# Sign Regulations in Fanwood Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Fanwood Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/fanwood-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/13464694#13464694)

## At a glance

Fanwood Borough, New Jersey regulates 32 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (South Avenue/North Avenue Additions)s in the General Commercial Zone, Central Commercial Zone, Central Commercial-2 Zone, Light Industrial Zone, Commercial Zones zoning district are capped at 8 feet (top of sign from ground) tall, 16 square feet, and No dimension to exceed 5 feet wide, with a 10 feet to lot line setback (Sec. § 184-157C(1)). Most commercial signs in Fanwood Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential zone districts, R-75, R-150, MAH, TAH, LGAH | 8 | Top of sign maximum 3 ft above ground surface | 24 square feet | — |
| General Commercial Zone, Central Commercial Zone, Central Commercial-2 Zone, Light Industrial Zone, Commercial Zones | 16 | 36 inches (height of sign) | 72 square inches each | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | — | 25% of window area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential zone districts, R-75, R-150, MAH, TAH, LGAH

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Announcement Sign - Place of Worship/Public/Institutional Use | — | 10 square feet | — | — | 1 | — | — | § 184-157A(1) |
| Directional Sign | Top of sign maximum 3 ft above ground surface | 2 square feet per sign | — | — | As deemed necessary | As deemed necessary for information/safety/public convenience | — | § 184-157A(1) |
| Name/Street Number Sign (Residential Premises) | — | 1 square foot (aggregate) | — | — | — | — | — | § 184-157A(3) |
| Temporary Construction/Real Estate/Architect/Builder Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | 24 feet from street curb line unless affixed to building | 1 | On premises being constructed, altered, or repaired | — | § 184-157A(4) |
| Freestanding Subdivision Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | 10 feet from street sideline | 1 per subdivision | On subdivision approved by Planning Board | — | § 184-157A(5) |
| For Sale or Rental Sign | Top maximum 3 feet above ground; bottom at least 6 in above ground | 4 square feet (including support) | — | 10 feet from street curbline or within 6 in of front of building if front yard < 20 ft | 1 | Front yard; at least 10 ft from street curbline, or within 6 in of building if front yard < 20 ft | — | § 184-157A(6) |
| Freestanding Sign (General Residential) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 184-157A(7) |
| Sign for Home-Based Occupation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 184-157A(8) |

### General Commercial Zone, Central Commercial Zone, Central Commercial-2 Zone, Light Industrial Zone, Commercial Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Above Front Entrance) | 36 inches (height of sign) | 50 square feet | — | — | 1 per building | Mounted above front entrance | — | § 184-157B(1) |
| Wall Sign (Rear Entrance) | 1.5 feet | 6 square feet | 4 feet | — | 1 per rear entrance | Centered above rear entrance, if accessible from rear parking lot for patrons | — | § 184-157B(3) |
| Neon 'Open' Sign (Window) | 6 inches | — | 12 inches | — | 1 per business | Window near principal entrance | — | § 184-157B(4) |
| Freestanding Sign (Parking Lot Not Adjacent) | Top max 11 feet above ground; base min 8 feet above ground | 8 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot/facility | Entrance to separate parking lot/facility serving business | — | § 184-157B(11) |
| Gasoline Station Freestanding Sign | Top not more than 17 feet above ground | 45 square feet | — | — | 1 per station | At gasoline station | — | § 184-157B(12) |
| Freestanding Sign (South Avenue/North Avenue Additions) | 8 feet (top of sign from ground) | 16 square feet | No dimension to exceed 5 feet | 10 feet to lot line | 1 per eligible building | Only if building is set back 30 feet or more from front lot line; South Avenue in Commercial/Light Industrial, North Avenue in General Commercial | — | § 184-157C(1) |
| Exit/Enter Sign (Driveways) | 2 feet | 4 square feet | 2 feet | — | As required | Driveway entrance/exit | — | § 184-157C(2) |
| Sidewalk or Sandwich Board Sign | 30 inches (sign), 60 inches (w/support) | — | 24 inches | — | 1 per building (with multiple retail businesses) | Adjacent to building, in entrance alcove or adjacent to curb; only within property lines as extended in right-of-way | — | § 184-157D |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional Sign (Exempt) | — | 1 square foot | — | — | — | Where permitted | — | § 184-150A |
| Temporary Interior Paper Sign (Commercial Windows, Exempt) | — | 25% of window area | — | — | — | Inside commercial establishment window | — | § 184-150B |
| No Trespassing/Hunting/Fishing Sign (Exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 184-150C |
| Political Sign (Exempt) | — | 6 square feet per sign per lot | — | — | — | Any zone | — | § 184-150D |
| Temporary Charitable Fundraising Sign (Exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 184-150E |
| Decorative House/Family Name or Address Sign (Exempt) | — | 1 square foot | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | — | — | § 184-150F |
| Official Sign (Exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | Municipal, county, state, federal erection | — | § 184-150G, § 184-150H |
| Parking Area Sign (Entrance, Exit, Identification, Condition of Use) | — | 1.5 square feet | — | — | As approved by Board | Parking/loading areas | — | § 184-169 |

