# Sign Regulations in Raritan Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Raritan Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/raritan-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/36095613#36095613)

## At a glance

Raritan Township, New Jersey regulates 27 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Pennants/Banner/Sandwich Board/Temporary Ground Signs in the Office, industrial and commercial zones, I-1, I-2, O-1, O-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5 zoning district are capped at 5 ft (ground sign); 12 ft (feather sign) tall, 16 sq ft (banner/ground sign); sandwich boards counted as avg of both sides; feather signs max 36 in width, 12 ft height, and 3 ft (feather sign) wide, with a Feather sign min 20 ft to property line setback (Sec. §296-165E(3)). Most commercial signs in Raritan Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential zones | 5 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Planned residential developments (PRD) | 2 | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Public zone and uses | 2 | — | 32 sq ft; up to 100 sq ft with Planning Board approval | — |
| Professional Office Zone | 3 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft (for all wall and roof signs) | — |
| Office, industrial and commercial zones, I-1, I-2, O-1, O-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5 | 10 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft (all wall and roof signs) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | — | 8 sq ft | — |

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

### Residential zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate and Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling in addition to a mailbox sign | On the building/dwelling unit | — | §296-163A(1)(a), §296-160A(3) |
| Ground Sign (Multifamily Developments) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | If sign area <26 sq ft: 5 ft; 26–75 sq ft: 10 ft; more in §296-164A(2) | 1 | At primary entrance to apartment complex | — | §296-163A(1)(b), §296-164A(1) |
| Ground Sign (Farm) | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — | If sign area <26 sq ft: 5 ft; more in §296-164A(2) | 1 | At entrance of active farm | — | §296-163A(1)(c), §296-164A(1) |
| Ground Sign (Residential Subdivision) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | If sign area 26–75 sq ft: 10 ft | 1 | At primary entrance to subdivision | — | §296-163A(1)(e), §296-164A(1) |
| Temporary Garage Sale Signs | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | — | — | §296-163A(1)(f), §296-160A(7) |

### Office, industrial and commercial zones, I-1, I-2, O-1, O-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant/Single Structure) | — | 100 sq ft (all wall and roof signs) | Width not to exceed width of building or portion occupied | — | — | On facade fronting street | — | §296-163C(1), §296-164B |
| Ground Sign (Single Tenant/Single Structure) | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — | If sign area <26 sq ft: 5 ft; 26–75 sq ft: 10 ft; 75–100 sq ft: 15 ft | 1 | On-property | — | §296-163C(2), §296-164A(1) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant Conventional) | — | 5% of entrance facade (per tenant), up to 2 wall signs at corner location | — | — | 1 per tenant, 2 for corner tenants | On tenant facade (exterior), at main entrance | — | §296-163D(2)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant Enclosed Mall/Prime Tenant) | — | Up to 7% of entrance facade (permitted by Planning Board for harmony) | — | — | 1 per prime tenant | On exterior, at main entrance | — | §296-163D(2)(b) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant Enclosed Mall/Non Prime with Exterior Entrance) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per exterior-entrance non-prime tenant | Immediately adjacent to private external entrance | — | §296-163D(2)(b) |
| Ground Sign (Multi-Tenant) | 10 ft | 100 sq ft (general); 150 sq ft for centers with 8+ ground-floor tenants, enclosed malls, industrial/office parks | — | If 26–75 sq ft: 10 ft; 75–100 sq ft: 15 ft; over 100 sq ft: 20 ft | 1 per lot (or up to 2 with approval); 1 per site for 8+ tenants (up to 150 sq ft) | On property; must comply with setback, spacing | — | §296-163D(3), §296-164A(3) |
| Canopy Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant (where applicable) | Hanging from overhang/covered walkway, above tenant entrance | — | §296-163D(4), §296-164C |
| Pennants/Banner/Sandwich Board/Temporary Ground Sign | 5 ft (ground sign); 12 ft (feather sign) | 16 sq ft (banner/ground sign); sandwich boards counted as avg of both sides; feather signs max 36 in width, 12 ft height | 3 ft (feather sign) | Feather sign min 20 ft to property line | 1 per lot (feather sign); see other notes | Accessory to commercial establishment on property; feather sign must be at least 20 ft from adjacent property line; cannot block doors/windows | — | §296-165E(3) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate and Identification Sign (≤ 2 sq ft) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Part of building or attached as wall sign | — | §296-160A(3) |
| Memorial Sign or Tablet | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Part of building or attached as wall sign | — | §296-160A(2) |
| Seasonal Decoration | — | — | — | — | — | Public or private property | — | §296-160A(4) |
| Private No Trespassing/No Hunting Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property | — | §296-160A(6) |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | — | — | §296-160A(7), §296-163A(1)(f) |
| Directional Sign (On-Premises ≤ 3 sq ft) | — | 3 sq ft (may be increased to 16 sq ft with Planning Board approval) | — | — | — | On-premises, per approved plan | — | §296-160A(8), §296-165C |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §296-160A(10) |

