# Sign Regulations in Hopatcong Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hopatcong Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/hopatcong-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/9569792#9569792)

## At a glance

Hopatcong Borough, New Jersey regulates 34 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Standard Limit)s in the B-1, B-2, B-3, M-1, M-2, MPD (M-1-type portion), MPD (B-2-type portion) zoning district are capped at Top not to exceed zone principal structure height limit or 35 ft, whichever is less. tall and 150 sq ft, with a ≥10 ft from lot line; exceptions for govt signs. setback (Sec. §242-29G(4) https://ecode360.com/9572019). Most commercial signs in Hopatcong 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 | 4 | — | 20 sq ft per side | — |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, R-2T (except for a townhouse development), RPD (single-family detached residence portion), MPD (single-family detached residence portion) | 9 | — | 620 sq in (4.3 sq ft) per sign | — |
| Townhouse development, RPD, MPD | 7 | — | 144 sq in (1 sq ft) | — |
| B-1, B-2, B-3, M-1, M-2, MPD (M-1-type portion), MPD (B-2-type portion) | 10 | Top not to exceed zone principal structure height limit or 35 ft, whichever is less. | 200 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zones, Nonresidential Zones | 10 | Top not to exceed principal structure height in zone or 35 ft, whichever is less. | 150 sq ft (200 sq ft with Planning Board approval) | — |

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

### R-1, R-2, R-3, R-2T (except for a townhouse development), RPD (single-family detached residence portion), MPD (single-family detached residence portion)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §242-29E(1) https://ecode360.com/9571991 |
| Nameplate/Identification Sign (Single-family dwelling) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit (plus mailbox sign) | — | — | §242-29E(2) https://ecode360.com/9571992 |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Residential Building or Property) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §242-29E(3) & H(1) https://ecode360.com/9571993; https://ecode360.com/9572025 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 620 sq in (4.3 sq ft) per sign | — | Not to interfere with visibility/traffic. | Up to 2; up to 2 more off-site if on dead-end. | On property for sale/lease/rent. If property on dead-end, up to 2 additional off-site at corner. | — | §242-29E(4) & H(4) https://ecode360.com/9571994; https://ecode360.com/9572028 |
| Freestanding or Wall Sign (Religious/Hospital/School/Service Org.) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | — | — | §242-29E(6) https://ecode360.com/9571996 |
| Professional/Nameplate Sign (Doctor/Dentist) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per office | — | — | §242-29E(7) https://ecode360.com/9571997 |
| Freestanding Sign (Farm, Park, Recreation Area) | — | 30 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street/property line. | 1 per use | No closer than 10 ft to street or property line. | — | §242-29E(8) https://ecode360.com/9571998 |
| Temporary Public Event/Charitable/Political Sign (see suffix) | — | Up to 32 sq ft; up to 600 sq in (public/charitable); up to 740 sq in (political) | — | Public/charitable: apply as other signs. Political: ≥5 ft from road edge. | Up to 5 per event/type if applicable; no # limit for political signs ≤ 740 sq in. | On organizational, commercial, or select road-front property; political signs may be in right-of-way with restrictions. | — | §242-29E(9); §242-29H(5),(6),(7) https://ecode360.com/9571999; https://ecode360.com/9572041, https://ecode360.com/9572052, https://ecode360.com/16148849 |

### B-1, B-2, B-3, M-1, M-2, MPD (M-1-type portion), MPD (B-2-type portion)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Option 1 - 10% of facade) | — | 10% of facade area | — | — | — | Affixed to building structure. | — | §242-29G(1)-(3) https://ecode360.com/9572018 |
| Wall Sign (Option 2 - 15% of facade, Planning Board approval) | — | 15% of facade area | — | — | — | Affixed to building structure. | — | §242-29G(3) https://ecode360.com/9572018 |
| Freestanding Sign (Standard Limit) | Top not to exceed zone principal structure height limit or 35 ft, whichever is less. | 150 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from lot line; exceptions for govt signs. | 1 per property; Planning Board may allow 2nd if access from another street. | On property frontage. | — | §242-29G(4) https://ecode360.com/9572019 |
| Freestanding Sign (Planning Board Option) | Top not to exceed zone principal structure height limit or 35 ft, whichever is less. | 200 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from lot line; exceptions for govt signs. | 1 per property; Planning Board may allow 2nd if access from another street. | On property frontage. | — | §242-29G(4) https://ecode360.com/9572019 |
| Temporary Commercial Sign (Window) | — | 50% of window area | — | — | — | Store/commercial windows as shown on approved site plan. | — | §242-29H(8) https://ecode360.com/9572060 |
| Temporary Commercial Banner/Sign (Grand Opening) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On commercial premises subject to grand opening. | — | §242-29H(9)(a) https://ecode360.com/9572062 |
| Temporary Commercial Banner/Sign (Borough-wide Event) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per event | On participating commercial premises. | — | §242-29H(9)(b) https://ecode360.com/9572063 |
| Temporary Commercial Banner/Sign (Sale/Special Event) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On commercial premises. | — | §242-29H(9)(c) https://ecode360.com/9572064 |

