# Sign Regulations in Rumson, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Rumson, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/rumson
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-13
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/35607836#35609574)

## At a glance

Rumson, New Jersey regulates 5 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground-Pylon Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 10 sq ft, with a Minimum 10 ft from front property line; minimum 10 ft from side property line setback (Sec. § 22-7.24(d)(3) and Schedule of Sign Regulations). Most commercial signs in Rumson require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zone Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, H-BP, BA, RR, AH-1, AH-2) | 4 | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| Non-residential Zone Districts (POB, GB, NB, POS) | 4 | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| General Business Zone District (GB) | 5 | 42 inches | 30 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground-Pylon Sign | 6 ft | 10 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from front property line; minimum 10 ft from side property line | One per building (see Note A: additional for multiple uses with separate entrances; no additional for shared entries) | Pole mounted on ground | — | § 22-7.24(d)(3) and Schedule of Sign Regulations |
| Ground Level Sign | 2.5 ft | 12.5 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from front property line; minimum 10 ft from side property line | One per building (see Note A: additional for multiple uses with separate entrances; no additional for shared entries) | Directly on ground | — | § 22-7.24(d)(3) and Schedule of Sign Regulations |
| Wall Sign | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | One per use/occupancy with separate entrance; one rear/side per separate rear/side entrance (see Note A) | Attached to building wall facing street, parking, or separate rear/side entrance | — | § 22-7.24(d)(3) and Schedule of Sign Regulations |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | One per use/occupancy without ground floor entrance or for second floor (see Note A) | Within ground floor or second floor window | — | § 22-7.24(d)(3) and Schedule of Sign Regulations |

### Residential Zone Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, H-BP, BA, RR, AH-1, AH-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground-Pylon Sign | 6 ft | 10 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from front property line; minimum 10 ft from side property line | One per building (see Note A: additional for multiple uses with separate entrances; no additional for shared entries) | Pole mounted on ground | — | § 22-7.24(d)(3) and Schedule of Sign Regulations |
| Ground Level Sign | 2.5 ft | 12.5 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from front property line; minimum 10 ft from side property line | One per building (see Note A: additional for multiple uses with separate entrances; no additional for shared entries) | Directly on ground | — | § 22-7.24(d)(3) and Schedule of Sign Regulations |
| Wall Sign | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | One per use/occupancy with separate entrance; one rear/side per separate rear/side entrance (see Note A) | Attached to building wall facing street, parking, or separate rear/side entrance | — | § 22-7.24(d)(3) and Schedule of Sign Regulations |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | One per use/occupancy without ground floor entrance or for second floor (see Note A) | Within ground floor or second floor window | — | § 22-7.24(d)(3) and Schedule of Sign Regulations |

### General Business Zone District (GB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground-Pylon Sign | 6 ft | 10 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from front property line; minimum 10 ft from side property line | One per building (see Note A: additional for multiple uses with separate entrances; no additional for shared entries) | Pole mounted on ground | — | § 22-7.24(d)(3) and Schedule of Sign Regulations |
| Ground Level Sign | 2.5 ft | 12.5 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from front property line; minimum 10 ft from side property line | One per building (see Note A: additional for multiple uses with separate entrances; no additional for shared entries) | Directly on ground | — | § 22-7.24(d)(3) and Schedule of Sign Regulations |
| Wall Sign | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | One per use/occupancy with separate entrance; one rear/side per separate rear/side entrance (see Note A) | Attached to building wall facing street, parking, or separate rear/side entrance | — | § 22-7.24(d)(3) and Schedule of Sign Regulations |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | One per use/occupancy without ground floor entrance or for second floor (see Note A) | Within ground floor or second floor window | — | § 22-7.24(d)(3) and Schedule of Sign Regulations |
| Portable Sign | 42 inches | — | 30 inches | — | One per business | Directly in front of the business; must not block sidewalk or access to building | — | § 22-7.24(d)(1)(l) |

