# Sign Regulations in Fair Lawn, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Fair Lawn, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/fair-lawn
- **Data last verified:** 2025-08-11
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10052533#10052550)

## At a glance

Fair Lawn, New Jersey regulates 33 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (on premises)s in the Restricted Business (B-1), General Business (B-2), Business (B-3), River Road Business (B-4), River Road Business (B-5), B-1A Overlay Zone (B-1A) zoning district are capped at 10 ft; B-2 Broadway pylon/freestanding: 15 ft tall, 12 sq ft per side (≥ 40 ft setback); 8 sq ft per side (20-40 ft setback); B-2 Broadway: max 72 sq ft, and 10 ft (B-2 Broadway) wide, with a Min 10 ft front setback in B-2 Broadway; min 5 ft from property line (general) setback (Sec. §125-41B(7)). Most commercial signs in Fair Lawn require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| One-Family Residential (R-1-1, R-1-2, R-1-3), Two-Family Residential (R-2), Multiple-Family Residential (R-3-1, R-3-2), Townhouse Residential (R-5-1, R-5-2), Townhouse Residential with Setaside (R-5-3), Inclusionary Multifamily Residential (R-6), Age-Restricted Affordable Multifamily Residential Overlay District (R-7), Combined Residential (C-R) | 8 | 20 inches (any dimension) | 160 square inches | — |
| Restricted Business (B-1), General Business (B-2), Business (B-3), River Road Business (B-4), River Road Business (B-5), B-1A Overlay Zone (B-1A) | 9 | 24 inches (max vertical dimension; may be 36 inches in B-2/Broadway) | Secondary sign: max 66% of permitted principal sign area; directory sign: 35 sq ft | — |
| Office and Business Service (OBS-1) | 1 | Must not exceed the roof level | — | — |
| Restricted Industrial (I-1), Industrial (I-2), Industrial (I-2-ER) | 4 | 16 feet | 40 sq ft max area | — |
| Commercial Antenna Zone (CA) | 1 | No greater than 200 ft from ground level including mounting device | — | — |
| Mixed-Use Planned Development (MU) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Public Open Space (POS) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Senior Housing Overlay Zone | 2 | 12 inches (letter height) | 12 sq ft per side | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 8 inches | 45 days duration: no explicit area max; for construction: 9 sq ft; for public/charitable: see chapter size/placement provisions | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### One-Family Residential (R-1-1, R-1-2, R-1-3), Two-Family Residential (R-2), Multiple-Family Residential (R-3-1, R-3-2), Townhouse Residential (R-5-1, R-5-2), Townhouse Residential with Setaside (R-5-3), Inclusionary Multifamily Residential (R-6), Age-Restricted Affordable Multifamily Residential Overlay District (R-7), Combined Residential (C-R)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Sign (Residential Use) | — | Not specified, but only one sign per premises for any permitted use or activity | — | — | One permanent sign per premises | Within property lines | — | §125-41A(1) |
| Nameplate Sign (Residential) | — | 72 square inches | Not more than 72 square inches total area | — | One per dwelling | Situated within property lines | — | §125-41A(2) |
| Sign Advertising a Permitted Use (Residential - Nonprofit, Club House, Church, School, Hospital) | Five feet (maximum dimension) | 20 square feet | Five feet (maximum dimension) | — | Only for permitted non-retail uses | On premises as use it advertises | — | §125-41A(5) |
| Nameplate Sign (Home Occupation or Professional Office) | 20 inches (any dimension) | 160 square inches | 20 inches (any dimension) | — | One per home occupation or professional office | Within property lines | — | §125-41A(9) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 4 square feet per face | — | — | One per property for sale/lease | On subject property for sale/lease | — | §125-41A(3); §125-41G(6)(a) |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Residential) | — | 9 square feet | — | — | One per construction project | Freestanding or attached to premises under construction | — | §125-41A(7); §125-41G(6)(d) |
| Major Subdivision Sign (Residential) | — | 50 square feet | — | — | No more than two per subdivision | On approved subdivision sites | — | §125-41A(8) |
| Official Sign (Governmental Agency) | — | — | — | — | No restriction | On governmental property or for public information as needed | — | §125-41A(4) |

