# Sign Regulations in Middletown Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Middletown Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/middletown-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/30137877#30137877)

## At a glance

Middletown Township, New Jersey regulates 45 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Seasonal Farm Advertising Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 10 feet tall and 40 sq ft, with a At least 12 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. §540-635F(17)). Most commercial signs in Middletown Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 16 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| Residential zones (R-220, R-130, R-110, R-90, R-45, R-45A, RR, R-30, R-22, R-22A, R-15, R-TF, R-10, R-7, R-5, R-O, RTH, RTH-1, RTH-2, RTH-3, RTH-4, RTH-5, RTH-6, RTH-7, RTH-8, RTH-9, RGA, RGA-1, RGA-2, RGA-3, RGA-4, RHA, RHA-1, RMF-1, RMF-2, RMF-3, RMF-4, RMF-5, PRH) | 5 | 8 ft | Name plate: 50 sq in; Lawn sign: 1.5 sq ft/side; Real estate: 4 sq ft one side, 8 sq ft both sides | — |
| R-1 Planned Adult Community Zone, R-2 Planned Adult Community Zone | 4 | 8 ft | 50 sq in (on building/mailbox) | — |
| Office-Research (OR, OR-1, OR-2, OR-3) Zones | 4 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| B-1 Business Zone | 2 | 6 ft | Not larger than allowed facade sign but not more than 30 sq ft | — |
| B-2 Business Zone | 3 | 10 ft | See §540-635U | — |
| B-3 Business Zone | 5 | 15 ft | See §540-635U | — |
| B/P Business/Park Zone | 4 | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| M-1 Light Industrial Zone | 3 | — | 28 sq ft per side | — |
| MC Marine Commercial Zone | 2 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Mixed-use development zone | 3 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Planned Development (PD) Zone | 11 | 20 ft | 250 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 feet | 12 feet tall maximum unless otherwise specified by zone | — | Minimum 10 feet from lot line | — | Not closer than 10 feet to any lot line unless otherwise specified. Measured above ground level. | — | §540-635A(3-9,11), B(1), C(1-4), E(1-3) |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of window area (except PD zone for vacant windows) | — | — | — | Attached within window; not subject to EMC standards. | — | §540-635F(12); PD: §540-635T(8) |
| Directional Sign | — | 3 square feet (permitted without permit, general use); 25 square feet in OR or as permitted for large developments | — | — | — | Parking/loading/entrances/exits/interior circulation; must not block visibility. | — | §540-635F(1); OR: §540-635J(4); MC: §540-635Q(3); PD: §540-635T(5) |
| Temporary Special Event Sign | 8 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | — | Flat on building or freestanding | — | §540-635F(13), R(1-4) |
| Real Estate Sale/Rental/Lease Sign | — | 4 sq ft one side, 8 sq ft both sides | — | — | One per street frontage | On lot for sale/rent/lease | — | §540-635F(11) |
| Garage Sale Path-marking Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | Max 6 per sale | Not earlier than one week before sale, removed day after | — | §540-635F(15) |
| Seasonal Farm Advertising Sign | 10 feet | 40 sq ft | — | At least 12 ft from right-of-way | One per property | Min 12 feet from right-of-way | — | §540-635F(17) |
| Scoreboard Sign (Athletic Field) | 16 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | — | Privately owned athletic field | — | §540-635F(18) |

### B-3 Business Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Facade Sign | — | 10% of front wall area | — | — | 1 per use/activity | Front facade of building/use | — | §540-635M(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Up to 500 ft frontage) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 25% of building setback | 1 per use or multi-use/site | On site; up to 500 ft frontage | — | §540-635M(2) Table |
| Freestanding Sign (500-700 ft frontage) | 12 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 25% of building setback | — | 500-700 ft street frontage | — | §540-635M(2) Table |
| Freestanding Sign (Over 700 ft frontage) | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 25% of building setback | — | Over 700 ft street frontage | — | §540-635M(2) Table |
| Electronic Message Center Sign | 8 ft | See §540-635U | — | — | 1 per qualifying institution | Where permitted | — | §540-635M(3); §540-635U |

