# Sign Regulations in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/parsippany-troy-hills-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28

## At a glance

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, New Jersey regulates 40 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the B-1, B-2, O-1, O-2, O-3 zoning district are capped at 15 feet or height of principal building (lesser) tall, 60 square feet (any one side), and 15 feet wide, with a At least 15 feet from front lot line or sign height, whichever is greater setback (Sec. § 430-287A(3)).

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | — | 60 square inches | — |
| RCW, R-R, R-1, R-1M, R-2, R-2M, R-3, R-3A (RCA), R-4, R-5, AHD-1&2, APRD-2, PRD, PRD-2 | 6 | 8 feet | 24 square feet | — |
| B-1, B-2, O-1, O-2, O-3 | 12 | 25 feet from ground | 150 square feet | — |
| B-3, B-4, B-5, O-S | 6 | 25 feet from ground | 100 sq ft | — |
| O-T, ROL, POD, COD, SED, LIW | 3 | 10 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| RC District | 2 | 25 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| COD | 1 | 5 ft (sign), 8 ft (including berm) | 120 sq ft (single face); 180 sq ft (V-shape, each face max 90 sq ft) | — |
| AHD-1, AHD-2 | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional Nameplate/Home Occupation Sign | — | 1 square foot | — | — | 1 per parcel | On dwelling, situated within property lines | — | § 430-280A |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | 20% of any given window | — | — | — | Inside windows of commercial establishments | — | § 430-280B |
| Directional Sign (Public/Institutional) | — | 16 square feet | — | — | 1 per parcel | — | — | § 430-280C |
| Bulletin Board Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per parcel | On the premises of institution (public, charitable, religious) | — | § 430-280D |
| Construction Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | — | 1 per parcel | On work under construction | — | § 430-280E |
| Name/Number Plate | — | 60 square inches | — | — | — | On house, apartment or mailbox | — | § 430-280I |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | On the premises only | — | § 430-280J |
| Real Estate Sign (For Sale or Rental) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | — | On premises being advertised | — | § 430-280K |

### RCW, R-R, R-1, R-1M, R-2, R-2M, R-3, R-3A (RCA), R-4, R-5, AHD-1&2, APRD-2, PRD, PRD-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sale/Rental/Development Sign | 5 feet | 4 square feet (any one side) | — | At least 10 feet from street | 1 per street frontage | On lot or premises for sale/rent/development | — | § 430-286A |
| Residential Nameplate Sign | — | 1 square foot | — | — | 1 per residence | Within property lines | — | § 430-286B(1) |
| Farm/Nursery Activity Sign | — | 6 square feet (any one side) | — | Minimum 20 feet from street or property line | 1 per property | At least 20 feet from street or property line | — | § 430-286B(2) |
| Public or Quasi-public Use Identification Sign | — | 20 square feet (any one surface) | — | At least 10 feet from any lot line | 1 per use | At least 10 feet from any lot line, on premises | — | § 430-286B(3) |
| Home Occupation or Professional Office Identification Sign | — | 1 square foot (any one side) | — | — | 1 per home occupation/professional office | — | — | § 430-286B(4) |
| Garden Apartment Identifying Sign | 8 feet | 24 square feet | 6 feet | Minimum 10 feet from lot lines | — | At least 10 feet from lot lines | — | § 430-286B(5) |

