# Sign Regulations in Hanover Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hanover Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/hanover-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10235178#10235178)

## At a glance

Hanover Township, New Jersey regulates 40 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Principal Identification Sign - Freestanding (Single Business, <100,000 sq ft GFA)s in the O-S, OB-RL, I, I-2, I-B2, I-P, I-4 zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall, 75 sq ft, and 8 ft vertical × 12 ft horizontal wide, with a ≥15 ft setback (Sec. §166-147B(2), (4)(b), (5)(b), (6)(b), (7)). Most commercial signs in Hanover Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 40 ft or 5 ft above height of principal building, whichever is less (freestanding); 15 ft if attached to building, must comply with above height | 50 sq ft (wall or freestanding) | — |
| R-40, R-25, R-15, R-10, R-10A | 1 | — | 1 sq ft | — |
| RM, RM-2, RM-3, RM-4, RM-5, RM-6, RM-7, AH-1, AH-2 | 3 | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — |
| B, B-10, B-10W, D-S, WC | 11 | 20 ft (1 per street, up to 2 per development); others 10 ft; OB-DS on Rt 287 and Rt 10 max 30 ft | 100 sq ft (or 2% of wall) | — |
| I-B3 | 2 | — | — | — |
| OB-DS | 1 | — | — | — |
| O-S, OB-RL, I, I-2, I-B2, I-P, I-4 | 7 | 8 ft | 75 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Standard, nonresidential) | 3 ft (may be up to 7 ft by approval) | 2 sq ft | — | — | Minimum necessary | On property, must not interfere with sight distance or safe travel. | — | §166-141E(2) |
| Directional Sign (Large Development, nonresidential ≥250,000 SF on ≥50 acres) | 7 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | Minimum necessary | On property, see general requirements. | — | §166-141E(3) |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Nonresidential) | — | 12 sq ft each | — | ≥10 ft from property line | 2 per site | On-site, at least 10 ft from property line. | — | §166-141F(1) |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Residential) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from property line | 1 per site | On-site, at least 10 ft from property line. | — | §166-141F(2)-(3) |
| Institutional Use Sign - Freestanding | 10 ft | 30 sq ft | — | ≥20 ft (residential) | 1 per lot | At least 20 ft from property line in residential zones; as required for other principal signs in nonresidential zones. | — | §166-141I(1), (3), (4) |
| Political Sign - Freestanding | 8 ft | 8 sq ft | — | ≥1/2 the required front yard | — | Minimum setback of 1/2 the front yard setback required in the zone. | — | §166-141K(2)-(3) |
| Flag or Flagpole (Non-Business) | 40 ft or 5 ft above height of principal building, whichever is less (freestanding); 15 ft if attached to building, must comply with above height | — | — | ≥1.5x pole height to property line | 1 flagpole per lot (up to 3, nonresidential, per qualifying conditions) | Flagpoles: No closer to property line than 1.5x pole height; front yard: not closer than rear half of required front yard setback. Nonresidential: up to 3 flagpoles if 2nd/3rd at least 300 ft from ROW. | — | §166-141L |
| Temporary Sign for New Retail Opening | 10 ft (freestanding) | 50 sq ft (wall or freestanding) | — | ≥10 ft (freestanding) | 1 per business | Freestanding: ≥10 ft from any front lot line. Wall: on wall or main storefront window. | — | §166-141P |

