# Sign Regulations in Delaware Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Delaware Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/delaware-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/13568644#13568644)

## At a glance

Delaware Township, New Jersey regulates 23 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Commercial)s in the Commercial Zones (V-1, V-2, C-1 Commercial Zones) zoning district are capped at 20 ft (measured from ground to top). Bottom edge at least 10 ft above ground. tall and Under 5,000 sq ft: 25 sq ft; 5,001–15,000 sq ft: 50 sq ft; 15,001–30,000 sq ft: 75 sq ft; 30,001–50,000 sq ft: 100 sq ft; 50,001–100,000 sq ft: 150 sq ft (Sec. § 230-108.I(2)(e)). Most commercial signs in Delaware Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | — | Total 32 sq ft (no more than two signs) | — |
| Residential Zones (A-1, A-2 Agricultural/Residential Zones) | 6 | — | 15 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zones (V-1, V-2, C-1 Commercial Zones) | 5 | 20 ft (measured from ground to top). Bottom edge at least 10 ft above ground. | Under 5,000 sq ft: 25 sq ft; 5,001–15,000 sq ft: 50 sq ft; 15,001–30,000 sq ft: 75 sq ft; 30,001–50,000 sq ft: 100 sq ft; 50,001–100,000 sq ft: 150 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Zones | 2 | 5 ft | 50 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs | — | As referenced for each sign type | — | No sign or part thereof closer than 15 feet to any lot line; at least 50 ft setback from residential district boundary for signs in nonresidential district. | — | Limited to the lot or parcel to be sold or the premises where the business or service is conducted. | — | § 230-108.A, B, D, E, F, G, H |
| Exempt Signs - Temporary for Sale/Rental | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises to be sold/rented | — | § 230-108.C(1) |
| Exempt Signs - Professional (Dwelling) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | At dwelling | — | § 230-108.C(2) |
| Exempt Signs - Temporary Window (Commercial) | — | No more than 15% of window area | — | — | — | Inside windows of commercial establishment | — | § 230-108.C(3) |
| Exempt Signs - Temporary Political (Residential Zones) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Residential zones | — | § 230-108.C(5) |
| Exempt Signs - Temporary Political (Nonresidential Zones) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | All nonresidential zones | — | § 230-108.C(5) |
| Exempt Signs - Decorative Name/Address | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | House/family (residential) | — | § 230-108.C(7) |
| Exempt Signs - Farm Signs | — | Total 32 sq ft (no more than two signs) | — | — | 2 per farm | Farms | — | § 230-108.C(8) |

### Residential Zones (A-1, A-2 Agricultural/Residential Zones)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional or Announcement Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Flat on main wall of residential building | — | § 230-108.I(1)(a) |
| Name/Announcement Sign (Institutional/Quasi-Public/Church/Multiple Dwelling) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | § 230-108.I(1)(b) |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Residential) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | On construction site | — | § 230-108.I(1)(c) |
| Decorative Name/Address Sign (Residential) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling, up to 2 per lot | House/family | — | § 230-108.I(1)(d) |
| Official Sign (Government) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | Erected by Township, county, state, or federal government | — | § 230-108.I(1)(e) |
| Single Sign Restriction (Residential Use) | — | — | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | § 230-108.I(1)(f) |

### Commercial Zones (V-1, V-2, C-1 Commercial Zones)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Residential Allowed Signs | — | See residential sign area limits | — | — | — | — | — | § 230-108.I(2)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Facade Sign) | — | 10% of front facade area | — | — | — | Affixed to any exposed side(s) of building | — | § 230-108.I(2)(c) |
| Canopy Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per store (first floor) | Hanging vertically under rigid permanent canopy along front facade; minimum 10 ft above walkway | — | § 230-108.I(2)(d) |
| Freestanding Sign (Commercial) | 20 ft (measured from ground to top). Bottom edge at least 10 ft above ground. | Under 5,000 sq ft: 25 sq ft; 5,001–15,000 sq ft: 50 sq ft; 15,001–30,000 sq ft: 75 sq ft; 30,001–50,000 sq ft: 100 sq ft; 50,001–100,000 sq ft: 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 freestanding identification sign per building | On lot fronting the business | — | § 230-108.I(2)(e) |
| Sign Plan Requirement (Shopping Centers/Multiuse Structures) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 230-108.I(2)(b)[2,3] |

