# Sign Regulations in Knowlton, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Knowlton, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/knowlton
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-13
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/29583778)

## At a glance

Knowlton, New Jersey regulates 28 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Nameplate and Identification Sign - Single-Family Dwellings in the Single-Family Agricultural Residential, Farmland Preservation (FPZ) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 1 sq ft, with a <25 sq ft → 20 ft from ROW; 26–75 sq ft → 25 ft; 76+ sq ft → 30 ft (§11-299E(5)(b)). setback (Sec. §11-299E(1); internal illumination ban §11-299E(5)(l)). Most commercial signs in Knowlton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| Single-Family Agricultural Residential (AR-1) | 10 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft (freestanding) | — |
| Single-Family Agricultural Residential, Farmland Preservation (FPZ) | 15 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Village Residential (VR) | 11 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (C-1) | 14 | 10 ft | Up to 80 sq ft (also ≤5% of building face). | — |
| Commercial (C-2) | 13 | 15 ft | Up to 80 sq ft | — |
| Planned Commercial Development (PCD) | 14 | 15 ft | Up to 80 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones - Residential Real Estate & Institutional | 2 | — | 24 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Single-Family Agricultural Residential, Farmland Preservation (FPZ)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate and Identification Sign - Single-Family Dwelling | 6 ft | 1 sq ft | — | By table: <25 sq ft → 20 ft from ROW; 26–75 sq ft → 25 ft; 76+ sq ft → 30 ft (§11-299E(5)(b)). | 1 per dwelling unit (plus mailbox sign). | On lot of the dwelling. | — | §11-299E(1); internal illumination ban §11-299E(5)(l) |
| Sales or Rental Sign - Dwelling or Lot (Curb Sale/Rental) | — | 6 sq ft | — | See general setback table for sign area (§11-299E(5)(b)). | Max 1 per property; max 1 development sign. | On property being sold or rented. | — | §11-299E(2)(a)-(e) |
| Institutional Sign - Freestanding | — | 24 sq ft | — | By table: <25 sq ft → 20 ft; 26–75 → 25 ft; 76+ → 30 ft (§11-299E(5)(b)). | 1 per property. | On institutional property fronting street. | — | §11-299E(3)(a); §11-299E(5)(l) |
| Institutional Sign - Wall | — | 24 sq ft (total on one wall) | — | — | Wall area limited, not explicit count. | On wall of institutional building. | — | §11-299E(3)(b); §11-299E(5)(l) |
| Parking Area Entrance/Exit Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | Directional signs <3 sq ft exempt from area/location regs (§11-299E(5)(d)); otherwise use general setback table §11-299E(5)(b). | 1 per entrance/exit. | At parking area driveway. | — | §11-299E(4) |
| Parking Area Conditions/Identity Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | Per area table §11-299E(5)(b). | 1 per parking area. | Within parking area. | — | §11-299E(4) |
| Private Driveway Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | Implied 1 per driveway. | At private driveway. | — | §11-299E(4) |
| Campground Entrance Sign | — | 18 sq ft | — | General area/distance standards of §11-299E(5)(b) apply unless modified on site plan. | 1 entrance sign per campground; multiple internal directional/traffic signs allowed. | At campground entrance, on the premises. | — | §11-297.1Q; §11-300.1A |

