# Sign Regulations in Cherry Hill, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cherry Hill, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/cherry-hill
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-08
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/44762188#44763142)

## At a glance

Cherry Hill, New Jersey regulates 26 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Highway Business Zone (B2), Shopping Center Business Zone (B3), Regional Business Zone (B4) zoning district are capped at See general limits (not to exceed 17 ft height) tall and 150 sq ft, with a Minimum 10 ft from property line; minimum 50 ft from any other freestanding sign setback (Sec. §40-517G.3.c).

## Sign rules by zoning district (13 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Agricultural Zone (RA), Residential Agricultural-Planned Community Zone (RAPC), Single-Family Residential Zone (R1), Single-Family Residential Zone (R2), Single-Family Residential Zone (R3) | 9 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Multi-Residential Zone (R7), Multi-Residential Zone (R10), Multi-Residential Zone (R20), Residential-Inclusionary Planned Development Overlay Zone (RIPD) | 2 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Business Zone (B1) | 1 | — | 40 sq ft (max) | — |
| Highway Business Zone (B2), Shopping Center Business Zone (B3), Regional Business Zone (B4) | 5 | See general limits (not to exceed 17 ft height) | 150 sq ft | — |
| Limited Office Zone (O1), General Office Zone (O2), Professional Office Zone (O3) | 3 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| Institutional Zone (IN) | 1 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft (identification); changeable copy: 16 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Restricted Zone (IR), Industrial Restricted Business Zone (IRB), Industrial Restricted-Restricted Business Overlay Zone (IR-RB) | 2 | 10 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Floodplain Overlay Zone (FP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Stream Buffer Overlay Zone (SB) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Senior Housing Overlay Zone (SH), Senior and Supportive Housing Overlay Zone (SSH) | 1 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft (identification sign); changeable copy: 16 sq ft | — |
| Golden Triangle Transit-Oriented Development Overlay Zone (GTTOD), PATCO Transit-Oriented Development Overlay Zone (PTOD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Agricultural Horticulture-Commercial Overlay Zone (AH-C) | 2 | 17 ft (top); clearance for signs over 3 ft in height is 8 ft base | 40 sq ft (of which 16 sq ft may be a changeable copy for Farm Market only) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 13 zones)

### Residential Agricultural Zone (RA), Residential Agricultural-Planned Community Zone (RAPC), Single-Family Residential Zone (R1), Single-Family Residential Zone (R2), Single-Family Residential Zone (R3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate and Address | — | Nameplate: 1 sq ft; Address: 2 sq ft | — | — | One permanent sign per use | Within property lines | — | §40-517F.2 |
| Sale or Rental Sign | 4 ft (residential); 6 ft (nonresidential) | 6 sq ft (residential); 32 sq ft (nonresidential) | — | — | One per premises | On premises being sold/rented | — | §40-517F.3 |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage or 1 per 300 ft (max 2) | One per street frontage, or one per 300 ft of frontage up to 2 signs | — | §40-517F.4 |
| Multi-residential Project Identification Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | §40-517F.5 |
| Development/Builder Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage or 1 per 300 ft (max 2) | One per street frontage or one per 300 ft (max 2) | — | §40-517F.6 |
| Institutional Use Sign (Church, School, Hospital, Playground, Park) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft (identification); 16 sq ft (changeable copy portion) | — | — | One per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | §40-517F.7.a |
| Club/Lodge/Social Organization Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One | On premises | — | §40-517F.7.b |
| On-premises Product Sale (grown on-premises) | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | One | On-premises | — | §40-517F.8 |

### Highway Business Zone (B2), Shopping Center Business Zone (B3), Regional Business Zone (B4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Retail/Service Use Facade Sign | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | Principal facade; one per street frontage | — | §40-517G.3.a |
| Office Building Facade Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | §40-517G.3.b |
| Freestanding Sign | See general limits (not to exceed 17 ft height) | 150 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from property line; minimum 50 ft from any other freestanding sign | One per street frontage | One per street frontage with at least 50 ft indigenous street frontage; must be within property line | — | §40-517G.3.c |
| Shopping Center Identification Sign (for group uses sharing parking) | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | One | Principal street frontage; within property lines | — | §40-517G.3.c.ii |
| Menu Sign (Drive Through Restaurants) | 8 ft | 5 ft x 7 ft (35 sq ft) | 5 ft | — | One per drive-through | Drive-through lane only | — | §40-517G.3.d |

