Sign Regulations in Chester Borough, New Jersey
Chester Borough, New Jersey has specific sign regulations covering 31 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Perpendicular Sign (Wall Sign - B-1 Zone), Temporary Land Development Sign, Official Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Chester Borough, New Jersey
Sample Sign Requirements in Chester Borough
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Occupation/Professional Office Sign | 10 inches | 10 inches x 24 inches | — |
| Residential Name Sign | — | Name sign: 1 sq ft; Name+Address sign: 2 sq ft | — |
| Permanent Development Sign | 5 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
31
- Perpendicular Sign (Wall Sign - B-1 Zone)
- Temporary Land Development Sign
- Official Sign
- Home Occupation/Professional Office Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Chester Borough
Other Cities in New Jersey
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Chester Borough vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Chester Borough, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Chester Borough, regulated sign types include Perpendicular Sign (Wall Sign - B-1 Zone), Temporary Land Development Sign, Official Sign, Home Occupation/Professional Office Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Chester Borough vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Chester Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Chester Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Chester Borough, New Jersey Sign Rules at a Glance
Chester Borough, New Jersey regulates 31 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Church Signs in the Residential districts, Residential zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 15 sq ft per side, with a 5 ft from property line and ROW setback (Sec. §163-89A(9)). Most commercial signs in Chester Borough require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Chester Borough, New Jersey
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Chester Borough (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential districts, Residential zones | 12 | 10 inches | 16 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential districts, Business districts, Commercial zones | 13 | 5 ft | 30% of interior window area | — |
| B-1 Zone | 1 | — | 6 sq ft per side (attached to building); 2 sq ft per side (if suspended from walkway ceiling) | — |
| LBT Zone | 1 | 5 ft | 15 sq ft per side | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 4 ft | 15 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Chester Borough(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
Residential districts, Residential zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Occupation/Professional Office Sign | 10 inches | 10 inches x 24 inches | 24 inches | — | 1 | Attached to structure. | — | Unlock | §163-89A(2), §163-96B(2) |
| Residential Name Sign | — | Name sign: 1 sq ft; Name+Address sign: 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Within property lines; may be attached or freestanding. | — | Unlock | §163-89A(3), §163-96B(3) |
| Permanent Development Sign | 5 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §163-89A(4) |
| Warning Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | Private property | — | Unlock | §163-89A(6), §163-96B(4) |
| Temporary Real Estate/Political Sign | — | Generally 6 sq ft (per §163-90A); see details for real estate signs based on type/lots. | — | — | 1 per lot for For Sale/For Rent | — | — | Unlock | §163-89A(7), §163-90, §163-96B(8) |
| Church Sign | 8 ft | 15 sq ft per side | — | 5 ft from property line and ROW | 1 | At least 5 ft inside property line and ROW | — | Unlock | §163-89A(9) |
| Institutional Sign | 8 ft | 15 sq ft per side | — | 5 ft from property line and ROW | 1 | At least 5 ft inside property line and road ROW | — | Unlock | §163-89A(10) |
| Memorial Sign/Tablet | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Cut into masonry or incombustible material | — | Unlock | §163-89A(12), §163-96B(7) |
Nonresidential districts, Business districts, Commercial zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Attached Sign) | — | 15 sq ft maximum; 10% of area of building face | — | — | 1 per business | Attached to building wall | — | Unlock | §163-89B(2) |
| Perpendicular Sign (Wall Sign - B-1 Zone) | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Affixed to building or ceiling of walkway | — | Unlock | §163-89B(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (LBT Zone, Business Use, Certain Setbacks) | 5 ft | 15 sq ft per side | — | At least 10 ft from front yard property line/ROW; building must be at least 50 ft from ROW. | 1 per building | Located in front of building to which advertising applies; at least 10 ft from front yard property line/ROW; not on or within 3 ft of sidewalk | — | Unlock | §163-89B(3) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant Building) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business establishment; 1 directory sign | Attached to building | — | Unlock | §163-89B(4) |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant, Multi-Entrance) - Option 1 | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 additional per building | At/near the additional entrance on another building side | — | Unlock | §163-89B(5) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant, Multi-Entrance) - Option 1 | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 additional per tenant | Near the additional entrance | — | Unlock | §163-89B(6) |
| Temporary Secondary Sign (Sandwich Board/A-frame) | — | See Schedule A-1; typically 6 sq ft or as dimensioned | — | None within 15 ft of intersection or abutting lot line; not within 20 ft of residential zone/use. | 1 per public pedestrian entrance may be displayed at a time | See detailed location restrictions (§213-2). On/near sidewalk with min. 5 ft clear sidewalk; may be placed on porch/patio/courtyard/flushed to building; not within 15 ft of intersection or abutting property line or 20 ft of residential zone or parcel containing only residential uses. | — | Unlock | Chapter 213, §213-1 to §213-5 (esp. §213-2, Schedule A-1) |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | 30% of interior window area | — | — | — | Interior side of windows only (not doors) | — | Unlock | §163-90F |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Sign (Election/Referendum/Political) | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §163-90A, §163-96B(8) |
| Temporary Land Development Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §163-90B |
| Banners (Main Street Events) | 4 ft | 4 ft x 30 ft | 30 ft | — | Max 2 at one time | Main Street only | — | Unlock | §163-90D |
| Temporary Event Sign (Nonprofit On Site) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per event | On site of nonprofit event | — | Unlock | §163-90E(1) |
| Temporary Lawn Sign (Nonprofit Off Site) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Up to 4 per event | Other properties (off site) | — | Unlock | §163-90E(2) |
| Temporary Identification Sign (Builders/Contractors) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per project | On premises under construction | — | Unlock | §163-90H, §163-96B(8) |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Chester Borough. Run a code check for your exact address to get the zone that applies to your property and its full sign requirements — illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
Run a code check for your exact address — freeProhibited Signs in Chester Borough
- No sign shall be painted on exterior walls of any structure.
