Sign Regulations in Paramus Borough, New Jersey
Paramus Borough, New Jersey has specific sign regulations covering 29 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include For Sale/For Rent Sign, Construction Information Sign, Institutional Monument Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Paramus Borough, New Jersey
Sample Sign Requirements in Paramus Borough
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| For Sale/For Rent Sign | 5 ft | 6 sq ft (single/two family); 10 sq ft (other uses) | — |
| Construction Information Sign | 15 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Institutional Monument Sign | 6 ft | 18 sq ft per face | ≥15 feet from curbline; ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥25 ft from any residentially utilized lot |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Paramus BoroughFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
29
- For Sale/For Rent Sign
- Construction Information Sign
- Institutional Monument Sign
- Institutional Wall Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
4
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Paramus Borough
Municipal Code3 permit application links available
Other Cities in New Jersey
Frequently Asked Questions
In Paramus Borough, monument signs are limited to 6 ft. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Paramus Borough, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Paramus Borough, regulated sign types include For Sale/For Rent Sign, Construction Information Sign, Institutional Monument Sign, Institutional Wall Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Paramus Borough, monument signs typically require a ≥15 feet from curbline; ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥25 ft from any residentially utilized lot setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Paramus Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Paramus Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Paramus Borough, New Jersey Sign Rules at a Glance
Paramus Borough, New Jersey regulates 29 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Business Sign (HCC, HCC-2 Only)s in the MFAC, MFML, GOV, NB, HCC, HCC-2, LB, CEM, HP, CR, MU zoning district are capped at 18 ft tall, 80 sq ft (Ch. 367); 36 sq ft (Ch. 429 Article XXXII), and 12 ft wide, with a ≥15 ft from curb, ≥10 ft from street ROW setback (Sec. §367-12H(2); §429-194). Most commercial signs in Paramus Borough require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Paramus Borough, New Jersey
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Paramus Borough (4 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-50, R-75, R-100, R-150, R-150ML, R-2F, R-AH, R-GC | 12 | 15 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — |
| MFAC, MFML, GOV, NB, HCC, HCC-2, LB, CEM, HP, CR, MU | 12 | 18 ft | 100 sq ft per sign; 300 sq ft total per building | — |
| Billboard Overlay Zone | 2 | 35 ft (or height limitation for principal structure); up to 60 ft if >500 ft from residential | 672 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 60 sq in | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Paramus Borough(sample of 3 of 4 zones)
R-50, R-75, R-100, R-150, R-150ML, R-2F, R-AH, R-GC
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For Sale/For Rent Sign | 5 ft | 6 sq ft (single/two family); 10 sq ft (other uses) | — | — | 1 | On property for sale/lease/rent | — | Unlock | §367-12G(1)(a) |
| Construction Information Sign | 15 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On site during construction | — | Unlock | §367-12G(1)(c) |
| Institutional Monument Sign | 6 ft | 18 sq ft per face | — | ≥15 feet from curbline; ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥25 ft from any residentially utilized lot | 1 per lot | Front yard area, ≥15 ft from curbline/≥10 ft from ROW | — | Unlock | §367-12I(5)(a), §429-198 |
| Residential Subdivision Identification Sign (permanent) | 8 ft (main); 5 ft (other entrances/sales office) | 24 sq ft (main); 15 sq ft (other entrances); 15 sq ft (sales/rental office) | — | — | 1 main, 1 at each other entrance, 1 at sales/rental office | At entrance; each entrance allowed 1 sign; sales/rental office allowed 1 | — | Unlock | §367-12G(1)(e) |
