# Sign Regulations in Glen Rock Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Glen Rock Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/glen-rock-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10101636#10101636)

## At a glance

Glen Rock Borough, New Jersey regulates 29 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Office/Commercial/Industrial)s in the Nonresidential districts (includes Commercial, Office, Industrial, C-1, C-2, C-3, Central Business District) zoning district are capped at 5 ft. tall and 12 sq. ft. per side, with a 30 ft from street/curbline setback (Sec. §230-47H). Most commercial signs in Glen Rock 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 | 2 | 20 feet above ground level, except signs attached to buildings may not extend above the wall or cornice | — | — |
| Residential districts (all except A1, A2, AHO-1, AHO-2, Senior Housing District, A-2MF, S-1 Senior Housing District) | 11 | 6 ft. | 50 sq. inches | — |
| A1 Zone, A2 Zone | 4 | — | 50 sq. inches | — |
| AHO-1, AHO-2 | 2 | — | — | — |
| Senior Housing District | 1 | — | — | — |
| A-2MF District | 1 | — | — | — |
| S-1 Senior Housing District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Nonresidential districts (includes Commercial, Office, Industrial, C-1, C-2, C-3, Central Business District) | 13 | Min: 36 in. Max: 42 in. (measured from sidewalk/ground) | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Borough parks and fields | 1 | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — |

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

### Residential districts (all except A1, A2, AHO-1, AHO-2, Senior Housing District, A-2MF, S-1 Senior Housing District)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Nonilluminated) | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Parking areas, entrances, loading zones, exits, and similar locations | — | §230-46A |
| Name and Number Plate | — | 50 sq. inches | — | — | — | Affixed to house, apartment, or mailbox | — | §230-46B |
| Lawn Sign (Resident Identification) | — | 1.5 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On resident's property | — | §230-46C |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per property | On the property for sale, lease, or rent | — | §230-46D |
| Institution Sign (Religious/Hospital/School/Service Organization) | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Freestanding OR wall, on premises | — | §230-46G |
| Development Temporary Sign (Entrance) | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | One per entrance and office | At each entrance to the project and at the rental or sales office | — | §230-46H |
| Farm/Park/Recreation Area Sign | — | 30 sq. ft. per side | — | 5 ft from street/curbline | 1 | On property | — | §230-46I |
| Temporary Political Signs | — | Combined total: 50 sq. ft. per lot; Individual sign: 32 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft from street | Max 1 per 0.25 acre per issue/candidate | Not within 15 ft of any street; not on Borough property | — | §230-46J |

### A1 Zone, A2 Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name and Number Plate | — | 50 sq. inches | — | — | — | Affixed to house, apartment, or mailbox | — | §230-46B |
| Lawn Sign (Resident Identification) | — | 1.5 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On resident's property | — | §230-46C |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per property | On the property for sale, lease, or rent | — | §230-46D |
| Temporary/Event/Political/Government Signs (as per Residential districts) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §230-46F-K |

### Nonresidential districts (includes Commercial, Office, Industrial, C-1, C-2, C-3, Central Business District)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Commercial/Office) | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per property | On the property for sale, lease, or rent | — | §230-47B |
| Real Estate Sign (Industrial) | — | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per property | On the property for sale, lease, or rent | — | §230-47B |
| Institution Sign (Religious/Hospital/School/Service Organization) | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Freestanding OR wall, on premises | — | §230-47F |
| Wall Sign (Business/Office/Industry) - Entrance Wall | Max 2 ft high if building front ≤40 ft; 2.5 ft if >40 ft but <80 ft; 3 ft if ≥80 ft | — | Max 90% of width of the storefront or the wall of portion occupied | — | One per entrance wall | On any entrance wall | — | §230-47G(1-3) |
| Wall Sign (Business/Office/Industry) - Street-Facing | Max 2 ft high if building front ≤40 ft; 2.5 ft if >40 ft but <80 ft; 3 ft if ≥80 ft | — | Max 90% of width of the storefront or the wall of portion occupied | — | One per street-facing wall | On any wall facing a street | — | §230-47G(1-3) |
| Wall Sign (Business/Office/Industry) - Facing Municipal/Public Parking | Max 2 ft high if building front ≤40 ft; 2.5 ft if >40 ft but <80 ft; 3 ft if ≥80 ft | — | Max 90% of width of the storefront or the wall of portion occupied | — | One per wall facing parking area | On any wall facing a municipal/public parking area | — | §230-47G(1-3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Office/Commercial/Industrial) | 5 ft. | 12 sq. ft. per side | — | 30 ft from street/curbline | 1 | On property, not less than 30 ft from any street or curbline | — | §230-47H |
| Temporary Portable Sign (Central Business District, C-1, C-2, C-3 Retail Uses) | Min: 36 in. Max: 42 in. (measured from sidewalk/ground) | — | 24 in. | — | 1 per business | Front yard of storefront or public right-of-way in front; not in vehicular traveled way or parking areas | — | §230-47I |

