# Sign Regulations in Gibbsboro Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Gibbsboro Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/gibbsboro-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10094299#10094299)

## At a glance

Gibbsboro Borough, New Jersey regulates 27 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Changeable Copy Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Matches host sign type tall and Part of main sign's allowed area except institutional (12 sq ft max) (Sec. §318-8). Most commercial signs in Gibbsboro Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 5 feet if freestanding | 40 square feet or 50% of canopy fascia area, whichever is less. | — |
| Residential Districts | 4 | 3 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Office Residential Districts,Residential Care Districts | 4 | 5 feet (if freestanding) | 12 square feet (Office Residential); 24 square feet (Residential Care) | — |
| Commercial Districts,Highway Business Districts | 8 | 17 ft max, 12 ft min from ground | 40 square feet | — |
| Shopping Center/Office Districts (Non-Shopping Center Properties) | 5 | 15 feet | 40 square feet | — |
| Shopping Center/Office Districts (Shopping Center Developments) | 4 | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Shopping Center/Office Districts | 5 | 17 ft max, 12 ft min (above ground) | 40 sq ft or 50% of fascia | — |
| Office/Technical Park Districts | 6 | 8 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Zone Districts (Individual Industry) | 2 | 5 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Zone Districts (Planned Industrial Complexes) | 3 | 5 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Zone Districts | 2 | 5 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| Historic District | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On wall/facade of building; none may project above the lowest roofline or beyond wall corner. | — | §318-3, §318-5, §318-3J, §318-3M, §318-23 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | 15 ft from curb/edge of paving or 5 ft to street line, whichever is more. | — | Permitted only in the front yard. | — | §318-11 |
| Canopy Sign | — | 40 square feet or 50% of canopy fascia area, whichever is less. | — | — | Max 2 per canopy (1 per fascia) | Mounted on canopy allowed for gas stations and similar uses only. | — | §318-7 |
| Changeable Copy Sign | Matches host sign type | Part of main sign's allowed area except institutional (12 sq ft max) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Permanently affixed to ground or structure; not in residential zones except institutional uses. | — | §318-8 |
| Directional Sign | 2.5 feet | 3 square feet | — | — | — | At streetline; must not obscure motorists' vision. | — | §318-9 |
| Directory Sign | 5 feet if freestanding | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance driveway, street intersection, or main entrance | At main entrance to building or within complex so as not to impede traffic. | — | §318-10 |
| Facade Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On facade, not to project above parapet/cornice/roofline. | — | §318-2 (definition), §318-3, §318-5 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of glass area (unless more restrictive district provides lower percentage) | — | — | — | Interior or exterior of window or within building legible from lot line. | — | §318-14 |

### Commercial Districts,Highway Business Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 8 feet | 40 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage with conditions | One per street frontage with 100 ft frontage and direct vehicular access. | — | §318-17A |
| Facade Sign | — | 10% facade area or 20 sq ft; whichever is less | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Facing street frontage with direct vehicular access. | — | §318-17B |
| Canopy Sign | 17 ft max, 12 ft min from ground | 40 sq ft or 50% canopy fascia | — | — | 2 per canopy (1 per fascia) | On canopy | — | §318-17C, §318-7 |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | Part of host sign's allowed area | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Affixed to ground or structure | — | §318-17D, §318-8 |
| Directional Sign | 2.5 feet | 3 square feet | — | — | — | At streetline or as needed | — | §318-17E, §318-9 |
| Directory Sign | 5 ft if freestanding | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrance driveway/intersection or main entrance | — | §318-17F, §318-10 |
| Grand Opening Sign | — | Total sign area for permanent signs on premises; banner area limited to facade sign maximum. | — | — | — | Facade, freestanding, or banner | — | §318-17G, §318-12 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of glass area | — | — | — | In window | — | §318-17H, §318-14 |

### Office/Technical Park Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Complex) | 8 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street | One per street that adjoins the development and allows direct vehicular access. | — | §318-19A |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Per Building) | 5 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Per building | — | §318-19B |
| Facade Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | Up to 3 per building | Per building face, maximum 3 per building. Identifies building number/name. | — | §318-19C |
| Directional Sign | 2.5 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | At streetline or as needed | — | §318-19D, §318-9 |
| Directory Sign | 5 ft if freestanding | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | At main entrance, driveway, or within complex. | — | §318-19E, §318-10 |
| Window Sign | — | 10% of glass area | — | — | — | In window | — | §318-19F, §318-14 |