### Planned Development (PD) Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Project/Tenant Identification Sign (First Two Street Frontages) | 20 ft | 250 sq ft | — | 12 ft minimum | One per street frontage; max two signs of this type | Per street frontage; 12 ft minimum setback from property line | — | §540-635T(1),(4),(6),(10-11) |
| Monument Project/Tenant Identification Sign (Third and Additional Frontages) | 9 ft | 100 sq ft (including structure) | — | 12 ft minimum | One per additional street frontage | 12 ft setback from property line | — | §540-635T(2),(11) |
| Historic Landmark Sign (Designated) | No increase above previously existing height | No increase above previously existing area | — | — | — | Anywhere within site | — | §540-635T(3) |
| Tower Clock (with Optional Base Monument Sign) | 3'8" (monument sign at base) + tower per zone height standard | Monument sign at base up to 77 sq ft | — | — | 1 clock (+1 monument sign at base, if used) | On tower, base of tower | — | §540-635T(4) |
| Directional Sign (Internal Roads) | 12 ft supporting structure | 10 sq ft overall; 2 sq ft per occupant | — | — | — | On decorative poles along internal roads | — | §540-635T(5) |
| Facade Sign (Tenant/Commercial Establishment) | Wall sign: up to 2.5 ft (letter/logo, <80 ft facade) or up to 4 ft (over 80 ft facade); Awning sign: 8 in letter/logo | 10% of principal facade for tenant/commercial unit for wall sign; awning sign: 20% of awning surface | — | — | 1 per tenant facade street; 2 max per building. | Principal facade of each tenant/commercial establishment; wall or building side with street frontage. Awnings on vertical flap only. | — | §540-635T(6-7) |
| Residential Use Tract Entry Monument Sign | 8 ft | 100 sq ft (including structure) | — | 20 ft from street/property | 1 per direction per entrance | At intersection of entrance into tract | — | §540-635T(12)(b) |
| Subarea/Facility Entrance Sign (Residential) | 4 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per subarea/facility entrance | At entrance to residential development subarea or recreational facility | — | §540-635T(12)(c) |

## Prohibited signs in Middletown Township

- Any signs not specifically permitted are hereby prohibited.
- No signs except window or special event signs shall be placed on private or public property except for the purpose of identifying a use or uses actually conducted upon the premises upon which such signs are erected and for no other purpose.
- No sign shall be located in such a manner as to materially impede the view of any street or intersection.
- No sign or any part thereof shall be located closer than 10 feet to any lot line, except where otherwise provided.
- No permanent marquees or canopies shall extend over a required front yard or over a public walk.
- Moving or revolving signs, signs displaying video, and signs using fading, scrolling, blinking, flashing, vibrating, flickering, tracer or sequential lighting are prohibited.
- Signs using red, yellow and green lights which in the judgment of the Director of Public Safety interfere with the operation of any traffic control signal are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs or advertising matter of an indecent or obscene nature are prohibited.
- Signs using words such as 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger,' etc. which are placed in a manner or position which, in the judgment of the Director of Public Safety, constitutes a traffic hazard or otherwise interferes with the free flow of traffic are prohibited.
- Signs which attempt to imitate or otherwise cause confusion with existing signs erected by any governmental agency are prohibited.
- Except where specifically permitted, signs advertising a product or service not sold on the premises, signs advertising or directing attention to another premises and any other signs unrelated to the premises on which the sign is erected are prohibited.
- Signs causing interference with radio or television reception are prohibited.
- Signs obstructing door, fire escapes or stairways or keeping light or air from windows used for living quarters are prohibited.
- Flags, banners, strings of banners, pinwheels, A-type signs, sandwich-type signs, sidewalk signs, curb signs, and similar advertising devices are prohibited.
- Any sign or banner spanning a public street is prohibited.
- Signs placed on trees, fences, utility poles, light poles, signs attached to other signs and signs placed upon motor vehicles which are continuously or repeatedly parked in a conspicuous location to serve as a sign are prohibited (with specific exceptions for commercial vehicles used in regular course of business).
- Any series of two or more signs placed along a street or highway carrying an advertising message, part of which is contained on each sign, are prohibited.
- Signs which advertise that real estate has been sold are prohibited.
- A sign on a motor vehicle, truck, trailer, whether or not operational and whether or not self-propelled, which is used or parked or designated to be parked for advertising purposes is prohibited, except for commercial vehicles regularly used in the course of business as described.
- Signs using any material which sparkles or glitters are prohibited, except for reflective paint on signs directing traffic or identifying various locations within a lot or parcel.

