posted in accordance with the ordinance, with annual permit, between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and other size, material and location restrictions.
- Signs defined as "yard sale" and "yard sale directional signs" (excluding open houses) may be posted with a current permit, subject to size, duration, number, and other restrictions.
- Temporary banner signs on buildings promoting functions of nonprofit organizations, permitted fourteen (14) days prior to the event and removed three (3) days after the event, not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet.
- A temporary banner not larger than thirty (30) inches by twenty (20) feet located at designated municipal location, for up to thirty (30) days prior to event, removed within three (3) days thereafter, subject to Borough procedures.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Each application for development shall include a sign plan showing a description of the message, trademark, symbol, or insignia, and the specific design, location, size, dimensions, colors, materials, height above ground, construction, and illumination of proposed signs.
- All development applications shall submit all signs to be approved by the Board.
- No sign, other than exempt signs, shall be erected without first obtaining a sign permit from the Zoning Office, accompanied by a plan drawn to scale showing details of the sign.
- It is recommended that all signs should have a consistent sign design throughout a particular project, and shall complement the architecture of the building and the site design elements.
- A development application to the Board is required to seek approval of neon tubing used as an architectural element.
- A zoning permit is required for each sign, temporary or permanent, erected in the P-U and P-C Zones.

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

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