# Sign Regulations in Morris Plains Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Morris Plains Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/morris-plains-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/27325854#27325854)

## At a glance

Morris Plains Borough, New Jersey regulates 31 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (B-2, B-4, C-1)s in the B-1, B-2, B-4, B-5, C-1 zoning district are capped at 7 ft (structure total height) tall, 20 sq. ft., and No vertical or horizontal dimension to exceed 5 ft wide, with a At least 20 ft from property line, 8 ft from street ROW, 25 ft from intersection setback (Sec. § 13-5.8C(7)). Most commercial signs in Morris Plains Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 24 inches by 18 inches (3 sq. ft.) | — |
| Residence districts | 8 | 4 feet | 30 sq. ft. | — |
| B-1, B-2, B-4, B-5, C-1 | 12 | 20 ft (max); bottom of sign min 10 ft above curb | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| B-3 | 2 | 42 inches | 75 sq. ft. | — |
| OB, I, L-1, L-2 | 6 | Up to 8 ft | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| Nonresidential zones | 1 | — | 4 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Residence districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per dwelling | On premises; anywhere in front yard if 72 sq. in. or less. | — | § 13-5.8B(1.1), (5) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (On-Premises) | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 on-premises | Front yard | — | § 13-5.8B(1.2), (5) |
| Temporary Real Estate Directional Sign (Off-site, Open House) | — | Unspecified per sign; considered supplemental | — | — | Max 2 per property | Nearest intersecting streets within right-of-way and not in traffic islands; approval needed for other locations | — | § 13-5.8B(1.2)(b) |
| Temporary Subdivision Real Estate Sign - Entrance | — | 30 sq. ft. | — | At least one-half the minimum front yard setback; must meet yard requirements. | 1 per entrance, maximum 2 per development | At each entrance of development; at least one-half minimum front yard setback | — | § 13-5.8B(1.3) |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Multifamily Development) | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | Min. 8 ft from property/street right-of-way | 1 per development | At entrance to development; at least 8 feet from property line or street right-of-way | — | § 13-5.8B(2) |
| Wall Sign (Institutional Use) | 4 feet | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per institutional use | On building | — | § 13-5.8B(4) |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign (Institutional Use) | 4 feet | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per institutional use | On property | — | § 13-5.8B(4) |
| Campaign/Political Sign | — | 12 sq. ft. total per premises | — | — | Aggregate area applies | On premises | — | § 13-5.8B(3) |

### B-1, B-2, B-4, B-5, C-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (B-1, B-2, B-4, B-5) | 2 ft for signboards; 12 inches for individual letters on frieze/breakboard | 40 sq. ft. | Up to 50% of the width of the wall | — | 1 per street-facing wall; multiple for divided sections | On each building wall facing a street (first story facade) | — | § 13-5.8C(1.1) |
| Wall Sign (C-1) | 3 ft or 10% of wall height, whichever is less | 40 sq. ft. | Up to 50% of width of the wall, not over 20 ft (exceptions apply) | — | 1 per street-facing wall; multiple by wall sections | On building wall facing street (cannot exceed first floor unless single use building). Max 12 inch projection from wall. | — | § 13-5.8C(1.2) |
| Awning Sign (B-1, B-5) | 6 inch letter height | — | 50% of awning width | — | Unspecified, per awning | On front vertical flap of awning | — | § 13-5.8C(3.1) |
| Awning Sign (B-2, B-4, C-1) | 12 inch letter height | — | 50% of wall width, not more than 20 feet | — | Unspecified, per awning | Vertical face of awning | — | § 13-5.8C(3.2) |
| Neon Sign (Window) | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | Max 1 per window, max 2 per business | In window, inside building | — | § 13-5.8C(6) |
| Freestanding Sign (B-2, B-4, C-1) | 7 ft (structure total height) | 20 sq. ft. | No vertical or horizontal dimension to exceed 5 ft | At least 20 ft from property line, 8 ft from street ROW, 25 ft from intersection | 1 per property | Front yard; at least 20 ft from property line, 8 ft from street right-of-way, 25 ft from street intersection | — | § 13-5.8C(7) |
| Freestanding Sign (Public Garage/Service Station) | 20 ft (max); bottom of sign min 10 ft above curb | 30 sq. ft. per side | — | Min 10 ft from property line | 1 per garage/station | On property | — | § 13-5.8C(8.2) |
| Canopy Sign (Public Garage/Service Station) | 1 ft letter height | — | — | — | 1 per visible face | On each canopy face visible from street | — | § 13-5.8C(8.4) |