| Multifamily Identification Sign | 8 ft above grade | 32 sq ft per frontage | — | — | 1 per street frontage with entrance | At public entrance; 1 per frontage with public traffic entrance | — | Unlock | §367-12G(1)(f) |
| Professional Nameplate (Residence) | 6 ft (if freestanding) | 1.5 sq ft | — | ≥20 ft from curbline | 1 | On main wall or post; setback ≥20 ft from curb | — | Unlock | §367-12G(1)(i); §429-201A |
| Business Identification Sign (on building or lawn) | 5 ft (if freestanding) | 3 sq ft (8 sq ft if >1 business on premises) | — | — | 1 (max 8 sq ft w/multiple uses) | Flat to building or single freestanding post (lawn sign) | — | Unlock | §367-12G(1)(l) |
| Farm Stand Signs | 8 ft (freestanding); wall unspecified | 12 sq ft (each freestanding); 20 sq ft (building wall) | — | — | 2 freestanding + 1 wall | On premises | — | Unlock | §367-12G(1)(m) |
MFAC, MFML, GOV, NB, HCC, HCC-2, LB, CEM, HP, CR, MU
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign - Single Tenant | — | 100 sq ft per sign; 300 sq ft total per building | — | — | 1 per wall, up to 4 total | Attached to building facade | — | Unlock | §367-12H(1)(a),(c); §429-193, §429-196 |
| Freestanding Business Sign (HCC, HCC-2 Only) | 18 ft | 80 sq ft (Ch. 367); 36 sq ft (Ch. 429 Article XXXII) | 12 ft | ≥15 ft from curb, ≥10 ft from street ROW | 1 per lot | ≥15 ft from curb; ≥10 ft from ROW | — | Unlock | §367-12H(2); §429-194 |
| Monument Sign (HCC, HCC-2, LB Only) | 18 ft (HCC, HCC-2); 6 ft (LB, Ch. 429) | 80 sq ft (HCC, HCC-2); 36 sq ft (LB); 30 sq ft (Ch. 429 Article XXXII) | — | ≥15 ft from curbline; ≥10 ft from ROW | 1 per lot | Front yard or as allowed; ≥15 ft from curb; ≥10 ft from ROW | — | Unlock | §367-12H(5); §429-197 |
| Blade/Projecting Sign | — | 4 sq ft | Thickness ≤6 in | — | 1 per establishment | Projecting from building, may extend over sidewalk/street ROW | — | Unlock | §367-12H(4) |
| Directory Sign (Strip Malls w/5+ Tenants, HCC, HCC-2) | Min. 8 ft to top | 60 sq ft (5-9 tenants); 100 sq ft (10+ tenants) | — | — | 1 per building | Attached to building wall | — | Unlock | §367-12H(7) |
| Entrance Sign (Per Driveway, NB, LB, HCC, HCC-2) | 4 ft from ground; 2 ft physical height | 8 sq ft (2ft x 4ft) | 4 ft; depth ≤12 in | — | 1 per entrance | Far side of driveway, relative to traffic flow | — | Unlock | §367-12H(3); §429-195 |
| Temporary Real Estate and Construction Signs | — | NB: 24 sq ft; LB: 24 sq ft; HCC, HCC-2: 32 sq ft | — | ≥15 ft from front property line | 1 per premises | On premises for sale/rent/construction | — | Unlock | §429-193, Table; §429-201C |
| Grand Opening / Re-Grand Opening Banner | — | 24 sq ft (2 ft x 12 ft) | 12 ft | — | 1 or 2 depending on tenant location | Front elevation wall; may have 1 (2 if corner/freestanding tenant); bunting flags allowed | — | Unlock | §367-13; §429-201O |
Billboard Overlay Zone
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Static Billboard Sign | 35 ft (or height limitation for principal structure); up to 60 ft if >500 ft from residential | 672 sq ft | 60 ft | ≥250 ft from residential districts/property/public park/historic; ≥200 ft from interchange; ≥10 ft from Route 4 ROW | 1 per lot | Maximally 50 ft from southern Route 4 ROW line (see map); may extend panel beyond 50 ft zone. No closer than 10 ft to Route 4 ROW. | — | Unlock | §367-12L(2)-(5) |
| Multiple Message Billboard Sign (Digital, LED, Electronic) | 35 ft or as for principal structure; up to 60 ft if >500 ft from residential | 672 sq ft | 60 ft | ≥250 ft from residential districts/property/public park/historic; ≥200 ft from interchange; ≥10 ft from Route 4 ROW | 1 per lot | Billboard Overlay Zone as for static | — | Unlock | §367-12L(6) |
PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in Paramus Borough — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 4 zones for Paramus Borough — start freeProhibited Signs in Paramus Borough
- Any new sign erected in violation of any section of this chapter or not specifically permitted is prohibited.
