# Sign Regulations in Berkeley Heights Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Berkeley Heights Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/berkeley-heights-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NJ/Berkeley_Heights_Township/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=APXAMULAUSPROR_PT5SI)

## At a glance

Berkeley Heights Township, New Jersey regulates 20 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Ground Sign (excluding changeable copy) - Single Tenant/Establishments in the Retail, Restaurants, and Business Services Use zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 20 sq ft, with a 5 ft from property lines setback (Sec. Article 5.10.B(1), Article 5.7.A). Most commercial signs in Berkeley Heights Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single Family Residential | 1 | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — |
| Townhouses, Multi-Family Residential, Municipal, and Open Space Use | 1 | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — |
| Institutional and Entertainment Use | 2 | 15 ft | 24 sq ft or 10% of façade | — |
| Retail, Restaurants, and Business Services Use | 9 | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Office, Research, and Industrial Use | 6 | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 8 ft | 42 sq ft (message area, one-sided only) | — |

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

### Retail, Restaurants, and Business Services Use

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (excluding changeable copy) - Single Tenant/Establishment | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property lines | 1 per site | On property with 5 ft setback from property lines. | — | Article 5.10.B(1), Article 5.7.A |
| Ground Sign (excluding changeable copy) - Multi-Tenant/Establishment | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property lines | 1 per site | On property with 10 ft setback from property lines. | — | Article 5.10.C(1) |
| Wall Sign - Single Tenant/Establishment | 15 ft | 24 sq ft or 10% of façade | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On exterior wall; 1 per street frontage. | — | Article 5.10.B(2) |
| Wall Sign - Multi-Tenant/Establishment | 15 ft | 24 sq ft or 10% of façade | — | — | 1 per tenant/establishment | On exterior wall; 1 per tenant/establishment. | — | Article 5.10.C(2) |
| Window Sign - Single Tenant/Establishment | — | 25% of window area | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On window; 1 per street frontage. | — | Article 5.10.B(3) |
| Special Sign (Ground Sign - Temporary, Option 1) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property lines | 1 per tenant/establishment | On property with 5 ft setback from property lines. | — | Article 5.10.D(1)(a)(i)-(iv) |
| Special Sign (Banner - Temporary, Option 2) | 15 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property lines | 1 per tenant/establishment | On property with 5 ft setback from property lines. | — | Article 5.10.D(1)(a)(ii)-(iv) |
| Portable Sign (Sandwich Board / A-Frame) | 3.5 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant/establishment | On premises, within 12 ft of primary public entrance; must maintain 3 ft unobstructed sidewalk clearance. | — | Article 5.10.D(2) |

### Office, Research, and Industrial Use

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (excluding changeable copy) - Single Tenant/Establishment | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property lines | 1 per site | On property with 5 ft setback from property lines. | — | Article 5.11.B(1) |
| Ground Sign (excluding changeable copy) - Multi-Tenant/Establishment | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property lines | 1 per site | On property with 10 ft setback from property lines. | — | Article 5.11.C(1) |
| Wall Sign - Single Tenant/Establishment | 15 ft | 24 sq ft or 10% of façade | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On exterior wall; 1 per street frontage. | — | Article 5.11.B(2) |
| Wall Sign - Multi-Tenant/Establishment | 15 ft | 24 sq ft or 10% of façade | — | — | 1 per tenant/establishment | On exterior wall; 1 per establishment/tenant. | — | Article 5.11.C(2) |
| Window Sign - Single Tenant/Establishment | — | 25% of window area | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On window; 1 per street frontage. | — | Article 5.11.B(3) |
| Window Sign - Multi-Tenant/Establishment | — | 25% of window area | — | — | 1 per tenant/establishment | On window; 1 per tenant/establishment. | — | Article 5.11.C(4) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate (Residential or Professional, Non-Illuminated) | — | 7 in x 18 in (per sign) | — | — | See sign_size_restrictions | On building or directory | — | Article 5.6.A(4) |
| Directional Sign (Non-Illuminated) | — | 3 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any property line | — | Minimum 5 ft from any property line; must not block line of sight from driveways/roads. | — | Article 5.6.A(6) |
| Security Sign (On-Premises, Non-Illuminated) | — | 2 ft x 3 ft (per sign) | — | — | Max 4 per acre, 1 per lot allowed | Private property | — | Article 5.6.A(7) |
| On-premises Real Estate, Garage Sale, Open House, and Construction Sign (Ground, Non-Illuminated, Temporary) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | On-premises; displayed only while service is being performed/advertised, removed within 5 days of cessation | — | Article 5.6.A(10) |
| Temporary Non-Commercial Sign (Residential Use) | — | 12 sq ft (total per property) | — | — | See max_area | Within front or side yards of private property; not within public right-of-way. | — | Article 5.6.B |
| Municipal Purpose Sign | 8 ft | — | — | — | — | Within public right-of-way, government-owned land, or with property owner's permission (by agreement) | — | Article 5.6.C(1) |
| Municipal Purpose Bulletin Board | — | 42 sq ft (message area, one-sided only) | — | — | — | Within public right-of-way, government land, or with private owner’s permission (by agreement) | — | Article 5.6.C(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Berkeley Heights Township