### B-1, B-2, O-1, O-2, O-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sale/Rental/Development Sign | 6 feet | 24 square feet (any one side) | — | At least 25 feet from any lot line | 1 per street frontage | On the site for sale/rental/development | — | § 430-287A(1) |
| Wall Sign | 25 feet from ground | 150 square feet | — | — | 1 per business (+1 if on 2+ streets) | Front area (front facade) of building | — | § 430-287A(2), § 430-287A(2)(g) |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 feet or height of principal building (lesser) | 60 square feet (any one side) | 15 feet | At least 15 feet from front lot line or sign height, whichever is greater | 1 per street frontage | Minimum 15 feet from front lot line or distance equal to sign height (whichever greater) | — | § 430-287A(3) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign | 20 feet | 100 square feet per sign; total max 200 sq ft | — | At least half required front yard depth; not encroach side yard | 1 per main driveway entrance (up to max 200 sq ft total, not closer than 1,500 ft to each other) | Per main driveway entrance; signs min. 1,500 ft apart; plane of largest surface perpendicular to road; setback at least 1/2 front yard depth | — | § 430-287A(4)(b) |
| Monument Sign | 6 feet above grade | 50 square feet (including face and support) | — | Minimum 15 feet from property line | 1 per street frontage | Minimum 15 feet from property line | — | § 430-287A(5) |
| Gasoline Station Freestanding Sign | 20 feet | 32 square feet per side; pricing sign up to 25 square feet | — | Minimum 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per gasoline station | Minimum 10 feet from all property lines | — | § 430-287A(6)(a) |
| Gasoline Station Pump Structure Sign | — | 2 square feet per pump | — | — | 1 per pump | On pump structure | — | § 430-287A(6)(b) |
| Directional/Identification Sign (O-1, O-2, O-3) | 5-10 feet from ground (freestanding) | 32 square feet (building attached); 25 square feet (freestanding) | — | 10 feet from property line (freestanding) | 1 per property | Building or freestanding; minimum 10 feet from property line (freestanding) | — | § 430-287B(1) |

## Prohibited signs in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township

- No person shall paint or cause to be painted any words or symbols upon any street or sidewalk, or upon any public facility.
- No campaign material or special event material shall be affixed upon any public place or public facility.
- No campaign or special event material shall be painted or affixed upon any private property, fence, or tree without the owner's consent.
- Any signs not specifically permitted are hereby prohibited.
- It is unlawful to erect, structurally alter, or relocate any sign without first obtaining a permit and paying the required fee (certain exemptions apply).
- No sign shall be erected or maintained in any way which simulates official, directional or warning signs erected by any government or utility.
- No neon or similarly illuminated advertisement sign or decorative element is permitted, except one open sign per business of no more than 3 square feet, without flashing or blinking lights or animation.
- No sign shall have flashing lights or exposed high-intensity illumination or reflective material.
- Advertisements that use a series of two or more signs aligned to create a single message are prohibited.
- No sign may obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, or opening intended to provide light or ingress/egress (except allowance for 20% of any window with temporary signs; permanent open and lottery signs permitted within size limits).
- No sign may be placed to cause a danger to traffic by obscuring visibility.
- Exterior signs using moving parts or banners, spinners, flags, and pennants are prohibited, except clocks, weather info, or temporary signs for special events.
- No sign may be placed on or between a sidewalk and curb, except as provided in the B-5 Zone.
- No roof sign is permitted.
- No sign may be erected or painted with fluorescent, phosphorescent, or similar materials.
- No sign may have more than five colors, including background, frame, logo, and decorative parts (black and white count as colors).
- No sign or advertising structure may be erected within 25 feet of the intersection of any streets so as to obstruct vision, interfere with or be confused with traffic signage.
- Signs mounted on cars, trailers, or platforms; A-type signs; sidewalk; sandwich; curb; portable or mobile signs on trailers; or similar devices are prohibited.
- Projecting signs extending more than 18 inches from a wall and all roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs visible from the street using the word 'stop', 'danger', or similar with intent to simulate a public safety warning or traffic sign are prohibited.
- Signs (other than authorized) attached to poles, posts, trees, fences, sidewalks or curbs are prohibited.
- Signs other than official traffic control devices or street signs are prohibited within or encroaching upon the right-of-way of any street unless specifically authorized.
- Rotating or moving signs are prohibited.
- Signs within 100 feet of an historic building, site or monument are prohibited.
- Signs painted on or affixed to water towers, storage tanks, smokestacks, or similar structures are prohibited.
- Signs exceeding 20% of any individual window are prohibited, except as otherwise provided for temporary signs.
- Signs painted on the surface of a building are prohibited.
- No portion of any sign shall be located within or suspended over a public right-of-way or pedestrian walkway.
- No sign shall be located in a required buffer area or closer than 10 feet to any residential property line (20 feet if illuminated).
- No sign shall be artificially illuminated after 11:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. unless said premises are occupied and attended.
- No ground-mounted lighting may be used for lighting a sign that exceeds eight feet in height.
- No sign shall be enlarged, rebuilt, structurally altered, or relocated except in accordance with the chapter and with a permit.
- No sign or description shall be installed, erected, enlarged, constructed, or maintained to obstruct a fire escape or window or door, nor attached to a fire escape.
- No sign shall be allowed to become a danger to public health, safety, or general welfare.
- No sign shall obstruct access to fire escapes, required windows, doors, exits, or standpipes.
- All nonconforming signs (except billboards) must conform to regulations within five years of ordinance passage.
- A permit will not be issued for any additional sign if the property contains a nonconforming sign (in owner-occupied or one-tenant cases).