- Signs emitting sound, odor, or visible matter such as smoke or vapor; audio equipment is not allowed on signs.
- No banners, streamers, pennants, flags, balloons, lights (whether flashing, flickering, blinking, or rotating), wind-operated or fluttering devices, or other such attention gathering devices are allowed on the exterior of any structure except where permitted by the Land Use Board.
- Signs affixed to vehicles or trailers parked so as to advertise a business or activity, except permanent lettering incidental to the main use of the vehicle.
- Animated signs, flashers, animators, mechanical movement or contrivances, including clocks and time/weather information.
- Handbills, posters, paper or painted signs applied or affixed to curbstone, flagstone, any street/sidewalk, tree, rock, natural feature, fence, wall, building, pole, lamppost, telegraph/electric/telephone pole, or fire hydrant within street/sidewalk limits.
- Signs painted or affixed on inside or outside automobile windows, except pricing info for vehicles for sale on approved premises.
- Portable or movable signs (e.g., sandwich board signs), except portable signs for valet service at restaurants.
- Signs advertising articles/products not sold, made, serviced, or available at the premises.
- Rotating, moving, revolving signs, including searchlights.
- Neon signs of any kind, exterior or interior, if visible from the street.
- Signs on parking lot light standards not relating to traffic control.
- Signs within the public street right-of-way, other than public notices and unless otherwise allowed.
- Signs in disrepair constituting immediate threat to public health, welfare, or safety.
- Business signs for businesses discontinued for more than 30 days; owners must remove lettering within 30 days of vacancy.
- Signs or advertising structures at intersections that obstruct vision or can interfere, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- Roof signs.
- Signs not compliant with Borough Building or Electrical Codes.
- Electronic message centers, including signs displaying time and weather.
- Billboard signs, except in the Billboard Overlay Zone.
- Signs located or displayed on sidewalks, streets, or area between sidewalk and curb or projecting on/over these areas, except as provided in code.
- Signs erected or painted or composed of day-glow, phosphorescent, or similar material.
- Signs with obscene or pornographic content.
- Changeable copy signs (except permitted gasoline price signs) using movable letters, electronic displays, interchangeable parts, etc.
- Mobile marketing devices (signage on vehicles) occupying more than 30% of the vehicle or involving inflatables, wraps, or attachments to circumvent regulations.
- No permanent signage, other than allowable temporary window signs, may be of paper, nylon, fabric, nondurable material except awning signs or as otherwise permitted.
- No sign may be erected or maintained so as to obstruct ingress or egress to building openings or passageways.
- No illuminated signs except as specifically provided; no illumination above 0.1 footcandle at property lines.
- Flashing signs, highly reflective glass or fluorescent paint (red or green), and illuminated tubing outlining roofs, doors, windows or wall edges are prohibited.
- Permanent signs with more than six colors (including black and white) are prohibited.
- No business sign shall be erected or maintained on a roof, mansard, or parapet, or project above a roof (exception for certain wall-mounted signs on parapet walls with restrictions).
- No permit shall be issued to erect an exterior sign on property containing a nonconforming sign until the nonconforming sign is removed.
- No advertising sign (off-premises) or billboard or sign which moves or rotates is permitted in any district (unless in Billboard Overlay Zone).
