# Sign Regulations in Tenafly Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Tenafly Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/tenafly-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/36194302#36194302)

## At a glance

Tenafly Borough, New Jersey regulates 30 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Nonprofit Organization Event Sign (Attached/Freestanding/Banner)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 feet (freestanding) tall and 32 sq ft per sign, with a 10 ft from all street, driveway, and property lines setback (Sec. § 14-1.9(d)). Most commercial signs in Tenafly Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | Nameplate: 6 inches | 32 sq ft per sign | — |
| Residential zoning districts (R-40, R-20, R-10, R-9, R-7.5, R-MF, R-RMF) | 4 | 5 ft (freestanding/bulletin) | Aggregate of attached+freestanding+bulletin: 32 sq ft | — |
| B-1, B-2, O, Business zoning districts (B-1, B-2), Open zoning district (O) | 6 | 5 ft (freestanding/bulletin) | Aggregate attached+freestanding+bulletin: 32 sq ft | — |
| C, CA-C, M-I, SR/B, Commercial zoning districts (C, CA-C), Industrial zoning district (M-I), Senior Residence/Business zoning district (SR/B) | 14 | 12 ft (with supports); letters/numbers max 12 in; logo max 16 in | 25 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flagpole and Flag Sign | — | 30 sq ft (per flag) | — | — | 1 per parcel (2 if >2 acres) | On each parcel | — | § 14-1.9(a) |
| Informational/Directional/Nameplate Sign | Nameplate: 6 inches | 2 sq ft (directional/informational), nameplate: 6 in x 18 in | Nameplate: 18 inches | — | Max 2 nameplates (residential); unlimited standard directional | All zones; on-site | — | § 14-1.9(b) |
| Nonprofit Organization Event Sign (Attached/Freestanding/Banner) | 5 feet (freestanding) | 32 sq ft per sign | — | 10 ft from all street, driveway, and property lines | 4 (1 on own property, 3 elsewhere); Max 1 per property per org | One on nonprofit's site, three elsewhere | — | § 14-1.9(d) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4 sq ft per sign | — | At least 4 ft from curb/edge of pavement; not in area between street & sidewalk | 1 (or 2 for corner lots, 1 per frontage) | On the advertised property | — | § 14-1.9(e) |
| Construction Sign (Freestanding) | — | 4 sq ft per sign | — | 10 ft from all street and lot lines | 1 per lot (2 if corner lot, max 1 per frontage) | On site under construction | — | § 14-1.9(g) |
| Land Development Sign (Freestanding) | — | 12 sq ft per sign | — | 10 ft from all street and lot lines | 1 per tract (2 if corner lot, max 1 per frontage) | On developing site | — | § 14-1.9(h) |
| Election Sign | 3 ft (if freestanding) | 4 sq ft | — | At least 4 ft from curb/edge of pavement; not in area between street & sidewalk | 1 per candidate/issue per parcel | On parcel | — | § 14-1.9(j) |
| Free Expression Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | At least 4 ft from curb/edge of pavement; not in area between street & sidewalk | 2 per property | On private property | — | § 14-1.9(k) |

### B-1, B-2, O, Business zoning districts (B-1, B-2), Open zoning district (O)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Facility Main Sign (Schools, Nonprofits, Public Buildings) (Attached/Freestanding/Bulletin) | 5 ft (freestanding/bulletin) | Aggregate attached+freestanding+bulletin: 32 sq ft | — | 15 ft from curb/edge of pavement | One main attached or freestanding + one bulletin (max 32 sq ft) | Along abutting streets to property | — | § 14-1.11(a)(1) |
| Entrance Information Sign (Schools, Nonprofits, Public Buildings) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 | At building entrance | — | § 14-1.11(a)(2) |
| Wall/Attached/Suspended Sign (per Use – Direct Access) | 3 ft (wall/awning/canopy); suspended: must be min 8 ft above ground | 32 sq ft max (wall/awning/canopy/attached), 6 sq ft (suspended) | Wall/attached: 80% of frontage | — | One per use with outside access | On awning/canopy/marquee, flat against building, or suspended from building/roof/awning/canopy | — | § 14-1.11(b)(1-2) |
| Portable (A-frame/Sandwich Board) Sign | 4 ft (closed); 3 ft (open) | — | 28 in | — | 1 | On property, not obstructing traffic | — | § 14-1.11(d)(2) |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Interior window | — | § 14-1.11(d)(3) / (c) |
| Pennant or Banner Sign (Grand Opening Only) | — | — | — | — | — | On site | — | § 14-1.11(d)(1) |

