# Sign Regulations in Ewing Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ewing Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/ewing-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/12144997#12144997)

## At a glance

Ewing Township, New Jersey regulates 18 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Development Identification)s in the RM Residential Multifamily District (RM), R-ME Residential-Multifamily Elevator Apartments District (R-ME), R-TH Residential Multifamily Townhouse District (R-TH) zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 32 sq ft (gross face); message portion max 24 sq ft, with a 15 ft from ROW, not in tract side/rear yard or within 50 ft of side lot line in front yard setback (Sec. §215-17H(2)(a); §215-18H(2)(a)). Most commercial signs in Ewing Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 Residential District, Single-Family Detached (R-1), R-2 Residential District, Single-Family Detached (R-2), R-3 Residential District, Single-Family Detached (R-3) | 6 | 4 ft (freestanding) | 12 sq ft | — |
| RM Residential Multifamily District (RM), R-ME Residential-Multifamily Elevator Apartments District (R-ME), R-TH Residential Multifamily Townhouse District (R-TH) | 4 | 10 ft (RM); 5 ft (R-TH/unit) | 32 sq ft (gross face); message portion max 24 sq ft | — |
| B-N Neighborhood Business Zone (B-N) | 4 | 5 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| B-H Highway Business Zone (B-H) | 4 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| PRO Professional, Research, Office Zone (PRO) | 3 | 5 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| OP-1 Office Park Zone (OP-1), OP-2 Office Park Zone (OP-2), OP-3 Office Park Zone (OP-3) | 2 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| IP-1 Industrial Park Zone (IP-1), IP-2 Industrial Park Zone (IP-2), IP-3 Industrial Park Zone (IP-3) | 3 | 5 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Town Center Zone (TC) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Conservation District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 8 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### R-1 Residential District, Single-Family Detached (R-1), R-2 Residential District, Single-Family Detached (R-2), R-3 Residential District, Single-Family Detached (R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate and Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property; 1 per street frontage if through/corner lot | Affixed to the structure. | — | §215-37Q(1)(b)-(c) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | 4 ft (freestanding) | 6 sq ft (per sign) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On the property being sold or rented. | — | §215-37P(2)(a) |
| Construction Site Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On the construction site during active work. | — | §215-37P(4) |
| Tradesmen and Mechanics Temporary Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property where work is being performed. | — | §215-37P(5) |
| Warning and Trespassing Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | On property as needed. | — | §215-37P(6) |
| Agricultural Sign (where agricultural uses are present) | — | 12 sq ft | — | 100 ft from intersection, 5 ft from property line | 1 | At least 100 ft from nearest intersection, 5 ft from property line. | — | §215-37P(3) |

### RM Residential Multifamily District (RM), R-ME Residential-Multifamily Elevator Apartments District (R-ME), R-TH Residential Multifamily Townhouse District (R-TH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Development Identification) | 5 ft | 32 sq ft (gross face); message portion max 24 sq ft | — | 15 ft from ROW, not in tract side/rear yard or within 50 ft of side lot line in front yard | 1 per 500 ft (per frontage); max 2 per street frontage (R-TH) | Set back at least 15 ft from street right-of-way; not within any tract side/rear yard or closer than 50 ft to a tract side lot line within the front yard. | — | §215-17H(2)(a); §215-18H(2)(a) |
| Real Estate Signs - (Temporary; During Construction) | 10 ft (RM); 5 ft (R-TH/unit) | 32 sq ft during construction; 6 sq ft for individual unit after sale | — | 15 ft from ROW, not within 50 ft of side lot line in front yard | 2 per frontage | See above. | — | §215-17H(2)(b); §215-18H(2)(b) |
| Court and Private Street Signs | — | — | — | — | — | On all courts, streets, and private streets providing access. | — | §215-17H(2)(c); §215-18H(2)(c) |
| Directional Signs (Internal/Development) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Within development/association common areas as approved. | — | §215-17H(2)(d); §215-18H(2)(d) |

### B-H Highway Business Zone (B-H)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Facade Sign | 5 ft vertical dimension | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per commercial use per street frontage | On/attached to principal facade for each commercial use on each street frontage. | — | §215-37Q(3)(d) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property; not in public ROW. | — | §215-37Q(3)(e) |
| Window Sign | — | 20 sq ft per window section; 6 sq ft temporary | — | — | Per calculation (see B-N zone) | In window. | — | §215-37P(12) |
| Sandwich and A-frame Signs | — | — | — | — | 1 | On private property, not blocking pedestrian path, not in parking area. | — | §215-37P(14) |

