# Sign Regulations in Oaklyn Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Oaklyn Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/oaklyn-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/11273331#11273331)

## At a glance

Oaklyn Borough, New Jersey regulates 17 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Wall Sign or Facade Signs in the Redevelopment Area Overlay Zone (Block 60, Lots 9-20) zoning district are capped at 70 sq ft, with a No sign, except official street or highway signs or functional signs, shall be located within three feet of the ROW. setback (Sec. §125-51H(1), §125-50L(1), §125-50G). Most commercial signs in Oaklyn Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Redevelopment Area Overlay Zone (Block 60, Lots 9-20) | 3 | 20 ft | 70 sq ft | — |
| White Horse Pike Redevelopment Area Overlay Zone (Block 60, Lots 9-20) | 3 | 20 ft | 70 sq ft | — |
| White Horse Pike Redevelopment Area Overlay Zone (Block 48, Lots 1, 11.01, 17, 17.01) | 1 | — | 75 sq ft | — |
| Residential (R-1, R-2) | 8 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 100 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Redevelopment Area Overlay Zone (Block 60, Lots 9-20)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Functional Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | No sign, except official street or highway signs or functional signs, shall be located within three feet of the existing or proposed right-of-way of any public road or street. | — | On or within close proximity of a business or commodity for sale or to a profession, service or entertainment rendered thereto. | — | §125-51G(1) |
| Wall Sign or Facade Sign | — | 70 sq ft | — | No sign, except official street or highway signs or functional signs, shall be located within three feet of the ROW. | One per building side facing approved street or parking lot entrance | On each side of a building facing an approved public street or public parking lot having an entrance generally used by the public. | — | §125-51H(1), §125-50L(1), §125-50G |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | — | — | Min. 3 ft from right-of-way (ROW) for all except official/functional signs. | One per street frontage | One per street frontage. | — | §125-51O, §125-50F, §125-50O |

### Residential (R-1, R-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Caution/Address/Professional Name Sign | — | 9 inches by 18 inches (1.125 sq ft) | 18 inches | — | One per property | Freestanding or affixed to a building | — | §125-51B |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | On property for sale or rent | — | §125-51D |
| Real Estate Sign (Sold/Rented) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On property which has sold/rented | — | §125-51E |
| Contractor/Construction Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | One per contractor/trade | On premises under construction or repair | — | §125-51F |
| School/Church/Hospital/Club Sign | — | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | One per street frontage | On school, church, hospital, club, lodge, or similar property | — | §125-51C |
| Temporary Political/Civic/Educational Campaign/Event Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | On property for the event or campaign | — | §125-51L, §86-17B(1) |
| Residential Area/Apartment Complex Identification Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | Max 3 per project | At each principal entrance to a residential area or apartment complex | — | §125-51M |
| Political Advertising Sign (on private property) | — | — | — | — | — | On private property only | — | §86-17B(1) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign or Facade Sign (General Regulations For All Zones) | — | 50 sq ft | — | No sign, except official street or highway signs or functional signs, shall be located within 20 ft of ROW. | One per building side | On each side of the building facing an approved public street or public parking lot having an entrance generally used by the public. | — | §125-51H, §125-50L, §125-50G |
| Functional Sign (General Regulations For All Zones) | — | 12 sq ft | — | No sign, except official street or highway signs or functional signs, shall be located within 20 ft of the ROW. | — | For business, office, commercial/industrial and institutional uses; must serve a convenience to the public. | — | §125-51G, §125-50O |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 4 sq ft (1 ft x 4 ft) | 1 ft width, 4 ft length | — | One per business | For each business in shopping centers or strip stores; attached to the underside of a canopy. | — | §125-51J, §125-53.1 |
| Changeable-Copy Sign (Theater and Sports Areas Only) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per theater/sports area | On theater, movie theater, or sports area properties. | — | §125-51K, §125-53.1, §125-52A |
| Temporary Political/Civic/Educational/Charitable Campaign or Event Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | Announcing/advertising a campaign or event | — | §125-51L |
| Window Sign (Merchandise Advertising) | — | 20% of window area | — | — | — | Inside window of business | — | §125-51N |

