# Sign Regulations in Lakewood Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lakewood Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/lakewood-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/35467134#35467134)

## At a glance

Lakewood Township, New Jersey regulates 22 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Residential Freestanding Sign (Exempt)s in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 4 sq ft, with a 15 ft from street or property line setback (Sec. 18-812B.13). Most commercial signs in Lakewood Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts | 6 | 5 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Non-Residential Districts | 12 | 24 ft | 130 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Buildings | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential Buildings | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 3 ft | 100 sq ft or 100% of building frontage length (whichever is less) | — |

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

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | 18-812A.10.a |
| Nameplate Sign | 4 ft | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | 18-812A.10.a |
| "No Solicitation" Sign | 4 ft | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | On or within two feet of front door | — | 18-812A.10.a |
| Wall Sign (Public or Private Schools, Houses of Worship) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Attached to wall of building | — | 18-812D.2.a(4)-(5) |
| Freestanding Sign (Public or Private Schools, Houses of Worship) | 5 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Must be monument style, not pole mounted | — | 18-812D.2.a(1)-(3) |
| Residential Freestanding Sign (Exempt) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 15 ft from street or property line | — | — | — | 18-812B.13 |

### Non-Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| "No Solicitation" Sign | 4 ft | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | On or within 2 feet of front door | — | 18-812A.10.b |
| Freestanding Sign (2 lane, 15-25 mph) | 5 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 15 ft from street/property line | — | Front yard only | — | 18-812A.11.a, 18-812A.9.a-b, 18-812A.12.h |
| Freestanding Sign (2 lane, 30-40 mph) | 6 ft | 35 sq ft | — | 15 ft from street/property line | — | Front yard only | — | 18-812A.11.a, 18-812A.9.a-b, 18-812A.12.h |
| Freestanding Sign (2 lane, 45-55 mph) | 20 ft | 75 sq ft | — | 15 ft from street/property line | — | Front yard only | — | 18-812A.11.a, 18-812A.9.a-b, 18-812A.12.h |
| Freestanding Sign (4 lane, 30-40 mph) | 18 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 15 ft from street/property line | — | Front yard only | — | 18-812A.11.a, 18-812A.9.a-b, 18-812A.12.h |
| Freestanding Sign (4 lane, 45-55 mph) | 22 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 15 ft from street/property line | — | Front yard only | — | 18-812A.11.a, 18-812A.9.a-b, 18-812A.12.h |
| Freestanding Sign (6 lane, 30-40 mph) | 20 ft | 65 sq ft | — | 15 ft from street/property line | — | Front yard only | — | 18-812A.11.a, 18-812A.9.a-b, 18-812A.12.h |
| Freestanding Sign (6 lane, 45-55 mph) | 24 ft | 130 sq ft | — | 15 ft from street/property line | — | Front yard only | — | 18-812A.11.a, 18-812A.9.a-b, 18-812A.12.h |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pavement Marking and Reserved Parking Sign (Handicapped Spaces) | — | — | — | — | All required spaces | At all required reserved handicapped spaces | — | 11-35.5; 11-37.4 |
| Wall Sign (General Standards) | — | 100 sq ft or 100% of building frontage length (whichever is less) | — | — | 1 per frontage; additional at rear entrance as allowed | Building wall, parallel to face, projecting no more than 12 inches | — | 18-812A.13.c(1)-(3), 18-804.05 |
| Changeable Copy Sign (Not in Residential Districts) | — | — | — | — | 1 per use per frontage | Permanently affixed to ground or structure; part of site identification sign | — | 18-812A.13.d |
| Canopy, Awning, and Marquee Sign | 3 ft | 21 sq ft (per side) | — | — | — | On canopy, awning, or marquee; not in public right of way | — | 18-812A.13.b |
| Interior Window Sign | — | Up to 25% of window area; up to 50% with Zoning approval for sales events (max 15 days) | — | — | — | Affixed/painted/displayed inside window | — | 18-812A.13.a |

