# Sign Regulations in Kenilworth Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Kenilworth Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/kenilworth-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/31838207#31838207)

## At a glance

Kenilworth Borough, New Jersey regulates 29 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Neon 'Open' Window Signs in the Nonresidential zone districts, Commercial district, Industrial district zoning district are capped at 6 in tall, 72 sq in, and 12 in wide (Sec. § 120-31.13B(9)). Most commercial signs in Kenilworth Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential districts, Residential district | 7 | — | 16 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential zone districts, Commercial district, Industrial district | 20 | 36 in | 200 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 2 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential districts, Residential district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Sale or Rent Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 120-31.13A(1) |
| Temporary Project Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft | One per lot | On premises. Must be set back at least 5 ft. | — | § 120-31.13A(2) |
| Nonresidential Use Sign or Bulletin Board | — | 16 sq ft | — | At least 1/2 the required front yard depth | One | On premises; must be set back at least 1/2 the required front yard depth | — | § 120-31.13A(3) |
| Professional Office/Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One | On premises | — | § 120-31.13A(4) |
| Decorative Name/Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per dwelling unit, up to two per lot | Attached to dwelling | — | § 120-31.13A(5) |
| Parking Lot Usage and Tow Company Information Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | At each entry to any parking area | At each entry to any parking area | — | § 120-31.13A(6) |
| Personal Property Sale Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | One | On premises | — | § 120-31.13A(7) |

### Nonresidential zone districts, Commercial district, Industrial district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Building Facade Sign | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | One per premises | On the building facade | — | § 120-31.13B(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Auto Filling Stations) | 20 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | One | On premises of automobile filling stations | — | § 120-31.13B(4) |
| Freestanding Sign (Integrated Shopping Units) | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | One | Integrated shopping units with four or more shops or offices | — | § 120-31.13B(4) |
| Temporary Project Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft | One | On premises, set back at least five feet | — | § 120-31.13B(5) |
| Sign or Rigid Awning Sign (Front Entrance) | 36 in | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per front entrance | Mounted above the front entrance | — | § 120-31.13B(6) |
| Neon 'Open' Window Sign | 6 in | 72 sq in | 12 in | — | One per principal entrance | In window near principal entrance | — | § 120-31.13B(9) |
| Freestanding Parking Lot Sign (Not Adjacent to Business) | 11 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance | Entrance to separate parking lot/facility (not adjacent to business) | — | § 120-31.13B(16) |
| Freestanding Gas Station Sign | 20 ft | 45 sq ft | — | — | One freestanding sign per gas station | On premises of gasoline station | — | § 120-31.13B(18) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional, Informational or Street Name Signs (Government) | — | — | — | — | — | As needed for public use | — | § 120-31.9 |
| Nonilluminated Nameplate or Plaque (<2 sq ft) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 120-31.9 |
| On-Premises Directional Signs (<1 sq ft) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises, for traffic movement only (eg: exit/entrance) | — | § 120-31.9 |
| Temporary Signs | — | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 120-31.6 |

## Prohibited signs in Kenilworth Borough

- No sign shall be hung, placed or painted in any district except as provided in the ordinance.
- No sign shall create any unsafe condition for vehicular traffic, especially in sight triangles.
- No sign shall be located so as to obstruct any door, fire escape, stairway or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress or egress for any building or structure.
- No sign shall be permitted where such sign would obstruct vision at a street intersection or at any curve in any street.
- No sign shall extend or project beyond the face of a building or structure more than allowed by district standards.
- No more than one ground sign on any street frontage shall be permitted on any premises, unless otherwise provided.
- No more than one sign per frontage for corner lots, unless total area limitations are exceeded.
- No sign shall be illuminated by other than a shielded or otherwise indirect, nonflashing light, preferably white light, or interior light with a translucent face.
- Red or green illumination, flashing or not, is not permitted on any sign located in the same line of vision as a traffic control signal.
- Any sign illumination producing undue glare or offensive light annoying to surrounding residents is prohibited.
- Any sign erected, hung or displayed prior to the ordinance that does not conform may not be altered in overall dimensions; if damaged beyond half its replacement value, it cannot be rebuilt and must be removed.
- Temporary signs remaining in place for 12 months or more are not considered temporary signs.
- Unless specifically permitted, any type of sign not listed is prohibited.
- Prohibited sign types (apply to all zones): flashing, fluttering, animated, moving, vibrating, sequential, tracer, electronic, or rotating signs; signs causing radio/TV interference; signs obstructing fire escape or opening; signs dangerously distracting to vehicle operators (e.g., 'stop', 'danger'); a series of two or more advertising signs carrying a single message; signs simulating official or directional/warning signs; billboards/outdoor displays not associated with on-site business; roof signs and signs above roof edge; signs on railroad/vehicular overpasses; flags, pennants, or similar displays to attract attention except for holidays/seasonal/public events; commercial use of exterior icicle/string lighting except as specifically permitted; signs tacked, pasted, painted or attached to public buildings, poles, posts, trees, fences, sidewalks, or curbs; signs obstructing driving vision, traffic signals, sight triangles, and traffic direction and identification signs; ionized inert gas sign lighting with exposed tubing (except specific neon 'open' signs); signs projected by light onto the facade; banner-type signs except as expressly allowed.
- Any sign advertising a use or business no longer in existence at that location must be removed within 30 days of business closure.
- Any sign indicating commercial property for rent or sale must comply with permanent sign size limitations.
- Any commercial exterior use of outdoor icicle or string lighting is prohibited, with restricted exceptions.
- Any change to a sign in size, shape, illumination, or style requires a commercial sign permit and other required approvals.
- Any advertisement using a sequence of signs to form a single message is prohibited.
- Roof signs and signs extending above the edge of the roof are prohibited.
- Any sign not expressly permitted is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Kenilworth Borough

- Directional, informational or street name signs erected by any municipal, county, state or federal government agency or utility in connection with street identifications, public buildings, railroad crossings, electric utility lines and installations, and similar uses.
- Nonilluminated nameplate or plaque of less than two square feet in area.
- Any directional signs on premises, less than one square foot in area, indicating traffic movements, exits and entrances.
- Maintenance, repainting or posting of nonconforming existing signs is permitted, provided the overall dimensions are not changed.
- Signs required by law to be displayed (such as recycling, no smoking, sales to minors, etc.) are permitted as required by referenced sections.
- No permit fee shall be required for certain types of temporary signs (for sale/rent in residential districts, project identification signs, etc., as specified).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs, except for temporary signs, require a permit submitted to the Construction Official with a description/sketch/plan showing size, location, and other data. No references found to master sign plans or sign plan review or variance meetings for general sign approval.
- Signage may be replaced on a one-for-one basis without site plan or other relief required; however, any change to size, shape, illumination, or style requires a commercial sign permit and any other relief necessary.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Kenilworth Borough, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Kenilworth+Borough+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-kenilworth-borough

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