# Sign Regulations in Neptune Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Neptune Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/neptune-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/35324505#35324505)

## At a glance

Neptune Township, New Jersey regulates 43 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Non-historic zone districts zoning district are capped at 150 sq ft or less: 15 ft; 151-190 sq ft: 20 ft; 191-400 sq ft: 40 ft tall and 300 sq ft (Single Use), 400 sq ft (Multi Use), with a 3/4 of sign height from property line setback (Sec. § LDO-416.07.A.1-7). Most commercial signs in Neptune Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Neptune Marina Area | 2 | — | — | — |
| Non-historic zone districts | 9 | 150 sq ft or less: 15 ft; 151-190 sq ft: 20 ft; 191-400 sq ft: 40 ft | 300 sq ft (Single Use), 400 sq ft (Multi Use) | — |
| Historic zone districts | 18 | 48 in | 20 sq ft | — |
| Planned Development Districts (LI, PUD and C-1) | 1 | — | 240 sq ft | — |
| All Zoning Districts | 4 | 36 in | 20 sq ft | — |
| Non-residential zones | 1 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 4 ft | 10 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Non-historic zone districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 150 sq ft or less: 15 ft; 151-190 sq ft: 20 ft; 191-400 sq ft: 40 ft | 300 sq ft (Single Use), 400 sq ft (Multi Use) | — | 3/4 of sign height from property line | One per lot; two if multiple street frontages | Placed within landscaped area; setback from property line 3/4 of the sign height | — | § LDO-416.07.A.1-7 |
| Wall-Mounted Sign (Single Tenant Structure) | 8 ft max (including hardware), not to extend more than 2 ft above roofline | 48 sq ft max | 75% of wall face max horiz. dimension | — | 1 | Building wall; flat against wall | — | § LDO-416.07.B.1 |
| Wall-Mounted Sign (Multi-Tenant Structure) | 8 ft max (including hardware), not to extend more than 2 ft above roofline | 48 sq ft max | 75% of wall face max horiz. dimension | — | One per tenant | Building wall; flat against wall | — | § LDO-416.07.B.2 |
| Wall-Mounted Sign (Secondary) | — | 50% of area of primary building sign | — | — | — | Side or rear building façade fronting parking lot or secondary street | — | § LDO-416.07.B.3 |
| Awning Sign | Vertical sign face: 18 in. max; min clearance 8 ft; Max vertical dimension not to exceed horizontal projection. | — | Image: 1 ft; Horizontal sign: 15 ft or 60% of awning length, whichever less | — | Max 2 per awning | First story awnings only; sign must be on valance; may project over public sidewalk only (not public ROW unless Township Committee approval) | — | § LDO-416.07.C |
| Directory Nameplate | 5 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Not visible from public street or adjacent property | — | § LDO-416.07.D |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | On site; not in sight triangle or over ROW | — | § LDO-416.07.E |
| Permanent Window Sign | — | 18 sq ft, not more than 35% of window area | — | — | See additional requirements | Below third story, visible from public street or approved parking area | — | § LDO-416.07.F |

### Historic zone districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall-Mounted Sign (Ground Floor Businesses, Non-Hotel) - Option 1 | 15 ft or sill of 2nd story, whichever less | 15 sq ft | — | — | Option 1: 1 | Building wall | — | § LDO-416.08.D.3(a) |
| Wall-Mounted Sign (Ground Floor Businesses, Non-Hotel) - Option 2 | 15 ft or sill of 2nd story, whichever less | 6 sq ft | — | — | Option 2: 1 | Building wall | — | § LDO-416.08.D.3(a) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 5 sq ft | 42 in (horizontal projection) | — | 1 | Primary building face | — | § LDO-416.08.D.3(b) |
| Awning Sign | Image: 10 in; Min clearance: 8 ft; Vertical dimension ≤ horizontal projection | — | 1 ft max image; horizontal sign: 15 ft or 60% of awning length, whichever less | — | Max 2 per awning | First story awnings only | — | § LDO-416.08.D.3(c) |
| Permanent Window Sign | — | 12 sq ft, not more than 30% of window area | — | — | Max 2 per business | First story window only; visible from public street or parking | — | § LDO-416.08.D.3(d) |
| Wall-Mounted Sign (Historic Hotels, under 20 rooms) - Option 1 | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | Option 1: 1 | Building wall | — | § LDO-416.08.D.4(a) |
| Wall-Mounted Sign (Historic Hotels, under 20 rooms) - Option 2 | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Option 2: 1 | Building wall | — | § LDO-416.08.D.4(a) |
| Real Estate/Name Building Sign (Residential Building) | 48 in | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Residential building | — | § LDO-416.08.D.7 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential, Exempt) | 4 ft | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property being sold/leased only, not in sight triangle or ROW | — | § LDO-416.04.A |
| Traffic, Parking, Informational and Street Identification Signs (Public) | — | — | — | — | — | Any district or public right-of-way | — | § LDO-416.04.D |
| Special Event Sign | — | — | — | — | 3 | At business during event | — | § LDO-416.04.L |
| Residential Nameplate Sign (Single Family) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On residence | — | § LDO-416.04.G.1 |
| Informational Sign (Private Property, Single Family) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 | At entrance/driveway | — | § LDO-416.04.G.1 |
| Residential Directory Nameplate (Multifamily) | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Building main entrance | — | § LDO-416.04.G.2(a) |
| Building Name/Number Wall Sign (Apartment/Townhouse/Multifamily) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On building | — | § LDO-416.04.G.2(b) |
| Management Office Wall Sign (Apartment/Townhouse/Multifamily) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 | At management office entrance | — | § LDO-416.04.G.2(c) |

