# Sign Regulations in Manalapan Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Manalapan Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/manalapan-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10117746#10117746)

## At a glance

Manalapan Township, New Jersey regulates 43 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Electronic Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6.5 ft tall, 10 ft length; max 6.5 ft height including ground clearance; max 2 ft deep; if integrated into a ground sign max 40 sf of electronic portion, and 10 ft length wide, with a 15 ft setback from lot line setback (Sec. §95-8.7(D)(4)). Most commercial signs in Manalapan Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 7 ft above grade | 75 square inches | — |
| Residential Zones (R-AG, R-R, R-40, R-40/20, R-30, R-20, R-20/PRC, R-5, R-20/PD, R-TF/TH, R-AG/R-CH, R-AG/PRC-2) | 10 | 6 ft | 32 sf | — |
| R-T | 4 | — | — | — |
| Commercial, industrial and planned development zones (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-2M, LI) | 12 | — | Total (all including window): Not more than 40% of signable area, or 100% of window area within the signable area (whichever greater) | — |
| LB, PB, OP, OP-3, OP-10, OP-10A | 7 | — | — | — |
| CD | 9 | — | — | — |
| GCRC | 8 | — | — | — |
| SED-5, SED-20, SED-20/W | 3 | — | — | — |
| Village Commercial District (VC) | 7 | 42 in | 200 sf | — |
| LB-W | 1 | — | 120 sf | — |
| Redevelopment District | 3 | Mounting height max 55 ft; projection max 8 in from face | 80 sf per sign, 160 sf total for 2,000 lf frontage | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Multiple signs permitted; total area per premises/business establishment not to exceed permitted max. | Building facade as per permit application and facade area calculation | — | §95-8.7(B)-(C), (D)(2), (C)(3), (C)(5), (C)(15)-(16), (C)(14) |
| Electronic Sign | 6.5 ft | 10 ft length; max 6.5 ft height including ground clearance; max 2 ft deep; if integrated into a ground sign max 40 sf of electronic portion | 10 ft length | 15 ft setback from lot line | One per property | Affixed to ground by uprights; not within sight triangle or required buffer to residential zone; min 15 ft setback from lot line. | — | §95-8.7(D)(4) |
| Minor Sign - Nameplate | 3 ft (if ground sign) | 75 square inches | — | — | One per occupancy | Wall or ground | — | §95-8.7D(3)(b) |
| Minor Sign - Warning | 3 ft (if ground sign) | 3 sf per sign | — | — | Two per occupancy | Wall or ground | — | §95-8.7D(3)(c) |
| Minor Sign - Construction | — | 32 sf | — | — | One per parcel | Wall or ground | — | §95-8.7D(3)(d) |
| Minor Sign - Real Estate (Residential Lot) | 6 ft (if ground sign) | 6 sf | — | — | One per property | Wall or ground | — | §95-8.7D(3)(g) |
| Minor Sign - Real Estate (Nonresidential Lot) | 6 ft (if ground sign) | 10 sf | — | — | One per property | Wall or ground | — | §95-8.7D(3)(g) |
| Minor Sign - On-Site Informational | 7 ft above grade | 2 sf | — | — | — | Wall, window, or ground | — | §95-8.7D(3)(h) |

### Residential Zones (R-AG, R-R, R-40, R-40/20, R-30, R-20, R-20/PRC, R-5, R-20/PD, R-TF/TH, R-AG/R-CH, R-AG/PRC-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Type A Sign - Memorial | — | 4 sf | — | — | One per occupancy | Wall or ground | — | §95-8.7H(1)(a), Schedule B |
| Type A Sign - Historical/Architectural Designation | — | 6 sf | — | — | One per occupancy | Wall or ground | — | §95-8.7H(1)(b) |
| Type A Sign - Religious Institution Bulletin | 6 ft | 20 sf | — | — | One per site | — | — | §95-8.7H(1)(c) |
| Type A Sign - Multiple Family Identification | 5 ft (if ground) | 6 sf | — | — | One per building | Wall or ground | — | §95-8.7H(1)(d) |
| Type A Sign - Housing Development Entry | 6 ft | 20 sf | — | — | One | Main entry to development, outside sight triangle | — | §95-8.7H(1)(f)[1], [4] |
| Type A Sign - Housing Development Sales/Rental Office | 4 ft | 10 sf | — | — | One | At sales or rental office | — | §95-8.7H(1)(f)[2] |
| Type A Sign - Housing Development Path Marking | 6 ft | 8 sf | — | — | Up to 4 | Up to 4 within township on private property | — | §95-8.7H(1)(f)[3] |
| Type A Sign - Housing Development Permanent Entry | 6 ft (ground clearance ≥2.5 ft) | 32 sf | — | — | One per entry | Each entry, outside sight triangle | — | §95-8.7H(1)(f)[5] |

### Village Commercial District (VC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pylon Sign | 25 ft | 200 sf | — | 20 ft | Max three | — | — | §95-8.7H(5) / Schedule B, Note 7 |
| Directory Sign | 8 ft | 40 sf | — | — | Up to four | — | — | §95-8.7H(5) / Schedule B, Note 8 |
| Tenant Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per tenant | Facade | — | §95-8.7H(5) / Schedule B, Note 9 |
| Tenant Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 30 sf | — | — | One per tenant | Freestanding | — | §95-8.7H(5) / Schedule B, Note 9 |
| Safety/Directional Sign | 42 in | 3 sf | — | — | — | — | — | §95-8.7H(5) / Schedule B, Note 10 |
| Traffic Control / Handicap Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §95-8.7H(5) / Schedule B, Note 11 |
| Project Identification Sign | 5 ft | 50 sf | — | — | One per entrance | Entrance | — | §95-8.7H(5) / Schedule B, Note 12 |