## Prohibited signs in Glen Rock Borough

- Any signs not specifically permitted are prohibited.
- No sign shall be located less than 15 feet from the street, unless no other placement location is feasible to the property owner due to lot size, shape, or existing structures. Exception: traffic signs and/or other signs installed by governmental agencies.
- No sign shall exceed 20 feet in height above ground level, except building-mounted signs which shall not extend above the wall or cornice to which they are attached.
- No person shall erect a sign on or over any public property, roadways or public right-of-way other than traffic directional signs or signs erected by a governmental entity.
- Signs shall not be painted on or affixed to water towers, storage tanks, smokestacks, or similar structures.
- Signs using words such as 'stop,' 'look,' or 'danger' or any other sign which, in the judgment of the Police Chief, constitutes a traffic hazard or interferes with free flow of traffic are prohibited.
- Moving or revolving signs and signs using waving, blinking, flashing, vibrating, flickering, tracer or sequential lighting are prohibited, except for movie theater or Borough property.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs advertising a product or service not sold on the premises, directing attention to other premises, or otherwise not related to the premises where the sign is erected are prohibited, except for approved signs on Borough property.
- Signs causing interference with radio or television reception are prohibited.
- Signs obstructing doors, fire escapes, or stairways or blocking light or air from windows used for living quarters are prohibited.
- Signs placed in awnings, trees, fences, utility poles, or attached to other signs are prohibited.
- Temporary mobile message signs are prohibited.
- No flashing signs are permitted on freestanding signs for nonresidential uses.
- Signs shall not obstruct ingress or egress to/from buildings, driveways, access aisles, parking spaces, fire lanes, or other required vehicle or pedestrian access.
- Signs shall not be chained, cabled, tied or otherwise attached or connected to any tree, pole, hydrant, planter, container, chair, bench, table or other item but shall be wholly self-supporting.
- Any sign attached flat against the building must be attached with nonrusting hardware; use of wood or fiber plugs is prohibited.
- The property owner is responsible for maintaining the area surrounding ground signs neat, clean, and landscaped.
- Balloons, pennants, flags, streamers, banners and similar items are prohibited on temporary portable signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Glen Rock Borough

- Seasonal holiday displays, the American flag or other governmental flags, athletic scoreboards on school premises, or official announcements and signs of government are excluded from the definition of 'sign' and are therefore exempt.
- Temporary and permanent traffic signs and signals or other signs installed by a government agency are exempt from certain restrictions (e.g., placement less than 15 feet from the street).
- As per N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14(b)6, a sign shall NOT require a building permit if: (a) supported by uprights or braces on the ground surface; (b) not served by an electrical circuit directly connected; (c) not greater than 25 sq ft in surface area (one side); and (d) not more than six feet above the ground (mounted height).
- Sponsorships of permanent structures or items, and sponsorships and/or other signs related to organizations listed in Schedule A are exempt from the nonprofit sponsorship sign regulations, subject to approval of the Parks and Recreation Director and Borough Council Recreation Committee.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- There is no explicit mention in the provided ordinance text of a requirement for a master sign plan, comprehensive sign plan, or required variance hearing for signage. Permits and zoning approvals are required under certain general conditions for specific signs, but a sign plan or variance process is not referenced in the general, all-zones sections.
- A building permit is required for any sign that does not meet all conditions set forth in §230-44.L(1) (uprights/braces, non-electrical, not larger than 25 sq ft, not more than 6 feet above ground).
- Zoning approval is also required for any sign not meeting the above exemption.
- Temporary portable signs require a permit before placement as per §230-47I(12).

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

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