### Neighborhood Commercial (C-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Business Sign | 10 ft | 24 sq ft per side | — | Minimum distance from street ROW and property lines = ½ of required front yard setback (front yard = 35 ft, so sign ≥17.5 ft from ROW) and applicable side yard; plus general area/distance table (<25 sq ft → 20 ft; 26–75 → 25 ft; 76+ → 30 ft) unless waived by Approving Board (§11-314E(2)). | 1 freestanding sign per property (subject to special multi‑use provisions). | On the lot, typically near primary street frontage; must be at least half the required front yard setback distance from any road ROW or property line. | — | §11-314E(5)(c)[1]-[4]; §11-314E(6) |
| Nameplate and Identification Sign - Single-Family Dwelling | 6 ft | 1 sq ft | — | General sign/setback table applies (§11-314E(2)(a)). | 1 per dwelling (plus mailbox). | On residential lot within C-1. | — | §11-314E(7); §11-314E(6) |
| Sales or Rental Sign - Existing Residential Dwelling | — | 6 sq ft | — | Per general area/distance table (§11-314E(2)(a)). | 1 per property. | On residential property for sale or rent. | — | §11-314E(8)(a),(b),(c) |
| Sales or Rental Sign - Commercial Property or Building | — | 20 sq ft | — | Per §11-314E(2)(a). | 1 per property. | On commercial property for sale/lease. | — | §11-314E(8)(a)-(c) |
| Sales or Rental Sign - Large Tract (≥5 acres, 500 ft frontage) | — | 24 sq ft | — | Per §11-314E(2)(a). | 1 per tract. | On the large tract offered for sale or lease. | — | §11-314E(8)(d) |
| Institutional Sign - Freestanding | — | 24 sq ft | — | Per §11-314E(2)(a). | 1 per property. | On institutional site in C-1. | — | §11-314E(9)(a); §11-314E(6) |
| Parking Area Entrance/Exit Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | Directional signs <3 sq ft exempt from area/location regs (§11-314E(4)); others per §11-314E(2)(a). | 1 per entrance/exit. | At each vehicular entrance/exit to parking area. | — | §11-314E(10)(a) |
| Multi-use Development Freestanding Sign | Freestanding sign may project ≤6 ft above its support (pole/kiosk/etc.). | Up to 80 sq ft (also ≤5% of building face). | — | ≥40 ft from street ROW or at least ½ front/rear yard setback; must meet side yard requirements; plus general distance table unless varied on site plan. | 1 freestanding sign per property, with potential 2nd if multi‑frontage and not abutting residential. | On multi‑use development property, at or near access from public street(s). Must be ≥40 ft from ROW or ½ required min front/rear yard, whichever greater, and meet side yard requirements. | — | §11-314F(4) |

### Planned Commercial Development (PCD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Business Sign | 15 ft | 24 sq ft per side | — | ≥½ of required front yard from any abutting road ROW or property line; also must observe general distance table (<25 sq ft → 20 ft; 26–75 → 25 ft; 76+ → 30 ft) unless modified by Approving Board (§11-328E(2)). | 1 freestanding sign per property (unless varied via multi‑use plan). | On the PCD lot near frontage; at least half the front yard setback from road ROW or property line. | — | §11-328E(5)(c)[1]-[4]; §11-328E(6),(16) |
| Nameplate and Identification Sign - Single-Family Dwelling | 6 ft | 1 sq ft | — | Per §11-328E(2)(a). | 1 per dwelling (plus mailbox). | On residential lot in PCD. | — | §11-328E(7); §11-328E(6),(16) |
| Sales or Rental Sign - Residential Dwelling | — | 6 sq ft | — | Per §11-328E(2)(a). | 1 per property. | On residential property in PCD offered for sale/lease. | — | §11-328E(8)(a)-(c); §11-328E(6),(16) |
| Sales or Rental Sign - Commercial Property or Building | — | 20 sq ft | — | Per §11-328E(2)(a). | 1 per property. | On commercial property/building in PCD. | — | §11-328E(8)(a)-(c); §11-328E(6),(16) |
| Sales or Rental Sign - Large Tract (≥5 acres, 500 ft frontage) | — | 24 sq ft | — | Per §11-328E(2)(a). | 1 per tract. | On the tract being offered for sale/lease. | — | §11-328E(8)(d); §11-328E(6),(16) |
| Institutional Sign - Freestanding | — | 24 sq ft | — | Per §11-328E(2)(a). | 1 per property. | On institutional site within PCD. | — | §11-328E(9)(a); §11-328E(6),(16) |
| Parking Area Entrance/Exit Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | Directional signs <3 sq ft exempt from area/location regs (§11-328E(4)); others per §11-328E(2)(a). | 1 per entrance/exit. | At vehicle access points to parking areas. | — | §11-328E(10)(a); §11-328E(6),(16) |
| Multi-use Development Freestanding Sign | Sign may project ≤6 ft above support (pole/stanchion/kiosk). | Up to 80 sq ft | — | ≥40 ft from ROW or ≥½ of required front/rear yard setback; must meet side yard requirements; general distance table also applies unless modified. | 1 freestanding sign per property; possible 2nd under limited conditions. | On PCD multi‑use property at primary entrance(s). | — | §11-328F(4); §11-328E(6),(16) |

