# Sign Regulations in Bernardsville Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bernardsville Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/bernardsville-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/35373776#35373776)

## At a glance

Bernardsville Borough, New Jersey regulates 31 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Generals in the Industrial-1 Zone District, Industrial-2 Zone District, Industrial Zone zoning district are capped at 8 ft above ground (or curb opposite, whichever less) tall, 10 sq ft, and 3 ft wide, with a Min 4 ft from right-of-way/property line; min 50 ft from corner of streets. setback (Sec. LD-12-23.15d7(a)-(d)). Most commercial signs in Bernardsville Borough 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 | 12 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zone Districts | 3 | — | 2 sq ft | — |
| Industrial-1 Zone District, Industrial-2 Zone District, Industrial Zone | 6 | 20% of building height or 5 ft (whichever is less) | 30 sq ft | — |
| Automobile Fueling Station and Public Garage | 3 | 12 ft | 30% of canopy fascia (per side) | — |
| Downtown District | 7 | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Downtown-Core subdistrict, Downtown Claremont subdistrict, Claremont District | 2 | 6 ft | 5 sq ft per side | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential Zone) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property; 2 if multiple non-corner street frontages | On property being sold/rented. | — | LD-12-23.15b1(a)-(c) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential Zone) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property; 2 if multiple non-corner street frontages | On property being sold/rented. | — | LD-12-23.15b1(a)-(c) |
| Construction Site Sign - Major Subdivision | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Beyond street right-of-way | 1 | On subject property, outside street right-of-way. | — | LD-12-23.15b2(a), b2(d) |
| Construction Site Sign - New Single Family Residence | 6 ft | Total aggregate: 24 sq ft per lot, no sign exceeds 24 sq ft | — | Beyond street right-of-way | Unlimited per lot as long as total does not exceed 24 sq ft | On lot, outside of street right-of-way | — | LD-12-23.15b2(b), b2(d) |
| Construction Site Sign - Other Construction | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | Beyond street right-of-way | 1 | On lot, outside street right-of-way | — | LD-12-23.15b2(c), b2(d) |
| Temporary Farm Product Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On property where farm products are produced. | — | LD-12-23.15b3 |
| Temporary Special Event Sign (Educational, Charitable, Civic, Religious) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 6 off-site per special event (Borough-wide) | Various locations, possibly off-site. | — | LD-12-23.15b4, b8 |
| Wall or Ground Sign for Specified Institutional Uses | — | 12 sq ft | — | Min 15 ft from property line or within lesser of 15 ft or 1/2 the principal building setback, but at least 5 ft from street right-of-way. | 1 | On premises of places of worship, libraries, museums, governmental buildings, schools, public rec/community centers. | — | LD-12-23.15a17 |

### Industrial-1 Zone District, Industrial-2 Zone District, Industrial Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 20% of building height or 5 ft (whichever is less) | Total wall sign area: up to 5% of area of building face. Single sign: max height 20% of building height or 5 ft (whichever is less). Max width 90% of building facade. | 90% of building facade | — | Unlimited per wall face, subject to total sign area | Entrance wall or wall fronting street. | — | LD-12-23.15d1, d2, d3, d5 |
| Perpendicular (Projecting) Wall Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | Unknown | Wall, at right angles. At least 10 ft above ground, does not extend above wall. | — | LD-12-23.15d4 |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | Unknown | Windows | — | LD-12-23.15d6 |
| Freestanding Sign - General | 8 ft above ground (or curb opposite, whichever less) | 10 sq ft | 3 ft | Min 4 ft from right-of-way/property line; min 50 ft from corner of streets. | 1 | Min 4 ft from right-of-way/property line, min 50 ft from intersection of two street sidelines. | — | LD-12-23.15d7(a)-(d) |
| Freestanding Sign - Large (300 ft street frontage, in lieu of other freestanding sign) | 15 ft above ground | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 large sign per property plus one subsidiary per industrial use | Property with at least 300 ft street frontage; only if no other freestanding sign. | — | LD-12-23.15d8(a)-(e) |
| Roof-Fascia/Marquee/Mansard/Gambrel Sign (In Lieu of Wall Sign) | 3 ft or 15% of building height (whichever less) | — | 15 ft or 50% of width of roof/structure (whichever less) | — | 1 | Sloping roof, roof fascia, overhang, marquee | — | LD-12-23.15d9(a)-(d) |

