# Sign Regulations in Jefferson Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Jefferson Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/jefferson-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10282300#10282300)

## At a glance

Jefferson Township, New Jersey regulates 39 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Neighborhood Commercial District, Village Commercial District zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 15 sq ft, with a 10 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. 490-30B(2)(a)[1], (c)[1], (d)). Most commercial signs in Jefferson Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential districts | 9 | 4 ft | 32 sq ft (total) | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District, Village Commercial District | 8 | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Highway Business District (C-2), Office and Professional District (O), Business Park District (BP) | 20 | 24 ft | At least 150 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Park District (IP District) | 5 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Recreation District (CR District) | 5 | 24 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | — | 24 sq ft each | — |

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

### Residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding or Attached Sign (Occupant ID) | — | 2 sq ft | — | 15 ft from property line except for mailbox sign | One per permitted use per lot | On the premises, not closer than 15 ft to a property line unless attached to a mailbox | — | 490-30B(1)(a)-(c) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | On property being sold or leased | — | 490-30B(1)(d) |
| Open House Sign (Real Estate) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per open house event | On subject property | — | 490-30B(1)(e) |
| Subdivision Development Sign | — | 8 sq ft (main entrance); 4 sq ft (trade/professional) | — | — | One per entrance; on-lot: one per trade/professional | Main entrance and developing lots | — | 490-30B(1)(f), (h) |
| Multifamily Residential Complex Identification Sign | — | 12 sq ft per entrance | — | — | One per entrance | At each entrance | — | 490-30B(1)(i) |
| Agricultural Produce Sale Sign | — | 32 sq ft (total) | — | — | 2 per agricultural property | On property where produce is sold | — | 490-30B(1)(g)[1] |
| Agricultural Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per agricultural property | On agricultural property | — | 490-30B(1)(g)[2] |
| Freestanding Sign - Height Limitation | 4 ft | — | — | — | — | On property (subject to above use type) | — | 490-30B(1)(j) |

### Neighborhood Commercial District, Village Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | One per use (see total 2 sign max below) | On property, min 10 ft from right-of-way, only where there is a 30-ft front yard and landscaping | — | 490-30B(2)(a)[1], (c)[1], (d) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per use (see total 2 sign max below) | On structure/facade | — | 490-30B(2)(a)[2], (e), (c)[3] |
| Attached or Awning Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | One per use (see total 2 sign max below) | On structure/facade/awning | — | 490-30B(2)(a)[3], (e), (c)[2] |
| Menu Board Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per use (see total 2 sign max below) | — | — | 490-30B(2)(a)[4], (c)[4] |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | Exempt if <50% of glass area | Window | — | 490-30B(2)(a)[5], (b) |
| Political Speech Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 490-30B(2)(a)[6], H(4)(e) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per property | On property being sold/leased | — | 490-30B(2)(f) |
| Open House Sign (Real Estate) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per open house event | On subject property | — | 490-30B(2)(g) |

### Highway Business District (C-2), Office and Professional District (O), Business Park District (BP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (1-4 uses) | 24 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | One per property | On property, minimum 10 ft from right-of-way, display area minimum 3 ft from ground | — | 490-30B(3)(b), (d)[1][a], (f), (g), (i) |
| Freestanding Sign (5+ uses) | 24 ft | 12 sq ft per use, up to 144 sq ft total | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | One per property | On property, min 10 ft from right-of-way, display area min 3 ft from ground | — | 490-30B(3)(b), (d)[1][b], (f), (g), (i) |
| Attached or Awning Sign - 0-1,000 sq ft Storefront | — | Up to 50 sq ft | — | — | One attached/awning sign per use (window signs and political/temporary not counted) | On vertical wall to which it is attached | — | 490-30B(3)(c), (d)[2][a], (h), (i) |
| Attached or Awning Sign - 1,001-2,000 sq ft Storefront | — | At least 50 sq ft | — | — | One attached/awning sign per use | On vertical wall to which it is attached | — | 490-30B(3)(d)[2][b], (h), (i) |
| Attached or Awning Sign - 2,001-4,000 sq ft Storefront | — | At least 100 sq ft | — | — | One attached/awning sign per use | On vertical wall to which it is attached | — | 490-30B(3)(d)[2][c], (h), (i) |
| Attached or Awning Sign - 4,001 sq ft+ Storefront | — | At least 150 sq ft | — | — | One attached/awning sign per use | On vertical wall to which it is attached | — | 490-30B(3)(d)[2][d], (h), (i) |
| Automobile Sales/Service Signs - Freestanding | 24 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | One per establishment | 10 ft min from right-of-way; display min 10 ft above ground | — | 490-30B(3)(j)[1][a], [3][a], [4], [5], [8] |
| Automobile Sales/Service Signs - Attached/Canopy | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | Three attached signs per establishment | On building/canopy | — | 490-30B(3)(j)[1][b], [3][b], [8] |