## Prohibited signs in Knowlton

- No signs which have moving parts or which provide the illusion of movement shall be permitted; no variation in luminous intensity shall be permitted. (AR-1 §11-290D(5)(j); FP §11-299E(5)(j); VR §11-307D(5)(j); C-1 §11-314E(16); C-2 §11-321E(16); PCD §11-328E(16))
- Temporary portable signs are prohibited. (AR-1 §11-290D(5)(k); FP §11-299E(5)(k); VR §11-307D(5)(k); C-1 §11-314E(17); C-2 §11-321E(17); PCD §11-328E(17))
- No internally illuminated signs shall be permitted in AR-1, FP, VR and C-1 Zones, and no neon-type lights, no moving lights, and no internally illuminated signs shall be permitted in the PCD Zone. (AR-1 §11-290D(5)(l); FP §11-299E(5)(l); VR §11-307D(5)(l); C-1 §11-314E(6); PCD §11-328E(6))
- No sign shall be permitted which is not accessory to the business conducted on the property. (C-1 §11-314E(5); C-2 §11-321E(5); PCD §11-328E(5))
- No sign shall be permitted on rear or side walls when the wall abuts a residential use or zone or any public or institutional use. (C-1 §11-314E(5)(b); C-2 §11-321E(5)(b); PCD §11-328E(5)(b))
- Nameplate/identification signs for dwellings shall be no larger than one square foot, maximum height six feet, limited to one per dwelling unit in addition to a mailbox identification sign. (AR-1 §11-290D(1); FP §11-299E(1); VR §11-307D(1); C-1 §11-314E(7); C-2 §11-321E(7); PCD §11-328E(7))
- Sales or rental signs are limited to one per property, must not exceed six square feet for dwellings (larger limits for certain larger tracts and commercial properties), and must be removed within five days after execution of a contract for sale or lease. (AR-1 §11-290D(2); FP §11-299E(2); VR §11-307D(2); C-1 §11-314E(8); C-2 §11-321E(8); PCD §11-328E(8))
- Institutional freestanding signs are limited to one per property and may not exceed 24 square feet; wall sign area for institutions may not exceed 24 square feet. (AR-1 §11-290D(3); FP §11-299E(3); VR §11-307D(3); C-1 §11-314E(9); C-2 §11-321E(9); PCD §11-328E(9))
- Signs designating entrances or exits to or from a parking area are limited to one per entrance/exit with maximum four square feet per sign; one parking-area conditions/identity sign per parking area is limited to six square feet; private-driveway signs are limited to two square feet. (AR-1 §11-290D(4); FP §11-299E(4); VR §11-307D(4); C-1 §11-314E(10); C-2 §11-321E(10); PCD §11-328E(10))
- Signs may not be located closer to street rights-of-way than the minimum setback distances specified by sign area (e.g., 20 feet for signs under 25 square feet; larger setbacks for larger signs). (AR-1 §11-290D(5)(b); FP §11-299E(5)(b); VR §11-307D(5)(b); C-1 §11-314E(2); C-2 §11-321E(2); PCD §11-328E(2))
- All ground-sign areas must be kept neat, clean, landscaped, and maintained by the tenant/owner/occupant to which the sign applies. (AR-1 §11-290D(5)(c); FP §11-299E(5)(c); VR §11-307D(5)(c); C-1 §11-314E(3); C-2 §11-321E(3); PCD §11-328E(3))
- All signs must be kept in good repair, including structural components, faces, legibility, and functioning lighting elements. (AR-1 §11-290D(5)(e); FP §11-299E(5)(e); VR §11-307D(5)(e); C-1 §11-314E(11); C-2 §11-321E(11); PCD §11-328E(11))
- Nonconforming signs that are destroyed may not be replaced except in a conforming manner. (AR-1 §11-290D(5)(h); FP §11-299E(5)(h); VR §11-307D(5)(h); C-1 §11-314E(14); C-2 §11-321E(14); PCD §11-328E(14))
- Any location where business goods are no longer sold or services provided must remove remaining or derelict on‑premises signs within 60 days of Township notification, after which the Township may remove them at the owner’s expense. (AR-1 §11-290D(5)(f); FP §11-299E(5)(f); VR §11-307D(5)(f); C-1 §11-314E(12); C-2 §11-321E(12); PCD §11-328E(12))
- Whenever the Construction Official determines that a sign is structurally unsafe or endangers safety, it must be made safe or removed within 10 days of notice. (AR-1 §11-290D(5)(a); FP §11-299E(5)(a); VR §11-307D(5)(a); C-1 §11-314E(1); C-2 §11-321E(1); PCD §11-328E(1))
- The applicant must comply with all applicable county, state and federal sign regulations. (AR-1 §11-290D(5)(g); FP §11-299E(5)(g); VR §11-307D(5)(g); C-1 §11-314E(13); C-2 §11-321E(13); PCD §11-328E(13))
- Where a sign for a nonresidential use is directly adjacent to or across from a residential zone, the Approving Board may reduce the sign area by up to 10% and may require additional screening, light control and buffering. (AR-1 §11-290D(5)(i); FP §11-299E(5)(i); VR §11-307D(5)(i); C-1 §11-314E(15); C-2 §11-321E(15); PCD §11-328E(15))

