# Sign Regulations in East Brunswick, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** East Brunswick, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/east-brunswick
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-24
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/34760992#34760992)

## At a glance

East Brunswick, New Jersey regulates 33 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Freestanding Informational Sign or Bulletin Board (Institutions/Public Facilities)s in the RP, RP-2, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, VGI, VGII, VGIII, VGIIIA, HR, HR/C, HRP, HCR (Residential Districts) zoning district are capped at ≤ 6 ft tall and ≤ 35 sq ft, with a Subject to general freestanding sign setback standards (§ 228-245I.D) setback (Sec. § 228-254A). Most commercial signs in East Brunswick require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | Top edge ≤ 22 ft above street centerline elevation; must not interfere with sight triangles | ≤ 400 sq ft (absolute cap) | — |
| RP, RP-2, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, VGI, VGII, VGIII, VGIIIA, HR, HR/C, HRP, HCR (Residential Districts) | 7 | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 35 sq ft | — |
| TG District, OP-1 District, OP-2 District | 3 | ≤ 10 ft | ≤ 24 sq ft (double-faced) | — |
| HC District | 4 | ≤ 10 ft | ≤ 24 sq ft | — |
| SCMXD District | 3 | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 25 sq ft per sign | — |
| C-1 District, C-2 District, C-3 District, H-1 District, HC-1 District, HC-2 District, HC-3 District, MXD District | 14 | Top edge ≤ 22 ft (general standard) | ≤ 400 sq ft absolute cap | — |
| O-1 District | 1 | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 20 sq ft | — |
| P-I District, I/M District, O/I District | 10 | Top edge ≤ 22 ft (general standard) | ≤ 90 sq ft per sign face | — |
| O-I District | 1 | — | ≤ 10 sq ft | — |
| MMHC | 1 | — | ≤ 3 sq ft | — |
| MXD/R | 1 | — | ≤ 3 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### RP, RP-2, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, VGI, VGII, VGIII, VGIIIA, HR, HR/C, HRP, HCR (Residential Districts)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Informational Sign or Bulletin Board (Institutions/Public Facilities) | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 35 sq ft | — | Subject to general freestanding sign setback standards (§ 228-245I.D) | 1 per major street frontage | One on each major street bordering the property | — | § 228-254A |
| Facade Sign (Business Use) | — | ≤ 6 sq ft (single use) or ≤ 10 sq ft (multiple users on premises) | — | — | 1 per business use | Flat against the building | — | § 228-254B |
| Freestanding Sign (Business Use - Lawn Sign) | ≤ 5 ft | ≤ 6 sq ft (single use) or ≤ 10 sq ft (multiple users on premises) | — | Subject to general freestanding sign setbacks | 1 per business use | Single freestanding post (lawn sign) on premises | — | § 228-254B |
| Development Entrance Sign (Main Entrance) | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 25 sq ft per sign | — | ≥ 10 ft from any right-of-way or property line | ≤ 2 | At main entrance(s) to the development | — | § 228-254C(1) |
| Development Entrance Sign (Secondary Entrances) | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 15 sq ft | — | ≥ 10 ft from any right-of-way or property line | ≤ 1 per secondary entrance | At each entrance other than the main entrance | — | § 228-254C(2) |
| Rental/Sales Office Sign (Development) | ≤ 5 ft | ≤ 15 sq ft | — | — | ≤ 1 | At the rental or sales office of the development | — | § 228-254C(3) |
| Real Estate Directional Signs (Development Construction Period) | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 15 sq ft per sign | — | — | ≤ 4 | Freestanding; not within any public right-of-way | — | § 228-254C(4) |

### C-1 District, C-2 District, C-3 District, H-1 District, HC-1 District, HC-2 District, HC-3 District, MXD District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage Up to 100 ft) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft (general standard) | ≤ 45 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | ≤ 1 | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-256B(1); § 228-245I(C)-(F) |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage Up to 200 ft) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft (general standard) | ≤ 90 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | ≤ 1 | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-256B(1); § 228-245I(C)-(F) |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage Up to 300 ft - Sign 1) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft (general standard) | ≤ 90 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | Up to 2 total (this is the 90 sq ft sign) | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-256B(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage Up to 300 ft - Sign 2) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft (general standard) | ≤ 45 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | Up to 2 total (this is the 45 sq ft sign) | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-256B(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage Up to 400 ft - Sign 1) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft (general standard) | ≤ 90 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | Up to 2 total (each ≤ 90 sq ft) | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-256B(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage Up to 400 ft - Sign 2) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft (general standard) | ≤ 90 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | Up to 2 total (each ≤ 90 sq ft) | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-256B(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage 400 ft and over - Sign 1) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft (general standard) | ≤ 90 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | Up to 3 total (each ≤ 90 sq ft) | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-256B(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage 400 ft and over - Sign 2) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft (general standard) | ≤ 90 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | Up to 3 total (each ≤ 90 sq ft) | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-256B(1) |

