# Sign Regulations in Clark, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Clark, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/clark
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-19
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/13985890#13985890)

## At a glance

Clark, New Jersey regulates 45 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Gas Station Identification (DTV/CN/CO/CI/COR/COH)s in the DTV District, CN District, CO District, CI District, COR District, COH District zoning district are capped at Max 20 ft for automobile filling stations. tall and 24 sq ft maximum sign face area., with a Must be at least 5 ft from any lot line (§195-156B). setback (Sec. §195-160B(4); §195-153; §195-160.2A(2)). Most commercial signs in Clark 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 | 16 | Stand-alone banners max 8 ft high. | Freestanding temporary signs up to 4 sq ft allowed without permit; over 4 sq ft require a sign permit. Total area of all temporary and other window signs/graphics limited to 30% of aggregate building window area. | — |
| Residential districts (R-150, R-100, R-75, R-60, R-A, R-B, R-16, R-20, R-SH, R-TH) | 5 | — | 40 sq ft maximum. | — |
| DTV District, CN District, CO District, CI District, COR District, COH District | 8 | Max 20 ft for automobile filling stations. | 40 sq ft maximum per ordering menu board. | — |
| CG District, CI District | 4 | 25 ft maximum height for any freestanding sign in CG and CI. | Up to 200 sq ft total aggregate sign area per premises, subject to calculation formula. | — |
| LCI Zone | 12 | 25 ft maximum height. | Up to 250 sq ft per side of each freestanding sign. | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (All Districts, General) | — | Freestanding temporary signs up to 4 sq ft allowed without permit; over 4 sq ft require a sign permit. Total area of all temporary and other window signs/graphics limited to 30% of aggregate building window area. | — | — | — | May be freestanding or attached to building; not on telephone poles or trees. | — | §195-154A–H |
| All Signs - Area Measurement Rules | — | — | — | — | Drive-through menu signs: up to 2 ground-mounted signs per approved drive-through restaurant use. | — | — | §195-155A–F |
| Wall Sign - Projection Limits (Residential Districts) | — | — | — | — | — | Attached flat against face of building or other structure. | — | §195-156A |
| Freestanding Sign - General Setback | — | — | — | No freestanding sign shall be located within 5 feet of any lot line. | — | Freestanding signs in any district. | — | §195-156B |
| Exempt Sign - Governmental Directional/Informational | — | Directional signs on premises less than 3 sq ft; governmental directional/informational signs have no stated size limit; nameplates/plaques < 2 sq ft. | — | — | — | On-premises for directional; governmental signs in connection with streets, public buildings, railroad crossings, electric utilities, etc. | — | §195-157A |
| Exempt Sign - Restaurant Menu Display | — | 1.5 sq ft maximum. | — | — | — | Posted in window or a display case on the premises of the restaurant use. | — | §195-157C |
| All Signs - General Number Limitation | — | — | — | — | 1 principal sign per street frontage, subject to noted exceptions; corner lots: up to 2 principal signs total. | All premises in residential, commercial, or industrial districts. | — | §195-159 |
| Banner (Nonresidential Zones) | Stand-alone banners max 8 ft high. | Individual banners: max width 2 ft; building-affixed banners: length ≤ 3/4 width of building side; stand-alone banners: visible area plus multiple banners total may not exceed 50 sq ft. | 2 ft maximum width for any banner. | — | No explicit numeric cap, but maximum combined area of banners is 50 sq ft and time limits apply. | Only in nonresidential zones; may be affixed to a building or be stand-alone on the same property as the sponsoring business/organization. | — | §195-160.1A–C |

