Sign Regulations in Edison, New Jersey
Edison, New Jersey has specific sign regulations covering 42 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall/Attached Sign - Building, Temporary Window Sign (Exempt), Directional Sign (Exempt). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 30, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for Edison, New Jersey
Sample Sign Requirements in Edison
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Window Sign (Exempt) | — | Covers no more than 25% of any single window; must be removed within 30 days of posting date shown on sign | — |
| Directional Sign (Exempt) | — | 4 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Construction Project Sign (Exempt) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | ≥15 ft from any lot line |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for EdisonFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
42
- Wall/Attached Sign - Building
- Temporary Window Sign (Exempt)
- Directional Sign (Exempt)
- Construction Project Sign (Exempt)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Edison
Other Cities in New Jersey
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Edison vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Edison, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Edison, regulated sign types include Wall/Attached Sign - Building, Temporary Window Sign (Exempt), Directional Sign (Exempt), Construction Project Sign (Exempt), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Edison vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Edison are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Edison has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Edison, New Jersey Sign Rules at a Glance
Edison, New Jersey regulates 42 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - On-Premises (Industrial/Institutional)s in the Restricted industrial district (R-I); Light industrial district (L-I); Research, office and laboratory district (ROL); Educational-institutional district (E-I) zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall, ≤200 sq ft per sign face, but not more than 1 sq ft per 5 ft of street frontage; site aggregate for all signs ≤500 sq ft, and 20 ft (max width of any one side) wide, with a Setback ≥15 ft from street line; no encroachment into required side or rear yard setbacks setback (Sec. §37-62.11(b)(1)). Most commercial signs in Edison require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Edison, New Jersey
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Edison (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | 8 ft | 60 square inches | — |
| Residential districts (R-AA, R-A, R-A (PRD), R-A-th, R-BB, R-BB-th, R-B, R-B (PUD), R-B-th, L-R) | 12 | 10 ft | 35 sq ft (main sign); incidental signs up to 3 sq ft each (max 4) | — |
| Commercial Districts (L-B, G-B, GB-H, P-B, O-S, O-S-1, O-S-2) | 4 | 25 ft | ≤250 sq ft per entrance sign, but not more than 1 sq ft per 5 ft of frontage; aggregate for all entrance signs ≤500 sq ft | — |
| Restricted industrial district (R-I); Light industrial district (L-I); Research, office and laboratory district (ROL); Educational-institutional district (E-I) | 7 | Overall height from grade ≤40 ft; face height ≤15 ft; clearance ≥8 ft | 300 sq ft (face area) | — |
| Open space/recreation conservation district (OSR-C) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Amboy Avenue Revitalization (AAR) | 3 | 20 ft above grade (and may not project above roofline); max vertical dimension of any sign = 15 ft | Per-sign cap: 150 sq ft; if front wall area >1,500 sq ft, per-sign cap may increase to a maximum of 300 sq ft by adding 1 sq ft per additional 200 sq ft of front wall area | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Edison(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Window Sign (Exempt) | — | Covers no more than 25% of any single window; must be removed within 30 days of posting date shown on sign | — | — | — | Inside windows of commercial establishments | — | Unlock | §37-62.4(b); general lighting limits §37-62.6(e), (f) |
| Directional Sign (Exempt) | — | 4 sq ft per sign face | — | — | — | On-site, identifying parking areas, loading zones, entrances, exits | — | Unlock | §37-62.4(d); general lighting limits §37-62.6(e) |