### C, CA-C, M-I, SR/B, Commercial zoning districts (C, CA-C), Industrial zoning district (M-I), Senior Residence/Business zoning district (SR/B)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Facility Main Sign (Nonprofit/Public Building/Use; Attached/Freestanding/Bulletin) | 5 ft (freestanding/bulletin) | Aggregate attached+freestanding+bulletin: 20 sq ft | — | 15 ft from street/curb | One main attached/freestanding + one bulletin (max 20 sq ft total) | On property | — | § 14-1.12(a)(1) |
| Entrance Information Sign (Nonprofits/Public Buildings) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Building entrance | — | § 14-1.12(a)(1)(c) |
| Wall/Attached/Suspended Sign (per Use – Direct Access) | 2 ft (wall/awning/canopy, attached); must not be above ceiling; suspended min 8 ft above ground | 24 sq ft (wall/awning/canopy); 6 sq ft (suspended) | Wall/attached: 80% of frontage | — | One per use with outside access | On awning/canopy/marquee, flat against building, or suspended from building/roof/awning/canopy | — | § 14-1.12(c)(1)(a-f) |
| Window/Door Sign (per Use) | 6 in (letter/number) | 10% of window/door area | — | — | 1 per use | Window or door area of occupied portion | — | § 14-1.12(c)(2) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Main Sign | 12 ft (with supports); letters/numbers max 12 in; logo max 16 in | 20 sq ft | — | 20 ft from property line; 5 ft from curb; not in 40 ft of intersection | 1 per principal building | Front yard area; minimum distances from property line/curb and intersection | — | § 14-1.12(c)(4) |
| Gas Station/Auto Service Wall Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per facility | Attached flat on building | — | § 14-1.12(b)(1) |
| Gas Station/Auto Service Freestanding Sign | 12 ft | 25 sq ft | — | 20 ft from property lines, 5 ft from street rights-of-way | 1 per facility | Freestanding on property | — | § 14-1.12(b)(2) |
| Portable (A-frame/Sandwich Board) Sign | 4 ft (closed); 3 ft (open) | — | 28 in | — | 1 | On property, not in ROW, not obstructing | — | § 14-1.12(d)(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Tenafly Borough