## Prohibited signs in Fanwood Borough

- No person shall erect, repair, replace or alter any sign, fixed awning, canopy, projecting object or other advertising structure, except those exempted under this article, without first obtaining a zoning permit and a building permit.
- No sign or any part thereof shall be located closer than 15 feet to any lot line or closer than the distance any existing wall of the principal structure on the lot is to the lot line, whichever is closer.
- Any sign erected in conjunction with a specific use must be removed upon discontinuation or removal of that use; abandoned or disrepaired signs are prohibited.
- No existing conforming sign shall be enlarged, rebuilt, structurally altered or relocated except in accordance with the provisions of this article and until a permit has been issued.
- Nonconforming signs may be continued in use but may not be enlarged, relocated, altered, rebuilt, extended nor made less conforming; abandoned nonconforming signs are prohibited.
- Any sign located within a building or structure visible from the exterior and within three feet of the window or door through which it is visible shall not be neon or internally illuminated.
- No unregistered, uninsured or inoperable motor vehicle with advertising signage, or any motor vehicle with the sole purpose to be used as advertising signage, shall be parked visible from a public street in any commercial or industrial zone.
- At the termination of any professional, business or use of any premises, the permission to display signs associated with such use terminates and all such signs shall be removed within 30 days.
- Flashing, fluttering, animated, moving, vibrating, sequential, tracer, electronic or rotating signs are prohibited.
- Signs with lighting or control mechanisms that may cause radio or television interference are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct or are attached to fire escapes, windows, doors, or openings used for egress/ingress or firefighting, or interfere with legal ventilation are prohibited.
- Signs that may dangerously distract drivers or simulate public safety/traffic signs are prohibited.
- Advertisements composed of a series of two or more signs placed in a line to carry one advertising message are prohibited.
- Signs simulating official, directional, or warning signs erected or maintained by government or similar agencies are prohibited.
- Billboards and/or outdoor display structures not associated with a business on the same lot are prohibited.
- Roof signs and signs extending above the roof edge are prohibited.
- Signs on railroad or vehicular overpasses are prohibited.
- Use of flags or similar displays (except as stated) to attract attention is prohibited except in connection with a holiday or season.
- Use of pennants or similar displays (except as stated) to attract attention is prohibited.
- Commercial exterior use of outdoor icicle or string lighting is prohibited, except under specific conditions (small, white, unblinking, not used with floodlighting, turned off at close of business).
- Signs attached to or inserted into public buildings, poles, posts, trees, fences, sidewalks or curbs are prohibited.
- Signs obstructing driving vision, traffic signals, sight triangles, and traffic direction or identification signs are prohibited.
- Ionized inert gas sign lighting directly exposed to view is prohibited, except neon 'open' signs as permitted.
- Signs identifying that a property has been sold or is no longer available for rent are prohibited.
- Banner-type signs are prohibited except in celebration of a public event, holidays, or 'grand opening' under specific conditions.
- Internally illuminated signs, including certain awnings and vending machines, are prohibited.
- Signs projected by light onto a building façade are prohibited.
- Any signs not specifically permitted are prohibited.
- Posting of any sign by semipermanent means (nails, bolts, staples, screws, etc.) to utility poles is prohibited.
- Attaching bumper stickers, decals, or other stickers to utility poles or traffic control devices is prohibited.
- No portion of any sign shall be located within or suspended over a public right-of-way, except as may be permitted on awnings, canopies, sidewalk or sandwich signs.
- Signs shall not be erected or located to obstruct visibility for drivers entering a public street or to obstruct visibility of existing adjacent signs.
- Permanent outdoor signs must be constructed of weather-resistant materials.
- Permanent signs must consist of either dark colored letters on a light background or light colored letters on a dark background.
- Illumination of signs must be external only, except as otherwise permitted; no sign shall be architecturally or aesthetically incompatible with others on the property.
- No person shall injure, break, or destroy any street, traffic, or guide sign, lamp, or appurtenances in any street, sidewalk, or public place.
- No poster, printed notice, or advertisement shall be attached to any tree or post on any street.
- All trees/hedges/shrubs shall be trimmed to prevent obstruction to street signs.
- Only entrance, exit, identification, and condition-of-use signs are allowed in parking areas, subject to Board approval.
- No vehicle used as a taxicab/autocab shall operate without required signage (owner's name and 'taxicab'/'taxi' on rear doors; 4–8 inch high letters).
- Operation of a taxicab/autocab without required decal or medallion is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Fanwood Borough

- Professional signs, where permitted, indicating the name and profession of the occupant, not exceeding one square foot and illuminated only by a nonflashing light.
- Temporary paper signs or signs of like construction inside windows of commercial establishments, as long as they do not cover more than 25% of the total window area, including temporary event signs as a public service.
- Signs forbidding trespassing, hunting, fishing or trapping as authorized by fish and game laws.
- Temporary signs indicating a political preference or cause, not exceeding six square feet for each sign on any one lot in any zone; must be removed within five days after event.
- Temporary signs announcing fund-raising for charitable purposes.
- Decorative nonilluminated signs showing the name and/or address of a house or family, not larger than one square foot; not more than one per dwelling unit.
- Official signs, temporary and permanent traffic signs, and signals erected by the municipality, county, state, or federal government.
- Official signs or legal notices erected, maintained, or owned by governmental units, and those required by the Planning Board to inform or guide the public or for the general health, safety, convenience, or welfare.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The erection or relocation of a freestanding sign requires site plan submission prior to permit issuance.
- Each application for a sign permit must be accompanied by detailed plans showing sign area, size, composition, character, illumination, attachment, location, adjacent streets, structures, inscriptions, support, height, etc.
- Plans for projecting signs must include details on fastening to the building, distances to building and curb, and distance to right-of-way.
- Street signs erected by developers require approval of design and construction by the Public Works Committee.
- Signs in parking areas are subject to the Board's approval regarding necessity and number.

## Full detail

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

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