# Sign Regulations in Bergenfield Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bergenfield Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/bergenfield-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/8943414#8943414)

## At a glance

Bergenfield Borough, New Jersey regulates 19 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Business Zones, Industrial Zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 25 sq ft, with a Main building must be set back 25 ft to allow this sign. setback (Sec. §186-48H(2)(b)). Most commercial signs in Bergenfield Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zones | 8 | — | 25 sq ft per side, two sides | — |
| Business Zones, Industrial Zones | 9 | 20 ft | 36 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate | — | 1 sq ft per side, two sides | — | — | 1 per property | Situated within property lines | — | §186-48G(1) |
| Professional Office Sign | — | 2 sq ft per side, two sides | — | Minimum 10 feet from any property line | 1 per property | Situated no closer than 10 feet from any property line | — | §186-48G(2) |
| Institutional Sign (Church, Public Building, Playground) | — | 10 sq ft per side, two sides | — | Min 25 ft from street (or 1/2 distance as above) | 1 per property | On the property to which it relates | — | §186-48G(3) |
| For Sale/Lease Sign | — | 3 sq ft per side, two sides | — | 1/2 distance to front property line, 10 ft from side property lines | 1 per property | On property for sale/lease, not posted on trees | — | §186-48G(4); §186-48F(2) |
| Development/Construction Sign | — | 20 sq ft per side, two sides | — | 10 ft from any property line | 1 per project/group | On lots under development, not affixed to tree | — | §186-48G(5) |
| Apartment Complex Identifying Sign | — | 25 sq ft per side, two sides | — | 25 ft from property line/street or 1/2 distance as above | — | In any required yard, not affixed to tree | — | §186-48G(6) |
| Contractor Sign | — | 3 sq ft per side (lawn), or 6 sq ft (one-sided, affixed to structure) | — | 1/2 distance to front property line, 10 ft from side property lines | 1 per property | On property under construction, with owner's consent | — | §186-48G(7) |
| Election Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §186-48G(8) |

### Business Zones, Industrial Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 3 ft | Max 35 ft in length, max 3 ft in height, not more than 75% width of front facade × 3 sq ft | 35 ft | — | 1 per use per facade; possible rear sign if entrance faces parking | Front facade, not intruding into the second story (except for 1st story in multi-story buildings) | — | §186-48H(2)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 25 sq ft | — | Main building must be set back 25 ft to allow this sign. | 1 per property | Permitted only if main building set back 25 ft from property line. May be located in any required yard area but not over property line or visual obstruction. | — | §186-48H(2)(b) |
| Window Sign | — | Same dimensions as wall sign, but no more than 25% of any window pane area (including temporary signs) | — | — | — | On/painted upon window | — | §186-48H(2)(c) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | Lettering as allowed on wall sign | — | — | 1 per occupancy | Attached over entrances/facades of structures | — | §186-48H(2)(d) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 5 sq ft (one side, double sided allowed) | — | — | 1 per business | Projecting from building facade | — | §186-48H(3)(a) |
| Temporary Window/Door Sign | — | Max 25% of each window pane area, combined with other window signage | — | — | — | Window or door surface | — | §186-48H(3)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Motor Vehicle Service Station) | 20 ft | 25 sq ft per side, two sides | — | — | 1 per station | At corner (in planted area) or in any yard area (interior location), not over property line. | — | §186-48I(1) |
| Time/Temperature Sign | — | 36 sq ft | — | 13 ft from street | 1 per 500 linear feet | — | — | §186-48I(2) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No Smoking Sign | — | — | — | — | — | At entrances, within closed areas, at 20-ft perimeter, in parks, municipal buildings, recreation facilities, municipal vehicles | — | §282-6(A)-(C) |
| Restricted Area Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Outside Borough office entrances | — | §241-2 |

## Prohibited signs in Bergenfield Borough

- No sign shall be erected in such a manner as to confuse or obstruct the view or interpretation of any official traffic sign, signal or device, nor obstruct free and clear vision of an intersection.
- No sign containing the colors red, green, and amber, which are illuminated, or appear illuminated by use of a special preparation, such as reflective paint, shall be located within 60 feet of any intersection wherein a traffic light is present.
- No sign, other than a sign constructed by a public authority, may use the words 'stop' or 'danger' in such a manner as to imply the need or requirement of stopping, caution, or the existence of danger.
- No sign may obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or opening intended to provide light, air, access, ingress, or egress from any building or structure.
- Only signs which are incidental to the use of the property or which advertise the business or merchandise for sale on the premises, or the process of manufacture conducted on the premises, shall be permitted.
- Signs may not be illuminated by flashing, rotating or intermittent lights; no sign may be illuminated by lighting of intermittent or varying intensity; illuminated signs must be shielded to prevent glare; no sign shall be of any illumination color light other than white; no animation is permitted except for time and temperature signs.
- Lights, flashing devices, strobes or other similar devices placed in or near a window, and operated in such a manner so as to draw attention, are deemed signage and are not permitted; no window lighting which is not intended to illuminate signage and is intended only to beckon the public shall be permitted.
- The outdoor use of pennants, windmills, banners, flashing or animated signage is prohibited, except banners, streamers, flags and bunting may be used for a business opening for up to 14 days.
- Signs shall not be posted on trees.
- Billboards, roof signs, portable A-frame signs, any signs in the public right-of-way, inflatable signs, signs directing persons to open houses or similar activities, and mechanically retractable awnings and canopies (whether or not containing signage) are prohibited in all zones.
- The use of signs crossing Borough or county rights-of-way is prohibited, except that eleemosynary institutions may apply for a special exception.
- Security gates shall contain no signage, printing or lettering of any sort.
- Storefronts that are vacant must post 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' signs only on doors, not windows, and such signs may not exceed six square feet; only one such sign per side with a door is allowed.
- Display windows shall not be used to store or warehouse excess stock.
- Gate storage for security gates shall not project beyond the front of the building.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bergenfield Borough

- No permit shall be required for any permitted sign in a residential zone, as specified in § 186-48G.
- No permit shall be required for temporary signs pertaining to sale or lease of a lot, building, or construction of a building on the property on which it is placed, with prior approval of the Municipal Construction Code Official.
- No permit shall be required for signs identifying a church, public building, or playground, situated on the property to which it relates.
- No permit shall be required for federal, state, county, and municipal signs and historical markers.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Plans and detailed information must be submitted with each application for a sign permit, including a scale color sketch, dimensions, materials, support methods, type of illumination, and exact location on the property.
- All illuminated signs must bear the label of the National Board of Fire Underwriters or similar agency and require an electrical inspection certificate before being lighted.
- Written consent of the owner or lessee of the property is required with every sign permit application.
- A certificate of insurance with at least $1,000,000/$3,000,000 coverage and a hold-harmless clause naming the Borough is required from all sign erectors.
- A permit fee must be paid prior to the erection of each sign requiring a permit.
- Where a nonconforming sign is to be restored, the property owner or subsequent tenant must provide proof and documentation as to the type and dimensions of the prior signage within six months of the business cessation.
- Eleemosynary institutions may apply to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a sign crossing a right-of-way, and if repeating a previous year's approval, may seek administrative approval from the Zoning Officer upon submission of specified documentation.

## Full detail

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

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