# Sign Regulations in Edison, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Edison, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/edison
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-30
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/34716725)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 | 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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §37-62.4(e) |
| Memorial/Building Name/Date Plaque (Exempt) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On building surface | — | §37-62.4(f) |
| No Trespassing/No Dumping/No ATV (Exempt) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On property as needed to provide notice | — | §37-62.4(g) |
| Charitable/Religious Event Sign (Exempt, Temporary) | 8 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On-site; may be flat against building or freestanding | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | 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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | 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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §37-62.12(e) table; (f)–(o) |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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) |

_The full published fee and review-timeline schedule for Edison is available in PermitPal (free account)._

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

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