# Sign Regulations in Bordentown Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bordentown Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/bordentown-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/40328834#40328834)

## At a glance

Bordentown Township, New Jersey regulates 16 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Nonprofit Organization Event Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 feet (if freestanding) tall and 32 square feet, with a 1 linear foot per 2.5 square feet of sign area from all lines setback (Sec. § 500-515F(8)). Most commercial signs in Bordentown Township 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 | 10 | 11.5 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Residential Zones (R-40, R-30, R-20, R-10, R-8, R-7, R-6, RC-20, RC-30, RC-30T, RC-5000, RC-4500, RC-7700, AR/AH, AH100, A/T) | 4 | 10 feet | 16 square feet | — |
| PO Professional Office | 4 | 10 feet | 16 square feet | — |
| CC Community Commercial, HC Highway Commercial, HCO-1 Highway Commercial Overlay 1 | 2 | 12 feet | 15% of front facade area, max 24 sq ft for individual tenant identification | — |
| GC-I General Commercial, GC-II General Commercial | 2 | 12 feet | 15% of front facade area, max 24 sq ft for tenant identification | — |
| REO Research, Engineering and Office | 3 | 12 feet | 100 square feet | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nonprofit Organization Event Sign | 5 feet (if freestanding) | 32 square feet | — | 1 linear foot per 2.5 square feet of sign area from all lines | Maximum 6 per organization/event | On premises of nonprofit and up to 5 on other properties in nonresidential zones | — | § 500-515F(8) |
| Political Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | 10 feet from all side property lines | — | Private property | — | § 500-515F(9) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Lot) | — | 4 square feet | — | 10 feet from all side property lines | — | On private property | — | § 500-515F(10) |
| Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential/Major Res. Subdiv.) | — | 32 square feet | — | 10 feet from all side property lines if not attached to building | — | Nonresidential districts and major residential subdivisions | — | § 500-515F(10) |
| Flagpole | May not exceed building height by more than 10 feet | — | — | Comply with sign setbacks and height standards | — | On-premises, all zones | — | § 500-515F(12) |
| Temporary Sign - Garage Sale | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 6 per event | On property | — | § 500-515F(13)(e) |
| Temporary Sign - Special Event | 10 feet | 20 square feet | — | Set back inside property line | 3 per street frontage | On property (not on telephone poles or trees) | — | § 500-515F(13)(h) |
| Feather Flag/Banner Sign | 11.5 feet | — | 2.5 feet | Set back inside property line | 3 per street frontage | Set back inside property line | — | § 500-515F(13)(i) |

### Residential Zones (R-40, R-30, R-20, R-10, R-8, R-7, R-6, RC-20, RC-30, RC-30T, RC-5000, RC-4500, RC-7700, AR/AH, AH100, A/T)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Information and Direction Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | On-premises | — | § 500-515G(1) |
| Monument Sign (Institutional Use) | 10 feet | 16 square feet | — | — | 1 | On-premises of church, school, farm, fire/emergency or other public/quasi-public institution | — | § 500-515G(2) |
| Other Signs | 6 feet | 2 square feet (home occupation signs: 4 sq ft) | — | — | — | On-premises | — | § 500-515G(3) |
| Home Occupation Sign | 6 feet | 4 square feet | — | — | — | On-premises | — | § 500-515G(3) |

### PO Professional Office

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Information and Direction Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | On-premises | — | § 500-515H(1)(a) |
| Other Signs | 6 feet | 2 square feet (home occupation: 4 square feet) | — | — | — | On-premises | — | § 500-515H(1)(b) and (3) |
| Home Occupation Sign | 6 feet | 4 square feet | — | — | — | On-premises | — | § 500-515H(1)(b) and (3) |
| Monument Sign (Institutional Use) | 10 feet | 16 square feet | — | — | 1 | On-premises of church, school, farm, fire/emergency or other public/quasi-public institution | — | § 500-515H(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Bordentown Township