### OB, I, L-1, L-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (I & L-2) | Up to 8 ft | — | Up to 20 ft | Min 50 ft from property line; 200 ft apart for two allowed | 1; 2 if criteria met | At least 50 ft from property line; at least 200 ft apart where two permitted (see additional_requirements) | — | § 13-5.8E(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (L-1) | Up to 8 ft | — | Up to 20 ft | Min 20 ft from ROW, 150 ft from property line | 1 per driveway opening | At each driveway opening, min 20 ft from street right-of-way, min 150 ft from property line. | — | § 13-5.8E(2.1-2.3) |
| Directory Sign (Internal, L-1) | 6 ft | — | 12 ft | Min 20 ft from ROW, 150 ft from property | — | Min 20 ft from street ROW, 150 ft from property line | — | § 13-5.8E(2.4) |
| Freestanding Sign (OB) | 7 ft | 20 sq. ft. | 5 ft vertical or horizontal dimension | At least 20 ft from property line, 8 ft from street ROW, 25 ft from intersection | 1 per property | Front yard; at least 20 ft from property line, 8 ft from street right-of-way, 25 ft from intersection | — | § 13-5.8E(3), referencing 13-5.8C(7) |
| Wall Sign (OB, I, L-1, L-2) | 3 ft or 10% of wall height, whichever is less | 40 sq. ft. | Up to 50% of width of wall, max 20 ft | — | 1 per street-facing wall; multiple if wall is sectioned | On building wall facing street | — | § 13-5.8E(4), referencing 13-5.8C(1.2) |
| Freestanding Temporary Real Estate Sign (OB, I, L-1, L-2) | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | Min 25 ft from street or property line | 1 per property | At least 25 ft from any street or property line | — | § 13-5.8E(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Morris Plains Borough

- Moving, fluttering or rotating signs, as well as streamers, pennants, balloons and similar displays, unless authorized on a specified temporary basis by the Borough Council.
- Any illuminated tubing or strings of lights outlining roof lines, doors, windows or wall edges of any building, except Christmas season decorations.
- Any sign that uses the words 'stop' or 'danger' or otherwise presents or implies the need or requirement of stopping or caution of the existence of danger, or which is likely to be confused with any sign displayed by public authority.
- Banner-type signs except where in celebration of public events or to call attention to dates of holidays of public significance and, in such cases, only when erected by the Borough itself or authorized by the Borough Council.
- Signs erected or located on, within, or over any public right-of-way except when erected by, or authorized by, the governmental agency having jurisdiction and except for signs or awnings as hereinafter regulated.
- Except as otherwise permitted in Section 13-5.8, signs which are not accessory to a use located on the premises.
- Temporary signs painted on or attached to a window except for signs announcing the opening of a new business establishment, provided the same are displayed for a period of not more than 30 days.
- Signs painted on a building wall.
- Signs attached to trees or utility poles except for warnings, statements or language required or installed by the utility.
- Signs located in sight triangle easements.
- The use of people in any manner, whether carrying signs, wearing costumes, or otherwise, for the purpose of advertising or promoting the commercial interests of any service or product out of doors in view of the general public except those specifically authorized by ordinance or the Borough Council on a specified temporary basis.
- Contractors' advertising signs except during normal working hours.
- Neon signs except as regulated in Section 13-5.8C(6).
- No sign shall be placed as to interfere with or be mistaken for a traffic light or similar safety device or interfere with traffic visibility.
- No sign, as permitted, shall extend or project above the highest elevation of the wall to which it is attached, nor shall any sign be erected on or attached to the roof of a building or to any roof-like, sloping facade, such as the lower portion of a mansard style roof.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, locate, relocate or maintain any sign which falsely identifies the premises or occupant of any premises or building, or which falsely advertises for sale on any premises or in any building any product or services not available therein.

## Signs exempt from permit in Morris Plains Borough

- Memorial tablets or signs, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or similar material as an integral part of the building; total area not to exceed four square feet.
- Traffic signs, all governmental signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger signs and such temporary emergency signs as may be erected by governmental or public utility employees in carrying out their official work.
- Names on mailboxes.
- Signs used on property warning the public against hunting or trespassing thereon, not to exceed one square foot in area.
- Temporary safety, traffic, directional and warning signs approved by the governmental agency having jurisdiction, not exceeding four square feet.
- Signs required by any provision of law or signs deemed necessary to the public welfare by the Borough Council.
- Display of the American Flag, flags of national origin and/or flags of state or municipal origin, provided that such use shall conform to any applicable state and/or federal laws, rules and regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign shall be erected unless a permit shall have first been issued by the Construction Official after approval by the Zoning Officer, or as part of site plan approval from either the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment.
- Freestanding traffic directional and traffic safety signs in any zone may be located on a property if approved by the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment in connection with a site plan application.
- The number of entrance, exit, identification and condition-of-use signs in off-street parking facilities is limited to those deemed essential by the Planning Board and as may be shown on a site plan approved pursuant to Article 4.

## 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 6 zoning districts in Morris Plains Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Morris+Plains+Borough+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-morris-plains-borough

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