# Sign Regulations in Gloucester Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Gloucester Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/gloucester-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/42579163#42579163)

## At a glance

Gloucester Township, New Jersey regulates 51 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Billboard (Off-Premises Advertising)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 45 ft tall, 960 sq ft, and 60 ft wide, with a 10 ft from property, 400 ft from residential, 3,000 ft from other billboard setback (Sec. §500-426DD). Most commercial signs in Gloucester Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ER District, R-1 District, R-2 District, R-3 District, R-4 District, L-RD Redevelopment Zone | 13 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| RA District, APT District, SCR District, GCR District | 9 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| OR District, BW-RD Redevelopment Zone | 7 | 6 ft | 20 sq ft, or as restricted by §500-426Q, whichever is less | — |
| OF District, CR District, G-RD Redevelopment Zone, M-RD Redevelopment Zone | 11 | 6 ft | 60 sq ft or as limited by §500-426Q | — |
| BP District, GI District | 10 | 45 ft | 960 sq ft | — |
| NC District, HC District | 11 | 8 ft | Per §500-426R(1) | — |
| IN District, PR District | 7 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft or as limited by §500-426Q | — |
| IR Interchange Redevelopment District | 1 | 45 ft | 960 sq ft | — |
| SCR-HC - Senior Citizen Residential - Highway Commercial Overlay District | 1 | — | Not permitted | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 45 ft | 960 sq ft | — |

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

### ER District, R-1 District, R-2 District, R-3 District, R-4 District, L-RD Redevelopment Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Rental/Sales Office) | 5 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per office | At an approved rental or sales office. | — | §500-426V(2)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Use) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 20 ft | — | On lot, if freestanding | — | §500-426V(2)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Commercial Use) | 4 ft | 10 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per business | — | — | §500-426V(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Farmstand - Agricultural Use) | 8 ft | 12 sq ft each | — | 10 ft | 2 | For farm stands for sale of produce grown on premises. | — | §500-426V(4) |
| Facade Sign (Farmstand - Agricultural Use) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Attached to farm stand/farm building. | — | §500-426V(4) |
| Freestanding Sign (Institutional Use) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 | — | — | §500-426V(5)(a) |
| Facade Sign (Institutional Use) | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Per building | — | §500-426V(5)(c) |
| Residential Development Community Entrance Sign | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from side or rear property line | Max one entrance; developments with two entrances may apply to both | Entrance(s) to residential development | — | §500-426GG |

