Sign Regulations in Surf Borough, New Jersey
Surf Borough, New Jersey has specific sign regulations covering 20 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Street Sign, Professional Office Announcement Sign (RA Residential Zone only), Announcement or Bulletin Board Sign (Church, School, Museum, or Similar Public Use). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Surf Borough, New Jersey
Sample Sign Requirements in Surf Borough
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Office Announcement Sign (RA Residential Zone only) | — | 1 sq ft | — |
| Announcement or Bulletin Board Sign (Church, School, Museum, or Similar Public Use) | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| Directional Sign (Public Buildings, Schools, Churches, Museums) | — | 6 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
20
- Street Sign
- Professional Office Announcement Sign (RA Residential Zone only)
- Announcement or Bulletin Board Sign (Church, School, Museum, or Similar Public Use)
- Directional Sign (Public Buildings, Schools, Churches, Museums)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Other Cities in New Jersey
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Surf Borough vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Surf Borough, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Surf Borough, regulated sign types include Street Sign, Professional Office Announcement Sign (RA Residential Zone only), Announcement or Bulletin Board Sign (Church, School, Museum, or Similar Public Use), Directional Sign (Public Buildings, Schools, Churches, Museums), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Surf Borough vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Surf Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Surf Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Surf Borough, New Jersey Sign Rules at a Glance
Surf Borough, New Jersey regulates 20 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Fabricated Point of Sale Sign (Freestanding or Building Mounted)s in the Business Zone zoning district are capped at 48 sq ft (aggregate for all such signs on use/parcel, not including additional neon/digital sign) and 12 ft (either horizontal or vertical, maximum for any one sign, or sum of two signs) wide, with a No projection over 5 ft beyond street line, or 6 ft beyond face of building setback (Sec. § 30-10.2.b). Most commercial signs in Surf Borough require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Surf Borough, New Jersey
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Surf Borough (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RA Residential Zone, RAA Residential Zone | 9 | — | 40 sq ft (for one or two signs total) | — |
| Business Zone | 9 | 5 ft (may be up to 12 ft if width is no more than 5 ft) | 300 sq ft; or 10% of occupied building area (whichever is less) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 2 ft | 2 ft (overall dimensions including trim) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Surf Borough
RA Residential Zone, RAA Residential Zone
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Office Announcement Sign (RA Residential Zone only) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling with such office | On dwelling with professional office | — | Unlock | § 30-10.1.b, § 30-10.1.i |
| Announcement or Bulletin Board Sign (Church, School, Museum, or Similar Public Use) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | On premises of public use | — | Unlock | § 30-10.1.c, § 30-10.1.i |
| Directional Sign (Public Buildings, Schools, Churches, Museums) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 per use | To provide directions to buildings, entrances, or parking | — | Unlock | § 30-10.1.f |
| Name Plate | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | Unlock | § 30-10.1.d |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per plot | On improved, unimproved or vacant plot | — | Unlock | § 30-10.1.e |
| Construction Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per contractor or subcontractor | On premises during construction, repair or remodeling | — | Unlock | § 30-10.1.g |
| Political Expression Sign | — | 12 sq ft | 6 ft (no single dimension to exceed 6 ft) | — | — | On premises | — | Unlock | § 30-10.1.j |
| Library Sign (Ocean County Library) | — | 40 sq ft (for one or two signs total) | — | — | 1 or 2 per library, not to exceed 40 sq ft total | On Library property | — | Unlock | § 30-10.1.k |
Business Zone
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signs Permitted in RA and RAA Zones | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 30-10.2.a |
| Fabricated Point of Sale Sign (Freestanding or Building Mounted) | — | 48 sq ft (aggregate for all such signs on use/parcel, not including additional neon/digital sign) | 12 ft (either horizontal or vertical, maximum for any one sign, or sum of two signs) | No projection over 5 ft beyond street line, or 6 ft beyond face of building | Max 2 fabricated point of sale signs per use, plus one additional neon/digital sign (16 sq ft max) | Attached to building or on separate support on premises (Freestanding or wall-mounted) | — | Unlock | § 30-10.2.b |
| Fabricated Point of Sale Sign - Additional Neon/Digital | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One additional neon/digital sign per use/parcel | Must comply with location/setback as above | — | Unlock | § 30-10.2.b.1 |
| Wall Sign | 5 ft (may be up to 12 ft if width is no more than 5 ft) | 300 sq ft; or 10% of occupied building area (whichever is less) | 12 ft (if width is 5 ft, height can be up to 12 ft; otherwise, 5 ft max height) | — | 1 per building side/front | Painted on or mounted to exterior wall of commercial building | — | Unlock | § 30-10.2.c |
| Off-premises Point of Sale Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property owned by proprietor but not adjacent to business | — | Unlock | § 30-10.2.d |
| Parking Area Identification/Directional Sign | — | 6 sq ft (each) | — | — | 1 directional + 1 identifying per parking area | On premises, for customer/client/patient use parking areas | — | Unlock | § 30-10.2.e |
| Sandwich Board / A-frame / Chalkboard Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | On sidewalk or exterior location; must not block or impede sidewalk; must be removed each night | — | Unlock | § 30-10.2.h |
| Flag / Feather Flag | — | — | — | — | 1 per 25 ft street frontage | Not in right of way, and must not block or impede sidewalk; must be removed at close of business | — | Unlock | § 30-10.2.i |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handicapped Parking Sign | — | — | — | — | — | At each parking space reserved for handicapped persons | — | Unlock | § 7-41.5, § 7-43.4 |
| Sale Event Sign | 2 ft | 2 ft (overall dimensions including trim) | 2 ft | — | 1 per sale per property | On the lands licensed for execution of the sale | — | Unlock | § 5-4.7 |
Run a code check for your exact address to get the zone that applies to your property, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Surf Borough — with a free PermitPal account.
Run a code check for your exact address — freeProhibited Signs in Surf Borough
- No sign shall have flashing lights or exposed high-intensity illumination.
- No lighted, illuminated, digital or neon sign shall be of such color or located in such a fashion as to diminish or detract in any way from the effectiveness of any traffic signal or similar safety or warning device.
- No sign shall be erected, used or maintained which, in any way, simulates official, directional or warning signs erected or maintained by the State of New Jersey, County of Ocean or Borough of Surf City, or by any public utility or similar agency concerned with the protection of the public health or safety.
Exempt Signs in Surf Borough
- Street signs erected by the Borough or County at public or private streets, lanes or drives.