- Abandoned signs.
- Signs that promote illegal activity.
- Snipe signs.
- Signs that contain reflective parts, flashing lights, or other design features that may be confused with or interfere with any authorized traffic signal; or make use of words, phrases, symbols, or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, or mislead or confuse traffic; or of such a form, character, or shape as to confuse or dangerously distract the attention of the operation of a motor vehicle.
- Signs painted on or placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying that sign.
- Signs that are in whole or in part moving, flashing, mobile, revolving, animated, electrically, or mechanically activated, or give the illusion of movement or changing copy, except barber poles.
- Beacon signs and other illuminated signs wherein the focused rays of the light can shine directly into the eyes of motor vehicle drivers or passersby.
- Signs which are unsafe and pose danger to human life and public safety.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound, odor, or contain open flames.
- Signs which interfere with radio, television, or any electrical appliance transmission or reception.
- Interactive signs.
- Billboards and other off-premises commercial signs which direct attention to a business, product, service, or activity that is sold, offered, or conducted elsewhere than on the premises upon which the signs are located.
- Temporary advertising signs affixed to a window or a door.
- Electronic message centers, LED and digital displays, Tri-Vision Boards, and other types of signs on which the copy or illustrations are illuminated internally and change automatically through electrical means.
- Projecting signs, roof signs, and signs which extend above the highest elevation of the wall or above the lowest part of the roofline of the building.
- Awning and canopy signs.
- Inflatable signs, fluttering bunting, and tethered balloons, except decorative small balloons.
- Sequential signs.
- Windsocks, kites, strings, streamers, pennants, and spinners, except as temporary holiday decorations or temporary displays in non-residential districts for special events as may be approved by the Township Council.
- Any sign not specifically permitted in this Part.

## Signs exempt from permit in Berkeley Heights Township

- Signs which are not visible from a public right-of-way.
- Any sign located inside a building or other enclosed structure, that is not attached to a window or door, and is not readable from a distance of three (3) feet or more beyond the lot line of the parcel nearest to where such sign is located.
- Any sign required by a valid and applicable federal, state, county, or local law, or erected by or at the order of government agencies or public utilities, including but not limited to public notices and warnings, traffic control and parking regulation signs, signs for identification of public facilities, and signs for utility, construction, and railroad crossing.
- Non-illuminated residential and professional nameplates not to exceed seven (7) inches by eighteen (18) inches. Residential nameplates shall be limited to one (1) per residential dwelling unit and professional nameplates shall be limited to one (1) per lawful occupant of the premises. All such signs on a building or directory shall be of uniform size, color, style, and material.
- One (1) sign stating "Open" or "Closed" that is placed on the front window or door of an establishment. The sign area shall not exceed twenty-four (24) inches by ten (10) inches, and the sign shall not project more than two (2) inches from the surface of the window or door on which it is placed. Such sign may be backlit by red or blue LED lights, provided that the illumination does not cause glare, and does not flash, move, or have any other feature that may be disruptive to traffic. Further, such lights must be turned off when the establishment is closed.
- Directional signs not exceeding three (3) square feet and located a minimum of five (5) feet from any property line. Directional signs shall not block the line of sight from driveways and roads.
- Security signs on private property not larger than two (2) feet by three (3) feet. Such signs shall be black letters on white background with a maximum limit of four (4) such signs for each acre of the parcel on which located. One (1) such sign shall be permitted regardless of the size of the parcel.
- Holiday and seasonal lights and decorations with no commercial message, excluding inflatables.
- Historic tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques, and emblems not exceeding four (4) square feet in area.
- One (1) on-premises, non-illuminated ground real estate sign, garage sale sign, open house sign, or construction sign not to exceed six (6) square feet in area and four (4) feet in height. Any such sign shall only be displayed during the time when the person or business erecting the sign is actively engaged in performing the service on or for the premises where the sign is located, and must be removed no later than five (5) days after the cessation of said service.
- Temporary noncommercial signs as described in Article 5.6.B, subject to specified requirements.
- Municipal purpose signs authorized and approved by the Township Council, in compliance with listed requirements.
- Municipal purpose bulletin boards authorized and approved by the Township Council, in compliance with listed requirements.
- Temporary signs or banners advertising public or quasi-public events that are posted with the permission of the Township Clerk and Zoning Officer.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Signage Plan must accompany any application for sign permit.
- A Master Signage Plan must accompany any application for development filed with the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment which involves installation or modification of any sign.
- Whenever a Master Signage Plan is filed with the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment, a plot plan and professionally prepared plans/drawings are required, as described.
- The Zoning Officer may refer sign permit applications to the Downtown Beautification Committee for review (for signs in a downtown district).
- If a sign does not comply with all applicable provisions and is denied by the Zoning Officer, the applicant may seek variance approval from the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
- When installation or modification of a sign has been approved by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment as part of a development application, the Zoning Officer shall issue a sign permit only if the proposed sign is consistent with the reviewing Board's approval.

## 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 Berkeley Heights Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Berkeley+Heights+Township+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-berkeley-heights-township

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