# Sign Regulations in Glassboro Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Glassboro Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/glassboro-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/12607640#12607640)

## At a glance

Glassboro Borough, New Jersey regulates 35 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Apartment/Townhouse Complex)s in the Residential zoning district zoning district are capped at 5 feet tall and 20 sq ft, with a At least 10 ft from street pavement setback (Sec. §107-63.1E(3)). Most commercial signs in Glassboro Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | Base of second-floor windowsill, or base of roof or 25 feet, whichever is lower | 32 sq ft (general); 24 sq ft (commercial/industrial site, see zone regs) | — |
| Residential zoning district | 6 | 5 feet | 32 sq ft (aggregate if two signs) | — |
| Nonresidential zoning districts | 13 | 25 ft (lowest part at least 15 ft above grade) | 140 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Business District Redevelopment Area Zone | 9 | <=12 in height lettering, 50% of awning/canopy width | ≤30% of display window area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential zoning district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate/Street Number (Residential) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Attached; 1 per use | — | §107-63.1E(1) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Attached; 1 per use | — | §107-63.1E(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Apartment/Townhouse Complex) | 5 feet | 20 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from street pavement | 1 | At main entrance, outside sight triangles, set back ≥10 ft from street pavement, within landscaped area | — | §107-63.1E(3) |
| Attached or Freestanding Sign (Church/School/Pool/Daycare/Nursery) | 5 feet (freestanding) | 32 sq ft (aggregate if two signs) | — | 10 ft from street pavement | 1 or 2 (see above) | Option for 1 sign (attached or freestanding) or 2 (1 freestanding + 1 wall), outside sight triangles, freestanding ≥10 ft from street pavement | — | §107-63.1E(4) |
| Attached Sign (Lodge/Fraternity/Sorority house) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Attached; 1 per use | — | §107-63.1E(5) |
| Signs for Other Nonresidential Uses | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §107-63.1E(6) |

### Nonresidential zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Commercial Use) (Setback ≤50 ft) | 20 ft or highest point of facade, whichever is less; sign max height 4 ft | 60 sq ft | — | Building setback ≤50 ft from right-of-way | 1 per wall per storefront | Sign per wall per storefront facing public street; affixed parallel to wall | — | §107-63.1F(1)(a-d), Table A |
| Wall Sign (Commercial Use) (Setback 51–100 ft) | 20 ft or highest point of facade, whichever is less; sign max height 5 ft | 80 sq ft | — | Building setback 51–100 ft from right-of-way | 1 per wall per storefront | Sign per wall per storefront facing public street; affixed parallel to wall | — | §107-63.1F(1)(a-d), Table A |
| Wall Sign (Commercial Use) (Setback 101–200 ft) | 20 ft or highest point of facade, whichever is less; sign max height 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Building setback 101–200 ft from right-of-way | 1 per wall per storefront | Sign per wall per storefront facing public street; affixed parallel to wall | — | §107-63.1F(1)(a-d), Table A |
| Wall Sign (Commercial Use) (Setback 201–300 ft) | 20 ft or highest point of facade, whichever is less; sign max height 7 ft | 120 sq ft | — | Building setback 201–300 ft from right-of-way | 1 per wall per storefront | Sign per wall per storefront facing public street; affixed parallel to wall | — | §107-63.1F(1)(a-d), Table A |
| Wall Sign (Commercial Use) (Setback >300 ft) | 20 ft or highest point of facade, whichever is less; sign max height 8 ft | 140 sq ft | — | Building setback >300 ft | 1 per wall per storefront | Sign per wall per storefront facing public street; affixed parallel to wall | — | §107-63.1F(1)(a-d), Table A |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential, lots >20,000 sq ft) | 25 ft (lowest part at least 15 ft above grade) | 40–100 sq ft (see formula) | — | ≥25 ft from right-of-way | 1 per lot | Setback ≥25 ft from right-of-way; at least minimum side/rear yard setbacks; front yard only | — | §107-63.1F(2)(a-e) |
| Ground Level Sign (In lieu of Freestanding Sign) | 5 ft | 32 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft | 1 per site | Setback ≥10 ft from street right-of-way or driveway pavement, outside sight triangles, within landscaped area | — | §107-63.1F(2)(f) |
| Public/Quasi-Public Uses Sign (Wall or Freestanding) | 5 ft for freestanding (2.5 ft if in sight triangle) | 32 sq ft (aggregate, double-sided allowed) | — | ≥10 ft from street pavement | 1 | Setback ≥10 ft from street pavement | — | §107-63.1F(7) |

### Downtown Business District Redevelopment Area Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Band Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per facade; 2 for corner businesses | Sign band above display windows; on facade | — | §107-63.1G(5)(b), (n), (k) |
| Blade (Projecting) Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Projecting perpendicularly from building | — | §107-63.1G(5)(c), (n) |
| Window Sign | — | ≤30% of display window area | — | — | — | On/behind display window glass | — | §107-63.1G(4)(c), (d), (19)(h) |
| Door Sign | — | ≤20% of door glazed area | — | — | — | On/behind entry door glass | — | §107-63.1G(4)(f) |
| Freestanding Sandwich Board/Easel Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Sidewalk area, must not impede pedestrians; only during business hours of use | — | §107-63.1G(5)(e) |
| Temporary Sign (Facade/Window/Door) | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed to exterior/inside display window or door | — | §107-63.1G(5)(f) |
| Awning and Canopy Sign (Valance) | <=12 in height lettering, 50% of awning/canopy width | — | — | — | — | Valance of awning or canopy | — | §107-63.1G(6)(a-f), (i) |
| Covered Walkway Sign (Edge mounted and hanging) | — | Same as wall sign for building, or 8 sq ft (hanging) | — | — | — | On edge of covered walkway over sidewalk, or hanging under walkway roof | — | §107-63.1G(6)(k) |