### Restricted Business (B-1), General Business (B-2), Business (B-3), River Road Business (B-4), River Road Business (B-5), B-1A Overlay Zone (B-1A)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Business/Office Use) | 24 inches (max vertical dimension; may be 36 inches in B-2/Broadway) | Not to exceed that calculated by permitted dimensions; B-2/Broadway zone max 75 sq ft | 75% of storefront/wall; max 90% if < 15 ft wall; max 25 ft in B-2/Broadway | — | One principal sign per retail establishment (some exceptions for secondary signs and corner lots described below) | Parallel to wall, not extend more than 10 in; min 7 ft ground clearance; rigidly attached; in B-2 Broadway min 8 ft above ground; only on portion of building occupied | — | §125-41B(4), §125-41B(3), §125-41B(4)(a)-(e) |
| Wall Sign (Secondary/Corner Lot) | — | Secondary sign: max 66% of permitted principal sign area; directory sign: 35 sq ft | — | — | Max two wall signs per street-level principal use | On side/exterior wall facing off-street parking (or on side street for corner lot) | — | §125-41B(3)(a)-(c) |
| Window Sign | — | As specified above | — | — | Aggregate area limited per calculations above | Painted/hung within 24 in from inside window glass | — | §125-41B(5) |
| Freestanding Sign (on premises) | 10 ft; B-2 Broadway pylon/freestanding: 15 ft | 12 sq ft per side (≥ 40 ft setback); 8 sq ft per side (20-40 ft setback); B-2 Broadway: max 72 sq ft | 10 ft (B-2 Broadway) | Min 10 ft front setback in B-2 Broadway; min 5 ft from property line (general) | One pylon/freestanding per qualifying property | On premises; not closer than setback requirements | — | §125-41B(7) |
| Directory Sign (Non-retail or Multi-tenant Entrance) | 8 inches (vertical) | Max 2 sq ft per sign; max vertical height 8 in | — | — | One per tenant | Near common entrance, uniform in appearance | — | §125-41B(8) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | 8 in (general); 30 in (B-2 Broadway) | General: 1/3 length of awning flap; B-2 Broadway: 20 sq ft | 1/3 of awning/flap length (general) | — | One per awning/canopy | On vertical plane of permitted awning/canopy | — | §125-41B(9)-(10) |
| Sandwich Board Sidewalk Sign | 3 feet | — | 2 feet | — | One per business; two if business fronts two streets | On sidewalk closest to business, furthest from street, within street frontage | — | §125-41B(17) |
| Freestanding Price Sign (Filling Station) | — | 20 sq ft per sign; one two-sided sign per street | — | — | One per street | On premises within property line | — | §125-41B(12) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Political Sign | — | Must conform to general requirements as to size, shape and physical requirements | — | — | — | — | — | §125-41H |
| Professional Nameplate (All Zones) | 8 inches | 8 in x 20 in (per professional occupant) | 20 inches | — | One per professional occupant | Affixed to door or adjacent wall | — | §125-41G(1) |
| Public Institution Bulletin Board | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per institution | On premise | — | §125-41G(2) |
| Memorial Signs/Tablets/Date of Building | — | — | — | — | — | Masonry surface or constructed of bronze/noncombustible material | — | §125-41G(3) |
| Official/Traffic Signs by Public Bodies | — | — | — | — | — | As needed for public purposes | — | §125-41G(5) |
| Temporary Signs (All Zones) | — | 45 days duration: no explicit area max; for construction: 9 sq ft; for public/charitable: see chapter size/placement provisions | — | — | — | On premises | — | §125-41G(6)(e) |