### Downtown District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | 1.5 ft | — | — | — | 1 per storefront awning | Valance of awning | — | LD-12-23.15f2(a) |
| Canopy Sign | 2 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per canopy (only if no wall or awning sign on facade) | Canopy | — | LD-12-23.15f2(b) |
| Small Ground-Mounted Sign (Downtown Core and Claremont Districts) | 6 ft | 5 sq ft per side | — | 2.5 ft from primary/secondary street lot line; 5 ft from other lot lines. | 1 per frontage, plus another per 100 additional feet | Set back min 2.5 ft from street lot line, 5 ft from other lot lines. | — | LD-12-23.15f2(c) |
| Large Ground-Mounted Sign (except Downtown-Core and Downtown Claremont subdistricts) | 6 ft (sign above base), base max 2 ft | 40 sq ft sign; 100 sq ft including structure | — | 5 ft from street, 10 ft from other lot lines | 1 per lot frontage; 1 for each add'l 1,000 ft width | Set back min 5 ft from street lot line, 10 ft from other lot lines. | — | LD-12-23.15f2(d) |
| Projecting Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft/side | 4 ft (projection), 6 inches (depth) | — | 1 per tenant | Between ground story window/door heads and second story windowsills (or up to eave/parapet if single story). | — | LD-12-23.15f2(e) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Facade | — | LD-12-23.15f2(f) |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | — | — | — | — | Ground floor window | — | LD-12-23.15f2(g) |

## Prohibited signs in Bernardsville Borough

- No sign shall be erected or maintained except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
- No sign shall be constructed or displayed unless a sign erection permit has been obtained from the Construction Official except those exempt under § 12-23.a.16.
- No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause confusion or danger to street traffic by obscuring the view or by simulating official, directional, or warning signs maintained by any Governmental Body, railroad, or public utility concerned with the protection of the public health or safety. This includes any sign visible from the public right-of-way which uses an arrow device or simulates a stop sign or stop light.
- Signs advertising a use or product shall be removed within 30 days of the date such use ceases to exist or such product is no longer available.
- No permanent sign shall be attached to trees, fence posts, stumps, utility poles, light poles, within the public right of way, bridges, rocks, or similar features not considered advertising structures.
- No sign shall be lighted by using unshielded incandescent bulbs, lasers, neon or gas discharge tubes, mirrors reflecting a direct light source, or similar devices.
- Buildings or structures may not be outlined by tubing or strings of lights except for seasonal lighting, which may remain on a building but shall not be illuminated post season.
- No business sign shall be permitted which is not accessory to the business or use conducted on the property. Off premise signs, including advertising billboard signs, are expressly prohibited.
- Rotating signs, live action signs, and flashing, computer generated signage, variable message or scrolling signage, signs utilizing television monitors, and intermittent illuminated signs are prohibited.
- Banners, spinners, pennants, exposed LEDs, or any moving object used for advertising purposes whether containing a message or not are prohibited, unless specifically authorized by the Governing Body for a special public event except a digital theatre marquee sign or traditional nonilluminated barbershop pole sign in the Downtown District.
- No sign shall be erected within or over the right-of-way of any street unless specifically authorized by this chapter, other ordinances of the Borough, or by the relevant governing body or agency.
- Portable signs are prohibited except where permitted by other provisions of this chapter.
- Any sign that is or shall become dangerous or unsafe, or any sign erected contrary to the provisions of this chapter, shall be repaired, made safe, or removed.
- Any sign that fails to meet the maintenance provisions of this chapter shall be repaired or removed within 60 days of written notification by the Construction Official.
- Any signs other than those for which provision is expressly made under this section are prohibited.
- No sign shall contain words or graphics which are offensive to the community's standards.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bernardsville Borough

- Memorial tablets or signs, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials are exempt from the permit requirement.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger signs, and such temporary emergency signs as may be erected by governmental or public utility employees in carrying out their official work are exempt from the permit requirement.
- Names on mailboxes are exempt from the permit requirement.
- Signs forbidding trespassing, hunting, fishing, or trapping as authorized by Fish and Game Laws (N.J. Revised Statutes Chapter 23) are exempt from the permit requirement.
- Permit exemption noted above applies only to permit requirements; exempted signs must still be erected and maintained in good and safe condition.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for sign erection permits must be filed with the Zoning Officer and Construction Official, and must include sketches and description of proposed signs including dimensions, graphics, colors, materials, and construction details. Any modifications, including colors, wording, or graphics of existing signs, shall be submitted for review.
- Permits shall be issued for approved applications upon payment of the established fee.
- If a variance is required for a sign, a denial letter shall be issued specifying the relief required.

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

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