# Sign Regulations in Riverdale, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Riverdale, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/riverdale
- **Data last verified:** 2025-07-19
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/11324065#11324065)

## At a glance

Riverdale, New Jersey regulates 18 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (One Use/Single Property)s in the HB, I, IQ zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and 75 sq ft, with a Not less than 10 ft from any lot line. setback (Sec. §168-27F(3)). Most commercial signs in Riverdale require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |
| Single-family residence zones, R-7.5, R-15, R-25, R-35, R-40, R-120 | 6 | — | 620 sq in (4.30 sq ft) | — |
| PO, PRD, MF, AH-PRD-2 | 6 | — | 620 sq in (4.30 sq ft) | — |
| HB, I, IQ | 4 | 25 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| CB, CRD, PO | 1 | — | 25 sq ft (total, all signs per property) | — |
| MF-O | 1 | — | — | — |
| ARD | 1 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| AHO | 1 | — | 32 sq ft (if freestanding, per AH-PRD-2 standard) | — |

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

### Single-family residence zones, R-7.5, R-15, R-25, R-35, R-40, R-120

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate and Identification Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | Affixed to house or mailbox. | — | §168-27E(1) |
| Freestanding or Wall Sign (Religious, Hospital, Nursing Home, Private School, Service Organization) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On the property of listed institutions. | — | §168-27E(2) |
| Temporary Non-illuminated Real Estate Sign | — | 620 sq in (4.30 sq ft) | — | — | 1 | On the property being sold, leased, or rented. | — | §168-27E(3); §168-27H(4) |
| Permanent Development Entry Sign | — | — | — | — | — | At development entrance. | — | §168-27E(4) |
| Temporary Sign - Construction or Alteration of Residential Building | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | On site of construction/alteration. | — | §168-27H(1) |
| Temporary Sign - Subdivision | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | Subdivision site (3+ home sites). | — | §168-27H(2) |

### PO, PRD, MF, AH-PRD-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate and Identification Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | Affixed to house or mailbox. | — | §168-27E(1) |
| Freestanding or Wall Sign (Religious, Hospital, Nursing Home, Private School, Service Organization) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On the property of listed institutions. | — | §168-27E(2) |
| Temporary Non-illuminated Real Estate Sign | — | 620 sq in (4.30 sq ft) | — | — | 1 | On the property being sold, leased, or rented. | — | §168-27E(3); §168-27H(4) |
| Permanent Development Entry Sign | — | — | — | — | — | At development entrance. | — | §168-27E(4) |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (AH-PRD-2) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | At entrance to AH-PRD-2 development. | — | §168-27E(5) |
| Internal Directional Signs (AH-PRD-2) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Within AH-PRD-2, directing visitors to dwellings. | — | §168-27E(5) |

### HB, I, IQ

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Structure Affixed) | — | 50 sq ft (may increase to 10% of facade by Planning Board approval) | — | — | — | Affixed to structure. | — | §168-27F(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center/Grouped Use) | 25 ft | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Frontage of shopping center/property. | — | §168-27F(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (One Use/Single Property) | 25 ft | 75 sq ft | — | Not less than 10 ft from any lot line. | 1 | Frontage of property. | — | §168-27F(3) |
| Allowed Sign Content (Identification, Tenant Listing, Time, Temperature, Bulletin, Coming Events) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §168-27F(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Riverdale

- Any signs not specifically permitted are hereby prohibited.
- Signs, whether portable, permanent or temporary, other than municipal, county or state signs, shall not be erected within the right-of-way of any street or approved sight easements, nor shall any sign be located so as to constitute a traffic hazard.
- The use and display of strings or streamers or flags, pennants or spinners or similar objects and devices across, upon, over or along any premises or building, whether as a part of any sign or for advertising or public attraction or otherwise, is prohibited in any zone.
- Moving or revolving signs and signs using waving, blinking, flashing, vibrating, flickering, tracer or sequential lighting, except for time-and-temperature signs and changeable copy displays, are prohibited.
- Signs using words such as 'stop' or 'danger' or any other sign which, in the judgment of the Police Chief of the Borough, constitutes a traffic hazard or otherwise interferes with the free flow of traffic are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs advertising a product or service not sold on the premises, signs advertising or directing attention to another premises and any other sign not related to the premises on which the sign is erected are prohibited.
- Signs obstructing doors, fire escapes or stairways or keeping light or air from windows used for living quarters, or causing interference with radio or television reception, are prohibited.
- Signs placed in awnings, trees, fences, utility poles or signs attached to other signs are prohibited.
- The use of flags, banners and pennants is prohibited.
- No sign shall be placed on, erected on, or attached to the roof or rooftop of any building or structure (except as specifically stated for Mansard roofs).
- Except as otherwise expressly permitted, no sign shall be placed or located or displayed upon any public sidewalk or within the limits of any public street or right-of-way or project over any sidewalk or public right-of-way.
- Facade signs and freestanding signs for office, commercial and industrial uses may be internally illuminated, but other illumination may be restricted by district.
- Freestanding signs shall not be supported with guy wires.
- Signs shall not be painted on or affixed to water towers, storage tanks, smokestacks or similar structures.

## Signs exempt from permit in Riverdale

- Municipal, county, or state signs are permitted within street right-of-way or sight easements.
- One nonflashing sign identifying a church, public building, playground or other such permitted use and not exceeding 10 square feet in area on any one side and located not less than 10 feet from any street or property line is permitted for each of the aforementioned permitted uses.
- Temporary non-illuminated real estate signs announcing the sale, lease or rental of the premises on which the sign is located, not exceeding 620 square inches in area, are permitted.
- Temporary signs advertising public or charitable purposes and events may be placed on property owned by an organization conducting the event or on property taxed or zoned for business or light manufacturing use (subject to time, area, and placement limits).
- Signs advertising construction or alteration of buildings (within specified size and time limits) are permitted as temporary signs.
- No sign construction permit is required for real estate signs for single-family detached dwellings, but a zoning permit is required for other temporary real estate signs.
- Signs as part of an awning, canopy or marquee are permitted within the CB, CRD or HB zones and shall be included in total sign area calculations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign, either permanent or temporary, shall be constructed or displayed unless a sign construction permit shall have first been obtained from the Zoning Officer and, where sign construction is involved, unless a building permit shall have first been obtained from the Construction Official, unless specifically exempted.
- For shopping centers (grouped uses) on a single property, the Planning Board may permit a total sign area of up to 10% of the building front facade if, in the Planning Board's judgment, such additional area shall assist in developing a harmonious and integrated sign plan in accordance with the goals and objectives of this subsection.
- A permanent sign as approved by site plan review indicating the name of the development is permitted (in single-family residence zones, etc.).
- Any location where business goods are no longer sold/produced or services are no longer provided shall have 90 days to remove remaining/derelict on-premises signs following notification by the Borough, and at the expense of the owner, per Borough enforcement.
- Site plan review and approval may be required for certain signs as part of development or for specific zones (such as professional home office).

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

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