## Prohibited signs in Oaklyn Borough

- All signs must comply with the Borough's Building, Construction, Maintenance and Fire Codes.
- The text of all signs is limited to identification and functional purposes only.
- No sign, except official street or highway signs or functional signs, shall be located within 20 feet of the existing or proposed right-of-way of any public road or street.
- No sign shall exceed 20 feet in height.
- No wall sign shall extend beyond three feet from the building facade on which it is mounted.
- All signs shall conform to the provisions of Title 27 of the New Jersey State statutes.
- No sign shall be erected or placed if it causes danger to traffic or obstructs clear vision for drivers.
- Signs advertising or identifying a business or use no longer in existence or a product no longer available must be promptly removed.
- No sign shall state or imply that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the Borough's Zoning Ordinance.
- No sign shall be illuminated between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., unless the business is open later.
- No sign shall obstruct free access to a doorway, fire escape or window.
- Signs adjacent to a dwelling or residential district must be illuminated so that glare does not extend upon residential use or district.
- It is unlawful to place, attach or post any sign, poster, advertisement, card, handbill, paper or lights or any notice upon any poles, trees, or shrubs standing in any street or sidewalk or in the area between the sidewalk and curb in the Borough.
- It is unlawful to place, attach or post signs on residential property except for those advertising or giving notice of a sale, rental or other activity occurring on the premises, except for political advertising signs and open house advertisements.
- No sign may be approved for any property while a nonconforming sign remains in use on the property; approval is contingent upon removal of all nonconforming signs.
- No sign shall be so erected or located as to obstruct openings intended as entrance or exit; or to obstruct light or air from any room; or provide less than seven feet clearance over a pedestrian walkway.
- Floodlights, spotlights, and directed lights as part of a sign illumination system that are not hooded or shielded so that the light source is not visible from any public right-of-way or adjacent property are prohibited.
- Flashing, moving or apparently moving signs are prohibited except for certain changeable-copy and time-and-temperature signs.
- Signs with lighting or control mechanism causing radio or television interference are prohibited.
- Any series of two or more signs carrying a single message along a roadway is prohibited.
- Any sign simulating official, directional, or warning signs by a government or utility is prohibited.
- Any sign located on a lot other than the lot occupied by the use, event or product advertised is prohibited (no off-premises signs).
- Signs attached to or painted on trees, fences, utility poles, rocks, curbs, walls, lamps, hydrants, benches or bridges are prohibited.
- Banner signs, mobile signs, projected signs, roof signs, and freestanding signs, as defined in § 125-49, are prohibited (except where specifically permitted in overlay zones).
- Any sign near a street intersection that contains red, amber, or green illumination is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Oaklyn Borough

- The provisions of this article do not apply to works of art, statues, sculpture, fountains, holiday decorations and similar objects which are not defined as 'sign' in § 125-49.
- Signs erected by governmental agencies; court or public notices; traffic control devices approved or installed by appropriate governmental agencies; flags, emblems, and insignias of governmental and religious institutions are permitted.
- One nonilluminated or white-lighted sign not exceeding nine inches by 18 inches for caution, trespass warning, driveway identification, professional occupation, etc.
- Political advertising signs on private property are specifically excluded from restrictions on residential property.
- Open house signs are excluded from public/private property restrictions but may only be displayed three hours before and must be removed two hours after the open house event.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs exceeding eight square feet in area; all illuminated signs require a permit.
- Signs incorporated as part of building design are covered by the building permit.
- All applications for signs requiring sign permits are subject to review by the Planning and Zoning Board of the Borough.
- No sign shall be reviewed nor a permit issued until a plan and elevation drawing has been submitted with details as to location, type of illumination, text, owner, and erector.
- Signs permitted under §125-51H, I, J, K, L, and N are subject to Planning Board review and approval.
- Approval for permit and erection of any new signs for a property is contingent on simultaneous removal of all nonconforming signs for said property.

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

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