### NC District, HC District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (one per collector/arterial roadway with access) | 8 ft | — | — | 10 ft | 1 per collector/arterial access | Each collector or arterial road providing access | — | §500-426AA(2) |
| Facade Sign | — | 100 sq ft or as limited by §500-426Q | — | — | — | — | — | §500-426AA(4) |
| Changeable-Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | §500-426AA(5) |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | §500-426AA(8) |
| Additional Freestanding Sign (car/truck dealership, >400 ft frontage) | — | Per §500-426R(1) | — | Per main freestanding sign requirements | 1 additional | Attached to primary freestanding sign or on second support structure | — | §500-426AA(9) |
| Changeable-Copy Sign (Fuel Pricing, Service Stations) | — | 5 sq ft per grade sold; 3 sq ft per pump | — | — | — | Freestanding sign and fuel pump | — | §500-426AA(10) |
| Menu Board (Fast-Food Drive-Through) | 7 ft | 64 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-site, not visible from right-of-way | — | §500-426AA(11) |
| Neon Window Sign | — | No more than 20% window area or 25 sq ft max | — | — | max 2 per business unit | Window | — | §500-426AA(12), §500-426H(4), §500-426I(1) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs Allowed Without Permit - General | Varies | Variable by type (see §500-426G): historic marker 6 sq ft, flag 240 sq ft/40 ft pole (residential 2 flags/60 sq ft), incidental 2 sq ft, name/address 1.5 sq ft, etc. | — | — | Vary by sign type | See each type; typically on premises | — | §500-426G |
| Facade Sign - General Facade Sign Requirements | — | Per calculations above | — | — | 1 (see Q(2)); 2 if on corner lot/conditions met | Above first floor windows, below parapet/mansard/pent roof (Q(3)); must be flat against building with durable materials. | — | §500-426Q |
| Freestanding Sign - Area Schedule | — | Varies, by number of travel lanes, speed, and whether abutting residential; e.g. 2 lanes, 0-25 mph: 15 (non-res) / 10 (res) sq ft; up to 6 lanes, >46 mph: 130 (non-res) / 90 (res) sq ft. See table §500-426R(1). | — | 10 ft from street; 80 ft from other freestanding signs | — | Only in front yard. Landscaping required at base; pole skirted. | — | §500-426R |
| Billboard (Off-Premises Advertising) | 45 ft | 960 sq ft | 60 ft | 10 ft from property, 400 ft from residential, 3,000 ft from other billboard | 1 per lot | — | — | §500-426DD |
| Directional Sign - General | 30 inches (at public street); 4 ft (internal intersection) | 4 sq ft (at intersection with public street); 8 sq ft (internal intersections) | — | — | Limited to intersections | At driveway or pedestrian walkway intersections, internal intersection. | — | §500-426O |
| Directory Sign - General | 6 ft (freestanding) | 8 sq ft (building-mounted); 16 sq ft (freestanding) | — | — | — | Within site, at main entrance to building | — | §500-426P |
| Sale/Event Sign (Garage/Yard Sale) | — | 4 sq ft (garage sale, per §54-8) | 2 ft x 2 ft | — | — | On premises, not earlier than 1 week before sale, removed within 24 hours after | — | §54-8 |
| Electronic Message Center (Fire Districts/approved civic uses) | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from side/rear property | 1 | Fire District sites | — | §500-426FF |

## Prohibited signs in Gloucester Township

- No sign shall be erected that imitates or resembles any official traffic sign, signal or device, or that is likely to confuse or dangerously distract the attention of the operator of a motor vehicle.
- No sign shall contain a message that states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted in the zoning district unless approved by duly authorized variance.
- No sign shall be placed on any tree, telegraph, electric light, traffic signal or public utility pole, or upon rocks or other natural features, or on any street furniture.
- 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 hereinafter provided.
- Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with the requirements of this chapter, shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation.
- No sign shall be erected within the clear sight triangle area unless the topmost portion of such sign is less than 2.5 feet high; no sign shall impede the vision of motorists or pedestrians or endanger their safety.
- No person may damage, trim, destroy, or remove any trees, shrubs, or other vegetation for the purpose of enhancing the visibility of a sign, except as otherwise allowed by site plan, subdivision, property owner authorization, or Board approval.
- All signs not permitted by this chapter are prohibited, including: flashing, blinking, animated, moving, projected, or reflectorized signs (except for time and temperature displays as allowed); banners, pennants, streamers, pinwheels, vehicle signs, portable signs, balloon/inflated signs, searchlights for attention (except banners for public functions); signs that emit smoke, vapors, sound, odor, or interfering radiation; any sign attached to a roof, or a facade sign that projects above the lowest level of a roof or beyond a wall's corner (except permitted projecting signs); signs with a dominant theme appealing to prurient interests or obscene content; signs that imitate or cause confusion with governmental signs; signs so maintained as to obstruct fire escapes, windows, doors, or openings used for ingress/egress or that prevent adequate light/air to a building's interior; a series of signs conveying a single message placed in a line parallel to a street; signs attached, affixed, or painted on trees, fences, utility/light poles, on signs attached to other signs, or placed on motor vehicles/boats/trailers used to serve as a sign (except permitted directional signs in parking lots); portable signs, unless otherwise excepted; and signs advertising activities illegal under law.
- Signs and banners must not have any references to tobacco or alcohol brands at recreation fields.
- No sign so erected, constructed, or maintained as to obstruct any fire escape, window, door, or other opening used as a means of ingress and egress or that prevents adequate light and air to the interior of any building.
- No signs for advertising or directing customers are to be posted on any place other than the premises of the applicant.
- No garage sale shall be located or conducted such as to block, obstruct, or encroach upon any road, street, right-of-way, or sidewalk or otherwise impede or impair vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or to create a nuisance.
- No person shall cut, carve, paint, mark, paste or fasten on any trees, fence, wall, building, monument or other object within a Township park or recreation area any bill, advertisement or inscription; nor distribute, cast, throw or place any handbill, pamphlet, circular, advertisement or notice of any kind within a Township park or recreation area without written permission of the Township Council.

