# Sign Regulations in Bound Brook Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bound Brook Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/bound-brook-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/32678947#32678947)

## At a glance

Bound Brook Borough, New Jersey regulates 23 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (State Highway)s in the Business/Residential (B/R) District, B1 Zone, OB Zone, BR Zone, NBR Zone, OB Zone (west of Church Street), Commercial Districts zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall, 25 sq ft, and 8 ft (as any dimension) wide, with a Minimum 5 ft from street right-of-way setback (Sec. 21-10.5o.1(a), o.2, o.3, o.4). Most commercial signs in Bound Brook Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| Business/Residential (B/R) District, B1 Zone, OB Zone, BR Zone, NBR Zone, OB Zone (west of Church Street), Commercial Districts | 5 | 15 ft | 40 sq ft (60 sq ft if 2 frontages, but max 40/single front) | — |
| RB/SR Zone, Regional Business/Senior Residential Zone (RB/SR Zone) | 4 | 24 inches (height of sign) | 400 sq ft | — |
| IP Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| Historic Zone (Historic district) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential District (single and two-family residential uses, multi-family residential dwellings) | 2 | — | 8 sq ft | — |
| Institutional uses (Schools, colleges, churches, hospitals, institutions of similar public or semipublic nature) | 1 | — | 50 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 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 (Commercial) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On property for sale/lease | — | 21-10.5q.1(b)(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On residential property for sale/lease | — | 21-10.5q.1(b)(2) |
| Artisan/Contractor Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot where work is being performed | — | 21-10.5q.1(c) |
| Election Sign | — | 4 ft in any dimension | — | — | — | Permitted on private property only | — | 21-10.5q.1(a) |
| Community Event Sign | — | 6 sq ft without permit; >6 sq ft requires permit | — | — | — | Any location as approved; signs >6 sq ft in public ROW require permit | — | 21-10.5q.2(a) |
| Temporary Window Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per sign | 4 ft | — | — | Inside ground floor window or glass door | — | 21-10.5k.1 |
| Portable A-Frame Sign (Sandwich Board Sign) | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per face (2 ft wide x 3 ft high) | 2 ft | — | 1 per ground floor commercial establishment | Sidewalk/adjacent to establishment with at least 5 ft clear sidewalk | — | 21-10.5l |
| Portable Lighted Sign (Window) | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | 3 ft | — | 1 per ground floor window panel; 1 'open' sign per establishment | Inside ground floor window | — | 21-10.5m |

### Business/Residential (B/R) District, B1 Zone, OB Zone, BR Zone, NBR Zone, OB Zone (west of Church Street), Commercial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Permanent Fixed Sign) | — | 40 sq ft (60 sq ft if 2 frontages, but max 40/single front) | 75% of building frontage width | — | — | Building frontage; door must display street number (min. 3" x 2") | — | 21-10.5n.1–n.5 |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | — | — | 75% of building frontage width, centered | — | — | Canopy/awning at business entrance/frontage | — | 21-10.5n.7 |
| Freestanding Sign (State Highway) | 15 ft | 25 sq ft | 8 ft (as any dimension) | Minimum 5 ft from street right-of-way | 1 per establishment | Lot fronting State Highway | — | 21-10.5o.1(a), o.2, o.3, o.4 |
| Freestanding Sign (County Road) | 12 ft | 25 sq ft | 8 ft (as any dimension) | Minimum 5 ft from street right-of-way | 1 per establishment | Lot fronting County Road | — | 21-10.5o.1(b), o.2, o.3, o.4 |
| Freestanding Sign (Municipal Road) | 8 ft | 25 sq ft | 8 ft (as any dimension) | Minimum 5 ft from street right-of-way | 1 per establishment | Lot fronting Municipal Road | — | 21-10.5o.1(c), o.2, o.3, o.4 |

