# Sign Regulations in Tinton Falls, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Tinton Falls, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/tinton-falls
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-12
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/35780567#35780567)

## At a glance

Tinton Falls, New Jersey regulates 16 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Highways/Community Commercial (HCC), Industrial Office Park (IOP), Manufacturing (MFG), Manufacturing 2 (MFG2) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 50 sq ft, with a Minimum 20 ft from property lines setback (Sec. §40-34M.3.c(4), §40-34M.4.d). Most commercial signs in Tinton Falls require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Agricultural (RA), Single-Family Residential (R-1), Single-Family Residential (R-2), Residential (R-3), Residential Inclusionary (R-3-I), Residential (R-4), Residential (R-4-A), Age Restricted Housing (AR), Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Affordable Housing (AH) | 3 | — | 48 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Highways/Community Commercial (HCC), Industrial Office Park (IOP), Manufacturing (MFG), Manufacturing 2 (MFG2) | 8 | State Hwy: 35 ft; County Rd: 20 ft | 600 sq ft | — |
| Open Space/Government Use (OS/GU), Transportation Corridor (TR), Route 66 Redevelopment Area (Route 66), Fort Monmouth Redevelopment Area (FMRA), CECOM Redevelopment Area (CECOM) | 1 | — | 48 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | Residential: 20 ft; Nonresidential: 45 ft | Flag: Residential 3x5 ft; Nonresidential 4x6 ft; Pole: Residential 20 ft high; Nonresidential 45 ft high | — |
| Historic/Architectural District | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential Agricultural (RA), Single-Family Residential (R-1), Single-Family Residential (R-2), Residential (R-3), Residential Inclusionary (R-3-I), Residential (R-4), Residential (R-4-A), Age Restricted Housing (AR), Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Affordable Housing (AH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | On the premises; typically affixed to building or near main entrance | — | §40-34M.1.a |
| Ground Sign (Residential Development Identification) | — | 24 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way line | 1 per development | At entrances to subdivision/complex; outside of sight triangle | — | §40-34M.1.c |
| Ground Sign (Public Purpose Use) | — | 48 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | On premises of public/governmental use | — | §40-34M.1.d |

### Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Highways/Community Commercial (HCC), Industrial Office Park (IOP), Manufacturing (MFG), Manufacturing 2 (MFG2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 4–8 ft depending on setback | 40–120 sq ft, depending on setback | — | — | 1 per wall facing public street | On wall facing public street | — | §40-34M.3.c(1); §40-34N.1 |
| Tenant Sign (Shopping Centers/Multiple Tenants) | — | — | — | — | 1 per tenant | On tenant's unit | — | §40-34M.3.c(2) |
| Directory Sign (Multiple Tenants) | — | 4 sq ft per business, max 36 sq ft | — | — | 1 directory sign per building | Near main entrance, attached or freestanding within 10 ft of entrance | — | §40-34M.3.c(3) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Minimum 20 ft from property lines | 1 per lot | On lot | — | §40-34M.3.c(4), §40-34M.4.d |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft (min. ground clearance 3 ft) | 25 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per lot, in lieu of ground sign | On lot | — | §40-34M.3.c(5) |
| Freestanding Pylon Sign (HCC only) | State Hwy: 35 ft; County Rd: 20 ft | State Hwy: 400 sq ft; County Rd: 200 sq ft | — | State Hwy: 10 ft; County Rd: 20 ft | 1 per qualifying highway frontage | Allowed on highway frontage with access | — | §40-34M.4.a |
| Wall Sign (HCC Shopping Center Tenant) | 12 ft (letter height) | 600 sq ft | — | — | 1 per wall facing public street | On tenant unit wall | — | §40-34M.4.b, §40-34M.4.c |
| Tenant Pedestrian-Oriented Sign (HCC) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | At or under canopy/sidewalk cover in front of building | — | §40-34M.4.c |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | 2 ft | 2 sq ft per sign | — | Minimum 1/2 of front yard setback | Up to 2 | On premises or off-premises for houses of worship | — | §40-34M.2.c; §40-34N.4 |
| Flagpole | Residential: 20 ft; Nonresidential: 45 ft | Flag: Residential 3x5 ft; Nonresidential 4x6 ft; Pole: Residential 20 ft high; Nonresidential 45 ft high | — | See above | Not specified | On owner's property, not in right-of-way | — | §40-34G.5 |