## Prohibited signs in Rumson

- All signs not specifically permitted are prohibited.
- All signs, unless specifically stated otherwise, shall relate to the use or occupancy of the property upon which the sign is located.
- Illuminated signs visible from residential districts shall not be illuminated between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
- No sign shall contain blinking, flashing, flickering, tracer or sequential lighting and shall remain stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times.
- All wiring for permanent illuminated signs shall be installed and maintained so that it is not within public view; exterior wiring or conduit prohibited except under specific conditions.
- No sign shall have exposed neon tubes or bare bulbs.
- No sign or sign structure shall obstruct a fire escape, door, window, or other required access way; no attachment to standpipe or fire escape except required signs.
- No sign shall project over, occupy or obstruct any glass surface required for light or ventilation.
- No sign shall obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with, or be confused with traffic control signs, signals or devices, or mislead/confuse traffic.
- No sign using words like 'Stop,' 'Look,' 'Caution,' 'Danger,' or similar that may confuse the public.
- No sign shall obstruct a required sight triangle.
- No sign or part of a sign, except publicly owned or authorized, shall be placed in or extend into or over any public right-of-way.
- All signs shall be securely affixed in a permanent manner to the ground or building, unless specifically stated otherwise.
- No sign shall be affixed to any roof, tree, fence, utility pole, or other similar structure; no signs on motor vehicles parked to serve as signs (except limited directional signs on poles).
- No advertising flags, banners, pinwheels, portable signs, or similar advertising devices (except specified portable signs in GB zones).
- No animated or moving signs, except required movement of time and temperature displays.
- No sign may be painted directly on the surface of any building, wall, fence or similar structure.
- No sign may utilize reflection enhanced or fluorescent colors or contain material that sparkles, reflects or glitters (except reflective paint for traffic direction).
- No sign may contain more than one sign face, except double-faced signs (back-to-back, parallel, max 18 inches thick).
- Maximum coverage of any sign face by graphic content shall not exceed 60%.

## Signs exempt from permit in Rumson

- Governmental signs erected or authorized by a governmental unit, including required signs by law or regulation.
- Nameplate signs: max one per occupancy, 75 sq in, non-illuminated or externally illuminated, ground max 3 ft height.
- Warning signs: max two per occupancy, 3 sq ft each, non-illuminated, ground max 3 ft height.
- Construction signs in nonresidential zones: max one per parcel, 32 sq ft, non-illuminated, removed within 14 days after construction (prohibited in residential zones).
- Temporary glass surface signs: max 25% of glass surface or 5% of aggregate facade glass.
- Public events signs: max three per business, non-illuminated, displayed 30 days before to 3 days after event.
- Real estate signs: max one per property, 6 sq ft in residential, ground max 6 ft, non-illuminated; no 'sold' notation.
- Real estate open house signs: max one at closest intersection corner, 6 sq ft, in right-of-way outside sight triangle, no balloons/streamers; limited to Sundays 11am-5pm (pre-2011 restriction noted).
- On-site informational signs: max 2 sq ft, ground max 7 ft; no advertising, only names/logos for entrances (no multiples per tenant).
- Flags and emblems of government or political, civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations on premises.
- Commercial sale/event signs: max 6 sq ft, on-site or consented property, marked with responsible party info, displayed 36 hours before sale or 45 days before event to day after; max one per business/residential property; 'For Sale' on vehicles/boats prohibited except on marina property.
- Portable signs: limited to one per business in GB zones, max 30x42x20 inches, placed in front, not blocking access, displayed only when open, weather-resistant, may be restricted for safety.
- Traffic signs and signals installed or authorized by Borough, County, or State.
- Public transportation signs installed or authorized by Borough or authority.
- Vacated property signs: max one, 6 sq ft, displayed max 60 days after vacating.
- Signs on machines (vending, gas pumps, etc.): max 3 sq ft per machine.
- Interior signs: within buildings, not within 36 inches of window visible from public street/parking.
- Political signs: recommended max 12 sq ft nonresidential/6 sq ft residential, max one per lot, on private property, marked with responsible party, displayed 45 days before to 14 days after election.
- Historical or architectural designation signs: max one per occupancy, 6 sq ft, non-illuminated, no commercial advertising.
- Home occupation signs: max one wall sign per occupancy, 1 sq ft, non-illuminated.
- Blackboard signs: max one affixed to wall or in window, 10 sq ft, for on-premises goods/services info.
- Emergency contact contractor site identification signs for new construction: max 6 sq ft, includes only contractor contact and property info, placed 25 ft from roadway or 50% to structure, parallel to road, front yard only, max 36 inches high.
- Awning signs: name/logo/street number on drop-leaf fringe, max 40% of drop-leaf area, drop-leaf max 10 inches high; no other awning parts as signs.
- Digital message display signs (LED) at public educational institutions (with specific limitations on pitch, enclosure, colors, slide rate, sight distances, location, and one per property; otherwise prohibited).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Application for development permit required for erecting, altering, modifying, or expanding any non-exempt sign, submitted to Administrative Officer (Zoning Officer).
- If sign complies with regulations and is not part of site plan/subdivision/conditional use/variance, Administrative Officer issues permit.
- If sign is part of subdivision, site plan, or conditional use application, requires approval by Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment based on the development application jurisdiction.
- If proposed sign does not comply with regulations or is not permitted, requires Zoning Board of Adjustment approval for variance.
- No specific mention of master sign plan or standalone sign plan; sign approvals integrated into broader development applications where applicable.

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

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