# Sign Regulations in Closter Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Closter Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/closter-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/7050620#7050620)

## At a glance

Closter Borough, New Jersey regulates 33 sign types across 3 zoning districts. A-frame/Sandwich Board Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall, 10 sq ft per side, and 3 ft wide, with a 2 ft from curb or walkway (unless waived) setback (Sec. § 173-83B(10), § 141-17). Most commercial signs in Closter Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 21 | 20 ft | 48 in x 48 in (16 sq ft) | — |
| Zoning District No. 1, Zoning District No. 2, Zoning District No. 6 | 11 | 6 in | 16 sq ft | — |
| Zoning District No. 5 (Industrial) | 1 | 15 ft | 16 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 36 sq ft | — | — | One principal sign per exposure (ancillary sign on other exposures max 50% of principal) | Attached to wall exterior; must be parallel and not protrude more than 12 inches. If protrudes more than 6 inches, position at least 8 feet above sidewalk/ground. | — | § 173-83B(1), § 173-83A, § 173-82 |
| Blade Sign (Freehanging Perpendicular) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per store occupancy | One per store occupancy, must be minimum 10 ft above ground | — | § 173-83B(3) |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 15 ft from curbline | One per property (see exception for Industrial) | One per property outside Industrial zone; 15+ ft from curbline; must not interfere with sight triangles | — | § 173-83B(4) |
| Pylon Sign (Gasoline Station or Auto Dealership) | 20 ft | 35 sq ft per side | — | 5 ft minimum to property line | One per qualifying use | Must not be within 5 ft of property line, bottom at least 10 ft from ground | — | § 173-83B(5)(a) |
| Directional Sign | 5 ft | 27 in x 12 in | 27 in | — | — | Top no greater than 60 inches (5 ft) above ground | — | § 173-83B(7) |
| A-frame/Sandwich Board Sign | 5 ft | 10 sq ft per side | 3 ft | 2 ft from curb or walkway (unless waived) | One per business | Set back at least 2 ft from curbline or walkway | — | § 173-83B(10), § 141-17 |
| Temporary Street Banner | — | 18 sq ft | — | 16 ft above street | — | Minimum 16 ft above streets, securely fastened | — | § 173-83C(1) |
| Temporary Construction Site Sign | — | 16 sq ft per sign, 36 sq ft total | — | 15 ft from curbline | Three | At least 15 ft from curb | — | § 173-83C(8) |

### Zoning District No. 1, Zoning District No. 2, Zoning District No. 6

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| House Numerals | — | 1 sq ft per individual numeral | — | — | — | On house | — | § 173-84A |
| Professional Nameplate | 6 in | — | 18 in | — | — | At or near entrance of premises | — | § 173-84B |
| Bulletin Board or Sign (Public/Charitable/Religious Institution) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises of institution | — | § 173-84C |
| Memorial Sign or Tablet | — | — | — | — | — | Masonry surface or constructed of bronze/other incombustible material | — | § 173-84D |
| Traffic or Other Municipal Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As approved by Chief of Police | — | § 173-84E |
| Garage/Yard Sale Sign (On Premises) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | Four per permit | On property of residence holding sale | — | § 173-84I, § 111-12, §173-83C(7) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property for sale, staked along public street, not over curb/sidewalk | — | § 173-84J, §173-83C(4) |
| Religious Institution Sign (on property) | — | — | — | — | — | On property of religious institution | — | § 173-84K |

### Zoning District No. 5 (Industrial)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Industrial Zone) | 15 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 15 ft from curbline | One per 75 ft frontage | At least 15 ft from curbline, must not interfere with sight triangles | — | § 173-83B(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Closter Borough

- Signs may not be attached to trees or light/utility poles.
- The use of vehicles whose primary purpose is advertising is prohibited.
- The use of stickers is prohibited.
- No uncovered neon or fluorescent bulbs are permitted on any sign. All internally illuminated signs must be shielded or covered to prevent exposure of an uncovered light source providing direct glare.
- No illumination shall be permitted which may cause interference with traffic control signs or lights, or lights of an emergency vehicle, or cause interference with radio or television signals.
- Externally lighted signs, floodlights, or spotlights must be shielded to project light only onto the sign area and not beyond, so there is no glare upon the street or adjacent property.
- Any signage located on or extending over a public right-of-way must be approved by the relevant governing agency prior to installation.
- The content of all signs (except for election, civic event, garage, yard sale and nonprofit signs) shall pertain only to the use within the premises upon which the sign is located.
- No wall sign shall be erected to cover windows or architectural details.
- It is unlawful to erect ground signs whose total height is greater than 15 feet above ground level.
- No awnings, canopies or marquees shall be installed above the first floor of any building or structure.
- No advertising shall be placed on any awning, canopy or marquee except for the address, logo, name and type of business conducted within the premises. Logos shall not be larger than 10% of the total space of the awning.
- Signs located on or above public or quasi-public property require an approved bond or insurance policy before erection, installation, removal, rehanging, or maintenance.
- Abandoned signs must be removed by the owner within 20 days after vacancy of the building and/or tenant space.
- Garage/yard sale signs and other permitted temporary signs may not be placed on utility poles or on any public property, including trees.
- Motion-animated signs must be turned off no later than 11:00 pm.

## Signs exempt from permit in Closter Borough

- Permanent signs substantiated by permit documentation and/or inclusion within photographic record of Borough signage as of March 15, 2005, are grandfathered and given preexisting/nonconforming status, provided they are routinely maintained but not enlarged, extended, or relocated.
- The following temporary signs are exempt from the zoning permit requirement: construction signs; municipal signs; traffic signs; legal notices; danger and emergency signs; window signs; real estate signs; election signs; educational/charitable/civic/religious signs.
- House numerals, professional nameplates, bulletin boards or signs for public/charitable/religious institutions, memorial signs or tablets, traffic or municipal signs, flags of the U.S., NJ, or governmental/quasi-public agencies, governmental agency signs necessary to public welfare, temporary election signs, garage and yard sale signs, real estate signs, religious institution signs on their property (in residential zones) are permitted without further review.
- Holiday lighting is permitted: for the winter holiday season, lighting may be installed after Thanksgiving and must be removed by January 15; other holidays, permitted 10 days before and 10 days after each holiday.
- Tube lighting used as an outline is permitted.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning permit application for new or altered signs must include three copies of plans depicting existing and proposed signage in color and drawn to scale.
- Applicants may choose to appear before the Sign Review Committee before or after filing a zoning permit application; this committee provides nonbinding guidance on design, size, color schemes, and location.
- Denial of a zoning permit application allows the applicant to opt for guidance from the Sign Review Committee before reapplying or to seek variance relief from the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment.
- If a zoning permit is issued, a construction permit must also be obtained if applicable (building and/or electrical code compliance).
- Shopping centers situated on more than three acres may erect pylon or pole signs; construction, size, and details are subject to approval by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment.
- In multiple-tenant buildings, landlords shall apportion permitted window sign space to tenants.
- A zoning variance, if granted for a use, applies to sign regulations for the premises as well.
- If any sign requires a permit and will be erected, installed, removed, rehung, or maintained over public or quasi-public property, an approved bond or insurance policy must be filed before action.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Closter Borough, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Closter+Borough+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-closter-borough

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/closter-borough