- No person shall paint, post, place or affix any notice, handbill, poster or sign of any description on or to any curbstone, flagstone, street, sidewalk, tree, lamppost, utility pole, or fire hydrant within public street or sidewalk areas.
- No sign shall be erected, displayed, altered or replaced except in accordance with this chapter.
- No sign shall be placed on or attached to a building or erected on a lot for any purpose other than to advertise a permitted business or use conducted on the same premises, unless specifically permitted.
- Moving, fluttering or rotating signs, or signs using mechanical or electrical devices to revolve, flash or display movement, intermittent illumination, or the illusion of movement, are prohibited (except digital or electronic bulletin signs conveying timely information on Borough or Board of Education property).
- Signs with lighting or control mechanisms that cause radio, television or telephone interference are prohibited.
- No portion of any sign shall be located on, within or suspended over a public right-of-way, unless specifically approved by the Mayor and Council.
- No sign shall obstruct driving vision, traffic signals, street signs, traffic directional or identification signs, other businesses, or other signs.
- No sign with red, green, blue, or amber illumination in a beam, beacon or flashing resembling emergency, safety or traffic devices shall be erected.
- No new or replacement billboards are permitted.
- No signs may be painted on a building wall, sidewalk, or curb.
- No signs may be located on or above the roof of a building or extend above the top or beyond the ends of an awning, canopy, marquee, or mansard roof.
- No attached or suspended signs may be affixed to any tree, fence, or utility pole.
- No window signs, except as specifically permitted.
- No portable signs are permitted, except as expressly permitted in this chapter (portable defined as fixed on a movable stand, self-supporting without being firmly embedded, supported by other objects, mounted on wheels or vehicles, or made easily movable).
- No sign may advertise a product which is not the principal use of the subject property.
- No signs exhibiting obscene material.
- No signs or stickers of any type or size may be affixed to utility poles, traffic signs, traffic signal boxes or poles, public mailboxes, fire hydrants, fences, trees or any other public fixtures, nor placed along highways or street curblines, on highway dividers, islands, overpasses, or above/across streets or highways or on any public property, except as expressly authorized in the chapter.
- Signs may not be posted on Borough property except as provided in the chapter (e.g., designated public forum areas, etc.).
- Failure to keep a sign in good repair for 30 consecutive days constitutes abandonment and such sign must be removed or made conforming.
- All obsolete signs on commercial premises vacant for 30 days must be removed or covered.
- Nonconforming or illegal signs must be removed or brought into compliance after notice; otherwise, the Borough may remove and charge the cost.

## Signs exempt from permit in Tenafly Borough

- Flags of the United States and/or State of New Jersey not greater than 30 sq. ft., displayed on permitted flagpoles, do not require a sign permit.
- Customary street number designations, nameplate signs, 'private property' signs, 'no hunting' signs, on-site directional signs, parking signs, warning signs, and other similar informational signs within size and content limitations are permitted without a permit.
- Temporary holiday displays/lighting as a customary part of property decoration are permitted for the time period of the holiday.
- Temporary signs announcing nonprofit organization events (subject to specific provisions) require a permit but the permit and application review fee is waived.
- Real estate signs advertising sale, rental, or lease (subject to specific limitations) do not require a permit.
- Temporary directional signs (subject to specific limitations) do not require a permit.
- One nonilluminated, freestanding construction sign not exceeding 4 sq. ft. is allowed during renovation/construction, with permit.
- One nonilluminated, freestanding land development sign not exceeding 12 sq. ft. is allowed during construction of new residences/approved projects.
- Permanent traffic, railroad crossing, danger, emergency/safety signs for government or public utility employees do not require a permit.
- Unlighted historic building plaques conforming to historic preservation regulations do not require a permit.
- One election sign per candidate/issue per parcel, not exceeding 4 sq. ft.; must be removed in 7 days after the election.
- Up to two nonilluminated, freestanding free expression signs (noncommercial, up to 4 sq. ft., 3 ft. high) are permitted per property; no time limit.
- Temporary window signs advertising products or services may be displayed in business and commercial districts (subject to area/time limits) and do not require permit.
- Temporary portable 'A-frame' advertising signs, subject to strict limits, are permitted in business and commercial districts and do not require permit.
- Nonconforming signs lawfully erected prior to the effective date of the ordinance may remain until substantially damaged or destroyed.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Except for signs approved as part of an approved development application by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, a sign permit must be obtained from the Construction Official prior to erection, re-erection, alteration, or placement of any sign.
- A sign permit application requires scaled drawings, translation (if any non-English), and owner/lessee signatures.
- If the Construction Official denies a sign permit or fails to act, appeals may be made to the Sign Committee, which may grant a variance or waiver.
- If nonconforming signs are not brought into compliance within 120 days of the effective date of the ordinance, a variance or waiver must be obtained to allow continued noncompliance.
- Applications to place temporary, noncommercial signs in designated public forum areas on public property must be made to the Department of Buildings and are subject to approval and scheduling by the Borough Clerk.

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

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