# Sign Regulations in South Hackensack, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** South Hackensack, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/south-hackensack
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-04
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/6494478#6494478)

## At a glance

South Hackensack, New Jersey regulates 34 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Zoning District B, Zoning District C, Zoning District M-Mixed zoning district are capped at 15 feet tall and 16 square feet, with a At least 15 feet from curbline; not in corner radius described; at least 5 feet from property line (also for gas station pylon signs) setback (Sec. §183-16B(2); §183-9A–E; §183-8C). Most commercial signs in South Hackensack require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zoning District A | 13 | 6 inches | 22 inches x 28 inches | — |
| Zoning District B, Zoning District C, Zoning District M-Mixed | 18 | 20 feet | 100 square feet per side | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 16 square feet (face area) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Zoning District A

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| House Numerals | — | 1 square foot per numeral | — | — | — | Residence | — | §183-16A(1) |
| Professional Nameplate | 6 inches | — | 18 inches | — | — | Premises identifying lawful occupants | — | §183-16A(2) |
| Bulletin Board/Public, Charitable, Religious Institution Sign | — | 16 square feet | — | — | — | Premises of institution | — | §183-16A(3) |
| Construction Sign | — | 20 square feet | — | 15 feet from curb | — | On site under construction | — | §183-16A(4) |
| Memorial Sign/Tablet/Name/Date Plaque | — | — | — | — | — | Cut in masonry or constructed of bronze/incombustible material | — | §183-16A(5) |
| Garage and Yard Sale Sign | — | 3 square feet | — | Not projecting over curbline or pedestrian walkway | Max 4 per permit | Mounted on own stake/stanchion along public street; not affixed to tree/utility pole | — | §183-16A(10); §183-15H |
| Special Temporary Sign | — | 18 square feet | — | 10 feet from curbline | — | On property with permission | — | §183-16A(11); §183-15G |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | Premises for sale/rent | — | §183-16A(12); §183-15I(1)(a)-(2) |

### Zoning District B, Zoning District C, Zoning District M-Mixed

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 15 feet | 16 square feet | — | At least 15 feet from curbline; not in corner radius described; at least 5 feet from property line (also for gas station pylon signs) | 1 per property | Must be at least 15 feet from curbline, no closer than 5 feet from other sign/building/structure | — | §183-16B(2); §183-9A–E; §183-8C |
| Wall Sign - Principal Frontage | — | 36 square feet | — | — | 1 wall sign per separately leased area | On wall of structure; parallel and not extending more than 12 inches; at least 8 feet above ground/sidewalk; not above top or ends of wall; not more than 10 inches beyond building | — | §183-16B(3); §183-10; §183-8C |
| Wall Sign - Side Frontage (Corner Lots) | — | Up to 18 square feet (if main sign is 36 square feet max) | — | — | Corner lots: Principal frontage and side frontage; see limitations | On wall facing side street of corner lot | — | §183-16B(3)(b); §183-8C |
| Feather Flag | 10 feet | — | — | — | 3 per property | On property of permitted business | — | §183-16B(7); §30194097 |
| Frame Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per property | On property of permitted business | — | §183-16B(8); §30194103 |
| Gas Station or Automobile Dealer Pylon Sign | 20 feet | 35 square feet per side | — | 5 feet from property line | 1 pylon sign | Freestanding/pylon | — | §183-11A |
| Gas Station or Automobile Dealer Temporary Fuel Price Sign | — | 7 square feet | — | — | 1 per station | Inside property line | — | §183-11B |
| Convenience Store/Motor Fuel Pylon Sign | 20 feet | 100 square feet per side | — | 5 feet from property line, 10-20 feet above ground | 1 per roadway frontage | At least 5 feet from property line, not less than 10 nor more than 20 feet above ground | — | §183-11.1A |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Noncommercial Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §183-8B(2) |
| Temporary Election Sign (General) | — | 16 square feet (face area) | — | 10 feet from curbline | One per slate per end of Phillips Ave overpass | — | — | §183-15E |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | 1/3 of aggregate window area | — | — | — | Interior of window | — | §183-15F; §183-16C(1) |
| Grand Opening Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property | — | §183-15L |