### P-I District, I/M District, O/I District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage Up to 100 ft) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft (general standard) | ≤ 45 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | ≤ 1 per street frontage (per table) | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-257B; § 228-256B(1)-(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage Up to 200 ft) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft (general standard) | ≤ 90 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | ≤ 1 per street frontage (per table) | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-257B; § 228-256B(1)-(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage Up to 300 ft - Sign 1) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft | ≤ 90 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | Up to 2 total (this is the 90 sq ft sign) | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-257B; § 228-256B(1)-(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage Up to 300 ft - Sign 2) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft | ≤ 45 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | Up to 2 total (this is the 45 sq ft sign) | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-257B; § 228-256B(1)-(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage Up to 400 ft - Sign 1) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft | ≤ 90 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | Up to 2 total (each ≤ 90 sq ft) | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-257B; § 228-256B(1)-(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage Up to 400 ft - Sign 2) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft | ≤ 90 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | Up to 2 total (each ≤ 90 sq ft) | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-257B; § 228-256B(1)-(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage 400 ft and over - Sign 1) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft | ≤ 90 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | Up to 3 total (each ≤ 90 sq ft) | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-257B; § 228-256B(1)-(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Frontage 400 ft and over - Sign 2) | Top edge ≤ 22 ft | ≤ 90 sq ft per sign face | — | ≥ 10 ft from any lot line | Up to 3 total (each ≤ 90 sq ft) | On lot fronting street/highway | — | § 228-257B; § 228-256B(1)-(2) |

## Prohibited signs in East Brunswick

- Signs using red, yellow, or green lights within 100 feet of any traffic control signal.
- Moving or revolving signs and signs using blinking, flashing, vibrating, flickering, tracer, or sequential lighting.
- Any sign that, in the judgment of the Director of Public Safety, unreasonably distracts drivers or constitutes a traffic hazard.
- Roof signs on buildings, structures, and vehicles.
- Indecent or obscene signs or advertising matter.
- Signs using words such as “stop,” “look,” or “danger” placed so as to constitute a traffic hazard or interfere with traffic (as judged by the Director of Public Safety).
- Signs that imitate or cause confusion with governmental signs.
- Off-premises advertising (signs advertising products/services not sold on the premises or directing attention to another premises) except where specifically permitted and except for billboards as a conditional use in the P-I and C-2 zones.
- Signs causing interference with radio or television reception.
- Signs obstructing doors, fire escapes, or stairways, or blocking light or air from windows used for living quarters.
- Flags, banners, strings of banners, pinwheels, A-frame signs, sandwich signs, sidewalk signs, curb signs, and similar devices, except as allowed for temporary promotions under §228-256C.
- Any sign or banner spanning a public street.
- Signs placed on trees, fences, utility poles, or light poles; signs attached to other signs; and signs placed on motor vehicles that are continuously or repeatedly parked in a conspicuous location to serve as a sign.
- A series of two or more signs along a street or highway where parts of an advertising message are split across multiple signs.
- Signs on vacant property advertising a proposed use without prior Planning or Zoning Board approval for the proposed use.
- Signs with manual or electronic changeable copy or symbols, except for movie marquees and signs indicating time and temperature only.
- Inflatable, airborne, floating, or balloon-type signs (including searchlights, balloons, dirigibles, blimps), except where specifically permitted.
- Portable or permanent search lights, except where specifically permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in East Brunswick

