# Sign Regulations in High Bridge Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** High Bridge Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/high-bridge-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/14100481#14100481)

## At a glance

High Bridge Borough, New Jersey regulates 32 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Ground/Freestanding Signs in the C Zone, ROM Zone zoning district are capped at 10 ft (regular lot), 15 ft (shopping center) tall, 24 sq ft, and 6 ft wide, with a 30 ft from street/property line; 50 ft from intersection; not in sight triangle setback (Sec. § 145-302.E(4)). Most commercial signs in High Bridge Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 5 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 3 | 4 ft | 150 sq in (one side) (1.04 sq ft) | — |
| C Zone, ROM Zone | 12 | 15 ft | 50% of window area | — |
| Downtown Business (DB) Zone | 6 | Numbers max 10 in; letters max 6 in | 25 sq ft | — |
| Mixed-Use Commercial (MUC) Zone | 5 | Numbers: max 12 in; Letters: max 8 in | 30 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Smoking Prohibited / No Smoking Sign | — | — | — | — | Sufficient number to be conspicuous. | At all entrances and in a location clearly visible to the public at the specified buildings (Municipal Building and Library, Police HQ, Rescue Squad HQ, Fire Dept HQ). | — | § 314-3.A–D; § 314-8 |
| Informational and Directional Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | Any property, any zone. | — | § 145-302.C(1)(a) |
| Temporary Event Sign | 5 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 1 ft per 2.5 sq ft of area or 10 ft, whichever is greater; off street, driveway, property lines. | Up to three temporary event window signs per establishment (see below). | On- or off-premises, set back 1 ft per 2.5 sq ft of area or minimum 10 feet (whichever is greater) from any street, driveway, and property line. | — | § 145-302.C(1)(b) |
| Temporary Event Window Sign | — | 8.5 x 11 inches | — | — | 3 per establishment | Windows of establishment. | — | § 145-302.C(1)(b)[1] |
| Political Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 1 ft per 2.5 sq ft area or 10 ft, whichever is greater. | — | Set back 1 linear foot per 2.5 sq ft area or 10 feet, whichever greater, from any street, driveway, or property line. | — | § 145-302.C(1)(c) |
| Political/Social Advocacy Sign | 3 ft (per above) | 6 sq ft (per above) | — | As for political signs. | — | Same setback as political signs. | — | § 145-302.C(1)(d) |
| Garage Sale Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 3 ft min from roadway | More than 1 per sale permitted. Only 1 per intersection. | Only on lot where sale is, or at intersections where a motorist must change direction to find the sale. | — | § 145-302.C(1)(k) |
| Decorative Flag or Windsock | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Any zone. | — | § 145-302.C(1)(m) |

### C Zone, ROM Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Sign Area (All Signs) | — | 15% of entrance face of building | — | — | No more than 2 permanent exterior, 2 temporary per business | Attached to public entrance or street face of building, or mounted in front yard. | — | § 145-302.E(1) |
| Wall Sign | 3 ft or 20% of wall height, whichever is less | 2 sq ft per 1 ft of main entrance wall width (including window area) | Total width of all signs not to exceed 50% of wall width | — | 1 per wall per business with entrance from that wall | On building wall facing street, per business. | — | § 145-302.E(2) |
| Ground/Freestanding Sign | 10 ft (regular lot), 15 ft (shopping center) | 24 sq ft | 6 ft | 30 ft from street/property line; 50 ft from intersection; not in sight triangle | 1 per 300 ft frontage | At least 30 ft from any street/property line, 50 ft from intersection. Must comply with sight triangle req. | — | § 145-302.E(4) |
| Portable Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | Outside ROW | 1 per business | Outside street right-of-way. | — | § 145-302.E(5) |
| Motor Vehicle Service Station Sign (Ground Type) | 15 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 5 ft from street/property line | 1 per station | At least 5 ft from street/property line. | — | § 145-302.E(8)(a) |
| Motor Vehicle Service Station Lettering Sign (Directional) | Letters not to exceed 12 inches high (single line) | — | — | — | 1 per entrance/bay | Over entrance/bay. | — | § 145-302.E(8)(b) |
| Motor Vehicle Service Station Pump Sign | — | 3 sq ft per pump | — | — | Per pump | Gasoline pump. | — | § 145-302.E(8)(c) |
| Motor Vehicle Service Station Canopy Lettering | — | 12 sq ft per side, 2 sides | — | — | 2 sides per canopy | Canopy (if existing) | — | § 145-302.E(8)(d) |

### Downtown Business (DB) Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment per public street frontage | Per establishment per public street frontage. | — | § 145-302.F(1)(a)-(a)[7] |
| Hanging Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | Per establishment. | — | § 145-302.F(1)(b) |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per business per bldg | Roof above front entrance facing street. | — | § 145-302.E(3); permitted on front of each bldg facing street |
| Street Address Sign | Numbers max 10 in; letters max 6 in | — | — | — | 1 per building/tenant | On facade or door of each building or tenant. | — | § 145-302.F(2) |
| Directory Sign (Street-level) | Top edge max 6 ft above sidewalk | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | Next to exterior entrance serving upper-story uses. | — | § 145-302.F(3) |
| Window Sign | 8 in letter height | 25% of nonresidential glass area of street facade | — | — | — | Nonresidential window façade at street (ground or upper story). | — | § 145-302.F(4) |