| Construction Project Sign (Exempt) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | ≥15 ft from any lot line | — | On premises of work under construction | — | Unlock | §37-62.4(e) |
| Memorial/Building Name/Date Plaque (Exempt) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On building surface | — | Unlock | §37-62.4(f) |
| No Trespassing/No Dumping/No ATV (Exempt) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On property as needed to provide notice | — | Unlock | §37-62.4(g) |
| Charitable/Religious Event Sign (Exempt, Temporary) | 8 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On-site; may be flat against building or freestanding | — | Unlock | §37-62.4(q) |
| Township-Sponsored Youth Sports Recruitment Sign (Exempt, Temporary) | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from property line | — | On private property with permission, meeting setbacks | — | Unlock | §37-62.4(r) |
| Temporary Open House Sign (Real Estate) (Exempt; A-frame) | — | Max face size 2 ft by 2 ft (4 sq ft) | — | Must avoid sight triangles and remain off travel lanes and sidewalks | — | May be placed within public right-of-way but not on/in any street, sidewalk, sight triangle, or on any pole or tree; no placement on private property without prior written owner permission | — | Unlock | §37-62.4(s); §37-62.6(b)(1)-(7) |
Residential districts (R-AA, R-A, R-A (PRD), R-A-th, R-BB, R-BB-th, R-B, R-B (PUD), R-B-th, L-R)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign - Farm or Nursery Activity | 10 ft | 10 sq ft per side | — | ≥20 ft from any street or property line | 1 | On the premises of the farm or nursery | — | Unlock | §37-62.9(a) |
| Wall Sign - Identifying Permitted/Conditional Use (Non–Single-Family Dwelling) | 5 ft (maximum vertical dimension of sign) | 8 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from any lot line | 1 | On the principal building | — | Unlock | §37-62.9(b) |
| Freestanding Sign - Home-Based Occupation/Professional Home Office | 4 ft | 2 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from any property line | 1 | On the lot of the home-based use | — | Unlock | §37-62.9(c) |
| Freestanding Informal Sign/Bulletin Board - Institutional Uses (Per Major Street) | 6 ft (main sign) | 35 sq ft (main sign); incidental signs up to 3 sq ft each (max 4) | — | — | 1 per major street; up to 4 incidental signs total | On institutional property along major streets | — | Unlock | §37-62.9(d) |
| Business Use Sign - Option 2 (Freestanding Lawn Sign) | 5 ft | 3 sq ft (up to 8 sq ft total if multiple uses; add 2 sq ft per additional use) | — | — | 1 (area may increase if multiple uses present) | On the premises as a single post or lawn sign | — | Unlock | §37-62.9(e) |
| Freestanding Sign - Farm Stand (Produce grown on premises) | 8 ft | 12 sq ft per freestanding sign | — | — | 2 | On farm stand/farm property | — | Unlock | §37-62.9(f) |
| Freestanding Sign - Development Main Entrance | 8 ft | 25 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 at main entrance | At the main entrance to a housing or land development | — | Unlock | §37-62.9(g)[1] |
| Freestanding Sign - Development Secondary Entrance | 8 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per secondary entrance | At each entrance other than the main entrance | — | Unlock | §37-62.9(g)[2] |
Restricted industrial district (R-I); Light industrial district (L-I); Research, office and laboratory district (ROL); Educational-institutional district (E-I)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall/Attached Sign - Building | 20 ft above grade (and may not project above roofline); max vertical dimension of any sign = 15 ft | Per-sign cap: 150 sq ft; if front wall area >1,500 sq ft, per-sign cap may increase to a maximum of 300 sq ft by adding 1 sq ft per additional 200 sq ft of front wall area | — | No projection over property lines; bottom edge clearance ≥8 ft if the sign projects more than 3 inches | Not explicitly limited by count; total attached sign area limited by formula | Attached to the main building facade | — | Unlock | §37-62.11(a) (adopts commercial attached-sign standards specified in §37-62.10(a)(1)-(6)) |