### Commercial Zones, Nonresidential Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Commercial/Nonresidential) | — | 10% of facade area (up to 15% if Planning Board approves) | — | — | — | Affixed to building structure. | — | §242-29G(1)-(3) https://ecode360.com/9572018 |
| Freestanding Sign (Commercial/Nonresidential Standard Limit) | Top not to exceed principal structure height in zone or 35 ft, whichever is less. | 150 sq ft (200 sq ft with Planning Board approval) | — | At least 10 ft from lot line (except for governmental signs). | 1 per property (Board may allow 2nd if multiple street access) | On property frontage. | — | §242-29G(4) https://ecode360.com/9572019 |
| Temporary Commercial Sign (Window) | — | 50% of window area | — | — | — | Store/commercial windows as shown on approved site plan. | — | §242-29H(8) https://ecode360.com/9572060 |
| Temporary Commercial Banner/Sign (Grand Opening) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On commercial premises subject to grand opening. | — | §242-29H(9)(a) https://ecode360.com/9572062 |
| Temporary Commercial Banner/Sign (Borough-wide Event) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per event | On participating commercial premises. | — | §242-29H(9)(b) https://ecode360.com/9572063 |
| Temporary Commercial Banner/Sign (Sale/Special Event) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On commercial premises. | — | §242-29H(9)(c) https://ecode360.com/9572064 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Vacant or Commercial) | — | 24 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 2 per property | On property for sale/lease/rent. | — | §242-29H(4) https://ecode360.com/9572028 |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Nonresidential Construction) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §242-29H(3) https://ecode360.com/9572027 |

## Prohibited signs in Hopatcong Borough

- Any signs not specifically permitted are prohibited.
- Signs, other than municipal, county or state signs, shall not be erected within five feet of the paved surface of a street, within the right-of-way of any street, or within approved sight easements, nor located so as to constitute a traffic hazard.
- Signs with more than two display faces are prohibited.
- The use and display of strings or streamers of flags, pennants or spinners or similar objects and devices across, upon, over or along any premises or building, whether as part of a sign or for advertising or public attraction or otherwise, is prohibited in all zones except for decorations customarily used for locally celebrated holiday display or Borough celebrations.
- Freestanding signs shall not be supported with guy wires.
- Signs shall not be painted on or affixed to water towers, storage tanks, smokestacks or similar structures.
- Moving or revolving signs and signs using waving, blinking, flashing, vibrating, flickering, tracer or sequential lighting, except for time-and-temperature signs and changeable copy displays, are prohibited.
- Signs using the words 'stop' and 'danger' or any other sign which, in the judgment of the Police Chief, constitutes a traffic hazard or interferes with the free flow of traffic are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs advertising a product or service not sold on the premises, signs advertising or directing attention to another premises and any sign not related to the premises on which the sign is erected are prohibited.
- Signs causing interference with radio or television reception are prohibited.
- Signs obstructing doors, fire escapes or stairways or keeping light or air from windows used for living quarters are prohibited.
- Signs placed in awnings, trees, fences, utility poles, or signs attached to other signs, except that small political signs 620 square inches or less may be wired to trees with owner permission, are prohibited.
- The use of flags and pennants (except as otherwise expressly permitted) is prohibited.
- No sign may be placed or located or displayed upon any public sidewalk, within the limits of any public street or right-of-way, or project over any sidewalk or public right-of-way, except as otherwise expressly permitted by the chapter.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hopatcong Borough

- Decorations customarily used for locally celebrated holiday display or Borough celebrations are exempt from prohibitions on flags, pennants, streamers and similar devices.
- Temporary and permanent traffic signs and signals or other signs installed by a government agency are permitted in all zones.
- Municipal, county or state signs are exempt from location restrictions and requirements placed on other signs.
- Real estate signs for single-family detached residences (not exceeding 620 square inches), temporary political signs (not exceeding 740 square inches), and temporary signs advertising public or charitable purposes or events (not exceeding 600 square inches) do not require permits and are exempt from number limits, although time limits apply.
- Borough, county, or state required signs and markings are exempted, but must be erected by appropriate officials.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No permanent or temporary sign may be constructed or displayed unless a sign construction permit is first obtained from the Zoning Officer, and if construction is involved, a building permit must also be obtained from the Construction Official, unless specifically exempted.
- For B-1, B-2, B-3, M-1 and M-2 Zones (and similar), all sign permit applications must include details on letter style, lighting, color, construction and materials, height and dimensions, height above grade or below the roofline, locations, and standards; signs must be based on an integrated design theme in harmony with the architecture and landscaping plan.
- A permanent sign indicating the name of a townhouse development or similar residential planned development must be approved by site plan review.
- If, as part of the consideration of a use D variance, the Zoning Board of Adjustment is reviewing a site plan, the Zoning Board replaces the Planning Board for sign review.
- Commercial grand opening banners and event signs are permitted only for premises operating in accordance with a valid site plan approval and require written notification to the Zoning Office.

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

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