## Prohibited signs in Neptune Township

- Any sign for advertising purposes that mimics or is substantially similar to a public purpose sign; signs which use the words "stop," "look," "caution," "danger" or any similar wording which may confuse or mislead the public.
- Signs with lights or illuminations which flash, move, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker, vary in intensity, vary in color, or use intermittent electrical pulsation.
- Signs within designated sight triangles, and signs which directly obstruct driver's lines-of-sight.
- Non-public banners that stretch across a public right-of-way between telephone poles, trees or other structure; no advertising flags, banners, pinwheels, portable signs, or similar advertising devices shall be permitted.
- Any sign erected, constructed or maintained on or above the roof of a building.
- Freestanding signs of any type in historic zone districts.
- Reader board signs.
- Signs with continuing visible moving, revolving or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement of any description or other apparent visible movement.
- Signs that advertise or identify a use which has ceased operation.
- Any illegal non-conforming sign, as defined herein.
- The continuous parking or storage of a motor vehicle or other mobile unit displaying an advertising message.
- Signs containing obscene, pornographic or lewd messages.
- Signs that obstruct a fire escape, door, window or other required access way.
- Signs that are not accessory to a principal use on a property.
- Painted Signs. No sign may be painted directly on the surface of any building facade, wall, fence or similar structure.
- Signs painted on or attached to any trees, rocks, fence posts, utility poles or similar structures or objects.
- The further erection, construction or enlargement of signs known as "commercial advertising billboards" is prohibited.
- Existing commercial advertising billboards may be repaired or maintained in the same location, but may not be enlarged, relocated to another lot, or replaced in the event of the total destruction thereof.
- Strings of lights outlining rooflines, doors, windows, or wall edges of any building except seasonal decorations.
- Any sign not expressly permitted by this Chapter is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Neptune Township

- Non-illuminated real-estate signs for residential uses, provided they do not exceed 10 square feet in area and four feet in height, with only one such sign per property and not placed within any sight triangle or public right-of-way, and removed immediately upon execution of a contract and/or closing for the lease or sale of the property.
- Traffic, parking, informational and street identification signs that conform to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as approved by any Township agency or any county, state or federal agency.
- Any other signs required by any provision of law are permitted in any district or public right-of-way.
- Political signs protected under the free speech provisions of the United States and New Jersey Constitutions, provided they are not located in a public right-of-way.
- Temporary window advertising signs contained solely within the ground level window of permitted ground level retail and personal service business uses and eating and drinking establishments located in the B-1 and HD-B-1 Zone Districts, not to exceed 30% of total area of ground level windows.
- Residential nameplate signs for single-family dwellings indicating name and/or address of occupants (max. one square foot, no advertising) and one informational sign (such as no trespassing) not exceeding one square foot.
- For multifamily residential, one wall-mounted residential directory nameplate (max. five square feet) or individual wall-mounted unit nameplates (not more than 48 square inches each, non-illuminated, at main entrance, no advertising); two wall signs per building indicating name or number (max. two square feet per sign, may be indirectly illuminated, not backlighted or internally illuminated); one non-illuminated wall sign for management office (max. one square foot).
- Sandwich board signs not exceeding 20 inches in width, 36 inches in height and six square feet in area, maintained in front of the business property and removed at end of business every day.
- Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association signs for public safety and informational signs, bronze memorial signs, and street signs (including standard street signs and monument street sign not to exceed 24 inches in height).
- No more than three non-illuminated special event signs placed at any business during the event, for not more than 45 days prior and three days after the event.
- Public Access Signs posted at public access locations as identified in the Municipal Public Access Plan to notify the public of accessibility, clear of obstruction and installed by the Department of Public Works.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Each space or group of spaces reserved for accessible parking must be identified with a sign whose layout, design, and position is subject to review and approval by the Police Department.
- All temporary signs require a zoning permit.
- Permanent and temporary sign permissions and restrictions are governed by Zoning Schedule C and may involve compliance with zoning permit processes.
- Historic district signage is governed by subsection LDO-416.08; additional approvals or review may be required.
- Some awning or canopy projections over public right-of-way may require approval by the Township Committee.

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

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