# Sign Regulations in Englewood, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Englewood, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/englewood
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15514755#15514755)

## At a glance

Englewood, New Jersey regulates 23 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Downtown (D-2, D-2a, D-2b, D-2c, D-2d, D-2e) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 30 sq ft, with a 5 ft from edge of sidewalk, 5 ft from driveway setback (Sec. §250-105C(2)). Most commercial signs in Englewood require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Downtown (D-1, D-1a, D-1b) | 10 | Letter height: 8 inches; Logo height: 12 inches; Sign panel height: 24 inches | Total on front facade: 40 sq ft | — |
| Downtown (D-2, D-2a, D-2b, D-2c, D-2d, D-2e) | 13 | Letter: 8 in, Logo: 12 in, Panel: 24 in max height, panel width matches sign band | Total on front facade: 40 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Center (N-C) | 10 | Letter: 8 in, Logo: 12 in, Panel: 24 in max height, panel width: sign band | Total on front facade: 40 sq ft | — |
| Service Business District (SBD) | 13 | Letter: 10 in; Logo: 14 in | 40 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial (L-I) | 11 | 35 ft max | 40 sq ft (16 ft/5 ft wide on >50 mph roads) | — |
| Research, Industry, Medical (RIM) | 11 | Letter: 14 in, Logo: 20 in; Top floor: up to 24 in letter, 36 in logo; on >50 mph: up to 16/22 in | Max 60% of sign area it's installed on | — |
| Multifamily Residence (RM-B) | 10 | Letter: 10 in, Logo: 14 in | 40 sq ft on front facade | — |
| Multifamily Residential Districts (excluding RM-B) | 9 | Letter: 10 in, Logo: 14 in | 30 sq ft (institutional use) | — |
| Single-Family Residential Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential Districts | 2 | Letter: 10 in, Logo: 14 in | 15 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | D-1, D-2, N-C, RM-B: 6 ft; SBD, L-I: 7 ft; RIM: 8 ft | D-1, D-2, N-C, RM-B: 5 sq ft; SBD, L-I: 12 sq ft; RIM: 16 sq ft | — |

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

### Downtown (D-1, D-1a, D-1b)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Letter height: 8 inches; Logo height: 12 inches; Sign panel height: 24 inches | Total on front facade: 40 sq ft | Sign panel width: same as architectural sign band | — | — | Building facade, ground floor. Multitenant: each storefront max 40 sq ft. Corner: second facade eligible for extra 40 sq ft | — | §250-105C(1)(a-d) |
| Projecting Sign | Sign: max 4 ft, Letters: 8 in, Logo: 12 in | 9 sq ft | — | — | One per (qualified) second-floor tenant | Projects up to 4 ft from building (2 ft if second-floor tenant). Above 8 ft from ground. | — | §250-105C(1)(a-d) |
| Window Sign | 6 in on windows, 4 in on doors | Max 15% of window, 10% of door, illuminated: max 6 sq ft total per facade, 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | On/behind windows and transparent doors; only on 1st/2nd floor. | — | §250-105C(1)(a-d); §250-104D |
| Outdoor Display Case | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per business | Not on window | — | §250-105B(3), §250-105C(1)(a,d) |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One | As necessary for parking/traffic | — | §250-104D, §250-105B(3), §250-105C(1) |
| Directory Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One for second-floor tenants | Near entrance | — | §250-105B(3), §250-105C(1) |
| Address Sign | Letter min 3 in | — | — | — | One (required) | Above/near main entrance; also on any freestanding sign | — | §250-104D, §250-105B(3), §250-105C(1) |
| Portable Sign (D-1b only) | 3 ft | — | 2 ft | — | One per business (D-1b only) | No more than 4 in from building facade | — | §250-105B(3), §250-105C(1) |