## Prohibited signs in Jefferson Township

- Billboards.
- Mobile signs, including licensed trucks and trailers with advertising signs.
- Any flashing, moving, animated, or sequentially lighted signs.
- Any sign whose lighting or central mechanism causes radio or television interference.
- Signs utilizing the colors red or green in their illumination within 100 feet of a street intersection.
- Signs that resemble, simulate, or may be mistaken for a traffic sign within 20 feet of a roadway.
- Signs that are menaces to public safety.
- Roof signs.
- Signs affixed to trees, rocks, or other natural things.
- Signs affixed or painted on water towers or similar structures.
- Freestanding pylon signs located in public rights-of-way or approved sight easements.
- String banners, string flags, aluminum ribbons, or similar attention-getting devices.
- Signs that obstruct motorists' vision, traffic signs or signals, or business identification signs outside the lot on which the banner is located.
- No sign shall be placed as to interfere with or be mistaken for a traffic light or similar safety device.
- No sign shall be lighted by means of flashing, intermittent or sequentially lighted illumination.
- No sign, as permitted, shall extend or project above the highest elevation of the wall to which it is attached or above the height of the building.
- No sign shall extend further than 15 inches from the face of the building upon which it is attached.
- All signs shall be limited to noniridescent colors, including the background, with the exception of safety and directional signs of not more than two square feet.
- Permanent signs shall be located only on the premises of the use or activity to which they are calling attention.
- No handbills shall be deposited on any private premises if there is a sign indicating no trespassing, no advertisement, or a similar notice.

## Signs exempt from permit in Jefferson Township

- Tablets indicating the name of a building and the date of erection not exceeding three square feet.
- Public signs erected by the state, county, or municipality in the performance of a public duty.
- Signs that are located for policing or parking purposes not exceeding two square feet.
- Customary warning, trespassing, and posted signs.
- Signs for political speech purposes.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Unless a sign is approved by an approving agency as part of an overall site plan or subdivision approval, a permit shall be required before the erection of any sign.
- Temporary signs require a permit issued by the Zoning Officer, with an informal site plan designating the location of the proposed signs and distance from property lines.
- Special signs (e.g., architectural signs, ground signs with less than 10 feet clearance, three-dimensional signs, off- and on-premises directional signs, etc.) require a special permit, unless approved as part of a site plan or subdivision approval; this permit is granted by the Land Use Board after a finding that the sign conforms to the intent and purposes of the section.
- Applicants for special permit signs must file a site plan or plat (eight copies) and application (three copies) with the Township Clerk at least 14 days before the regular Land Use Board meeting, along with all required documentation.
- A public hearing, after notice and publication, is required on all applications for special permit signs.
- Approval by the County Planning Board is required for signs on a county road as part of site plan approval; proof of submission must be provided.
- Applications for permits for temporary signs must include consideration of sight distance obstructions.
- Permanent signs that are part of a site plan or subdivision approval do not require an additional permit application.

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

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