# Sign Regulations in Franklin Lakes Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Franklin Lakes Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/franklin-lakes-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/7173488#7173488)

## At a glance

Franklin Lakes Borough, New Jersey regulates 47 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Complex ID)s in the OB-RL District zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall, 50 sq ft, and 10 ft wide, with a 20 ft from property line; minimum 100 ft from complex entrance setback (Sec. §300-128C(2)(f)[2][a][i], [ii]). Most commercial signs in Franklin Lakes Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | 25 ft in nonresidential zones or no higher than highest building on lot | 180 sq in (1.25 sq ft) per occupant | — |
| Single-Family Residential Districts, Residential Districts | 5 | — | 180 sq in (1.25 sq ft) | — |
| Retail Business Districts (RB-1 District) | 10 | 18 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Retail Business Districts (RB-2 District) | 6 | 8 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Limited Business Districts, Recreation-Residential Districts | 2 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Districts | 1 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| OB-RL District | 4 | 60 in (top of sign from ground) | 50 sq ft | — |
| HOB-RL District | 3 | 60 in (top of sign from ground) | 50 sq ft | — |
| AHO Districts | 3 | 4 ft | 30 sq ft | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate For Sale | — | 8 sq ft | — | 15 ft from curbline | 1 per lot | On lot being advertised; at least 15 feet from curbline; must not block vision of drivers. | — | §300-128C(1)(a)[1], (1)(b)[1] and (1)(b)[2], (1)(c) |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate Open House | — | — | — | 3 ft from curb where curbing exists | 1 per property | On the property for sale; not on paved roadway; at least 3 ft from curb where curbing exists. | — | §300-128C(1)(a)[2], (1)(b)[1] and (1)(b)[2], (1)(c) |
| Temporary Sign - Major Subdivision | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 2 per subdivision (one per lot) | Each on a separate lot of the subdivision; on site. | — | §300-128C(1)(a)[3], (1)(b)[1] and (1)(b)[2], (1)(c) |
| Temporary Sign - Building Under Construction | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot of work under construction. | — | §300-128C(1)(a)[4], (1)(b)[1] and (1)(b)[2], (1)(c) |
| Temporary Sign - Announcement of Future Event | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Not limited to sign owner's lot; may be off-site. | — | §300-128C(1)(a)[5], (1)(b)[1] and (1)(b)[2], (1)(c) |
| Temporary Sign - Noncommercial (Political or Opinion) | — | 15 sq ft | — | 10 ft from curbline or edge of paved roadway | Not specified | At least 10 feet from curbline or paved roadway if no curb; not in right-of-way or on public property. | — | §300-128C(1)(a)[7], (1)(b)[1] and (1)(b)[2], (1)(c) |
| Permanent Sign - Professional Nameplate | — | 180 sq in (1.25 sq ft) per occupant | — | — | 1 per professional occupant | Attached to the building. | — | §300-128C(2)(a)[2]; G(5)(a) |
| Permanent Sign - Noncommercial | 25 ft in nonresidential zones or no higher than highest building on lot | 15 sq ft in residential; 100 sq ft in other zones | — | 10 ft (residential), 20 ft (other zones) | See additional requirements | Not less than 10 ft (residential) or 20 ft (other zones) from curb or paved roadway; not in public right-of-way or public property. | — | §300-128C(2)(a)[8] |

### Retail Business Districts (RB-1 District)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attached Sign (Front Facade) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | Front facade, above/adjacent to tenant space. | — | §300-128C(2)(c)[2][a] |
| Attached Sign (Rear Public Entrance) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per public rear entrance | Rear of building. | — | §300-128C(2)(c)[2][a] |
| Attached Sign (Side Facing Public Street) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per applicable side | Side facade facing a public street. | — | §300-128C(2)(c)[2][a] |
| Attached Sign (Second Floor Occupant) | — | As above | — | — | Separate from ground floor | Second floor, front, side, or rear (where applicable) | — | §300-128C(2)(c)[2][a] |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center ID) | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per shopping center | On premises. | — | §300-128C(2)(c)[5][a] |
| Filling/Service Station Sign (Entrance Lettering) | 6 in letter height | — | — | — | 1 per entrance | Over entrance doors. | — | §300-128C(2)(c)[7][b][i] |
| Filling/Service Station Credit Card Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per credit card | Affixed to building or permanent sign structure. | — | §300-128C(2)(c)[7][b][iii] |
| Filling/Service Station Brand/Trade Name Sign | 18 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per station | Permanently affixed to building or freestanding. | — | §300-128C(2)(c)[7][b][iv] |

