# Sign Regulations in Hillside, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hillside, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/hillside
- **Data last verified:** 2025-07-18
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/7652540#7653072)

## At a glance

Hillside, New Jersey regulates 18 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Auto Dealer)s in the Retail Commercial (RC), Office Commercial (OC), Highway Commercial (HC) zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 40 sq ft per sign, with a 10 ft min from property line setback (Sec. §188-22F(7)(e)). Most commercial signs in Hillside require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential, Single-Family, 40 Feet (R-40), Residential, Two-Family, 40 Feet (R-40-T), Residential, Single-Family, 50 Feet (R-50), Residential, Single-Family, 65 Feet (R-65), Residential, Single-Family, 75 Feet (R-75) | 5 | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Retail Commercial (RC), Office Commercial (OC), Highway Commercial (HC) | 7 | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial (LI) | 3 | Freestanding: 20 ft; Wall: Top of sign no higher than 10 ft above roof | 120 sq ft | — |
| Heavy Industrial (HI) | 3 | Freestanding: 25 ft; Attached: Top of sign no higher than 10 ft above roofline | 200 sq ft or 20% of front area, whichever is less. | — |
| Public Lands (PL), Cemetery (C) | 2 | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 25 ft | 250 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Residential, Single-Family, 40 Feet (R-40), Residential, Two-Family, 40 Feet (R-40-T), Residential, Single-Family, 50 Feet (R-50), Residential, Single-Family, 65 Feet (R-65), Residential, Single-Family, 75 Feet (R-75)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per home occupation | On the dwelling; visible from street. | — | §188-20 (Definitions: Home Occupation); §188-32 (Signs) |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate - Residential) | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | On the lot being advertised. | — | §188-32.1(A) |
| Temporary Sign (Political - Residential) | Height not to exceed residential height limit; maximum 4 ft on any side. | 16 sq ft | 4 ft | — | — | On private property in residential zones. | — | §188-32.1(C) |
| Temporary Sign (Garage Sale) | — | 0.97 sq ft (10 in x 14 in) | — | At least 15 ft from all street lines (if freestanding) | — | On property where sale is conducted. | — | §188-32(K) |
| Temporary Sign (Public, Charitable, Religious Event) | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises or freestanding. | — | §188-32.1(B) |

### Retail Commercial (RC), Office Commercial (OC), Highway Commercial (HC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per store façade (with special provisions for corner/dual entrance stores). | Attached to the building (front, side, or rear if applicable). | — | §188-22F(7)(d, g, f); §188-32(A, B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Auto Dealer) | 15 ft | 40 sq ft per sign | — | 10 ft min from property line | Two per auto dealer | On premises; must be set back at least 10 ft from property line. | — | §188-22F(7)(e) |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate - Business Zone) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | On lot being advertised. | — | §188-32.1(A) |
| Temporary Sign (Political - Commercial Zone) | As allowed for commercial signs in the zone. | Maximum as allowed for the zone (typically according to wall sign or freestanding sign regulations for the zone). | — | — | — | On private property in commercial zones. | — | §188-32.1(C) |
| Temporary Sign (Public, Charitable, Religious Event) | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises or freestanding. | — | §188-32.1(B) |
| Temporary Sign (Commercial Grand Opening/Sale) | — | 24 sq ft (36 sq ft for Route 22 frontage) | — | — | One per event | On the commercial premises. | — | §188-32.1(G) |
| Projecting Sign (Perpendicular to Building) | — | Within aggregate wall sign area allowance. | May not project further than 4 ft from wall | — | — | Projecting from front wall of store. | — | §188-22F(7)(i) |

### Light Industrial (LI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Freestanding Sign (Industrial Use) | Freestanding: 20 ft; Wall: Top of sign no higher than 10 ft above roof | 120 sq ft | — | Freestanding: 20 ft min from property line | One per use | On premises; attached to building or freestanding. | — | §188-22F(10)(b) |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate - Industrial Zone) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | On lot being advertised. | — | §188-32.1(A) |
| Temporary Sign (Political - Industrial Zone) | Same as maximum sign height for zone. | Same as maximum sign size for zone (up to 120 sq ft). | — | — | — | On private property in industrial zones. | — | §188-32.1(C) |

## Prohibited signs in Hillside

- No billboard shall be erected without a variance and building permit.
- No sign of any type shall be permitted to obstruct driving vision, traffic signals, traffic direction and identification signs and places of business.
- In no case shall a flashing or revolving light be permitted in any district.
- Signs must be maintained in good condition and not permitted to become dilapidated.
- Removal of signs shall be at the expense of the advertiser and within 30 days after the termination or completion of the matter of business being advertised.
- Signs and sign structures of all types shall be set back or elevated sufficiently to allow a clear, unobstructed line of sight from points of ingress or egress for at least 400 feet along all abutting streets and highways.
- Garage sale signs are prohibited unless all required standards are complied with.
- Temporary signs not permitted by these regulations or the Land Use Ordinance are prohibited.
- It is unlawful for any person to install, maintain, erect, replace, alter or display any commercial temporary sign without obtaining a permit.
- Temporary signs shall not be so installed as to create a traffic or fire hazard or create a condition that adversely affects public safety.
- No sign shall be displayed for a home occupation that exceeds two square feet.
- Any sign erected or applied in violation of this chapter shall be removed within 10 days after written notification from the Zoning Officer.
- The Township reserves the right to immediately remove any temporary sign that is in violation of this chapter and is on public property or in the public right-of-way.
- Signs advertising garage sales can only be placed on the property where the garage sale is taking place and not on other areas.
- All signs must be constructed in accordance with the Building Code and be of durable materials.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hillside

- Permanent and temporary window signs and internal signs that meet facade and other applicable requirements of the chapter are permitted.
- Non-profit and public entity organizations and agencies are permitted to erect or display a temporary sign in compliance with all standards and application procedures, but are exempt from payment of permit fees.
- For home occupations, a sign up to two square feet is permitted.
- Temporary signs for advertising public functions or fund-raising events for charitable or religious organizations are permitted for a period of 30 days prior to and during the event and must be removed within five days after the event.
- Temporary political signs and signs containing political expressions are permitted for up to 60 days, with additional requirements for removal and disclosure.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Uses in all districts must conform to the sign standards as set forth, and specific requirements for some zones reference compliance with §188-32 (Outdoor Signs) and §188-32.1 (Temporary Signs).
- For all development plans involving more than two acres, a site plan must be submitted and must show, among other details, the specific location, size, height and design of signs and outdoor lighting, existing and proposed.
- Every development plan submitted for site plan approval must include information relating to signs, as reviewed by the Planning Board for compliance with all ordinance provisions.
- Site plan applications (other than one- or two-family dwellings and certain minor projects) require Planning Board review and approval, and sign location and design is part of this review.
- Applications for preliminary site plan approval must include sign details for Planning Board review.
- A variance is required to erect a billboard (which is defined as a type of sign) not otherwise permitted.
- Applications for a change of use or variance that includes proposed signage must be reviewed by the relevant Board(s), and that review includes sign compliance.
- Building permit applications must include details of all proposed signage for review by the Construction Official.
- During site plan review, the Planning Board specifically considers compliance with all sign requirements.

## 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 6 zoning districts in Hillside — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Hillside+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-hillside

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