# Sign Regulations in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hillsborough Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/hillsborough-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10252872#10252872)

## At a glance

Hillsborough Township, New Jersey regulates 43 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Entry, Multifamily Development)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 12 sq ft, with a Must meet setback and site easement criteria setback (Sec. §188-83G(11)). Most commercial signs in Hillsborough Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Town Center (TC), Gateway A (GA), Gateway B (GB) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Home Occupation Office (HOO) Zone Districts | 4 | 5 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Retail Commercial (C-1), Professional/Retail (P/R), Office Light Commercial (OLC) Zone Districts | 16 | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Office Districts (O-2, O-5), Light Industrial Districts (TECD, LI, I-1, I-2, I-3), General Industrial Districts (GI), Economic Development Districts (ED), Mining and Quarry Districts (M, Q), Corporate Development Zones (CDZ) | 7 | 15 ft | Up to 85% of freestanding sign area | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 24 | 18 ft (pole-mounted), 40 ft on government property | 380 sq ft per face (max); up to 100% of static footage replaced | — |

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

### Retail Commercial (C-1), Professional/Retail (P/R), Office Light Commercial (OLC) Zone Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per permitted use | Facade | — | §188-83J(3)(a)-(b) |
| Wall Sign (Corner Use Secondary Facade) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per corner use | Secondary street facade | — | §188-83J(3)(c) |
| Wall Sign (Additional Public Entry - Rear Facade) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per rear entry | Rear facade public entry | — | §188-83J(3)(f) |
| Canopy or Awning Sign | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | Canopy/Awning valance | — | §188-83J(3)(d) |
| Under-Canopy/Awning Hanging Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | Under canopy/awning | — | §188-83J(3)(e) |
| Wall/Canopy/Awning Sign (Anchor Store/Tenant in Shopping Center) | — | 15% of ground floor facade (primary), up to 20 sq ft (secondary) | — | — | 1 per anchor per facade (as described); 1 canopy/awning sign | On facade facing public street | — | §188-83J(4) |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Each street frontage; must include project name/street number; directory of occupants can comprise up to 85% of sign | — | §188-83J(5), §188-83J(5)(a)-(d) |
| Fuel Pump Canopy Sign (Gasoline Station) | 15 ft for pole sign | Up to 30 sq ft (total for two canopy signs) or one pole sign up to 30 sq ft | — | — | 2 canopy signs or 1 pole sign | Fuel pump canopy or pole | — | §188-83J(6) |

### Office Districts (O-2, O-5), Light Industrial Districts (TECD, LI, I-1, I-2, I-3), General Industrial Districts (GI), Economic Development Districts (ED), Mining and Quarry Districts (M, Q), Corporate Development Zones (CDZ)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per permitted use (+1 for corner use as above) | Facade | — | §188-83K(3) |
| Wall Sign (Additional Public Entry - Rear Facade) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per rear entry | Rear facade public entry | — | §188-83K(4)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Each street frontage | — | §188-83K(4)(a)-(e) |
| Directory-of-Occupants Sign (Freestanding) | — | Up to 85% of freestanding sign area | — | — | Part of freestanding sign | On freestanding sign | — | §188-83K(4)(b) |
| Temporary Sign (Attached to Freestanding Sign) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | Temporary, see calendar limits | On freestanding sign | — | §188-83K(4)(e) |
| Permanent Door and Window Sign | — | 20% of glass area of any door or window | — | — | — | Glass areas (door/window or group of windows) | — | §188-83K(5) |
| ATM Wall or Ground Sign (Bank) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per bank | — | — | §188-83K(6) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flag | 18 ft (pole-mounted), 40 ft on government property | 24 sq ft per display | — | — | See above | Any area; pole-mounted | — | §188-83G(3) |
| Ground Sign (Entry, Multifamily Development) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Must meet setback and site easement criteria | One per entry | Entry to development | — | §188-83G(11) |
| Sign, Temporary - Real Estate (Residential) | — | 4 sq ft | — | Not less than 10 ft from curb or paved roadway. Not in sight triangle. | 1 per lot (per street frontage on corner/through lots) | On property being sold/rented | — | §188-83H(1)(a)-(d) |
| Sign, Temporary - Real Estate (Nonresidential/Undeveloped Nonresidential) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Not less than 10 ft from curb or paved roadway. Not in sight triangle. | 1 per road frontage | On property being sold/rented | — | §188-83H(1)(b)-(c) |
| Development Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On construction site | — | §188-83H(3) |
| Improvement Contractor Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per contractor per lot | On premises where renovations/improvements are taking place | — | §188-83H(4) |
| Temporary Business Advertising Sign (Other than on freestanding sign) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per establishment per year | Affixed to ground on subject property | — | §188-83H(8)(a)-(h) |
| Digital Billboard (Only where existing static billboard legally exists on US Route 206) | Max building height of underlying zone | 380 sq ft per face (max); up to 100% of static footage replaced | — | 20 ft front from Route 206; side/rear per underlying zone; measured from sign face | 1 per site (no static & digital on same property) | Same site as static billboard being removed; must be on US Route 206 | — | §188-83S |

