# Sign Regulations in Pohatcong Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Pohatcong Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/pohatcong-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/9118408#9118408)

## At a glance

Pohatcong Township, New Jersey regulates 26 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Project Identifications in the BR Zone zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 50 sq ft, with a Minimum 10 feet from right-of-way or property line. setback (Sec. §285-33R(1)). Most commercial signs in Pohatcong Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| R-1, R-3, R-4V | 1 | — | See General Exemptions | — |
| B-1 Zone | 1 | — | 4 sq ft | — |
| BR Zone | 4 | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| B-2 Zone, B-3 Zone, OR Zone, I Zone, Q Zone | 4 | 12 ft (18 ft if fronting NJ Route 22) | 40 sq ft (60 sq ft if fronting NJ Route 22) | — |
| AH Zone, ARH Zone | 1 | 4 ft | 40 sq ft (main sign), 20 sq ft (neighborhood signs) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | Minimum 10 feet from any street right-of-way or property line, unless zone is more restrictive. | One per property (two if corner lot and separation over 100 feet). | On the lot of the premises to which the sign pertains; not less than 100 feet from any other freestanding or ground-mounted sign. | — | §285-33B, J, M |
| Wall Sign / Facade Sign | — | — | — | — | One per tenant per street frontage; extra sign permitted over public rear entrance. | Parallel to wall, does not extend more than six inches from wall. Not above height of wall/eaves, not closer than six feet to ground below. | — | §285-33K |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | Number does not exceed number of driveway openings. | On any lot, number limited to driveway openings. | — | §285-33O |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per lot/frontage. | On premises for sale/lease; development signs on each frontage. | — | §285-33E(1)-(3) |
| Temporary Sign (Public, Charitable or Religious Event) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On event premises. | — | §285-33E(5) |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | One per site | At site under construction/alteration/repair. | — | §285-33E(8) |
| Exempt Signs - Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per single-family residence/home occupation | At single-family residence or home occupation. | — | §285-33D(3) |
| Institutional Sign (Freestanding) | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Zone setback minimum. | — | At institution (school, church, hospital, etc.) | — | §285-33N |

### BR Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Project Identification | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 feet from right-of-way or property line. | One per site | Parallel to New Brunswick Avenue frontage. | — | §285-33R(1) |
| Facade Sign (Retail, Day-care, Child-care) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | One per building wall fronting on public street per establishment | On building wall fronting public street. | — | §285-33R(2) |
| Freestanding Directory Sign (Multifamily/Assisted Living) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 feet from right-of-way or property line. | Two per development | At project component entrances. | — | §285-33R(3) |
| Freestanding Directory Sign (Health Care/Offices) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 feet from right-of-way or property line. | One per development | At site entrance. | — | §285-33R(4) |

### B-2 Zone, B-3 Zone, OR Zone, I Zone, Q Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Facade Sign | — | Whichever is less: 4% of wall area or 40 sq ft | — | — | One per wall facing a street | On building wall facing a street. | — | §285-33S(1) |
| Canopy or Marquee Sign | — | Same as facade sign | — | — | See facade sign requirements. | Canopy/marquee integrated with building. | — | §285-33S(2) |
| Time and Temperature Sign | — | 16 sq ft (one face) | — | — | One per business | As freestanding or facade sign. | — | §285-33S(3) |
| Freestanding or Ground-mounted Sign | 12 ft (18 ft if fronting NJ Route 22) | 40 sq ft (60 sq ft if fronting NJ Route 22) | — | Minimum 15 feet from right-of-way or property line. | One per business | On premises, not within 15 ft of right-of-way/property line. | — | §285-33S(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Pohatcong Township

