# Sign Regulations in Newark, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Newark, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/newark
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/36711653#36711653)

## At a glance

Newark, New Jersey regulates 217 sign types across 24 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Detached Commercial/SCHOOLS/COMMUNITY CENTERS/PLACES OF WORSHIP/HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS)s in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial and Residential (C-1) zoning district are capped at 5 ft including base tall and 25 sq ft, with a 5 ft from property lines and structures setback (Sec. Table 9-1 (Monument 25 sq ft; 1 per frontage; 5 ft height; 5 ft setbacks; 12 in min letter height); §41:9-8). Most commercial signs in Newark require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (24 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 Detached Single-Family Residential (R-1) | 11 | — | 100 sq ft | — |
| One- to Three-Family Residential (R-2) | 14 | 5 ft including base | 100 sq ft | — |
| R-3 One- to Four-Family and Town House Residential (R-3) | 16 | 5 ft including base | 100 sq ft | — |
| R-4 Low-Rise Multifamily Residential (R-4) | 16 | 5 ft including base | 100 sq ft | — |
| Mid-Rise Multifamily Residential (R-5) | 16 | 5 ft including base | 100 sq ft | — |
| High-Rise Multifamily Residential (R-6) | 16 | 5 ft including base | 100 sq ft | — |
| C-1 Neighborhood Commercial and Residential (C-1) | 30 | 18 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| C-2 Community Commercial and Residential (C-2) | 26 | 18 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| C-3 Regional Commercial (C-3) | 36 | 18 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial (I-1) | 27 | 18 ft | Up to 100 sq ft, but not more than 10% of associated wall area | — |
| Medium Industrial (I-2) | 16 | 5 ft including base | Up to 100 sq ft, but not more than 10% of associated wall area | — |
| Heavy Industrial (I-3) | 16 | 5 ft including base | Up to 100 sq ft within 10% of wall area | — |
| Mixed Use, Residential/Commercial (MX-1) | 29 | 18 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Mixed Use, Residential/Commercial/Industrial (MX-2) | 22 | 18 ft | Wall up to 100 sq ft; Monument 25 sq ft | — |
| Mixed Use, Residential/Commercial (High Density) (MX-3) | 19 | 5 ft including base | Up to 50 sq ft and within 10% of tenant wall area | — |
| Airport (EWR) | 13 | 5 ft including base | Up to 100 sq ft within 10% of wall area | — |
| EWR-S | 20 | 18 ft | Up to 100 sq ft per sign (and ≤10% of wall area) | — |
| Port (PORT) | 16 | 18 ft | Up to 100 sq ft (and not more than 10% of wall area) | — |
| INST | 24 | 5 ft including base | 100 sq ft | — |
| PARK Park (PARK) | 15 | 5 ft including base | Up to 70 sq ft per sign (multi-tenant); up to 100 sq ft per sign (single-tenant) | — |
| CEM | 12 | 5 ft including base | Up to 70 sq ft (multi-tenant); up to 100 sq ft (single-tenant) | — |
| RDV/SD Redevelopment Zones and Special Districts (RDV) | 11 | 5 ft including base | Wall: up to 100 sq ft; Monument: 25 sq ft | — |
| RDV/SD | 14 | Projecting: bottom ≥8 ft; Monument: 5 ft incl. base | Wall: up to 100 sq ft; Monument: 25 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | — | 100 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 24 zones)