## Prohibited signs in Lakewood Township

- No sign shall be erected that is of such character, form, shape or color that it imitates or resembles any official traffic sign, signal or device, or that has any characteristics which are likely to confuse or dangerously distract the attention of the operator of a motor vehicle on a public street.
- No sign shall be erected at intersections or locations that impede the vision of motorists or pedestrians or otherwise endanger their safety.
- No sign shall be placed on any residential or commercial building rooftop, fence, tree, telegraph, electric light, or public utility pole, or upon rocks or other natural features.
- Signs shall not be erected within or project over the right-of-way of any public street except where otherwise provided.
- No illuminated sign visible from a traveled roadway shall have a luminance greater than 750 footlamberts or a luminance ratio (sign to surrounding) greater than 5:1.
- Illuminated signs shall not cause visual discomfort or distraction to drivers.
- Outdoor large scale advertising signs must use an illumination source that is not visible to motorists or pedestrians on normal traveled ways.
- No sign shall use a repetitive 'on-off' design.
- No sign shall incorporate strobe lamps.
- No sign shall use animation by mechanical, electrical, or electronic means.
- Signs shall not be designed to move, either by mechanical or other means.
- Signs which contain or consist of banners, posters, pennant ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, or other similarly moving devices are prohibited.
- Signs which flash (except for time and temperature indicators) are prohibited.
- Signs which emit odors or smoke or produce noise or sounds capable of being heard are prohibited.
- Silhouetted or three-dimensional signs (lacking a background, letters or figures silhouetted against the sky/open space, or representational devices in the round) are prohibited.
- Pole mounted signage is prohibited.
- Signs imitating or containing an official traffic signal or hiding from view any traffic/street signal or sign are prohibited.
- Billboards and other off-premises advertising signs are prohibited (except where digital billboards are conditionally permitted).
- No wall sign shall wholly or partially cover any wall openings (doors, fire escapes, windows), or project beyond the ends of the wall.
- Interior signs within six feet of glass show windows must follow the same prohibitions as exterior illuminated signs regarding on-off patterns, strobes, and animation.
- No sign other than exempt signs shall be erected without first obtaining a sign permit from the Zoning Office.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lakewood Township

- Decorations for a recognized officially designated holiday provided they do not create a traffic or fire hazard, removed within 30 days after the holiday.
- Official municipal, County, State, or Federal governmental signs.
- Memorial or historic markers approved by the Board or Historical Preservation Commission and not more than six square feet in area.
- Change in the copy of a changeable copy sign or marquee sign, once a permit for that sign has been issued.
- Political signs not impeding site visibility, not more than 32 sq. ft., permitted within 30 days prior to an election and removed within 7 days after.
- Street number designations, names on mailboxes or residences, postal boxes, 'Private Property,' 'No Hunting,' 'No Trespassing,' onsite directional and parking signs, and warning signs not exceeding 2 sq. ft.
- Temporary yard or garage sale signs not exceeding 4 sq. ft., not erected more than 7 days prior and removed within 48 hours after, with a limit of two per calendar year.
- Temporary real estate signs on the lot for sale/rent/lease; under 5 acres not larger than 6 sq. ft./4 ft. high; 5 acres or more not larger than 32 sq. ft./5 ft. high; removed within 7 days of sale/rental/lease.
- Signs advertising that premises are for lease, sale, or rent, limited to one per real estate firm per lot, not to exceed 12 sq. ft., removed within 10 days of lease/sale/rental.
- Temporary signs announcing an event sponsored by a Lakewood Township-based nonprofit (setback 15 ft. from street/property line, not greater than 24 sq. ft./5 ft. high, erected within 14 days prior and removed within 3 days after).
- Emergency warning signs erected by a public utility, pipeline company, or contractor doing such work; such signs may be illuminated.
- Flags of the United States, States, County, or municipality, and any other flag adopted by a legislative body, not exceeding 60 sq. ft. in area or flown from a pole exceeding 35 ft. in height; other flags are considered freestanding signs.
- Residential freestanding signs not exceeding 4 sq. ft./4 ft. high, set back minimum 15 ft. from street/property line.
- Temporary signs of contractors (mechanics, painters, etc.) on the lot where work is performed (not larger than 6 sq. ft./4 ft. high, removed within 7 days of completion).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Each development application must include a sign plan showing specific design, location, size, height, construction, and illumination of proposed signs, per §18-812.
- Permit applications for signs larger than six square feet must be accompanied by a plan drawn to scale showing sign details and site location.
- Any sign (except exempt signs) requires a sign permit from the Zoning Office prior to erection.
- Fees for sign permits are required in accordance with the Township fee schedule.
- Master/overall sign plan required as part of development application per §18-812.

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

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