# Sign Regulations in East Windsor Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** East Windsor Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/east-windsor-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/36432392#36432392)

## At a glance

East Windsor Township, New Jersey regulates 32 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Neighborhood Commercial District, Highway Commercial District, Turnpike Commercial District zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and Maximum 150 sq ft, with a Minimum 12 ft from street right-of-way; 5 ft from side/rear yard. setback (Sec. 20-5.16.8a(2), 20-5.16.7b). Most commercial signs in East Windsor Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Neighborhood Commercial District, Highway Commercial District, Turnpike Commercial District | 10 | 25 ft | Maximum 150 sq ft | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4), Small Lot District (SL), Manufactured Housing District (MH) | 7 | 6 ft | 20 sq ft (aggregate for identification, bulletin board, directory signs) | — |
| Research-Office District (R-O), Industrial-Office District (I-O) | 6 | 25 ft (as per general freestanding sign standards) | 16 sq ft | — |
| Rural Agricultural District (R-A), Rural Estate District (R-3) | 3 | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Planned Unit Development District (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 30 in above grade | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Neighborhood Commercial District, Highway Commercial District, Turnpike Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | Maximum 150 sq ft | — | Minimum 12 ft from street right-of-way; 5 ft from side/rear yard. | See requirements for additional signs with extra street frontage. | Not closer than 12 ft to any street right-of-way | — | 20-5.16.8a(2), 20-5.16.7b |
| Facade Sign | May not extend above highest elevation of facade attached; no sign to extend higher than highest elevation of facade. | 10% of facade area | — | — | One per occupancy per entrance facade; One building identification sign on multiple occupant buildings | On facade of occupancy within developed parcel | — | 20-5.16.8a(3), 20-5.16.7a |
| Canopy Sign | Not higher than floor level of second story | 5 sq ft | — | — | One per canopy per occupancy | Installed only below canopy proper; no portion closer than 9 ft to pedestrian passageway below | — | 20-5.16.8a(4), 20-5.16.7c |
| Freestanding Sign (Gasoline Station) | Not less than 12 ft or more than 27 ft above ground | 36 sq ft per side | — | Minimum 12 ft from street right-of-way | One freestanding sign per gasoline station | Setback min 12 ft from street right-of-way | — | 20-5.16.8a(5) |
| Canopy Sign (Gasoline Station) | — | 10% of longest canopy facade | — | — | One per canopy | On canopy over pump islands | — | 20-5.16.8a(5) |
| Freestanding Directory Sign (Shopping Center) | — | — | — | 20-5.16.7b applies: e.g., min setback 12 ft, max height 25 ft, etc. | One per shopping center with >2 businesses; replaces any other freestanding sign | Subject to freestanding sign placement, area, height, setback, interior yard and clearance provisions. | — | 20-5.16.8a(6) |
| Facade Sign (Shopping Center Occupancy) | — | 10% of tenant's portion of facade. | — | — | One per occupancy | On tenant space | — | 20-5.16.8a(6)(e) |
| Canopy Sign (Shopping Center Occupancy) | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | One per canopy per occupancy | Below canopy for each occupancy | — | 20-5.16.8a(6)(e), 20-5.16.7c |

### Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4), Small Lot District (SL), Manufactured Housing District (MH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Development Main Entrance) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per main entrance | At each main entrance to the development, on common ground/easement | — | 20-5.16.8b(2) |
| Identification Sign (Development Secondary Entrance) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per secondary entrance | At each secondary entrance to the development, on common ground/easement | — | 20-5.16.8b(2) |
| Temporary Identification Sign (Development) | — | — | — | — | — | For developments without association, temporary identification only per permitted temporary sign rules. | — | 20-5.16.8b(2) |
| Identification Sign (Non-Residential Use) | — | 20 sq ft (aggregate for identification, bulletin board, directory signs) | — | — | One identification sign, one bulletin board, one directory sign per developed lot, totalling max 20 sq ft | For permitted nonresidential uses in residential zones. | — | 20-5.16.8b(3) |
| Freestanding or Facade Sign (Home Business) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per home business | On home business premises | — | 20-5.16.8b(7) |
| Freestanding Sign (Detached, General) | 6 ft | — | — | Min 12 ft from right-of-way | — | Not closer than 12 ft from right-of-way. | — | 20-5.16.8b(4) |
| Facade Sign (Residential Use) | No sign shall extend higher than highest wall/parapet elevation to which it is attached. | — | — | — | — | Flat against building or as an architectural feature. | — | 20-5.16.8b(6) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | 30 in above grade | 3 sq ft (1 sq ft in residential zones) | — | — | — | On property where directing, not off-site | — | 20-5.16.3c |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Use) | — | 6 sq ft | — | At least 3 ft from right-of-way | One per lot | On property offered for sale/lease; at least 3 ft from street right-of-way | — | 20-5.16.3g |
| Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential Use, <250 ft frontage) | — | 16 sq ft | — | At least 12 ft from right-of-way | One per lot | Lot for sale/lease <250 ft frontage. | — | 20-5.16.3g |
| Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential Use, >250 ft frontage) | — | 32 sq ft | — | At least 12 ft from right-of-way | One per lot | Lot for sale/lease >250 ft frontage. | — | 20-5.16.3g |
| Construction Sign | — | 24 sq ft (residential districts) / 64 sq ft (commercial/industrial districts) | — | 12 ft from right-of-way | One per public road entering | On site of construction | — | 20-5.16.3i |
| Temporary Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20-5.16.3j |
| Temporary Event Sign (Charitable/Religious/Public Event) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20-5.16.3k |

