# Sign Regulations in Hightstown Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hightstown Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/hightstown-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/38304490#38304490)

## At a glance

Hightstown Borough, New Jersey regulates 39 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial and Highway, Business and Industrial Zones (DTC Downtown Core, HC, I) zoning district are capped at 30 ft tall and 40 sq ft, with a Min 5 ft from curb/edge of paving or street line (whichever is more) setback (Sec. §29-1-18B; §29-1-11A-E). Most commercial signs in Hightstown 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 | 19 | 40 ft | 60 sq ft (government), 12 sq ft (residential decorative) | — |
| Residential Zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-MF, R-PE, R-PF) | 4 | 2.5 ft | 12 sq ft per street | — |
| Office Residential Zones (DTG Downtown Gateway) | 4 | 5 ft (if freestanding) | 12 sq ft per street | — |
| Commercial and Highway, Business and Industrial Zones (DTC Downtown Core, HC, I) | 10 | 30 ft | 40 sq ft OR 10% of facade area, whichever is less | — |
| Shopping Center/Office Zones (RO, PED) | 11 | 15 ft | 100 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Political Sign | — | 16 sq ft per sign; max 32 sq ft per lot/unit | — | — | — | — | — | §29-1-6C |
| Marker Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Facade of building | — | §29-1-6D |
| Yard/Tag/Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Premises where sale is being held; one off-premises sign allowed in right-of-way | — | §29-1-6F |
| Real Estate/Contractor Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Lot for sale, rent, or under contract | — | §29-1-6G |
| Flag (Government or Decorative Residential) | 40 ft | 60 sq ft (government), 12 sq ft (residential decorative) | — | — | — | — | — | §29-1-6N |
| Name and Address Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | On facade of building or mailbox | — | §29-1-6O |
| Residential Freestanding Sign (Exemption) | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 15 ft from curb or edge of cartway | — | — | — | §29-1-6Q |
| Project Development Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | §29-1-6R |

### Commercial and Highway, Business and Industrial Zones (DTC Downtown Core, HC, I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Facade Sign | — | 40 sq ft OR 10% of facade area, whichever is less | — | — | 1 per eligible street frontage | Facing each street frontage with direct vehicular access | — | §29-1-18A |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 ft | 40 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from curb/edge of paving or street line (whichever is more) | 1 per eligible street frontage | Each street frontage with min 100 ft and direct vehicular access (front yard only) | — | §29-1-18B; §29-1-11A-E |
| Window Sign | — | 10% of total glass area | — | — | — | Inside window | — | §29-1-18C, §29-1-18H, §29-1-14 |
| Changeable Copy Sign | Same as freestanding/canopy sign | Included in allowable area for freestanding or canopy sign | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Permanently affixed; may be freestanding or canopy | — | §29-1-18D; §29-1-8 |
| Directory Sign | 5 ft (if freestanding) | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance/driveway/intersection | Within site/complex or at main entrance | — | §29-1-18F; §29-1-10 |
| Directional Sign | 2.5 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | May be at street line if does not obscure vision | — | §29-1-18E; §29-1-9 |
| A Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign | 3 ft | 9 sq ft (total); text area max 6 sq ft; 3 ft height x 2 ft width; remaining 3 sq ft for visual/creative design | 2 ft | — | 1 per floor per street frontage | Area designated by Zoning Officer, on sidewalk where sidewalk is at least 6 ft wide | — | §29-1-18J |
| Projecting Sign (Standard) | — | 7 sq ft | — | — | 1 per floor level per street frontage | Top of first floor or between first and second floor, front corners or above entrance. | — | §29-1-18K; §29-1-15 |

### Shopping Center/Office Zones (RO, PED)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Use Property) | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per eligible street frontage | Each street frontage with min 150 ft and direct vehicle access (not a shopping center) | — | §29-1-19A(1)(a) |
| Facade Sign (Single Use Property) | — | 40 sq ft or 10% of facade area, less | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Each street frontage with direct access (not a shopping center) | — | §29-1-19A(1)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Use Property) | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per eligible street frontage | Each public street frontage | — | §29-1-19A(2)(a) |
| Facade Sign (Multiple Use Property) | — | 12 sq ft or 10% of facade area, less | — | — | 1 per establishment per eligible frontage | Each commercial establishment's facade with outside access or facing mall | — | §29-1-19A(2)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center Development) | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per eligible street frontage | Each public street frontage to center | — | §29-1-19B(1-3) |
| Facade Sign (Shopping Center Development) | — | 40 sq ft or 10% of facade area, less | — | — | 1 per establishment per eligible frontage | Facade of commercial establishment for each public street frontage or mall-facing facade | — | §29-1-19B(4-5) |
| Canopy Sign | — | 40 sq ft or 50% canopy fascia, less | — | — | 1 per canopy fascia; max 2 per canopy | On canopy | — | §29-1-19C; §29-1-7 |
| Changeable Copy Sign | Same as applicable sign type | Included in allowable freestanding/canopy sign area | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Permanently affixed; freestanding/canopy | — | §29-1-19D; §29-1-8 |

