# Sign Regulations in Florham Park Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Florham Park Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/florham-park-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/9090343#9090343)

## At a glance

Florham Park Borough, New Jersey regulates 28 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Ground-Mounted Signs in the Business (B-1) Zone zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall, 4 feet by 6 feet (unless otherwise specified—see general), and 6 feet wide, with a 10 ft from property line, not in sight triangle setback (Sec. § 199-31A(8)). Most commercial signs in Florham Park Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 8 feet total | 30 inches high and no more than 75% of the length of the store/business frontage for front facade or principal entrance; 24 inches high by 36 inches long for rear/side entrance; total of three signs per building unless building has multiple business spaces | — |
| One-family Residential Zones (R-7, R-15, R-25, R-44, R-88) | 4 | 24 inches | 24 inches by 24 inches | — |
| Multifamily Residential Zones (MF-1, MF-2, MF-3, MF-4, MF-5, MF-6, MF-7, MF-9) | 4 | 24 inches | 24 square feet | — |
| Open Space and Recreation (OSR) Zone | 2 | 8 feet above ground | 24 square feet | — |
| Business (B-1) Zone | 7 | 8 feet | 30 inches high, up to 75% of length of store front on front facade; for rear/side, 24 inches high by 36 inches long; three signs total unless multiple stores/businesses. One per store/business if multiple. | — |
| Professional and Business Zones (PB-1, PB-2) | 7 | 8 feet above ground | 32 square feet | — |
| Office, Manufacturing and Research and Laboratory Zones (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-5) | 9 | 10 feet or height of principal building, whichever is less | Up to 125 sq ft, as per formula | — |
| C-4 Zone | 5 | 8 feet | Up to 125 sq ft | — |
| POD-S Zone | 4 | 8 feet (ground sign); 8 feet (campus id) | Up to 125 sq ft | — |
| University/College Zone | 2 | 8 feet | up to 125 sq ft (as per formula) | — |

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

### Business (B-1) Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 6 feet above ground | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 | On subject premises | — | § 199-31A(1) |
| Professional Nameplate | 6 inches | Six inches by 18 inches | 18 inches | — | — | For lawful occupants under zoning | — | § 199-31A(2) |
| Bulletin Board / Institution Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | — | — | On-premises of institution | — | § 199-31A(3) |
| Occupational Nonilluminated Wall Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | Affixed to building surface | — | § 199-31A(4) |
| Flags | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 199-31A(6) |
| Freestanding Ground-Mounted Sign | 8 feet | 4 feet by 6 feet (unless otherwise specified—see general) | 6 feet | 10 ft from property line, not in sight triangle | — | Compliant with § 199-23 | — | § 199-31A(8) |
| Wall Sign | — | 30 inches high, up to 75% of length of store front on front facade; for rear/side, 24 inches high by 36 inches long; three signs total unless multiple stores/businesses. One per store/business if multiple. | — | — | Max three per building or per store/business in multiple-business building | Front, rear, or side wall, as per general; see also shopping center/mall exceptions | — | § 199-31A(9), § 199-24 |

### Professional and Business Zones (PB-1, PB-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 6 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 | On subject premises | — | § 199-32A(1) |
| Bulletin Board / Institution Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | — | — | On-premises | — | § 199-32A(2) |
| Occupational Nonilluminated Wall Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | Affixed to building surface | — | § 199-32A(3) |
| Flags | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 199-32A(5) |
| Freestanding Ground-Mounted Sign | 8 feet above ground | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per use | — | — | § 199-32A(7) |
| Wall Sign (All permitted uses, except office with two or more occupants) | — | 10 square feet | — | — | 1 per use (+1 if corner lot) | Attached to building | — | § 199-32A(8)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Office uses with two or more occupants) | — | 8 square feet total; each occupant minimum 12" x 12" per nameplate | — | — | 1 per building | Attached to building | — | § 199-32A(8)(b) |

### Office, Manufacturing and Research and Laboratory Zones (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 6 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | § 199-33A(1) |
| Professional Nameplate | 6 inches | Six inches by 18 inches | 18 inches | — | — | For lawful occupants per zoning | — | § 199-33A(2) |
| Bulletin Board / Institution Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | — | — | On premises of institution | — | § 199-33A(3) |
| Occupational Nonilluminated Wall Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | Affixed to building | — | § 199-33A(4) |
| Freestanding Ground-Mounted Sign (Single-Occupancy, Street Front) | 8 feet | 60 square feet per sign (max two faces) | — | Min 10 feet from property line | Max 2 per lot | Off main access drive, abutting the lot | — | § 199-33A(8)(a)-(b) |
| Freestanding Ground-Mounted Sign (Multiple Buildings/Occupants) | 10 feet or height of principal building, whichever is less | 120 square feet, max two faces | — | Min 10 feet from property line | 1 per building (along main access); addt'l in interior with site plan | Per building along main access road; additional in lot interior with site plan approval | — | § 199-33A(8)(c) |
| Wall Sign (Principal Occupant) | — | Up to 125 sq ft, as per formula | — | — | 2 per building (max 1 per facade) | Building facade (max one per facade) | — | § 199-33A(9) |
| Wall Sign (Street Address) | — | 15 square feet | — | — | 1 | Building | — | § 199-33A(10) |

