# Sign Regulations in Fair Haven Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Fair Haven Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/fair-haven-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/35376756#35376756)

## At a glance

Fair Haven Borough, New Jersey regulates 29 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Occupant/Professional Identification Signs in the Residential Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft above ground if freestanding tall and 2 sq ft (one side), with a Within property lines setback (Sec. §30-7.24b14(d)(1)). Most commercial signs in Fair Haven Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 12 ft above ground level (unless otherwise provided); bottom at least 8 ft above ground level | 35 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zones | 5 | 30 inches above grade | 20 sq ft per side | — |
| Business Zones | 14 | 30 inches above grade | 35 sq ft (one side) | — |
| Historic District | 3 | Freestanding: 10 ft to top of sign | If multiple businesses: max 10 sq ft per sign, total for all signs on building max 35 sq ft. If single business entity: max for freestanding sign is 20 sq ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Official Sign | — | — | — | — | — | All districts | — | §30-7.24b6 |
| Freestanding Sign (institutional uses: schools, churches, hospitals, clubs, lodges) | — | 35 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-premises identification | — | §30-7.24b7 |
| Projecting Sign | 12 ft above ground level (unless otherwise provided); bottom at least 8 ft above ground level | — | Extends max 3 ft from building | — | — | Affixed to building | — | §30-7.24b3 and §30-7.24b12 |
| Floodlight for Sign Illumination | 12 ft above ground level | — | — | — | — | As required to illuminate signage | — | §30-7.24b8 |
| Window Sign (All Types) | — | Temporary: 25% of window area; Permanent: zone-specific (see Business Zones) | — | — | — | Attached or exposed to window | — | §30-7.24b10, §30-7.24b11 |
| Temporary Special Event Sign (Banner or Portable Sign) | — | 15 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per event | — | — | §30-7.24b14(f)(2) |
| Garage/Yard/Estate Sale Sign (On Premises) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 on premises, up to 2 additional within Borough on day of sale only | On premises where sale is held | — | §4-6.7, §30-7.24b14(f)(3) |
| Handicapped Space Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | As required per reserved space | Parking spaces reserved for handicapped use | — | §7-39.6, §7-40.6 |

### Residential Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Occupant/Professional Identification Sign | 4 ft above ground if freestanding | 2 sq ft (one side) | — | Within property lines | 1 per use | Within property lines | — | §30-7.24b14(d)(1) |
| Temporary Real Estate For Sale/Rent Sign | 3 ft above ground | 4 sq ft (one side) | — | — | 1 | On premises being sold/rented | — | §30-7.24b14(d)(2) |
| Major Subdivision Sign (Temporary) | 8 ft | 20 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per subdivision | At subdivision | — | §30-7.24b14(d)(3) |
| Decorative Flag | — | — | — | — | 1 | On residential premises | — | §30-7.24b14(d)(4) |
| Temporary Real Estate Directional Sign | 30 inches above grade | max 18 in height; 24 in width; no more than 30 in above grade | 24 inches | — | max 2 per open house | On ground (not more than 2 per open house, not more than one per lot) | — | §30-7.24b14(h) |

### Business Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Front Wall) | — | 30 sq ft (if less than 10% of front face area) | — | — | 1 per business | On front of building | — | §30-7.24b14(e)(1)i |
| Wall Sign (Rear Wall, No Public Entrance) | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Rear wall | — | §30-7.24b14(e)(5) |
| Wall Sign (Rear Wall, With Public Entrance) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Rear wall | — | §30-7.24b14(e)(5) |
| Permanent Window Sign | — | Greater of 15% window area or 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | Painted on window | — | §30-7.24b14(e)(1)ii |
| Projecting Sign | 12 ft above ground (general limit); bottom at least 8 ft above ground | 20 sq ft | Extends max 3 ft from building | — | 1 (see Option 1/2 restriction) | Front of commercial building | — | §30-7.24b14(e)(2)i, §30-7.24b12, §30-7.24b3 |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft (general cap), except service stations | 25 sq ft (one side) | — | At least 10 ft from residential zone boundary | 1 (or Projecting sign Option) | Business property | — | §30-7.24b14(e)(2)ii, §30-7.24b3, §30-7.24b14(e)(8) |
| Service Station Freestanding Internally Illuminated Sign | 18 ft above existing grade | 35 sq ft (one side) | — | — | 1 per service station | Service station premises | — | §30-7.24b14(e)(10) |
| Temporary Real Estate Directional Sign (Open House) | 30 inches above grade | max 18 in height; 24 in width; no more than 30 in above grade | 24 inches | — | max 2 per open house | On ground (not more than 2 per open house, not more than one per lot) | — | §30-7.24b14(h) |