### Limited Office Zone (O1), General Office Zone (O2), Professional Office Zone (O3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Office Building Facade Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | Principal facade; one per street frontage | — | §40-517H.2 |
| Office Building Freestanding Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | One | Within property lines; one per office building | — | §40-517H.3 |
| Multi-tenant Directory Sign (O1, O2 only) | — | Top 25% for building/complex name and street number | — | — | One per office park entrance | Freestanding at entrance | — | §40-517H.4 |

## Prohibited signs in Cherry Hill

- All signs shall be permanently fixed to the ground or attached to a building or structure in a manner conforming to the Building Officials and Code Administrators (B.O.C.A.) code and other applicable State and Township statutes and ordinances.
- All permanent signs shall be constructed of materials only as permitted by the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23-1 et seq.) and of such type and strength that it will withstand the effects of outdoor elements without unreasonable degradation. Such signs shall not topple, sited, rip, break, or cause any safety hazard.
- All signs erected, constructed or maintained as to obstruct any fire escape, window, door or opening used as a means of egress or ingress, and interfere with any opening required for legal ventilation.
- All flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, moving or projected sign of any type, or a sign, which presents an illusion of movement, are prohibited. (Static time and temperature displays are permitted.)
- All inflatable signs or tethered balloons, except decorative small balloons no larger than 24 inches in diameter, are prohibited.
- All signs whose form, character, or shape may confuse or dangerously distract the attention of the operator of a motor vehicle, are prohibited.
- All advertisements that use a series of two or more signs or units, placed in a line parallel to the highway, or in a similar fashion, all carrying a single advertising message part of which is contained on each sign, are prohibited.
- All signs that simulate official, functional, directional or warning signs erected or maintained by governmental agencies, or similar agencies concerned with protection of public health or safety, are prohibited.
- All signs attached to or painted on trees, fences, utility poles, rocks, curbs, walks, lamps, hydrants, benches, bridges, telephone booths, traffic signs, or other utility structures, within any street right-of-way or placed upon Township property, are prohibited (except for certain excluded government and safety signs).
- Political signs temporarily or permanently affixed to fire hydrants, telephone booths, utility poles, traffic signs, trees, rocks, or any public property, or within any street right-of-way or on Township property, are prohibited.
- Sign bearing text of a laudatory nature including services or product names normally furnished by any such proprietor. Purpose is to limit sign use to identification or directional purposes only.
- Signs containing information which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the Zoning Ordinance are prohibited.
- No sign may present an illusion of movement or display animation except as specified for static time and temperature.
- Off-site signs and billboards are prohibited in all zones.
- No sign, except required Federal Aeronautical Authority devices, shall be placed on any structure extending above the roof of the building.
- Any sign erected or maintained in conflict with the sign ordinance or temporary sign provisions must be removed within 24 hours of written notice.
- Multiple occupancy and/or tenant signs except as expressly permitted are prohibited.
- Changeable copy signs are not permitted except as specifically allowed for movie theaters, religious institutions, schools, gasoline filling stations, or certain liquor license holders (with limitations).
- Any sign containing obscene, prurient or otherwise unlawful material is prohibited.
- Mobile and vehicular signs are prohibited.
- Signs which fail to keep painted or in good repair for a period of six months constitute abandonment and must be removed.
- Election signs not removed within seven days after the election are to be treated as free expression signs and subject to related rules.
- Substitution: Any sign erected with a commercial message may contain a noncommercial message instead, but only if the sign is not otherwise prohibited and conforms to sign dimensional, height, setback, and other criteria.
- Freestanding signs are not permitted where a property line with frontage is less than 50 feet.
- There must be a minimum of 15 feet between any side property line and a freestanding sign.
- There must be a minimum of 50 feet between the nearest portion of a freestanding sign and another freestanding sign.
- Signs may not be erected within the official right-of-way of any street except as authorized.
- All signs must not create glare or blinding effects on traffic or create a nuisance to residents.
- All signs must be turned off between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., unless the business is open during these hours.
- No more than four signs per business establishment, except as defined in the ordinance for certain sign types.
- All signs must be in compliance with all other ordinances and regulations of the Township relating to signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cherry Hill