## Prohibited signs in Florham Park Borough

- It shall be unlawful to erect, alter or relocate any sign without first obtaining a permit from the Construction Code Official except as exempt under §199-7.
- No utility pole or tree shall be used for the posting of signs except those required by the Borough for enforcement of traffic ordinances (§199-13).
- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape; no sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape (§199-14).
- No sign shall be erected at a street intersection in such manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device (§199-16).
- No sign shall use words, phrases, symbols or characters in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic (§199-16).
- Red or green illumination is not permitted on any sign in a location which can be confused with a traffic control signal (§199-17B).
- Any illumination of a sign that produces undue glare above 0.5 footcandle at the property line is prohibited (§199-17C).
- Highly reflective materials or fluorescent paint is prohibited on signs (§199-17D).
- Illuminated lighting outlining roofs, doors, windows, wall edges, or strings of lights for signs is not permitted (§199-17E).
- All lighting for signs must be extinguished by 11:00 p.m. or at close of business, whichever is later, except where additional hours may be authorized for property protection (§199-17F).
- Commercial outdoor signs, billboards, or signs not expressly and directly related to the business conducted on the premises and which do not conform to applicable requirements are prohibited (§199-18A).
- Displaying obscene, indecent or immoral matter upon any sign, window display, or outdoor advertising sign is prohibited (§199-18B).
- Any sign of which all or any part is in motion by any means is prohibited, including fluttering, rotating, banners, spinners, and nongovernmental flags or similar devices (§199-20).
- Illuminated signs of the flasher- or speller-type or those interfering with radio, TV, other electrical appliances or road visibility are prohibited (§199-21).
- The following signs are prohibited in all locations (§199-27): animated signs; signs that flash, blink, move, simulate motion, or have scrolling text dwell time of less than one minute; billboard signs unless specifically permitted; changeable copy panel signs; portable or mobile signs; roof signs; signs with more than two display faces; street clocks; add-on signs dissimilar to the primary sign; signs using red, yellow/amber or green lights within 100 feet of traffic signals/intersections with inadequate sight distance; signs using words such as 'stop', 'look', 'danger' etc. creating a hazard; painted wall signs; signs with lighting/control mechanism causing electromechanical interference; banners, spinners, flags, pennants, or any moving object used for advertising (with exception for grand opening banners for up to 30 days); signs simulating official/public signs; signs implying permitted uses for non-permitted purposes.
- Signs (unless municipal, county, or state traffic/direction signs) are prohibited within the right-of-way of any street or at locations constituting a traffic hazard (§199-27B(1)).
- Signs may not be painted on or affixed to water towers, storage tanks, smokestacks, rooftops, trees, fences, utility poles, rocks, curbs, walks, lamps, hydrants, benches, or bridges except as otherwise permitted (§199-27B(2)).
- Signs are prohibited from sight triangle easements unless clear from two to ten feet above the pavement (§199-27B(3)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Florham Park Borough

- Permits and fees are not required for: a nonilluminated residential nameplate not to exceed six inches by 18 inches in area (§199-7A(1)); a nonilluminated temporary real estate sign not exceeding four square feet in area, advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises on which it is located, to be removed within five days of contract (§199-7A(2)); externally illuminated bulletin boards or signs not over 16 square feet in area for public, charitable, or religious institutions, when located on the premises of such institutions (§199-7A(3)).
- Permits and fees are not required for nonresidential zones for: one nonilluminated temporary real estate sign not exceeding 12 square feet in area on the premises; professional nameplates not exceeding six inches in height or 18 inches in length for each lawful occupant (§199-7B(2)); externally illuminated bulletin boards or signs not over 16 square feet in area for public, charitable, or religious institutions on premises (§199-7B(3)); occupational nonilluminated signs affixed to the building, denoting only the name and profession, not exceeding two square feet in area, of uniform color/materials (§199-7B(4)); governmental traffic control or other signs, legal notices, and temporary or noncommercial signs approved by the Council (§199-7B(5)); flags of the United States, State of New Jersey, or other governmental or quasi-public agencies (§199-7B(6)); signs of any governmental agency deemed necessary to public welfare (§199-7B(7)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for the erection, alteration, or relocation of any sign unless specifically exempted in §199-7 (§199-3).
- A permit is required for all awnings as provided in §199-3 (§199-26E).
- Temporary advertising signs (including grand opening signs) require Borough Council approval and a permit with a 30-day limitation; extensions require Borough Council approval (§199-25A(2)).
- Permits for all temporary signs (except construction/contractor signs) authorize erection and maintenance for not more than 30 days or less as determined by the Borough Council; construction or contractor signs permitted for the duration of the permit (§199-25D).
- Erection of multiple directional signs, or certain ground signs, in office/manufacturing, POD-S, or C-4 zones may require site plan approval, as per references in §§199-33A(8)(c), 199-38D(1), and 199-39A(5)(a).
- For directional signs in certain zones, the number and location may be determined by the Planning Board during site plan review.
- Any change of occupancy requires a new permit for a sign and full compliance with all requirements/restrictions of this chapter (§199-11).

## 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 Florham Park Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Florham+Park+Borough+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-florham-park-borough

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