# Sign Regulations in Northfield, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Northfield, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/northfield
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/8362114#8362114)

## At a glance

Northfield, New Jersey regulates 34 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the N-B Neighborhood Business Zone, C-B Community Business Zone, R-C Regional Commercial Zone, O-P Office Professional Zone zoning district are capped at 15 ft max, bottom edge at least 3 ft above ground tall and Max 50 sq ft, with a No closer than 15 ft to any property line; no closer than 50 ft to residential zone setback (Sec. 215-113L(2)). Most commercial signs in Northfield require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | 8 ft | 72 sq in per side | — |
| Residential zones (R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3) | 6 | 8 ft | 72 sq in per side | — |
| R-SC Senior Citizen Residential District, AH Adult Housing District, AH1-AR Affordable Housing 1 - Age-Restricted, AH2 Overlay Zone Adult Housing, AH3-AR Affordable Housing 3 - Age-Restricted Overlay District | 4 | 8 ft | 50 sq in | — |
| O-PB Office Professional Business Zone | 2 | 15 ft top, min 3 ft bottom | See §215-113L(2): Area = 10 sq ft min, max 1 sq ft per 10 ft street frontage, max 50 sq ft | — |
| C-C Country Club Zone | 1 | — | 16 sq ft per side | — |
| N-B Neighborhood Business Zone, C-B Community Business Zone, R-C Regional Commercial Zone, O-P Office Professional Zone | 6 | 42 in | Max 50 sq ft | — |
| C-B Community Business Zone, R-C Regional Commercial Zone, O-PB Office Professional Business Zone | 1 | 12 ft | 30 sq ft | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | Identifying parking areas, loading zones, entrances, exits, and similar locations | — | 215-113F(1) |
| Historical Tablet, Cornerstone, Memorial Plaque, Emblem | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Installed by government or civil/religious orgs | — | 215-113F(4) |
| Residential Name and Number Plate | — | 50 sq in | — | — | — | Affixed to house, apartment or mailbox | — | 215-113F(7) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential and Commercial) | — | 5 sq ft (single face); 10 sq ft (double-face) | — | No closer than 1/2 distance between building line and lot line | No closer than 200 ft | On premises being sold/rented/leased | — | 215-113F(11) |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | Max 25% of single window area | — | — | — | Window | — | 215-113F(12) |
| Temporary Sign for Public Function/Charity | 8 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | Flat against building or freestanding | — | 215-113F(13) |
| Political Sign/Banner | 6 ft (if not attached to building) | 16 sq ft (all sides aggregate); not more than 4 ft H x 4 ft W per side | 4 ft | — | Max 5 per property | All zones, must not obstruct intersections or create hazard | — | 215-113F(17) |
| Grand Opening Sign (Temporary) | 8 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | Flat against building or freestanding | — | 215-113F(21) |

### Residential zones (R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Nameplate | — | 50 sq in | — | — | — | — | — | 215-113H(1) |
| Lawn Sign | — | 72 sq in per side | — | — | — | Yard | — | 215-113H(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 5 sq ft (one face), 10 sq ft (double-sided) | — | At least 1/2 the distance from building line to lot line | — | On premises for sale/rent/lease | — | 215-113H(1), 215-113F(11) |
| Freestanding Sign (Main Entrance to Development) | 8 ft | 25 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 | Main entrance to development | — | 215-113H(2)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign (Other Entrances to Development) | 8 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | Entrances other than main | — | 215-113H(2)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Rental/Sales Office) | 5 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per office | Rental or sales office of development | — | 215-113H(2)(c) |