- No sign shall be erected on any lot or building which does not pertain to the use on the lot or building, except for certain directional signs.
- Any signs not specifically permitted in this section are hereby prohibited.
- Identification signs of a prototype design and corporate logos shall conform to the standards established in this section.
- Flags other than official national, state, county or municipal flags shall be considered to be signs and shall comply with applicable regulations.
- No sign shall be placed so as to endanger traffic by obscuring view or by confusing with official street signs or signals because of position, color or reflective surface.
- Only one sign of a permitted type for which a permit is required shall be located on a lot unless otherwise specified.
- No sign, including temporary signs, shall be located closer than 10 feet to any street right-of-way line or property line, except where specific zone requirements are more restrictive.
- Signs using red, yellow or green lights placed within 100 feet of any traffic signal are prohibited.
- Moving or revolving signs and signs using blinking, flashing, vibrating, flickering, tracer or sequential lighting, LED signs with intermittent or scrolling messages, except time or temperature signs, are prohibited.
- Signs using materials which sparkle or glitter, except where used for traffic or location directing signs, are prohibited.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor are prohibited.
- Signs having more than two sign faces are prohibited.
- Signs or decorative building lighting using free form exposed neon or fiber optic lights, except as permitted under facade signs.
- Roof signs; no sign shall be attached to or erected on the roof of any building.
- Obscene signs or advertising matter are prohibited.
- Signs using words such as "stop," "look," or "danger" which create a traffic hazard or interfere with traffic are prohibited.
- Hanging signs or signs which protrude more than six inches from a building or that are fixed to any tree, fence or utility pole are prohibited.
- Signs which simulate official direction or warning signs or interfere/confuse with government or utility signs are prohibited.
- Any sign which may dangerously confuse or distract motorists is prohibited.
- Signs advertising a product or service not sold on the premises, or unrelated to the premises, are prohibited.
- Signs obstructing doors, fire escapes or stairways or blocking light or air from windows used for living quarters are prohibited.
- Banners, strings of banners, pinwheels are prohibited.
- Signs attached, affixed or painted on trees, rocks, natural features, fences, utility poles, light poles, attached to other signs, or placed on motor vehicles as signs are prohibited, except for signs directing traffic or identifying locations within a lot/parcel on light or utility poles erected therein.
- Series of two or more signs along a street or highway carrying an advertising message split among the signs is prohibited.
- No billboard or billboard-type sign shall be erected.
- Portable or movable signs are prohibited.
- Signs located in a public right-of-way or approved sight easement except those owned and maintained by a governmental agency are prohibited.
- Signs located, painted or affixed on water towers, storage tanks, towers or similar structure are prohibited.
- No person may engage in any activity that increases the extent of nonconformity of a nonconforming sign, nor enlarge or alter a nonconforming sign, or add illumination.
- A nonconforming sign may not be moved or replaced except to bring the sign into complete conformity.

## Signs exempt from permit in Pohatcong Township

- Public signs of a public, noncommercial nature, including street signs, safety signs, danger signs, no trespassing signs, signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest and all signs erected by a public officer or agency in the performance of a public duty.
- Nonilluminated memorial signs or tablets, indicating the name of a building or date of erection, not exceeding two square feet in area, which are part of the building construction, or attached wall signs.
- One nonilluminated or shielded illuminated nameplate, not exceeding two square feet in area, for each single-family residence or home occupation.
- Nonilluminated or internally illuminated information or public service signs indicating rest rooms, telephones or similar conveniences, provided they do not advertise any commercial establishment, activity, organization, product, goods or services, except those of public utilities. Informational signs for public guidance within commercial properties may be erected.
- Signs indicating public transportation stops when installed by the municipality or a public transportation facility.
- Trespassing signs, signs indicating private nature of a road, driveway, or premises, and signs prohibiting or controlling fishing or hunting, provided the sign does not exceed two square feet.
- Flags or emblems of religious, educational, civic or governmental organizations flown from supports on the buildings or grounds occupied by the organization, and the American flag when flown per federal laws.
- Illuminated and nonilluminated signs which are an integral part of vending machines, including gasoline pumps and milk machines.
- Nonilluminated signs advertising the sale of farm produce located on the farm from which it is sold, provided the sign does not exceed 16 square feet.
- Temporary signs which comply with the requirements for temporary signs as defined in this section.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For multitenant buildings and shopping centers, the Township Land Use Board may waive requirements of this section where the applicant presents an overall sign plan to the Board.
- All signage permitted on the site in the BR Zone shall be submitted as a comprehensive sign package, which shall be comprehensive and coordinated for graphics, color, size and locations of signs. Such package must include project identification signs, wall signs, directory signs, directional and similar signs.
- All signage permitted on the site in the BR Zone, for permitted uses, retail, retail service, child-care, etc., shall be submitted as a comprehensive sign package, comprehensive and coordinated for graphics, color, size and locations of signs, including project identification, wall, directory, directional, and similar signs.
- All signage permitted on the site in the BR Zone, for multifamily residential units, assisted living, supportive and special needs housing, shall be submitted as a comprehensive sign package, comprehensive and coordinated for graphics, color, size and locations of signs, including project identification, wall, directory, directional, and similar signs.
- All signage permitted on the site in the BR Zone, for health care facilities or professional offices, shall be submitted as a comprehensive sign package, comprehensive and coordinated for graphics, color, size and locations of signs, including project identification, wall, directory, directional, and similar signs.
- Each development in the AH or ARH Zone must submit a signing system which is comprehensive and coordinated for graphics, color, sizes and locations of signs, including street names, project identification, directional, and similar signs.
- Variance applications for signs: If the Land Use Board is hearing an application for variance from sign provisions, the Board may require the applicant to consider modifying the design to meet the purposes of this section.
- A plan or documentation showing the location, dimensions, mounting height, sign message with dimensions, illumination, supports, means of attachment, and setbacks from right-of-way or property lines is required with a sign permit application.

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

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