# Sign Regulations in Somerville Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Somerville Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/somerville-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/35174319#35174319)

## At a glance

Somerville Borough, New Jersey regulates 24 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the PO-R zoning district are capped at 42 inches; up to 66 inches for up to 2 columns symbolizing a professional occupation, each column max 1 foot wide tall and 12 sq ft (single business); 15 sq ft (multi-business), with a 10 ft from property line setback (Sec. §102-119E(2) [35177245]). Most commercial signs in Somerville Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-2, R-3 | 9 | 42 inches above grade | As per §102-119D (if in G/SC, 15 sq ft; in R, not specifically stated, typically accessory) | — |
| G, SC | 8 | 42 inches above ground | 32 sq ft | — |
| PO-R | 9 | 42 inches; up to 66 inches for up to 2 columns symbolizing a professional occupation, each column max 1 foot wide | 150 sq ft | — |
| B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5, B-6, CG, H, I-1, I-2 | 13 | 48 in (including frame/supports) | 150 sq ft | — |
| Special Improvement District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 10 sq ft (≤10 sq ft: 15 ft setback; >10 sq ft: 15 ft + 1 ft per 2 sq ft over 10) | — |

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

### R-1, R-2, R-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional Nameplate | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to wall of buildings | — | §102-119B(1) [35177167] |
| Memorial Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | Cut into masonry or constructed of bronze/noncombustible materials | — | §102-119B(2) [35177168] |
| Directional/Identification/Information Sign | 42 inches above grade | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance/exit | Wall or freestanding signs for nonresidential/multi-family uses | — | §102-119B(4) [35177174] |
| Area Identification Sign | May not exceed zone max height for freestanding signs (typically 42 inches in R zones) | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | Location so as not to obstruct traffic safety sight lines | — | §102-119B(5) [35177180] |
| Building Construction Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per site | On-site | — | §102-119B(11) [35177217] |
| Real Estate Sign | 3 ft maximum dimension | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | Wall or freestanding; one per lot | — | §102-119B(12) [35177218] |
| Freestanding Sign (House of Worship or School) | — | As per §102-119D (if in G/SC, 15 sq ft; in R, not specifically stated, typically accessory) | — | — | One per institution | On-site | — | §102-119C(1) [35177237] |
| Wall Sign (Business or Home Occupation) | — | 3 sq ft per sign, max of 2 signs | — | — | Max 2 | On-site wall | — | §102-119C(2) [35177238] |

### PO-R

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 42 inches; up to 66 inches for up to 2 columns symbolizing a professional occupation, each column max 1 foot wide | 12 sq ft (single business); 15 sq ft (multi-business) | — | 10 ft from property line | One per lot or development | One per lot or development | — | §102-119E(2) [35177245] |
| Wall Sign | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | One per lot or development | On wall; one per lot/development | — | §102-119E(3) [35177250] |
| Professional Nameplate | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to wall of buildings | — | §102-119B(1) [35177167] |
| Memorial Sign | — | Not explicitly limited | — | — | — | Cut into masonry or constructed of bronze/noncombustible materials | — | §102-119B(2) [35177168] |
| Directional/Identification/Information Sign | 42 inches above grade | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance/exit | Wall or freestanding signs for nonresidential/multi-family uses | — | §102-119B(4) [35177174] |
| Area Identification Sign | Not to exceed maximum height for freestanding signs (42 inches) | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | Location so as not to obstruct traffic safety sight lines | — | §102-119B(5) [35177180] |
| Building Construction Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per site | On-site | — | §102-119B(11) [35177217] |
| Real Estate Sign | 3 ft maximum dimension | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | Wall or freestanding; one per lot | — | §102-119B(12) [35177218] |

### B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5, B-6, CG, H, I-1, I-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Major Highway Frontage) | 30 ft | 130 sq ft | — | Complex formulas: min 20 ft from stated points; 15 ft from non-highway RW; 10 ft from side/rear; 40 ft from residential | One | On-site or off-site; one per lot or shopping center/mall; only on lots with >120 ft highway frontage (Route 22, 202, 206) | — | §102-119F(2)(b) [35177255] |
| Freestanding Sign (Automobile Sales) | 30 ft | 130 sq ft (first sign); 65 sq ft (second sign if on lot >200 ft street frontage and advertising different aspect) | — | See above | Max 2 if >200 ft | On-site, lots with >100 ft frontage | — | §102-119F(2)(c) [35177255] |
| Freestanding Joint Identification Sign | 30 ft | 130 sq ft (up to 2 occupants), +30 sq ft/additional, max 300 sq ft | — | See citation for specific linear measurements | See freestanding limits | Major highway frontages only | — | §102-119F(2)(d) [35177273] |
| Freestanding Sign (Other Properties, Not Highway) | 8 ft | 12 sq ft (15 sq ft if advertising multiple businesses) | — | See above | One | On-site; min 50 ft street frontage | — | §102-119F(2)(e) [35177277] |
| Projecting Sign | Not above eave/rafter/parapet | 4 sq ft/side if wall sign present; 8 sq ft/side if none; all-symbol sign 9 sq ft/side (B-1, B-2 only) | Max projection: 4 ft or 2/3 sidewalk width, min 3 ft from side lot line | — | One per storefront (B-1/B-2); otherwise per wall sign limit | On vertical building surface above 8 ft from sidewalk | — | §102-119B(8) [35177205] |
| Sandwich Board Sign (A-frame) | 48 in (including frame/supports) | 6 sq ft per side | 28 in | — | One per business | Within 6 ft of storefront, min 3 ft from side lot line; allows for outdoor café area; must allow 6 ft pedestrian passage | — | §102-119B(6) [35177185] |
| Area Identification/Joint Identification Sign (not on highway) | Not to exceed maximum of freestanding sign for zone (8 ft most likely) | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | Must not obstruct sight lines | — | §102-119B(5) [35177180], §102-119F(1) [35177254] |
| Real Estate Sign | 3 ft max dimension | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | Wall or freestanding; one per lot | — | §102-119B(12) [35177218] |