## Signs exempt from permit in Middletown Township

- Nonilluminated directional signs identifying parking areas, loading zones, entrances, exits, and similar locations, not exceeding three square feet, are permitted in any zone without a permit.
- Temporary and permanent traffic signs and signals installed by the Township, county, or state for the purpose of directing and regulating the flow of traffic are permitted without a permit.
- Signs indicating public transportation stops when installed by the Township or a public transportation utility are permitted without a permit.
- Historical tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques, and emblems which do not exceed six square feet in area and which are installed by government agencies or civil or religious organizations are permitted without a permit.
- Warning and no-trespassing signs not exceeding three square feet in area are permitted without a permit.
- Flags or emblems of religious, educational, civic, or governmental organizations flown from supports on the buildings or grounds occupied by the organization and the American flag, whenever and wherever flown in accordance with federal law, are permitted without a permit.
- Name and number plates identifying residents and affixed to a house, apartment, or mailbox, not exceeding 50 square inches in area, are permitted without a permit.
- Lawn signs identifying residents, not exceeding 1.5 square feet in area for each side, nonilluminated (except by integral lamppost light), and containing no advertising message, are permitted without a permit.
- Signs posted by governmental agencies or pursuant to governmental statute, order, or regulation are permitted without a permit.
- Signs which are an integral part of vending machines, including gasoline pumps and milk machines, not exceeding two square feet in area, are permitted without a permit.
- Temporary signs or other advertising materials attached to a window (subject to additional standards) are permitted without a permit.
- Temporary signs for advertising public functions or fund-raising events for charitable or religious organizations, meeting area, height, and duration restrictions, are permitted without a permit.
- Temporary signs publicizing or promoting a public election, school board election, campaign for public office, or public referendum, meeting area, height, and duration restrictions, are permitted without a permit.
- Path-marking signs for garage sales, meeting area, quantity, timing, and other specific restrictions, are permitted without a permit.
- Real estate open house directional signs, meeting specific quantity, location, size, and timing restrictions, are permitted without a permit.
- Seasonal farm advertising signs for farm products, meeting quantity, area, height, location, illumination, and maintenance restrictions, are permitted without a permit.
- Scoreboard signs illuminated only during games or practice sessions upon privately owned athletic fields, not exceeding 80 square feet and 16 feet in height, are permitted without a permit.
- Decorations for a generally designated holiday, provided they do not create a traffic or fire hazard, and are installed no more than 45 days prior to and removed within 30 days after the holiday, are permitted in the Planned Development (PD) Zone without a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Where more than one use exists in a building, or where two or more buildings share common site elements or are located on the same lot as indicated on an approved site plan, only one freestanding sign shall be permitted.
- Freestanding signs, directional, instructional, or safety signs in the M-1 Light Industrial Zone are subject to approval of the Municipal Agency at the time of site plan approval.
- Additional signage for parcels bordered by more than one street may be permitted by the Municipal Agency in accordance with the standards.
- The design, colors, and materials of project/tenant signage in the Planned Development (PD) Zone should be consistent throughout the development.
- Electronic message center (EMC) signs are condtionally permitted per § 540-635U. EMC signs at eligible locations do not require a conditional use permit, but must comply with specific standards.
- One freestanding sign is permitted for sites with multiple uses per an approved site plan; only one permitted unless indicated otherwise.
- Signs may be limited in number and placement based on an approved site plan or at the discretion of the approving authority or Municipal Agency.

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

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