# Sign Regulations in Paterson, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Paterson, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/paterson
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/8553558#8553558)

## At a glance

Paterson, New Jersey regulates 10 sign types across 1 zoning district. Political Sign - Ground or Freestandings in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 sq ft, with a 10 ft from inner line of sidewalk or 20 ft from street line if no sidewalk setback (Sec. § 414-4(A), § 414-5, § 414-7). Most commercial signs in Paterson require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (1 zone)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | Not less than 8 feet | 20 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 | On the lot or building offered for sale or to let; may be freestanding or attached | — | § 414-1(A)-(F) |
| Political Sign - Ground or Freestanding | — | 8 sq ft | — | 10 ft from inner line of sidewalk or 20 ft from street line if no sidewalk | — | On or in private property, with owner consent | — | § 414-4(A), § 414-5, § 414-7 |
| Political Sign - Campaign Headquarters | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On a privately owned building or part thereof designated as campaign headquarters | — | § 414-4(B), § 414-5, § 414-7 |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | Projection limited to a point 18 inches inside the curbline | — | Affixed to building; may not project beyond a line drawn perpendicularly upward from 18 inches inside the curbline; awning must be 8 feet clear above the sidewalk. | — | § 435-107(A)-(B) |
| Canopy Sign (Apartment House Canopy) | Not less than 8 feet | — | At least 10 feet wide | — | — | Entrances of apartment houses accommodating 30 families or more | — | § 435-108 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | Cannot project beyond 2 ft inside curbline; min 9 ft clearance below sign | — | Projecting from a building into/over a public street or sidewalk; may not project beyond a line 2 feet inside the curbline | — | § 435-109--§ 435-112, § 183-11 |
| Flat/Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed to building | — | § 183-11(A)-(B) |
| Parking Lot Entrance Sign | — | — | — | — | At least one per entrance | At each entrance to licensed open-air parking lot | — | § 359-9 |

## Prohibited signs in Paterson

- No campaign material or political sign shall be attached to or affixed upon any public place, public facility or on public property by any means.
- No person shall draw, write or print or permit or suffer to be drawn, written or printed upon any street or sidewalk or upon any public place or facility any slogan, motto, name or symbol whether written with chalk, paint or any other substance.
- No campaign material or political sign shall be painted or affixed upon private property or private fence or a private tree without the consent of the owner thereof.
- No person shall remove, tear down, deface or destroy any lawfully erected political sign on private property without the consent of the owner.
- No awning shall be erected or maintained in the City unless it is eight feet clear above the sidewalk level and entirely supported from the building to which it is attached.
- No awning shall project beyond a line drawn perpendicularly upward from 18 inches inside the curbline.
- No person shall erect or maintain any sign or signs projecting 18 inches or more beyond the building line in any street or highway in the City without first obtaining a license.
- No sign shall contain or be made of any inflammable or combustible material unless otherwise permitted by the State Uniform Construction Code.
- No projecting sign shall project from the face of a building or structure on or over streets and sidewalks in the City beyond a line drawn perpendicularly upward from two feet inside the curbline.
- Signs, banners, flags, or other similar decorations advertising alcoholic beverages are prohibited except for signs directly affixed to the building constituting the licensed premises or contained in the windows of such buildings.
- Signs or banners affixed to fences surrounding the building or freestanding signs located on the sidewalk or adjoining area of the building which constitutes the licensed premises advertising alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Paterson

- Real estate signs customarily necessary in the offering of real estate for sale or to let by the owner or agent are permitted when requirements are complied with.
- A second sign stating 'open house' may be added to the on-premises real estate sign during an open house.
- Political signs posted or displayed on existing commercial billboards by or with the consent of the owner and signs on licensed motor vehicles in operating condition (except when the vehicle is parked primarily to display such signs) are expressly exempted from the Article II definition of political signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No specific mention of a required master sign plan, sign plan, or required variance meeting is found in the provided ordinance text.
- Licenses and permits are required for certain signs, particularly projecting signs, from the Director of Public Works and/or the Construction Official, and must comply with the State Uniform Construction Code and Zoning Ordinance, but no reference to a comprehensive sign plan or master sign plan is found.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Paterson, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Paterson+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-paterson

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