# Sign Regulations in Chester Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Chester Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/chester-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/28752742#28752742)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential districts, Residential zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation/Professional Office Sign | 10 inches | 10 inches x 24 inches | 24 inches | — | 1 | Attached to structure. | — | §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. | — | §163-89A(3), §163-96B(3) |
| Permanent Development Sign | 5 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §163-89A(4) |
| Warning Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | Private property | — | §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 | — | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §163-89A(10) |
| Memorial Sign/Tablet | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Cut into masonry or incombustible material | — | §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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Attached Sign) | — | 15 sq ft maximum; 10% of area of building face | — | — | 1 per business | Attached to building wall | — | §163-89B(2) |
| Perpendicular Sign (Wall Sign - B-1 Zone) | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Affixed to building or ceiling of walkway | — | §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 | — | §163-89B(3) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant Building) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business establishment; 1 directory sign | Attached to building | — | §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 | — | §163-89B(5) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant, Multi-Entrance) - Option 1 | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 additional per tenant | Near the additional entrance | — | §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. | — | 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) | — | §163-90F |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Election/Referendum/Political) | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | — | — | — | §163-90A, §163-96B(8) |
| Temporary Land Development Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | — | — | — | §163-90B |
| Banners (Main Street Events) | 4 ft | 4 ft x 30 ft | 30 ft | — | Max 2 at one time | Main Street only | — | §163-90D |
| Temporary Event Sign (Nonprofit On Site) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per event | On site of nonprofit event | — | §163-90E(1) |
| Temporary Lawn Sign (Nonprofit Off Site) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Up to 4 per event | Other properties (off site) | — | §163-90E(2) |
| Temporary Identification Sign (Builders/Contractors) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per project | On premises under construction | — | §163-90H, §163-96B(8) |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

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

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