### RB/SR Zone, Regional Business/Senior Residential Zone (RB/SR Zone)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Route 28/22) | — | 400 sq ft | 20 ft | — | Max 1 per major frontage, up to 2 on Route 28 if approved | Along Route 28 and Route 22 | — | 21-10.5t.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Internal Road) | 20 ft | 200 sq ft | 10 ft | — | — | Along internal (non-local) road within commercial development | — | 21-10.5t.1 |
| Wall Sign (Principal Building) | 24 inches (height of sign) | 250 sq ft, height max 24 in | — | — | 1 major sign per principal building, plus supermarket/activities as described | Building attached, principal facade or direct entrance | — | 21-10.5t.2 |
| Wall Sign (Additional - Facing Highway) | — | 250 sq ft | — | — | 1 if criteria met | Attached, on building facing State highway (within 100 ft of highway) | — | 21-10.5t.3 |

## Prohibited signs in Bound Brook Borough

- No sign shall be displayed, installed, painted, constructed, erected, remodeled, relocated or expanded without a zoning (sign) permit, except for those exempted.
- No sign shall be altered, enlarged, rebuilt, or relocated except in accordance with ordinance provisions.
- Signs which advertise products, services or activities conducted off premises (billboards), except in specified zones, are prohibited.
- Permanent changeable copy displays are prohibited in residential and historic districts.
- Signs which move, rotate, have moving parts, reflecting materials, flashing/blinking lights, or mechanically changing displays are prohibited, except in specified zones and only with restrictions.
- Fully-lighted canopy signs are prohibited.
- All signs in a residential district other than those specifically permitted are prohibited.
- Window 'surround' lighting of any kind (neon, LED, festoon, string lights or other) that frames or outlines a window or building feature is prohibited.
- Signs that in any way obstruct pedestrian or driving vision, traffic signals or street signage, places of business, other signs, or windows are prohibited.
- Signs that have a shape, color or construction resembling emergency, regulatory, or warning signs are prohibited.
- Wind socks and all types of inflatable or wind-driven sign devices are prohibited.
- Signs erected, painted or otherwise posted on trees, rocks, other natural features, or public utility poles are prohibited (with limited exception for garage sale signs).
- No sign shall project over, occupy or obstruct any other sign.
- Any mounted sign affixed to a structure or display device extending over pedestrian areas must allow a minimum seven feet of vertical clearance.
- No paper or other materials shall be affixed to the exterior surface of A-frame signs.
- No blinking or moving lights or changing displays are permitted on window lighted signs.
- No portable standing signs are permitted except approved A-frame signs.
- All signs must be maintained in good condition; deteriorated or unsightly signs must be removed.
- All signage shall be removed from a business/commercial site when the business has ceased to operate for more than 60 days.
- Signs, tags, or seals posted or affixed by the Director of Code Enforcement or Code Enforcement Inspector shall not be mutilated, destroyed, tampered with, or removed without authorization.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bound Brook Borough

- Real estate signs.
- Election signs.
- Memorial or historic markers.
- Flags of the US or the State.
- Signs which display or post address numbers as permitted or required.
- Seasonal displays and decorations which do not advertise products or services.
- Wall or ground signs not exceeding four square feet warning the public against hunting, fishing or trespassing, but only where such activities are likely.
- Community event signs that do not exceed six square feet.
- Routine maintenance and repair of a conforming or nonconforming sign.
- Change of copy on an advertising sign or marquee designed for such purpose and approved by the Planning Board.
- Signs of a constituted governmental body.
- Construction, artisan, or contractor firm signs displayed on a site during the period of construction.
- Temporary window signs that do not exceed eight square feet per sign, but which conform to all provisions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- If the proposed sign does not conform to provisions, the applicant must obtain a waiver from the Planning Board.
- For permanent signs in the Historic District, approval is required by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) or the Planning Board Site Plan Subcommittee.
- In the RB/SR Zone, signs within commercial areas for which a sign plan has not been approved by the Planning Board must comply with all provisions relating to signs for the zone.
- Permit applications for signs must include scale drawings and detailed information about sign type, size, design, materials, and location.
- All illuminated signs are subject to strict standards regarding shielding and glare.
- Permit for an A-frame sign is required.
- Permit for 'open' (LED/neon/tubular) signs is required.
- Temporary exterior signs and some temporary window signs require zoning (sign) permits.
- Permit number and date must be written clearly on a temporary sign greater than 8 square feet.
- Where a sign (e.g., canopy/awning) is not in good condition, removal may be ordered unless a waiver is given by the Planning Board.

## 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 7 zoning districts in Bound Brook Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bound+Brook+Borough+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bound-brook-borough

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