# Sign Regulations in Edgewater, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Edgewater, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/edgewater
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-24
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/14374561#14374561)

## At a glance

Edgewater, New Jersey regulates 20 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Development Identification)s in the B-3 Zone District, CBD Zone District, MCRD Zone District zoning district are capped at 20 feet (regular freestanding), 6 feet (monument sign, inclusive of base) tall and 32 square feet, with a 10 feet from property line setback (Sec. § 240-161B(1)-(3)). Most commercial signs in Edgewater require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| B-1 Zone District, B-2 Zone District, MXD-1 Zone District, MXD-2 Zone District, MXD-3 Zone District, B4 Zone District | 3 | 2 feet (letters), overall sign height not specified | 30% of window area | — |
| B-3 Zone District, CBD Zone District, MCRD Zone District | 5 | 20 feet (regular freestanding), 6 feet (monument sign, inclusive of base) | 32 square feet | — |
| OR-1 District | 2 | 8 feet above grade | 24 square feet | — |
| Residential land uses | 6 | 6 feet | 16 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 20 feet; open area of at least 10 feet between sign base and ground | 32 square feet (each side) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### B-3 Zone District, CBD Zone District, MCRD Zone District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Development Identification) | 20 feet (regular freestanding), 6 feet (monument sign, inclusive of base) | 32 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line | 1 per development | Along River Road property frontage, set back minimum 10 feet from property line | — | § 240-161B(1)-(3) |
| Freestanding Directory Sign | 6 feet | 12 square feet | — | 200 feet from public street | 2 per development | Within the development, located a minimum of 200 feet from any public street | — | § 240-161B(4) |
| Wall Sign | 2 feet (vertical dimension, letter size) | 10% of facade square footage, and 2 sq ft per linear foot of front facade | — | Min. 8 feet above sidewalk or ground | 1 per commercial use | On building's facade | — | § 240-161B(5)(a)-(c) |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | Valance max 1 foot height; letters 6 inches; overall 5 feet height | — | — | Min. vertical clearance 8.5 feet; min. setback 3 feet from curbline | — | Overhang pedestrian right-of-way, min. vertical clearance 8.5 feet, min. setback 3 feet from curbline | — | § 240-161B(5)(d) |
| Window Display Sign | — | 30% of window area | — | — | — | Interior side of window | — | § 240-161B(6) |

### Residential land uses

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Nameplate | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | On residence | — | § 240-160D(2) |
| Professional Nameplate | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | On residence | — | § 240-160D(3) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | — | On premises advertised | — | § 240-158C(1); § 240-160D(1) |
| Temporary Campaign Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | — | Entirely on private property | — | § 240-158C(11); § 240-160D(1) |
| Contractor Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | 15 feet from curb | — | On work site under construction | — | § 240-158C(5); § 240-160D(1) |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign (Multifamily Entrance) | 6 feet | 8 square feet | — | 10 feet from street right-of-way | 1 per entrance | Per vehicular entrance | — | § 240-160D(4)(a)-(d) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | — | 12 square feet (except banners by permit may be larger) | — | — | — | — | — | § 240-162A,B,C,E |
| Automobile Service Station Sign - Freestanding Identification | 20 feet; open area of at least 10 feet between sign base and ground | 32 square feet (each side) | — | 10 feet from property lines | 1 per premises | Minimum 10 feet from all property lines | — | § 240-160A(1) |
| Automobile Service Station Sign - Wall Identification | — | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 per business, plus 1 for additional street frontage | Wall; not less than 8 feet above sidewalk | — | § 240-160A(3) |
| Automobile Service Station Sign - Pump Structure | — | 2 square feet per pump | — | — | — | On pump structure | — | § 240-160A(2) |
| Automobile Service Station Sign - Canopy | — | 10% of canopy face per side | — | — | 1 per canopy side | On canopy over pump island | — | § 240-160A(4) |
| Institutional Freestanding Sign | 8 feet | 12 square feet | — | 1/2 required building setback for the zone | 1 per public street frontage | For each public street frontage; minimum setback is 1/2 the minimum required building setback for the zone | — | § 240-160C(1)-(3) |
| Window Display Sign (General) | — | 30% of window area | — | — | — | Within 12 inches of window surface | — | § 240-161B(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Edgewater