### DTV District, CN District, CO District, CI District, COR District, COH District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential-Type Signs Permitted in DTV/CN/CO/CI/COR/COH | — | Up to the limits in residential districts: 6 sq ft real estate; 40 sq ft construction project; 16 sq ft bulletin board; 2 sq ft professional/home occupation (where such uses exist). | — | Same front-yard setback rules as in residential districts for those specific sign types. | Same as in residential districts for each allowed sign type. | Within DTV, CN, CO, CI, COR, and COH districts where residential-type uses occur. | — | §195-160B(1); §195-160A(1)–(4) |
| Wall Sign - Business Identification (DTV/CN/CO/CI/COR/COH) | — | 10% of facade area of the building face bearing the sign. | — | — | Generally 1 per street frontage per premises, subject to §195-159. | On facade of building in DTV, CN, CO, CI, COR or COH District, advertising services offered or goods sold/produced on the premises. | — | §195-160B(2); §195-153; §195-159; §195-156A (projection limit 18") |
| Freestanding Sign - Gas Station Identification (DTV/CN/CO/CI/COR/COH) | Max 20 ft for automobile filling stations. | 24 sq ft maximum sign face area. | — | Must be at least 5 ft from any lot line (§195-156B). | No explicit number in §195-160B(4); general one-per-frontage rule (§195-159) applies unless otherwise approved. | Freestanding on premises of automobile filling station in DTV, CN, CO, CI, COR or COH Districts. | — | §195-160B(4); §195-153; §195-160.2A(2) |
| Freestanding Sign - Integrated Shopping Unit Identification (DTV/CN/CO/CI/COR/COH) | Max 10 ft for integrated shopping units. | 24 sq ft maximum area. | — | At least 5 ft from any lot line. | Not specified beyond general one-per-frontage rule in §195-159. | Freestanding, on premises of integrated shopping units consisting of four or more individual shops or offices, in DTV, CN, CO, CI, COR or COH. | — | §195-160B(4); §195-153; §195-156B |
| Canopy Sign - Gas Station/Convenience Store (DTV/CN/CO/CI/COR/COH) | — | Per individual canopy sign, 1 sq ft per linear foot of canopy length to which sign is attached OR 25 sq ft, whichever is less. | — | — | Up to 3 canopy signs (including logo) per canopy side that faces a street, driveway, or parking area. | Affixed to canopy over gas pumps and/or convenience store drive/parking areas; allowed only for gas station and convenience store in the listed districts on sides of canopy facing a dedicated street, driveway, or parking area. | — | §195-160B(5)(a)–(c); §195-153 |
| Menu Board Sign - Drive-Through Lane (Ordering Menu Board) (DTV/CN/CO/CI/COR/COH) | 6 ft maximum height. | 40 sq ft maximum per ordering menu board. | — | — | 1 ordering menu board per drive-through lane. | Ground-mounted within or adjacent to each drive-through lane associated with a drive-through restaurant, in the listed districts. | — | §195-160B(6)(a)–(d) |
| Menu Board Sign - Drive-Through Lane (Preordering Menu Board) (DTV/CN/CO/CI/COR/COH) | 6 ft maximum height. | 25 sq ft maximum per preordering menu board. | — | — | 1 preordering menu board per drive-through lane. | Within or adjacent to each drive-through lane associated with a drive-through restaurant, in the listed districts. | — | §195-160B(6)(a)–(d) |
| Temporary Sign and Banner (DTV/CN/CO/CI/COR/COH) | Banners: stand-alone max 8 ft. | Temporary signs: 30% of window area; freestanding temporary signs over 4 sq ft require permit. Banners: width ≤ 2 ft, length ≤ 3/4 width of building side, stand-alone height ≤ 8 ft, combined area of all banners ≤ 50 sq ft. | Banners: max 2 ft wide per banner. | — | No explicit numeric cap; constrained by area and general sign-count rules. | On premises in nonresidential districts including these zones; on buildings or as stand-alone on same property as sponsoring business or organization. | — | §195-154; §195-160.1A–B |

