# Sign Regulations in North Arlington Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** North Arlington Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/north-arlington-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/11266797#11266797)

## At a glance

North Arlington Borough, New Jersey regulates 30 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Temporary Construction/Repair Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 15 sq ft, with a 10 ft from all property lines unless affixed to building setback (Sec. § 205-64J(1)).

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 5 ft | 15 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 8 | 8 in | 25 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zones (C-1, C-2, C-3) | 7 | 15 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Zones (I-1) | 3 | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| House/Street Number Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | Affixed to principal building, clearly visible from main and abutting street | — | § 205-64C |
| Directional Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any property line | — | Minimum 5 feet from any property line; must not block line of sight | — | § 205-64E(1) |
| Historic, Memorial, Government Plaque | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Installed by government or civil/religious organization | — | § 205-64E(3) |
| Temporary Construction/Repair Sign | 5 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 10 ft from all property lines unless affixed to building | 1 per lot | Setback at least 10 feet from all property lines unless affixed to principal building | — | § 205-64J(1) |
| Temporary For Sale/For Rent Sign (Lot < 3 acres) | — | 6 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street line | 1 per lot | Setback at least 10 feet from street line | — | § 205-64J(2) |
| Temporary For Sale/For Rent Sign (Lot ≥ 3 acres) | — | 12 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street line | 1 per lot | Setback at least 10 feet from street line | — | § 205-64J(2) |
| Temporary Political Sign | — | 12 sq ft | 6 ft | — | — | All zones | — | § 205-64J(3) |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per premises | Only on the premises of the sale | — | § 185-7 |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Occupant Name/Address Sign | 8 in | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling/professional use | On dwelling; base must be landscaped | — | § 205-65A |
| Freestanding Sign (Schools/Houses of Worship/Public Institutions) | — | 24 sq ft | — | 5 ft from curb | 1 per street | At least 5 ft from curb, 1 per street frontage | — | § 205-65B(1) |
| Wall Sign (Schools/Houses of Worship/Public Institutions) | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per structure | On wall of structure | — | § 205-65B(2) |
| Parking Area Entrance/Exit Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per exit/entrance | At each entrance/exit to parking area, at least 5 ft from property line | — | § 205-65B(3) |
| Parking Area Condition/Identity Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parking area | Per parking area | — | § 205-65B(3) |
| Identification Sign (Multifamily/Other Bldgs.) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 (2 on corner lots) | On building wall | — | § 205-65C |
| Government Erected Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 205-65D |
| Construction/Repair Protection Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 205-65E |

### Commercial Zones (C-1, C-2, C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Setback ≥ 15 ft) | 7 ft | 15 sq ft | — | Building must be set back at least 15 ft from right-of-way | 1 per sign type, max 2 (different types) per property | Front yard area; may be at property line but not in street right-of-way | — | § 205-66B(1)-(2), § 205-66A(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Setback ≥ 75 ft) | 15 ft | 30 sq ft | — | Building must be set back at least 75 ft from right-of-way | 1 per sign type, max 2 (different types) per property | Front yard area; may be at property line but not in street right-of-way | — | § 205-66B(2)-(3), § 205-66A(1) |
| Wall Sign (Commercial Building) | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per wall | On lintel (horizontally across top of storefront) | — | § 205-66C(1), § 205-66C(3), § 205-66A(1) |
| Wall Sign (Residential Building Converted to Commercial Use) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrance between windows and door | — | § 205-66C(2), § 205-66A(1) |
| Canopy/Marquee/Awning Sign | 6 in | — | — | — | — | On canopy, marquee, or awning facade | — | § 205-66C(4), § 205-66A(1) |
| Permanent Window Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On building front window | — | § 205-66D(1)-(2), § 205-66A(1) |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On window where sales, products, or prices are advertised | — | § 205-66D(3) |

## Prohibited signs in North Arlington Borough

- Any sign which does not advertise a permitted business, use or product sold on the premises, except as may be permitted for required signs or temporary signs.
- Signs using red, green, blue or amber illumination in a beam, beacon or flashing form resembling an emergency light.
- Signs that rotate, gyrate, blink, move, or appear to move in any fashion.
- Signs attached to the exterior glass of a building.
- Roof signs and signs extending above the wall to which they are attached.
- Permanent marquees extending over the sidewalk beyond the street line.
- Signs posted on fences, posts, utility poles or trees.
- Signs posted on Borough property except where specifically authorized by the Borough.
- Signs installed or painted on sidewalks or curbs.
- Signs on abutments, retaining walls and embankments.
- Signs painted directly on buildings or which obstruct any windows.
- Signs on accessory buildings.
- Signs which constitute a hazard to the traveling public by obstructing driving vision, regulatory or directional signs or signals.
- Pylon signs, except as permitted.
- Billboards.
- Automobile, trailer (attached or unattached) or vehicle of any nature bearing signs or advertisements, parked or left stationary for more than 24 hours upon any vacant land or public street.
- All outside lighted signs operating after 1:00 a.m. with the exception of signs in the commercial zones.
- Illuminated signs where the source of light is directly visible from adjoining properties or streets.
- All temporary signs, except as set forth in the ordinance.
- Temporary signs are not permitted on public property or within any public right-of-way or sidewalk, including on trees, telephone poles, and street or traffic signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in North Arlington Borough

- Required house or street number/name signs no larger than one square foot for all principal buildings; these do not require a construction permit.
- Directional signs less than two square feet and at least five feet from any property line; must not block line of sight from driveways/roads.
- Information or public service signs (meeting places, dates, temperature, availability of rest rooms, telephone, or similar public conveniences), not exceeding two square feet and not advertising commercial establishments except public utilities.
- Historic tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques and emblems not exceeding six square feet in area and installed by government or civil/religious organizations.
- Signs issuing warnings or safety messages (e.g., 'no hunting,' 'no trespassing,' 'beware of dog'), not exceeding two square feet.
- Signs integral to vending machines, not exceeding two square feet.
- One temporary sign for architects, engineers, builders, brokers, contractors, and others connected with construction or repair activities (no permit required; must be removed by certificate of occupancy; setback 10 feet from property lines if not on building; maximum 15 square feet and 5 feet high).
- One temporary 'for sale' or 'for rent' sign (no permit required); not exceeding six square feet on tracts under 3 acres or 12 square feet over 3 acres; must be set back 10 feet from street; to be removed within 7 days of transaction.
- Temporary political signs in all zones allowed for two months before an election and for one week after; maximum 12 square feet and no side/diameter more than six feet.
- Signs erected by Borough, county, state, or federal government.
- Signs used for protection of the public during construction or repairs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign shall be placed, constructed, erected or modified unless a sign permit has been obtained from the Zoning Officer and, where required by the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, from the Construction Code Official, except for signs exempted by ordinance.
- The sign permit application must include detailed information for each existing and proposed sign (size, letter style/size, illumination, color, construction/materials, structural integrity, installation, window size, location, and comparison of requirements and proposed conditions).
- The sign permit application must include a sketch or photograph showing the dimensions of each facade, window, and canopy of the building for all existing and proposed permanent signs; for freestanding signs, a plot plan is required as part of the Master Signage Plan showing building and sign locations. The Zoning Officer may require a Master Signage Plan.
- If a sign installation or modification has been approved by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment as part of a development application, the Construction Code Official will issue the permit only if the sign is consistent with the reviewing board's approval.

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

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