### C-1 Neighborhood Commercial and Residential (C-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Mixed-Use Building — Commercial Tenant) | — | Up to 50 sq ft per sign (subject to 10% of tenant wall area limit) | — | — | 1 per commercial tenant per frontage | On tenant’s street-facing facade associated with the tenant space. | — | Table 9-1 (Mixed-Use Buildings — Wall Sign 10% of tenant wall area, ≤50 sq ft; 1 per commercial tenant per frontage); §§41:9-8; 41:9-10.1(d)-(f) |
| Wall Sign (Mixed-Use Building — Residential Identification) | — | Up to 50 sq ft per sign (subject to 10% of associated wall area limit) | — | — | 1 per frontage | On the residential portion’s facade for identification. | — | Table 9-1 (Mixed-Use Buildings — Wall Sign; Residential: 1 per frontage); §41:9-8; §41:9-10.1 |
| Projecting Sign (Mixed-Use Building — Commercial Tenant) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per commercial tenant per frontage | Mounted to tenant facade projecting over sidewalk. | — | Table 9-1 (Mixed-Use Buildings — Projecting Sign 6 sq ft; projection ≤4 ft; 8 ft min clearance); §41:9-8 |
| Window Sign (Above Ground Level — Mixed-Use Building) | — | Up to 25% of the total glazed area of the windows applicable to the use | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Second or third level windows. | — | Table 9-1 (Mixed-Use Buildings — Window Sign above ground level ≤25% glazed area; 1 per frontage) |
| Monument Sign (Detached Commercial/SCHOOLS/COMMUNITY CENTERS/PLACES OF WORSHIP/HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS) | 5 ft including base | 25 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property lines and structures | 1 per street frontage | At street frontage of the site. | — | Table 9-1 (Monument 25 sq ft; 1 per frontage; 5 ft height; 5 ft setbacks; 12 in min letter height); §41:9-8 |
| Freestanding Sign (Detached Commercial — Strip Center/Mall only) | 18 ft | 36 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from any property line | — | On the strip center/mall site near frontage. | — | §41:9-10.3(c)(i)-(iii) (freestanding sign for detached commercial malls/strip centers) |
| Wall Sign (Schools/Community Centers/Places of Worship/Hospitals — if present) | Top of sign not more than 4 ft above the top of the door, window, or lintel line (whichever is tallest) | Up to 70 sq ft per sign (multi-tenant); up to 100 sq ft per sign (single-tenant building), each subject to 10% of wall area | — | — | 1 per tenant per frontage | On the building frontage of the use. | — | § 41:9-10, Table 9-1 (Detached Commercial/Schools/Community Centers/Places of Worship/Hospitals — Wall Sign); § 41:9-10(1)(f); § 41:9-8 |
| Monument Sign (Schools/Community Centers/Places of Worship/Hospitals — if present) | 5 ft including base | 25 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from all property lines and 5 ft from all structures | 1 per street frontage | Freestanding monument sign on the site. | — | § 41:9-10, Table 9-1 (Detached Commercial/Schools/etc. — Monument); § 41:9-8; § 41:9-6(c) |

### C-2 Community Commercial and Residential (C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Mixed-Use Building — Commercial Tenant) | — | Up to 50 sq ft per sign (subject to 10% of tenant wall area) | — | — | 1 per commercial tenant per frontage | On tenant’s street-facing facade. | — | Table 9-1 (Mixed-Use Buildings — Wall Sign); §§41:9-8; 41:9-10.1(d)-(f) |
| Wall Sign (Mixed-Use Building — Residential Identification) | — | Up to 50 sq ft per sign (subject to 10% associated wall area) | — | — | 1 per frontage | On residential portion’s street-facing facade. | — | Table 9-1 (Mixed-Use Buildings — Wall Sign; Residential: 1 per frontage); §41:9-8; §41:9-10.1 |
| Projecting Sign (Mixed-Use Building — Commercial Tenant) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant per frontage | Projecting from tenant facade over sidewalk. | — | Table 9-1 (Mixed-Use Buildings — Projecting Sign); §41:9-8 |
| Window Sign (Above Ground Level — Mixed-Use Building) | — | 25% of total glazed area of applicable windows | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Second or third floor windows. | — | Table 9-1 (Mixed-Use Buildings — Window Sign above ground level ≤25% glazed area; 1 per frontage) |
| Wall Sign (Detached Commercial/SCHOOLS/COMMUNITY CENTERS/PLACES OF WORSHIP/HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS) | — | Up to 70 sq ft (multi-tenant); up to 100 sq ft (single-tenant) | — | — | 1 per tenant per frontage (multi-tenant) or per building face (single-tenant as applicable) | On facade of applicable use. | — | Table 9-1 (Detached Commercial/Schools/etc. — Wall Sign 10% with caps); §41:9-8; §41:9-10.1 |
| Monument Sign (Detached Commercial/SCHOOLS/COMMUNITY CENTERS/PLACES OF WORSHIP/HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS) | 5 ft including base | 25 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property lines and structures | 1 per street frontage | At street frontage. | — | Table 9-1 (Monument 25 sq ft; 1 per frontage; 5 ft height; setbacks; 12 in letters); §41:9-8 |
| Freestanding Sign (Detached Commercial — Strip Center/Mall only) | 18 ft | 36 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any property line | — | On the strip center/mall site near frontage. | — | §41:9-10.3(c)(i)-(iii) |
| Wall/Projecting/Window/Awning/Monument Signs (Schools/Community Centers/Places of Worship/Hospitals — if present) | Wall: not more than 4 ft above the top of the door/window/lintel; Monument: 5 ft including base | Wall: up to 70 or 100 sq ft per sign (as applicable); Window: up to 10% glazed area; Projecting: 6 sq ft; Monument: 25 sq ft | — | Monument: 5 ft from all property lines and 5 ft from all structures | Wall: 1 per tenant per frontage; Projecting: 1 per tenant per frontage; Window: n/a; Awnings: in lieu; Monument: 1 per street frontage | On the building frontage (wall, window, projecting, awning) or as a monument sign on-site. | — | § 41:9-10, Table 9-1 (Detached Commercial/Schools/etc. — Wall/Projecting/Window/Awnings/Monument); § 41:9-8; § 41:9-6(c) |

