# Sign Regulations in Buena Vista Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Buena Vista Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/buena-vista-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/16159138#16159138)

## At a glance

Buena Vista Township, New Jersey regulates 29 sign types across 5 zoning districts. On-site Identification Sign (Schools/Churches/Hospitals/Public Service Institution)s in the Forest area and agricultural production districts (FA1, FA2, FA3, AP, RA) zoning district are capped at 20 ft or height of principal building, whichever is shorter tall and 48 sq. ft., with a Min 20 ft from all property lines setback (Sec. §115-105D(1)(a), §115-105D(1)(a)[5]). Most commercial signs in Buena Vista Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 8 ft. | 50 sq. inches | — |
| Forest area and agricultural production districts (FA1, FA2, FA3, AP, RA) | 6 | 20 ft or height of principal building, whichever is shorter | 48 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential districts (RDR1/RDR2, PVR1/PVR2) | 7 | 15 ft. or height of principal building, whichever is shorter | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial districts (APC, RDR1C, PVRC, PT, B1, OC) | 4 | 15 ft. or height of principal building, whichever is shorter | 50 sq. ft. or 10% of wall | — |
| Industrial districts (API, RDI, RDR1I, PVI) | 4 | 20 ft. or height of principal building, whichever is shorter | 75 sq. ft. or 10% of wall | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Identifying parking areas, loading zones, entrances, exits; permitted in all districts. | — | §115-105C(1) |
| Historical Plaque/Tablet/Cornerstone/Emblem | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Installed by government, civic/religious orgs; any district. | — | §115-105C(4) |
| Warning/No Trespassing Sign | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Any district. | — | §115-105C(5) |
| Name and Number Plate | — | 50 sq. inches | — | — | — | Affixed to house, apartment, or mailbox; any district. | — | §115-105C(7) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4 sq. ft. (single-faced), 8 sq. ft. (double-faced total) | — | Min. 1/2 distance between building line and lot line. | 1 per 200 ft. measured along front or depth | On the premises for sale, rental, or lease. | — | §115-105C(11) |
| Charitable/Religious Event Sign | 8 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On premises; may be flat against building or freestanding. | — | §115-105C(12) |
| Yard/Garage Sale Path-marking Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | Max 3 per sale | Posted no earlier than 1 week before sale; removed day after. | — | §115-105C(14) |
| Contractor/Mechanic Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Permitted for each street frontage. | — | §115-105C(15) |

### Forest area and agricultural production districts (FA1, FA2, FA3, AP, RA)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-site Identification Sign (Schools/Churches/Hospitals/Public Service Institution) | 20 ft or height of principal building, whichever is shorter | 48 sq. ft. | — | Min 20 ft from all property lines | 1 | On-site, single property. | — | §115-105D(1)(a), §115-105D(1)(a)[5] |
| Electronic Message Center Sign (Attached to Identification Sign) | — | Included in 48 sq. ft. limit for identification sign | — | Matches host sign (20 ft) | 1 (part of main identification sign) | On-site; schools, churches, hospitals, or similar public service institutions | — | §115-105D(1)(a)[5][b], §115-105L(10) |
| Agricultural Commercial/Farm Produce Market Sign (Freestanding) | — | — | — | Min 10 ft from all property lines | — | — | — | §115-105D(1)(b) |
| Agricultural Commercial/Farm Produce Market Sign (Attached) | — | 30 sq. ft. or 10% of wall area | — | — | — | On principal building. | — | §115-105D(1)(b)[2] |
| On-site Professional/Home Occupation/Name Sign | 8 ft. | 5 sq. ft. | — | Min 20 ft from all property lines | 1 | On-site | — | §115-105D(1)(c) |
| On-site Business Advertising Sign | 15 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per side | — | Min 20 ft from all property lines | 1 | On-site | — | §115-105D(1)(d) |

### Residential districts (RDR1/RDR2, PVR1/PVR2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Professional/Nameplate Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per permitted use/unit | On building, for each permitted use or dwelling unit. | — | §115-105D(2)(a) |
| Development Sign (Advertising Residential Construction) | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | Min 20 ft from all property lines. | 1 per street frontage | On subject premises; one per street frontage. | — | §115-105D(2)(b) |
| On-site Identification Sign (Schools/Churches/Hospitals/Public Service Institution) | 15 ft. or height of principal building, whichever is shorter | 32 sq. ft. | — | Min 20 ft from all property lines | 1 | On-site, single property | — | §115-105D(2)(c) |
| Electronic Message Center Sign (Attached to Identification Sign) | — | Included in 32 sq. ft. identifying sign area | — | Matches host sign (20 ft) | 1 (as part of main identification sign) | On-site (schools, churches, hospitals, public service institutions) | — | §115-105D(2)(c)[5][b], §115-105L(10) |
| On-site Business Advertising Sign | 15 ft. | 20 sq. ft. per side | — | Min 20 ft from all property lines | 1 | On-site | — | §115-105D(2)(d) |
| Farm Produce Market Sign (Freestanding) | — | — | — | Min 10 ft from all property lines | — | — | — | §115-105D(2)(e), §115-105E |
| Farm Produce Market Sign (Attached) | — | 30 sq. ft. or 10% of wall area | — | — | — | On principal building. | — | §115-105D(2)(e)[2] |