## Prohibited signs in Tinton Falls

- No sign shall be placed, constructed, erected, or modified without a sign permit from the Zoning Officer and, where required, a building permit from the Construction Official (§40-34A.1).
- Signs not specifically allowed by ordinance are prohibited (§40-34A.1).
- No billboards shall be erected, used or maintained within the Borough (§40-34J.1).
- No signs shall be attached to trees, fence posts, stumps, utility poles, water towers, storage tanks, chimneys, smokestacks, radio towers, antennae, or similar structures (§40-34J.2).
- No roof signs ('sky signs') are permitted (§40-34J.3).
- No sign shall be placed on an accessory building (§40-34J.4).
- No sign may use flashing light, or utilize red, green, blue, or amber illumination in a beam, light, beacon, or flashing form resembling an emergency light (§40-34J.5).
- No sign with an optical illusion of movement, mechanical/electrical movement, revolving, or sound emission is permitted (§40-34J.6).
- No commercial sign is allowed in a window of a residential use (§40-34J.7).
- No sign shall be on any street furniture (§40-34J.8).
- No temporary portable signs or windsocks, kites, banners or strings or streamers of flags, pennants, spinners, or similar objects are allowed except for certain temporary displays (§40-34J.9).
- No signs shall involve advertising on vehicles that are parked to function as an additional form of sign/display (§40-34J.10).
- No sign shall obstruct any window, door, fire escape, standpipe, or fire hydrant (§40-34J.11).
- No sign shall obstruct sight triangles or visibility for vehicle operators or pedestrians entering a public roadway (§40-34J.12).
- No trademarks or brand names are allowed on any sign for products not available in the establishment (§40-34J.13).
- No sign element shall be interpreted as part of the architectural element of the building (§40-34J.14).
- Inflatable signs and tethered balloons are prohibited except for decorative small balloons (§40-34J.15).
- Neon or gas filled decorations outlining facade elements or windows are prohibited (§40-34J.16).
- Searchlights are prohibited (§40-34J.17).
- No temporary signs are allowed except as detailed in ordinance (§40-34J.18).
- No sandwich board, tripod, A-frame, or signs on trailers, or similar portable structures are permitted (§40-34J.19).
- Signs with messages that are lewd, licentious, or advocate illegal acts are prohibited (§40-34J.20).
- Signs may not extend or project above the height of the attached wall or above the lowest part of the roofline (§40-34I.10).
- No sign shall extend/project above the permitted setback line or height limit (§40-34I.7).
- Off-site advertising signs (not for the business or use on the same property) are not permitted (§40-34I.4).
- No sign, except public infrastructure and traffic control devices, shall be erected within the public street right-of-way (§40-34I.6).
- Nonconforming signs may not be enlarged or altered to increase nonconformity (§40-34K.1).

## Signs exempt from permit in Tinton Falls

- Signs inside a building, not attached to a window/door, and not readable from more than three feet beyond the lot line, do not require a permit (§40-34G.2).
- Public notice or warning signs required by federal, state, county, or local law, regulation, or ordinance are exempt from permit requirements (§40-34G.1).
- Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message are exempt from permit requirements (§40-34G.3).
- Traffic control signs on private property consistent with DOT standards and containing no commercial message are exempt from permit requirements (§40-34G.4).
- Flags of the U.S., New Jersey, the Borough, foreign nations, and other governments, subject to maximum height/size/location requirements, are exempt from permit requirements (§40-34G.5).
- Signs or banners advertising Borough-sponsored events posted with Borough Council permission or designee are exempt from permit requirements (§40-34G.6).
- Pump mounted fuel price informational signs, limited to one per fuel pump and max 216 sq in, are exempt from permit requirements (§40-34G.7).
- U.S. Postal regulation mailboxes are exempt (§40-34G.8).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Signage Plan is required with any application for sign permit or any application for development involving installation or modification of signage (§40-34A.2).
- The Master Signage Plan must include detailed information on all existing and proposed signs, including but not limited to: size, letter style and size, illumination, colors (including PMS samples), construction materials, structural and installation details, window size (if applicable), location, and enumeration of requirements and conditions (§40-34A.2, .3).
- A plot plan showing the location of proposed freestanding signs is required as part of the Master Signage Plan (§40-34A.4).
- All plans and drawings comprising the Master Signage Plan shall be prepared by a licensed architect, engineer, and/or land surveyor, as appropriate, when filed with the Planning Board or Zoning Board (§40-34A.5).
- A Master Signage Plan is required for all applications for development with signage, submitted to Planning Board or Zoning Board; plans must be prepared and submitted per ordinance requirements (§40-34A.2–A.5).
- Site plan approval is not required if the requested sign conforms in every way to ordinance provisions; otherwise, the Zoning Officer refers the application to the appropriate board (§40-34A.8).

## 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 5 zoning districts in Tinton Falls — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Tinton+Falls+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-tinton-falls

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