## Prohibited signs in East Windsor Township

- No off-premises signs erected in the Township.
- No sign shall be posted on trees, utility poles, light poles or otherwise in the right of way.
- No temporary sign shall be erected without obtaining a temporary sign permit.
- No sign shall have any visible guy wires, braces, or secondary supports.
- No sign shall be structurally enlarged or relocated except in accordance with the ordinance and with a permit.
- No sign may be erected, hung, attached or displayed until a permit is issued, unless exempted.
- No existing sign may be replaced or rebuilt if nonconforming, unless brought into conformity.
- No sign may be constructed in a manner that obstructs doors, fire escapes, or stairways or keeps light or air from windows used for living quarters.
- No sign using blinking, flashing, vibrating, flicker, tracer, sequential or any other lighting where the sign message can be electronically changed, except time and temperature signs expressly permitted elsewhere in the ordinance.
- No moving or revolving signs are permitted.
- No sign using any reflecting material which sparkles or glitters.
- No series of two or more signs placed along a street or highway carrying an advertising message part of which is contained on each sign.
- No strung shielded or unshielded light bulbs.
- No parking of a vehicle or trailer for the purpose of utilizing it as a portable sign on any public right-of-way or public property, or on private property if intended to be viewed from a public right-of-way, with attached signage for advertising or direction.
- No more than 20% of a sign area or 25 square feet, whichever is more, may contain any design, picture, symbol, and/or logo. Remainder must be wording and background area only.
- No sign shall be constructed in any way differing from details approved as part of a site plan or subdivision development application, including size, color, height, location, lettering, pictures, symbols, logos, and lighting.
- No flags, banners, strings of banners, pinwheels, 'A' type signs, sidewalk signs, curb signs, and similar advertising devices, pennants, search lights, balloons or other gas-filled figures, except by temporary permit for unusual commercial events and subject to restrictions.
- No sign shall have more than two sign faces.
- No color lamps or lights, and strings of lights are prohibited, except as part of a holiday decoration.
- No sign shall be designed, constructed, or maintained in a way that causes it to become dilapidated or a safety hazard.
- No person shall place any guy wire, brace or any other device on any tree in such a manner as to injure it.
- No sign shall contain external illumination in violation of specified lighting requirements; such lights must be shielded and not project above building height or 20 feet (whichever is less), and must not cause glare. No neon lamp may be exposed.
- No sign shall be erected within five feet of any rear or side yard line.
- All signs must conform to construction, material, load and stress standards in the building subcode.

## Signs exempt from permit in East Windsor Township

- Special signs serving the public convenience (e.g., Notary Public, Public Telephones, Public Restrooms, Push, Pull) not exceeding one square foot.
- Signs integral to vending machines, gasoline pumps and milk machines.
- Directional signs not exceeding three square feet (or one square foot in residential districts) placed on-site and not exceeding 30 inches in height above grade.
- Customary warning signs such as 'No Trespassing,' 'No Dumping,' or indications of private property or driveway, not exceeding one square foot.
- Flags of religious, educational, civic, or governmental organizations, and the American flag when flown according to federal laws and rules.
- Name and number plates identifying residences, affixed to house/apartment, mailbox, or lawn signs, none exceeding one square foot.
- Non-illuminated real estate signs announcing the sale, rental or lease of a residential use on which the sign is located, not exceeding six square feet; or one sign per lot. Additional provisions for nonresidential uses with larger permitted sizes (with permit). Such signs to be removed within seven days of settlement or lease execution.
- Holiday decorations.
- Construction signs (one per project, up to 24 square feet in residential or 64 square feet in commercial/industrial); not exceeding number of public road entrances; must be set back at least 12 feet; valid for up to 2 years. Must be removed within five days after construction completion and before certificate of occupancy.
- Temporary political signs for a period of 45 days. Signs relating to an election or referendum must be removed within seven days after the event.
- Temporary signs advertising public, political functions, or fundraising events by charitable or religious organizations for 45 days prior to event; to be removed within seven days after.
- Historical tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques, and emblems (up to six square feet) installed by government agencies or civic/religious organizations.
- Mechanic or artisan may erect one sign (max six square feet) during the period of active work on the premises.
- Subject to compliance with applicable provisions, these signs are permitted in any zone in the Township without a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- If a sign is part of a development which otherwise requires site plan review, site plan approval is required for all signs.
- Site plan approval is required for all signs constructed in conjunction with a use variance.
- When a sign is approved as part of a site plan or subdivision development application by the Planning Board or zoning board of adjustment, no sign may be constructed which differs from the approved details.
- Applications for permits to construct, erect, hang, or place a sign must include two sets of plans and specifications, and two site plans for freestanding signs (and such additional information as required by the zoning officer).
- Any decision of the zoning officer may be appealed by filing with the board of adjustment.
- No sign may be erected, hung, attached or displayed until a permit for such sign has been duly issued by the building official unless specifically exempted.
- Both the person in whose name the permit is registered and the owner of the property are equally liable for violations.
- Master sign plan or sign plan language is not explicitly used, but the ordinance requires site plans for freestanding signs and full plan submissions per the permitting procedure.
- For shopping centers, addition or change of any business on the directory sign must be registered and approved by the building official prior to installation and require a letter of authorization from the property owner.
- A change of copy (on a permitted sign) requires reregistration.
- All signs given final approval are listed in a central sign registry maintained by the zoning officer.

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

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