# Sign Regulations in Montvale Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Montvale Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/montvale-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/36166302#36166302)

## At a glance

Montvale Borough, New Jersey regulates 18 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the OR-1 Zoning District, OR-2 Zoning District, OR-3 Zoning District, OR-4 Zoning District zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall, 32 square feet (excluding base), and 12 feet linear wide, with a Minimum 10 feet from any property boundary line, must not obscure line of sight at intersection/access setback (Sec. §400-67A(2)(a)-(c)). Most commercial signs in Montvale Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential zoning districts | 7 | If freestanding, uppermost part not to exceed 3.5 feet above grade | 30 square feet | — |
| Nonresidential zoning districts | 1 | If wall ≤ 40 ft: 2 ft; > 40 ft and < 80 ft: 2.5 ft; ≥ 80 ft: 3 ft | — | — |
| OR-1 Zoning District, OR-2 Zoning District, OR-3 Zoning District, OR-4 Zoning District | 6 | If wall ≤ 40 ft: 2 ft; > 40 ft and < 80 ft: 2.5 ft; ≥ 80 ft: 3 ft | 32 square feet (excluding base) | — |
| B-1 Zoning District, B-2 Zoning District, MI-1 Overlay District, MI-2 Overlay District, MI-3 Overlay District | 7 | If wall ≤ 40 ft: 2 ft; > 40 ft and < 80 ft: 2.5 ft; ≥ 80 ft: 3 ft | 20 square feet (may increase 1 sq ft per business unit over 15, max 25 sq ft) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 32 square feet | — |

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

### Residential zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Resident/Address Plate | — | 2 square feet per sign, 3 square feet aggregate if more than one sign | 2 linear feet in any direction | — | — | Located on the premises | — | §400-65C(1) |
| Professional Announcement Sign | If freestanding, uppermost part not to exceed 3.5 feet above grade | 2 square feet in aggregate (8" x 20" per professional occupant) | — | — | One per professional occupant | Affixed to building wall or freestanding on premises for professional office | — | §400-66B |
| Bulletin Board Sign (Charitable/Religious/Public Institution) | — | 5 square feet | — | — | One | Upon the premises of said institutions | — | §400-65C(3) |
| Memorial/Building Name Tablet | — | — | — | — | One | Located on structure to which it pertains | — | §400-65C(4) |
| Real Estate Sign (For Sale/For Let) | — | 5 square feet including riders | — | — | One | On property to which it pertains | — | §400-65C(7) |
| Garage/Yard Sale Sign | — | 3 square feet | — | — | One | On property to which it pertains | — | §400-65C(11) |
| Sign for Church, Municipal, Recreation, Public or Charitable Buildings | 2.5 feet above lowest grade elevation below | 30 square feet | — | — | One per building | Affixed to structure or freestanding, on premises | — | §400-66D |

### OR-1 Zoning District, OR-2 Zoning District, OR-3 Zoning District, OR-4 Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 feet | 32 square feet (excluding base) | 12 feet linear | Minimum 10 feet from any property boundary line, must not obscure line of sight at intersection/access | One; second allowed if two driveways ≥300 ft apart, or a corner lot with one access per street (§400-67A(2)(b)) | On site, not more than 2.5 feet above lowest grade elevation below | — | §400-67A(2)(a)-(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Additional Tenant Display) | 6 feet | 32 square feet (excluding base) | 12 feet linear | Minimum 10 feet from property boundary | One per property; add'l per §400-67A(2)(b) as above | On property as above | — | §400-70G |
| Wall Sign (General) | If wall ≤ 40 ft: 2 ft; > 40 ft and < 80 ft: 2.5 ft; ≥ 80 ft: 3 ft | — | 30% of building wall width | — | One per parcel/lot with a building | Affixed to building | — | §400-67A(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary, For Sale/For Let) | — | 16 square feet | — | — | Two | On property to which it pertains | — | §400-69A(1) |
| Sold/Leased Sign (Temporary) | — | 9 square feet | — | — | One | On property to which it pertains | — | §400-69A(3) |
| Construction/Project Sign (Temporary) | — | 20 square feet | — | — | One | On property for duration of construction | — | §400-69A(4) |

### B-1 Zoning District, B-2 Zoning District, MI-1 Overlay District, MI-2 Overlay District, MI-3 Overlay District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 9.5 feet | 20 square feet (may increase 1 sq ft per business unit over 15, max 25 sq ft) | — | Minimum 10 feet from any property boundary line; must not obscure line of sight at intersection/access | One per property; see §400-67B for properties with front and back roads | Not more than 4.5 feet above lowest grade elevation below; on property | — | §400-67A(3) |
| Wall Sign (General) | If wall ≤ 40 ft: 2 ft; > 40 ft and < 80 ft: 2.5 ft; ≥ 80 ft: 3 ft | — | 30% of building wall width | — | One per parcel/lot with a building | Affixed to building | — | §400-67A(1) |
| Window/Interior Sign | — | Aggregate window signs not to exceed 20% of total window area | — | — | — | Attached to windows on the interior of the business use | — | §400-67C |
| Shopping Plaza Wall Sign (Shopping Plaza Use) | 16 inches | — | 90% of business unit front width | — | One per business unit; one extra for center if 5+ | Affixed to business unit front within shopping plaza | — | §400-67D |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary, For Sale/For Let) | — | 9 square feet | — | — | Two | On property to which it pertains | — | §400-69A(1) |
| Sold/Leased Sign (Temporary) | — | 9 square feet | — | — | One | On property to which it pertains | — | §400-69A(3) |
| Construction/Project Sign (Temporary) | — | 20 square feet | — | — | One | On property for duration of construction | — | §400-69A(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Montvale Borough