## Prohibited signs in Fair Haven Borough

- No signs for advertising or directing customers are to be posted on any place other than as set forth in this section.
- No such sign shall exceed two square feet in size (for garage/yard/estate sale signs).
- No signs may be posted on public property or utility poles (including garage/yard/estate sale signs).
- All signs shall conform to the requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code as adopted by the Borough and conform to generally accepted standards of workmanship.
- All signs shall be located within the building line of the property, unless otherwise specifically provided.
- No permanent marquees or canopies shall extend into the front yard set back or over a public walk.
- No sign shall be located in such a manner as to materially impede the view of any street or intersection.
- No sign shall be located so as to obstruct or be attached to fire escapes or doors used for egress or firefighting, or interfere with required ventilation openings.
- Signage, lettering, messages, logos, and similar words located on permitted architectural features, such as awnings, shall be included in the overall sign area.
- No rotation beam, flashing illumination, or internal illumination shall be used in connection with any sign.
- Signs with lighting or control mechanisms which may cause radio or television interference are prohibited.
- Signs utilizing the colors red or green in their illumination when placed within 50 feet of a street intersection are prohibited.
- Signs that are confusing or dangerously distracting to drivers are prohibited.
- Advertisements utilizing a series of two or more signs placed in a line to convey a single advertising message are prohibited.
- Signs simulating official, directional, or warning signs by government or agencies for public health or safety are prohibited.
- Pennants or streamers are prohibited except during a fourteen-day period following the commencement of a new business or change of business ownership.
- Signs which rotate or move or which have rotating or moving parts are prohibited.
- Signs which extend above the parapet of a building are prohibited.
- Signs attached to utility poles or trees are prohibited.
- Banners are prohibited except for special events under specified conditions.
- Signs of contractors, tradesmen, and professionals located on job sites are prohibited.
- Signs on fencing advertising the company responsible for the fencing installation are prohibited.
- No person shall, while in a public park or recreation area, paste, glue, tack or otherwise post any sign, placard, advertisement or inscription whatever.
- No person shall erect or cause to be erected any sign whatever on any public lands or highways or roads adjacent to a park.

## Signs exempt from permit in Fair Haven Borough

- Permitted signs for private residences are exempt from permit requirement.
- Permitted temporary signs are exempt from permit requirement.
- Official signs erected by the Borough, County, State or Federal government are permitted in all districts.
- Signs or plaques erected by the Historic Commission on public property in the historic district are permitted and do not require permit fees.
- Brass plaques not to exceed 1.5 square feet, with approval of the Historic Commission, may be affixed to the front of buildings within the historic district.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs to be erected, inscribed, installed, replaced or altered shall require a sign permit, except permitted signs for private residences and permitted temporary signs.
- All sign applications shall be submitted to the Construction Official.
- Denials of sign permits may be appealed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a variance.
- Businesses located within the historic district must comply with the standards set forth in the guidelines established by the Historic Preservation Commission, which are available from the Building Code Official.
- The Signs Master Matrix Plan has been included as an attachment to this chapter.

## 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 4 zoning districts in Fair Haven Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Fair+Haven+Borough+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-fair-haven-borough

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