## Signs exempt from permit in Gloucester Township

- Emergency warning signs erected by a governmental agency, public utility, pipeline company, or contractor authorized/permitted by such agency or company.
- Flags of the United States, states, county, municipality, foreign nations with diplomatic relations, or any other flag adopted/sanctioned by legislative body or by religious/educational institutions (per area and height restrictions); includes certain decorative/corporate flags.
- Signs posted by governmental agencies.
- Historic tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques and emblems installed under government or civil/religious organizations' direction, up to six square feet.
- Incidental signs such as those advertising the availability of restrooms, telephone or similar public conveniences, not advertising commercial establishments (except public utilities) and not exceeding two square feet.
- Name and address signs attached to building facade, lamppost or mailbox, not exceeding 1.5 square feet.
- Any sign providing public notice required by law.
- Signs indicating public transportation stops, when installed by the municipality or a public transportation agency.
- Temporary signs (except those for which a master permit is required, per Chapter 73).
- Time and temperature signs (subject to specific requirements).
- Temporary and permanent traffic control signs and signals installed by public agencies.
- Trespassing signs and signs indicating private road/driveway or prohibiting hunting/fishing, up to two square feet and minimum 50 feet apart.
- Signs that are integral part of vending machines, including gasoline pumps, soda/juice machines, provided they do not exceed six square feet.
- Contractor/Artisan temporary signs meeting specified size/duration/placement parameters.
- Grand opening and business relocation signs meeting specified area and duration parameters.
- Political signs within size and time limitations.
- Project development signs per construction/occupancy milestones.
- Public function signs and banners for charitable, religious, or public events meeting size and timing requirements.
- Real estate signs following size limits and posting/removal rules.
- Special event signs for temporary uses as permitted by Council.
- Window signs/internal signs for sales provided duration and area limits are met.
- Yard and garage sale signs following size, frequency, and location rules.
- Public recreation registration signs within time/area/height limits.
- Any sign allowed without a permit per Section 500-426G is exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A valid sign permit is required for installation or alteration of all signs unless exempted under Section 500-426G (Signs allowed without zoning permit). Permit applications require building sketches, plot plans, and other support materials.
- Applications for facade signs require additional information, such as facade dimensions and the number/location of other facade signs.
- Applications for freestanding signs require property surveys/plot plans including location of proposed and existing signs and setbacks.
- A zoning permit is required for any change in copy, size, shape, or structure of a sign.
- If any of several conditions are met (e.g., structural alteration, vacation or abandonment, or failure to correct code violations), a sign permit is invalidated and the sign must be removed.
- Billboards and outdoor advertising signs require appropriate permits, including two sets of construction plans signed by a NJ-licensed architect/engineer, property owner consent, a site plan per ordinance, and a copy of the state billboard permit.
- A site plan in accordance with this chapter is required for each billboard application prior to approval and the issuance of any permits.
- No temporary signs for which a master permit is required may be displayed without a valid permit; master permits allow for temporary signage to advertise special sales or events for one year.
- Signs and banners at recreation fields must be presented to the Director of the Department of Recreation for review and registration; signs must be registered every two years, temporary signs daily.
- Any sign must also comply with the Uniform Construction Code and other applicable codes.

## 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 Gloucester Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Gloucester+Township+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-gloucester-township

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