### B, B-10, B-10W, D-S, WC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Principal Identification Sign - Wall (Retail/Service Use, Facing Public Street) | Not to exceed height of ground floor wall/parapet/vertical extension; cannot project above wall/parapet | 1.25 sq ft per linear ft of wall (max 400 sq ft) | See formula: up to 10 ft wall = 8 ft; 10–40 ft wall = 8 ft + 0.4 ft for every ft over 10 ft; over 40 ft = 50% of wall, max 50 ft | — | See detailed rules (max 2 per wall if one is logo) | On exterior wall facing street; 1 per wall (with allowed logo), not more than 3 walls | — | §166-144B(1)(c)[4][a], [1][c][1], [1][c][3], [1][c][5], [1][c][6], [1][c][7] |
| Principal Identification Sign - Wall (Other Walls, Non-Street Facing) | Not to exceed height of ground floor wall/parapet; cannot project above wall/parapet | 0.75 sq ft per linear ft of wall (max 240 sq ft) | See formula above (as for street-facing) | — | — | Other allowable building walls (see ordinance) | — | §166-144B(1)(c)[4][b], [1][c][1] |
| Principal Identification Sign - Freestanding | 20 ft (1 per street, up to 2 per development); others 10 ft; OB-DS on Rt 287 and Rt 10 max 30 ft | See formula | — | ≥15 ft from ROW; see text for special cases | max 4 per lot; 1 per driveway, 3 per street | ≥15 ft from ROW; special line for 1-way access streets; ≥200 ft separation between signs; up to 500 ft between 2 signs if oriented to same street. | — | §166-144B(1)(d), (d)[1]-[6] |
| Secondary Sign - Accessory Use (Retail ≥25,000 SF) | — | 100 sq ft (or 2% of wall) | — | — | See regulation | Building walls facing street, main driveway, or parking area | — | §166-144B(2)(a) |
| Window Sign | — | See formula | — | — | — | Main front window only | — | §166-144B(2)(b) |
| Drive-Through Preview Sign | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per drive-through lane | Adjacent to each drive-through lane | — | §166-144B(3)(d) |
| Drive-Through Menu Board Sign | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per drive-through lane | Adjacent to each drive-through lane | — | §166-144B(3)(e) |
| Drive-Through Order Station Sign | 6 ft | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per drive-through lane | At drive-through lane ordering point. | — | §166-144B(3)(f) |

### O-S, OB-RL, I, I-2, I-B2, I-P, I-4

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Principal Identification Sign - Building Mounted (Single Business, <100,000 sq ft GFA) | Not to exceed height of wall | 5% of wall area, max 75 sq ft | Vertical ≤3 ft; horizontal ≤25 ft or 50% of wall, less | — | 1 per lot | Wall of main building, canopy, or marquee | — | §166-147B(1)(a), (2), (4), (5), (6) |
| Principal Identification Sign - Freestanding (Single Business, <100,000 sq ft GFA) | 8 ft | 75 sq ft | 8 ft vertical × 12 ft horizontal | ≥15 ft | 1 per lot | ≥15 ft from front lot line (lot width ≥100 ft, all buildings ≥75 ft from front line) | — | §166-147B(2), (4)(b), (5)(b), (6)(b), (7) |
| Principal Identification Sign - Wall (≥100,000 sq ft GFA, up to 4) | Not to exceed height of wall | 5% of wall area, max 75 sq ft | Vertical ≤3 ft; horizontal ≤25 ft or 50% of wall, less | — | Up to 4 wall signs + 1 address | Each wall facing public street; max 2 walls, 2 signs per wall (1 for street address only) | — | §166-147B(1)(b)[1] |
| Principal Identification Sign - Freestanding (≥100,000 sq ft GFA, up to two) | 8 ft | 75 sq ft | 8 ft vertical × 12 ft horizontal | ≥15 ft | Up to 2 | Not required at driveway; lot width ≥100 ft and building setbacks apply | — | §166-147B(1)(b)[2] |
| Directory Sign (Multiple Business Site) | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — | ≥40 ft from front lot line | 1 per building (may allow more per Planning Board) | Wall-mounted or freestanding; setback ≥40 ft from front lot line OR (building setback − 10 ft), whichever greater | — | §166-147C |
| Tenant Entrance Sign (Multiple Businesses) | — | 10 sq ft | Vertical ≤2 ft; horizontal ≤8 ft | — | 1 per entrance | Above or next to each entrance, wall or canopy | — | §166-147D |
| Loading Bay Sign (Multiple Businesses) | — | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per loading bay | Above/adjacent to each loading bay | — | §166-147E |

