# Sign Regulations in Chatham Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Chatham Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/chatham-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/35301922#35301922)

## At a glance

Chatham Township, New Jersey regulates 20 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Company Identification)s in the PCD District zoning district are capped at 5 ft (top of sign from ground) tall, 32 sq ft, and 12 ft (horizontal); vertical max is 1/2 horizontal (6 ft) wide, with a 50 ft from street right-of-way, 50 ft from sideline setback (Sec. § 30-98.6a-e). Most commercial signs in Chatham 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 | 3 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| Residence Districts, AH Districts | 8 | 5 ft | 72 square inches | — |
| B-1 District, B-2 District | 6 | 18 inches (vertical) | 30 sq ft | — |
| PI-1 District, PI-2 District, Professional and Institutional District (PI-1, PI-2) | 1 | — | 4 to 30 sq ft (see B-1/B-2 options) | — |
| PCD District | 2 | 5 ft (top of sign from ground) | 32 sq ft | — |

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

### Residence Districts, AH Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate Sign (Residential Use) - Option 1 | — | 72 square inches | — | Anywhere within front yard | 1 per dwelling | Anywhere within the front yard | — | § 30-98.3a, § 30-98.3g |
| Professional Name Plate/Customary Sign (Professional Uses) - Option 2 | — | 2 sq ft | — | Anywhere within front yard | 1 per dwelling | Anywhere within the front yard | — | § 30-98.3b, § 30-98.3g |
| Real Estate Sign (Lease or Sale of Premises) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On premises for sale/lease | — | § 30-98.3c |
| Church/Institution Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 30-98.3d |
| Major Subdivision Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises, major subdivision | — | § 30-98.3e |
| No Hunting/No Trespass/Similar Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 30-98.3f |
| Entrance Sign (Multi-family development) | 5 ft | — | — | 15-30 ft from street right-of-way | 1 at each entrance driveway | Setback 15 to 30 ft from street right-of-way at each entrance driveway | — | § 30-98.3h |
| Building Identification Letter/Number | — | — | — | — | 1 per building | Affixed to each building for visitor/delivery ID | — | § 30-98.3h |

### B-1 District, B-2 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Option 1 (Per Lot) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Wall sign on exterior wall; one per lot | — | § 30-98.4a, § 30-98.4b, § 30-98.4c |
| Wall Sign - Option 2 (Multiple Businesses, Single Entrance Each) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per store or office with outside customer entrance | Exterior wall at each separate outside customer entrance for each business | — | § 30-98.4a, § 30-98.4b, § 30-98.4c |
| Wall Sign - Option 3 (Multiple Entrances per Store/Office) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance on different wall | Exterior wall at each outside entrance located in a different wall for each store/office | — | § 30-98.4a, § 30-98.4b, § 30-98.4c |
| Wall Sign - Option 4 (Oversized, Increased Clearance) | 18 inches (vertical) | 30 sq ft | 12 ft (horizontal) | — | — | Exterior wall | — | § 30-98.4d |
| Wall Sign - Common Sign (Building with 3 or More Stores/Offices) | 7 ft (from ground to top of sign) | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Exterior wall, for entire structure | — | § 30-98.4e |
| Wall Sign (Theater Marquee - B-1 Only) | — | — | — | — | 1 per theater | Over theater entry door (B-1 only) | — | § 30-98.4i |

### PCD District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Company Identification) | 5 ft (top of sign from ground) | 32 sq ft | 12 ft (horizontal); vertical max is 1/2 horizontal (6 ft) | 50 ft from street right-of-way, 50 ft from sideline | 1 per company | No nearer than 50 ft to street right-of-way; no closer than 50 ft to any sideline. | — | § 30-98.6a-e |
| Traffic Safety/Control Signs (Entrance, Exit, Parking - PCD) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | At designated driveways/parking areas | — | § 30-98.6 |

## Prohibited signs in Chatham Township

- Any sign not permitted pursuant to the provisions of §30-98 is prohibited.
- No person shall erect, place or maintain within the Township any sign until a sign permit has been issued therefor by the Zoning Officer, unless exempted under 30-98.3a, b, c, or f.
- No sign shall be erected, placed or maintained in or over any street or road right-of-way or upon or over any sidewalk.
- No sign shall be erected, placed or maintained which obstructs any fire escape or creates any other hazardous condition, including any obstruction of the visibility of traffic.
- No sign shall be erected, placed or maintained unless it relates to the use of the premises upon which the sign is located, and no sign shall be maintained after the use of the premises has been terminated.
- No sign shall have any moving parts.
- No strings or streamers of flags, pennants, spinners, or similar objects or devices, rotating, or flashing lights or electronic message center or sign to attract attention shall be used or displayed.
- No sign shall be composed of phosphorescent, iridescent or reflective material or be painted with iridescent, luminous or reflective paint.
- No sign shall be internally lighted or contain internally lighted or lettering or contain or use moving, flashing, electronic message centers or signs, or intermittent illumination. All sources of sign illumination shall be shielded so as not to be visible from any street or adjoining property.
- No sign shall be illuminated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., except that businesses in the B Zone may have illuminated signs until closing time.
- Except as otherwise expressly permitted, wording on a sign shall be limited to the name of the person or company occupying/conducting business on the premises.
- All signs shall be kept in good repair and condition; any sign not so maintained shall be removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Chatham Township

- No sign permit is required for signs permitted under Subsections 30-98.3a, 30-98.3b, 30-98.3c, or 30-98.3f.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Every application for a sign permit shall include plans in sufficient detail, including dimensions and proposed location, in order to permit determination as to compliance with all provisions of §30-98.

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

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