## Prohibited signs in Delaware Township

- It is unlawful to erect, repair, replace or alter any sign or other advertising structure without first obtaining a construction permit, except for exempted signs.
- All signs are limited to the lot or parcel to be sold or the premises where the business or service is conducted.
- Signs erected flat against a building may not extend above the height or beyond the sides of the wall or cornice, and must not extend more than eight inches from the wall.
- No sign or any part thereof shall be located closer than 15 feet to any lot line.
- Any sign erected for a specific use must be removed when that use is discontinued or removed.
- A flashing, fluttering, animated or rotating sign is not permitted in any zone.
- Signs with lighting or control mechanisms that may cause radio or television interference are not permitted in any zone.
- Any sign obstructing or attached to a fire escape, window, door or opening used for ingress, egress, or firefighting, or interfering with legally required ventilation is not permitted in any zone.
- Signs of such a form, character, or shape that may confuse or dangerously distract motor vehicle operators are not permitted.
- Advertisements that use a series of two or more signs in a line or fashion to carry a single advertising message are not permitted.
- Signs that simulate official, directional, or warning signs erected by the state, county, municipality, railroad, public utility, or similar agencies are not permitted.
- Billboards and/or outdoor display structures are not permitted.
- Roof signs are not permitted.
- Signs on railroad or vehicular overpasses are not permitted.
- Signs with more than two display surfaces, sides, or faces, such as hinged, triangular, or box signs, are not permitted.
- All nonconforming signs, except as specified, are illegal and subject to removal at any time.
- No sign shall be left illuminated between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., unless the business is open or the Planning Board determines illumination is necessary for protection from theft or vandalism.
- Colored light other than white is not permitted in sign illumination.
- No portion of any sign may be located within or suspended over a public right-of-way, including pedestrian walks.
- A sign in a nonresidential district along a residential district boundary must be set back at least 50 feet from the boundary.
- Dangerous or unsafe signs must be repaired, made safe, or removed within 10 days of notice or sooner if an imminent danger is determined.
- All signs must be painted and maintained in good repair at all times; abandonment for 12 consecutive months requires removal.
- No sign may be erected or located to obstruct the vision of drivers entering a public street.
- No sign may be erected which obstructs existing signs on adjacent properties to the degree that the message is no longer visible for a reasonable distance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Delaware Township

- Nonilluminated temporary signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises, not exceeding four square feet and removed within seven days after sale/rental.
- Professional signs indicating the name and profession of dwelling occupants, not exceeding one square foot.
- Temporary signs inside windows of commercial establishments covering no more than 15% of the window area.
- Signs forbidding trespassing, hunting, fishing, or trapping as authorized by Fish and Game Laws.
- Temporary signs indicating a political preference or cause not exceeding four square feet in residential zones or 12 square feet in any other zone, removed within seven days after the election.
- Temporary charitable signs not exceeding four square feet, removed within seven days of the charitable event.
- Decorative nonilluminated signs showing name and/or address of house or family not exceeding one square foot.
- A limit of two signs per farm, not exceeding a total of 32 square feet.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Shopping centers and other multiuse structures requiring more than one sign must submit a sign plan to the Planning Board for approval, including details as to letter style, lighting, color, construction and materials, height above grade, height at highest point, locations, and specifications.
- The sign plan for such developments must be based on an integrated design to include all elements listed.
- Any commercial building over 100,000 square feet desiring a larger sign than 150 square feet must apply to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for approval.

## 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 4 zoning districts in Delaware Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Delaware+Township+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-delaware-township

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