- No signs shall be placed on or attached to a building or erected independently for any purposes other than to advertise a permitted business or use conducted on the same premises unless specifically permitted.
- Animated, flashing, moving, illusionary, rotating, scrolling, video, or signs with changing text more than once every 30 seconds are prohibited.
- No attached sign shall be higher than 25 feet and no monument sign shall be higher than 12 feet.
- Illuminated signs must not create glare, interfere with vehicle operation, or resemble emergency or traffic lights; no red, green, blue or amber illumination in beam, beacon or flashing form resembling emergency lights.
- No sign, display or advertising device shall resemble any standard traffic control device or exhibit exposed incandescent bulbs, neon tube, or mirrors.
- Light fixtures may not be attached or mounted to public property (buildings, utility poles, streetlights, road signs).
- No sign shall be erected, altered or replaced which is not in compliance with the State Uniform Construction Code and the standards established in this chapter.
- No sign of any type shall be permitted to obstruct driving vision, traffic signals, traffic directional and identification signs, other places of business, or other signs or windows of building on which they are located.
- No signs shall contain messages or depict obscene material and/or adult entertainment material.
- Freestanding signs are prohibited. Existing freestanding signs installed prior to the effective date may remain, but must be replaced with a monument sign upon change of use, ownership or business transference.
- Roof signs are prohibited, except mansard façade signs.
- Billboards are prohibited except where authorized and approved as a conditional use.
- No mobile or portable signs, including A- and T-frame signs, menu or sandwich board signs, tethered balloons and inflatable signs.
- No vehicular signs, or signs attached, affixed or painted on trees, fences, utility poles, light poles, or attached to motor vehicles parked in a conspicuous location to serve as a sign.
- No sign using material that sparkles, glitters, emits smoke, vapor, particles, sound, or odor, except reflective paint for directional signs.
- No sign using words such as 'stop,' 'look,' or 'danger,' or signs placed to create a traffic hazard or interfere with free flow of traffic.
- No sign to imitate or cause confusion with government signs.
- Flags, string of banners, pinwheels and any sign within the public right-of-way are prohibited.
- No monument sign shall block the view of any existing sign.
- No person may damage, trim, destroy or remove trees, shrubs or other vegetation for sign visibility on public right-of-way or property not owned/controlled by them, without written authorization.
- Signs along state or federal highways must comply with more restrictive state and federal requirements.
- Sign protrusion is limited: no part except lighting/structural elements may project more than six inches from sign face and sign must be parallel to the face and perpendicular to the right-of-way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bordentown Township

- Information and direction signs (street number designations, postal boxes, 'private property,' 'no hunting,' on-site directional and parking signs and warning signs) do not count toward sign area, must not exceed two square feet, and do not require a permit.
- Street address numbers at least three inches high and of contrasting color prominently displayed on buildings do not require a permit.
- Political signs (maximum 16 square feet, set back 10 feet from side property lines, within 60 days prior to election and removed 5 days after election) do not require a sign permit.
- Real estate signs (up to four square feet in residential, 32 square feet in nonresidential/development, set back 10 feet from side property lines) do not require a construction permit.
- Flags of the United States, New Jersey, Township, and those authorized/required by law are permitted in all zones and do not require a construction permit (flagpole is regulated for height/setback).
- Temporary and permanent traffic signs and signals installed by the Township, County, or State for directing and regulating traffic are permitted without a zoning permit.
- Signs indicating public transportation stops installed by the Township or public utility do not require a permit.
- Historic tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques and emblems up to six square feet installed by government, civil or religious organizations do not require a permit.
- No trespassing signs, private nature road/driveway signs up to two square feet do not require a permit.
- Garage sale signs (maximum six signs, two square feet each, up to one week before the sale and removed after the sale) are allowed.
- Relocation information signs for 30 days at current and future business location are allowed.
- Permanent and temporary window signs/internal signs visible from outside, as long as they do not exceed 1/3 of window area, are allowed.
- No parking signs and 'Trucks Over Four Tons Excluded' signs installed per Township code do not require a permit.
- Nonprofit organization event signs (subject to conditions) are permitted with only notification/application and no permit fee if meeting outlined requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for any sign unless expressly exempted.
- An applicant for a sign permit must submit a sketch or survey showing the proposed sign location, description, and details to the Township Zoning Officer.
- Final approval of all signs is subject to review and inspection by the Township or its designee; any fees for inspection are the responsibility of the applicant.
- Refusal of a permit or decisions by the Zoning Officer may be appealed or referred to the Planning Board for advice and comment.
- Sign permit applications must include lighting details if the sign will be lighted.
- Electronic changeable copy signs are subject to NJDOT approval and regulations.
- If a monument sign conflicts with a neighboring sign, a waiver for location may be granted by the Zoning Officer.
- The Zoning Officer must be notified in writing for certain signs (temporary event/feather flag signs), even if a permit is not 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 Bordentown Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bordentown+Township+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bordentown-township

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