# Sign Regulations in Hardyston Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hardyston Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/hardyston-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10250419#10250419)

## At a glance

Hardyston Township, New Jersey regulates 29 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Temporary Sign - Architect/Builder/Broker/Contractors in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 6 sq ft, with a 10 ft from property lines unless affixed to building setback (Sec. §185-71A). Most commercial signs in Hardyston Township 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 | 17 | 36 inches | 24 sq ft | — |
| Residential districts, Residential zones | 6 | — | 100 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential districts, Nonresidential zones, Business zones, B-1, B-2, I-1, I-2, R-C | 5 | 20 ft | 60 sq ft per face | — |
| Zones permitting agricultural and/or farming uses | 2 | — | 18 sq ft | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (<2 sq ft) | — | 2 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | — | Minimum 5 feet from any property line | — | §185-69E |
| Temporary Sign - Architect/Builder/Broker/Contractor | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property lines unless affixed to building | 1 per property | On property where building is being constructed, altered, or repaired | — | §185-71A |
| Temporary Sign - For Sale/Rent (Residential) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property lines unless attached to building | 1 per property | On property for sale or rent | — | §185-71B, §185-70.1F |
| Temporary Sign - For Sale/Rent (Commercial) | 4 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property lines unless attached to building | 1 per property | On property for sale or rent | — | §185-71B |
| Subdivision/Development Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | 20 ft from property lines | 2 per development | On approved land projects with preliminary/final approval; 20 ft from property line | — | §185-71C |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) | 36 inches | 7 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from property line | — | Minimum 10 ft from property line | — | §185-71F |
| Suspended Sign | 30 in | — | 60 in | — | — | Bottom edge minimum 7 ft from ground/sidewalk | — | §185-71G |
| Private Driveway Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | — | At driveway entrance, 5 ft from property line | — | §185-73C, §185-75A |

### Residential districts, Residential zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Parking Area Sign (Entrance/Exit) | — | 4 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per exit/entrance | At each entrance/exit; 5 ft from property line | — | §185-75A |
| Parking Area Sign (Conditions/Identity) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parking area | Per parking area | — | §185-75A |
| Private Driveway Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | At private driveway | — | §185-75A |
| Nameplate/Identification Sign (Single-family Dwelling) | — | 2 sq ft per face | — | — | — | At dwelling | — | §185-75B |
| Institutional Freestanding Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property, or 1 per frontage | On property of institution; maximum 1 per property unless property fronts more than one street | — | §185-75C(1) |
| Institutional Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 2 walls per structure max | On institutional building wall | — | §185-75C(2) |

### Nonresidential districts, Nonresidential zones, Business zones, B-1, B-2, I-1, I-2, R-C

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Primary facade, per tenant) | — | — | — | — | — | On facade facing street | — | §185-76A,B, §185-88 |
| Freestanding Sign - Pole | 20 ft | 60 sq ft per face | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per property | At least 5 ft from property line | — | §185-76C(1) |
| Freestanding Sign - Monument | 10 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — | 15 ft from property line | 1 per property | At least 15 ft from property line | — | §185-76C(2) |
| Message Board Sign (Freestanding) | 20 ft (pole), 10 ft (monument) | 60 sq ft (per face, if as part of freestanding sign) | — | 5 ft (pole); 15 ft (monument) | — | As part of existing or new freestanding sign; subject to setback requirements | — | §185-76.2 |
| Electronic Message Sign (Freestanding) | 20 ft (pole), 10 ft (monument) | 36 sq ft | — | 5 ft (pole); 15 ft (monument) | — | As freestanding sign | — | §185-76.1 |

## Prohibited signs in Hardyston Township

- No sign shall be constructed, displayed or erected unless written application has been made to the Zoning Officer by the owner of the property and a permit issued upon payment of a fee.
- No sign shall constitute a hazard to the traveling public, as determined by the Township Zoning Officer or the Township Engineer.
- Any sign which does not pertain to an occupant, service or product actually occupying or provided on the premises where such sign is located is prohibited in all zoning districts.
- A sign attached to any building which projects more than six inches from the wall to which it is attached or which extends above the wall to which it is attached is prohibited in all zoning districts.
- A roof sign which extends above the highest point of the roof to which it is attached is prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Marquees and canopy signs are prohibited except as permitted in § 185-73.
- Banners, streamers, advertising flags, twirlers and like objects are prohibited except as permitted for temporary signs in § 185-71.
- Signs posted on fences, posts, utility poles or trees are prohibited (except for 'no trespassing,' 'no hunting' signs and similar restrictive signs).
- Signs posted on municipal property without the consent of the governing body are prohibited.
- Signs standing, installed or painted on sidewalks or curbs are prohibited.
- Exterior moving, rotating, blinking or flashing signs of any nature are prohibited, except for electronic message signs as permitted in § 185-76.1.
- Pole signs are prohibited except as permitted in §§ 185-73 and 185-74.
- Sandwich boards, banners, placards, or other forms of advertisement are prohibited except as permitted for temporary signs in § 185-71.
- Sandwich boards, banners, placards, or other forms of advertisement which are carried by, worn by, or otherwise held by one or more individuals are prohibited.
- Signs posted within a public right-of-way without the consent of the public agency which controls the affected right-of-way are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hardyston Township

- Directional signs having areas of less than two square feet are exempt from area and location regulations, except they shall be located a minimum of five feet from any property line and must not constitute a hazard.
- Political signs (not to exceed four square feet) are exempt from obtaining a zoning permit.
- Public signs or notices (signs on behalf of a municipal, county or state agency) are exempt from obtaining a zoning permit.
- Sign face changes on existing legally conforming signs are exempt from obtaining a zoning permit.
- Directional signs such as 'No Parking,' 'No Loading,' 'Entrance' are exempt from obtaining a zoning permit.
- Community organization signs (neighborhood association, church, civic organization) are exempt from obtaining a zoning permit.
- Real estate signs for residential sales and rent in all residential zones (not to exceed four square feet) are exempt from obtaining a zoning permit.
- American, state, county and Township flags are exempt from obtaining a zoning permit.
- Yard sale/garage sale signs are exempt from obtaining a zoning permit, but must be removed within 24 hours of the end of the event.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- When a permanent sign is not included as part of an approved site plan, the property owner or applicant shall obtain site plan approval from the appropriate land use board. An application to replace existing conforming signs shall not require board approval.
- For shopping centers, industrial parks, multifamily developments, multi-tenanted structures or multi-structure developments on 10 acres or more, each such development as part of its site plan shall submit a signing plan to the Planning Board, including details on letter style, lighting, color, construction and materials, height of sign, height above grade or below roofline, locations, and standards. The signing plan shall be based on an integrated design theme.
- Electronic signs and new permanent message board signs require approval by the Township of Hardyston Planning Board and/or Zoning Board of Adjustment.
- A sign permit shall be required prior to the erection or alteration of any sign, as required by Article XIX.

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

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