## Prohibited signs in South Hackensack

- All commercial signs are prohibited unless specifically permitted by the provisions of this chapter.
- A sign shall not be illuminated by other than electrical means, and electrical devices and wiring shall be installed in accordance with the BOCA Code and NFiPA70.
- Any open spark or flame shall not be used for display purposes unless specifically approved by the Zoning Enforcement Officer for locations outside of the fire limits.
- All illuminated signs must be by indirect lighting through translucent letters, symbols or panels, or if directly lighted, the light source must be shielded to project only onto the sign area except for signs with automatically changing movable copy (e.g., time and temperature units).
- Any light source used on or in signs shall be constant in its output and shall operate without generating audible sound or electronic emissions.
- Red, yellow or green illumination, whether flashing or not, is not permitted on any sign located in the same line of vision as a traffic control signal.
- Illuminated tubing formed to make letters or symbols, or installed to outline any building shape, or strings of lights are prohibited except for winter holiday decorative lighting (with conditions).
- All lighting of signs shall be extinguished by 11:00 p.m. or at the close of business, except as authorized in writing by the Zoning Enforcement Officer upon recommendation of the Chief of Police.
- The use or erection of digital signage as defined is strictly prohibited in any zone.
- Except for noncommercial signs, election signs, charitable signs, temporary signs and garage and yard sale signs, the content of all signs must pertain only to the use within the premises upon which the sign is located.
- Every sign or other advertising structure must have painted in a conspicuous place the date of erection, the permit number and the voltage of any electrical apparatus used.
- No ground sign shall be erected of combustible material except structural trim.
- No wall sign shall be erected to extend above the top of the wall or extend beyond the ends of the wall to which they are attached.
- No advertising shall be placed on any awning except for name, address, and business in a space not exceeding eight (8) inches in height on the front.
- Any sign that is moved to another location on the same or other premises shall be considered a new sign and must comply with all requirements.
- Any sign containing a commercial message that no longer advertises a bona fide business or product must be removed within ten (10) days after written notification from the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
- The Zoning Enforcement Officer has discretion to prohibit or order the removal of any temporary sign deemed hazardous to the public.
- No garage or yard sale sign shall be affixed to any tree or utility pole; they must be mounted on their own stake or stanchion and not project over the curbline or pedestrian walkway.

## Signs exempt from permit in South Hackensack

- Winter holiday decorative lighting is permitted in all zoning districts without permit application or fee for a period not exceeding forty-five (45) days annually.
- Election signs are permitted in any district and are exempt from any requirement of a permit or fee if they meet specified conditions.
- Temporary window signs do not require a permit or fee for their use, but must not remain more than twenty-eight (28) consecutive days.
- House numerals not exceeding one (1) square foot per individual numeral are permitted.
- Professional nameplates not exceeding six (6) inches in height or eighteen (18) inches in length identifying lawful occupants of the premises are permitted.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into masonry or made of bronze or other incombustible materials are permitted.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger signs, and temporary emergency or nonadvertising signs as approved by the Zoning Enforcement Officer are permitted.
- Flags of the United States, State of New Jersey, or other governmental or quasi-public agencies are permitted.
- Signs of any governmental agency deemed necessary to the public welfare are permitted.
- Noncommercial signs are permitted in all zones as long as they comply with time, place, and manner restrictions.
- Temporary signs for educational, charitable, philanthropic, civic, religious, or similar campaigns or events may be erected for up to twenty-eight (28) consecutive days per year, not to exceed eighteen (18) square feet and must be installed with property owner's permission.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Before any permit is granted for the erection of a sign, plans and specifications showing dimensions, materials, and details of construction must be filed with the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
- A permit is required for new signs, and signs may not be enlarged or relocated without securing a proper permit and plans.
- No explicit requirement for a master sign plan or variance meeting is provided, but permit applications must include details sufficient for review and approval by the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
- For developments of three (3) or more dwelling units, a sign permit must be obtained for real estate signage after application to the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for South Hackensack, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=South+Hackensack+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-south-hackensack

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