Sign Regulations in Essex Fells Borough, New Jersey

Essex Fells Borough, New Jersey has specific sign regulations covering 9 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Temporary Sign (For Sale or Rent), Directional Sign (General, All Zones), Parking Area Directional Sign (Entrance/Exit). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.

Data last verified: April 28, 2025

Sign Regulation Overview for Essex Fells Borough, New Jersey

Sample Sign Requirements in Essex Fells Borough

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaSetback
Temporary Sign (For Sale or Rent)4 feet above grade6 square feet10 feet from any property line unless attached to principal building
Directional Sign (General, All Zones)2 square feet5 feet from any property line
Parking Area Directional Sign (Entrance/Exit)2 square feet

* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.

PermitPal Coverage for Essex Fells BoroughFull Coverage

Sign Types Covered

9

  • Temporary Sign (For Sale or Rent)
  • Directional Sign (General, All Zones)
  • Parking Area Directional Sign (Entrance/Exit)
  • Parking Area Identification/Conditions Sign
  • +2 more types

Zoning Districts

2

Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations

Data Includes

  • Permit requirements
  • Height restrictions
  • Illumination rules

Official Resources for Essex Fells Borough

Frequently Asked Questions

Sign height limits in Essex Fells Borough 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 Essex Fells Borough, 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 Essex Fells Borough, regulated sign types include Temporary Sign (For Sale or Rent), Directional Sign (General, All Zones), Parking Area Directional Sign (Entrance/Exit), Parking Area Identification/Conditions Sign, 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 Essex Fells Borough 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 Essex Fells Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Essex Fells Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.

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Essex Fells Borough, New Jersey Sign Rules at a Glance

Essex Fells Borough, New Jersey regulates 9 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (For Sale or Rent)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 feet above grade tall and 6 square feet, with a 10 feet from any property line unless attached to principal building setback (Sec. § 170-86; § 170-84A). Most commercial signs in Essex Fells Borough require a permit.

Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Essex Fells Borough, New Jersey

Sign Rules by Zoning District in Essex Fells Borough (2 zones)

Zoning DistrictSign Types RegulatedMax HeightMax AreaPermit Required
General Regulations For All Zones24 feet above grade6 square feet
Residential districts720 square feet or 2% of wall area, whichever is less (per wall, up to two walls)

Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Essex Fells Borough

General Regulations For All Zones

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Temporary Sign (For Sale or Rent)4 feet above grade6 square feet10 feet from any property line unless attached to principal buildingOneOn the property for sale or rent. If not attached to the principal building, must be no closer than 10 feet to any property lineUnlock§ 170-86; § 170-84A
Directional Sign (General, All Zones)2 square feet5 feet from any property lineMinimum of 5 feet from any property lineUnlock§ 170-84E

Residential districts

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Parking Area Directional Sign (Entrance/Exit)2 square feetOne per exit or entranceAt entrance or exit to/from a parking area for institutional usesUnlock§ 170-87A
Parking Area Identification/Conditions Sign6 square feetOne per parking areaAt parking area for institutional usesUnlock§ 170-87A
Private Driveway Sign2 square feetAt private drivewayUnlock§ 170-87A
Nameplate and Identification Sign (Single-Family Dwellings)1 square footAt single-family dwellingUnlock§ 170-87B
Institutional Freestanding Sign12 square feetOne per property or one per frontage where more than one streetOn property of school, college, church or similar institutionUnlock§ 170-87C(1)
Institutional Wall Sign (per wall)20 square feet or 2% of wall area, whichever is less (per wall, up to two walls)Up to two wall signs (one per wall, two walls maximum)On exterior walls of institutional buildingsUnlock§ 170-87C(2)
Professional Office Sign (Detached Single-Family Residence)2 square feetNot more than oneFor permitted professional office in detached single-family residencesUnlock§ 170-87D

Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Essex Fells Borough are available with a free PermitPal account.

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Prohibited Signs in Essex Fells Borough

  • No signs shall be hung, erected or placed upon any building or structure unless a written application has been made to the Construction Official by the owner of the property and a permit issued upon payment of the established fee.
  • Any sign which does not pertain to an occupant, service, or product actually occupying or provided on the premises where the sign is located is prohibited in all zones.
  • Signs which project more than six inches from the wall to which they are attached are prohibited in all zones.
  • Roof signs and signs extending above the wall to which they are attached are prohibited in all zones.
  • Marquees and canopy signs are prohibited except as permitted as part of site plan approval for a permitted or conditional use.
  • Banners, streamers, advertising flags, twirlers, and like objects are prohibited in all zones.
  • Signs posted on fences, posts, utility poles or trees are prohibited in all zones.
  • Signs posted on municipal property without the consent of the governing body are prohibited in all zones.
  • Signs standing, installed or painted on sidewalks or curbs are prohibited in all zones.
  • Exterior moving signs of any nature are prohibited in all zones.
  • Signs on bridges, abutments, retaining walls, embankments, standpipes, water towers or similar structures are prohibited unless approved by the governing body.
  • Signs painted directly on buildings are prohibited in all zones.
  • Signs on accessory buildings are prohibited in all zones.
  • Signs which constitute a hazard to the traveling public are prohibited in all zones.
  • Pylon signs are prohibited in all zones.
  • Temporary signs identifying architects, engineers, contractors, builders, painters and similar contractors, and tradesmen engaged in construction, improvement, repair and refurbishing of residential dwelling structures are prohibited in all zones.
  • Nonconforming signs shall not be rebuilt, enlarged, changed or altered in size, location, text or appearance unless they are made to conform with these regulations.
  • All signs shall be kept in good repair, including replacement or repair of broken structural elements, casings, faces, maintenance of legibility and all lighting elements.
  • All signs must comply with all applicable county, state and federal sign regulations.

Exempt Signs in Essex Fells Borough

  • Directional signs approved by the Boards and having areas of less than two square feet are exempt from area and location regulations, except they must be located a minimum of five feet from any property line, and do not constitute a hazard to the traveling public.

Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Essex Fells Borough

  • Where an overall sign plan has been approved by the Boards for any structure or as part of any site plan, any subsequent sign for the structure or site shall conform to the approved plan in terms of location, letter style, lighting, color, construction, and material, height and dimensions.

Source: ecode360 municipal code