- No sign shall be higher than 30 feet.
- No sign shall impede, interfere with or distract from the operation of any traffic control device.
- No sign shall include any flashing, blinking lights, series lights, rotating or moving parts, neon sign, or signs containing reflective enhancing materials. (Exceptions for traffic control and seasonal decoration Nov-Jan only.)
- No sign shall be erected or used upon the top or roof of any building.
- No sign shall extend in height or project higher than the roofline of any building.
- No sign shall have more than two display faces.
- A double face sign having an included angle over 45° is prohibited.
- No sign shall be mounted, erected, or maintained on a utility pole, trees in public right-of-way, or on municipal property except as otherwise specifically authorized, with exception for certain trespass signs.
- No pylon sign shall exceed 15 feet.
- No attached signs (other than permitted perpendicular signs) shall project more than 12 inches from the building wall.
- Use of pennants, streamers, balloons, windmills or other moving devices, banners, or flashing signs is prohibited, except for a period of two weeks from the date of opening of a new establishment. Searchlights and animated signs are prohibited at all times.
- Signs may not extend more than three inches from the surface of a wall if less than 10 feet from the ground below the sign.
- No sign, illustration, or symbol shall be placed so as to interfere with the opening of an exit door, obstruct any window opening of a dwelling, interfere with fire escape use, or create a hazard to pedestrians.
- No sign shall be erected, painted, affixed, located, or maintained on any box van, cube van, bob truck, or cube truck parked in public view for advertising purposes, unless parked temporarily for active loading or unloading; display vehicles and trailers as signs are prohibited.
- No sign except as otherwise specifically provided may impede the flow of pedestrian traffic.
- No window signs or lettering on windows in any residential zone.
- Signs shall not be illuminated by lighting of intermittent or varying intensity, nor illuminated in any color other than white, nor exceed 1,250 foot lamberts in brightness.
- Signs shall be limited to indicate products, services, or occupants of the premises on which they are located.
- No person shall paint, mark, write, post, or otherwise affix any handbill or sign to any Borough property or sidewalk, lamppost, hydrant, tree, utility pole, or other specified public infrastructure.
- No sign shall be altered, relocated, rotated, reconstructed, or changed in any manner without first obtaining a permit.
Exempt Signs in Chester Borough
- Official signs erected, constructed, or maintained by government agencies for the purpose of informing or guiding the public or protecting public health, safety, and welfare.
- Home office or home occupation signs as described in §163-89A(2).
- Residential nameplate signs as described in §163-89A(3).
- Warning signs (e.g., 'no trespassing', 'beware of dog') as described in §163-89A(6).
- Historical signs as described in §163-89A(8).
- Freestanding traffic control signs as described in §163-89A(11).
- Memorial signs as described in §163-89A(12).
- Temporary signs (except banners) as specified in §163-90 do not require a permit or application.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Chester Borough
- Applications for a temporary secondary sign license require submission of an informal plan view sketch showing the proposed sign location with sufficient detail and measurements; this sketch is reviewed by the Zoning Officer in consultation with a sign advisory committee.
- Minor deviations from design standards for temporary secondary signs may be administratively approved by the Temporary Secondary Sign Advisory Committee.
- All signs must comply with the specifications set forth in Schedule A-1 appended to the chapter.
- Any sign proposed that does not comply with the provisions of the article requires an application for a variance to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (now to be construed as the Planning Board). A permit must be obtained after a variance is granted and before sign installation.
- Permits are required for all signs except those specifically exempted. Permit applications may require a plan or specification submission as prescribed by the Zoning Official.
Source: ecode360 municipal code