## Prohibited signs in High Bridge Borough

- No signs shall be erected, altered, or replaced which are not in accordance with the standards established in the ordinance.
- No signs shall be placed on or attached to a building or erected independently for any purpose other than to advertise a permitted business or use conducted on the same premises unless specifically permitted.
- Modification to an existing sign beyond a name change requires a new sign permit and conformance to new requirements.
- No sign of any type shall be permitted to obstruct driving vision, traffic signals, traffic directional and identification signs, other places of business, other signs, or windows of the building on which they are located.
- No signs may be attached to utility poles, trees, fences, or other signs.
- No sign with red, green, blue, or amber illumination in a beam, beacon or flashing form resembling a traffic or emergency light shall be erected and no sign shall be designed to be mistaken for a traffic light or similar safety device.
- Illuminated tubing or strings of lights outlining rooflines, or wall edges of any buildings, except for temporary holiday season decorations, are prohibited.
- Animated, flashing, and illusionary signs using mechanical or electrical devices to revolve, flash, or display movement or the illusion of movement are prohibited.
- Signs with moving or rotating parts are prohibited (except qualified banners and flag signs).
- Warning signs that use the words 'stop' or 'danger', or any sign likely to be confused with a sign displayed by a public authority, are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited (any sign advertising a product or service not sold on the premises, or signs directing attention to another premises, and other unrelated signs).
- Signs placed on motor vehicles that are continuously or repeatedly parked in a conspicuous location to serve as a sign are prohibited.
- Obscene signs, banners, or flags, or advertising matter of an indecent or obscene nature as defined by law are prohibited.
- Digital signs are prohibited, except those limited to the word 'open'.

## Signs exempt from permit in High Bridge Borough

- Informational and directional signs (such as street number designations, postal boxes, 'private property', 'no hunting', on-site directional and parking signs, warning signs) not exceeding one square foot in area and not commercial in nature.
- Temporary event signs advertising a specific event sponsored by a bona-fide nonprofit organization or the Borough, as authorized, following size and duration limitations.
- A maximum of three temporary event window signs per establishment that do not exceed 8.5 x 11 inches, for up to two weeks prior to an event and removed within 24 hours after.
- Political signs, subject to setback, size, height, lighting, marking, and timely removal requirements.
- Signs advocating the political or social views of the owner/occupant, subject to size/setback/duration restrictions.
- Real estate signs less than four square feet, provided other provisions are met.
- Memorial tablets or signs, historical plaques, date of erection when cut into masonry, or constructed of bronze/noncombustible materials or officially presented by a recognized organization.
- Traffic or other official federal, state, county, municipal signs, 'Welcome to High Bridge' signs authorized by the governing body, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger, and temporary emergency or warning signs erected by governmental or public utility employees or authorized contractors.
- Lettering and numbering on residential mailboxes.
- Garage sale signs not exceeding four square feet or placement/duration/setback limitations, unless otherwise stated.
- Government authorized flags (US, POW/MIA, State, County, Borough flags).
- Flags and windsocks purely decorative (no advertising) and less than six square feet in size.
- Contractor signs placed on a client's premises during work, not larger than four square feet, outside road right-of-way, and removed within five days of completion.
- Public and institutional use signs (such as for places of worship, schools, libraries, museums, etc.) meeting specific size and setback requirements, with no sign permit fee.
- Exemption from permit does not relieve responsibility for erection and maintenance or compliance with sign regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The erection of any new sign requires a sign permit issued by the Zoning Officer unless specifically exempted.
- Modification to an existing sign (other than a name change) will require a new sign permit and must conform to current requirements.
- All signs for nonresidential properties containing more than one use or business establishment must be part of an approved comprehensive signing plan for the property and be reviewed by the Borough.
- The Zoning Officer examines the application, plot plan or site plan and supporting data before issuing a sign permit.
- A sign permit application requires information on the types, schedule, content, location, and size of temporary signs if approval for multiple temporary signs (over a period up to twelve months) is sought in a nonresidential zone.
- Obsolete and illegal signs, and those erected without a permit, are subject to removal by the Zoning Officer after notification if requirements are not met.
- Exemption from the requirement for a sign permit does not imply exemption from the sign regulations.
- Erection of real estate or open house signs larger than four square feet requires a sign permit and must conform to requirements.
- A sign permit may also be required from the Construction Official, in addition to the Zoning Officer.

## 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 5 zoning districts in High Bridge Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=High+Bridge+Borough+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-high-bridge-borough

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/high-bridge-borough