### LCI Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Shopping Center/Mixed-Use Development Identification (LCI) | 25 ft maximum height. | Up to 250 sq ft per side of each freestanding sign. | — | Freestanding sign must be ≥ 5 ft from any lot line (§195-156B). | 1 freestanding identity sign per eligible abutting street frontage. | Along each abutting street frontage of a shopping center or mixed-use development in the LCI Zone, except on frontages abutting a residential zone. | — | §195-160D(1) |
| Monument Sign - Major Driveway (LCI) | 8 ft maximum height. | 100 sq ft maximum area per major driveway monument sign. | — | Must comply with sight triangle requirements; also at least 5 ft from lot line (§195-156B). | 1 major driveway monument sign per street fronting the development (since only one driveway per frontage can be major). | Near major access driveway(s) fronting the development in the LCI Zone, at a shopping center or mixed-use development. | — | §195-160D(1)(a)[1]; §195-160D(1)(a) |
| Monument Sign - Minor Driveway (LCI) | 8 ft maximum height. | 50 sq ft maximum area per minor driveway monument sign. | — | Must comply with sight triangle and be at least 5 ft from lot line (§195-156B). | No explicit numeric limit; one per minor driveway is implied but not stated—site plan approval will govern. | Near any driveway that is not a major driveway (minor driveways) of shopping center or mixed-use development in LCI Zone. | — | §195-160D(1)(a)[2]; §195-160D(1)(a) |
| Directional Sign - Internal to Shopping Center/Mixed-Use (LCI) | — | 4 sq ft maximum area per directional sign. | — | — | Not specified; governed by site plan approval and signage plan. | Within shopping center or mixed-use development in the LCI Zone, including near access driveways and internal drives. | — | §195-160D(1); §195-160D(1)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign - Separate Use, Not Part of Shopping Center/Mixed-Use (LCI) | 20 ft maximum height. | 80 sq ft maximum area per sign. | — | At least 5 ft from any lot line (§195-156B). | 1 freestanding sign along each abutting street frontage for such separate use. | Along each abutting street frontage of a separate use under unrelated ownership that is not part of a shopping center or mixed-use development in LCI Zone. | — | §195-160D(2) |
| Wall/Building Sign - Front Façade (LCI) | — | Up to 1.5 sq ft per linear foot of front building facade occupied by individual use, with an absolute maximum of 200 sq ft for front façade signage per use. | — | — | No explicit numeric cap; multiple signs allowed as long as combined area stays within limit and general sign-count standards are satisfied. | On front of building or portion of building occupied by individual permitted use in LCI Zone that faces a street or parking area serving the use. | — | §195-160D(3)(a); §195-160D(6) |
| Residential-District Signs Permitted in LCI (Where Applicable) | — | Same as in R districts (6 sq ft real estate, 40 sq ft construction project, 16 sq ft bulletin board, 2 sq ft professional/home occupation) where such uses occur. | — | Same as R districts for those sign types. | Same as R districts for those sign types. | In LCI Zone where a use is one that would be allowed residential signage. | — | §195-160D(5); §195-160A(1)–(4) |
| Temporary Signs and Banners (LCI) | Banners stand-alone ≤ 8 ft. | Temporary window signage up to 30% of window area; freestanding temporary signs ≤ 4 sq ft without permit (larger require permit). Banners: width ≤ 2 ft; building-affixed length ≤ 3/4 width of building side; stand-alone height ≤ 8 ft; combined banner area ≤ 50 sq ft. | Banners ≤ 2 ft wide. | — | No explicit numeric cap; constrained by area limits and general principal sign-count rules. | On LCI properties, on buildings, freestanding, and on windows/doors, consistent with nonresidential zone banner rule and general temporary sign rules. | — | §195-154; §195-160.1A–B |