### N-B Neighborhood Business Zone, C-B Community Business Zone, R-C Regional Commercial Zone, O-P Office Professional Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Attached Sign) | Vertical dimension cannot exceed 5 ft | Max 0.5 sq ft per 1 ft building width, up to 100 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to main building | — | 215-113L(1) |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft max, bottom edge at least 3 ft above ground | Max 50 sq ft | — | No closer than 15 ft to any property line; no closer than 50 ft to residential zone | 1 per 300 ft street frontage | On lot in curbed island | — | 215-113L(2) |
| Interior Window Neon/LED/Electronic Light Sign | — | Max 25% of specific window area | — | — | — | First floor window area, not door or upper floors | — | 215-113L(3) |
| Electronic Message Board (Freestanding Sign) | — | Max 24 sq ft (sign face) | — | Must meet all dimensional, location, placement requirements for freestanding sign | See freestanding sign | On freestanding sign | — | 215-113L(4) |
| Barber Pole | 39 in | — | 8 in diameter | — | 1 | Mounted to building wall | — | 215-113L(5) |
| Sandwich Board or A-Frame Sign | 42 in | 7 sq ft per side | 24 in | — | 1 per business street frontage | Displayed outside business during business hours, within property boundaries between entrance and sidewalk | — | 215-113M(1) |

## Prohibited signs in Northfield

- Any signs not specifically permitted are hereby prohibited.
- No signs, except window or special event signs, shall be placed on private or public property except for the purpose of identifying a use or uses actually conducted upon the premises upon which such signs are erected and for no other purpose.
- No sign shall be located in such a manner as to materially impede the view of any street or intersection.
- No display vehicles or display trailer devices for commercial purposes shall be permitted to remain in any district for longer than a consecutive twenty-four-hour period.
- No portion of any sign shall be located within or suspended over a public right-of-way or pedestrian walkway.
- No sign, other than exempt signs, shall be permitted within 50 feet of the property line of any historical site or monument.
- No sign shall be located closer than 25 feet to any residential zone boundary; shrubbery, a wall or other suitable device shall be provided as a visual barrier between said sign and adjoining residential properties.
- No existing sign shall be enlarged, rebuilt, structurally altered, or relocated except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and until a permit has been issued.
- No permit shall be issued for any neon, LED or electronic light sign to be installed within any building or structure where there exists any signage in violation of this chapter.
- Signs using red, yellow and green lights which, in the judgment of the Chief of Police, interfere with the operation of any traffic control signal are prohibited.
- Moving or revolving signs, strips, tubes or lamps, of any illumination source, using any mode of blinking, flashing, vibrating, flickering, tracer, color changing or sequential lighting used as sign or as an architectural accent are prohibited, except for the standard movement of clocks and temperature gauges or signs that indicate the "open" status of business.
- Signs using any material which sparkles or glitters are prohibited (except for reflective paint on traffic signs).
- Neon lights are prohibited in all zones except as specifically provided.
- Any sign which, in the judgment of the Chief of Police, unreasonably tends to distract drivers or otherwise constitutes a traffic hazard is prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited. No sign may attach to or project above the roof line.
- Signs or advertising matter of an indecent or obscene nature are prohibited.
- Signs using words such as "stop," "look," "danger," etc. placed in a manner which, in the judgment of the Chief of Police, constitute a traffic hazard or interfere with the free flow of traffic are prohibited.
- Signs which attempt to imitate or otherwise cause confusion with existing governmental signs are prohibited.
- Signs advertising a product or service not sold on the premises, signs advertising or directing attention to another premises and any other signs unrelated to the premises on which the sign is erected are prohibited (except where specifically permitted).
- Signs causing interference with radio or television reception are prohibited.
- Signs obstructing doors, fire escapes, stairways, or keeping light or air from windows used for living quarters are prohibited.
- Banners, strings of banners, pennants, pinwheels, sidewalk signs, curb signs, and similar advertising devices are prohibited.
- Any sign or banner spanning a public street is prohibited.
- Signs placed on trees, fences, utility poles, light poles, signs attached to other signs and signs placed upon motor vehicles which are continuously or repeatedly parked in a conspicuous location to serve as a sign are prohibited (with some exceptions for commercial vehicles).
- Any series of two or more signs placed along a street or highway carrying a message part of which is contained on each sign (i.e., sequential billboards) is prohibited.
- Signs which advertise that real estate has been sold are prohibited.
- A sign on a motor vehicle, truck, trailer, whether or not operational and whether or not self-propelled, which is used or parked for advertising purposes is prohibited, except signs on vehicles regularly used in the course of business.
- Outdoor advertising signs, billboards or devices which are not directly related to an activity currently being conducted on the lot or premises upon which such sign is located are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Northfield

