# Sign Regulations in Harrison Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Harrison Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/harrison-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/7648937#7648937)

## At a glance

Harrison Township, New Jersey regulates 49 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Canopy Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at ≥12 ft, ≤20 ft above ground tall and 50 sq ft, with a Must not encroach setback (Sec. §225-89B(6)). Most commercial signs in Harrison Township 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 | 21 | ≥12 ft, ≤20 ft above ground | 60 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts | 10 | 8 ft | 540 sq in (18 in x 30 in) | — |
| Professional Office District, Professional Office Overlay District | 5 | 6 ft | 16 sq ft each side | — |
| Historic District | 7 | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| C-1 District, C-2 District, Village Business Commercial District | 8 | 20 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| Main Street District | 2 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| C-4 District, C-6 District, C-56 District, C-55 District | 4 | 20 ft | 120 sq ft | — |
| Planned Industrial District, Industrial Zoning District | 3 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft per sign | — |
| PVC | 7 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy Sign | ≥12 ft, ≤20 ft above ground | 50 sq ft | — | Must not encroach | One per yard | Cannot encroach into required yards. | — | §225-89B(6) |
| Directory Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Freestanding: min 25 ft from curbline. | One per entrance. | Within site or at building entrance. Freestanding sign must be ≥25 ft from curbline. | — | §225-89B(8) |
| Seasonal Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 2 per lot | On lot where product is grown/sold. | — | §225-89B(9) |
| Farm Market Wall Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | 2 (front + side) | One front, one side of building | — | §225-89B(10)(a) |
| Temporary Sign (Farm Market) | — | 6 sq ft per side (may be double-sided) | — | — | 4 | On-site or off-site (w/property owner permission) | — | §225-89B(10)(d) |
| Flag | — | 3 ft x 5 ft | 5 ft | — | One per storefront/building | Mounted to exterior building, storefront, or freestanding. | — | §225-89B(11) |
| Portable Sign (Historic District) | 4 ft | — | 2.5 ft | — | One per lot | Only in Historic District, on lot of business served, must not impede flow. | — | §225-89B(17) |
| Freestanding Sign (Use Variance or Site Plan) | 3 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | One per street frontage. | — | §225-89B(16) |

### Residential Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | Wall or freestanding. | — | §225-90B(2) |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On lot to which it relates. | — | §225-90C |
| Permanent Development Identification Sign | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | One per development | Wall or freestanding. | — | §225-90E(1) |
| Temporary Sales Sign for Developments | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | One per development | On premises | — | §225-90E(2) |
| Off-premises Directional Sign (Development) | — | 540 sq in (18 in x 30 in) | — | — | One per tax lot, max two per development | Off-premises | — | §225-90E(3) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Development Directional) | — | 540 sq in (18 in x 30 in) | — | — | See Off-premises Directional | — | — | §225-90E(3)(c) |
| Sample/Model/Office Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per applicable lot | — | — | §225-90E(4) |
| Flag (Development) | — | 3 ft x 5 ft | 5 ft | — | One per development | One per development, for "OPEN" designation, anchored, not illuminated. | — | §225-90E(5) |

### PVC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (PVC front facade) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | One per business | Front facade, projects ≤6 in | — | §225-176A(1) |
| Wall Sign (PVC side/rear entrance) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance | Side/rear entrance open to public | — | §225-176A(2) |
| Building Directory Wall Sign | — | 3 sq ft total; each tenant ≤1 sq ft | — | — | One per facade | Next to entrance; not above parapet/eave/facade; projects ≤6 in | — | §225-176A(3) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per window and one per door | Mounted perpendicular to building wall | — | §225-176A(5) |
| Awning Sign (main business sign) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | One | Ground floor uses only. | — | §225-176A(6) |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | One | On lot with bldg set back ≥5 ft from street line, near main entrance | — | §225-176A(7) |
| Directional Sign (rear parking lot) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | One | Rear facade; wall-mounted or freestanding | — | §225-176A(10) |