## Prohibited signs in Manalapan Township

- All signs not specifically permitted.
- All signs unrelated to the use or occupancy of the property upon which the sign is located.
- No sign or sign structure shall obstruct a fire escape, door, window, or other required accessway.
- No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape, except those signs required by the municipal authority.
- No sign shall project over, occupy or obstruct any window surface required for light or ventilation.
- No sign shall be maintained at any location where by reason of its position, size, shape, color or content it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with, any traffic control sign, signal or device, or where it may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- No sign which uses the words, 'Stop,' 'Look,' 'Caution,' 'Danger,' or any similar wording, which may confuse or mislead the public, shall be permitted.
- No sign, nor any part of a sign, shall obstruct the sight triangle.
- No sign or any part of a sign, except publicly owned or authorized signs, shall be placed in or extend into or over any public right-of-way.
- All signs shall be securely affixed in a permanent manner to either the ground or building, unless specifically stated otherwise.
- No sign shall be affixed to any roof, tree, fence, utility pole or other similar structure nor placed upon motor vehicles which are continually or repeatedly parked in a conspicuous location to serve as a sign.
- Signs painted on pavement surfaces shall be restricted to traffic control markings only.
- No advertising flags, banners, pinwheels, portable signs or similar advertising devices shall be permitted except in accordance with this chapter or as directed or authorized by the municipality.
- No animated or moving signs shall be permitted except for the required movement of time and temperature displays.
- No sign may be painted directly on the surface of any building, wall, fence or similar structure.
- No sign may utilize reflection enhanced or fluorescent colors or contain any material which sparkles, reflects or glitters; however, nothing herein is intended to prohibit the use of reflective paint on signs directing traffic or identifying various locations within a property.
- No sign shall contain or be illuminated or highlighted by blinking, flashing, flickering, tracer or sequential lighting and shall remain stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times.
- All wiring for permanent illuminated signs shall be installed and maintained so that it is not within public view. The running of wiring or conduit along the exterior wall of a building to access a sign is specifically prohibited except that the Construction Official may permit exterior conduit if there is no practical way to run the conduit so that it is not within public view.
- No double-faced sign shall be greater than 18 inches in thickness as measured between sign faces.
- Billboards, except as permitted as a conditional use.
- The addition of an electronic sign to any nonconforming sign is prohibited.
- Electronic signs shall not contain animation or any flashing, scrolling, or moving lights, text, or graphic, or any type of video. In all zones, scrolling, traveling, flashing, spinning, rotating, fade, dissolve, any other moving effects, dynamic frame effects, 3D holographic effects, and patterns of illusionary movement or simulated movement are prohibited.
- No electronic sign shall display an illuminative brightness of such intensity or brilliance that it impairs the vision or endangers the safety and welfare of any pedestrian, cyclist, or person operating a motor vehicle.
- No signs shall be permitted on Township property.

## Signs exempt from permit in Manalapan Township

- Minor signs as defined, including but not limited to governmental signs erected or authorized by a governmental unit and temporary signs erected for no more than 60 days by not-for-profit organizations located in the Township.
- Nameplate signs (one per occupancy, max 75 square inches, nonilluminated or externally illuminated, height limits if ground sign).
- Warning signs (two per occupancy, max three square feet each, nonilluminated, height limits if ground sign).
- Construction signs (one per parcel, max 32 square feet, nonilluminated, removed within 14 days after construction).
- Nonilluminated window signs in business windows (subject to area limits).
- Special event signs (max 12 square feet, limited occasions and display period, one per business at a time, nonilluminated).
- Real estate signs (one per property, size and height limits, no 'sold' or similar notations).
- On-site informational signs (size and height limits, no advertising message).
- Flags and emblems of government or of political, civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations.
- Private sale and event signs (area, location, display duration and identification limits).
- Portable signs for motor vehicle service stations only (subject to specific restrictions).
- Temporary or permanent traffic signs and signals installed or authorized by the Township, county, or state.
- Public transportation stop signs installed or authorized by government/public agency.
- Vacated property signs (one per property, size and duration limits).
- Signs integral to vending machines (subject to area limits).
- Interior signs located within buildings and not within 18 inches of a window visible from public street or parking facility.
- Political signs meeting conditions on timing, size, location, marking, and permissions.
- Special sales signs for designated holidays and as designated by Township Committee (timing restrictions apply).
- Temporary seasonal agricultural signs (size, location, and content limits, must be removed when products no longer in season).
- Grand opening signs for new businesses (flags, banners, temporary signage for up to 60 days, with zoning permit but no fee).
- Signs conforming in all respects to the details for Sign Types A, B, and G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, W1, W2 are exempt developments if not requested as part of an application for site plan or subdivision approval.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Application to the Zoning Officer is required for any sign unless exempt as a minor sign or specified exempted type.
- If the proposed sign is not exempt, Planning Board or Board of Adjustment approval may be required depending on the type or jurisdiction of the sign.
- Signs requested as part of an application for site plan, subdivision, or conditional use approval require municipal agency approval.
- Site plan approval is required for an electronic sign.
- A shopping center, industrial park, or office park must submit a sign program (sign plan) to the Planning Board as part of its preliminary site plan approval, with visual representations and all proposed signs for the development.
- Signs within a shopping center, industrial park, or office park must comply with the approved sign program.
- If any condition of approval from the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment specifies graphic content for a sign, an amended approval is required for any changes.
- Variances/waivers: Nonconforming signs or those not meeting sign requirements may require Board of Adjustment approval or Planning Board approval, depending on the type of deficiency.
- No sign may be displayed if not in conformance with an approved program for signs, when one is required.

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

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