# Sign Regulations in Howell Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Howell Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/howell-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/6674623#6674623)

## At a glance

Howell Township, New Jersey regulates 30 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Single Sign - Permitted Use or Offices in the Residential zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 4 sq ft, with a At least 10 ft from property line setback (Sec. §256-4(A)). Most commercial signs in Howell Township 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 | — | 25 sq ft | — |
| Residential zones | 4 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Business zones, Industrial zones, HD-1, HD-2, HD-3, HC, SED, Highway Business Zones, Highway commercial zones, Neighborhood Commercial Zone | 12 | 12 ft | 200 sq ft (if less than 10% of facade) | — |
| Industrial zones (relocation of commercial signs/billboards), Highway commercial zones (relocation of commercial signs/billboards) | 1 | Max building height for the zone | — | — |
| Mixed-use areas | 1 | — | — | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | Within shopping centers, office, commercial or industrial complexes. | — | §256-3(A) |
| Traffic Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Installed by authorized persons (Township, County, State, or US Government). | — | §256-3(B) |
| Historical Tablet/Cornerstone/Memorial Plaque/Emblem | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Installed by government agencies or specified organizations. | — | §256-3(D) |
| Decorative Sign (House/Family Name or Address) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises of the house. | — | §256-3(G) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4 sq ft one side, 8 sq ft total if double-faced | — | See above | See above | On premises for sale/rent/lease. | — | §256-3(I)(1) |
| Open House Real Estate Sign - On-Premises | — | 4 sq ft one side, 8 sq ft total if double-faced | — | See above | 1 on-property, 3 off-property at a time | On property being sold. | — | §256-3(I)(2) |
| Business Sign - Awning (Valance) | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | Painted on the valance of an awning. | — | §256-3(K) |
| Agricultural/Horticultural Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | At least 20 ft from any property line | — | — | — | §256-3(M) |

### Residential zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single Sign - Permitted Use or Office | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from property line | 1 | — | — | §256-4(A) |
| Temporary Sign - Major Subdivision | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | At least 20 ft from property line | 2 | — | — | §256-4(B) |
| Multifamily Dwelling Project Identification Sign | 8 ft | 10 sq ft | — | At least 20 ft from property line | 2 | — | — | §256-4(C) |
| Boarding/Rooming House Identification Sign | 8 ft | 4 sq ft | — | At least 20 ft from property line | 1 | — | — | §256-4(D) |

### Business zones, Industrial zones, HD-1, HD-2, HD-3, HC, SED, Highway Business Zones, Highway commercial zones, Neighborhood Commercial Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Facade Sign (Neighborhood Commercial Zone) | — | — | — | — | See §256-5B | First or ground story facade | — | §256-5(A)(1) |
| Wall Facade Sign (Other Business and Industrial Zones, HD, HC, SED, Highway Business/Commercial) | — | — | — | — | See §256-5B | First or ground story facade | — | §256-5(A)(1), §256-5(B)(3) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | See §256-5B | Side of building | — | §256-5(A)(2) |
| Pylon Sign (Except Highway Business Zones) | — | 80 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property lines | See §256-5B | Standing apart from any other structure | — | §256-5(A)(3) |
| Pylon Sign (Highway Business Zones) | — | 80 sq ft | — | 20 ft from highway right-of-way | See §256-5B | Standing apart from any other structure | — | §256-5(A)(3) |
| Monument Sign | — | — | — | 10 ft from property line or 20 ft from ROW of highway | 1 per structure | Ground mounted horizontally, visible from adjacent street | — | §256-5(A)(4) |
| Directional Sign (Permitted Off-site Directional, not on site of development) | 12 ft | 25 sq ft | — | At least 20 ft from property line | — | Not on development site; for development in progress | — | §256-5(A)(6) |
| Wind Flag | 12 ft | — | 4 ft | — | 2 per lot | On commercial lot; not in ROW or sight triangle. | — | §256-5(A)(8), §256-5C(9) |