## Prohibited signs in Hillsborough Township

- No sign shall be altered, erected, or maintained except in conformity with the provisions of this section.
- No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause confusion or danger to street traffic by obscuring vision or by simulating official, directional, or warning signs maintained by any governmental agency, railroad or public utility.
- No sign visible from a public right-of-way shall use an arrow device or simulate a stop sign or stop light.
- No sign shall be placed in any required sight triangle easement unless specifically permitted by the approving authority or this section.
- Signs advertising a use no longer in existence or a product no longer available shall be removed or sign content obscured within 30 days from the date a use is discontinued or a product is no longer available.
- Buildings or structures may not be outlined by tubing or strings of lights for advertising purposes, except that all buildings shall be permitted strings of lights (moving or fixed) displays from Thanksgiving Day to January 15 of the following year.
- All signs, other than permitted temporary signs, shall be constructed of durable materials and shall be adequately maintained.
- Any sign which fails to meet the maintenance provisions of this section shall be repaired or removed within 30 days of receipt of written notification from the Zoning Officer.
- Signs not accessory to the business or use conducted on the property are prohibited unless specifically permitted.
- Bench signs, roof signs, naked light displays, vehicle advertising signs not located out of sight from public view where possible, rotating signs, live action signs, flashing signs, and animated or moving signs of any kind and signs containing reflective elements which sparkle or twinkle in the sunlight are prohibited.
- Commercial billboards, portable signs, including sidewalk signs, A-frame signs, and off-premises commercial signs are prohibited unless otherwise permitted.
- Banners, spinners, flags, pennants, streamers, and other moving objects and inflatable signs used for advertising purposes (whether containing a message or not) are prohibited except as provided.
- Searchlight displays are prohibited unless authorized by a temporary sign permit as part of a grand opening promotion.
- Signs erected within or over the right-of-way of any public street are prohibited except as provided.
- Any sign not specifically permitted by this section is prohibited.
- No sign shall be affixed to a fence, utility pole, tree, shrub, rock, or other natural object, unless such objects are part of the sign design features or otherwise permitted by this section.
- No projecting sign shall extend into a vehicular public way or be less than 10 feet above a pedestrianway.
- No sign, together with any supporting framework, shall extend to a height above the maximum building height allowed in the applicable zone district.
- Signs shall not cover architectural details such as arches, sills, moldings, cornices and transom windows.
- No wall or window sign shall extend above the roofline or the highest point of any parapet wall enclosing usable floor area.
- Freestanding signs must be placed at least 10 feet from the edge of roadway pavement or curb, as appropriate, and not obstruct any sidewalk, driveway, or bike path, and be outside of any sight easements.
- No sign shall obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, or other opening from providing required light or ingress and egress to or from any building or structure.
- No sign shall be placed in any public right-of-way or adjacent required sight triangle, unless placed there subject to approval by the agency controlling the right-of-way.
- No sign shall be erected that constitutes a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic because of intensity or direction of illumination.
- The use of fluorescent-type paint is prohibited on signage.
- The contents of any permanent sign shall be limited to property and occupant identification, company emblem and logos, and concise messages identifying the use, product or service of the property. Product prices (except gasoline and diesel fuel prices) and unnecessarily detailed messages, descriptions, and graphics are prohibited on permanent signs.
- It is unlawful to erect, maintain, or display a new sign or an addition to an existing sign without first obtaining a permit from the Zoning Officer, except as specifically set forth.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hillsborough Township

- Official notices, legal notices, and signs required by law.
- Public service signs as aids to safety or service and standard traffic directional signs.
- Flags, emblems, or other insignia of a nation, state, county, municipality, school, or religious group, subject to area and number limitations.
- A single wall sign for a recognized nonprofit service organization within specified size limits.
- A single ground sign for public and semipublic facilities, such as schools, churches, hospitals, libraries, and public recreation facilities, within specified limits.
- Residence designation signs and landmark signs or historic plaques not exceeding two square feet in area per residence.
- Nonilluminated mailbox designation signs not exceeding one square foot per mailbox.
- Signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway, or other premises and signs controlling the use of private property, such as prohibition of hunting or fishing, maximum two square feet.
- A single wall sign indicating a permitted home occupation or home professional office, or attached to a mailbox, not exceeding two square feet.
- A single ground sign for private clubs and private recreational facilities, not exceeding four feet in height nor six square feet.
- Multifamily residential developments may have a single ground sign at each entry from a public street, with specified limits.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property, provided no advertising matter or messages other than a logo.
- Wayfinding directional signs along a public right-of-way, subject to approvals.
- Signs already included in a development application reviewed and approved by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment.
- Most signs permitted in §188-83G (except Subsections G(5), (6), (12)) are exempt from permit application.
- Most signs permitted in §188-83H (except Subsections H(2), (5), (7)) are exempt from permit application.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created, or maintained in the Township only in conformance with the standards, procedures, exemptions, and other requirements of this section.
- Property sign manual: Each owner of a proposed multioccupancy nonresidential structure or development shall prepare a property sign manual containing sign standards for all signs associated with the property. These standards shall conform to the design criteria contained herein, including color, size, shape, lettering style, and sign location, to the extent practicable.
- If a property sign manual proposes a sign not in compliance with this section, it must be submitted for approval to the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment for the necessary waivers. If approved, it may supersede regulations and will remain on file.
- Subsequent sign changes or new sign applications for a property with a certified property sign manual that do not conform to its criteria shall be reviewed by the Sign Review Committee.
- New sign plans for existing development must recognize the provisions relating to nonconforming signs, and must consolidate and improve existing signs where possible. All changes to existing signs must conform to all applicable subsections.
- All signs that are part of a development application must comply with sign design criteria as a basis for sign design by both sign applicant and approving authority.
- The Sign Review Committee is empowered to review and decide on sign waiver applications that do not involve site plan, subdivision, conditional use, or variance approvals; all other sign waiver requests are handled by the approving authority.
- Administrative approval by the Township Engineer is required for digital billboard sign applications, but no site plan is required. Zoning permit and fees apply.

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

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