## Prohibited signs in Hanover Township

- No sign shall be constructed or displayed unless a permit has first been obtained from the Zoning Officer, unless specifically exempted by this chapter.
- No sign shall be placed as to interfere with or be mistaken for a traffic light or similar safety device.
- No sign shall be located so as to create a traffic safety problem or reduce visibility at intersections or driveways.
- No sign shall be lighted by means of flashing, fluctuating, changing or intermittent illumination.
- No sign shall be illuminated such that the illumination changes the sign content or message, except for gasoline pricing signs as permitted.
- All lights used for the illumination of any sign shall be completely shielded from the view of vehicular traffic using abutting roads and directed to prevent excessive glare on adjacent properties or sidewalks.
- No sign shall be illuminated from an internal light source unless it is designed to minimize glare and the light source is not visible from outside the sign and is diffused to eliminate hot spots.
- No sign as permitted shall extend or project above the highest elevation of the wall to which it is attached.
- All signs which are not specifically permitted herein are prohibited.
- Window signs, except where specifically noted otherwise, are prohibited.
- Snipe signs, including any sign attached to a tree, utility pole, light stanchion, fence, or other structure not designed for support of said sign, are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Portable or movable signs are prohibited.
- Signs painted or attached to any vehicle advertising a business and intended to be viewed while the vehicle is stationary are prohibited.
- Signs with more than two display faces are prohibited.
- A double-faced sign having an included angle of over 20° is prohibited.
- All signs which move, rotate or use flashing lights or utilize mechanically changing displays are prohibited.
- Pennants, streamers, banners, and flags (except those specifically permitted) are prohibited.
- All signs which have become excessively peeled or cracked or are nonoperative or in a state of disrepair shall be removed or repaired.
- Signs which interfere with safe sight distance at intersections or driveways are prohibited.
- Signs shall comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices where applicable.
- Signs may not advertise products or services not part of the name or logo on principal identification signs (except as specifically permitted).

## Signs exempt from permit in Hanover Township

- Freestanding residential nameplates permitted by § 166-142 are exempted from the requirement of site plan approval.
- Temporary special event signs on public property as described in § 166-141O are exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit.
- Signs deemed necessary to the public welfare by the Township Committee are permitted in all zones, provided they do not pertain to any company, individual, or business establishment.
- Flags of the United States, the State of New Jersey, the County of Morris, the Township of Hanover, foreign nations with diplomatic relations, and other flags adopted or sanctioned by a legislative body are permitted in all zones (subject to requirements).
- Temporary on-site construction signs (if meeting the conditions listed) are permitted in all zones.
- A real estate sign is permitted in all zones, subject to listed requirements.
- Signs for institutional uses are permitted on the same lot as the institutional use to which the sign is accessory (subject to requirements).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No permanent freestanding sign shall be permitted until a site plan showing the location and size of the proposed freestanding sign is approved by the Planning Board, except for freestanding residential nameplates permitted in § 166-142.
- All applications seeking approval for signs must submit detailed information including sign area, dimensions, height, materials, illumination, and landscaping.
- All freestanding flagpoles require site plan approval unless accessory to single-family detached or two-family dwellings.
- The design theme for attached signs in multiuse developments shall be specified by the applicant at the time of site plan approval for the development or, in the case of existing developments for which site plan approval is not required, by the applicant for a sign permit.
- The design and location of certain signs (e.g., in multifamily or townhouse developments) are subject to the review and approval of the Planning Board.
- Directory signs: The Planning Board may permit additional directory signs without the need for a variance if the applicant demonstrates necessity as part of a site plan application.
- Certain types of signs (e.g., entrance and loading bay signs) require design approval by the reviewing agency as part of the site plan or permitting process.

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

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