## Prohibited signs in Raritan Township

- No sign shall be painted, placed, or affixed to any structure, object, or public building, or within any Township right-of-way, unless permitted or required by law.
- No sign shall be erected, posted, or placed on private property unless in strict accordance with Chapter 296, Article XIX, or with property owner's permission and strict compliance with regulations.
- Signs and notices of any nature posted on fire hydrants, public telephone booths, public utility poles, or similar public fixtures are expressly prohibited.
- No sign shall be constructed, reconstructed, erected, or maintained that contains obscene, indecent, or immoral material.
- No sign shall imitate or resemble an official traffic sign, signal, or bear certain traffic-related words unless part of a business name.
- No sign may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal.
- No sign may advertise or publicize off-site activities, businesses, products, real estate, or services (off-premises advertising is prohibited).
- No sign may be animated (except time and temperature devices) or emit smoke, vapor, particles, sound, or odor.
- No sign may be located in a public right-of-way or approved sight easement (if taller than 30 inches) except by a governmental agency.
- No sign may consist of unpermitted banners, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs (except allowed seasonal decorations), or spinners.
- No sign may be portable or temporary, fixed on a movable stand, supported by objects, mounted on wheels/vehicle, or made easily movable, except where specifically permitted.
- No sign may be located on water towers, storage tanks, smokestacks, utility poles, or similar structures.
- No sign may be posted on trees, rocks, natural features, fences, dividing walls, or accessory structures, unless a permitted directional sign.
- No sign may be placed above the eaves of a building or on a flat roof.
- Projecting signs are prohibited except where permitted as residential nameplate/identification signs.
- All signs must conform with the NJ Uniform Construction Code.
- No sign may be erected or maintained to obstruct ingress/egress from doors, windows, or fire escapes; and none (except warning) may be attached to fire escapes or standpipes.
- No sign may be erected or maintained to cover or intrude upon architectural features (windows, columns, moldings, railings, major decorations/structural features) of a building.
- No sign may obstruct free and clear vision for drivers, or distract attention due to position, shape, color, reflection, illumination, etc.
- Unsafe signs must be made safe or removed within 10 days of notice.
- Locations where business goods/services are no longer provided must remove derelict signs within 90 days of notification.
- All signs must comply with all applicable county, state, and federal regulations, and more restrictive higher authority requirements supersede local code.

## Signs exempt from permit in Raritan Township

- Signs of a public, noncommercial nature (e.g., safety signs, No Trespassing, scenic/historic points, philanthropic, fraternal, or religious organization signs) are exempt from permit requirements if requirements are met.
- Memorial signs and tablets (nonilluminated, indicating name of building or date, max. 2 sq. ft., part of building construction or attached as wall sign) are exempt from permit.
- Nameplates and identification signs less than two square feet and nonilluminated (or up to 75 watts shielded illumination) are exempt from permit.
- Seasonal decorations are permitted on public or private property, provided they are safely maintained; on municipal property, require Township Committee approval.
- Grave markers are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Private No Trespassing and No Hunting signs on private property are permitted, provided each does not exceed one square foot.
- Garage sale signs, when in accordance with § 296-163A(1)(f), do not require a permit.
- Directional signs of three square feet or less do not require a permit.
- Directory signs erected as part of a municipally sponsored program and approved by the Municipal Planner are exempt from sign permit.
- Political signs do not require a permit.
- Temporary public or organization signs do not require a permit if only one per premises, max 32 sq. ft., not displayed more than four weeks, and other listed conditions are met.
- No permit required for temporary garage sale signs that comply with §296-163A(1)(f).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan is required for planned residential developments (PRD). The entire development must submit a sign plan in accordance with criteria set forth in §296-163C(4).
- Office, industrial, and commercial zones with multi-use, multi-structure, and multi-tenanted developments must submit a sign coordination plan to the Planning Board for approval, detailing design theme, including style, materials, color, lighting, location, size, and shape.
- For ground signs, the location or relocation (except directional signs) must be approved by the Planning Board after submission of a site plan showing the proposed sign's relationship to site features within 200 feet.
- Directional signs must be approved during site plan review procedures by the Planning Board and in accordance with §296-163D(1). Changes/additions may be approved by the Municipal Planner.
- Canopy signs affixed to a covered walkway must have sign location approved by the Planning Board as part of a sign coordination plan, and uniformity of sign locations must result.

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

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