### Downtown (D-2, D-2a, D-2b, D-2c, D-2d, D-2e)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Letter: 8 in, Logo: 12 in, Panel: 24 in max height, panel width matches sign band | Total on front facade: 40 sq ft | — | — | — | Building facade, ground floor; multitenant: max 40 sq ft per storefront; corner: extra 40 sq ft on second facade. | — | §250-105C(2) |
| Projecting Sign | Sign: max 4 ft, Letter: 8 in, Logo: 12 in | 9 sq ft | — | — | One per tenant | Perpendicular to building, above 8 ft from ground, not above eaveline or below 2nd story windows. | — | §250-105C(2) |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — | 5 ft from edge of sidewalk, 5 ft from driveway | One per property (if setback met) | Front yard setback ≥6 ft required; one per property; must be 5 ft from sidewalk and driveway. | — | §250-105C(2) |
| Post and Panel Sign | 6 ft | 30 sq ft sign panel | — | ≥3 ft from sidewalk, ≥5 ft from driveway | One per property (if setback met) | Front yard setback ≥6 ft required; at least 3 ft from sidewalk, 5 ft from driveway. | — | §250-105C(2) |
| Yard Sign | 6 ft | 8 sq ft panel | — | ≥2 ft from sidewalk, ≥5 ft from driveway | One per property (if setback met) | Front yard setback ≥6 ft required; ≥2 ft from sidewalk, 5 ft from driveway. | — | §250-105C(2) |
| Window Sign | 6 in (windows), 4 in (doors) | 15% of window, 10% of door; illuminated: 6 sq ft total facade, 4 sq ft/sign | — | — | — | On/behind windows and transparent doors. | — | §250-105C(2) |
| Address Sign | Min 3 in | — | — | — | One (required) | Above/near entrance; must be added to top of any freestanding sign. | — | §250-105C(2) |
| Portable Sign (D-2b and D-2c only) | 3 ft | — | 2 ft | — | One per business | Placed within 4 in of building facade. | — | §250-105C(2) |

### Service Business District (SBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Letter: 10 in; Logo: 14 in | 1.5 sq ft per linear ft of frontage/min 40 sq ft | — | — | — | Building facade, ground floor; corners: equal on both facades. | — | §250-105C(4) |
| Projecting Sign | Sign: max 4 ft, Letter: 10 in, Logo: 12 in | 9 sq ft | — | — | — | Perpendicular to building, >8 ft above ground | — | §250-105C(4) |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | 5 ft from sidewalk/driveway | One (if setback requirements met) | Front yard setback ≥6 ft; one per property; 5 ft from sidewalk/driveway. Landscaping base required. | — | §250-105C(4) |
| Post and Panel Sign | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | ≥3 ft from sidewalk, ≥5 ft from driveway | One per property | Front yard setback ≥6 ft; ≥3 ft from sidewalk/5 ft from driveway. | — | §250-105C(4) |
| Yard Sign | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | ≥2 ft from sidewalk, ≥5 ft from driveway | — | ≥2 ft sidewalk/≥5 ft from driveway | — | §250-105C(4) |
| Window Sign | 8 in (windows), 6 in (doors) | 15% window, 10% door; illuminated: 6 sq ft total facade, 4 sq ft/sign | — | — | — | On/behind windows or doors | — | §250-105C(4) |
| Outdoor Display Case | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per business | Not on window | — | §250-105C(4) |
| Portable Sign | 3 ft | — | 2 ft | — | One per business | Max 4 in from facade | — | §250-105C(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Englewood