- Official Governmental Agency signs, including traffic control, emergency, historical markers, and signs posted by government agencies.
- Signs prohibiting or controlling trespass, hunting, and/or fishing and warning signs of limited size and number.
- Nameplate and address signs in residential zones as permitted, of defined maximum size.
- Prospective sale or rental (real estate) signs within the defined size and placement limits, and which are removed promptly after lease or sale.
- Functional signs, as defined, such as those identifying locations of rest rooms, telephones, vending machines, and other facilities of public convenience.
- Signs advertising the sale of products grown on the premises (farm signs), within specified size limits.
- Signs for subdivision identification (permanent or temporary) when within specified size, number, and location limits.
- Signs for institutional uses (churches, schools, hospitals, playgrounds, public utilities) within prescribed maximum area and height.
- Banners, spinners, flags, pennants, for up to a two-week period during opening of a new retail business or change in ownership, upon application to the Zoning Officer.
- No sign permit, application, or fee is required for: nameplate and address signs in residential zones, prospective sale or rental signs, official governmental signs (including historical markers and traffic control signage), signs advertising the sale of products grown on the premises, signs prohibiting or controlling trespass/hunting/fishing/warning signs as allowed.
- Election signs as window, attached, or ground signs (of up to three square feet; temporary; one per candidate/issue per property); to be removed within seven days post-election.
- One free expression sign may be displayed as a window, attached or ground sign (up to three square feet), plus one as a ground sign of up to three feet in height and a maximum of six feet from grade.
- Temporary signs for charitable, educational, civic, cultural, or religious special event for up to 20 days, upon application for a temporary sign permit per procedures.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any alteration or change of copy will require a new sign permit. Any change in the size or shape of a sign, the size of the message, or structural alteration shall require a new sign permit and, if required, a building permit.
- All permanent signs require a sign permit, unless otherwise exempted in the ordinance.
- A sign plan (details showing location, height, size, design, etc.) is to be submitted as part of any preliminary site plan or subdivision application for major or minor site plan approval, per site plan checklist requirements.
- Scaled drawings of all proposed and existing signs, including dimensions and elevations, must be included in major and minor site plan applications.
- Signs are reviewed along with major and minor site plan and subdivision applications (including lighting and landscaping plans) to ensure compliance with sign regulations as part of the application completeness review.
- Nonconforming signs are subject to regulations and must achieve compliance through application to the Zoning or Planning Board as part of a variance request.
- If requesting installation of signs that are prohibited, or exceeding maximums (height, number, area, or setback), a variance is required as part of the application, per § 40-401B(9)-(11).
- Sign permit applications must include, at minimum: completed application forms, fee, property owner and sign owner consent, photographs of all existing signs on the premises, drawings/sketches of the proposed sign drawn to scale, and plot plan showing proposed sign with dimensions to building and lot lines.
- Site plan applications must show details of all signs (freestanding, facade, functional, and all others) including location, size, height, and scaled elevations.
- Master sign plans are required for developments (such as multiple-tenant or group business sites) to ensure coordinated sign design, as part of the main site plan application or as directed by the reviewing authority.
- Sign design and placement are subject to review and binding upon approval of the Planning Board or Zoning Board as a condition of any preliminary, final, or variance approval.
- A sign plan, when approved by the reviewing board, becomes legally binding and any subsequent changes to the sign(s) require a new sign permit, and possibly new Board approval if noncompliant.
- Sign approval is a standard item in the site plan/subdivision application checklist and reviewed as a completeness item for applications to the 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 13 zoning districts in Cherry Hill — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Cherry+Hill+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-cherry-hill

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