## Prohibited signs in Glassboro Borough

- No sign or advertising structure may be erected without first obtaining the required zoning/building permits from the Zoning Official/Code Official and making the required fee payment.
- No billboards shall be erected.
- No sign of any type shall be permitted to be located in a sight triangle or to obstruct driving vision, traffic signals, and traffic direction and identification signs, nor to obscure light or air in an area where there is a legal preexisting use.
- Signs that are stapled, pasted or otherwise permanently attached to trees or utility poles.
- Animated, flashing, trace, sequential and illusionary signs. Signs using mechanical and/or electrical devices to revolve, flash or display movement or the illusion of movement are prohibited, including the outlining of windows, doors, wall panels or similar sections of a facade with lights. Exception: A sign alternately showing the time and temperature is permitted where each sequence remains fixed for at least 10 seconds.
- Billboards.
- Tethered balloons, banners, kites, inflatable objects and similar tethered objects.
- Pennants; nongovernment flags; strings of lights; exposed neon, fluorescent, laser, fiber optic or similar forms of light tubes (except where integral to a sign included in sign area); or other materials strung on or around the lot.
- Freestanding signs not permanently anchored into the ground such as tripods, A-frames, signs on trailers or similar portable structures used as signs.
- Searchlights.
- Signs advertising off-site businesses on residential properties where the business/service is conducted elsewhere.
- Clip-on letters, attached banners or similar temporary or changeable components are prohibited on permanent signs.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited; signs must be removed or brought into conformity within 30 days after abandonment.
- No sign shall be permitted to have beacon, flashing or trace illumination.
- No sign shall be lighted using unshielded incandescent bulbs, neon tubes or mirrors reflecting a direct light source or similar devices.
- All lights shall be shielded or have translucent fixtures to prevent shining directly into drivers’ eyes and to reduce off-site effects.
- Sign cabling must be concealed.
- Exterior illumination must prevent glare and uplighting onto and towards the street, adjacent properties, and the sky.
- Lighting-box-type signs are not permitted in the Downtown Business District.
- Interior illuminated signs in the Downtown Business District must be brought up to code if property or business changes or sign is replaced or altered.
- Temporary signs affixed to the outside glass of the display window or door are not permitted (except as authorized by the relevant committee in special cases).
- Temporary signs must not be handwritten (in CBDRA zone).
- Sign forms not specifically permitted (such as interior backlit box signs; signs with motorized moving parts; and signs with mounted flashing lights) are expressly prohibited (in Downtown District).
- Nonconforming or abandoned signs must not be rebuilt, enlarged, or altered unless brought into compliance with regulations.
- Posting any sign on a utility pole, street sign, or other traffic sign is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Glassboro Borough

- Street number designations, postal boxes, family names on residences, on-site traffic directional and parking signs, signs posting property as 'private property' or 'no hunting,' or similar purposes, and danger signs around utility and other danger areas are not included in calculating sign area.
- Informational and direction signs do not require a permit provided no such sign is located in a sight triangle or on utility poles or on any part of a sign erected by the government.
- Signs containing street number designations, household nameplates, postal boxes; historical markers, directional signs and advisory signs (e.g., 'private property,' 'no soliciting,' 'no trespassing,' 'warning - dog') permitted if not exceeding two square feet in size.
- Pavement markings designed and utilized to control the flow of traffic on property are permitted.
- Signs to regulate vehicular and pedestrian traffic that meet the standards of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices are permitted.
- Official signs erected by the Borough, county or state are permitted.
- A change in the copy of a permitted sign or marquee once a permit has been issued does not require a new permit.
- Temporary real estate signs do not require a zoning permit (but must meet size and placement restrictions).
- Election signs do not require a zoning permit, provided they comply with location, size, and timing requirements.
- Certain pavement and advisory signs (see above) are exempt from permit but not location/placement rules.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs require zoning/building permits from the Zoning Official/Code Official except where specifically exempted (e.g., certain temporary signs, real estate, or election signs).
- Applications for signs in the downtown business district must be submitted to the Economic Development office for Facade Committee approval prior to Zoning Official/Code Official.
- All new construction and facade renovation designs in the Downtown Business District Redevelopment Area Zone must be reviewed and approved by the CBDRA Committee for consistency, and will require a zoning permit.
- Any change in existing facade, storefront, sign, or awning color in the Downtown Business District requires review and approval by the CBDRA Committee.
- All sign designs in the Downtown Business District must be reviewed and approved by the CBDRA Committee for appropriateness and harmony prior to issuance of zoning permit.
- Murals require approval from both the CBDRA Committee and the Mayor and Borough Council.
- An applicant may appeal decisions of the CBDRA Committee regarding signs to the Mayor and Council; appeals process is outlined.
- Details of any approval (for special event/promotional signs) is a decision of the Zoning Officer. Permit applications must include sufficient detail to understand the request.
- For new residential developments, a temporary development name sign is only permitted when approved as part of the subdivision or site plan application.
- All illuminated signs on properties adjacent to residential zoning districts must provide automatic shutoff or dimming no later than one hour after business closing.
- Freestanding signs and signs located in certain areas must comply with additional zoning requirements and may require site plan review as part of overall project review.
- Temporary special event/promotional signs require a promotional permit from the Zoning Officer, with review of application details.

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

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