## Prohibited signs in Harrison Township

- Any sign erected must conform to this and any other applicable ordinances or regulations; the most restrictive regulation applies.
- No sign, other than exempt signs, shall be erected without first obtaining a sign permit from the Zoning Officer.
- All signs, flags, and banners must be kept in a proper state of repair, per the Uniform Construction Code and Property Maintenance Code.
- No sign other than traffic or similar official signs shall be erected within or project over the right-of-way of any public street or sidewalk, except as permitted.
- No sign shall resemble or imitate any official traffic sign, signal, or device, or have characteristics likely to confuse or distract drivers.
- No exposed raceways or ballast boxes are allowed.
- Sign company names or stamps must be concealed.
- All wiring associated with signs shall be installed and maintained out of public view.
- Light sources for signs must utilize energy-efficient fixtures to the greatest extent possible; burned-out lamps, failing ballasts, or electrical components shall be replaced within two weeks.
- No sign may be erected at the intersection of streets within a defined triangular area so as to impede vision or endanger pedestrian or motorist safety.
- No mobile signs, bench signs, vehicle signs, or portable signs are permitted except as otherwise provided.
- No animated or moving signs (except time and temperature signs) or signs that emit smoke, vapor, or noise are permitted.
- No blinking, flashing, moving, or apparent moving signs, or those that rotate, oscillate, gyrate, or outline rooflines/doors/windows with illuminated tubing or strings of light for advertising purposes.
- No banners, pennants, streamers, balloons, or similar devices constructed of cloth, light fabric, cardboard, or like material unless otherwise permitted.
- No whirling or similar lighting devices for attention-getting purposes shall be displayed outside a building, except temporarily with permission of the Combined Planning Board.
- No sound-generating devices are allowed in any sign.
- No signs are permitted on accessory buildings or painted on sidewalks/curbs.
- Signs that produce glare, use bare bulbs (exposed neon or tube signs), or use bright day-glo or fluorescent colors are prohibited.
- Principal architectural features of a structure shall not be obscured by a sign or its supports.
- Signs and supports must be compatible in design and materials with the attached structure.
- Inflatable or similar signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall be posted or placed on trees, telegraph/fence/fence post, electric light or public utility poles, rocks, or other natural features.
- No sign may state or imply that property may be used for a non-permitted purpose.
- Sign installed or placed on public property, except as allowed, will be confiscated. The township can recover removal costs from the owner.
- Trucks, trailers, or vehicles not used for regular business operations cannot be used as signs.
- No off-premises signs are permitted in any zoning district except as otherwise allowed.
- Changeable copy and marquee signs are prohibited.
- Digital and/or electronic signs or message boards, including billboards, are prohibited.
- Internal illumination of signs is not permitted.
- Backlit signs are not permitted.
- Lighting for signs is limited to direct lighting — top-mounted 'goose neck' downward or ground-mounted upward as specified.
- There shall be a maximum of three lighting fixtures per sign face; individual fixtures must not exceed 1,100 lumens or certain size limits; ground fixtures must be screened by plant material.
- Gooseneck lighting cannot project more than 18 inches from the sign face.
- All lighting must be directed on the sign face.
- Permanent development identification signs may not display the developer or development company name, only the development name.
- After a tenant vacates, the owner is responsible for removing prior tenant signage and restoring the area to original condition.
- No roof sign is permitted, and no sign may project above the main cornice line of the building to which affixed.
- Portable signs may not be attached or strapped to any pole, tree, fire hydrant, or any stationary fixture.
- Portable signs must not obstruct driveways or sight lines for motorists.
- Portable signs cannot be internally or externally illuminated or include lighting or sound-generation equipment.
- No projecting sign may be lighted.
- Awnings may not be internally illuminated.

## Signs exempt from permit in Harrison Township

- Decorations for a recognized, officially designated holiday, provided there is no traffic or fire hazard, and decorations are removed within 30 days after the holiday.
- Official signs.
- Memorial or historic markers (when approved by the Combined Planning Board and not exceeding two square feet in area).
- Political signs (as per ordinance provisions).
- Temporary yard or garage sale signs, not exceeding four square feet, posted no more than seven days before the sale, and removed within 48 hours after; maximum twice per calendar year.
- Temporary real estate and contractor/mechanic/painter/paperhanger/artisan signs on the lot where the work or sale is occurring, limited to one per lot per contracting entity, not exceeding six square feet or four feet high, and removed within seven days after completion/sale/rental (except temporary signs in Industrial zones must obtain a permit).
- Flags as provided for in the ordinance.
- Nonprofit and/or noncommercial temporary signs and banners for governmental, house of worship, charitable or fraternal events, with prior government approval — posted for a period set by the Township but not to exceed 30 days (banners may project over a right-of-way).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit applications for signs larger than two square feet must be accompanied by a plan, drawn to scale, showing details of the sign, its size, and location on the building and/or lot. A color photo of each existing sign on the property must also be submitted.
- All applications for sign permits must be accompanied by plans or diagrams (in duplicate, approx. to scale) showing: exact dimensions of lot/building, exact size/dimensions/location of the sign, and any other required information.
- In residential development, permanent development identification signs must be described and sufficiently detailed in the development application for Township review.
- Signs permitted with a use variance or site plan application are specified in the ordinance (see §225-89B(16)).
- Permanent signs on municipal property may be authorized by the Township Committee without site plan review or Combined Planning Board approval, but must conform to all applicable signage provisions.
- At times, waivers from sign design standards may be granted by the Planning Board for certain districts (e.g., §225-176 for PVC district).

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

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