## Prohibited signs in Gibbsboro Borough

- No sign, other than traffic control or similar official governmental signs, shall be erected within or project over the right-of-way of any public street or sidewalk, except as otherwise provided.
- No sign shall be erected that imitates or resembles any official traffic sign, signal or device, or that distracts drivers' attention dangerously.
- No sign shall be erected at street intersections within sight triangles formed by right-of-way lines and lines connecting them at points 30 feet from their intersection, unless the sign is less than 2 1/2 feet high. Signs may not impede vision or endanger safety.
- No sign shall be placed on any tree, telegraph, electric light or public utility pole or upon rocks or other natural features.
- No sign shall be erected containing a message that implies a property may be used for a purpose not permitted in that zoning district.
- Any sign installed/placed on public property, except as permitted, shall be confiscated at owner's expense.
- Signs are limited to two colors plus black and white.
- Any of the following invalidate a sign permit: removal of an existing sign; alteration in the structure of a sign support; change in sign material; abandonment of sign.
- All signs exempt from permits may not be illuminated unless otherwise allowed. Other signs may be illuminated unless prohibited.
- The ratio of width to length of the rectangle enclosing a sign shall be no greater than 1:10.
- Any sign not permitted by the chapter is prohibited.
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, moving, projected signs, or those presenting the illusion of movement are prohibited (except time-and-temperature displays where permitted).
- Banners, pennants, streamers, or similar devices and searchlights are prohibited unless otherwise excepted.
- No sign may obstruct fire escapes, windows, doors or other openings used for ingress/egress.
- No message or advertisement using a series of two or more signs placed in line parallel to a street, each with part of the message, is allowed.
- Portable, bench or sidewalk signs, or signs that emit smoke, vapor or noise, are prohibited.
- Signs with a dominant theme appealing to prurient interests are prohibited.
- Signs attached to the roof of a building or projecting above the roof line or beyond the wall corner are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Gibbsboro Borough

- Holiday decorations that are not traffic/fire hazards, installed no more than 45 days prior and removed within 7 days after the holiday. May be illuminated.
- Official governmental signs, including banners. May be illuminated.
- Election signs not exceeding 32 sq ft, erected no earlier than 45 days before election and removed within 7 days after. One per street frontage per property.
- Building markers with only name, date or historical data, not exceeding 6 sq ft, of certain durable materials, and approved by Historical Preservation Commission.
- Change in the copy of a changeable-copy sign for which a permit has already been issued.
- Yard or garage sale signs not exceeding 4 sq ft, erected no more than 7 days prior and removed within 48 hrs after. Limited to two times per year per premises.
- Temporary real estate and contractor signs on property for sale/lease or where work is performed, not exceeding 6 sq ft or 4 ft high, removed within 7 days of sale/rent/completion.
- Hunting/trespassing control signs not exceeding 2 sq ft nor spaced closer than 50 ft to each other.
- Emergency warning signs by a governmental agency, public utility, or contractor doing authorized work. May be illuminated.
- Public notices required by federal, state, or local law.
- Interior signs within a building, not attached to window or door, and not legible from the lot line.
- Works of art that do not contain a commercial message. May be illuminated.
- Traffic control devices on private property that meet N.J. DOT standards, contain no commercial message, and whose location is Board-approved.
- Flags of the USA, states, municipalities, foreign nations with US relations, or those sanctioned by a legislative body, not exceeding 60 sq ft or flown from a pole exceeding 40 ft. May be illuminated.
- Name and address signs attached to facade or mailbox, not exceeding 1 sq ft.
- Incidental signs not exceeding 2 sq ft in area.
- Residential freestanding signs not exceeding 4 sq ft or 3 ft in height and set back at least 15 ft from curbline or cartway.
- Project development signs, where site plan/subdivision is granted, naming the development/developer/financier/contractor, not exceeding 32 sq ft or 8 ft in height, one per street frontage, removed within 14 days of occupancy/C.O.
- Window signs per §318-14.
- Replacement of a previously approved sign that complies with ordinance does not need a new permit but requires an application for verification. Must exactly match footprint/location of the replaced sign.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs unless exempted under §318-6.
- Sign permit applications must be accompanied by fee and a plot plan showing sign location, existing/proposed signs, and scaled drawings describing dimensions, colors, materials, attachment.
- All signs for which a permit is issued are subject to review and inspection by the Borough Engineer and may require escrow for technical/policy review costs.
- Sign permit applications are considered minor site plans and are reviewed by the Planning Board within 45 days of a complete application, or longer with applicant consent.
- A permit is not required for signs listed as exempt in §318-6.
- Within the Historic District, applications for sign permits must be submitted to the Planning Board, with details (sketches, drawings) showing design, construction, foundation, coloring, lighting, materials, texture, size, lettering, and position relative to building.
- In the Historic District, Planning Board approval is based on the conformity of the sign plan to historic character and design criteria.
- Existing signs previously approved by the Planning Board may be replaced in-kind (matching footprint/location) without a permit; however, an application and verification fee may apply.
- Directory and traffic control signs on private property may require Board approval for location.

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

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