# Sign Regulations in Essex Fells Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Essex Fells Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/essex-fells-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10527884#10527884)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 4 feet above grade | 6 square feet | — |
| Residential districts | 7 | — | 20 square feet or 2% of wall area, whichever is less (per wall, up to two walls) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (For Sale or Rent) | 4 feet above grade | 6 square feet | — | 10 feet from any property line unless attached to principal building | One | On the property for sale or rent. If not attached to the principal building, must be no closer than 10 feet to any property line | — | § 170-86; § 170-84A |
| Directional Sign (General, All Zones) | — | 2 square feet | — | 5 feet from any property line | — | Minimum of 5 feet from any property line | — | § 170-84E |

### Residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Parking Area Directional Sign (Entrance/Exit) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | One per exit or entrance | At entrance or exit to/from a parking area for institutional uses | — | § 170-87A |
| Parking Area Identification/Conditions Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | One per parking area | At parking area for institutional uses | — | § 170-87A |
| Private Driveway Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | At private driveway | — | § 170-87A |
| Nameplate and Identification Sign (Single-Family Dwellings) | — | 1 square foot | — | — | — | At single-family dwelling | — | § 170-87B |
| Institutional Freestanding Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | One per property or one per frontage where more than one street | On property of school, college, church or similar institution | — | § 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 buildings | — | § 170-87C(2) |
| Professional Office Sign (Detached Single-Family Residence) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | Not more than one | For permitted professional office in detached single-family residences | — | § 170-87D |

## 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Essex Fells Borough, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Essex+Fells+Borough+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-essex-fells-borough

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