## Prohibited signs in Clark

- No sign shall be erected, hung, placed or painted in any district except as provided in the sign regulations (§195-149C).
- All signs (except those expressly exempted) require a permit before installation (§195-150).
- Unsafe or unkempt freestanding, overhanging or attached signs must be repaired, replaced, made safe or removed within 10 days after notice from the Construction Code Official (§195-151).
- Nonconforming signs damaged or deteriorated to 50% or more of their replacement value may not be rebuilt and must be removed within 60 days after notice, although maintenance, repainting and posting are allowed (§195-152).
- Signs may not use illumination other than shielded or indirect, nonflashing light (preferably white) or internal illumination behind a translucent face (§195-153A).
- Red or green illumination is not permitted on any sign located in the same line of vision as a traffic control signal; such signs must be removed or corrected within 60 days of notification (§195-153B).
- Any illumination of any sign may not be arranged to produce undue glare or offensive light annoying to surrounding residents; such signs must be removed or corrected within 60 days of notification (§195-153C).
- Temporary signs may not remain longer than 30 days unless otherwise specified, and must have the date of installation noted in the lower right-hand corner (§195-154B).
- Temporary sign information is limited to special promotions, temporary sales, nonpermanent sales promotions and seasonal decorations (§195-154C).
- Temporary signs must be maintained in a neat and orderly manner and may not contain obscene or offensive content (§195-154D).
- Freestanding temporary signs over four square feet require a sign permit (§195-154F).
- Temporary signs may not be illuminated (§195-154G).
- Signs may not be placed on telephone poles or trees (§195-154H).
- Signs attached flat against a building may not project more than six inches in any residential district and no more than 18 inches in any other district (§195-156A).
- No freestanding sign may be located within five feet of any lot line (§195-156B).
- No sign may be located so as to obstruct any door, fire escape, stairway, or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress, or egress for any building or structure (§195-158).
- No sign is permitted where it would obstruct vision at a street intersection or curve; such signs must be corrected or removed within 60 days of notification (§195-158).
- Unless otherwise provided, no more than one sign per street frontage is permitted on any premises in a residential, commercial or industrial district; corner lots may have one per frontage if total area does not exceed 1.5 times a single permitted sign (§195-159).
- Electronic message centers are prohibited except as freestanding monument signs on municipal and Board of Education properties (§195-160E(1)).
- Flashing, fluttering, animated, moving, vibrating, sequential, tracer, electronic or rotating signs are prohibited in all zones (§195-160.2A(1)).
- Electronic message signs or boards are prohibited except those used by government facilities (§195-160.2A(2)).
- Signs with lighting or control mechanisms that may cause radio or television interference are prohibited (§195-160.2A(3)).
- Signs may not obstruct or be attached to fire escapes, windows, doors, or openings used for egress/ingress or firefighting, or interfere with required ventilation openings (§195-160.2A(4)).
- Signs that by form, character or shape confuse or dangerously distract motorists (including use of words like “stop” or “danger” simulating safety or traffic signs) are prohibited (§195-160.2A(5)).
- Advertising using a series of two or more signs or units placed in a line carrying a single message split across the signs is prohibited (§195-160.2A(6)).
- Signs that simulate official, directional or warning signs erected or maintained by governmental or public utility agencies are prohibited (§195-160.2A(7)).
- Billboards and outdoor display structures not associated with a business on the same lot are prohibited (§195-160.2A(8)).
- Roof signs and signs on the side of any structure extending above the edge of the roof are prohibited (§195-160.2A(9)).
- Signs on railroad or vehicular overpasses are prohibited (§195-160.2A(10)).
- Use of flags (not otherwise referenced) to attract attention is prohibited except in connection with a holiday or season (§195-160.2A(11)).
- Use of pennants (not otherwise referenced) to attract attention is prohibited (§195-160.2A(12)).
- Commercial exterior use of outdoor icicle or string lighting to attract attention is prohibited, except that small, white, unblinking strings may be used to illuminate merchandise or indicate a business is open, cannot be used when the exterior is floodlit, and must be turned off at close of business (§195-160.2A(13)).
- Signs may not be tacked, pasted, painted or otherwise attached to or inserted into public buildings, poles, posts, trees, fences, sidewalks or curbs (§195-160.2A(14)).
- Signs may not obstruct driving vision, traffic signals, sight triangles and traffic direction and identification signs (§195-160.2A(15)).
- Ionized inert gas sign lighting with directly exposed tubing is prohibited, except neon “open” signs as otherwise permitted (§195-160.2A(16)).
- Signs projected by light onto a building facade are prohibited (§195-160.2A(17)).
- Any sign advertising a use or business that is no longer in existence at that location must be removed within 30 days of the business closing (§195-160.2C).
- Signs indicating commercial property for rent or for sale must conform to the size limitations applicable to permanent signs (§195-160.2D).
- Any type of sign not specifically permitted by the ordinance is prohibited (§195-160.2E).

## Signs exempt from permit in Clark

- Directional, informational or street name signs erected by municipal, county, state or federal government agencies or utilities in connection with street identifications, public buildings, railroad crossings, electric utility lines and similar uses are exempt from the sign regulations (§195-157A).
- Nonilluminated nameplates or plaques of less than two square feet in area are exempt (§195-157A).
- Directional signs on premises of less than three square feet in area indicating traffic movements, exits and entrances are exempt (§195-157A).
- Seasonal decorations used by a property or business owner are exempt and are not limited or prohibited by the sign regulations (§195-157B).
- Restaurant menus posted in a window or display case not exceeding 1.5 square feet are exempt from signage requirements (§195-157C).
- Temporary signs are allowed without a permit in all districts, subject to the specific conditions in §195-154 (area limits, duration, content, maintenance, non-illumination, etc.) (§195-154).
- The display of merchandise in a window display area by a business is not limited or prohibited by the temporary sign regulations (§195-154E).
- No fee is charged for permits for temporary signs advertising school board elections, municipal elections, or charitable/eleemosynary functions or activities, provided such signs are posted only within 15 days before and seven days after the election or event (§195-161B).
- Banners erected by the Township itself or authorized by the Mayor and Council are not restricted by the banner prohibitions in §195-160.1 (§195-160.1C(2)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For the LCI Zone, a signage plan is required with the submission of any site plan for approval; the plan must identify location and type of all proposed business signs and visually represent lettering, illumination, color and height, and the approving authority may impose restrictions on color, size, location, sign types, letter height, illumination, or mounting height to encourage coordinated design (§195-160D(6)).
- In the LCI Zone, any additional signs beyond those expressly permitted for a shopping center or mixed-use development of 100,000 square feet or more require site plan approval (§195-160D(7)).

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

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