# Sign Regulations in Little Falls Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Little Falls Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/little-falls-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/6924323#6924323)

## At a glance

Little Falls Township, New Jersey regulates 17 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Announcement Sign (Accessory to Church, School, or Institution)s in the Residential District zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall and 20 sq. ft., with a 10 feet from all lot lines setback (Sec. §280-159A(1)(a), §280-159A(2)-(3), §280-155). Most commercial signs in Little Falls Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District | 5 | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — |
| Business B-1 District, Business B-2 District, Business B-3 District | 8 | 3 ft max; valance 12 in max | 8 sq. ft. max | — |
| Industrial I District | 5 | — | — | — |
| Industrial L-1 District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 8 ft to top | 12 sq. ft. | — |

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

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Announcement Sign (Accessory to Church, School, or Institution) | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet from all lot lines | 1 per lot | Exterior, 10 feet from all lot lines | — | §280-159A(1)(a), §280-159A(2)-(3), §280-155 |
| Professional or Announcement Sign (Accessory to Home Professional Office) | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet from all lot lines | 1 per building | Main wall of residence building, exterior | — | §280-159A(1)(b), §280-155 |
| Decorative Name/Address Sign | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet from all lot lines | 1 per dwelling unit per lot | Exterior | — | §280-159A(1)(c), §280-161D |
| Area Identification Sign (Garden Apartment Complex Entrance) | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet from all lot lines | 1 per entrance | At entrance to garden apartment complex | — | §280-159A(1)(d), §280-155 |
| Message Board Sign | — | — | — | 10 feet from all lot lines | — | On permitted premises | — | §280-159A(1)(e) |

### Business B-1 District, Business B-2 District, Business B-3 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Any Sign Permitted in a Residential District | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §280-159B(1)(a) |
| Wall Sign | 2'6" max (sign height); letter height 2' max | — | 90% of business frontage | — | 1 per business; 2 for corner properties | Business facade; not above ground floor | — | §280-159E(5)(a)-(g) |
| Awning Sign | 3 ft max; valance 12 in max | — | Width of building front max | — | 1 per window or bay | Front of establishment; fixed or drop/retractable awning | — | §280-159F |
| Blade Sign (Projecting) | 2 ft max | 8 sq. ft. max | 4 ft max | — | 1 per facade, 2 max | Attached to wall at 90°; on business with entrance on ground floor | — | §280-159G |
| Monument Sign | — | — | — | 5 ft min from any property line; not in ROW | 1 per street frontage | At entrance to parking lots/driveways, perpendicular to street, 5 ft min from property line, not in ROW | — | §280-159H |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Applied to/behind interior glass of window/door | — | §280-159I; §280-159A(4) (for Residential District: No window signs) |
| Message Board Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On permitted premises | — | §280-159B(1)(g) |
| Billboard or Off-site Advertising Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As per site plan approval | — | §280-159D |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Official Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Posted by governmental agency | — | §280-161A |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from curb line | 1 per lot | At least 5 ft from curb line | — | §280-161B |
| Real Estate Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | — | 12 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from curb line | 1 per lot | At least 5 ft from curb line | — | §280-161B |
| Political Sign (Temporary, Nonilluminated) | 8 ft to top | 9 sq. ft. | — | 4 ft min from curb or edge of pavement | — | — | — | §280-161O |
| Nameplate Sign (Residential/Professional) | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On premises | — | §280-161D |