| Freestanding Sign - On-Premises (Industrial/Institutional) | 15 ft | ≤200 sq ft per sign face, but not more than 1 sq ft per 5 ft of street frontage; site aggregate for all signs ≤500 sq ft | 20 ft (max width of any one side) | Setback ≥15 ft from street line; no encroachment into required side or rear yard setbacks | Not numerically capped, but limited by spacing and aggregate area caps | On the lot serving on‑premises uses | — | Unlock | §37-62.11(b)(1) |
| Off-Premises Billboard (L-I only) - Posted Speed < 36 mph | Overall height from grade ≤40 ft; face height ≤15 ft; clearance ≥8 ft | 60 sq ft (face area) | 20 ft (face width) | ROW setback = height of sign or 15 ft (whichever greater); ≤150 ft from nearest ROW; ≥25 ft from property lines; ≥50 ft from buildings/structures/on‑premises signs; ≥2,500 ft from another billboard; ≥500 ft from intersections/interchanges and listed sensitive uses/districts | 1 off‑premises sign per lot | Freestanding only; must face a State or Interstate highway; may not face local roads or residential properties | — | Unlock | §37-62.12(c)(1), (d), (e) table, (f)(1)-(2), (g)(1)-(4), (h)(1)-(2), (i)(1)-(5), (j)(1)-(9), (k)(1)-(3), (l), (m)(1)-(2), (n)(1)-(6), (o)(1)-(2), (o)(d)(1)-(4), (o)(f)(1)-(3), (o)(g), (o)(j) |
| Off-Premises Billboard (L-I only) - Posted Speed 36–45 mph | Overall ≤40 ft; face height ≤15 ft; clearance ≥8 ft | 100 sq ft (face area) | 20 ft | Same as other billboard categories | 1 per lot | Freestanding; must face State or Interstate highway | — | Unlock | §37-62.12(e) table; (f)–(o) |
| Off-Premises Billboard (L-I only) - Posted Speed 45–55 mph | Overall ≤40 ft; face height ≤15 ft; clearance ≥8 ft | 150 sq ft (face area) | 20 ft | Same as other billboard categories | 1 per lot | Freestanding; must face State or Interstate highway | — | Unlock | §37-62.12(e) table; (f)–(o) |
| Off-Premises Billboard (L-I only) - Posted Speed 56–65 mph | Overall ≤40 ft; face height ≤15 ft; clearance ≥8 ft | 200 sq ft (face area) | 20 ft | Same as other billboard categories | 1 per lot | Freestanding; must face State or Interstate highway | — | Unlock | §37-62.12(e) table; (f)–(o) |
| Off-Premises Billboard (L-I only) - Limited Access Highway | Overall ≤40 ft; face height ≤15 ft; clearance ≥8 ft | 300 sq ft (face area) | 20 ft | Same as other billboard categories | 1 per lot | Freestanding; must face a Limited Access State/Interstate highway | — | Unlock | §37-62.12(e) table; (f)–(o) |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Edison — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Edison — start freeProhibited Signs in Edison
- No sign may simulate or resemble official directional or warning signs of any government or public utility.
- No portion of any sign may be located within or over a public right-of-way or pedestrian walkway, unless specifically authorized by Township ordinances/regulations or as expressly excepted for United Community Fund, temporary Open House real estate signs, Edison rescue squads, hospitals, and official Township functions; Open House signs in ROW must follow strict limits (display only 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. on the day of the open house, not on/within any street/sidewalk/sight triangle or on any pole/tree, metal A‑frame max 2 ft by 2 ft, identify sponsoring broker with address/phone, no balloons/attention devices, no placement on private property without prior written permission).
- No neon sign or similar illuminated advertisement may be of a color or in a location that diminishes the effectiveness of traffic signals or safety/warning devices.
- Series of two or more signs placed in a line to carry a single advertisement message (sequential highway signage) are prohibited.
- No sign may have flashing lights, exposed high-intensity illumination, exposed neon tubes, or reflective material.
- No sign may obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, or opening intended to provide light or ingress/egress; up to 25% of a window may be covered by signs provided light/visibility are not unreasonably obstructed.
- No sign may be placed where it creates a traffic hazard by obscuring visibility.
- Exterior signs using moving parts, banners, spinners, flags, or pennants are prohibited, except for clocks and weather information; temporary signs for special events are exempt from this prohibition.