- No sign shall be erected, placed, altered, relocated or replaced except in accordance with the ordinance and unless a permit has been issued or the sign is exempt.
- Billboards, except in the Light Industrial (L-I) District as specified.
- Signs carried or worn by a pedestrian that announce or call attention to any service, event, product, or place of business/occupation.
- Signs that contain lights that flash, blink, move, or change in color or intensity.
- Signs that contain mirrors.
- Signs that emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound, odor or contain open flames.
- Signs that exhibit obscene or pornographic statements, words, or pictures as determined by City Council.
- Signs that imitate, resemble, interfere with, or obstruct official traffic lights, signs, or signals.
- Signs mounted, attached, or painted on a trailer, boat, or motor vehicle when parked, stored, or displayed conspicuously on private premises in a manner intended to attract public attention for advertising or identifying the business; exempting vehicles that are actively used in daily business or have permanent/magnetic signs.
- Signs incorporating beacon, festoon, or strobe lighting.
- Signs tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise attached to trees, poles, stakes, fences, public benches, streetlights, or other objects, or placed on public property, in the right-of-way, or on private property without owner's permission.
- Signs extending above the roofline of the building to which it is attached.
- Inflatable signs.
- Linear lights.
- Pennants, spinners, and streamers.
- Sidewalk signs.
- Pylon signs.
- Video displays.
- Temporary and limited-duration signs must also comply with all prohibitions above.
- Signs shall not interfere with surface or underground utilities, communications lines or equipment.
- Signs shall not block ingress or egress from doors, windows, fire escapes, or prevent roof access; except safety signs are allowed on standpipes or fire escapes.
- Signs shall not be erected, constructed, painted, or maintained on or above the roof; no part may extend above the eave line of the building.
- No sign may interfere with sight triangles at intersections, alleys, or driveways.
- Signs shall not contain more than 10 items of information.
- Signs shall not consist of more than four colors.
- Signs inside a building that are meant to be viewed from outside, if closer than three feet from the window, are regulated as window signs.
- Illuminated signs or lighting for signs shall not flash, blink, move, or change in color or intensity.
- External light sources for illuminating signs must be shielded from visibility from the public thoroughfare or residences and must not cause glare.
- All signs must be maintained in good repair and safe condition; deteriorated signs must be repaired or removed.
- Obsolete or abandoned signs must be removed within 20 days of business closure or vacation; entire sign structure must be removed.
- No mural or public art installation may consist of, or contain, electrical or mechanical components, or changing images, moving structural elements, flashing or sequential lights, kinetic art or lighting elements, or other automated methods that result in movement, appearance of movement, or change of mural image or message, except static illumination turned on/off not more than once every 24 hours.
- No mural or public art installation may be placed over building openings (windows, doors, fire escapes, vents) unless permanently sealed.
- No mural or public art installation may be arranged and illuminated to produce a light intensity greater than three footcandles above ambient lighting as measured at the property line of the nearest residential property; no illumination in residential zones between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
- No more than one mural or public art installation may be located within 200 feet of another unless part of an approved ensemble.

## Signs exempt from permit in Englewood

- Signs erected by a government agency.
- Address signs and nameplates in residential districts, not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Address signs in nonresidential districts, as regulated.
- Directional signs designating or calling attention to entrances, exits, parking areas, and loading areas. Building-mounted directional signs and sign panels of any freestanding directional signs must be <= two square feet in area and no higher than seven feet (freestanding).
- Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- Historical markers and tablets.
- Holiday and seasonal decorations.
- Names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of wood, bronze, stainless steel or similar material.
- Personal expression signs of any type, including flags, that do not exceed three square feet, are noncommercial, and are not illuminated.
- Security and warning signs: In residential districts, <= two square feet; in nonresidential districts, one sign up to four square feet, all others up to two square feet.
- Signs inside a building, or other enclosed facility, not intended to be viewed from the outside, and located more than three feet from the window.
- Temporary and limited-duration signs (with conditions as specified in the ordinance).
- Temporary signs that comply with labeling, construction, placement, and duration requirements are exempt from permit and do not count toward total signage, but must follow type, number, and area limits.
- Limited-duration signs that comply with labeling, construction, placement, and duration requirements are exempt from permit and do not count toward total signage, but must follow type, number, and area limits.
- Outdoor umbrellas located in the outdoor cafe area are exempt from the sign ordinance, provided they do not exceed six feet diameter, do not extend into required sidewalk area, and have no portion less than seven feet above grade.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Site plan review is NOT required where no sign permit is required.
- Site plan review is NOT required for alterations or the replacement of existing signage in designated commercial/industrial districts (D-1, D-2, SBD, N-C, L-I, RIM, RM-B), provided such change does not exceed or conflict with design criteria, as determined by Zoning Officer.
- If the building facade on which existing signage is placed undergoes renovation/rehabilitation tantamount to new construction (as determined by Zoning Officer), site plan review is REQUIRED.
- In all other instances (not meeting above exemptions), site plan review is REQUIRED for signs.
- The Planning Board (or Zoning Board under its site plan authority) has ultimate authority to approve signs as part of site plan review and upon public notice and hearing.
- For illuminated signs, the electrical permit application must be filed at the same time as the sign permit application.
- If a property applies for subdivision or land development requiring site plan review, all nonconforming signs on that property must be brought into conformance.
- The property on which a nonconforming sign is located and which undergoes a change of land use requiring a use-and-occupancy permit also triggers a requirement to bring signage into conformance.
- Murals and public art installations require site plan review by the Planning Board at a regularly scheduled meeting.
- Murals and public art installations require submission of a maintenance plan and guarantee in the form of a bond for ongoing compliance and maintenance.
- Alterations to existing signs (size, shape, illumination, business name) require a permit.
- Alterations to an existing mural or public art installation require a new permit if the changes affect size, shape, location, or design.

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

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