# Sign Regulations in Runnemede Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Runnemede Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/runnemede-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/12701995#12701995)

## At a glance

Runnemede Borough, New Jersey regulates 22 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Subdivision/Development Identification Signs in the Residential Zones, R-1, R-2, R-3 zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 20 sq ft, with a 10 ft min from right-of-way setback (Sec. §395-18J(3)). Most commercial signs in Runnemede Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | See individual types below | — |
| Residential Zones, R-1, R-2, R-3 | 5 | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Quasi-Public Zones | 3 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Office Zone (GO) | 3 | 6 ft; up to 6.6 ft if designed with carved/sandblasted copy & brick/stone base (10% increase) | 40 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zone (C), Special Economic Development Zone (SED), Limited Access Zone | 11 | 18 ft | 125 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential Zones, R-1, R-2, R-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate/Address Sign | 3 ft | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Within the property lines | — | §395-18J(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On premises for sale/lease/rental | — | §395-18J(2) |
| Subdivision/Development Identification Sign | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 10 ft min from right-of-way | Max 2 if entries are 300 ft apart | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way; at entry/frontage | — | §395-18J(3) |
| Development Project Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 | On project site | — | §395-18J(4) |
| Electronic Message Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §395-18H(9) |

### Quasi-Public Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per street frontage | — | — | §395-18K(1)-(4) |
| Electronic Message Board (part of freestanding sign) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | Only for public schools, parks, churches, libraries, and government buildings | — | §395-18K(5) |
| Facade Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Mounted to building facade | — | §395-18K(6) |

### Commercial Zone (C), Special Economic Development Zone (SED), Limited Access Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Facade Sign (Retail/Restaurant/Service) | — | 80 sq ft; 100 sq ft for large retail | — | — | 1 per street frontage; possible 2nd for qualifying facades | Principal facade, 1 per street frontage; second permitted for visible secondary facades not at rear service/loading area. | — | §395-18M(1)(a)-(c), (g) |
| Freestanding Sign (Retail/Restaurant/Service) | 18 ft | 80 sq ft | — | 5 ft from right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | Min. 5 ft from right-of-way | — | §395-18M(1)(d)-(h) |
| Multiple Occupancy Monument/Ground Sign (Shopping Center/Planned Commercial) | 16 ft | 125 sq ft | — | 5 ft from right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way | — | §395-18M(2)(a)-(g) |
| Facade Sign (Shopping Center/Planned Commercial Tenant) | — | 80 sq ft; 100 sq ft for large retail | — | — | 1 per tenant per street frontage | Tenant facade | — | §395-18M(2)(d), (f) |
| Facade Sign (Office/Industrial Building Name) | — | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Principal facade per street frontage | — | §395-18M(3)(a), (c), (f) |
| Facade Sign (Office/Industrial Individual Business with exterior access) | — | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 per qualifying business per street frontage | If direct exterior access | — | §395-18M(3)(b), (c), (f) |
| Freestanding Sign (Office/Industrial) | 8 ft (may increase by 10% as above) | 30 sq ft (may be increased 10% with carved/sandblasted copy & brick/stone) | — | 5 ft from right-of-way; 10 ft from side property lines | 1 per street frontage | 5 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from side lot lines | — | §395-18M(3)(d)-(g) |
| Menu Sign (Drive-through) | 7.5 ft | 45 sq ft | — | — | 1 per restaurant | At drive-through | — | §395-18M(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Runnemede Borough