## Prohibited signs in Howell Township

- No sign in any zone may be greater than 45 feet in height, inclusive of the advertising structure.
- No sign or structure other than official highway markers shall be placed within any street or highway right-of-way.
- Signs using red, amber or green lights placed within 100 feet of a light-controlled intersection are prohibited.
- Signs using blinking, flashing, vibrating or flickering lights are prohibited.
- Signs using reflective material which sparkles, glitters, or reflects light in a manner to create a traffic hazard are prohibited.
- Signs or advertising matter of an indecent or obscene nature are prohibited.
- Signs using wording such as 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger' placed in a manner or position that interferes with traffic or acts as a traffic hazard are prohibited.
- Any sign which causes confusion with existing governmentally authorized signs is prohibited.
- Signs obstructing doors, fire escapes, stairways, or keeping light or air from windows used for living quarters are prohibited.
- Flags, banners (except those permitted by § 256-5), pinwheels, A-type signs, sandwich-type signs, sidewalk signs, curb signs, or similar advertising devices are prohibited.
- Signs on poles maintained by public utilities, or on trees and fences, or attached to signs or buildings owned by other persons are prohibited.
- Any series of two or more signs placed along a street or highway, all carrying a single advertising message, part of which is contained on each sign, is prohibited. (Exemption for 'Open House' signs.)
- Commercial signs and billboards are not permitted; only legally existing ones, with strict regulations, may continue.
- Signs with any lighting or control mechanism which may cause radio or television interference are prohibited.
- No sign or commercial display shall be located on any roof or rooftop.
- All prohibitions also apply to LED/electronic signs. LED/electronic signs shall not contain animation and shall not change their message faster than every five seconds.

## Signs exempt from permit in Howell Township

- Directional signs within shopping centers, office, commercial or industrial complexes for parking, loading, entrances/exits, not exceeding 8 sq. ft., are exempt from permits.
- Traffic signs installed by authorized governmental entities are exempt from permits.
- Public transportation stop signs installed by the Township or public transportation agencies are exempt from permits.
- Historical tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques, and emblems installed by government, civic, educational organizations, or historical associations not exceeding 6 sq. ft., are exempt from permits.
- Warning and no trespassing signs not exceeding 2 sq. ft. are exempt from permits.
- Flags or emblems of religious, educational, or governmental organizations flown from supports on their own premises are exempt from permits.
- Decorative signs showing house/family name or address not exceeding 2 sq. ft. and complying with location/height requirements are exempt from permits.
- Signs posted by agencies of Howell Township, County of Monmouth, State of New Jersey, or the United States are exempt from permits.
- Real estate signs on the premises (and certain temporary open house signs), subject to size, location, duration, and content rules, are exempt from permits.
- Signs displayed within a store for directional and interior advertising purposes are exempt from permits.
- Business signs painted on the valance of an awning bearing only the name, store number, or type of business, not exceeding 25 sq. ft., are exempt from permits.
- Political signs, provided they comply with timing, size, content, and removal regulations, are exempt from permits.
- Non-illuminated signs identifying an agricultural or horticultural use not exceeding 24 sq. ft. and setback 20 feet from property lines are exempt from permits.
- Metal 'No Parking - Fire Zone' signs as required by the Fire Prevention Bureau are exempt.
- Street signs for mobile home parks are exempt from inspection and application fees.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For business and industrial zones, all exterior signs must be architecturally compatible and in conformance with an overall sign program and plan. The sign program and plan must be submitted at the time of application, showing location, size, and general design.
- Relocation of a commercial sign or billboard requires review and approval by the Planning Board based on a plan submitted by the applicant, showing original and proposed locations and landscaping details.
- Signage that conforms to the ordinance and is located on a property with valid site plan approval is exempt from new site plan requirements; otherwise, seek a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment or Planning Board.
- Applications requiring public notice must provide a 'notice sign' on the property, meeting specific requirements for size, information content, location, and timing. This requirement does not apply to single-family residential lots without a use variance or to minor subdivisions creating no new lots.

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

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