## Prohibited signs in Fair Lawn

- No sign shall be located or displayed upon any sidewalk, public or private, or public right-of-way unless such sign is affixed to the wall of a building abutting that sidewalk or public right-of-way or such sign is a temporary real estate directional sign, commonly known as an "open house" sign.
- No sky sign shall be permitted to be painted on the surface of any roof.
- No projecting signs shall be erected nor shall any signs extend over a public right-of-way or over abutting property lines except signs commonly known as "barber poles," ordinarily used in connection with barbershops.
- No sign is to extend above the top of a roof or parapet.
- No signs shall be in whole or part moving, mobile or revolving or give the appearance of movement except signs commonly known as "barber poles" ordinarily and customarily used in connection with barbershops.
- Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, no freestanding or portable signs shall be permitted.
- No strings or streamers or flags, banners, pennants, spinners or strung lights or similar devices strung across, upon, over or along any premises or building or placed upon or across any property line, whether as part of any sign or not, shall be allowed within any zone.
- No signs shall be placed to interfere with traffic and traffic control signs or signals. No signs shall be placed within a street right-of-way or on utility poles.
- No advertising sign or signs shall be permitted except where the advertisement relates to the use of the premises on which such sign or signs are located.
- No sign mounted on the roof of a structure or any sign extending beyond the structure shall be permitted, except in industrial districts.
- No signs shall have flashing or moving lights or any attraction device which is animated or fluctuates in light intensity. Animated signs with neon type illumination are expressly prohibited.
- Marquee signs, except those affixed to theaters, shall be prohibited.
- No signs shall be erected or painted or composed of fluorescent or phosphorescent or similar material.
- No sign shall be placed or painted on any tree or rock.
- The use of beacons or searchlights except by duly authorized services such as police, fire, emergency management or like agencies is prohibited.
- Inflatable signs and the use of tethered balloons and umbrellas for advertising are prohibited. (Exception: B-2 Zone along Broadway—may be permitted for temporary events not exceeding three days and not more than four occasions per calendar year).
- It shall be unlawful to use a vehicle or trailer as a sign. (Exception for vehicles/equipment actively used in a business).
- No sign shall be affixed to or erected upon historic sites listed on the National or State Register of Historic Places or identified by the County of Bergen as a site possessing historical value, except for signs authorized by § 125-41A(2).

## Signs exempt from permit in Fair Lawn

- A professional nameplate affixed to the door or adjacent wall of premises so used, not to exceed eight inches by 20 inches per professional occupant.
- A bulletin board not exceeding 20 square feet in area for public, charitable or religious institutions when located upon premises of said institutions, said bulletin board to be in addition to any sign or signs permitted under this chapter.
- A memorial sign or tablet or a sign indicating the name of a building or the date of its erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material.
- Signs customary and necessary to the operation of filling and service stations (includes certain types and sizes defined in detail).
- Signs of every kind and nature erected by or on behalf of the United States of America, the State of New Jersey, the County of Bergen and the Borough of Fair Lawn, traffic controls in private ways and parking lots, signs for civic clubs and organizations, legal notices, ordinary and customary railroad station and crossing signs or other signs required by law; signs that are affixed or attached to streetlight poles which are leased by the Borough or owned, operated or controlled by the Broadway Improvement Corporation in the Fair Lawn Special Improvement District relating to Broadway, which signs are authorized or approved by the Broadway Improvement Corporation.
- Real estate, construction, and temporary signs: – Signs customary and necessary in the offering of real estate for sale or to let in residential zones not to exceed four square feet per face (two faces); in business zones not to exceed 16 square feet.
- Signs customarily used to indicate that real estate offered for sale or to let has been sold or leased by the agent or broker concerned in business zones not to exceed 16 square feet, not to be maintained more than seven days after a contract of sale or lease.
- Temporary signs customary and necessary in connection with the erection of buildings or other construction work, limited to one sign for each construction project, not exceeding nine square feet in area and to be removed upon completion of construction.
- Temporary signs for public, charitable, holiday or patriotic purposes, provided the same do not violate size, placement or construction provisions and are not erected for more than 45 consecutive days.
- All signs referred to in § 125-41G may be freestanding or attached to the premises.
- Political signs: A permit is not required as to content, but the sign must otherwise conform to requirements of the chapter as to size, shape and other physical requirements. Political signs must be removed no later than 10 days after the election.
- Signs permitted under § 125-41A(2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (8), and § 125-41B(5), and those signs limited to show membership in a retail or professional organization, credit card or credit association or plan and/or show manufacturers or legally required licenses attached to or painted on a store window or windows on the exterior or interior of any structure do not require applications or the payment of any license fees or charges.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit required. Except as otherwise specifically permitted under the provisions of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect or relocate any sign without first obtaining a sign erection permit from the construction or zoning official.
- Site plan for any project for which a site plan is otherwise required, there shall be submitted with said site plan a complete sign application.
- Signs for development applications processed by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment shall be reviewed for intensity of light and design.
- Any site plan submitted for review to the Planning Board or Zoning Board must include sign applications.
- Approval of site plan is a condition for certain uses, such as drive-through restaurants and self-storage warehousing; The site plan application must include signage details.
- Exempted signs do not require applications or license fees, as defined in § 125-41J(6).

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/fair-lawn