## Signs exempt from permit in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township

- Official traffic and street signs are exempt from ordinance provisions.
- Professional nameplate and home occupation signs up to one square foot, not lit outside business hours (one per parcel).
- Temporary signs inside windows of commercial establishments not covering more than 20% of any given window, removed within 30 days of erection (one per parcel).
- Directional signs not exceeding 16 square feet and related to public places/government agencies.
- Bulletin boards not over 24 square feet for public, charitable, or religious institutions, and located on those premises.
- Signs denoting architect, engineer, or contractor on construction sites, up to 16 square feet, to be removed within 10 days of certificate of occupancy.
- Memorial signs or tablets, building names/dates on masonry or durable material, not exceeding six square feet.
- Signs forbidding trespassing, hunting, fishing, or trapping as authorized by law, not exceeding two square feet.
- Temporary signs for political preference or event up to 32 square feet, removed within 15 days after the event, not allowed on poles, trees or in public right-of-way.
- Name and number plates on houses, apartments, or mailboxes, not exceeding 60 square inches.
- Garage sale signs on premises only, up to two square feet, including sale date, removed within 24 hours after sale.
- Temporary signs advertising sale or rental of premises up to four square feet, removed when purpose is fulfilled; open house and directional signs in ROW on weekends/legal holidays.
- Signs to control movement of traffic on premises, up to four square feet, not used for advertising, approved by appropriate authority.
- Traffic or municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger signs, temporary/emergency/nonadvertising signs of government agencies.
- Flags of the United States, state, or other government or quasi-public agencies.
- Holiday decorations and lights on residential premises.
- Temporary signs in connection with special events are exempt from prohibition on exterior moving parts/banners/spinners/flags/pennants.
- Temporary banners and pennants meeting criteria for construction obstruction are exempt from the standard four-week time limit.
- Temporary signs for special events in the community as authorized by the Township Council or Mayor (see § 430-284G).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any sign not specifically permitted is prohibited; all signs require a permit except for specific exemptions; all applications must include details such as ownership, renderings, dimensions, colors, location, and method of construction.
- No sign shall be erected, altered, located, or relocated without application and permit.
- Applications must be submitted to the Zoning Officer for review, and additional application requirements apply for signs associated with a change of occupancy or ownership.
- Applications for signs not complying with code or for changes in occupancy/ownership that don't comply require submission to the appropriate approving authority (Planning or Zoning Board), with notice and public hearing if required.
- If signage is part of development review before the Planning or Zoning Board, details of all proposed signage shall be submitted for review.
- A permit for the replacement of an existing sign may be issued by the Zoning Officer without Board approval only if there is no physical alteration or expansion, the sign fully conforms, and no additional signage is proposed.
- A unified design theme integrating signage, architectural features, awnings, landscaping, and lighting may be required for shopping centers, multi-tenant buildings, and certain large sites.
- For nonconforming signs, in owner-occupied or single-tenant cases, no permit will be issued for an additional sign if a nonconforming sign is present.
- Special event temporary signs require a permit from the Zoning Officer, authorized by the Township Council or Mayor.
- Temporary banners and pennants in nonresidential districts require a permit approved by the Zoning Office.
- Applications reviewed by Planning or Zoning Boards must include all signage details and be submitted at least 30 days before the meeting.

## 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 8 zoning districts in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Parsippany-Troy+Hills+Township+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-parsippany-troy-hills-township

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