# Sign Regulations in Stratford, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Stratford, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/stratford
- **Data last verified:** 2025-08-25
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/NJ/Stratford_Borough/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.60SI)

## At a glance

Stratford, New Jersey regulates 25 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Apartment Project Identification Signs in the Residential Districts (R-1 - R-4) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 50 sq ft, with a Not closer than 40 ft to any street or property line. setback (Sec. 17.60.040A.14). Most commercial signs in Stratford require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (R-1 - R-4) | 14 | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| C Commercial District | 5 | 17 ft | <= 200 sq ft | — |
| I Industrial District | 2 | 17 ft | 150 sq ft per side | — |
| O Office District | 3 | 17 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| SED Special Economic Development District | 1 | — | — | — |
| G Governmental District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |

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

### Residential Districts (R-1 - R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Sign (per use or activity) | — | — | — | — | 1 per lot per use or activity | Within the property lines. | — | 17.60.040A.1 |
| Nameplate | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | Not specified | Situated within property lines. | — | 17.60.040A.2 |
| Temporary For Sale/Rent Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Not specified | On premises being sold or rented. | — | 17.60.040A.3 |
| Temporary Construction Site Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 for major subdivisions | On new construction site. | — | 17.60.040A.6 |
| Sale of Products Grown On Property Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | Max 3 | Not in public right-of-way. | — | 17.60.040A.9 |
| Professional Office/Home Occupation Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | Not specified | Within property lines. | — | 17.60.040A.10 |
| Private Club, Lodge, etc. Signs | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | Not specified | Within property lines of the premises to which they relate. | — | 17.60.040A.11 |
| Apartment Project Identification Sign | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Not closer than 40 ft to any street or property line. | 1 per side with street frontage | Each side of apartment development with street frontage; not closer than 40 ft to any street or property line and not attached to any building. | — | 17.60.040A.14 |

### C Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Residential District Signs (See Residential District Drop-Down) | — | — | — | — | — | As per residential zone. | — | 17.60.050A |
| Wall Sign (Commercial Use Identification Sign) | — | <= 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per commercial use | On or attached to facade of commercial use. | — | 17.60.050B |
| Freestanding Sign | 17 ft | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business (1 per property with multiple stores unless planning board permits a second sign if property has access from more than one street) | Within property lines; located not to obstruct/confuse/interfere with vehicular traffic. | — | 17.60.050C |
| Sign Required by Law | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17.60.050D |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | — | PROHIBITED | On the roof or above the roofline of any structure. | — | 17.60.050E |

### O Office District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Residential District Signs (See Residential District Drop-Down) | — | — | — | — | — | As per residential zone. | — | 17.60.070A |
| Freestanding Sign | 17 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Located so as not to obstruct/confuse/interfere with vehicular traffic. | — | 17.60.070B |
| Facade Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Attached to the facade. | — | 17.60.070B |

## Prohibited signs in Stratford

- Signs that are flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, moving, or projected of any type.
- Signs with lighting or control mechanisms that may cause radio or television interference or present a safety hazard (e.g., improperly grounded electrical wiring).
- Signs that are confusing or dangerously distracting to motor vehicle operators due to their form, character, or shape.
- Advertisements using a series of two or more signs placed in a line or similar fashion, all carrying a single advertising message split across signs.
- Signs located on lots other than the lot occupied by the use, event, or product advertised.
- Signs exceeding seventeen (17) feet in height or located more than seventeen (17) feet above grade level.
- Signs attached to or painted on trees, fences, utility poles, rocks, curbs, walks, lamps, hydrants, benches, or bridges (except certain authorized prohibition signs per 17.60.040A.12. and 13.).
- Signs that appeal to prurient interest using contemporary community standards.
- Flags or banners attached to or hanging on structure, tree, fence, pole, rocks, curb, walk, lamp, hydrant, bench, or bridge for a period exceeding thirty (30) days in any calendar year.
- Billboards, balloons, inflatable objects, animated objects, and temporary structures as forms of outdoor advertising, whether temporary or permanent, lighted or unlighted, and regardless of the use being promoted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Stratford

- Temporary signs (not exceeding forty-five (45) days) which are traditional holiday or seasonal greetings or decorations and do not advertise a specific product, service, or establishment.
- Functional signs (directional, informational or public service signs, signs for rest rooms, telephones, similar facilities, and signs located on mechanical dispensing equipment) may be erected and maintained without a permit or fee in addition to signs otherwise permitted.
- Official signs erected and maintained by federal, state, county, or local government for informing or guiding the public or protecting health, safety, convenience, and general welfare.
- Signs authorized in subsections 17.60.040A.2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 12, and 13 do not require an application, permit, or fee.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Application for a sign permit requires submission of a scale drawing including all details, message, color, lighting, structural design, and anchorage.
- The application is referred to the planning board, which may examine the application and premises for compliance.
- Signs requiring a building permit must meet building permit requirements before a sign permit can be issued.
- Variance for prohibited forms of outdoor advertising (billboards, balloons, inflatables, animated objects, temporary structures) may be granted by the Municipal Land Use Board pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(c), but not for expansion of a nonconforming use or for uses not permitted by ordinance.
- Approval by the appropriate governmental body is required for signs in governmental districts (17.60.090).

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

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