# Sign Regulations in Long Branch, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Long Branch, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/long-branch
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/6281832#6281832)

## At a glance

Long Branch, New Jersey regulates 20 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Identification Ground Signs in the C-2, C-3, C-4, C-7 zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 50 sq ft per side, with a 10 ft from property line setback (Sec. § 284-9C). Most commercial signs in Long Branch 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 | 4 | — | 9 sq ft per side | — |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, R-7 | 5 | 12 ft | 25 sq ft per side | — |
| R-8 | 3 | 12 ft | 25 sq ft per side | — |
| C-1 | 3 | — | 12 sq ft per side | — |
| C-2, C-3, C-4, C-7 | 4 | 15 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — |
| S-1 | 4 | 10 ft | 12 sq ft per side | — |
| S-2 | 2 | — | 8 sq ft per side | — |
| Industrial Zoning District | 3 | 15 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — |

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

### R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, R-7

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Wall or Ground Sign (Dwelling Unit) | 2 ft (for ground sign) | 10 inches x 18 inches | 10 inches x 18 inches | — | 1 per dwelling unit | On building (wall) or on ground (ground sign) per dwelling unit | — | § 284-6A |
| Identification Wall or Ground Sign (Home Professional Office) | 2 ft (for ground sign) | 3 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per property | Wall or ground | — | § 284-6A |
| Ecclesiastical Changeable Letter Ground Sign (Church) | — | 10 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line; 30 ft from street line | 1 | Ground sign | — | § 284-6B |
| Identification Ground Sign (Institutional Uses: cemetery, beach club, schools, colleges, boardinghouses, hospitals, philanthropic/eleemosynary, nursing home) | 12 ft | 25 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | Ground sign | — | § 284-6C |
| Identification Wall or Ground Sign (Multiple-Family Dwelling) | Ground sign: 12 ft | Wall: 10 sq ft; Ground: 25 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | Wall or ground | — | § 284-6D |

### C-2, C-3, C-4, C-7

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Only 1 wall, projecting, or ground sign per lot; max 3 total | On one facade of building | — | § 284-9A |
| Identification Projecting Sign | — | 8 sq ft per side | Does not project more than 5 ft from wall | — | Only 1 wall, projecting, or ground sign per lot; max 3 total | Projecting from building facade | — | § 284-9B |
| Identification Ground Sign | 15 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from property line | Only 1 wall, projecting, or ground sign per lot; max 3 total | Ground sign; not closer than 10 ft to any property line | — | § 284-9C |
| Directory-Of-Occupants Sign (Wall, Projecting, or Ground) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 | May be wall, projecting, or ground | — | § 284-9D |

### S-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Wall or Ground Sign (Dwelling Unit) | 2 ft (for ground sign) | 10 inches x 18 inches | 10 inches x 18 inches | — | 1 per dwelling unit | On building (wall) or ground (ground sign) per dwelling unit | — | § 284-10A |
| Identification Wall or Ground Sign (Home Professional Office or Home Occupation) | 2 ft (for ground sign) | 3 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | On building (wall) or ground (ground sign) | — | § 284-10A |
| Identification Ground Sign (Professional Office) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | Ground sign | — | § 284-10B |
| Directory-Of-Occupants Wall Sign (Professional Office) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Wall sign | — | § 284-10B |

## Prohibited signs in Long Branch

- Commercial advertising billboard signs shall not be permitted except as set forth in § 284-14.
- Any signs which are not expressly validated elsewhere in this chapter shall not be permitted.
- All signs which do not conform to the specific requirements and standards set forth in this chapter are specifically prohibited.
- No sign or advertising structure shall be erected, altered, located, relocated, or maintained within the City except in conformance with the provisions of this chapter.
- No sign or advertising structure exceeding six square feet in area shall be erected or created until a permit has been secured.
- No sign or advertising structure shall be erected, placed, maintained, lighted or of such a color so that it impedes, interferes with or distracts from the operation of any traffic control device or general traffic safety.
- No sign or advertising structure shall be erected, maintained or lighted in a manner to interfere with traffic upon any public right-of-way or the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of any adjacent property.
- No sign or advertising structure shall be erected or maintained in other than a safe condition or be maintained in a state of disrepair.
- No sign or advertising structure shall include any flashing, blinking or series lights or any rotating or moving parts.
- No sign or advertising structure shall be erected or used upon the top or roof of any building, and no sign or advertising structure attached to a building shall project higher than the roofline of that building.
- No sign shall be painted directly on the wall of any building without the use of an advertising structure.
- No sign shall be placed or maintained on a utility pole.
- No sign regulated under this chapter shall exceed a height of 30 feet, measured from the ground to the top of the sign structure.
- No sign shall restrict vision other than by structural supports within the area between two feet above the ground and six feet above the ground when such sign is within 30 feet of any street line or public right-of-way.
- No signs, illustrations, or symbols shall be placed so as to interfere with the opening of an exit door of any building, to obstruct any window opening of a room in a dwelling, to interfere with the use of any fire escape, or to create a hazard to pedestrians.
- No person shall interfere with any City official or employee entering upon any premises between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. for the purpose of examining any sign or advertising structure.

## Signs exempt from permit in Long Branch

- Temporary window signs displayed inside business or industrial buildings, provided they do not cover more than 25% of the window area.
- Official signs.
- Theater bills and changeable copy signs, for the changing of copy on authorized signs, provided the wording does not conflict with regulations.
- Changing of matter advertised on authorized billboards and poster panels.
- A sign located within a building, not attached directly to or painted on a window and not located within 18 inches of a window or entrance.
- No more than two show cards not exceeding 28 inches by 22 inches in show windows of business establishments for a period not exceeding 30 days.
- Political signs, subject to restrictions stated in § 284-4G.
- On vacated property, one sign (max 6 square feet, for up to 60 days) giving the name, business and new address of the former occupant.
- Marquee signs or other signs, banners, or devices for which special permission may be granted by resolution of the City Council in each instance.
- Church bulletins not exceeding 20 square feet in area per church.
- Temporary permits may be granted at the discretion of the City for advertising matters of a public, semipublic or charitable character.
- Banners, streamers, and advertising flags to advertise openings and sale days, not displayed on any one property for more than 30 days in any calendar year.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Parking lot markers, permanent directional signs, traffic control signs, and entrance/exit signs require the number and location of such signs to be approved by the Planning Board, which shall consider the degree to which such signs contribute to public safety as opposed to their advertising value.
- Applications before the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment for new structures or renovations east of the railroad tracks in the C-1 Zone must consider the Commercial Facade Design Kit for facades and signage.
- Permits are required for all signs greater than six square feet in area.
- An application for a sign permit must include the location and diagram of each sign and any information required by the Construction Code Official.
- If any person claims a special hardship by reason of any ruling, an appeal may be made to the Board of Adjustment.
- Special permission by resolution of the City Council may be required for certain marquee signs, banners, or devices in each instance.

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

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