- No sign, temporary or otherwise, on the inside of a window shall be taller than two feet, cover more than 20% of window area, or be larger than 16 sq ft per wall; window signs above the first floor are prohibited.
- No permanent cloth, paper, oilcloth or canvas signs, promotional flags, banners or pennants (except permitted temporary signs) are permitted on the exterior of any structure.
- No vehicle or mobile sign shall be used to circumvent sign regulations.
- No balloon, banner, or similar attention-getting device is permitted on any building or site (except as specifically allowed for grand openings).
Exempt Signs in Paramus Borough
- Temporary signs inside windows of commercial establishments covering not more than 20% of window, removed within 30 days, and not unreasonably obstructing light/visibility.
- Public directional signs for public places/owned or operated by government.
- Memorial signs/tablets, building names/dates cut into masonry or durable material not exceeding 6 sq ft.
- Signs forbidding trespassing, hunting, fishing, trapping, dumping, or ATV use per fish and game laws and not exceeding 2 sq ft.
- Temporary political signs up to 32 sq ft displayed no more than 60 days before and removed within 14 days after the event.
- Name and number plates on houses, apartments, or mailboxes not exceeding 60 sq in.
- Garage sale signs in accordance with applicable section.
- Temporary signs advertising sale or rental of premises, not over 8 sq ft, removed when purpose is fulfilled.
- Temporary/permanent traffic signs/signals installed by public agencies.
- Signs indicating public transportation stops installed by Borough or public transportation utility.
- Flags or emblems of religious, educational, civic, or governmental organizations flown from buildings/grounds occupied by organization and U.S. flags.
- Lawn signs identifying residents, not over 1.5 sq ft per side, no advertising, and only nonilluminated except by lamp-integral light.
- Signs posted by governmental agencies or per statute, order or regulation.
- Temporary 'Open House' signs.
- Signs inside a building not visible through windows.
- Help wanted signs (1 per lot/business, not larger than 1 sq ft, in certain commercial zones).
- Open/closed signs and business hours signs (≤1 sq ft) with no extraneous info.
- Customary holiday seasonal decorations/lighting for ≤90 days/year (no site plan needed); outside this period, site plan approval is required.
- Flags honoring military and servicemembers.
- Public safety signs.
- Any required public notice, warning, or safety sign.
- Regulation mailboxes of the USPS.
- Flags of the United States and/or the State of New Jersey.
- Official signs of County, Borough, School District, etc., with proper approvals.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Paramus Borough
- A sign plan is required as part of the permit application process for all signs unless specifically exempted by ordinance.
- Applications must include plans showing sign area, size, character, illumination, exact location, method of fastening (if attached), and color scheme.
- For monument and pole signs, plans must show the length of street frontages/facings in linear feet; for wall signs, building elevation with height/width dimensions on the relevant wall must be shown.
- When proposing pole signs, the sign plan must include elevations for the sign location and adjacent pavement.
- Sign applications that require Planning Board review must first be reviewed by the Sign Review Committee.
- Applications not fully in compliance, or denied, are submitted to Borough governing board for review and approval (variance) and must be submitted with extra documentation and copies.
- No sign plan (permit) will be issued for an additional sign on property containing a nonconforming sign.
- For buildings with more than two first-floor retail uses, all signage shall conform to a sign program authorized by the property owner for the entire building, and the sign colors for the building's signs must not exceed eight colors in total.
- Billboard sign applications require submission of a scaled site plan sealed by a NJ-licensed engineer (including structure/foundation/electrical specifications and distances to other billboards) and a valid NJDOT permit.
- Grand opening signs require a permit and fee, including placement/location per building configuration, and may require showing on application.
- Applications for certain subdivision and multifamily identification signs require Sign Review Committee and Planning Board approval before permit issuance.
- Signage or façade improvement applications that do not comply with ordinance requirements may be submitted to and require review at a noticed public hearing (variance meeting) before the appropriate Borough board.
Source: ecode360 municipal code