- Nonilluminated directional signs identifying parking areas, loading zones, entrances, exits, and similar locations (may include business/professional name but no advertising message, and not exceeding three square feet).
- Temporary and permanent traffic signs and signals installed by the City, county or state for directing and regulating the flow of traffic.
- Signs indicating public transportation stops when installed by the City or a public transportation utility.
- Historical tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques and emblems not exceeding six square feet in area and installed by government agencies or civil or religious organizations.
- Warning and no-trespassing signs, not exceeding three square feet in area.
- Flags or emblems of religious, educational, civic or governmental organizations flown from supports on the occupied buildings or grounds; the American Flag whenever/wherever flown in accordance with federal laws.
- Name and number plates identifying residents and affixed to a house, apartment, or mailbox, not exceeding 50 square inches in area.
- Lawn signs identifying residents, not exceeding 72 square inches per side, nonilluminated except by a lamppost light if used as a support; no advertising message.
- Signs posted by governmental agencies or pursuant to governmental statute, order, or regulation.
- Signs integral to vending machines (including gasoline pumps and milk machines) not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Real estate signs announcing the sale, rental, or lease of premises (not exceeding five square feet per side (or 10 square feet if double-sided)), nonilluminated, and meeting setback/separation requirements.
- Temporary signs or advertising materials in windows (for event/sale), removed at the event’s end or 90 days (whichever is less), not exceeding 25% of any single window/display area; not permitted in windows with permanent neon, LED, or electronic sign.
- Temporary signs for public functions or non-profit/religious fundraising events, permitted for 90 days prior to and during the event, removed within five days after, nonilluminated, not larger than eight square feet or eight feet in height (may be flat against building or freestanding); not permitted in windows with neon/LED/electronic light sign.
- Path-marking signs for garage sales (not more than six signs, two square feet each, posted no earlier than one week before, removed the day after; not otherwise prohibited).
- Professional signs for name and profession of the occupant of a dwelling, not exceeding one square foot per side.
- One sign advertising a permitted nonprofit or public nonresidential use, located on same premises, not exceeding eight square feet per side, not within a window with neon/LED/electronic light sign.
- Political signs and banners (subject to specific size, height, illumination, location, quantity and other requirements), with no city fee for placement.
- Signs forbidding trespassing, hunting, fishing, or trapping per NJ Fish and Game Laws.
- Logoed umbrellas as portable signs at sidewalk cafes or restaurants when used for shading seating areas.
- Signs pertaining to First Amendment speech rights.
- Temporary signs advertising initial/grand opening of a new business, permitted for 45 days from mercantile license issuance or commencement, nonilluminated, not larger than eight square feet or higher than eight feet, flat or freestanding, not within a window with neon/LED/electronic sign.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs and advertising displays, other than those expressly excluded, require a sign permit issued by the Zoning Officer. The application must include plans and specifications.
- Application for a sign permit must include: owner and applicant info, consent, sketch plat with property and surrounding info, dimensions, existing buildings/signs, sign diagram with message, construction method/materials, and, for business/commercial/industrial zones, blueprint plans.
- Every neon, LED or electronic light sign requires a sign permit and must comply with all location and installation restrictions.
- Sandwich board or A-frame signs require a yearly temporary sign permit from the Zoning Officer; application must include location address and indemnification.
- Windless flag/feather/sail signs (for certain commercial properties) require a permit from the Zoning Officer, valid through Dec 31, renewable annually, non-transferable.
- Nonconforming signs may not be enlarged, extended, increased or changed in material, character, location or illumination, except pre-1986 neon/LED/electronic signs; all must meet permitting requirements.
- Signs must conform to the structural requirements of NJ Uniform Construction Code, and require all other necessary permits/approvals including from the Construction/Building Department prior to installation.
- No existing sign shall be enlarged, rebuilt, structurally altered, or relocated except per this chapter and until a permit has been issued.
- Preexisting nonconforming signs may not be converted to electronic message boards unless approved by the appropriate land use board and the proposed board and structure fully comply with all regulations.
- A permit is required when a sign is proposed to be erected, except for the specific exemptions in the ordinance.
- Denied sign permits may be appealed according to procedures established in the ordinance.

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

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