## Prohibited signs in Hightstown Borough

- All signs must comply with this article and any other municipal, state, or federal regulations; most restrictive applies in case of conflict.
- No sign shall be erected within or project over the right-of-way of any public street or sidewalk, except as provided in the ordinance.
- No sign shall imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device, or distract the attention of motor vehicle operators.
- No sign shall be erected in sight triangles at street intersections in a manner that impedes vision or endangers safety.
- No sign shall be placed on any tree, telephone, electric light or utility pole, rocks, or other natural features.
- No sign shall contain a message implying property may be used for a purpose not permitted in the zoning district.
- No sign shall be installed or placed on public property except as permitted; such signs may be confiscated.
- Signs exempt from permits may not be illuminated unless otherwise permitted; all other signs may be illuminated unless prohibited.
- No sign shall exceed a luminance of 12.54 lumens per square foot (135 candelas/square meter) measured at right angles from 60 feet.
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, moving, or projected signs are prohibited (with specific exceptions).
- Banners, pennants, streamers, spinners, and similar attention-getting devices are prohibited except under special event limits.
- Signs obstructing fire escapes, windows, doors, or openings used for ingress/egress are prohibited.
- Portable or bench signs, or signs emitting smoke, vapor, or noise, are prohibited except as specifically permitted.
- Signs with obscene or offensive dominant themes are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Signs using red, green, blue, or amber illumination in a manner resembling emergency or traffic signals are prohibited.
- Neon signs are prohibited.
- Signs attached to the exterior glass of a building are prohibited.
- Permanent marquees extending over the sidewalk beyond the street line are prohibited.
- Signs posted or painted on posts, utility poles, tanks, towers, smokestacks, trees, rocks, or any natural feature are prohibited.
- Signs posted on Borough property except where specifically authorized are prohibited.
- Signs installed or painted on sidewalks, curbs, and benches are prohibited except as specifically permitted.
- Signs on abutments, retaining walls, and embankments are prohibited.
- Murals and signs painted on buildings, except as authorized Cultural Arts projects, are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs constituting a safety hazard to pedestrians or the traveling public are prohibited.
- Pylon signs are prohibited except as specifically permitted.
- All outside lighted signs operating after 1:00 a.m. are prohibited (except in commercial zones).
- Illuminated signs with a visible light source from adjoining properties or streets are prohibited.
- All temporary signs are prohibited except as set forth in the ordinance.
- Any sign using the term 'going out of business sale' outside permitted timeframes is prohibited.
- Signs advertising rental property without the required license or certificate of compliance are prohibited.
- Signs advertising rental of any room, apartment, or house must be on the property advertised and in compliance with all code provisions.
- No person shall maintain an abandoned sign. Such signs must be removed within 30 days of abandonment.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hightstown Borough

- Holiday decorations installed not more than 45 days before and removed within 30 days after the holiday (may be illuminated and provided they do not create safety hazards).
- Official governmental signs, including banners (may be illuminated).
- Political signs, up to 16 sq ft per sign and 32 sq ft total per lot/unit, may not be erected more than 60 days before or must be removed within 14 days after the election.
- Non-illuminated building markers containing only name, date, or historical date (maximum 6 sq ft, durable material).
- Change in copy of a changeable copy sign, if the sign itself has a permit.
- Yard, tag, or garage sale signs (max 4 sq ft, erected not more than 48 hours before sale, removed immediately after, maximum four events per year, sales max two consecutive days).
- Temporary real estate and contractor signs on the property in question (max 6 sq ft, 4 ft high, removed within 24 hours of sale/rental/work completion). Real estate open house signs with time limits.
- Hunting or trespassing control signs (max 2 sq ft, not closer than 50 ft to each other).
- Emergency warning signs erected by governmental agencies, utilities, or contractors (may be illuminated).
- Public notices required by law.
- Interior signs within a building not attached to windows or doors; signs on inside of doors only if not visible when open.
- Works of art without commercial message (may be illuminated).
- Traffic control devices meeting NJ DOT standards without commercial message, with location approved by Planning Board.
- Flags of the U.S., states, counties, municipalities, or other legislative bodies (max 60 sq ft, pole max 40 ft, may be illuminated). Other flags considered signs unless specifically exempted.
- Name and address signs attached to facade or mailbox (max 1 sq ft).
- Incidental signs (max 2 sq ft).
- Residential freestanding signs (max 4 sq ft, 3 ft high, set back 15 ft from curb/cartway).
- Project development signs where final approval is granted, subject to area, height, and removal requirements.
- Window signs compliant with Article 29-14.
- Special event signs on Board of Recreation Commissioner lands (with written approval, max 2 weeks, max 16 sq ft, removed within 24 hours after event).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for the installation and erection of all signs, unless specifically exempted under §29-1-6.
- Application for a sign permit must be made to the Zoning Officer with required forms and fees; permit procedures apply to all signs except those exempt under §29-1-6.
- Site plan, subdivision, variance, and sign variance applications must follow detailed submittal requirements per Article 26-9; these checklists include sign details as part of their submission.
- For shopping center (multi-tenant) developments, facade signs are to be developed with a common graphic design (color, size, shape, lettering).
- Sign permit applications must include a plot plan, location and dimensions of proposed and existing signs, and scale drawings with color, materials, attachments, and lighting details.
- Sign variances and sign variance applications require public hearing and notice as described in Article 26-9 and §26-9-5.
- All signs must be approved in advance by the Zoning Officer unless exempt, and specific sign types such as projecting and A-frame signs require such prior approval.
- If any sign type or request is outside the standards, a variance application (including sign variance) and meeting with the Planning Board may be required.
- An application for a sign variance requires 21 copies of the application and sign drawings, proof of payment of fees, public notice, and Contribution Disclosure Statement submission.
- Contribution Disclosure Statements are required for all applications for site plan, subdivision, or variance approval (including sign variances) as a part of the checklist and for completeness determination.
- No sign shall be erected, altered, moved, or changed in material without issuance of a sign permit.
- The Planning Board may require additional information if unique circumstances or special problems for the tract or area exist; this could apply to signs as part of site plan or variance review.

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

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