- It shall be unlawful to erect or continue to display any sign, except those approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Borough of Runnemede, on any traffic sign.
- It shall be unlawful to erect or continue to display, about the location of any traffic signal, any sign in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or color, such sign may interfere with or obstruct the view or be confused with any authorized traffic sign.
- The posting or placing of a sign of any type, except for information signs posted by the Borough of Runnemede or its subdivisions, on any utility poles or any other structures or fixtures in the public way is hereby prohibited.
- Signs which contain or are an imitation or simulation of an official traffic signal, directional, or warning sign erected or maintained by the State of New Jersey, Camden County or Borough of Runnemede.
- Signs that hide or obstruct from view any traffic signal or sign, or that obstruct sight triangles.
- Signs which are designed to move, flash, scroll, or display movement or the illusion of movement, either by mechanical or other means.
- Signs which contain or consist of banners, posters, pennant ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, or other similarly moving devices (except permitted flags or permitted temporary signs).
- Signs which emit odors or smoke or produce noise or sound.
- Signs located or placed on any tree, telephone or utility pole, or light standard or upon rocks or other natural features.
- Signs projecting above the roof or the main cornice line of the building to which it is affixed.
- Outdoor, off-site commercial advertising signs/billboards and signs located on a lot other than the lot occupied by the use, event, or product which such sign advertises.
- Portable signs, such as those on wheels.
- No sign other than official traffic or other similar official signs shall be erected within or project over the right-of-way of any public street or sidewalk except as provided herein.
- Signs shall not be located at the intersection of any streets within the triangular area formed by the right-of-way lines, and a line connecting them at points 25 feet from their intersection. No sign may be placed within a sight triangle as defined by Camden County standards and no sign shall impede or endanger the safety of motorists and pedestrians.
- Signs advertising an establishment or use no longer in existence or a product no longer available shall be removed within 14 days.
- Signs that fall into a state of disrepair so as to become unsightly or to pose a threat to public safety must be removed after notice, or may be removed by the Borough at the owner's expense.
- Additional advertising of products and services is not permitted on the sign beyond the principal message identifying the business and service offered.
- Only individuals designated as 'block parents' may post 'block parent' signs and such signs shall not be defaced, destroyed, or utilized/post in any manner except as designated by the administering authority.
- Nonconforming signs that are structurally altered, relocated or replaced shall comply with current ordinance provisions. Nonconforming signs must be maintained in good condition and must be removed if use ceases for more than 180 days or if premises are abandoned.

## Signs exempt from permit in Runnemede Borough

- Signs required by law.
- Official government agency signs, including traffic control or police signs, emergency, historical markers, and signs posted by governmental agencies.
- Any sign carried by a person.
- Decorations for any officially recognized holiday, provided that they do not create a fire or traffic hazard and are removed within 30 days after the holiday.
- Political signs associated with an election or referendum provided that such signs are on private property, erected no more than 30 days prior to the election and removed within seven days after voting.
- Temporary yard or garage sale signs (on private property, not more than 4 square feet, not more than 7 days before the sale, and removed within 48 hours after the sale).
- Temporary real estate signs within specified size and duration limits.
- Temporary (30 days or less) banners advertising special community events sponsored by or held by the Borough, county, school district, Fire Department, or other public entity.
- American, state, county and Borough flags.
- No-trespassing signs.
- Signs not exceeding one square foot bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, or names of occupants.
- Directional signs and entrance and exit signs on commercial properties (not exceeding two square feet, no advertising message, number and location approved by the Planning Board).
- Permanent and temporary window signs visible from the exterior, provided that no more than 25% of total window and door area is covered or obscured.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings that do not include letters, trademarks, moving parts, or moving lights.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Each site plan or subdivision application shall include, where necessary, a sign plan showing the specific design, location, size, height, construction and illumination of proposed signs in accordance with regulations.
- All signs require a sign permit unless specifically exempted, regardless of whether or not the sign is proposed in conjunction with a site plan or subdivision application.
- Permit applications for signs larger than two square feet in area must be accompanied by a plan, drawn to scale, showing dimensions, size, materials, method of illumination, and location on the building or lot, along with a color photograph of each existing sign on the property.
- More expansive walls or architectural elements on monument or ground signs require site plan approval.
- Development signs proposed within a median must be shown on the final subdivision plan.
- The sign indicating development by a builder, construction company, or developer shall not be erected until the site plan or subdivision application is approved by the Planning or Zoning Board.

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

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