## Signs exempt from permit in Knowlton

- Directional signs with an area of less than three square feet are exempt from sign area and location regulations, but must be shown on an approved site plan and may not create a traffic hazard. (AR-1 §11-290D(5)(d); FP §11-299E(5)(d); VR §11-307D(5)(d); C-1 §11-314E(4); C-2 §11-321E(4); PCD §11-328E(4))

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For multi-use developments in the C‑1 Zone, a coordinated signing plan must be submitted to the Approving Board for approval, detailing letter style/height, lighting, color, construction/materials, height, placement, standards, and dimensions; signs must follow an integrated design theme; total sign area on a structure is limited to 3% of facade (up to 5% if approved). (C‑1 §11-314F)
- Freestanding signs for multi-use developments in the C‑1 Zone: one freestanding sign per property (a second may be allowed if there is access from more than one public street and no abutting residential use/zone); sign area not to exceed 5% of the building face fronting the street and in no case more than 80 square feet; located at least 40 feet from right‑of‑way or half the required front/rear yard, and must meet side-yard requirements. (C‑1 §11-314F(4))
- For multi-use developments in the C‑2 Zone, a signing plan must be submitted to the Approving Board and based on an integrated design theme; the plan must specify letter style/height, lighting, color, construction/materials, height, placement relative to grade/roofline, locations, standards and dimensions; total sign area on a structure limited to 3% of facade (Board may allow up to 5%). (C‑2 §11-321F)
- Freestanding signs for multi-use developments in the C‑2 Zone: one freestanding sign per property (possible second sign with more than one public-street access and no abutting residential use/zone); sign area up to 5% of the building face fronting the street but not more than 80 square feet; must be at least 40 feet from the right‑of‑way or half the required front/rear yard and comply with side-yard requirements. (C‑2 §11-321F(4))
- For multi-use developments in the PCD Zone, a signing plan must be submitted to the Approving Board, with details on letter style/height, lighting, color, construction/materials, height, elevation relative to grade/roofline, locations, standards and dimensions; the plan must implement an integrated sign theme; total sign area on a structure is limited to 3% of facade, with up to 5% permitted at the Board’s discretion. (PCD §11-328F)
- Freestanding signs for multi-use developments in the PCD Zone: one freestanding sign per property (second allowed if access from more than one public street and no abutting residential use/zone); sign area up to 5% of the building face fronting on the street, maximum 80 square feet; located at least 40 feet from right‑of‑way or half the required minimum front/rear yard, and must meet side-yard requirements. (PCD §11-328F(4))
- When more than one sign is proposed on a property in the C‑1, C‑2 or PCD Zones, a coordinated theme for all signs is required, which is typically implemented through a Board‑approved sign plan. (C‑1 §11-314E(18); C‑2 §11-321E(18); PCD §11-328E(18))

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

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