- Signs visible from the street may not use the word “stop,” “danger,” or other content intended to simulate a public safety warning or traffic signal.
- Roof signs on buildings, structures, and vehicles are prohibited.
- Signs or advertising matter of an indecent or obscene nature are prohibited.
- Except where specifically permitted, signs advertising a product or service not sold on the premises, signs advertising or directing attention to another premises, and any sign unrelated to the premises are prohibited (off‑premise/billboard allowances, if any, are only as provided in §37‑62.12).
- 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 to serve as a sign are prohibited (does not prohibit on‑site directional/identification signs on light/utility poles within the lot).
- Signs on vacant property advertising a proposed use without Township Planning or Zoning Board approval are prohibited.
- Signs tacked, pasted, painted, or otherwise attached to poles, posts, trees, fences, sidewalks, or curbs are prohibited.
- No sign (other than official traffic control devices/street signs) may be erected within or encroach upon any street right‑of‑way unless specifically authorized by other Township ordinances/regulations.
- Rotating or moving signs are prohibited.
- Freestanding or billboard off‑premise signs advertising a product/service not sold on the premises, or directing attention to another premises, are prohibited except as allowed under §37‑62.12.
Exempt Signs in Edison
- Professional nameplate/home occupation signs at a dwelling indicating the occupant’s name and profession; max 2 sq ft; not lighted outside posted business hours.
- Temporary signs inside windows of commercial establishments covering no more than 25% of any window; must be removed within 30 days of erection with the erection date shown; must not unreasonably obstruct light/visibility.
- Public directional signs providing information about public places owned/operated by federal, state, county or local governments or their agencies; publicly owned natural phenomena or historic, cultural, and educational sites.
- Directional signs for public convenience identifying parking areas, loading zones, entrances, exits, and similar; max 4 sq ft.
- Construction identification signs (architect/engineer/contractor) at work under construction; max 16 sq ft; max 6 ft high; at least 15 ft from any lot line; remove within 10 days after CO.
- Memorial signs/tablets, building names and dates cut into masonry or constructed of bronze/other durable material; max 6 sq ft.
- Signs forbidding trespassing, hunting, fishing, trapping, dumping, or ATV use as authorized by law; max 2 sq ft.
- Temporary political preference/event signs allowed 60 days prior to an election/event; must be removed within 14 days after; max 32 sq ft per surface.
- Name/number plates identifying residents on a house, apartment, or mailbox; max 60 square inches.
- Garage sale signs on the premises only; max 2 sq ft; must include sale date; remove within 24 hours after the last day of sale.
- Temporary signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises on which they are located; max 8 sq ft; remove when purpose is fulfilled.
- Temporary and permanent traffic signs and signals installed by Township, County, or State to direct/regulate traffic.
- Signs indicating public transportation stops when installed by the Township or a public transportation utility.
- Flags or emblems of religious, educational, civic, or governmental organizations flown from supports on buildings/grounds occupied by the organization, and the American flag flown in accordance with federal law.
- Lawn signs identifying residents; max 1.5 sq ft per side; no advertising message; non‑illuminated except by a lamppost light integral to the support, if used.
- Signs posted by governmental agencies or pursuant to statute, order, or regulation.
- Temporary signs/posts advertising public functions or fund‑raising events for charitable or religious organizations; permitted 60 days prior to and during the event; remove within 5 days after; non‑illuminated; max 12 sq ft; max 8 ft high; may be wall‑mounted or freestanding.
- Membership recruitment signs for specified Edison Township‑sponsored sports organizations (listed in code); max 16 sq ft; max 8 ft high; minimum 10 ft setback; remove within 30 days of posting.
- Temporary Open House signs.
Sign Permit Fees & Timelines in Edison
| Item | Details | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Sign permit (commercial) | $100 | Township of Edison Zoning Permit Fees (2022) |
| See all Edison sign permit fees & timelines — start free | ||
Source: ecode360 municipal code