## Prohibited signs in Little Falls Township

- Signs erected, used or maintained which simulate official directional, traffic or warning signs.
- Signs that obstruct or confuse directional and identification signs, other places of business or other signs.
- Signs using red, yellow or green lights placed within 100 feet of any traffic control signal, or that create confusion with such signals.
- Signs of form, character or shape that confuse or distract motorists or create danger to vehicle operators or pedestrians.
- Signs that obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway or opening intended to provide light or ingress/egress, or that create a fire, safety or health risk.
- Animated, moving, or revolving signs and signs using blinking, flashing, vibrating, flickering, tracer or sequential lighting, including lighting around window perimeters, that display movement or the illusion of movement (including interior signs visible from exterior).
- Projecting wall signs, unless incorporated as an element of an awning or blade sign, which must conform to appropriate sections.
- Signs, except officially authorized signs, attached to poles, trees, posts, fences, sidewalks, or curbs.
- Any sign or portion thereof, other than official traffic control devices or street signs, which is located within or encroaches upon the public right-of-way.
- Signs painted on the surface of a building.
- Roof signs of any type.
- A-frame, mobile, stand-alone or sandwich-type signs.
- All balloons and inflatable signs, except as permitted for temporary use with a permit, limited to two permits per business per year and maximum duration of seven days each.
- Neon signs of any type.
- Feather flags of any type.
- No security frames of any type or material are allowed around windows or doors.
- No sign of any type will be permitted to obstruct driving vision, traffic signals, and traffic direction and identification signs.
- No sign illumination may be combined with reflective materials like mirrors, polished metal, or highly glazed tiles to increase glare.
- Neon or LED lighting to outline doors and windows is prohibited.
- No sign may contain more than four colors. Black and white count as colors (applies generally through multiple subsections).
- No person shall attach or place any sign, poster, or board on utility poles, sign poles, or trees on any public street, property, or building unless authorized by the utility company or township.
- Signs that are not maintained in safe, presentable, and good structural condition are prohibited and must be removed or repaired.

## Signs exempt from permit in Little Falls Township

- Official signs posted by governmental agencies or pursuant to government statute, order or regulation.
- Real estate signs advertising the sale, lease or rental of the premises upon which the sign is located (one per lot; 6 sq ft max for residential, 12 sq ft for commercial/industrial; at least 5 feet from curb line; professionally printed only).
- Lights and strings of illuminated devices and graphics used to celebrate a national or religious holiday for not more than 14 days before and after the holiday.
- Residential nameplate and professional nameplate signs, not exceeding one square foot per side, nonilluminated and with no advertising message.
- Historic tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques and emblems not exceeding six square feet in area installed by government or civil/religious organizations.
- Temporary signs for advertising public functions or fundraising events for nonprofit/charitable organizations, max 24 sq ft, not illuminated, installed up to 14 days before and removed after event.
- Bulletin boards not over 12 square feet for public, charitable or religious institutions, located on premises for temporary notices.
- Nonilluminated on-site directional and parking signs, warning signs, and signs like 'private property,' 'no trespassing,' up to three square feet.
- Temporary signs denoting architect, engineer or contractor on site under construction, up to six square feet, only while work in progress, at least 20 feet from curb.
- Garage sale signs on premises, max three square feet, must state date, installed up to five days before and removed within 24 hours after sale.
- Temporary promotional decorations for opening day of a new business, for up to 30 days (small 'grand opening' banners and small balloons).
- Flags or emblems of religious, education, civic or governmental organizations.
- Special signs serving public convenience (e.g., 'notary public'), up to 24 square inches.
- Signs integral to vending machines including gasoline pumps and milk machines, not over eight square feet.
- Temporary, nonilluminated political signs, up to nine square feet and eight feet to top, not on trees, public poles or property, installed up to 30 days before and removed within five days after election, at least four feet from curb.
- Temporary banner signs, max 2.5' x 8', for up to three weeks, across street from telephone poles/light stanchions only in locations designated by Mayor/Council.
- Menu Boards not located in the front yard.
- 'Open' and 'closed' signs, one per business, placed in the top two-thirds of a window.
- Temporary leasing signs, until 75% of development is leased, limited to two colors.
- Anniversary signs for up to three months, max 10' x 4', must be on a commercial building.
- Memorial walls, up to five feet in height, not located in the front yard.
- Signs located on municipal property for municipal purposes authorized by Mayor/Council resolution.
- Signs similar to 'no trespassing,' 'beware of dog,' 'no soliciting,' up to 8.5" x 11" and no more than two per property.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign may be erected, installed, posted, placed, relocated, affixed, or maintained unless a zoning permit has been obtained, except for exempt signs listed under §280-161.
- Permit applications require design, specifications and plans of the sign, including dimensions, materials, and construction details.
- If the installation or erection of a sign is included in a site plan application, the Planning/Zoning Board has jurisdiction over the application.
- The Planning/Zoning Board has jurisdiction over all appeals or variances from this chapter.
- Temporary and permanent signs for multi-dwelling units require approval by the Planning Board as to size, appearance, and location (§280-132).
- Permanent signs at the entrance to multifamily developments are subject to Planning Board approval (§280-132).

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/little-falls-township