- No awnings, billboards, canopies, or marquees (except as specifically permitted) shall be permitted as signs.
- No portable signs shall be permitted.
- No projecting signs shall be permitted.
- No roof signs shall be permitted.
- No obscene signs shall be permitted.
- No flashing or scrolling signs shall be permitted.
- Except as specifically provided in the ordinance, no freestanding signs shall be permitted.
- Except as specifically provided, no banners, pennants, flags or streamers shall be strung across, upon, over or along any premises or building whether as part of a sign or not (with exceptions for U.S./state/national/corporate flags as described).
- No sign shall be moving, mobile or revolving.
- No directories or listings of occupants/users are allowed on freestanding signs except that up to four tenant names may be displayed on freestanding signs in OR-1, OR-2, OR-3, and OR-4 districts.
- Any sign inside a premises whose primary purpose is being visible from outside shall be considered an exterior sign.
- Signs that are not expressly and directly related to the business being conducted on the premises or which do not meet applicable requirements are prohibited.
- Any sign relating to a former occupant must be removed within seven days of vacation.
- No sign except for freestanding signs in OR-1, OR-2, OR-3, and OR-4 zoning districts shall have more than two colors, including background, frame, and decorations (with specific allowance for a third color if black or white are used).
- No sign shall be fluorescent, phosphorescent, or composed of similar material.
- No sign shall contain any element composed of gas-filled tubes.
- No sign shall be illuminated by a light source partially visible from outside the premises or exceeding 0.5 footcandle at the property line.
- No sign shall be artificially illuminated after 11:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m., unless the premises are occupied and attended.
- No sign shall be placed, located, or displayed upon any sidewalk or the area between sidewalk and curb; nor shall any sign project on or over a sidewalk.
- No freestanding sign shall be located less than 10 feet from any property boundary line and must not obscure access or lines of sight.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained to prevent free ingress/egress from a door, window, or fire escape. No sign may be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign/advertising structure shall be erected at intersections or locations where it may obstruct vision, confuse with traffic signs, or mislead traffic.
- All signs must be constructed in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code.
- No sign is permitted on public property or within public right-of-way unless specifically approved by the governing body or placed by the Borough for a public purpose.
- No sign shall be glued, tacked, pasted, or otherwise posted on any road, highway, or street adjacent to a park.
- No signs are permitted on public property or in the public right-of-way except where specifically authorized.
- No signs may be erected on a pole or tree located on public property or in the public right-of-way.
- In the event of mixed use of premises, only signs allowed for the dominant use are permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Montvale Borough

- On single-family residential premises, signs identifying resident and/or street address not exceeding two square feet (aggregate max three square feet for multiple signs) and no more than two feet in any direction.
- On premises used for other than single-family residence, a sign comprised entirely of no more than three digits and one letter with no digit/letter having width in excess of 10 inches or height in excess of 12 inches, and not visually part of another sign.
- A bulletin board not exceeding five square feet in area for public, charitable, or religious institutions, when located on the premises of said institution (one per institution).
- A memorial sign or tablet or building name/date sign, cut into masonry or constructed of noncombustible material, located on the structure to which it pertains (one per premises).
- Signs for private traffic control, legal notices, railroad crossing, or required by law, provided dimensional limitations and approval of an approving authority for departures.
- Signs erected by or on behalf of a political party or government, not on public property or within 25 feet thereof, nor within 100 feet of polling place, not exceeding 32 square feet, and removed within seven days after the election.
- For sale or to let signs in residential districts by owner or agent, not exceeding five square feet (inclusive of riders), not maintained more than six months, one exempt per property, removed within seven days after sale/lease.
- Message content changes on lawfully permitted changeable signs (church boards, marquees, menus, etc.).
- Temporary signs for charitable purposes (including exterior holiday/patriotic decorating), not violating size/placement/construction provisions, displayed up to 30 days; banners across public streets by charitable/nonprofit orgs require Mayor and Council approval.
- All signs referred to in section may be freestanding or attached; draping/hanging of banner-type signs not permitted unless specifically allowed.
- In residential zones, garage/yard sale signs not to exceed three square feet, maintained no more than one week prior to sale, one exempt per property, removed upon sale conclusion.
- Signs required by other ordinance, law, or statute.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign shall be erected, altered, located or relocated except upon application and issuance of a permit.
- Application for a nonconforming sign (does not comply with regulations) must be submitted to the approving authority (Planning Board) and will require a public hearing if required by law.
- Application for such nonconforming sign must be made at least 21 days before the next public meeting date of the approving authority, in triplicate with required documents as set out.
- For a replacement of an existing sign, a permit may be issued by the enforcing official if there is no alteration/expansion, the original sign was permitted, the sign conforms to all ordinance requirements, and no additional signage is proposed.
- Permit and fee requirements do not apply to exempt signs, but all such signs remain subject to the general sign regulations in § 400-70.
- Any request to enlarge or alter dimensional requirements for traffic/parking control signs on private property must be approved by the approving authority, even though exempt from permit.
- All nonconforming signs (lawfully erected under prior ordinance) may be continued and maintained but require a permit for any repair exceeding 50% of value (deemed destroyed and subject to full compliance/procedures).
- Unless specifically approved by the governing body in accordance with this chapter or placed by the Borough itself for a public purpose, no sign is permitted on public property or within a public right-of-way.
- All applications for signs must include specific documentation, diagrams, and comply with processing requirements as set out in § 400-65.

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

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