# Sign Regulations in South Brunswick Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** South Brunswick Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/south-brunswick-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NJ/South_Brunswick_Township/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH62LAUS_ARTIVZO_DIV7SI)

## At a glance

South Brunswick Township, New Jersey regulates 29 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Freestanding, including Identification and Directory Signs)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 10 feet tall and 36 sq ft; area may be increased by 1 sq ft for each foot the setback exceeds ten feet, up to a maximum of 200 sq ft, with a Minimum 10 feet from street, curb, or sidewalk; can increase area for increased setback (see formula) setback (Sec. Sec. 62-1822(a)(2,3), 62-1816, 62-1817, 62-1818, 62-1821(e)). Most commercial signs in South Brunswick Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 12 ft | No more than 144 square inches | — |
| All Industrial, Office, and Research Districts (LI-1, LI-2, LI-3, LI-4, LI-4/RR, LI-4/C, I-2, I-3, OP, OR, OC) | 6 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| All Commercial and Professional Office Zones (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-5, C-6) | 6 | Pylon: 18 ft | Wall sign: 100 sq ft; Ground sign: 32 sq ft (single/double sided) | — |
| All Residential, Multi-Family, Manufactured Housing, and Mobile Home Zones (R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-3, R-3/I, R-C3, R-4, RR, PARC, RM-1.1, RM-3, RM-4, RM-4/TH, MF, MHP, PRD I, PRD II, AH, PRD III, PRD IV/AH, PRD V, PRD VI, PRD VII, AH II, ARRC, R-6) | 4 | 12 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| PL (Public Land); Wilson Farm Redevelopment Zone; AST Redevelopment Zone; Block 99 Redevelopment Zone; 4095 Route 1 Redevelopment Zone; Sonesta Suites Redevelopment Zone; JIS Landfill Redevelopment Zone; Block 84, Lot 4.05 Redevelopment Zone | 5 | 10 ft | 144 sq in | — |
| LI-3; LI-4/RR; LI-4/C | 3 | 10 ft | 36 sq ft (can be increased to max 200 sq ft with additional setback) | — |
| R-6 | 3 | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not to extend above the roof or the highest elevation of the wall to which attached, or the maximum height permitted for the principal building | Varies with wall area and setback (see formula); maximum width is 90% of width of wall | 90% of wall width; projects no more than 15 inches from wall | — | No more than 2 per use | Affixed to building walls | — | Sec. 62-1816, 62-1817, 62-1818, 62-1822(a)(1), 62-1821(e) |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding, including Identification and Directory Signs) | 10 feet | 36 sq ft; area may be increased by 1 sq ft for each foot the setback exceeds ten feet, up to a maximum of 200 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 feet from street, curb, or sidewalk; can increase area for increased setback (see formula) | One identification ground sign per use/entrance | Within 50 feet of the use; setback at least 10 feet from property line | — | Sec. 62-1822(a)(2,3), 62-1816, 62-1817, 62-1818, 62-1821(e) |
| Nameplate Sign | — | No more than 144 square inches | — | — | One per dwelling | Anywhere in front yard | — | Sec. 62-1819(1) |
| House of Worship, School, or Public Building Announcement Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | Not specified | As approved, must not obstruct sight triangle | — | Sec. 62-1819(2) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Single-Family Dwelling Unit) | — | 4 sq ft | — | At least 20 ft from street lines | — | Set back at least 20 feet from all street lines | — | Sec. 62-1819(3) |
| Temporary Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Not specified (must not impair motorist safety) | — | Sec. 62-1819(4) |
| Public Welfare Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As needed for public welfare | — | Sec. 62-1819(5) |
| Temporary Ground Identification Sign (Builders/Developers) | 12 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 10 ft | One per lot per entity | Set back at least 10 feet from curbline or sidewalk | — | Sec. 62-1822(d)(2) |

### All Industrial, Office, and Research Districts (LI-1, LI-2, LI-3, LI-4, LI-4/RR, LI-4/C, I-2, I-3, OP, OR, OC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not to project above the roof, wall's top elevation, or maximum bldg height | As above, not exceeding 8% of wall area | 90% of the wall width | — | No more than 2 per use | On exterior wall of principal building | — | Sec. 62-1822(a)(1) |
| Ground Sign | 10 ft | 36 sq ft; area increased by 1 sq ft per 1' additional setback over 10', max 200 sq ft | — | At least 10' from property line; area increases with any increased setback (see formula) | One per use | Within 50' of use; at least 10' from property line | — | Sec. 62-1822(a)(2) |
| Park Identification Sign (Industrial/Office/Research Park) | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | At each primary entrance | At primary entrance(s) to park | — | Sec. 62-1822(a)(3) |
| Vehicular Direction Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft | — | 5 ft min | As needed | Minimum 5 ft from any property line | — | Sec. 62-1822(a)(2) |
| Temporary Grand Opening Sign | Ground sign: 6 ft; Wall: no higher than building height | Wall sign: 100 sq ft; Ground sign: 32 sq ft (single- or double-sided) | — | — | One | — | — | Sec. 62-1822(a)(6) |
| Residential Signs (in Non-residential Zones) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 62-1822(a)(4) |