- No billboard or billboard signs shall be permitted.
- No sign shall be placed, located or displayed upon any sidewalk or area between sidewalk and curb.
- No roof sign, often known also as a 'sky sign,' shall be permitted.
- No signs shall be erected or painted or composed of fluorescent or phosphorescent or similar material.
- No sign shall be, in whole or part, moving, mobile or revolving.
- No sign shall have more than two colors, inclusive of its background, frame and decorative parts. However, varying tones or gradients of the two main colors may be utilized and shall not count as additional colors. Black and white are considered colors, but when black or white are used, either may be used as a third color.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign or other advertising structure regulated by this chapter shall be erected at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where the sign may interfere with, obstruct the view of, cause an optical illusion or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device, or which makes use of words, phrases, symbols or characters in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- No commercial outdoor advertising signs, billboards or other signs which are not expressly and directly related to the business being conducted on the premises and which do not conform to the applicable requirements and standards set forth in other sections of this chapter shall be permitted. All other such commercial outdoor advertising signs, billboards and other nonconforming signs are specifically prohibited.
- It shall be unlawful to display upon any sign or other advertising structure any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
- No sign shall be an illuminated sign except as provided herein.
- No sign shall be illuminated externally by more than one floodlight per surface of said sign. Such lighting shall be at grade and properly directed and shielded so as not to produce glare or offensive light off the property.
- Flashing signs, highly reflective glass or fluorescent paint (red or green) and illuminated tubing outlining roofs, doors, windows or wall edges of a building are prohibited.
- No sign shall be artificially illuminated after 11:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. unless said premises are occupied and attended.
- No political signs shall be erected or installed on any pole or tree located on public property or within the public right-of-way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Edgewater

- Real estate signs not exceeding 12 square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are located only.
- Residential nameplates identifying a single-family residence and/or street address, not to exceed one square foot in area.
- Professional nameplates not exceeding two square feet in area for lawful occupants of the premises under the Zoning Ordinance.
- Bulletin boards or signs not over 16 square feet in area for public, charitable or religious institutions when located on the premises of said institutions.
- A sign identifying the architect, engineer or contractor, when placed upon a work site under construction, not to exceed 16 square feet in area, provided the sign is set back at least 15 feet from the curb, and further provided that same are removed within 24 hours after the final certificate of occupancy is issued.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger signs and such temporary, emergency or nonadvertising signs or signs of any governmental agency deemed necessary to the public welfare.
- Flags of the United States, State of New Jersey or other governmental or quasi-public agencies.
- Holiday decorations and lights on residential premises.
- Signs erected to control the movement of traffic on a premises, provided these signs provide traffic directions only and shall not be used for any advertising purpose; these signs shall not exceed four square feet in area and shall have been approved by the appropriate approving agency.
- Election or political signs, provided that said signs are placed entirely on private property and do not exceed 12 square feet in area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan must be submitted to the approving authority for shopping centers and other multitenant developments, detailing letter style and size, illumination, color, construction materials, locations, height above grade, location relative to lot lines and landscaping, on-site lighting fixtures, location of site identification signs, and (for shopping malls) internal directional signs.
- A unified design theme must be provided for shopping centers and other multitenant developments, integrating architectural design, materials and colors of primary structure, facade signs, freestanding signs, landscaping, and lighting fixtures.
- Any application for a sign that does not comply with the provisions of the article (including associated with a change in occupancy or ownership) must be submitted to the appropriate approving authority for variance or review, including notification and a public hearing where required by law, with the necessary drawings/plans.
- Any nonconforming sign which is associated with a change in occupancy or ownership necessitates an application to the approving authority.
- The provisions for shopping centers and multitenant developments (including sign plan) also apply to those uses in the specified nonresidential districts and OR-1 District when associated with multitenant developments.

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

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