## Prohibited signs in Somerville Borough

- All signs which are not specifically permitted by this chapter shall be prohibited.
- Placement of signs on trees, rocks, street lamps, fire alarm boxes and similar structures is prohibited. No sign shall be placed on any utility pole, street lamp or fire alarm box except for utility identification or similar purposes.
- Attraction devices or signs which contain a beacon of any type and/or contain a spot light providing direct illumination of the public are prohibited.
- Attraction devices or signs which flash, blink, fluctuate in light intensity or are animated (any sign which includes action, motion or color changes, or the optical illusion of action, motion, or color changes, except barber poles) are prohibited.
- Attraction devices or signs which revolve, rotate, or otherwise move (except barber poles) are prohibited.
- The use of a vehicle or a trailer as a sign in circumvention of this chapter is prohibited. No sign shall be erected, painted, affixed, located or maintained on any taxicab, except the word 'taxi' and except to designate the name, address, telephone number and a serial number of such taxicab.
- Any sign which advertises a product, including trademarks and brand names, or advertises a service, business or identity, which is not present and available at the site is prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Off-site signs are prohibited, except as specifically permitted by this chapter or other applicable law.
- Illuminated window, door or architectural trim or accents, including but not limited to such structures made of neon or fluorescent tubing, are prohibited.
- Signs shall not cover or interrupt prominent architectural features of the building.
- Open signs shall not be illuminated and/or displayed if the business is not open.
- Signs and advertising structures shall not constitute a traffic hazard, not be erected at intersections or locations that obstruct vision, interfere with authorized traffic signs or signals, or use words such as 'stop', 'look', 'drive-in', 'danger', etc. if it would interfere with, mislead or confuse the traveling public.
- No signs other than signs placed by agencies of the government shall be erected on any public property except in specified cases (e.g., Borough street name signposts, traffic signposts with criteria).

## Signs exempt from permit in Somerville Borough

- Professional nameplates attached to the wall of buildings are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Building construction signs are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Real estate signs are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Home occupation signs erected flat against the wall are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Traffic or other municipal signal, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger, and such temporary, emergency or non-advertising signs as may be approved by the Mayor and Council are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Election campaign signs are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Decorations, signs or other materials temporarily displayed for traditionally accepted civil, patriotic or religious holidays (excluding seasonal commercial signs advertising goods or services) are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Banners used in conjunction with election campaigns, public events, private sales events and as temporary window signs are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- All signs located within a building that do not meet the definition of a window sign as defined in Article II are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Collection boxes for charitable or nonprofit organizations containing no commercial advertising are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Fuel price informational signs are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Pennants associated with public and private events are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Temporary signs are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials are exempt from permit fee (but still require a sign permit).
- On signs designed, approved and maintained for frequent changes in display (e.g., theater marquees, bulletin boards, similar signs), posting/repainting/changing letters or display is exempt from permit fee (but still requires a sign permit).
- Refacing lawful existing sign faces due to a change in tenancy (for signs designed for frequent change) is exempt from permit fee (but still requires a sign permit).
- Directional, identification and information signs are exempt from permit fee (but still require a sign permit).
- Freestanding bulletin boards are exempt from permit fee (but still require a sign permit).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The construction or alteration of signs requires the issuance of building, zoning and/or sign permits and/or certificates of occupancy.
- It is unlawful for any person to erect, alter, relocate or keep any sign or other advertising structure, except as exempted, without obtaining a sign permit from the Construction Official and paying the required fee.
- When the sign(s) involved require or are part of a site plan, subdivision or variance approval, the applicant for a sign permit shall submit a copy of the approved final site plan, final subdivision plans and/or variance plans, signed by the Chairman of the Board that approved the plans, depicting the sign for which the permit is sought.
- For signs within the Special Improvement District, sign permit applications must also be submitted to the Planning Board and Architectural Review Board for design review before submission to the Office of Code Enforcement.
- All signs in the Special Improvement District must conform to Architectural Review Board Guidelines as to color, finish and texture even if permit-exempt.
- Records of all applications for zoning permits and sign permits, together with all plans and specifications, must be kept and available to officials and to persons entitled by law.
- Signs requiring site plan, subdivision, conditional use and/or variance approval must include evidence of final approval as part of the sign permit application process.
- Area identification signs and certain other signs require site plan approval (either minor or major).
- Memorial signs (if not site plan exempt) shall require site plan approval.
- Use, erection, relocation, and alteration of signs must comply with sign permit requirements unless specifically exempted.

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

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