## Prohibited signs in Ewing Township

- No sign shall be erected, constructed, placed, or maintained in such a manner as to obstruct any fire escape or any window or door, nor shall any sign be attached in any manner to a fire escape.
- No sign of any description shall be installed, erected, constructed, or maintained that would violate Township regulations as to health, required light, safety or air.
- No sign shall use admonitions such as "Stop," "Go," "Slow," "Danger," etc., which might be confused with traffic directional signs.
- No signs shall be erected that would obstruct the sight distance at an intersection or compete for attention with, or be mistaken for, traffic signals or signs.
- No sign may be within, or encroach upon, the right-of-way lines of any street unless specifically authorized by ordinance.
- All signs must be located 10 feet outside of the curbline or edge of pavement and must not block the sidewalk.
- No sign shall contain flashers, animators or mechanical movements or contrivances of any kind, except clock and temperature-stating devices.
- No sign or device in the nature of an advertisement or announcement so constructed as to be movable, or placed on a standard on the ground, shall remain on any part of any street, sidewalk, parkway, curb, or public place.
- No sign shall be permitted within 100 feet of the property line of any historical site or monument.
- When signs are located along the district boundary of any residential district, they shall be set back not less than 50 feet from such boundary.
- Signs not accessory to the business or use conducted on the property are prohibited.
- Mechanically moving signs, neon signs, flashing signs and animated signs, as well as signs containing reflective elements, are prohibited.
- Signs interfering with, or that might be mistaken for, a traffic signal or device are prohibited.
- Signs located within the sight triangle at driveways or intersections, or so located as to obstruct lines of sight, are prohibited.
- Banners, spinners, pennants, streamers and other moving objects, and inflatable signs used for advertising, whether containing a message or not, are prohibited.
- Searchlight displays are prohibited unless authorized by a temporary sign permit.
- Signs internally illuminated except for the message (i.e., only letters may be lit) are prohibited.
- No sign may exceed two-footcandles in brightness.
- Signs erected within, over, or in the right-of-way of any public street are prohibited.
- Signs using fluorescent-type paint are prohibited.
- Signs placed in or on vehicles, trailers, or similar contrivances, other than those painted on or affixed as part of their typical body structure, are prohibited.
- New freestanding or "pylon" signage is prohibited.
- Window signage other than those expressly permitted is prohibited.
- Sandwich board or A-frame signs located in the public right-of-way are prohibited.
- Any sign not specifically permitted by the ordinance is prohibited.
- No sign, together with any supporting framework, shall extend to a height above the maximum building height allowed in its zone.
- No wall or window sign shall be located above the first floor level of a multistory structure.
- No sign shall be located within or suspended over a pedestrian walk, public or private, without a 10-foot clearance.
- Signs advertising a use no longer in existence or a product no longer available must be removed within 30 days.
- Any nonconforming sign must be removed upon change of use, tenant, or occupant, and replacement signage must comply with current ordinance.
- Signs must not cover building architectural details such as arches, sills, moldings, cornices, and transom windows.
- Signs not maintained in a safe, sound and good condition are prohibited and must be removed.
- Temporary signs (as defined) are not grandfathered and must comply with this section.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ewing Township

- Signs located within the interior of a structure or property, which do not attract the attention of the public from a public view including right-of-way and/or adjoining properties, are permitted without restriction.
- Nameplate and identification signs in residential districts, not more than two square feet and affixed to the structure.
- Real estate signs, subject to size and removal requirements (one sign, six square feet for residential; one sign, sixteen square feet for nonresidential).
- Construction site signs (temporary, non-illuminated, and not exceeding 12 square feet, removed upon completion of work).
- Temporary signs for tradesmen, painters, and mechanics (six square feet, removed upon completion or within ten days after issuance of CA).
- Warning, trespassing, and private property signs, not exceeding three square feet.
- On-site directional signs in parking areas and similar situations, not exceeding four square feet, placed on site and not exceeding 30 inches in height above grade, and without a commercial message.
- Advertisement and informational signs of public interest (name or location signs for public/open institutions, placed not more than one per street frontage, no larger than 15 square feet; community events, churches, elections, etc., not exceeding eight square feet and removed within seven days of the event).
- A single ground sign for public and semipublic facilities (such as schools, churches, hospitals, libraries and public recreational facilities), not exceeding 20 square feet or six feet in height.
- A single ground sign for multifamily residential developments in excess of 50 units (five feet maximum height, 20 square feet maximum area; one per vehicular access point for developments over 100 units).
- Commercial window signage, up to 20% of the aggregate window area or 20 square feet per 40 linear feet of street frontage, with more details as per code.
- Open/closed signs (maximum of two square feet and may be illuminated, including exposed neon and LED, but nonflashing).
- Temporary window signs for promotions, hiring, political signs, or holidays for a maximum of 30 days (with further limitations, such as six additional square feet).
- Signs on awnings, valances, canopies, etc., calculated toward façade sign allowance.
- Sandwich board or A-frame signs allowed if professionally constructed, located entirely on private property, and subject to daily special/sales, one per business.
- Customary warning, trespassing and posted signs, or signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or property, not exceeding three square feet.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan or permit is required for all signs except for those specifically exempted (see §215-37N and §215-37P).
- Permits are required for any sign that is erected, constructed, placed, or structurally altered, except as listed in the general exemptions.
- Applications for sign permits must be submitted to the Construction Official, including plans showing area, size, method of illumination, location, etc.
- Prior to the display of any temporary sign, a notice must be filed with the Zoning Officer (see §215-37N(4)(c)).
- For large-scale developments and multifamily districts, signs must be harmonious and consistent with the architectural theme of the development. In certain zones, sign locations must be designed by a landscape architect in a manner satisfactory to the Board.
- For planned commercial or industrial developments, a comprehensive signage and graphics plan must be included with the application for development approval (§215-29C(2)).
- For outdoor seating (cafes/dining), no signs are permitted in the outdoor area except those complying with the sign ordinance, and outdoor cafes may have an A-frame or menu board sign if professionally designed (§215-30D(11)).
- All applications for approval of planned developments shall include a solid waste collection and recycling plan, and for signage, a comprehensive signage and graphics plan (§215-29B(11) and §215-29C(2)).
- If a requested sign or change does not comply, an applicant may apply for a variance before the Zoning Board (§215-37N(4)(e)).
- The Board (Planning/Zoning) may require submittal of architectural and/or sign designs for review and commentary in most major site plan or development applications.

## 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 10 zoning districts in Ewing Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Ewing+Township+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-ewing-township

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