## Prohibited signs in Buena Vista Township

- No sign, other than a traffic warning or safety sign, which is designed or intended to attract attention by sudden, intermittent or rhythmic movement or physical lighting change is permitted, except as allowed for changeable copy or EMC signs in specified districts or institutions.
- No sign, other than a traffic warning or safety sign, which changes physical position by any movement or rotation or which gives the visual impression of such movement or rotation is permitted, except as allowed for changeable copy or EMC signs in specified districts or institutions.
- No sign shall be placed on or attached to a building or erected independently for any purpose other than to advertise a permitted business or use conducted on the same premises.
- No sign shall be erected, altered or replaced which is not in accordance with the standards established in this chapter. The erection of any sign shall require a zoning permit and, depending on the type of sign, a construction permit may be required.
- No sign of any type shall obstruct driving vision, traffic signals, traffic direction and identification signs, other places of business or other signs.
- No sign shall obstruct free ingress or egress from a required door, window, fire escape or other required exitway.
- No sign shall make use of words such as "stop," "look," "danger" or other similar words, phrases, symbols or characters in such a manner as to imply the need or requirement of stopping or the existence of danger.
- No sign shall contain any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
- No sign unlawfully installed, erected or maintained shall be permitted.
- No sign shall be permitted that now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business-conducted activity, campaign or service or a product sold.
- No sign shall be attached to trees, fence posts, stumps, utility poles or other signs, but shall be freestanding or attached to buildings in an approved manner.
- No permanent sign made of paper, cardboard, vinyl, canvas or similar material other than a sign advertising a sale on the premises or the sale or rent of a premises on which the sign is located shall be permitted except inside the building.
- Banners, pennants, spinners and streamers, except as a temporary use not to exceed 30 calendar days, are prohibited.
- No sign may be affixed to the roof of any structure.
- No sign or sign structure which is structurally unsafe, or constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment, or is not kept in good repair, or is capable of causing electrical shocks to persons likely to come in contact with it shall be permitted.
- All off-street signs shall not be lighted with flashing light, and any light or reflecting light used in connection with such a sign shall not be so located or directed that it may be mistaken for a traffic signal or warning devices, or shine directly into adjoining, residentially used buildings or private outdoor areas.
- All off-street signs, including traffic directional signs, shall be located on the same property with the use to which they are related.
- Portable billboards and other off-site devices are prohibited in all districts.
- No sign with red, green or blue illumination in a beam, beacon or flashing form resembling an emergency light shall be erected in any location.
- No attached sign shall project into or hang over a street right-of-way, and no sign shall project beyond a building in a manner placing it above an area traversed by motor vehicles.
- No sign shall be placed closer than three feet from either side of the principal building frontage or one foot from the top of the roofline.
- Signs and sign structures of all types shall be located to allow a clear, unobstructed line of sight for 300 feet from the stop line of any intersection of streets and/or driveways.
- Changeable-copy or EMC signs shall not be used for any off-site advertising or messages, other than public service information approved by the Township.
- Changeable-copy or EMC signs, where permitted, shall not obstruct traffic visibility, become a distraction to drivers or traffic hazard.

## Signs exempt from permit in Buena Vista Township

- Nonilluminated directional signs identifying parking areas, loading zones, entrances, exits and similar locations, not to exceed three square feet in area.
- Temporary or permanent traffic signs and signals installed by the Township, county or state for the purpose of directing and regulating the flow of traffic.
- Signs indicating public transportation stops when installed by the Township or public transportation authority.
- Historical tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques and emblems not exceeding six square feet in area, installed by government agencies or civic or religious organizations.
- "Warning" and "no trespassing" signs not exceeding three square feet in area.
- Flags or emblems of religious, educational, civic or governmental organizations flown from supports on the building or grounds occupied by the organization and the American flag whenever and wherever flown in accordance with laws and rules promulgated by the federal government.
- Name and number plates identifying residents and affixed to a house, apartment or mailbox, not exceeding 50 square inches in area.
- Lawn signs identifying residents, not exceeding one square foot in area for each side, nonilluminated except by integral lamppost if used as support, and not containing any advertising message.
- Signs posted by governmental agencies or pursuant to governmental statute, order or regulation.
- Signs that are an integral part of vending machines, including gasoline pumps, provided they do not exceed two square feet in area.
- Real estate signs announcing the sale, rental or lease of the premises on which the sign is located, not to exceed four square feet in area (eight square feet if double-faced), nonilluminated, and located as per distance restrictions specified.
- Temporary on-site signs for advertising public functions or fund-raising events for charitable or religious organizations for a period up to 90 days prior to and during the event, to be removed within five days after the event, not larger than 12 square feet in area, not exceeding eight feet in height, and may be erected flat against the building or freestanding.
- Temporary signs publicizing or promoting a public election, School Board election, campaign for public office or public referendum, placed on private property with owner consent, to be removed within five days after the election.
- Path-marking signs for permitted yard or garage sales, provided not more than three such signs, not exceeding two square feet in size, are posted not earlier than one week before the sale and removed the day following the sale.
- Contractor's or mechanic's sign, not greater than six square feet in area, one per street frontage, to be removed promptly upon completion of work.
- "Smoking" or "No Smoking" signs, or the international "No Smoking" symbol, as required by regulations regarding smoking in public buildings, provided these signs meet specified display requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- In the case of any planned development, the municipal agency may require detailed deed restrictions designed to adequately regulate the location, size, materials and construction of signs throughout the planned development to be prepared for filing prior to final approval of the development or any stage thereof.
- The erection of any sign requires a zoning permit and, depending on the type of sign, a construction permit may be required.
- Any sign permitted under the terms of this chapter, when greater than 32 square feet in area, shall be subject to application for issuance of a development permit and certificate of occupancy.
- Changeable-copy signs or EMC signs shall require the issuance of a zoning permit. If a denial is issued by the Zoning Officer, the applicant may appeal to the Land Use Board.
- Prior to the issuance of a permit for a changeable-copy or EMC sign, the applicant must provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been factory preset not to exceed the maximum levels specified.

## 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 5 zoning districts in Buena Vista Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Buena+Vista+Township+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-buena-vista-township

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