# Sign Regulations in Haddon Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Haddon Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/haddon-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10196358#10196358)

## At a glance

Haddon Township, New Jersey regulates 23 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Billboard (LI Zone only)s in the C-2 Zoning District (C-2), C-3 Zoning District (C-3), C-4 Zoning District (C-4), LI Zoning District (LI) zoning district are capped at 35 ft (measured from top of sign face to top of roadway it faces) tall, 660 sq. ft per face; 14 ft high x 48 ft wide, and 48 ft wide, with a See above; multiple setback requirements setback (Sec. § 142-40D(3)(c)(5)). Most commercial signs in Haddon Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| C-1 Central Business Zoning District (C-1) | 6 | 9 ft or the bottom of the second floor windowsill, whichever is lower; Lettering height max 12 inches | 24 sq. ft. (maximum) or 0.75 sq. ft. per linear ft of building frontage, whichever is less | — |
| C-2 Zoning District (C-2), C-3 Zoning District (C-3), C-4 Zoning District (C-4), LI Zoning District (LI) | 8 | 35 ft (measured from top of sign face to top of roadway it faces) | 660 sq. ft per face; 14 ft high x 48 ft wide | — |
| R-1 District (R-1), R-2 District (R-2), R-D District (R-D) | 3 | 5 ft (if freestanding) | 3 ft x 4 ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | Individual letters/characters max 9 in. | Combined area up to 10% of total window area; Individual letters/characters max 9 in. height | — |

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

### C-1 Central Business Zoning District (C-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Window Sign (Principal Sign) | 9 ft or the bottom of the second floor windowsill, whichever is lower; Lettering height max 12 inches | 24 sq. ft. (maximum) or 0.75 sq. ft. per linear ft of building frontage, whichever is less | — | — | One nonexempt sign per building frontage | Single facade or window per building frontage | — | § 142-40D(3)(a)[1] |
| Multiple Occupant/Tenant Sign (Surface-Mounted) | — | 10 ft by 12 ft | 10 ft by 12 ft | — | One (if applicable, as alternate) | Surface-mounted | — | § 142-40D(3)(a)[2][a] |
| Sandwich Board or Menu Sign | — | 10 ft by 12 ft | 10 ft by 12 ft | — | One (if applicable, as alternate) | — | — | § 142-40D(3)(a)[2][b] |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | 9 ft or bottom of second story window, whichever is lower | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | One per business per permit period | On premises' primary building | — | § 142-40D(3)(a)[3], § 142-40D(1)(e) |
| Fabric Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | One (in lieu of others, per property) | N/A | — | § 142-40D(3)(a)[5] |
| Additional Sign (Rear Entrance) | — | — | — | — | One additional (if rear entrance exists) | Faces rear parking area | — | § 142-40D(3)(a)[4] |