### All Commercial and Professional Office Zones (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-5, C-6)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional Office Sign | — | 10 sq ft per face | — | 10' from curb or sidewalk | One per premises | Ground sign, at least 10' from curbline or sidewalk | — | Sec. 62-1822(b)(1) |
| Shopping Center Identification Ground Sign | C-2/C-3: 25 ft; C-1: 12 ft | C-1: 10 sq ft; C-2/C-3: not specified; but nameplates per tenant not to exceed 72 sq in each (see below) | — | 10' | One per shopping center | Double-faced, at least 10' from curbline or sidewalk | — | Sec. 62-1822(b)(2) |
| Wall/Window Sign (Business/Storefront) | Not above roofline or building height | 15% of storefront/building wall area | — | — | One main wall sign per storefront; up to 2 window/door signs | Storefront/building wall or window/door | — | Sec. 62-1822(b)(3) |
| Automotive Service Station or Repair Garage Sign | Pylon: 18 ft | Ground/pylon sign: 30 sq ft; Temporary sign: 7 sq ft; Directional sign over entrance: 6 sq ft; Pump sign: 3 sq ft | — | Main sign: 10' setback | One main ground sign; one temporary sign; one directional per bay; per pump as required | Ground/pylon sign: min 10' setback from curb/sidewalk; directional sign above each bay entrance; pump signs as required by law | — | Sec. 62-1822(b)(5) |
| Temporary Grand Opening Sign | Ground sign: 6 ft; Wall sign: up to building height | Wall sign: 100 sq ft; Ground sign: 32 sq ft (single/double sided) | — | — | One | — | — | Sec. 62-1822(b)(7) |
| Directional Sign (Vehicular or Pedestrian) | 4 ft | 2 sq ft | — | 5' from property line | As needed | Min 5' from any property line | — | Sec. 62-1822(d)(3) |

## Prohibited signs in South Brunswick Township

- Billboards are prohibited in all zoning districts except as allowed in section 62-1426.
- Signs on telephone poles are prohibited.
- Exterior exposed neon tubing is prohibited.
- Directly illuminated signs which contain exposed bare bulbs or tubing are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Signs employing flashing lights are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs which resemble, simulate, or may be mistaken for a traffic, directional or other public sign are prohibited.
- Signs which are a menace to public safety or which obstruct the sight lines along any public street, sidewalk, or bikepath are prohibited.
- Signs in public rights-of-way or on public spans such as bridges are prohibited.
- Lighted temporary signs are prohibited.
- Signs which project more than 15 inches from a building are prohibited.
- Signs advertising, promoting, or identifying an activity no longer in existence or operation are discouraged.
- Signs in disrepair or of faulty construction, thereby threatening the safety and welfare of persons and property, are discouraged.
- Signs overloaded or overstated, so as to defeat the sign's communicative purpose, are discouraged.
- Signs contributing to visual pollution and clutter are discouraged.

## Signs exempt from permit in South Brunswick Township

- Nameplate signs not more than 144 square inches in area may be placed anywhere within a front yard.
- House of worship, school, or public/institutional building may have one announcement sign or bulletin board not to exceed 16 square feet in area (permit not required if not otherwise restricted).
- Nonilluminated temporary real estate signs advertising the sale or rental of an existing single dwelling unit may be erected if set back at least 20 feet from all street lines and not exceeding four square feet, and must be removed seven days after closing.
- Nonilluminating or nonilluminated temporary political signs may be erected 45 days prior to any election, provided they are removed within seven days after election day.
- Street signs or signs deemed necessary for public welfare by the township council are allowed in all districts and do not require a permit.
- Signs required by subsection 62-43(l) for all development applications submitted to the zoning board or planning board are exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No explicit mention of a master sign plan or sign plan requirement was found; however, all applications for sign permits must be made with scaled drawings and details per Sec. 62-1818. The code enforcement agency determines compliance with the sign ordinance before permit issuance.
- Industrial, office, or research parks are required to employ one park identification sign at each primary entrance, including a tenant directory. These signs must be approved by the township planning board as part of its site plan or subdivision review for the respective park (Sec. 62-1822(a)(3)).
- Approval of signs, including site plan review for industrial, office, or research parks and shopping centers, is part of the site plan or subdivision review process as required for the development type and zone.
- Any relief (variance) from sign placement or requirements may be granted by the municipal agency, as indicated in various sections (e.g., relief from setback or yard requirements).

## 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 7 zoning districts in South Brunswick Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=South+Brunswick+Township+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-south-brunswick-township

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