### C-3 Regional Commercial (C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Detached Commercial or Civic/Institutional) | 5 ft including base | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | On site near frontage | — | §41:9-10 Table 9-1 (Detached Commercial/etc. – Monument); §41:9-8 |
| Freestanding Pylon/Monument Sign (Commercial Malls/Strip Centers) | 18 ft | 36 sq ft | — | — | — | For detached commercial malls and strip centers with min area 40,000 sq ft and min lot frontage 200 ft | — | §41:9-10.3(c)(i)-(iii); §41:9-8 |
| Monument Sign (Multi-Family Residential Complex) | 5 ft including base | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | At complex frontage, 1 per street frontage | — | §41:9-10 Table 9-1 (Town Houses/Row Houses; Low-, Mid-, High-Rise Residential – Monument) |
| Wall Sign (Mixed-Use Building — Commercial Tenant) | Top of sign not more than 4 ft above the top of the door, window, or lintel line (whichever is tallest) | Up to 50 sq ft per sign (subject to 10% of tenant wall area) | — | — | 1 per commercial tenant per frontage occupied by the tenant | Mounted on building frontage associated with the tenant space. | — | § 41:9-10, Table 9-1 (Mixed-Use Building — Wall Sign); § 41:9-10(1)(d)-(f); § 41:9-8; § 41:9-5 |
| Wall Sign (Mixed-Use Building — Residential Identification) | Top of sign not more than 4 ft above the top of the door, window, or lintel line (whichever is tallest) | Up to 50 sq ft per sign (subject to 10% of wall area) | — | — | 1 per frontage | On the residential entrance frontage of a mixed-use building. | — | § 41:9-10, Table 9-1 (Mixed-Use Building — Wall Sign: Residential: 1 per frontage); § 41:9-8; § 41:9-5 |
| Wall Sign (Detached Commercial) | Top of sign not more than 4 ft above the top of the door, window, or lintel line (whichever is tallest) | Up to 70 sq ft per sign (multi-tenant) or up to 100 sq ft per sign (single-tenant), each subject to 10% of wall area | — | — | 1 per tenant per frontage | On tenant frontage or building facade. | — | § 41:9-10, Table 9-1 (Detached Commercial — Wall Sign); § 41:9-10(1)(f); § 41:9-8 |
| Monument Sign (Detached Commercial) | 5 ft including base | 25 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from all property lines and 5 ft from all structures | 1 per street frontage | Freestanding monument sign on the site. | — | § 41:9-10, Table 9-1 (Detached Commercial — Monument); § 41:9-8; § 41:9-6(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Strip Centers/Malls ≥40,000 sq ft area and ≥200 ft frontage) | 18 ft | 36 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from any property line | — | Freestanding sign on site of qualifying detached commercial mall or strip center. | — | § 41:9-10(3)(c) |

## Prohibited signs in Newark

- Billboards are prohibited except where allowed as a conditional use under §41:6-2-11.
- No signs on municipal fences, walls, railway or road bridges, bridge supports or abutments, retaining walls, parking meters, or water towers unless approved by the City Council; signs on trees and utility poles are prohibited.
- Roof ("sky") signs mounted above a building’s roofline are prohibited.
- No sign may be placed on an accessory building.
- Signs lighted by varied illumination or that are moving, mobile, revolving, or electrically/mechanically activated are prohibited.
- Signs that create an optical illusion of movement (e.g., reverse perspective or changing copy) are prohibited.
- Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles or trailers parked so as to advertise to the public right-of-way are prohibited, except incidental signs on fully operable vehicles that are moved under their own power at least once per week.
- No sign may obstruct windows or doors so as to jeopardize public safety, or obscure decorative architectural features.
- No sign may obstruct sight lines for vehicle operators or pedestrians entering a public roadway.
- Awnings made of translucent material are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Newark

- Public notices or warnings required by Federal, State, County, or local law or regulation.
- Interior signs not attached to a window or door and not readable from more than 10 feet beyond the nearest lot line.
- Seasonal holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message, displayed for no more than three months.
- Traffic control signs on private property that meet Department of Transportation standards and contain no commercial message.
- Flags of the United States, New Jersey, the City of Newark, foreign nations, or other flags with purely non-commercial purposes.
- Pump-mounted fuel price informational signs: limited to one per fuel pump nozzle; maximum area 216 square inches; affixed directly and stationary; does not preclude other fuel price signs that meet all requirements.
- US Postal Regulation mailboxes.

## Sign permit fees & timelines in Newark

| Item | Details | Citation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All sign permits | No fee shall be collected for such permit. | — |

_The full published fee and review-timeline schedule for Newark is available in PermitPal (free account)._

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

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