### C-2 Zoning District (C-2), C-3 Zoning District (C-3), C-4 Zoning District (C-4), LI Zoning District (LI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| First Floor Window Sign (Painted) | — | 20% of glass area | — | — | One per building frontage | First floor window | — | § 142-40D(3)(b)[1] |
| Wall Sign | 15 ft or bottom of second floor windowsill, whichever is lower; Lettering height max 12 in. | 40 sq. ft. or 15% of wall surface (whichever less) | — | — | One per building frontage | Primary street frontage wall | — | § 142-40D(3)(b)[2] |
| Freestanding Sign (C-4 Zone Only) | 5 ft (sign face); 7 ft above grade (maximum total height) | 20 sq. ft. | — | 20 ft from street lines; 25 ft from side property lines | Max two nonexempt signs per property | — | — | § 142-40D(3)(b)[3] |
| Freestanding Sign (C-2/C-3, Setback < 40 ft) | 7 ft | 20 sq. ft. | — | 20 ft from street lines; 25 ft from side property lines | Max two nonexempt signs per property | — | — | § 142-40D(3)(b)[4] |
| Freestanding Sign (C-2/C-3, Setback > 40 ft) | 12 ft (sign face); Minimum ground clearance 7 ft | 20 sq. ft. | — | 20 ft from street lines; 25 ft from side property lines | Max two nonexempt signs per property | — | — | § 142-40D(3)(b)[5] |
| Multiple-Occupant/Tenant Sign | Maximum 6 ft (except projecting signs as permitted) | Maximum 8 sq. ft.; 4 sq. ft. for two uses, +1 sq. ft. per additional use | — | — | One per frontage; two for corner lots | Flush-mounted wall, projecting, or freestanding | — | § 142-40D(3)(b)[6], § 142-40D(4)(f) |
| Additional Sign (Rear Entrance) | — | — | — | — | One additional if rear entrance exists | Facing rear parking area | — | § 142-40D(3)(b)[7] |
| Billboard (LI Zone only) | 35 ft (measured from top of sign face to top of roadway it faces) | 660 sq. ft per face; 14 ft high x 48 ft wide | 48 ft | See above; multiple setback requirements | Only one two-sided billboard per structure | Only on property abutting Route 130 in specified LI Zone segment | — | § 142-40D(3)(c)(5) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Official Flag, Banner, Holiday, Governmental, Community Event Announcements (Exempted, see below for variations) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 142-40C(6) |
| Directional Sign (On Private Property) | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On private property | — | § 142-40C(6)(d), § 223-44, § 223-49 |
| Door Sign | — | 1.5 sq. ft. (excl. portable "open" sign ≤ 0.25 sq. ft.) | — | — | One per entry door | Inside face of door | — | § 142-40D(4)(b) |
| Temporary Business Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | One per business | Same as permanent sign location | — | § 142-40D(4)(a) |
| Temporary Advertising Signs (Window, Interior) | Individual letters/characters max 9 in. | Combined area up to 10% of total window area; Individual letters/characters max 9 in. height | — | — | — | Indoors, not affixed to window/door, separated by 12 in. | — | § 142-40D(4)(c) |
| Real Estate Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq. ft. per side; For open house: See requirements | — | 10 ft from all streets | One per parcel | Parcel for sale/lease | — | § 142-40D(4)(d); Garage sale code § 129-9; § 138-12D |
| Construction Sign | 5 ft | 6 sq. ft. (residential); 15 sq. ft. (nonresidential) | — | 10 ft from all streets | One per parcel under construction | Parcel under construction | — | § 142-40D(4)(e) |

## Prohibited signs in Haddon Township

- Placing, attaching, or posting any sign, poster, advertisement, card, handbill, paper, or lights or any notice upon any poles, trees, shrubs, sidewalk or curb area between sidewalk and curb in any street or public property.
- Placing, attaching, or posting any sign, poster, advertisement, card, handbill, paper, or lights or any notice on private property except for signs advertising a sale, rental, or activity occurring at that specific property.
- No sign shall be placed on any public right-of-way.
- Signs, lights, and similar devices simulating or imitating official, directional, traffic control, or warning signs erected/maintained by a government agency, or that may be confused or construed as such, including those using flashing, intermittent or moving lights, or reflectorized materials emitting/reflecting red, amber, or green colors.
- Signs located in a manner/place constituting a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, blocking visibility, or obscuring traffic signs, signals, or devices.
- Flashing signs or lights reflecting or emitting glaring light which could impair driver vision, reflected signs, and light-projected signs.
- Signs placed, reflected, or cast on any curb, sidewalk, utility pole, chimney, post, tree, rock, natural feature, fence, gate, abutment, retaining wall, embankment, hydrant, bridge, another sign, or surface located on/over/across any public right-of-way or property.
- Signs that obstruct openings intended for entrance/exit, obstruct light/air from rooms/buildings, or provide less than seven feet clearance over a pedestrian walkway or head of entry door.
- Painted wall signs and mural signs, except as otherwise provided in sign design standards.
- Signs placed above a structure's roofline or on an angled section of a roof.
- Changeable copy signs and reader boards, except as otherwise permitted in sign design standards.
- Portable or movable signs, except as otherwise permitted in sign design standards.
- Any automobile, trailer, or vehicle bearing signs/advertisements, parked/stationary for more than 24 hours at any location, or such vehicle stored on an occupied lot not ordinarily used to transport persons/property of the advertised business or its employees.
- Signs advertising or promoting an off-premises business (individual, product, or brand name), except for temporary advertising and permanent interior advertising signs.
- Computerized LED or plasma signs displaying electronic wording, images, video, or motion/animation of light.
- Signage displayed inside a building viewable through the walls or glass by pedestrians/motorists on a street or highway.
- Signs affixed to or painted on trees, rocks, fences, gates, curbs, public rights-of-way, walkways, utility poles, or other signs.
- Where the sign, or its means of attachment, would materially damage the structure to which it is attached.
- Signs located with less than seven feet clearance over a pedestrian walkway.
- Signs obstructing any fire escape, door, or means of egress, or blocking any door, window, or opening required by law.
- Signs hung or mounted within a business window or door, other than temporary signs.
- Translucent awnings or awning signs with underside lighting.
- Signs that are of such type, size, or character as to endanger or injure public safety, health or welfare, or be injurious to property in the vicinity.
- No signs shall be erected in a public right-of-way or between street curb and sidewalk. No sign constructed in a street or driveway sight triangle.
- No attached sign shall be higher than the roofline or project beyond the wall unless part of an approved awning or marquee. No sign shall project over a paved public sidewalk or hang over any right-of-way.
- No sign shall be illuminated between midnight and 7:00 a.m. unless the advertised use is open to the public.
- No signs permitted to exhibit excessive chipped/peeling paint, damaged/broken lettering or board, illegible material, or dirty/torn/damaged awning, canopy, or supporting structures.
- No new signs may be approved for any property while a nonconforming sign remains in use on that property.
- No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained an abandoned sign, i.e., a sign for a prior/abandoned use, or timed/event-related signs after the relevant event.
- No more than one nonexempt sign permitted on any building frontage.
- Signs with more than two sides are prohibited.
- Underside lighting to illuminate translucent canopies and awnings is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Haddon Township