### OB-RL District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Complex ID) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | 10 ft | 20 ft from property line; minimum 100 ft from complex entrance | 2 per complex | At least 100 ft from entrance to complex, at least 20 ft from property line. | — | §300-128C(2)(f)[2][a][i], [ii] |
| Freestanding Tenant Identification Sign | — | 45 sq ft | 5 ft | 100 ft from property line | Max 15 per complex | Within complex; at least 100 ft from property line. | — | §300-128C(2)(f)[2][b][i], [ii], [iii] |
| Freestanding Directional Sign (Complex Entrance/Parking) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | 10 ft | 100 ft from property line | 2 per complex; further directional signs allowed as needed with site plan approval | Parallel to front street property line, at least 100 ft from property line. | — | §300-128C(2)(f)[2][c][i], [ii], [iii], [iv], [vi] |
| Freestanding Parking Lot Directional/Safety Sign | 60 in (top of sign from ground) | 27 in length × 36 in height | 27 in | 100 ft from property line | As needed | Anywhere within complex, with site plan approval; min. 100 ft from property line. | — | §300-128C(2)(f)[2][c][vi] |

## Prohibited signs in Franklin Lakes Borough

- No sign shall be located or displayed upon any sidewalk or public right-of-way.
- No sign shall be permitted on the surface of any principal roof, and no sign shall project above the parapet or roof ridge.
- Attached signs shall not project beyond 12 inches from the exterior surface of any building.
- No sign shall be, in whole or part, moving, mobile or revolving, except for signs commonly known as barber poles, ordinarily and customarily used in connection with barbershops.
- Strings of streamers, flaps, pennants, spinners or other similar devices strung across, upon, over or along any premises or building, whether as a part of any sign or not, shall not be allowed except as specifically permitted herein.
- No sign shall be placed or displayed in any manner which will interfere with traffic or traffic control signs and signals.
- Except as specifically permitted by this subsection, no sign shall be permitted where the notice, advertisement or other medium to be presented relates to the use of premises other than that upon which the sign is located.
- Permitted advertising signs shall be removed within 30 days after the cessation of the activity or business which the sign advertises, except as specifically provided herein.
- No freestanding signs shall be permitted except as specifically allowed by this section.
- No political signs, posters or pictures shall be displayed outdoors on any building, premises, utility pole or other structure.
- No illuminated signs shall be permitted in residential districts.
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
- No flashing, blinking, fluctuating, scrolling or intermittent illumination shall be permitted.
- No animation effects, including sequential display messages, shall be permitted.
- No action or moving illumination shall be permitted.
- No illumination is permitted which may cause confusion or interference with traffic control signs or lights of emergency vehicles.
- No illumination is permitted which shall cause interference with radio or television signals.
- Illumination sources shall be shielded to prevent the extension of glare beyond the lot lines and beyond curbing or road edges adjacent to the property.
- Signs shall not be permitted on or between telephone poles, trees, utility boxes or other structures within the street right-of-way.
- Signs covered under the relevant section shall not be permitted in the public right-of-way, on public property, or any road right-of-way, road easement, access easement, or county roadway.

## Signs exempt from permit in Franklin Lakes Borough

- Official signs of any governmental agency are permitted in all zones and may be freestanding or attached.
- One professional nameplate not to exceed 180 inches per professional occupant is permitted in all zones (not freestanding).
- One directory sign listing the users of the property is permitted in all zones under certain conditions.
- One bulletin board or sign not exceeding 20 square feet in area for a religious or charitable institution, when located upon the premises.
- One attached sign indicating the name of a building or date of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or other incombustible material, not to exceed eight square feet.
- Such signs as required by law (licenses and permits) which are not freestanding.
- Signs identifying a hospital, nursing home, school, golf course, rectory, etc. (up to 20 square feet, freestanding or attached).
- Noncommercial signs as defined are allowed in all zones under specified conditions.
- The following signs are exempt from application fees: signs of governmental agencies; bulletin boards of religious or charitable institutions; attached signs indicating the name of a building or date of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or other incombustible material and mounted on the building surface and not exceeding eight square feet; residential nameplates not exceeding 180 inches; signs showing evidence of membership in retail, professional, manufacturing or credit associations; legally required licenses; signs of a temporary nature affixed to the interior side of a window.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit for erection and maintenance of most temporary and permanent signs must be obtained from the Code Enforcement Official.
- Exception to permit requirement: no permit is required for governmental agency signs, bulletin boards for religious or charitable institutions, attached signs indicating building name/date cut into masonry/bronze (under 8 sq ft), and residential nameplates under 180 inches; and signs of a temporary nature affixed to the interior side of a window.
- Site plan approval is required for the specific locations of certain directional or safety signs within some districts (e.g., OB-RL and HOB-RL).
- Approval from the Planning Board is required for the location of certain signs in HOB-RL district.
- Applications for sign permits must be made on approved forms and include required information such as drawings/specifications, property owner consent, and electrical permit (if applicable).

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

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