- Nonilluminated or internally illuminated directional signs identifying parking areas, loading zones, entrances, and exits, limited in number to curb cuts, max 3 sq ft and 5 ft high; may include business name but no advertising; in centers only the development name may appear.
- Temporary and permanent traffic signs and signals installed by Township, county, or state to direct/regulate traffic.
- Signs indicating public transportation stops installed by the Township or a public transportation utility.
- Historic tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques, and emblems (≤6 sq ft) installed by government agencies or civil/religious organizations.
- Warning and no-trespassing signs (≤3 sq ft).
- Flags or emblems of religious, educational, civic, or governmental organizations flown on their buildings or grounds, and the American flag per federal rules.
- Name and number plates identifying residents affixed to a house, apartment, or mailbox (≤50 sq in).
- Resident-identifying lawn signs (≤1.5 sq ft per side), nonilluminated except by an integral lamppost light.
- Signs posted by governmental agencies or pursuant to statute, order, or regulation.
- Signs integral to vending devices (including gasoline pumps) and signage for merchandise/services sold on the premises, securely fastened, permanent/non-interchangeable, content limited to the item being sold, and ≤3 sq ft.
- Nonilluminated real estate signs announcing sale, rental, or lease of the premises with limited content (announcement, broker name, phone); removed within 10 days after transaction; generally one per lot; size limits vary by zone (e.g., 3 sq ft in most residential zones; 10 sq ft in O-I, C-1, HC, OP-1/OP-2; up to 45 sq ft with one per bordering street in certain commercial/industrial zones).
- Window signs and interior floor displays subject to visibility restrictions: only from 3–7 ft above first-floor elevation; within any 5-ft span of window, maintain two consecutive feet of open view; open lettering that does not obstruct vision is exempt from restriction.
- Temporary signs for public functions or fundraising by charitable or religious organizations: allowed 60 days prior and during the event; removed within 5 days after; nonilluminated; ≤24 sq ft; ≤8 ft high; may be facade or freestanding.
- Temporary political signs: allowed 30 days prior to an election; removed 5 days after; in residential zones ≤6 sq ft (max 2×3 ft) and subject to residential height limits; in other zones subject to zone size/height limits.
- Street address block numbers (12-inch height) on the top outside edge of freestanding sign frames in C-2, C-3, HC-1, HC-2, HC-3; not counted toward sign area.
- Relocation information signs for 30 days at the present and future location of the relocating business, subject to zone standards.
- Construction signs: one per site under construction/alteration/repair; ≤45 sq ft; ≤8 ft high; removed before certificate of occupancy.
- Menu boards not visible from the right-of-way as part of a drive-through facility.
- One price sign per vehicle (≤1 sq ft).
- Help wanted signs: one per establishment; content limited to position, establishment, contact phone; ≤6 sq ft; securely fastened to building facade or existing freestanding sign on the premises; removed within 5 days of filling the position.
- Farm stand signs for produce grown on the premises: up to two freestanding signs (each ≤12 sq ft and ≤8 ft high) plus one facade sign (≤20 sq ft).
- Signs painted on or attached to motor vehicles, trailers, or other portable devices that pertain to the vehicle’s function or the owner’s business; subject to parking/storage restrictions (e.g., one commercial vehicle in residential sites within size limits; in other sites, allowed in side/rear yards or front yard if board-approved or no side/rear stalls; storage must be on the property where the business is conducted).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is stated in the provided ordinance text; signs are permitted individually via zoning sign permits.
- A zoning sign permit is required for all signs and advertising displays except those listed in §228-252; permits are issued by the Director of Planning and Engineering and require owner signatures, scaled sketch/message, and a plot plan for freestanding signs; $25 application fee (§228-247A–C).
- Permit amendments are required to replace a sign face when size/shape/location do not change; no fee if only wording changes (§228-247D).
- Temporary sales-promotion signage requires a temporary sign permit (max five weeks every six months; $10/week per sign); new businesses must have an approved permanent sign permit before a temporary permit can be issued (§228-256C).
- Decorative neon illumination requires a zoning sign permit prior to issuance of a construction permit (§228-246C(2)).
- Searchlights/spotlights/floodlights (where allowed along State Highway 18 in HC-2, HC-3, MXD) require a permit ($50 for 1 day; $100 for 2–7 days), limited to one permit per year, and only for new business openings, new ownership, or special events (§228-256C[f–h]).
- Appeals/variances: Any aggrieved party may appeal sign-related decisions to the Township Board of Adjustment (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70) (§228-251).
- Illuminated signs must meet Township electrical codes and be inspected by the Division of Construction Inspection; lighting that constitutes a safety hazard must be corrected upon notice (§228-246A–D).
- Signs attached flat against buildings must be approved and inspected by the Office of Construction Inspection (§228-245II.D).

## 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 11 zoning districts in East Brunswick — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=East+Brunswick+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-east-brunswick

---

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