- Official flags and signs; banner poles, signage, lights, and decorations provided by the Township.
- Holiday and seasonal decorations, displays, and lights containing no advertising material for up to 45 days, provided they are not placed in the right-of-way by businesses, property owners, or merchants.
- Residential occupant name and address signs identifying a house, apartment, or mailbox not exceeding one square foot.
- Traffic circulation and directional signs on private property not exceeding two square feet.
- Temporary business identification signs which meet the sign design standards.
- Door signs which meet the sign design standards.
- Temporary advertising signs and permanent interior advertising signs which meet the sign design standards.
- Community event announcements which meet sign design standards.
- Real estate signs which meet sign design standards.
- Construction signs which meet sign design standards.
- Political signs which meet sign design standards.
- Temporary signs for garage and yard sales conforming to the Township's Garage Sales Code.
- Billboards which meet the conditions set forth in the ordinance.
- Permit not required for a billboard, sign, or other device solely used for: advertising for sale/rent the property upon which it is located; notices required by law; official signs established by authority under the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices; activities conducted on the property they are located; or any sign erected/maintained by the NJ Department of Transportation or Township.
- Billboard: No permit required for any billboard, sign, or device solely used for government notices, required postings, or certain state/locally erected signs.
- Political advertising signs on private property are specifically excluded from the general posting/attachment prohibitions.
- Open house advertisements are excluded from general sign restrictions, allowed for three hours before and two hours after an event.
- Externally illuminated signs consisting of three or fewer 100-watt incandescent bulbs (or comparable CFLs) are exempt from submitting a lumens plan.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan is defined as a professionally drawn scale plan showing the full facade, architectural features, and the location, color, texture, lettering style, mounting techniques, etc. of the proposed sign.
- A zoning permit is required prior to erection, construction, installation, alteration, or relocation of any sign (except exempted signs).
- A building permit is required for erection, installation, alteration, or relocation of any sign except for certain permitted signs, nonilluminated functional/directional signs, or a change in the copy of an approved sign.
- Sign permit applications must include a sketch showing size, location, text, and owner.
- Applications for illuminated signs must include a lighting fixture catalogue cut or manufacturer's product description sheet with isolux or lumens specifications and mounting info, as part of the sign plan.
- Externally illuminated signs with three or fewer 100-watt bulbs are exempt from submitting a lumens plan.
- Site plan application with additional documentation is required prior to approval or issuance of any permit for proposed billboards.
- Nonconforming signs must be removed if a building permit is issued for exterior construction improvements or an application for site plan is required for the property.
- Any site plan application for a billboard must include the written approval/consent of the property owner, a copy of the relevant NJDOT license, permit, and required disclosure statement.
- Master sign plans are indicated under sign plan definition but specific requirements for multi-tenant developments may be further detailed elsewhere.
- Permit applications for billboards require evidence of site plan approval.
- No new signs may be approved or erected on a property while a nonconforming sign remains. Removal of all nonconforming signs is required before approval of new signs.

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

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